Percutaneous ultrasound-guided balloon-assisted embolization of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms with Glubran®2 cyanoacrylate glue: safety, efficacy and outcomes

Compare efficacy and safety of autologous blood clot injection with C-clamp vascular closure device in treatment of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm after femoral artery puncture

INTRODUCTION

Iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (FAP) is a complication following femoral artery puncture, with an incidence rate of 0.2%-5.5% post-cardiac catheterization procedures. Management typically involves observation or interventional treatments such as ultrasound-guided compression (UGC) or ultrasound-guided thrombin injections. This study compares the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided autologous blood clot injection (UGCI) with C-clamp vascular closure device-assisted UGC in treating FAP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Conducted at a high-volume training and research center, this prospective study enrolled patients with iatrogenic FAP post-femoral artery puncture. Patients were randomized into two treatments: UGC with a C-clamp device or UGCI. Primary endpoints were thrombosis induction within 24 h, average procedure time, and length of hospital stay (LOS).

RESULTS

The study included 105 patients with 51 undergoing UGCI and 54 undergoing UGC. UGCI achieved a primary success rate of 96% versus 63% for UGC. The mean procedure duration for UGCI was significantly shorter (22 min) compared with UGC (49 min, p ⩽ 0.0001). LOS was also reduced in the UGCI group (1.5 days) compared to the UGC group (4.5 days). Complication rates were low for both procedures, with one deep vein thrombosis and one infection observed in the UGC group.

CONCLUSION

UGCI demonstrated to be a safe, efficient, and faster alternative for treating iatrogenic FAPs with a higher success rate, reduced LOS, and similar low complication rates compared to UGC. This study suggests that UGCI could be considered a preferred method for the management of FAP post-femoral artery catheterization.

Percutaneous balloon-assisted ultrasound-guided direct thrombin embolization of superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm: a case series and literature review

BACKGROUND

Superficial femoral artery (SFA) pseudoaneurysms, a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, that can arise after vascular interventions or trauma. This case series explores the efficacy and safety of a minimally invasive treatment modality, percutaneous ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (PUGTI) combined with balloon occlusion, in three patients with SFA pseudoaneurysms.

CASE PRESENTATION

Three patients (age: 71-82 years; 3 female) with SFA pseudoaneurysms underwent PUGTI with balloon occlusion. The procedure involved direct thrombin injection under ultrasound guidance while occluding the parent artery using a balloon catheter. Follow-up was conducted at 1 week and 1 month post-procedure to assess technical success, complications, and recurrence.

CONCLUSION

PUGTI combined with balloon occlusion appears to be a safe and effective treatment for SFA pseudoaneurysms, particularly for larger pseudoaneurysms. The procedure is associated with a high technical success rate. Balloon occlusion may offer a safer alternative to direct thrombin injection without occlusion, as it potentially minimizes the risk of complications such as distal thromboembolism.

The Role of Anticoagulants and Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors in the Treatment of Pseudoaneurysms and Risk of Venous Thrombosis

Pseudoaneurysms (PSA) are one of the most common complications after arterial punctures. This retrospective study examined whether platelet aggregation inhibitors (APT) or anticoagulants (AC) lower the success rates of PSA treatment. A total of 468 patients with PSA were retrospectively analyzed between 2010 and 2018, and 238 were included in the study. Despite co-medication with APT or AC, thrombin injection (TI) was superior to compression bandage (CB) therapy in treating PSA (TIwAC 79 vs CBwAC 51%; P = .004 and TIwAPT 93 vs CBwAPT 54%; P = .001). There was no decrease in PSA-associated thrombosis in patients requiring anticoagulation after TI. The success rates of the TI and CB groups were compared in patients with and without AC therapy, and the latter was significantly lower. A reduced success rate was not observed in CB therapy patients requiring APT. In contrast, better results were seen in the TI group. Regarding PSA treatment, TI therapy is significantly superior to CB, including in patients requiring concomitant AC or APT therapy. PSA-associated thrombosis also occurs in patients requiring anticoagulation, and sonography should be performed. Concomitant medication use with APT does not significantly influence PSA therapy success or prevention of PSA-associated thrombosis.

Balloon-Assisted Thrombin Injection of a Profunda Femoral Pseudoaneurysm Using Radial Access

The profunda femoral artery is an uncommon location for a pseudoaneurysm and is technically challenging to resolve with traditional techniques, such as ultrasound-guided compression or thrombin injection, owing to its deep anatomical location. Balloon-assisted thrombin injection (BATI) is a technique that has been shown to be effective using contralateral access for technically difficult pseudoaneurysms in high-risk surgical patients. We report a case of BATI using radial access in a patient with a profunda femoral artery pseudoaneurysm.

Endovascular Embolization of Femoral Pseudoaneurysm Associated with Therapeutic and Diagnostic Neuroendovascular Procedures

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of endovascular embolization for femoral iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms (PAs) following therapeutic and diagnostic neuroendovascular procedures.

Methods

This study included 12 patients with femoral PA due to femoral puncture at our department between May 2014 and April 2021. We performed an analysis of baseline characteristics, treatment, and outcome of these cases.

Results

Endovascular embolization was performed in 10 of the 12 PAs using coils and/or N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Of these, 10 PAs were treated with endovascular embolization and 9 were successfully occluded, whereas complete occlusion was not achieved in 1 case of PA (success rate: 90%). No new intraoperative or postoperative complications or postoperative recurrences occurred.

Conclusion

Endovascular embolization for PA can be immediately performed under local anesthesia without discontinuation of antithrombotic therapy and may be a safe and effective option for access site complication treatment.

Non-Surgical treatment Versus Surgery for Iatrogenic Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives

This study compared results of non-surgical treatment (compression and ultrasound guided thrombin injection (UGTI)) and surgery to treat iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms.

Methods

PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to October 2021. Primary outcome measure was success rate, and other outcomes examined were complication rate, reintervention rate. Two authors independently reviewed and extracted data. Data were presented as the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to appraise the quality of the body of evidence.

Results

Eight studies were included. A total of 623 patients with pseudoaneurysm undergoing treatment were included, of which 163 subjects underwent surgery, 397 subjects underwent compression, and 63 subjects underwent UGTI. The success rate was significantly lower in the non-surgery group (OR 0.24, 95% CI, 0.08–0.69, I²= 0%). The complication rate was significantly lower in the non-surgery group (OR 0.10, 95% CI, 0.03 –0.29, I²= 0%). Patients in the non-surgery group tended to have a lower, but statistically insignificant, reintervention rate (OR 0.11, 95% CI, 0.01–1.06, I²= 35%). Further, the GRADE assessment showed that these results (success rate, complication rate, and reintervention rate) were of very low quality.

Conclusions

Available evidence shows that it is reasonable to regard non-surgical treatment as the primary treatment for iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms, and surgery as a remedy after failure of non-surgical treatment in some cases.

Safety and efficacy of emergency transarterial embolization for mesenteric bleeding

Background

Patients with spontaneous or traumatic active mesenteric bleeding cannot be treated endoscopically. Transarterial embolization can serve as a potential alternative to emergency surgery. Literature on transarterial embolization for mesenteric bleeding remains very scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transarterial embolization for mesenteric bleeding. We reviewed all consecutive patients admitted for mesenteric bleeding to the interventional radiology department, in a tertiary center, between January 2010 and March 2021. Mesenteric bleeding was defined as mesenteric hematoma and contrast extravasation and/or pseudoaneurysm visible on pre-operative CT scan. We evaluated technical success, clinical success, and complications.

Results

Among the 17 patients admitted to the interventional department for mesenteric bleeding, 15 presented with active mesenteric bleeding requiring transarterial embolization with five patients with hemodynamic instability. Mean age was 67 ± 14 years, including 12 (70.6%) males. Technical success was achieved in 14/15 (93.3%) patients. One patient with technical failure was treated by percutaneous embolization with NBCA-Lipiodol mixture. Three patients (20%) had early rebleeding: two were treated by successful repeat embolization and one by surgery. One patient (6.7%) had early death within 30 days and two patients (13.3%) had late death after 30 days. Mean length of hospitalization was 12.8 ± 7 days. There were no transarterial embolization-related ischemic complications.

Conclusion

Transarterial embolization is a safe and effective technique for treating mesenteric bleeding even in patients with hemodynamic instability. Transarterial embolization doesn’t close the door to surgery and could be proposed as first intention in case of mesenteric bleeding.

Endovascular Use of Cyanoacrylate-Lipiodol Mixture for Peripheral Embolization: Properties, Techniques, Pitfalls, and Applications

Endovascular embolization agents are particles and fluids that can be released into the bloodstream through a catheter to mechanically and/or biologically occlude a target vessel, either temporarily or permanently. Vascular embolization agents are available as solids, liquids, and suspensions. Although liquid adhesives (glues) have been used as embolic agents for decades, experience with them for peripheral applications is generally limited. Cyanoacrylates are the main liquid adhesives used for endovascular interventions and have a major role in managing vascular abnormalities, bleeding, and many vascular diseases. They can only be injected as a mixture with ethiodized oil, which provides radiopacity and modulates the polymerization rate. This review describes the characteristics, properties, mechanisms of action, modalities of use, and indications of the cyanoacrylate-Lipiodol® combination for peripheral embolization.

Choosing a treatment method for post-catheterization pseudoaneurysms guided by the late to early velocity index

Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) is often the first-line treatment for iatrogenic post-catheterization pseudoaneurysms (psA). There are also first reports of the use of biologically derived tissue glues (TG) instead of sole thrombin especially when UGTI was unsuccessful or in case of psA recurrence. Previously, we have established that a late to early velocity index (LEVI) < 0.2 could be a predictor of an increased risk of psA recurrence after standard UGTI. In this paper, we report our first experiences when the choice of the first-line treatment method was based on LEVI assessment. From May 2017 till January 2020 we included 36 patients with psA. Of them, 10 had LEVI < 0.2 and they underwent ultrasound-guided tissue glue injection (UGTGI) with biological TG and 26 had LEVI > 0.2 and they underwent UGTI. The injection set containing human thrombin and fibrinogen was used for UGTGI. Bovine thrombin was used for UGTI. The success rate was 100% and no psA recurrence was detected during a 2-week follow-up. It was significantly better when compared to the expected recurrence rates based on our previous 14 years of experience (0% vs. 13%, p = 0.01). All complications (10% in the UGTGI group and 15% in the UGTI group) were mild and transient and included clinical symptoms of paresthesia, numbness, tingling, or pain. Their rates were comparable to the rates we previously reported. No significant differences in other characteristics were observed. The approach to choose the first-line treatment method for iatrogenic psA based on LEVI is encouraging. It may increase the success rate and avoid unnecessary repetition of the procedure, without increasing complication rate while keeping costs of the procedure reasonable.

Percutaneous glue embolization of arteriovenous fistula of in situ saphenous vein bypass graft: Case report and literature review

OBJECTIVES

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) of an in situ saphenous vein bypass can be managed surgically or through endovascular coil embolization. The complications associated with the surgical wounds required for side branch ligature can be minimized through selective vein ligature and interrupted small incisions, but endovascular methods are time-consuming and limited by vein size. In this case report, we describe percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided balloon-assisted direct glue injection as an alternative treatment strategy for AVF closure.

METHODS

We treated a patient with a delayed AVF in a femoral-popliteal in situ saphenous vein bypass. The patient came to our attention for the recurrence of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CTLI) 4 years after the initial bypass creation. Ultrasound and computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a double tandem graft in significant stenosis below an AVF connected with the deep venous system. Treatment included percutaneous angioplasty of the bypass stenosis and contemporary AVF closure via ultrasound-guided glue injection.

RESULTS

We successfully performed endovascular angioplasty with a drug-eluting balloon of the bypass stenosis and ultrasound-guided fistula embolization with cyanoacrylate Glubran 2. Angiography after the procedure showed bypass graft patency, no residual stenosis, and complete closure of the AVF. Results were confirmed with US.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous embolization using glue could be a useful technique for AVF closure. It is a minimally invasive method that reduces the need for skin incisions during in situ saphenous grafting or endovascular revascularization.

Percutaneous closure of femoral pseudaneurysm after TAVR

Fully percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) is currently the standard of the catheter-based treatment of severe aortic stenosis patients. Even though experience, lower delivery catheters profile and improved vascular closure devices performances have resulted in an overall reduction of both vascular and bleeding complications after TAVR, femoral pseudoaneurysm due to incomplete local hemostasis may occur, prolonging the in-hospital length of stay, causing discomfort to the patient and potentially evolving in serious consequences affecting the outcome. We report two successful percutaneous ultrasound-guided closure of both the main and secondary femoral access pseudoaneurysm.

Percutaneous balloon-assisted ultrasound-guided direct glue embolization of deep femoral artery pseudoaneurysm rupture

Deep femoral artery pseudoaneurysm is commonly caused by arterial access in endovascular procedures. Some therapeutic options have been applied for this lesion such as: surgery, ultrasound-guided compression, direct thrombin injection, covered stent, coil embolization. One of the effective therapeutic for treatment of femoral artery pseudoaneurysm but uncommon use is percutaneous direct glue injection. We hereby report a case of right deep femoral artery pseudoaneurysm after 2-week placement of the femoral tunneled hemodialysis catheter which was successfully treated by balloon-assisted percutaneous ultrasound-guided direct glue embolization.

A hybrid approach for vascular control and repair of an expanding iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm

Surgical repair of iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms in the setting of distorted anatomy, multiple prior interventions, and ongoing hemorrhage requires extensive proximal and distal dissection for control. Furthermore, profunda femoral and other arterial branch control may not always be feasible and can lead to considerable blood loss at the time of surgical exploration. We present a simple, safe, and effective hybrid approach for inflow, outflow, and branch control for treatment of a proximally located, actively expanding, iatrogenic common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm recalcitrant to multiple sessions of percutaneous thrombin injection.

The role of interventional radiology in the management of abnormally invasive placenta: a systematic review of current evidences

Abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) is a potentially severe condition. To date, arterial embolization in women with postpartum hemorrhage due to AIP is the treatment option for which highest degrees of evidence are available. However, other techniques have been tested, including prophylactic catheter placement, balloon occlusion of the iliac arteries and abdominal aorta balloon occlusion. In this systematic review, we provide an overview of the currently reported interventional radiology procedures that are used for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage due to AIP and suggest recommendations based on current evidences. Owing to a high rate of adverse events, prophylactic occlusion of internal iliac arteries should be used with caution and applied when the endpoint is hysterectomy. On the opposite, when a conservative management is considered to preserve future fertility, uterine artery embolization should be the preferred option as it is associated with a hysterectomy rate of 15.5% compared to 76.5% with prophylactic balloon occlusion of the internal iliac arteries and does not result in fetal irradiation. Limited data are available regarding the application of systematic prophylactic embolization and no comparative studies with arterial embolization are available.

Partial splenic embolization with Glubran®2/Lipiodol® mixture for oncological patients with hypersplenism-related thrombocytopenia requiring systemic chemotherapy

Background

Partial splenic embolization (PSE) has been used to improve thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism. The optimal embolic agent is still debated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, hematologic response and outcomes of PSE with cyanoacrylate glue for oncological patients with hypersplenism-related thrombocytopenia requiring systemic chemotherapy (SC).

Methods

Retrospective single-center observational report of cancer patients with thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism and requiring SC who underwent PSE with N-butyl cyanoacrylate-methacryloxy sulfolane (NBCA-MS) Glubran^®2 glue between February 2015 and September 2017. All patients were treated under local anesthesia with a Glubran^®2/Lipiodol^® mixture of 1:5 ratio. They all received empiric antibiotic coverage. Splenic volume and parenchyma infarction rate were evaluated by CT scan within 1 month of PSE. Primary and secondary endpoints of the current study included a platelet count increase >150×10⁹/L and the initiation of SC, respectively. Periprocedural laboratory values and adverse events were recorded.

Results

PSE was performed in eight patients (6 males, 2 females; median age, 59 years; range, 33-75 years) for a technical success of 100%. For procedures with adequate follow-up, primary and secondary endpoints were achieved in 100% (7 of 7 patients) and 100% (7 of 7 patients) of patients, respectively. One patient died before follow-up, unrelated to the procedure. Mean splenic infarction post-PSE was 55% (range, 21-70%) on CT scan. For 7 patients with laboratory follow-up, the mean platelet count significantly increased from 74×10⁹/L [range, (62-83) ×10⁹/L] immediately before PSE to a peak level of 272×10⁹/L [range, (161-417) ×10⁹/L] 10 days after PSE (P<0.05). All patients could receive SC after PSE. No non-target glue embolization occurred. All patients experienced a transient and moderate postembolization syndrome. No severe postembolization syndrome occurred. No major complication was reported. The mean overall survival was 7.9 months (range, 0.6-10.4 months) among the 8 patients after PSE.

Conclusions

PSE with cyanoacrylate glue is safe and effective in the management of thrombocytopenia related to hypersplenism in cancer patients. It allows sufficient platelet count improvement for administration of SC.