Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Neridronate for transient osteoporosis of the hip in a child

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is usually reported in middle-aged men or during pregnancy as a benign self-limiting condition. Nevertheless, its impact on quality of life in terms of pain and disability is considerable. Also, it can lead to insufficiency fractures or, more rarely, evolve into osteonecrosis. This condition is anecdotally described in the pediatric age and very little is known about how it may affect the growing bone. We herein describe a case of TOH in a 10-year-old child treated at our pediatric rheumatology service and summarize the pediatric cases of TOH previously reported in literature. There are two points of interest in our case report, the first one being the unusual complication of TOH with a femoral physis fracture and the second the complete recovery after the off-label therapy with bisphosphonates. We suggest that interventional medical treatment could be considered in selected cases of juvenile TOH, to prevent any possible irreversible damage on the femoral physis. As far as we know, this is the first report of neridronate employment in children affected by TOH.

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%).

RESULTS

After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707.

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%).

RESULTS

After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707.

Pseudo-Class III malocclusion treatment with Balters’ Bionator

The aim of this article is to show the use of the Balters' Bionator in pseudo-Class III treatment. The importance of differentiating between true Class III and pseudo-Class III is emphasized. The therapeutic results of a Balters' Bionator appliance are presented in three case reports of subjects in the mixed dentition. In this stage of development it is possible to correct an isolated problem. The use of the Bionator III in this kind of malocclusion enabled the correction of a dental malocclusion in a few months and therapeutic stability of a mesially-positioned mandible encouraging favourable skeletal growth.

CT angiography versus colour-Doppler US in acute dissection of the vertebral artery

PURPOSE

Conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) still represents the criterion standard for the diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection (VAD), but the main drawbacks of this technique include invasiveness, patient discomfort and risk of complications. We evaluated the potential of multidetector computed tomography angiography (CTA) as a noninvasive tool providing high-resolution images of the arterial lumen and wall by comparing the diagnostic accuracy of CTA and colour-Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) in detecting acute VAD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 15 cases of VAD in 15 patients (five men and ten women, age range 28-58 years) who came to our attention between August 2001 and September 2005. The diagnosis was made on the basis of appropriate clinical presentation, absence of atherosclerotic disease in the cerebrovascular circulation and evidence of distinctive CT features, which were subsequently confirmed by conventional angiography used as reference standard. All patients with a clinical suspicion of VAD underwent CDUS of the neck vessels prior to CTA. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of CDUS and CTA were expressed as percentages of agreement with the reference angiographic procedure. Interreader concordance for detection of VAD by CTA was calculated with the Cohen K value.

RESULTS

The CDUS examinations revealed ten out of 15 VAD, with a sensitivity of 66%, a specificity of 60%, a positive predictive value of 55.5% and a negative predictive value of 70.5%. In five cases, CDUS revealed nonspecific wall and flow alterations; in eight patients, high resistance obstructive flow; and in two patients, intimal flap with demonstration of the true and false lumen. CTA enabled the correct identification of all 15 VAD. The reported sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 100%, 95%, 93.7% and 100%, respectively. With regard to localisation of VAD, CTA showed 100% correlation with DSA. The differences in CTA and CDUS sensitivity (100% vs 66%), specificity (95% vs 60%), and overall diagnostic accuracy (97% vs 62.8%), assessed by cross tabulations and compared by using the McNemar's two-sided test, were significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Multidetector CTA is a sensitive technique for the diagnosis of VAD. Used as a complement to unenhanced brain CT, it has the advantage of being readily available and easy to perform.

Orthodontic correction of an ectopic mandibular first permanent molar: a case report

Ectopic eruption of mandibular first molar is a rare clinical problem. It is one result of an improper balance in the forces of growth and eruption. A case of ectopic eruption of the mandibular first permanent molar is described and the technique for repositioning it is showed.

Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in High-risk Patients: a Single Centre Experience

OBJECTIVES

to evaluate the role of endovascular repair (ER) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in American Society for Anaesthesiology [ASA] class IV patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

between April 1997 and March 2000, 266 consecutive patients underwent ER for AAA. There were 26 patients (10%) with ASA grade IV. The remaining 240 patients, ASA grade between I and III (ASA<IV group), were compared with the ASA IV group. Mean follow-up was 11.6 months (range 1-32 months). Increase in AAA diameter after ER or persisting graft-related endoleak were defined as failure of AAA exclusion. Regression analysis was performed to test the effect of five confounding variables on failure of AAA exclusion and perioperative mortality.

RESULTS

patients in the ASA IV group were significantly older than patients in ASA <IV group (mean age: 74 years vs 70 years p=0.005). AAA were larger (mean diameter: 56 mm vs 50 mm p =0.002) and more extensive (class E of EUROSTAR classification: 27% vs 5.8% p =0.002). There were two perioperative deaths in the ASA IV group and one in the ASA<IV group (8% vs 0.4%; RR 19; 95% CI 1.8-202 p=0.01). Major perioperative morbidity occurred in 8% of patients in the ASA IV group and in 3.3% in the ASA<IV group (n.s.). There were no conversions to open repair in the ASA IV group while six were performed in the ASA<IV group (n.s.). Length of hospitalisation was significantly longer for patients in the ASA IV group: 7.8 days vs 3.2 days (p =0.001). Operative times and blood loss were similar. Failure of AAA exclusion occurred in two patients (8%) in the ASA IV group and in four patients (1.6%) in the ASA<IV group (n.s.). On life table analysis, survival rates at 26 months were 76% in the ASA IV group and 89% in the ASA<IV group (p =0.004). Five variables were examined by regression analysis and no independent predictors of failure of AAA exclusion and operative mortality were found.

CONCLUSIONS

ER in ASA IV patients is feasible and effective with acceptable actuarial survival rates. However, the endovascular procedure in these patients is associated with higher major systemic morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospitalisation rates.

Predictive factors for early success of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

To identify predictive factors for postoperative success and potential predictors for satisfactory outcome of endovascular grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), we collected data from our prospective database, which includes a series of consecutive patients undergoing endovascular repair at the Vascular Surgery Unit, Policlinico Monteluce, Perugia, Italy. From April 1997 to July 1998, 202 patients were referred to our Unit for elective AAA repair; 94 patients (47%) were selected for endografting. Placement of the graft using endovascular technique without conversion to open laparotomy, in addition to no mortality, major morbidity, or endoleak at 30-day follow-up, was defined as postoperative success. The influence of anatomical features on postoperative results was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Our experience shows that endoluminal repair of AAA is safe and effective in the short term and male patients with small aneurysms are optimal candidates for successful repair.

Role of duplex scan in endoleak detection after endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

to validate the role of duplex scan in endoleak detection in postoperative surveillance of endoluminal abdominal aneurysm repair (EAAR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

between April 1997 and March 1999, 103 patients were eligible for duplex and computed tomography (CT) scan after EAAR. Mean follow-up was 8 months (range 1-24 months). The study protocol comprised concurrent examination with colour-duplex and CT scan at 1, 6, and 12 months after EAAR, for a total of 198 concurrent examinations. All duplex scan examinations were performed by two vascular surgeons with the same machine (ATL HDI 3000). Interobserver agreement in endoleak detection (kappa=1) and in type of endoleak (kappa=0.7) was evaluated in 50 random duplex examinations. Endoleak detection was examined comparatively in duplex and CT scan, the latter being the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity tests together with negative- and positive-predictive values (NPV and PPV) were calculated.

RESULTS

duplex scan was not feasible in one patient. On CT scan the endoleak rate was 4% at one month, 3% at 6 months, and 4% at one year. Overall, CT scan detected 12 endoleaks. With respect to endoleak detection, duplex scan revealed a great ability in ruling out false-negative results (sensitivity 91.7%, NPV 99.4%), but overestimated the presence of endoleak (specificity 98.4%, PPV 78. 6%). Regarding type of endoleak, the ability of duplex scan to identify the source of endoleak was low (sensitivity 66.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

duplex scan, if validated, appears to be a reliable means for excluding the presence of endoleak after EAAR.

Rapid palatal expansion in treatment of Class II malocclusions

A technique which combines the use of rapid maxillary expansion and fixed appliance in growing patients, is presented. The treatment in three patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion and different skeletal patterns is described, and relative advantages highlighted.

Endoluminal repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms using a modular stent-graft: one-year clinical results from a European multicentre trial

This is a report of a prospective study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Medtronic AneuRx stent-graft. Patients with an infrarenal aneurysm with a proximal neck length of greater than 10 mm and a neck diameter not greater than 26 mm and iliac artery diameters of at least 6 mm were accepted for endovascular repair using the Medtronic AneuRx modular stent-graft. A total of 104 patients were included in the study. Transfemoral placement of the bifurcated stent-graft was successful in 102 of 104 patients. Two conversions were performed. The mean operating time was 148 min (range 75-480) and the mean blood loss was 605 ml (range 100-2900). The mean follow-up was 15 months (range 12-21). Complications were rare and no kinking or migration occurred. At follow-up, four endoleaks persisted after 12 months. The Medtronic AneuRx stent-graft is a safe and efficacious alternative to open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with excellent early results.

Chronic iliac artery occlusion: treatment with the Strecker stent after PTA

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and subsequent. Strecker stent implantation for the treatment of chronic iliac artery occlusions. A total of 39 patients were subjected to this procedure. The occluded vessels were catheterized, dilated and subjected to stenting in all patients: the length of occlusion varied from 4.5 to 10.5 cm (mean 5.9), lesions were located in common iliac arteries (25), external iliac arteries (10) and in combinations of both (4). Twenty-five patients presented stage II according to Fontaine classification, nine patients stage III and five patients stage IV. The stent was mounted on balloon catheter and introduced through a 9 French sheet (for 8-10 mm stent diameter). After this procedure, 37 out of 39 patients showed a statistically significant increase in the Doppler sonographic ankle-arm index (AAI) (P = 0.001) and improvement of clinical symptoms, while in two patients a complete occlusion resulted due to long dissection not covered by the stent in one case and to stent misplacement in the other case. After stenting, 27 patients improved to stage I, ten patients to stage IIa and two patients showed no changes. Two complications were observed: one groin hematoma and one distal embolization. At a 6-month follow-up, a 89.7% of patency was observed. This study shows that Strecker stent can be successfully employed in addition to PTA to treat occlusions of the iliac arteries.

[The magnetic resonance imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms]

The diagnostic role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was investigated in the study of abdominal aortic aneurysms and compared with that of Computed Tomography (CT) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Magnetic Resonance angiography (MRA) was performed on 21 patients with radiologically proved abdominal aortic aneurysms, using a superconductive 1.5 T magnet (GE, Signa Advantage); the 2D TOF technique with gradient-echo sequences was used (SPGR: FA 45-60 degrees, TR/TE 33/7, ST 2 mm, 1 nex, 256 x 128 matrix, inferior presaturation and flow compensation). The images acquired on the axial plane were reconstructed according to MIP and rotated on the z-axis from +90 degrees to -90 degrees. In all cases SE 2D T1- and T2-weighted sequences were acquired on the axial plane. Twelve patients were examined with MRI, CT and DSA; 3 with MRI and CT; 2 with MRI and DSA and finally 4 with MRI only. The radiologic studies were then reviewed blind and the results of the different methods compared. In all cases MRI yielded similar information to CT and DSA as to aneurysm extent and size, vessel involvement, status of visceral, iliac and common femoral arteries and finally the conditions of perianeurysmatic tissues. The authors conclude that MRI is a useful and accurate technique for the preoperative examination of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients.

[Comparison of Gunther, Filcard and LGM definitive caval filters. Our experience]

The authors report their experience with 30 caval filters placed throughout 3 years, and compare it with the data from the literature. In 8 patients (26.5%) Gunther filters were used, in 16 cases (53.5%) Filcard filters (4 DF-01 and 12 DF-04) and finally the last 6 patients (20%) were treated with LGM filters. In 18 cases (60%) the filters were positioned through right common femoral vein, whereas in the remaining 12 patients (40%) they were placed through the right internal jugular vein. Early complications were 1 mispositioning (3.3%) with a LGM filter, 2 incomplete opening (6.6%) of Filcard DF-01 filters, 3 significant tiltings (10%) with Filcard DF-04 filters. One patient (3.3%) died one week after the placement of a Gunther filter. The radiologic follow-up, which included controls with conventional radiology, US, cavography, MR and CT revealed no later complications. All the filters exhibited both advantages and disadvantages. Although all the filters commonly in use are effective to prevent pulmonary embolism, further experience is necessary to find out the "ideal" filter.

[Strecker vascular prostheses. The median- and long-term results]

Between September 1989 and October 1991, 37 patients were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and the insertion of a Strecker stent. The patients--35 men and 2 women, mean age 61 years, range 41-47--had 39 lesions in 39 arteries--30 iliac arteries, 8 femoral arteries and 1 popliteal artery. The lesions included 19 dissections after PTA (48%), 13 residual stenoses > 30% after PTA (34%), 7 restenoses (18%) and 4 total occlusions (10%). The stents were successfully inserted in 37/39 cases (95%). Complications occurred in 4 patients: 2 acute thromboses (resolved with local infusion of urokinase), 1 distal embolization and 1 pseudoaneurysm. Distal embolization, despite aspiration and local fibrinolysis, required leg amputation after about 1 month. The max follow-up period was 2 years (average 15 months): patency was 97% at 1 and 3 months, 100% at 6 and 12 months, 95% at 18 months and 100% at 24 months. Total patency was 85% at 24 months. Four patients were lost to follow-up, and 1 patient died. Four stents failed: 2 of them at 1 and 3 months, and surgery was performed, and 2 at 18 months. Intimal hyperplasia of minimum grade occurred in 2 vessels. There was no evidence of stent migration. The authors believe that the placement of Strecker stents is a valuable approach to the treatment of PTA complications.

[Loco-regional fibrinolysis in peripheral arterial bypasses. Our experience]

Thirty-one patients (29 males and 2 females) with 34 thrombosed grafts were treated by direct intra-arterial infusion of urokinase; the lesions were acute in 27 cases and chronic (2-4 months) in 4. Urokinase was infused in doses of 50,000 UI/h. Angiographic follow-up exams were performed every 12 hours. The infusion was stopped when lumen patency was re-established and there was no significant mural thrombus or peripheral embolus. Treatment usually lasted 4-72 hours (average: 18 hours). The hematological status was controlled by measuring plasma fibrinogen, coagulation time, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin and antiplasmin time. Initial success rate was 76% (23 patients). Overall 1-year patency was 56% in 23 cases: 85% in the patients with correctable lesions by means of surgery or PTA, and 46% in the patients with non-correctable lesions. After the first period, patency remained high in the patients followed up to 5 years. Our experience confirms that lysis of a thrombosed graft is possible by the local infusion of a low-dose fibrinolytic agent and exhibits high success rate and low complication rate in acute and chronic obstructions.

[Impedance plethysmography, Doppler echography and phlebography in deep venous thromboses of the lower limbs]

Computerized impedance plethysmography (CIP) and phlebography were performed on 165 consecutive outpatients with clinical suspicion of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and on 220 consecutive asymptomatic patients hospitalized for hip fracture. Ninety-two asymptomatic patients were examined also with real-time B-mode US. In orthopedic patients CIP sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were 19.4%, 90.5%, 64.4%, 53.8% and 66.3%, respectively, for proximal and distal DVT, versus 19.7%, 88%, 77.5%, 77% and 86% for proximal DVT. In symptomatic patients CIP sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values were 83%, 87%, 85%, 87% and 82%, respectively, for proximal and distal DVT, versus 91%, 88%, 89%, 82% and 94% for proximal DVT. CIP had great diagnostic utility in symptomatic DVT, whereas its diagnostic efficacy was low in asymptomatic patients. In orthopedic patients US sensitivity, specificity positive and negative predictive values were 44%, 99.2%, 95.7% and 81.6%, respectively. US diagnostic value was relatively high, but further investigation is needed. To date, phlebography seems to be the only effective method in the diagnosis of DVT in asymptomatic high risk patients.