Dutch randomized trial comparing standard catheter-directed thrombolysis and ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis for arterial thromboembolic infrainguinal disease (DUET)

PURPOSE

To report the results of the Dutch randomized trial comparing standard catheter-directed and ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (UST) for the treatment of arterial thromboembolic occlusions.

METHODS

The DUET study ( controlled-trials.com ; identifier ISRCTN72676102) was designed to assess whether UST can reduce therapy time significantly compared with standard thrombolysis (ST). Sixty patients (44 men; mean age 64 years) with recently (7-49 days) thrombosed infrainguinal native arteries or bypass grafts causing acute limb ischemia (Rutherford category I or IIa) were randomized to ST (n = 32) or UST (n = 28). The primary outcome was the duration of thrombolysis needed for uninterrupted flow (> 95% thrombus lysis), with outflow through at least 1 below-the-knee artery. Continuous data are presented as means ± standard deviations.

RESULTS

Thrombolysis was significantly faster in the UST group (17.7 ± 2.0 hours) than in the ST group (29.5 ± 3.2 hours, p = 0.009) and required significantly fewer units of urokinase (2.8 ± 1.6 × 10(6) IU in the ST group vs. 1.8 ± 1.0 × 10(6) IU in the UST group, p = 0.01) for uninterrupted flow. Technical success was achieved in 27 (84%) patients in the ST group vs. 21 (75%) patients in the UST group (p = 0.52). The combined 30-day death and severe adverse event rate was 19% in the ST group and 29% in the UST group (p = 0.54). The 30-day patency rate was 82% in the ST group as compared with 71% in the UST group (p = 0.35).

CONCLUSION

Thrombolysis time was significantly reduced by UST as compared with ST in patients with recently thrombosed infrainguinal native arteries or bypass grafts.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute upper extremity ischemia

AIM

Acute nontraumatic upper extremity ischemia has significant chronic disability when not treated adequately and timely. As surgical treatment can be challenging, this study evaluates catheter-directed thrombolysis as first-line treatment for acute upper extremity ischemia.

METHODS

Between January 2006 and December 2010, 28 patients (22 women; mean age, 63±16 years) underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute upper extremity ischemia, Rutherford class I or IIa. Proximal extent of the occlusion was in the subclavian (32%), axillary (7%), brachial (25%) and forearm arteries (36%). Median occlusion length was 18 cm (range, 12-43). Causes were embolus (14%), thrombus (39%), thoracic outlet syndrome (14%), paraneoplastic (4%), or unknown (29%).

RESULTS

Technical success was 96%, radiologic success (>95% clot lysis) 61%, and clinical success 68%. Median duration of thrombolysis was 24 hours (range, 18-96). Of the 11 radiologically unsuccessful patients (39%), five were treated conservatively and six underwent surgical intervention. In-hospital amputation-rate was 7%. Four complications occurred: embolization to the lower extremity, a transient ischemic attack, a subcapsular splenic hematoma and a pseudoaneurysm. Cumulative amputation-free survival at six months was 93%, standard error (SE) 4.87 and at one year 88%, SE 6.50.

CONCLUSION

These results show that catheter-directed thrombolysis is effective in over 60% of patients as first-line treatment of extensive acute upper extremity ischemia and can prevent surgical intervention in these patients.

A conservative and minimally invasive approach to necrotizing pancreatitis improves outcome

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Treatment of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis has become more conservative and less invasive, but there are few data from prospective studies to support the efficacy of this change. We performed a prospective multicenter study of treatment outcomes among patients with necrotizing pancreatitis.

METHODS

We collected data from 639 consecutive patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, from 2004 to 2008, treated at 21 Dutch hospitals. Data were analyzed for disease severity, interventions (radiologic, endoscopic, surgical), and outcome.

RESULTS

Overall mortality was 15% (n=93). Organ failure occurred in 240 patients (38%), with 35% mortality. Treatment was conservative in 397 patients (62%), with 7% mortality. An intervention was performed in 242 patients (38%), with 27% mortality; this included early emergency laparotomy in 32 patients (5%), with 78% mortality. Patients with longer times between admission and intervention had lower mortality: 0 to 14 days, 56%; 14 to 29 days, 26%; and >29 days, 15% (P<.001). A total of 208 patients (33%) received interventions for infected necrosis, with 19% mortality. Catheter drainage was most often performed as the first intervention (63% of cases), without additional necrosectomy in 35% of patients. Primary catheter drainage had fewer complications than primary necrosectomy (42% vs 64%, P=.003). Patients with pancreatic parenchymal necrosis (n=324), compared with patients with only peripancreatic necrosis (n=315), had a higher risk of organ failure (50% vs 24%, P<.001) and mortality (20% vs 9%, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 62% of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis can be treated without an intervention and with low mortality. In patients with infected necrosis, delayed intervention and catheter drainage as first treatment improves outcome.

Endoclips for fixation of nasoenteral feeding tubes: a review

BACKGROUND

Maintaining the position of an endoscopically placed nasoenteral feeding tube beyond the pylorus is often problematic because of retrograde migration. Fixation of a feeding tube to the small intestinal wall with an endoclip may prevent this. This article reviews available literature on the feasibility, efficacy and safety of endoclips for fixation of nasoenteral feeding tubes.

METHODS

A systematic search of the English literature was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases to identify articles assessing the use of endoclips for fixation of feeding tubes, as well as articles assessing duration of attachment of endoclips.

RESULTS

Five cohort series were identified that evaluated the applicability of endoclips for fixation of feeding tubes to the small intestinal wall. In all patients, except one, a nasoenteral feeding tube could be successfully fixated to the small intestinal wall. During follow-up, no spontaneous migrations of feeding tubes were observed. No complications related to placement or removal of endoclips were observed. Three comparative studies evaluated duration of attachment of different types of endoclips to the gastrointestinal wall. Duration of attachment ranged from less than 1 week to more than 18 weeks, depending on the type of endoclip.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on available literature the use of endoclips for fixation of nasoenteral feeding tubes is feasible, effective and safe. Data from randomized controlled trials are needed.

Dutch randomized trial comparing standard catheter-directed thrombolysis versus ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis for thromboembolic infrainguinal disease (DUET): design and rationale

BACKGROUND

The use of thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of thrombosed infrainguinal native arteries and bypass grafts has increased over the years. Main limitation of this treatment modality, however, is the occurrence of bleeding complications. Low intensity ultrasound (US) has been shown to accelerate enzymatic thrombolysis, thereby reducing therapy time. So far, no randomized trials have investigated the application of US-accelerated thrombolysis in the treatment of thrombosed infra-inguinal native arteries or bypass grafts. The DUET study (Dutch randomized trial comparing standard catheter-directed thrombolysis versus Ultrasound-accElerated Thrombolysis for thrombo-embolic infrainguinal disease) is designed to assess whether US-accelerated thrombolysis will reduce therapy time significantly compared with standard catheter-directed thrombolysis.

METHODS/DESIGN

Sixty adult patients with recently (between 1 and 7 weeks) thrombosed infrainguinal native arteries or bypass grafts with acute limb ischemia class I or IIa, according to the Rutherford classification for acute ischemia, will be randomly allocated to either standard thrombolysis (group A) or US-accelerated thrombolysis (group B). Patients will be recruited from 5 teaching hospitals in the Netherlands during a 2-year period. The primary endpoint is the duration of catheter-directed thrombolysis needed for uninterrupted flow in the thrombosed infrainguinal native artery or bypass graft, with outflow through at least 1 crural artery.

DISCUSSION

The DUET study is a randomized controlled trial that will provide evidence of whether US-accelerated thrombolysis will significantly reduce therapy time in patients with recently thrombosed infrainguinal native arteries or bypass grafts, without an increase in complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN72676102.

Hybrid procedures for peripheral obstructive disease

The incidence and prevalence of high-risk patients suffering from critical limb ischemia due to multilevel arterial obstructive disease is growing rapidly. Invasive surgical procedures to restore inflow to the crural and pedal circulation in case of TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus C and D (TASC) lesions of the iliacofemoral arteries are related with substantial morbidity and mortality. The mid-term and long-term outcomes of sole percutaneous revascularization procedures are disappointing for TASC C and D lesions. Hybrid endovascular and open surgical revascularization procedures might be of benefit because of its less invasive character, no need for extensive venous graft material, and the ability to overcome long-segment arterial obstructions. The common femoral artery (CFA) plays a central role in most of the hybrid procedures. CFA desobstruction, in combination with open iliac angioplasty or open superficial femoral artery (SFA) angioplasty, and CFA desobstruction with remote endarterectomy of the superficial femoral artery, are commonplace. Another valuable hybrid technique is open angioplasty of the SFA and one-staged distal origin bypass grafting. Hybrid techniques can safely be performed in the vascular operating room providing that the inventory is equipped for endovascular interventions. Vascular surgeons with thorough experience in open transluminal angioplasty, whether or not in cooperation with interventional radiologists or angiologists, will have the lead in the preoperative and perioperative planning. No randomized controlled trials have been published comparing hybrid techniques and open surgical reconstructions, or sole endvascular methods for multilevel peripheral arterial disease. During the last decade, multiple prospective and retrospective series have been reported concerning hybrid techniques, all with good initial technical success (up to 95%) and acceptable 30-day morbidity and mortality rates. Mid-term and long-term patency rates are comparable with the more invasive sole surgical revascularization procedures. The results of the endovascular part of the hybrid procedures are still influenced by the extent of the obstructions (best results in TASC A and B lesions), and patency rates of bypasses are inversely associated with increasing length of the conduit. A review of the literature concludes that hybrid techniques for the treatment of severe lower extremity arterial disease provide less invasive, long lasting, and reliable therapeutic options tailored to the needs of high-risk patients and should be in the armamentarium of today's vascular surgeon.