Wang Y, Alkasab TK, Narin O, Nazarian RM, Kaewlai R, Kay J, Abujudeh HH.
Radiology. 2011 Jul;260(1):105-11. Epub 2011 May 17.
PURPOSE:
To retrospectively determine the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in a large academic medical center after the adoption of restrictive gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration guidelines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
For this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study, institutional review board approval was obtained and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Restrictive GBCA guidelines were adopted in May 2007. The guidelines (a) require a recent serum creatinine level measurement in any patient who is aged 60 years or older and/or at risk for renal disease, (b) limit the maximal weight-based GBCA dose administered to any patient with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) lower than 60 mL/min/m(2) to 20 mL, and (c) prohibit the administration of any GBCA in patients who have an eGFR lower than 30 mL/min/m(2) and/or are undergoing chronic dialysis treatment (except in emergency situations). The electronic medical records were searched for all contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations performed during the post-guidelines adoption period between January 2008 and March 2010 and the pre-guidelines adoption and transitional period between January 2002 and December 2007. Separate pathology records were searched for biopsy-confirmed cases of NSF during the same study periods. The incidences of NSF during the pre-guidelines adoption and transitional period and post-guidelines adoption period were compared by using the paired Z test.
RESULTS:
A total of 52,954 contrast-enhanced MR examinations were performed during the post-guidelines adoption period. Of these 52,954 examinations, 46,464 (88%) were performed in adult patients with an eGFR of 60 mL/min/m(2) or higher or presumed normal renal function and 6454 (12%) were performed in patients with an eGFR of 30-59 mL/min/m(2). Thirty-six patients with an eGFR lower than 30 mL/min/m(2) underwent contrast-enhanced MR imaging for emergent indications. Review of the pathology records for January 2008 to September 2010 revealed no new cases of NSF resulting from GBCA exposure.
CONCLUSION:
After restrictive guidelines regarding GBCA administration were instituted, no new cases of NSF were identified among 52,954 contrast-enhanced MR examinations, including those performed in patients with an eGFR lower than 60 mL/min/m(2).
patency.
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Ayez N, Fioole B, Aarts RA, Dorpel MA, Akkersdijk GP, Dinkelman MK, de Smet AA.
J Vasc Surg. 2011 Aug 11. [Epub ahead of print]
BACKGROUND:
Nowadays, as a result of more liberal selection criteria, dialysis-dependent patients have become substantially older, more likely to be female and diabetic, and have more comorbidity. The 1-year primary patency rates of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are poor. To improve these results, several secondary interventions can be performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results after secondary interventions in patients with an upper extremity AVF.
METHODS:
Between January 2000 and December 2008, all consecutive patients who underwent construction of an autologous upper extremity AVF were included. Patient characteristics were collected retrospectively from digital patient files and a prospectively recorded database on hemodialysis patients.
RESULTS:
Between January 2000 and December 2008, 736 hemodialysis access procedures were performed. A total of 347 autologous arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) were created in 294 patients. The mean age was 62.1 ± 14.7 years, and the majority (66%) of the patients was male. Mean follow-up of all 347 fistulas was 21.9 ± 21.6 months. During follow-up, failure occurred in 209 (60%) of the AVFs. A total of 133 of these failures were followed by a secondary intervention, of which 78 (59%) were endovascular interventions. Twenty-nine patients developed a third failure, and 25 of these patients underwent another intervention, of which 22 were percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for stenosis. Fifteen patients developed a fourth failure, and all of them underwent an intervention. One patient had 11 interventions. The 1- and 2-year primary patency rates were 46% and 36.8%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year primary assisted patency rates were 74.6% and 71.2%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year secondary patency rates were 79.2% and 77.8%, respectively.
CONCLUSION:
The primary patency rate of AVFs is disappointing. However, due to mostly endovascular secondary interventions, 2-year primary assisted and secondary patency rates of more than 70% can be obtained.