Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR
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J Vasc Interv Radiol · Aug 2007
A prospective evaluation of a quantitative D-dimer assay in the evaluation of acute pulmonary embolism.
A prospective study was designed to determine if a screening quantitative serum D-dimer measurement of 1.0 microg/mL or less precludes pulmonary computed tomographic (CT) angiography in patients with possible acute pulmonary embolism (PE). ⋯ The use of a screening D-dimer measurement of 1.0 microg/mL or less precludes pulmonary CT angiography in patients with possible acute PE. The use of this quantitative D-dimer assay would decrease radiation exposure, contrast medium toxicity, cost, and time for patients seen in the emergency medicine department.
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J Vasc Interv Radiol · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyAngioplasty of long venous stenoses in hemodialysis access: at last an indication for cutting balloon?
To compare the postintervention primary patency rates of cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) with those of conventional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of hemodialysis-related stenoses at least 2 cm long. ⋯ The use of a cutting balloon as the first-line treatment for stenoses at least 2 cm long significantly improves the postintervention primary patency rate.
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J Vasc Interv Radiol · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyComplication rate of venous access procedures performed by a radiology practitioner assistant compared with interventional radiology physicians and supervised trainees.
To compare venous access complication rates associated with procedures performed by radiology practitioner assistants (RPAs) versus interventional radiology (IR) faculty members, IR fellows, and radiology residents. ⋯ A properly trained and monitored RPA can safely perform selected venous access procedures with complication rates equal to those of IR faculty members, fellows, and residents.
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J Vasc Interv Radiol · Aug 2007
Assessment of metastatic breast cancer response to chemoembolization with contrast agent enhanced and diffusion-weighted MR imaging.
To assess the value of functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of early tumor response after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for metastatic breast cancer and to compare tumor response based on functional MR imaging versus traditional assessment based on iodized oil deposition, tumor size, and tumor enhancement. ⋯ In patients with breast cancer and liver metastases who were treated with TACE, although changes in tumor size were small, significant early changes in the treated lesions occurred on contrast medium-enhanced and functional MR imaging. These include decrease in tumor enhancement and increase in tumor ADC value, which suggest increasing tumor necrosis and cell death.
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J Vasc Interv Radiol · Aug 2007
Case ReportsArterial embolization of vaginal arterial branches for severe postpartum hemorrhage despite hysterectomy.
Postpartum hemorrhage remains a substantial cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Arterial embolization has been described as a successful primary modality and an important adjunct in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. ⋯ The bleeding was controlled with embolotherapy. The findings emphasize the role of angiographic embolization in postpartum hemorrhage.