Biliary endoscopic drainage using metallic self-expanded stents has become a well-established method for palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. However, its occlusion, mainly by tumor overgrowth, is still the main complication without a standard treatment. We here describe a new method of treatment for biliary metallic stent occlusion, through the echo guided biliary drainage. W...

AIM To compare polytetrafluoroethylene stent graft (PTFE) with sirolimus and bare metal stents in reducing in-stent restenosis in native coronary vessels in patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS The study included patients who underwent stent implantation in acute coronary syndrome from January 2003 to May 2004. The patients (n=119) were randomized either to stent graft group (n=40),...

BACKGROUND Small vessels represent a risk factor for restenosis in percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCA). The Sparrow® self-expanding drug-eluting stent, which has a lower profile than the current systems, has never been tested in this scenario. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the late effectiveness of the Sparrow® drug-eluting stent, regarding in-stent late lumen loss (LLL). METHODS Patients with...

Evaluation of: Abizaid A, Weiner B, Bailey SR, Londero H: Use of a self-expanding super-elastic all-metal endoprosthesis; to treat degenerated SVG lesions: the SESAME first in man trial. Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions. J. Soc. Cardiac Angiogr. Interv. 76(6), 781–786 (2010). Saphenous veins remain an important conduit in coronary artery bypass surgery. However, owing to acceler...

A 9-year-old girl who had received an orthotopic liver transplant for cryptogenic cirrhosis at the age of 5 years was admitted for the evaluation of elevated transaminases. Transabdominal ultrasound demonstrated intrahepatic biliary dilatation. Liver biopsy ruled out organ rejection, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) confirmed the presence of a focal anastomotic strictur...

BACKGROUND Refractory benign esophageal strictures (RBESs) have been treated with the temporary placement of different self-expanding stents with conflicting results. We compared the clinical effectiveness of 3 types of stents: self-expanding plastic stents (SEPSs), biodegradable stents, and fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs), for the treatment of RBES. METHODS This study pro...