No abstract

Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) describes the acute presentation of patients with characteristic "aortic pain" caused by one of several life threatening thoracic aortic pathologies. These include aortic dissection, intramural haematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, aneurysmal leak, and traumatic transection. AAS heralds imminent aortic rupture. Highlighting acute aortic pathology as an AAS is therefore important to encourage prompt recognition of this condition and avoid diagnostic delays. The management of AAS remains a therapeutic challenge. The traditional surgical approach to acute "type B" (descending thoracic) aortic pathology is unsatisfactory with high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular aortic stent grafts now represent an alternative minimally invasive approach in these patients who are often poor surgical candidates. Studies show endovascular repair to be technically feasible with fewer complications. This review discusses AAS pathology and in particular assesses the current role for endovascular aortic repair in its treatment.

Complications of vascular access are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. 1 It is widely accepted that an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the optimal form of vascular access, with better patency and lower infection rates than arteriovenous grafts and central

Percutaneous embolization is the currently preferred treatment of symptomatic or ruptured renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs). Alcohol, microparticles, and coils are usually used. We present what is to our knowledge the first case of successful embolization of a solitary sporadic AML with the use of a new nonadhesive liquid embolic agent (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer; Onyx). Onyx injection was slow and controllable and achieved complete tumor devascularization, producing a characteristic appearance like a vascular cast. Short-term follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed complete tumor necrosis without any recurrent pathologic vessels. The specific features, potential advantages in AML treatment, and technical limitations of this new liquid embolic agent are discussed.