Background. Patients with end-stage renal disease and aortoiliac stenosis are often considered ineligible for kidney transplantation, although kidney transplantation has been acknowledged as the best therapy for end-stage renal disease. The clinical outcomes of kidney transplantation in patients with aortoiliac stenosis are not well-studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of aortoiliac stenosis on graft and patient survival. Methods. This retrospective, single-center study included kidney transplant recipients transplanted between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2016, who received contrast-enhanced imaging. Patients with aortoiliac stenosis were classified using the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II classification and categorized as having TASC II A/B lesions or having TASC II C/D lesions. Patients without aortoiliac stenosis were functioning as controls. Results. A total number of 374 patients was included in this study (n = 88 with TASC II lesions, n = 286 as controls). Death-censored graft survival was similar to the controls. Patient and uncensored graft survival was decreased in patients with TASC II C/D lesions (log-rank test P < 0.001). Patients with TASC II C/D lesions had a higher risk of 90-day mortality (hazard ratio, 3.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–14.04). In multivariable analysis, having a TASC II C/D lesion was an independent risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio, 3.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.87–5.67; P < 0.001). Having any TASC II lesion was not a risk factor for graft loss (overall P = 0.282). Conclusions. Kidney transplantation in patients with TASC II A/B is feasible and safe without increased risk of perioperative mortality. TASC II C/D decreases patient survival. Death-censored graft survival is unaffected.

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Purpose: To assess the ability of pressure measurements to discriminate clinically significant celiac artery (CA) or superior mesenteric artery (SMA) stenosis in patients with suspected chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI).Materials and Methods: Single-center, retrospective cohort study of 41 intra-arterial pressure measurements during mesenteric angiography with intended revascularization, performed in 37 patients (mean age 67.7 ± 10.8 years, 62% female) between April 2015 and May 2017. Simultaneous prestenotic and poststenotic pressure measurements had been obtained before and after intra-arterial administration of nitroglycerin. Revascularization was performed in 38 of 41 procedures. Definitive diagnosis of CMI was defined as patient-reported symptom relief or improvement after successful revascularization.Results: Pressure gradients obtained after vasodilator administration were significantly higher in CAs and SMAs with 50% stenosis. Pressure ratios (pressure distal [Pd]/pressure aorta [Pa]) obtained after vasodilator administration were significantly higher in CAs with 50% stenosis. Subgroup analysis of 22 patients with a 50% stenosis of either CA or SMA showed significantly higher pressure gradients and Pd/Pa ratios after vasodilator administration in CMI patients (median pressure gradient: CMI [interquartile ratio] 36 [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] mm Hg versus no-CMI 20 [9-21] mm Hg, P ¼ 0.041; Pd/Pa: CMI 0.703 [0.598-0.769] versus no-CMI 0.827 [0.818-0.906], P ¼ .009). A 0.8 Pd/Pa cutoff value after administration of a vasodilator best identified a clinically relevant stenosis, with 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity. Complications related to the pressure measurements were not observed.Conclusions: Intra-arterial pressure measurements are feasible and safe. Low Pd/Pa ratios were associated with clinically relevant CA or SMA stenosis. ABBREVIATIONSAUC ¼ area under the curve, BMI ¼ body mass index, CA ¼ celiac artery, CMI ¼ chronic mesenteric ischemia, DSA ¼ digital subtraction angiography, IMA ¼ inferior mesenteric artery, IQR ¼ interquartile range, MALS ¼ median arcuate ligament syndrome, Pa ¼ pressure aorta, Pd ¼ pressure distal, ROC ¼ receiver-operating characteristics, SMA ¼ superior mesenteric artery

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Purpose: The cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare condition affecting less than 1 in 100,000 patients annually. Diagnosing CES is challenging because of its rare incidence, potentially subtle presentation, and various underlying etiologies. Vascular causes, such as inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis, are uncommon but should be considered, since timely recognition and treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a cause of CES can avoid irreversible neurological damage. Case report: A 30-year-old male presented with partial CES caused by nerve root compression due to venous congestion from an extensive iliocaval DVT. He completely recovered after thrombolysis and stenting of the IVC. His iliocaval tract remained patent until the last date of follow-up at 1 year without signs of post-thrombotic syndrome. Broad molecular, infectious, and hematological laboratory tests did not reveal any underlying disease for the thrombotic event, particularly no hereditary or acquired thrombophilia. Conclusion: Timely recognition of venous thrombosis as a cause of CES is essential. This is the first case report of CES caused by an extensive iliocaval DVT successfully treated with thrombolysis and venous stenting with good resolution of DVT and CES. Clinical Impact This case-report describes a patient with cauda equina syndrome resulting from an extensive iliocaval deep vein thrombosis due to an underlying stenosis of the inferior vena cava. Thrombolysis and venous stenting succesfully restored venous patency and thereby relieved symptoms and signs of cauda equina syndrome, in addition to (long-term) therapeutic dose anticoagulation. It is important to timely recognize deep vein thrombosis as a cause of cauda equina syndrome and to consider endovenous treatment in a specialized center.

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Aorto-iliac calcification (AIC) is a well-studied risk factor for post-transplant cardiovascular events and mortality. Its effect on graft function remains unknown. The primary aim of this prospective cohort study was to assess the association between AIC and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the first year post-transplant. Eligibility criteria were: ≥50 years of age or ≥30 years with at least one risk factor for vascular disease. A non-contrast-enhanced CT-scan was performed with quantification of AIC using the modified Agatston score. The association between AIC and eGFR was investigated with a linear mixed model adjusted for predefined variables. One-hundred-and-forty patients were included with a median of 31 (interquartile range 26–39) eGFR measurements per patient. No direct association between AIC and eGFR was found. We observed a significant interaction between follow-up time and ipsilateral AIC, indicating that patients with higher AIC scores had lower eGFR trajectory over time starting 100 days after transplant (p = 0.014). To conclude, severe AIC is not directly associated with lower post-transplant eGFR. The significant interaction indicates that patients with more severe AIC have a lower eGFR trajectory after 100 days in the first year post-transplant.

Prediction of the risk of cardiovascular events (CVE's) is important to optimize outcomes after kidney transplantation. Aortoiliac stenosis is frequently observed during pre-transplant screening. We hypothesized that these patients are at higher risk of post-transplant CVE's due to the joint underlying atherosclerotic disease. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether aortoiliac stenosis was associated with post-transplant CVE's. This retrospective, single-center cohort study included adult kidney transplant recipients, transplanted between 2000 and 2016, with contrast-enhanced imaging available. Aortoiliac stenosis was classified according to the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II classification and was defined as significant in case of ≥50% lumen narrowing. The primary outcome was CVE-free survival. Eighty-nine of 367 patients had significant aortoiliac stenosis and were found to have worse CVEfree survival (median CVE-free survival: stenosis 4.5 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-6.2), controls 8.9 years (95% CI 6.8-11.0); log-rank test P < .001). TASC II C and D lesions were independent risk factors for a post-transplant CVE with a hazard ratio of 2.15 (95% CI 1.05-4.38) and 6.56 (95% CI 2.74-15.70), respectively. Thus, kidney transplant recipients with TASC II C and D aortoiliac stenosis require extensive cardiovascular risk management pre-, peri,-and post-transplantation.