Sample records for angioscopes
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Coronary angioscopy: a monorail angioscope with movable guide wire.
Nanto, S; Ohara, T; Mishima, M; Hirayama, A; Komamura, K; Matsumura, Y; Kodama, K
1991-03-01
A new angioscope was devised for easier visualization of the coronary artery. In its tip, the angioscope (Olympus) with an outer diameter of 0.8 mm had a metal lumen, through which a 0.014-in steerable guide wire passed. Using a 8F guiding catheter and a guide wire, it was introduced into the distal coronary artery. With injection of warmed saline through the guiding catheter, the coronary segments were visualized. In the attempted 70 vessels (32 left anterior descending [LAD], 10 right coronary [RCA], 28 left circumflex [LCX]) from 48 patients, 60 vessels (86%) were successfully examined. Twenty-two patients who underwent attempted examination of both LAD and LCX; both coronary arteries were visualized in 19 patients (86%). In the proximal site of the lesion, 40 patients have the diagonal branch or the obtuse marginal branch. In 34 patients (85%) the angioscope was inserted beyond these branches. In 12 very tortuous vessels, eight vessels (67%) were examined. In conclusion, the new monorail coronary angioscope with movable guide wire is useful to examine the stenotic lesions of the coronary artery.
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CO laser angioplasty system: efficacy of manipulatable laser angioscope catheter
Arai, Tsunenori; Kikuchi, Makoto; Mizuno, Kyoichi; Sakurada, Masami; Miyamoto, Akira; Arakawa, Koh; Kurita, Akira; Nakamura, Haruo; Takeuchi, Kiyoshi; Utsumi, Atsushi; Akai, Yoshiro
1992-08-01
A percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty system using a unique combination of CO laser (5 micrometers ) and As-S infrared glass fiber under the guidance of a manipulatable laser angioscope catheter is described. The ablation and guidance functions of this system are evaluated. The angioplasty treatment procedure under angioscope guidance was studied by in vitro model experiment and in vivo animal experiment. The whole angioplasty system is newly developed. That is, a transportable compact medical CO laser device which can emit up to 10 W, a 5 F manipulatable laser angioscope catheter, a thin CO laser cable of which the diameter is 0.6 mm, an angioscope imaging system for laser ablation guidance, and a system controller were developed. Anesthetized adult mongrel dogs (n equals 5) with an artificial complete occlusion in the femoral artery and an artificial human vessel model including occluded or stenotic coronary artery were used. The manipulatability of the catheter was drastically improved (both rotation and bending), therefore, precise control of ablation to expand stenosis was obtained. A 90% artificial stenosis made of human yellow plaque in 4.0 mm diameter in the vessel was expanded to 70% stenosis by repetitive CO laser ablations of which total energy was 220 J. All procedures were performed and controlled under angioscope visualization.
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Potential mechanisms of in-stent occlusion in the femoropopliteal artery: an angioscopic assessment.
Ishihara, Takayuki; Iida, Osamu; Okamoto, Shin; Fujita, Masashi; Masuda, Masaharu; Nanto, Kiyonori; Shiraki, Tatsuya; Kanda, Takashi; Tsujimura, Takuya; Okuno, Shota; Yanaka, Koji; Uematsu, Masaaki
2017-10-01
Although stent implantation has become widespread for the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease with femoropopliteal (FP) lesions, in-stent restenosis, especially in-stent occlusion (ISO), remains as a major concern for refractory recurrence. Furthermore, the mechanisms of ISO in FP lesions have not been well elucidated. We performed angioscopy for 6 lesions (bare-metal stent: 3, drug-eluting stent: 3) from 5 patients (mean age 74 ± 10 years, male 40 %) with ISO in the FP artery immediately after wire-passing or thrombus aspiration. The presence of thrombus as well as the presence and location of organic stenosis were evaluated. Median duration from stent implantation to angioscopic evaluation was 1099.5 (514.5-2272.5) days, while the duration from recurrence of symptoms to angioscopic evaluation was 45 (5.75-60) days. Mixed thrombi were observed in all stents. Organic stenosis was detected at the proximal edge of the stents in 5 lesions. Organic stenosis was observed at the overlapping segment of the stent in one lesion. The distal edge of the stents could be evaluated in 3 lesions, and all of them showed organic stenosis at the site. Mixed thrombi and organic stenosis were observed in all stents. Partial development of organic stenosis in a stent followed by thrombus formation may be the potential mechanism of the development of ISO in the FP artery though the sample size of this study was small and it had no serial angioscopic data so that we should consider it as preliminary one at best.
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Yamamoto, Masanori; Takano, Masamichi; Okamatsu, Kentaro; Murakami, Daisuke; Inami, Shigenobu; Xie, Yong; Seimiya, Koji; Ohba, Takayoshi; Seino, Yoshihiko; Mizuno, Kyoichi
2009-03-01
Thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) is considered to be a vulnerable plaque. Virtual Histology-intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) can precisely identify TCFA in vivo. Intense yellow plaque on angioscopy determined by quantitative colorimetry with L a b color space corresponds with histological TCFA; in particular, a plaque of color b value >23 indicates an atheroma with a fibrous cap thickness colorimetry was investigated. Fifty-seven culprit plaques in 57 patients were evaluated by VH-IVUS and angioscopy. VH-TCFA was defined as a plaque with a necrotic core >10% of plaque area without overlying fibrous tissue, and angioscopic TCFA was a plaque with b value >23. The frequency of angioscopic TCFA was higher in the VH-TCFA group than in the VH-non-TCFA group (74% vs 23%, P=0.0002). Moreover, yellow color intensity (b value) significantly correlated with plaque classification on VH-IVUS. When TCFA detected with angioscopy was used as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for TCFA with VH-IVUS was 68%, 81%, and 75%, respectively. VH-TCFA strongly correlated with angioscopic TCFA determined by a quantitative analysis with colorimetry.
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High-speed rotary atherectomy under fluoroscopic and angioscopic guidance
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Deutsch, L.S.; Ahn, S.S.; Yeatman, L.A.; Marcus, D.R.; Auth, D.P.; Moore, W.S.
1988-01-01
This paper describes thirteen stenotic arteries treated by high-speed rotary abrasive burr atherectomy performed in the operating room under fluoroscopic-angioscopic control by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a vascular surgeon, an interventional radiologist, and an interventional cardiologist. Incrementally sized atherectomy burrs were used in each patient (1.75-4.0 mm in diameter). Rotary artherectomy was successful in 11 of 13 arteries ranging from 1 to 40 cm (median, 5 cm) with stenoses ranging from 50% to 99% (median, 90%), which improved to less than 30% in all 11 successfully atherectomized segments. Two early posttreatment failures (intimal dissection, burr shaft disruption), two posttreatment thromboses (unrelated to atherectomy), and two late failures (restenosis) occurred
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Idemoto, Akiko; Okamoto, Naotaka; Tanaka, Akihiro; Mori, Naoki; Nakamura, Daisuke; Yano, Masamichi; Makino, Nobuhiko; Egami, Yasuyuki; Shutta, Ryu; Tanouchi, Jun; Nishino, Masami
2017-07-01
In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a prevalent problem following stenting of femoropopliteal lesions. A potential novel treatment modality for ISR including excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) has become available. We performed ELA for in-stent chronic total occlusion (CTO) of femoropopliteal lesions and evaluated lesion morphology before and after ELA by angioscopy in 2 patients. The angioscopic findings clearly showed removal of in-stent thrombi after ELA. Thus, ELA may be effective for in-stent CTO of femoropopliteal lesions. This is the first report describing the direct visualization of ELA effect for vaporization of thrombi in femoropopliteal in-stent lesions by angioscopy.
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Ishihara, Takayuki; Awata, Masaki; Iida, Osamu; Fujita, Masashi; Masuda, Masaharu; Okamoto, Shin; Nanto, Kiyonori; Kanda, Takashi; Tsujimura, Takuya; Uematsu, Masaaki; Mano, Toshiaki
2018-01-15
The ultrathin strut biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (Orsiro, O-SES) exhibits satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, no report to date has documented the intravascular status of artery repair after O-SES implantation. We examined 5 O-SES placed in 4 patients (age 65 ± 12 years, male 75%) presenting with stable angina pectoris due to de novo lesions in native coronary arteries. Coronary angioscopy was performed immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention and 1 year later. Angioscopic images were analyzed to determine the following: (1) dominant grade of neointimal coverage (NIC) over the stent; (2) maximum yellow plaque grade; and (3) existence of thrombus. Yellow plaque grade was evaluated both immediately after stent implantation and at the time of follow-up observation. The other parameters were evaluated at the time of follow-up examination. NIC was graded as: grade 0, stent struts exposed; grade 1, struts bulging into the lumen, although covered; grade 2, struts embedded in the neointima, but translucent; grade 3, struts fully embedded and invisible. Yellow plaque severity was graded as: grade 0, white; grade 1, light yellow; grade 2, yellow; and grade 3, intensive yellow. Angioscopic findings at 1 year demonstrated the following: dominant NIC grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 in 1, 2, and 2 stents, respectively; all stents were covered to some extent; focal thrombus adhesion was observed in only 1 stent. Yellow plaque grade did not change from immediately after stent implantation to follow-up. O-SES demonstrated satisfactory arterial repair 1 year after implantation.
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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Ahn, S.S.; Auth, D.; Marcus, D.R.; Moore, W.S.
1988-01-01
A new high-speed rotary atherectomy device, inserted over a guide wire and directed with an angioscope, offers the potential of restoring patency of outflow vessels by boring out the atheromatous lesion of the orifices of runoff vessels. The device was tested on 68 cadaver arteries with atheromatous lesions involving the superficial femoral, popliteal, and tibial arteries. This was performed with either free segments or in situ with the device placed through a popliteal arteriotomy. The gross results of rotary atherectomy were assessed by angioscopy, angiography, or both. The luminal surfaces were studied with scanning electron microscopy and transverse sections of vessels were studied with light microscopy. The pulverized atheroma, in colloidal suspension, was analyzed for particle size by Coulter counter. The effect of a colloidal suspension of atheromatous particles on distal capillary circulation was measured in animal experiments. Obstructive lesions were successfully removed in 36 of 37 stenotic arteries (97%) and 18 of 31 completely occluded arteries (58%), an overall efficacy of 54 of 68 (79%). In successfully atherectomized arteries, angioscopy and angiography demonstrated a widely patent, smooth, polished surface. Light microscopy demonstrated removal of the diseased intima with maintenance of the outer media and adventitia. The pulverized atheroma particles were generally smaller than red blood cells and injection of the colloidal atheroma into canine femoral arteries failed to produce local tissue injury. We conclude that in the human cadaver this atherectomy device effectively enlarges and recanalizes obstructed superficial femoral, popliteal, and tibial arteries
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Arishima, Hidetaka; Higashino, Yoshifumi; Yamada, Shinsuke; Akazawa, Ayumi; Arai, Hiroshi; Tsunetoshi, Kenzo; Matsuda, Ken; Kodera, Toshiaki; Kitai, Ryuhei; Awara, Kousuke; Kikuta, Ken-Ichiro
2018-01-01
The authors describe a new procedure to detect the tiny dural hole in patients with superficial siderosis (SS) and CSF leakage using a coronary angioscope system for spinal endoscopy and selective CT myelography using a spinal drainage tube. Under fluoroscopy, surgeons inserted the coronary angioscope into the spinal subarachnoid space, similar to the procedure of spinal drainage, and slowly advanced it to the cervical spine. The angioscope clearly showed the small dural hole and injured arachnoid membrane. One week later, the spinal drainage tube was inserted, and the tip of the drainage tube was located just below the level of the dural defect found by the spinal endoscopic examination. This selective CT myelography clarifies the location of the dural defect. During surgery, the small dural hole could be easily located, and it was securely sutured. It is sometimes difficult to detect the actual location of the small dural hole even with thin-slice MRI or dynamic CT myelography in patients with SS. The use of a coronary angioscope for the spinal endoscopy combined with selective CT myelography may provide an effective examination to assess dural closure of the spinal dural defect with SS in cases without obvious dural defects on conventional imaging.
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PTA and Stenting of Benign Venous Stenoses in the Pelvis: Long-Term Results
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Wohlgemuth, Walter A.; Weber, Hermann; Loeprecht, Henning; Tietze, Wolfram; Bohndorf, Klaus
2000-01-01
Purpose: To provide follow-up data on endovascular intervention for venous stenoses in the pelvis.Methods: Between 1985 and 1995, 35 patients presented with 42 stenoses of the pelvic veins after operative thrombectomy and creation of an arteriovenous fistula, combined with intraoperative venous angioscopy. All patients underwent angioplasty and, if unsuccessful, percutaneous insertion of an endovascular stent (n = 7).Results: Angioplasty with and without endovascular stenting was technically successful in 34 of 35 patients (97%). Average length of the stenoses was 20.6 mm (range 10-90 mm), average diameter before dilation 4.1 mm (range 2-6 mm), and average diameter after dilation 10.1 mm (range 5-18 mm). Intraoperative angioscopy showed pathologic findings (intimal laceration or residual thrombotic material) in 14 patients. After an average follow-up period of 4.13 years, 24 (69%) patients had patent veins. The difference in the primary patency rate between patients with angioscopically abnormal veins (6 of 14 patients, corresponding to a patency rate of 43%) and patients with angioscopically normal veins after thrombectomy (18 of 21 patients, corresponding to a patency rate of 86%) was statistically significant (p < 0.01, log rank test).Conclusions: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and/or stenting are good treatment modalities for pelvic vein stenosis following surgical thrombectomy. Angioscopically abnormal veins have a poorer long-term patency, regardless of the type of intervention
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State of the art of CO laser angioplasty system
Arai, Tsunenori; Mizuno, Kyoichi; Miyamoto, Akira; Sakurada, Masami; Kikuchi, Makoto; Kurita, Akira; Nakamura, Haruo; Takaoka, Hidetsugu; Utsumi, Atsushi; Takeuchi, Kiyoshi
1994-07-01
A unique percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty system new IR therapy laser with IR glass fiber delivery under novel angioscope guidance was described. Carbon monoxide (CO) laser emission of 5 mm in wavelength was employed as therapy laser to achieve precise ablation of atheromatous plaque with a flexible As-S IR glass fiber for laser delivery. We developed the first medical CO laser as well as As-S IR glass fiber cable. We also developed 5.5 Fr. thin angioscope catheter with complete directional manipulatability at its tip. The system control unit could manage to prevent failure irradiations and fiber damages. This novel angioplasty system was evaluated by a stenosis model of mongrel dogs. We demonstrated the usefulness of our system to overcome current issues on laser angioplasty using multifiber catheter with over-the-guidewire system.
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Practical considerations for effective microendoscopy
Papaioannou, Thanassis; Papazoglou, Theodore G.; Daykhovsky, Leon; Gershman, Alex; Segalowitz, Jacob; Reznik, G.; Beeder, Clain; Chandra, Mudjianto; Grundfest, Warren S.
1991-07-01
This paper reports on the application of angioscopic technology to the endoscopy of previously inaccessible body cavities. Necessary instruments including endoscopes, light sources, cameras, video recorders, monitors, and other accessories are described. Practical considerations for effective instrumentation are discussed. An overview of our clinical microendoscopic applications in more than 630 patients is presented.
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Inami, Shigenobu; Ishibashi, Fumiyuki; Waxman, Sergio; Okamatsu, Kentaro; Seimiya, Koji; Takano, Masamichi; Uemura, Ryota; Sano, Junko; Mizuno, Kyoichi
2008-03-01
Multiple angioscopic yellow plaques are associated with diffuse atherosclerotic plaque, and may be prevalent in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), so in the present study the yellow plaques in the coronary arteries of patients with MI was evaluated using quantitative colorimetry, and compared with those of patients with stable angina (SA). In the recorded angioscopic images of 3 coronary vessels in 29 patients (15 patients with MI, 14 with SA), yellow plaques were determined as visually yellow regions with b* value >0 (yellow color intensity) measured by the quantitative colorimetric method. A total of 90 yellow plaques were identified (b* =19.35+/-8.3, 3.05-45.35). Yellow plaques were significantly more prevalent in 14 (93%) of 15 culprit lesions of MI as compared with 8 (57%) of 14 of SA (p=0.03). In non-culprit segments, yellow plaques were similarly prevalent in 13 (87%) patients with MI and 11 (79%) with SA (p=0.65). Overall, multiple (> or =2) yellow plaques were prevalent in 13 (87%) patients with MI, similar to the 10 (71%) with SA (p=0.38). The number of yellow plaques was significantly higher in patients with MI (3.8+/-1.9) than in those with SA (2.4+/-1.6, p=0.03). The present study suggests that patients with MI tend to have diffuse atherosclerotic plaque in their coronary arteries.
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Impact of Prediabetic Status on Coronary Atherosclerosis
Kurihara, Osamu; Takano, Masamichi; Yamamoto, Masanori; Shirakabe, Akihiro; Kimata, Nakahisa; Inami, Toru; Kobayashi, Nobuaki; Munakata, Ryo; Murakami, Daisuke; Inami, Shigenobu; Okamatsu, Kentaro; Ohba, Takayoshi; Ibuki, Chikao; Hata, Noritake; Seino, Yoshihiko; Mizuno, Kyoichi
2013-01-01
OBJECTIVE To determine if prediabetes is associated with atherosclerosis of coronary arteries, we evaluated the degree of coronary atherosclerosis in nondiabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic patients by using coronary angioscopy to identify plaque vulnerability based on yellow color intensity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Sixty-seven patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent angioscopic observation of multiple main-trunk coronary arteries. According to the American Diabetes Association guidelines, patients were divided into nondiabetic (n = 16), prediabetic (n = 28), and diabetic (n = 23) groups. Plaque color grade was defined as 1 (light yellow), 2 (yellow), or 3 (intense yellow) based on angioscopic findings. The number of yellow plaques (NYPs) per vessel and maximum yellow grade (MYG) were compared among the groups. RESULTS Mean NYP and MYG differed significantly between the groups (P = 0.01 and P = 0.047, respectively). These indexes were higher in prediabetic than in nondiabetic patients (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04, respectively), but similar in prediabetic and diabetic patients (P = 0.44 and P = 0.21, respectively). Diabetes and prediabetes were independent predictors of multiple yellow plaques (NYPs ≥2) in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR] 10.8 [95% CI 2.09–55.6], P = 0.005; and OR 4.13 [95% CI 1.01–17.0], P = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Coronary atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability were more advanced in prediabetic than in nondiabetic patients and comparable between prediabetic and diabetic patients. Slight or mild disorders in glucose metabolism, such as prediabetes, could be a risk factor for CAD, as is diabetes itself. PMID:23223344
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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Pernes, J.M.; Angel, C.Y.; Brenot, P.; Bruneval, P.; Camilleri, J.P.; Gaux, J.C.
1985-01-01
The effects of argon laser radiation of human atheroma were studied in vitro. Lesions produced were craters from total tissue volatilization surrounded by a thin zone of coagulation. The degree of tissue destruction was related to the energy used and the direction of the laser beam in relation to the atheromatous stenotic lesion. These findings confirm that it is possible to destroy the atheroma under controlled conditions, but a the non-negligeable risk of perforation. By allowing visual control, the angioscope should ensure increased safety in use and provide hope for future applications of this method by the percutaneous route in the treatment of established atheromatous disease [fr
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Bass, Theodore A.; Gilmore, Paul S.; White, Christopher J.; Chami, Youssef G.; Kircher, Barbara J.; Conetta, Donald A.
1993-09-01
Percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational atherectomy (PTCRA) is an exciting new device to recannulate obstructed coronary arteries. This device works as a high speed `drill,' selectively cutting hard atherosclerotic plaque while preferentially sparing the softer, less diseased vascular luminal surface. At speeds as high as 200,000 rpm the plaque is pulverized into small particles easily handled by the circulatory system with no untoward clinical sequela. Balloon angioplasty does not remove atherosclerotic plaque. It dilates the vessel by mechanically stretching, compressing and splitting the plaque and vessel lining. We compare morphological and surface luminal characteristics of vessels post PTCRA to vessels post PTCA.
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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Komatsu, Sei; Imai, Atsuko; Kodama, Kazuhisa
2011-01-01
Over the past decade, multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) has become the most reliable and established of the noninvasive examination techniques for detecting coronary heart disease. Now MDCT is chasing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in terms of spatial resolution. Among the components of vulnerable plaque, MDCT may detect lipid-rich plaque, the lipid pool, and calcified spots using computed tomography number. Plaque components are detected by MDCT with high accuracy compared with IVUS and angioscopy when assessing vulnerable plaque. The TWINS study and TOGETHAR trial demonstrated that angioscopic loss of yellow color occurred independently of volumetric plaque change by statin therapy. These 2 studies showed that plaque stabilization and regression reflect independent processes mediated by different mechanisms and time course. Noncalcified plaque and/or low-density plaque was found to be the strongest predictor of cardiac events, regardless of lesion severity, and act as a potential marker of plaque vulnerability. MDCT may be an effective tool for early triage of patients with chest pain who have a normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac enzymes in the emergency department. MDCT has the potential ability to analyze coronary plaque quantitatively and qualitatively if some problems are resolved. MDCT may become an essential tool for detecting and preventing coronary artery disease in the future. (author)
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Ishibashi, Fumiyuki; Lisauskas, Jennifer B; Kawamura, Akio; Waxman, Sergio
2008-01-01
Yellow plaques seen during coronary angioscopy are thought to be the surrogates for superficial intimal lipids in coronary plaque. Given diffuse and heterogeneous nature of atherosclerosis, yellow plaques in coronaries may be seen as several yellow spots on diffuse coronary plaque. We examined the topographic association of yellow plaques with coronary plaque. In 40 non-severely stenotic ex-vivo coronary segments (average length: 52.2 +/- 3.1 mm), yellow plaques were examined by angioscopy with quantitative colorimetry. The segments were cut perpendicular to the long axis of the vessel at 2 mm intervals, and 1045 slides with 5 microm thick tissue for whole segments were prepared. To construct the plaque surface, each tissue slice was considered to be representative of the adjacent 2 mm. The circumference of the lumen and the lumen border of plaque were measured in each slide, and the plaque surface region was constructed. Coronary plaque was in 37 (93%) of 40 segments, and consisted of a single mass [39.9 +/- 3.9 (0-100) mm, 311.3 +/- 47.4 (0.0-1336.2) mm2]. In 30 (75%) segments, multiple (2-9) yellow plaques were detected on a mass of coronary plaque. The number of yellow plaques correlated positively with coronary plaque surface area (r = 0.77, P colorimetry, some of them are associated with lipid cores underneath thin fibrous caps, may be used to assess the extent of coronary plaque. Further research using angioscopy could be of value to study the association of high-risk coronaries with acute coronary syndromes.
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Piano, G; Schwartz, L B; Foster, L; Bassiouny, H S; McKinsey, J F; Rosenthal, D; Gewertz, B L
1998-06-01
Instrumentation for a minimally invasive angioscopic in situ peripheral arterial bypass (MIAB) with catheter-directed side-branch occlusion has recently been approved for use. Despite the attractiveness of this approach (2 short incisions), benefits such as lower morbidity and shorter hospitalizations remain undocumented. To justify wide acceptance, minimally invasive surgical techniques must match conventional procedures in durability and cost while enhancing patient comfort. Often such comparisons are difficult during the implementation phase of a new procedure. To compare the outcomes of the MIAB procedures with a concurrent group of patients undergoing conventional in situ bypass procedures. Retrospective review. University medical center. The first 20 consecutive MIAB procedures in 19 patients performed between August 1, 1995, and July 31, 1997, were compared with 19 contemporaneous consecutive conventional in situ bypass procedures performed at the same institution. Operative time, postoperative length of stay, hospital costs, complications, primary assisted and secondary patency, limb salvage, and survival. The patient groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, incidence of smoking, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, cerebrovascular disease, indication, and distal anastomosis level. The median operative time was significantly greater for the MIAB group (6.6 hours vs 5.7 hours; P=.009), and intraoperative completion arteriography more frequently showed retained arteriovenous fistulas in the MIAB group (55% vs 21%; P=.05). The median postoperative length of stay and total cost were 6.5 days and $18,000 for the MIAB group and 8 days and $27,800 for the conventional group (P > or = .05). There were no significant differences in major complications (10% in the MIAB group vs 11% in the conventional group), wound complications (10% vs 11%, respectively), primary assisted patency at 1 year (68%+/-11% vs 78%+/-10%, respectively