BackTable Vascular & Interventional

Is surgery truly the "cure" for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and when is it a viable option? In this episode, Dr. Sabeen Dhand leads a roundtable discussion with interventional radiologist Dr. Siddharth Padia and transplant/hepatobiliary surgeons Dr. John Seal and Dr. Gabriel Schnickel, delving into the complexities of surgical treatments for HCC and the evolving landscape of liver resection and transplantation. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can follow this link to earn CME / CE credits for completing an accredited learning activity related to this discussion: https://www.cmeuniversity.com/course/take/125741 --- This podcast is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Boston Scientific. --- SYNPOSIS The doctors begin by discussing how they manage patient expectations regarding both palliative and curative treatments, highlighting the risk of recurrent HCC as a new lesion. They then outline key factors that influence their recommendations for liver transplant versus resection, such as the extent of underlying liver disease, the function of the future liver remnant, body habitus, overall health, and organ availability. The surgeons also review various surgical approaches to liver resection and recent advancements in liver transplantation, including living donor transplants and the ability to refer patients for downstaging procedures. Dr. Padia explains the original role of Y90 as a bridging treatment to downstage tumors and promote hypertrophy in the non-diseased liver segments, preparing the organ for surgical resection. However, Y90 treatment can also lead to the formation of adhesions, which may complicate future surgeries. Finally, the doctors discuss strategies to improve care coordination between community physicians and transplant centers to optimize patient outcomes. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Curative vs. Palliative Treatment 04:03 - Choosing Between Transplantation and Resection 05:47 - Liver Resection Types 07:27 - Bridging Role of Y90 12:14 - Evolving Landscape of Liver Transplantation 20:59 - Patient Counseling in Minimally Invasive Procedures 28:40 - Considerations for Surgery After Y90 33:32 - Coordination Between Specialists 40:08 - Immunotherapy as a Bridge to Transplant --- RESOURCES CME Accreditation Information: https://f7cae4ec-b69e-490d-9e0f-19b16a6f146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/f7cae4_a7c37ea3cd1b4d3fa53d5edf8dfe255b.pdf

28 Feb 46min

Musculoskeletal embolization is generating significant excitement in the field of chronic pain management. In this episode, Dr. Jacob Fleming hosts a discussion with Dr. Yuji Okuno from Japan, a pioneer in both basic science and clinical practice within the field of musculoskeletal embolization. --- This podcast is supported by: Medtronic MVP https://www.medtronic.com/mvp --- SYNPOSIS The conversation delves into Dr. Okuno's groundbreaking work using embolization to treat chronic pain from conditions such as frozen shoulder, knee osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and various sports injuries. Dr. Okuno discusses the development of new temporary embolic agents and compares different approaches to embolization treatments, including the innovative use of antibiotics as embolic material. The doctors also cover the intriguing concept of differential recanalization, where abnormal inflammatory vessels are less likely to recanalize than normal vessels after embolic treatment. Identifying hypervascularity through MRI, ultrasound, or angiogram is a crucial step before attempting embolization. Overall, Dr. Okuno offers valuable insights into his clinical practice and the potential for groundbreaking advancements in musculoskeletal care worldwide. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 01:54 - Origins of Embolization for Pain 04:15 - Basic Science Research Discoveries and Clinical Trials 09:02 - Temporary Embolic Materials 15:28 - Techniques for Embolization 17:33 - Plantar Fasciitis Treatment 24:04 - Future of Embolization in Sports Injuries 28:11 - Diagnostic Imaging in Embolization 36:10 - Global Expansion and Collaborations

25 Feb 38min

The process of liver transplantation involves many complexities, and each patient's path to transplant is unique. To offer insider perspectives on this process, Dr. Zachary Berman sits down with transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon Dr. John Seal, as well as transplant hepatologists Dr. Heather Patton and Dr. Steve Young. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can follow this link to earn CME / CE credits for completing an accredited learning activity related to this discussion: https://www.cmeuniversity.com/course/take/125740 --- This podcast is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Boston Scientific. --- SYNPOSIS The panel begins by discussing the multidisciplinary pre-transplant evaluation process, which assesses factors such as liver function, comorbidities, surgical risk, and the availability of psychosocial support. Once a patient is listed for transplant, they enter a system that prioritizes those with the highest Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. During the waiting period, several comorbidities should be carefully monitored. Dr. Seal explores the impact of portal vein hypertension and portal vein thrombosis, explaining how these conditions may necessitate intraoperative thrombectomy or bypass. Dr. Patton and Dr. Young focus on considerations for using anticoagulation in patients with a high baseline bleeding risk and selecting the appropriate anticoagulant for patients listed for transplant. For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), eligibility for MELD exception points may depend on factors such as time spent on the waiting list, adherence to the Milan criteria, and the presence of extrahepatic complications of liver disease. The panel also discusses bridging therapies to transplant, including Y90 and TACE. In the peri-transplant phase, they highlight innovations such as living donor transplants, liver perfusion pumps, and the use of hepatitis C- and HIV-positive organs. Finally, the discussion turns to post-transplant considerations, including surgical complications, organ rejection, immunosuppression, predictors of HCC recurrence, and long-term surveillance. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 01:16 - Current Landscape of Liver Transplantation 03:22 - Transplant Evaluation Process 09:48 - Timeline from Listing to Transplantion 11:16 - Treating Portal Vein Thrombosis and Hypertension 18:44 - MELD Exception Points 22:05 - Bridging Therapies 25:34 - Peri-Transplant Considerations 30:53 - Post-Transplant Period 37:39 - Repeat Transplantation --- RESOURCES Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and allocation of donor livers (Wiesner et al, 2003): https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085%2803%2950022-1/fulltext Liver transplantation for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with cirrhosis- Milan Criteria (Mazzaferro et al, 1996): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8594428/ Validation of the prognostic power of the RETREAT score for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence using the UNOS database (Mehta et al, 2019): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6445634/ CME Accreditation Information: https://f7cae4ec-b69e-490d-9e0f-19b16a6f146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/f7cae4_a7c37ea3cd1b4d3fa53d5edf8dfe255b.pdf

21 Feb 45min

Do we finally have definitive data on the efficacy of prostate artery embolization (PAE)? Dr. Shivank Bhatia (interventional radiologist at University of Miami) joins host Dr. Michael Barraza to discuss the findings from his prospective 1,075 patient study on the long-term outcomes of PAE, the largest longitudinal, single-center, single-operator, prospective study in the United States. --- This podcast is supported by: RADPAD® Radiation Protection https://www.radpad.com/ Medtronic MVP https://www.medtronic.com/mvp --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Bhatia begins by sharing his early years of training, and the steps he took to become an expert in all things PAE. He also covers how he helped build the PAE program at University of Miami, sharing several pearls for young IRs and trainees that are interested in bringing new service lines to their institutions. Dr. Bhatia then talks through the details of the study that he spearheaded, and encourages everyone to tune in - physicians and patients alike. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 05:12 - Building a PAE Program 18:55 - PAE Procedure Technicalities 22:30 - Post-Procedure Meds and Care 25:13 - Study Details and Patient Demographics 27:36 - Procedure Time and Technical Success 28:32 - Safety and Efficacy of PAE 38:06 - PSA Levels and Prostate Cancer 40:42 - Urinary Retention and Treatment Prioritization 45:17 - Re-Intervention Rates and Medication Independence --- RESOURCES Pisco et al (2011) - Prostatic arterial embolization to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21195898/ Bhatia et al (2024) - Prostatic Artery Embolization: Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes in 1,075 Patients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39532156/

18 Feb 54min

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), like that of many other cancers, spans a spectrum from curative to palliative intent. To explore the "grey zone" of treatment goals for intermediate-stage HCC patients, Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews a panel of experts in the field: medical oncologists Dr. Adam Burgoyne and Dr. Lingling Du, along with interventional radiologists Dr. Kirema Garcia-Reyes and Dr. Zachary Berman. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can follow this link to earn CME / CE credits for completing an accredited learning activity related to this discussion: https://www.cmeuniversity.com/course/take/125739 --- This podcast is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Boston Scientific. --- SYNPOSIS The discussion begins with an explanation of the Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. While this system takes into account helpful factors such as liver function, performance status, and tumor burden, it fails to fully capture the true heterogeneity of the HCC patient population. Additional considerations include tumor biology, response to previous treatments, and the location of metastases. The specialists then share their experiences in treating patients with comorbid gastrointestinal cancers and mixed tumors, discuss the benefits of an interventional oncology clinic setting, and highlight virtual opportunities for connecting with tumor boards. They also offer advice on patient education regarding treatment options. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction to BCLC Staging 03:02 - Impact of Performance Status 06:29 - Predictors of Survival in HCC 09:51 - Palliative versus Curative Treatment Intent 13:55 - Comorbid and Mixed Gastrointestinal Cancers 16:51 - Adverse Effects of Treatment 20:37 - Interventional Oncology in the Clinic Setting 23:06 - Navigating Multiple Provider Viewpoints 28:01 - Complex Case Examples --- RESOURCES BCLC strategy for prognosis prediction and treatment recommendation: The 2022 update (Reig et al, 2022): https://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(21)02223-6/fulltext CME Accreditation Information: https://f7cae4ec-b69e-490d-9e0f-19b16a6f146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/f7cae4_a7c37ea3cd1b4d3fa53d5edf8dfe255b.pdf

14 Feb 39min

Given the challenges that our dialysis patients face, how can we as providers stay sharp with the latest access techniques to help ensure the best possible outcomes? Dr. Omar Davis (interventional nephrologist) and Dr. Ari Kramer (general surgeon) join host Dr. Chris Beck to discuss advanced approaches to AV access and share their experiences with the FLEX Vessel Prep device. --- This podcast is supported by: VentureMed FLEX Vessel Prep https://www.venturemedgroup.com/ --- SYNPOSIS The doctors begin by describing how they create dialysis access and what they account for during the procedure. They then focus on the role of the FLEX VP system, its benefits, and how they use it in practice, touching on the latest clinical data. Dr. Kramer and Dr. Davis also stress the importance of mental health in dialysis care and share ways that we can better support our patients through difficult diagnoses and treatments. In fact, one of their patients, Fred Hill, authored the book “Dialysis Is Not Your Life,” which offers a unique perspective for patients feeling overburdened by dialysis, and the healthcare providers who treat them. The episode concludes with case presentations and practical guidance on when to use the FLEX Vessel Prep system. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 07:00 - AV Access and Procedures 10:58 - Case Walkthrough 14:19 - Balloon Angioplasty and IVUS 24:43 - Flex VP Device and Vessel Prep 35:03 - Algorithm and Reimbursement Challenges 39:51 - Device Usage and Techniques 46:58 - Clinical Data and Outcomes 01:01:59 - Case Studies --- RESOURCES Fred Hill, “Dialysis Is Not Your Life” Founder and Author: https://www.dialysisisnotyourlife.com/meet-founder.php “Dialysis Is Not Your Life” Book: https://www.amazon.com/DIALYSIS-NOT-YOUR-LIFE-Redefine/dp/B09L4XGGNX Novel Device Prior to Balloon Angioplasty for Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Access: Analysis of a Real-World Registry by Race and Sex Cohorts: https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/novel-device-prior-to-balloon-angioplasty-for-dysfunctional-arteriovenousaccess-analysis-of-a-realworld-registry-by-race-and-sex-16852.html FLEX Vessel Prep 12 Month AV Registry Data and 12 Month Belong PAD Data Shows Benefit to Micro-incisions Before Balloon or DCB Treatment: https://www.venturemedgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/VEITH-Data-FINAL.pdf Angioplasty with novel, easy-to-use, bladed Flex Vessel Prep system “could replace standard of care”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRpkrURx1mc Surgical AVF Articles Atlas Condensed - sAVF Overview - Creation Maturation and Difficulties: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f26FT65s03oZjjeZhBVy8auz0h8PTNvX3CWU5Xi_H5c/edit?usp=share_link Surgical AVF Articles Asif A, Early Arteriovenous fistula failure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zZEWgxsdBM4MKCQFjw0U04ra_hB9Ey_N/view?usp=share_link Surgical AVF Articles Asif A - Best Vascular Access in the Elderly - Time for Innovation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IpH-KnZyfN5Rqm_kxLnERnEJD6vcjAO8/view?usp=sharing Surgical AVF Articles EV Today - Managing Cephalic Arch Stenosis: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yVd2M706YCtX-xTK6teesgZqzVIgUoN/view?usp=share_link VentureMed 2024 FLEX Vessel Prep System Reimbursement Guide: https://www.venturemedgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MMA-CTO-15690_FlexVesselPrepSystem-BillingGuide_Lv6-003.pdf BackTable VI Podcast Episode #139 - AV Fistula & Graft Maintenance with Dr. Ari Kramer: https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/139/av-fistula-graft-maintenance BackTable VI Podcast Episode #292 - Dialysis Interventions with Drug-Coated Balloons, Covered Stents and More with Dr. Ari Kramer: https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/292/dialysis-interventions-with-drug-coated-balloons-covered-stents-more

11 Feb 1h 12min

For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who are not candidates for liver transplant or resection, lesion ablation can be a curative treatment. With multiple ablation options available and still under investigation, it can be challenging to navigate the differences between them. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Sandow hosts a discussion with interventional radiologists Dr. Kirema Garcia-Reyes, Dr. Sabeen Dhand, and Dr. Kevin Burns on the various ablation options for HCC and when to use each one. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can follow this link to earn CME / CE credits for completing an accredited learning activity related to this discussion: https://www.cmeuniversity.com/course/take/125738 --- This podcast is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and Boston Scientific. --- SYNPOSIS The doctors first discuss Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage A patients, where lesion size and location are key factors in deciding between ablation and transarterial therapies. They then compare cryoablation and microwave ablation, highlighting that cryoablation offers better visualization and control of the ablation zone, while microwave ablation is more effective for treating larger lesions. Dr. Burns introduces histotripsy, a noninvasive treatment that uses ultrasound energy to mechanically ablate tumors. He shares his experiences as an early adopter of this technology and discusses how intraoperative cone beam CT can help treat lesions located near critical structures or those poorly visualized on ultrasound. Finally, Dr. Garcia-Reyes and Dr. Berman provide insights into patient selection, pre-procedural imaging, and technical tips for Y90. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 02:04 - Ablation vs Y90 in BCLC A Patients 05:58 - Same-Day Y90 15:55 - Y90 for Large Tumors 17:51 - Ideal Cases for Cryoablation 19:38 - Explanation of Histotripsy 32:09 - Procedural Specifics for Histotripsy 38:21 - Technical Tips for Y90 --- RESOURCES Including the Hollow Viscera (Stomach or Bowel) within the Ice Ball during Cryoablation: A Review of Adverse Events (Abramyan et al, 2024): https://www.jvir.org/article/S1051-0443(24)00681-X/abstract CME Accreditation Information: https://f7cae4ec-b69e-490d-9e0f-19b16a6f146d.usrfiles.com/ugd/f7cae4_a7c37ea3cd1b4d3fa53d5edf8dfe255b.pdf

7 Feb 52min

When deep sedation is required, it can be challenging to implement due to the difficulty of scheduling dedicated anesthesia coverage in the IR suite. Dr. Amy Deipolyi (interventional radiologist and Division Chief at Charleston Area Medical Center, WY) joins host Dr. Ally Baheti to explain an alternative approach to deep sedation through the use of ketamine. --- This podcast is supported by: Medtronic Abre Stent https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/healthcare-professionals/products/cardiovascular/deep-venous-stents/abre-venous-self-expanding-stent-system.html --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Deipolyi begins by sharing how she built a dedicated, academic IR program at a level 1 trauma center in West Virginia. The doctors then discuss the advantages of ketamine for deep sedation in the IR suite, and how Dr. Deipolyi gained administrative approval and implemented the change to achieve an alternative approach to deep sedation for interventional procedures. The discussion also includes how ketamine compares to traditional agents such as fentanyl and Versed. The episode concludes with Dr. Deipolyi’s practical advice to fellow IR’s interested in providing their patients deep sedation via ketamine and her ongoing and future research and outreach efforts. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 02:04 - Dr. Deipolyi’s Practice 14:32 - Overcoming Hurdles and Gaining Support 20:12 - Application and Patient Experiences 26:01 - Future of Deep Sedation in IR 28:55 - Conclusion

4 Feb 33min