Journal of Vascular Surgery - Articles in Press

Entrapment of the popliteal artery - Corrected Proof

Hiroshi Tanaka, Masahiro Higashi, Yukiomi Fukumoto, Hitoshi Ogino — 2010-02-08

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is a rare anatomic abnormality that causes calf and foot claudication in a young athlete. Better appreciation of the embryology of the popliteal artery and the associated muscles of the popliteal fossa has led to a more logical classification system based on the developmental anatomy. Popliteal artery entrapment is commonly classified into four types:

Renal parenchymal preservation after percutaneous renal angioplasty and stenting - Corrected Proof

2010-02-08

Background: The intent of endovascular therapy for symptomatic atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is to preserve parenchyma and avoid renal-related morbidity. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of renal artery intervention on parenchymal preservation.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of records from patients who underwent endovascular intervention for ARAS and were followed by duplex ultrasound between 1990 and 2008. Renal volume (in cm3) was estimated in all patients as renal length (cm) × renal width (cm) × renal depth (cm) × 0.5. The normal renal volume was calculated as 2 × body weight (kg) in cm3. Failure of preservation was considered to be a persistent 10% decrease in volume. Clinical benefit defined as freedom from renal-related morbidity (increase in persistent creatinine >20% of baseline, progression to hemodialysis, death from renal-related causes) was calculated.Results: Five hundred ninety-two renal artery interventions were performed. One hundred eighty-six kidneys suffered parenchymal loss (>5%) with an actuarial parenchymal loss rate of 29% ± 1% at five years respectively. There were no significant differences in age, gender, starting renal volume, or kidney size. However, patients with parenchymal loss had lower eGFR (45 ± 24 vs 53 ± 24 mL/min/1.73 m2; Loss vs noLoss, P = .0002, Mean ± SD) higher resistive index (0.75 ± 0.9 vs 0.73 ± 0.10; P = .0001) and worse nephrosclerosis grade (1.43 ± 0.55 vs 1.30 ± 0.49; P = .006) then those not suffering parenchymal loss. Parenchymal loss was associated with significantly worse five-year survival (26% ± 4% vs 48% ± 2%; Loss vs noLoss; P < .001) and freedom from renal-related morbidity (70% ± 5% vs 82% ± 2%; P < .05) with increased numbers progressing to dialysis (17% vs 7%; P < .006).Conclusion: While parenchymal preservation occurs in most patients, parenchymal loss occurs in 31% of patients and is associated with markers of impaired parenchymal perfusion (resistive index and nephrosclerosis grade) at the time of intervention. Pre-existing renal size or volumes were not predictive of parenchymal loss. Parenchymal loss is associated with a significant decrease in survival and a marked increased renal related morbidity and progression to hemodialysis.

Discussion - Corrected Proof

2010-02-08

Dr Ali AbuRahma (Charleston, WV). This is a very interesting presentation because we always hear about renal function improvement after renal stenting, but not specifically about parenchymal preservation. I may have missed this in your presentation, but did you notice any correlation between preoperative serum creatinine and improvement after renal stenting (eg, creatinine of ≥2.5 vs 1.5 to 2.0 and so forth)? I am asking this question because a couple of years ago we analyzed the results of 196 renal stents done at our institution, and we found that serum creatinine of 2.0 was predictive of stabilization or improvement of renal function. If it was below 2.0, it did not make a difference at all.

A retrospective multicentric study of endovascular treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms - Corrected Proof

2010-02-08

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of endovascular exclusion of popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) using stent grafts.Methods: The clinical data of all patients who underwent endovascular exclusion of PAA at three French vascular departments between December 1999 and December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Outcome measures included graft patency and endoleak. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the primary and secondary patency curves.Results: A total of 57 PAA in 50 patients (48 men; mean age, 72 ± 11 years; range, 57-96 years) were treated. The type of stent graft used was Hemobahn/Viabahn in 42 (73.7%) cases, Wallgraft in 14 (24.5%) and Passager in one. The mean duration of hospitalization was 5 ± 1.8 days (range, 3-11 days). No patients were lost from follow up (mean, 36 ± 19.4 months; range, 6-96 months). Nine (16%) occlusions and six (10.5%) endoleaks occurred. The global limb salvage rate was 96.5% (55 of 57 PAA). Kaplan-Meier estimates for primary and secondary patency were 85.8% and 87.5% at one year and 82.3% and 87.5% at three years.Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of PAA is feasible in selected patients. The main determinants of success are suitable aneurysm anatomy and dual antiplatelet postoperative therapy. Further studies are warranted to determine long-term outcomes of endovascular repair for PAA.

Efficacy and safety of alfimeprase in patients with acute peripheral arterial occlusion (PAO) - Corrected Proof

Sukgu M. Han, Fred A. Weaver, Anthony J. Comerota, Bruce A. Perler, Mark Joing — 2010-01-28

Purpose: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of a novel thrombolytic, alfimeprase, in catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) of acute peripheral arterial occlusions (PAO).Methods: Between April 2005 and March 2007, patients with acute PAO (Rutherford class I or IIa) of a lower extremity and onset of symptoms within 14 days prior to randomization were included. Studies HA004 and HA007 enrolled respectively 300 and 102 patients. Both studies HA004 and HA007 were placebo-controlled. HA004 had two placebo arms, intrathrombus and perithrombus, while HA007 had intrathrombus placebo arm. HA004 was partially double-blind (perithrombus group was not blinded) and HA007 was double-blind. Patients were randomized to intrathrombus alfimeprase (0.3 mg/kg), intrathrombus (IT) placebo, or perithrombus (PT) placebo (HA004 only) in two divided weight-based infusions 2 hours apart. Depending on arteriographic results after treatment, patients received no further intervention or underwent endovascular therapy or open vascular surgery. The primary endpoint of both studies was efficacy of alfimeprase compared with placebo as measured by avoidance of an open vascular surgery procedure at 30 days.Results: The avoidance of open vascular surgery at 30 days was seen in 52 (34.9%), 42 (37.2%), and 7 patients (18.4%) with alfimeprase, IT placebo, and PT placebo in HA004 and 15 (29.4%) and 9 patients (17.6%) with alfimeprase and IT placebo in HA007; differences between alfimeprase and IT placebo were not statistically significant. Results were similar for secondary endpoints, including arterial flow restoration in 4 hours, 30-day ankle-brachial index, index limb pain severity, and hospital stay duration. The overall rate of adverse events was higher with alfimeprase than placebo. Hemorrhagic and peripheral embolic event rates with alfimeprase were 23% (34 patients) and 10.1% (15 patients) in HA004 and 9.4% (5 patients) and 9.8% (5 patients) in HA007; rates with IT placebo were 11% (12 patients, P = .107) and 5% (5 patients, P = .148) in HA004 and 10% (5 patients, P = .982) and 0% in HA007 (P = .07). No deaths were related to study drug administration.Conclusions: CDT for acute PAO with alfimeprase was as safe as placebo. However, alfimeprase was no more effective than placebo in increasing 30-day surgery-free survival. The surprising effectiveness of placebo alone demonstrates that the inclusion of a placebo arm is essential to the design of future lytic trials.

Blood transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after lower extremity revascularization - Corrected Proof

2010-01-28

Background: Little is known about the significance of blood transfusion in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to examine the effect of intraoperative blood transfusion on the morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent lower extremity revascularization.Methods: We analyzed data from the participant use data file containing vascular surgical cases submitted to the ACS NSQIP in 2005, 2006, and 2007 by 173 hospitals. Current procedural terminology codes were used to select lower extremity procedures that were grouped into venous graft, prosthetic graft, or thromboendarterectomy. Thirty-day outcomes analyzed were (1) mortality, (2) composite morbidity, (3) graft/prosthesis failure, (4) return to the operating room within 30 days, (5) wound occurrences, (6) sepsis or septic shock, (7) pulmonary occurrences, and (8) renal insufficiency or failure. Intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells was categorized as none, 1 to 2 units, and 3 or more units. Outcome rates were compared between the transfused and nontransfused groups using the χ2 test and multivariable regression adjusting for transfusion propensity, comorbid and procedural risk.Results: A total of 8799 patients underwent lower extremity revascularization between 2005 and 2007. Mean age was 66.8 ± 12.0 years and 5569 (63.3%) were male. Transfusion rates ranged from 14.5% in thromboendarterectomy patients to 27.1% in prosthetic bypass patients (P < .05). After adjustment for transfusion propensity and patient and procedural risks, transfusion of 1 or 2 units remained significantly predictive of mortality, composite morbidity, sepsis/shock, pulmonary occurrences, and return to the operating room. The adjusted odds ratios for 30-day mortality ranged from 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-2.70) for 1 to 2 units to 2.48 (95% CI 1.55-3.98) for 3 or more units.Conclusion: In a large number of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization, we have found that there is a higher risk of postoperative mortality, pulmonary, and infectious complications after receiving intraoperative blood transfusion. Additional studies are necessary to better define transfusion triggers that balance the risk/benefit ratio for blood transfusion.

Circulation levels of acute phase proteins in patients with Takayasu arteritis - Corrected Proof

Jun Ma, Xiaoyun Luo, Qinghua Wu, Zhong Chen, Lei Kou, Haitao Wang — 2010-01-25

Objective: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an immune-mediated disease with an unknown etiology. Assessment of disease activity in patients with TA is challenging owing to the absence of reliable serologic markers. Because circulation levels of acute-phase proteins fluctuate with the severity and extent of the inflammatory reaction, they may be potential biomarkers for the identification of TA activity. To test this hypothesis, certain acute-phase proteins were examined in TA patients and controls.Methods: The study included 43 prospectively selected TA patients, with 18 in active phase and 25 in inactive phase. The Sharma modified criteria were used for disease diagnosis, and the National Institutes of Health criteria were used for TA activity assessment. Circulation levels of acute-phase proteins, including serum amyloid A (SAA), fibrinogen, complement C4-binding protein (C4BP), C-reactive protein, serum amyloid P, haptoglobin, α-acid glycoprotein, transthyretin, α1-microglobin, and complement fraction C3c and C4a were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in each participant.Results: Circulating levels of SAA and C4BP were significantly increased in active TA patients compared with inactive TA patients and in controls, with (SAA: 95.9 [interquartile range, 51.9] vs 49.2 [82.0], P = .009; and 23.9 [50.1] mg/L, P = .001, respectively; C4BP: 88.5 [72.6] vs 61.7 [57.7], P = .023; and 32.6 [32.1] mg/L, P < .001, respectively). The levels of both proteins in inactive TA patients were still higher than those in controls (SAA: 49.2 [82.0] vs 23.9 [50.1] mg/L, P = .021; C4BP: 61.7 [57.7] vs 32.6 [32.1] mg/L, P = .025). No difference was found in the levels of the other acute-phase proteins studied.Conclusions: SAA and C4BP may be useful biomarkers in determining the disease activity of TA. More work should be done to test these results in a large cohort of patients in a longitudinal manner.Clinical Relevance: Disease activity assessment in patients with Takayasu arteritis is important but difficult because of the absence of reliable serologic markers. The concentration of acute-phase proteins, a group of liver-derived plasma proteins, changes greatly in inflammatory disease. This study investigated the circulation levels of acute-phase proteins in Takayasu arteritis patients with different disease activity and in healthy controls and evaluated their possibility as biomarkers for activity judgment in this disease.

Open surgical repair of ruptured juxtarenal aortic aneurysms with and without renal cooling: Observations regarding morbidity and mortality - Corrected Proof

2010-01-25

Objectives: Little is known about the outcome of ruptured juxtarenal aortic aneurysm (RJAA) repair. Surgical treatment of RJAAs requires suprarenal aortic cross-clamping, which causes additional renal ischemia-reperfusion injury on top of the pre-existing hypovolemic shock syndrome. As endovascular alternatives rarely exist in this situation, open repair continues to be the gold standard. We analyzed our results of open RJAA repair during an 11-year period.Design: Retrospective observational study.Materials and methods: Between July 1997 and December 2008, all consecutive patients with RJAAs were included in the study. Part of these patients received cold perfusion of the kidneys during suprarenal aortic cross-clamping. Perioperative variables, morbidity, and 30-day or in-hospital mortality were assessed. Renal insufficiency was defined as an acute rise of ≥0.5 mg/dL in serum creatinine level. Multiple organ failure (MOF) was scored using the sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA score).Results: A total of 29 consecutive patients with an RJAA, confirmed by computed tomography-scanning, presented to our hospital. In eight patients, the operation was aborted before the start of aortic repair, because no blood pressure could be regained in spite of maximal resuscitation measures. They were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining 21 patients, 10 died during hospital stay. Renal insufficiency occurred in 11 out of 21 of the patients. Eleven out of 21 patients developed MOF postoperatively. In a subgroup of patients who received renal cooling during suprarenal aortic clamping, the 30-day or in-hospital mortality was two of 10 vs eight of 11 in patients who did not receive renal cooling (P = .03); renal insufficiency occurred in one out of 10 patients in the subgroup with renal cooling vs 10 out of 11 without renal cooling (P < .001) and MOF in two of 10 vs nine of 11, respectively (P = .009).Conclusions: Open surgical repair of RJAAs is still associated with high mortality and morbidity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cold perfusion of the kidneys during RJAA repair. Although numbers are small, a beneficial effect of renal cooling on the outcome of RJAA repair is suggested, warranting further research with this technique.

A case of external iliac arteriovenous fistula and high-output cardiac failure after endovenous laser treatment of great saphenous vein - Corrected Proof

2010-01-25

Valvular incompetence in the great saphenous vein (GSV) is the most common cause of superficial venous insufficiency and symptomatic varicose vein development. Recently, less invasive modalities such as foam sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) have gained popularity in the treatment of saphenofemoral junction and saphenous truncal incompetence over the traditional approach of surgical ligation and stripping. Here, we present the case of a 32-year-old woman who underwent EVLT and was diagnosed subsequently with ipsilateral external iliac arteriovenous (AV) fistula and high-output cardiac failure. She was stabilized medically and treated surgically with a covered stent placed in the external iliac artery with complete resolution of the fistula and cardiac failure. We reviewed the literature and discuss the complications of AV fistulae after EVLT.

Hybrid treatment of an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm following multiple sternotomies - Corrected Proof

Vito Giovanni Ruggieri, Romain Malezieux, Najeebullah Bina, Jean-Pierre Favre — 2010-01-18

Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm following prior cardiac or aortic surgery is a rare entity that requires reoperation. Surgical repair is a complex procedure associated with high operative mortality. We report the case of a 76-year-old male patient with an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm developing from distal anastomosis of a Dacron aorto-aortic prosthesis. This high-risk patient had previously undergone multiple cardiovascular operations and was treated by performing an extra-anatomic bypass between the descending thoracic aorta and supra-aortic vessels, followed by endovascular stent graft placement, avoiding median re-sternotomy.

Techniques and results of portal vein/superior mesenteric vein reconstruction using femoral and saphenous vein during pancreaticoduodenectomy - Corrected Proof

2010-01-18

Background: Patients with pancreatic tumors may have portal vein (PV) and/or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) invasion. In such cases, lower extremity veins can provide an autogenous conduit for PV/SMV reconstruction. Little data exist, however, describing the technique of PV/SMV reconstruction, patency of such reconstructions, and the morbidity of using lower extremity veins for PV/SMV reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods: Thirty-four patients underwent PV/SMV reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy using lower extremity vein. The saphenous vein was preferred for patching and femoral vein for replacement. We analyzed preoperative imaging, reconstruction patency, vein harvest morbidity, and late mortality.Results: The mean age was 62.6 years. All 34 patients had preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging and/or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) scan. Fourteen of the 34 patients had evidence of PV/SMV invasion on CT or EUS scans, 14 did not, and six studies were indeterminate. Twenty-five patients had follow-up imaging, and 22 (88%) had patent reconstructions. Fifteen patients had PV/SMV replacement using femoral vein. Seven of these 15 had minor postoperative lower extremity edema that resolved over time, five had wound complications from the femoral vein harvest site, three of which required minor operative procedures for treatment. Fifteen patients had PV/SMV patching with the great saphenous vein, none had postoperative wound problems, and one had minimal postoperative lower extremity edema. Four patients had PV/SMV patching using femoral vein, none had postoperative wound problems, and one had minimal postoperative lower extremity edema. Compared with patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy without PV/SMV reconstruction, by Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was no difference in late mortality.Conclusion: Preoperative imaging may fail to detect PV/SMV involvement in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. The PV/SMV reconstruction with leg vein provides good patency with minimal postoperative lower extremity complications and no increase in late mortality. The lower extremities should be routinely included in the operative field of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Evaluation of the efficacy of the forearm basilic vein transposition arteriovenous fistula - Corrected Proof

2010-01-18

Purpose: Since the publication of Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (DOQI) guidelines, the use of native veins for the construction of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) for hemodialysis has been highly recommended rather than prosthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVG). Upper arm basilic vein transposition (BVT) has been accepted widely, with superior patency compared with AVG, but only a few studies have reported outcomes of forearm BVT (FBVT). This study evaluated the efficacy of FBVT compared with direct AVF (DAVF) and AVG in a tertiary referral center.Methods: From January 2005 to December 2007, 461 patients underwent AV access for hemodialysis in Seoul National University Hospital. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and dialysis sheets and evaluated the current AVF function in the outpatient clinic or by telephone interviews. Patients were grouped by the operation type: DAVF, FBVT, and AVG. The outcomes compared were primary, assisted-primary and secondary patency rates, maturation failure, and complications.Result: The mean age was 59 years (range, 14-92 years), and 280 patients (60.7%) were male. By operation type, the 461 accesses were 389 DAVF (84.4%), 34 FBVT (7.4%), and 38 AVG (8.2%). Mean follow-up duration was 21 months (range, 1-51 months). The primary patency rates for DAVF, FBVT, and AVG were 67.6%, 41.5%, 35% at 12 months and 53.9%, 30.2%, 10.3% at 24 months, respectively. The secondary patency rates were 89.2%, 79.1%, 78.3% at 12 months and 83.8%, 74.4%, 64.9% at 24 months, respectively. Maturation failure occurred in five DAVF patients and in one FBVT patient. The infection rate was 0.3% in DAVF and 12.5% in AVG, but no infection occurred in patients with FBVT. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and history of previous access were associated with lower primary patency.Conclusion: Forearm BVT showed an acceptable, high 2-year patency rate and fewer thromboses and infectious complications than AVG. Forearm BVT could be considered before forming an upper arm AVF or forearm AVG, if the basilic vein is available.

Multiple hereditary exostoses as a rare nonatherosclerotic etiology of chronic lower extremity ischemia - Corrected Proof

2010-01-18

Nonatherosclerotic etiologies of arterial insufficiency are uncommon but important causes of chronic lower extremity ischemia. We report a patient with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE) presenting with lifestyle-limiting lower extremity claudication and popliteal artery occlusion secondary to a large osteochondroma. The presence of MHE with associated osteochondroma resulting in arterial occlusion is a rare condition. Management strategies for treating large osteochondromas adjacent to or with vessel involvement in asymptomatic patients remain undefined.

Evaluation of peripheral atherosclerosis: A comparative analysis of angiography and intravascular ultrasound imaging - Corrected Proof

2010-01-18

Objective: Angiography remains a critical component for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The goal of this study was to compare angiography with corresponding intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging of the same vessels in patients with PAD.Methods: From 2004 to 2008, 93 patients undergoing angiography for PAD were recruited in a prospective observational analysis. At the time of angiography, diseased lower extremities were interrogated using a 10-cm IVUS pullback with registration points. IVUS data were analyzed with radiofrequency techniques for vessel and lumen diameter, plaque volume, plaque composition, and cross-sectional area. Similarly, three vascular surgeons blinded to the IVUS data graded corresponding angiographic images according to vessel diameter, degree of stenosis, degree of calcification, and extent of eccentricity. Statistical analyses of matched IVUS images and angiograms were performed.Results: The distribution of demographic and risk variables were typical for PAD: 54% male, 96% hypertension, 78% hyperlipidemia, 44% diabetic, 87% tobacco history, 65% coronary artery disease, and 10% end-stage renal disease. Symptoms precipitating the angiographic evaluation included claudication (53%), rest pain (18%), and tissue loss (29%). Angiographic and IVUS interpretation were similar for luminal diameters, but external vessel diameter was greater by IVUS imaging (7.0 ± 0.7 vs 5.2 ± 0.8 mm, P < .05). The two-dimensional diameter method resulted in a significant correlation for stenosis determination (r = 0.84); however, IVUS determination of vessel area stenosis was greater by 10% (95% confidence interval, 0.3%-21%, P < .05). IVUS imaging indicated that a higher proportion of plaques were concentric. Grading of calcification was moderate to severe in 40% by angiography but in only 7% by IVUS (P < .05).Conclusions: In the evaluation of PAD, angiography and IVUS imaging provide similar luminal diameters and diameter-reducing stenosis measurements. Determination of overall vessel diameter and interpretation of plaque morphology by angiography are discordant from IVUS-derived data.

Discussion - Corrected Proof

2010-01-18

Dr Peter Nelson (Gainesville, Fla). Dr Arthurs and his coauthors have scientifically brought to our attention the limitations of conventional angiography or what can be referred to as a 2D “lumenagram.” From their data, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) provides significant additional detail with respect to arterial morphology, specifically the measurement of true vessel outer wall diameter, area stenosis, and lesion length, all of which are underestimated by angiography, and importantly, information regarding plaque morphology and virtual histology that is simply unavailable from angiography alone. I offer the following technical and practical questions:

Preferential use of basilic vein for surgical repair of popliteal aneurysms via the posterior approach - Corrected Proof

Ronit Tal, Yefim Rabinovich, Laslo Zelmanovich, Yehuda G. Wolf — 2010-01-18

The facedown position used for the posterior surgical approach to repair popliteal aneurysms limits access to the great saphenous vein. Using the basilic vein as the conduit of choice in five patients, we were able to harvest the vein conveniently and simultaneously with aneurysm exposure. On follow-up of 4 to 36 months, all grafts were functioning well.

Total aortic repair in Marfan syndrome using stent grafting with hybrid techniques - Corrected Proof

Yosuke Takahashi, Yasushi Tsutsumi, Yukitoshi Shirakawa, Hirokazu Ohashi — 2010-01-18

A 19-year-old man with Marfan syndrome and a 3-year history of severe mitral regurgitation was admitted with DeBakey type IIIb acute aortic dissection and dilatation of the aortic root (4 cm diameter; A). The diameter of the dissected aorta from the distal arch (5-cm diameter) to the thoracoabdominal aorta increased progressively during admission.

Racial and ethnic differences in patterns of treatment for acute peripheral arterial disease in the United States, 1998-2006 - Corrected Proof

Vincent L. Rowe, Fred A. Weaver, John S. Lane, David A. Etzioni — 2010-01-18

Objective: Prior studies have documented racial and ethnic disparities in rates of amputations for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the United States. We analyze whether there are underlying differences in the types of treatment provided to patients who are acutely hospitalized for PAD.Methods: The 1998-2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to examine patterns of treatment. We considered a hospitalization an acute admission for PAD if (1) the primary diagnosis was PAD, and (2) the patient was admitted urgently or emergently or through an emergency department. Vascular interventions were designated as open bypass, endovascular intervention, or major amputation, defined as disarticulation at the ankle or higher amputation.Results: From 1998 through 2006, the likelihood of an endovascular procedure being performed during an acute hospitalization for PAD increased from 11.5% to 35.3%, and open vascular procedures decreased from 34.9% to 25.4%. The likelihood of a major amputation during an acute hospitalization for PAD decreased from 29.7% to 20.3%. Black and Hispanic patients were more likely than white patients to undergo amputation and were less likely to have an endovascular or open revascularization.Conclusion: Use of endovascular procedures has increased and use of open vascular bypass has decreased in the inpatient treatment of acute PAD. Although the overall likelihood of amputation has decreased, racial and ethnic differences persist, with black and Hispanic patients experiencing a higher likelihood of amputation.

Gender trends in the repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms and outcomes - Corrected Proof

Leila Mureebe, Natalia Egorova, James F. McKinsey, K. Craig Kent — 2010-01-18

Background: This study evaluated gender-specific trends in the diagnosis and treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) in the United States Medicare population.Methods: The Medicare beneficiary database (1995 through 2006) was examined for patients with rAAAs using International Classification of Diseaes, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Codes for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) were only available for the year 2000 forward, and thus, analysis of EVAR was limited to 2000 through 2006. Proportions were analyzed by χ2 and continuous variables by t-test. Factors associated with 30-day mortality and discharge home after surgery were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. The effect of gender and repair type (open or EVAR) on death and the probability of discharge to home after repair were also evaluated.Results: The rate of hospitalizations per 100,000 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries for men decreased by 52% (from 40 to 19) and by 36% for women (from 11 to 7). The observed 30-day mortality rate was overall 7.7% higher for women vs men. The mortality rate for women was higher by 8.9% for open repair and higher by 7.1% for EVAR vs men. Female gender was associated with increased risk of death in multivariate analysis after controlling for age, year, and type of procedure. Women were 9.8% less likely to be discharged to home after rAAA repair, regardless of the type of repair.Conclusion: In addition to the fact that we have failed to realize a change in the number of women diagnosed with or treated for rAAA, a significant gender difference remains in the outcomes after treatment for rAAA. This differential is present in both the 30-day mortality rate and in the potential to be discharged to home after repair.

Incidental detection of a giant ductus arteriosus aneurysm by low-dose multidetector computed tomography in an asymptomatic adult - Corrected Proof

2010-01-18

Aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus is a very rare congenital lesion in adults that can be associated with thromboembolism, rupture, and death. Its detection in a silent clinical phase is very important for planning appropriate treatment and avoiding potentially fatal complications. We report a case of a patent ductus arteriosus aneurysm of very large size (65.5 mm) that was incidentally discovered with low-dose (3.2 mSv) multidetector computed tomography in an asymptomatic 67-year-old man. The presence of coronary disease was also ruled out with this non-invasive imaging modality. Further evaluation with echocardiography and selective angiography confirmed the diagnosis. At surgery, the aneurysm was successfully resected via a left posterolateral thoracotomy.

Systematic review on the association between calcification in carotid plaques and clinical ischemic symptoms - Corrected Proof

Robert M. Kwee — 2010-01-04

Objective: The association between carotid plaque calcification and clinical ischemic events is unclear. The aim of this study was to systematically review published studies comparing degree of calcification between clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques.Methods: A systematic search for relevant studies was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases. For studies reporting a rating scale or a continuous measure of calcification, study-specific and pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques were calculated. For studies reporting a dichotomous measure, study-specific and pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. If no significant heterogeneity was present (I2 ≤50%), a fixed-effects pooling model was used. If significant heterogeneity was present (I2 >50%), a random-effects pooling model was used, and sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analyses.Results: The 24 studies included in this systematic review used a wide range of methodologies to quantify degree of calcification and a wide range of definitions to define clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques. Pooled fixed-effects SMD of calcification volume or weight between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques was −0.425 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.608 to −0.241); I2 = 39.3%. Pooled random-effects SMD of calcification percentage was −0.997 (95% CI, −1.793 to −0.200); I2 = 93.8. Subgroup analyses did not reveal homogeneous subgroups. Pooled fixed-effects OR for the association between high degree of plaque calcification and symptoms was 0.696 (95% CI, 0.528 to 0.918); I2 = 21.1%.Conclusion: The results of this systematic review suggest that clinically symptomatic plaques have a lower degree of calcification than asymptomatic plaques. Assessment of degree of carotid plaque calcification may be useful to predict which plaques will cause cerebrovascular ischemic events.

Endovascular repair of popliteal aneurysms - Corrected Proof

Claudio S. Cina — 2010-01-04

Endovascular repair is an established modality of treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms. It is therefore reasonable to expect its application to other less common aneurysmal conditions, including isolated iliac and popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA). There are, however, essential differences between aortic aneurysms and peripheral aneurysms: smaller arterial caliber, mobility of the arterial segment, associated occlusive disease, and devices that have not been specifically designed for peripheral applications. Due to these differences, results obtained in abdominal aortic aneurysms cannot be extrapolated to peripheral aneurysms. The attraction of the endovascular repair for PAA is its minimally invasive nature. The literature, however, provides only case reports, case series and small cohorts, and one small randomized, controlled trial. A cumulative summary of these studies provides the clinician with information upon which to base the choice of treatment on a specific patient. Endovascular repair for PAA with suitable anatomy and good run-off can be considered safe, and medium term results appear comparable with those of open repair.

Variation in the shape and length of the branches of a thoracoabdominal aortic stent graft: Implications for the role of standard off-the-shelf components - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Purpose:: To describe variations in the shape, orientation, and length of the branches of multi-branched thoracoabdominal stent grafts.Method: The branches were constructed in situ by attaching a covered stent (Fluency Plus Tracheobronchial Stent Graft; Bard Peripheral Vascular, Tempe, Ariz) to each of four caudally-oriented cuffs on custom-made stent grafts. Pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of 38 consecutively treated patients were analyzed using a three-dimensional work station to give the orientation of celiac, superior mesenteric, and right renal and left renal orifices relative to the centerline of the aorta (planned cuff orientation [PCO]) and relative to the centerline of the stent graft (actual vessel orientation [AVO]). The orientation of each cuff (actual cuff orientation [ACO]) was also measured relative to the centerline of the stent graft. These values were used to assess the degree of stent graft malorientation (ACO-PCO), or cuff-to-artery misalignment (ACO-AVO), and combined with measurements of branch length to calculate the resulting lateral displacement (arc distance [AD]) between each cuff and its corresponding arterial orifice and the angle (longitudinal branch angulation [LBA]) between the long axis of the branch and the long axis of the aorta, all in the plane of the aortic surface.Results: All 136 branches were inserted as intended. None has since migrated, disconnected, or kinked. In most cases, stent graft orientation was accurate, with a mean ACO-PCO of 18.4 + 12.1 degrees. Cuff-to-artery misalignment was correspondingly low, with a mean ACO-AVO of 19.8 + 14.0 degrees. More than 30 degrees of misalignment was present in 23.2% of branches, yet only 9% (n = 12) had an LBA of >30 degrees.Conclusion: Moderate degrees of cuff-to-artery misalignment had no effect on the feasibility of multi-branched stent graft insertion.

Collateral pathways visualization of the innominate vein - Corrected Proof

Efrem Civilini, Germano Melissano, Luca Bertoglio, Roberto Chiesa — 2010-01-04

An asymptomatic woman underwent an angio-computed tomography (CT) scan to evaluate a thoracic aneurysm. As a collateral finding, an extrinsic compression of the innominate vein was observed. This is an uncommon condition that can be incidentally discovered with contrastographic examinations in the presence of a diminished space between the sternum and arch vessels.

Elevated sex steroid hormones in great saphenous veins in men - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Introduction: High serum levels of estradiol are associated with clinical evidence of varicose veins in women; however, the relationship between serum sex steroid hormones and varicose veins in men is unclear. To address this issue, serum levels of testosterone, estradiol, and androstenedione were determined in the great saphenous (GSV) and cubital veins of men with varicose veins. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of sex steroid hormones, metabolizing enzymes, and their receptors was investigated in tissue samples of leg veins.Methods: This prospective study included 40 men, comprising 20 with varicose veins and reflux of the GSV (VM) and 20 with healthy veins (HM). All limbs were assessed by duplex ultrasound scanning of selected superficial and deep leg veins. Blood samples were taken from the cubital vein and from the GSV. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis for sex steroid hormones, their metabolizing enzymes, and receptors in saphenous veins was performed in tissue samples of varicose (n = 6) and healthy veins (n = 6).Results: The VM group had significantly higher (P < .001) mean levels for serum testosterone (44.9 nmol/L; range, 8.8-225.1) and estradiol (242.2 pmol/L; range, 79-941) in varicose saphenous veins compared with cubital veins (testosterone, 15.5 nmol/L; range, 8.4-23.3; estradiol, 93.2 pmol/L; range, 31-147). Moreover, significantly (P < .001) higher mean serum estradiol levels (133.2 pmol/L; range, 63-239) were detected in the saphenous veins of the HM group compared with cubital veins (88.15 pmol/L; range, 37-153). Both groups had similar blood counts and serum androstenedione levels in the upper and lower extremity. Interestingly, qRT-PCR revealed that the mRNA expression of 5α-reductase type 1, 5α-reductase type 2, 17, 20 lyase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), aromatase and 3β-HSD type 2, androgen and estrogen receptor 1 was down-regulated (P < .05) in all samples of varicose veins vs veins obtained from healthy men.Conclusion: Elevated serum estradiol and testosterone levels were detected in men with varicose veins and reflux in the GSV compared with the patient's own arm veins. Enzymes and hormonal receptors involved in steroid metabolism were down-regulated in patients with GSV reflux and varicose veins, suggestive of a negative feedback regulation. These data support the notion of a possible causal relationship between sex steroids and varicose veins in men.

The influence of different sub-bandage pressure values on venous leg ulcers healing when treated with compression therapy - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLU) have a huge social and economic impact. An estimated 1.5% of European adults will suffer a venous ulcer at some point in their lives. Despite the widespread use of bandaging with high pressure in the treatment of this condition, recurrence rates range between 25% to 70%. Numerous studies have suggested that the compression system should provide sub-bandage pressure values in the range from 35 mm Hg to 45 mm Hg in order to achieve the best possible healing results.Methods: An open, randomized, prospective, single-center study was performed in order to determine the healing rates of VLU when treated with different compression systems and different sub-bandage pressure values. One hundred thirty-one patients (72 women, 59 men; mean age, 59-years-old) with VLU (ulcer surface >3 cm2; duration >3 months) were randomized into three groups: group A – 42 patients who were treated using an open-toed, elastic, class III compression device knitted in tubular form (Tubulcus, Laboratoires Innothera, Arcueil, France); group B – 46 patients treated with the multi-component bandaging system comprised of Tubulcus and one elastic bandage (15 cm wide and 5 cm long with 200% stretch, Niva, Novi Sad, Serbia); and group C – forty-three patients treated with the multi-component bandaging system comprised of Tubulcus and two elastic bandages. Pressure measurements were taken with the Kikuhime device (TT MediTrade, Soro, Denmark) at the B1 measuring point in the supine, sitting, and standing positions under the three different compression systems.Results: The median resting values in the supine and standing positions in examined study groups were as follows: group A – 36.2 mm Hg and 43.9 mm Hg; group B – 53.9 mm Hg and 68.2 mm Hg; group C – 74.0 mm Hg and 87.4 mm Hg. The healing rate during the 26-week treatment period was 25% (13/42) in group A, 67.4% (31/46) in group B, and 74.4% (32/43) in group C. The success of compression treatment in group A was strongly associated with the small ulcer surface (<5 cm2) and smaller calf circumference (CC; <38 cm). On the other hand, compliance in group A was good. In groups B and C, compliance was poor in patients with small CC, but the healing rate was high, especially in patients with large ulcers and a large CC (>43 cm).Conclusion: The results obtained in this study indicate that better healing results are achieved with two or multi-component compression systems than with single-component compression systems and that a compression system should be individually determined for each patient according to individual characteristics of the leg and CC. Target sub-bandage pressure value (B1 measuring point in the sitting position) of the compression system needed for the ulcer healing could be determined according to a simple formula, CC + CC/2.

Trends and outcomes of endovascular and open treatment for traumatic thoracic aortic injury - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Objectives: Traumatic thoracic aortic injury (TTAI) is associated with high mortality rates. Data supporting thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) to reduce mortality and morbidity for TTAI is limited to small series and meta-analyses. In this study, we evaluated the trends and outcomes of open surgery and TEVAR for TTAI in New York State.Methods: All cases of TTAI in New York State between 2000 and 2007 were extracted from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database. A diagnosis by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision coding of TTAI was required for inclusion.Results: We identified 328 patients with TTAI who underwent surgical repair in New York State between 2000 and 2007; mean age of the cohort was 39.3 years ± 18 years; 80% were male. Open repair of TTAI was performed in 79.6% and 20.4% underwent TEVAR. Open repair was performed for all cases of TTAI until the introduction of TEVAR in 2005; TEVAR exceeded the use of open repair for TTAI in 2006 and 2007. Additional major injuries were present in 71.7% in the open repair group vs 91.0% of the TEVAR group (P = .001). The overall in-hospital mortality rate for the 8-year period was significantly increased after open repair of TTAI compared with TEVAR: 17% vs 6%, (odds ratio [OR] 3.19, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-9.23; P = .024). After controlling for the significant covariates, TEVAR independently reduced the risk of death following surgical intervention for TTAI compared with the open procedure (OR 3.8, 95% CI, 1.28-10.99; P = .010). Respiratory complications were the most common postoperative morbidity, and were significantly increased after open repair: 38% vs 24% (OR 1.95; 95% CI, 1.05-3.60; P = .032). There were no significant differences in cardiac complications, acute renal failure (ARF), paraplegia, or stroke. Endoleak and distal embolization each occurred in 9% of patients after TEVAR.Conclusions: There has been a shift toward endovascular management of patients with TTAI. This change in surgical strategy has been associated with less postoperative mortality and fewer pulmonary complications in patients suffering from TTAI. TEVAR is associated with significant device-related complications.

A portable high-intensity focused ultrasound device for noninvasive venous ablation - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Background: Varicose veins and other vascular abnormalities are common clinical entities. Treatment options include vein stripping, sclerotherapy, and endovenous laser treatment, but all involve some degree of invasive intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine ex vivo the effectiveness of a novel hand-held, battery-operated, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device for transcutaneous venous ablation.Methods: The ultrasound device is 14 × 9 × 4 cm, weighs 650 g, and is powered by 4 lithium ion battery packs. An ex vivo testing platform consisting of two different models comprised of sequentially layered skin-muscle-vein or skin-fat-vein was developed, and specimens were treated with HIFU. The tissues were then disassembled, imaged, and processed for histology. The luminal cross-sectional area of vein that had been treated with HIFU and nontreated controls were measured, and the values presented as median and interquartile range (IQR). The values were compared using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and statistical significance was set at P < .05.Results: On gross and histologic examination, veins that had been treated with HIFU showed evidence of coagulation necrosis. The surface of the muscle in direct contact with the vein had a pinpoint area of coagulation, whereas the adjacent fat appeared undisturbed; the skin, fat, and the surface of the muscle in contact with the transducer remained completely unaffected. The cross-sectional area was 3.79 mm2 (IQR, 3.38-4.22) of the control vein lumen and 0.16 mm2 (IQR, 0.04-0.39) in those that had been treated with HIFU (P = .0304).Conclusion: This inexpensive, portable HIFU device has the potential to allow clinicians to easily perform venous ablation in a manner that is entirely noninvasive and without the expense or inconvenience of large, complicated devices. This device represents a significant step forward in the development of new applications for HIFU technology.Clinical Relevance: Although sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and endovenous laser treatment are less invasive than previous surgical treatments for varicose veins, they are still invasive procedures and have concomitant risks, complications, and expenses. The development of a transcutaneous, noninvasive treatment modality holds significant promise for the treatment of varicose veins and venous malformations.

Protamine reduces bleeding complications associated with carotid endarterectomy without increasing the risk of stroke - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Objectives: Controversy persists regarding the use of protamine during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) based on prior conflicting reports documenting both reduced bleeding as well as increased stroke risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of protamine reversal of heparin anticoagulation on the outcome of CEA in a contemporary multistate registry.Methods: We reviewed a prospective regional registry of 4587 CEAs in 4311 patients performed by 66 surgeons from 11 centers in Northern New England from 2003-2008. Protamine use varied by surgeon (38% routine use, 44% rare use, 18% selective use). Endpoints were postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation as well as potential thrombotic complications, including stroke, death, and myocardial infarction (MI). Predictors of endpoints were determined by multivariate logistic regression after associated variables were identified by univariate analysis.Results: Of the 4587 CEAs performed, 46% utilized protamine, while 54% did not. Fourteen patients (0.64%) in the protamine-treated group required reoperation for bleeding compared with 42 patients (1.66%) in the untreated cohort (P = .001). Protamine use did not affect the rate of MI (1.1% vs 0.91%, P = .51), stroke (0.78% vs 1.15%, P = .2), or death (0.23% vs 0.32%, P = .57) between treated and untreated patients, respectively. By multivariate analysis, protamine (odds ratio [OR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.63; P = .001) and patch angioplasty (OR 0.46, 95% CI, 0.26-0.81; P = .007) were independently associated with diminished reoperation for bleeding. A single center was associated with a significantly higher rate of reoperation for bleeding (OR 6.47, 95% CI, 3.02-13.9; P < .001). Independent of protamine use, consequences of reoperation for bleeding were significant, with a four-fold increase in MI, a seven-fold increase in stroke, and a 30-fold increase in death.Conclusion: Protamine reduced serious bleeding requiring reoperation during CEA without increasing the risk of MI, stroke, or death, in this large, contemporary registry. In light of significant complications referable to bleeding, liberal use of protamine during CEA appears warranted.

Comparative study on carotid revascularization (endarterectomy vs stenting) using markers of cellular brain injury, neuropsychometric tests, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Objective: Subclinical alterations of cerebral function can occur during or after carotid revascularization and can be detected by a variety of standard tests. This comparative study assessed the relationship among serum levels for two biochemical markers of cerebral injury, postoperative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI), and neuropsychometric testing in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) for high-grade asymptomatic carotid stenosis.Methods: Forty-three consecutive asymptomatic patients underwent carotid revascularization by endarterectomy (CEA, 20) or stenting (CAS, 23). They were evaluated with DW-MRI and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test preoperatively and ≤24 hours after carotid revascularization. Venous blood samples to assess serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100β protein were collected for each patient preoperatively and five times in a 24-hour period postoperatively and assayed using automated commercial equipment. The MMSE test was repeated at 6 months. The relationship between serum marker levels and neuropsychometric and imaging tests and differences between the two groups of patients were analyzed by χ2 test, with significance at P < .05.Results: No transient ischemic attacks or strokes were clinically observed. CAS caused more new subcortical lesions at postoperative DW-MRI and a significant decline in the MMSE postoperative score compared with CEA (P = .03). In CAS patients, new lesions at DW-MRI were significantly associated with a postoperative MMSE score decline >5 points (P = .001). Analysis of S100β and NSE levels showed a significant increase at 24 hours in CAS patients compared with CEA patients (P = .02). The MMSE score at 6 months showed a nonsignificant increase vs the postoperative score in both groups.Conclusions: Biochemical markers measurements of brain damage combined with neuropsychometric tests and DW-MRI can be used to evaluate silent injuries after CAS. The mechanisms of rise in S100β and NSE levels at 24 hours after CAS may be due to increased perioperative microembolization rather than to hypoperfusion. Further studies are required to assess the clinical significance of those tests in carotid revascularization.

Discussion - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Dr John Ricotta (Washington, DC). Are you going to continue this study? I have a couple of questions. One is, what is the sample size you would need to test the significance of your biomarker assay? Do you know the sample size that you would need?

Long-term outcomes and resource utilization of endovascular versus open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in Ontario - Corrected Proof

Prasad Jetty, Paul Hebert, Carl van Walraven — 2010-01-04

Objective: Two large randomized trials showed that elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) had similar all-cause long-term mortality rates but increased costs compared with open repair for nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Despite these data, the use of EVAR continues to increase in North America. Currently, there are very limited adjusted population-based data examining long-term outcomes and resource utilization.Methods: All patients who underwent elective AAA repair between April 2002 and March 2007 in Ontario were identified using data from hospital discharge abstracts. Patients were identified with a validated algorithm. A propensity score analysis was used to adjust for treatment allocation. Clinical outcomes included time to all-cause death and discharge to a nursing home or long-term care facility. Resource utilization outcomes included imaging utilization, hospital utilization, and reintervention rates.Results: Overall, 6461 patients underwent treatment of nonruptured AAAs, comprising 888 EVARs and 5573 open repairs. EVAR patients were older and had more comorbidities. The adjusted mortality was significantly lower in the EVAR group at 30 days (adjusted odds ratio [adj-OR], 0.34; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.20-0.59), but long-term mortality was similar (adj-OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81-1.05). EVAR patients were significantly less likely to be discharged to a nursing home or other chronic care facility (adj-OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.41-0.74). Imaging utilization as well as urgent and vascular readmissions were significantly higher in the EVAR group. However, the EVAR group had a significantly shorter length of stay and less intensive care unit use for the index hospitalization and decreased hospital length of stay during follow-up. There was a trend toward a slightly increased risk of reintervention with EVAR (adj-OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.98-1.75).Conclusion: Compared with open repair, EVAR significantly reduced short-term but not long-term mortality. The EVAR patients spent less time in health institutions, including long-term care facilities, but underwent more imaging studies. Future improvements in EVAR could result in further decreases in reinterventions and subsequent radiologic monitoring.

An analysis of the outcomes of a decade of experience with lower extremity revascularization including limb salvage, lengths of stay, and safety - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Background: Demographic and practice modality changes during the past decade have led to a substantial shift in the management of peripheral vascular disease. This study examined the effect of these changes using large national and regional data sets on procedure type, indications, morbidity, and on the primary target outcome: limb salvage.Methods: National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data sets and New York (NY) State inpatient hospitalizations and outpatient surgeries discharge databases from 1998 through 2007 were used to identify hospitalizations for lower extremity revascularization (LER) and major amputations. Patients were selected by cross-referencing diagnostic and procedural codes. Proportions were analyzed by χ2 analysis, continuous variables by t test, and trends by the Poisson regression.Results: The national per capita (100,000 population, age >40 years) volume of major amputations decreased by 38%. The volume for national and regional use of endovascular LER doubled. The volume of open LER decreased by 67% from 1998 through 2007. Ambulatory endovascular LER grew in NY State from 7 per capita in 1998 to 22 in 2007. Interventions declined by 20% (93 to 75) for critical limb ischemia (CLI) but increased by nearly 50% for claudication. Outpatient data analysis revealed a fivefold increase in vascular interventions for CLI and claudication. Nationally, endovascular LER interventions quadrupled (8% to 32%) for CLI and doubled (26% to 61%) for claudication. A parallel reduction occurred in major amputations for patients with CLI (42% to 30%), for other PAD diagnoses (18% to 14%), and for claudication (0.9% to 0.3%). Although surgical interventions for CLI declined significantly for octogenarians from 317 to 240, outpatient interventions increased for CLI, claudication, and other diagnoses in all age groups. Comorbidities for patients treated in 2006 were substantially greater than those of a decade ago. For most procedures, cardiac and bleeding complications have significantly decreased during the last decade. Length of stay (LOS) declined from 9.5 to 7.6 days and the percentage of short (1-2 day) hospitalizations increased from 16% to 35%.Conclusion: Although patients today, whether treated for claudication or CLI, have more comorbidities, the rates of amputation, the procedural morbidity and mortality, and LOS have all significantly decreased. Other variables, including changes in medical management and wound care, undoubtedly are important, but this change appears to be largely due to the widespread and successful use of endovascular LER or to earlier intervention, or both, driven by the safety of these techniques.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of renal artery aneurysms - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Objective: The aim of this article is to report our experience in the repair of renal artery aneurysms using robot-assisted surgery.Methods: Between December 2002 and March 2009, five women with a mean age of 63.8 years (range, 57-78 years) underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of renal artery aneurysms by the same surgeon at two different institutions, the Department of General Surgery, Misericordia Hospital, Grosseto, Italy (three patients) and the Division of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at the University of Illinois, Chicago (two patients). The mean size of the lesions was 19.4 mm (range, 9-28 mm). Four of the lesions were complex aneurysms involving the renal artery bifurcation. Two patients were symptomatic and three had hypertension. In situ repair by aneurysmectomy was performed in all cases, followed by revascularization. In complex aneurysms, an autologous saphenous vein graft was used for the reconstruction.Results: The mean operative time was 288 minutes (range, 170-360 min) and the estimated surgical blood loss was 100 ml (range, 50-300 ml). Warm ischemia time was 10 minutes in the patient treated by aneurysmectomy, followed by direct reconstruction. The average warm ischemia time was 38.5 minutes (range, 20-60 min) for patients treated with saphenous vein graft interposition. The mean time to resume a regular diet was 1.6 days (range, 1-2 days). The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 5.6 days (range, 3-7 days). No postoperative morbidity was noted. The mean follow-up time for the entire series was 28 months (range, 6-48 months). Color Doppler ultrasonography examination showed patency in all reconstructed vessels. One patient had stenosis of one of the reconstructed branches, which was treated with percutaneous angioplasty.Conclusions: Robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of renal artery aneurysms is feasible, safe and effective. The technical advantages of the robotic system allows for microvascular reconstruction to be performed using a minimally invasive approach, even in complex cases. This approach may also allow for improved postoperative recovery and reduce the morbidity correlated with open repair of renal artery aneurysms. Although more experience and technical refinements are necessary, robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of renal artery aneurysms represents a valid alternative to open surgery.

The diagnosis, morphological particularities, and surgical technique in a case of intravascular leiomyoma extended to the right heart chambers - Corrected Proof

2010-01-04

Intravenous leiomyoma is a benign smooth muscle cell tumor of uterine origin that may grow into the pelvic veins and the inferior vena cava. It usually affects premenopausal women and the majority (90%) are parous. Because cardiac involvement is present in up to 10% of cases, it may be misdiagnosed as a primary cardiac tumor or a venous thrombus-in-transit. We describe a case of intravascular leiomyomatosis with cardiac extension and the morphological particularities of the removed tumor.

Determining who trains vascular surgery fellows in endovascular techniques - Corrected Proof

Amy B. Reed, Robert Rhodes, John Ricotta — 2010-01-04

Objectives: Vascular surgery training has evolved from a single clinical year after general surgery training to a multi-year training program to encompass such entities as noninvasive vascular laboratory, office-based procedures, and endovascular techniques. Simultaneously, members of the vascular surgery community have had to undergo significant training to become facile with endovascular techniques. We surveyed vascular surgery trainees on the online Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination (VSITE) in 2008 and 2009 to assess who trained them in percutaneous techniques.Methods: Vascular surgery trainees in the Independent (2-year) and Integrated (5-year) training programs were asked to participate in a survey upon completion of the VSITE in 2008 and 2009. Examinees were asked to select whether vascular surgeons, cardiologists, or interventional radiologists trained them in carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), thoracic endografts (TEVAR), endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), renal artery intervention, iliac stenting, superficial femoral artery (SFA), and tibial artery percutaneous interventions.Results: Survey response rate was 79.6% (191 of 240). Results of the survey are shown in . In 2009, vascular surgeons provided more than 84% of the training to vascular surgery residents. Only six respondents had >50% of their percutaneous training with interventional radiology and two with cardiologists.Conclusion: Vascular surgeons involved in resident education have been able to retrain themselves in endovascular techniques such that they are now able to provide greater than 80% of the endovascular experience to vascular surgery residents.

Bullous pemphigoid presenting as dry gangrene in a revascularized limb - Corrected Proof

Christopher P. Twine, Gauhar Malik, Sarah Street, Ian M. Williams — 2010-01-04

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease, and has been associated with many diseases; most autoimmune. It has never previously been associated with a reperfused limb. A 74-year-old female underwent a right femoroanterior tibial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass for tissue loss and rest pain in the right foot. After surgery she was treated for recurrent infection which exacerbated tissue loss and was eventually diagnosed as BP. There was a delay in diagnosis due to the similarity to dry gangrene. This case highlights the potential difficulties of BP diagnosis in a revascularized limb and the importance of multidisciplinary management of atypical infection.

Successful repair of a ruptured Stanford type B aortic dissection during pregnancy - Corrected Proof

Christopher L. Stout, Eric C. Scott, Gordon K. Stokes, Jean M. Panneton — 2010-01-04

We present our experience with an acute Stanford type B aortic dissection in a 25-year-old, 26-week gravid patient without a known connective tissue disorder and discuss a literature-based treatment strategy. After failed conservative treatment manifest by aneurysm rupture, emergency cesarean section delivery and immediate repair of her thoracic aorta was performed. Seven months later, she is fully caring for her healthy baby. During pregnancy, thoracic aortic dissection occurs from physiologic and hemodynamic changes. Emergency cesarean delivery, followed by immediate aortic repair, is the treatment choice if malperfusion syndrome, rupture, uncontrolled hypertension, or unremitting pain occurs.

Minorities in academic medicine: Review of the literature - Corrected Proof

Marc A. Nivet — 2009-12-25

Given the considerable demographic changes occurring in the in the United States coupled with the urgent need for the field of medicine to continue to adapt to and better align with societal needs and expectations, a growing number of leaders in academic medicine have called for academic health centers to redouble their efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. Although it is laudable to call for increased attention and efforts to diversify, it is of paramount importance to review and distill what we have learned from past efforts so that future energy can be spent intelligently to ensure greater impact going forward. This article reviews the literature on both the barriers and facilitators for racial and ethnic minorities in academic medical careers and offers guidance for increasing the diversity of the nation's medical school faculty members and leadership.

Back to the basics – the anatomy of the small saphenous vein – Part 1: Fascial and neural relations, saphenofemoral junction and valves - Corrected Proof

Gregor Schweighofer, Dominic Mühlberger, Erich Brenner — 2009-12-18

Purpose: Varicose veins are a frequent burden, also in the small saphenous system. Yet its basic anatomy is not described consistently. We therefore investigated the fascial and neural relationships of the small saphenous vein (SSV) as well as the frequency and position of valves and the different junctional patterns, also considering the thigh extension.Materials and Methods: We dissected the legs of 51 cadavers during the regular dissection course held in winter 2007 at Innsbruck Medical University, with a total of 86 SSVs investigable proximally and 94 SSVs distally.Results: A distinct saphenous fascia is present in 93 of 94 cases. It starts with a mean distance of 5.1 cm (SD 1.2 cm) proximal to the calcaneal tuber, where the tributaries to the SSV join to form a common trunk. The neural topography at the level of the gastrocnemius muscle's origins shows the medial sural cutaneous nerve in 88% medially and in 12% laterally to the SSV, the tibial nerve in 64% medially and in 36% laterally, and the common fibular nerve in 98% medially and in 2% laterally to the vein. The saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) resembled in about 37% type A (UIP-classification), 15% type B, and 24% type C. A total of 17% of specimens showed a venous web or star at the popliteal fossa and 6% had a doubled junction. A thigh extension could be demonstrated in about 84%. A most proximal valve was present in only 94% at a mean distance of 1.2 cm (SD 1.4 cm) to the SSVs orifice. A consecutive distal valve was only present in 65% with a mean distance of 5.1 cm (SD 2.3 cm).Conclusion: Two fascial points or regions can be described in the SSVs' course and its own saphenous fascia is demonstrated macroscopically in almost all cases. The neural topography is highly individual. The SPJ is highly individual where we found hitherto unclassified patterns in a remarkable number of veins. Venous valves are not as frequent as we supposed them to be. Furthermore, not all most proximal valves seem to be terminal valves.Clinical Relevance: Our study's aim is to support the basic understandings of the small saphenous system by providing exact anatomic data. This will help to understand physiology as well as pathophysiologic possibilities at the small saphenous system. On the other hand, our study especially can provide assistance for the vascular surgical approach at the popliteal fossa and also distally to the beginning of the trunk of the short saphenous vein itself.

Prevention of thromboembolic events in surgical patients through the creation and implementation of a computerized risk assessment program - Corrected Proof

2009-12-18

Objectives: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major source of postoperative morbidity and mortality and is currently a major quality improvement initiative. Mechanical and pharmacological prophylaxis is effective in preventing postoperative thromboembolic events, yet it remains underutilized in the clinical setting. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop and implement a computerized DVT risk assessment program in the electronic medical record and determine its effect on compliance with DVT prophylaxis guidelines.Methods: A standardized DVT risk assessment program was developed and incorporated into the Computerized Patient Record System for all surgical patients at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Four hundred consecutive surgical patients before and after implementation were evaluated for DVT risk, the prescription of pharmacological and mechanical DVT prophylaxis, and the development of thromboembolic events.Results: With implementation of the DVT risk assessment program, the number of patients receiving the recommended pharmacological prophylaxis preoperatively more than doubled (14% to 36%) (P < .001), and use of sequential compression devices (SCD) increased 40% (P < .001). Overall, the percentage of at-risk patients receiving the recommended combined DVT prophylaxis of SCD and pharmacological prophylaxis increased nearly seven-fold (5% to 32%) (P < .001). The assessment also improved use of prophylaxis postoperatively, increasing SCD use by 27% (P < .001). With respect to DVT occurrence, there was an 80% decrease in the incidence of postoperative DVT at 30 days and a 36% decrease at 90 days; however, this did not reach statistical significance due to the low event rate.Conclusions: The creation and implementation of a standardized DVT risk assessment program in the electronic medical record significantly increased use of pharmacological and mechanical DVT prophylaxis before surgery in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center setting.

Iliac branched devices: Technical aspects and midterm patency - Corrected Proof

Marcelo Ferreira, Marcelo Monteiro, Luiz Lanziotti — 2009-12-18

Objective: This study presents technical aspects and initial results with iliac bifurcated devices (IBDs).Methods: Since 2006, 47 IBDs were scheduled for 37 patients who were followed up between 2 and 31 months. Iliac aneurysms were unilateral in 27 patients and bilateral in 10. Two patients with bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAAs) did not have a simultaneous aortic aneurysm. Two patients underwent combined thoracoabdominal aneurysm treatment with branched stent grafts, and one underwent combined juxtarenal aneurysm repair with a fenestrated device. The helical iliac side branch device was used in 11 CIAA (23.4%), and the Zenith bifurcated iliac side branch device was used in the remaining 36 (76.6%).Results: The technical success rate was 97.3% within the 47 intended-to-treat CIAAs (failure to introduce the delivery system in one case, converted to femorofemoral bypass). During follow-up, five (10.6%) hypogastric branch occlusions occurred in five patients. Two patients with bilateral repair had unilateral internal iliac artery side branch occlusions without ischemic symptoms. In contrast, of the three patients with unilateral side branch occlusion and simultaneous contralateral internal iliac artery occlusion (2 chronic and 1 coil embolization), persistent buttock claudication and sexual dysfunction developed in one. The secondary patency, including one redo case, was 87.3% at 22 months (standard error <10%).Conclusions: The use of branched stent grafts is a feasible procedure, including for patients with bilateral iliac aneurysmal disease or concomitant juxtarenal or thoracoabdominal aortic disease.

Discussion - Corrected Proof

2009-12-18

Dr Colin Bicknell (London, United Kingdom): Ten of your patients had bilateral revascularization of their internal iliac arteries. When you exclude both internal iliacs, the claudication rate after a year is probably only 10%, and buttock ischemia and colonic ischemia are a very, very rare occurrence, and these complications do not occur with unilateral internal iliac occlusion. Given this information, what is your justification for revascularizing both internal iliac arteries?

Impact of metabolic syndrome on the outcomes of percutaneous renal angioplasty and stenting - Corrected Proof

2009-12-18

Background: Endovascular therapy for symptomatic atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is common and effective in the well-selected patient. Hypertension is a common indication for intervention and a major component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The impact of MetS on outcomes after percutaneous renal intervention is unknown.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of records from patients who underwent endovascular intervention for ARAS and were followed by duplex ultrasound between January 1990 and January 2008. MetS was defined as the presence of ≥3 of the following criteria: Blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg/≥90 mm Hg; triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein ≤50 mg/dL for women and ≤40 mg/dL for men; fasting blood glucose ≥110 mg/dL; or body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. The average follow-up period was 3.3 years. Clinical benefit defined as freedom from renal-related morbidity (increase in persistent creatinine >20% of baseline, progression to hemodialysis, death from renal-related causes) or freedom from recurrent hypertension, anatomic patency, restenosis, and patient survival were measured.Results: Five hundred ninety-two renal artery interventions were performed in 427 patients. Fifty-two percent were identified as having MetS. Patients with MetS were more often female (35% vs 50%, NoMetS vs MetS). There were no significant differences in presenting symptoms. There was no peri-operative mortality and equivalent morbidity (6% vs 7%, NoMetS vs MetS). Patients with MetS had equivalent survival and cumulative patency. However, the MetS group had a lower five-year freedom from restenosis (87±2% vs 69±9%, NoMetS vs MetS; P < .01) and lower five-year retained clinical benefit (71±8% vs 45±8%, NoMetS vs MetS; P < .01) with a higher number progressing to hemodialysis (3% vs 13%, NoMetS vs MetS; P < .01). Individually, the components of MetS did not influence outcomes. Statin therapy did not influence outcomes.Conclusion: MetS is associated with markedly reduced renal clinical benefit and increased progression to hemodialysis following endovascular intervention for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. MetS is thus a risk factor for poor long-term outcomes following renal interventions.

Peripheral arterial disease in Hispanics: Limitations and approaches to improve detection and management - Corrected Proof

Eric B. Rosero, Katherine Kane, G. Patrick Clagett, Carlos H. Timaran — 2009-11-25

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a highly prevalent public health problem associated with major detrimental effects on quality of life and functional status, and it is also the main cause of limb amputation. More importantly, PAD has been classified as a coronary artery disease equivalent, meaning that patients with a diagnosis of PAD carry a risk for major coronary events equal to that of established coronary artery disease. PAD is also a potent predictor of stroke and death. Despite its frequent occurrence (8 to 10 million Americans are affected), little is known about the natural history of PAD in racial/ethnic minorities, particularly in Hispanics, who represent 12.5% of the United States population. Furthermore, the disease is commonly underdiagnosed and undertreated in this minority group, and outcomes are poorer in Hispanics as compared with whites. Limited access to health care, difficulties for recruitment in population-based studies, and limitations of the noninvasive screening tests are well-established barriers to determine the prevalence and natural history of PAD in Hispanics. Although the most widely used test for assessment of patients at risk for PAD is the ankle-brachial index (ABI), the test has substantial limitations in individuals with diabetes and arterial calcification, which are highly prevalent in Hispanics. The ABI should, therefore, be supplemented by the use of other noninvasive tests, such as the pulse volume recordings (PVR) and toe-brachial index. Besides the use of a combination of diagnostic techniques, the implementation of a research methodology that improves recruitment of Hispanics in population-based studies is necessary to obtain better knowledge of the epidemiology of the disease in this group. Community-based participatory research may be the most appropriate approach to study this ethnic minority because it overcomes barriers for limited access to health care and increases the possibility of overcoming distrust of research on the part of communities. Understanding the epidemiology of PAD to improve its detection and treatment among Hispanics is relevant to reduce disparities in the health status of this group, the most rapidly growing ethnic minority in the United States.

What does a vascular surgeon do? assessment of public knowledge about vascular surgery - Corrected Proof

2009-11-25

During the past decade, there has been a sharp increase in the number of vascular procedures performed in the United States. Due to the increase in the size of the aging population, this trend is predicted to continue. Despite this, general public knowledge about vascular surgery appears low. This gap may significantly affect the success of vascular surgery as a specialty. To objectively define knowledge about vascular surgery, we administered a questionnaire to both a sample of the general population and medical students.The Vascular Surgery Knowledge Questionnaire (VSQ), a 58-item multiple choice survey, was designed to assess knowledge about the field of vascular surgery, including types of procedures commonly performed, presenting illnesses, training, and financial compensation. VSQ was tested for reliability and validity. It was administered to a sample of the general population (GP) and first year medical students (MS) via a random digit dial telephone survey and a paper-based survey, respectively. VSQ Score was derived by calculating the percent of questions from the 38-item, non-demographic part of the questionnaire answered correctly and expressed in numerical form. The maximum score possible was 100. Statistical analysis was used to assess differences in VSQ scores.Two hundred GP and 160 MS subjects completed the questionnaire. The mean VSQ score for GP and MS groups was 54 and 67 (P < .01), respectively. Forty-one percent of the GP group received a score of less than 50. Only 50% of the GP and 51% of MS cohorts agreed with the statement that vascular surgeons perform procedures on all blood vessels with the exception of the heart and brain. Just 24% of the GP group agreed with the statement that vascular surgeons treat patients with wounds that do not heal. Finally, only half of the GP group agreed that vascular surgeons treat patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. The GP cohort significantly underestimated the average length of postgraduate training (five years) to become a vascular surgeon. Level of education, income, and residence in the Western states significantly correlated with higher scores. General population subjects who admitted to knowing a vascular surgeon received similar scores to those who did not (58 vs. 53, P >.05).These findings support our hypothesis that there is a significant knowledge deficit among both the general population and medical students about the field of vascular surgery. This has protean implications for the future of our specialty and public health in the United States.

Bilateral renal artery occlusion due to intraoperative retrograde migration of an abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft - Corrected Proof

2009-11-25

Retrograde (proximal) migration of an abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft is an extremely rare event during endovascular insertion and may lead to occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and dialysis-dependent renal failure. This case report describes the intraoperative retrograde migration of a bifurcated abdominal aortic endograft during the initial endovascular procedure after deployment of an extender limb graft into the right iliac artery and associated bilateral renal artery occlusion. This was treated with renal artery bypass, and the patient had a favorable outcome.

In situ fenestration in the aortic arch - Corrected Proof

Brian J. Manning, Krassi Ivancev, Peter L. Harris — 2009-11-02

In situ fenestration of aortic stent grafts has the potential to allow for continued perfusion of supra-aortic trunks, without the need for extra-anatomic bypass, and without the need for custom-made devices. Angulation of the target vessel relative to the arch is an obstacle to success with this technique. In this report, we describe a case of successful in situ fenestration of the left subclavian artery (LSA) in a patient with an aortic arch aneurysm, treated with an endovascular stent graft. We outline a novel technique using through and through wire access and a pre-curved semi-rigid sheath, which allows successful access to the lumen of the aortic stent graft, despite an acute angle at the take-off of the LSA.

A giant femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in an infant boy - Corrected Proof

Ui-Jun Park, Young-Nam Rho, Woo-Sung Yun, Young-Wook Kim — 2009-10-23

A 5.5-month-old boy with no abnormal perinatal or recent history of fever or bruising presented with an enlarging, tender mass over the left medial thigh (). There was no history of antecedent trauma except a fall from the edge of the bed 6 weeks before admission.

Adaptive changes in autogenous vein grafts for arterial reconstruction: Clinical implications - Corrected Proof

Christopher D. Owens — 2009-10-19

For patients with the most severe manifestations of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease, bypass surgery using autogenous vein has been the most durable reconstruction. However, the incidence of bypass graft stenosis and graft failure remains substantial and wholesale improvements in patency are lacking. One potential explanation is that stenosis arises not only from over exuberant intimal hyperplasia, but also due to insufficient adaptation or remodeling of the vein to the arterial environment. Although in vivo human studies are difficult to conduct, recent advances in imaging technology have made possible a more comprehensive structural examination of vein bypass maturation. This review summarizes recent translational efforts to understand the structural and functional properties of human vein grafts and places it within the context of the rich existing literature of vein graft failure.