Search

Background This study evaluated the safety and haemostatic effectiveness of a fibrin sealant (EVICEL™ Fibrin Sealant (Human)) during vascular surgery. Methods This prospective randomized controlled trial compared the haemostatic effectiveness of fibrin sealant (75 patients) or manual compression (72) in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arterial anastomoses. The primary endpoint was the absence of bleeding at the anastomosis at 4 min after randomization. Secondary endpoints included haemostasis at 7 and 10 min, treatment failures and the incidence of complications potentially related to bleeding. Adverse events were recorded. Results A higher percentage of patients who received fibrin sealant versus manual compression achieved haemostasis at 4 min (85 versus 39 per cent respectively; odds ratio 11·34, 95 per cent confidence interval 4·67 to 27·52; P < 0·001). Similarly, a higher percentage of patients who received fibrin sealant achieved haemostasis at 7 and 10 min (both P < 0·001). The incidence of treatment failure was lower in the fibrin sealant group (P < 0·001). The rate of complications potentially related to bleeding was similar (P = 0·426). Some 64 per cent of patients who received fibrin sealant experienced at least one adverse event, compared with 71 per cent who received manual compression. Conclusion This fibrin sealant was safe, and significantly shortened the time to haemostasis in vascular procedures using PTFE. Registration number: NCT00154141 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The outcome of standard longitudinal carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be measured by preservation of neurologic function with a low incidence of restenosis. Closure of the internal carotid arteriotomy with or without a patch may predispose to restenosis. Alternatively, transection of the internal carotid artery at the bulb with eversion endarterectomy allows expeditious removal of the plaque and direct visualization of the endpoint. Because the proximal internal carotid artery is anastomosed to the common carotid artery, this obviates the need for patch closure. The authors report their results with this technique in more than 2200 procedures. METHODS: From May 1993 to March 1998, 1855 patients underwent 2249 CEAs using the eversion technique. During the same period, 410 patients had 474 CEAs by standard technique. Three hundred fifteen procedures in the eversion group and 65 procedures in the standard group were combined CEA and coronary artery bypass grafts. Most solo CEAs (97%) were performed in awake patients using regional anesthesia. Shunts were used on demand in 6% of CEAs. RESULTS: The operative mortality rate was 1.02% (16/1575) in the solo eversion group and 2.2% (9/410) in the standard group. There were 18 permanent neurologic deficits (0.8%) in the eversion group and 11 (2.3%) in the standard group. Transient neurologic deficits occurred in 20 patients (0.9%) in the eversion group and 13 patients (2.7%) in the standard group. Of the 1855 patients, 1786 (96%) presented for duplex ultrasound follow-up. There were seven (0.3%) stenoses greater than 60% in the eversion group versus five (1.1%) in the standard group. CONCLUSIONS: Eversion CEA can be performed safely with a low rate of stroke and death and a minimal restenosis rate in short- and long-term follow-up.

Adaptation of new clinical products should be based upon thorough scientific evaluation of properties and performance in vitro and in vivo. Developmental animal research experimentation is classically carried out by the manufacturer with eventual government approval. However, objective data needs to be recorded during clinical trials including handling characteristics, bleeding, tensile strength, kinking, seamline break, dilatation, anastomotic deterioration, patency, and incorporation. Since April 1991, 1010 stretch polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) aortic grafts have been implanted at our institution and data were recorded prospectively. Six hundred and seven were for elective abdominal aortic aneurysms, 46 for symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms, 58 for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, 17 for elective thoracoabdominal aneurysms, 3 for ruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysms and the remainder were for various aortoiliac pathology. Average age of the patients was 69 (range: 10-95), 66% were males, 25% were diabetics. Overall operative mortality was 5.8% (2.9% in elective cases and 26.6% in emergent cases). There were 23 occlusions; 21 were revised and 2 were replaced with axillofemoral bypasses. Estimated blood loss was 784 cc in elective cases and 1918 cc in emergent cases. Grafts were followed by duplex ultrasound or CT scan every 3 months during the first year and every 6 months thereafter. There were no graft dilatations or false aneurysms in this series. There was one graft infection and no perigraft seromas or anastomotic deteriorations during this follow up. Follow up was complete in 94% of these patients. In conclusion, stretch PTFE graft has acceptable handling characteristics, no excessive bleeding at the suture line and had no anastomotic or graft dilatation. This graft material was suitable for thoracic, visceral, renal and abdominal aortic reconstructions.

The efficacy of carotid endarterectomy for the prevention of strokes has been well demonstrated in recent multicenter randomized trials. However, patients presenting with bilateral significant disease pose a difficult problem to the vascular surgeon. Currently, bilateral carotid endarterectomies are staged at varying intervals between operations, with surgeon and patient weighing the risks of waiting for surgery versus the risks of having both procedures done within a shortened interval. There are few data and no consensus on the optimal time interval between these operations. In order to evaluate the timing of carotid endarterectomies in patients with severe bilateral disease, the authors reviewed their experience with patients who had bilateral procedures performed during one hospitalization. Over the past 5 years, they have performed 204 such carotid endarterectomies in 102 patients. Cervical block anesthesia was used in 99% (201/204) of these procedures. All patients either had symptomatic disease, > 60% stenosis or severe ulcerative plaque as defined by duplex scan and/or preoperative angiography. Symptomatic stenoses were the operative indications in 39% (80/204) of the patients; the remaining 61% (124/204) were symptom-free. The majority of patients (80%; 164/204) had their second procedure performed within 2 days of their first operation. There was no operative mortality and only one permanent neurologic defect in this group for a combined stroke mortality rate of 1%. Three patients (1.5%) had transient neurologic deficits postoperatively which completely resolved by discharge. These data show that bilateral carotid endarterectomies can be performed safely and effectively during one hospital admission with a short interprocedural interval and without an increase in mortality or morbidity.

Over the past two decades, the mortality rate for elective repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms has improved to an acceptable level (

Acute ischemia-reperfusion of extremities is characterized by edema, compartment syndrome and neuromuscular dysfunction. Intravenous hypertonic mannitol has been shown to be of benefit in several experimental models. The authors' 5-year experience with the use of hypertonic mannitol and the treatment of acute ischemia reperfusion injuries in humans has been reviewed. Some of 186 patients with acute arterial occlusion following thromboembolism (149) and trauma (37) were treated. Hypertonic mannitol (25 g intravenous bolus followed by 5-10 g intravenous/h) was given perioperatively. Length of preoperative ischemia varied from 1 to 24h. Some of 57.5% of patients had preoperative neuromuscular dysfunction. Following revascularization, limb salvage was obtained in 97.7% of surviving patients and neuromuscular dysfunction improved in 89%. Overall, 15% required fasciotomy. The mortality rate was 3.2%. These data suggest that hypertonic mannitol may have some protective effect in acute ischemia-reperfusion injuries of human extremities. It may decrease the need for fasciotomy and minimize neuromuscular dysfunction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of performing carotid endarterectomy procedures with the patient receiving cervical block anesthetic. Methods: Over the last 14 years, 654 carotid endarterectomy procedures were performed with patients receiving regional anesthetic. Intraluminal shunts were placed on demand, if neurologic changes with clamping of the carotid artery developed in the patient. During the same period, 419 cases were done with the patients receiving general anesthetic. Choice of anesthetic was based on surgeon and patient preference. Results: In the regional anesthetic group the indications for operation included transient ischemic attack (311), asymptomatic hemodynamically significant stenosis (146), amaurosis fugax (106), stroke (86), restenosis (3), and aneurysm (2). Shunts were used in 46 of 654 cases (7%). Conversion from regional to general anesthetic was required in seven patients (1.1%). The operative mortality rate was 0.76% (5 of 654). Permanent nonfatal neurologic deficits occurred in 0.76% (5 of 654), and temporary neurologic deficits occurred in 1.07% (7 of 654). Conclusions: On the basis of these results, we believe regional cervical block anesthetic is an acceptable option to the routine use of shunts performed with the patient receiving general anesthetic during carotid endarterectomy. In addition, the ability to continuously assess the awake patient receiving cervical block may contribute to a decrease in perioperative stroke and mortality rates while simplifying functional cerebral monitoring during carotid endarterectomy. (J VASC SURG 1994;19:1015–20.)

Purpose With the FDA approval of thoracic endografts, extra-anatomic reconstruction of the aortic arch has allowed for more suitable proximal landing zones and increased applicability of thoracic endovascular procedures. We evaluated our short term and long term results of extra-anatomic reconstruction of the carotid and subclavian vessels. Methods One hundred and forty three (143) procedures were performed for extra-anatomic carotid and subclavian reconstruction. Of these 143 operations: 85 were carotid subclavian reconstructions, 22 were carotid crossover bypasses, 30 were subclavian carotid reconstructions and 6 were carotid subclavian transpositions. Sixty (42%) were male, 20 (14%) were diabetic, and 63 (44%) were current smokers. Mean age was 63 (SD +/− 12.3). Indication for surgery was primarily for occlusive or embolic disease (97%). In those patients undergoing bypass graft, prosthetic (ePTFE) was used in 93%. Follow-up was performed at 3 and 6 month intervals by ultrasound and pulse volume recordings where indicated. Life table analyses were used to analyze patency. Results Of the 143 reconstructions operative mortality was 1 (0.7%). Non-fatal complications included 3 (2.1%) for bleeding, 1 (0.7%) wound infection, 2 (1.4%) TIA, 1 (0.7%) suffered a non-fatal stroke, 2 (1.4%) had postoperative myocardial infarctions, and 6 (4.3%) late (>30-day) occlusions. Follow-up was 1 to 124 months (mean: 39 months). Primary patency at 1 year was 98%, 3 years 96%, and 5 years was 92%. Conclusion Extra-anatomic arch reconstruction can be performed safely and appears to be durable over long term follow-up. Its use with endovascular grafting should provide a durable reconstruction for patients who require aortic “debranching” prior endovascular thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.

One ofthe perceived limitations of the left retroperitoneal approach to the aorta is inadequate access to the right renal artery. Many consider the need for a concomitant right renal artery revascularization a contraindication to performing an aortic reconstruction through the left retroperitoneum. Exposure of the right renal artery can be difficult due to the posterior course of the artery behind the vena cava. However, when the aorta is transected, the right renal artery can be easily approached with anterior and cephalad displacement of the aortic root. Over the past 3 years, 52 patients have had right or bilateral renal artery revascularization via the left retroperitoneal approach; of these procedures, 37 were performed with concomitant aortic procedures. In total, 34 patients had bilateral and 18 had unilateral revascularizations. Five patients had a transaortic endarterectomy performed, and 36 were bypassed with 6-mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene side limbs from the aortic graft. Indications for revascularization were: 39 for suprarenal aortic bypass, seven for renal salvage and six for primary renovascular hypertension. All reconstructions have remained patent and all have been followed by serial duplex and renal flow scans (follow-up for 1-42 months). The operative mortality rate was 5.8% ( 3 52 ). There were no major cardiorespiratory complications in this group. Adequate exposure to the proximal right renal artery can be obtained through the left retroperitoneal approach to the aorta, and successful revascularization of one of both renal arteries can be technically performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity. Copyright © 1996 The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery.

Technological advancements have lead to dramatic improvements in stentgraft device design resulting in more trackable delivery systems and transrenal uncovered stents and barbs for better fixation. Transrenal bare-stents may limit stentgraft migration, particularly in patients with short or flared proximal aortic necks. However, potential disadvantages might be in worsening renal function, particularly in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency. We retrospectively analyzed our recent 7 year experience of patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a variety of stentgrafts with and without transrenal bare-stent fixation. Patients were divided into 2 groups; infrarenal fixation (IRF) vs transrenal fixation (TRF), or patients with preoperative serum Cr values that were normal (= or1.5 mg/dl) vs slightly elevated (1.6-2 mg/dl), vs markedly elevated (2.1- 3.5 mg/dl). The exclusion criteria included patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) on hemodialysis, and preoperative high-grade renal artery stenoses requiring angioplasty and stenting. Of 705 patients that underwent EVAR, 496 (IRF: 385 [78%], and TRF: 111 [22%]) were available with routine evaluations of serum Cr and CT scans. Preexisting comorbidities, mean procedure contrast volume, and postprocedure follow-up were similar in both groups. In the immediate postoperative period, mean serum Cr did not change significantly in either the IRF group (1.3+/-0.7 mg/dl to 1.2+/-0.9 mg/dl) or the TRF group (1.3+/-0.5 mg/dl to 1.3+/-0.6 mg/dl). Mean serum Cr did, however, significantly increase over longer follow-up in both groups: 1.4+/-0.8 mg/dl for IRF (P0.03), and 1.5 +/- 0.8 mg/dl for TRF (P0.01). Cr clearance was similarly unchanged in the immediate postoperative period (58+/-23 to 61+/-25 ml/min/1.73 m2 for IRF group, 53+/-17 to 55+/-17 ml/min/1.73 m2 for TRF group), but was significantly decreased in longer follow-up (53+/-23 ml/min/1.73 m2 for IRF, p0.02: and 48+/-16 ml/min/1.73 m2 for TRF, P0.01). There were no significant differences in serum Cr increase (p=0.19) or Cr clearance decrease (p=0.68) between the IRF and TRF groups. Small renal infarcts were noted in 6 patients (1.6%) in the IRF group, and in 8 patients (7%) in the TRF group (p=0.37). Of patients with normal preoperative renal function, renal dysfunction developed in 7.7% of IRF group and 6.1% of TRF group (p=0.76). In patients with preexisting CRI, renal dysfunction developed in 18.2% of IRF group, and 17.1% of TRF group (p=0.95). Eight patients with postoperative renal dysfunction, 5 (1.3%) from IRF group and 3 (2.7%) from TRF group subsequently required hemodialysis, and this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.91). We also analyzed 200 consecutive patients undergoing EVAR with intra-arterial contrast agents with and without preexisting CRI not on dialysis. The groups were identified on the basis of preprocedure serum Cr: group 1 (n=108), Cr less than 1.5 mg/dL (normal range); group 2 (n=65), Cr 1.5 to 2.0 mg/dL; group 3 (n=27), Cr 2.1 to 3.5 mg/dL. Routine precautions in patients with CRI included preoperative intravenous hydration with 2 L of normal saline solution, discontinuation of all nephrotoxic drugs, intraoperative administration of mannitol (0.5 g/kg intravenously), and use of nonionic, low osmolar intra-arterial contrast agent (Omnipaque 350). One-hundred and eight patients had normal renal function (group 1), and 92 patients had preexisting CRI with baseline Cr 1.5 to 2.0 mg/dL (group 2, n=65) or 2.1 to 3.5 mg/dL (group 3, n=27). Comorbid conditions included coronary artery disease (group 1, 51%; group 2, 49%; group 3, 59%), hypertension (group 1, 39%; group 2, 46%; group 3, 52%), and diabetes mellitus (group 1, 25%; group 2, 35%; group 3, 48%). In groups 1, 2, and 3, the mean volume of low osmolar contrast agent used was 210 cc, 160 cc, 130 cc, respectively; hemodynamic instability developed in 3, 1, and 1 patient, respectively. The incidence of postoperative complications between the 3 study groups was not statistically different. In grications between the 3 study groups was not statistically different. In group 1 a transient increase in serum Cr (30% over baseline and1.4 mg/dL) was noted in 3 patients (2.7%), 2 of whom (1.9%) required temporary hemodialysis and 1 (0.9%) who died of renal failure. In group 2 a transient increase in serum Cr was noted in 2 patients (3.1%); both patients (3.1%) required temporary hemodialysis, and 1 patient (1.5%) died of renal failure. In group 3 a transient increase in serum Cr was noted in 2 patients (7.4%); 1 patient (3.7%) required temporary hemodialysis, and 1 patient (3.7%) died of renal failure. Perioperative hypotension significantly increased the risk for elevated serum Cr and death (p0.05), and larger contrast volume was associated with an increase in serum Cr (p0.05) during the postoperative period. Following EVAR renal function declines slightly with both IRF and TRF. Our data show no overall difference between patients with IRF and TRF with respect to infarcts, decline in renal function, or onset of dialysis. There were a slightly greater number of renal infarcts in the TRF group, but these infarcts were clinically inconsequential. In patients with CRI, EVAR with intra-arterial radiographic contrast agents is believed to impair renal function, and CRI is considered a relative contraindication to the procedure. Results of our investigation indicate that risk for worsening renal insufficiency, dialysis, and death is only slightly and not significantly greater in patients with CRI compared with patients with normal renal function. With appropriate precautions of avoiding perioperative hypotension and limiting the volume of nonionic contrast agents, CRI need not be a contraindication for EVAR with intra-arterial contrast agents.

background : Patients undergoing the placement of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) with hemodynamically significant carotid artery lesions pose a difficult problem for both cardiac and vascular surgeons. Despite numerous studies, there has been no consensus of opinion as to the proper management of these patients. In numerous series, the combined mortality and perioperative stroke rates in concomitant carotid endarterectomy and CABG procedures have ranged from 8% to 40%. This has made many surgeons consider staging these procedures. methods : Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing combined carotid endarterectomies and CABG from 1980 to 1993 were reviewed. Two hundred six procedures were performed in 189 patients. Seventeen patients had bilateral carotid endarterectomy performed with CABG. The average age of our patient population was 66 years, with 123 being male and 66 being female. Seventy-five percent of the patients were asymptomatic with the remainder having transient ischemic attacks, amaurosis fugax, or prior stroke. results : Operative mortality was 2%, with three of four patients dying of cardiac failure and one of a stroke. A temporary neurologic deficit was seen in 2% of patients, and a permanent neurologic deficit was seen in 2 of 206, or 1%. Thirty shunts were used in this series, mostly in patients with contralateral carotid occlusion. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia with full invasive monitoring. One patient was re-explored for bleeding, and one patient had a temporary hypoglossal palsy. A total of 203 cases had the arteriotomies closed primarily, and 3 required patches. conclusion : In our experience, simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and CABG can be performed with an acceptable mortality and morbidity and does not appear to put the patient at an increased risk. Staging of these procedures may not be necessary in most cases.

Objective To evaluate the short- and long-term results of surgical reconstruction of the renal arteries, the authors review their experience with more than 600 reconstructions performed over a 12-year period. Background Data Reconstruction of the renal arteries, whether for primary renal indications or concomitantly with aortic reconstruction, has evolved over the past 40 years. There is concern that renal artery reconstructions carry significant rates of mortality and morbidity and may fare poorly compared with less-invasive procedures. Methods From 1986 to 1998, 687 renal artery reconstructions were performed in 568 patients. Of these, 105 patients had simultaneous bilateral renal artery reconstructions. Fifty-six percent of the patients were male; 11% had diabetes; 35% admitted to smoking at the time of surgery. Mean age was 67 (range, 1 to 92). One hundred fifty-six (23%) were primary procedures and the remainder were adjunctive procedures with aortic reconstructions; 406 were abdominal aortic aneurysms and 125 were aortoiliac occlusive disease. Five hundred procedures were bypasses, 108 were endarterectomies, 72 were reimplantation, and 7 were patch angioplasties. There were 31 surgical deaths (elective and emergent) in the entire group for a mortality rate of 5.5%. Predictors of increased risk of death were patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease and patients undergoing bilateral simultaneous renal artery revascularization. Cause of death was primarily cardiac. Other nonfatal complications included bleeding (nine patients) and wound infection (three patients). There were 9 immediate occlusions (1.3%) and 10 late occlusions (1.5%). Thirty-three patients (4.8%) had temporary worsening of their renal function after surgery. Conclusion Renal artery revascularization is a safe and durable procedure. It can be performed in selected patients for primary renovascular pathology. It can also be an adjunct to aortic reconstruction with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates.

Patients who present for coronary artery bypass grafting with hemodynamically significant carotid artery lesions pose a difficult problem for both the cardiac and vascular surgeons. There is no consensus as to the proper management of these patients despite numerous studies. Prospective collection of data was performed in patients undergoing combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting's from April 1980 to November 1996. A total of 470 simultaneous carotid endarterectomy's and coronary artery bypass grafting's were performed in 420 patients. The average age of the patient was 69 years, with 62% being male, 15% being diabetic and 38% being smokers. Sixty (13%) presented with Transient ischemic attacks, 22 (5%) presented with amaurosis fugax, 16 (3.4%) presented with a prior history of stroke and 372 (70%) were asymptomatic. Operative mortality was 2.4% or 10 patients; 90% of those patients died from cardiac complications postoperatively and one patient died of a stroke. Permanent neurological deficits occurred in five (1%) of the patients, and six (1.7%) of the patients had a transient neurological deficit that improved prior to discharge. In conclusion, in our experience simultaneous carotid endarterectomy with coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed with an acceptable mortality and morbidity and does not appear to put the patient at a higher risk than when either procedure is performed alone.

Arterial reconstructions performed for limb salvage have increasingly used peroneal and dorsalis pedis arteries as outflow vessels. However, there have been few published reports comparing the patency and limb salvage of these alternative outflow tracts. In this report, we have examined our experience with the peroneal and dorsalis pedis artery bypasses for limb salvage.During a 19-year period, more than 3,500 infrageniculate reconstructions were performed for limb salvage at our institution. Eight hundred and eighty were performed to the peroneal artery and 291 were performed to the dorsalis pedis. Patients' demographics were similar in both groups. Sixty-three percent of patients were male and 52% were diabetic. All surgeries were performed for patients with critical ischemia. In situ technique was used in 68% of peroneal reconstructions and 66% of dorsalis pedis bypasses, respectively. Translocated veins were used in 28% of bypasses and spliced veins were used in 32%.Secondary patency rates to the peroneal reconstructions were 89% and 76% at 1 and 5 years, and 88% and 68% for the dorsalis pedis bypasses, respectively. No statistical difference was found. Sixteen (1.8%) of peroneal artery reconstructions were hemodynamic failures and four (1.4%) were hemodynamic failures in the dorsalis pedis group. Wound complications were observed in 19 (2.2%) of the peroneal group and 7 (2.4%) of the dorsalis pedis group. Limb salvage rates for the peroneal artery are 96% and 93% at 1 and 5 years, respectively, and 95% and 87% for the dorsalis pedis reconstructions, respectively.This experience indicates that both peroneal and dorsalis pedis artery reconstructions have acceptable patency and limb salvage rates. Selection of one of these two outflow tracts, when a choice exists, may depend on the conduit limitation and the adjacent tissue infection. However, both outflow tracts are durable and hemodynamically effective for limb salvage.

Objective The objective of this article is to determine whether retroperitoneal approach for aortic surgery has certain physiologic, technical advantages. Summary Background Data The retroperitoneal approach for abdominal aortic reconstruction classically had been reserved for select patients with either high-risk comorbid disease or specific anatomic problems that preclude the transabdominal approach. With increasing appreciation of the physiologic, anatomic, and technical advantages of the extended posterolateral retroperitoneal approach, the authors have expanded its use for repair of all types of aortic visceral and renal artery disease as well as ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and infected aortic grafts. Methods From January 1981 to September 1995, 2340 retroperitoneal aortoiliac reconstructions were performed in 2243 patients. Aortic reconstructions accounted for 1756 cases : 1109 for elective abdominal aortic aneurysms, 210 for ruptured and symptomatic aortic aneurysms, 399 for occlusive disease, 18 for infected aortic grafts, and 20 for other indications. Iliofemoral disease was the indication for 584 procedures. As experience was gained, this approach also was used for 417 renal and 50 celiac and superior mesenteric artery reconstructions. Results The mean age was 67 years with 1590 men and 653 women. Overall mortality was 5.2% for all aortic cases : 2.4% for elective, 12.6% for symptomatic, and 29.0% for ruptured aortic aneurysms. Major complications occurred in 12.5% of the elective procedures and in 38.3% of emergency procedures. Over the past 5 years, the average length of hospital stay for uncomplicated elective abdominal aortic aneurysms was 6.1 days, intensive care unit stay was 0.7 day, and diet was resumed by postoperative day 1. Five-year graft patency was 99% for aneurysms and 95% for occlusive disease. Conclusions The retroperitoneal approach offers certain physiologic advantages associated with minimal disturbance of gastrointestinal and respiratory function, thereby reducing the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay. In addition, its technical advantages and flexibility facilitates visceral and juxtarenal aortic reconstructions without the need for thoracotomy.

Infected aortic aneurysms remain a difficult surgical problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. We report three cases of mycotic thoracoabdominal aneurysms treated by debridement of infected aortic tissue, in situ prosthetic graft replacement, and intensive antibiotic therapy. One early death occurred in a patient with systemic sepsis related to Salmonella enteritidis infection of the thoracic aorta secondary to a colovesical fistula. The two other patients remain alive at 2 years without further complications of the surgery. Bacteriology is as follows: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Salmonella enteritidis. In all patients the operation was performed immediately after the diagnosis was confirmed. Antibiotic therapy was begun intraoperatively and was continued for at least 6 months. Two patients were followed regularly, and there have been no septic recurrences in our 2-year follow-up period. In situ prosthetic graft replacement in conjunction with intensive antibiotic therapy is a viable option in the treatment of mycotic thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the long-term patency and outcome of patients undergoing infrainguinal reconstruction using the in situ saphenous vein. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The in situ saphenous vein bypass has demonstrated excellent patency and limb salvage rates in numerous studies. The authors previously reported their early results with these bypass procedures, and this article represents their long-term experience with 2058 in situ saphenous vein bypasses during a 20-year period. This comprises the largest series with long-term follow-up of in situ saphenous vein bypasses in the literature. METHODS: From 1975 to 1995, 3148 autogenous vein bypasses were performed at the authors' institution, of which 2058 used the saphenous vein in situ. The indication for operation was limb-threatening ischemia in 1875 of 2058 patients (91%). In 88% of patients with an intact ipsilateral saphenous vein, an in situ bypass was completed successfully. One thousand twenty-three bypasses (69%) were terminated at the infrapopliteal level. Of these bypasses, 1562 of 2058 (76%) were completed using the closed in situ technique. RESULTS: The 30-day patency rate was 96%, and the cumulative secondary patency was 91%, 81%, and 70% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Limb salvage rates using the in situ bypass were 97%, 95%, and 90% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: The infrainguinal inflow source, length of bypass, specific outflow vessel, or vein diameter did not have a significant effect on immediate or long-term bypass performance. These data suggest that the in situ saphenous vein is an excellent conduit for femoropopliteal and femoral to infrageniculate bypasses for limb salvage.

While elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms and aortoiliac occlusive disease is associated with an acceptable (3%) mortality rate, combined aortic and renal revascularization has usually been reported to have a higher perioperative mortality. Over the past 5 years, 785 elective aortic procedures have been performed at the authors' medical center. During the same period, 77 renal artery reconstructions have been performed in 73 patients in conjunction with aortic procedures. All were done using the retroperitoneal approach to the aorta and renal arteries. Indication for concomitant renal artery revascularization included 79% (61 of 77 patients) for either significant stenosis or anatomic involvement, 18% for renovascular hypertension (14 of 73) and 3% (two of 73) for renal impairment. The demographics and risk factors were similar in both groups. Operative mortality rate was 2.9% (23 of 785) in the aortic group and 3% (two of 73) in the combined group. Complications in the combined group were one stroke (1.4%), one re-exploration for bleeding (1.4%), two pulmonary pneumonia (2.7%) and five patients had elevated serum creatinine (>350 μmol/l) after operation. Of these patients two died, one had an occluded graft and two eventually improved. There was one early graft thrombosis and one late thrombosis. In the authors' experience, concominant aortic bypass and renal artery revascularization can be performed with an acceptable-mortality and morbidity using the retroperitoneal approach.

The most frequently used conduit for infrainguinal or coronary artery bypass is the saphenous vein, and this report describes the ultrasonic evaluation of anatomic variations in over 1400 limbs. The thigh portion of the greater saphenous vein consisted of a single venous conduit in 67% of the limbs, a complete double system in 8%, a branching double system in 18% and a closed loop double system in 7%. In 92% of the cases, the vein was in medial position, with the remaining 8% positioned laterally. In the calf, a single vein was observed in 65% of the limbs with the remainder demonstrating a double venous system. The vein was positioned anteriorly in 85% of the limbs. The remaining 15% were positioned posteriorly, with 7% of these being a single dominant vein. Proper knowledge of saphenous vein anatomy is vital to the surgeon preparing to use this vein as a bypass conduit and can aid in its preoperative assessment.

Blunt trauma to the upper extremity may cause extensive vascular damage in addition to severe musculoskeletal injury. Over a 5.5-year period, 17 patients with a total of 23 arterial injuries were treated. Diagnosis was made in 16 patients before surgery by physical and Doppler ultrasonographic examination. Angiography performed in ten patients assessed the extent of injury. Associated orthopedic injuries were present in 11 patients and neurologic injury in 16. At surgery, 21 of 23 arterial repairs required autologous vein. The initial limb salvage rate was 76%. Four patients underwent above-elbow amputation because of progressive sepsis and myonecrosis. A fifth underwent delayed amputation at 7 months due to loss of limb function. Neurologic impairment was the major long-term morbidity. The data show that outcome following blunt vascular trauma of the upper extremity is governed by the associated injuries.

Detailed DNA sequencing of the triple-helical domain of type III procollagen was carried out on cDNA prepared from 54 patients with aortic aneurysms. The 43 male and 11 female patients originated from 50 different families and five different nationalities. 43 patients had at least one additional blood relative who had aneurysms. Five overlapping asymmetric PCR products, covering all the coding sequences of the triple-helical domain of type III procollagen, were sequenced with 28 specific sequencing primers. Analysis of the sequencing gels revealed only two nucleotide changes that altered the structure of the protein. One was a substitution of threonine for proline at amino acid position 501 and its functional importance was not clearly established. The other was a substitution of arginine for an obligatory glycine at amino acid position 136. In 40 of the 54 patients, detection of a polymorphism in the mRNA established that both alleles were expressed. The results indicate that mutations in type III procollagen are the cause of only about 2% of aortic aneurysms.

Long vein bypass from the femoral artery to the level of the ankle may be performed with good initial success despite extreme bypass length and limited outflow tracts. However, the long-term performance of these bypasses remains to be defined. During the last 10 years we have performed single greater saphenous vein in situ bypass to the ankle level in 270 patients. There were 187 male and 83 female patients, and 61% of the patients were diabetic. The operative mortality rate was 3.7%. Cumulative bypass patency was 79% at 3 years and 73% at 5 years. In a similar manner, limb salvage was 93% at 3 years and 89% at 5 years. The patency rate was similar for various inflow arteries (common femoral, 88 cases; proximal superficial femoral, 135 cases; and deep femoral, 41 cases) and outflow tracts (dorsal pedal, 72 cases; anterior tibial, 59 cases; posterior tibial, 72 cases, and peroneal, 67 cases). Short bypasses, composite bypasses, free-vein grafts, and bypasses proximal to 10 cm above the ankle were excluded from this analysis. These data show that a long bypass to the ankle level for limb salvage is a durable procedure. The basic concept of bypassing all occlusive disease to the distal open artery in patients undergoing limb salvage should be an acceptable dictum. Excellent long-term patency and limb salvage rates are achievable by following this principle.

A prospective randomized study has been carried out to compare the retroperitoneal (RP) and the transperitoneal (TP) approaches to infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). From November 1988 to July 1989, 27 patients were randomized to one or the other group. Twelve patients underwent TP resection of their AAA; 11 of these were performed using the open aneurysmorrhaphy technique. The RP approach was used in 15 patients, 12 of whom had the exclusion technique performed. Enteral feeding was resumed on the second postoperative day in the RP group compared to the fourth postoperative day in the TP group; the difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.02). Statistically significant differences were also present in the estimated blood loss (516 cc in the RP group versus 1127 cc in the TP group) in the blood transfusion requirement (p less than 0.05). This prospective randomized study comparing TP and RP approaches to AAA showed that the RPE approach had less blood loss, less transfusion requirement, and earlier resumption of enteral feeding than the TP approach. We feel the RPE technique is safe and efficient in the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

A 9-year experience with 2137 patients undergoing infrarenal abdominal aortic reconstruction was reviewed to determine both the incidence of intestinal ischemia and the clinical, anatomic, and technical factors associated with this complication of aortic surgery. A total of 24 (1.1%) patients had overt intestinal ischemia, documented by reoperation or endoscopic findings. Of these, colon ischemia occurred in 19 (0.9%) and small bowel ischemia developed in 5 (0.2%) patients. The incidence after elective operation for aneurysmal or occlusive disease did not differ, but patients with ruptured aneurysms and those undergoing reoperative procedures for total graft replacement were at higher risk. Preoperative angiography was most helpful in ascertaining risk. Ligation of a patent inferior mesenteric artery was the most common (74%) feature in patients with colon ischemia. With preexisting inferior mesenteric artery occlusion, impairment of collateral circulation was attributable to superior mesenteric artery disease, dissection or retractor injury, prior colon resection, or exclusion of hypogastric perfusion. Bloody diarrhea was the most frequent postoperative symptom and colonoscopy the most reliable means of diagnosis. One half of patients with colon ischemia required resection after late recognition of perforation. All cases of small bowel ischemia were related to superior mesenteric artery disease or injury or use of suprarenal clamping. The overall mortality rate was 25% but rose to 50% if bowel resection was required. Intestinal ischemia remains an infrequent but serious complication of aortic surgery. Despite a multifactorial cause, identification of patients at increased risk can lead to operative strategies to reduce its occurrence.

Despite the well characterized physiologic effects of aortocaval or iliac arteriovenous fistulas, patients with such uncommon lesions may manifest a diverse array of symptoms, and diagnosis is often delayed or overlooked. To examine clinical features that facilitate recognition and allow successful repair, a 30-year experience with 20 such fistulas was reviewed. Fourteen fistulas were caused by aneurysm erosion, four followed iatrogenic injury during lumbar disk surgery, and two developed from abdominal gunshot wounds. The interval from presumed occurrence to diagnosis ranged from 3 hours to 8 years. The diagnosis was not recognized before surgery in five (25%) patients. Back pain (70%) was the most common symptom. The presence of a typical abdominal bruit (80%) was the most reliable physical finding, but its significance was occasionally overlooked or misinterpreted. Congestive heart failure was prominent in only seven (35%) patients. Severe lower extremity edema and mottling was the primary manifestation in eight cases, often causing initial confusion with venous thrombosis. Hematuria (5 patients) and oliguric renal failure (4 patients), both fully reversible after fistula repair, also caused diagnostic uncertainty. The mean preoperative cardiac output was 12.2 L/min, falling to 5.4 L/min with fistula repair. Mean blood loss was 5960 ml, supporting use of intraoperative autotransfusion. Two operative deaths (10%) occurred, both in patients not correctly diagnosed before surgery. Despite varied modes of presentation, prompt recognition and use of appropriate operative techniques should achieve successful repair.

To identify patients likely to benefit from preoperative coronary angiography, a method utilizing pharmacologically induced coronary vasodilatation in conjunction with serial thallium 201 myocardial perfusion imaging was investigated. Fifty-four patients admitted for elective aortic or femoropopliteal procedures were studied. There were no cardiac ischemic complications in 32 patients with normal scans or persistent defects (scar). In contrast, 7 of 15 patients with thallium redistribution (ischemia) on pre-operative scanning had perioperative ischemic events, including one death and two acute infarcts. An additional seven patients with positive scans (redistribution) underwent coronary angiography prior to vascular surgery; surgically important two- or three-vessel disease was confirmed in all. Dipyridamole-thallium imaging facilitates selection of the subset of truly high-risk patients in whom preoperative coronary angiography may be warranted.

The success of lower limb bypass surgery depends, in the major part, on the availability of autologous saphenous vein as the most satisfactory arterial substitute known to date. Although various prosthetic conduits, used in the absence of saphenous vein, have shown promising success on short term follow-up, more long-term comparative data are required for adequate assessment. This study analyses, by life table method, the results of 134 infra-inguinal bypass grafts using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) over a 6 year period. The results reconfirm the superior long-term patency of vein bypasses compared with such prosthetic grafts. Analysis suggests that, while PTFE may give acceptable results in the immediate and shortterm follow-up period, 6 year patencies approach 20–30 per cent.

A prospective, preoperative study was conducted of 50 electively repaired abdominal aortic aneurysms comparing the CT and angiographic findings with those described at surgery. CT demonstrated all 50 aneurysms and correctly identified their proximal extent in relation to the takeoff of the renal arteries in 47 patients (94%), while angiography detected 48 aneurysms (96%) and their correct relation to the renal arteries in all (100%). CT correctly identified 40 (98%) of 41 patients with two renal arteries, but only two (29%) of seven with three and none of two patients with four arteries. Common iliac artery involvement or lack thereof was accurately predicted in 42 (84%) of the 50 patients and internal iliac artery aneurysms found in one (33%) of three patients. It was concluded that CT is not sufficiently accurate for documenting location and patency of the renal arteries to allow its routine substitution for angiography in patients undergoing preoperative assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Summary Injury to the aorta, vena cava and iliac vessels is a recognized hazard of lumbar disc surgery (1–4). Haemorrhage may be manifest at the time, or postoperatively false aneurysm or arteriovenous fistula occurs. Four cases of arteriovenous fistula, 2 with associated false aneurysm, are described. Presentation varied between immediately postoperatively and 8 years later. In none of these was injury suspected at the time of surgery.

SAPHENOUS-vein femoral popliteal bypass autograft has been demonstrated clinically to be an effective long-term vascular reconstructive procedure in many patients with arteriosclerotic occlusion of the femoral artery in the thigh. Late failures are ascribable to a number of different factors, many of which are not now preventable. During the past year we have observed several patients in whom a segmental stenosis of a portion of the graft endangered the functional integrity of the entire reconstruction. It is impossible to estimate how frequently such segmental stenosis results in late occlusion as compared with generalized progression of proximal or distal disease. However, . . .

A variety of complications secondary to thromboembolectomy with balloon catheters have been described. The present report describes an unusual and previously unreported complication following retrograde thrombectomy of an occluded limb of an aortofemoral graft. The variety of arterial injuries and technical misadventures attributable to balloon catheters are briefly discussed, and suggestions are made for avoiding the particular problem encountered in the patient described.

The effectiveness of prosthetic femoropopliteal bypass grafts to salvage limbs and maintain long-term patency in lower extremities with a limited outflow tract is controversial. To evaluate the results of prosthetic grafts and compare them with the results of vein bypass grafts in limbs with a limited outflow tract, we reviewed a 15-year experience with 65 grafts to an isolated popliteal artery segment. Fifty-one grafts were performed with autogenous saphenous vein, and 14 grafts utilized a prosthetic conduit. The indication for surgery was rest pain in 22 patients and actual tissue necrosis in 43 patients. The operative mortality rate was 3.4%. The average preoperative absolute ankle blood pressure was 48 mm Hg. Following a successful bypass, an average increase of 45 mm Hg was noted. The mean intraoperative blood flow was 70 ml/min. The superior performance of autogenous vein grafts was quite marked, with a 5-year cumulative patency of 65.4 +/- 8.5% as compared with only 17.1 +/- 10.1% for prosthetic grafts. The limb salvage rate for the entire group was 69% at 5 years. These data show the efficacy of isolated segment femoropopliteal artery grafts in achieving long-term limb salvage and stress the superiority of vein grafts over prosthetic grafts in this location.

An aorto-caval fistula is a rare complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Typical features, including congestive heart failure and a loud abdominal bruit, may be present and allow prompt diagnosis, but not infrequently they are absent or overlooked and the diagnosis not made preoperatively. Four patients with an AAA and an aorto-caval fistula are described, each of whom presented with hematuria. We believe the presence of hematuria in a patient with a symptomatic AAA should suggest the diagnosis of an aorto-caval fistula. A correct preoperative diagnosis may contribute to better planning of the operative procedure, reduced blood loss, and avoidance of possible pulmonary embolization.

Proper clinical management of a patient found to have an asymptomatic carotid bruit continues to be controversial, with wide differences of opinion concerning the advisability of angiography and surgery. A noninvasive cerebrovascular evaluation is described, which combines three separate but complimentary procedures: ocular pneumoplethysmography (OPPG), carotid audiofrequency analysis (CAA), and cerebral Doppler analysis. Such studies are particularly helpful in evaluating patients with an asymptomatic carotid bruit. The reliability and effectiveness of this approach was evaluated in a series of 165 consecutive patients with an asymptomatic bruit. Angiography was recommended in patients with positive results (42%) and safely withheld in those with negative findings (58%). There were two false-positive results and only one known false-negative interpretation.

Hemodynamic measurements were performed and ECG recorded before and shortly after infrarenal aortic cross-clamping during operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm in five patients without evidence of heart disease (group I) and in ten patients with severe coronary artery disease (group II). All patients sustained an increase in systemic arterial pressure. Group I demonstrated a decrease in pulmonary artery, pulmonary capillary wedge (PCW), and central venous pressures when the aorta was clamped, whereas group II demonstrated an increase. The difference in response of the groups is significant (P less than 0.05). All three patients who responded to cross-clamping with increases of 7 mm Hg or greater in PCW demonstrated myocardial ischemia during cross-clamping. None of the values measured prior to cross-clamping predicted with certainty the response to cross-clamping. Sodium nitroprusside reversed the elevation of left ventricular filling pressure in all three patients, and in two patients, relieved evidence of myocardial ischemia concurrently. In the third patient, ventricular irritability was abolished by lidocaine and did not recur. We conclude that infrarenal aortic cross-clamping may cause myocardial ischemia in patients with severe coronary artery disease. This ischemia may be predicted by a rise in PCW at the time of cross-clamping, and vasodilator therapy is indicated in such patients.

Infected aneurysms involve the aorta, visceral and peripheral arteries and are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Prompt confirmation of the suspicion of infection, resection of all infected tissue, and prolonged antibiotic therapy based on appropriate sensitivity studies are crucial to successful management. Patients whose aortic aneurysms grew Gram negative organisms were more likely to suffer early rupture of an aortic aneurysm, and had a higher mortality. Superior mesenteric aneurysms are preferably treated by resection. Upper extremity aneurysms can often be excised without distal ischemia. Lower extremity aneurysms were more likely to require reconstruction which can be accomplished through non-infected tissue planes, preferably with autogenous tissue.

INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION IN YOUNG ATHLETES: POPLITEAL ARTERY ENTRAPMENT SYNDROME R. DARLING;CLIFFORD BUCKLEY;WILLIAM ABBOTT;JEFFREY RAINES; The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care

Three hundred twenty-five cases of spontaneous aortic dissection seen at two institutions between 1965 and 1986 were reviewed to assess the incidence, morbid sequelae, and specific management of aortic branch compromise. Noncardiac vascular complications occurred in 33% of the study group, and in these patients the overall mortality rate (51%) was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher than in patients without (29%) such complications. Although aortic rupture was the strongest correlate of mortality (90%), death specifically related to vascular occlusion was common when such occlusion occurred in the carotid, mesenteric, and renal circulation. There was a strong correlation between stroke and carotid occlusion (22/26 cases), yet specific carotid revascularization was only used during the chronic phase of the disease. Similarly, peripheral operation was ineffective in reducing the mortality rate in the setting of mesenteric (87%) and renal (50%) ischemia. Fifteen patients required either fenestration or graft replacement of the abdominal aorta for acute obstruction, rupture, or chronic aneurysm development. Thirty-eight patients (12%) demonstrated some degree of lower extremity ischemia, and one third of these required a direct approach on the abdominal aorta or iliofemoral segments to restore circulation. Selected patients with acute aortic dissection may require peripheral vascular operation in accordance with a treatment strategy that directs initial attention to the immediate life-threatening complications.

Dipyridamole-thallium imaging has been suggested as a method of preoperatively assessing cardiac risk in patients undergoing major surgery. To define more clearly its proper role in preoperative assessment, we prospectively evaluated 111 patients undergoing vascular surgery. In the first set of 61 patients, our data confirmed the value of preoperative dipyridamole-thallium scanning in identifying the patients who suffered postoperative ischemic events. Events occurred in eight of 18 patients with reversible defects on preoperative imaging, compared with no events in 43 patients with no thallium redistribution (confidence interval for the risk difference: 0.624, 0.256). The results also suggested that clinical factors might allow identification of a low-risk subset of patients. To test the hypothesis that patients with no evidence of congestive heart failure, angina, prior myocardial infarction, or diabetes do not require further preoperative testing, we evaluated an additional 50 patients having vascular procedures. None of the 23 without the clinical markers had untoward outcomes, while ten of 27 patients with one or more of these clinical markers suffered postoperative ischemic events (confidence interval for the risk difference: 0.592, 0.148). In the clinical high-risk subset, further risk stratification is achieved with dipyridamole-thallium scanning.