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In this study we sought to determine whether initial abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac anatomy, morphology, and side branch patency influence changes in aneurysm size and development of endoleak following endovascular repair. A blinded, retrospective review of preintervention CT scans and angiograms was conducted on 70 consecutive patients treated for infrarenal AAA (mean size 6.0 +/- 0.8 cm) by AneuRx stent-graft exclusion. Initial AAA diameter and side branch (inferior mesenteric artery [IMA], lumbar artery pair) patency, AAA clot/sac diameter ratio, wall thrombus and calcification distributions, attachment site anatomy, endograft size, and other clinical parameters were correlated with postoperative persistent side branch patency, presence of type II endoleak, and change in AAA diameter (increase/decrease ? 5 mm) using contingency table analyses. Patients underwent CT scanning and/or color duplex imaging at 1 month and at 3 (with endoleak) or 6 (without) month intervals postoperatively with 50 patients followed beyond 6 months (mean follow-up 11 +/- 7 months). The majority of patients possessed patent side branches prior to intervention (lumbar [n = 60, 86%], IMA [n = 45, 64%]). Development of type II endoleak or persistence of side branches could not be predicted (p > 0.05) from preoperative AAA side branch patency or any of the other initial anatomic AAA variables. On serial post-repair CT or duplex cans, 42% (19/45) of IMAs and 27% (16/60) of lumbar artery pairs remained patent. For patients followed beyond 6 months, type II endoleaks persisted in half (13/25) of the patients with patent side branches with roughly equal proportions fed by IMA and lumbar sources. Persistent side branches or presence of type II endoleak was associated with AAA expansion or the failure of aneurysm size diminution after endografting (p

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of an individualized treatment algorithm for prosthetic graft infection, including the application of in situ graft replacement, based on clinical presentation, extent of graft infection, and microbiology. Methods: There was a retrospective review (1991-2000) of 119 patients with 68 aortoiliofemoral or 51 extracavitary (infrainguinal, 19; axillofemoral, 16; femorofemoral, 16) prosthetic graft infections presenting more than 3 months (range, 3-136 months) after implantation/revision. The treatment algorithm consisted of graft excision with or without ex situ bypass grafts for patients presenting with sepsis or graft-enteric erosion, whereas in situ replacement (autogenous vein, rifampin-bonded polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]) was used in patients with less virulent gram-positive graft infection, in particular infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis . Outcomes (death, limb loss, recurrent infection) were correlated with treatment type and infecting organism. Results: In situ replacement was used in 52% of aortoiliofemoral (autogenous vein, 10; rifampin-bonded polyester, 6; PTFE, 9) and 80% of extracavitary (autogenous vein, 26; PTFE, 9; rifampin, 6) graft infections. Total graft excision with ex situ bypass was performed in 34 patients, including 21 patients with graft-enteric erosion/fistula, with a 21% operative mortality and 9% amputation rate. In situ graft replacement was used to treat 76 graft infections with a 30-day operative mortality rate of 4% and an amputation rate of 2%. Graft excision alone was performed in nine patients with one 30-day death. Gram-positive cocci were the prevalent infecting organisms of both intracavitary (59% of isolates) and extracavitary (76% of isolates) graft infections. S epidermidis was the infecting organism in 40% of patients, accounting for the expanded application of in situ prosthetic replacement using a rifampin-bonded polyester or PTFE prosthesis. During the mean follow-up interval of 26 months, recurrent graft infection developed in 3% (1 of 34) of patients after conventional treatment, 3% (1 of 36) patients after in situ vein replacement, and 10% (4 of 40) patients after in situ prosthetic graft replacement ( P >.05). Failure of in situ replacement procedures was the result of virulent and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Conclusions: In situ replacement was a safe and durable option in most (64%) patients presenting with prosthetic graft infection. In situ replacement with a rifampin-bonded graft was effective for S epidermidis graft infection, but when the entire prosthesis is involved with either a biofilm or invasive perigraft infection, in situ autogenous vein replacement is preferred. Virulent graft infections presenting with sepsis, anastomotic dehiscence, or graft enteric fistula should continue to be treated with total graft excision, and if feasible, staged ex situ bypass graft. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:411-20.)

Background: Persistent posttraumatic pneumothorax (PPP) is an uncommon complication of traumatic injuries of the chest, usually managed with suction drainage and involving prolonged hospital stays. This study was conducted to assess the advantages of using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the management of patients with PPP. Study Design: Eleven patients with PPP underwent VATS for diagnosis and for definitive treatment. Results: Before VATS was done, all patients had undergone multiple attempts to resolve the PPP; the hospital stay before VATS was 10 days (range, 4–14 days). In 10 patients, the cause of the PPP was identified and a segmental stapled resection was performed, with complete success in resolving the air leak and obtaining pleural synthesis. In another patient, the source of the air leak was not identified and a thoracoscopically assisted chemical pleurodesis was performed, with immediate cessation of the air leak. All chest tubes were removed within 48 hours of the procedure; 9 patients were discharged within 72 hours of VATS. Preoperative computed tomography of the chest was useful in 2 patients, but bronchoscopy did not disclose any major airway injury. Conclusions: Videothoracoscopy is an accurate, safe, and reliable alternative to an open thoracotomy in the management of patients with PPP. In the patients in whom the procedure was completed, excellent results were obtained and the hospital stay was reduced. We believe that VATS should be used earlier and more frequently after failure of conservative management in such patients.

Newborn piglets (aged 1 to 2 days and 7 to 14 days) were used to study (1) the redistribution of organ blood flow after a 25% acute blood loss and (2) the response to resuscitation with shed blood (20 mL/kg), crystalloid (normal saline [NS] or lactated Ringer's [LR]; 60 mL/kg), and colloid (dextran-40, 20 mL/kg). Hemodynamic parameters showed little differences in the response to hemorrhage and resuscitation. The two age groups had no significant differences in parameters or blood flow (results combined). The animals maintained flow to the heart and central nervous system (CNS) and had significantly decreased flow to the kidneys and splanchnic organs. In the gastrointestinal tract, the small intestine was affected most severely, with a significant decrease in blood flow, especially to the mucosa. In all organ systems, Dextran 40 restored blood flow to levels significantly above the baseline. Shed blood and crystalloid restored flow to organs sustaining decreased flow, but crystalloid did not restore flow to the baseline level in the kidney and all segments of the gastrointestinal tract.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of vascular polyester grafts with antibacterial properties to resist colonization following surface contamination by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an experimental canine model or aortic graft infection. Twenty-four pathogen-free dogs underwent replacement of the infrarenal aorta with either a rifampin-soaked (30 mg/mL) or silver-impregnated (Ag-acetate) woven polyester graft. Following implantation, the external graft surface was inoculated with 2 mL of 10(7) colony-forming units/mL (CFU) of MRSA. Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis consisted of a single intravenous dose of 500 mg of sodium cefazolin. Four grafts of each type were explanted at 3, 7, and 14 days after implantation. Quantitative cultures (CFU/specimen) of perigraft fluid (1 mL), graft material (1 cm segment), and adjacent aorta (1 cm segment) were performed. Differences between grafts are expressed as % mean log reduction in recoverable CFU compared to the inoculation solution concentration of 10(7) CFUs. At 3 days, explanted rifampin-soaked grafts exhibited no MRSA growth (4 of 4 grafts) and a > or =97% mean log reduction of MRSA CFUs from the adjacent aorta and perigraft fluid (PGF). At 3 days, all silver-bonded grafts exhibited signs of infection and a mean log CFU reduction of MRSA ranging from 68% (absolute range 10(1)-10(3) recoverable CFU) for the graft, 79% (absolute range 10(1)-10(3) recoverable CFU) for the aorta, and 86% (absolute range 10(1)-10(4) recoverable CFU) for PGF. The 7-day rifampin group had an average log reduction in MRSA CFU of 72% (graft), 58% (PGF), 75% (aorta). Quantitative cultures of 14-day rifampin grafted demonstrated continued bacterial growth suppression with mean MRSA CFU log reductions of 82%, graft; 72%, PGF; 89%, aorta. Silver-bonded grafts demonstrated

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of the cardiac risk stratification protocol proposed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) in predicting cardiac morbidity and mortality associated with elective, major arterial surgery. Cardiac risk stratification using ACC/AHA guidelines was done on 425 consecutive patients before 481 elective cerebrovascular (n=146), aortic/inflow (n=166), or infrainguinal (n=169) procedures at an academic Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Cardiac risk was stratified as low, intermediate, or high based on clinical risk factors, such as, Eagle criteria, history of cardiac intervention, patient functional status, results of noninvasive cardiac stress testing, and coronary angiography with coronary revascularization performed when appropriate. Outcomes (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, cardiac death, and mortality) within 30 days of surgery were compared between the various risk stratification groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify clinically useful prognostic variables from the preoperative cardiac evaluation algorithm. Overall mortality (1.7%), cardiac death (0.4%), and adverse cardiac event (4.8%) rates were low, but cardiac death and morbidity were increased (p

We attempted to optimize management of aortoiliac occlusive disease by using duplex imaging to aid in selection of favorable lesions for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)/stenting, by avoiding nontherapeutic arteriography, and by providing single point-of-service care in which endovascular and open surgical reconstruction were combined. One-hundred consecutive patients with symptomatic (91 claudication, 9 limb threat) inflow occlusive disease based on clinical examination and physiologic testing underwent physician-directed duplex scanning of the infrarenal aorta through the femoral bifurcation. Iliac lesions suited to endovascular intervention were defined as focal (length5 CM), high-grade stenoses with a peak velocity300 cm/sec and velocity ratio2 by duplex and were differentiated from unfavorable (diffuse/long iliac stenosis, occlusions, aneurysms, femoral occlusive disease) inflow lesions. Patients with favorable iliac lesions according to duplex were considered candidates for PTA/stenting in an endo-capable operating room, without prior diagnostic angiography. On the basis of duplex imaging, 38 patients possessed endovascularly favorable iliac lesions, 58 patients had unfavorable aortoiliofemoral disease, and 4 obese patients had inadequate studies. Duplex interpretation correctly classified disease distribution/severity in 92% of 50 patients who subsequently underwent intraoperative or diagnostic arteriography. Thirty-one of the 45 (69%) total interventions performed in this patient group were based on duplex findings alone. Of 29 patients with favorable lesions by duplex scanning who had intervention, 25 (86%) received iliac PTA/stenting, while 4 patients required inflow surgical reconstruction for nonfocal iliac disease demonstrated on operative arteriography. Duplex imaging correctly identified the need for concomitant outflow reconstruction/bypass in 11 of the 25 (44%) patients treated by iliac PTA/stenting. Primary and assisted patency rates of iliac PTA/stenting were 83% and 100% at 24 months by life-table analysis. Duplex imaging in patients with symptomatic aortoiliac occlusive disease can provide sufficient information to permit endovascular and surgical intervention without formal diagnostic arteriography in most patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was the assessment of the efficacy of thoracoscopic cervicodorsal and open lumbar sympathectomy for the reduction of pain severity and disability associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Methods: From 1992 to 2000, 73 patients with RSD underwent 46 video-assisted thoracoscopic (first to fourth thoracic ganglion) or 37 surgical lumbar (first to fourth lumbar ganglion) sympathetic chain resections. The patients were referred from multidisciplinary pain clinics with documented sympathetically maintained pain syndrome on the basis of reproducible more than 50% reduction in pain severity score (0, no pain; 10, most severe pain imaginable) for more than 2 days after sympathetic block therapy. The mean duration of the RSD symptoms before sympathectomy was 26 ± 14 months (range, 6 to 100 months). Postoperative pain severity score, limb disability, and overall patient satisfaction were assessed by an independent third-party observer at a mean follow-up period of 30 months. Results: No operative mortality or serious morbidity (Horner's syndrome, bleeding that needed transfusion, wound infection) occurred. Transient (

Multimodal (thrombolysis, surgical decompression, venous reconstruction, oral anticoagulation) treatment of primary axillary-subclavian venous thrombosis was reviewed to assess the impact of venous patency on functional outcome. Since 1996, 7 patients (6 men, 1 woman) of ages 16-53 years (mean 33 years) presented with symptomatic acute axillosubclavian venous thrombosis as a result of a recent athletic or strenuous arm activity. Five patients had undergone previous (>2 weeks) catheter-directed thrombolysis and venous angioplasty. Diagnostic contrast venography followed by repeat catheter-directed thrombolysis demonstrated abnormal (residual stenosis [n =6] or occlusion En = I1) axillosubclavian venous segments in all patients. Surgical intervention was performed at a mean interval of 7 days (range 1-19 days) after thrombolysis and consisted of thoracic outlet decompression with scalenectomy and 1st rib resection via a paraclavicular (n =4) or supraclavicular (n = 3) approach. Medial claviculectomy or cervical rib resection was performed in 2 patients. Concomitant venous surgery was performed in all patients to restore normal venous patency by circumferential venolysis (n = 7) and balloon catheter thrombectomy (n = 3), or vein-patch angioplasty (n=2), or endovenectomy (n=5), or internal jugular transposition (n=2). Postoperative venous duplex testing beyond 1 month identified recurrent thrombosis in 4 patients despite therapeutic oral anticoagulation. Subsequent venous recanalization was documented in 3 patients. Poor functional outcome was associated with an occluded venous repair and extensive venous thrombosis on initial presentation. A patent or recanalized venous repair present in 6 of 7 patients was associated with good functional outcome and may justify multimodal intervention in patients with primary axillosubclavian effort thrombosis presenting with recurrent thrombosis and significant residual disease after thrombolysis.