Oral anticoagulant therapy: a precipitating factor in the pathogenesis of cholesterol embolization?

The authors describe three patients who developed a blue toe syndrome after initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy. Based on these observations and data in the literature, they discuss a possible relationship. They conclude that the vascular surgeon should be aware of this possibility and that oral anticoagulants should be used very carefully in the "medical" management of cholesterol embolization.

Clinical usefulness of Tc-99m HMPAO labeled white blood cell imaging in prosthetic vascular graft infections

The reported frequency of prosthetic vascular graft infections after reconstructive vascular surgery is low. However, it is a serious and potentially catastrophic complication of this treatment, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Effective therapy involves graft excision and replacement. Tc-99m HMPAO labeled leukocyte scintigraphy appears to be an accurate method of detecting prosthetic vascular graft infections. The value of leukocyte scanning is illustrated by two case reports.

Effect of ticlopidine on blood loss, platelet turnover and platelet deposition on prosthetic surfaces in patients undergoing aorto-femoral bypass grafting

Sixty patients in whom a prosthetic aorto-femoral bypass graft was inserted were pretreated with ticlopidine (250 mg b.i.d.) or placebo in a double-blind study. Blood loss and transfusion need were higher in ticlopidine treated patients. Platelet survival was partially corrected and platelet deposition on prosthetic surfaces was inhibited with ticlopidine. The study suggests that ticlopidine does not increase excessively the bleeding risk during peripheral vascular surgery and that the antiplatelet drug may have beneficial effects in the early phase after insertion of prosthetic vascular graft.

Ruptured aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery: a case report

The authors report about a patient who presented three weeks after reconstruction of an infrarenal aortic abdominal aneurysm a rupturing aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery. The symptoms and method of treatment of this rare condition are described on the basis of a literature survey.

Supraceliac aorta-to-femoral artery bypass: a case report

The authors describe the technique of the supraceliac aorta-to-femoral artery bypass graft. This type of reconstruction is presented as a possible alternative in patients with relative contraindications to direct approach of the infrarenal abdominal aorta.

Aortofemoral dacron reconstruction for aorto-iliac occlusive disease: a 25-year survey

The authors present a consecutive series of 869 patients, who received an aorto(bi)femoral Dacron graft for occlusive disease between 1963 and 1988. The operative indications were grade 1 disease (n = 371), grade 2 disease (n = 408) or grade 3 disease (n = 90). The operative mortality was 4.5% and remained stable over the years of the study. The median survival was 8.2 years and 25% of the patients survived for more than 15 years. Late patency decreased to 74% and 70% after 10 and 15 years, respectively. Fifty-six patients underwent a major amputation in the long run. The amputation rate increased to 3, 8.6 and 12.1%, respectively for grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 disease. Satisfactory functional results were obtained by 51% and 40% of the patients after 10 and 15 years, respectively. By means of secondary and tertiary operations this increased to 70% and 61%. Long term functional results were primarily dependent on smoking habits postoperatively, the date of operation and the presence of concomitant femoro-popliteal occlusive disease.

Long-term patency of the aortofemoral Dacron graft. A graft limb related study over a 25-years period

Graft limb patency was studied retrospectively in a consecutive series of 912 patients (1605 limbs), who received an aorto(bi)femoral Dacron graft for occlusive disease over a 25 years period (1963-1987). The mean follow-up for the series was 5.35 years (range 1 month to 23 years) and 18.5% of the patients were followed for at least 10 years. Primary patency decreased progressively to 83% at 10 years and 77% at 15 years. It was significantly improved to 90% (at 10 years) and 84% (at 15 years) by means of operative thrombectomy (secondary patency). Factors influencing patency (univariate analysis) were (1) concomitant femoropopliteal occlusive disease, (2) the site of the femoral anastomosis and (3) the date of the operation. Multivariate analysis in relation to the femoral anastomosis stressed the importance of profunda femoris artery disease and the date of operation. It is concluded that the negative effects of concomitant superficial femoral artery disease may be completely relieved by an adequate profundaplasty. Furthermore the substantial progress, we documented over the years of the study, supports our view that aortofemoral reconstruction may also be offered as the solution of choice to patients with milder forms of claudication.

Graft occlusion following aortofemoral Dacron bypass

We report on a series of 930 patients who received an aortobifemoral Dacron graft between 1963 and 1988. The operative mortality was 5.6% and the mean follow-up reached 5.45 years (range one month to 23.6 years). Late occlusion was noted in 125 patients and the primary patency rate decreased to 74% and 69%, respectively at 10 and 15 years. Long-term patency was primarily (p less than 0.05) dependent on (1) the date of operation, (2) postoperative smoking habits, (3) distal occlusive disease, and (4) age of the patients at the time of surgery. Vascular reconstruction for late thrombosis was performed for 110 late occlusions in 103 patients. Included were 95 unilateral and 15 bilateral occlusions. The method of choice was graft limb thrombectomy (unilateral occlusion) or anatomical graft replacement (bilateral occlusion or unilateral occlusion when thrombectomy proved to be impossible). Associated outflow reconstructions consisted of profundaplasty in 73.3% of the cases. A mean yearly thrombosis rate of 9.4% (range 4-14%) resulted in a five year patency rate of 59%. Differences between graft thrombectomy and anatomical replacement were not statistically significant. Reconstruction for secondary occlusions was associated with a 25% thrombosis rate. Tertiary occlusion in six cases invariably led to major amputation. A total of 20 patients ultimately needed a major amputation, resulting in an eight year limb salvage rate of 79%.

Extra-anatomical grafting for aorto-occlusive disease: the outcome in 133 procedures

Between 1978 and 1988 133 extra-anatomical grafts were performed in patients presenting with aorto-iliac occlusive disease. These series include 50 cross-over grafts, 46 axillofemoral and 37 axillobifemoral grafts. The indication for operation was acute ischemia in 26.4%, claudication in 9.7% and limb salvage in 63.9% of cases. Perioperative mortality rate was 10.4%. The early patency rate decreased from 92% after cross-over grafting to 86% in the axillofemoral series and 8% of the patients needed a major amputation in the immediate postoperative period. With a mean follow-up of 32 months, 62% of the patients died within 5 years of the operation, 54% of deaths being due to cardiovascular complications. The 3-years patency rate decreased to 78% after cross-over grafting and 49% after axillofemoral grafting. The 3-year limb salvage rate decreased to 89% and 75% respectively. Although our results are definitely less favourable than those of direct aortofemoral grafting, they seem to support the further use of the cross-over graft in patients with unilateral occlusive disease. Axillofemoral grafting on the other hand should be preserved for limb saving reconstructions in high risk conditions.

Autotransfusion during aorto-iliac surgery

Red blood cell (RBC) quality and function during autotransfusion with the Solcotrans system were studied. Up to 64% (mean 999.5 +/- 310 ml) of the total volume of blood lost (mean 1895 +/- 707 ml) during operation in 10 patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic surgery was salvaged. No patient received homologous blood during surgery. Haemoglobin (Hb) and Haematocrit (PCV) values decreased but within acceptable limits. No evidence of DIC was found and renal function was unaffected. Mechanical and functional damage to the RBC was minimal and erythrocyte oxygen-carrying capacity was excellent. 2,3-DPGRBC concentration and RBC reduced glutathion were normal. The device was easy to handle and technical problems were not encountered. It was accurate in salvaging blood although the need for homologous blood was not entirely eliminated since four patients received homologous blood products in the postoperative period. No adverse clinical events occurred.

Aorto-femoral reconstruction and sexual function: a prospective study

The influence of aorto-femoral (AF) Dacron reconstruction on sexual function and pelvic circulation was studied prospectively in 62 male patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease. Erectile function remained unchanged in 77%. Improvement or deterioration was seen in 11.3% and 20.5% of the cases respectively. Impotence occurred in only one patient (6%) with normal function preoperatively but in 31% of those presenting with impaired erection. Pelvic circulation, as reflected by the penile brachial index (PBI), was not affected in 74%, increased in 11% and decreased in 15% of the reconstructions. Pelvic circulation was at least preserved in 90% after an end-to-side proximal anastomosis and in 82% after an end-to-end anastomosis. Since fluctuations in sexual function could be related to changes in PBI in only 36% of the cases it is concluded that sexual disorders after AF surgery are due to a combination of disturbed pelvic haemodynamics and interruption of the preaortic autonomic plexus. Patients with impaired erectile function are especially at risk of a deterioration and the possibilities of restoring erectile function in patients with aorto-iliac stenosis by isolated AF reconstruction are limited.

Combined blunt rupture of the diaphragm and thoracic aorta

Two patients with blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm and thoracic aorta are presented. This combination of injuries may be seen in the multiply-injured patient. Correct interpretation of chest radiographs is essential. If the diagnosis is made early the patient has a good chance of surviving. The eventual functional impairment is mainly related to the associated fractures.

Preliminary results of percutaneous transluminal atherectomy

Percutaneous transluminal atherectomy with the Simpson atherectomy catheter was performed in 5 patients with severe atheromatous stenoses of the femoropopliteal arteries. In all patients plaque material was removed with successful restoration of vessel patency. Further clinical follow-up will have to determine whether recurrence rate of stenosis will be lower with this method than with conventional balloon angioplasty.

Outpatient angiography

Outpatient angiography of the abdominal aorta and the peripheral arteries of the under limbs was performed in 100 patients with complaints of peripheral vascular disease. In all patients small 5F catheters, a low-osmolar contrast medium and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography could reduce the local and general invasiveness of the angiographic procedure. Two complications occurred. In one patient thrombosis at the puncture site was noted. In another patient, an onset of angina pectoris was a minor and transitory complication. In 42 out of the 100 patients, treatment was conservative so that hospitalization could be avoided. With newer technical equipment angiography can be performed safely on an outpatient basis with important costsaving for the community. The late occurrence of some complications though, requires good information of the patient.

Carotid artery endarterectomy in patients over seventy years-of-age

Carotid artery endarterectomy in the elderly patient has been considered to be a high risk procedure. Recent reevaluation, however, showed that advanced age alone doesn't seem to increase the perioperative surgical risk. We retrospectively reviewed the records for 222 carotid artery endarterectomies, not combined with any other type of surgery, in 195 patients over 70 years-of-age. Twenty-eight patients (14.3%) were asymptomatic, 43% were seen after transient ischemic attacks, 5.1% after reversible ischemic neurologic defects, and 37.4% after stroke. A standard operative protocol was followed. We used a shunt in 45.5% of patients, a standard endarterectomy was performed in 93% of patients, using a patch in 68%. There were three perioperative deaths and seven perioperative strokes in the series; total combined morbidity and mortality was 5.1%. In the 73 patients operated after previous stroke, three died and five suffered a perioperative stroke; total combined morbidity and mortality was 10.9%. In the 122 patients operated after previous transient ischemic attack or asymptomatic, two suffered a perioperative stroke; total combined morbidity and mortality was 1.6%. Late survival was identical to the survival of a normal Belgian control population, and stroke and death-free ratio at five years was 65%, 52% for patients operated after previous stroke and 69% for asymptomatic patients or patients operated after transient ischemic attack. Carotid artery endarterectomy can be performed in patients over 70 years-of-age with perioperative results equal to those of younger patients.

[Angioplasty using a Nd:YAG laser with a sapphire probe]

Laser angioplasty with Sapphire Contact Probes coupled to a Nd:YAG laser followed by balloon angioplasty was performed in 30 patients with 26 femoropopliteal and 4 iliac artery occlusions. Mean length of the occlusions was 4.5 +/- 1.6 cm with a mean duration of occlusion of 7.06 +/- 6.18 months. Initial angiographic success was obtained in 25/30 (83%) procedures, including 3/4 successes in the iliac artery (75%) and 22/26 successes in the femoropopliteal artery (84%). Reason for failure was perforation in 2 patients, and subintimal passage of the probe in 2, and heavy calcification of the lesion in 1 patient. Early rethrombosis in 3 patients reduced the primary success rate to 73%. Peripheral emboli necessitating surgical intervention occurred in 2 patients. Of the 22 recanalized arteries 21 remained patent with a mean follow-up of 8.4 +/- 3.3 months. It remains to be determined whether the angiographic and clinical short and long term success rate of "laser assisted balloon angioplasty" will be greater than after thrombolysis or conventional balloon angioplasty.

Percutaneous transluminal atherectomy: preliminary results

Percutaneous transluminal atherectomy with the Simpson atherectomy catheter was performed in 10 patients with 14 severe atheromatous stenoses of the femoropopliteal arteries. Removal of plaque material with restoration of vessel patency was successful in all patients without complication. Further clinical follow-up will have to determine whether the recurrence rate of stenoses will be lower with this method than with conventional balloon angioplasty.

Intra-arterial injection of papaverine in the decision of balloon dilatation of the iliac arteries

In patients with low degree stenoses of the iliofemoral arteries, a discrepancy can occur between the clinical complaints and the severity of the angiographic lesions. Intra-arterial injection of 20 mg of papaverine by mimicking the need for augmented blood supply during exercise will help to objectify the clinical importance of a stenosis. Therefore, it will be of help in the decision of balloon dilatation of low-degree lesions.

Balloon angioplasty combined with vascular surgery

Seventy-nine intra-operative balloon angioplasties were performed in 72 patients undergoing a vascular reconstructive procedure over a 7-year-period (1981 through December 1987). The primary purpose of balloon angioplasty was either to increase inflow (26 procedures) or outflow (53 procedures) in association with a planned vascular operation and to avoid more extensive operative procedures in high risk patients. Peroperative balloon angioplasty involved atherosclerotic stenotic lesions in 26 iliac, 37 femoro-popliteal and 10 crural arteries. In 6 cases distal graft anastomotic stenoses were dilated. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 78 months (mean 32.4 months). The overall initial success rate was 84.8% and five procedure related complications were seen. One iliac restenosis with distal thrombosis, two superficial femoral artery dissections, one tibial artery thrombosis necessitating below knee amputation and one distal popliteal embolus after superficial femoral artery dilatation. There were no postoperative deaths. Fifty-one patients remained asymptomatic during follow-up. One iliac, eight femoro-popliteal and two tibial arteries restenosed with or without occlusion and thrombosis. The 3-year cumulative patency rate for the iliac and femoro-popliteal angioplasties is 80.2%. Intra-operative balloon angioplasty broadens the surgical therapeutic armamentarium available to correct multiple symptomatic arterial lesions. In addition this technique offers several advantages over a two stage procedure.

Combined myocardial and cerebral revascularization. A ten year experience

We report on the results of combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting in 82 patients. Vascular pathology was severe in these cases: 94% of patients had extensive multivessel coronary artery disease, 29% had unstable angina, 30% had severe left main stem stenosis and all patients had hemodynamically significant stenosis of at least one carotid artery, 13% had an additional occlusion of the contralateral internal or common carotid artery and 26% had severe bilateral carotid artery stenosis. The carotid lesion was asymptomatic in 64% of cases, 24% of the patients experienced previous transient cerebral ischemia and 12% of the patients had a history of completed stroke. Hospital mortality was 7.3%. Neurological deficit occurred in 7.3% but functional impairment was not permanent. Late results have been obtained for 76 survivors at a mean postoperative interval of 29 months. Five year life table survival rate was 86%. Follow-up showed that 3 patients (4%) have died and that 3 patients (4%) experienced a late neurologic event (one TIA; two strokes) but none of these events involved the cerebral cortex on the side of the carotid endarterectomy. The cumulative 5 year stroke free survival rate is 91%. We conclude that combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting can be done with an acceptable mortality rate in these critically ill patients and that the postoperative incidence of neurological events is low.

Balloon angioplasty of venous structures

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was attempted in 20 patients with stenoses of venous structures. It concerned one stenosis in a native subclavian vein, 12 stenoses in venous bypass grafts and 7 stenoses in hemodialysis-access fistulas. Primary results were excellent for the procedures in the native vein and the venous bypass grafts with success in all patients (13/13). In the arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis, dilatation of the venous stenoses was only possible in 5 out of 7 patients. The subclavian vein stenosis did not recur within a follow-up period of 3 years. Of the stenoses in the venous bypass grafts, two lesions reoccluded within one week and 6 lesions recurred within one year. Two of these lesions were successfully redilated so that 6 lesions remain patent with a follow-up of more than one year. Of the 5 successful dilatations in hemodialysis-access fistulas, two lesions recurred within 2 months. Only 3 veins are still accessible for hemodialysis. It is concluded that attempts at balloon dilatation of stenoses in venous bypass grafts or hemodialysis-access fistulas are meaningful in order to prolong the life of these surgical procedures. Recurrence of stenoses is however likely to occur within one or two years.

Aortofemoral reconstruction for multilevel disease: a prospective hemodynamic study

A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and hemodynamic effects of aortofemoral Dacron reconstruction in patients with multilevel disease (i.e. aortoiliac and femoropopliteal occlusive disease). Thirty nine patients underwent, apart from clinical evaluation, segmental plethysmography and Doppler pressures before operation, immediately after operation and again at 3 and 6 months. All patients improved by the reconstruction, but 12 (31%) continued to complain of disabling claudication during normal daily activities. The mean ankle pressure and thigh pressure index improved by 37.5%. This was accompanied by a decrease of peak flow time, an increase of peak flow and an improved recovery during reactive hyperemia. Furthermore an additional significant rise of the ankle pressure index was noted between 3 and 6 months. Continuing claudication was always associated with both initial and late hemodynamic failure (the criterium for hemodynamic success was defined as an increase of the ankle pressure index with more than 0.1). Hemodynamic success resulted unvariably in clinical success. However 4 patients were clinically symptomfree, although they had to be classified as hemodynamic failures. It is concluded that a significant number of patients fail to obtain complete relief after proximal reconstruction. Preoperative hemodynamic studies may provide additional information, but hemodynamic and clinical results do not always correlate with each other.

Arterial infection following renal transplantation: successful management using transperineal femorofemoral crossover graft

Infection of a vascular prosthesis or an arterial receptor site is one of the most challenging situations for the vascular surgeon. In some instances the standard extraanatomic routes to bypass infected areas cannot be used. Two cases of arterial infection following renal transplantation are presented. An infrascrotal perineal approach for a femorofemoral bypass was used to achieve revascularization of a threatened limb.