Ten-year comparative analysis of bovine pericardium and autogenous vein for patch angioplasty in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy

Contemporary open surgical approaches for the management of carotid stenosis: a comprehensive review

This study aims to provide an overview on contemporary open surgical approaches for the management of carotid artery stenosis. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify and categorize open surgery intervention techniques for the management of carotid artery stenosis, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks of each technique. Five surgical techniques for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) have been described: CEA with primary closure, CEA with patch closure, CEA by eversion technique, CEA by modified eversion technique and CEA by partial eversion. Evidence has reported significantly higher rates of perioperative complications after CEA with primary closure, including 30-days stroke rate and late restenosis. Although more recent techniques have been reported to provide superior outcomes, electing the best surgical technique is still a matter of debate. Also, CEA using a mini-skin incision has been associated to lower risk of cranial/cervical nerve injury and shorter length of hospital stay. The selection of the surgical intervention should be tailored and have into consideration individual patient characteristics, clinical considerations, surgeon preference and surgical team expertise. Further large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to support more robust decisions on the choice of contemporary open surgical approaches to manage carotid stenosis.

The role of vascular resection and reconstruction in pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is one of the most difficult procedures in general surgery which involves the removal and reconstruction of many organs. PD is the standard surgical method for malignant tumors of the head, uncinate process and even the neck of the pancreas. During PD surgery, it often involves the removal and reconstruction of blood vessels. This is a clinical review about vascular resection and reconstruction in PD surgery.

Clinical Outcomes of Common Femoral Thromboendarterectomy with Bovine Pericardium Patch Angioplasty

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of thromboendarterectomy (TEA) for common femoral occlusive disease using bovine pericardium patch angioplasty.

METHODS

The subjects were patients who underwent TEA for common femoral occlusive disease with bovine pericardium patch angioplasty from October 2020 to August 2021. The study had a prospective, multicenter, and observational design. The primary end point was primary patency (freedom from restenosis). The secondary end points were secondary patency, amputation-free survival (AFS), postoperative wound complication, hospital death within 30 days, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) within 30 days.

RESULTS

Forty-seven TEA procedures with a bovine patch were performed in 42 patients (34 males; median age, 78 years; diabetes mellitus, 57%; end-stage renal disease with hemodialysis, 19%). Clinical presentations were intermittent claudication (68%) and critical limb-threatening ischemia (32%). Sixteen (34%) limbs underwent TEA alone and 31 (66%) underwent a combined procedure. Surgical site infection (SSI) occurred in 4 limbs (9%) and lymphatic fistulas in 3 limbs (6%). One limb with SSI required surgical debridement 19 days after the procedure, and 1 limb (2%) without postoperative wound complications required additional treatment due to acute bleeding. Hospital death within 30 days occurred in 1 case due to panperitonitis. There was no MACE within 30 days. Claudication was improved in all cases. Postoperative ABI of 0.92 [0.72-1.00] was significantly higher than the preoperative value (P < 0.001). The median follow-up period was 10 months [9-13 months]. One limb (2%) required additional endovascular therapy due to stenosis at the endarterectomy site at 5 months postoperatively. Primary and secondary patencies were 98% and 100% at 12 months, respectively, and the AFS rate was 90% at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Common femoral TEA with bovine pericardium patch angioplasty has satisfactory clinical outcomes.

A successful case of patch angioplasty with bovine pericardium XenoSure® to the common femoral artery after endarterectomy

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

The number of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia has increased in recent years. Herein, we report a rare case of angioplasty with a bovine pericardial patch in a patient with severe stenosis of the common femoral artery.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 73-year-old female with intermittent claudication. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements showed a significant decrease of 0.52 on the left, and angiography revealed total occlusion on the left common femoral artery (CFA). Considering additional skin incisions, postoperative wound infection, and potential graft sampling, endarterectomy of the left CFA and patch angioplasty with the bovine pericardium (XenoSure®) were performed. The operative computed tomography showed no stenosis and the ABI improved from 0.52 to 1.15. Additionally, no stenosis, calcification, or dilatation was observed during the follow-up one year after the operation.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Various types of peripheral arterial repair were performed after endarterectomy. Autologous vein grafts and vascular prostheses are frequently used considering the background of each patient. Using bovine pericardium over other devices has several advantages, including no additional skin incisions to obtain the patches, resistance to infection, no oozing from the device itself, less bleeding from the suture site, and ease of hemostasis after the puncture under additional endovascular treatment. This case may be a good implication when deciding which device to use in complicated patients.

CONCLUSION

This case provides valuable insight into successful patch angioplasty after endarterectomy without any complications, highlighting the utility of XenoSure® in the treatment of this disease.

Carotid endarterectomy with saphenous vein patch angioplasty: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

When performing a conventional CEA it is recommended the use of patch angioplasty (PA), since previous meta-analyses have shown PA to be superior to primary closure (PRC) in terms of stroke and restenosis rates. Different materials patches can be employed although none of them has been proved to be superior. Although autologous veins are potentially more resistant to immediate thrombosis as well as infection, cons may be represented by patch rupture and late dilatation. Aim of this study is to evaluate immediate and long-term results of CEA with saphenous vein patch angioplasty (SVPA) in a single-center experience.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed analyzing all patients undergoing CEA with SVPA at our institution from January 2012 to March 2020. CEA was performed in symptomatic patients with 50-99% carotid stenosis degree or asymptomatic patients with 70-99% stenosis degree. Exclusion criteria were critical limb ischemia, varicose disease, unavailability of saphenous veins, vein diameter <3.5 mm. All CEAs were performed under general anesthesia with routine shunting. Primary endpoints were perioperative stroke, death, carotid thrombosis and hematoma requiring surgery rates. Secondary endpoints included the rate of recurrent stenosis >70%, patch aneurysm/rupture/infection at follow-up.

RESULTS

Overall, 488 interventions were performed on 461 patients. Most patients were male (77.8%) with a mean age of 71.2±8.3 years. Thirty-day mortality and stroke rates were 0.4% and 1.2% respectively. Carotid thrombosis occurred in five patients (1%). Five patients (1%) developed a surgical site hematoma requiring surgical drainage. At a mean follow-up of 34.4±25.8 months 12 restenoses (2.5%) were detected. Five-year freedom from restenosis rate was 96.7%. Restenosis at follow-up was more frequent in patients who had contralateral carotid stenosis (P=0.019). Two patients (0.4%) developed carotid patch aneurysmal degeneration at a mean follow-up of 78.7 months. No infection nor patch disruption were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

CEA with SVPA resulted safe and effective in terms of early and late results. The perioperative complications rates we recorded were quite similar to those reported by other larger reviews and meta-analyses.

In vivo endothelialization and neointimal hyperplasia assessment after rabbit carotid endarterectomy with bovine pericardium

Background

Previous studies have reported that the use of a patch in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery can reduce the rate of restenosis and perioperative complications. The goal of this study was to compare the short- and medium-term outcomes of endothelialization and neointimal hyperplasia of patch closure (PC) angioplasty in CEA with direct closure (DC) in a rabbit model. A bovine pericardial patch (BPP) was used in the PC procedures.

Methods

Two carotid arteries were dried by air flow to simulate endarterectomy and selected for PC and DC in each rabbit. Different animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks after the procedure. The endarterectomized segments were extracted and examined microscopically with histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis, and electron-microscopy measurements.

Results

In all, 19 rabbits were included in this study; 3 rabbits were placed in a 2-week postoperative group and 4 rabbits were placed in the 1-, 3-, 4-, and 8-week postoperative group respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed neointima on the PC side at an early stage (1-week postoperatively), and intimal hyperplasia could be seen on both sides. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that Ki-67 was higher on the PC side than on the DC side at an early stage (1,661.5±1,122.9 cells/mm², P=0.060). In the 2-week postoperative group, von Willebrand factor (vWF) was higher on the DC side (−377.0±155.6 cells/mm², P=0.052). Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) values were comparable on both sides (P>0.05). Electron microscopy measurements showed that functional endothelial cells exhibited a cobblestone-like morphology and were nicely elongated in the direction of blood flow.

Conclusions

The use of BPP in PC angioplasty during CEA can maintain stability and also provide rapid endothelialization. PC with BPP has comparable ability of efficient endothelialization with DC, but is more likely to have early endothelialization.

Severe contralateral carotid stenosis or occlusion drive 30-day risk after carotid endarterectomy

OBJECTIVES

The significant effects on the treatment of severe carotid stenosis by carotid endarterectomy have been widely recognized. However, it is controversial whether patients with severe contralateral carotid stenosis or occlusion (SCSO) can benefit from carotid endarterectomy surgery. This study aimed to estimate the SCSO effects on early outcomes after carotid endarterectomy with selective shunting.

METHODS

Between August 2011 and October 2019, a total of 617 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy with selective shunting were analyzed. SCSO was defined as >70% luminal narrowing of the contralateral extracranial carotid stenosis or occlusion. Of these patients, 116 were categorized into an SCSO group while the rest were assigned to the non-SCSO group. Primary study outcomes were the occurrence of major adverse events, defined as stroke, all-cause mortality, and myocardial infarction during the perioperative period after carotid endarterectomy. Traditional multivariable logistic regression model and logistic regression model adjusted for propensity scores were used to estimate the SCSO effects on primary outcomes. Interaction and stratified analyses were conducted according to age, sex, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes), preoperative neurological deficit, preoperative symptoms, and shunt use.

RESULTS

Mean age was 68.5 ± 9.2 years (86.1% men). Overall major adverse events rate within 30 days was 2.5%. Major adverse events rates in SCSO and non-SCSO groups were 9.5% and 1.6%, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In multivariable regression analysis, patients with SCSO had a higher risk of major adverse events (non-SCSO vs. SCSO: aOR 5.05 [95% CI, 1.78-14.55]). In 342 propensity score matched patients, results were consistent (propensity score: aOR, 3.78 [95% CI, 1.13-12.64]).

CONCLUSIONS

SCSO is an independent predictor of 30-day major adverse events. Whether these patients with SCSO are suitable for carotid endarterectomy should be carefully considered.

Long-term Durability and Safety of Carotid Endarterectomy Closure Techniques

BACKGROUND

Various techniques have been used for the execution of carotid endarterectomy; primary (PC), patch closure (CP) and eversion technique (ET).The superiority of any of them is still unproven. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of each technique in terms of cerebrovascular event (CVE), restenosis, survival and major cardiac event (MACE).

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2018, a retrospective analysis of prospectively recorded data from three European tertiary centers was undertaken including 1.357 patients. Demographics, comorbidities and medical treatment were analyzed in relation to long-term outcomes. Freedom from CVE, restenosis (> 70%), survival and MACE were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analysis curve.

RESULTS

The mean age was 69.5 ± 8 (72% males;79% asymptomatic). 472 (35%) were treated with PC, 504 (37%) with CP and 381 (28%) with ET. Differences among groups were observed in age (P < 0.001), gender (P < 0.01), hypertension (P = 0.01), dyslipidemia (P < 0.001) and statin treatment (P < 0.001). The mean follow-up was 4.7 ± 3 years (median: 5 years). Seventy-three patients presented a CVE during 8 years of follow-up. The freedom from CVE including all techniques was 96% (SE 0.6%), 93% (SE 1%) and 89% (SE 1.6%), at 2, 5 and 8 years of follow-up, respectively, with no difference between groups (P .289). Freedom from restenosis was at 96% (SE 0.7%) and 89% (SE 5%) at 5 and 10 years, respectively, for all methods without differences. ET was associated with a higher mortality rate (P < 0.001) and MACE rate (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Excellent outcomes were achieved with all types of closure techniques with low rates of MACE and other adverse events during long-term follow-up after CEA.

Early outcomes of native and graft-related abdominal aortic infection managed with orthotopic xenopericardial grafts

OBJECTIVE

Reconstruction of infected aortic cases has shifted from extra-anatomic to in situ. This study reports the surgical strategy and early outcomes of abdominal aortic reconstruction in both native and graft-related aortic infection with in situ xenopericardial grafts.

METHODS

Included in the analysis are 21 consecutive patients (mean age, 69 years; 20 male) who underwent abdominal xenopericardial in situ reconstruction of native aortic infection (4) and endovascular (4) or open (13) graft aortic infection between July 2017 and September 2019. All repairs were performed on an urgent basis, but none were ruptured. All patients were followed up with clinical and biologic evaluation, ultrasound at 3 months, and computed tomography scan at 6 months and 1 year.

RESULTS

Technical success was 100%; 8 patients were treated with xenopericardial tubes and 13 with bifurcated grafts. Thirty-day mortality was 4.7% (one death due to pneumonia with respiratory hypoxic failure in critical care.). Six patients (28%) developed acute kidney injury, four (19%) requiring temporary dialysis; five fully recovered and one died. Four patients (19%) required a return to the operating room. After a median follow-up of 14 months (range, 1-26 months), overall mortality was 19% (n = 4). Two patients presented with recurrent sepsis after reconstruction, leading to death due to multiorgan failure. Other patients (17/21) have discontinued antibiotics with no evidence of recurrence of infection clinically, radiologically, or on blood tests. Computed tomography scans at 1 year demonstrated no stenosis or graft dilation and one asymptomatic left graft branch thrombosis. Primary patency is 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

In situ xenopericardial aortic reconstruction is a safe and effective management strategy for both native and graft-related abdominal aortic infection with good short-term results. The graft demonstrates appropriate resistance to infection such that reliable eradication of infection in this vascular bed is possible. Longer follow-up is required in future studies to determine the durability of the reconstruction and need for reinterventions.

Effect of severe contralateral carotid stenosis or occlusion on early and late outcomes after carotid endarterectomy

Purpose

We aimed to compare clinical outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) between Korean patients with and without severe contralateral extracranial carotid stenosis or occlusion (SCSO).

Methods

Between January 2004 and December 2014, a total of 661 patients who underwent 731 CEAs were stratified by SCSO (non-SCSO and SCSO groups) and analyzed retrospectively. The study outcomes included the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as stroke or myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality during the perioperative period and within 4 years after CEA.

Results

There were no significant differences in the incidence of MACE or any individual MACE manifestations between the 2 groups during the perioperative period or within 4 years after CEA. On multivariate analysis to identify clinical variables associated with long-term study outcomes, older age (hazard ratios [HRs], 1.06; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 1.03–1.09; P < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14–2.57; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with an increased risk of MACE occurrence, while preexisting SCSO was not associated with long-term incidence of MACE and individual MACE components. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed similar MACE-free (P = 0.509), overall (P = 0.642), and stroke-free (P = 0.650) survival rates in the 2 groups.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in MACE incidence after CEA between the non-SCSO and SCSO groups, and preexisting SCSO was not associated with an increased risk of perioperative or long-term MACE occurrence.

Comparison of outcomes after carotid endarterectomy between type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients with significant carotid stenosis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare early and late outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) between Korean type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to investigate the impact of diabetes on the overall incidence of cardiovascular events after CEA.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 675 CEAs, which were performed on 613 patients with significant carotid stenosis between January 2007 and December 2014. The CEAs were divided into a type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) group (n = 265, 39.3%) and a non-DM group (n = 410, 60.7%). The study outcomes included the incidence of major adverse events (MAEs), defined as fatal or nonfatal stroke or myocardial infarction or all-cause mortality, during the perioperative period and within 4 years after CEA.

RESULTS

Patients in the DM and non-DM groups did not differ significantly in the incidence of MAEs or any of the individual MAE manifestations during the perioperative period. However, within 4 years after CEA, the difference in the MAE incidence was significantly greater in the DM group (P = 0.040). Analysis of the individual MAE manifestations indicated a significantly higher risk of stroke in the DM group (P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis indicated that diabetes was not associated with MAEs or individual MAE manifestations during the perioperative period, whereas within 4 years after CEA, diabetes was an independent risk factor for MAEs overall (hazard ratio [HR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.48; P = 0.026) and stroke (HR, 2.55; 95% CI 1.20-5.41; P = 0.015) in particular.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic patients were not at greater risk of perioperative MAEs after CEA; however, the risk of late MAE occurrence was significantly greater in these patients. Within 4 years after CEA, DM was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of MAEs overall and stroke in particular.

Angioplasty Using 4-Hexylresorcinol-Incorporated Silk Vascular Patch in Rat Carotid Defect Model

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of 4-hexylresorcinol (4-HR)-incorporated silk as a vascular patch scaffold to that of the commercial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular patch (GORE® ACUSEAL). The expression of the vascular endothelial cell growth factor-A (VEGF-A) after application of 4-HR was studied in RAW264.7 and HUVEC cells. In the animal study, a carotid artery defect was modeled in Sprague Dawley rats (n = 30). The defect was directly closed in the control group (n = 10), or repaired with the PTFE or 4-HR silk patch in the experimental groups (n = 10 per group). Following patch angioplasty, angiography was performed and the peak systolic velocity (PSV) was measured to evaluate the artery patency. The application of 4-HR was shown to increase the expression of VEGF-A in RAW264.7 and HUVEC cells. The successful artery patency rate was 80% for the 4-HR silk group, 30% for the PTFE group, and 60% for the control group. The PSV of the 4-HR silk group was significantly different from that of the control group at one week and three weeks post-angioplasty (p = 0.005 and 0.024). Histological examination revealed new regeneration of the arterial wall, and that the arterial diameter was well maintained in the 4-HR silk group in the absence of an immune reaction. In contrast, an overgrowth of endothelium was observed in the PTFE group. In this study, the 4-HR silk patch was successfully used as a vascular patch, and achieved a higher vessel patency rate and lower PSV than the PTFE patch.

Long-Term Outcome After Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

The long-term outcome after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is determined by many confounding factors. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is linked to atherosclerotic stroke, and it is an important cause of death during the perioperative and follow-up periods after CEA. We aimed to investigate mortality and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with IHD compared with patients who do not have IHD.

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled 229 patients who underwent CEA procedures from 2000 to 2011. Of these patients, 45 had known or probable IHD defined by history or medical record of myocardial infarction, stable/unstable angina, previous coronary revascularization such as percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft, or positive stress test. Long-term outcome was identified by using death certificates from the Korean National Statistical Office and telephone interviews by June 2013. We investigated predictors of early (≤30 days) and long-term mortality and MACEs (stroke, myocardial infarction, and death).

RESULTS

Mean follow-up period was 49 months. Cox proportional analysis adjusted for potent predictors revealed symptomatic stenosis (hazard ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.88; P = 0.042) and presence of IHD (hazard ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.42; P = 0.025) as significant predictors of long-term MACEs. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly lower rate of survival (P = 0.030) and MACE-free survival (P = 0.003) in the IHD group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, a poor long-term outcome was observed in patients with IHD and symptomatic stenosis but not in patients with conventional high-risk factors for surgery. Therefore, appropriate evaluation and treatment of IHD before and after CEA might be helpful for better outcome.

The use of bovine pericardial patch for vascular reconstruction in infected fields for transplant recipients

Infectious vascular complications affecting transplant recipients may lead to severe morbidity and graft loss. This is a retrospective review of vascular repair with bovine pericardial patch (BPP) in infected fields for immunosuppressed patients. BPP was used as either a patch or an interposition graft. Five cases of arterial reconstruction in infected fields using BPP were performed. There were no complications related to bleeding, thrombosis, or recurrent infection. In our limited experience, the use of BPP as a vascular patch is successful, and it represents an alternative when vascular reconstruction is needed in the context of infected fields.

Results of Carotid Endarterectomy Using Bovine Pericardium Patch Closure, with a Review of Pertinent Literature

Patch closure after carotid endarterectomy lowers risk of recurrent stenosis and perioperative neurologic events. Although vein patches have theoretic benefits, few differences between vein and nonautologous patches have been noted. Bovine pericardium has been increasingly used in carotid surgery over the last 15 years, with favorable reports. This study reviews a large carotid surgery series using this patch. Data were gathered on 464 consecutive carotid operations using the bovine pericardium patch; all complications were analyzed and pertinent literature review was performed. Of 464 procedures, 218 (47%) were performed for symptomatic disease. Total peri-operative ipsilateral stroke rate was 0.65 per cent. A low rate of postoperative bleeding was noted. Recurrence of >70 per cent stenosis was 1.6 per cent at follow-up of 26 months in 410 patients. Handling was subjectively described as excellent. Literature review comprising 3239 carotid operations revealed low risks of stroke, bleeding requiring intervention, or high rates of recurrent stenosis. Bovine pericardium patch angioplasty has low perioperative and late complications and good handling characteristics, making it an acceptable choice for use in carotid surgery.

A Retrospective 10-Year, Single-Institution Study of Carotid Endarterectomy with a Focus on Elderly Patients

Background and Purpose

This study evaluated the outcome following surgery for carotid artery stenosis in a single institution during a 10-year period and the relevance of aging to access to surgery.

Methods

Between January 2001 and December 2010, 649 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) were performed in 596 patients for internal carotid artery occlusive disease at our institution; 596 patients received unilateral CEAs and 53 patients received bilateral CEAs. Data regarding patient characteristics, comorbidities, stroke, mortality, restenosis, and other surgical complications were obtained from a review of medical records. Since elderly and high-risk patients comprise a significant proportion of the patient group undergoing CEAs, differences in comorbidity and mortality were evaluated according to age when the patients were divided into three age groups: <70 years, 70-79 years, and ≥80 years.

Results

The mean age of the included patients was 67.5 years, and 88% were men. Symptomatic carotid stenosis was observed in 65.7% of patients. The rate of perioperative stroke and death (within 30 days of the procedure) was 1.84%. The overall mortality rate was higher among patients in the 70-79 years and >80 years age groups than among those in the <70 years age group, but there was no significant difference in stroke-related mortality among these three groups.

Conclusions

CEA over a 10-year period has yielded acceptable outcomes in terms of stroke and mortality. Therefore, since CEA is a safe and effective strategy, it can be performed in elderly patients with acceptable life expectancy.

Clinical outcomes of staged bilateral carotid endarterectomy for bilateral carotid artery stenosis

PURPOSE

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of staged bilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis performed with a short interval between the primary and secondary CEA procedures.

METHODS

In our institution, 574 consecutive patients underwent CEA between September 2007 and August 2014. Bilateral significant ICA stenosis was identified in 43 patients (7.5%) who underwent staged bilateral CEA within 30 days or less. Patients with unilateral CEA and staged bilateral CEA were compared in terms of CEA outcomes. The primary endpoint was the composite of any stroke, myocardial infarction, or death during the periprocedural period or ipsilateral stroke within 3 years after the CEA.

RESULTS

Staged bilateral CEA was not associated with ipsilateral stroke (P = 0.178) during postoperative follow-up. The two groups did not differ in terms of estimated 3-year primary endpoint rates (2.8% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.456) or ipsilateral stroke-free (P = 0.225), any stroke-free (P = 0.326), or overall (P = 0.739) survival rates.

CONCLUSION

Patients with bilateral significant ICA stenosis can undergo staged bilateral CEA within 30 days or less with outcomes that compare favorably with those of patients undergoing unilateral CEA.

Bovine pericardium for portal vein reconstruction in abdominal surgery: a surgical guide and first experiences in a single center

BACKGROUND

Resection and reconstruction of infiltrated vessels achieve resectability of extended pancreatic tumors. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of bovine pericardium as graft material for the individualised portal vein reconstruction and demonstrate a surgical technique for abdominal vein repair.

METHODS

We performed a MEDLINE search to review the methods for complex abdominal vein reconstruction in the course of extended pancreatectomy. Moreover, clinical data of patients receiving portal vein reconstruction using a bovine pericardial patch at our institution were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Based on the results of a review of the literature, autologous venous grafts using the internal jugular vein represent the most popular option for segmental portal vein reconstruction in case of impossible direct suture. At our center, segmental portal vein reconstruction with bovine pericardial patch in course of pancreatic surgery was performed in 4 patients. No case of vascular complications such as occlusion, segmental stenosis or thrombosis occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience suggests a surgical procedure for an individual size-matched portal vein reconstruction using bovine pericardium. Although first results appear promising, prospective studies are required to objectively assess the patency of bovine pericardium compared with autologous and synthetic interposition grafts for portal vein reconstruction.

Long-term results of surgical angioplasty for left main coronary artery stenosis: 18-year follow-up

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of surgical angioplasty for left main coronary artery (SA-LMCA) stenosis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 24 consecutive patients (mean age, 55 years; male/female, 12/12) who underwent a surgical angioplasty for the left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis at our institution between 1995 and 2002. We used autologous pericardium in 7 patients and bovine pericardium in 17 patients as a patch. We evaluated the late mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate.

Results

There was no operative mortality. Control coronary angiography exhibited wide open and funnel-shaped LMCA in all patients. One patient was lost to follow-up. During the mean follow-up of 167 months, there were 3 sudden cardiac deaths, 4 non-cardiac related deaths, and 9 MACE with one death at reoperation. The Kaplan-Meier method identified freedom from cardiac death in 95.7, 87.0, and 82.4% of the patients, and freedom from MACE in 91.3, 69.6, and 57.7% of the patients at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the long-term outcomes of SA-LMCA with a pericardial patch are acceptable compared to those of coronary artery bypass grafting, despite the controversy over the indications and the patch material used.

Prospective randomized trial of ACUSEAL versus Vascu-Guard patching in carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have been conducted that demonstrate the superiority of patch angioplasty over primary closure for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Patch angioplasty with polytetrafluorethylene patches (ACUSEAL) have shown results comparable to patch angioplasty with saphenous vein and polyester patches. This is a prospective randomized study to compare the clinical outcomes of CEA using ACUSEAL versus bovine pericardium patching (Vascu-Guard).

METHODS

Two hundred patients were randomized (1:1) to either ACUSEAL or Vascu-Guard patching. Demographic data/clinical characteristics were collected. Intraoperative hemostasis times and the frequency of reexploration for neck hematoma were recorded. All patients received immediate and 1-month postoperative duplex ultrasound studies, which were repeated at 6-month intervals. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the risk of restenosis and the stroke-free survival rates.

RESULTS

The demographics were similar in both groups, except for a higher incidence of current smokers in the ACUSEAL group and more patients with congestive heart failure in the Vascu-Guard group (P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). The mean operative internal carotid artery diameter and the mean arteriotomy length were similar in both groups. The mean hemostasis time was 4.90 min for ACUSEAL patching vs. 3.09 min for Vascu-Guard (P = 0.027); however, the mean operative times were similar for both groups (ACUSEAL 2.09 hr vs. Vascu-Guard 2.16 hr, P = 0.669). The incidence of reexploration for neck hematoma was higher in the Vascu-Guard group; 6.12% vs. 1.03% (P = 0.1183). The incidence of perioperative ipsilateral neurologic events was 3.09% for ACUSEAL patching vs. 1.02% for Vascu-Guard patching (P = 0.368). The mean follow-up period was 15 months. The respective freedom from ≥70% carotid restenosis at 1, 2, and 3 years were 100%, 100%, and 100% for ACUSEAL patching vs. 100%, 98%, and 98% for Vascu-Guard patching (P = 0.2478). The ipsilateral stroke-free rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 96% for ACUSEAL and 99% for Vascu-Guard patching.

CONCLUSIONS

Although CEA patching with ACUSEAL versus Vascu-Guard differed in hemostasis time, the frequency of reexploration for neck hematomas was more frequent in the pericardial patch group; however, only 1 patient had documented suture line bleeding and the surgical reexploration rate is not likely to be patch related. There were not any significant differences in perioperative/late neurologic events and late restenosis in the 2 groups.

Use of the vascu-guard bovine pericardium patch for arteriotomy closure in carotid endarterectomy. Early and long-term results

BACKGROUND

To report the early and long-term results of Vascu-Guard bovine pericardium (BP) for patch angioplasty in carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 256 CEAs with BP patch closure performed in 238 patients during the past 12 years in our department. Patch-related complications (restenosis, infection, and aneurysm formation) and early and late (12 to 144 months follow-up) clinical outcomes were recorded and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-day postoperative stroke rate was 1.2% (3/256) with zero mortality. Major complications occurred in 3.5% (9 of 256) of the procedures and cranial nerve injury in 4.3% (11 of 256). At 12 years, cumulative estimates of freedom from any stroke, stroke-free survival, and freedom from restenosis were 88.4% (standard error [SE]: 3.3%), 60% (SE: 7.8%), and 98.3% (SE: 0.8%), respectively. No patient experienced patch infection or aneurysm formation.

CONCLUSIONS

This series shows the efficacy, safety, and durability of CEA with BP patch closure, in both the short and long term. BP combines the advantages of vein and synthetic patches, representing a suitable option when performing CEA.

The use of bovine pericardium for complex urologic venous reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of bovine pericardium (BP) in several scenarios for venous patching and as a tubularized graft in urologic surgery.

METHODS

BP was used as patch or tubularized graft in 7 patients between 2010 and 2013. Clinical scenarios and operative indications were reviewed. We used BP as a patch graft for the inferior vena cava (IVC) (N = 3) and for the iliac venous system (N = 1) to restore venous outflow. Tubularized grafts were used (N = 2) to replace the left renal vein in oncology procedures and during renal autotransplantation (N = 1). Surgical technique is reviewed in detail.

RESULTS

We used BP as a venous patching in 4 cases and as a tubularized graft in 3 cases. There was no evidence of venous thrombosis of the replaced system with a mean of 14.8 months (range, 9-26) follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The use of BP as a patch or tubularized graft is an option for complicated urologic venous reconstruction. Although the follow-up interval is relatively short and this initial series small, our initial results are promising.

Reconstruction of portal vein and superior mesenteric vein after extensive resection for pancreatic cancer

PURPOSE

Tumor invasion to the portal vein (PV) or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) can be encountered during the surgery for pancreatic cancer. Venous reconstruction is required, but the optimal surgical methods and conduits remain in controversies.

METHODS

From January 2007 to July 2012, 16 venous reconstructions were performed during surgery for pancreatic cancer in 14 patients. We analyzed the methods, conduits, graft patency, and patient survival.

RESULTS

The involved veins were 14 SMVs and 2 PVs. The operative methods included resection and end-to-end anastomosis in 7 patients, wedge resection with venoplasty in 2 patients, bovine patch repair in 3 patients, and interposition graft with bovine patch in 1 patient. In one patient with a failed interposition graft with great saphenous vein (GSV), the SMV was reconstructed with a prosthetic interposition graft, which was revised with a spiral graft of GSV. Vascular morbidity occurred in 4 cases; occlusion of an interposition graft with GSV or polytetrafluoroethylene, segmental thrombosis and stenosis of the SMV after end-to-end anastomosis. Patency was maintained in patients with bovine patch angioplasty and spiral vein grafts. With mean follow-up of 9.8 months, the 6- and 12-month death-censored graft survival rates were both 81.3%.

CONCLUSION

Many of the involved vein segments were repaired primarily. When tension-free anastomosis is impossible, the spiral grafts with GSV or bovine patch grafts are good options to overcome the size mismatch between autologous vein graft and portomesenteric veins. Further follow-up of these patients is needed to demonstrate long-term patency.