Literature review of peripheral vascular trauma: Is the era of intervention coming?

Ischemic Complication of a Rare Traumatic True Brachial Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report

True brachial artery aneurysms are rare. We present the case of a 47-year-old male who was referred to our clinic for the evaluation of progressive right arm claudication. He had suffered a gunshot wound in the right elbow 16 years before his symptoms. Computed tomography angiography revealed a thrombosed true brachial artery aneurysm. The patient was placed in the operating room, and aneurysm resection and reconstruction were performed using an interposition saphenous vein graft. His postoperative period was uneventful, and 1 year after the procedure, he remained asymptomatic. True brachial artery aneurysms associated with remote traumas are rare. This case illustrates the clinical presentation and successful management of arterial reconstruction using an autologous vein graft.

[Role of Interventional Radiologists in Trauma Centers]

Based on statistics available in Korea, trauma centers play a critical role in treatment of patients with trauma. Interventional radiologists in trauma centers perform various procedures, including embolization, which constitutes the basic treatment for control of hemorrhage, although interventions such as stent graft insertion may also be used. Although emergency interventional procedures have been used conventionally, rapid and effective hemorrhage control is important in patients with trauma. Therefore, it is important to accurately understand and implement the concept of damage control interventional radiology, which has gained attention in recent times, to reduce preventable trauma-induced mortality rates.

Major vascular traumas to the neck, upper limbs, and chest: Clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management strategies

Major vascular traumas to the neck, upper limbs, and chest may arise from penetrating and/or blunt mechanisms, resulting in a range of clinical scenarios. Lesions to the carotid arteries may also lead to neurologic complications, such as stroke. The increasing use of invasive arterial access for diagnostic and/or interventional purposes has increased the rate of iatrogenic injuries, which usually occur in older and hospitalized patients. Bleeding control and restoration of perfusion represent the two main goals of treatment for vascular traumatic lesions. Open surgery still represents the gold standard for most lesions, although endovascular approaches have increasingly emerged as feasible and effective options, particularly for management of subclavian and aortic injuries. In addition to advanced imaging (including ultrasound, contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging, and arteriography) and life support measures, multidisciplinary care is required, particularly in the setting of concomitant injuries to the bones, soft tissues, or other vital organs. Modern vascular surgeons should be familiar with the whole armamentarium of open and endovascular techniques needed to manage major vascular traumas safely and promptly.

Diagnostic Approaches to Vascular Injury in Polytrauma-A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Polytrauma is understood as significant injuries, occurring at the same time, to two or more anatomical regions (the ISS regions) or organ systems, with at least one of the injuries considered as posing a threat to life. Trauma is the main cause of unexpected demise in individuals below the age of 44 years and represents a huge burden on society. Vascular injury is highly morbid; it can lead to rapid exsanguination and death, posing a threat to both life and the limb. Independent predictors of outcome include mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and time from injury to definitive care. The mechanisms of vascular injury in the setting of polytrauma are either blunt, penetrating or a combination of the two.

METHODS

Comprehensive literature review of current diagnostic approaches to traumatic vascular injury in the context of polytrauma. The factors influencing the diagnostic approach are highlighted. The focus is the epidemiology of vascular injury and diagnostic approaches to it in the context of polytrauma.

RESULTS

Traumatic vascular injuries are associated with limb loss or even death. They are characterised by multiple injuries, the dilemma of the diagnostic approach, timing of intervention and higher risk of limb loss or death. The systematic approach in terms of clinical diagnosis and imaging is crucial in order save life and preserve the limb. The various diagnostic tools to individualise the investigation are discussed.

CONCLUSION

This paper highlights the significance of timely and appropriate use of diagnostic tools for traumatic vascular trauma to save life and to preserve the limb. The associated injury also plays a crucial role in deciding the imaging modalities. At times, more than one investigation may be required.

Outcomes of traumatic extremity vascular injuries from a Malaysian level 1 trauma center

BACKGROUND

In Malaysia, management of traumatic vascular injuries is at the discretion of the treating surgeon (trauma or vascular surgery). This study was conducted to report on the epidemiology, mechanism of injury and outcomes of vascular injuries managed in a regional level 1 trauma center.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients treated for traumatic extremity vascular injuries from January 2018 to December 2020. Demography, mechanism of injury, pre-operative physiologic vital signs, vessel injured, injury severity (NISS, RTS and TRISS score), type of revascularization surgery, fasciotomy, post-operative blood investigations, operative outcomes (amputation, length of stay and ICU admission) and long-term rehabilitation follow-up were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Amongst the 35 recorded vascular injuries only 28 patients had adequate data that were included in the analysis. Majority of patients were males (23/28patients; 82%). Blunt injury to vessels was more likely in motorcycle crashes (16/28patients; 76%) than in automobile crashes (5/28patients; 24%). There were three lower limb amputees (3/3patients; 100%) that had early fasciotomy and were associated with three-fold higher post-operative median (interquartile range) CK levels of 16740 (8157 to 23116) u/l. Only two thirds (16/28 patients) had active rehabilitation follow-up and were back to work after a median duration of four months.

CONCLUSION

Male gender, blunt injury, road traffic crashes and motorcycles were the majority of vascular injuries. Lower limb vascular injuries had poorer outcome with three amputations performed after attempts at revascularization. Fasciotomy and high CK level may be related to higher risk of limb loss. Our study highlights the importance of rehabilitation and long-term follow-up in this cohort of patients.

Traumatic arterial injuries in upper and lower limbs: what every radiologist should know

Traumatic arterial injuries of the extremities are a rare but potentially fatal event. Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the extremities has become the technique of choice and can provide rapid accurate detection and characterization of vascular lesions. Vascular injuries can be classified in active hemorrhage, vasospasm, occlusion, post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm, and patterns of intimal injuries. The learning objectives of this pictorial essay are to review the normal arterial anatomy of the upper and lower limbs, describe the technique of CT angiography in vascular trauma of the extremities, describe and illustrate the CT-angiography findings of traumatic arterial injuries, and know the potential pitfalls when interpreting a CT-angiography of the extremities.

Iatrogenesis in the context of residential dementia care: A concept analysis

Background and Objectives

This concept analysis aims to explore iatrogenesis within the context of residential dementia care and to distinguish this phenomenon from similar phenomena, such as abuse and inadvertent harm.

Research Design and Methods

Walker and Avant’s method for concept analysis was used to define critical attributes of iatrogenesis within residential dementia care, and to explore antecedents and consequences of its occurrence. A review of the literature about iatrogenesis in the context of residential dementia was conducted across 4 electronic databases. Texts about iatrogenesis in surgery, medicine, social work, psychology, and other relevant disciplines were also reviewed to provide additional context for the concept.

Results

Iatrogenesis takes a unique form in residential dementia care. The final definition of the concept proposed in this article is habituated, forceful, hands-on care provided to residents who exhibit responsive behaviors that result in emotional, physical, spiritual, social harm, and/or gradual functional decline, that is provided with the intention of supporting the resident’s safety and dignity.

Discussion and Implications

The definition of iatrogenesis proposed in this article is an initial step toward developing evidence-based practice for the provision of nonconsensual assistance in residential dementia care. A theoretical definition like the one proposed in this article may serve as a starting point for the operationalization of the concept, which would promote future empirical research into staff and residents’ experiences of health care-inflicted harms in this context. Theoretically, it contributes to critical conversations about the narratives, myths, and misperceptions that facilitate the provision of nonconsensual care.

Circumferential intimal tear with thrombosis of right superficial femoral artery due to penetrating injury by bull horn: A case report

In agrarian countries where bulls are used for farming and stock breeding, bull horn injuries are common. Bull horn injuries range from blunt trauma to penetrating injuries, which can cause massive hemorrhage. Vascular injuries to the limbs by goring bull horn injury usually involve transection of vessels but rarely cause intimal tear with thrombus formation. Here, we report an unusual case of a 33-year-old male with circumferential intimal tear with thrombosis in the subintimal region of the right superficial femoral artery without transection of the vessel following penetrating injury to the right thigh caused by a bull's horn. There was a pulse deficit above the popliteal artery, and Doppler ultrasonography revealed decreased flow indicative of underlying femoral vessel injury for which the wound was surgically explored. It was followed by right superficial femoral arteriotomy at the site of the thrombus with the evacuation of a 6 cm long clot, revealing a 6 cm long endothelial injury in the same vessel. Next, an interposition reversed saphenous graft was placed in the same location. Following this, Doppler ultrasonography was done that revealed restoration of blood flow to the site of thrombosis. Thus, in a case of bull horn injury, thrombosis should be ruled out with prompt surgical wound exploration despite the presence of an intact vessel.

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Bull horn injury to extremities can cause intimal tears with subintimal thrombosis, partially impeding blood flow.

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Diagnostic dilemma can occur due to contrasting radiological and clinical findings in injuries with vascular occlusion.

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Surgical wound exploration without CECT scan can be considered a diagnostic and therapeutic approach for revascularization.

Optical Imaging in the Second Near Infrared Window for Vascular Bioimaging

Optical imaging in the second near infrared region (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) provides higher resolution and deeper penetration depth for accurate and real-time vascular anatomy, blood dynamics, and function information, effectively contributing to the early diagnosis and curative effect assessment of vascular anomalies. Currently, NIR-II optical imaging demonstrates encouraging results including long-term monitoring of vascular injury and regeneration, real-time feedback of blood perfusion, tracking of lymphatic metastases, and imaging-guided surgery. This review summarizes the latest progresses of NIR-II optical imaging for angiography including fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic (PA) imaging, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The development of current NIR-II fluorescence, PA, and OCT probes (i.e., single-walled carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, rare earth doped nanoparticles, noble metal-based nanostructures, organic dye-based probes, and semiconductor polymer nanoparticles), highlighting probe optimization regarding high brightness, longwave emission, and biocompatibility through chemical modification or nanotechnology, is first introduced. The application of NIR-II probes in angiography based on the classification of peripheral vascular, cerebrovascular, tumor vessel, and cardiovascular, is then reviewed. Major challenges and opportunities in the NIR-II optical imaging for vascular imaging are finally discussed.

[Bleeding management in the operating theatre]

Despite all the measures taken preoperatively, bleeding may persist and require surgical control. Before considering treatment, it is necessary to establish the diagnosis with the origin of the bleeding. The surgical procedure depends on the aetiology. There are many surgical options and adjuvant measures to consider. They should be known by the operating theatre nurse, who is a major player in surgical management. Successful control of bleeding requires quality multidisciplinary collaboration.

Damage control of peripheral vascular trauma - Don't be afraid of axillary or popliteal fosses

Peripheral vascular injuries are uncommon in civilian trauma but can threaten the patient’s life or the viability of the limb. The definitive control of the vascular injury represents a surgical challenge, especially if the patient is hemodynamically unstable. This article proposes the management of peripheral vascular trauma following damage control surgery principles. It is essential to rapidly identify vascular injury signs and perform temporary bleeding control maneuvers. The surgical approaches according to the anatomical injured region should be selected. We propose two novel approaches to access the axillary and popliteal zones. The priority should be to reestablish limb perfusion via primary repair or damage control techniques (vascular shunt or endovascular approach). Major vascular surgeries should be managed post-operatively in the intensive care unit, which will allow correction of physiological derangement and identification of those developing compartmental syndrome. All permanent or temporary vascular procedures should be followed by a definitive repair within the first 8 hours. An early diagnosis and opportune intervention are fundamental to preserve the function and perfusion of the extremity.

Open vs Endovascular Treatment of Traumatic Peripheral Arterial Injury: Propensity Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

Arterial injuries occur in the setting of blunt and penetrating trauma. Despite increasing use, there remains a paucity of data comparing long-term outcomes of endovascular vs open repair management of these injuries. The aim of our study was to compare outcomes and readmission rates of open vs endovascular repair of traumatic arterial injuries.

STUDY DESIGN

The National Readmission Database (2011-2014) was queried for all adult (age ≥ 18 y) patients presenting with peripheral arterial (axillary, brachial, femoral, and popliteal) injuries. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on intervention: open vs endovascular approach. Propensity score matching (1:2 ratio) was performed. Outcomes measures were complications, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, and cost of readmission.

RESULTS

A matched cohort of 786 patients was obtained (endovascular: 262, open: 524). Mean age was 45 ± 17 years, and 79% were males. Median LOS was 4 (range 2-6) days for the endovascular group vs 3 (range 2-5) days for the open group (p < 0.01). The endovascular group had higher rates of seroma (4% vs 2%; p = 0.04) and arterial thrombosis (13% vs 7%; p < 0.01) during index hospitalization. Patients who underwent endovascular repair had higher 30-day readmission (11% vs 7%; p = 0.03) and a higher 30-day open-reoperation rate (6% vs 2%; p < 0.01). On subanalysis of the patients who were readmitted, the median cost of each readmission was higher in the endovascular group $47,000 ($27,202-$56,763) compared with $21,000 ($11,889-$43,503) in the open group.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular repair for peripheral arterial injuries was associated with higher rates of in-hospital complications, readmissions, and costs. As this new technology continues to undergo refinement, a thorough re-evaluation of its indications, risks, and benefits is warranted.