Fatal early peripheral post-reperfusion syndrome and the role of cutaneous signs

Molecular Insight into Acute Limb Ischemia

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is defined as a sudden reduction in blood flow to a limb, resulting in cessation of blood flow and, therefore, cessation of the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues of the lower limb. Despite optimal treatment to restore blood flow to ischemic tissues, some patients may suffer from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) syndrome, the most severe complication after a revascularization procedure used to restore blood flow. There are multiple molecular and cellular factors that are involved in each phase of ALI. This review focuses firstly on molecular and cellular factors of arterial thrombosis, highlighting the role of atherosclerotic plaques, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and cytokine which may alter key components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Then, molecular and cellular factors of arterial embolism will be discussed, highlighting the importance of thrombi composition. Molecular and cellular factors of ischemia/reperfusion syndrome are analyzed in depth, highlighting several important mechanisms related to tissue damage, such as inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, and necroptosis. Furthermore, local and general complications of ALI are discussed in the context of molecular alterations. Ultimately, the role of novel biomarkers and targeted therapies is discussed.

Vascular Nursing and Vascular Surgery

BACKGROUND

Patients requiring vascular surgery have turned in older subjects with several comorbidities with frailty problems and increased vulnerability. Treating this kind of patients has become an important challenge both for vascular surgeons and for dedicated nurses, as these patients are more susceptible to postoperative complications and during discharge. The aim of this review is to analyze the role of vascular nurse in vascular surgery activities.

METHODS

For this study, Medline, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were searched. The following keywords were used: nursing and vascular surgery, nursing and vascular disease, nursing and vascular procedure, and care and vascular patient.

RESULTS

From the search strategy, the following areas were identified as relevant and analyzed in detail: vascular disease related to vascular surgery, the definition of vascular nursing, the role of vascular nursing in implementing clinical pathways in vascular surgery procedures, nursing postoperative care in vascular surgery, frailty assessment in vascular patient, nursing in phlebology and wound care, and the management of vascular access.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular nursing is a discipline that is able to provide comprehensive and optimal care, better postoperative outcomes, and coordinated, standardized, and cost-effective clinical pathways for patients managed in the area of vascular surgery.

Reperfusion and Compartment Syndrome After Flexible Ureteroscopy in a Patient with an Iliac Vascular Graft

Background: Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is one of the main treatment options for urolithiasis less than 2 cm. Although fURS has no relative contraindication, some anatomical factors may need to be considered, as not all patients are suitable for the regular lithotomy position (LP). We report the case of a patient with a right iliac vascular graft that after an fURS without intraoperative incidences developed a reperfusion syndrome of the right lower limb.

Case Presentation: A 46-year-old male patient was referred for treatment and follow-up in the cystinuric clinic after being found to have a 3 cm pelvic stone with a Double-J catheter in place after two failed sessions of shockwave lithotripsy. The patient was placed in the LP and a standard ureteroscopy was done with no intraoperative complications. During the first hour in the recovery room, the patient developed severe pain in the right calf muscle stiffness, edema, and increased volume. A postreperfusion and compartment syndrome diagnosis was made with emergency fasciotomy.

Conclusion: To perform fURS, each case must be assessed individually. If a patient with an iliac vascular graft has to undergo fURS, the patient positioning must be modified by keeping the ipsilateral (or both) legs straight to avoid graft complications.

Biomarkers in post-reperfusion syndrome after acute lower limb ischaemia

Ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) injury refers to tissue damage caused when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischaemia. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cytokines are biomarkers involved in several vascular complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MMPs, NGAL and inflammatory cytokines in I/R syndrome. We conducted an open label, multicentric, parallel group study, between January 2010 and December 2013. Patients with acute limb ischaemia were enrolled in this study and were divided into two groups: (i) those subjected to fasciotomy and (ii) those not subjected to fasciotomy, according to the onset of compartment syndrome. Plasma and tissue values of MMPs and NGAL as well as plasma cytokines were evaluated. MMPs, NGAL and cytokine levels were higher in patients with compartment syndrome. Biomarkers evaluated in this study may be used in the future as predictors of I/R injury severity and its possible evolution towards post-reperfusion syndrome.