Endoluminal thermal ablation versus stripping of the saphenous vein: Meta-analysis of recurrence of reflux

BACKGROUND

Catheter-based minimally invasive techniques developed to treat saphenous vein insufficiency include endovenous laser and radiofrequency ablation. Their long-term results are under evaluation. A meta-analysis of trials was performed, comparing endovenous versus surgical saphenous vein ablation with focus on long-term (greater than 365 days) outcomes of recurrence of varicosities, reflux and symptomatic disease.

METHODS

A systematic search of published studies reporting on the treatment of varicose veins was performed. The databases searched included Medline/PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews. Search terms included saphenous vein ligation, stripping, radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation and endovenous ablation. Reports in all languages from 1966 to 2009 were considered. The 'related articles' function was used to broaden the search. All article titles, abstracts and subject headings were screened by one reviewer for potential relevance. Abstracts of articles selected by title were read online to reduce the number of articles for full-text examination. Finally, additional titles were sought in the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. Only studies reporting outcomes after more than 365 days were selected. Analyzed outcomes included recurrence of varicosities and reflux, as documented by duplex ultrasound, and recurrence of signs and symptoms. Data extraction was performed from life tables, text or graphs. Statistical analysis was performed using the commercially available software CMA Version 2 (Biostat Inc, USA). The random effects model was used to calculate the ORs and 95% CIs. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the Q value and considered present if P<0.05.

RESULTS

Eight randomized controlled trials were included; these reported on 497 patients. Two hundred twenty-six patients underwent ligation and stripping and 271 underwent endoluminal thermal ablation. The mean (± SD) follow-up period was 584±182 days. There was no difference in the age and sex distribution between the groups. There was no difference in the long-term recurrence rate between the two techniques (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.9, P=0.9). Statistical heterogeneity was not significant (Q value P=0.5) and publication bias was limited.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis indicates that catheter-based treatments and traditional venous stripping with high ligation have similar long-term results. Establishing preoperative criteria for each method may improve outcomes but presently neither technique appears to confer an advantage in terms of mid- to long-term freedom from recurrent symptoms.

Thrombin injection for the treatment of mycotic gluteal aneurysm

Gluteal aneurysms are rare entity, whose surgical or endovascular management is traditionally challenging. Infectious source being increasingly more common as the underlying etiology. We herein describe successful implementation of direct thrombin injection as another therapeutic option for these patients.

Spontaneous Superior Mesenteric Artery Dissection: Report of 2 Patients and Review of Management Recommendations

Spontaneous superior mesenteric artery dissection is rare and presents with variable symptomatology. Optimal treatment depends on the presentation; asymptomatic patients can be managed expectantly. Endoluminal intervention or open reconstruction is warranted in patients with persistent symptoms or intestinal ischemia. As more of these patients are identified with increasing utilization of computed tomography (CT), our understanding of the pathophysiology and best treatment will improve.

Blood transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after lower extremity revascularization

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the significance of blood transfusion in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to examine the effect of intraoperative blood transfusion on the morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent lower extremity revascularization.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the participant use data file containing vascular surgical cases submitted to the ACS NSQIP in 2005, 2006, and 2007 by 173 hospitals. Current procedural terminology codes were used to select lower extremity procedures that were grouped into venous graft, prosthetic graft, or thromboendarterectomy. Thirty-day outcomes analyzed were (1) mortality, (2) composite morbidity, (3) graft/prosthesis failure, (4) return to the operating room within 30 days, (5) wound occurrences, (6) sepsis or septic shock, (7) pulmonary occurrences, and (8) renal insufficiency or failure. Intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells was categorized as none, 1 to 2 units, and 3 or more units. Outcome rates were compared between the transfused and nontransfused groups using the chi(2) test and multivariable regression adjusting for transfusion propensity, comorbid and procedural risk.

RESULTS

A total of 8799 patients underwent lower extremity revascularization between 2005 and 2007. Mean age was 66.8 +/- 12.0 years and 5569 (63.3%) were male. Transfusion rates ranged from 14.5% in thromboendarterectomy patients to 27.1% in prosthetic bypass patients (P < .05). After adjustment for transfusion propensity and patient and procedural risks, transfusion of 1 or 2 units remained significantly predictive of mortality, composite morbidity, sepsis/shock, pulmonary occurrences, and return to the operating room. The adjusted odds ratios for 30-day mortality ranged from 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-2.70) for 1 to 2 units to 2.48 (95% CI 1.55-3.98) for 3 or more units.

CONCLUSION

In a large number of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization, we have found that there is a higher risk of postoperative mortality, pulmonary, and infectious complications after receiving intraoperative blood transfusion. Additional studies are necessary to better define transfusion triggers that balance the risk/benefit ratio for blood transfusion.

Long-term outcome of infrapopliteal catheter-based intervention for critical limb ischemia

CONTEXT

Percutaneous treatment of tibioperoneal occlusive disease is associated with decreased morbidity compared with bypass surgery. The long-term patency and limb salvage rates are not well documented.

AIMS

To evaluate the long-term outcome of endoluminal interventions for tibioperoneal lesions.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed to determine the outcomes of patients undergoing infrapopliteal catheter-based intervention for critical limb ischemia. Collected data included demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, pre- and postintervention noninvasive vascular measurements (segmental pressure and waveforms, and ankle-brachial index [ABI]), type of intervention, limb loss rate, patient follow-up and need for surgical revascularization. Statistical analysis was performed with the two-tailed t test. P<0.05 was considered significant; results were reported as mean ± SD. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier limb survival analysis were performed to demonstrate freedom from amputation over time.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients underwent intervention from 2003 to 2008; technical success was achieved in 26 patients (75%). Arterial segmental pressure studies revealed a significant increase in ABI - preprocedure ABI was 0.62±0.24 versus a postintervention ABI of 0.81±0.29 (P=0.02). The limb salvage rate was 63% during the follow-up period. Limb salvage was better for patients who underwent isolated infrapopliteal intervention versus combined above and below the knee intervention.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous interventions for tibioperoneal occlusive disease offer an acceptable limb salvage rate and may be the preferred initial treatment for critical limb ischemia.

Endovascular retrieval of an intraaortic greenfield vena cava filter

Aberrant placement of vena cava filters has been documented. Only one case of intraaortic deployment, in which the filter was left at the aortic bifurcation with no adverse effects over a 4-year follow-up period, has been reported. We describe the endovascular retrieval of an intraaortic Greenfield filter using a snare and large sheath to protect the aortic intima from injury during removal of the device.