Five-year results of a randomized clinical trial of conventional surgery, endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in patients with great saphenous varicose veins

BACKGROUND

A variety of techniques exist for the treatment of patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) varicosities. Few data exist on the long-term outcomes of these interventions.

METHODS

Patients undergoing conventional surgery, endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for GSV varicose veins were followed up for 5 years. Primary outcome was obliteration or absence of the treated GSV segment; secondary outcomes were absence of GSV reflux, and change in Chronic Venous Insufficiency quality-of-life Questionnaire (CIVIQ) and EuroQol - 5D (EQ-5D™) scores.

RESULTS

A total of 224 legs were included (69 conventional surgery, 78 EVLA, 77 UGFS), 193 (86.2 per cent) of which were evaluated at final follow-up. At 5 years, Kaplan-Meier estimates of obliteration or absence of the GSV were 85 (95 per cent c.i. 75 to 92), 77 (66 to 86) and 23 (14 to 33) per cent in the conventional surgery, EVLA and UGFS groups respectively. Absence of above-knee GSV reflux was found in 85 (73 to 92), 82 (72 to 90) and 41 (30 to 53) per cent respectively. CIVIQ scores deteriorated over time in patients in the UGFS group (0.98 increase per year, 95 per cent c.i. 0.16 to 1.79), and were significantly worse than those in the EVLA group (-0.44 decrease per year, 95 per cent c.i. -1.22 to 0.35) (P = 0.013). CIVIQ scores for the conventional surgery group did not differ from those in the EVLA and UGFS groups (0.44 increase per year, 95 per cent c.i. -0.41 to 1.29). EQ-5D™ scores improved equally in all groups.

CONCLUSION

EVLA and conventional surgery were more effective than UGFS in obliterating the GSV 5 years after intervention. UGFS was associated with substantial rates of GSV reflux and inferior CIVIQ scores compared with EVLA and conventional surgery.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT00529672 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Influence of gender on EVAR outcomes with new low-profile devices

Women have not benefitted to the same extent as men of endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR). Besides differences in hormones and the higher rate of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease, there are anatomical differences between men and women influencing the outcome of endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). After the first decade of EVAR procedures, only 28% of women with an elective AAA were treated by EVAR due to their poor anatomical suitability for this technique. The anatomical challenges and their associated poorer outcomes suggest the need for advances in device design to better meet the specific female aneurysm anatomy and physiology. Most of the newer-generation endografts have been associated with lower incidences of graft occlusion compared with first-generation endografts, and might be more suitable for women. It is encouraging that EVAR has decreased long-term mortality in women and that women's survival begins to equal men's after 2 years. However, detailed, adjusted anatomical data from population-based samples are needed for better understanding of the differences in AAA anatomy and EVAR eligibility. This information will contribute to enhance the design, testing and evaluation of future stent grafts, to ensure that women will benefit from EVAR to the same extent as men.

EVAR reintervention management strategies in contemporary practice

It is known that following an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedure, patients may experience endoleaks, device migration, stent fractures, graft deterioration, or aneurysm growth that might require a reintervention. In this review management strategies of reinterventions after EVAR in contemporary practice will be discussed. The current endovascular treatment options of Type I endoleak involve securing of the attachment site with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty, stent-graft extension, or placement of a stent at the proximal attachment site. Moreover, the use of endostaples to secure the position of the proximal cuff to the primary endograft have been developed. Type II endoleaks can be managed conservatively if the aneurysm is shrinking or remains stable. Otherwise, reinterventions include transarterial embolization, translumbar embolization, transcaval embolization, direct thrombin injection, and endoscopic or open ligation of the lumbar and mesenteric arteries. There is little debate regarding the treatment of type III endoleaks, including deployement of additional stent graft components to bridge the defect. Endovascular treatment of endotension includes endovascular conversion stent or relining of the stent graft. Alternative options are puncture of the aneurysm sac and removal of the aneurysm sac content. In case of migration large balloon-expandable stents can be used to improve the seal between the components, or devices that deploy staples to secure endovascular grafts to the aortic wall to secure endovascular components together. In conclusion, the first treatment options for reinterventions after EVAR are catheter based nowadays.

Systematic approach to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in the endovascular era: Intention-to-treat eEVAR protocol

Emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (eEVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) is still a relatively new treatment option. A pre-defined strategy of an eEVAR first approach for rAAA is associated with improved mortality rates. After establishing and implementing the Intention-to-treat eEVAR protocol for rAAAs the mortality and morbidity rates improved significantly. The presented Intention-to-treat eEVAR protocol starts at the first telephone call to the ambulance department and lasts until the post-operative care unit. The protocol involves the close collaboration between the ambulance department, vascular surgeon, emergency department physicians, anaesthesiologists, operating room staff and, radiology technicians. The availability of a variety of off-the-shelf stent-grafts, and an operating room that is adequately equipped to perform endovascular procedures is crucial in obtaining better outcomes. High volume centres that offer open surgical repair as well as eEVAR for rAAA show that the Intention-to-treat eEVAR protocol is achievable and appears to be associated with favorable mortality over open repair with appropriate case selection. Unstable or older patients with rAAA may particularly benefit by eEVAR.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography findings prior to hemodialysis vascular access creation: a prospective analysis

PURPOSE

To determine prospectively the clinical value of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) for assessment of the arterial inflow and venous outflow prior to vascular access (VA) creation.

METHODS

Seventy-three patients underwent duplex ultrasonography (DUS) and CE-MRA prior to VA creation for detection of stenoses and occlusions. Two observers read the CE-MRA images for determination of inter-observer agreement. A VA was considered functional if it could be used for successful two-needle hemodialysis therapy within 2 months after creation.

RESULTS

CE-MRA detected 6 stenosed, 8 occluded arterial vessel segments and 12 stenosed and 41 occluded venous vessel segments in 70 patients. Inter-observer agreement for detection of upper extremity arterial and venous stenoses and occlusions with CE-MRA was substantial to almost perfect (kappa values 0.76-0.96). CE-MRA detected lesions, not detected by DUS, that were associated with VA early failure and non-maturation in 33% of patients (7/21). Accessory veins detected preoperatively were the cause of VA non-maturation in a substantial group of patients (47%: 7/15).

CONCLUSION

CE-MRA enables accurate detection of upper extremity arterial and venous stenosis and occlusions prior to VA creation. Preoperative CE-MRA identified arterial and venous stenoses, not detected by DUS that were associated with VA early failure and non-maturation. However, the use of gadolinium containing contrast media is currently contraindicated due the reported incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Randomized study comparing cardiac response in endovascular and open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

BACKGROUND

The aim was to compare the cardiac response and the incidence of adverse cardiac events during and after endovascular (EVAR) and open (OR) repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

METHODS

Seventy-six patients with an AAA suitable for EVAR, and in a general condition allowing open surgery were randomized to EVAR (57 patients) or OR (19 patients). The analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis. Haemodynamic variables were assessed intraoperatively before, during and after aortic occlusion. During the procedure myocardial ischaemia was identified with use of electrocardiography (ECG) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). After operation, cardiac complications were diagnosed by clinical observation, 12-lead ECG at 1 h, 1 day and 7 days, echocardiography at 1 month and measurement of cardiac enzymes.

RESULTS

After aortic occlusion, a greater decrease in systemic vascular resistance compared with baseline was observed with OR than with EVAR (- 396 and - 70 dyne s/cm5 respectively; P = 0.03). The stroke work index, as a direct measure of myocardial performance, demonstrated a decrease during OR and an increase during EVAR during aortic occlusion (- 6.6 and + 1.7 g m/m2 respectively; P = 0.03) as well as after aortic occlusion (- 7.6 and + 3.4 g m/m2 respectively; P < 0.01), compared with baseline. The incidence of postoperative clinical cardiac complications was comparable in the two study groups; however, myocardial ischaemia, as observed by ECG and TEE, was observed more frequently in the OR group (ten of 19 versus 15 of 57 patients; P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Haemodynamic changes were less severe and there was a lower incidence of myocardial ischaemia during EVAR than during OR. Studies are needed to demonstrate whether this may reduce the operative mortality rate.

Cardiac response and complications during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: a concurrent comparison with open surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess and to compare perioperative changes in left ventricular function and the incidence of adverse cardiac events in two groups of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, one during endovascular aneurysm repair (EAR) and the other during open aneurysm repair (OAR).

METHODS

One hundred twenty consecutive patients who underwent EAR (49 patients) or OAR (71 patients) were prospectively studied. During the operation, the left ventricular function was assessed by the recording of the left ventricle stroke work index (SWI) and the cardiac index (CI) with a pulmonary artery catheter. Measurements were performed before, during, and after stent-graft deployment or aortic cross-clamping. Both maneuvers were defined as aortic occlusion (AO). Transesophageal echocardiography was performed to identify signs of wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricular wall, which indicated myocardial ischemia. Six-lead electrocardiograph monitoring was maintained until discharge from the intensive care unit. Postoperative cardiac complications were diagnosed by clinical observation, 12-lead ECG analysis at 1, 3, and 7 days after the operation, transthoracic echocardiography at 1 month, and measurement of cardiac enzymes.

RESULTS

The two study groups were comparable with regard to most clinical aspects. The baseline myocardial performance was worse in patients who underwent EAR compared with patients who underwent OAR, as indicated by a reduced SWI (33.1 and 37.4, respectively; P =.03). During AO there was a comparable increase of the CI in both groups. However, after AO the rise in CI was higher in patients who underwent OAR compared with patients who underwent EAR (0.7 and 0.2, respectively; P <.01), representing a more pronounced hyperdynamic state. In addition, the SWI demonstrated a decrease in patients who underwent OAR compared with an increase in patients who underwent EAR during AO (-1.4 and +1.9, respectively; P =.04) and after AO (-0.9 and +2.6, respectively; P =.01). These findings represent more severe myocardial stress in patients who underwent OAR. The incidence of postoperative clinical cardiac adverse events was comparable in the two study groups. However, myocardial ischemia, as indicated by electrocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography, had a higher incidence in patients who underwent open surgery as compared with patients whose condition was managed endovascularly (57% and 33%, respectively; P =.01).

CONCLUSION

Hemodynamic alterations during endovascular repair were not as severe as those in patients with open surgery and indicated less myocardial stress in the former category. These findings may explain a lower incidence of myocardial ischemia that was observed during endovascular repair. A lower frequency of clinical perioperative cardiac events in patients undergoing endovascular treatment may ultimately be expected.

Which factors increase the risk of conversion to open surgery following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair? The EUROSTAR collaborators

OBJECTIVE

to identify factors that increase the risk of conversion to open surgery following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and to assess their outcome. Design analysis of 1871 patients enrolled in the EUROSTAR collaborators registry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

patient characteristics, anatomic features of the aneurysm, type of endovascular device, institutional experience and the year in which the procedure was performed were related to risk of conversion.

RESULTS

forty-nine patients (2.6%) required conversion. In 38 patients conversion was performed during the first postoperative month (primary conversions) and in 11 patients during follow-up (secondary conversions). Primary conversion was mostly due to access problems and device migration. Secondary conversions were performed for rupture in six and for a persistent endoleak, with or without aneurysmal growth, in five patients. Patients who were converted were significantly older, had a lower body weight, and had a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conversion was associated with shorter, wider infrarenal necks and larger aneurysms. The conversion rate was lower when a team had performed more than 30 procedures, and in procedures performed during the last two years of the study period. The conversion rate was higher with EVT or Talent devices. Patients who required primary conversion had an 18% mortality rate, compared to 2.5% mortality in patients without conversion (p<0.01). Secondary conversion was associated with a perioperative mortality of 27%, and when performed for rupture 50%.

CONCLUSION

both primary conversion and secondary conversion for rupture carry a high operative mortality. Awareness of the risk factors may reduce conversion rate as well as early and medium term mortality.

Transaxillary first rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome

Surgical therapy of thoracic outlet syndrome (T.O.S.) is highly controversial. In contrast to many large series, recent literature reports a moderate to poor outcome following surgery. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of transaxillary first rib resection in the treatment of T.O.S. Over the past twelve years 106 first rib resections were performed on 92 patients. Neurological complaints predominate (63%), while arterial and venous symptoms account for 22 and 15% of the symptoms respectively. Preoperative screening consisted of a thorough interview and clinical examination, chest and spine X-ray, duplex-ultrasonography, angiography on indication, E.M.G. and a neurologist's consultation. Standard treatment was transaxillary first rib resection as described by Roos and Owens. Eighty-five patients (92%) attended a follow-up examination with a mean follow-up of 63.2 months. All patients were examined by an independent observer and the resumption of pre-illness activity was recorded. Only 52% of the operations turned out to be successful. All other procedures resulted in identical or worse complaints than before surgery. In contrast to many other series and in accordance with some recent critical series we conclude that first rib resection is often not effective in relieving T.O.S. A renewed focus on conservative treatment seems justified with surgery serving as a very last resort.