Christian Bianchi

Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery combined with saphenous vein ablation: results and critical analysis

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to determine the results of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) combined with ablation of superficial venous reflux. METHODS Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed for 74 consecutive limbs (65 patients) in which this combination treatment was performed at a university medical center. Preoperatively, 58 lower extremities had an open venous ulcer (CEAP clinical class 6 [C(6)]) and 16 had healed ulceration (C(5)). Preoperative and postoperative ulcer care remained constant. Main outcomes measured included perioperative complications, ulcer healing, and ulcer recurrence. Clinical severity and disability scores were tabulated before and after surgery. Mean patient follow-up was 44 months. RESULTS Greater saphenous vein (GSV) stripping and varicose vein excision accompanied SEPS in 57 limbs (77%), and SEPS was performed alone or with varicose vein excision in 17 limbs that had previously undergone GSV stripping. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 limbs (16%), all with C(6) disease (P =.04). Ulcer healing occurred in 91% (53 of 58) of limbs with C(6) disease at a mean of 2.9 months (range, 13 days-17 months). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ulcer healing was negatively affected by previous limb trauma (P =.011). Ulceration recurred in 4 limbs (6%) at 7, 20, 21, and 30 months, respectively. This was associated with a history of limb trauma (P =.027) and preoperative ultrasound evidence of GSV reflux combined with deep venous obstruction (P(R,O); P =.043). Clinical severity and disability scores improved significantly after surgery (both, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS Most venous ulcers treated with SEPS with ablation of superficial venous reflux heal rapidly and remain healed during medium-term follow-up. Ulcer healing is adversely affected by a history of severe limb trauma, and ulcer recurrence is similarly affected by a history of limb trauma in addition to superficial venous reflux combined with deep venous obstructive disease. Overall, there was marked improvement of postoperative clinical severity and disability scores compared with those obtained before surgery.

Effects of Prior Abdominal Surgery, Obesity, and Lumbar Spine Level on Anterior Retroperitoneal Exposure of the Lumbar Spine

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of prior abdominal surgery and obesity and the level of spine exposure on the technical aspects and complications of anterior retroperitoneal exposure of the lumbar spine (ARES). DESIGN Retrospective review of prospective database. SETTING Academic vascular surgery practice. PATIENTS Patients undergoing ARES from 2001 to 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Influence of prior abdominal surgery, obesity, and level of exposure on time to spine exposure and incidence of vascular and perioperative complications. RESULTS Four hundred seventy-six patients underwent ARES. Mean (SD) age was 47.7 (12.6) years; 46.6% had undergone prior abdominal surgery. Mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) was 28.3 (5.5); 61.6% of procedures included the L4-5 disk. Mean (SD) time to exposure was 70.0 (25.5) minutes. Vascular injury occurred in 23.3% (3.8% major). Perioperative complications occurred in 16.4% of cases. Prior abdominal surgery had no effect on time to exposure, vascular injury, and perioperative complications. A BMI of 30 or more had no effect on time to exposure compared with a lower BMI. A BMI of 30 or more led to higher rates of vascular injury (30.8% vs 19.7%; P = .007) and overall complications (21.4% vs 14.0%; P = .04). Exposures involving L4-5 led to increased time to exposure (77.0 vs 56.2 minutes; P < .001) and higher rates of vascular injury (29.7% vs 13.1%; P < .001) but had no effect on overall complications compared with exposures for other levels. CONCLUSION Prior abdominal surgery should not be considered a contraindication to ARES. Caution is warranted in obese patients and exposures involving L4-5.

A multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (EpiFix®) allograft for the treatment of venous leg ulcers

A randomised, controlled, multicentre clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (EpiFix) allograft as an adjunct to multilayer compression therapy for the treatment of non‐healing full‐thickness venous leg ulcers. We randomly assigned 109 subjects to receive EpiFix and multilayer compression (n = 52) or dressings and multilayer compression therapy alone (n = 57). Patients were recruited from 15 centres around the USA and were followed up for 16 weeks. The primary end point of the study was defined as time to complete ulcer healing. Participants receiving weekly application of EpiFix and compression were significantly more likely to experience complete wound healing than those receiving standard wound care and compression (60% versus 35% at 12 weeks, P = 0·0128, and 71% versus 44% at 16 weeks, P = 0·0065). A Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to compare the time‐to‐healing performance with or without EpiFix, showing a significantly improved time to healing using the allograft (log‐rank P = 0·0110). Cox regression analysis showed that subjects treated with EpiFix had a significantly higher probability of complete healing within 12 weeks (HR: 2·26, 95% confidence interval 1·25–4·10, P = 0·01) versus without EpiFix. These results confirm the advantage of EpiFix allograft as an adjunct to multilayer compression therapy for the treatment of non‐healing, full‐thickness venous leg ulcers.

Carotid duplex ultrasound changes associated with left ventricular assist devices.

BACKGROUND Carotid duplex ultrasound (CDUS) is often used as a screening test in cardiac patients. Significant cardiac dysfunction may affect the accuracy of CDUS because of alterations in the cardiac cycle. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are frequently implanted as a bridge to cardiac transplant. A review of CDUS in patients with LVADs was performed to assess their influence on arterial waveforms and velocities. METHODS Patients with LVADs undergoing carotid duplex in our Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL)-accredited vascular laboratory were identified. The carotid waveforms were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) peak-systolic and end-diastolic velocities (PSV and EDV) were recorded as ICA/CCA velocity ratios. In patients with prior CDUS, the changes between these values were analyzed before and after LVAD placement. RESULTS Of the 14 patients with LVADs treated in our institution over the past 2 years, 4 had CDUS (8 ICAs). Mean age was 57 years, and 3 of the 4 patients were men. All patients were free of cerebrovascular symptoms. Qualitatively, there was significant blunting of the CCA and ICA waveforms noted in all 8 ICAs. The degree of stenosis was reported as ≤15% in 7 ICAs and 15-45% in 1 ICA. The mean ICA PSV was 61.8 cm/sec. Two patients (4 ICAs) had CDUS before and after LVAD placement. Comparing pre- and post-LVAD values, the mean ICA PSV decreased by 42% (54 cm/sec; P = 0.04) and EDV increased by 51% (17 cm/sec; P = 0.3). The PSV and EDV ratios were unchanged. Overall assessment of category of stenosis was unchanged in 2 ICAs (≤15%), one decreased from moderate to mild (45-70% to 15-45%), and one ICA changed from 45-70% to ≤15% based on the decreased ICA PSV. CONCLUSIONS The presence of an LVAD has a significant influence on CDUS findings. There is a qualitative change in the ICA with blunting of the waveform, and a quantitative change with a decreased PSV and an increased EDV. Compared with pre-LVAD placement, there is a significant decrease in PSV which may affect the accuracy of CDUS using velocity-based criteria. Further study into the accuracy of CDUS in patients with LVADs is necessary.

Arteriovenous graft with outflow in the proximal axillary vein.

Arteriovenous access can result in complications including extremity ischemia and swelling. Use of the nondominant upper extremity is preferred because complications will result in less severe disability. The distal axillary vein in the axilla is usually considered to be the end point for arteriovenous access in the upper extremity. Vascular surgeons are familiar with exposure of the proximal axillary artery via an infraclavicular incision. The axillary vein is also easily exposed through this technique. Use of this vein for arteriovenous graft outflow can preserve the dominant arm for future use. Nine patients with arteriovenous grafts with venous outflow in the proximal arm for future use. All patients had exposure to the proximal axillary vein via an infraclavicular incision. There were six women and three men. All patients had multiple failed access in the ipsilateral extremity. One patient had a loop configuration graft, while the six others had a straight graft with arterial inflow via the brachial artery. One patient had a bovine mesenteric vein graft, while the remaining six had expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Six of the seven patients had ambulatory surgery, while one patient was admitted postoperatively with mental status changes. Patency rates were 78%, with mean follow-up of 16 months. One patient had early failure due to steal and one patient failed at 22 months. Six of seven patients are alive at current follow-up. Three patients required secondary procedures including venous angioplasty (n=2) and subclavian artery stenting (n=1). The infraclavicular axillary vein can be used as an effective outflow for arteriovenous grafts. This procedure can be done as an outpatient surgery with a low complication rate. This procedure can preserve the dominant arm for future access and provides a possible alternative to surgery on another extremity.

Preoperative carotid duplex findings predict carotid stump pressures during endarterectomy in symptomatic but not asymptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND Carotid stump pressure (CSP) is frequently measured to determine the need for shunt use during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). We hypothesized that the preoperative carotid duplex examination correlates with preoperative symptoms and intraoperative CSP. METHODS Patients undergoing CEA over a 7-year period were identified from our vascular registry. CEA was performed with selective shunting on the basis of intraoperative CSP <30 mm Hg regardless of symptoms or contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. The preoperative duplex was categorized by ipsilateral and contralateral ICA diameter-reduction stenosis (<15%, 15-45%, 45-70%, 70-99% [severe] and occluded), and the direction of vertebral artery flow. The relationships among preoperative duplex findings, symptom status, and CSP were evaluated using unpaired t-test and Chi-square analysis. RESULTS A total of 303 CEAs were performed. Stump pressures were documented in 284 patients, which comprised the study population. Asymptomatic severe stenosis was the indication for CEA in 179 cases (59.1%). Symptomatic patients (Sx) had significantly lower stump pressures than asymptomatic (ASx) patients (40.72 ± 16.27 vs. 45.8 ± 17.64 mm Hg, p = 0.0167). Fifty-seven patients (19%) had contralateral severe ICA stenosis or occlusion. Contralateral ICA stenosis or occlusion had significantly lower CSP than those with lesser degrees of stenosis (39.24 ± 15 vs. 44.82 ± 17.62 mm Hg, p = 0.0267). Contralateral ICA severe stenosis or occlusion correlated with lower CSP in Sx patients (32.05 ± 8.24 vs. 42.92 ± 16.95 mm Hg, p = 0.038) but not in ASx patients (43.2 ± 16 vs. 46.29 ± 17.5 mm Hg, p = 0.39). CSP was <30 mm Hg in 63% of Sx patients and 24% of ASx patients (p = 0.012). Overall shunt usage was 84/2,842 (9.5%). Perioperative stroke and death rate was 2.7%. Perioperative stroke did not correlate with the presence of contralateral occlusion, or severity of contralateral stenosis. CONCLUSIONS Symptomatic patients undergoing CEA have lower stump pressures than ASx patients overall and also in the presence of contralateral disease. The incidence of perioperative stroke was not predicted by severity of contralateral disease. A strategy of selective shunting seems appropriate even in Sx patients with contralateral severe stenosis or occlusion. Although a high-risk cohort for perioperative neurologic events exists and may include those with symptomatic disease and contralateral severe stenosis or occlusion, further study is warranted to define the patients who will clinically benefit from shunt placement.

Distal Radial Artery Embolization: An Alternative Approach towards Access Preservation and Limb Salvage in Radiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistulae Complicated by Steal Syndrome

The incidence of radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae complicated by ischemic steal syndrome is low; however, its sequelae can be quite devastating. Traditional management includes open ligation of the distal radial artery. This series details 4 cases of successful embolization of the distal radial artery for flow interruption to treat ischemic steal syndrome and salvage functional dialysis access. For radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae complicated by steal syndrome, distal radial artery endovascular coil embolization is a valuable treatment strategy.

Rupture Of An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Following Nonaccidental Blunt Abdominal Trauma

A 78-year-old woman presented to our trauma center with an initial, erroneous history of a ground-level fall. Further investigation revealed that the patient had been assaulted by her husband immediately prior to presentation. The initial abdominal examination was benign, and the patient was hemodynamically stable. The patient was found to have a large subdural hematoma (SDH). Following open evacuation of the SDH, the patient developed ongoing hemodynamic instability. Further evaluation with computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis uncovered the diagnosis of a 6 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with a large retroperitoneal hematoma. The patient underwent emergent repair of the ruptured AAA. There were no other significant intra-abdominal injuries, and the patient had an uneventful recovery. This case highlights the need for thorough evaluation of the trauma patient and recognition of the possibility of coexistent AAA in the elderly trauma patient. We believe that this is the first reported case of a ruptured AAA following nonaccidental blunt abdominal trauma.

Ischemic colitis after translumbar n-butyl cyanoacrylate injection for treatment of endoleak

A 76-year-old man with history of endovascular repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and right hypogastric artery embolization was found to have a persistent type II endoleak 2 years after his initial repair. Sac expansion by 1.6 cm during the following year prompted intervention by direct sac injection. Further sac expansion by 1 cm during 3 months elevated concern for occult proximal perigraft flow (type IA endoleak). We subsequently performed Aptus EndoAnchor (Aptus Endosystems, Sunnyvale, Calif) placement, with completion angiography demonstrating improved graft apposition. Interval imaging, however, demonstrated further sac expansion, and computed tomography (CT)-guided translumbar direct sac injection was performed (A). A total of 1 g of n-butyl cyanoacrylate was used. Completion CT showed glue cast filling of the endoleak sac with extension into the inferior mesenteric artery and secondary branches (B/Cover). After the procedure, the patient developed abdominal distention with focal peritonitis and was taken to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy. He was found to have a completely ischemic sigmoid colon requiring resection. Follow-up CT angiography demonstrated resolution of endoleak and decrease in the sac size by 0.6 cm (C). The patient’s consent has been obtained for the publication of this case report.

IP213. Endovascular Reconstruction for TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II D Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Achieves Equivalent Long-Term Outcomes Compared With Surgical Bypass

Fig 1. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) or diabetes-related lower extremity amputations (minor or major) in Ontario, Canada. Inter-Society Consensus II D Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Achieves Equivalent Long-Term Outcomes ComparedWith Surgical Bypass Joshua Gabel, Roger Tomihama, Ahmed Abou-Zamzam Jr, Theodore Teruya, Christian Bianchi, Sharon Kiang. Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, Calif