Dale Buchbinder

Progress in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis: The efficacy of real-time B-mode ultrasonic imaging ☆

Seventy-six limbs with clinically suspected acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were evaluated by means of ultrasonic imaging (UI) to define the ability of this technique to detect acute and chronic venous obstruction and to determine the origin and distribution of venous thrombi. UI was compared with ascending contrast phlebography in 46 limbs and was found to be 100% accurate in detecting both acute and chronic venous thrombosis. Overall, acute DVT was present in 63 of 76 limbs (83%) studied. Acute DVT was found in 24% and recurrent acute DVT in 76%. Our results indicate that although the calf veins are the most common site of involvement (89%), thrombi may frequently arise simultaneously in multiple anatomic sites. All limbs with recurrent acute DVT had evidence of previous calf thrombi but only 13% had previous proximal disease. This suggests that asymptomatic calf DVT is common and the prevalence of recurrent acute DVT is significantly greater than previously believed. We found UI is a practical, accurate, non-invasive method for investigating the pathogenesis of venous disease.

Pathologic interactions between prosthetic aortic grafts and the gastrointestinal tract: Clinical problems and a new experimental approach

Twenty-one patients presented with pathologic interactions between the gastrointestinal tract and aortic grafts. Seventeen patients were managed by excision of the graft and axillobifemoral bypass. Six patients died. four deaths were due to disruption of the proximal aortic stump after initial therapy that appeared successful. An experimental model of a seromuscular jejunal patch is presented that may be beneficial for closure of the proximal aortic stump.

Further experience with the saphenous vein used in situ for arterial bypass

Ongoing experience with use of the saphenous vein in situ as in infrainguinal arterial bypass is presented. One hundred eighty-three bypasses were performed for limb-threatening ischemia, 92 of which were to the popliteal artery, either isolated or in continuity with one or more tibial vessels, and 91 bypasses were carried to single tibial vessels below the termination of the popliteal artery. The results were analyzed by the life table method and show an overall patency rate of 89.8 percent at 3 to 4 years. Separate life table analysis of the tibial bypass group showed a patency rate of 83 percent at 3 to 4 years. Special emphasis is placed on the ability to use veins less than 4 mm in diameter, which comprise 40 percent of those used in these procedures. The superior results provided by the in situ method are explained in part by experimental observations which show that endothelial stability is completely preserved by this method but is severely disturbed during the process of vein removal and reversal.

The association of central retinal artery occlusion and extracranial carotid artery disease

To determine the incidence of associated carotid artery disease and the effect of carotid endarterectomy on subsequent neurologic sequelae, a retrospective study of 66 patients with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) was undertaken. Ipsilateral extracranial carotid artery disease was present in 23 of 33 patients (70%) who had carotid arteriography. Sixteen patients had carotid endarterectomy following their CRAO (Group I) and 50 did not (Group II). Seven of the 40 patients available for follow-up in Group II had a subsequent stroke (mean follow-up: 54 months). Of the seven Group II patients shown to have associated carotid disease (Group IIs), three (43%) had a subsequent stroke during follow-up (mean: 28.3 months) compared to zero in Group I (p = 0.033; mean follow-up: 18.7 months). Because of the strong association between CRAO and ipsilateral carotid artery disease and because of the significantly higher incidence of subsequent ipsilateral stroke in CRAO patients with carotid disease who did not undergo endarterectomy, thorough evaluation of the carotid arteries followed by carotid endarterectomy, if indicated, is warranted in CRAO patients who have no other obvious etiology for the occlusion.

Use of ultrasonic venography in the evaluation of venous valve function

Forty healthy limbs and 31 limbs with suspected deep venous insufficiency were imaged with real-time B-mode ultrasound to determine valve location, anatomic characteristics, and function. Valve function was evaluated by comparison with Doppler ultrasonographic techniques, and the data clearly indicated that ultrasonic venography accurately localized and determined the extent of deep venous reflux. Ascending contrast venography was performed in 15 postphlebitic limbs for assessment of valve location. The results indicate that ultrasonic venography is a more accurate method for visualization of valves in this group of patients. Therefore, ultrasonographic imaging is a valuable technique for evaluating limbs with chronic venous insufficiency.

Clinical use of the seromuscular jejunal patch for protection of the infected aortic stump

Pathologic interactions between aortic prostheses and the gastrointestinal tract are very difficult problems in vascular surgery. After excision of the graft and proximal aortic closure, the major unsolved problem has been continued sepsis of the proximal aortic stump with subsequent fatal disruption. To provide healthy tissue for protection of this crucial area, we have devised a method in which a piece of jejunum on its vascular pedicle is opened along its antimesenteric border, the mucosa is removed, and the vascularized muscular wall is anchored to the aortic stump. This seromuscular jejunal patch was used clinically in three patients. Postmortem examinations in two of these patients 4 and 45 days postoperatively revealed no signs of infection, hematoma, or mucocele, and no histologic abnormalities; instead, the examinations did reveal firm tissue adherence between the aortic stumps and the seromuscular patches. The third patient is alive and well 1 year after this procedure. The three patients have demonstrated the feasibility of secure aortic stump protection by placement of well-prepared, vascularized seromuscular jejunal tissue over the potentially infected aortic stump. This technique may prevent postoperative stump dissolution and thus far appears to be a reasonable solution to this usually lethal problem.

Ankle bypass: Should we go the distance?☆

This report reviewed the results of 47 distal arterial reconstructions to or below the level of the malleolus. The operations were performed by the techniques of popliteal-to-distal bypass (20 procedures) and in situ bypass (27 procedures). Seventy-five percent of patients had gangrene of ischemic ulceration, and all procedures were performed for limb salvage. Seventy-three percent of all patients were diabetic. The patency rates for popliteal-to-distal bypass with reversed saphenous vein were 92 percent at 24 months and 57 percent at 60 months, with a limb salvage rate of 70 percent at 60 months; the patency rates for popliteal-to-distal bypass with PTFE were 53 percent at 12 months and 0 at 36 months, with a limb salvage rate of 53 percent at 36 months; and the patency rate for in situ saphenous vein bypass was 96 percent at 24 months, with a limb salvage rate of 80 percent at 24 months. Early results are promising for ankle bypass using the techniques of popliteal-to-distal and in situ bypass.

Origin of deep vein thrombi in an ambulatory population

Eighty symptomatic ambulatory outpatients with acute deep vein thrombosis were evaluated with ascending contrast venography and ultrasonic imaging to determine the origin and distribution of thrombosis and to analyze clinical risk factors. Isolated calf vein thrombosis was present in 42.5 percent of the limbs, combined calf and proximal deep vein thrombosis in 47.5 percent, and isolated proximal thrombosis in 10 percent of the limbs. Discontinuity of thrombus was present in 55 percent, whereas 45 percent exhibited a continuous column of thrombus. The results of this study indicate that in the ambulatory outpatient population, acute deep vein thrombosis begins segmentally in the calf and proximal vessels and frequently coalesces into a continuous column of thrombus over several days. We believe that all cases of acute deep vein thrombosis should be treated and patients with evidence of previous acute deep vein thrombosis should be closely monitored for possible recurrences.

Popliteal-to-tibial in situ saphenous vein bypass for limb salvage in diabetic patients

This study has summarized our results with popliteal-tibial in situ saphenous vein bypass in 26 patients, 25 of whom were diabetic, over a 2 year period. Both above- and below-knee popliteal inflow sites were used for bypass of limb-threatening ischemia. Distal calf or pedal outflow sites were required in all but two patients who had sequential bypass performed to tibial sites. Postoperative ankle-brackial indices were calculated. Eleven patients had transcutaneous mapping surrounding the pedal skin envelope injuries. The mean lowest and highest transcutaneous oxygen values have been reported as a guide to successful healing.

Patients evaluated for venous disease may have other pathologic conditions contributing to symptomatology.

Of the more than 200 patients recently evaluated for venous disease, 8 were diagnosed with lower extremity masses. Three patients were referred for superficial phlebitis and four for deep venous obstructive disease. The eighth mass was found during work-up for varicose veins. Five masses were identified by palpation, and three were identified by duplex scan. All were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Of the eight masses, three were malignant: a metastatic melanoma, a histiocytoma, and a myxoid liposarcoma. Nonmalignant masses included a hematoma, an inflammatory lesion, a hemangioma, and an intramuscular lipoma. One patient presented with deep venous thrombosis secondary to an occluded popliteal artery aneurysm compressing the popliteal vein. Thus, patients presenting with ostensible venous disease may have other pathologic conditions responsible for symptomatology. Careful physical examination will reveal a mass in a majority of patients who have one. Duplex scanning will identify masses that should be confirmed by MRI or CT. Definitive diagnosis should be made by biopsy, due to the high possibility of malignancy.