Edward J. Marcaccio

Safety of vein bypass grafting to the dorsal pedal artery in diabetic patients with foot infections

The results of 56 vein bypasses to the dorsal pedal artery performed in 53 diabetic patients who were admitted with ischemic foot lesions complicated by infection were reviewed. All patients had one or more of the following: infected ulcers (73%), cellulitis (45%), osteomyelitis (29%), gangrene (20%), or abscess (2%). Organisms were cultured from 84% of patients (average 2.6, range 1 to 9 organisms per infection). Elevated temperature (greater than 37.7 degrees C) or leukocytosis (greater than 9.0 x 10(3)/ml) were seen in 13% and 50% of patients, respectively. All patients were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, local debridement, wound care, and bed rest. Operative debridement or open partial forefoot amputation were required to control sepsis in 11 patients (20%). Treatment of infection delayed revascularization by an average of 10.7 days. All patients underwent autogenous vein bypasses to the dorsal pedal artery. Two grafts failed within 30 days (3.6%), and one patient died (1.8%). Wound infections developed in seven patients (12.5). One wound infection resulted in graft disruption and patient death at 2 months. Average length of stay of the initial hospitalization was 29.8 days. Fifty-two patients were discharged with patent grafts and salvaged limbs; however, 31 subsequent foot procedures and 35 rehospitalizations were required to ultimately achieve foot healing. Actuarial graft patency and limb salvage were 92% and 98%, respectively at 36 months. Pedal bypass to the ischemic infected foot is efficacious and safe as long as infection is adequately controlled first. The complexity of these situations often requires multiple surgical procedures and extensive wound care, resulting in prolonged or multiple hospitalizations.

Comparison of angioscopy and angiography for monitoring infrainguinal bypass vein grafts: Results of a prospective randomized trial

PURPOSE This study was designed to determine whether, in primary infrainguinal bypass grafts in which only saphenous vein is used as the graft conduit, routine monitoring with intraoperative angioscopy can improve early graft patency as compared with standard monitoring with intraoperative completion angiography; and to delineate the advantages and disadvantages of these two modalities and their respective roles for the routine monitoring of the infrainguinal bypass graft. METHODS A total of 293 patients undergoing primary saphenous vein infrainguinal bypass grafting were prospectively randomized and monitored with either completion angioscopy or completion angiography. Clinical parameters, indications for operation, graft anatomy, and configuration were evenly matched in both groups. Forty-three bypasses were excluded from the study after randomization, including 12 veins randomized to angiogram, deemed inferior, and prepared with angioscopy. RESULTS In the 250 bypass grafts (angioscopy 128, angiography 122) there were 39 interventions (conduit, 29; anastomosis, 8; distal artery, 2), 32 with angioscopy and 7 with angiography (p < 0.0001). Twelve (4.8%) of the 250 grafts failed in less than 30 days, four (3.1%) of 128 in the angioscopy group and eight (6.6%) of 122 in the angiography group (p = 0.11 by one-sided hypothesis test). CONCLUSION Although no statistical improvement in the proportions of failures in primary saphenous vein bypass grafts routinely monitored with completion angioscopy rather than the standard completion angiogram was demonstrated, the study delineates a trend that favors completion angioscopy for routine vein graft monitoring and demonstrates the advantages of angioscopy in preparing the optimal vein conduit.

Predictors of shunt during carotid endarterectomy with routine electroencephalography monitoring

BACKGROUND The routine use of intraoperative electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring with selective shunt placement during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been shown to be safe and effective. We attempt to identify the anatomic and clinical factors associated with significant EEG changes requiring shunt placement during CEA. METHODS Between January 2005 and June 2007, 242 CEAs were performed with selective shunt placement for significant EEG changes. Risk factors assessed include severity of both ipsilateral and contralateral disease, presence of ipsilateral preoperative symptoms, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, age, gender, and preemptive intraoperative blood pressure manipulation to >or=20% above baseline before cross-clamping. Data were analyzed with the chi(2) test (P < .05 was significant). RESULTS CEA was performed for asymptomatic disease in 177 of 242 patients (73.1%). The perioperative stroke rate was 0.8% (2 of 242), and the overall morbidity rate was 4.5%. No patients died. Significant EEG changes requiring shunt occurred in 35 patients (14.46%). Factors associated with carotid shunt placement were moderate ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis (50% to 79%) compared with severe (>or=80%) disease (30.6% vs 11.7%, P = .003) and degree of contralateral carotid stenosis (0% to 49%, 10.8%; 50% to 79%, 10.9%; 80% to 99%, 23.2%; occlusion, 50%; P = .0003). Presence of symptoms, gender, age, hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease, and preemptive intraoperative manipulation of blood pressure were not significant predictors of shunt placement. CONCLUSION CEA performed with routine EEG monitoring and selective shunt placement is associated with a low risk of perioperative stroke. Identified predictors of significant EEG changes were anatomic factors including degree of contralateral carotid artery disease and moderate ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis (50% to 79%). Although contralateral carotid occlusion has been accepted as indication for shunt placement in the absence of cerebral monitoring, this study suggests that high-grade contralateral disease and moderate ipsilateral carotid stenosis are associated with cerebral ischemia resulting in EEG changes and should prompt consideration for nonselective shunting.

A 14-year experience with blunt thoracic aortic injury

OBJECTIVE This study reviewed the natural history of blunt thoracic aortic trauma (BTAT) over a 14-year period at our level 1 trauma center and compared open vs endovascular treatment. METHODS All patients with BTAT presenting to a level 1 trauma center from 1998 to 2011 were included in a retrospective analysis. Multiple data points and short-term and midterm outcomes were ascertained through a retrospective record review. RESULTS We identified 129 patients with BTAT. Of these, 32 (25%) were dead on arrival, 38 (29%) underwent a resuscitative thoracotomy and died, 33 (26%) underwent open repair, 14 (11%) underwent endovascular repair, 9 (7%) underwent simultaneous procedures, and 3 (2%) were managed nonoperatively. Mean Injury Severity Scores and Revised Trauma Scores were similar (P = .484, P = .551) between the open repair group (n = 36) and the endovascular repair group (n = 14). In the open repair group, there were 14 deaths (42%) ≤ 30 days of injury, 3 strokes (9%), 2 patients (6%) with paralysis, 2 myocardial infarctions (MIs; 6%), and 3 patients (9%) who required hemodialysis. In the endovascular group, there was 1 death (7%) ≤ 30 days of injury, 1 (7%) stroke, and 1 (7%) stent collapse. No paralysis, MI, or renal failure requiring hemodialysis was noted in the endovascular group. The average length of stay was 15 days for patients treated with endovascular repair vs 24 days for those treated with open repair (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of BTAT is low but the mortality associated with it is significant. During the 14-year period studied, there was a clear change in management preference from open repair to endovascular repair at our level 1 trauma center. Outcomes, including stroke, MI, renal failure, paralysis, length of stay, and death, appear to be reduced in the endovascular group.

Delayed Presentation of a Brachial Artery Pseudoaneurysm After a Supracondylar Humerus Fracture in a 6-year-old Boy: A Case Report

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common elbow fractures in children, accounting for 60% to 70% of all pediatric elbow fractures. These fractures often have neurovascular complications because of deformity and the sharp nature of the fracture fragments. The management of patients who present with diminished or absent pulses, but a well-perfused extremity is a topic of debate. Between 3% and 14% of patients present with an altered vascular examination and a consistent treatment logarithm has not been proposed in the literature. To our knowledge, a brachial artery pseudoaneurysm presenting in a delayed fashion in the setting of a normal vascular examination has not been reported. We report a 6-year-old boy who had a delayed presentation of a brachial artery pseudoaneurysm after a supracondylar humerus fracture, which was repaired with a saphenous vein graft. This is to emphasize close neurological and vascular monitoring even in the setting of a well-perfused hand. In addition, this would suggest that closer postoperative evaluation in significantly displaced fractures should be performed, even beyond the fracture healing stage.

Open Revascularization Procedures Are More Likely to Influence Smoking Reduction Than Percutaneous Procedures

BACKGROUND Among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), smokers have a higher incidence of life- and limb-threatening complications, including lower extremity ischemic rest pain, myocardial infarction, and cardiac death, highlighting the need for smoking reduction. Several studies have previously investigated the perioperative period as a teachable moment for smoking cessation. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the type of revascularization for PAD (percutaneous versus open) is associated with smoking reduction. METHODS Study participants included patients seen at a tertiary academic medical center in Providence, RI, between 2005 and 2010 and assigned International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code diagnoses indicative of PAD. This study uses patient-answered surveys and retrospective chart review to assess changes in smoking habits after medical, percutaneous, or open revascularization. Surveys also assessed patient perceptions regarding the influence of intervention on smoking reduction and how strongly patients associate PAD with their smoking habits. RESULTS Of 54 patients who were active smokers at the time of intervention, 8 (67%) in the medical management group, 12 (50%) in the percutaneous group, and 15 (83%) in the open intervention group reduced smoking by 50% after intervention. After controlling for several confounders, open revascularization was independently associated with smoking reduction when compared with percutaneous intervention (odds ratio, 8.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.18, 76.7; P = 0.043). Surveys revealed that 94% of the patients believed that smoking was a significant contributor to their PAD. CONCLUSIONS Patients with PAD who undergo open revascularization are more likely to reduce smoking than those who undergo percutaneous revascularization. The perioperative period provides an opportunity to improve rates of smoking reduction.

Popliteal Vein Thrombosis After Radiofrequency Ablation of Greater Saphenous Vein for Varicose Vein

Percutaneous endovenous techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), have become the preferred method for treatment for varicose veins associated with great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency. Reports have shown safety and efficacy of these techniques with relatively few complications. Deep venous thrombosis after RFA is rare and usually involves extension of thrombus from great saphenous vein to common femoral vein, hence the requirement for postoperative ultrasound. We report a case of symptomatic popliteal vein thrombosis after RFA of GSV requiring anti-coagulation.

Endovascular Repair of Mycotic Aneurysm of the Descending Thoracic Aorta

BACKGROUND Mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysms (MTAAs) are a rare yet life-threatening disease. The current standard of care consists of surgical resection, in situ or extra-anatomic revascularization, and antibiotic therapy. Despite this treatment, mortality remains high (range, 5-40%). The endovascular repair of degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms has been shown to be safe and effective, but its use in the treatment of MTAAs is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to review the use of endovascular repair for MTAAs. METHODS A 10-year retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who underwent endovascular repair of MTAAs between March 2001 and March 2011. The surgical results of this single-institution review are reported. RESULTS Seven patients underwent endovascular repair of MTAAs. One patient died 2 days postoperatively, which gave an in-hospital survival rate of 85.7%. The 1-year survival rate was 71.4%. The mean follow-up time was 25 months (range, 0-72 months), with a survival rate at that time of 57.1%. All patients were free of infection during their follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS In this single-center case series, endovascular repair of MTAAs was associated with favorable perioperative and short-term mortality and morbidity.

Escherichia coli primary aortitis presenting as sequelae of incompletely treated urinary tract infection

We report a rare case of nonaneurysmal infectious aortitis (IA) with the causative microorganism being Escherichia coli. The patient was a 78-year-old man who presented with a 3-week history of abdominal pain, fevers, and anorexia after treatment for a urinary tract infection. The patient had positive blood cultures and a computed tomography scan that had signs of IA. He was treated with intravenous antibiotics and extra-anatomic revascularization with excision and debridement of the infected aortic segment with a good outcome. IA is an uncommon condition with a high mortality rate; however, if diagnosed early, it can be successfully treated.

Bilateral Deep Femoral Vein Thrombosis

Introduction Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major national health problem, especially among the critically ill and elderly. Most clinically significant DVTs involve the proximal veins of the lower limb, particularly the iliac, common femoral, femoral, and popliteal veins. Case Study We report a 53-year-old man sent to our vascular laboratory for ultrasound examination of the lower extremities to investigate the cause of nonpitting edema in both lower extremities. The ultrasound examination revealed isolated bilateral thrombosis in the deep femoral veins. Conclusion This is the first reported case of bilateral isolated deep femoral vein thrombosis.