Edwin Stephen

Neurological complications in carotid body tumors: A 6-year single-center experience

OBJECTIVE Carotid body tumors are considered rare. However, there has been an increase in the number of these tumors managed at our center in recent years. Delayed presentation with large tumors is common. We studied the clinical profile, interventions, and outcomes of these tumors and assessed the factors influencing operative neurological morbidity and recurrence. METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, a tertiary care center in south India. We analyzed the inpatient and outpatient records of patients diagnosed to have carotid body tumors undergoing excision from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2011. Patients diagnosed to have vagal paragangliomas were excluded. RESULTS Thirty-four of 48 tumors were excised from 32 patients (11 female, 21 male). Average age at presentation was 38.2 years, and three patients had familial bilateral tumors. All patients presented with a painless neck mass. There were 27 Shamblin group III, six Shamblin group II, and one Shamblin group I tumor. Eleven Shamblin group II/III tumors were associated with transient cranial nerve palsy or paresis (32.3%). Two Shamblin group III tumors were associated with perioperative stroke (5.8%). Preoperative embolization was done in 17 tumors, 12 of which were associated with neurological complications (two stroke, nine nerve palsy, one hemianopia). One patient underwent thrombolysis for a middle cerebral artery thrombus and recovered completely on follow-up, and another with a capsuloganglionic infarct managed conservatively had minimal persistent disability. Three patients had persistent nerve palsy (8.8%). Although complications were more common in patients with higher Shamblin group tumors, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The overall rate of neurological complications is higher with tumors of higher Shamblin groups. Preoperative embolization was not effective in reducing neurological complications. The rates of postoperative stroke and permanent cranial nerve palsy after resection of large tumors are acceptable.

Transseptal Ascending Aortic Access and Snare-Assisted Pull Down of the Delivery System to Facilitate Stent-Graft Passage in the Aortic Arch During TEVAR

Purpose To report the initial use of a transseptal snare-assisted pull-down technique to facilitate stent-graft passage in the aortic arch. Case Report A 27-year-old man with Takayasu arteritis presented with large aneurysms in the aortic arch and descending aorta. During thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), stent-graft passage through the aortic arch was impossible due to recurrent upward prolapse of the delivery system in the arch aneurysm. The problem was resolved in two steps. First, antegrade ascending aortic access was obtained through a transseptal sheath. The sheath was stabilized by an indwelling transseptal guidewire held taut by a snare in the descending aorta. Next, simultaneously pushing inward on the stent-graft system from the groin and pulling down on the stiff delivery guidewire using another snare introduced through the transseptal sheath moved the wire/delivery system as a unit through the arch. Both aneurysms were successfully excluded; flow into the aortic arch branches was preserved using chimney grafts. Conclusion Use of antegrade ascending aortic access through a stabilized transseptal sheath and snare-assisted pull down of the delivery system to facilitate retrograde stent-graft passage in the aortic arch made it possible to complete the TEVAR procedure in difficult arch anatomy.

Venous thromboembolism: a problem in the Indian/Asian population?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and potentially life threatening condition. It continues to be under diagnosed and undertreated. Awareness among Indians regarding this potentially life-threatening disease is low. Contrary to earlier belief, the incidence of VTE in Asia and India is comparable to that in Western countries. The risk of VTE is especially high in hospitalized patients, in a majority of whom it is clinically silent. It is one of the commonest causes of unplanned readmission and preventable death. In the United States, it is responsible for more deaths than accidents. Thromboprophylaxis is highly effective in reducing the incidence of VTE without any increase in clinically significant bleeding. It is worth emphasizing that prevention of VTE is much easier and cheaper than its treatment.

Clinical profile of aortoiliac occlusive disease and outcomes of aortobifemoral bypass in India.

OBJECTIVE Aortoiliac arterial occlusive (AIOD) disease is common in India. The clinical presentation and etiology are different than in the West. Intervention is frequently required for advanced lower extremity ischemia, but the results have not been systemically evaluated. We studied the clinical profile and midterm results of patients undergoing aortobifemoral bypass for AIOD at a tertiary care center in south India. METHODS Clinical data of patients undergoing aortobifemoral bypass for AIOD over a 6-year period from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical presentation and factors affecting outcome were evaluated. Graft patency and mortality were included as study end points. RESULTS Ninety-nine patients (mean age, 52 years) with AIOD who underwent aortobifemoral bypass were included. Etiology included atherosclerosis in 79 patients, thromboangiitis obliterans in 15, Takayasus arteritis in two, and hematological conditions in 3. Smoking (82%), hypertension (40%), and diabetes (30%) were the most common risk factors; ischemic heart disease (4%), obesity (2%), and dyslipidemia (3%) were rare. Eighty-one percent of patients presented with critical limb ischemia. Mean duration of symptoms was 22 months (range, 4 months to 9 years). Concomitant infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease was identified in 81%, but intervened upon in only 2%. In-hospital mortality was 3%. Causes of death included myocardial infarction in two and colon ischemia in one. Major morbidity included nonfatal myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonia/atelectasis (5%), and renal dysfunction (2%). Groin wound complications occurred in 20%, seroma/lymph leak in 13%, infection in 7%, and anastomotic hemorrhage in 2%. Multidrug-resistant and polymicrobial infections were common. Early graft thrombosis (30 days) occurred in 15 patients; 8 of 11 reintervened grafts were salvaged. Four more grafts thrombosed during a mean follow-up of 2 years (range, 0-5 years) and two became infected. Overall study major limb loss rate was 10% (primary, 2%; secondary, 8%). Delayed presentation and smoking were more common in patients developing complications. There was no significant difference in overall complication rates between patients with thromboangiitis obliterans and atherosclerosis (P = .66). CONCLUSIONS Despite earlier age at presentation, atherosclerosis remains the predominant etiology of aortoiliac arterial occlusive disease in Indian patients. Results of open revascularization are comparable to those in the Western literature. Thromboangiitis obliterans is the underlying pathology in a minority of patients with no significant difference in operative outcome. Patients frequently present late with critical limb ischemia, but this does not affect outcome.

A novel cautery instrument for on-site fenestration of aortic stent-grafts: a feasibility study of 18 patients.

Purpose To report the bench-top evaluation and initial clinical use of an instrument for onsite fenestration of aortic stent-grafts. Methods A stainless steel thermal cautery instrument was designed to create circular stent-graft fenestrations from 3 to 10 mm in diameter. Three operators independently bench-tested the instrument on thoracic stent-graft samples to evaluate size, shape, location, and quality of fenestrations created. For clinical use, on-site fenestration was performed 2 days before the endovascular procedure in a sterile room without access to supplemental oxygen. A fenestrator 1 or 2 mm smaller in diameter than the target vessel was used; the edges of the fenestrations were strengthened using flexible radiopaque nitinol wire. The aortic stent-graft was then re-sheathed and sterilized for added safety. Eighteen patients (17 men; mean age 51 years, range 18–80) with a variety of thoracic and juxtarenal pathologies were treated using Zenith TX2, Valiant Captivia, Zenith AAA, and Endurant stent-grafts modified in this manner. Results After successful bench testing, the instrument was used to create 34 fenestrations in aortic stent-grafts deployed in the 18 patients. Size and location of fenestrations obtained were as desired. Subsequent catheterization of the fenestration/target vessel and covered stent deployment were successfully achieved in 31 (91%) fenestrations; 2 fenestrations had type III endoleaks and 1 fenestration was unused. There was no perioperative mortality, stroke, embolization, vessel dissection, renal failure, or graft infection. Follow-up to 1 year in the majority of patients has revealed no new fenestration-related problems. Conclusion This simple-to-use instrument makes on-site creation of aortic stent-graft fenestrations easy, accurate, and precise. The instrument is inexpensive, robust, and easily sterilized.

Percutaneous Cyanoacrylate Glue Embolization for Peripheral Pseudoaneurysms: An Alternative Treatment

Post-traumatic pseudoaneurysms are rare in the peripheral arteries and usually occur as a late sequel of trauma. Surgery has traditionally been considered as the gold standard of therapy for traumatic peripheral pseudoaneurysms. We report 2 cases of post traumatic pseudoaneurysms successfully treated by percutaneous cyanoacrylate glue (N-Butyl 2 cyanoacrylate) embolization. This method offers complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm, at the same time avoiding the morbidity of open surgery.

Visceral ischemia: could it be segmental arterial mediolysis

We present two cases of segmental arterial mediolysis, which can present with dissecting aneurysms or thrombosis of the visceral branches of the abdominal aorta. Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) causes ischemic bowel disease and has characteristic CT and angiographic features.

Endovascular management of posttraumatic arteriovenous fistulae.

Surgery is considered to be the treatment of choice for vascular injuries caused by trauma. However, endovascular techniques are emerging as an alternative means of treatment. In this article, we describe three patients with posttraumatic arteriovenous fistulae in different body regions that were managed using endovascular techniques. Each case had its unique set of associated problems requiring innovative methods and a multidisciplinary approach. While the short-term results are encouraging, long-term follow-up of posttraumatic arteriovenous fistulae that have been treated with endovascular techniques is still required.

Outcomes of catheter-directed treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis of patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital

Background: Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common illness with an annual incidence of 1 per 1000 adults. The major long-term complication of DVT is post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) which occurs in up to 60% of patients within 2 years of an episode of DVT. Aims: We aim to evaluate the outcomes of catheter-directed treatment (CDT) for symptomatic acute or subacute lower extremity DVT. Materials and Methods: A retrospective 12-year study was conducted on the outcomes of CDT on 54 consecutive patients who presented with acute or subacute lower extremity DVT to our hospital. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive summary statistics and the Chi-square test were used to measure the outcomes of CDT. Results: Grade 3 thrombolysis was achieved in 25 (46.3%) patients, grade 2 thrombolysis in 25 (46.3%) patients, and grade 1 thrombolysis in 4 (7.4%) patients. Significant recanalization (grade 2 or 3 thrombolysis) was possible in 50 (92.6%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of significant recanalization that could be achieved between patients who underwent CDT before and after 10 days. There was no significant difference between the thrombolysis achieved between urokinase and r-tPA. PTS was seen in 33% of the patients. Major complications were seen in 5.5% of the patients. Conclusion: CDT is a safe and effective therapeutic technique in patients with acute and subacute lower extremity DVT, if appropriate patient selection is made.

Transseptal Ascending Aortic Access Facilitates Transcatheter Embolization of Proximal Type I Endoleak Associated With Bird-Beak Configuration of an Endograft in the Proximal Aortic Arch

Purpose: To report the initial use of antegrade transseptal ascending aortic access to perform transcatheter embolization of a proximal type I endoleak associated with bird-beak configuration of an endograft in the proximal aortic arch. Case Report: A 61-year-old man underwent endovascular repair of a large, symptomatic aortic arch aneurysm located distal to the left common carotid artery using a fenestrated endograft. Completion angiography showed bird-beak configuration of the proximal endograft and a large type Ia endoleak. In a separate procedure, the endoleak was embolized with cyanoacrylate glue via an antegrade ascending aortic access obtained through a transseptal sheath stabilized by an indwelling arteriovenous wire loop. This approach provided straight-line access into the endoleak with requisite catheter support, and complete thrombosis of the aneurysm sac was achieved. The patients symptoms abated, and at 1-year follow-up, there was no endoleak, and the aneurysm sac had shrunken markedly. Conclusion: Antegrade transseptal ascending aortic access facilitates transcatheter embolization of type Ia endoleak in the proximal aortic arch.