Ho Chul Park

The occlusion rate and patterns of saphenous vein after radiofrequency ablation

Purpose Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely accepted to treat the varicose vein. However, outcome studies for occlusion rate and patterns of the saphenous vein after RFA are scarce. The purpose of our study is to report the results of RFA in patients with varicose vein. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes after RFA using ClosureFAST (Covidien) catheter. We evaluated the occlusion rate and patterns with duplex scanning after RFA. Results A total of 200 limbs (148 patients) underwent RFA. The truncal veins were ablated in 163 great saphenous veins (GSV) and 41 small saphenous veins (SSVs). The mean age was 52.1 ± 11.9 years and female to male ratio was 125 : 87. At the mean follow-up of 13.9 months, the CEAP score, VCSS, and QoL score were significantly improved 2.33 ± 0.78 to 1.29 ± 0.96 (P < 0.0001), 3.48 ± 0.98 to 0.63 ± 1.16 (P < 0.0001), and 6.91 ± 6.69 to 3.38 ± 4.74 (P < 0.0001), respectively. The occlusion rate was 94.6% (53/56) in GSV and 94.5% (17/18) in SSV. The most common occlusion pattern in GSV was total occlusion of main trunk with patent superficial inferior epigastric vein in 41.1%. And, the most common pattern in SSV was the total occlusion of SSV with stump in 66.7%. Conclusion RFA is an effective modality in the treatment of varicose vein. At the mean follow-up of 13.9 months, the occlusion rate was 94.6%in GSV and 94.5% in SSV. There are several patterns of saphenous occlusion after RFA.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with renal transplant

The repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with functioning renal transplant is critical because it is important to avoid ischemic and reperfusion injury to the transplanted kidney. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) avoids aortic cross clamping and can prevent renal graft ischemia. Here we report the endovascular management and outcome of AAA in two renal transplant patients using a bifurcated aortic stent graft. One patient underwent EVAR using a small amount of contrast (30 mL) due to decreased renal function resulting from chronic rejection. Another patient had EVAR performed with iliac conduit because of the heavily calcified, stenotic lesion of external iliac artery. EVAR in patients with a renal transplant is a feasible option without impairing renal arterial flow.

Simultaneous hybrid revascularization for symptomatic lower extremity arterial occlusive disease

Multilevel revascularization, using a combination of endovascular and open (hybrid) surgery, is increasingly being used. Hybrid surgery allows complex anatomy to be treated by minimally invasive procedures in medically high risk patients. The aim of the present study was to report a novel hybrid surgery for lesions in the multilevel lower extremity arteries and to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Consecutive patients who presented at a single institution between March 2009 and Feburary 2012 were selected for inclusion in the study. The patients had disabling claudication or critical limb ischemia and underwent treatment for revascularization by open surgery or by a combination of open surgery and endovascular procedure. Retrospective analysis was conducted from a prospectively collected database. All procedures were performed by a vascular surgeon in an operating room. Postoperative surveillance in outpatient clinics was conducted at 3 and 6 months and every 6 months thereafter. A total of 76 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 67.1±11.3 years (range, 42–94 years) and the male to female ratio was 67:9. The most common indication for revascularization was Rutherford category IV (resting pain). The immediate technical success rate of hybrid surgery was 90.5%, with an overall limb salvage rate of 97.4%. The primary patency rates of the hybrid and open groups were 100 and 90.9%, respectively (P=0.441). Therefore, the results of the present study indicate that hybrid surgery is a feasible option for the treatment of multilevel peripheral arterial occlusive disease, showing favorable patency and limb salvage rates. These observations indicate that femoral endarterectomy plays a vital role in hybrid surgery.

Intraoperative indocyanine green angiography for the objective measurement of blood flow

Purpose Intraoperative assessment of tissue perfusion is important to predict wound healing or improvement of symptoms in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or vascular trauma. There is no widely accepted standard for intraoperative measurement of tissue perfusion. Here, we report the use of indocyanine green (ICG)-based angiography to determine the blood flow in patients with PAD and vascular trauma. Methods The SPY fluorescent imaging system was utilized. A dose of 3–5 mL of ICG (2.5 mg/mL) was injected intravenously followed by a 10 mL normal saline flush. The SPY imaging system was used to quantitatively assess perfusion. During the study period, the SPY imaging system was applied in 4 patients with PAD and one patient with vascular trauma. Results In 3 patients with PAD associated with an ischemic wound, complete wound healing was achieved with the indication of viable tissue by the SPY system. In one patient with severe claudication in both lower extremities, the ICG angiography was used to determine the increased blood flow after revascularization. In the case of vascular trauma, this imaging system enabled the delineation of viability of the injured tissue. Conclusion ICG angiography can determine the surface tissue viability in PAD patients. In cases of severe vascular trauma,the SPY system can be used to determine tissue perfusion. Further study is warranted to define the definite utility of this technology to assess perfusion, response to revascularization, and potentially, to predict the likelihood of wound healing.

The comparison of monitored anesthesia care with dexmedetomidine and spinal anesthesia during varicose vein surgery

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of monitored anesthesia care (MAC) using dexmedetomidine for its sedative and analgesic effect during varicose vein surgery. Methods Forty-two patients, who underwent varicose vein surgery, were divided into the MAC group (n = 20) or the spinal anesthesia group (n = 22) for randomized clinical trial. In the MAC group, dexmedetomidine was administered by a loading dose of 1 µg/kg for 10 minutes, followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.2-1.0 µg/kg/hr. Ketamine was used for intermittent injection. In the spinal anesthesia group, midazolam was used for sedation. Intraoperative vital signs, the number of adverse events, and the satisfaction of patients and surgeons concerning the anesthetic condition were compared between the two groups. Results Systolic blood pressure was intraoperatively significantly different over time between the two groups. The groups had statistical differences in the change in heart rate with regard to time. In the postanesthetic care unit, patients and surgeons in the MAC group had a lower satisfaction score, compared to patients and surgeons in the spinal anesthesia group. However, in the recovery period, patients had a positive perception concerning MAC anesthesia. In addition, without significant adverse events, the MAC group had a shorter time to possible ambulation, which indicated an early recovery. Conclusion We believe that MAC using dexmedetomidine in combination with ketamine may be an alternative anesthetic technique for varicose vein surgery with regard to a patients preference and medical condition.

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation for adult onset type II citrullinemia.

Adult-onset type II citrullinemia (CTLN2) is a disorder caused by an inborn error of metabolism affecting the liver. CTLN2 is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent encephalopathy with hyperammonemia due to highly elevated plasma levels of citrulline and ammonia, caused by a deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase in the liver. A small number of patients have undergone liver transplantation with favorable results. In Korea, the limitations of the deceased donor pool have made living donor liver transplantation a common alternative treatment option. We report the case of a patient with type II citrullinemia who was treated successfully with auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) from a living donor. This is the first description of an APOLT for a patient with adult onset type II citrullinemia in Korea.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture With Vertebral Erosion Presenting With Severe Refractory Back Pain in Behçet's Disease

Behçets disease is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disorder that affects many organs. A 48-year-old man with known Behçets disease was admitted to the emergency department with aggravating severe back pain and left lower quadrant pain. A contained rupture of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was discovered with a maximum diameter of 10 cm. The patients severe back pain was due to erosion of the third lumbar vertebra.

National trends for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease in Korea between 2004 and 2013

Purpose Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has been a major public health issue in the elderly. Advances in endovascular surgery have led to a substantial shift in the management of PAD. Although the nationwide trend of PAD treatment in the Western countries was reported, limited data have been available on this in Korea. This study examined the national trend in the treatment of PAD in Korea over the past decade. Methods Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data were used. We sought to analyze trends in the open and endovascular surgery for the treatment of PAD in Medicare beneficiaries between 2004 and 2013. We also analyzed trends in each types of surgery in the lower extremity. A linear-by-linear association was performed to determine the changes of PAD treatment for this period. Results The rate of open surgery per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries decreased significantly from 8 procedures in 2004 to 6 in 2013. At the same time, endovascular surgery increased from 23 procedures in 2004 to 59 in 2013. Endovascular surgery in the lower extremity increased more than twofold, while the open surgery decreased by 39%. The rate of balloon angioplasty among endovascular surgery was increased by almost threefold, while the bypass surgery using artificial graft decreased by half. Conclusion Endovascular surgery is now performed more commonly than open surgery for PAD treatment. Balloon angioplasty increased by almost threefold, while the bypass surgery using artificial graft decreased by about 50%.

Reconstruction of the internal iliac artery in patients with aneurysmal disease: Two case reports

During the endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysm, bilateral internal iliac artery (IIA) occlusion may give rise to significant morbidities such as ischemia of buttock or sigmoid colon and erectile dysfunction. Open and endovascular approaches are used to maintain IIA circulation in such cases. The present report describes the cases of two patients who underwent external-to-internal iliac artery bypass surgery, one via a novel hybrid approach. The first patient had a right common iliac artery aneurysm without a sufficient distal landing zone for endovascular repair. The distal landing of the device was therefore placed in the right external iliac artery (EIA). The tortuous portion of the right EIA was excised and anastomosed in an end-to-end fashion. An external-to-internal iliac artery bypass was then performed. The second patient underwent endovascular repair of the IIA aneurysm with a Gore® Viabahn®-covered stent (W. L. Gore and Associates, Inc., Flagstaff, AZ, USA). This covered stent was anastomosed with the iliac bypass graft. Postoperative pelvic circulation was maintained. In conclusion, this strategy for maintaining IIA flow is a potential novel approach for future use.

Ultrasound fusion imaging with real-time navigation for the surveillance after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

Ultrasound can be an effective alternative to computed tomography for surveillance following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Recently, ultrasound fusion imaging with the real-time navigation system was introduced. Here we described 3 patients who underwent post-EVAR surveillance using this novel technique. Complete coregistration was achieved in all patients. The origin of left renal artery was selected for the target of coregistration. Ultrasound fusion imaging was useful to differentiate the confusing lesion and to evaluate the complete resolution of endoleak and newly developed delayed endoleak. Ultrasound fusion image with real-time navigation system can be a feasible imaging tool for post-EVAR surveillance.