Paul J. Garvin

Prognostic value of intravenous dipyridamole thallium imaging in patients with diabetes mellitus considered for renal transplantation

Patients with diabetes and end-stage renal failure are known to have a high risk for cardiac morbidity and mortality associated with renal transplantation. The most efficient method to determine preoperative cardiac risk has not been established. To determine the effectiveness of intravenous dipyridamole thallium imaging in predicting cardiac events, 40 diabetic renal transplant candidates were studied preoperatively in a prospective trial. The study group consisted of 40 patients whose average age was 42 years (range 27 to 64); 34 (85%) were hypertensive and 21 (53%) were cigarette smokers. Cardiac history included chest pain in 6 patients and prior myocardial infarction in 3 patients. Dipyridamole thallium imaging showed reversible defects in 9 patients, fixed defects in 8 patients and normal scans in 23 patients. Dipyridamole thallium imaging was performed using 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole infused intravenously over 4 minutes. Cardiac events occurred only in patients with reversible thallium defects, of which there were 6. Of these 6 patients, 3 had cardiac events before transplantation and 3 had them in the early postoperative phase (within 6 weeks of surgery). Of 21 patients who underwent renal transplantation, 3 had cardiac events within 6 weeks of transplantation. The average duration of follow-up was 11 months (range 1 to 21). Thus, dipyridamole thallium imaging is an effective method of identifying renal transplant candidates likely to develop cardiac complications. Routine coronary angiography may not be necessary to screen all renal transplant candidates for coronary artery disease before surgery.

Improved outcome by identification of high-risk nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, aggressive reexploration, and delayed anastomosis

BACKGROUND The factors associated with outcome of patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia are poorly defined. METHODS Over a 7-year period, 34 consecutive patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia were identified. RESULTS The mean age of the study patients was 63 years (range 31 to 94); 21 of 34 (62%) were men. The mean delay in diagnosis was 31 hours (range 7 hours to 6 days). Seven of 34 (21%) underwent preoperative visceral arteriography. Two of these 7 required surgery, and both died as a result of intestinal infarction. The remaining 27 had the diagnosis made at celiotomy. Among the 29 who were explored, 16 of 29 (55%) had intestinal infarction. Twenty-one of 29 (72%) had segmental bowel injury whereas 8 of 29 (28%) had massive injury. Among those with segmental infarction, primary anastomosis was performed in 12 of 21 patients (57%); 5 of the 12 (42%) died. Nine of 21 patients (43%) underwent delayed anastomosis; 2 of the 9 (22%) died. No patient with massive injury underwent primary anastomosis. Second-look laparotomy was performed on 22 of 29 (76%). Eleven of those 22 (50%) had a further bowel resection. Overall, 16 of 29 (55%) who underwent surgery for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia are alive. CONCLUSIONS Improved survival from nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia is dependent upon the identification of high-risk groups, aggressive reexploration, and delayed intestinal anastomosis.

Surgical bypass for subclavian vein occlusion in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND The majority of patients with end-stage renal disease are dependent on hemodialysis. Significant stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian vein is known to occur in 20% to 50% of patients who have had central venous catheters inserted into the subclavian vein or the internal jugular vein. Surgical bypass of the obstructed venous segment proximal to a functioning dialysis access site is an established treatment to relieve symptoms and salvage the functional dialysis access. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of all subclavian venous bypass procedures performed at St Louis University Hospital from May 1987 to May 2000 was undertaken. Twelve procedures were performed during this time. The mean age of the patient was 55.5 years (range 17 to 72 years). There were 11 men and 1 woman. Before surgical bypass, all patients underwent bilateral venograms to evaluate their central venous systems. RESULTS An extraanatomic surgical bypass was performed in all patients. Patients were followed for a mean of 16 months (range 1 to 79 months). At 1 month, 100% of hemodialysis access sites remained functional. At 1 year, 80%; 2 years, 60%; and 3 years, 25% of the salvaged arteriovenous hemodialysis access sites provided for functional dialysis. One patient required thrombectomy of the bypass graft at 14 months. CONCLUSIONS Surgical bypass of an occluded or stenotic subclavian vein segment is successful in providing both symptomatic relief and salvage of a functioning dialysis access in the hemodialysis patient population. Study of the central venous system is essential in selecting an appropriate bypass procedure in individual patients.

Cyclosporine's effect on canine pancreatic endocrine function.

This study was designed to investigate the mechanism, and reversibility, of glucose intolerance following the acute administration of cyclosporine (CsA) in a canine model. Three groups underwent a baseline intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT; 0.5 g/kg of glucose), with simultaneous insulin determinations. In groups A and B, repeat IVGTTs were performed, at three-day intervals, after 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg of intravenous CsA + solvent (group A; n=8), or the solvent alone (group B; n=5). Repeat IVGTTs were performed in group A, 24 and 72 hr after the last CsA infusion. In group C (n=5), IVGTTs were performed, 4, 24, 48, and 72 hr after oral CsA (12.5 mg/kg). In each group, the rate of glucose clearance (k value,—per cent min), and basal-to-peak insulin difference (uU/ml), for each IVGTT were compared with the baseline results. In group A, the basal-to-peak insulin difference was significantly lower than baseline (81.9±13.6) after 2 mg/kg (27.3±3.1; P<0.005), 4 mg/kg (22.7±3.7; P<0.001); and 6 mg/kg (16.8±3.2; P<0.001) of CsA, and returned to baseline within 24 hr (81.4±3.7). Corresponding K values were also significantly different in group A. In group B, there were no significant differences in these parameters from controls, at the equivalent doses of the solvent alone. At 4 hr after oral CsA (group C), there was a reduction in the basal-to-peak insulin difference (37.2±9.1 vs. 22.5± 4.1) and K values (-3.20±0.4 vs. −1.96±0.3), with the change in K values being statistically significant (P<0.05). A return to baseline levels was present at 24 h. This study demonstrates that, in the canine model, therapeutic doses of intravenous and oral CsA acutely impair glucose regulation. This acute effect is secondary to decreased peripheral insulin levels, is reversible at 24 h, and is not evident with CsA solvent alone. The mechanism of decreased insulin secretion following CsA administration requires further elucidation.

Extrathoracic esophagectomy in the treatment of esophageal cancer

Extrathoracic esophagectomy has the potential of improving the results of resectional therapy for carcinoma of the esophagus by eliminating the need for thoracotomy and decreasing postoperative pulmonary complications. This report compares the operative and functional results of blunt extrathoracic esophagectomy and substernal reversed gastric tube reconstruction in patients with esophageal cancer to results in 10 consecutive nonrandomized control patients treated by standard esophagogastrectomy. Extrathoracic esophagectomy was associated with greater pulmonary dysfunction than standard esophagogastrectomy. While there was no significant difference in survival in the two groups, three patients in the standard esophagogastrectomy group (mean survival 9.0 months) and none in the extrathoracic esophagectomy group (mean survival 7.4 months) developed anastomotic recurrence. Extrathoracic esophagectomy evidently does not afford patients with esophageal carcinoma better palliation than standard esophagogastrectomy.

Surgical therapy of advanced esophageal cancer a critical appraisal

Thirty-five patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma underwent esophagogastrectomy. Of these, 13 patients underwent esophagogastrectomy through midline celiotomy and right thoracotomy incisions (Group 1), and 20 patients underwent extrathoracic esophagectomy with either reversed gastric tube (Group 2) or isoperistaltic tube reconstruction (Group 3). Morbidity was significantly greater in patients who underwent extrathoracic esophagectomy due to more severe pulmonary complications and anastomotic fistulas. Because of these complications, a longer interval to solid food ingestion occurred in the extrathoracic esophagectomy group. Long-term survival was not affected by the operative procedure utilized. Extrathoracic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis is associated with more complications than an intrathoracic anastomosis, resulting in inferior palliation for patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Permanent blindness after cyclosporine neurotoxicity in a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient

Blindness is an extremely rare complication of cyclosporine neurotoxicity. In all 10 cases in the literature, this form of blindness is completely reversible with the reduction or withdrawal of cyclosporine. We describe the first case of sudden, complete, and permanent blindness within 36 h after administration of intravenous cyclosporine in a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient.

Peptic ulcer disease following transplantation: The role of cimetidine

Of 253 consecutive renal transplants performed in 209 patients between January 1971 and December 1980, symptomatic gastroduodenal ulcerations developed in 22 (8.7 percent). Time of presentation ranged from 5 days to 9 years (mean 225 days) following transplantation with 16 of these patients presenting within the first 3 months. Nine (Group I) patients were diagnosed before the administration of H2 antagonist cimetidine. Mode of presentation in this group was upper gastrointestinal bleeding in each instance. Thirteen patients (Group II) were diagnosed after the clinical use of cimetidine was established. The mode of presentation in this group was bleeding in 11 patients and abdominal pain in 2 patients. In Group I, one patient died from liver failure and an ulcer was not contributory. The remaining eight patients were treated with antacids and blood transfusions (mean 12.7 units). Five patients in this group demonstrated ulcer healing, whereas three patients (37.5 percent) required emergency operations with two postoperative deaths. In Group II, one patient died from hemorrhagic shock before therapy could be instituted. In the other 12 patients treatment consisted of antacids, cimetidine, and blood transfusions (mean 6.8 units). Ten patients had relief of symptoms, whereas two patients (16.7 percent) required emergency operations with no deaths. During cimetidine therapy, two patients had rejection episodes that were reversible, and the remaining patients had no significant alterations in renal function. To conclude, cimetidine is a safe and effective adjunct in the treatment of peptic ulceration in renal transplant recipients.

Cavoportal hemitransposition in liver transplantation

Over the last decade a large number of patients with portal vein thrombosis have undergone successful liver transplantation. In most of these patients, simple modifications in vascular reconstruction techniques are adequate. However, anastomosis of the donor portal vein may not be possible in the presence of extensive portal and superior mesenteric venous thrombosis and in the absence of any other large tributary of the portal venous system. Cavoportal hemitransposition has been described as a salvage technique under these circumstances. We report a 43-year-old patient who underwent such a procedure and remains well 1 year later. We review the literature and discuss the implications of cavoportal hemitransposition.

Spontaneous rupture of the liver upon revascularization during transplantation.

Spontaneous rupture of the liver has been described in association with many benign and malignant conditions. We report, to our knowledge, the first case of spontaneous rupture of the liver upon revascularization, requiring total hepatectomy and portocaval shunt, followed by successful retransplantation. Routine pathological examination of the explanted liver failed to reveal the etiology of the rupture. However, electron microscopy demonstrated abnormal collagen in the hepatic arterial wall compatible with a collagen disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos type IV disease. We conclude that the donor liver had a previously undiagnosed collagen disorder. Review of the literature does not preclude the use of livers from donors with a history of connective tissue disorders. Based on our experience one should exercise caution when using livers from such donors. With a history of connective tissue disorder in an immediate family member, further tests should be performed in the donor to rule out a subclinical connective tissue disorder. In addition, a review of all patients reported thus far to have undergone total hepatectomy and portocaval shunt, followed by liver transplantation as a two-stage procedure is presented.