Pekka Aho

Patient-controlled sedation with propofol and remifentanil for ERCP: a randomized, controlled study

BACKGROUND Deep sedation with propofol and an opioid is commonly used for ERCP but is associated with increased risk and may require the presence of an anesthesiologist. Delivery of propofol and a short-acting, potent opioid analgesic remifentanil by patients to themselves (patient-controlled sedation, PCS) could be another option. Comparative studies with propofol PCS for ERCP are lacking. OBJECTIVE To compare PCS with propofol/remifentanil to anesthesiologist-managed propofol sedation. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled human trial. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS This study involved 80 patients presenting for elective ERCP. INTERVENTION Patients were randomized to PCS with propofol/remifentanil (PCS group) or anesthesiologist-managed propofol sedation (propofol infusion group). Sedation level was estimated every 5 minutes throughout the procedure by using Ramsay and Gillham sedation scores. The total amount of propofol was calculated at the end of the procedure. Endoscopist and patient satisfaction with the procedures was evaluated with a structured questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Patient vital signs, amount of consumed propofol, sedation levels, and degree of endoscopist and patient satisfaction. RESULTS PCS was successful with 38 of 40 (95%) ERCP patients. In the PCS group, the mean (±standard deviation) level of sedation was markedly lighter and propofol consumption significantly smaller (175±98 mg) than in the propofol infusion group (249±138 mg) (P<.01). Degrees of patient and endoscopist satisfaction were equally high in both groups. All of the patients preferred the same sedation method should a repeat ERCP be required. LIMITATIONS Single-center study. CONCLUSION PCS with propofol/remifentanil is a suitable and well-accepted sedation method for ERCP. Anesthesiologist-managed propofol sedation with constant propofol infusion is associated with unnecessary deep sedation without any impact on the degree of patient or endoscopist satisfaction. Further larger-scale studies are needed to assess the safety of PCS in ERCP patients. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01079312.).

Interplay between coagulation and inflammation in open and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair : Impact of intra-aneurysmal thrombus

Aims: Our aim was to compare hemostatic and inflammatory mechanisms in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients after open surgery (OPEN) and endovascular AAA repair (ENDO). Subjects and Methods: From the 32 consecutive AAA patients recruited, 17 represented ENDO and 15 OPEN. The intra-aneurysmal thrombus was removed during OPEN, but stayed intact after ENDO. The pre-operative volume of the intra-aneurysmal thrombus was calculated from computed tomography images. Markers of coagulation and inflammation were studied pre-operatively, at one, two, three, four and seven days and at three months postoperatively. Results: Preoperative upregulation of F 1 + 2, TAT and D-dimer was evident in both groups. The volume of intra-aneurysmal thrombus correlated with CRP (β=0.62, p=0.001), IL-6 (β=0.60, p=0.001) and PAI-1 ag (β=0.51, p=0.007). Surgery further enhanced inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis. IL-6 increased in both groups, but the increases of CRP and PIIINP were higher in the OPEN group. Postoperative CRP correlated with the intra-aneurysmal thrombus volume in the ENDO group. At three months D-dimer (p<0.05) was higher than pre-operatively in the ENDO, in contrast to the OPEN group. Conclusion: Preoperatively both prothrombotic and fibrinolytic mechanisms are activated in patients with AAA. Intraluminal thrombus induces prothrombotic and inflammatory interactions, which persist after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Rupture of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Patients Under Screening Age and Elective Repair Threshold

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to identify the proportion of abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures that occur before the screening age or threshold diameter for operative repair is reached. METHODS The study was a retrospective analysis of RAAA patients including all RAAA patients admitted to Helsinki (HUH) and Tampere University Hospitals (TaUH) during 2002-2013. The data for age, gender, and comorbidities were collected from vascular registry and patient records. Computed tomography images taken at the time of admission were used for the measurement of maximum anteroposterior (AP) aneurysm diameter at the time of rupture. Age and diameter data were compared with risk factors. RESULTS A total of 585 patients diagnosed with RAAA were admitted to the two hospitals during the 12 year period. The mean age at the time of rupture was 73.6 years (SD 9.5, range 42-96 years). 18.3% of patients were under 65: 21.4% of men and 3.0% of women. Men were on average 8 years younger than women. The odds ratio (OR) for rupture before 65 years of age for smokers was 2.1 compared with non-smokers, and 28.4% of smokers were under 65 at the time of rupture. Of all RAAA patients, 327 had a computed tomography scan confirming rupture. The mean AP diameter of the aneurysm was 75.6 mm (SD 15.8, range 32-155 mm). The mean size was significantly lower in women than in men (70.5 vs. 76.8, p = .005). CONCLUSIONS The data from this study show that a fifth of men would not make it to the screening age of 65 before AAA rupture, the proportion being even larger in active smokers. The data from this study also supports the previous finding that aneurysm size at the time of rupture is significantly smaller in women.

Editor's Choice – Treatment of Aortic Prosthesis Infections by Graft Removal and In Situ Replacement with Autologous Femoral Veins and Fascial Strengthening

INTRODUCTION Aortic prosthetic graft infection (AGI) is a major challenge in vascular surgery. Eradicating the infection requires prosthetic material removal, debridement, and lower limb revascularization. For the past 15 years, we have used femoral veins for aorto-iliac reconstruction and tensor fascia lata to strengthen the upper anastomosis. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this single institution retrospective study is to present results regarding in situ replacement of infected aortic grafts with autologous femoral veins (FVs). METHODS From October 2000 to March 2013, patients treated for AGI with graft removal and autologous FV reconstruction at Helsinki University Hospital were included. Primary outcome measures were 30 day mortality, long-term treatment related mortality, and re-infection rate. Secondary outcome measures were long-term all cause mortality and event free survival (graft rupture, re-intervention, major amputation). RESULTS During a 13 year period 55 patients (42 male, 13 female) were operated on using a venous neo-aorto-iliac system for AGI. The mean follow up was 32 months (1-157 months). The 30 day mortality rate was 9% (5) and overall treatment related mortality 18% (10). All cause mortality during follow up was 22 (40%) and overall Kaplan-Meier survival was 90.7% at 30 days, 81.5% at 1 year, and 59.3% at 5 years. Graft rupture occurred in three (5%) cases, two of which were caused by graft re-infection (4%). Four patients required major amputation, one of them on arrival and three (5%) during the post-operative period. Nine (16%) patients needed interventions for the vein graft, and two graft limbs occluded during follow up. CONCLUSION In situ reconstruction for aortic graft infection with autologous FV presents acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality, and remains the treatment of choice for AGI at Helsinki University Hospital.

Hybrid procedures as a novel technique in the treatment of critical limb ischemia.

In hybrid reconstructions, patients are treated using both endovascular and open revascularization techniques simultaneously. In recent years, these multilevel reconstructions have been increasingly used especially by vascular surgeons as they have adopted new knowledge and endovascular skills and the endovascular techniques have evolved. The first reports of combined endovascular and open surgical procedures are from the 1970s. Since then, most reports have dealt with femoral endarterectomy or femoro-femoral bypass combined with inflow iliac percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting. Primary success rates have been high: 93%–100%. In our institution 213 hybrid procedures were performed during 2003–2011 with 98.6% technical success rate. The annual number of hybrid procedures ranged from 4 in 2004 to 73 in 2011. Inflow endovascular procedure was performed in 60% and outflow in 40 % of the cases. The proportion of the endovascular component performed by vascular surgeons increased from 0% in 2004 to 86.3% in 2011. In the current report we review the results published in the literature, report our own experience and present some technical notes and cases.

Ruptured aneurysm of sinus of valsalva:Long-term Postoperative Follow-up

Ruptured sinus Valsalva aneurysm was repaired in 13 patients (mean age c. 33 years). Dyspnea, chest pain, fatigue and palpitation were the most common symptoms and systodiastolic murmur, cardiomegaly and pulmonary congestion the most pertinent clinical findings. The pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio averaged c. 2.5. Associated cardiac anomalies were ventricular septal defect, aortic or mitral regurgitation, aortic coarctation or subvalvular stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot (altogether 8 cases). The origin of the fistula was the noncoronary, right coronary or left coronary sinus (5, 4 and 3 cases) or was not identifiable (1 case). Rupture occurred into the right atrium (6 cases), right ventricle (6) or pulmonary artery (1 case). Repair was undertaken through aortotomy (6 cases), right ventriculotomy (2) or right atriotomy (1) or through aortotomy + right ventriculotomy or atriotomy (4). In one case aortic valve replacement was performed. All survived the operation. Follow-up averaged 9.6 years. Recurrent fistulation, though with small shunt, was found in two cases. Combined two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography revealed minor cardiac abnormalities in most patients, particularly aortic regurgitation. All the patients were in NYHA function class I or II.

ENDOVASCULAR VS OPEN AAA REPAIR: SIMILAR EFFECTS ON RENAL PROXIMAL TUBULAR FUNCTION

Aim: To compare the effect of open and endovascular repair on renal function. Materials and methods: In a prospective, non-randomized study twenty-four abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) treatable with either method were repaired, 15 using endovascular device (ENDO group) and nine with open surgery with infrarenal aortic cross-clamping (OPEN group). All the patients had standardised general anaesthesia, intravascular fluid therapy and monitoring. Renal function tests and cardiovascular measurements were performed at predetermined intervals. Results: N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase indexed to urinary creatinine (U-NAG/crea), sensitive marker of renal proximal tubular damage, increased similarly in both groups at the end of surgery (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). No patient developed clinical renal impairment, on the contrary, creatinine clearance was increased, serum cystatin C (a sensitive marker of renal glomerular filtration) and serum creatinine concentration decreased at 24 hours postoperatively (Wilcoxon paired test, p < 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss and the amount of administered crystalloids were higher in the OPEN than in the ENDO group (Mann-Whitney U-test, p < 0.05). The cardiovascular measurements were comparable between the groups. The mean (SD) amount of radio-contrast media given was 3.1 (1.1) ml/kg in the ENDO group. Conclusions: Our results indicate that endovascular AAA repair does not protect renal proximal tubular function. A temporary renal tubular dysfunction was found both in open and in endovascular AAA repair which did not lead to permanent changes in renal function.

ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF AORTIC ANEURYSMS IN FINLAND: THE FIRST FOUR YEARS' EXPERIENCE

Background and aims: In this study the results of endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms in Finland are presented and compared to the results of the Eurostar registry. Material and methods: A total of 229 patients with aortic aneurysm were treated in five different Finnish centres during 1996–2000. The data of these patients were collected prospectively by surgeon or interventional radiologist involved. During the same period of time 2464 patients were registered in the Eurostar registry. Results: The procedure was performed successfully in 97 % of patients in Finland, and the 30-day mortality was 0,9 %. A graft limb thrombosis was detected in 9 % of the patients in Finland. A permanent primary endoleak at the first 30-day control was seen in 23 patients (10 %). During the follow-up 17 secondary endoleaks (7 %) were detected. A secondary intervention was necessary in 26 % of the patients. Three patients (1.3 %) had late rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Conclusions: According to the Finnish short-time results, endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms is safe and associated with relatively low morbidity and mortality. The mid-term results are more disappointing with relatively many graft thromboses and endoleaks, and a frequent need of secondary interventions.

A Population-Based Study of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment in Finland 2000 to 2014

Background: In the event of rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), mortality is very high. AAA prevalence and incidence of ruptures have been reported to be decreasing. The treatment of AAA has also undergone a change in recent decades with a shift toward endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Our aim was to evaluate how these changes have affected the elective and emergency treatment of AAA and their results in Finland. Methods: All patients treated for AAA in Finland, a country with a population of 5.5 million, during 2000 to 2014 were searched from the registry of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Data on all patients who had died of AAA during the same time period were obtained from Statistics Finland. The data were combined and analyzed. Results: The annual incidence of ruptured AAA was 16.4 per 100 000 population over 50 years and decreased significantly during the study period. Over half of the 4949 patients who had a ruptured AAA died outside the hospital. Thirty-day mortality after emergency repair was 39.4%. Intact AAA repairs numbered 4956. The absolute number of annual repairs increased during the study period, and the use of EVAR became the dominant method of elective repair. Thirty-day mortality in elective AAA repair dropped significantly from 6.3% in 2000 to 2004 to 2.7% in 2010 to 2014 mostly because of the increased number of EVAR procedures with lower mortality. Long-term mortality in patients treated with EVAR was higher than in patients treated with open repair. Mortality after elective AAA repair was primarily attributable to cardiovascular causes, but there was a slightly higher proportion of AAA-related late deaths in patients treated with EVAR. Conclusions: Ruptured AAA incidence for men >65 years has declined by nearly 30% in Finland, likely because of the decrease in AAA prevalence. The treatment results have improved as well for both elective and emergency repair. Increased use of EVAR has resulted in a decrease of mortality after elective AAA repair, but results of open repair have improved as well. However, late mortality from elective EVAR is surprisingly high in comparison with open repair, which may have been exaggerated by patient selection.

Outcome of symptomatic, unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms after endovascular repair with the Zenith stent-graft system

Objective. Symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) account for up to 20% of patients with unruptured AAA undergoing open repair. This condition is associated with an average postoperative mortality rate after open repair of about 16%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of a consecutive series of patients who underwent endovascular repair for symptomatic, unruptured AAA. Material and methods. From January 2000 to October 2006, 14 patients underwent endovascular repair of intact AAA within 15 days since admission for AAA-related symptoms. In these patients, a Zenith stent-graft (Cook Incorporated, Bloomington, IN, USA) was deployed at the Oulu University Hospital, Kuopio University Hospital and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Results. Stent-grafting was not successful in one patient because of access failure. The procedure was immediately converted to open repair and an aortobifemoral bypass with a Dacron prosthesis was performed. In the remaining 13 patients, bifurcated Zenith stent-grafts were deployed. After the procedure, type II endoleak was observed in three patients. The mean follow-up time was 1.9±1.4 years. The 2-year survival rate was 69%. The survival freedom from secondary procedure was 71% as one patient underwent stent-grafting for a distal type I endoleak 5 months after the procedure. Another patient underwent femoro-femoral cross-over bypass surgery because of right limb graft thrombosis which occurred 9 months after the procedure. Conclusions. These preliminary results suggest that endovascular repair of symptomatic, unruptured AAA is feasible and can be associated with a favourable outcome despite a very high operative risk.