R. James Valentine

Autogenous aortoiliac/femoral reconstruction from superficial femoral-popliteal veins: Feasibility and durability

PURPOSE Autogenous aortoiliac/femoral reconstruction with superficial femoral-popliteal veins (SFPVs) has been successfully used to treat prosthetic infection and failure, but outcome data are scant. In this prospective, observational study, we hypothesized that (1) replacement of the aortoiliac/femoral system with SFPVs could be performed with perioperative morbidity and mortality rates equal to those of conventional methods; (2) long-term patency rates would be excellent; (3) limb salvage rates would be correspondingly high; (4) aneurysmal degeneration would not occur, and (5) venous morbidity would be minimal. METHODS Since 1990, 41 patients have undergone complete or partial aortoiliac/femoral reconstruction with 63 SFPVs with a mean (+/-SD) follow-up time of 32 +/- 21 months. With the exception of two patients lost to follow-up, all have been observed at 6-month intervals with clinical examination and noninvasive tests. RESULTS There were no immediate operative deaths, but three patients (7.3%) died of multisystem organ failure after 1 month. Forty-nine percent of patients had significant perioperative complications including amputation (5%), compartment syndrome (12.3%), and pulmonary embolism (2.4%). Most patients (85%) had multilevel occlusive disease, and the mean SVS/ISCVS runoff score for the group was 4.9 +/- 2.6 (1 = normal, 10 = no runoff). Fifty-eight percent of all distal anastomoses were end-to-end, and in 68% of limbs the profunda femoris artery or superficial femoral artery was the sole runoff vessel. At 5 years, the cumulative secondary patency rate was 100%; primary patency rate, 83%; limb retention rate, 86%; and survival rate, 69%. Four patients had permanent limb edema controlled by compression stockings but none have had venous ulceration. There has been no aneurysmal dilation of SFPV grafts, and mean diameter shown by serial duplex imaging at 6 months (10.8 +/- 1.1 mm) was not significantly different from that at 60 months (7.8 +/- 1.1 mm). CONCLUSIONS Aortoiliac/femoral reconstruction with SFPVs is a successful and durable option for infection and other complex aortic problems.

Creation of a neo-aortoiliac system from lower extremity deep and superficial veins

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the morbidity, mortality, and intermediate term follow-up of patients undergoing replacement of their aortoiliac-femoral systems with lower extremity deep and superficial veins. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA The most commonly used treatment for aortic prosthetic infection is ectopic bypass and removal of the prosthesis. The overall mortality rate with this approach is approximately 20%, with an amputation rate of 10% to 14%. Other limitations include thrombosis of the ectopic bypass leading to limb loss, reinfection of the ectopic bypass, and aortic stump blowout. Dissatisfaction with this approach has led the authors to develop the following. METHODS A neo-aortoiliac system (NAIS) was fashioned from lower extremity deep veins (DV), greater saphenous veins (GSV), or both in patients with infected aortobifemoral prosthesis (n = 17) and other complex aortic problems (n = 3). Removal of infected prosthetic material, harvest of vein, and creation of NAIS was performed as a single-staged procedure. RESULTS The in-hospital mortality and amputation rates were 10% each. The mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) operative time was 6.5 +/- 1.8 hours and the blood transfusion requirement was 4 +/- 3 units. Four patients experienced postoperative gastrointestinal complications with peritonitis and sepsis; NAIS vein graft resisted infection and remained intact. The mean follow-up time was 22.5 +/- 16 months. NAISs constructed from GSVs were prone to the development of focal stenoses requiring intervention or diffuse neointimal hyperplasia leading to occlusion. In contrast, all NAISs from larger caliber DVs have remained widely patent. The failure rate of GSV NAISs was 64%, compared to 0% for DV NAISs (p = 0.006). Despite the high failure rate in patients with GSV NAISs, none has required amputation. In patients who had DVs harvested for NAIS reconstruction, limb edema and other signs of venous hypertension have been minimal. CONCLUSION NAIS reconstruction from lower extremity veins is a successful option in patients with extensive aortic prosthetic infection and other complex aortic problems.

Effectiveness of pulmonary artery catheters in aortic surgery: A randomized trial

PURPOSE To evaluate the routine use of pulmonary artery catheters (PAC) in patients who undergo aortic surgery. METHODS One hundred twenty patients were randomized to placement of PACs for perioperative monitoring and hemodynamic optimization (tune up) in the intensive care unit on the night before aortic operation, or to intravenous hydration in the ward and perioperative monitoring without PACs. Before randomization, all patients underwent routine adenosine thallium-201 scintigraphy. RESULTS To meet predetermined endpoints, 30 PAC patients (50%) received nitrates, inotropic agents, or both. PAC patients received more fluid in the preoperative period (p < 0.001) and in the first 24 hours after operation (p = 0.002) than control subjects. Eleven PAC patients (18%) and three control subjects (5%) had adverse intraoperative events (p = 0.02). There were 20 adverse postoperative events in 15 PAC patients (25%; nine cardiac, seven pulmonary, four acute tubular necrosis), which was not different compared with 11 postoperative events in 10 control subjects (17%; five cardiac, five pulmonary, one acute tubular necrosis). There were also no differences in duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay between groups. Postoperative cardiac complications were more common among patients who had a history of congestive heart failure (p = 0.02; odds ratio, 3.75; confidence interval, 1.3 to 11) or reperfusion defects on adenosine thallium scintigraphy (p = 0.01; odds ratio, 3.4; confidence interval, 1.2 to 9.4), regardless of group. CONCLUSIONS Routine use of PACs for perioperative monitoring with the above protocol during aortic surgery is not beneficial and may be associated with a higher rate of intraoperative complications. Preoperative tune up does not prevent postoperative cardiac, renal, and other complications. Variables such as cardiac risk factors and adenosine thallium scintigraphy may be more important predictors of cardiac events in patients who undergo aortic operations.

Trends and outcomes of concurrent carotid revascularization and coronary bypass

BACKGROUND The management of concurrent carotid and coronary artery disease is controversial. Although single-center observational studies have revealed acceptable outcomes of combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), community-based outcomes have been substantially inferior. Recently, carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been introduced for the management of high-risk patients with carotid stenosis, including those with severe coronary artery disease. This study was undertaken to evaluate the nationwide trends and outcomes of CAS before CABG vs combined CEA and CABG and to assess the risk for adverse events. METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify patients discharged after concurrent carotid and coronary revascularization procedures. All patients that underwent CAS before CABG and combined CEA-CABG during the years 2000 to 2004 were included. The type of revascularization and major adverse events (ie, in-hospital stroke and death rates) were determined by cross-tabulating discharge diagnostic and procedural codes. Risk stratification was performed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Weighted exact Cochrane-Armitage trend test and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the association between types of revascularization, comorbidities, complications, and risk-adjusted mortality. RESULTS During the 5-year period, 27,084 concurrent carotid revascularizations and CABG were done. Of these, 96.7% underwent CEA-CABG, whereas only 3.3% (887 patients) had CAS-CABG. From 2000 to 2004, the proportion of patients undergoing CAS-CABG vs CEA-CABG did not significantly changed (P = .27). Patients undergoing CAS-CABG had fewer major adverse events than those undergoing CEA-CABG. CAS-CABG patients had a lower incidence of postoperative stroke (2.4% vs 3.9%), and combined stroke and death (6.9% v. 8.6%) than the combined CEA-CABG group (P < .001), although in-hospital death rates were similar (5.2% vs 5.4%). After risk-stratification, CEA-CABG patients had a 62% increased risk of postoperative stroke compared with patients undergoing CAS before CABG (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.5; P = .02). However, no differences in the risk of combined stroke and death were observed (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.9-1.6; P = NS). CONCLUSION Although CAS may currently be performed for high-risk patients, it is still infrequently used in patients who require concurrent carotid and coronary interventions. In the United States, patients who undergo CAS-CABG have significantly decreased in-hospital stroke rates compared with patients undergoing CEA-CABG but similar in-hospital mortality. CAS may provide a safer carotid revascularization option for patients who require CABG.

Surgical mortality in patients with infected aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND Mortality in patients with infected aortic aneurysms remains high. A number of patient- and infection-specific risk factors for death have been proposed, but none is consistently predictive of poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the possible contribution of infection-related risk factors and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) to outcomes of patients with infected aortic aneurysms. STUDY DESIGN Ten patients with infected aortic aneurysms presenting to our institution over a recent 6-year period were studied. Collected data included aneurysm location, culture results, preoperative indicators of SIRS, operative details, and outcomes. RESULTS Common presenting symptoms included abdominal or back pain and fevers. Aneurysms involved the thoracoabdominal aorta in four patients, the suprarenal aorta in one, the juxtarenal aorta in one, and the infrarenal aorta in four. Seven patients met criteria for SIRS. Repairs included in situ replacement of the infected aneurysm using rifampin-soaked, gel-impregnated Dacron in four patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms and using autogenous superficial femoral-popliteal vein in five patients with infrarenal aneurysms. Four patients died of sepsis, and six patients survived to discharge after a mean of 23 +/- 12 days in the hospital, followed by extensive rehabilitation. The combination of SIRS and suprarenal extension was present in all four patients who died. CONCLUSIONS Although rare, infected aortic aneurysms are associated with marked morbidity and mortality. Sepsis is the leading cause of death. A combination of host- and infection-specific variables may be more predictive of outcomes than any single risk factor. Prolonged hospitalization and extended rehabilitation are frequently required in survivors, but longterm outlook is good after successful treatment.

Venous morbidity after superficial femoral-popliteal vein harvest

PURPOSE The superficial femoral-popliteal vein (SFPV) is a reliable conduit for aortoiliac, infrainguinal, and venous reconstructions. In this prospective study, we characterized the anatomic and physiologic changes in SFPV harvest limbs and their relationship to the development of late venous complications. METHODS Since 1990, we have studied 61 patients after harvest of 86 SFPVs at 6-month intervals with clinical examinations, lower-extremity venous duplex, and venous function tests. The CEAP system was used as a means of categorizing clinical changes. RESULTS Mean (+/- SEM) follow-up was 37 +/- 3 months. Less than one third of harvest limbs had edema without skin changes (C3). No patient had major chronic venous changes (C4 to C6) or venous claudication. There were no significant differences in limb measurements between harvest and non-harvest limbs, except in a subgroup of patients with unilateral harvest in which there was a small but significant (P =.046) increase in harvest limb thigh and calf circumference, compared with the opposite non-harvest limb. These clinical results were not affected by the presence or absence of an intact greater saphenous vein (GSV). Large, direct collaterals (4 to 6 mm in diameter) between the popliteal vein stump and profunda femoris vein (PFV) were seen by means of duplex ultrasonography in 29 harvest limbs (34%). The remainder appeared to have smaller, less direct collaterals to the PFV. Mild venous reflux with rapid cuff deflation was present at the popliteal or posterior tibial vein in nine of 79 harvest limbs (11%). Six of these nine limbs (67%) with reflux were clinical class C3, compared with only 19 of the 70 limbs without reflux (27%; P =.02). Ambulatory venous pressure (AVP) with exercise was significantly increased in harvest limbs (60 +/- 4.7 mm Hg), compared with non-harvest limbs (47.8 +/- 5.2 mm Hg; P =.049). The AVP recovery time of harvest limbs (14.0 +/- 1.0 seconds) was reduced, compared with non-harvest limbs (23.5 +/- 4.5 seconds; P =.02). AVPs (exercise) remained stable or decreased in six of 10 harvest limbs measured serially. Venous refill time in harvest limbs (15.1 +/- 1.1 seconds) was shortened, compared with non-harvest limbs (22.3 +/- 2. 1 seconds)(P =.002). Venous outflow obstruction measured by means of plethysmography was present in 93% of harvest limbs, compared with 36% of non-harvest limbs (P =.001). CONCLUSION SFPV harvest results in minimal mid-term to late-term lower-extremity venous morbidity despite outflow obstruction. The most likely mechanisms preserving clinical status include the low incidence of mild reflux, the presence of collateral venous channels, and the lack of progression in abnormal harvest limb physiology. The absence of the ipsilateral GSV does not adversely affect clinical outcome.

THE CORONARY RISK OF UNSUSPECTED RENAL ARTERY STENOSIS

PURPOSE This study was designed to determine the prevalence of unsuspected renal artery stenoses (RAS) in patients undergoing arteriography for evaluation of aneurysmal or occlusive vascular disease and whether symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) is more prevalent among patients with unsuspected RAS. METHODS We reviewed the arteriograms and medical records of 346 consecutive patients with aortic aneurysms or occlusive disease in whom RAS was unsuspected on clinical grounds. RESULTS Aortography revealed unsuspected RAS (50% or greater diameter loss) in 98 patients (28%). Patients with RAS had a higher prevalence of mild, controlled hypertension (p < 0.001) and mild renal insufficiency (p < 0.001), but in no case was arteriography obtained to diagnose renovascular hypertension or ischemic nephropathy. Fifty-seven patients (58%) with unsuspected RAS had clinically overt CAD (documented myocardial infarction, positive coronary catheterization, previous coronary revascularization, ischemic electrocardiography changes, or angina pectoris), compared with 96 patients (39%) without RAS (p = 0.002). The correlation between the prevalence of CAD and RAS severity was highly significant (p < 0.001), and the relative odds ratio of CAD was highest for RAS measuring 75% or greater. Stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated three variables to be significantly and independently associated with CAD: 75% or greater RAS (p = 0.001), aortic aneurysm disease (p = 0.01), and hypertension (p = 0.001). RAS measuring 75% or greater diameter loss was associated with the highest estimated odds ratio: patients with this degree of RAS had a fourfold increase in the prevalence of clinically overt CAD. We also evaluated the relationship between RAS, mesenteric artery stenosis, and CAD; although RAS was more frequent among patients with mesenteric artery stenoses, mesenteric artery stenoses were not associated with CAD. CONCLUSIONS Unsuspected RAS is common among patients with peripheral vascular disease and should be considered an independent marker for CAD.

Long-term results of the treatment of aortic graft infection by in situ replacement with femoral popliteal vein grafts

OBJECTIVE Graft excision and neo-aortoiliac system (NAIS) reconstruction with large caliber, femoral popliteal vein (FPV) grafts have been reported as successful treatment of aortic graft infection (AGI) in several small series with limited follow-up. The goal of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes in large cohort of consecutive patients treated with NAIS for AGI. METHODS From 1990 to 2006, 187 patients (age: 63 +/- 10 years) with AGI were treated with in situ reconstructions using 336 FPV grafts. Data from a prospectively maintained data base were analyzed. RESULTS NAIS reconstruction was performed for 144 infected aortofemoral bypasses, 21 infected aortic-iliac grafts, and 22 infected axillofemoral bypasses that had been placed to treat AGI. Polymicrobial cultures were present in 37% while 17% showed no growth. There were 55% gram positive, 32% gram negative, 13% anaerobic, and 18% fungal infections. The mean Society for Vascular Surgery run-off resistance score was 4.5 +/- 2.3. Concomitant infrainguinal bypass was necessary in 27 (14%) patients (32 limbs). Major amputations were performed in 14 (7.4%) patients. Out of 14 amputations, five patients had irreversible ischemia and in four, there was no conduit available. Graft disruption from reinfection occurred in 10 patients (5%). While 30-day mortality was 10%, procedure-related mortality was 14%. Independent risk factors for perioperative death on multivariate analysis were: preoperative sepsis (odds ratio [OR] 3.5) ASA class 4 (OR 2.9), Candida species (OR 3.4), Candida glabrata (OR 7.6), Klebsiella pneumoniae (OR 3.5), and Bacteroides fragilis (OR 4.1). Perioperative factors included use of platelets (OR 2.4), blood loss >3.0 liters (OR 9.5). Cumulative primary patency at 72 months was 81%; secondary/assisted primary patency was 91%. Limb salvage at 72 months was 89%. Five-year survival was 52%. CONCLUSIONS These results compare favorably with other methods of treating AGI, especially in patients with multilevel occlusive disease. Principle advantages include acceptable perioperative mortality, low amputation rate, superior durability with excellent long-term patency, and freedom from secondary interventions and recurrent infections.

Measuring Operative Performance after Laparoscopic Skills Training: Edited Videotape versus Direct Observation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Global assessment by direct observation has been validated for evaluating operative performance of surgery residents after formal skills training but is time-consuming. The purpose of this study was to compare global assessment performed from edited videotape with scores from direct observation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Junior surgery residents (N = 22) were randomized to 2 weeks of formal videotrainer skills training or a control group. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed at the beginning and end of the rotation, and global assessment scores were compared for the training and control groups. Laparoscopic videotapes were edited: initial (2 minutes), cystic duct/artery (6 minutes), and fossa dissection (2 minutes). Two independent raters performed both direct observation and videotape assessments, and scores were compared for each rater and for interrater reliability using a Spearman correlation. RESULTS Correlation coefficients for videotape versus direct observation for five global assessment criteria were <0.33 for both raters (NS for all values). The correlation coefficient for interrater reliability for the overall score was 0.57 (P = 0.01) for direct observation v 0.28 (NS) for videotape. The trained group had significantly better overall performance than the control group according to the assessment by direct observation (P = 0.02) but not by videotape assessment (NS). CONCLUSIONS Direct observation demonstrated improved overall performance of junior residents after formal skills training on a videotrainer. Global assessment from an edited 10-minute videotape did not correlate with direct observation and had poor interrater reliability. Efficient and valid methods of evaluating operative performance await development.

Saphenous vein patch versus primary closure for carotid endarterectomy: Long-term assessment of a randomized prospective study

PURPOSE This study examines the long-term results of a randomized prospective study comparing primary versus saphenous vein patch (VP) closure after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS One-hundred thirty-six patients undergoing 163 CEAs over a 46-month period were prospectively randomized to VP, or primary closure. Patients with internal carotid artery diameters less than 5 mm and those requiring complex CEAs underwent obligatory vein patch (OVP). Patients were monitored with duplex scanning every 3 months for 1 year and every 6 months thereafter. All patients received aspirin. RESULTS There were three perioperative strokes (one in the primary group, two in the OVP group) and no perioperative deaths. Two perioperative revisions were performed within 30 days of the original CEA for residual disease. During a mean follow-up of 59 +/- 4 months, nine ipsilateral neurologic events have occurred, including two strokes and seven transient ischemic attacks. Sixteen patients had duplex evidence of recurrent stenosis, and one was associated with a stroke 36 months after CEA. Recurrence rates were similar in all groups (cumulative recurrence at 5 years: primary 7.8%, VP 14.3%, OVP 5.3%). Of the 136 patients (163 procedures), 72 (53%) (88 procedures) are alive and well, 16 (11.7%) (19 procedures) have been lost to follow-up, and 48 patients (35.3%) (56 procedures) have died. The cumulative stroke-free survival rate at 84 months was 71% for VP, 74% for OVP, and 60% for the primary group. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that CEA is a durable procedure. The use of VP closure did not produce superior long-term results compared with the use of primary closure in this select group of patients.