Shinsuke Kikuchi

Clinical Results of Cystic Excision for Popliteal Artery Cystic Adventitial Disease: Long-term Benefits of Preserving the Intact Intima

Surgical treatment for popliteal artery cystic adventitial disease (PACAD) is still controversial. PACAD often occurs in young or middle-aged adults. Therefore, the maintenance of graft patency for very long periods is a concern if a prosthesis is used. Because the intima is intact in PACAD patients with popliteal artery stenosis, a treatment that preserves the healthy intima is ideal. We describe the cases of 3 patients who underwent cystic excision for PACAD with severe stenosis. No recurrence was observed for up to 11 years, and these long-term results revealed that cystic excision could be reconsidered as one of the first-line therapeutic methods.

A single nucleotide polymorphism of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27Kip1) associated with human vein graft failure affects growth of human venous adventitial cells but not smooth muscle cells

Background Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27Kip1) is a cell‐cycle inhibitor whose ‐838C>A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs36228499; hereafter called p27 SNP) has been associated with the clinical failure of peripheral vein grafts, but the functional effects of this SNP have not been demonstrated. Methods Human saphenous vein adventitial cells and intimal/medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were derived from explants obtained at the time of lower extremity bypass operations. We determined the following in adventitial cells and SMCs as a function of the p27 SNP genotype: (1) p27 promoter activity, (2) p27 messenger (m)RNA and protein levels, and (3) growth and collagen gel contraction. Deoxyribonuclease I footprinting was also performed in adventitial cells and SMCs. Results p27 promoter activity, deoxyribonuclease I footprinting, p27 mRNA levels, and p27 protein levels demonstrated that the p27 SNP is functional in adventitial cells and SMCs. Both cell types with the graft failure protective AA genotype had more p27 mRNA and protein. As predicted because of higher levels of p27 protein, adventitial cells with the AA genotype grew slower than those of the CC genotype. Unexpectedly, SMCs did not show this genotype‐dependent growth response. Conclusions These results support the functionality of the p27 SNP in venous SMCs and adventitial cells, but an effect of the SNP on cell proliferation is limited to only adventitial cells. These data point to a potential role for adventitial cells in human vein graft failure and also suggest that SMCs express factors that interfere with the activity of p27. Clinical Relevance Approximately 400,000 vein grafts are used each year to bypass coronary and peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and ˜30% of the grafts fail in the first year because of intimal hyperplasia and pathologic remodeling. This high rate of failure has not changed in 40 years. Animal models of vein grafts have put the spotlight on the smooth muscle cells of the inner vein wall, but animal models may not accurately reflect this human disease. The current study implicates the adventitial cells of the outer wall in graft failure.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome Associated with Treatment for Acute Exacerbation of Ulcerative Colitis

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a clinical syndrome of varying etiologies with similar neuroimaging findings. This is a case report of a 25-year-old woman who developed typical, neurological symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities after treatment for the acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis (UC), which included blood transfusion, the systemic administration of prednisolone, and the administration of metronidazole. It has been reported that these treatments may contribute to the development of RPLS. RPLS should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of UC patients who exhibit impaired consciousness, seizures or visual deficits during treatment. We report a rare case of RPLS in a patient with UC.

Skin Temperature in Lower Hind Limb Subjected to Distal Vein Arterialization in Rats

Vascular surgery for distal vein arterialization (DVA) has been adopted clinically as a strategy for saving arteriosclerotic lower limbs from amputation. To gain more detailed information on DVA, the present study investigated the procedure in hind limbs of rats under isoflurane anesthesia. Since successful DVA requires destruction of venous valves, a coronary angioplasty catheter guidewire was used to destroy valves either solely in the femoral vein or in both femoral and popliteal veins. The femoral artery was then anastomosed to the femoral vein with sutures under binocular microsopic control. Changes in the distribution of skin blood flow in the hind limbs were studied with a thermal camera. Skin temperature increased in the thigh and knee after femoral venous valve destruction, but hyperthermia was observed in the distal leg and foot only when the valves in the popliteal vein were also disrupted. These results showed that increased arterial blood flow could be established by DVA surgery in both the proximal and distal regions of the hind limbs.

Recent Progress of Bypass Surgery to the Dialysis-Dependent Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia

According to expansion of dialysis-dependent population, more than half of patients with critical ischemic limbs are dialysis-dependent in Japan. Although patients with end-staged renal disease are well-known as poor life prognosis, well-managed dialysis patients in Japan can survive much longer compared to dialysis patients in the United States and Europe. Therefore, some dialysis patients can enjoy the long-term benefits of bypass surgery. To decide the indication of bypass surgery, patient’s general condition, nutrition status, and vein availability are more important rather than arterial disease anatomy. Ultrasound guided nerve block anesthesia blocking both sciatic and femoral nerve is contributing greatly to quick postoperative recovery of high risk patients. Preoperative ultrasound examination also contribute to not only vein mapping but also find out the graftable segment of artery. The selection of distal target should be decided based on the degree of arterial disease (luminal surface as well as wall calcification), and arterial run-off. Several tips regarding anastomosis to heavily calcified artery have been established including how to create bloodless operative field without arterial clamps. Adequate wound management after bypass surgery is also important. Detection of deep infection such as osteomyelitis and the adequate treatment may avoid major amputation of salvageable limbs. In the era of endovascular treatment, the evidences guiding how to select dialysis patients suitable for bypass surgery are awaiting. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2017; 26: 33–39.)

Successful limb salvage through staged bypass combined with free gracilis muscle transfer for critical limb ischemia with osteomyelitis after failed endovascular therapy

BackgroundCritical limb ischemia with osteomyelitis is so difficult to treat that even appropriate revascularization and wound therapy cannot achieve limb salvage because of uncontrollable infection. It is still difficult to judge the possibility of limb salvage before revascularization.Case presentationA 73-year-old male complained of a small ulcer on his left toe, which was treated with multiple endovascular therapy. After failed endovascular therapy, he suffered extensive tissue loss with tibial osteomyelitis. We carried out staged surgery that was composed of dual bypass to the sural artery and posterior tibial artery. After intensive debridement and wound care, insertion of a subsequent free gracilis muscle flap to cover the exposed tibial bone was performed, achieving functional limb salvage.ConclusionEven in the threatened limb with extensive tissue loss and osteomyelitis, intensive and multidisciplinary treatment with staged revascularization, muscle transfer, and appropriate wound care achieved functional limb salvage.

A left ventricular assist device for a patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy

Abstract Since its introduction in Japan in 1980, the extracorporeal left ventricular assist device has been used as a bridge to the recovery of cardiac function or to heart transplantation by many institutions. In this case report, we describe a 23-year-old female with peripartum cardiomyopathy. She had a persistently low cardiac index despite intensive care with intravenous inotropes, intra-aortic balloon pumping and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; thus, we implanted an extracorporeal left ventricular assist device. Thereafter, her cardiac function gradually improved; the device was removed 2 months after the implantation. She currently has good heart function.

IF10. The Influence of Postoperative Ambulatory Status on Graft Flow After Infrainguinal Bypass Surgery With Vein Grafts

had widely patent SMAs at last follow-up. Mean total seal zone length was 41.4 mm. There was a single secondary intervention for asymptomatic SMA stenosis requiring stent placement 1 year after F-EVAR. There were no Type IA endoleaks and no endoleaks related to SMA fenestrations. Five patients of the entire cohort (4.7%) required SMA stenting at the index procedure. Three of these patients had prior EVAR (n 1⁄42) or open repair (n 1⁄4 1), One patient had a pre-existing critical SMA stenosis and underwent planned SMA stenting, and in one patient, the graft was deployed imprecisely and low, and the SMA was successfully stented from a brachial approach. Conclusions: The unstented SMA in association with F-EVAR remains widely patent in the presence of fenestrations or struts and is not associated with endoleaks. The need for adjunctive SMA stenting may be related to prior aortic intervention and case complexity. Follow-up DUS and CTA surveillance confirms that SMA patency remains in the normal or <70% stenosis range after F-EVAR regardless of whether it is encompassed by a large fenestration or crossing struts.

Clinical factors that influence the cellular responses of saphenous veins used for arterial bypass

Objective: When an autogenous vein is harvested and used for arterial bypass, it suffers physical and biologic injuries that may set in motion the cellular processes that lead to wall thickening, fibrosis, stenosis, and ultimately graft failure. Whereas the injurious effects of surgical preparation of the vein conduit have been extensively studied, little is known about the influence of the clinical environment of the donor leg from which the vein is obtained. Methods: We studied the cellular responses of fresh saphenous vein samples obtained before implantation in 46 patients undergoing elective lower extremity bypass surgery. Using an ex vivo model of response to injury, we quantified the outgrowth of cells from explants of the adventitial and medial layers of the vein. We correlated this cellular outgrowth with the clinical characteristics of the patients, including the Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection classification of the donor leg for ischemia, wounds, and infection as well as smoking and diabetes. Results: Cellular outgrowth was significantly faster and more robust from the adventitial layer than from the medial layer. The factors of leg ischemia (P < .001), smoking (P = .042), and leg infection (P = .045) were associated with impaired overall outgrowth from the adventitial tissue on multivariable analysis. Only ischemia (P = .046) was associated with impaired outgrowth of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the medial tissue. Co‐culture of adventitial cells and SMCs propagated from vein explants revealed that adventitial cells significantly inhibited the growth of SMCs, whereas SMCs promoted the growth of adventitial cells. The AA genotype of the −838C>A p27 polymorphism (previously associated with superior graft patency) enhanced these effects, whereas the factor of smoking attenuated adventitial cell inhibition of SMC growth. Comparing gene expression, the cells cultured from the media overexpress Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways associated with inflammation and infection, whereas those from the adventitia overexpress gene families associated with development and stem/progenitor cell maintenance. Conclusions: The adverse clinical environment of the leg may influence the biologic behavior of the cells in the vein wall, especially the adventitial cells. Chronic ischemia was the most significant factor that retards adventitial cell outgrowth. The cells arising from the vein adventitia may be key players in determining a healthy adaptive or a pathologic response to the injuries associated with vein grafting. Clinical Relevance: We prospectively studied saphenous veins from 46 infrainguinal bypasses and found that ex vivo cellular outgrowth was significantly impaired by the deleterious clinical factors of leg ischemia, smoking, and infection—especially for the adventitial layer of the vein. The adventitial cells may play an important role in the healthy remodeling of a successful vein graft.

PC140. Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Revascularization for Patients With Threatened Limb Attributed to Pure Isolated Infrapopliteal Lesions

CI, Confidence interval; OR, odds ratio.Note: Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve 1⁄4 0.83; model adjusted for self-reported symptom severity Component of the Barratt’s Impulsivity Questionnaire used to measure behavioral economics factors; time orientation suggests that individuals oriented to the future enact behaviors that have delayed effects. Journal of Vascular Surgery Abstracts e211 Volume 67, Number 6