Shunya Shindo

Improved patency of collagen-impregnated grafts after in vitro autogenous endothelial cell seeding.

Currently available prosthetic vascular grafts remain sufficiently thrombogenic to preclude their use as small-caliber arterial substitutes. However, thrombogenicity may be significantly reduced by the presence of an endothelial monolayer on the luminal surface. The present study was undertaken to test the efficacy of lining a small-caliber prosthesis with autogenous endothelial cells in vitro so that the graft may subsequently be implanted with an established confluent endothelial lining. For this purpose, cells were obtained from canine external jugular vein, harvested enzymatically, and passaged in culture. Dacron grafts (4 X 150 mm) were then seeded in vitro and maintained for 48 to 72 hours before implantation in the femoral position of the same animal. Seeded grafts were implanted contralateral to unseeded control grafts and explanted after 1 month. Seeded grafts demonstrated an 86% patency rate at explanation in contrast to the significantly lower 14% patency rate of the unseeded control grafts. This study justifies further investigation directed toward the feasibility of endothelializing intravascular prostheses in vitro before implantation.

Rupture of an Isolated Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm into the Rectum : Report of a Case

Aneurysmal rupture into the intestinal tract is a rare but disastrous complication of an internal iliac artery aneurysm. We report herein the successful surgical repair of a fistula between a huge aneurysm of the right internal iliac artery and the rectum in an 81-year-old man. After a femoro-femoral cross-over bypass had been performed, the aneurysm was opened and its patent arterial branches were ligated with sutures. The fistula was then intra-aneurysmally sutured and covered with an omental flap. The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this severe complication are discussed with a review of the literature following the presentation of this case.

Species variation and the success of endothelial cell seeding

In vivo seeding of vascular grafts in dogs has resulted in the formation of a confluent luminal monolayer and increased patency. Results of similar trials in humans have been mixed. Interspecies variation of the harvest, attachment, and growth of vascular endothelium might explain these apparent differences. Endothelial cells were harvested by standard enzymatic techniques from bovine aorta (n = 7), canine external jugular vein (n = 9), and human saphenous vein (n = 8). Growth curves were generated by means of a replicate microwell technique and then compared with the following observations: Harvest of endothelium from human saphenous vein provides a lower yield of viable endothelial cells. When compared to bovine or canine cells, the lag phase of the growth curve of human cells is prolonged and the doubling time in the growth phase is increased. These results suggest that in humans there are fewer available cells, and conditions for endothelial cell growth may be more stringent than for other species. It may be necessary to develop alternative methods of seeding before success in humans can be achieved.

Successful surgical treatment of a patient with multiple visceral artery aneurysms due to fibromuscular dysplasia

Multiple visceral artery aneurysms due to fibromuscular dysplasia are rare. A 43-yr-old man with a pulsatile abdominal mass detected by ultrasonography had multiple visceral artery aneurysms diagnosed by angiography. This included a huge superior mesenteric artery aneurysm. Aneurysm resection and arterial reconstruction was performed successfully. Pathologic examination revealed fibromuscular dysplasia of the medial fibroplasia type.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm associated with pseudocoarctation of the aorta

Pseudocoarctation is a rare anomaly in the descending thoracic aorta. A 44-year-old man experienced sudden onset of back pain for 5 days prior to admission. Computed tomography showed kinking and stenosis in the distal aortic arch with a distal aneurysm. The patient underwent emergency surgery, with a diagnosis of impending rupture. The aneurysm was lobular with a very thin wall. Pseudocoarctation is rare and most often is asymptomatic. However, the aneurysm should be treated surgically, and the area of stenosis resected.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair with Arterial Branch Reconstruction: Utility of the Temporary Bypass Technique

Between June 1992 and May 1996, five patients underwent an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with concomitant arterial branch reconstruction. All of the patients were males ranging in age from 55 to 66 years (mean: 61.6 years). The operations were performed for a localized abdominal aortic dissection, a pseudoaneurysm after patch angioplasty of a supraceliac AAA, a pararenal AAA, a total AAA with retrograde descending thoracic aortic dissection, and a supraceliac AAA after an infrarenal AAA repair. All patients underwent bilateral renal artery (RA) reconstruction. Three patients also had a concomitant reconstruction of the superior mesenteric artery ad celiac axis. The renal arteries were preferentially reconstructed. Visceral circulation during aortic cross-clamping was maintained via a temporary bypass circuit. A temporary division of the left renal vein was necessary in two patients. Overall, the mean renal ischemia time was 17.2min (range: 10 to 32 min). There was one perioperative death due to sepsis from a graft infection. Another patient died 6 months postoperatively due to pyothorax. One patient required postoperative hemodialysis for 1 month. Based on the above findings, the temporary bypass technique is thus considered to be useful for maintaining physiologic organ perfusion during aortic clamping without the need to use any complicated devices.

Staged Vascular Reconstruction Along with Repeatedly Performed Angiography to Prevent Ischemic Limb Loss with Buerger's Disease: Report of a Case

Abstract An aggressive approach to vascular reconstruction should be adopted in patients with Buergers disease and peripheral ischemia who are often young and otherwise active. A patient with severe Buergers disease is reported who was treated successfully by complete vascular reconstruction with staged bypass surgery while also performing repeated angiography to preserve the foot function. A 48-year-old man with Buergers disease presented with necrosis of the foot. Angiography showed occlusion of the right distal external iliac artery and no runoff below the knee. Repeated angiography after performing a lumbar sympathectomy demonstrated patency of the distal portion of the deep femoral artery. Angiography was again performed after a reconstruction of the deep femoral artery and patency of the anterior tibial artery was observed. A staged bypass operation on the tibial artery was therefore able to achieve a prompt healing of both the toe ulcers and plantar wound.

Peroneal artery reconstruction via medial approach using tourniquet occlusion.

As peroneal artery bypass surgery is technically demanding, a simplified medial approach was used in 23 peroneal artery reconstructions in 21 patients between January 1993 and December 2001. The outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Peroneal artery reconstruction was undertaken through a medial skin incision using tourniquet occlusion and saphenous vein grafts. Graft patency was confirmed by angiography or duplex color imaging. Peroneal bypass was possible through the medial approach in 20 cases; in 1 limb, the target was occluded. During a mean follow-up of 43.9 months, there were 4 graft occlusions. None of the failures was due to a technical error related to the procedure. All of the other patients had relief of their symptoms, including those who presented with disabling claudication. Technical improvements have made peroneal bypass a reasonable choice in below-knee arterial reconstruction. This technique should not be restricted to limb salvage.

Delayed Manifestation of Aortic Stenosis After Blunt Abdominal Trauma: Report of a Case

Delayed manifestation of aortic stenosis caused by abdominal blunt trauma is rare. We report herein the case of a 67-year-old man who was taken to a nearby hospital after being crushed between a heavy truck and a wall. An emergency laparotomy was performed, revealing only a mesenteric tear which was repaired. He was discharged after an uneventful postoperative course; however, 1 month later he began to experience intermittent claudication, and presented to our hospital in December 1994, 1 year after the first operation. Angiography and enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated infrarenal abdominal aortic dilatation with distal stenosis. Both the dilated and stenotic lesions were resected and bypass surgery was performed. Pathologic examination demonstrated that the intima had been lacerated circumferentially and everted distally, causing the aortic stenosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the delayed manifestation of traumatic aortic stenosis to be documented in Japan. The etiology of this rare complication of blunt trauma is described in this report.

Collateral artery bypass in buerger's disease: Report of a novel procedure

A 25-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of a painful ulcer on his left fourth toe, 9 years after undergoing lumbar sympathectomy and 4 years after undergoing bypass, both of which had been unsuccessful. Angiography demonstrated diffuse arterial occlusion in the lower extremities except for a persistent sciatic artery and a sural artery, which was the main collateral. Thus, reversed bifurcated saphenous vein bypass from the sciatic artery to the sural artery and the posterior tibial artery was performed utilizing Esmarchs rubber bandage as a substitute for a vascular clamp to control bleeding intraoperatively. The ulcer healed promptly and the patient was discharged symptom-free 1 month postoperatively. This case report dmonstrates the advantage of performing collateral arterial bypass and illustrates some of the technical challenges associated with this procedure.