Takahiko Yamasawa

Bypass vs. Endovascular Therapy of Infrapopliteal Lesions for Critical Limb Ischemia.

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to determine whether to perform endovascular intervention or bypass surgery as a treatment option for critical limb ischemia (CLI) with lesions in the popliteal artery or below. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 150 patients (164 limbs) with CLI underwent endovascular intervention or bypass surgery for lesions in the popliteal artery or below at our department between May 1995 and June 2011. Therapeutic outcomes were examined by surgical technique. An indication for endovascular intervention was established with the combination of (1) poor general condition, and (2) a stenotic or occlusive lesion ≤5 cm. RESULTS The bypass group (group B) comprised 119 patients (99 males, 20 females) with 131 affected limbs at 46 to 89 years of age (mean: 70 years). The endovascular intervention group (group E) comprised 31 patients (25 males, 6 females) with 33 affected limbs at 47 to 89 years of age (mean: 72 years). There was no significant difference in patient demography between the two groups. Regarding preoperative complications, hypertension was observed in 54% and 61% of the subjects in groups B and E, respectively, diabetes in 36% and 55%, renal dysfunction in 29% and 58%, ischemic heart disease in 27% and 32%, and cerebrovascular disorder in 18% and 23%; renal dysfunction accounted for a significantly higher percentage in group E. As for early postoperative complications, subjects in group B experienced wound infections (6 patients), hemorrhage (2), thrombosis (2), pneumonia (1), and another complication (1), and those in group E experienced wound infections (1) and another complication (1). The hospital mortality rate was 0.8% (1 patient) for group B and 0% for group E. The 3-year cumulative primary patency rate was 72% for group B and 54% for group E; the rate was significantly higher for group B. The 3-year secondary patency rate was 82% for group B and 60% for group E. The 3-year limb salvage rate was 86% for group B and 82% for group E; there was no significant difference between the two groups. The 5-year survival rate was 57% for group B and 42% for group E; the survival rate was significantly lower for group E. CONCLUSION For the study population of CLI patients with lesions in the popliteal artery or below, the patency rate was higher for the bypass group than for the endovascular intervention group, whereas there was no difference in the limb salvage rate. Based on the findings in prognosis for survival, the indication for endovascular intervention at our department is believed to be appropriate. (English translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2013; 22: 715-718).

Long-Term Results of Obturator Bypass

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the long-term outcomes of obturator bypass. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 16 patients (13 males and 3 females; 17 limbs) who underwent obturator bypass surgery at our department between April 1995 and March 2008 were included. RESULTS Their ages ranged from 50 to 90 with a mean of 74 years. Inguinal infections observed in the 16 patients consisted of vascular graft infections in 13 patients, hemostatic device infections following endovascular therapy in two patients, and femoral artery infections following coronary angiography in one patient. The cumulative patency rate was 69% for 3 years and 43% for 5 years. The cumulative survival rate was 64% for 3 years and 55% for 5 years. CONCLUSION Obturator bypass surgery was successfully performed with favorable results for arterial infections and vascular graft infections in the inguinal region.

Treatment of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Involving Upper Extremity Reperfusion Injury

A 70-year-old man underwent emergent primary central repair for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) with right upper extremity ischemia. Ascending aorta and hemi-arch replacement concomitant with additional right upper peripheral bypass was performed for persistent right upper arm ischemia. The early reperfusion injury (RI) of the right upper extremity was defined the next day, and managed by continuous hemodialysis (CHD) and infusion therapy, resulting in the arm being salvaged. This is an extremely rare adverse phenomenon, and we herein described its successful treatment with perioperative intensive management following central repair of AAAD.

Hypogastric and lumbar artery bypasses to restore gluteal perfusion after open aortoiliac aneurysm repair

Gluteal ischemia is a rare but often fatal complication after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A 67-year-old man with an aortoiliac aneurysm presented with a patent right internal iliac artery (IIA) and an occluded left IIA. A bifurcated graft replacement was performed with both limbs of the graft anastomosed to the external iliac arteries. The right IIA was ligated and the inferior mesenteric artery was reimplanted. Postoperatively, the patient developed right gluteal ischemia. Hypogastric and lumbar artery bypasses were immediately performed and the patient recovered without gait disturbance. This treatment prevented potentially fatal necrosis of the buttock.

Assessment of the Characteristics and Detectability of Skin Perfusion Pressure Measured Using a Thermostatic Heating Probe

OBJECTIVES To assess the characteristics of skin perfusion pressure (SPP) measured using a thermostatic heating probe and whether a thermostatic heating probe improves SPP detection. METHODS We studied 8 feet of healthy young subjects and 31 feet of elderly patients suspected to have severe limb ischemia. We measured SPP at the dorsum and plantar aspects of each foot using a plain laser Doppler probe and a thermostatic heating probe heated at 44°C. Results were expressed as median. Comparisons were analyzed using a non-parametric test. RESULTS In the healthy subjects, the SPP values at both the dorsum and the plantar aspect were not significantly different after heating. The thermostatic heating probe did not improve the SPP detection rates. In the patients with ischemic limb, the SPP values at both the dorsum and the plantar aspect significantly increased after heating (p <0.001 for both). The SPP detection rate at the dorsum remained at 96.8%; however, it was improved from 87.1% to 100% at the plantar aspect after heating. CONCLUSION The thermostatic heating probe was shown to be useful for improving the detectability of SPP in the ischemic limbs. An SPP increase after heating may be considered as a parameter of limb ischemia.