Arteriovenous fistula as adjuvant treatment in arterial revascularization of an at-risk limb.

Acute arterial occlusion remains a major challenge for the vascular surgeon. The therapeutic approach depends mostly upon the severity of the tissue injury and the duration of symptoms. Several techniques are available in the current therapeutic arsenal, however, regardless of the technique chosen, postoperative factors frequently observed, such as poor outflow status, or even low graft flow, can contribute negatively to the outcome of revascularization. We describe a case of acute limb ischemia, in the postoperative period of a femoral-tibial bypass, which was occluded due to outflow limitation and high peripheral vascular resistance. The patient underwent a second tibial revascularization combined with construction of an arteriovenous fistula, followed by forefoot amputation and partial skin graft. An energetic approach to the at-risk limb makes it possible to reduce unfavorable outcomes, such as amputation and death, and accelerates recovery of tissues affected by acute ischemia.

The outcomes of internal iliac artery preservation during endovascular or open surgery treatment for aortoiliac aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Internal iliac artery (IIA) preservation continues to be a challenge during open surgery or endovascular repair of abdominal aortoiliac aneurysm (AAIA). OBJECTIVES: To determine the results in terms of survival and clinical outcomes in patients with aortoiliac aneurysms (AAIA) treated with endovascular (EV) or open surgical (OS) repair. METHODS: This was a retrospective consecutive cohort study of patients with AAIA who underwent EV or OS repair. RESULTS: Post-procedure hospitalization time and intensive care unit stay were both longer in the OS group than in the EV group (7.08 ± 3.5 days vs. 3.32 ± 2.3 days; p = 0.03; 3.35 ± 2.2 days vs. 1.2 ± 0.8 days; p = 0.02, respectively). There were two cases of bowel ischemia (4.7%; OS 8.3% and EV 3.2%; p = 0.48), two cases of buttock claudication (4.7%; OS 8.3% and EV 3.2%; p = 0.48), and one case of sexual dysfunction (2.3% OS), all of them in patients with bilateral occlusion of the internal iliac artery (five patients, 11.6%; p = 0.035). Overall survival at 720 days was 80.6% in the EV group and 66.7% in the OS group (p = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, OS and EV repair of aortoiliac aneurysms had similar overall survival and outcomes. Preservation of at least one internal iliac artery is associated with good results and no further complications.

CONTEXTO: A preservação de uma artéria ilíaca interna continua a ser um desafio terapêutico nos pacientes com aneurismas aorto-ilíacos submetidos tanto ao tratamento endovascular quanto a cirurgia aberta. OBJETIVOS: Determinar os resultados da sobrevida e desfechos clínicos em pacientes com aneurismas aorto-ilíacos (AAIA) que recebem reparo endovascular (EV) ou cirúrgico aberto (CA). MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo de coorte consecutivo e retrospectivo de pacientes com AAIA submetidos a reparo EV ou CA. RESULTADOS: Houve maior tempo de internação pós-procedimento e permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva no grupo CA comparado com o grupo EV (7,08±3,5 dias vs. 3,32±2,3 dias; p = 0,03; 3,35±2,2 dias vs. 1,2±0,8 dias; p = 0,02, respectivamente). Houve dois casos de isquemia intestinal (4,7%; CA 8,3% e EV 3,2%; p = 0,48), dois casos de claudicação das nádegas (4,7%; CA 8,3% e EV 3,2%; p = 0,48) e um caso de disfunção sexual (2,3% CA), todos em pacientes com oclusão bilateral da artéria ilíaca interna (AII) (cinco pacientes, 11,6%; p = 0,035). A sobrevida global aos 720 dias foi de 80,6% no grupo EV e de 66,7% no grupo CA (p = 0,58). CONCLUSÕES: No presente estudo, o EV e o CA para aneurismas aorto-ilíacos apresentaram sobrevida e desfechos clínicos semelhantes. A preservação de pelo menos uma AII está associada a bons resultados e sem complicações adicionais.

Alternative iliofemoral revascularization in extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Over recent decades, there has been a considerable increase in use of endovascular methods to treat aortoiliac occlusive disease. It has been demonstrated that this approach offers many benefits, primarily for non-complex arterial lesions of the iliac axis, but difficulties persist with achieving adequate results over the medium and long term when treating extensive occlusive disease. Arterial bypasses to alternative vicarious arteries of the femoral-genicular complex for limb salvage are well known in the literature describing cases that are not favorable for conventional or endovascular surgery. We describe the case of a patient with extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease treated with an arterial bypass in the iliofemoral territory, using an alternative autologous substitute and the descending lateral femoral artery as recipient artery. Alternative bypasses and substitutes that are normally reserved for exceptional cases can and should be part of the vascular therapeutic arsenal and have a contribution to make in cases in which endovascular surgery does not yet enable us to achieve good results.