Distal revascularization and interval ligation procedure for radial-basilic forearm transposition arteriovenous fistula.

The distal revascularization and interval ligation procedure is commonly performed for steal syndrome in upper arm arteriovenous accesses and is rarely performed in the forearm. We present a case of distal revascularization and interval ligation procedure performed for a 60-year-old male who presented with a 3-month history of a nonhealing ulcer of his left middle finger as a result of ischemic steal syndrome 4 years after having a left radial-basilic forearm transposition arteriovenous fistula.

Endovenous laser ablation of great saphenous vein and perforator veins improves venous stasis ulcer healing.

BACKGROUND: We sought to compare the outcomes of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) to EVLA of the GSV and calf incompetent perforator veins (IPVs) in management of venous stasis ulcers (VSUs). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with active VSUs (clinical, etiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology [CEAP] classification C6) that received EVLA of the GSV or combined EVLA of the GSV and IPV between May 2005 and May 2010 was completed. Primary outcomes measured include ulcer healing and a change in the venous clinical severity score (VCSS). Secondary end points included complications, ulcer recurrence rate, and time to ulcer healing. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients (108 limbs) met inclusion criteria with active VSU (CEAP classification C6) before ablation. The average age was 58 years, with a male predominance (61%). Seventy-eight patients (91 limbs) were treated with EVLA of the GSV alone. Subgroup analysis revealed that 46 of 91 limbs (35 patients) had GSV reflux only (group 1) and 45 of 91 limbs (43 patients) had underlying IPV (group 2). Seventeen patients (17 limbs) underwent combined EVLA of the GSV and IPV (group 3). VSU healing (CEAP classification C5) occurred in 21 of 46 limbs (46%) in group 1, 15 of 45 limbs (33%) in group 2, and 12 of 17 limbs (71%) in group 3. A comparison of ulcer healing between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 1 and 3 revealed no significant difference (Fisher's exact test; P = 0.285 and P = 0.095, respectively). However, there was a significant difference in ulcer healing between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.011). Group 1 ulcers healed in an average of 14.8 weeks, group 2 ulcers in 11.2 weeks, and group 3 in 13.2 weeks (analysis of variance; P = 0.918). Postoperative complications occurred in 7 limbs (15%) in group 1, 5 limbs (11%) in group 2, and 3 (18%) limbs in group 3. Recurrence of VSU occurred in 2 limbs (4%) in group 1, 5 limbs in group 2 (11%), and in no limbs in group 3 (Fisher's exact test; P = 0.676). Mean follow-up was 16.9 weeks for group 1, 19.2 weeks for group 2, and 14.0 weeks for group 3 (P = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Ulcer healing was accomplished to a significantly greater degree using EVLA of the GSV and IPV compared to GSV ablation alone for the treatment of active VSU in patients with combined reflux. This study suggests that limbs with VSU disease should be routinely examined for both superficial axial and perforator venous reflux and, when appropriate, combined ablation of the GSV and IPV should be considered in management of this disease.

In situ laser fenestration for revascularization of the left subclavian artery during emergent thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

PURPOSE: To present midterm outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with laser fenestration to revascularize the left subclavian artery (LSA) as an alternative to debranching. METHODS: Six symptomatic patients (3 men; mean age of 50 years) underwent emergent TEVAR with LSA revascularization via laser graft fenestration. Three patients had large thoracic aortic aneurysms (2 secondary to chronic dissection); 1 patient had an acute symptomatic type B aortic dissection, and 2 patients had intramural hematomas. Emergent TEVAR was carried out with deployment of a Dacron endograft over the orifice of the left LSA. Through retrograde brachial access, a 0.018-inch wire was placed at the ostium of the LSA followed by laser catheter fenestration of the graft. A 10-mm covered stent was deployed through the fenestration to traverse the endograft and LSA; the endograft portion of the covered stent was flared. RESULTS: Laser fenestration was successful in 5 of 6 attempts; 1 fenestration was abandoned secondary to an acute LSA takeoff in a type III aortic arch. In this case, the stent was placed as a snorkel to successfully revascularize the LSA with no adverse consequences. There were no fenestration-related complications and no neurological morbidity. At a mean 8-month follow-up (range 1-17), no patients had died, and all LSA stents were patent, with no fenestration-related endoleaks on imaging. CONCLUSION: In situ retrograde laser fenestration is a feasible and effective option for revascularizing the LSA during emergent TEVAR. Longer follow-up is necessary to determine the durability of this technique.

Anatomic severity grading score predicts technical difficulty, early outcomes, and hospital resource utilization of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: In 2002, a system for the grading of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) was developed by the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). Because the correlation of the anatomic severity grading (ASG) score to patient outcomes has yet to be validated, we provide our experience with calculating the ASG score using three-dimensional (3-D) image-rendering software and provide the practical translation of this score into early outcomes and hospital charges. METHODS: All patients who underwent an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for infrarenal AAAs between 2009 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, intraoperative data, and 30-day outcomes. ASG scores were calculated from morphologic measurements, and two independent patient groups were created: those with a low ASG score (score <14) and a high ASG score (score ≥14). RESULTS: We identified 108 patients (mean age, 75 years), of whom 56 were in the low-score ASG group and 52 were in the high-score ASG group. Operative outcomes significantly different in the low-score group vs high-score group were number of endograft implants (three vs four, P = .001), operative time (113 vs 210 minutes, P < .0001), blood loss (227 vs 866 mL, P = .0002), and contrast volume (100 vs 131 mL, P = .032). In the low-score group compared with the high-score group, access site adjuncts were 14% vs 50% (P < .0001), and intraoperative adjuncts were 54% vs 80% (P = .004). Most adjuncts (75%) were endovascular. No EVARs were converted to open. Mean hospital stay was 2 days for the low-score group and 5 days for the high-score group (P = .012). The 30-day operative mortality was zero. No aneurysm-related deaths occurred during follow-up. In the low-score vs high-score groups, mean operating room supply charge was $16,646 vs $25,765 (P = .006), and the mean total hospital charge was $70,956 vs $105,153 (P = .016). CONCLUSION: The anatomic severity grading score can be easily and rapidly calculated from computed tomography images with the aid of 3-D image-rendering software. The anatomic severity grading score correlates with the technical difficulty of EVAR and the extent of hospital resource utilization.

Femoral artery complications after cardiac catheterization: a study of patient profile.

BACKGROUND: Femoral artery complications after cardiac catheterization range from simple events to severe complications requiring invasive techniques or surgery with significant economic costs. This study evaluated early femoral arterial complications from percutaneous arterial access during diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations in an era of widespread use of closure devices and intense anticoagulation. METHODS: Patients undergoing percutaneous cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery between August 2005 and December 2005 were identified using an ICD-9 patient database. Forty-six data points were extracted by retrospective chart review, including demographics, comorbidities, type of anticoagulation, procedural details, and postprocedural complications. Univariable analysis and binary logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with complications. RESULTS: Eighty-two of 579 patients (14%) suffered complications. The most common complications were hematomas (51 patients, 10%) and active bleeding (14 patients, 2.4%). Closure devices were used in 470 patients. After multivariable correction, use of preprocedural (odds ratio [OR]=5.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.58-12.3, p<0.001) and intraprocedural (OR=4.88, 95% CI 1.95-12.3, p<0.001) antithrombotic agents (antiplatelet and/or anticoagulants), intraprocedural clopidogrel (OR=2.98, 95% CI 1.21-7.30, p=0.017), and postprocedural heparin (OR=29.4, 95% CI 3.56-250, p=0.002) were associated with increased risk. Coronary artery disease was associated with increased risk (OR=11.1, 95% CI 4.78-25.6, p<0.001), while use of a closure device (OR=0.263, 95% CI 0.125-0.553, p<0.001), male gender (OR=0.421, 95% CI 0.220-0.805, p=0.009), and prior catheterization (OR=0.033, 95% CI 0.012-0.095, p<0.001) were protective. CONCLUSION: With increasing numbers of complex coronary endovascular procedures and widespread use of high-dose multidrug antithrombotic therapy, femoral artery injuries will continue to be a significant risk for patients. Postprocedural monitoring with a high level of suspicion and use of vascular closure devices in high-risk patients may decrease the incidence of femoral artery complications. The use of vascular closure devices after low-risk procedures in male patients or those with previous ipsilateral catheterization might not be warranted but needs further study.

Leiomyoma of the greater saphenous vein: a case report and review of the literature.

Greater saphenous vein tumors are exceedingly rare, whether benign or malignant. Leiomyoma is one of the benign vascular tumors that can present as a localized mass; however, the diagnosis cannot be made clinically. Multiple radiologic imagings are usually required, as well as histological examination, to make a definitive diagnosis. This tumor is treated by wide excision along with a normal portion of the vessel, and the recurrence rate is very low. We describe the case of a patient with great saphenous vein leiomyoma.

A malignant omental extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor on a young man: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are uncommon intra-abdominal tumors. These tumors tend to present with higher frequency in the stomach and small bowel. In fewer than 5% of cases, they originate primarily from the mesentery, omentum, or peritoneum. Furthermore, these extra-gastrointestinal tumors (EGIST) tend to be more common in patients greater than 50 years of age. Rarely do EGIST tumors present in those younger than 40 years of age. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a large EGIST in a 27-year-old male. An abdominal pelvic computerized tomography imaging demonstrated an intra-abdominal mass of 22 cm, without invasion of adjacent viscera or liver lesions. This mass was resected en bloc with its fused omentum and an adherent portion of sigmoid colon. Pathology results demonstrated a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor with positive CD117 (c-kit) staining, and negative margins of resection, and no continuity of tumor with the sigmoid colon. Due to the malignant and aggressive nature of this patient's tumor, he was started on STI-571 as adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Stromal tumors of an extra-gastrointestinal origin are rare. Of the reported omental and mesenteric EGISTs in four published series, a total of 99 tumors were studied. Of the 99 patients in these series only 8 were under 40 years of age, none were younger than 30 years old; and only 5 were younger than 35 years old. Our patient's age is at the lower end of the age spectrum for the reported EGISTs. Young patients who present with an extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor (EGIST), who have complete resection with negative margins, have a good prognosis. There is little data to support the role of STI-571 in adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy after curative resection. Given the lack of data, the use of STI-571 must be individualized.

Successful treatment of phlegmasia cerulea dolens with combination surgical and catheter-assisted thrombectomy.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare condition caused by complete venous occlusion that leads to impaired arterial flow. Prompt diagnosis and treatment initiation are paramount in preventing progression to gangrene, the need for amputation, and possibly the death of the patient. Thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy, for advanced disease and cases in which anticoagulation is contraindicated, represent the current standard treatment. Here we report the case of a 47-year-old male who sustained severe trauma during a car accident. After having a prophylactic retrievable inferior vena cava filter placed, he developed caval thrombosis with progression to phlegmasia cerulea dolens. He was successfully treated with a combination of surgical thrombectomy of the lower extremity veins and catheter-assisted thrombectomy of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava, in the setting in which an initial attempt at balloon thrombectomy of the iliac veins and inferior vena cava failed. He was discharged from the hospital in stable condition and on follow-up visits had full resolution of symptoms. Ultrasound evaluation showed no residual venous clot. The presented case illustrates how the use of catheter-assisted thrombectomy alleviated the need for a laparotomy and direct caval evacuation of the thrombus and provided a timely and effective treatment of phlegmasia cerulea dolens with impending gangrene.