Impact of wound management strategies after revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: There is no established consensus or guidelines for wound management after revascularization for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) without severe infection. This study is designed to evaluate the clinical effect of the wound management strategy on toe wounds after revascularization for CLTI. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed at eight institutions affiliated with Keio University School of Medicine in Japan and included 261 patients who underwent revascularization for CLTI between April 2019 and July 2021. We identified 132 patients with toe wounds from the database who had restored in-line blood flow to the foot. Patients were divided into two groups by the timing of toe resection after revascularization, which dictated the wound management policy. Group A (62 patients) underwent early toe amputation for suspected osteomyelitis, whereas group B (70 patients) underwent watchful waiting. The primary outcome was wound healing after revascularization; the secondary outcome was major amputation. We compared outcomes between groups A and B after propensity score matching. RESULTS: Using propensity score matching, each patient in group A (33 patients) was matched with a patient in group B (33 patients). Wound healing in matched group A was significantly better than that in matched group B (respectively: 1-year wound healing rate: 90.0% vs 68.2%, P < .001; median wound healing time: 65 days vs 258 days, P < .01). Although five major amputations were necessary in matched group B, none were required in matched group A (P = .05). The high rate of major amputations in group B was attributed to the sudden exacerbation of infection. Limb salvage rate in matched group A exceeded matched group B (100.0% vs 90.5%: 1-year limb salvage rate, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Early toe amputation for highly suspected osteomyelitis in patients with CLTI with toe wounds may expedite wound healing compared with watchful waiting, potentially avoiding unnecessary major amputation. Considering the wound management strategy is crucial when evaluating wound healing outcomes in patients with CLTI with revascularization.

Effectiveness of Initial and Repeat Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty of Restenotic Arteriovenous Fistulae Compared with That of Plain Angioplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of drug-coated balloon (DCB) with high-dose paclitaxel for the treatment of restenotic dysfunctional arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-arm, multicenter, prospective, observational study, 334 patients who underwent DCB angioplasty using IN.PACT AV (Medtronic, Plymouth, Minnesota) for the first time for restenotic lesions of dysfunctional AVFs between April 2021 and March 2022 were registered. Outcomes were compared with the outcomes of plain angioplasty performed previously, leading up to the restenosis. RESULTS: Procedural success, defined as <30% residual stenosis, was achieved in 96.7% of cases. During a median follow-up of 7.4 months, 179 target lesion reinterventions (TLRs) were observed, and the 6-month freedom from TLR was 73.2% (68.2%-78.2%). When compared with the previous plain angioplasty, the median time to reintervention was significantly longer with DCB (9.1 [8.0-10.6] vs 3.2 [3.0-3.4] months; P < .001). Baseline characteristics that were independently associated with TLR were as follows: months from the last intervention (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.50 [95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.62] per doubling; P < .001), partial lesion coverage by DCB (2.13 [1.10-4.12]; P = .024), and residual stenosis after DCB (2.19 [1.53-3.12] per 15% increase; P < .001) with its time interaction (0.91 [0.86-0.97] per month; P = .003). Of the 179 TLRs, 84 used DCB once again. The median time to reintervention was significantly longer for TLR using DCB (7.1 [6.2-9.7] vs 3.3 [3.1-4.0] months; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: DCB with high-dose paclitaxel is effective at both the initial treatment of restenotic lesions of dysfunctional AVFs and during TLR after DCB use. Partial lesion coverage by DCB and residual stenosis may compromise patency.

Long-Term Outcomes of a Japanese Prospective Multicenter Registry Using a Heparin-Bonded Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft for Above-the-Knee Femoropopliteal Bypasses.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of PROPATEN®, a bioactive heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft, in bypass surgery, there are only a few reports of long-term results. We evaluated the long-term results of PROPATEN®use for above-knee femoropopliteal bypass (AKFPB). METHODS AND RESULTS: After PROPATEN®-based AKFPB, patients were prospectively registered at 20 Japanese institutions between July 2014 and October 2017 to evaluate long-term results. During the median follow-up of 76 months (interquartile range 36-88 months) for 120 limbs (in 113 patients; mean [±SD] age 72.7±8.1 years; 66.7% male; ankle-brachial index [ABI] 0.45±0.27; lesion length 26.2±5.7 cm; chronic limb-threatening ischemia in 45 limbs), there were 8 major amputations; however, clinical improvement was sustained (mean [±SD] ABI 0.87±0.23) and the Rutherford classification grade improved in 105 (87.5%) limbs at the latest follow-up. At 8 years, the primary patency, freedom from target-lesion revascularization, secondary patency, survival, and amputation-free survival, as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, were 66.3±4.8%, 71.5±4.4%, 86.5±3.4%, 53.1±5.0%, and 47.4±5.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter prospective registry-based analysis showed sustained excellent clinical improvement and secondary patency for up to 8 years following PROPATEN®-based AKFPB. PROPATEN®constitutes a durable and good revascularization option for complex superficial femoral artery lesions, especially when endovascular treatment is inappropriate or an adequate venous conduit is unavailable.

Long-term Outcomes of the Endurant and Excluder Stent Grafts for Endovascular Aneurysm Repair in a Japanese Cohort.

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term outcomes of the most widely used third-generation stent grafts, the Endurant and Excluder stent grafts, in Japanese patients using a multicenter registry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of endovascular aneurysm repairs for abdominal aortic and iliac artery aneurysms using either the Endurant or the Excluder stent grafts from January 2012 to July 2019 at 10 Japanese hospitals was performed. RESULTS: A total of 332 and 378 repairs using the Endurant and Excluder stent grafts, respectively, were analyzed. Although the patients' characteristics were generally similar in the two groups, the Endurant group exhibited significantly shorter (Endurant: 31.5±18.6 mm, Excluder: 37.4±21.0 mm; p<0.001), larger (Endurant: 22.4±4.2 mm, Excluder: 21.7±3.8 mm; p=0.029), and more reversed tapered (Endurant: 12.1%, Excluder: 5.8%; p=0.003) proximal necks. The incidence of instructions for use (IFU) violations was similar between the two groups (Endurant: 59.0%, Excluder: 54.5%; p=0.223). However, the Endurant group had significantly more proximal neck-related IFU violations (54.1% and 46.3%, respectively; p=0.039), more access-related IFU violations (8.1% and 4.0%, respectively; p=0.019), and fewer bilateral hypogastric artery embolizations (5.1% and 9.3%, respectively; p=0.035) compared with the Excluder group. The incidence of intraoperative (Endurant: 3.6%, Excluder: 3.7%; p=0.950) and perioperative complications (Endurant: 3.6%, Excluder: 3.4%, p=0.899) was equivalent in the two groups. However, there was a significantly higher incidence of postoperative type II endoleaks in the Excluder group (Endurant: 28%, Excluder: 46.0%, p<0.001). Aneurysm sac regression was more frequent in the Endurant group (Endurant: 40.7%, Excluder: 31.7%, p=0.013). The Endurant group also had significantly higher rates of sac increase (Endurant: 13.0%, Excluder: 7.7%, p=0.020). Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank analyses revealed no statistical differences in late complications (p=0.868) and overall survival (p=0.926). CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences between the Endurant and the Excluder stent grafts in terms of intraoperative, perioperative, and late complication rates; however, the anatomical characteristics of the patients were significantly different.

Midterm Results of a Japanese Prospective Multicenter Registry of Heparin-Bonded Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts for Above-the-Knee Femoropopliteal Bypass.

BACKGROUND: This study prospectively analyzed the midterm results of above-the-knee femoropopliteal bypass (AKb) using bioactive heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (HB-ePTFE) graft in patients with femoropopliteal occlusive disease.Methods and Results:This prospective, multicenter, non-randomized study reviewed limbs undergoing AKb with HB-ePTFE graft for femoropopliteal lesion in 20 Japanese institutions between July 2014 and October 2017. Primary efficacy endpoints were primary, primary assisted, and secondary graft patency. Safety endpoints included any major adverse limb event and perioperative mortality. During the study period, 120 limbs of 113 patients (mean age, 72.7 years) underwent AKb with HB-ePTFE grafts. A total of 45 patients (37.5%) had critical limb ischemia and 17 (15.0%) were on hemodialysis (HD). Median duration of follow-up was 16 months (range, 1-36 months). Estimated 1- and 2-year primary, primary assisted, and secondary graft patency rates were 89.4% and 82.7%, 89.4% and 87.2%, and 94.7% and 92.5%, respectively. On univariate analysis of 2-year primary graft patency, having 3 run-off vessels, cuffed distal anastomoses, no coronary artery disease, and no chronic kidney disease requiring HD were significantly associated with favorable patency. CONCLUSIONS: AKb using HB-ePTFE grafts achieved favorable 2-year graft patency. AKb using HB-ePTFE grafts may therefore be an acceptable, highly effective treatment option for femoropopliteal artery lesions.

Impact of Stent Graft Design on External Iliac Artery Limb Occlusion Rates After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Post-hoc Analysis of a Japanese Multicentre Database.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: It was hypothesised that a helical stent with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts could provide a preventive effect for external iliac artery (EIA) limb occlusion following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Therefore, a post-hoc analysis of a Japanese multicentre database was conducted to assess the impact of the stent graft design on EIA limb occlusion rates. METHODS: Patients who underwent EVAR with EIA limb deployment between 2008 and 2016 were evaluated. The stent graft limbs were divided into two groups: group A comprised stent graft limbs made of a helical stent with ePTFE grafts (Excluder; n = 255), and group B comprised stent graft limbs made of a Z stent with polyester grafts (Zenith, Flex and Endurant; n = 173). The main outcome was the incidence of limb occlusion and severe limb stenosis (EIA related limb complications). The risk factors for EIA related limb complications were analysed and the midterm results between groups A and B compared. Fine-Gray generalisation of the proportional hazards model was used after propensity score matching to calculate the hazard ratio (HR). RESULTS: One complication occurred in group A and 10 complications occurred in group B. The risk factors for EIA related limb complications for the entire group were a stent graft limb size ≤10 mm (HR 5.41; p = .01) and inclusion in group B (HR 14.9; p = .009). After propensity matching, group A (n = 159) was matched with group B (n = 159). The cumulative incidence function of EIA related limb complications at five years was 0.66% in group A and 7.8% in group B (HR 8.67; p = .039). CONCLUSION: Stent graft design can affect limb patency in EIA limb deployment. When EIA limb deployment is necessary for patients with a small EIA, such as Japanese patients, stent graft limbs made of a helical stent with ePTFE should be used to reduce the risk of limb occlusion.

Early sac shrinkage is a good surrogate marker of durable success after endovascular aneurysm repair in Japanese patients.

OBJECTIVE: The applicability of early sac shrinkage as a predictor of a low risk of late complications after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in Asian populations has not been validated. This study aimed to analyze early sac shrinkage and its relationship with late complications in Asian people using a Japanese multicenter database. We also assessed the impact of endoleaks. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 697 patients who had undergone EVAR of abdominal aortic aneurysms from 2008 to 2015 and were followed up for at least 1 year was conducted. Late complications were defined as any aneurysm-related events occurring >1 year after EVAR, including >5-mm aneurysm sac enlargements and any reinterventions performed. Endoleaks without any evidence of sac enlargement or a requirement for additional treatment were not considered late complications. RESULTS: Early sac shrinkage, defined as a >5-mm-diameter decrease within 1 year of EVAR, occurred in 335 patients (48.1%); type I endoleaks (T1ELs) and isolated type II endoleaks (iT2ELs; type II endoleaks without evidence of other endoleaks) were observed in 4.0% and 29.4%, respectively. During the mean follow-up period of 45.5 months, 93 late complications (13.3%) occurred. Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank analyses showed that early sac shrinkage was a significant predictor for a lower risk of late complications (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that early sac shrinkage was independently associated with a lower risk of late complications (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.425; P = .004). Conversely, T1ELs and iT2ELs were positively associated with late complication (adjusted hazard ratio, 11.774 and 5.137, respectively; both P < .001). Subsequent multivariate analysis demonstrated that T1ELs and iT2ELs were negatively associated with early sac shrinkage (adjusted odds ratio, 0.102 and 0.285, respectively; both P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Early sac shrinkage was associated with a low risk of late complications in Asian people and may be a good surrogate marker of durable success after EVAR. T1ELs and iT2ELs were negatively associated with early sac shrinkage and positively associated with late complications. Along with the high incidence of iT2ELs observed, T2ELs may be an important condition to consider after EVAR in the Asian population.

Secondary Aortoenteric Erosion Followed by Recurrent Lower Extremity Abscesses.

A secondary aortoenteric fistula (SAEF) is a relatively rare complication of aortoiliac reconstructive surgery, often involving relatively fixed duodenal third portion and a vascular anastomosis. We observed a 52-year-old man with a recurrent right lower leg abscess following the erosion between ipsilateral bifurcated prosthetic graft limb and nonfixed jejunum. In situ graft-sparing surgical treatment with aggressive debridement was successfully performed. A SAEF may occur even at a nonvascular anastomosis site, or in nonfixed small bowel, and may become a source of a septic embolus. A high index of suspicion for SAEF is required for early diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening complication.

Characteristics and Risk Factors for Type 2 Endoleak in an East Asian Population From a Japanese Multicenter Database.

BACKGROUND: Clinically distinct differences exist between East Asian and Caucasian subjects, but data for type 2 endoleak (T2EL) are limited in the East Asian population. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of East Asian T2EL using a Japanese multicenter database. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of 832 endovascular aneurysm repairs performed from 2008 to 2014 were conducted. T2EL was observed in 234 cases (28.1%), and in 32 cases (3.8%) it led to sac expansion >5 mm caused by isolated T2EL (median follow-up, 35.6 months). On univariate and multivariate analysis, non-smoker status (odds ratio [OR], 2.216; P<0.001), Excluder stent graft (OR, 2.027; P<0.001), and T2EL at final angiogram (OR, 2.080; P<0.001) were risk factors for T2EL. On multivariate analysis for isolated T2EL with sac expansion, only non-smoker status remained (OR, 2.671; P<0.001). Other than T1EL, isolated T2EL was the most significant risk factor for sac expansion (OR, 18.486; P<0.001). Furthermore, out of 11 transarterial embolization procedures initiated, 4 led to rupture during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: East Asian T2EL had a strong relationship with non-smoker status. Also, T2EL was a significant risk factor for sac expansion, which sometimes led to rupture even after intervention. Along with the high prevalence of T2EL observed, East Asian T2EL may not always be benign.

Evolution of Computed Tomographic Characteristics of Spontaneous Isolated Superior Mesenteric Artery Dissection During Conservative Management.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery (SMA) dissection is a rare condition, and its clinical and angiographic courses are poorly defined. We aimed to monitor the morphological characteristics of spontaneous isolated SMA dissection using computed tomography (CT) over 2 years of follow-up, including the recovery process via vascular remodeling, and identify the factors that affect vascular remodeling using univariate analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and morphological findings of 59 consecutive patients with spontaneous isolated SMA dissection between October 2007 and July 2014, which included 36 symptomatic and 23 asymptomatic patients. Surgical intervention with open laparotomy was required in 3 patients during the follow-up period; 41 patients who received conservative treatment were followed up over 2 years with regular CT. Complete remodeling was achieved in 16 of 25 symptomatic patients who were treated conservatively (64.0%). A patent false lumen and aneurysmal formation on an initial CT scan were identified as negative factors that affected remodeling in patients with spontaneous isolated SMA dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management of spontaneous isolated SMA dissection is associated with a good prognosis, both clinically and morphologically. Surgical intervention is only required in patients with severe intestinal ischemia or rapid aneurysmal enlargement. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1452-1459).

Resolvin D2 restores neutrophil directionality and improves survival after burns.

Following severe burns and trauma injuries, the changes of neutrophil migratory phenotype are a double-edged sword. Activated neutrophils migrate into injured tissues and help contain microbial infections, but they can also enter normal tissues and damage vital organs. Depleting the neutrophils from circulation protects vital organs against neutrophil-induced damage but leaves the body exposed to infectious complications. Here we show that restoring normal neutrophil migratory phenotype in rats with burn injuries correlates with improved survival in a classical double-injury model of sequential burn and septic insults. We uncovered that the directionality of neutrophils from burned rats can be restored both in vitro by 1 nM resolvin D2 (RvD2) and in vivo by RvD2 for 7 d, 25 ng/kg body mass (8-10 ng/rat). Restoring neutrophil directionality dramatically increases survival after a second septic insult at d 9 postburn. Survival of RvD2-treated animals increases from 0 to 100% after lipopolysaccharide injection and is extended by 1 wk after cecal ligation. Survival does not significantly increase when the restoration of neutrophil directionality is incomplete, following shorter regimens of RvD2. We conclude that restoring neutrophil directionality using RvD2 could have prophylactic value and delay lethal complications after burn injuries.

Prediction of need for bowel resection in acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion: A retrospective study of 48 Japanese patients.

Aim: This study aimed to predict cases of acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion requiring bowel resection using occlusion site and time from symptom onset to diagnosis at five Japanese institutions. Advances in imaging, endovascular treatment, and perioperative management have improved the clinical outcomes of patients with acute SMA occlusion; however, in clinical practice it remains difficult to effectively determine patients requiring bowel resection. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 48 patients (mean age: 82.5 y; male: 37.5%) diagnosed with acute SMA occlusion between June 2009 and August 2018. Background data of patients who required and did not require bowel resection were compared. A multivariable predictive model was developed using the time from symptom onset to diagnosis and whether SMA occlusion was proximal, including the origin of the middle colic artery. Results: Fifteen patients (31.3%) died during the hospital stay. Atrial fibrillation (83.3%) was the most common comorbidity. The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 13.0 (interquartile range, 4.75-24.0) h. Laparotomy, bowel resection, and thrombus embolectomy were performed in 41 (85.4%), 26 (54.2%), and 21 (43.8%) patients, respectively. A logistic regression model achieved 78.6% sensitivity in predicting cases not requiring bowel resection. Proximal occlusion was significantly associated with the requirement for bowel resection (P = .039). Conclusion: The time from symptom onset to diagnosis and occlusion site contributed to high sensitivity in determining the need for bowel resection in patients with acute SMA occlusion. Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate the clinical impact of this model.

Estrogen deficiency attenuates neovascularization in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: The possible relation between menopause and the development of peripheral arterial disease, especially lower extremity disease, has not been fully studied. To explore this issue, we investigated whether estrogen deficiency affected neovascularization in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia. METHODS: Ischemia was surgically induced in one hindlimb of oophorectomized and control female BALB/c mice. Neovascularization in the ischemic hindlimbs was evaluated using laser Doppler blood flow analysis and capillary density analysis of the adductor muscle. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein in the adductor muscle of the ischemic hindlimbs was assessed. RESULTS: The plasma 17-ß estradiol levels were significantly lower in the oophorectomized mice than in the control mice. The oophorectomized mice also had a significantly reduced blood perfusion index and capillary density on day 21 after the induction of hindlimb ischemia and significant suppression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expression on day 3 after ischemia induction. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen deficiency attenuated neovascularization in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia. Impaired neovascularization in oophorectomized mice might correlate with a reduction in endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression caused by estrogen deficiency.

Preliminary Experience of Viabahn Stent Graft Inside the Occluded Prosthetic Bypass Graft for the Treatment of Above Knee Femoropopliteal Bypass Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To describe a multi-center preliminary experience of treating prosthetic above knee femoropopliteal (AKFP) bypass occlusion by placing a Viabahn stent graft inside the occluded prosthetic bypass graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of consecutive 14 patients (mean age 73.2 ± 10.2, 78.6% male) receiving Viabahn stent graft inside the occluded prosthetic bypass graft for the treatment of prosthetic AKFP bypass occlusion in the collaborating hospitals from November 2016 to June 2019 was performed. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean lesion length was 34.0 ± 3.5 cm, concomitant thrombectomy or thrombus aspiration was performed in 11 patients (78.6%), and average of 1.57 ± 0.65 Viabahn stent grafts were used. Mean ankle-brachial index improved from 0.24 ± 0.23 to 0.98 ± 0.14 after the treatment. All patients had preoperative ischemic symptoms with 9 patients (64.3%) having Rutherford class > 4 symptoms; however, all preoperative symptoms resolved after the treatment. During the mean follow-up of 450.9 ± 234.7 days, there were two target lesion revascularizations, leading to a primary patency rate of 92.9% and a secondary patency of 100.0% at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Placing a Viabahn stent graft inside the occluded prosthetic bypass graft for the treatment of prosthetic AKFP bypass occlusion appears to be effective from our preliminary experience. Even though sample size is limited in our study, it may be considered as a potential treatment option before surgical reintervention.

Multiple aneurysms of the splenic artery caused by fibromuscular dysplasia.

Splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are relatively rare. Moreover, there has been only one previous report of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) affecting the splenic artery alone. We describe a 64-year-old man with long, segmental, large, and multiple SAAs in whom the splenic artery branched from the aorta. The patient underwent endoaneurysmorrhaphy and splenectomy, with ligation in the proximal segment of the splenic artery. Histopathological analyses of resected specimens showed characteristics compatible with FMD. To our knowledge, long, segmental, large, and multiple SAAs caused by FMD have not previously been reported.

Evaluation of intragastric vs intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests in the evaluation of insulin resistance in a rodent model of burn injury and glucagon-like polypeptide-1 treatment.

Evaluation of glucose tolerance in rodent models is usually performed after intraperitroneal administration of glucose (intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test [IPGTT]), whereas in humans the test is performed with oral glucose. Hyperglycemia is a major clinical manifestation of burn injury. Our previous studies using IPGTT have demonstrated burn injury-induced insulin resistance and the beneficial effects of glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1) in improving insulin resistance. The goal of the present study is to compare the results of these two procedures under 1) burn injury-induced insulin resistance and 2) GLP-1 treatment after burn. Male CD rats were divided into three groups: sham burn, burn, and burn with GLP-1. Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were measured during intragastric glucose tolerance test (IGGTT) on day 6 after 40% of full-thickness burn injury. The results were compared with our previous IPGTT. Blood glucose curves for IGGTT and IPGTT showed a similar pattern. However, IGGTT demonstrated a significant lower level of maximal blood glucose when compared with IPGTT. This was accompanied by higher peak insulin levels in sham burn and burn groups. In contrast, peak insulin levels of each burn with GLP-1 group were similar. 1) Both IPGTT and IGGTT demonstrated burn injury-induced insulin resistance and the efficacy of GLP-1 for reducing hyperglycemia after burn injury. 2) The observed differences in the plasma glucose and insulin levels between IGGTT and IPGTT suggest that endogenously produced GLP-1 during the IGGTT may play a role in ameliorating insulin resistance after burn injury.

Effect of sarpogrelate hydrochloride, a 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptor antagonist, on allograft arteriosclerosis after aortic transplantation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Sarpogrelate hydrochloride, a 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptor antagonist, is known to prevent serotonin-induced neointimal hyperplasia. We examined the effect of this agent on allograft arteriosclerosis in a rat model of aortic transplantation. METHODS: Rats were given an aortic isograft or allograft and oral administration of either saline vehicle alone or 20mg/kg daily of sarpogrelate for 8 weeks. The grafts were then harvested, and the lumen diameter and the thickness of the intima and media were measured. Comparisons were made between measurement results in isografts and allografts from rats treated and not treated with sarpogrelate. Immunohistochemistry assessments were used to detect expression of serotonin in graft specimens. RESULTS: For both allografts and isografts, significantly less intimal thickening was observed in specimens from rats given sarpogrelate compared with rats given saline. Sarpogrelate had no effect on medial thickening in either graft type. Serotonin was detected in allografts from rats given saline alone but not in allografts from rats given sarpogrelate or in isografts. CONCLUSIONS: Sarpogrelate hydrochloride may mitigate arteriosclerosis in allografts. Platelet aggregation and serotonin may be correlated with intimal thickening associated with chronic rejection.

Surgical and endovascular procedures for treating isolated iliac artery aneurysms: ten-year experience.

Characteristics of atherosclerotic isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IAAs) and various strategies for their treatment were assessed retrospectively. The computerized medical records of 18 patients who underwent surgical or endovascular treatment of an IAA during the 10 years from April 1993 to March 2003 at our university hospital were reviewed to obtain information on patient demographics, risk factors, type of IAA treatment, and outcome. Additional data were obtained by mail and telephone. Patients with an IAA were compared with 168 patients treated for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) also at our institution. Early in the series of isolated IAA repairs, patients underwent prosthetic graft interposition ( n = 7) or thromboexclusion ( n = 4). Subsequently, patients had either endovascular thromboembolization ( n = 4) or endovascular thromboembolization with femorofemoral crossover bypass ( n = 3). No perioperative deaths occurred in the series. Deep venous thrombosis developed postoperatively in one patient; there were no other serious complications. The cumulative patency rate for the implanted interposition grafts during the mean observation time of 5.5 years was 100%. No endoleakage was observed after the endovascular procedures. In the long-term, five patients died of causes unrelated to the IAA treatment. A statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the IAA group and the AAA group with respect to atherosclerotic risk factors. In conclusion, open surgical procedures to repair isolated IAAs generally have a good outcome, although the risk of injury to adjacent iliac veins remains. Endovascular treatments appear to have some advantages, but studies including long-term follow-up are needed to assess the efficacy and durability of prosthetic grafts used for these procedures.