Prospective single-center study on the reliability of ipsilateral cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy as a predictor for selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Many techniques are available for the intraoperative assessment of brain perfusion during carotid endarterectomy, such as carotid stump pressure, near-infrared spectroscopy, somatosensory evoked potentials, transcranial Doppler, electroencephalography, and clinical assessment. The decision for selective carotid shunt insertion is dependent on clinical deterioration or the detection of cerebral hypoperfusion after cross-clamping of the internal carotid artery. Monitoring cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy is a noninvasive technique for cerebral oxygen saturation measurement, reflecting changes in cerebral blood flow during carotid endarterectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy as a predictor of selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: In total, 47 conventional carotid endarterectomy surgeries were performed at our hospital between March 2016 and December 2021. All surgeries were performed under a regional cervical block supplemented with local infiltration anesthesia. All patients were monitored by cerebral oximetry using bilateral near-infrared spectroscopy probes and clinical assessment through communication with the patient (numerical, visual, and verbal) to indicate a selective shunt. Near-infrared spectroscopy values were recorded before and after internal carotid cross-clamping and after declamping. Any decrease in ipsilateral cerebral oximetry-near-infrared spectroscopy values equal to or more than 20% from the pre-clamping baseline reading associated with deterioration in neurological status (hemiparesis, aphasia, or deterioration in level of consciousness) after internal carotid artery cross-clamping was considered an indication for intraluminal carotid shunting. RESULTS: After internal carotid artery cross-clamping, 5 of 47 patients (10.6%) developed a significant drop in cerebral oxygen saturation associated with obvious clinical assessment deterioration in verbal communication and weakness in contralateral arm power. A Pruitt-Inahara carotid shunt was subsequently inserted, and 42 patients remained stable throughout surgery. The average decline in ipsilateral near-infrared spectroscopy values was 23.8% in patients with clinical deterioration. The average decline was 8.6% in patients who remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring ipsilateral cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy is an easy and reliable method for indicating selective shunting during carotid endarterectomy. A 20% decrease in ipsilateral brain tissue oximetry after internal carotid artery cross-clamping provides a reliable cut-off value for selective intraluminal carotid shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

Aneurysms of the foot arteries.

Aneurysms of the foot arteries are uncommon but can lead to devastating complications such as acute foot ischemia or arterial rupture if left untreated. In this case series, we present four cases of aneurysms of the foot: one true dorsalis pedis artery aneurysm and three cases of post-traumatic plantar artery pseudoaneurysms with arteriovenous fistulas. All four patients were successfully managed with surgical excision of the aneurysm with or without arteriovenous fistulas ligation. Our case series is followed by discussion on the etiology, clinical presentation and management strategy of patients with aneurysms of the foot arteries.

Endovascular treatment for spontaneous supraceliac isolated abdominal aortic dissection is a fabulous option. (Case report).

Aortic dissection originates from isolated tear in the abdominal aorta is rare but potentially life or limb-threatening condition particularly if misdiagnosed. It may have a number of clinical presentations with potentially serious adverse effects and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient with an acute onset of abdominal pain radiating to the back and the buttocks together with presence or absence of a pulsatile abdominal mass, signs of limb ischemia, or discernible risk factors. Surgical and endovascular treatments are two valid options for these cases according to their clinical and anatomical considerations with acceptable results. We present a quite unusual case of a spontaneous supraceliac isolated abdominal aortic dissection with contained peri-aortic hematoma and manifesting as acute persistent abdominal pain. Better illustration of the natural history of this ill-defined pathology is needed to understand and improve patient care.

Symptomatic Internal Carotid Agenesis in Children.

Carotid artery agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly, and there are controversies in the leading cause for it. We present a 6-year-old girl with resolved focal neurological ischemic stroke that showed bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) agenesis. Through this paper, we highlight the carotid canal congenital obliteration hypothesis as it may be a risk for such finding.

Delayed Aortic Stent Collapse in Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injury Repair.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent grafting has emerged as an option to treat traumatic aorta injuries with reported significantly low mortality and morbidity. Stent collapse is one of the complications that can occur in this type of treatment. The aim of this article is to analyze the expected cause of stent collapse and to draw attention to the importance of the surveillance follow-up, as this phenomenon may occur late postdeployment. METHODS: A retrospectively collected dataset from the two highest volume trauma centers in Saudi Arabia was analyzed between April 2007 and October 2012. A total of 66 patients received stent grafts for traumatic aortic injury and were included in the study. We apply Ishimaru's anatomical aortic arch zones and Benjamin's aortic injury grading systems. There were 35 patients with aortic injury at zone 2, 26 patients in zone 3, and 5 patients in zone 4. About 96% (63) of the injuries were grades 2 and 3, including large intimal flap or aortic wall pseudoaneurysm with change in wall contour. The technical success rate, as defined by complete exclusion of lesions without leaks, stroke, arm ischemia or stent-related complications, was 90%. RESULTS: Proximal stent collapse occurred in 4.5% of patients (3 of 66 inserted stents) during follow-up of 4 to 8 years (mean, 6 years). Patients with stent collapse tended to have an acute aortic arch angle with long-intraluminal stent lip, when compared with patients with noncollapsed stents. Intraluminal lip protrusion more than 10-mm increased collapse (p < 0.001). Stent-grafts sizes larger than 28 mm also demonstrated a higher collapse rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of stent collapse appears related to poor apposition of the stent due to severe aortic arch angulation in young patients and to large stent sizes (>28 mm). Such age groups may have more anatomical and aortic size changes during the growth. Clinical and radiological surveillance is essential in follow-up after stent-graft treatment for traumatic aortic injury.

Inferior vena cava stent grafting closure of a high-flow portacaval shunt.

Portacaval (PC) shunts can be of congenital or acquired types. Acquired PC shunts are usually created in patients with end-stage liver disease to manage complications associated with portal hypertension or may be part of selected adult-adult living donor liver transplantation procedures to decrease the chance of the small-for-size syndrome. The main potential complication of these acquired high-flow PC shunts is early hepatic encephalopathy. We present a case of a high-flow acquired PC shunt after liver transplantation that was complicated by uncontrolled encephalopathy. This was treated by endovascular inferior vena cava stent grafting for shunt closure.

Mycotic aortic aneurysm due to brucellosis.

Brucellosis is a multisystem zoonotic disease. Mycotic aneurysm due to Brucella is rare and has no clear management approach. Here, we present two cases of mycotic aortic aneurysm due to Brucella. The first patient was treated with surgical resection of a symptomatic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm combined with lifelong doxycycline and rifampicin. The second patient improved with conservative treatment including a 6-month course of antibiotics and regular clinical and radiologic monitoring. Through these cases, we hope to draw attention to this serious adverse effect of Brucella and the importance of management of its local arterial complications, especially in endemic areas.

Blunt traumatic subclavian vein pseudoaneurysm.

Subclavian and upper extremity venous pseudoaneurysms are rare and poorly understood. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with a right subclavian vein pseudoaneurysm that formed after blunt trauma to the upper chest and shoulder. The patient was managed successfully with surgical excision through a supraclavicular approach. The case report is followed by a discussion on the etiology, clinical presentation, and management of venous pseudoaneurysms.