Aortic Arch Morphology and Aortic Length in Patients with Dissection, Traumatic, and Aneurysmal Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess aortic arch morphology and aortic length in patients with dissection, traumatic injury, and aneurysm undergoing TEVAR, and to identify characteristics specific to different pathologies. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of the aortic arch morphology and aortic length of dissection, traumatic injury, and aneurysmal patients. Computed tomography imaging was evaluated of 210 patients (49 dissection, 99 traumatic injury, 62 aneurysm) enrolled in three trials that received the conformable GORE TAG thoracic endoprosthesis. The mean age of trauma patients was 43 ± 19.6 years, 57 ± 11.7 years for dissection and 72 ± 9.6 years for aneurysm patients. A standardized protocol was used to measure aortic arch diameter, length, and take-off angle and clockface orientation of branch vessels. Differences in arch anatomy and length were assessed using ANOVA and independent t tests. RESULTS: Of the 210 arches evaluated, 22% had arch vessel common trunk configurations. The aortic diameter and the distance from the left main coronary (LMC) to the left common carotid (LCC) were greater in dissection patients than in trauma or aneurysm patients (p < .001). Aortic diameter in aneurysm patients was greater compared with trauma patients (p < .05). The distances from the branch vessels to the celiac artery (CA) were greater in dissection and aneurysm patients than in trauma patients (p < .001). The take-off angle of the innominate (I), LCCA, and left subclavian (LS) were greater, between 19% and 36%, in trauma patients than in dissection and aneurysm patients (p < .001). Clockface orientation of the arch vessels varies between pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: Arch anatomy has significant morphologic differences when comparing aortic pathologies. Describing these differences in a large sample of patients is beneficial for device designs and patient selection.

Rationale of EndoAnchors in abdominal aortic aneurysms with short or angulated necks.

Diseased pararenal aortic anatomy including thrombus, calcification, and progressive dilatation, may impact the long-term durability of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. EndoAnchors have been shown to mimic the security of a hand sewn aortic anastomosis. Several investigators have evaluated the use of EndoAnchors to repair endograft problems or repair type 1 endoleaks in the abdominal or the thoracic position. The ANCHOR Registry is designed to evaluate up to 2000 patients at multiple sites in North America and Europe who have been treated with the Aptus Heli-FX EndoAnchor System to secure an aortic endograft. The registry collects important clinical characteristics of patients (1000) who are treated at the initial endograft implant (PRIMARY ARM) due to the presence of an endoleak or the concern about late failure due to a hostile aortic neck. An additional 1000 patients, who undergo a secondary procedure for treatment of an endoleak or other proximal graft failure (e.g., migration, aortic dilatation) will also be evaluated and followed (REVISION ARM). Currently, more than 290 patients have been entered and will be followed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this treatment.

Endovascular repair of a traumatic infrarenal aortic transection: a case report and review.

Blunt abdominal aortic trauma occurs in up to 0.04% of all nonpenetrating traumas. Although uncommon, mortality from this injury ranges from 18% to 37%. Seat belt injury is associated with almost 50% of reported blunt abdominal aortic traumas. The authors present the case of a 21-year-old man, a restrained passenger who was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle accident. In the emergency room, he had obvious evidence of lap-belt injury. His peripheral pulses were normal and there was no pulsatile abdominal mass. Computer tomography (CT) revealed a large amount of free intraperitoneal fluid throughout with signs of mesenteric avulsion and fracture/dislocation of T11-T12. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy. Right hemicolectomy and resection of small bowel was performed. CT angiography revealed an aortic transection and surrounding pseudoaneurysm 2 cm above the aortic bifurcation. The patient returned to the operating room for endovascular repair. Via a right femoral cutdown, a 14 mm x 5.5 cm stent-graft was placed across the distal abdominal aorta. Follow-up arteriogram revealed complete obliteration of the pseudoaneurysm without evidence of leak. There were no complications related to the aortic stent-graft in the postoperative period. The patient was discharged in good condition. As this case demonstrates, endovascular repair of traumatic aortic injury is feasible and may represent an improved treatment in certain settings.

The durability of endoscopic saphenous vein grafts: a 5-year observational study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic saphenous vein harvest has been explored as a minimally invasive alternative to a long continuous leg incision for removal of the greater saphenous vein. The endoscopic technique uses limited incisions (2-4) with extended "skin bridges" and videoscopic equipment for the dissection and removal of the greater saphenous vein. This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term durability of saphenous vein grafts harvested by an endoscopic technique and used for lower extremity arterial revascularization. METHODS: All patients who underwent endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting for lower extremity arterial bypass grafting were prospectively followed for graft patency and risk factors. Grafts were surveyed with serial duplex scans at 3- to 6-month intervals over this 5-year study. Life-table methods were used to assess graft survival. A computerized registry and medical records were reviewed to determine graft patency and patient survival. RESULTS: From September 1994 to August 2000, 164 lower extremity arterial saphenous vein grafts harvested by an endoscopic technique were used for lower extremity arterial bypass grafting in 150 patients. The patient population included 111 males (75%) and 112 smokers (75%), but also included a high-risk cohort of 65 diabetic patients (43%) and 15 patients undergoing dialysis/renal transplant (10%). Twenty-eight patients (19%) died within the study period. With life-table methods, 1-, 3-, and 5-year secondary patency rates were 85% (+/- 3.2%), 74% (+/- 5.7%), and 68% (+/- 11.6%). Of the 30 failed grafts, 7 (4%) failed in the first month related to inadequate runoff (4), cardiac instability (2), and an additional surgical procedure (1). Twenty-three grafts (14%) failed between 1 and 42 months. Twenty-two (16%) of these 134 patent grafts underwent a second procedure to maintain patency (13 as primary-assisted patency and 9 as secondary patency). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic saphenous vein harvest for lower extremity arterial reconstruction provides a satisfactory conduit for lower extremity bypass grafting. Although increased manipulation from this limited access technique may incite an injury response in the vein, these vein grafts can maintain an adequate patency for lower extremity bypass grafting.

Video-assisted endoscopic saphenous vein harvest: an evolving technique.

Saphenous vein harvest is a necessary step in many cardiac and peripheral vascular reconstructions. However, saphenectomy is not inconsequential and can lead to short- and long-term morbidity. To avoid the morbidity, new technology has been developed to remove the saphenous vein with limited incisions using video-assisted, or endoscopic, techniques. Although a number of manufacturers have developed equipment for this purpose, we have developed expertise with the Ethicon Endo-Surgery (Cincinnati, OH) system. We have used this technique for more than 100 lower-extremity bypass operations with minimal wound complications and satisfactory revascularization. The technical features of this operation are presented.

Microemboli detected by transcranial Doppler monitoring in patients during carotid angioplasty versus carotid endarterectomy.

UNLABELLED: Microemboli, as detected by transcranial Doppler monitoring, have been shown to be a potential cause of strokes after carotid endarterectomy. We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients who underwent transcranial Doppler monitoring during 112 procedures for the treatment of 115 carotid bifurcation stenoses: 40 by percutaneous angioplasty with stenting and 75 by carotid endarterectomy. In PTAS procedures (n = 40), there was a mean of 74.0 emboli per stenosis (range 0-398, P = 0.0001) with 4 neurologic events per patient (P = 0.08). In CEA procedures (n = 76), there was a mean of 8.8. emboli per stenosis (range 0-102, P= 0.0001) with 1 neurologic event per patient (P = 0.08). The post-procedural neurological events in the percutaneous angioplasty with stenting population included two strokes (5.6%) and two transient ischemia attacks (5.6%). Microemboli for each of these cases totalled 133, 17, 29 and 47 (with one shower), respectively. One postoperative carotid endarterectomy patient was noted to have a stroke (1.4%), with 48 microemboli noted during that procedure. The mean emboli rate for percutaneous angioplasty with stenting patients with neurological events was 59.0: without complications it was 85.1. The mean emboli rate for carotid endarterectomy patients without complications was 8.3. Three percutaneous angioplasty with stenting patients had no emboli (7.5%), whereas 29 carotid endarterectomy patients had no emboli (38.7%). CONCLUSION: The percutaneous angioplasty with stenting procedure is associated with more than eight times the rate of microemboli seen during carotid endarterectomy when evaluated with transcranial Doppler monitoring. Larger patient groups are needed to determine if this greater embolization rate has an associated risk of higher morbidity or mortality.

Carotid angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Carotid angioplasty with stenting (PTAS) is now being investigated as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Proven superiority in at least three areas of PTAS will need be accomplished before angioplasty supplants CEA; namely, safety, cost, and durability. METHODS: One hundred and seven patients served as the basis for this previously reported review. Both safety (morbidity and mortality) as well as cost issues were evaluated. Other non-neurologic complications were are also investigated. RESULTS: The in-hospital and 30-day risk of all strokes and death from PTAS was 9.3%, with a 3.6% major stroke and death rate. Minor strokes were found to be statistically more frequent in the PTAS group than with CEA. Nonprofessional fees were more expensive in the PTAS group than CEA ($30,140 versus $21,670). CONCLUSIONS: At the present time PTAS has not proven itself worthy to supplant CEA. The durability of the procedure has not been sufficiently evaluated. Non-neurologic complications are also not trivial with PTAS.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair via percutaneous endovascular stenting in the swine model.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are the 13th leading cause of death in the United States. Endovascular stent grafts are currently being investigated in clinical trials as an alternative method for treatment of AAA. Twelve pigs underwent creation of AAA using the abdominus rectus fascia. Postoperatively, all 12 animals underwent angiography, which demonstrated turbulent flow within the created aneurysms. Four of the animals were not stented and served as controls. Eight animals underwent subsequent percutaneous placement of a covered endovascular stent via a right femoral sheath, and the stents were deployed between the renal arteries and the aortic bifurcation. The animals were maintained for 120 days before sacrifice and necropsy. Unstented animals (4) died within 6 days, 3 from rupture. Eight animals underwent endovascular stenting: 5 survived without complications, 3 deaths within 2 days were related to technical complications. The 5 surviving animals were sacrificed at 120 days, and necropsy was conducted with in situ dissections of the aorta and intact stent: 3 experimental animals had correct anatomic positioning of the stent, and 2 had inexact stent placement but survived 120 days with AAA thrombosis. Treatment of AAA in this swine model has been demonstrated via placement of a percutaneous covered stent.

A comparison of carotid angioplasty with stenting versus endarterectomy with regional anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting (PTAS) has been considered a potential alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for stroke prevention. Interventionalists have suggested that PTAS carries less anesthetic risk than CEA. The treatment of carotid stenosis with local or regional anesthesia (LRA) allows direct intraprocedural neurologic evaluation and avoids the potential risks of general anesthesia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical charts of 377 patients who underwent 414 procedures for the elective treatment of carotid stenosis in 433 cerebral hemispheres with LRA between August 1994 and May 1997. Group I (312 hemispheres) underwent PTAS, and group II (121 hemispheres) underwent CEA. RESULTS: The indications for treatment included the following: asymptomatic severe stenosis (n = 272; 62.8%), transient ischemic attack (TIA; n = 100; 23.1%), and prior stroke (n = 61; 14.1%). The early neurologic results for the patients in group I (n = 268) included 11 TIAs (4.1%), 23 strokes (8.6%), and 3 deaths (1.1%). The early neurologic results for the patients in group II (n = 109) included 2 TIAs (1.8%), one stroke (0.9%), and no deaths. The total stroke and death rates were 9.7% for the patients in group I and 0.9% for the patients in group II (P = .0015). The cardiopulmonary events that led to additional monitoring were evident after 96 procedures in group I (32.8%) and 21 procedures in group II (17.4%; P = .002). CONCLUSION: PTAS carries a higher neurologic risk and requires more monitoring than CEA in the treatment of patients with carotid artery stenosis with LRA. The proposed benefit for the use of PTAS to avoid general anesthesia cannot be justified when compared with CEA performed with LRA.

A cost comparison of balloon angioplasty and stenting versus endarterectomy for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting (PTAS) of the carotid artery has been advocated as an alternative treatment for high-grade stenosis. Rationale for this approach includes less morbidity, shorter recovery, and lower cost when compared with carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: The clinical results and hospital charges of patients who underwent elective treatment for carotid stenosis were reviewed. During a concurrent 14-month period, 218 patients were admitted 229 times for 234 procedures for the treatment of 239 carotid bifurcation stenoses, 109 by PTAS and 130 by CEA. Hospital charges were reviewed for each hospitalization and were categorized according to radiology, operating room, cardiac catheterization laboratory, and all other hospital charges. RESULTS: The combined incidence of postprocedure strokes and deaths were: PTAS, eight strokes (7.7%) and one death (0.9%); CEA, two strokes (1.5%) and two deaths (1.5%). Total hospital charges per admission for the two groups were $30,140 for PTAS and $21,670 for CEA. The average postprocedure length of stay for PTAS was 2.9 days (median, 2 days) and for CEA was 3.1 days (median, 3 days). Cardiac catheterization laboratory charges for the PTAS group were $12,968, whereas the operating room charges for the CEA group were $4263. When hospitalizations that were extended by complications were excluded, the average total charges for the PTAS group (n = 84) dropped to $24,848 (mean length of stay, 1.9 days) and for the CEA group (n = 111) to $19,247 (mean length of stay, 2.6 days). CONCLUSIONS: After evaluating hospital charges, PTAS for the treatment of carotid stenosis cannot currently be justified on the basis of reduced costs alone. With future cost-containing measures, total hospital charges can be reduced in both groups.

Carotid endarterectomy performed after progressive carotid stenosis following angioplasty and stent placement. Case report.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the treatment of choice for asymptomatic and symptomatic disease causing greater than 60% internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Recently, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stent placement has been investigated as a therapeutic option for the treatment of ICA stenosis. In this report the authors document CEA performed after PTA with stent placement and describe the pathological findings. A standard CEA was performed. The surgical intervention was more difficult secondary to the following variables: the length of the exposure necessary to dissect out the metallic stent, the difficulty with opening and cutting the artery, and the care required to remove the stent to avoid vessel wall perforation. Pathological examination of the specimen demonstrated classic atherosclerotic changes revealing persistence of native disease. The metallic stent was embedded within the plaque. Many questions remain unanswered regarding the physiological and biological changes that occur in the carotid vessel wall after PTA with stent placement. It is concluded that CEA of a stent-containing carotid artery is feasible and should be considered as an alternative when recurrent stenosis occurs after PTA.

Video-assisted saphenous vein harvest: the evolution of a new technique.

PURPOSE: Saphenous vein harvesting remains a significant source of morbidity that occurs in 1% to 24% of patients who require lower extremity bypass or coronary artery bypass grafting. In an attempt to reduce complications associated with this procedure, we have used a new, minimally invasive technique to remove the greater saphenous vein. METHODS: The video-assisted technique uses currently available video-endoscopic equipment with mechanical retraction to dissect the saphenous vein with two to three limited incisions. After initial vein exposure is accomplished through limited incisions, mechanical retraction is maintained with an endoplastic retractor or an endoscopic saphenous vein retractor. The dissection is visualized on the video monitor to isolate and control side branches, the vein is removed, and arterial bypass grafting is then accomplished as a reverse vein graft. RESULTS: Between Sep. 1994 and July 1996, 65 patients underwent 68 arterial bypass operations in which the greater saphenous vein was harvested with video-assisted techniques. Indications for bypass grafting included 31 patients with ischemic ulceration, 23 with rest pain, 11 with claudication, and three with popliteal aneurysms. Of the 68 bypass procedures performed, 52 were to below-knee vessels, 22 of which included tibial or peroneal anastomoses. Sixty-four patients (98.5%) had no significant complications related to this video-assisted technique. For all patients, the average time-required to remove a 45 cm vein segment was 60 minutes. The average time using the more recently developed endoscopic saphenous vein retractor was 46 minutes. The median postoperative length of stay was 6 days. One patient had bleeding into the leg related to the video-assisted technique. Three patients (4.4%) required rehospitalization for wound care related to arterial access sites. Patency has been confirmed in 84% of grafts followed-up for a range of 1 to 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: In this report representing a series of unselected patients, video-assisted saphenous vein harvesting was technically feasible and had no immediate contraindications. The greater saphenous vein can be removed with minimally invasive techniques, leading to an acceptable morbidity rate, and is a satisfactory conduit for arterial bypass procedures. A prospective clinical trial may be justified to further evaluate the use of this technique in decreasing postoperative morbidity rates, shortening hospitalization, and improving patient care.

A comparison of angioplasty with stenting versus endarterectomy for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis.

Carotid endarterectomy has been established as the standard treatment for high-grade carotid stenosis. The results of an ongoing prospective trial for the safety of percutaneous angioplasty with stenting (PTAS) were compared to retrospectively reviewed patients treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA). During the same 14-month period, 273 patients underwent treatment of 310 carotid bifurcation stenoses: 107 by PTA with stenting, 166 by CEA. Indications for treatment included stroke 46 (16.8%), transient ischemic attack 109 (39.9%), syncope 7 (2.6%), and high-grade asymptomatic stenosis 111 (40.7%). Combined early stroke and death rates are listed as follows: [table: see text] Important nonneurologic complications were evident in six (5.6%) PTAS patients and two (1.2%) CEA patients. Six-month follow-up data was available for 193 patients (71%) with the following results: seven (6.5%) minor strokes in the PTAS group, one (0.6%) minor stroke in the CEA group, one (0.9%) major stroke in the PTAS group, one (0.6%) major stroke in the CEA group, four deaths (3.7%) in the PTAS group, and six deaths (3.6%) in the CEA group. Early results from PTA with stenting are promising but not safer than CEA for the treatment of carotid artery stenosis. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine the ultimate durability of this new technique. PTA with stenting may be an alternative for the treatment of carotid bifurcation lesions in selective high-risk surgical patients.

Elective stenting of the extracranial carotid arteries.

BACKGROUND: Surgical endarterectomy has been shown to be superior to medical management in the management of severe carotid stenosis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Endarterectomy, although effective, does have limitations, and percutaneous techniques may offer an alternative method of treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: The feasibility and safety of percutaneous carotid angioplasty and elective (primary) stenting was evaluated prospectively in a consecutive series of 107 patients. One hundred twenty-six carotid arteries with significant stenosis were treated. This series represented a high-risk subset that included patients with previous ipsilateral endarterectomy and severe medical comorbidity. Forty-five percent of the patients were referred by surgeons. Patients had independent neurological examinations before and after the procedure and follow-up cerebral angiography at 6 months. The mean (+/- SD) stenosis was reduced from 78 +/- 14% to 2 +/- 5%. There were 7 minor strokes, 2 major strokes, and 1 death during the initial hospitalization and first 30 days after the procedure. For the combined end point of all strokes and death, the incidence was 7.9%. For ipsilateral major stroke and death, the incidence was 1.6%. There were no strokes during the follow-up period. Mean angiographic stenosis at 6 months in 81 patients was 18 +/- 16% (range, -21% to 57%). Four (4.9%) of these 81 patients had asymptomatic restenosis. Five asymptomatic patients had repeat intervention: 2 had angioplasty for restenosis, 2 had angioplasty for stent deformation, and 1 had endarterectomy for restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: In a high-risk group of patients, percutaneous carotid angioplasty and stenting are feasible and can be performed with low restenosis and repeat intervention rates.

Subcutaneous, video-assisted saphenous vein harvest: report of the first 30 cases.

Harvest of the saphenous vein is a commonly performed procedure in cardiovascular surgery. The incision required for its removal is the longest used anywhere. In this report, the authors describe a minimally invasive technique for removal of the vein. This has been used in 30 patients undergoing peripheral arterial bypass (n = 27), venovenous bypass (n = 2), and a saphenopopliteal fistula (n = 1). There were three perioperative complications: skin necrosis over tunnel (one), bulla (one), and saphenous vein injury (one). Harvest time averaged 1.25 h. There was minimal postoperative discomfort in the harvest site and minimal scarring. Endoscopic harvest of the saphenous vein differs from most laparoscopic procedures because of its linear course. Consequently, visualization and dissection is coaxial rather than triangulation. This study demonstrates the technical feasibility of vein harvest. Development of appropriate instrumentation for opening the optical cavity and vein manipulation will reduce operative times.

The occluded renal artery: an ongoing surgical challenge.

Nephrectomy and revascularization are currently the preferred options in the management of the chronically occluded renal artery in patients with renovascular hypertension or renal insufficiency. We review our experience with these two options including early and late functional outcome. Between December 1982 and August 1993, chronic occlusion of the main renal artery was documented in 30 patients. Patients were categorized with respect to surgical intervention: group I underwent nephrectomy (on the occluded side) plus contralateral revascularization and group II underwent revascularization of the occluded renal artery. The median age at the time of operative intervention was 63 years; 53% of the patients were women and 47% were men. Hypertension was poorly controlled (> or = 3 medications) in 19 patients, and the preoperative serum creatinine level was > 1.8 mg/dl in 24 patients (mean 2.6 +/- 1.4 mg/dl). There were 16 patients in group I and 14 patients in group II, and there were no perioperative deaths. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (> or = 7 days after operation) was either unchanged or improved in 15 of 16 patients in group I and in 13 of 14 in group II, one of whom became dialysis dependent. Follow-up data were available for 25 of 30 (83%) patients (mean 45 months; range 1 to 108 months). Excluding one early failure, 10 of 13 patients in group I and 7 of 11 in group II did not have end-stage renal disease at last follow-up. Overall, hypertension was cured or improved in 16 of 21 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Massive intracerebral hemorrhage following carotid endarterectomy.

To our knowledge, a particularly lethal complication of carotid endarterectomy, intracerebral hemorrhage, has not been given due consideration in the literature concerning carotid surgery. In the Atlanta area, massive intracranial hemorrhage developed in ten patients following routine carotid endarterectomies performed during a recent ten-year period. All ten of the patients in this series died despite a variety of therapeutic interventions. Risk factors may include the following: extreme arterial stenosis with resultant postoperative hyperperfusion, involvement of multiple extracranial cerebral vessels, postoperative systemic hypertension, and administration of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Unfortunately, identification of the subset of patients potentially at risk for this complication is difficult, and, to date, therapy has been generally ineffective.