The relation between metabolic syndrome and aspects of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities strongly associated with risks of cardiovascular diseases. However, a relationship between MetS and aneurysmal disease as compared with occlusive disease has not been confirmed. Therefore, correlations of MetS and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) were evaluated. METHODS: Between March 2011 and February 2020, 354 patients diagnosed with AAA were enrolled and divided into the MetS (n = 164) and the no-MetS (n = 190) groups. Individual components of MetS, characteristics of AAA, rupture rate, and survival rate were evaluated for both groups. Additionally, correlations between MetS and AAA were evaluated with focusing on effects of diabetes mellitus (DM). RESULTS: The size of AAA was significantly larger in the MetS group compared with the no-MetS group (P < 0.05). The rupture rate was significantly higher in the MetS group compared with the no-MetS group (P < 0.05) and the survival rate was significantly higher in the no-MetS group (P < 0.05). In terms of DM, the size of AAA was significantly larger in the no-DM group compared with the DM group (P < 0.05). MetS was significantly more prevalent in the DM group compared with the no-DM group (P < 0.05). Finally, the rupture and survival rates were not statistically different between the DM and the no-DM groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although larger prospective studies are necessary, we suggest that MetS proportionally aggravates the status of AAA and survival rate. Therefore, surveillance for MetS and individual components may help to restrict the expansion of AAA.

Effects of hypercholesterolism on expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysm in rat model.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is recognized as a critical process in expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A relationship between effects of cholesterol and statin in this process have been suggested, but remain untested. Therefore, current study aimed to examine the effects of hypercholesterolism on expansion of AAA in a rat model. METHODS: A total of 16 male rats were divided into 4 groups as follows: group I, normocholesterol diet and saline infusion, group II, normocholesterol diet and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) infusion, group III, hypercholesterol diet and PPE infusion, and group IV, hypercholesterol diet, PPE infusion and statin administration. At the 3rd week, saline was infused intraluminally in group I and PPE in groups II-IV to induce AAA. At the 5th week, blood and aortic tissue were obtained from each rat for evaluation of lipid profiles, aortic diameters (ADs), and characteristics of stains. RESULTS: Post-procedural aortic diameter (AD3) and AD3/pre-procedural aortic diameter (AD1) were significantly different among four groups (P = 0.042, P = 0.028, respectively). AD3 was significantly larger in group II than group I, and group III than group IV (P = 0.012, P = 0.043, respectively). AD3/AD1 was significantly higher in group II than group I, and group III than group II (P = 0.008, P = 0.030, respectively). Group III showed the highest cellularity for inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: Though larger experimental and clinical studies are necessary, authors suggest that hypercholesterolism can aggravate expansion of AAA, and that statin therapy can reduce it. Therefore, monitoring for hypercholesterolism and instituting statin therapy may be helpful to suppress expansion of AAA.

Venous Thromboembolism Following Abdominal Cancer Surgery in the Korean Population: Incidence and Validation of a Risk Assessment Model.

BACKGROUND: A cancer patient slated for abdominal surgery is considered to be at moderate to high risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the incidence is quite low in Korean patients. Most risk assessment models and recommendations for VTE management are from Western reports, however they possibly overestimate the risk of VTE in the Korean population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1966 patients who were diagnosed with abdominal organ cancer and required surgical treatment. RESULTS: Each patient was rated using the Caprini risk scoring model. The mean score was 7.5 ± 0.7 points; 98.4% of patients were classified as high risk for VTE. Symptomatic VTE occurred in eight patients, and the overall incidence was 0.4%. The mean Caprini score for VTE patients was 8.8 ± 1.9 points. In the group with scores between 5 and 9 points, the incidence was 0.3-0.5%, while in patients with scores > 10 points, the incidence of VTE was found to be 1.12%. CONCLUSIONS: The risk stratification system in the Caprini scoring model needs to be modified based on the actual incidence in the Korean population.

Surgical removal of an inferior vena cava filter with duodenal penetration.

Complications due to long-term implantation of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have increased. Among these, IVC wall penetration by struts can lead to penetration of adjacent structures, which can be fatal to the patient. Herein, we report a case of a 63-year-old woman who underwent surgical removal of an IVC filter with duodenal penetration. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy findings revealed a strut in the duodenal second portion. The IVC filter was inserted 19 months ago but had not been retrieved. On admission, computed tomography showed malposition of the IVC filter with penetration of duodenum by an anterior strut. Therefore, we performed surgical removal of the IVC filter. After surgery, her postoperative course was uneventful.

A Pilot Trial to Examine the Changes in Carotid Arterial Inflammation in Renal Transplant Recipients as Assessed by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography (PET/CT).

BACKGROUND Inflammatory activity of the artery can be assessed by measuring 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake with positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET/CT). Improvement in vascular function after renal transplantation has been reported, but no studies have used 18F-FDG PET/CT to examine the changes in vascular inflammation. This study investigated the changes in the inflammatory activity in the carotid artery after renal transplantation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). MATERIAL AND METHODS 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed before and at 4 months after transplantation. We quantified 18F-FDG uptake as the target-to-background ratio (TBR) in the carotid artery in 10 CKD patients. TBR was evaluated in the whole carotid artery (WH) and most-diseased segment (MDS), and the mean and maximum values were analyzed. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and endothelin-1, were measured. RESULTS Eight patients showed a decrease in mean or maximum TBR. The average mean or maximum TBRs in the WH and MDS of the right and left arteries were all reduced after transplantation. The average mean TBR for the right WH decreased significantly (% reduction [95% CI]) by -5.74% [-15.37, -0.02] (p=0.047). TBRs did not correlate significantly with cytokine concentrations. The changes in cytokine concentrations after transplantation varied. CONCLUSIONS 18F-FDG uptake by the WH and MDS tended to reduce after renal transplantation. Therefore, renal transplantation may confer an anti-inflammatory effect on carotid atherosclerosis in patients with CKD; however, this effect is not large enough to be demonstrated in this study with small sample size.

Radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins improves venous clinical severity score despite failure of complete closure of the saphenous vein after 1 year.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endovenous treatment is increasingly supplanting open surgery for the treatment of varicose veins. Among emerging endovenous techniques, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with a ClosureFast catheter is popular in Korea. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of RFA of varicose veins. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively registered database of patients who underwent RFA for varicose veins from 2012 to 2013 in St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul. Korea. Efficient ClosureFast RFA catheters (Medtronic, San Jose, CA, USA) were used. The techniques used for RFA of varicose veins were performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Duplex scans and venous clinical severity scores (VCSSs) were used to document treatment outcome and patient symptoms before and after the procedures. Treatment outcomes were estimated before the procedure and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the procedure. Outcomes were analyzed by paired t test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test as well as by logistical regression. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients were evaluated for 183 consecutive RFA procedures (183 limbs). The initial technical success was 97.3% (178/183). The estimated mean VCSS changed over time from 4.0 ± 1.67 at preprocedure to 0.6 ± 1.05, 0.5 ± 1.02, and 0.6 ± 1.14 at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the procedure, respectively. The improved VCSS was maintained 1 year after the procedure (p < 0.001). Recanalization of the saphenous vein was detected in 20 limbs at the 1-year follow up. The treatment failure group also exhibited a significant decline in the VCSS between preprocedure and 12 months (4.8 ± 1.76 vs. 1.8 ± 2.04, p < 0.001). Specifically, in the treatment failure group, 65% of limbs with episodic recanalization (13/20) were reoccluded or recanalized without venous reflux at the 1-year follow up. CONCLUSION: In this study, RFA of varicose veins had an initial success rate of 97.7% and a significantly improved patient VCSS at 1 year. Patients with episodic recanalization of the saphenous vein also exhibited an improved VCSS with favorable duplex findings at 1 year.

Comparison of Minimal Skin Incision Technique in Living Kidney Transplantation and Conventional Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the most common incision for kidney transplantation (KT) is an inverted J-shaped incision known as the "hockey-stick." However, demands for minimally invasive surgery in KT are increasing as in other various fields of surgery. Hence, we evaluated whether there is difference between minimal skin incision technique in kidney transplantation (MIKT) and conventional KT (CKT) . METHODS: Between June 2006 and March 2013, a total of 452 living kidney transplant patients were enrolled. The MIKT group included 17 young unmarried women whose body mass index was <25 kg/m2 and had no anatomic variation. The CKT group included 435 patients. The MIKT operation technique restricted to the 10 cm-sized skin incision in the lower right abdomen from laterally below the anterior superior iliac spine to the midline just above the pubis was performed. We compared the baseline clinical characteristics and postoperative results between two groups. For proper comparison, propensity score matching was implemented. RESULTS: There was no difference in graft function, survival, and postoperative complication rate between MIKT and CKT groups (all P > 0.05). The 5-year graft survival was 92.3% and 85.7% in MIKT and CKT groups, respectively (P = 0.786). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that MIKT showed more favorable cosmetic results, and there were no statistical differences in various postoperative factors including graft function, survival, and complications compared with CKT. Hence, we suggested that MIKT is an appropriate method for selected patients in living KT.

Spontaneous fracture and migration of catheter of a totally implantable venous access port via internal jugular vein--a case report.

BACKGROUND: The totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) are indicated for patients undergoing chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition and long-term antibiotic treatment. But, among their complications, the fracture and migration of the catheter of a TIVAP via internal jugular vein represents a very rare but potentially severe condition. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old woman indentified with a spontaneous fracture and migration of catheter of a TIVAP via right internal jugular vein after adjuvant chemotherapy for ovary cancer. She had been not evaluated and not managed with the heparin lock flush solution during three months after adjuvant chemotherapy. And then, she complained right neck bulging during saline infusion via a TIVAP and a chest radiography showed the fractured and migrated catheter of a TIVAP in right atrium. So, we emergently removed the catheter fragment by a goose neck snare via right femoral vein. After then, there was no problem. CONCLUSIONS: If the fractured catheter of a TIVAP is detected, it is desirable to remove a fragment by an endovascular approach if it is possible.

Prevalence of the Factor XIII Val34Leu Polymorphism in Korean Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: According to recent reports, a common polymorphism resulting in Val to Leu substitution, located 3 amino acids (Val34Leu) upstream of the thrombin cleavage site of FXIII A, has been related to a lower incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). And, a different expression pattern has been shown across nations and races. However, the frequency of FXIII polymorphism expression in Koreans has not been reported in normal individuals or DVT-patient groups. DESIGN: Case-control study in Korean population. METHODS: We investigated the distribution of factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphisms in Korean patients of DVT (50 cases) and Korean healthy controls (100 cases), using real-time polymerase chain reaction for single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. RESULTS: With regard to the frequency of the FXIII polymorphism in DVT patients and in the general control group, all 50 cases in the patient group and 100 cases in the control group were found to be Val34 homozygotes. CONCLUSIONS: The Val34Leu polymorphism of FXIII was not found in Korean people, and compared with Caucasians, a noticeably low incidence of DVT was shown. Thus, the preventive effect of the Val34 allele of FXIII on the formation of thrombi was shown.

Efficacy of Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement in the Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism during Catheter-Directed Thrombectomy for Proximal Lower-Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement is not indicated for thrombolytic interventional treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We analyzed the efficacy and feasibility of retrievable IVC filter placement for the preventive management of embolic shedding during catheter-directed thrombectomy (CDT) for DVT of lower extremity. METHODS: Seventy patients (35 males and 35 females) who underwent retrievable IVC filter placement to prevent thrombus dislodgement during CDT in all symptomatic DVT with thrombus age suspected within 4 weeks of the lower extremity between March 2008 and January 2014 were included in this study. All patients underwent laboratory blood study, duplex ultrasound and/or computed tomography for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in accordance with treatment policy of our Uijeongbu St. Mary's hospital. Two types of retrievable IVC filters (OptEase Filter, Cordis, Roden, The Netherlands; Gunther Tulip Filter, Cook, Bloomington, IN) were used to prevent thromboembolic events during CDT. After filter placement, subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin and overlapped to warfarin or new oral anticoagulant tried to achieve a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.0-3.0 in warfarin patients. RESULTS: The thrombus was dislodged through the IVC filter during catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy in 22 patients (31.4%). In 22 cases, the thromboses were trapped by the retrievable IVC filter, and follow-up images showed thrombus capture. Thirty-four patients (48.6%) received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Additional stents were inserted in 23 patients (32.8%). Pulmonary embolism (PE) was not observed in patients implanted with retrievable IVC filters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings suggest that retrieval IVC filter placement during interventional treatments of DVT of lower extremity such as thrombectomy of vein thrombus with or without stent insertion at compressed deep vein is favorable and effective for protecting against PE or lethal complications. We recommend carefully that before the management of DVT thrombus of lower extremity, retrieval IVC filter placement should be considered for preventing morbidity related with the PE.

Adventitial cystic disease of the common femoral vein presenting as deep vein thrombosis.

Adventitial cystic disease of the common femoral vein is a rare condition. We herein report the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented with painless swelling in her left lower leg that resembled deep vein thrombosis. She underwent femoral exploration and excision of the cystic wall. The presentation, investigation, treatment, and pathology of this condition are discussed with a literature review.

Clinical Importance of Intraoperative Cephalic Vein Distensibility as a Predictor of Radiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation.

Radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (RCAVF) is the preferred vascular access, but the maturation failure rate is high. Poor vein distensibility is the main cause of maturation failure. There have been several studies regarding vein distensibility, but vein dilation protocol and the cut-off value predicting maturation failure were inconsistent. We were doubtful that the vein distensibility had been appropriately evaluated, and sought to determine a more clinically applicable parameter. The cephalic vein was dilated via intraluminal hydrostatic pressure during the surgery and the vein size was measured. Maturation failure occurred in 30 patients (22.4%) and was more common in females and in patients who had a previous history of arteriovenous access formation (p = 0.0095 and p = 0.014). The intraoperative postdilation diameter, and the difference between pre and postdilation diameters differed between the two groups (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0004). The cut-off value of the postdilation diameter, which indicated a high probability of maturation success, was >4 mm, and the cut-off value which indicated a higher probability of maturation failure; that is, the difference between the pre and postdilation diameter, was ≤2.2 mm. The degree of distensibility of the cephalic vein may be an important determinant of RCAVF maturation.