Directional atherectomy and drug-coated balloon angioplasty vs. bare nitinol stent angioplasty for femoropopliteal artery lesions.

Background: The present study evaluated the prognosis of directional atherectomy (DA)+drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for femoropopliteal artery lesions compared with bare nitinol stent (BNS). Patients and methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with femoropopliteal artery lesions who underwent percutaneous endovascular surgery between January 2016 and June 2019. The primary outcome was the primary patency rate after 12, 24, and 36 months; the secondary outcomes comprised incidence of flow-limiting dissections, technical success, limb salvage, and all-cause death. Results: During the study period, 110 (44%) patients underwent DA+DCB, and 140 (56%) patients underwent bare nitinol stent (BNS). There were no differences in the 12- and 24-month patency rates of the two groups (98.2% vs. 93.6% and 68.2% vs. 60.0%, both p>.05). The 36-month primary patency rate in the DA+DCB group was significantly higher than that of the BNS group (27.3% vs. 15.7%, p=.003). The technical success rate and all-cause death were similar between groups (p>.05). Flow-limiting dissections occurred more frequently in the BNS group than in the DA+DCB group (27.9% vs. 10.9%, p=.033). After adjustment for potential confounders, such as sex, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ABI after surgery, TASC II B, lesion length ≥15 cm, two-vessel runoff, and three-vessel runoff, the HR for primary patency rate comparing BNS to DA+DCB was 2.61 (95%CI: 1.61-4.25). Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort study, DA+DCB was associated with a higher 30-month primary patency rate and a lower flow-limiting dissection incidence than BNS.

Successful retrieval of dislocated inferior vena cava filter using double vascular sheaths docking technology: case report.

BACKGROUND: Dislocation of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) is a rare complication with potential IVC perforation and other life-threatening risks requiring early diagnosis and in-time retrieval. Most of dislocation IVCF in the past have been shelved or removed by open surgery. It is very difficult to retrieve the filters by interventional technology. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a 49-year-old man suffering from dislocation of IVCF implanted due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the right femoral vein. Successful retrieval of the IVCF using double sheaths docking technique was done soon after confirmation of the dislocation. Importance of monitoring and early detection of dislocation of IVCF should be emphasized to avoid further complications. CONCLUSIONS: The double vascular sheaths docking technique can be considered as a preferential option in difficult operative situation.

Effectiveness of distal arterial bypass with porcine decellularized vascular graft for treating diabetic lower limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Application of tissue engineered vascular grafts for small-diameter artery reconstruction has been a much anticipated advance in vascular surgery. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of small-diameter decellularized vascular grafts in below-knee bypass surgery for diabetic lower extremity ischemia. METHODS: Three patients with diabetic lower limb ischemia were admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University between May, 2010 and June, 2010. Decellularized porcine arteries with modified surface were implanted in the lower extremity for below-knee arterial revascularization. Imaging examination was performed for assessment of graft mechanical stability and patency at 1 month and 6 months after implantation. RESULTS: At 6 months after implantation, all three grafts were patent with no stenosis or aneurysm formation of the grafts were found on imaging assessment with primary patency rate of 100% (3/3) both at 1 month and 6 months after graft insertion. CONCLUSION: Decellularized vascular graft with surface modification for the small-diameter artery reconstruction had good clinical results after 6 months follow-up in three patients with diabetic lower limb ischemia.

Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty and Debulking for the Treatment of Femoropopliteal In-Stent Restenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The purpose of this article was to compare the efficiency and safety of drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCB) and atherectomy with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in patients with femoropopliteal in-stent restenosis (ISR). Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (all up to March 2019) were searched systematically. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted. 5 studies with 599 participants were included. Compared with PTA, DCB significantly increased the rate of patency (6 months: RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.09, P < 0.01; 12 months: RR 2.38, 95% CI 1.71 to 3.30, P < 0.01) and the rate freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) (6 months: RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.28, P < 0.01; 12 months: RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.82, P < 0.01) at 6 and 12 months follow-up, and the TSA results showed these outcomes were reliable. The rate of clinical improvement by ≥1 Rutherford category in the DCB group was higher than that in the PTA group (6 months: RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.75, P = 0.03; 12 months: RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.82, P < 0.01) at 6 and 12 months. There is no statistically difference of ABI, all-cause mortality, and incidence of amputation between DCB group and PTA group (MD 0.03, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.08, P = 0.40; RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.46 to 3.34, P = 0.67; RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.61, P = 0.48). Compared with PTA, the rate of patency and freedom from TLR in the laser atherectomy (LD) group was higher than that in the PTA group (patency: 6 months: RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.64, P < 0.05, 12 months: RR 2.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 4.44, P < 0.05; freedom from TLR: 6 months: RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.53, P = 0.01, 12 months: RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.25, P = 0.01) at 6 and 12 months follow-up. In conclusion, DCB and LD had superior clinical (freedom from TLR and clinical improvement) and angiographic outcomes (patency rate) compared with PTA for the treatment of femoropopliteal ISR. Moreover, DCB and LD had a low incidence of amputation and mortality and were relatively safe methods.

Midterm Outcome of Directional Atherectomy Combined with Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Versus Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Alone for Femoropopliteal Arteriosclerosis Obliterans.

BACKGROUND: The "leave nothing behind" strategies have been becoming a popular treatment for femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis obliterans. Atherectomy before drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty may have an advantage in improving the efficiency of drug delivery into the blood vessel wall. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of directional atherectomy combined with DCB angioplasty with DCB angioplasty alone in the treatment of femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis obliterans. METHODS: Patients with femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis obliterans who received endovascular therapy from June 2016 to June 2018 in our hospital and presented with life-limiting claudication or severe chronic limb ischemia comprised the study cohort. The patients were randomized to receive directional atherectomy combined with DCB angioplasty (n = 45) or DCB alone (n = 49). Ninety-four patients were enrolled in our study with 72 males, and the mean age was 67 ± 10 years. The mean lesion length was 112 ± 64 mm. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of patients and lesions between the 2 randomized groups (P > 0.05). Flow-limiting dissections occurred more frequently in the DCB group (n = 12; 24.5%) than in the DA-DCB group (n = 2; 4.4%; P = 0.006). The technical success rate in the DA-DCB group was superior to that in the DCB group (95.6% vs. 75.5%, P = 0.006). The mean follow-up duration was 16.7 ± 6.1 months in the DCB group and 15.3 ± 5.8 months in the DA-DCB group. No amputations were performed. The overall mortality in the DCB group was 4.1% (2/49), while all patients survived in the DA-DCB group. The 12-month and 24-month primary patencies in the DA-DCB group were greater than those in the DCB group (80.5% vs. 75.7% and 67.1% vs. 55.1%, respectively); however, using all available patency data, no significant differences over time were observed (P = 0.377). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, directional atherectomy combined with DCB angioplasty can decrease the flow-limiting dissection rate in the treatment of femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis obliterans compared with DCB angioplasty alone. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of primary patency rate which was needed to be further clarified.

Endovascular repair of a subclavian artery aneurysm in Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease is a rare, chronic, relapsing condition comprising multisystemic inflammatory dysfunction, whereas subclavian artery aneurysm is a rare peripheral atherosclerotic aneurysm that has a high risk of rupture or embolization. Herein, we report the case of a 32-year-old man with Behçet's disease who developed pseudoaneurysm of the left subclavian artery. He was admitted to the emergency department due to radiating pain in the left neck and shoulder. Endovascular repair was performed, and high-dose anti-inflammatory therapy was begun. Ultrasonography performed on postoperative day 3 showed good stent patency. Endovascular therapy may be a safe and effective treatment for arterial aneurysm in patients with Behçet's disease.

Effects of Sarpogrelate Combined with Aspirin in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy in China: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing carotid artery stenosis who are prescribed aspirin, clopidogrel, or sarpogrelate as treatment options to inhibit platelet aggregation continues to increase. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel combined with aspirin (CA) versus sarpogrelate combined with aspirin (SA) treatment in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 197 CEA patients (mean age 61.4 years, mean follow-up time 42.5 months), who were divided into a CA group (Group A: 65 male and 44 female patients) and an SA group (Group B: 58 male and 30 female patients). Preoperative demographic and clinical characteristics and postoperative results were compared between the 2 groups and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Preoperative demographic and clinical characteristics, transfusions, hospital stay, occurrence of transient ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, restenosis, general or life-threatening bleeding, and 30-day mortality showed no significant differences between the 2 CEA patient groups. However, the mean operative blood loss (P = 0.023) and the operative time (P = 0.040) were significantly higher in Group A compared with Group B. A highly significant incidence of neck hematoma (P = 0.024) was observed in patients of Group A. CONCLUSIONS: In this study on CEA patients, antiplatelet treatment with CA resulted in a significant risk of developing neck hematoma, increased operative blood loss, and operative time compared with SA treatment. Long-term prospective studies with larger study populations are needed to further confirm the utility of SA treatment for CEA patients.

Simultaneous kissing stent technique with stent grafts for subclavian artery aneurysm: a case report.

Treatment of subclavian artery aneurysm is typically performed as an open procedure. In recent years, the use of an endovascular approach has been reported. We experienced a case of subclavian artery aneurysm treated by simultaneous kissing stent technique. With fewer complications, this is a promising technique.

Analysis of operation-related complications of totally laparoscopic aortoiliac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Totally laparoscopic aortoiliac surgery has been newly developed in China. It is known as the most complex laparoscopic technique to learn because of its high-risk procedures. Analysis of the operation-related complications of this surgery is supposed to be helpful for the early success of this technique. METHODS: Twelve male patients (56-70 years old) with aortoiliac occlusive disease underwent totally laparoscopic aortoiliac bypass surgery (TLABS) in our institute. Clinical data and operation-related complications were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients, TLABS succeeded in nine and conversion to open surgery occurred in three. One of the converted patients finally died of pulmonary infection. Operation-related complications included bleeding from arterial injury, perforation from colonic injury, graft embolism, residual aortic stenosis, and hydronephrosis. Bleeding in two patients and colonic perforation in one patient resulted in three conversions to open surgery. Intraoperative graft embolectomy and postoperative aortic stenting were performed to resolve the thrombus/embolus-referring complications. Left hydronephrosis, which was thought to result from intraoperative injury and treated with ureteric intubation drainage, recovered 6 months after TLABS. CONCLUSIONS: Good understanding and avoidance of operation-related complications are important to guarantee the technical success of TLABS. Immediate conversion to open surgery is necessary for saving the patient's life in case of life-threatening complications.

Totally laparoscopic bypass surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease in China.

BACKGROUND: Totally laparoscopic aortic surgery is still in its infancy in China. One of the factors preventing adoption of this technique is its steep learning curve. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). METHODS: From November 2008 to November 2012, 12 patients were treated for severe AIOD with a totally laparoscopic bypass surgery at our university hospital. The demographic data, operative data, postoperative recovery data, morbidity and mortality were analyzed and compared with those of conventional open approach. RESULTS: Twelve totally laparoscopic aortic surgery procedures, including two iliofemoral bypasses (IFB), three unilateral aortofemoral bypasses (UAFB), and seven aortobifemoral bypasses (ABFB), were performed. Conversion to open procedures was required in three patients. The mean operation time was 518 (range, 325-840) minutes, mean blood loss was 962 (range, 400-2500) ml, and mean aortic anastomosis time was 75 (range, 40-150) minutes. Compared with conventional open approach for aortofemoral bypasses performed concomitantly during this period, laparoscopic patients required fewer narcotics and a shorter in-hospital stay and earlier recovery. Postoperative complications developed in four patients, including a single patient with transient left hydronephrosis, ischemic colonic fistula and pneumonia, residual aortic stenosis proximal to the anastomotic site, and asymptomatic partial left renal infarction. All patients recovered and were discharged on postoperative Days 7-14 except one patient that died of respiratory failure on Day 46. All grafts were patent with follow-up imaging performed by Duplex examination, with a mean follow-up time of 10.7 (range, 2-61) months. CONCLUSION: Totally laparoscopic bypass surgery is a feasible and safe procedure for AIOD, but attention needs to be paid to improve laparoscopic skills of vascular surgery in order to minimize morbidity during the learning curve of this advanced procedure.

[Outcome comparison of open versus endovascular techniques in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, cost and safety of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) versus open surgery in the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were conducted for the clinical data and follow-up information of 218 cases from January 2002 to December 2011 at our hospital. Open surgery group included 86 patients with an mean age of 65.5 years and a mean aneurysm diameter of 5.4 cm. In EVAR group, there were 132 cases with an average age of 76.8 years and a mean aneurysm diameter of 5.6 cm. RESULTS: Among 86 open cases, there were inverted "Y" type artificial graft (n = 83) and straight artificial graft (n = 3). The surgical success rate was 98.8%, perioperative period mortality rate was 2.3%, a mean volume of blood loss 450 ml and a mean transfusion volume 320 ml. The mean operative duration was 230 min, a mean hospitalization time (30 ± 3) days and a mean hospitalization cost RMB yuan 58 000. In EVAR group, the surgical success rate was 100% and perioperative period mortality rate 0.8%. Separating stent graft (n = 121, 91.7%), straight stent graft (n = 4, 3%) and one-stent-graft (n = 7, 5.3%). The mean operative duration was 150 min, a mean volume of blood loss 140 ml, a mean hospitalization time 15.5 days and a mean hospitalization cost RMB yuan 104 800. The operative duration, volume of blood loss and length of hospital stay of EVAR group were superior to those of open surgery group (P < 0.05). But the cost of group EVAR was significantly higher than that of group open surgery (P < 0.05). In group open surgery, 80 cases (94.1%) received a mean follow-up period of 46 months. And 79 artificial grafts maintained patency (98.8%) and 8 cases died (10%). There were 125 cases in group EVAR (94.7%) with a mean time of 32.5 months; stent graft patency in 120 cases (96%), 10 death; 8 complication cases (5.6%) involved stent migration (n = 2) and iliac artery branch occlusion (n = 6). Long-term effects had no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). In terms of the incidence of complications, group EVAR was significantly more than group open surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In terms of operative duration, volume of blood loss and length of hospital stay, EVAR and open surgery treatment for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms group EVAR is significantly better than group open surgery. As far hospitalization cost, group EVAR is significantly higher than group open surgery. But, in terms of incidence of long-term complications, group EVAR is significantly higher than group open surgery while the latter often requires further interventions.

[Surgical treatment of subclavian artery occlusion].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effective surgical approaches in treating subclavian artery occlusion. METHODS: Between December 2005 and February 2010, 53 patients with subclavian artery occlusion were treated, including left subclavian artery occlusion (35 cases) and stenosis (5 cases), right subclavian artery occlusion (5 cases) and stenosis (4 cases), and bilateral subclavian artery occlusion (4 cases). There were 40 males and 13 females with an average age of 64 years (range, 22-77 years), including 49 cases of arteriosclerosis obliterans and 4 cases of aortic arteritis. The disease duration was 15 days to 20 months (6.5 months on average). In 49 patients with unilateral subclavian artery occlusion, 39 cases complicated by carotid or/ and cerebral artery lesion underwent axillo-axillary bypass grafting, and 10 cases without carotid or/and cerebral artery lesion underwent carotid-subclavian bypass grafting. Ascending aorta to bi-subclavian bypass grafting were performed on 4 cases with bilateral subclavian artery occlusion. After operation, patients received routine treatment with anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents. RESULTS: The operations were successfully performed in 52 cases with a successful rate of 98.11%. Thrombogenesis at anastomotic site occurred in 1 case of aortic arteritis after 48 hours. Two cases had brachial plexus crush injury and 4 had hematoma around the bilateral anastomosis after axillo-axillary bypass grafting, and all recovered with nonoperative therapy. A total of 52 patients were followed up 1-52 months (24.5 months on average). All patients survived and the symptoms of basilar and upper limb artery ischemia disappeared. Doppler ultrasonography showed that the blood flow was patent through anastomosis and polytetrafluoroethylene graft, and the vertebral artery flow was normal. Pseudoaneurysm at anastomosis was found in 1 case after 18 months and treated by interventional embolization. The postoperative graft patency rate was 100% at 1 year and at 2 years. CONCLUSION: Both thoracic and extrathoracic surgical approaches are effective for treating subclavian artery occlusion. The reasonable surgical approach should be selected according to the arteriopathy and the patient's condition. Perioperative treatment and strict intraoperative manipulation are important to guarantee the success of surgery.

[Preliminary evaluation of clinical effects of below-knee arterial bypass on diabetic lower limb ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate medium-long term patency of below-knee bypass on patients who suffered from diabetic lower limb ischemia. METHODS: Clinical and follow-up data of 51 patients was retrospectively analyzed who underwent 56 below-knee bypass because of diabetes from November 2001 to December 2006. There were 35 male and 16 female with an average age of 68 years. They endured 26 months ischemic time lag in average, and had suffered from diabetes for 11 years. All of the patients were performed bypass to below-knee (posterior tibial, anterior tibial or peroneal) arteries. Kaplan-meier method was applied. The subgroups of different operative methods and different out-flow vessels were compared by Log-rank tests. RESULTS: An average follow-up time of 23 months was achieved, and lost-follow-up rate was 15%. The total 1- and 5-year primary patent rates were 68% and 54% respectively, secondary patent rate were 70% and 60% respectively, limb salvage rates were 69% and 65%, survival rates were 82% and 60%. One year (3 years) of patent rate(s) of operative method subgroups of femoral-popliteal-infrageniculate bypass with composite grafts, femoral/popliteal-infrageniculate bypass with artificial grafts and femoral/popliteal-infrageniculate bypass with autologous veins were 70% (50%), 33% (33%) and 70% (70%) respectively. One year (4 years) of patent rate(s) of out-flow vessel subgroups of posterior tibial artery, anterior tibial artery and peroneal artery were 65% (60%), 80% (53%) and 77% (66%) respectively. However, both subgroups did not show any statistic differences by log-rank tests. CONCLUSIONS: Partial or whole autologous veins as bypass grafts should be chosen when infrageniculate bypass is considered in diabetic patients. Considerable patent rates are acceptable no matter what kinds of out-flow vessels are chosen.

[Treatment of severe cerebral ischemia in Takayasu's disease with arterial reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of surgical bypass and to explore the role of transcranial doppler (TCD) during the bypass operation. METHODS: From March 2003 to February 2008, sixteen patients (4 male and 12 female) with mean age of 32 years old and mean disease course of 7.5 years were treated by surgical procedures. The main clinical presentations were dizziness, headache, vertigo, and visional dysfunction. Variated degree of artery stenoses in the 4 arteries (bilateral carotid and vertebral arteries) were revealed by color doppler ultrasonography and DSA. Eight patients underwent aorto-bi-subclavian arteries prosthetic graft bypass. Three patients underwent aorto-bi-subclavian artery prosthetic graft bypass and graft-unilateral carotid artery bypass with autologous great saphenous vein. Three patients underwent aorta-unilateral subclavian artery-unilateral carotid artery prosthetic graft bypass. Two patients underwent aorta carotid artery bypass with autologous great saphenous vein, of which one patient underwent aortocoronary artery bypass simultaneously. Cerebral blood supply was monitored in 14 patients with transcranial doppler. Unilateral subclavian carotid and femoral carotid artery shunt was used respectively to avoid cerebral ischemia during operation in 2 patients. RESULTS: Symptoms and signs of cerebral ischemia improved in all patients with effective rate of 100% apart from deflected tongue-protrusion in 3 patients which recovered in 2 weeks after operation. All patients survived and no symptoms recurred at the end of a 2.2 year's follow-up. Unfortunately, two patients developed aneurysm at the anastomosis within 4 years after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial reconstruction is an effective method for Takayasu's disease with severe cerebral ischemia. TCD monitoring plays an important role during the bypass operation. It can help to determine the revision of blood pressure and prevent postoperative brain reperfusion injury.

[Middle-term outcome of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation for treatment of lower limb ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the middle-term outcome of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation in the treatment of lower limb ischemia. METHODS: From March 2003 to June 2005, 65 patients with lower limb ischemia were treated by autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation. Of the patients, there were 50 males and 15 females, with a mean age of 66.5 years (range 36-89 years), including 4 cases of simple arteriosclerotic occlusion, 5 cases of thromboangiitis obliterans and 56 cases diabetic lower limb ischemia. A total of 400 mL bone-marrow blood were extracted from the posterior superior iliac crest. And then the mononuclear cells were isolated from the bone-marrow blood in the laboratory. The amount of transplantation bone marrow mononuclear cells was (0.60-1.80) x 10(9) (mean 1.05 x 10(9)). Twelve patients received cell transplantation from two to four times and the other patients one time. According to the improvement of clinical finding, the outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 8-56 months (mean 21.5 months). There were 8 deaths, and the mortality was 12.3%; 5 were due to myocardial infarction and heart failure and 3 were due to cerebral infarction. The general effective rate was 70.8% (46/65) and the recurrent rate was 10.7% (7/65). Of them, the response to treatment lasted over 12 months in 42 cases, accounting for 91.3% (42/46); over 24 months in 24 cases, accounting for 52.2% (24/46); and over 37 months in 12 cases, accounting for 26.1% (12/46). The effective rates were 100% in 12 patients who received 2-4 times transplantation and 64.2% in 53 patients who received 1 time transplantation, showing statistically significant difference between them (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The middle-term outcome of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation show that it is a feasible and simple method for treatment of lower limb ischemia.

[Treatment of severe acute deep venous thrombosis in lower extremity].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method and effectiveness of treatment for severe acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in lower extremity. METHODS: Eighteen patients with severe acute DVT treated in our hospital from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008 were retrospectively analysed. All the patients had limb edema and pain, sixteen had limb cyanochroia(one had calf skin ulcer and foot gangrene), two had limb pallor, ten had weakened dorsalis pedis artery pulsation, eight had silent dorsalis pedis artery pulsation. Colour Doppler ultrasonography revealed DVT and superficial venous thrombosis in all diseased limbs. One patient underwent above knee amputation for limb gangrene. Seventeen underwent surgical thrombectomy, of which three were simple thrombectomy, five were supplemented with suprapubic saphenous vein bypass, six with suprapubic PTFE graft bypass, three with iliac vein lysis angioplasty. RESULTS: One patient died (5.6%) on the third day after surgery. Limb edema relieved in seven patients (41.2%), reduced in ten patients (58.8%). All diseased limbs regained normal artery pulsation and skin appearance except for one limb amputated. Sixteen patients (94.1%) were followed up by a mean of 34 months. Limb edema disappeared in five patients (31.3%), reduced in eight patients (50%), recurrent in three patients (18.7%). Among three recurrent patients, one died of malignant tumor 9 months after operation, two had their graft occluded resulting from intimal hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical thrombectomy is an effective method for treating severe acute DVT in lower extremity.

[Treating complex renal aneurysm with ex vivo aneurysmectomy and autotransplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the safety and feasibility of treating complex renal aneurysm with ex vivo aneurysmectomy and renal revascularization and renal autotransplantation after hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy. METHODS: In October 2006, one male patient with complex renal aneurysm was treated. The preoperative color Doppler ultrasonograph, CT and DSA showed that there was an aneurysm (3.4 cm x 4.3 cm x 4.5 cm) located in the main renal artery bifurcation and its five branches of the left kidney. The patient had a history of hypertension with no response to treatment. After successful hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy, the kidney off-body was perfused by the renal irrigating solution immediately to protect the kidney. Then ex vivo aneurysmectomy and renal artery revascularization were performed, the renal artery was reconstructed with an autologous right internal iliac artery. The reconstructed left kidney was re-implanted into the right iliac fossa. RESULTS: The operation was successful and the patient recovered without perioperative complications. The postoperative renal function was normal and the color Doppler ultrasonograph showed that the blood circulation in the transferred renal artery of the right iliac fossa and its branches was smooth, the blood circulation of the renal venous was smooth and no stenosis in the ureter 2 weeks after operation. Thirteen months follow-up showed the blood pressure was recovered to normal and the renal function was normal. CONCLUSION: The method of ex vivo aneurysmectomy and autotransplantation is safe, feasible and minimally invasive for treating complex hilar renal artery aneurysms.

Transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells for patients with lower limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Many treatment options for lower limb ischemia are difficult to apply for the patients with poor arterial outflow or with poor general conditions. The effect of medical treatment alone is far from ideal, especially in patients with diabetic foot. A high level amputation is inevitable in these patients. This study aimed to explore the effect of transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells on the treatment of lower limb ischemia and to compare the effect of intra-arterial transplantation with that of intra-muscular transplantation. METHODS: In this clinical trial, 32 patients with lower limb ischemia were divided into two groups. Group 1 (16 patients with 18 affected limbs) received transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells by intra-muscular injection into the affected limbs; and group 2 (16 patients with 17 affected limbs) received transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells by intra-arterial injection into the affected limbs. Rest pain, coldness, ankle/brachial index (ABI), claudication, transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO(2)) and angiography (15 limbs of 14 patients) were evaluated before and after the mononuclear cell transplantation to determine the effect of the treatment. RESULTS: Two patients died from heart failure. The improvement of rest pain was seen in 76.5% (13/17) of group 1 and 93.3% (14/15) of group 2. The improvement of coldness was 100% in both groups. The increase of ABI was 44.4% (8/18) in group 1 and 41.2% (7/17) in group 2. The value of tcPO(2) increased to 20 mmHg or more in 20 limbs. Nine of 15 limbs which underwent angiography showed rich collaterals. Limb salvage rate was 83.3% (15/18) in group 1 and 94.1% (16/17) in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of the treatment between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells is a simple, safe and effective method for the treatment of lower limb ischemia, and the two approaches for the implantation, intra-muscular injection and intra-arterial injection, show similar results.

[Comparative study on autologous implantation between bone marrow stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells for treatment of lower limb ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of autologous implantation between bone marrow stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells for treatment of lower limb ischemia. METHODS: From December 2004 to December 2005, 42 patients with unilateral lower limb ischemia were treated with both autologous bone marrow stem cell implantation (group A, n=21) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell implantation (group B, n=21). Forty-two patients included 32 males and 10 females. The age ranged from 34 to 80 years, with a mean of 65. 6 years. Of the patients, there were 28, 8 and 6 patients suffered from diabetic lower limb ischemia, Burger's disese and atherosclotic occlusion, respectively. Ischemic history was from 3 months to 5 years, with a mean of 2.1 years. A series of subjective indexes (such as improvement of pain, cold sensation and numbness) and objective indexes such as increase of ankle brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), angiography, amputation rate, and improvement of foot wound healing, were used to evaluate the effect. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of implantation, the rate of pain relief was 88.2% in group A and 89.5% in group B (P > 0.05); the rate of cold sensation relief was 94.4% in group A and 94.7% in group B (P > 0.05); improvement of numbness was 69.2% and 66.7% respectively in groups A and B (P > 0.05). Increase of ABI was 38.1% in group A and 33.3% in group B (P > 0.05); increase of TcPO, was 85.7% and 90.5% respectively in groups A and B (P > 0.05); angiography was performed in 12 patients (group A) and 9 patients (group B), and the new formed collateral vessel rate was 83.3% in group A and 77.8% in group B (P > 0.05); the amputation rate was 9.1% in groups A and B (P > 0.05); the rate of improvement of foot wound healing was 60.0% in group A and 66.7% in group B (P > 0.05). Forty patients were followed up 3-15 months (mean 8 months). The improvement rate of subjective symptoms was 75.0% in group A and 70.0% in group B (P > 0.05); increase of ABI was 60.0% in group A and 65.0% in group B; increase of TcPO was 80.0% and 75.0% respectively in groups A and B; the new formed collateral vessel rate was 90.0% in group A and 84.6% in group B. All ulcers healed except 1 case in group B. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow stem cell graft and peripheral blood stem cell graft are all effective in treating lower limb ischemia.

[Clinical analysis of vascular reconstruction in 56 cases of lower extremity ischemia suffering from infrapopliteal arterial occlusion].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize therapeutic efficacy of vascular reconstruction in treating infrapopliteal arterial occlusion. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of vascular reconstruction of lower extremity was made in 56 cases suffering from popliteal arteries or 3 branches of popliteal arteries (anterior tibial, posterior tibial, peroneal artery) between July 2001 and August 2005 in our hospital. According to the level of lower extremity arterial occlusion, a composite grafts which consisting of a combined proximal PTFE prosthesis grafts with autogenous vein grafts were used to establish the sequential vascular reconstruction for multilevel and multistage arterial occlusive disease. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period after operation was 17 months. The primary graft patency rates in this series was 67.3%, the secondary graft patency rate was 78.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of composite sequential bypass is a practical means for multilevel arterial occlusive disease suffering from femoral-infrapopliteal arteries, which effectively resolves the insufficiency supply of autogenous vessel grafts and the problem of bad patency rate for vascular reconstruction with prosthetic grafts alone in arterial occlusion suffering from infrapopliteal arteries.