Short- to midterm results of early cannulation arteriovenous grafts (Gore® ACUSEAL) for hemodialysis: Experience with the ACUSEAL in a Japanese cohort.

BACKGROUND: In patients without suitable vasculature for autologous arteriovenous fistula, vascular access using a prosthetic graft is an option for hemodialysis. Gore® ACUSEAL Vascular graft is an early cannulation arteriovenous graft (AVG) that allows early puncture within 24 h after surgery. We aimed to report the outcomes of using this graft in patients from a single center. METHODS: This study included 113 patients who underwent surgery for a new AVG using ACUSEAL, between December 2015 and December 2017, and were followed up. The primary outcomes were primary patency, assisted-primary patency, and secondary patency. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications such as graft infection and steal syndrome. RESULTS: Of the 113 patients, 60 were male and 53 were female. The average age was 74.4 ± 10.7 years. We could cannulate 69.1% of patients within 24 h. The average follow-up period was 20.1 ± 10.8 months. The primary patency rates after 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were 76.2%, 60.4%, and 33.8%, respectively. The assisted-primary patency rates after 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were 88.8%, 73.2%, and 58.9%, respectively. The secondary patency rates after 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year were 100%, 100%, and 98.8%, respectively. Fourteen patients (12.4%) developed graft infection and two patients (1.8%) developed steal syndrome. CONCLUSION: In our study, ACUSEAL showed satisfactory patency and acceptable complication rates in the short to medium term, similar to previous studies. ACUSEAL is beneficial for surgeons who are familiar with using AVG and for medical staff who control bleeding after dialysis. However, due to the large outer diameter of the graft, surgical wounds might become dehiscent, and careful designing of the subcutaneous graft route is necessary. It might be possible to reduce the rate of graft infection by planning the site and skin incision.

Results of Stenting for Central Venous Occlusions and Stenoses in the Hemodialysis Patients.

Objectives: We aim to investigate the results of stenting for central venous occlusions and stenoses in the hemodialysis patients. Methods: Twenty-nine cases treated with endovascular recanalization with deployment of bare metal stent (BMS) for central venous occlusions (24 cases) and recurrent stenoses (5 cases) between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results of these procedures including success rate, operative time, estimated blood loss, morbidity, primary patency, assisted primary patency and freedom from target-lesion revascularization (TLR) were evaluated. Results: Nine lesions were in brachiocephalic vein (Occlusion/Stenosis: 8/1) and 20 lesions were in subclavian vein (Occlusion/Stenosis: 16/4). Procedural success was 94% (29/31 cases) and operation time/estimated blood loss was 68±39 min/28±54 g. Symptom were relieved or disappeared in all successful cases. Morbidity (extravasation of contrast medium) was 3% (1/29). During the period of observation, 1 stent fracture with occlusion and 1 stent migration to periphery were recognized. 1-year primary patency, freedom from TLR, and assisted primary patency were 40% (median patent time: 256 days), 67% (median patent time: 524 days), and 77%, respectively. Conclusion: Stenting for central venous occlusions and stenoses in the hemodialysis patients is safe and durable treatment option. However, considering its off-label use and potential hazard including vessel rupture, stent migration, and stent fracture, the indication for BMS deployment should be conservative, and interventionist should be well acquainted with prevention and measures to these complications. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2019; 28: 193-198.).

Superficial Venous Dilatation Induced by Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Nerve Block in Vascular Access Surgery.

Objectives: We aim to assess the effect and significance of ultrasound-guided axillary nerve block on the diameter of basilic vein in vascular access surgery. Methods: 78 consecutive patients who underwent vascular access surgery with ultrasound-guided axillary nerve block were studied retrospectively. Diameter of basilic vein at the elbow level before and after the nerve block were measured and the dilatation rate was also calculated to assess the effect of nerve block on venous diameter. Results: Basilic vein diameter increased from 3.0±1.1 mm before the block to 4.1±1.2 mm after the block (p<0.001). Mean dilatation rate was 143±34%. The dilatation rate was inversely correlated with venous diameter before the block (p<0.001). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided axillary nerve block induces significant basilic venous dilatation and that make the anastomotic procedure involving basilic vein possible, or much easier. This anesthetic technique was considered to be an effective option in vascular access surgery. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2017; 26: 235-239.).

Characteristic risk factors in cirrhotic patients for posthepatectomy complications: comparison with noncirrhotic patients.

There seemed to be characteristic risk factors in cirrhotic patients for posthepatectomy complications because these patients have less hepatic reserve as compared with noncirrhotic patients. The aim of the current study was to identify these characteristic risk factors in cirrhotic patients. We performed 419 primary hepatectomies for hepatocellular carcinoma. The patients were divided into the cirrhotic group (n = 198) and the noncirrhotic group (n = 221), and the risk factors for posthepatectomy complications were compared between the groups. Thirty-six cirrhotic patients (18.2%) experienced Clavien's Grade III or more complications. Tumor size, intraoperative blood loss, duration of operation, major hepatectomy (two or more segments), and necessity of blood transfusion were found to be significant risk factors in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis revealed that major hepatectomy and intraoperative blood loss were independent risk factors for posthepatectomy complications in patients with cirrhosis. On the other hand, the duration of operation was only an independent risk factor for posthepatectomy complication in noncirrhotic patients. Cirrhotic patients should avoid a major hepatectomy and undergo a limited resection preserving as much liver tissue as possible and meticulous surgical procedures to lessen intraoperative blood loss are mandatory to prevent major posthepatectomy complications.

Nasal MRSA screening for surgical patients: predictive value for postoperative infections caused by MRSA.

PURPOSE: Postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are occasionally fatal. We hypothesized that nasal MRSA screening might predict the risk of postoperative MRSA infections. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the relationship between the positivity of nasal MRSA screening and postoperative MRSA infections. METHODS: Six hundred and fourteen surgical patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit and underwent nasal MRSA screening between April 2006 and March 2011 were divided into MRSA-positive and -negative groups. The incidence of postoperative MRSA infections in the MRSA-positive and MRSA-negative groups were compared, and various risk factors for MRSA infections were evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative MRSA infections, such as pneumonia and enteritis, in the MRSA-positive group was significantly higher than that in the MRSA-negative group (41.9 vs. 3.1 %). The significant independent risk factors for postoperative MRSA infections were a positive MRSA screening, an operation lasting more than 300 min and an emergency operation. A positive MRSA screening was the most statistically significant risk factor for postoperative MRSA pneumonia and enteritis, but was not a risk factor for MRSA surgical site infections. CONCLUSION: Nasal MRSA screening can help to identify patients who have an increased risk of developing postoperative MRSA infections, and would enable physicians to take a prompt action if these complications occur.

Outcomes of emergency surgery for acute abdomen in dialysis patients: experience of a single community hospital.

PURPOSE: Long-term dialysis often causes physiological and metabolic problems that may affect the outcomes of surgery. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether emergency surgery for acute abdomen yields similar outcomes in dialysis patients versus non-dialysis patients. METHODS: The subjects were 126 patients who underwent emergency surgery for acute abdomen between January, 2007 and November, 2011 in our hospital. They were divided into a dialysis group (HD group; n = 9) and a non-dialysis group (non-HD group; n = 117) and their postoperative morbidity and mortality were compared. RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity and mortality were significantly worse in the HD group. All 9 of these patients succumbed to postoperative complications versus only 5 of the 117 patients in the non-HD group. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of emergency surgery for acute abdomen were significantly worse for dialysis patients than for non-dialysis patients. Prompt diagnosis, initiation of the most suitable surgical procedure, and meticulous postoperative cares are imperative to improving the surgical outcomes of dialysis patients.

High energy trauma patients treated in the department of general surgery in a secondary emergency facility in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: We clarified the characteristics of the high energy trauma patients that entered the general surgery ward of Fukuoka city hospital (FCH), a 200 bed secondary emergency hospital in Japan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the 7,826 total ambulance cases treated from April 2008 to March 2012 in our emergency room, 831 trauma patients who entered our hospital were analyzed. These patients were classified into a non high energy (NHE) and high energy trauma (HE) group based on the mechanisms of injuries. RESULTS: Of the 831 trauma cases, 741 (89.2%) were in the NHE and 90 (10.8%) were in the HE group. Eleven of the 741 cases (1.5%) in the NHE group and 18 of the 90 cases (20.0%) in the HE group entered the Department of General Surgery as inpatients, with the frequency being significantly higher in the latter group (p < 0.01). 11 of the 18 cases (61.1%) of Department of General Surgery in the HE group were diagnosed to have an injury severity score (ISS) of 15 or higher, and the rate of preventable trauma deaths (PTDs) of those 11 cases was 9.1% (1/11). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of the patients that entered the Department of General Surgery was higher in the HE group than in the NHE group. The surgical departments of secondary emergency facilities are expected to contribute to the local trauma emergency systems.

Successful perioperative management of a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura undergoing emergent appendectomy: Report of a case.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a low platelet count and normal bone marrow. Patients with ITP undergoing surgery are thought to have increased risk for postoperative complications because of their thrombocytopenia. PRESENTATION OF CASE: we report the case of a 66-year-old woman with ITP who required an emergency operation for acute appendicitis associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Preoperative therapy consisted of platelet transfusions only, and intraoperative hemostasis was achieved. Postoperatively, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy led to an increased, stable, and adequate platelet count and good hemostasis. DISCUSSION: The outcome of this case suggests that IVIg therapy is not always required for preoperative management of patients with. CONCLUSION: IVIg therapy may be useful for postoperative management after emergency surgery.

Significant prognostic factors in patients with Stage IV gastric cancer with special reference to the curability of surgery.

PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to determine an effective treatment strategy for patients with Stage IV gastric cancer. METHODS: We analyzed the significant prognostic factors in 74 patients who underwent surgery between 1989 and 2005, and were finally determined to have Stage IV gastric cancer. These patients were classified as curability A (n = 0), B (n = 29) and C (n = 45) according to the criteria outlined by Japanese Gastric cancer society. Anti-tumor drugs were used after surgery in some cases. There were 32 patients who received either no treatment or an oral anti-tumor drug, and 42 patients who received new chemotherapeutic regimens. RESULTS: According to a univariate analysis, the postoperative mean survival times were significantly different; tumor size ≤ 12 cm, a tumor without lymphatic involvement, more than D2 lymphadenectomy, and classification as curability B were favorable prognostic factors. The multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size, lymphadenectomy and curability were independent prognostic factors. In curability B patients, venous involvement was an independent prognostic factor. In curability C patients, both the tumor size and postoperative chemotherapy affected their prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with curable Stage IV gastric cancer, at least a D2 gastrectomy to reduce the absolute volume of tumor cells, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, may be essential to improve their prognosis. In incurable cases, aggressive new chemotherapeutic regimens should be the treatment of choice for the prolongation of survival.

The effect of overweight status on the short-term and 20-y outcomes after hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the short- and long-term outcomes of hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We performed 371 hepatic resections in HCC patients whom we categorized into two groups based on BMI: BMI ≥ 25 (n = 77) and BMI <25 (n = 294). We compared surgical outcomes between groups. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative complications in the BMI ≥ 25 group was comparable to those in the BMI <25 group. However, patients in the BMI <25 group showed a significantly worse long-term prognosis than those in the BMI ≥ 25 group (P < 0.01). The results of multivariate analyses showed that BMI <25 was an independent and prognostic indicator of long-term outcome after hepatic resection in HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: A BMI ≥ 25 is not a risk factor for mortality or postoperative complications, and is considered to provide a better long-term prognosis (>20 y) than a BMI <25 in patients with HCC after hepatic resection. Further studies are needed to determine whether these results apply to other patient populations outside Japan where BMI ≥ 30 is more prevalent.

[The operated case of 89 year-old patient with pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung].

A-89-year-old male patient who complained dry cough was detected lung mass of 3 cm size in diameter at the right upper lobe by CT. FDG-PET seemed to show hilar and mediastinum lymph nodes metastasis. After three weeks, the mass showed rapid growth with 5 cm diameter in size at CT. Therefore the original tumor was supposed to be undifferentiated carcinoma, above all, pleomorphic carcinoma. He had been done pulmonary resection after short period. The right upper lobectomy with combined resection of the partial middle lobe was performed. Hilar and mediastinum lymph nodes dissection was added. In pathological examination, the tumor was proved pleomorphic carcinoma, however, no lymph node metastasis was recognized. He did not refer any complications and discharged back home at the post-operative 11th day. Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung is known to be difficult to obtain definite diagnosis in early stage because of rapid growth. Therefore many cases are detected in advanced stage. In addition, chemotherapy is generally not effective, so only operative resection seems to be useful. Our patient was 89-year-old, he tolerated the operation and was alive with no trouble during 6 months after resection. When complete resection seems to be possible, operation should be regarded as an initial treatment.

Efficacy of surgical microwave therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcome in surgical microwave therapy (MW) for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: An institutional review board approved and single-institutional study of surgical MW of unresectable HCC was conducted from May 2003 to December 2010. The median follow-up period was 19 months (range 1-77 months). RESULTS: A total of 60 patients underwent 143 surgical MW for unresectable HCC. Of these, 15 patients had initial HCC and 45 had recurrent HCC. The median tumor size of HCC was 1.95 cm (range 0.8-3.3 cm). The median numbers of nodules that underwent surgical MW were 2 (range 1-9). Multinodular type was found in 33 patients (55%). Morbidity was 18.3%, and there was zero mortality. Also, 3 patients (5%) had incomplete MW. Of the 60 patients, 39 (65%) had recurrence, and 7 (11.6%) had local recurrence. The 1- and 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of the patients who underwent surgical MW for initial HCC were 55.1 and 36.7%, respectively, and those for recurrent HCC were 41.6% and 8.8%, respectively. A tumor size ≥ 2.0 cm and multiple nodules were selected as independent and significant indicators for recurrence of the disease. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates after the surgical MW procedure were 93.9, 53.8, and 43.1%, respectively. A level of des-gamma carboxyprothrombin (DCP) was an independent and significant indicator for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical MW is an effective method for treating initial or recurrent unresectable HCC, and it can be undergone safely.

Perioperative use of eicosapentaenoic acid and patency of infrainguinal vein bypass: A retrospective chart review.

UNLABELLED: Abstract. BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of autogenous vein grafts fail in the long term. Currently, there is no treatment to improve graft patency. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to prevent late failure of an autogenous vein graft and other perioperative risk factors affecting long-term patency. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on grafts of patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass surgery using autogenous vein grafts for peripheral arterial disease in a lower limb. Patients were stratified by the perioperative use of EPA. The EPA group was those patients who administered EPA ≥1 time within 3 months of surgery. The non-EPA group was made up of those patients who did not administer EPA within 3 months of surgery. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency rates of the grafts in each group were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. To evaluate the effect of other perioperative risk factors, a Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-one grafts were analyzed from 159 patients who underwent surgery between July 1991 and July 2005. The primary patency rates of the EPA and non-EPA groups were 93% and 86%, 89% and 74%, and 83% and 68% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. In terms of primary patency, the EPA group was significantly better than the non-EPA group (P=0.042). There was no significant difference between the groups in either assisted primary or secondary patency. A Cox proportional hazard analysis found that the minimum graft diameter and perioperative use of EPA were significant factors for primary patency (P=0.002 and P=0.004, respectively). Graft diameter was the only significant factor for assisted primary and secondary patency (P=0.021 and P=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although graft diameter was the most important factor for long-term patency of infrainguinal vein bypass grafts, the perioperative use of EPA significantly improved primary patency among these subjects.

Role of femorofemoral crossover bypass grafting for unilateral iliac atherosclerotic disease: a comparative evaluation with anatomic bypass.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of femorofemoral or iliofemoral crossover bypass grafting, the early and late results of crossover bypasses were reviewed and compared with those of anatomic bypasses. METHODS: The clinical records of 164 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans who underwent 99 crossover bypasses and 65 anatomic ones from 1982 to 2002 were retrospectively evaluated. The early and late results including operative mortality and morbidity, graft patency rate, limb salvage rate, and survival rate of the patients as well as backgrounds of the patients were compared between the two kinds of bypass procedures. In addition, perioperative factors including bypass procedures affecting graft patency were evaluated by a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The percentage of high-risk patients was higher in the crossover bypass group than in the anatomic bypass group. The operative mortality and morbidity were similar between both bypass groups. The primary and secondary patency rates of crossover bypass grafts (93% and 97%, 83% and 92%, and 65% and 63% at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively) were lower than those of anatomic ones (95% and 98%, 93% and 98%, and 90% and 98% at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively). The late survival of the patients in the crossover bypass group was significantly lower than that in the anatomic bypass group. A multivariate analysis revealed the operative method, namely the crossover bypass, to be the only significant risk factor of late graft failure. CONCLUSION: A crossover bypass was thus determined to be an acceptable procedure only in high-risk patients with a limited life expectancy.

Protective effect of chronic vitamin C treatment on endothelial function of apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse carotid artery.

Endothelium-dependent relaxations are impaired in carotid artery of apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice. This impairment seems to be due to increased formation of superoxide anions and inactivation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO). In the present study, we tested hypothesis that chronic treatment with vitamin C may prevent endothelial dysfunction by increasing release of NO from endothelial cells. C57BL/6 and apoE-/- mice were treated for 26 weeks with Western-type fat diet with and without 1% vitamin C. Vasomotor function of isolated carotid arteries was studied by video dimension analyzer. Expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) protein were evaluated by Western blotting. Levels of cGMP and cAMP were measured by radioimmunoassay. In apoE-/- mice, vitamin C significantly augmented relaxations to acetylcholine (10-9-10-5 mol/l), but did not affect relaxations to NO donor diethylammonium-(Z)-1-(N,N-diethylamino) diazen-1-1,2-diolate (DEA-NONOate; 10-9-10-5 mol/l). In contrast, vitamin C reduced relaxations to acetylcholine and DEA-NONOate in C57BL/6 mice. Interestingly, vitamin C significantly increased basal cGMP levels in C57BL/6 mice but did not affect cGMP formation in apoE-/-. Vitamin C treatment did not affect expression of eNOS protein, whereas elevated expression of PECAM-1 protein in apoE-/- mice was returned to normal level. Our findings demonstrate that chronic treatment with vitamin C prevents endothelial dysfunction of carotid artery induced by hypercholesterolemia. This effect seems to be mediated by preservation of NO bioavailability in endothelial cells.

Inhibitory effect of recombinant iNOS gene expression on vasomotor function of canine basilar artery.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of recombinant inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) gene expression on vasomotor function in cerebral arteries. Isolated canine basilar arteries were exposed ex vivo (30 min at 37 degrees C) to an adenoviral vector [10(7), 10(8), or 10(9) plaque-forming units (pfu)/ml] encoding either the iNOS gene or the beta-galactosidase reporter gene. Twenty-four hours after transduction, Western blot analysis demonstrated expression of iNOS protein only in iNOS (10(9) pfu/ml)-transduced arteries. Immunohistochemical analysis localized iNOS expression predominantly in adventitia. Vascular reactivity of isolated basilar arteries was studied by isometric force recording. Concentration-response curves to UTP (10(-9)-10(-3) M) and diethylaminodiazen-1-ium-1,2-dioate (10(-10)-10(-5) M) were significantly shifted to the right in iNOS gene (10(9) pfu/ml)-transduced rings compared with control and beta-galactosidase-transduced rings (P < 0.05, n = 5-6). Endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin was significantly attenuated in iNOS-transduced rings (P < 0.001, n = 8). The basal level of cGMP and superoxide anion (O(2)(-).) production were elevated in iNOS-transduced rings (P < 0.05, n = 7 for cGMP; P < 0.01, n = 6-9 for O(2)(-). production). Our results suggest that expression of recombinant iNOS in cerebral arteries reduces vasomotor reactivity to both vasoconstrictor and vasodilator agonists. Attenuation of contractions is most likely due to functional antagonism between UTP and cGMP. Reduction of endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin appears to be mediated in part by reduced reactivity of smooth muscle cells to NO.

Expression and function of recombinant S1179D endothelial nitric oxide synthase in canine cerebral arteries.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bovine endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is phosphorylated directly by the protein kinase Akt at serine 1179. Mutation of this residue to the negatively charged aspartate (S1179DeNOS) increases nitric oxide (NO) production constitutively in the absence of agonist stimulus. The present study was designed to determine the effect of mutant S1179DeNOS gene expression on vasomotor function of canine cerebral arteries. METHODS: Isolated basilar and middle cerebral arteries were exposed ex vivo (30 minutes at 37 degrees C) to an adenoviral vector (10(10) plaque-forming units per milliliter) encoding the S1179DeNOS gene (AdCMVS1179DeNOS), the wild-type eNOS gene (AdCMVeNOS), or the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene (AdCMVGFP). Twenty-four hours after transduction, arteries were suspended in an organ chamber for isometric force recording, and levels of cGMP were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Transgene protein expression was detected mainly in the vascular adventitia. In AdCMVS1179DeNOS-transduced arteries, basal levels of cGMP were significantly elevated compared with those in control (nontransduced), AdCMVGFP-, or AdCMVeNOS-transduced vessels (n=8; P<0.01). The elevation of cGMP was abolished by a NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or by incubation in the calcium-free medium in the presence of calcium chelators. In AdCMVS1179DeNOS-transduced arteries, contractions to endothelin-1 (10(-10) to 10(-8) mol/L) were significantly reduced compared with those in control and AdCMVGFP-transduced arteries (n=7; P<0.05). The vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1 was restored in the presence of the NOS inhibitor L-NAME. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in cerebral arteries, expression of recombinant S1179DeNOS increases basal production of NO and inhibits the vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1. This effect may have therapeutic application in prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.

Protective vasomotor effects of in vivo recombinant endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression in a canine model of cerebral vasospasm.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Post-subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) cerebral vasospasm is a potentially devastating condition whose pathogenesis involves impaired nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. We aimed to determine whether recombinant endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene expression may protect vasomotor function and prevent vasospasm in a canine experimental SAH model. METHODS: Recombinant adenoviral vectors (5x10(9) plaque-forming units/animal) encoding genes for eNOS (AdeNOS) and beta-galactosidase (AdLacZ) or vehicle were injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs on day -1 (ie, 24 hours before the first intra-CSF injection of blood on day 0). Cerebral angiography was performed at day 0 (baseline) and day 7 (immediately before death), and tissues were harvested for additional studies. RESULTS: Western analysis and immunohistochemistry detected recombinant eNOS exclusively in cerebral arteries isolated from AdeNOS-transduced dogs, and in this group of animals CSF NO concentrations were significantly elevated by day 2. Analysis of day 7 versus day 0 cerebral angiograms for each group revealed significant spasm at the basilar artery midpoint in AdLacZ-transduced and nontransduced dogs but not in AdeNOS-transduced dogs. Isometric force recording of basilar arteries isolated from AdeNOS-transduced dogs showed significantly augmented relaxations to bradykinin and reduced contractions to endothelin-1. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that expression of recombinant eNOS in the adventitia of cerebral arteries may contribute toward protection against post-SAH vasospasm.