Superficial Femoral Venous Aneurysm in a Patient with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: The Femoral Hernia Mimic.

Venous aneurysms are a rare vascular anomaly characterized by a solitary area of dilatation containing all three layers of the venous vessel wall. Described throughout the venous system, venous aneurysms can be classified as deep or superficial based on the vein involved. Although generally asymptomatic, superficial venous aneurysms can be associated with venous insufficiency or venous thromboembolism and are often confused for soft tissue masses or hernias. In young adults, venous aneurysms are often associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. In this report, we present a case of a primary superficial venous aneurysm in a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome mimicking a femoral hernia.

Correlation of ABCD2 score with degree of internal carotid artery stenosis: an observational pilot study.

BACKGROUND: ABCD(2) is a validated scoring system that predicts the risk of stroke after a transient ischemic attack (TIA). International guidelines suggest that patients with a low score can be investigated on an outpatient basis. The ABCD2 score, however, cannot identify which patients have significant internal carotid artery (ICA) disease, and this group of patients could benefit from rapid access carotid endarterectomy (RACE). Studies have shown that patients with significant carotid artery disease have a higher risk of neurologic events or recurrent stroke. The aim of this study was to document the range of ABCD2 scores in patients with carotid artery-related TIA, and investigate any correlation between the ABCD2 scores and ICA stenosis. METHODS: Patients undergoing carotid duplex ultrasound scan for TIA from January 2009 to May 2010 from two vascular units were identified from the vascular database retrospectively. Clinical notes were reviewed and outcomes measures were recorded: ABCD2 scores (age, blood pressure, clinical features, diabetes, and duration) and carotid plaque morphology. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients with a mean age of 74 (range 56-90) years had ICA stenoses of ≥50% up to 100%. Fifty-seven patients had an ABCD2 score of ≤4. There was no significant correlation between ABCD2 scores and degree of ICA stenosis nor carotid plaque morphology (P=0.2, r=1.0, and P=1.0, r=0.0007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Because no correlation between ABCD2 scores and the degree of ICA stenosis was found, all patients with carotid territory TIA should undergo urgent imaging of the carotid arteries because a high proportion of these patients may benefit from RACE.

"More or less": management of type A aortic dissections in the endovascular era.

The management of type A aortic dissection presents a major therapeutic challenge in modern surgical practice. Whilst the traditional dictum, to provide timely surgical intervention with the minimum treatment needed to repair the ascending aorta as well as the primary tear, may be a reasonable strategy in older patients, a tailored approach is desired for younger patients to manage the immediate life-threatening condition, as well as for the management of lifelong complications of the residual dissected aorta. Endovascular technology continues to advance, providing an adjunctive role to open cardiac repair presently to manage downstream aortic pathology, with the aim of striving towards a complete endovascular solution for type A aortic dissections.

Frail patients having vascular surgery during the early COVID-19 pandemic experienced high rates of adverse perioperative events and amputation.

BACKGROUND: Frailty predicts adverse perioperative outcomes and increased mortality in patients having vascular surgery. Frailty assessment is a potential tool to inform resource allocation, and shared decision-making about vascular surgery in the resource constrained COVID-19 pandemic environment. This cohort study describes the prevalence of frailty in patients having vascular surgery and the association between frailty, mortality and perioperative outcomes. METHODS: The COVID-19 Vascular Service in Australia (COVER-AU) prospective cohort study evaluates 30-day and six-month outcomes for consecutive patients having vascular surgery in 11 Australian vascular units, March-July 2020. The primary outcome was mortality, with secondary outcomes procedure-related outcomes and hospital utilization. Frailty was assessed using the nine-point visual Clinical Frailty Score, scores of 5 or more considered frail. RESULTS: Of the 917 patients enrolled, 203 were frail (22.1%). The 30 day and 6 month mortality was 2.0% (n = 20) and 5.9% (n = 35) respectively with no significant difference between frail and non-frail patients (OR 1.68, 95%CI 0.79-3.54). However, frail patients stayed longer in hospital, had more perioperative complications, and were more likely to be readmitted or have a reoperation when compared to non-frail patients. At 6 months, frail patients had twice the odds of major amputation compared to non-frail patients, after adjustment (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.17-3.78), driven by a high rate of amputation during the period of reduced surgical activity. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight that older, frail patients, experience potentially preventable adverse outcomes and there is a need for targeted interventions to optimize care, especially in times of healthcare stress.

Perioperative high-dose oxygen therapy in vascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery have reduced baseline tissue oxygen tension and high rates of wound infections. The hypoxaemia worsens during surgery, potentially reducing the ability to combat bacterial lodgement. We investigated whether high-dose perioperative oxygen administration to patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial surgery results in increased tissue oxygenation. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial surgery had transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (TcpO(2)) measured preoperatively, intraoperatively after arterial clamps applied, postoperatively and at discharge. Measurements were taken with inspired oxygen concentration (F(i)O(2)) of 30% then 80%. Arterial blood gases were measured at the same times. RESULTS: Tissue oxygenation showed no difference intraoperatively while arterial clamps were in place, but significantly higher tissue oxygenation was seen with use of high-dose oxygen (F(i)O(2) 80%) postoperatively (P<0.05). Carbon dioxide levels in tissue increased while arterial clamps were in place (P<0.01) and pH fell intraoperatively and following reperfusion (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The administration of high-dose oxygen to vascular surgical patients undergoing lower-limb arterial surgery results in increased tissue oxygen concentrations when perfusion is not reduced by the presence of arterial clamps. These results suggest the administration of high-dose oxygen intraoperatively may be beneficial in reducing wound infections, but further research is required.