Intraoperative Infusion of Dextran Confers No Additional Benefit after Carotid Endarterectomy but Is Associated with Increased Perioperative Major Adverse Cardiac Events.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative dextran infusion has been associated with reduction of an embolic risk in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Nonetheless, dextran has been associated with adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, hemorrhage, cardiac, and renal complications. Herein, we aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes of CEA stratified by the use of intraoperative dextran infusion using a large multiinstitutional dataset. METHODS: Patients undergoing CEA between 2008 and 2022 from the Vascular Quality Initiative database were reviewed. Patients were categorized by use of intraoperative dextran infusion, and demographics, procedural data, and in-hospital outcomes were compared. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to adjust for differences in patients while assessing the association between postoperative outcomes and intraoperative infusion of dextran. RESULTS: Of 140,893 patients undergoing CEA, 9,935 (7.1%) patients had intraoperative dextran infusion. Patients with intraoperative dextran infusion were older with lower rates of symptomatic stenosis (24.7% vs. 29.3%; P < 0.001) and preoperative use of antiplatelets, anticoagulants and statins. Additionally, they were more likely to have severe carotid stenosis (>80%; 49% vs. 45%; P < 0.001) and undergo CEA under general anesthesia (96.4% vs. 92.3%; P < 0.001), with a more frequent use of shunt (64.4% vs. 49.5%; P < 0.001). After adjustment, multivariable analysis showed that intraoperative dextran infusion was associated with higher odds of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including myocardial infarction [MI] (odds ratio [OR], 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-2.3, P < 0.001), congestive heart failure [CHF] (OR, 2.15, 95% CI: 1.67-2.77, P = 0.001), and hemodynamic instability requiring vasoactive agents (OR, 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.13, P = 0.001). However, it was not associated with decreased odds of stroke (OR, 0.92, 95% CI: 0.74-1.16, P = 0.489) or death (OR, 0.88, 95% CI: 0.58-1.35, P = 0.554). These trends persisted even when stratified by symptomatic status and degree of stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative infusion of dextran was associated with increased odds of MACE, including MI, CHF, and persistent hemodynamic instability, without decreasing the risk of stroke perioperatively. Given these results, judicious use of dextran in patients undergoing CEA is recommended. Furthermore, careful perioperative cardiac management is warranted in select patients receiving intraoperative dextran during CEA.

Increased efficacy of internal carotid artery stenting using a low-profile stent with a tapered tip.

Angioplasty and stent placement is becoming a widely accepted method of carotid artery revascularization. Two cases are presented where 1 standard low-profile stent failed to cross the lesion, but a different low-profile stent with a tapered tip delivery system was successfully deployed. The technical advantages of the tapered delivery system in certain anatomic situations are described.

Cerebrovascular events associated with infusion through arterially malpositioned triple-lumen catheter: report of three cases and review of literature.

Analysis of 10 adult patients treated from January 1998 to November 2004 for arterial misplacement of triple-lumen catheter (TLC) during internal jugular vein cannulation was performed. Three cases that developed neurologic symptoms occurring in the context of infusion through a TLC that was arterially malpositioned are presented, along with the review of literature. In 7 patients, the diagnosis of arterial misplacement was suspected by the color or flow characteristics of blood and confirmed by a combination of blood gas analysis, connecting catheter to transducer, and/or chest film. In the remaining 3 patients, intraarterial misplacement was not suspected. In these patients, the initial review of chest films by qualified physicians prior to starting infusion failed to detect malposition of the catheter. Retrospectively, subtle clues suggestive of arterially placed TLCs were found. All 3 patients developed neurologic symptoms. Initiation of neurologic workup delayed a correct diagnosis by 6 to >48 hours. A volumetric pump was used for infusion in all patients. Of the 3 patients with neurologic symptoms, 1 recovered completely, 1 became comatose, and 1 partially improved. Based on our observations and review of literature, we conclude that cursory examination of chest films to verify proper positioning of central venous catheter attempted through the internal jugular vein may fail to detect arterial malposition. Infusion by volumetric pump precludes backflow of blood in the intravenous tubing as an indicator. Neurologic symptoms concurrent with the infusion of fluids and medication should raise suspicion of accidental arterial infusion.

Arterial misplacement of large-caliber cannulas during jugular vein catheterization: case for surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Accidental placement of a large sheath or catheter in an artery during central venous cannulation, though rare, is a potentially devastating complication. The present study reviews our 14-year experience with this complication to determine appropriate role of surgical management. STUDY DESIGN: Review was conducted of all cases involving patients treated by the vascular surgery service from July 1989 to June 2003 for accidental placement of a large-caliber cannula (>or= 7 F) in an artery during catheterization of the jugular vein. Two management techniques were used during this period: removal of cannula followed by application of local pressure; and surgical exploration, removal of cannula under direct vision, and repair of artery. RESULTS: Eleven patients (5 men, 6 women) aged 35 to 73 years (mean age 56 years) were treated for cannulas placed accidentally in an artery. In nine patients, the cannula entered the carotid artery, and in two patients it entered the subclavian artery. Three patients had undergone placement of 8.5-F sheaths for monitoring cardiac hemodynamics, and 8 patients had triple-lumen catheters for fluid infusion or parenteral nutrition. Eight patients (three sheath, five catheter) were asymptomatic at the time of cannula removal. In three patients, the correct diagnosis was missed initially and infusion was started. All three developed neurologic symptoms. In two patients, the cannula (sheath) was pulled and pressure applied. One of them developed a stroke and the other developed a pseudoaneurysm that was treated surgically. Nine patients in whom the sheath or catheter was removed by surgical exploration had no new complications related to surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management seems to be the most effective and safe treatment of arterial misplacement of cannulas during jugular vein catheterization. Further study is needed to determine the optimum management of this potentially devastating complication.

Effect of carotid angioplasty-stenting on short-term mortality and stroke.

Carotid angioplasty-stenting (CAS) was attempted in 78 carotid arteries in 74 patients (45 men and 29 women) with occlusive internal carotid arterial disease and was technically successful in 77 of 78 arteries (99%). Of 77 arteries with successful CAS, 58 (75%) were asymptomatic, 15 (20%) were associated with transient ischemic attacks or amaurosis, and 4 (5%) were associated with prior stroke. Of 77 arteries with successful CAS, 34 (44%) were associated with prior carotid endarterectomy with recurrence of occlusive carotid disease, and 43 arteries (56%) were associated with primary CAS. Sixty-eight of 74 patients (92%) who underwent CAS had high-risk features. Cerebral protection was given to 22 of 74 patients (30%). None of the 74 patients (0%) died of CAS. Minor stroke developed in 3 of 74 patients (4%). These data show that CAS is effective for treating symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with occlusive carotid arterial disease.

Popliteal-crural bypass through the posterior approach with lesser saphenous vein for limb salvage.

PURPOSE: A review of popliteal-crural bypasses via the posterior approach was done to evaluate the results of this technique. METHODS: During a period of 36 months, 21 patients with limb-threatening ischemia underwent 21 popliteal-crural bypasses via the posterior approach in the prone position with reversed lesser saphenous vein. All patients had limb-threatening ischemia, with rest pain in five patients, ulceration in nine patients, and gangrene in seven patients. Diabetes mellitus was present in 17 patients. RESULTS: The inflow site was the supragenicular popliteal artery in 12 patients and the infragenicular popliteal artery in nine patients. The outflow sites were the tibioperoneal trunk in five patients, the posterior tibial artery in six patients, the peroneal artery in eight patients, and the anterior tibial artery in two patients. Of the seven patients with gangrene, three patients underwent transmetatarsal amputation and four underwent toe amputation. The limb salvage rate for the entire group was 100% at 24 months. No early graft failures were seen, and the 12-month and 24-month primary graft patency rates were 89% and 77%, respectively, with life-table analysis. The primary assisted patency rate was 95% at 12 and 24 months. Patency was determined with duplex scan graft surveillance. CONCLUSION: The posterior approach to popliteal-distal bypass is an acceptable alternative to traditional bypass procedure with excellent early patency and limb salvage results. The approach has the advantage of better utilization of lesser saphenous vein and easier operative exposure in patients with short segment infrapopliteal occlusive disease.

Cerebral hyperperfusion after angioplasty and stenting of a totally occluded left subclavian artery: a case report.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome is documented after angioplasty of carotid and vertebral artery lesions. The authors report the first instance of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome in the posterior cerebral circulation after angioplasty and stenting of a totally occluded left subclavian artery.