Effect of infrainguinal bypass tunneling technique on patency and amputation in patients with limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association of tunneling technique on patency and amputation in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass for limb ischemia. METHODS: The National Vascular Quality Initiative database infrainguinal bypass module from 2008 to 2017 was queried for analysis. We excluded cases with non-great saphenous vein grafts, grafts using multiple segments, aneurysmal disease indications, bypass locations outside the femoral to below the knee popliteal artery or tibial arteries, and missing data on tunneling type and limb ischemia. The main exposure variable was the tunneling type, subcutaneously vs subfascially. Our primary outcomes were primary patency and amputation. The secondary outcomes included primary-assisted patency and secondary patency. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: A total of 5497 bypass patients (2835 subcutaneous and 2662 subfascial) were included. Age, race, graft orientation (reversed vs not reversed), bypass donor and recipient vessels, harvest type, end-stage renal disease, smoking, coronary artery bypass graft, congestive heart failure, P2Y12 inhibitor at discharge, surgical site infection at discharge, and indication (rest pain vs tissue loss vs acute ischemia) were analyzed for an association with the tunneling technique (P < .05). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the tunneling type was not associated with primary patency, primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, or major amputation (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with subfascial tunneling, the superficial tunneling technique was not associated with primary patency or major amputation in limb ischemia patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass with a single-segment great saphenous vein.

Impact of a care delivery redesign initiative for vascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: A hospital-wide quality improvement process through a care delivery redesign (CDR) was initiated to improve patient care efficiency, clinical documentation, and length of stay (LOS). The impact of CDR was assessed through LOS, unplanned readmission rates, and hospital financial metrics. METHODS: The CDR team consisted of the Chief of Vascular Surgery, inpatient nurse practitioner, dedicated case manager, clinical documentation improvement specialist, and vascular surgery residents and faculty. The nurse practitioner facilitated patient care coordination, resident system-based education, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Tools created to track performance and to ensure sustainability included daily discussions of patient care barriers and solutions; standardized order sets; a mobile app for residents containing resident service expectations, disease-specific resources, and vascular surgery journal links; and a weekly inpatient tracker showing real-time patient care data. Outcome measures included LOS, case mix index, contribution margin, and unplanned readmissions. Each outcome was determined for all inpatient admissions the year before and the 12 months after CDR was initiated. Outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Implementation of CDR resulted in a 23% decrease in LOS (P = .003), reducing the gap to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services geometric mean LOS from 2.1 days to 0.5 day (P < .001). Clinical documentation resulted in an increase in case mix index of 10% (P = .011). The 30-day unplanned readmission rates did not change in the 12 months after CDR was initiated compared with the year before (P = .92). Financial data demonstrated decreased variable cost and increased revenue resulting in a $1.89 million increase in contribution margin. CONCLUSIONS: A CDR predicated on a dedicated service line advanced practitioner, clinical documentation education, weekly service tracker review, and real-time management of system-related barriers to patient care is described. Implementation of the CDR reduced hospital LOS with no change in unplanned readmissions and provided significant financial benefit to the hospital by increasing revenue and decreasing variable cost.

Impact of proximal seal zone length and intramural hematoma on clinical outcomes and aortic remodeling after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortic dissections.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become standard treatment of complicated type B aortic dissections (TBADs). Whereas adequate proximal seal is a fundamental requisite for TEVAR, what constitutes "adequate" in dissections and its impact on outcomes remain unclear. The goal of this study was to describe the proximal seal zone achieved with associated clinical outcomes and aortic remodeling. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of TEVARs for TBAD at a single institution from 2006 to 2016. Three-dimensional centerline analysis of preoperative computed tomography was used to identify the primary entry tear, dissection extent, distances between arch branches, and intramural hematoma (IMH) involvement of the proximal seal zone. Patients were categorized into group A, those with proximal extent of seal zone in IMH/dissection-free aorta, and group B, those with landing zone entirely within IMH. Clinical outcomes including retrograde type A dissection (RTAD), death, and aortic reinterventions were recorded. Postoperative computed tomography scans were analyzed for remodeling of the true and false lumen volumes of the thoracic aorta. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients who underwent TEVAR for TBAD were reviewed. Indications for TEVAR included malperfusion, aneurysm, persistent pain, rupture, uncontrolled hypertension, and other. Mean follow-up was 14 months. In 26 (37%) patients, the proximal extent of the seal zone was without IMH, whereas 45 (63%) patients had proximal seal zone entirely in IMH. Proximal seal zone of 2-cm IMH-free aorta was achieved in only six (8.5%) patients. Review of arch anatomy revealed that to create a 2-cm landing zone of IMH-free aorta, 31 (43.7%) patients would have required coverage of all three arch branch vessels. Postoperatively, two patients developed image-proven RTADs requiring open repair, and one patient had sudden death. All three of these patients had TEVAR with the proximal seal zone entirely in IMH. No RTADs occurred in patients whose proximal seal zone involved healthy aortic segment. At 24 months, overall survival was 93% and freedom from aorta-related mortality was 97.4%. Complete thoracic false lumen thrombosis was seen in 46% of patients. Aortic remodeling, such as true lumen expansion, false lumen regression, and false lumen thrombosis, was similar in both groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas achieving 2 cm of IMH-free proximal seal zone during TEVAR for TBAD would often require extensive arch branch coverage, failure to achieve any IMH-free proximal seal zone may be associated with higher incidence of RTAD. The length and quality of the proximal seal zone did not affect the subsequent aortic remodeling after TEVAR.

Anatomic suitability for "off-the-shelf" thoracic single side-branched endograft in patients with type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of type B aortic dissections with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been adopted in many centers with the goal of covering the proximal entry tear. Coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSCA) is commonly required to achieve a dissection-free proximal seal zone. A novel thoracic single side-branched (TSSB) endograft device offers a potential off-the-shelf option to achieve total endovascular incorporation of LSCA during zone 2 TEVAR. The aim of this study was to determine what percentage of patients with type B aortic dissection who require zone 2 TEVAR meet the anatomical requirements for this device. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing TEVAR for type B aortic dissections at a single institution from 2006 to 2016 were evaluated. Three-dimensional centerline reconstruction of preoperative computed tomography angiography was performed to identify the diameter of the aorta, distances between branch vessels, diameter of the target branch vessel, and location of the primary entry tear. Only patients who met criteria for zone 2 TEVAR were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was percentage of patients that meet all anatomical requirements for TSSB. Individual criteria were evaluated independently, and results were stratified by dissection chronicity. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients who underwent TEVAR for Stanford type B aortic dissections were reviewed. Fifty-seven (66%) would have required zone 2 TEVAR. Indications for TEVAR were malperfusion (12), aneurysm (15), persistent pain (22), rupture (3), uncontrolled hypertension (5), and other (3). Mean follow-up was 19 months (range, 1-72 months). Only 16 of the 57 patients (28%) met all the requirements for anatomic suitability. The primary contributor was that only 49% of patients had sufficient length between arch branches to prevent coverage of a proximal branch. CONCLUSIONS: Although the new TSSB device can allow for a more proximal seal zone and eliminate the need for open aortic arch debranching, only 28% of patients with type B dissection who required zone 2 TEVAR met all the anatomic requirements for this device. Future devices will need to account for the short distance between the left carotid and LSCA to be more broadly applicable.

Postoperative Development of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome among Patients Undergoing Endovascular Aortic Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has a reported incidence of 9%-14% among trauma patients. However, in patients with similar hemodynamic changes, the incidence of ACS remains unclear. Our aim was to determine the incidence of ACS among patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) and to identify associated risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for consecutive patients who underwent EVAR for rAAA from March 2010 to November 2016 at our institution. The development of ACS was diagnosed based on a variety of factors, including bladder pressure, laboratory abnormalities, hemodynamic monitoring, and clinical evaluation. Previously validated risk factors for ACS development in trauma and EVAR patients (preoperative hypotension, aggressive fluid resuscitation, postoperative anemia, use of an aorto-uniiliac graft, and placement of an aortic occlusive balloon) were analyzed. Association between patient characteristics and ACS development was analyzed using the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: During the study period, 25 patients had image-confirmed rAAA and underwent emergent EVAR. Mortality rate was 28% (n = 7), and ACS incidence was 12% (n = 3). Of the analyzed risk factors, hypotension on arrival (P = 0.037), transfusion of 3 or more units of packed red blood cells (P = 0.037), and postoperative anemia (P = 0.02) were all significantly associated with postoperative ACS development. In addition, having greater than 3 of the studied risk factors was associated with increased odds of developing ACS (P = 0.015), and having greater than 4 of the studied risk factors showed the strongest association with ACS development (P = 0.0017). CONCLUSIONS: Overresuscitation should be avoided in patients with rAAA. In addition, patients who present with multiple risk factors for ACS should be monitored very closely with serial bladder pressures and may require decompression laparotomy immediately after EVAR.

Repair of Delayed Type 1a Endoleak using Fenestrated and Parallel Endografts.

Endovascular aneurysm repair has become the first-line treatment modality for infrarenal aortic aneurysms. However, obtaining successful long-term results frequently requires reinterventions. Particularly, delayed type 1a endoleaks pose a challenging problem, as they are often associated with proximal extension of the aneurysmal process to juxtarenal or pararenal aortic segments. We describe 2 remedial techniques to repair delayed type 1a endoleak by extending the seal zone to the suprarenal aorta, while incorporating the renal arteries. In the first case, a commercially available fenestrated stent graft was used. Parallel grafting technique was used in the other case. Both cases were technically successful. Follow-up imaging revealed endoleak resolution with patent renal arteries for both patients. In addition, we describe the difference between the 2 techniques, as well as relevant anatomic and device-specific considerations.

Vascular surgery: An essential hospital resource in modern health care.

OBJECTIVE: In modern health care, vascular surgeons frequently serve as a unique resource to other surgical specialties for vascular exposure, repair, reconstruction, or control. These services occur both in planned and unplanned clinical settings. We analyzed the frequency, outcomes, and value of vascular services in this setting to other surgical specialties and the hospital. METHODS: Intraoperative planned and unplanned vascular surgery operative consultations were reviewed over a 3-year period (2013-2016). Patient demographics, requesting surgical specialty, indication and type of vascular intervention, and work relative value units generated were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis of factors affecting a composite outcome of in-hospital and 30-day mortality or morbidity, or both, was performed. RESULTS: Seventy-six vascular surgery intraoperative consultations were performed, of which 56% of the consultations were unplanned. The most common unplanned consultation was for bleeding (33%). The aorta and lower extremity were the most common vascular beds requiring vascular services. The mean work relative value units generated per vascular surgery intervention was 23.8. In-hospital and 30-day mortality was 9.2%. No difference in mortality and morbidity was found between planned and unplanned consultations. Factors associated with the composite mortality/morbidity outcome were coronary artery disease (P = .002), heart failure (P = .02), total operative blood loss (P = .009), consultation for limb ischemia (P = .013), and vascular consultation for the lower extremity (P = .01). On multivariate analysis, high operative blood loss (>5000 mL) remained significant (P = .04), and coronary artery disease approached significance (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: The need for vascular surgery services is frequent, involves diverse vascular beds, and occurs commonly in an unplanned setting. When requested, vascular surgery services effectively facilitate the completion of the nonvascular procedure, even those associated with significant intraoperative blood loss. Vascular surgery services are essential to other surgical specialties and the hospital in today's modern health care environment.

Symptomatic Intragraft Thrombus following Endovascular Repair of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) can be complicated by graft collapse, endoleaks, and stent migration. The incidence of these complications and other outcomes is poorly understood in young trauma victims who receive endovascular aortic repair of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI). A 29-year-old pedestrian was struck by a vehicle resulting in polytrauma including BTAI with transection distal to the left subclavian artery origin. The patient underwent successful TEVAR. Nine months later, the patient developed transient paresthesia below the waist that progressed to bilateral lower extremity paralysis and malperfusion syndrome below the diaphragm including nonpalpable pulses in the lower extremities, acute renal failure, and ischemic colitis. Imaging demonstrated near occlusive thrombosis of the distal end of the thoracic endograft. An emergent axillobifemoral bypass resolved the organ malperfusion and acute limb ischemia. Patients who have undergone TEVAR for BTAI may develop asymptomatic or symptomatic intragraft thrombosis. In patients presenting with malperfusion syndrome below the diaphragm, extra-anatomic bypass can expeditiously resolve symptoms until definitive treatment can be performed. Oversizing of thoracic stents in trauma patient may lead to intragraft thrombosis.

Surgical Management of Perforated Inferior Vena Cava Filters.

BACKGROUND: Management of complicated indwelling inferior vena cava (IVC) filters has increased due to low retrieval rates. Filter migration and perforation are infrequent complications and require explantation of the filter. We report our recent experience with endovascular retrieval and surgical explantation of IVC filters after caval perforation. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who had IVC filter explantation between 2014 and 2015. Patient demographics, indication for filter placement, clinical presentation, surgical indication and technique, and outcomes were noted. RESULTS: Five cases of IVC filter removal due to caval perforation were identified. Four patients were female, and the median age was 50. Four IVC filters were of the retrievable type and had an average indwelling time of 4 years. One filter was permanent with an indwelling time of 9 years. The most common presentation was abdominal pain. Four patients had an open operation: 2 performed via laparotomy and 2 with retroperitoneal exposure of the IVC. One patient required median sternotomy and explantation of device fragments that migrated to the right ventricle. One patient had endovascular retrieval, with filter indwelling time of 0.8 years. No mortality occurred related to device removal. All patients had resolution of pain at their postoperative visit. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with abdominal pain and history of IVC filter placement should cause concern for possible caval strut perforation. Endovascular retrieval or surgical explantation are required for removal and can be accomplished with minimal risk to the patient.

Ex vivo renal artery reconstruction for complex renal artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate long-term outcome of renal revascularization by ex vivo renal artery reconstruction for complex renal artery disease. METHODS: From 1987 to 2012, 23 patients (17 women; mean age, 45 years) with complex renal artery lesions underwent open renal revascularization by ex vivo technique. Underlying disease included fibromuscular dysplasia with aneurysm (11), atherosclerotic aneurysm (6), Takayasu arteritis (3), and other (3). Outcomes analyzed included primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates; antihypertensive medication requirements; renal function and preservation; and mortality. Late graft patency, renal size, and cortical thickness were analyzed by serial renal duplex ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: Twenty-four kidneys in 23 patients were revascularized by ex vivo renal artery reconstructive techniques. Perioperative complications were limited to two patients requiring reoperation for bleeding. Renal function did not change, and there were no in-hospital deaths. During a mean follow-up of 44 months, a single bypass graft occluded, requiring repeated bypass, which was performed with renal preservation. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates were 94% at 5 and 10 years. Compared with preoperative values, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the number of antihypertensive medications were reduced (P < .05) in the 18 patients with hypertension. Late renal function was preserved as measured by no change in both serum creatinine concentration and estimated glomerular filtration rate compared with preintervention values (P = .25 and P = .35, respectively). In addition, there was no difference in treated kidney size or renal cortical thickness on follow-up compared with preoperative measurements (P = .15 and P = .62, respectively). No patient required dialysis. There were three late deaths, none related to the renal procedure, providing 5- and 10-year survival of 85% and 68%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ex vivo renal artery reconstruction for complex renal artery disease confers a benefit in blood pressure while preserving renal mass and function. This technique should be considered a competitive alternative to other open surgical techniques for the management of complex renal artery disease.

Outcomes after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair requiring a suprarenal cross-clamp.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the early and late outcomes of patients who require a suprarenal aortic cross-clamp during elective open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Patients from 1998 to 2012 who required a suprarenal aortic cross-clamp during elective open AAA repair were reviewed. Data abstracted included demographics and comorbidities; preoperative, perioperative, and late renal function; late interventions related to AAA repair; and late mortality. A decrease in renal function was defined as a >30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) compared with the preoperative value. Primary outcomes included renal function, intervention-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: During the study period, 211 patients underwent open elective or urgent AAA repair; 69 required a suprarenal cross-clamp. The mean age was 71 years, and 80% were men. The mean preoperative creatinine concentration was 1.2 mg/dL, and the mean preoperative eGFR was 66 mL/min/1.73 m2. Location of the aortic cross-clamp was suprarenal (37), supramesenteric (21), and supraceliac (11). Perioperatively, 21 patients (30%) experienced a significant decrease in eGFR; four patients required hemodialysis. Six patients had full recovery of renal function by discharge. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were 35% and 4%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 3 years, seven patients had an eGFR significantly less than the preoperative value. Late interventions related to the AAA repair were required in eight patients. Indications included wound complication (3), anastomotic aneurysm (2), incisional hernia (1), anastomotic graft stenosis (1), and proximal aortic dilation (1). Overall 5-year intervention-free survival was 62% and overall survival 77%. Intervention-free survival was enhanced by antiplatelet use (P = .04), whereas overall survival was decreased by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = .003) and perioperative pneumonia (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: More than a quarter of patients requiring a suprarenal cross-clamp during open AAA repair experience renal dysfunction. Late graft-related complications are few, with preoperative and perioperative pulmonary function negatively affecting overall patient survival.

Disease progression after initial surgical intervention for Takayasu arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the incidence of disease progression and the need for subsequent revascularization procedures in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA). METHODS: From 1980 to 2009, all patients with TA who underwent an initial revascularization procedure for end-organ ischemia were identified. The incidence of subsequent revascularization in another vascular bed or revision of the initial procedure was determined. RESULTS: Forty patients (36 women; mean age, 35) underwent an initial revascularization procedure. Indications for the initial procedure were hypertension in 20, renal dysfunction in 9, extremity ischemia in 6, and stroke/transient ischemic attack in 5. The initial revascularization consisted of 60 bypass procedures and 4 endovascular interventions. During a mean follow-up of 6.4 years, progression of TA in another vascular bed or stenosis/occlusion of the initial revascularization procedure occurred in 16 patients (40%). Five patients with progression required one procedure, whereas 11 required two or more surgical interventions. Procedures required were renal in 12, cerebrovascular in 8, extremity in 8, aortic reconstruction in 5, and mesenteric in 1. Postoperative/30-day morbidity was 14%, and one operative death occurred. Actuarial survival was 94% at 1 year and 85% at 5 years after the remedial procedure. CONCLUSIONS: TA progression is common in patients who require revascularization for end-organ ischemia. This finding emphasizes the need for global lifelong vascular surveillance of all patients who undergo surgical intervention for TA. The effect of steroid and immunosuppressive therapy on reducing reoperation requires further study.

Arch and visceral/renal debranching combined with endovascular repair for thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: We report a single-center experience using the hybrid procedure, consisting of open debranching, followed by endovascular aortic repair, for treatment of arch/proximal descending thoracic/thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). METHODS: From 2005 to 2010, 51 patients (33 men; mean age, 70 years) underwent a hybrid procedure for arch/proximal descending thoracic/TAAA. The 30-day and in-hospital morbidity and mortality rates, and late endoleak, graft patency, and survival were analyzed. Graft patency was assessed by computed tomography, angiography, or duplex ultrasound imaging. RESULTS: Hybrid procedures were used to treat 27 thoracic (16 arch, 11 proximal descending thoracic) and 24 TAAA (Crawford/Safi types I to III: 3; type IV: 12; type V: 9). The hybrid procedure involved debranching 47 arch vessels or 77 visceral/renal vessels using bypass grafts, followed by endovascular repair. Seventy-five percent of debranching and endovascular repair procedures were staged, with an average interval of 28 days. Major 30-day and in-hospital complications occurred in 39% of patients and included bypass graft occlusion in four, endoleak reintervention in two, and paraplegia in one. Mortality was 3.9%. During a mean follow-up of 13 months, three additional type II endoleaks required intervention, and one bypass graft occluded. No aneurysm rupture occurred during follow-up. Primary bypass graft patency was 95.3%. Actuarial survival was 86% at 1 year and 67% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: The hybrid procedure is associated with acceptable rates of mortality and paraplegia when used for treatment of arch/proximal descending thoracic/TAAA. These results support this procedure as a reasonable approach to a difficult surgical problem; however, longer follow-up is required to appraise its ultimate clinical utility.

Thoracic aortic stent-grafting for acute, complicated, type B aortic dissections.

BACKGROUND: To report a single-center experience of aortic stent-grafting for the treatment of acute, complicated, type B aortic dissections. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of the data obtained from all patients who underwent endovascular stent-grafting for acute, type B aortic dissection between 2006 and 2009. The primary and secondary endpoints were 30-day mortality and morbidity rates, respectively. RESULTS: In all, 104 thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs were performed during the study period. Nine (8.6%) patients (six men; mean age: 65 years) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair for acute, complicated, type B aortic dissections. Seven (78%) patients had uncontrolled hypertension on presentation. Visceral branch vessel involvement of the dissection was limited to the celiac axis origin in one patient with no evidence of visceral malperfusion. The indication for repair was aortic rupture in five patients, renal malperfusion in two, and persistent pain in the remaining two. Average time taken from presentation to surgery was 5.5 days. Two patients presenting with aortic ruptures had retrograde extension of the dissection that required replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta. The mean length of thoracic aorta covered was 21 cm. Complete coverage of the left subclavian artery was required in three patients and partial coverage in two. On completion angiogram, two type I endoleaks were detected, one of which was resolved by postoperative day 5. The 30-day mortality rate was 22%. One mortality was secondary to aortic rupture. The other mortality was due to multiorgan system failure. Seven patients (78%) had one or more major complications. There were no strokes or paraplegia. CONCLUSION: The association of morbidity and mortality with endovascular stent-grafting for acute, complicated, type B aortic dissections is significant, which most likely reflects the lethal nature of the disease. The precise role of endovascular treatment in these patients remains to be defined.

A prospective clinical evaluation of the effects of intraoperative systemic anticoagulation in patients undergoing arteriovenous fistula surgery.

No standard presently exists for the use of systemic heparin during angioaccess surgery to decrease the incidence of postoperative thrombotic complications. Our objective was to study the effects of intraoperatively administered heparin on 30-day patency and postoperative bleeding complications in patients undergoing autogenous arteriovenous (AV) fistula surgery. A prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled study was performed on 48 patients undergoing AV fistula creation from April 2007 through November 2009. Of the 48 patients, 22 were randomized to the control group and received no heparin. Twenty-six were randomized to receive heparin (75 units/kg intravenously) before clamping of the artery. There was no significant difference in 30-day patency between the heparin and control groups (92% vs. 86%, P = 0.65), respectively. Three patients (12%) developed hematomas in the heparin group compared with one (5%) in the control group; however the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.61). The results suggest that intraoperative administration of heparin has no statistically significant effect on 30-day patency rates or postoperative bleeding complications. Larger trials with longer term follow-up and assessment of maturation rates are needed to determine the effect of intraoperative anticoagulation on these outcomes of arteriovenous fistula surgery.

Late outcomes of endovascular and open revascularization for nonatherosclerotic renal artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of endovascular and open treatment for nonatherosclerotic renal artery disease (NARAD). DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Academic institution. PATIENTS: Fifty-five patients (47 women; mean age, 40 years) with NARAD. Underlying disease included Takayasu arteritis in 31 and fibromuscular dysplasia in 24. INTERVENTIONS: Open revascularization and renal artery percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates; blood pressure; antihypertensive medication requirements; renal function; and mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-nine renal interventions were performed, including 59 aortorenal bypass (16 ex vivo), 3 visceral-renal bypass, 12 endovascular (8 percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and 4 stent placements) procedures, and 5 nephrectomies. There were no in-hospital deaths. During a mean follow-up of 75 months, 1-, 3-, and 5-year primary patency rates for any intervention were 87%, 75%, and 75%, respectively; primary assisted/secondary patency rates were 92%, 86%, and 86%, respectively. Endovascular interventions at 1, 3, and 5 years had primary patency rates of 73%, 49%, and 49%, respectively, and primary assisted/secondary patency rates of 83%, 83%, and 83%, respectively. For open revascularization, 1-, 3-, and 5-year primary patency rates were 91%, 80%, and 80%, respectively; primary assisted/secondary patency rates were 94%, 87%, and 87%, respectively. For both interventions, blood pressure and the number of antihypertensives used were reduced compared with preintervention values (all P < .05). Serum creatinine level and estimated glomerular filtration rate were also improved after revascularization (both P < .05). There were 6 deaths. Five- and 10-year actuarial survival rates were 94% and 78%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular and open management of NARAD confers long-term benefit for blood pressure, renal function, renal artery/graft patency, and survival. Open revascularization results in superior 1- and 5-year outcomes compared with endovascular management and provides the most durable outcome for NARAD.