Repair of an Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm with a Novel Hybrid Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Anastomotic false aneurysms are a late complication of aortic grafting. Treatment usually consists of débridement of the degenerated tissue and placement of a short interposition graft. In infectious situations, graft excision is required. PATIENT HISTORY: An 80-year-old frail man with numerous comorbidities presented to clinic with an anastomotic pseudoaneurysm (PSA) between the left limb of an aortobifemoral Dacron graft and the common femoral artery (FA). TECHNICAL DETAILS: The superficial FA (SFA) and deep FA (PFA) were exposed and controlled from an anterior thigh approach. Sheaths were inserted in each artery. An Amplatzer II vascular plug (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL) was deployed in the PFA. A Viabahn (Gore, Flagstaff, AZ) was first deployed in the left limb of the Dacron graft and into the proximal SFA. A Viabahn VBX stent (Gore, Flagstaff, AZ) was then deployed from inside the Viabahn and going proximally further into the limb of the bifurcated Dacron graft. The proximal end of the Viabahn VBX was flared with a larger balloon. The arteriotomies in the SFA and PFA were then used to create a side-to-side anastomosis. There were no immediate complications. On 6 months follow-up, the PSA sac was noted to have decreased in size, and the stents to be patent with no endoleak. DISCUSSION: Elective surgical repair of anastomotic PSAs is preferred since emergent repair has significantly higher morbidity and mortality. Still, open elective repair has its own mortality and limb loss risks in addition to postoperative wound infection, seroma, hematoma, and recurrence, along with myocardial infarction and stroke. The novel procedure we performed eliminated the risk factors of redo groin incision and added easier-to-control vessels in a clean field. With this procedure being performed more often in the future, these changes will hopefully prove to reduce complications while preserving flow in both the SFA and PFA.

Impact of consensus statements and reimbursement on vena cava filter utilization.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary embolism is the third most common cause of death in hospitalized patients. Vena cava filters (VCFs) are indicated in patients with venous thromboembolism with a contraindication to anticoagulation. Prophylactic indications are still controversial. However, the utilization of VCFs during the past 15 years may have been affected by societal recommendations and reimbursement rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of societal guidelines and reimbursement on national trends in VCF placement from 1998 to 2012. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients who underwent VCF placement between 1998 and 2012. VCF placement yearly rates were evaluated. Societal guidelines and consensus statements were identified using a PubMed search. Reimbursement rates for VCF were determined on the basis of published Medicare reports. Statistical analysis was completed using descriptive statistics, Fisher exact test, and trend analysis using the Mann-Kendall test and considered significant for P < .05. RESULTS: The use of VCFs increased 350% between January 1998 and January 2008. Consensus statements in favor of VCFs published by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (July 2002) and the Society of Interventional Radiology (March 2006) were temporally associated with a significant 138% and 122% increase in the use of VCFs, respectively (P = .014 and P = .023, respectively). The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines (February 2008 and 2012) discouraging the use of VCFs were preceded by an initial stabilization in the use of VCFs between 2008 and 2012, followed by a 16% decrease in use starting in March 2012 (P = .38). Changes in Medicare reimbursement were not followed by a change in VCF implantation rates. CONCLUSIONS: There is a temporal association between the societal guidelines' recommendations regarding VCF placement and the actual rates of insertion. More uniform consensus statements from multiple societies along with the use of level I evidence may be required to lead to a definitive change in practice.

Predictors of poor outcome after carotid intervention.

BACKGROUND: A variety of patient factors are known to adversely impact outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, their specific impact on complications and mortality and how they differ between CEA and CAS is unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify patient and hospital factors that adversely impact outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent CEA or CAS between 1998 and 2012 (N = 1,756,445) were identified using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Inpatient Sample and State Ambulatory Services Databases. A multivariate analysis was completed to evaluate the impact of demographics, patient factors, type of symptoms (transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident), volume of cases (3 per year vs 1-2 interventions), and interventions upon outcomes, perioperative complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, and bleeding), duration of stay, inpatient mortality, and cost. Significant factors were then used as part of a multivariate regression analysis to determine odds ratios. A subgroup analysis using propensity matching evaluating 1:1 risk-matched asymptomatic and symptomatic patients was completed. Patient cohorts were matched on the basis of Charlson scores. RESULTS: Over the study period a total of 1,583,614 asymptomatic CEA, 7317 asymptomatic CAS, 162,362 symptomatic CEA, and 3149 symptomatic CAS patients were included. Symptomatic disease portends a worse outlook after either CEA or CAS. Costs of the procedure increased with complications with stroke adding the most significant cost burden. For risk-matched asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, female gender (P < .001) and performing one or two cases per year (P < .05) were associated with higher cerebrovascular accident risk. In asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, predictors of myocardial infarction included congestive heart failure (P < .001) and peripheral artery disease (P < .05) and predictors of bleeding included peripheral artery disease (P < .05) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < .01) for symptomatic patients only. For both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, predictors of mortality included female gender (P < .001) and performing one or two cases per year (P < .01). Female gender was one of the strongest overall predictors of adverse outcome after CAS (odds ratio, 21.39 for death; P < .001). Low volume (<3 cases per year per practitioner) is a predictor of adverse outcome after CAS only. CONCLUSIONS: Higher rates of postoperative stroke and inpatient mortality for women undergoing CAS is an unexpected finding, and may indicate that this population is vulnerable to complications after endovascular management. Low volume is a predictor of complications and subsequent mortality primarily for CAS. Patients who undergo CEA continue to have superior outcomes compared with matched cohorts who undergo CAS.

The Impact of Physician Specialization on Clinical and Hospital Outcomes in Patients Undergoing EVAR and TEVAR.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are commonly performed by interventional radiologists, cardiologists, general surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, and vascular surgeons, with each specialty having differences in residency structure, operative experience, and subspecialty training. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of surgeon specialty on outcomes following EVAR and TEVAR. METHODS: Patients who underwent EVAR and TEVAR were identified from the 2007 to 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Physician identifiers in the NIS were used to determine surgical specialty and operative experience. Multivariate analysis adjusted for mortality risk was used to compare differences in demographics, complications, outcomes, and hospital covariates. RESULTS: A total of 5147 EVARs were identified within the NIS, of which 88.3% were completed by vascular surgeons. There were no significant differences in demographics between the specialties. Cardiothoracic surgeons were more likely to have a postoperative stroke (3.1% vs. 0.2%, odds ratio [OR] 14.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-117.8, P < 0.05) and cardiac complications (9.4% vs. 2.0%, OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.5-16.6, P < 0.01) compared with other specialties. Costs were lowest for vascular surgeons ($32,094), and highest for cardiothoracic surgeons ($41,663, P < 0.05). Only vascular surgeons completed more than 10 EVARs per year. A total of 2531 TEVAR cases were completed during the study period, of which 73.8% were completed by vascular surgeons, 15.8% by cardiothoracic surgeons, 8.0% by interventional radiologists, and the remainder by interventional cardiologists and general surgeons. Interventional radiologists had significantly more elective cases (77.8%, P < 0.001) than cardiothoracic surgeons (47.2%) or vascular surgeons (53.8%), but had a significantly higher rate of stroke (7.6% vs. 1.1%, P < 0.001) and cardiac events (7.2% vs. 3.6%, P < 0.001). Length of stay (LOS, 10.7 days) and median costs ($52,156) were similar across specialties. Vascular surgeons have a low stroke rate (1.1%, P < 0.05 vs. interventional radiologists) and lower rate of cardiac events (3.6% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.01) despite caring for patients with higher diagnosis-related group mortality scores (3.6 vs. 3.4, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular surgeons appear to have a comparative advantage over other specialties for EVAR because not only are their complication and mortality rates comparable but overall LOS and hospital charges are lower. Furthermore, primarily only vascular surgeons are performing the high volume of annual EVARs necessary to ensure optimal patient outcomes. For TEVAR, vascular surgeons have the lowest overall morbidity compared with the other specialties, and lower mortality compared with cardiothoracic surgeons. These findings may impact patient referral patterns and hospital privileges for providers.

A prospective study of carbon dioxide digital subtraction versus standard contrast arteriography in the detection of endoleaks in endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to compare intraoperative endoleak detection by carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography (CO(2)-DSA) during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) with standard iodinated contrast angiography (ICA). METHODS: Between 2006 and 2010, 76 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms undergoing EVAR were enrolled in a prospective study. After EVAR, both an ICA and CO(2)-DSA completion study were performed. Two blinded vascular surgeons who were not involved with the EVAR separately interpreted the ICA and CO(2)-DSA results for the presence or absence of an endoleak. Identified endoleaks were classified by types. A third, "tie-breaker" blinded observer was used to resolve differences in interpretations. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were calculated for the ability of CO(2)-DSA to detect endoleaks. Cohen's κ statistic was used to assess interobserver agreement between the 2 initial interpreting surgeons. RESULTS: Of the 76 patients undergoing EVAR, 66 were men with average age of 76 years, a mean aneurysm size of 5.8 cm (range, 4-10 cm), and creatinine of 1 (standard deviation, 0.33). ICA identified 35 type I and 15 type II endoleaks, respectively, while CO(2)-DSA identified 40 type I and 10 type II endoleaks. Overall, CO(2)-DSA had a sensitivity of 0.84, specificity of 0.72, positive predictive value of 0.86, and negative predictive value of 0.69 of intraoperative endoleak detection, with respect to ICA as the criterion standard. The interobserver κ between surgeons for ICA was 0.56, for detection of any endoleak or type I endoleak with CO(2)-DSA was 0.58, and for detection of type II endoleak with CO(2)-DSA was 0.29. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement for the detection of endoleaks is superior with ICA compared to CO(2)-DSA. However, the sensitivity for detecting any endoleak and both the sensitivity and specificity for detecting type I endoleaks using CO(2)-DSA are acceptable. For detecting type II endoleaks using CO(2)-DSA, the sensitivity and positive predictive value are poor. Compared to ICA, CO(2)-DSA provides adequate images for endoleak detection during EVAR and is an acceptable alternative to ICA in patients at risk for contrast-related nephrotoxicity.

Predictors of wound complications following major amputation for critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVES: For patients with end-stage critical limb ischemia (CLI) who have already suffered over an extended period of time, a major amputation that is free of wound complications remains paramount. Utilizing data from the American College of Surgeons, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), the objective of this report was to determine critical factors leading to wound complications following major amputation. METHODS: ACS-NSQIP was used to identify patients ≥ 50 years, with CLI, and having an ipsilateral below-(BKA) or above-knee amputation (AKA). The primary outcome was wound occurrence (WO) defined by affirmative findings of superficial infection, deep infection, and/or wound disruption. The secondary outcome was 30-day mortality. Following univariate analyses, a multiple logistic regression was performed to identify predictive factors. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008, 4250 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria (2309 BKAs and 1941 AKAs). WOs were 10.4% for BKAs and 7.2% for AKAs. For BKAs, increasing elevation in international normalized ratio (INR) predicted more WOs (P = .008, odds ratio [OR] 1.5 for every integral increase in INR) as did age 50 to 59 compared with older patients (P = .002, OR 1.9). For AKAs, being a current smoker predicted more WOs (P = .0008, OR 1.8) as did an increasing body mass index (BMI) (P = .02, OR 1.3 for every 10 kg/m(2) increase in BMI). Mortality was 7.6% for BKAs and 12% for AKAs. Complete functional dependence was most predictive of mortality following AKA (P < .0001, OR 2.5). Medical comorbidities such as history of myocardial infarcation (MI) (OR 1.8), congestive heart failure (CHF, OR 1.6), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, OR 1.6) predicted mortality following BKA, while dialysis use (OR 2.4), CHF (OR 2.3), and COPD (OR 2.1) predicted mortality following AKA. CONCLUSIONS: Wound occurrences and mortality rates after major amputation for CLI continue to be a prevalent problem. Normalization of the INR prior to BKA should decrease WOs. Heightened awareness in higher risk patients with improved preventive measures, earlier disease recognition, better treatments, and increased education remain critical to improving outcomes in an already stressed patient cohort.

Predictors of Groin Access Pseudoaneurysm Complication: A 10-Year Institutional Experience.

OBJECTIVE: In clinical practice, the incidence of femoral pseudoaneurysms requiring repair is small, but at a tertiary care center, the repair rate is higher due to referrals. We sought to specifically study patients who suffered postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms requiring thrombin injection or operative repair and compare them to our routine transfemoral endovascular patients to identify predictors of clinically significant pseudoaneurysms. The underlying goal would be to identify what makes these patients that develop pseudoaneurysms different. METHODS: A search of our billing records for Current Procedural Technology (CPT) codes of these 2 procedures between January 2008 and April 2018 was combined with our institution's Peripheral Vascular Intervention Vascular Quality Initiative database spanning from January 2013 to December 2017. A comparison was then performed between patients who had the outcome of operative intervention for a pseudoaneurysm complication and those who did not, with the goal of elucidating patient demographics and periprocedural factors that would predict pseudoaneurysm formation using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: There were 77 patients who required thrombin injection or open repair for access-related pseudoaneurysms and 324 patients who did not. Complications occurred more often in patients who were older than 75 (40.2% vs 21.9%; P = .0009), female (57.1% vs 38.6%; P = .003), obese (59.7% vs 33.3%; P < .001), hypertensive (96.1% vs 79.3%; P = .0005), who received a sheath >6F (32.4% vs 13%; P < .0001), intraoperative and postoperative anticoagulation (77.3% vs 32.7% and 52.1% vs 24.2%, respectively; P < .0001), and periprocedural P2Y12 inhibitors (48.7% vs 28%; P = .0005). Less complications were observed in patients who had a closure device used (42.9% vs 8.45%; P < .0001) and protamine reversal (26.5% vs 13.3%; P = .0163). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings validate published reports that incriminate a larger sheath size, perioperative anticoagulation, and female gender as increasing the rate of access site complications, with the use of a closure device being protective.

Race independently impacts outcome of infrapopliteal bypass for symptomatic arterial insufficiency.

The impact of racial background on the outcome of lower extremity revascularization is unknown because a majority of studies have a preponderance of white patients. The charts of patients between 1988 and 2004 requiring infrapopliteal lower extremity revascularization were reviewed. Life-table analyses, the Cox proportional hazards model, and log-rank test were used to calculate graft patency and limb salvage. Bypasses were performed on 236 limbs in 225 patients. Mean follow-up was 18 +/- 1.5 months. Twenty-eight (12%) bypasses were performed on whites, 43 (18%) on African Americans, 148 (63%) on Hispanics, and 17 (7.2%) on patients of other races. African American race negatively correlated with primary-assisted patency (hazard ratio 2.9, P = .03), secondary patency (hazard ratio 3.64, P = .02), and limb salvage (hazard ratio 8, P = .006) compared with whites. African American race has a negative impact on the long-term outcome of infrapopliteal revascularization, regardless of disease stage or associated risk factors.

Current trends in the management of iatrogenic cervical carotid artery injuries.

This study was undertaken to elicit the opinion of experts regarding the management of iatrogenic injury to the carotid artery. A text questionnaire was transmitted by electronic mail to members of the Western Vascular Society concerning management of iatrogenic injury to the cervical carotid artery. Participants were asked to submit information regarding practice status and their preferred choices for the management of different clinical scenarios. The scenarios were: (1) large bore sheath (> 8.5F) cannulation of the carotid artery in anesthetized patients, (2) large bore sheath cannulation of the carotid artery in an awake patient, (3) delayed recognition of a misplaced sheath by > 4 hours, and (4) arterial puncture was recognized after only the entry needle (16-gauge) was introduced but before sheath insertion. Finally, the members were asked to comment on the management of abnormal findings on duplex scanning, such as intimal flap or pseudoaneurysm. A response rate of 42% was obtained (45/106 active members). Eighty-two percent of respondents had been in practice for longer than 10 years. Eighty-nine percent had seen this complication and 29% had cared for patients in whom subsequent neurologic deficit developed. The institutional incidence of such injury was 1-5 cases per year for 82% of respondents. Sixteen-gauge needle injury was managed by immediate removal and applied pressure by 98% of respondents. When large-bore sheath injury is recognized within 1 hour of insertion, 62% of respondents would remove the sheath and hold pressure, with or without obtaining a duplex ultrasound examination. However, if injury recognition was delayed for > 4 hours, 82% would proceed to surgery. Only 26% operated on asymptomatic carotid flap found on ultrasound, while the remaining 74% would base their decision on size and flow characteristics on ultrasound. The management of pseudoaneurysm differed significantly. Whereas 31% of respondents would manage this finding expectantly, 69% would proceed to surgery regardless of size or symptoms. Despite awareness of iatrogenic injury to the cervical carotid artery, the institutional incidence remains high. Two thirds of respondents would manage a misplaced sheath in the carotid artery nonoperatively if the injury was recognized immediately. However, if injury recognition was delayed for > 4 hours, the majority of respondents would remove the sheath surgically. While the management of intimal flap largely depended on size and flow characteristics, 69% of respondents would operate on a pseudoaneurysm regardless of size or symptoms. The results of this survey may serve as a guideline for the management of this potentially devastating injury.

Concomitant vascular procedures for malignancies with vascular invasion.

HYPOTHESIS: Contemporary reconstructive vascular techniques can be safely used to permit resection of tumors invading major vascular structures. DESIGN: Review of vascular surgery registry between January 1, 1987, and December 31, 2001. SETTING: An academic medical center and affiliated institutions. PATIENTS: Forty-nine patients (37 males and 12 females) aged 15 through 80 years (mean age, 55 years) who required concomitant vascular resection and reconstruction to allow complete tumor resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Early (<30 days) morbidity and mortality, late (>30 days) vascular morbidity and mortality, primary patency of the vascular reconstruction, and tumor-free survival. RESULTS: Aortic resection with graft reconstruction was performed in 20 patients (41.7%) and inferior vena cava resection with reconstruction in 6 patients (12.5%). Five patients (10.4%) had both the aorta and inferior vena cava resected and reconstructed. Iliac, femoral, or popliteal reconstructions were performed in 15 patients (31.3%). Portal vein reconstruction was performed to permit resection of pancreatic neoplasms in 8 patients (16.7%). Resection and reconstruction of either a brachiocephalic vessel or superior vena cava was performed in 4 patients. Thirty-day mortality was 2.1%, as 1 patient died of a myocardial infarction following tumor resection with vascular reconstruction. Overall 30-day morbidity was 12.2%. Early vascular morbidity included bleeding from an arterial anastomosis and a compartment syndrome requiring fasciotomy. Primary patency of the vascular reconstructions at 24 months was 90% and tumor-free survival was 70%. Thirty-one patients (63%) were alive, without tumor recurrence and with a patent vascular reconstruction at 24 months. No patient died or lost a limb due to occlusion of the vascular reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Contemporary reconstructive vascular procedures permit resection of tumors that involve major vascular structures with acceptable early and late morbidity and mortality.

Endovascular management of iliofemoral venous occlusive disease.

New developments in the management of both acute and chronic iliac vein occlusive disease offer exciting options for the treatment of this often debilitating condition. Percutaneous clot removal using thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, or a combination of the two is fast becoming the treatment of choice for patients presenting with acute iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. Recanalization of chronic iliac vein occlusions with balloon angioplasty and stenting relieves symptoms of extremity swelling and pain in the majority of treated patients. Existing data provide convincing proof of the efficacy of endovascular recanalization procedures, and upcoming prospective, controlled trials will further clarify the role of these techniques in the therapeutic armamentarium.

Current endovascular management of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

The recent advances in stent technology and renal endovascular management have provided a technically reproducible method of percutaneously treating atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS). In many centers, this has resulted in endovascular management being the primary therapy for atherosclerotic RAS. Although still controversial, it appears that endovascular management of RAS by primay stent deployment provides better blood pressure control than that afforded by best medical management. The impact on renal function is less than that found for hypertension, but there is evidence to suggest that the use of protection devices and primary stenting may enhance renal function outcomes. Whether the ultimate benefit of enhanced survival follows remains an important question and should be the subject of future prospective studies.

Influence of transmetatarsal amputation in patients requiring lower extremity distal revascularization.

When a transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) is required, successful long-term limb salvage is questioned. We evaluated the influence of TMA on limb salvage in patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization. Patients who had distal bypasses extending to the infrapopliteal arterial tree and adjunctive TMA were retrospectively reviewed. Limb salvage was determined with life-table analysis. Twenty-four patients (29 limbs) were evaluated: 15 male and 9 female. Average age was 64.2 years old. Gangrene was the indication for bypass and TMA in 25 (86.2%) patients. Seven limbs were lost to follow-up. Nine of the remaining 22 limbs required below-knee (8) or above-knee (1) amputations, seven limbs within the first 3 months. In the group of patients who had major amputations within the first 3 months, graft thrombosis was the cause of leg amputation in six (85.7%) cases. No significant predictors of early major amputation were identified. Limb salvage was 62 per cent at 1 year in the TMA group. In comparison, among historical controls requiring distal revascularization and no adjunctive toe or foot amputations, limb salvage was 76.5 per cent (P = NS). Long-term limb salvage is dependent on successful lower extremity revascularization. Requirement for TMA should not influence the decision for limb salvage.

Technical consideration in the management of chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Our aging population may result in a rise in the prevalence of chronic mesenteric ischemia. This report reviews our contemporary experience with a tailored surgical approach to chronic mesenteric ischemia. The medical records of 17 patients operated on for chronic mesenteric ischemia were retrospectively reviewed. Symptom-free survival and long-term patency documented by duplex scanning when available were also analyzed. Sixteen patients ranging in age from 32 to 80 years were included in the study. Seventy-five per cent of the patients were female. The most common preoperative complaints were postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. Revascularization was tailored to the arterial anatomy and included bypass to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) alone (eight), bypass to the celiac artery and SMA (six), SMA reimplantation onto the aorta (one), SMA/inferior mesenteric artery reimplantation (one), and transaortic endarterectomy of the celiac artery/SMA (one). Bypass conduits included Dacron (eight), saphenous vein (four), and polytetrafluoroethylene (two). Bypass grafts originated from the supraceliac aorta in 12 patients; the remaining bypass originated from the left limb of an aortofemoral graft. There was one perioperative death (mortality 5.6%). Follow-up duplex scans at a mean of 34 months (range 1-114) showed no graft thromboses. We conclude that a variety of surgical techniques can provide durable relief of mesenteric ischemia. A tailored approach to revascularization optimizes patency and provides long-term symptom-free survival.

Clinical importance of the "seat belt sign" in blunt trauma to the neck.

Currently a carotid duplex scan is the initial screening modality routinely used to evaluate occult extracranial carotid artery injuries secondary to blunt neck trauma. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of carotid artery duplex scanning in patients who suffered blunt trauma to the neck with a "seat belt sign." The medical records of 131 consecutive patients who sustained blunt trauma to the neck from a motor vehicle accident were reviewed. Patients with the cervical seat belt sign underwent a complete physical examination and carotid duplex scan in an accredited vascular laboratory. An intimal flap with severe carotid artery stenosis was found in one of 131 patients (0.76%). This patient has multiple injuries to the face, head, chest, lateralizing neurological signs, and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. In an era of cost containment, resource consumption should target appropriate populations. A cervical seat belt sign should not serve as a sole indicator for evaluation of the carotid artery in the absence of other pertinent signs or symptoms.

Safety of carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography.

OBJECTIVE: Reports of fatality following carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography (CO2-DSA) have raised concerns regarding its safety. This study reviews the safety of CO2-DSA. DESIGN: Single-institution retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital in Los Angeles, California. PATIENTS: A total of 951 patients who underwent 1007 CO2-DSA procedures during a 21-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preprocedure and postprocedure creatinine values and periprocedural morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 632 arterial CO2-DSA were performed; 527 were aortograms with or without extremity runoff; 100, extremity alone; and 5, pulmonary. Venous CO2-DSA included 187 inferior vena cavagrams, 182 hepatic or visceral, 5 extremity venograms, and 1 superior vena cavagram. Associated endovascular procedures were performed in 499 cases; 162 were arterial interventions including 62 endovascular aneurysm repairs, 53 visceral or renal percutaneous angioplasty with/without stent, 41 extremity percutaneous angioplasty with or without a stent, and 4 cases of thrombolysis or embolization; 176 caval filters, 98 transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, 54 transjugular liver biopsies, and 9 other venous interventions. The mean preprocedure creatinine level was 2.1 mg/dL; postprocedure, 2.1 mg/dL (P = .56). There were a total of 61 (6.1%) procedural complications including 4 (0.4%) mortalities. Two were procedure-related complications: 1, suppurative pancreatitis following aortogram; and 2, hepatic bleed following failed transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Two were attributable to patient disease; 1, metastatic adenocarcinoma; and 2, refractory, end-stage cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography is a versatile technique that can be safely used for diagnostic and therapeutic endovascular procedures. Morbidity and mortality are acceptable with preservation of renal function. Thus, CO2-DSA is a safe alternative to iodinated contrast.

Preliminary retrograde visceral artery reconstruction for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

The recent availability of thoracic endografts has expanded the options for treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic pathology. However, disease that involves the visceral aortic segment presents a special challenge due to the need to preserve mesenteric perfusion. We present three patients in whom preliminary retrograde visceral artery reconstruction was used as an adjunct prior to endovascular repair.

Carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography-assisted endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in the azotemic patient.

OBJECTIVE: This report analyzes the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography (CO(2)-DSA) for EVAR in a group of patients with renal insufficiency compared with a concurrent group of patients with normal renal function undergoing EVAR with iodinated contrast angiography (ICA). METHODS: Between 2003 and 2005, 100 consecutive patients who underwent EVAR using ICA, CO(2)-DSA, or both were retrospectively reviewed, and preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up variables were collected. Patients were divided into two groups depending on renal function and contrast used. Group I comprised patients with normal renal function in whom ICA was used exclusively, and group II patients had a serum creatinine >or=1.5 mg/dL, and CO(2)-DSA was used preferentially and supplemented with ICA, when necessary. The two groups were compared for the outcomes of successful graft placement, renal function, endoleak type, and frequency, and the need for graft revision. Comparisons were made using chi(2) analysis, Student t test, and the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: A total of 84 EVARs were performed in group I and 16 in group II. Patient demographics and risk factors were similar between groups with the exception of serum creatinine, which was significantly increased in group II (1.8 mg/dL vs 1.0 mg/dL P < .0005). All 100 endografts were successfully implanted. Patients in group II had longer fluoroscopy times, longer operative times, and increased radiation exposure, and 13 of 16 patients required supplemental ICA. Mean iodinated contrast use was 27 mL for group II vs 148 mL in group I (P < .0005). Mean postoperative serum creatinine was unchanged from baseline, and 30-day morbidity was similar for both groups. No patient required dialysis. No patients died. Perioperatively, and at 1 and 6 months, the endoleak type and incidence and need for endograft revision was no different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: CO(2)-DSA is safe, can be used to guide EVAR, and provides outcomes similar to ICA-guided EVAR. CO2-DSA protects renal function in the azotemic patient by lessening the need for iodinated contrast and associated nephrotoxicity, but with the tradeoff of longer fluoroscopy and operating room times and increased radiation exposure.

Technology penetration of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in southern California.

Our objective was to investigate the penetration of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the large, diverse health-care market of southern California over 3 years and to study variability in the pattern of distribution of EVAR in southern California counties by analyzing available demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic data from California state health-care databases. Information abstracted from the inpatient hospital discharge data for patients undergoing AAA repair for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003, derived from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, included age, gender, race, hospitals performing EVAR, and payors for the service. Per-capita income (PCI) for the year 1999 and the population size of each county for the respective years were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Data pertaining to members of the Southern California Vascular Surgical Society (SCVSS) serving the southern California region were obtained from the SCVSS membership directory. Data were categorized based on 10 counties in southern California. All the above variables were analyzed using the chi-squared test, with p < 0.05 considered significant. The proportions of EVAR for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003 were 15.4% (n = 409), 20.2% (n = 492), and 25.9% (n = 566), respectively. This is a 67.8% (p < 0.0001) increase in EVAR application in southern California since 2001. However, the proportion of EVAR varied among counties (p < 0.0001), with 457 EVARs performed in Los Angeles County and eight in Imperial County during the study period. EVAR proportion was higher in patients aged > or =65 years (p < 0.0001) and male patients (p < 0.0001). The proportion of EVAR was significantly higher in counties with more than 20 vascular surgeons available (p < 0.0001) and PCI >21,000 US$ (p < 0.0001) and in Medicare, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, and private insurance holders (p < 0.0001). There was a trend toward increased EVARs in counties with more than eight hospitals that performed EVAR (p = 0.0545). However, no significant difference in EVAR proportion was observed among subgroups based on race (p = 0.535) and population size (p = 0.84). Although the number and proportion of EVAR increased significantly in southern California over 3 years, the penetration of the procedure varied among counties. County affluence, payor mix, and the number of vascular surgeons/county influenced the variability. These observations suggest that economic barriers may limit access to new biomedical technology. This has implications for health-care public policy directed toward providing equal access to medical care without regard to economic status.