Aorto-carotid bypass for orthostatic mediated hypoperfusion transient ischaemic attacks: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Aorto-carotid bypass is a rare procedure. It is reported to be performed for management of cerebral malperfusion in the setting of supra-aortic branch vessel disease. Malperfusion requiring a bypass is largely secondary to dissection or vasculitis. Atherosclerotic disease of the supra-aortic branch vessels is commonly managed via an endovascular approach. We report a rare and atypical presentation of cerebral malperfusion in the setting of atherosclerotic disease of the innominate and carotid arteries managed with an aorto-carotid bypass graft. CASE PRESENTATION: A case report of an 80-year-old female presenting with orthostatic mediated hypoperfusion transient ischaemic attacks with episodes of limb shaking and unilateral weakness with postural changes. The malperfusion was in the setting of severe atherosclerotic disease of the innominate and carotid arteries. CLINICAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our patient was not amendable to endovascular intervention or a less invasive open approach. The patient underwent an aorto-carotid bypass graft with complete resolution of symptoms. This case highlights a rare manifestation of orthostatic mediated cerebral malperfusion and a successful novel treatment method.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing the Effect of 24-Week Fenofibrate Therapy on Circulating Markers of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Outcomes From the FAME -2 Trial.

Background There is no drug therapy for abdominal aortic aneurysm ( AAA ). FAME-2 (Fenofibrate in the Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 2) was a placebo-controlled randomized trial designed to assess whether administration of 145 mg of fenofibrate/d for 24 weeks favorably modified circulating markers of AAA. Methods and Results Patients with AAA s measuring 35 to 49 mm and no contraindication were randomized to fenofibrate or identical placebo. The primary outcome measures were the differences in serum osteopontin and kallistatin concentrations between groups. Secondary analyses compared changes in the circulating concentration of AAA -associated proteins, and AAA growth, between groups using multivariable linear mixed-effects modeling. A total of 140 patients were randomized to receive fenofibrate (n=70) or placebo (n=70). By the end of the study 3 (2.1%) patients were lost to follow-up and 18 (12.9%) patients had ceased trial medication. A total of 85% of randomized patients took ≥80% of allocated tablets and were deemed to have complied with the medication regimen. Patients' allocated fenofibrate had expected reductions in serum triglycerides and estimated glomerular filtration rate, and increases in serum homocysteine. No differences in serum osteopontin, kallistatin, or AAA growth were observed between groups. Conclusions Administering 145 mg/d of fenofibrate for 24 weeks did not significantly reduce serum concentrations of osteopontin and kallistatin concentrations, or rates of AAA growth in this trial. The findings do not support the likely benefit of fenofibrate as a treatment for patients with small AAA s. Clinical Trial Registration URL : www.anzctr.org.au . Unique identifier: ACTRN 12613001039774.

Gastric banding at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital: trials and tribulations of a public service.

BACKGROUND: The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital provides the only gastric banding service for the public to the state of Queensland. Our patients are potentially a different group from the previously reported Australian series with respect to weight, comorbidities and ease of follow up and we therefore present this series of public patient for comparison of medium-term results. METHODS: The service consists of a dedicated fortnightly clinic. Patients are referred from within the hospital and also from other health services throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. Resources allow a limited number of gastric bands to be placed annually. At follow up, measurement of weight is carried out and band adjustments made as necessary. Data are collected prospectively on a dedicated database (LapBase; AccessMed, Melbourne, Australia). RESULTS: Sixty-nine laparoscopic gastric bands (Lap Band; Inamed Health, Santa Barbara, CA, USA) have been placed as a public service at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital since August 2001 in 50 women and 19 men. The mean body mass index (BMI) at surgery was 53 kg/m2 (range 33-81 kg/m2). The mean percentage of excess bodyweight lost at 1, 2 and 3 years is 38.5, 45.7 and 57.9%, respectively. The mean BMI has reduced from the baseline of 53 to 44.5 at 1 year, 41.8 at 2 years and 38.6 at 3 years. The waiting list currently contains 103 patients with a mean BMI of 53 kg/m2 and 250 new referrals are on a waiting list for initial review. CONCLUSION: A banding service for the public is a unique experience. The BMI is greater than in other published series; diverse geographic origin of the patients creates difficulties with review and there are limited surgical resources. The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital is leading the way towards a multidisciplinary clinic approach to managing obesity. However, more resources will be required to have an effect on overall public health.

Carotid endarterectomy: a Southern North Island regional consensus statement.

AIMS: The aim of this project was to employ interdepartmental and cross district health board collaboration to reach a regional consensus on the management of patients who may benefit from carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: All regional stroke physicians, neurologists, and vascular surgeons met to review relevant literature and local audits and to discuss best management strategies suited to the region. RESULTS: A consensus statement was agreed upon and is presented here along with a summary of the supporting scientific evidence. DISCUSSION: Regional interdisciplinary collaboration proved an effective way to reach a carotid endarterectomy management consensus across a wider geographical area that is served by a single vascular surgery department. This approach could serve as a model for other regional initiatives.