Endothelial Dysfunction in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinical Translational Study.

BACKGROUND: Youth-onset type 2 diabetes (Y-T2D) is associated with increased risk for coronary atherosclerotic disease, but the timing of the earliest pathological features and evidence of cardiac endothelial dysfunction have not been evaluated in this population. Endothelial function magnetic resonance imaging may detect early and direct endothelial dysfunction in the absence of classical risk factors (severe hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). Using endothelial function magnetic resonance imaging, we evaluated peripheral and coronary artery structure and endothelial function in young adults with Y-T2D diagnosed ≤5 years compared with age-matched healthy peers. We isolated and characterized plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles and evaluated their effects on inflammatory and signaling biomarkers in healthy human coronary artery endothelial cells to validate the imaging findings. METHODS: Right coronary wall thickness, coronary artery flow-mediated dilation, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation were measured at baseline and during isometric handgrip exercise using a 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging. Human coronary artery endothelial cells were treated with Y-T2D plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles. Protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis, oxidative stress was measured using the redox-sensitive probe dihydroethidium, and nitric oxide levels were measured by 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluororescein diacetate. RESULTS: Y-T2D (n=20) had higher hemoglobin A1c and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, but similar total and LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol compared with healthy peers (n=16). Y-T2D had greater coronary wall thickness (1.33±0.13 versus 1.22±0.13 mm; P=0.04) and impaired endothelial function: lower coronary artery flow-mediated dilation (-3.1±15.5 versus 15.9±17.3%; P<0.01) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (6.7±14.7 versus 26.4±15.2%; P=0.001). Y-T2D plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles reduced phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide levels, increased reactive oxygen species production, and elevated ICAM (intercellular adhesion molecule)-mediated inflammatory pathways in human coronary artery endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary and brachial endothelial dysfunction was evident in Y-T2D who were within 5 years of diagnosis and did not have severe hyperglycemia or dyslipidemia. Plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles induced markers of endothelial dysfunction, which corroborated accelerated subclinical coronary atherosclerosis as an early feature in Y-T2D. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02830308 and NCT01399385.

Outcomes of brachial artery transposition in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: In hemodialysis patients with a difficult access extremity who are not suitable for an arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft creation, the concept of cannulating a superficialized artery for arterial outflow in dialysis sessions has been adopted as a tertiary alternative. However, its long-term patency and complications have not been recognized widely. We report our 16-year experience with hemodialysis access creation using the brachial artery transposition (BAT) technique. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent BAT for hemodialysis vascular access between June 1, 2006, and December 31, 2022. The patency of the whole access circuit and the transposed brachial artery itself was evaluated independently. RESULTS: In total, 193 surgical procedures were included. The success rate was 93.2%. The mean operative time was 128 minutes. The median interval from access placement to first cannulation was 21 days. The primary patency rates for BAT were 92.3%, 91.3%, 90.3%, 86.1%, and 71.9% at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The secondary patency rates for BAT were 96.3%, 96.3%, 95.0%, 90.1%, and 74.9% at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The primary patency rates for the whole access circuit were 61.4%, 49.2%, 45.8%, and 26.9% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The secondary patency rates for the whole access circuit were 85.1%, 83.3%, 82.0%, and 68.6% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The overall patient survival rates were 79.6%, 69.6%, 54.6%, 36.5%, and 13.4% at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. The abandonments of BAT were brachial artery thrombosis (n = 6), pseudoaneurysm (n = 2), aneurysmal change (n = 1), and other reasons (n = 1). The abandonments of the whole access circuit were exhaustion of venous return (n = 26), abandonment of BAT (n = 7), and other reasons (n = 2). Complications were exhaustion of venous return (n = 26), aneurysmal change (n = 12), pseudoaneurysm (n = 6), brachial artery thrombosis (n = 7), impaired wound healing (n = 19), lymphorrhea (n = 9), skin infection (n = 5), hematoma on cannulation (n = 3), and reduced peripheral blood flow (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: The patency of BAT was excellent, and that of the whole access circuit was adequate, with a few complications. BAT is an effective alternative from a long-term perspective for patients who are unsuitable for conventional hemodialysis access creation.

In-Hospital Risk Factors for Reintervention and Amputation in Brachial Arterial Trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Brachial artery trauma is a rare but potentially devastating injury. There is little data regarding risk factors for reintervention and amputation prevention in this population, as well as anticoagulant (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) regimens and outcomes after discharge in trauma patients with vascular injuries requiring repair. This study aims to identify in-hospital risk factors for reintervention and amputation and stratify outcomes of follow-up by discharge AC or AP regimen. METHODS: The AAST Prospective Observational Vascular Injury Trial database was queried for all patients who underwent traumatic brachial arterial repair from 2013 to 2022. Patients were evaluated by need for reintervention, amputation, and outcomes at follow-up by AC or AP regimen. RESULTS: Three hundred and eleven patients required brachial repair, 28 (9%) required reoperation, and 8 (2.6%) required amputation. High injury severity score and an increased number of packed red blood cells and platelets showed a significant increase for reoperation and amputation. Damage control and shunt use were significant for the need to reoperate. Seventy-four percent (221/298) of patients were discharged with postoperative AC or AP regimens. There was no significant difference of short-term follow-up by type of AC or AP regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Damage control and temporary shunt may lead to additional operations but not an increase in amputations. However, anticoagulation intraoperatively and postoperatively does not appear to play a significant role in reducing reintervention. It also suggests that there is no increase in short-term follow-up complications with or without AC or AP therapy.

Axillary compared to brachial access for endovascular procedures.

OBJECTIVES: Limited knowledge exists regarding access site complication rates between trans-axillary and trans-brachial approaches with sheath sizes ≥6Fr. We retrospectively reviewed our institution experience with access site complications for percutaneous trans-axillary and trans-brachial arterial interventions using sheath sizes ranging from 6Fr to 10Fr. METHODS: We examined 67 endovascular interventions performed over 18 months, restricted to sheath sizes of 6Fr to 10Fr. Procedures utilizing trans-brachial (41 cases) and trans-axillary (26 cases) approaches under sonographic guidance were included. Cases involving hemodialysis accesses and those requiring surgical cut-down were excluded. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of major access site complications (SIR grade-II/III) within 30 days, with data collected on hemostasis method, sheath size, and complications. Statistical analysis involved ANCOVA and Fisher's exact tests, with significance set at p < .05. RESULTS: Successful percutaneous arterial access was achieved in all cases using either approach (trans-axillary or trans-brachial). Closure devices were employed in all axillary punctures and in 71% of brachial punctures. Major access site complications occurred in 7 out of 41 cases (17%) in the trans-brachial group and in 4 out of 26 cases (15%) in the trans-axillary group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between the two groups, regardless of access site or sheath size. CONCLUSION: Trans-axillary access serves as a safe and effective upper limb access method for percutaneous endovascular procedures requiring sheath size of 7Fr or larger when compared to trans-brachial approach.

Correlation of ankle-wrist pressure index with ankle-brachial pressure index to assess lower limb perfusion in diabetic foot ulcer: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is a significant risk factor for chronicity and amputation. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) is a screening tool for PAD. Brachial systolic pressure measurement, used as a denominator in the calculation of ABPI, produces inaccurate results in patients with obesity and the presence of heavy clothing. The wrist, however, is easily accessible, and the ankle-wrist pressure index (AWPI), if comparable with ABPI, may be useful in screening selected patients. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of AWPI in diagnosing perfusion in DFUs and compare it to ABPI in patients with DFUs. METHOD: ABPI and AWPI were calculated by measuring systolic blood pressure in the arteries of the ankle, arm and wrist with a handheld Doppler. Actual perfusion was determined by the presence or absence of PAD by duplex ultrasound. RESULTS: A total of 46 lower extremities in 41 patients were studied. The prevalence of PAD was 61%. Duplex ultrasound confirmed that the sensitivity of ABPI and AWPI in detecting PAD in patients with DFUs was 67.9% and 71.4% respectively, whereas the specificity of ABPI and AWPI was 94.4% and 88.9% respectively. On receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve of ABPI and AWPI was 0.804 and 0.795, respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation between ABPI and AWPI was found (r=0.986; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a good correlation between ABPI and AWPI over a wide range of values. ABPI and AWPI may have a similar role in predicting perfusion in patients with DFUs. AWPI could be used in place of ABPI in selected patients in whom measuring ABPI may be difficult. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

True brachial artery aneurysm: A systematic review.

Objective: To identify and critically appraise literature on true brachial artery aneurysm, exploring its demographic characteristics, aetiologies, clinical manifestations and different methods of repair along with complication rates to determine future treatment strategies. METHODS: The systematic review was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from September 30, 2021, to November 30, 2022, in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Literature was searched on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases for relevant studies in English language or with English translation published till May 31, 2022. The key words used for the search were "brachial artery aneurysm". Data was noted on a proforma and was subjected to descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Of 113 articles, 6 (5.3%) were retrospective studies, 7 (6.1%) were case series and 100 (88.4%) were case reports. The total number of patients involved was 157 with mean age 43.1±23.4 years (range: 2 months to 84 years). The gender was mentioned for 152(96.8%) patients; 111(73%) males and 41(27%) females. The mean diameter of true brachial artery aneurysm was 36.2 ±17.5mm and 106(67.5%) patients presented with localised swelling, 65(41.4%) with pain, 41(26.1%) with distal ischaemic symptoms, and 28(17.8%) with median nerve compression. True brachial artery aneurysms were more common in renal failure patients having a history of arteriovenous fistula creation in the affected limb and were on immunosuppressant drugs due to renal transplant 81(51.5%). Less common causes included primary/idiopathic 27(17.1%), trauma 13(8.2%), connective tissue disorders 8(5%) and vasculitis 7(4.5%). The treatment of choice was aneurysmectomy in 142(90.4%) cases, with revascularisation of limb primarily with reversed great saphenous vein graft 79(50.3 %), followed by end-to-end anastomosis of brachial artery 17(10.8%) and synthetic grafting 17(10.8%). Endovascular intervention was performed in 6(3.8%) cases to exclude true brachial artery aneurysm, and to re-establish adequate blood flow to the associated limb. Conclusion: True brachial artery aneurysm, although a rarity, may lead to significant neurological and vascular problems if ignored. Arteriovenous fistula and immunosuppression are identified as two significant risk factors in the development of true brachial artery aneurysm. Therefore, an effective long-term follow up in renal failure patients is recommended to prevent its complications. Open surgical repair has been the most preferred mode of treatment, but further significant studies are needed to explore and compare different modes of surgical intervention, like open versus endovascular, to plan future treatment strategies.

Assessment of anatomic variations of the brachial artery bifurcation using vascular Doppler ultrasound: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Anatomical variations in arteries of the upper limb, such as presence of an accessory brachial artery, are common and widely described in the literature, mainly in cadaveric studies, but it is now possible to diagnose them using vascular Doppler ultrasound. Objectives: To identify the incidence of accessory brachial artery using vascular Doppler ultrasound and compare the findings with cadaveric studies. Methods: This was a prospective study that examined 500 upper limbs of 250 volunteers assessed with vascular Doppler ultrasound using the Sonosite Titan portable ultrasound machine. Results: 15.6% of the participants in our study had the accessory brachial artery anatomical variation. Our percentage is in line with the average rates found in cadaveric studies, which ranged from 0.2% to 22%. Being aware of this variation is fundamental in procedures such as peripheral venipuncture, arteriovenous fistula creation, catheterization, forearm flaps, emergency surgeries on the limb and even correction of fractures by cast. Conclusions: The accessory brachial artery is a frequent variant in the upper limb. The percentage of individuals with an accessory brachial artery in our study was 15.6%, which agrees with data from the literature on cadaveric studies.

Flow-mediated Dilation of the Brachial Artery in Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) comprise chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. HDP complicate up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide and carry significant risks of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the derangement and characteristics of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) in women with HDP. Methods: The BAFMD of the right brachial artery of 80 women with HDP (pregnant HDP), 80 normotensive pregnant women (pregnant non-HDP), and 80 healthy nonpregnant women (nonpregnant controls) was evaluated with B-mode ultrasound. The age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), brachial artery diameter, and BAFMD of the participants were compared. P ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: The pregnant HDP group had significantly lower mean BAFMD compared to pregnant non-HDP and nonpregnant controls (6.9% ± 2.53% vs. 8.32% ± 3.4% vs. 9.4% ± 2.68%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean BAFMD of the pregnant HDP subgroups: preeclampsia (5.81% ± 1.7%) versus gestational hypertension (6.43% ± 3.02%); P = 0.57. BAFMD diminished with advancing gestational age in both the pregnant HDP and pregnant non-HDP groups. On regression analysis, BAFMD was a poor marker for HDP, while BMI was an independent predictor for HDP. Conclusion: Even though HDP were associated with significantly diminished BAFMD, it was not a good marker for HDP.

Radial arterial access is a safe alternative to brachial artery and femoral artery access for endovascular lower extremity peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVE: Radial artery access is a well-described technique that has proven to be safe and efficacious in percutaneous cardiac intervention. This technique has been used with increased frequency in the treatment of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (LE-PAD); however, the overall safety has not yet been well described in the vascular surgery literature. We sought to evaluate the safety of this technique compared with retrograde femoral artery access and brachial artery access (BA) in the treatment of PAD. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative database was used to identify all patients who underwent single site percutaneous access (retrograde femoral access [FA], BA, radial access [RA]) for treatment of LE-PAD from September 2016 through September 2019. Patients who underwent multiple access sites for intervention were excluded. Primary outcome was significant access site complications (ASCs), defined as those requiring treatment (blood transfusion, interventional treatment, or surgical treatment). Minor ASCs were also reported. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 61,203 patients (270 RA, 1210 BA, and 59,723 FA) with an average age of 68 years and who were 59.6% male. The RA and BA groups had higher rates of prior endarterectomy or bypass compared with the FA group (66.7% RA; 86.0% BA; 50.2% FA; P < .001). RA was more often used for single-segment treatments (82% vs 74% [P < .020] and more aortoiliac arterial segments (59.6% vs 21.0% [P < .001]). ASC occurred in 1329 patients (2.7%), including minor ASC (996 [1.6%]) and significant ASC (333 [0.54%]). Significant ASC were less common after FA and RA compared with BA (RA, 1 [0.37%]; FA, 307 [0.51%]; BA, 25 [2.1%]; P < .001). On multivariate analysis, BA was the strongest predictor of significant ASC (odds ratio, 2.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.73-4.36; P < .001). Significant ASC was no different after RA compared with FA (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-4.33; P = .616). Other factors independently associated with significant ASC were sex, age, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dialysis, and closure device use. CONCLUSIONS: RA as the primary access vessel for endovascular treatment of LE-PAD is safe when compared with other traditional access sites. When FA is not possible or desirable, the radial approach may provide suitable access to treatment with a better safety profile than BA.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of the brachial artery in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a case series and literature review.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is diagnosed in a very small percentage of patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes who undergo emergency coronary angiography. Although fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is known to coexist in patients with SCAD, the vascular sites of FMD and their frequency have not yet been clarified. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 16 patients who were diagnosed with and treated for SCAD at our hospital between 1 January 2011 and 31 January 2023. We have summarized their baseline and clinical characteristics and medical variables, including coronary and upper extremity angiography and in-hospital outcomes. One of our patients had concurrent cardiac tamponade requiring pericardial drainage, and another went into hemorrhage shock the following day from dissection of the gastric retroperitoneal artery. Characteristic angiographic features of partial or diffuse nonatherosclerotic stenosis were observed mainly in the distal parts of the coronary arteries or their branches. Notably, in six patients with SCAD who underwent upper extremity angiography, FMD of the brachial artery was revealed. For the first time, to our knowledge, we found a high prevalence of multifocal FMD of the brachial artery in patients with SCAD.

Pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery in an infant due to vaccination: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysm is a known complication of penetrating arterial injuries such as catheterization, gunshot wounds, and open fractures. Vaccination is an effective method for preventing multiple, serious, infectious diseases in children. Common adverse reactions related to vaccination include fever, swelling, redness, and pain. Brachial pseudoaneurysm after vaccination has not been previously reported. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein we describe a novel case of brachial pseudoaneurysm after vaccination in a child aged 1 year and 3 months. A pulsatile mass was formed in the medial left arm of the infant 10 days after vaccination at a community hospital and gradually grew larger. Preoperative images depicted an eccentric aneurysm in the brachial artery and a swirling flow pattern in the mass. The pseudoaneurysm was excised, and vein graft interpositioning was successfully performed. There were no short-term or long-term complications during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Brachial pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of vaccination via intramuscular injection. Medical staff should avoid puncture wounds to the brachial artery during vaccination, especially in infants.

The relationship between circadian rhythm of blood pressure and vascular dysfunction in essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore whether circadian rhythm of blood pressure is associated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with essential hypertension. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 4,217 patients with essential hypertension who completed 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, baPWV, and FMD. BaPWV and FMD were measured to evaluate arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Participants were divided into dipper, non-dipper, and reverse dipping groups according to the nocturnal systolic blood pressure dipping percentage. RESULTS: In this study, baPWV was highest in the reverse dipping groups, followed by non-dipper and dipper groups (1667.11 ± 327.90 vs. 1613.88 ± 325.11 vs. 1577.45 ± 306.15 cm/s, P < .001) and FMD gradually increased (4.41 ± 2.87 vs. 4.70 ± 2.84 vs. 4.92 ± 2.79%, P = .001). baPWV and FMD were significantly associated with declining nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP). Interestingly, FMD (ß = 0.042, P = .014) was only positively associated with a drop in nocturnal SBP decline in patients <65 years of age. Whereas baPWV was consistently negatively associated with nocturnal SBP decline regardless of age (ß = -0.065, P < .001, age <65 years; ß = -0.149, P = .002, age ≥ 65). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves analysis showed areas under the curve (AUC) of baPWV/FMD for predicting circadian rhythm of blood pressure are 0.562/0.554 with a sensitivity of 51.7%/53.9% and specificity of 56.4%/53.4. CONCLUSION: Impairment of baPWV and FMD were correlated with abnormal circadian rhythm of blood pressure in essential hypertension, suggesting a decrease in nighttime SBP may associate with endothelial function and arterial stiffness.

Anatomical Structures to Be Concerned With During Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Procedures.

BACKGROUND: The central line has been frequently used for drug and nutrition supply and regular blood sampling of patients with chronic diseases. However, this procedure is performed in a highly sensitive area and has several potential complications. Therefore, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), which have various advantages, are being extensively used. Although the number of PICC procedures is increasing, the anatomy for safe procedures has not yet been properly established. Therefore, we studied basic anatomical information for safe procedures. METHODS: We used 20 fixed cadavers (40 arms) donated to the Korea University College of Medicine. The mean age was 76.75 years (range, 48-94 years). After dissection of each arm, the distribution pattern of the basilic vein and close structures was recorded, and some important parameters based on bony landmarks were measured. In addition, the number of vein branches (axillary region) and basilic vein diameter were also checked. RESULTS: The mean length from the insertion site to the right atrium was 38.39 ± 2.63 cm (left) and 34.66 ± 3.60 cm (right), and the basilic vein diameter was 4.93 ± 1.18 mm (left) and 4.08 ± 1.49 mm (right). The data showed significant differences between the left and right arms (P < 0.05). The mean distance from the basilic vein to brachial artery was 8.29 ± 2.78 mm in men and 7.81 ± 2.78 mm in women, while the distance to the ulnar nerve was 5.41 ± 1.67 mm in men and 5.52 ± 2.06 mm in women. CONCLUSION: According to these results, the right arm has a shorter distance from the insertion site to the right atrium, and the left arm has a wider vein diameter, which is advantageous for the procedure. In addition, the ulnar nerve and brachial artery were located close to or behind the insertion site. Therefore, special attention is required during the procedure to avoid damaging these important structures.

Robust Arm Impedocardiography Signal Quality Enhancement Using Recursive Signal Averaging and Multi-Stage Wavelet Denoising Methods for Long-Term Cardiac Contractility Monitoring Armbands.

Impedance cardiography (ICG) is a low-cost, non-invasive technique that enables the clinical assessment of haemodynamic parameters, such as cardiac output and stroke volume (SV). Conventional ICG recordings are taken from the patient's thorax. However, access to ICG vital signs from the upper-arm brachial artery (as an associated surrogate) can enable user-convenient wearable armband sensor devices to provide an attractive option for gathering ICG trend-based indicators of general health, which offers particular advantages in ambulatory long-term monitoring settings. This study considered the upper arm ICG and control Thorax-ICG recordings data from 15 healthy subject cases. A prefiltering stage included a third-order Savitzky-Golay finite impulse response (FIR) filter, which was applied to the raw ICG signals. Then, a multi-stage wavelet-based denoising strategy on a beat-by-beat (BbyB) basis, which was supported by a recursive signal-averaging optimal thresholding adaptation algorithm for Arm-ICG signals, was investigated for robust signal quality enhancement. The performance of the BbyB ICG denoising was evaluated for each case using a 700 ms frame centred on the heartbeat ICG pulse. This frame was extracted from a 600-beat ensemble signal-averaged ICG and was used as the noiseless signal reference vector (gold standard frame). Furthermore, in each subject case, enhanced Arm-ICG and Thorax-ICG above a threshold of correlation of 0.95 with the noiseless vector enabled the analysis of beat inclusion rate (BIR%), yielding an average of 80.9% for Arm-ICG and 100% for Thorax-ICG, and BbyB values of the ICG waveform feature metrics A, B, C and VET accuracy and precision, yielding respective error rates (ER%) of 0.83%, 11.1%, 3.99% and 5.2% for Arm-IG, and 0.41%, 3.82%, 1.66% and 1.25% for Thorax-ICG, respectively. Hence, the functional relationship between ICG metrics within and between the arm and thorax recording modes could be characterised and the linear regression (Arm-ICG vs. Thorax-ICG) trends could be analysed. Overall, it was found in this study that recursive averaging, set with a 36 ICG beats buffer size, was the best Arm-ICG BbyB denoising process, with an average of less than 3.3% in the Arm-ICG time metrics error rate. It was also found that the arm SV versus thorax SV had a linear regression coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.84.

Anatomical considerations and clinical implications of bicipital aponeurosis: A magnetic resonance imaging study.

The bicipital aponeurosis (BA) is the distal aponeurosis of the biceps brachii which usually covers the median nerve (MN), and the brachial artery (BrA) and sometimes causes compression of these structures. Since these situations are rarely reported in the literature, BA frequently does not come to mind as a cause of such compression. Therefore, the diagnosis may be delayed. In this study, we aimed to investigate the morphometry of BA and its relationship with the surrounding neurovascular structures and to draw attention to BA as a structure that can cause entrapment of the MN and rarely, the BrA. We examined the MRIs of the elbow of 279 patients (107 women, 172 men) aged between 18 and 72 years. We measured the thickness, length and width of BA, and investigated the anatomical relationship between BA, BrA, and MN. The respective median thickness, width, and length of BA were 0.7 (0.4-1.8 mm), 18.0 (6.0-34.0 mm), and 32.0 (18.0-50.0 mm), respectively. In all sections examined, the BA covered the BrA and MN, and was located immediately anterior to the BrA. In 225 (80.6%) of 279 MRIs, the BrA was located anterior to the MN and posterior to the BA. In the remaining 54 (19.4%) MRIs, the MN was located anterior to the BrA and posterior to the BA. The respective median thickness, width, and length of the BA were 0.7 mm, 18.0 mm, and 32.0 mm, respectively. It covered the BrA and MN and was located immediately anterior to the BrA. The BA sometimes causes compression syndromes of these structures, therefore, for physicians, it is important to understand the anatomy of the BA.

The Effect of Three Different Cuff/Arm Circumference Ratios Ranging over 80% on Cuff Blood Pressure Measurements.

We aimed to explore whether the cuff/arm (C/A) circumference ratio within the suggested range (> 80%) affects the accuracy of mercury cuff blood pressure (BP) measurement (cuff BP) using intrabrachial BP (IABP) as a reference.A total of 253 patients aged 62.42 ± 9.70 years were included. After coronary angiography, the catheter in the right arm was gradually withdrawn toward the cubital fossa, and the IABP was continuously recorded. The cuff BP of the right arm was measured based on the artery blood flow using a special method similar to the traditional mercury method. The cuff was replaced using another C/A ratio after one minute, and the test was performed again. We used three different cuffs for each participant to meet the C/A ratios of 80%-84%, 85%-89%, and 90%-100%. We calculated the percentage deviation degree (DD) between the cuff BP and IABP values: DD = difference/IABP × 100%. The agreement between the values was evaluated using the Bland-Altman method.The IABP values were 138.52 ± 16.89/79.67 ± 9.81 mmHg. The DD of the systolic BP (SBP), with a ratio of 80%-84% (3.06%), was the smallest. The DD of the diastolic BP (DBP) was lowest at a ratio of 85%-89% (2.47%). Men and women had the lowest DD of the SBP at a C/A ratio of 80%-84% and the lowest DD of the DBP at a C/A ratio of 85%-89%. Regardless of whether the participants had coronary heart disease, the DD of the SBP at a C/A ratio of 80%-84% was the lowest, and the DD of the DBP at a C/A ratio of 85%-89% was the lowest.Even in the suggested range of > 80%, when the C/A ratio was 80%-84%, the difference in the SBP between the cuff and IABP was the lowest, but when the C/A ratio was 85%-89%, the difference in the DBP was the lowest.

Morphological variations of the brachial artery and their clinical significance: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Morphological variations of the brachial artery are quite commonly discovered in routine dissection and have been the subject of many studies. However, there is a need for a clear classification. This work presents morphological variations of the brachial artery, based on numerous case reports and studies created for the appropriate classification and interpretation among surgeons and radiologists. It also discusses the most important clinical aspects of the given varieties. METHODS: The research method is based on the combined interpretation of the researches based on numerous publications concerning both the principles of correctly classifying the described morphological variations of the brachial artery and the resulting clinical implications. This work considers atypical variations such as the presence of the superficial brachial artery, brachoradial artery, accessory brachial artery and absence of the brachial artery. Variations of the brachial artery in relation to the external and internal diameter of the vessel have also been discussed. RESULTS: After conducting a complex analysis of the collected data, the fundamental principles for classifying such variability as superficial brachial artery, brachioradial artery and accessory brachial artery were defined. Additionally, clinical implications resulting from the above like the impact of the superficial brachial artery on the median nerve neuropathy and the positive correlation between the brachioradial artery and increased danger of incorrect transradial catheterization were demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical implications of the atypical arterial pattern within the upper limb are crucial during the angiography and surgical procedures so the variations affect the appropriate diagnosis and surgical intervention. Hence, the knowledge about the morphological variations of the brachial artery should be constantly broadened by radiologists and surgeons to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the treatment process.

Muscle interconnections in the anterior and posterior arm compartment: a cadaveric case series with possible clinical implications.

PURPOSE: The report describes four cases of accessory bundles (ABs) or fibers connecting the muscles of the anterior with the posterior arm compartment. The ABs morphology (pure muscular or musculofascial or musculoaponeurotic) is described emphasizing their attachment points, characterized as muscles' interconnections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four formalin-embalmed donated male cadavers were dissected. RESULTS: The muscles' interconnections were unilaterally identified. In the first case, the two ABs originated from the coracobrachialis muscle (CB), received fibers from the biceps brachii (BB), and were inserted into the triceps brachii (TB) medial head. The ABs created an arch over the brachial vessels and the median nerve (MN). In the second case, an accessory musculoaponeurotic structure was identified between CB and TB medial head and extended over the brachial vessels. In the third case, the myofascial ABs between the BB short head and the upper arm fascia, coursed anterior to the MN, the brachial artery, and the ulnar nerve, with direction to the TB medial head. In the fourth case, the three muscular ABs originating from the CB superficial and deep heads, in common with the BB short head, joined the upper arm fascia and the TB medial head and possibly entrapped the musculocutaneous nerve, the MN, and the brachial artery. CONCLUSION: ABs or musculoaponeurotic extensions may predispose to complications due to their potential compression on nerves and vessels. Clinicians should consider the possible existence of such bridging variants between muscles, in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with ischemia, edema, or MN palsy symptoms.

Variation of the brachial artery emerging through an opening in the median nerve: a case report.

The median nerve maintains a close relationship with the brachial artery in the upper limb. Variability in the formation and distribution of upper extremity vessels is frequently encountered during donor body dissections or surgical procedures. This case presents a rare anatomical variation of the brachial artery emerging through an opening in the median nerve. The median nerve formed a small opening without the contribution from additional nerve roots and the remaining vasculature of the upper limb was otherwise normal. An abnormal arrangement of a neurovascular bundle in the arm can cause sensory and motor issues, as well as vascular implications. This variation has clinical significance in surgical interventions and potentially daily functioning. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a small median nerve opening pierced by the brachial artery.

Anatomical insight into the variable terminal branching pattern of brachial artery: A narrative review.

Blood to the arm is mainly supplied by the brachial artery, which arises at the termination point of the axillary artery at the level of inferior margin of the teres major muscle. The artery ends by dividing into two terminal branches: radial and ulnar. The bifurcation normally takes place at the cubital fossa or around a finger's width below elbow at the level of the neck of the radius bone. For the current narrative review, literature published from 2016 to 2022 was searched on PubMed, Google and Google Scholar databases. Across the globe, variation in terminal branching pattern of the brachial artery was observed. In most cadavers, higher termination was observed in the right upper limb. The variability can have adverse effects on the diagnostic, therapeutic and interventional procedures. As such, awareness of the varying anatomical location of the branches is essential for medical practitioners to avoid procedural errors and misdiagnosis.