Proresolving Lipid Mediators Resolvin D1 and Protectin D1 Isomer Attenuate Neointimal Hyperplasia in the Rat Carotid Artery Balloon Injury Model.

BACKGROUND: Specialized proresolving mediators from ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid may control resolution of inflammation. We evaluated the influence of two specialized proresolving mediators, resolvin D1 (RvD1) and protectin D1 isomer (PD1 iso) on neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley male rats at 12-14 wk of age were injured as a model of balloon angioplasty. Then, 1 µg/rat of RvD1 or PD1 iso was administered intravenously via the tail vein immediately and 2 d after angioplasty. The proliferation of injured artery and the infiltration of leukocytes, monocytes, and macrophages at 3 d after injury were evaluated by immunostaining. The activity of the inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) in the injured artery at 3 d after injury was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay kit. The proliferation of the neointima was evaluated by calculating the ratio of the neointimal and medial areas using specimens at 14 d after injury. RESULTS: RvD1 and PD1 iso attenuated proliferation of medial cells (P < 0.05) and infiltration of leukocytes (P < 0.05) and monocytes/macrophages (P < 0.01). Although both RvD1 and PD1 iso mitigated NFκB activity (P < 0.01), RvD1 attenuated this activity more strongly (P < 0.01). RvD1 decreased neointimal hyperplasia by 37.3% (P < 0.01), whereas PD1 iso decreased neointimal hyperplasia by 31.8% (P < 0.05) (RvD1 versus PD1 iso: P = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: RvD1 and PD1 iso reduced the activity of inflammatory transcription factor NFκB within the injured artery and attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration, leading to a reduction in early inflammation and subsequent neointimal hyperplasia.

Increase in skin perfusion pressure predicts amputation-free survival after lower extremity bypass surgery for critical limb ischemia.

The objective of this study was to determine how postoperative skin perfusion pressure (SPP) as a measure of blood flow after revascularization affects limb prognosis in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). We retrospectively reviewed 223 consecutive bypass surgery cases performed in 192 patients with CLI during a 10-year period. SPP was measured 1-2 weeks before and after the procedure. An SPP of 40 mmHg was set as the cut-off value for revascularization. Patients were grouped according to their postoperative SPPs, and amputation-free survival (AFS) was analyzed. An SPP of ≥ 40 mmHg was recovered in 75% of the patients, but no significant difference was found between this group and the group that did not reach 40 mmHg. On the other hand, the values increased by ≥ 20 mmHg from the preoperative values in 70% of the patients. This group had a significantly better AFS than the group that did not increase by 20 mmHg. Logistic regression analysis revealed that (1) a preoperative SPP of < 20 mmHg and (2) a high serum albumin level (> 3.0 g/dL) were significant factors in increasing SPP by 20 mmHg. These results showed that an increase in SPP of ≥ 20 mmHg after bypass surgery was associated with better limb prognosis.

Preservation of the accessory renal arteries after endovascular repair of common iliac artery aneurysm using kissing stent grafts.

Exclusion of the accessory renal arteries (ARAs) is required during endovascular aneurysm repair if they arise from the sealing zone or aneurysm sac. Here, we report a case of successful endovascular treatment for a common iliac artery aneurysm located close to the aortic bifurcation and associated with nephrotic syndrome in a 51-year-old man. The bilateral ARAs were successfully preserved using kissing stent grafts. During surgery, the proximal ends of endografts inserted from the bilateral femoral arteries were adjusted so that they met at the same level in the aorta, and simultaneous balloon dilatation was performed. This method can be a useful treatment option for common iliac aneurysms in cases with large ARAs.

Favorable outcomes of very elderly patients with critical limb ischemia who undergo distal bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the midterm outcomes of distal bypass surgery for very elderly patients, and to determine the ideal candidates for this procedure. METHODS: Of 268 consecutive patients (328 limbs) with critical limb ischemia who were treated between 2006 and 2013, 106 (126 limbs) underwent distal bypass and were retrospectively reviewed. Nineteen patients (22 limbs) were aged ≥80 years (very elderly group) and 87 patients (104 limbs) were aged <80 years (control group). RESULTS: The baseline characteristics differed between the 2 groups in terms of regular hemodialysis rate (very elderly group, 4 [21%] vs control group, 60 [69%]; P = .0002) and the Charlson comorbidity index (very elderly group, 3.2 ± 1.7 vs control group, 5.0 ± 2.0; P = .0005). According to the Rutherford category of limb ischemia (4/5/6), the very elderly and control groups were classified as 5/17/0 and 11/87/6, respectively (P = .18). Before the surgery, 17 patients (77%) and 67 patients (64%) were ambulatory in the very elderly and control groups, respectively. At follow-up at 29 ± 22 months, the rates of primary (P = .33) and secondary patency (P = .14), limb salvage (P = .50), survival (P = .26), amputation-free survival (P = .42), major adverse limb event and also perioperative death (P = .11), and major adverse cardiovascular events (P = .36) did not significantly differ between the groups. In multivariate analysis, a history of coronary artery disease (hazard ratio [HR], 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-5.9; P = .005), preoperative nonambulatory status (HR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.1-8.1; P < .0001), and serum albumin levels <3 g/dL (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.4; P = .01) were significantly related to poor amputation-free survival. Thirteen patients (59%) remained ambulatory at the latest follow-up. In 91 patients (110 limbs) with tissue loss, the Society for Vascular Surgery lower extremity threatened limb classification system: risk stratification based on Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection classification stages 3 and 4 negatively affected complete wound healing, according to multivariate analysis (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.20-0.61; P = .0005). CONCLUSIONS: A very elderly age should not preclude a patient from undergoing distal bypass surgery. A history of coronary artery disease, a nonambulatory status, and hypoalbuminemia, along with the Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection classification for patients with tissue loss, should be carefully considered to obtain the most benefit from distal bypass surgery.

D-series resolvin attenuates vascular smooth muscle cell activation and neointimal hyperplasia following vascular injury.

Recent evidence suggests that specialized lipid mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids control resolution of inflammation, but little is known about resolution pathways in vascular injury. We sought to determine the actions of D-series resolvin (RvD) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype and vascular injury. Human VSMCs were treated with RvD1 and RvD2, and phenotype was assessed by proliferation, migration, monocyte adhesion, superoxide production, and gene expression assays. A rabbit model of arterial angioplasty with local delivery of RvD2 (10 nM vs. vehicle control) was employed to examine effects on vascular injury in vivo. Local generation of proresolving lipid mediators (LC-MS/MS) and expression of RvD receptors in the vessel wall were assessed. RvD1 and RvD2 produced dose-dependent inhibition of VSMC proliferation, migration, monocyte adhesion, superoxide production, and proinflammatory gene expression (IC50≈0.1-1 nM). In balloon-injured rabbit arteries, cell proliferation (51%) and leukocyte recruitment (41%) were reduced at 3 d, and neointimal hyperplasia was attenuated (29%) at 28 d by RvD2. We demonstrate endogenous biosynthesis of proresolving lipid mediators and expression of receptors for RvD1 in the artery wall. RvDs broadly reduce VSMC responses and modulate vascular injury, suggesting that local activation of resolution mechanisms expedites vascular homeostasis.

Effect of suprarenal aortic cross-clamping.

BACKGROUND: Renal insufficiency is the most frequent complication of surgeries that involve suprarenal aortic cross-clamping. Although some studies have assessed the risk of intraoperative renal ischemia by comparing juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and infrarenal AAAs, a critical limitation is the difference in these patients' clinical backgrounds and aneurysmal features. The present study evaluated the effect of suprarenal aortic clamping by comparing a juxtarenal AAA group with a subgroup of infrarenal AAAs (ie, short and/or large neck). METHODS AND RESULTS: Among patients who underwent open surgery for AAA, the 2 types of AAA were selected and compared: juxtarenal AAA (JR group: n=35) and infrarenal AAA with short (<15 mm) and/or large (>28 mm) aneurysmal neck that only required infrarenal aortic clamping (SL group: n=26). Postoperative renal function was evaluated using the RIFLE classification. There were no significant differences between groups in baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and intraoperative variables. There were no adverse events leading directly to in-hospital mortality in either group. The rate of postoperative renal insufficiency (estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease ≥-25%) was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of the 2 groups were similar, indicating that intraoperative renal ischemia with no specific intraoperative protection would not adversely affect postoperative outcomes.

Embolization of Vessels With Irregular Lumen Using the Coil Packing Technique Between the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II Lobes.

INTRODUCTION: The Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) series enables precise positioning and high migration resistance, allowing embolization in short segments; however, inadequate embolization or recanalization may occasionally occur. We hypothesized that leaks may occur when AVPs are implanted in vessels with irregular lumen due to insufficient adherence to the vessel. This hypothesis was tested by experiments with a vascular model. We employed a coil packing technique between the AVP lobes to embolize internal iliac arteries with an irregular lumen. METHODS: Saline was injected through the Y-shaped glass tubes of the stenotic and the smooth model (without stenotic lesion), and the amount of leakage was measured when the AVP was deployed. The feasibility and effectiveness of filling coils between the lobes of AVP II were evaluated. A total of 11 cases were retrospectively reviewed using this technique for internal iliac artery embolization prior to endovascular aortic repair. RESULTS: The amount of leakage was significantly higher in the presence of stenotic lesions. Insertion of a 2.2 F microcatheter from the side of the proximal lobe of AVP II and filling of coils was achieved in all 11 cases. Follow-up contrast-enhanced CT showed no recanalization, leakage, or other obvious complications. CONCLUSION: Coil packing technique around Amplatzer Vascular Plugs could be an effective method and a reliable option for arterial embolization, especially in vessels with irregular lumens.

Renal Vein Thrombosis Occurring in Association with Oral Contraceptives: A Case Report.

Peripheral venous thromboembolism is a well-known complication of hormonal contraception, but reports on its association with visceral vein thrombosis is limited. We report the case of left renal vein thrombosis (RVT) associated with oral contraceptives (OCs) and concurrent smoking. The clinical presentation of this patient was acute left flank pain. Computed tomography revealed left RVT. The OC was discontinued, and we initiated anticoagulation with heparin and switched to edoxaban. Computed tomography 6 months later showed complete resolution of the thrombosis. This report alerts us regarding the importance of OCs as a risk factor for RVT.

Photochromic dinuclear iridium(III) complexes having phenoxyl-imidazolyl radical complex derivatives.

We demonstrate that the phenoxyl-imidazolyl radical complex (PIC), which is a rate-tunable fast photoswitch, can be used as a ligand that directly coordinates with iridium (III) ions. The iridium complexes show the characteristic photochromic reactions originating from the PIC moiety, whereas the behaviour of transient species is substantially different from that of the PIC.

Mineralocorticoid receptor expression in human venous smooth muscle cells: a potential role for aldosterone signaling in vein graft arterialization.

Experimental studies have suggested a role for the local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the response to vascular injury. Clinical data support that aldosterone, via activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), is an important mediator of vascular damage in humans with cardiovascular disease. In mineralocorticoid-sensitive target tissue, aldosterone specificity for MR is conferred enzymatically by the cortisol-inactivating enzyme 11ß-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase-2 (11ßHSD2). However, the role of MR/aldosterone signaling in the venous system has not been explored. We hypothesized that MR expression and signaling in venous smooth muscle cells contributes to the arterialization of venous conduits and the injury response in vein bypass grafts. MR immunostaining was observed in all samples of excised human peripheral vein graft lesions and in explanted experimental rabbit carotid interposition vein grafts, with minimal staining in control greater saphenous vein. We also found upregulated transcriptional expression of both MR and 11ßHSD2 in human vein graft and rabbit vein graft, whereas control greater saphenous vein expressed minimal MR and no detectable 11ßHSD2. The expression of MR and 11ßHSD2 was confirmed in cultured human saphenous venous smooth muscle cells (hSVSMCs). Using an adenovirus containing a MR response element-driven reporter gene, we demonstrate that MR in hSVSMCs is capable of mediating aldosterone-induced gene activation. The functional significance for MR signaling in hSVSMCs is supported by the aldosterone-induced increase of angiotensin II type-1 receptor gene expression that was inhibited by the MR antagonist spironolactone. The upregulation of MR and 11ßHSD2 suggests that aldosterone-mediated tissue injury plays a role in vein graft arterialization.

Fatal pulmonary thromboembolism caused by idiopathic ovarian vein thrombosis.

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is observed in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. It is occasionally diagnosed during the postpartum period or in patients with ovarian malignancy. Few cases of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) caused by OVT have been reported previously. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman who presented with fatal PTE due to left OVT during hospitalization for cerebral infarction. The left ovary of the postmenopausal elderly patient showed no tumorous appearance. This case of OVT is extremely rare because of its idiopathic nature and fatal result.

A case of plastic bronchitis after mitral valve surgery in an adult.

Plastic bronchitis is a rare and fatal disease that is characterized by the presence of long dendritic bronchial casts in the airway. It is encountered most frequently in children with congenital heart disease after correction surgery. We reported a case of plastic bronchitis after mitral valve surgery in a 70-year-old woman.

Do inferior vena cava filters reduce the risk of acute pulmonary embolism in preoperative patients with venous thromboembolism?

PURPOSE: Although prophylactic anticoagulants reduce the risk of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) remain elusive in prophylactic use. This study investigated whether IVCF in addition to anticoagulants augment the prophylactic effect on acute PE in the highest-risk patients. METHODS: This study included patients with existing venous thromboembolism (VTE) or a history of previous PE, who underwent subsequent surgery for the underlying disease. The hospital records of the patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-nine consecutive patients treated from October 2001 to June 2007 were assessed, including 13 men and 36 women with a mean age of 58.1 years. The underlying diseases that required surgery included malignancy in 23, orthopedic disorder in 14, and others in 12. All patients received anticoagulants, with perioperative IVCF in 31 patients or without in 18. Neither group had any fatal complications. The no-filter group had no cases of recurrent PE, whereas the filter group had one case of recurrent PE just after placement of the filter. Moreover, 5 cases in the filter group had filter-related complications. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the addition of IVCF to anticoagulants does not provide a substantial risk reduction for perioperative patients with VTE prior to surgery.

Efficacy of Preoperative Antibiotic Therapy for the Treatment of Vascular Graft Infection.

Objective: We aimed to assess the efficacy of preoperative antibiotic therapy for the treatment of prosthetic graft infection. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the treatment strategies used for managing patients with prosthetic vascular graft infections between 2000 and 2016. The patients were divided into two groups: early antibiotic (EA) group, those who were administered with antibiotics ≥2 weeks preoperatively and late antibiotic (LA) group, those who were administered with antibiotics <2 weeks preoperatively. We evaluated the outcomes including surgical procedures, length of hospital stay, and surgical revision. Results: All the surgical procedures performed in the EA group were elective surgeries. Three of the 11 surgeries performed in the LA group were emergency surgeries (P=0.16). No significant differences were observed in the operative procedure (P=0.64), operation time (P=0.37), and blood loss (P=0.63) of the two groups. Although the length of postoperative hospital stay did not significantly differ (P=0.61), the total length of hospital stay was longer in the EA group (P=0.02). Surgical revisions were performed for five patients in the LA group and for none in the EA group (P=0.04). Conclusion: Preoperative antibiotic therapy provided excellent outcomes in terms of avoiding surgical revisions in the treatment of vascular graft infection.

Results of surgical interventions for critical limb ischemia due to vasculitis or collagen-tissue related disease.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to clarify both systemic and local prognosis after surgical interventions for critical limb ischemia (CLI) due to vasculitis or connective tissue related disease, and to search for any risk factors that can worsen the prognosis. METHODS: One hundred and ninety three patients that underwent surgical interventions for CLI between 2005 and 2014 were followed up for a median of 2.7 years. The patients were grouped into a group with vasculitis or connective tissue related disease (V) or with atherosclerosis (control: C). Two groups were retrospectively reviewed and compared. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were grouped into the V group. At three years after intervention, V group showed significantly higher survival rate compared to C group (89% vs. 73%). On the other hand, limb survival rate after bypass surgery was significantly lower (74% vs. 94%), due to lower patency of the bypassed graft. Within V group, preoperative skin perfusion pressure of lower than 20 mmHg showed significantly worse prognosis of the limb. (HR 1.8; P=0.01) Regarding specific diseases, systemic scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus tended to show worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CLI due to vasculitis or connective tissue related disease have a longer life expectancy with lower limb salvage rate that can lead to low quality of the remaining life.

Stenotic lesion level did not affect outcomes of carotid endarterectomy.

Background Carotid endarterectomy is the established treatment for carotid artery stenosis, and remains the primary surgical option due to its superior outcomes compared to carotid arterial stenting. However, Japanese patients are known to have unfavorable anatomical conditions for carotid endarterectomy, with a relatively higher level of the carotid artery bifurcation than in the Western population. We investigated the outcomes of carotid endarterectomy in our institute and evaluated the procedural quality by comparing patients based on higher or lower lesion levels. Methods The clinical data of 65 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were collected retrospectively. The outcomes reviewed included stroke-free survival and stroke-free rate. The patients were divided into a higher group ( n = 25) and a lower group ( n = 40), based on lesion location in respect of the 2nd cervical vertebral level. Results There was no perioperative death and only one case of stroke in the higher group within 30 days after carotid endarterectomy. At 5 years after carotid endarterectomy, the stroke-free survival rates were 83.4% in the higher group and 87.8% in the lower group, while the stroke-free rates were 96.0% and 94.0%, respectively; there were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions Stenotic lesion level did not affect the outcome or procedural quality of carotid endarterectomy.

Pulse volume recordings to identify falsely elevated ankle brachial index.

BACKGROUND: Ankle brachial index can be falsely elevated in cases of medial arterial calcification, and its clinical use should be limited, especially in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of pulse volume recording in detecting falsely elevated ankle brachial index. METHODS: Two parameters of the pulse waveform were automatically calculated: upstroke time and percentage mean artery pressure. Pulse volume recordings were retrospectively evaluated in 171 consecutive patients (342 limbs); 73 (43%) had a diagnosis of diabetes. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, diabetes (hazard ratio = 1.7), ankle brachial index ≤ 0.90 (hazard ratio = 4.4), upstroke time ≥ 180 ms (hazard ratio = 2.1), and percentage mean artery pressure ≥ 45% (hazard ratio = 2.8) were significantly related to toe brachial index < 0.60. Further analysis for falsely elevated ankle brachial index was performed in 196 limbs (146 patients) with ankle brachial index > 0.90. The difference between ankle brachial index and toe brachial index differentiated the limbs of diabetic patients, with percentage mean artery pressure ≥ 45%, from controls (0.45 ± 0.17 vs. 0.35 ± 0.16, p = 0.03); upstroke time was not found to be a discriminating factor. CONCLUSIONS: Although measurement of ankle brachial index remains the gold standard for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease, percentage mean artery pressure, automatically obtained in ankle brachial index measurement, may be useful to detect falsely elevated ankle brachial index, especially in patients with diabetes.

Useful predictors for critical limb ischemia in severely ischemic limbs.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to determine useful predictors for critical limb ischemia (CLI) occurrence in severely ischemic limbs. The contralateral limbs of patients with unilateral CLI were evaluated, with special respect to pulse volume recording (PVR). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 102 consecutive patients (110 limbs) with unilateral CLI. We excluded patients with bilateral CLI, or without PVR data. PVR data were automatically quantitatively expressed as upstroke time (UT) and percentage mean artery pressure (%MAP). The role of PVR parameters was examined in relation to arterial occlusive disease in the lower limbs. Baseline characteristics and non-invasive laboratory data (including Ankle Brachial Index [ABI] and PVR data) were analyzed as predictors for CLI. RESULTS: After exclusion, 73 contralateral limbs of unilateral CLI patients (mean age, 70±12 years; 51 male, 70%) were investigated. Fifty patients (68%) had diabetes, and 41 patients (56%) were receiving hemodialysis. UT was longer in patients with crural arterial occlusive disease (214±55 versus 183±57 ms, P=0.02), although ABI was not different (P=0.31). In the follow-up of 19±12 months, 25 limbs progressed to CLI, and the cumulative incidence was 28% and 51% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed that abnormal %MAP (hazard ratio 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-27.0; P<0.01), coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypoalbuminemia were significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: %MAP, CAD, and hypoalbuminemia predicted CLI occurrence in the contralateral limbs of unilateral CLI patients.