Endovascular treatment with aortic endoprostheses for subclavian artery aneurysm secondary to late traumatic axillary-axillary arteriovenous fistula.

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) involving the axillary and subclavian vessels are uncommon and account for 5 to 10% of all arterial traumas. The complex anatomy of this region makes treatment of this segment challenging. In this therapeutic challenge, we describe the case of a 73-year-old man, referred for progressive edema and ulceration involving the right upper limb and with a history of gunshot wound to the right infraclavicular region about 50 years previously. Angiotomography was performed and an axillary-axillary AVF was found, associated with tortuosity and aneurysmatic dilation of the subclavian artery downstream. He underwent endovascular intervention and a conical (monoiliac) 26 × 14 × 90 mm Braile® endoprosthesis was used in the aneurysmatic subclavian artery, posterior to the exit of the right vertebral artery and a 16 × 16 × 95mm Excluder® monoiliac endoprosthesis was placed overlapping the first prosthesis, showing a satisfactory result. Therefore, the possibility of successfully using aortic endoprostheses in an unusual and exceptional situation is described.

Tratamento endovascular com endoprótese aórtica para aneurisma de artéria subclávia secundário à fístula arteriovenosa axilo-axilar traumática tardia / Endovascular treatment with aortic endoprostheses for subclavian artery aneurysm secondary to late traumatic axillary-axillary arteriovenous fistula

Resumo As fístulas arteriovenosas (FAVs) traumáticas envolvendo os vasos axilares e subclávios são incomuns e correspondem de 5 a 10% de todos os traumas arteriais. A anatomia complexa dessa região torna desafiador o tratamento desse segmento. Neste desafio terapêutico, descrevemos o caso de um homem de 73 anos, encaminhado por edema progressivo e úlcera no membro superior direito, com história pregressa de ferimento por arma de fogo na região infraclavicular direita há cerca de 50 anos. Foi realizada angiotomografia e identificou-se FAV axilo-axilar associada à tortuosidade e dilatação aneurismática de artéria subclávia a jusante. O paciente foi submetido à intervenção endovascular com endoprótese cônica (monoilíaca) 26 × 14 × 90 mm Braile® na artéria subclávia aneurismática, posterior à saída da artéria vertebral direita, e endoprótese monoilíaca 16 × 16 × 95 mm Excluder® com sobreposição na primeira prótese, apresentando resultado satisfatório. Portanto, descreve-se a possibilidade de utilização de endoprótese aórtica em situação incomum e de exceção, com sucesso.

Abstract Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) involving the axillary and subclavian vessels are uncommon and account for 5 to 10% of all arterial traumas. The complex anatomy of this region makes treatment of this segment challenging. In this therapeutic challenge, we describe the case of a 73-year-old man, referred for progressive edema and ulceration involving the right upper limb and with a history of gunshot wound to the right infraclavicular region about 50 years previously. Angiotomography was performed and an axillary-axillary AVF was found, associated with tortuosity and aneurysmatic dilation of the subclavian artery downstream. He underwent endovascular intervention and a conical (monoiliac) 26 × 14 × 90 mm Braile® endoprosthesis was used in the aneurysmatic subclavian artery, posterior to the exit of the right vertebral artery and a 16 × 16 × 95mm Excluder® monoiliac endoprosthesis was placed overlapping the first prosthesis, showing a satisfactory result. Therefore, the possibility of successfully using aortic endoprostheses in an unusual and exceptional situation is described.

The prevalence of and predictors to indicate bilateral venous duplex ultrasound testing to detect contralateral asymptomatic lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in patients with acute symptomatic lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of and predictors to indicate bilateral venous duplex ultrasound (DU) to detect contralateral asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with acute symptomatic lower extremity DVT. METHODS: Venous DU reports along with medical records of the patients were collected from February 2005 to April 2012 in a tertiary university hospital in Botucatu, Brazil. All patients with DVT detected in one lower extremity routinely underwent contralateral limb venous DU examination. Exclusion criteria were previous DVT in the contralateral asymptomatic limb, thrombophlebitis, workup for pulmonary embolism, and bilateral symptomatic lower extremities. RESULTS: Scans were done in 579 patients to rule out contralateral lower extremity DVT whenever DVT was confirmed in the ipsilateral lower extremity; of these, 108 patients (18.6%) had an abnormal finding on DU examination for DVT in the contralateral limb, which was proximal DVT in 71.5%. Age >60 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.447-7.670), malignant disease (OR, 5.21; 95% CI, 1.943-14.015), and the association of trauma plus malignant disease (OR, 7.11; 95% CI, 1.640-30.863) were the main predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Age >60 years, malignant disease, lower extremity trauma, inpatient status, and recent hospitalization are risk factors associated with a high incidence of asymptomatic contralateral lower extremity DVT in patients with ipsilateral lower extremity DVT. Therefore, we recommend routine performance of a venous DU examination on the contralateral lower extremity whenever these risk factors are present in patients with ipsilateral lower extremity DVT.

Polidocanol versus hypertonic glucose for sclerotherapy treatment of reticular veins of the lower limbs: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic venous disease is high and occurs more frequently in females. According to the clinical, etiological, anatomical, and pathological classification (CEAP) definition, the reticular veins are included in the C1 class and are mainly associated with aesthetic complaints. Several invasive techniques are used for treatment, including mini phlebectomy, laser ablation, and radiofrequency ablation. However, a wide range of sclerosing agents may serve as minimally invasive alternatives, promoting chemical sclerosis of the vein wall. Although this technique is routinely performed around the world, there is no consensus on the most efficacious and safe chemical agent to be used. METHODS/DESIGN: Inclusion criteria are women between 18 and 69 years old with at least 10 cm long reticular veins in the lower limbs, on the outer side of the leg/thigh. Patients with CEAP 2 to 6, or with allergies, pregnancy, performing breastfeeding, or with any dermatologic or clinical problems will be excluded. Patients with venous ultrasound mapping showing involvement of saphenous trunks and/or a deep venous system will also be excluded. Patients will be randomized into two groups, one receiving 75% pure glucose and the other group receiving 0.2% polidocanol diluted in 70% glucose. Just one limb and one session per patient will be performed. The sclerosing agent volume will not exceed 5 mL. Clinical follow-up will include visits on days 7 and 60, always with photographic documentation. DISCUSSION: This project aims to enroll 96 patients and subject them to a double-blind treatment after the randomization process. The design is intended to evaluate efficacy through a primary end point and safety through a secondary end point. Forty-eight patients have currently been enrolled. Preliminary results for these patients showed that 25 received treatment, 2 were excluded, and 22 returned after 7 days and showed no greater adverse events. To date, establishing efficacy criteria has not been possible, and no patients have reached the 60-day return point. These data may help doctors choose the best chemical agent for the treatment of reticular veins. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02054325, 3/02/2014.