Neurological improvement following revision of vascular graft remnants in the upper extremity.

Remnant vascular grafts may result in significant neurological deficits owing to compression of adjacent neural structures. We report this finding in two cases after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation and removal of an arteriovenous fistula in the upper extremity. In both cases, removal of the graft, patch arteriotomy, and external neurolysis resulted in significant recovery of neurological function. We review the preoperative workup, diagnostic studies, and technical approach to treatment in an effort to increase recognition among vascular and cardiovascular surgeons and to demonstrate a safe and effective management option through a multidisciplinary approach.

Groin wound management after decannulation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in heart transplantation: Role of sartorius muscle flap.

BACKGROUND: The management of complex groin wounds following VA-ECMO after heart transplant (HT) is uncertain due to limited experience. Sartorius muscle flaps (SMF) have been used in vascular surgery for groin wound complications. However, their use in HT recipients with perioperative VA-ECMO is unclear. This study aims to describe characteristics and outcomes of HT patients with groin complications after arterial decannulation for femoral VA-ECMO. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HT patients who underwent peri-transplant femoral VA-ECMO at our institution from April 2011 to February 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence of cannulation-related wound complications. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients requiring VA-ECMO peri-transplant, 17 (50%) experienced complications at the cannulation site. Baseline characteristics including duration of VA-ECMO support were comparable in both groups. Patients with complications presented mostly with open wounds (41.1%) after a median duration of 22 days post-transplant. Concurrent groin infections were observed in 52.3% of patients, all caused by gram-negative bacteria. Wound complications were managed with 12 (70.6%) undergoing SMF treatment and 5 (31.2%) receiving conventional therapy. Four SMF recipients had preemptive procedures for wound dehiscence, while eight underwent SMF for groin infections. Among the SMF group, 11 patients had favorable outcomes without recurrent complications, except for one patient who developed a groin infection with pseudoaneurysm formation. Conventional therapy with vacuum assisted closure (VAC) and antibiotics were utilized in four patients without infection and one patient with infection. Three patients required additional surgeries with favorable healing of the wound. CONCLUSION: Complications related to femoral VA-ECMO are common in HT patients, with infection being the most frequent complication. SMFs can be a useful tool to prevent progression of infection and improve local healing.

Intraoperative Infusion of Dextran Confers No Additional Benefit after Carotid Endarterectomy but Is Associated with Increased Perioperative Major Adverse Cardiac Events.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative dextran infusion has been associated with reduction of an embolic risk in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Nonetheless, dextran has been associated with adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, hemorrhage, cardiac, and renal complications. Herein, we aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes of CEA stratified by the use of intraoperative dextran infusion using a large multiinstitutional dataset. METHODS: Patients undergoing CEA between 2008 and 2022 from the Vascular Quality Initiative database were reviewed. Patients were categorized by use of intraoperative dextran infusion, and demographics, procedural data, and in-hospital outcomes were compared. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to adjust for differences in patients while assessing the association between postoperative outcomes and intraoperative infusion of dextran. RESULTS: Of 140,893 patients undergoing CEA, 9,935 (7.1%) patients had intraoperative dextran infusion. Patients with intraoperative dextran infusion were older with lower rates of symptomatic stenosis (24.7% vs. 29.3%; P < 0.001) and preoperative use of antiplatelets, anticoagulants and statins. Additionally, they were more likely to have severe carotid stenosis (>80%; 49% vs. 45%; P < 0.001) and undergo CEA under general anesthesia (96.4% vs. 92.3%; P < 0.001), with a more frequent use of shunt (64.4% vs. 49.5%; P < 0.001). After adjustment, multivariable analysis showed that intraoperative dextran infusion was associated with higher odds of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including myocardial infarction [MI] (odds ratio [OR], 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-2.3, P < 0.001), congestive heart failure [CHF] (OR, 2.15, 95% CI: 1.67-2.77, P = 0.001), and hemodynamic instability requiring vasoactive agents (OR, 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.13, P = 0.001). However, it was not associated with decreased odds of stroke (OR, 0.92, 95% CI: 0.74-1.16, P = 0.489) or death (OR, 0.88, 95% CI: 0.58-1.35, P = 0.554). These trends persisted even when stratified by symptomatic status and degree of stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative infusion of dextran was associated with increased odds of MACE, including MI, CHF, and persistent hemodynamic instability, without decreasing the risk of stroke perioperatively. Given these results, judicious use of dextran in patients undergoing CEA is recommended. Furthermore, careful perioperative cardiac management is warranted in select patients receiving intraoperative dextran during CEA.

Renal transplant recipients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair have increased risk of perioperative acute kidney injury but no difference in late mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Renal transplant is associated with substantial survival advantage in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, little is known about the outcomes of renal transplant recipients (RTRs) after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study aimed to study the effect of renal transplant on perioperative outcomes and long-term survival after elective infrarenal EVAR. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative database was queried for all patients undergoing elective EVAR from 2003 to 2021. Functioning RTRs were compared with non-renal transplant recipients without a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (non-RTRs). The outcomes included 30-day mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), new renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), endoleak, aortic-related reintervention, major adverse cardiac events, and 5-year survival. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between RTRs and perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Of 60,522 patients undergoing elective EVAR, 180 (0.3%) were RTRs. RTRs were younger (median, 71 years vs 74.5 years; P < .001), with higher incidence of hypertension (92% vs 84%; P = .004) and diabetes (29% vs 21%; P = .005). RTRs had higher median preoperative serum creatinine (1.3 mg/dL vs 1.0 mg/dL; P < .001) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (51.6 mL/min vs 69.4 mL/min; P < .001). There was no difference in the abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter and incidence of concurrent iliac aneurysms. Procedurally, RTRs were more likely to undergo general anesthesia with lower amount of contrast used (median, 68.6 mL vs 94.8 ml; P < .001) and higher crystalloid infusion (median, 1700 mL vs 1500 mL; P = .039), but no difference was observed in the incidence of open conversion, endoleak, operative time, and blood loss. Postoperatively, RTRs experienced a higher rate of AKI (9.4% vs 2.7%; P < .001), but the need for new RRT was similar (1.1% vs 0.4%; P = .15). There was no difference in the rates of postoperative mortality, aortic-related reintervention, and major adverse cardiac events. After adjustment for potential confounders, RTRs remained associated with increased odds of postoperative AKI (odds ratio, 3.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.93-5.76; P < .001) but had no association with other postoperative complications. A subgroup analysis identified that diabetes (odds ratio, 4.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-15.14; P = .02) is associated with increased odds of postoperative AKI among RTRs. At 5 years, the overall survival rates were similar (83.4% vs 80%; log-rank P = .235). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing elective infrarenal EVAR, RTRs were independently associated with increased odds of postoperative AKI, without increased postoperative renal failure requiring RRT, mortality, endoleak, aortic-related reintervention, or major adverse cardiac events. Furthermore, 5-year survival was similar. As such, while EVAR may confer comparable benefits and technical success perioperatively, RTRs should have aggressive and maximally optimized renal protection to mitigate the risk of postoperative AKI.

Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters-Use, Removal, and Removal Techniques.

The use of retrievable inferior vena cava filters is on the rise, but there is an inadequate number of these filters being removed even if their use as a prophylactic for venous thromboembolism is no longer indicated. Complications with retrievable filters that remain in the patient for an extended duration include examples such as filter tilt and embedding into the caval wall. This raises concerns for whether the filter is properly functioning and for consequent sequelae, including recurrent thrombosis, stenosis, or inferior vena cava perforation. With these complications, there are also challenges to retrieving these filters via the standard techniques and thus more advanced techniques are required. Both standard and advanced techniques, their uses, and possible risks of these methods are also discussed.

Modern approaches and innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular diseases.

Amongst the three major vascular beds (coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral), peripheral vascular disease (PVD) has traditionally received the least attention, despite its growing global burden. The aging population has led to the increased prevalence of PVD, thereby increasing visibility to its various diagnostic and treatment modalities. In the past decade, research and development of innovations in the management of PVD has exploded. Modern advances in imaging, molecular technology, medical devices, and surgical techniques have reduced the morbidity and mortality of PVD. However, many challenges still remain due to the debilitating and progressive nature of this disease. In this article, we will introduce some common vascular diseases, the state of art in diagnosis and treatment, the limitations of modern technology, and our vision for this field over the next decade.

"Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Not Just the Bowel's Bane": Peripheral Arterial and Venous Thrombosis in a Patient With Crohn Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic multisystem inflammatory condition with associated endothelial dysfunction and dysregulated coagulation. Although deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in IBD has been well described, arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism are less commonly appreciated. METHODS: A 63-year-old male with a known history of Crohn disease presented with acute-onset right arm pain. His past vascular history was significant for left lower extremity DVT with an existing inferior vena cava filter and acute ischemia of the right lower extremity requiring a below-knee amputation a year ago. Imaging revealed acute brachial, ulnar, and radial artery thrombosis. RESULTS: Patient underwent an open right brachial, radial, and ulnar thrombectomy to restore vascular flow. He required multiple exploration and thrombectomy for reocclusion of the vessels in the early postoperative period. He later developed a rapidly deteriorating clinical status, flank ecchymosis and swelling concerning for soft tissue ischemia, and compartment syndrome heralding an eventual hemodynamic collapse. On exploration, he was found to have chronic fibrosis of his left femoral vein and femoral artery occlusion. Clinically, the patient deteriorated rapidly, which resulted in his demise. CONCLUSION: The inflammatory reaction in IBD leads to arterial stiffening and hypercoagulability, which should theoretically increase the risk for vascular disease. Although the link between IBD and DVT is well established, arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism remain widely debated, with some implications for therapeutic intervention. The link between vascular thrombosis and IBD must be examined further, as the treatment and prevention of vascular complications in IBD depends on our understanding of this relationship.

Repair of Circumflex Aortic Arch in an Adult.

We describe the diagnoses and repair of a symptomatic circumflex aortic arch in an adult.

Successful Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome with Pseudoaneurysm Excision and Median Nerve Neurolysis.

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly referred to as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is a pain syndrome characterized by severe pain, altered autonomic and motor function, and trophic changes. CRPS is usually associated with soft tissue injury or trauma. It has also been described as a rare complication of arterial access for angiography secondary to pseudoaneurysm formation. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 73-year-old woman underwent catheterization of the left brachial artery for angiography of the celiac artery. The following day, the patient noticed numbness and severe pain in the median nerve distribution of the left upper extremity. Over the next 6 months, the patient developed CRPS in the left hand with pain and signs of autonomic dysfunction. Further work-up revealed the formation of a left brachial artery pseudoaneurysm with impingement on the median nerve. She underwent excision of the pseudoaneurysm with decompression and neurolysis of the left median nerve. Approximately 6 weeks after surgery, the patient had noticed significant improvement in autonomic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This case involves a unique presentation of CRPS caused by brachial artery angiography and pseudoaneurysm formation. In addition, the case demonstrates the efficacy of pseudoaneurysm excision and median nerve neurolysis in the treatment of CRPS as a rare complication of arterial angiography.

The survival benefit of kidney transplantation in the setting of combined peripheral arterial disease and end-stage renal failure.

Given the deleterious effects of concomitant peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and severe renal disease, a role for aggressive screening and management of PAD in renal failure patients has been suggested. However, limited data exist detailing the impact of PAD on kidney waitlist survival and the potential benefit of transplantation in PAD. Multivariable COX regression and Kaplan-Meier survival models were fit using UNOS data to assess kidney waitlist and post-transplant five-yr survival. Compared to PAD-Dial- (no PAD or dialysis) waitlist survival, PAD+Dial- was associated with a 36%, PAD-Dial+ a 95%, and PAD+Dial+ a 190% increased risk of death. A significant survival benefit of kidney transplantation was identified in the PAD population (p < 0.001, HR = 0.440 comparing post-transplant to waitlist survival). Time to survival benefit (equal mortality between waitlist and post-transplant population) of kidney transplantation in PAD+ was realized 2.5 times sooner in pre-emptive transplantation than transplant after dialysis (154 d vs. 381 d), per unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a survival benefit of kidney transplantation in the setting of PAD. Pre-emptive transplantation with emphasis on living donation prior to dialysis should be advocated to improve outcomes in this high risk patient population.

Safety and efficacy of thrombin-JMI: a multidisciplinary expert group consensus.

BACKGROUND: The use of bovine thrombin has been an effective approach to aiding hemostasis during surgery for over 60 years. Its use has a reported association with the development of antibodies to coagulation factors with limited evidence to the clinical significance. METHODS: The Collaborative Delphi survey methodology was used to develop a consensus on specified topic areas from a panel of 12 surgeons/scientists who have had experience with topical thrombins; it consisted of 2 rounds of a Web-based survey and a final live discussion. RESULTS: Some key issues that reached consensus included: bovine, human plasma-derived and recombinant human thrombin are equally effective hemostatic agents with similar adverse event rates, and immunogenicity to a topical protein rarely translate into adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Although a risk of immunogenicity is associated with all topical thrombins, no conclusive clinical evidence is available that these antibodies have any significant effect on short- and long-term clinical consequences.

Prevalence of moderate or severe chronic kidney disease in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease versus mild or moderate peripheral arterial disease.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prevalence of moderate or severe chronic kidney disease in patients with severe versus mild or moderate peripheral arterial disease. MATERIAL/METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of moderate or severe chronic kidney disease diagnosed as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in 130 patients with severe peripheral arterial disease (ankle-brachial index <0.60) and in 192 patients with mild or moderate peripheral arterial disease (ankle-brachial index 0.60-0.89) seen in a vascular surgery outpatient clinic. RESULTS: An estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30 ml/min/1.73 m2 was present in 51 of 322 patients (16%) with peripheral arterial disease, of 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 was present in 172 of 322 patients (53%) with peripheral arterial disease, and of ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was present in 99 of 322 patients (31%) with peripheral arterial disease. An estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was present in 105 of 130 patients (81%) with an ankle-brachial index <0.60 and in 118 of 192 patients (61%) with an ankle-brachial index of 0.60-0.89 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of moderate or severe chronic kidney disease is high in patients with peripheral arterial disease and is significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease than in patients with mild or moderate peripheral arterial disease.

Incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction and of 2-year mortality in 577 elderly patients undergoing noncardiac vascular surgery treated with and without statins.

Of 577 patients, mean age 74 years, undergoing noncardiac vascular surgery, 300 (52%) had carotid endarterectomy, 179 (31%) had lower extremity revascularization, and 98 (17%) had abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Of the 577 patients, 302 (52%) were treated with statins. Perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in 18 of 302 patients (6%) treated with statins and in 38 of 275 patients (14%) not treated with statins (p=0.001). Two-year mortality occurred in 18 of 302 patients (6%) treated with statins and in 43 of 275 patients (16%) not treated with statins (p=0.0002). Perioperative MI or mortality occurred in 34 of 302 patients (11%) treated with statins and in 74 of 275 patients (27%) not treated with statins (p<0.0001). Stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that significant independent prognostic factors for perioperative MI or death were use of statins (risk ratio=RR=0.43, p<0.0001), use of beta blockers (RR=0.55, p=0.002), carotid endarterectomy (RR=0.60, p=0.009), and diabetes (RR=1.5, p=0.045). In conclusion, patients undergoing noncardiac vascular surgery treated with statins had a 57% less chance of having perioperative MI or death at 2-year follow-up after controlling for other variables.

Prevalence of risk factors and of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, carotid arterial disease and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease in 96 patients undergoing elective surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Ninety-six patients (77 men and 19 women), with a mean (± SD) age of 77±9 years, underwent elective surgery between 2006 and 2007 for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) greater than 5.5 cm in diameter. Of the 96 patients with an AAA, 31 (32%) were smokers, 85 (89%) had hypertension, 78 (81%) were treated with statins for hypercholesterolemia and 24 (25%) had diabetes mellitus. As well, 71 (74%) had coronary artery disease, 17 (18%) had a previous ischemic stroke, 19 (20%) had carotid arterial disease and 37 (39%) had peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities.

Relation of increased hemoglobin A(1c) levels to severity of peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes mellitus.

The association between hemoglobin A(1c) levels and the severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was investigated in 224 patients with diabetes mellitus and PAD. The mean hemoglobin A(1c) levels were 9.1 +/- 2.1% in patients with diabetes with ankle-brachial indexes (ABIs) <0.60 and 7.1 +/- 0.9% in those with ABIs of 0.60 to 0.89 (p <0.0001). Hemoglobin A(1c) levels <6.5% were present in 2 of 89 patients with diabetes (2%) with ABIs <0.60 and in 24 of 135 (18%) with ABIs of 0.60 to 0.89 (p = 0.0004). Hemoglobin A(1c) levels <7.0% were present in 24 of 89 patients with diabetes (27%) with ABIs <0.60 and in 63 of 135 (47%) with ABIs of 0.60 to 0.89 (p = 0.003). Hemoglobin A(1c) levels <7.5% were present in 30 of 89 patients with diabetes (34%) with ABIs <0.60 and in 92 of 135 (68%) with ABIs of 0.60 to 0.89 (p <0.0001). In conclusion, the higher the hemoglobin A(1c) levels in patients with diabetes with PAD, the higher the prevalence of severe PAD.

Mortality and size of abdominal aortic aneurysm at long-term follow-up of patients not treated surgically and treated with and without statins.

Of 130 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) not treated surgically, 75 (58%) were treated with statins. The sizes of the AAAs were 4.6 +/- 0.6 cm at baseline and 4.5 +/- 0.6 cm at 23-month follow-up in patients treated with statins (p = NS) and 4.5 +/- 0.6 cm at baseline and 5.3 +/- 0.6 cm at 24-month follow-up in patients not treated with statins (p < 0.001). Four of 75 patients (5%) treated with statins died at 45-month follow-up, and 9 of 55 patients (16%) not treated with statins died at 44-month follow-up (p < 0.05).

Cerebrovascular events associated with infusion through arterially malpositioned triple-lumen catheter: report of three cases and review of literature.

Analysis of 10 adult patients treated from January 1998 to November 2004 for arterial misplacement of triple-lumen catheter (TLC) during internal jugular vein cannulation was performed. Three cases that developed neurologic symptoms occurring in the context of infusion through a TLC that was arterially malpositioned are presented, along with the review of literature. In 7 patients, the diagnosis of arterial misplacement was suspected by the color or flow characteristics of blood and confirmed by a combination of blood gas analysis, connecting catheter to transducer, and/or chest film. In the remaining 3 patients, intraarterial misplacement was not suspected. In these patients, the initial review of chest films by qualified physicians prior to starting infusion failed to detect malposition of the catheter. Retrospectively, subtle clues suggestive of arterially placed TLCs were found. All 3 patients developed neurologic symptoms. Initiation of neurologic workup delayed a correct diagnosis by 6 to >48 hours. A volumetric pump was used for infusion in all patients. Of the 3 patients with neurologic symptoms, 1 recovered completely, 1 became comatose, and 1 partially improved. Based on our observations and review of literature, we conclude that cursory examination of chest films to verify proper positioning of central venous catheter attempted through the internal jugular vein may fail to detect arterial malposition. Infusion by volumetric pump precludes backflow of blood in the intravenous tubing as an indicator. Neurologic symptoms concurrent with the infusion of fluids and medication should raise suspicion of accidental arterial infusion.