Management of patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia across three consecutive eras.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular intervention (EI) is the most commonly used modality for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). Since the inception of this technique, numerous publications have reported the associated clinical outcomes. However, no publication has reported the comparative outcomes over a period of time in which both the stent platform and adjunctive medical therapy have evolved. This study aims to assess the impact of the concomitant evolution of both the endovascular approach and optimal guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) on CMI outcomes over three consecutive time eras. METHODS: A retrospective review at a quaternary center from January 2003 to August 2020 was performed to identify patients who underwent EIs for CMI. The patients were divided into three groups based on the date of intervention: early (2003-2009), mid (2010-2014), and late (2015-2020). At least one angioplasty/stent was performed for the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and/or celiac artery. The patients' short- and mid-term outcomes were compared between the groups. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were also conducted to evaluate the clinical predictors for primary patency loss in SMA only subgroup. RESULTS: A total of 278 patients were included (early, 74; mid, 95; late, 109). The overall mean age was 71 years, and 70% were females. High technical success (early, 98.6%; mid, 100%; late, 100%; P = .27) and immediate resolution of symptoms (early, 86.3%; mid, 93.7%; late, 90.8%; P = .27) were noted over the three eras. In both the celiac artery and SMA cohorts, the use of bare metal stents (BMS) declined over time (early, 99.0%; mid, 90.3%; late, 65.5%; P < .001) with a proportionate increase in covered stents (CS) (early, 0.99%; mid, 9.7%; late, 28.9%; P < .001). The use of postoperative antiplatelet and statins has increased over time (early, 89.2%; mid, 97.9%; late, 99.1%; P = .003) and (early, 47%; mid, 68%; late, 81%; P = .001), respectively. In the SMA stent-only cohort, no significant differences were noted in primary patency rates between BMS and CS (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-2.87; P = .94). High-intensity preoperative statins were associated with fewer primary patency loss events compared to none/low- or moderate-intensity statins (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.72; P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent outcomes were observed for CMI EIs across three consecutive eras. In the SMA stent-only cohort, no statistically significant difference in early primary patency was noted for CS and BMS, making the use of CS at additional cost controversial and possibly not cost effective. Notably, the preoperative high-intensity statins were associated with improved SMA primary patency. These findings demonstrate the importance of guideline-directed medical therapy as an essential adjunct to EI in the treatment of CMI.

A nationwide analysis of median arcuate ligament release between 2010 and 2020: a NSQIP Study.

BACKGROUND: Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a rare disease with overlapping symptoms of broad foregut pathology. Appropriately selected patients can benefit from a laparoscopic or open median arcuate ligament release. Institutional series have reported the outcomes of open and laparoscopic techniques but there are no nationwide analysis comparing both techniques and overall trends in treatment. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Project from 2010 to 2020. Celiac artery compression syndrome cases were identified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and categorized as open or laparoscopic. Trends in the use of each technique and 30-day complications were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 578 open cases (76%) and 185 laparoscopic cases (24%) were identified. There was an increase adoption of the laparoscopic approach, with 22% of the cases employing this technique at the end of the study period, compared to 7% at the beginning of the study period. The open group had a higher prevalence of hypertension (26% vs 18%, p = 0.04) and bleeding disorders (5% vs 2%, p 0.03). Laparoscopic approach had a shorter length of stay (2.3 days vs 5.2 days, p < 0.0001), lower major complication rates (0.5% vs 4.0%, p = 0.02) and lower reoperation rates (0% vs 2.6%, p = 0.03). Overall mortality was 0.1%. CONCLUSION: Overall numbers of surgical intervention for treatment of median arcuate ligament increased during this timeframe, as well as increased utilization of the laparoscopic approach. It appears to be an overall safe procedure, offering lower rates of complications and shorter length of stay.

Improving midterm results justify the continued use of bare-metal stents for endovascular therapy for chronic mesenteric ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the contemporary results of interventions in the celiac axis (CA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) and factors associated with patency and symptom-free survival. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with CMI treated with angioplasty and stenting with bare-metal stents from 2003 to 2014 was conducted. Demographic, history, risk factor, preoperative testing, and technical variables were collected and subject to univariate analysis, with end points of patency loss. The patients were divided into early (2003-2008) and late (2009-2014) groups to compare early and contemporary results. Correlates of patency were then subject to further univariate and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2014, there were 150 patients (39 men, 111 women; age, 70.7 ± 11.1 years) with CMI who underwent interventions on the CA (56 vessels) and the SMA (133 vessels); 38 patients had both CA and SMA intervention. Primary patency for the CA was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73-99) at 1 year and 66% (95% CI, 46-87) 3 years; for the SMA, primary patency was 81% (95% CI, 72-89) at 1 year and 69.0% (95% CI, 58-81) at 3 years. Increased age was associated with improved results in the SMA (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.00; P = .028). Chronic total occlusion in the SMA conferred worse patency compared with stenosis (HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.03-5.47; P = .042), and younger patients (<70 years) had a higher proportion of SMA occlusion (38.9% vs 22.8; P = .045). In the SMA, comparing early (2003-2008; 68 patients) vs late (2009-2014; 65 patients), primary patency was better in the late experience (3 years, 59% vs 77%; P = .016). The late cohort was older (early, 68.1 ± 12.5 years vs 72.5 ± 9.7 years; P = .024). The late cohort had a higher incidence of ostial flaring of the stent (early, 44.1%; late, 72.3%; P < .001). Multivariable analysis revealed only ostial flaring to be associated with improved patency in the SMA (HR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.12-0.69; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Intervention for CMI has acceptable midterm results, and with experience and adoption of newer techniques, the results appear to be improving. Patients older than 70 years have better results than younger patients, and this may reflect a more malignant presentation in the younger patients. Ostial flaring proved to be the single factor on multivariate analysis associated with improved patency and was adopted in the late group. These data support the continued use of bare-metal stents in the treatment of CMI.

Inferior vena cava occlusion causing syncope during upper extremity exertion treated with iliocaval venous revascularization.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis is rare, but its incidence is increased in those with IVC filters or inflammatory bowel disease. Once the IVC is thrombosed, venous return is via collateral channels on the torso and retroperitoneum. Limitations in this collateral venous return can result in symptoms, usually in the lower extremities. Syncope and dyspnea are rare. We report a patient with a 1-year history of worsening syncope when working with his upper extremities. Iliocaval venous occlusion with lack of accommodation of venous return at the thoracic outlet was diagnosed. Treatment with iliocaval stenting resolved his symptoms.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic aorto-aortic bypass: initial experience in a porcine model.

Videoscopic surgical techniques have been developed to reduce morbidity of open aortic reconstructions. The advantage of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) technique is the introduction of the surgeon's hand into the peritoneal cavity. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility and to examine the learning curve, limitations, and pitfalls of the HALS technique to perform aortic reconstruction in a porcine model for training purposes. HALS aorto-aortic 8 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition grafts were placed in 12 pigs. Proficiency was judged by measuring operative time points, satisfactory completion of the operation, and the need to convert to open procedure. The strength of the relationship between order number in which a procedure was performed and the various surgical time point measures was described with the Spearman rank correlation. HALS aortic grafting was successful in the last 8 pigs. The first 2 pigs required conversion to open repair, and the graft of the third and fourth animals occluded early. Median operative time was 115 minutes (range: 75 to 205), median intestinal retraction time was 28 minutes (range: 10 to 40), median aortoiliac dissection time was 30 minutes (range: 20 to 60), and median aortic cross-clamp time was 48 minutes (range: 35 to 82). The Spearman rank correlations and p values between the order of the procedure and the intestinal retraction time, aortoiliac dissection time, clamping time, and total operative time were -0.62 (0.06), -0.47 (0.17), -0.69 (0.03), and -0.83 (0.03), respectively. HALS facilitates intestinal retraction and completion of laparoscopic aortoiliac dissection. It offers adequate exposure in pigs for aortic grafting and allows open sutured aortic anastomosis. The learning curve for HALS aortic surgery in a porcine model is short and within reach of surgeons with standard laparoscopic surgery skills, since no laparoscopic suturing is required. Training on this porcine model may be an efficient and safe way to introduce surgeons to HALS for aortoiliac reconstruction.

Spontaneous dissection of the infrarenal abdominal aorta.

Spontaneous infrarenal abdominal aortic dissection is rare. We observed enlargement of a spontaneous infrarenal aortoiliac dissection in a 55-year-old hypertensive man. Open surgical repair with a bifurcated polyester graft was successful. A review of the English literature found 41 previously published cases. Mean age was 58 years, 74% of the patients were male, and 62% had hypertension. None had Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. More than three fourths of the patients had symptoms, 6 patients (14%) presented with aortic rupture. Dissection was limited to the infrarenal aorta in 50% and extended into the iliac or femoral arteries in 50%. Three patients died before treatment, no death occurred after endovascular repair of after elective open aortic grafting. Mortality following rupture was 67%. Abdominal aortic dissection did not reoccur but 1 patient died at 14 month because of rupture of a thoracic aneurysm. Spontaneous infrarenal abdominal aortic dissections are rare, but usually symptomatic and 14% rupture. Rupture carries high mortality. Elective open repair is recommended, but endovascular repair is a new treatment option for suitable patients.

Current results of open revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia: a standard for comparison.

OBJECTIVE: Questions remain concerning the optimal site of graft origin and the extent of revascularization necessary to achieve excellent results for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). Endovascular therapy also is performed for CMI. These factors prompted us to review our results to provide a current standard. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who underwent operation for CMI from 1989 to 1998 were reviewed. Patients with acute ischemia and arcuate ligament syndrome were excluded. RESULTS: Seventy-six women (78%) and 22 men (22%), with an average age of 66 years (range, 36 to 87 years), participated in the study. Abdominal pain was present in 95 patients (97%), and weight loss in 92 patients (94%). The superior mesenteric artery was severely diseased (70% to 99% stenosis or occlusion) in 90 patients (92%), the celiac artery in 81 patients (83%), and both arteries in 76 patients (78%). Bypass grafts were performed in 91 patients (93%), 77 antegrade and 14 retrograde. Of the other seven patients, five had endarterectomies, one reimplantation, and one patch angioplasty. Multivessel reconstruction was performed in 79 patients (81%), and single-vessel reconstruction in 19 (19%). Twelve patients had concomitant aortic reconstruction. Three early graft thromboses were seen. Five hospital deaths occurred (5.1%); one case had concomitant aortic reconstruction (1/12 versus 4/86; P = not significant). All five patients who died were older than 70 years (5/41 versus 0/57; P =.011). The median follow-up period was 1.9 years (range, 0 to 9.6 years). Follow-up was complete in all survivors. The 1-year, 5-year, and 8-year survival rates were 83%, 63%, and 55%, respectively. These rates were worse than the rates of the age-matched/gender-matched control subjects (P <.001). Survival was worse in patients greater than 70 years of age (P =.0013). Survival was unaffected by the number of vessels revascularized. The patients with retrograde grafts had decreased median survival rates (4.0 versus 5.7 years; P =.026), but they were older (75 versus 65 years; P =.0013). The 1-year and 5-year symptom-free survival rates were 95% and 92%, respectively. Symptoms recurred in six patients (6%): four had recurrent stenosis/occlusion and two had patent grafts. Symptom-free survival was unaffected by the number of vessels revascularized or by graft orientation. CONCLUSION: Operation for CMI was successful for most patients, with low operative mortality and excellent long-term relief of symptoms. Selective concomitant aortic procedures did not increase mortality rates. The rate of symptomatic recurrences was not different for single-vessel versus multiple-vessel reconstructions or for antegrade versus retrograde grafts. Patients older than 70 years had increased operative mortality and decreased survival rates. Endovascular therapy may be appropriate for this subset of patients.

Contemporary management of acute mesenteric ischemia: Factors associated with survival.

PURPOSE: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a morbid condition with a difficult diagnosis and a high rate of complications, which is associated with a high mortality rate. For the evaluation of the results of current management and the examination of factors associated with survival, we reviewed our experience. METHODS: The clinical data of all the patients who underwent operation for AMI between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1999, were retrospectively reviewed, clinical outcome was recorded, and factors associated with survival rate were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (22 men and 36 women; mean age, 67 years; age range, 35 to 96 years) underwent study. The cause of AMI was embolism in 16 patients (28%), thrombosis in 37 patients (64%), and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NMI) in five patients (8.6%). Abdominal pain was the most frequent presenting symptom (95%). Twenty-five patients (43%) had previous symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia. All the patients underwent abdominal exploration, preceded with arteriography in 47 (81%) and with endovascular treatment in eight. Open mesenteric revascularization was performed in 43 patients (bypass grafting, n = 22; thromboembolectomy, n = 19; patch angioplasty, n = 11; endarterectomy, n = 5; reimplantation, n = 2). Thirty-one patients (53%) needed bowel resection at the first operation. Twenty-three patients underwent second-look procedures, 11 patients underwent bowel resections (repeat resection, n = 9), and three patients underwent exploration only. The 30-day mortality rate was 32%. The rate was 31% in patients with embolism, 32% in patients with thrombosis, and 80% in patients with NMI. Multiorgan failure (n = 18 patients) was the most frequent cause of death. The cumulative survival rates at 90 days, at 1 year, and at 3 years were 59%, 43%, and 32%, respectively, which was lower than the rate of a Midwestern white control population (P <.001). Six of the 16 late deaths (38%) occurred because of complications of mesenteric ischemia. Age less than 60 years (P <.003) and bowel resection (P =.03) were associated with improved survival rates. CONCLUSION: The contemporary management of AMI with revascularization with open surgical techniques, resection of nonviable bowel, and liberal use of second-look procedures results in the early survival of two thirds of the patients with embolism and thrombosis. Older patients, those who did not undergo bowel resection, and those with NMI have the highest mortality rates. The long-term survival rate remains dismal. Timely revascularization in patients who are symptomatic with chronic mesenteric ischemia should be considered to decrease the high mortality rate of AMI.