Endovascular Stent Repair of Aortic Coarctation in a Developing Country: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: CoA remains one of the most common congenital heart diseases and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and if untreated. We aim to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and outcomes of endovascular stenting of Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in a developing country with limited resources and compare it to available benchmarks. MATERIALS/METHODS: A retrospectively review of all patients who underwent endovascular stent repair of aortic coarctation at our tertiary center since 2009 was done. RESULTS: 18 patients were identified, sixteen had native CoA, while two had recurrent CoA. mean age at the time of procedure was 21.2 ± 9.8 years (range 10-45 years), and 12(66%) patients were males. The mean follow-up duration was 4 ± 2.8 years. Post stenting, the average ascending-to-descending aorta systolic gradient decreased by 42.9 ± 20.4 mmHg (p < 0.001). After the intervention, 13(72.2%) patients achieved normal BP while 5(27.8%) had residual hypertension. Fourteen patients received bare-metal stents, and four had covered stents. Attempted stent implantation was successful in all patients. Our procedural success rate was 94%. On follow-up, no dissections or aneurysmal changes were detected, four patients underwent re-expansion of the stent, one patient with suboptimal stenting result required surgery 6 months after stenting, and two patients had minor post-operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stenting for de-novo or recurrent CoA in children and adults at a tertiary center in a developing country is feasible and safe with outcomes comparable to developed countries. A multidisciplinary team approach is paramount in achieving good results and low complication rates in limited-resource settings.

Major lower extremity amputations in a developing country: 10-Year experience at a tertiary medical center.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity amputation (LEA) is a major surgical procedure with a high risk of significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe mortality and functionality outcomes following this procedure in a developing country. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all patients undergoing LEA for non-traumatic etiology between 2007 and 2017. Medical records were used to retrieve demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative complications of identified patients. Patients were contacted to follow-up on their medical, postoperative care, and ambulatory status. Mortality and postoperative functionality rates were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 78 patients. Median follow-up duration was 24 months. Hypertension (81%) and diabetes (79%) were the most common comorbidities. Mortality rates at 30 days, 1, and 5 years were 10.3, 29.2, and 65.5%, respectively. Mortality was significantly associated with age > 70 at amputation (p = 0.042), hypertension (p = 0.003), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.031), and perioperative sepsis (p = 0.01). Only 1.6% of patients were discharged into a specialized care center, and only 27% of patients were ambulatory postoperatively, although 90.5% were fitted with a prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Survival following major amputation in a developing country is currently comparable to more developed regions of the world. Major discrepancy seems to exist in ambulatory status following the procedure. Discharge placement policies should be properly set, and rehabilitation centers funding should be increased. Awareness may also be warranted to educate patients and families about the value and positive impact of rehabilitation centers.

Bilateral Carotid Patch Infection Occurring 12 years Following Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the most commonly used invasive procedure for treatment of carotid stenosis. Different methods are used to close the arteriotomy including primary closure and patch repair with a graft. Prosthetic patch infection is a rare but serious complication of patch closure, and we will present a unique case of carotid patch infection (CPI) 12 years after implantation. CASE: Patient is 76-year-old male ex-smoker with history of bilateral CEA with Dacron patch closure 12 years prior to presentation. He had a left neck draining sinus one year prior to presentation that was treated by patch excision and ICA ligation. He presented to us one year later with a right neck draining sinus tract, reaching the carotid sheath on CT scan. Surgery was done under EEG and NIRS oximetry with shunting. Excision of the patch with the involved ICA was done. CCA to distal ICA bypass was done by a reversed GSV graft. Intraoperative cultures of the patch grew Staphylococcus species coagulase negative, so the patient was discharged on antibiotics for one month. The patient had early postoperative swallowing difficulty that resolved over six weeks but no other complications. Patient was followed-up every three months and he was doing well on one-year follow-up. DISCUSSION: Carotid patch infection is a well-documented complication of CEA with a prevalence between 0.27% and 1%. It most commonly presents as a pseudoaneurysm, draining sinus or neck swelling. The highest incidence is during the first year after the operation, and especially within the first three months postop due to contamination or wound infections; however, late presentations such as our case are rare. Bacterial cultures are positive in around 80% of the cases, growing mostly gram-positive cocci. Other organisms include Pseudomonas and Enterobacter. Management of CPI is challenging; difficulties include distal ICA control, friable arteries and adhesions to cranial nerves. Debridement with ligation of the vessel stump is an option, but may not be tolerated. Best outcomes are obtained with autogenous revascularization after debridement as was done in our case on the right side. Newer endovascular techniques may provide alternatives in urgent or high-risk situations, especially as staged procedures. This case is unique in its bilaterality and the longest time till presentation in the literature.