Case report: Isolated dissection of the left gastric artery: an unusual cause of acute abdominal pain.

Spontaneous and isolated dissection of the left gastric artery is a rare occurrence, with only a handful of cases reported in the medical literature. Clinical presentation may mimic more common intra-abdominal pathologies; however, it is imperative to identify this condition promptly due to its potential serious consequences. This underscores the importance of maintaining a high level of clinical suspicion and including this pathology in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute abdominal symptoms. Hence, this case report aims to increase awareness among clinicians about the importance of identifying and treating this rare condition promptly. A 69-year-old female experienced severe epigastric pain while attending a yoga class, prompting her admission to the emergency department 24 h later due to the persistence of her symptoms. Following imaging work-up utilizing computed tomography angiography (CTA), she was diagnosed with a dissection of the left gastric artery. Notably, there was no associated aneurysm or any evidence of ischemia in the esophageal or gastric wall. Conservative management, including low-dose aspirin and blood pressure control, was implemented. After 6 months of follow-up, CTA demonstrated expansion of the true lumen and the absence of secondary aneurysm formation, leading to discontinuation of aspirin. The management of spontaneous dissection of visceral arteries is primarily determined by the presence of complications and organ ischemia. In the case of uncomplicated visceral artery dissections, first-line treatment comprises surveillance and antiaggregation. Nevertheless, the optimal duration of antiplatelet therapy and the necessity for long-term follow-up remain unclear. Endovascular or surgical interventions should be reserved for patients exhibiting deteriorating symptoms or complications, and the decision to pursue these interventions should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Elective bypass surgery for chronic mesenteric ischemic disease: report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

Chronic mesenteric ischemic disease is an unusual cause of chronic abdominal pain. We present our experience from open surgical treatment of patients with this rare disease followed by a short review of the literature. During the period 2006-2008, three patients were referred to our department with clinical and radiological findings of chronic mesenteric ischemic disease. In all patients, at least 2 out of 3 splachnic vessels (celiac artery, superior and inferior mesenteric artery) were occluded, with severe stenosis of the third. Open surgical revasculation was performed in all patients, using autologous or synthetic (Dacron) bypass grafts. Graft patency was examined with triplex ultrasound studies at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively and/or follow up CT angiography. All patients had patent grafts during the follow up period and have regained their normal body weight. Immediate and late results, technical details and controversies in open surgical revasculation for chronic mesenteric ischemic disease are reviewed. In conclusion open surgical revasculation for chronic mesenteric ischemic disease is a technically challenging procedure with good results in patients younger than 70 years old , with long occlusions of the splachnic vessels and severe calcification of the vessel wall.

Transradial access for carotid artery stenting: a single-center experience.

AIM: The aim of this study was to report our initial experience using the radial artery as access for carotid artery stenting (CAS) and review the existing literature. METHODS: From January to June 2008, nine high-risk consecutive patients were treated with carotid stents by using the radial artery as an access point. Major complications (perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack [TIAs] and death) and minor complications (radial artery occlusion or hematomas) were evaluated during this procedure. RESULTS: Seven of these patients had a right (77.8%) and two had a left (22.2%) sided carotid artery stenosis. Patients were symptomatic (TIAs or strokes or both) and had a >60% stenosis of the internal carotid artery. The technical success rate was 100% and all patients mobilized two hours after the procedure and were discharged home on the first postoperative day. No major or minor complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Patients with vessel pathology or unfavorable anatomy in the iliofemoral arteries or/and the aorta, can be candidates for CAS through the radial artery. Refinement of the technique and improvement in endovascular devices may lead to the replacement of the conventional femoral access by the transradial route in the near future.

Cellular proliferation in complicated versus uncomplicated atherosclerotic lesions: total cell population, foam cells and newly formed microvessels.

Although cellular proliferation is a key component in the progression of atherosclerosis, research so far has been focused primarily on VSMCs. In this study we attempted to evaluate overall proliferation rates in general, as well as foam cells and the endothelial cells lining newly formed plaque microvessels in particular. For this purpose, cellular proliferation was assessed through immunohistochemical staining for PCNA in 10 fresh human carotid artery samples received from patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Overall proliferative activity was found significantly higher (P