Preoperative Nil Per Os Duration Predicts Mortality and Ambulation Following Below-Knee Amputation.

BACKGROUND: Routine use of nil per os (NPO) prior to procedures has been associated with dehydration and malnutrition leading to patient discomfort. We aim to examine how duration of NPO status affects postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective below-knee amputation (BKA). METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 92 patients who underwent elective BKA between 2014-2022 for noninfectious indications. We performed statistical analysis using Chi-square tests, t-tests, and linear/logistic regression with odds ratio using P < .05 as our significance level. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.0 ± 16.7 years, and there were 64 (70%) male patients and 41 (45%) Black patients. Mean NPO duration was 12.9 ± 4.7 hours. Patients with longer NPO duration were associated with increased rates of postoperative stroke (P = .03). Patients with shorter NPO duration had significantly lower mean BUN on postoperative day (POD) 1 (14.5, P < .001) and POD 3 (14.1, P < .001) compared to preoperative mean BUN (16.8), however this normalized by POD 7 (19.2, P = .26). There were no changes in postoperative renal function based on baseline kidney disease status or associated with longer NPO duration. Shorter NPO duration was a predictor of increased likelihood of 1-year follow-up (OR: 2.9 [1.24-6.79], P = .01), independent ambulation (OR: 2.7 [1.03-7.34], P = .04), and decreased mortality (OR: .11 [.013-.91], P = .04). CONCLUSION: While NPO duration does not appear to result in postoperative renal dysfunction, prolonged NPO duration predicts worse rates of follow-up, ambulation, and survival and is associated with increased stroke rates.

Moderate and Severe Chronic Kidney Disease Predict Greater 5-Year Mortality following Major Lower-Extremity Amputation.

BACKGROUND: Severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) predicts greater mortality after major lower-extremity amputation (LEA), but it remains poorly understood whether patients with earlier stages of CKD share similar risk. METHODS: We assessed long-term postoperative outcomes for patients with CKD in a retrospective chart review of 565 patients who underwent atraumatic major LEA at a large tertiary referral center from 2015 to 2021. We stratified patients by renal function and compared outcomes including survival. RESULTS: Preoperative CKD diagnosis was related to many patient characteristics, co-occurred with many comorbidities, and was associated with less follow-up and survival. Kaplan-Meier and Cox Regression analyses showed significantly worse 5-year survival for major LEA patients with mild, moderate, or severe CKD compared to major LEA patients with no history of CKD at the time of amputation (P < 0.001). Severe CKD independently predicted worse mortality at 1-year (odds ratio [OR] 2.91; P = 0.003) and 5-years (OR 3.08; P < 0.001). Moderate CKD independently predicted worse 5-year mortality (OR 2.66; P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that moderate and severe CKD predict greater long-term mortality following major LEA when controlling for numerous potential confounders. This finding raises questions about the underlying mechanism if causal and highlights an opportunity to improve outcomes with earlier recognition and optimization CKD preoperatively.

Delayed Closure of Guillotine Lower Extremity Amputation in Obese Patients is Associated with Increased Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Staged surgery with open guillotine amputation (OGA) prior to a definitive major lower extremity amputation (LEA) has been shown to be effective for sepsis control and improving wound healing. Studies have evaluated postoperative complications including infection, return to the operating room for re-amputation, and amputation failure following OGA. However, the role of timing to close OGA for predictive outcomes remains poorly understood. We aim to assess outcomes of major LEA related to the time of OGA closure. METHODS: Data from patients who underwent major LEA from 2015 to 2021 were collected retrospectively. The study included all patients undergoing below-knee, through-knee, or above-knee amputations. Next, patients who had OGA prior to a definitive amputation were selected. Patients who died before amputation closure were excluded. Postamputation outcomes such as surgical site infection, postoperative sepsis, postoperative ambulation, hospital length of stay, and 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year mortality were reviewed. The study cohort was stratified by demographics and comorbidities. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the time of closure (TOC) cutoff value. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to assess outcomes. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of 688 patients who underwent major LEA, 322 underwent staged amputation with OGA before the formalization procedure and were included. The TOC ranged from 1-47 days with a median of 4 days (interquartile range from 3 to 7). The optimal TOC point of 8 days (ranging from 2-42 days) in obese patients (199/322) for predicting mortality showed the largest area under the curve (0.709) with 64.71% sensitivity and 78.3% specificity. Patients who are obese and grouped in TOC less than 8 days had no 30-day mortality, significantly lower 1-year mortality, better survival, and a lower rate of deep venous thrombosis complication. There was no significant difference in length of stay, postoperative surgical site infection, sepsis, and ambulation between the 2 subgroups of obese patients. Multivariable analysis showed that gender, chronic kidney disease, and postoperative ambulation independently predict overall mortality in obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: TOC cutoff in obese patients showed statistically significant results in predicting mortality. Our findings indicated better survival in obese patients with a lower TOC (less than 8 days). This emphasizes the importance of earlier closure of OGA in obese patients.

Modified Frailty Index Helps Predict Mortality and Ambulation Differences Between Genders and Racial Differences Following Major Lower Extremity Amputation.

BACKGROUND: Major lower extremity amputation (LEA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The modified frailty index (mFI-5) has been used to predict outcomes including ambulation and mortality after LEA. It remains unknown for which patient demographics the mFI-5 is a reliable predictor. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all patients who underwent a first-time major LEA at our institution from 2015 to 2022. Patients were stratified into 2 risk groups based on their mFI-5 score: non-frail (mFI<3) and frail (mFI≥3) and assessed on outcomes. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 687 patients of whom 134 (19.6%) were considered frail and 551 (80.4%) were considered non-frail. A higher mFI-5 is associated with decreased ambulation rates (OR: 0.565, P = .004), increased hospital readmission (OR: 1.657, P = .021), and increased mortality (OR: 2.101, P = .001) following major LEA. In African American patients, frail and non-frail patients differed on readmission at 90 days (P = .008), mortality at 1 year (P = .001), ambulatory status (P < .001), and prosthesis use (P = .023). In male patients, frail and non-frail patients differed on readmission at 90 days (P = .019), death at 1 year (P = .001), and ambulatory status (P = .002). In Caucasian patients and female patients, frail and non-frail patients did not differ significantly on outcomes. DISCUSSION: The mFI-5 is a valuable predictor of outcomes following major LEA, specifically in males and African American patients. Moreover, surgeons should consider using frailty status to risk stratify patients and inform treatment plans.

Opioid Use Disorder in Patients Undergoing Major Lower Extremity Amputation: Prevalence and Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with a history of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) have higher postoperative complication rates and mortality in many settings. Yet, it remains poorly understood how the opioid epidemic has affected patients undergoing major lower extremity amputation (LEA) and whether outcomes differ by OUD status. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all 689 patients who underwent major LEA at a large tertiary referral center from 2015 to 2021. This study assessed patient characteristics and long-term postoperative outcomes for patients with preoperative OUD. RESULTS: 133 (19.3%) patients had a lifetime history of preoperative OUD. Preoperative OUD was associated with key characteristics, comorbidities, and outcome measures. OUD was significantly associated with younger age (P < .001), black race (P = .026), single relationship status (P < .001), BMI <30 (P = .024), no primary care provider (P = .004), and Medicaid insurance (P < .001). Comorbidities significantly associated with OUD include current smoking (P < .001), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV; P = .003), and history of osteomyelitis (P < .001). Preoperative OUD independently predicted lower rates of 30-60-day readmission (odds ratio [OR] .54, P = .018) and 1-12-month reamputation (OR .41, P = .006). There was no significant difference in long-term mortality and follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the prevalence of OUD in patients undergoing major LEA and reports associations and long-term outcomes. Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing OUD and raise questions about the mechanisms underlying its relation to rates of postoperative readmission and reamputation.

Safety and efficacy of mechanical aspiration thrombectomy for patients with acute lower extremity ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is associated with high rates of amputation and consequent morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to report on the safety and efficacy of aspiration thrombectomy using the Indigo Aspiration System in patients with lower extremity (LE) ALI. METHODS: The STRIDE study was an international, multicenter, prospective, study that enrolled 119 participants presenting with LE-ALI. Patients were treated firstline with mechanical thrombectomy using the Indigo Aspiration System, before stenting or angioplasty, or other therapies as determined by treating physician. The primary end point was target limb salvage at 30 days after the procedure. Secondary end points within 30 days included technical success, defined as core laboratory-adjudicated Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 2/3 flow rate immediately after the procedure, changes in modified Society for Vascular Surgery runoff score, improvement of Rutherford classification compared with before the procedure, patency, rate of device-related serious adverse events, and major periprocedural bleeding. Secondary end points that will be evaluated at 12 months include target limb salvage and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 119 participants enrolled at 16 sites, the mean age was 66.3 years (46.2% female). At baseline (n = 119), ischemic severity was classified as Rutherford I in 10.9%, Rutherford IIa in 54.6%, and Rutherford IIb in 34.5%. The mean target thrombus length was 125.7 ± 124.7 mm. Before the procedure, 93.0% (of patients 107/115) had no flow (TIMI 0) through the target lesion. The target limb salvage rate at 30 days was 98.2% (109/111). The rate of periprocedural major bleed was 4.2% (5/119) and device-related serious adverse events was 0.8% (1/119). Restoration of flow (TIMI 2/3) was achieved in 96.3% of patients (105/109) immediately after the procedure. The median improvement in the modified Society for Vascular Surgery runoff score (before vs after the procedure) was 6.0 (interquartile range, 0.0-11.0). Rutherford classifications also improved after discharge in 86.5% of patients (83/96), as compared with preprocedural scores. Patency at 30 days was achieved in 89.4% of patients (101/113). CONCLUSIONS: In the STRIDE (A Study of Patients with Lower Extremity Acute Limb Ischemia to Remove Thrombus with the Indigo Aspiration System) study, aspiration thrombectomy with the Indigo System provided a safe and effective endovascular treatment for patients with LE-ALI, resulting in a high rate (98.2%) of successful limb salvage at 30 days, with few periprocedural complications.

Chronic Kidney Disease Predicts Greater 5-Year Mortality Following Major Limb Amputation.

Severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) predicts greater mortality after major lower extremity amputation (MLEA), but it remains poorly understood whether this finding extends to patients with earlier stages of CKD. We assessed outcomes for patients with CKD in a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent MLEA at a large tertiary referral center from 2015 to 2021. We stratified 398 patients by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and conducted Chi-Square and survival analysis. Preoperative CKD diagnosis was associated with many comorbidities, less 1-year follow-up, and greater 1- and 5-year mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed worse 5-year survival for patients with any stage of CKD (62%) compared to patients without CKD (81%; P < .001). Greater 5-year mortality was independently predicted by moderate CKD (hazard ratio (HR) 2.37, P = .02) as well as severe CKD (HR 2.09, P = .005). These findings demonstrate the importance of identifying and treating CKD early preoperatively.

Delayed Presentation of First Rib Osteomyelitis Following Trauma.

Rib osteomyelitis can be caused by a contiguous infection after a traumatic fracture. Post traumatic osteomyelitis can present as chronic six or more weeks after bone infection. However, this patient developed first rib osteomyelitis 17 years after trauma, following the initiation of anticoagulation therapy. 17 years ago, a 55-year-old male patient was in a motor vehicle collision. He was diagnosed with a left first rib fracture and an internal carotid dissection. He subsequently underwent a left subclavian central venous catheter placement. His rib fracture was managed nonoperatively and the carotid dissection was treated with endovascular stent placement. He now presents with symptomatic carotid stent stenosis which is treated with anti-platelet and anticoagulation therapy. He then developed a hematoma over the old rib fracture, and subsequently developed acute osteomyelitis. As seen here, a remote history of traumatic first rib fracture remains a risk factor for osteomyelitis despite the passage of time.

A Tiered Mentorship Program to Integrate Medical Students Into Clinical Research Projects.

OBJECTIVE: Herein we describe the development, implementation, and growth of our Vascular Research Training Program (VRTP), emphasizing the intentional involvement of medical students in clinical research. METHODS: We developed a VRTP focusing on medical student engagement to encompass 4 pillars: ownership, mentorship, experience, and independence within the research process. The program is organized by clinical projects with an attending surgeon, surgical trainee (fellow or resident), and medical student comprising each research project team. The VRTP program sought to facilitate a culture of learning, accountability, and mentorship to engage and encourage medical student involvement in clinical research. RESULTS: We reviewed the productivity of our current vascular surgery faculty by reviewing divisional records of faculty publications and conducting a literature search for the period of 2012 to 2019. The pre-VRTP model produced 13 included manuscripts in 2012-2015 (3.25 per year), while the implemented VRTP model yielded 43 articles (10.75 per year) from 2016-2019. There was no significant change in the impact factor (pre-VRTP mean ± SD was 1.8 ± 1.0 vs 2.2 ± 1.1, P = .17). Medical student productivity rose from 1.3 to 2.7 publications, with a similar rise in the number of students participating in more than one manuscript from 2 to 14. CONCLUSIONS: Deliberate involvement of medical trainees as a member of the clinical research team has the potential to generate subsequent increases in research productivity and effective mentorships. Academic surgical divisions should consider organized and intentional involvement of medical students as an essential component of clinical research.

Open Proximal Endarterectomy with Retrograde Access and Stenting: A Novel Technique for Lower Extremity Revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) poses a significant clinical challenge despite recent medical advancements. Chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions make endovascular approaches to CLTI particularly challenging. Open proximal exposure with retrograde access and stenting (OPERAS) aims to solve this challenge through retrograde subintimal crossing of a CTO with direct visualization of proximal re-entry into the true lumen. We describe this novel technique and present its efficacy in eight patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series at a single tertiary academic center. Data for patients who received OPERAS intervention included demographics, peri-operative details, and follow-up information. Statistical analysis was performed on length of stay, major post-operative complications, further intervention, clinical progression at 1 year, and amputation-free survival at 1 year. Immediate technical failure (ITF) and limb-based patency (LBP) at 1 year were calculated. RESULTS: Nine limbs underwent OPERAS between January 2019 and March 2020. Inflow was achieved with common femoral artery endarterectomy. All limbs underwent balloon angioplasty and stenting of the SFA, and seven underwent the same procedure in the popliteal artery. ITF was 0% for all nine cases. There were no major post-operative complications, and ankle-brachial index significantly improved pre-and post-operatively (P < .001). Eight limbs (88.9%) sustained amputation-free survival at 1 year, and overall LBP was 67% at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Our study presents a hybrid revascularization option to address severe, anatomically complex limbs (GLASS III) that lack a single autogenous conduit for open surgical revascularization. OPERAS addresses a main point of technical failure of subintimal techniques by directly visualizing the wire in the true lumen. Our data suggest that OPERAS can be effective to: (1) improve technical success of luminal re-entry following a subintimal approach; (2) address inflow concurrently with severe femoropopliteal disease; and (3) can be utilized when distal tissue loss is involved.

Frailty as a Predictor of Adverse Outcomes After Peripheral Vascular Surgery in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease.

BACKGROUND: Frailty and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are each independently associated with adverse outcomes in patients who undergo lower extremity vascular bypass operations (LEOs). It is not known whether frailty imparts additional risk to patients with ESRD having LEO. METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort study of 29 203 patients without ESRD and 1718 with ESRD who had LEO surgery between the years 2014 and 2018 extracted from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Preoperative frailty was assessed using a simplified frailty index based on a history of diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and functional status. Adverse outcomes measured were 30-day mortality, surgical complications, reoperation, length of stay, readmission, discharge destination, and any ("composite") adverse outcome. Odds ratios (ORs) for adverse outcomes were calculated with logistic regression. RESULTS: Among patients with ESRD, the OR for having the composite adverse outcome was greater for frailty than for any of the other preoperative risk factors studied (OR 2.191, CI 1.569-3.061, P < .001). Adverse outcomes occurred in 84.3% of frail patients with ESRD, but in only 39.6% of the non-frail patients without ESRD. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty imparts additional risk for adverse outcomes to patients with ESRD undergoing LEO.

Distal Superior Mesenteric Artery Endarterectomy Remains an Excellent Option for Mesenteric Revascularization in the Endovascular Era.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of mesenteric lesions has become increasingly prevalent. Mesenteric bypass, however, remains the optimal treatment in the cases of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) in young, medically fit patients given its durability. Endarterectomy has gone by the wayside, but in certain situations, this technique remains surgically relevant and should still be used. Herein, we present 2 cases of distal superior mesenteric artery (SMA) endarterectomy for mesenteric revascularization. METHODS/RESULTS: Case 1 is a 40-year-old male with history of antithrombin III deficiency, myocardial infarction, bilateral pulmonary embolism, acute aortic thrombus, and mesenteric ischemia status after placement of a proximal SMA stent and was transferred to our institution because of concern for ischemic bowel. Intraoperative angiography showed mid to distal SMA chronic thromboembolism with narrow lumen of recanalization and distal flow. No intervention was performed at that time. He developed worsening abdominal pain and weight loss over several months which required initiation of total parenteral nutrition, complicated by line-associated sepsis. Subsequent distal SMA endarterectomy was performed. He recovered well and had improved enteral intake at 1-month follow-up, and radiographic imaging at 2 months showed patent vessels. Case 2 is a 50-year-old female with extensive smoking history and hyperlipidemia and gastroesophageal reflux who presented with postprandial abdominal pain and a forty-pound weight loss over the past year. Attempted angiographic cannulation with a stent was not successful because of flush occlusion of the SMA approximately 1 centimeter distal to the ostium that was unable to be crossed. Computed tomography angiography confirmed that the SMA origin was free of atherosclerotic disease with a distal focal segment of occlusion. She underwent successful endarterectomy of this occlusion. The postoperative course was uneventful, and at 1-month follow-up, she reported continued improvement in pain and appetite. CONCLUSIONS: SMA endarterectomy can be successfully performed on mid to distal lesions of the SMA. This operation should remain a viable option in the management of CMI.

Predictive Effect of Frailty on Amputation, Mortality, and Ambulation in Patients Undergoing Revascularization for Acute Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a common, age-associated syndrome that has been used to predict postoperative outcomes in vascular surgery. This study examines if standard measures of frailty correlate with postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing revascularization for acute limb ischemia (ALI). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on all adult patients undergoing revascularization for ALI at an academic medical center between January 2016 and June 2019. Frailty was calculated with the 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11), derived from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index. Outcomes examined included in-hospital mortality, major amputation, site of discharge, and ambulatory status at follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-three ambulatory patients presented with ALI during the study time period, with 13.2% deemed not frail (mFI-11 < 3) and 86.8% deemed frail (mFI-11 ≥ 3). Frailty was significantly correlated with discharge to a skilled nursing facility (P = 0.028) and nonambulation at follow-up (P = 0.002). There was no significant correlation with other outcomes, including mortality and amputation. On multivariate analysis, frailty was the only factor contributing to nonambulation at follow-up (P = 0.012). Endovascular treatment did not mitigate the effects of frailty on discharge site and ambulatory status. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is exceedingly common in patients with ALI. Although frailty predicts discharge site and nonambulation at follow-up, it is not associated with amputation or death. Therefore, frail patients should not be denied open or endovascular revascularization for ALI.

A cautionary tale of an emergency cerebrovascular procedure in the COVID-19 era.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had an impact on system processes, with airway management being significantly affected. A 37-year-old woman diagnosed with stroke was found to have a filling defect at the origin of the right internal carotid artery. She was taken to the operating room urgently for carotid endarterectomy. The procedure was uneventful; however, anaphylaxis developed on extubation, subsequently attributed to sugammadex. Institutional policies and limited resources resulted in delayed reintubation. Fortunately, she did not have lasting deficits, but this highlights the potential of current policies to lead to complications and the need to improve policies to minimize harm.

Successful Treatment of Acute Limb Ischemia Secondary to Iatrogenic Distal Embolization Using Catheter Directed Aspiration Thrombectomy.

Objective: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) due to thromboembolism is a limb- and life-threatening condition regularly encountered by vascular surgeons. Iatrogenic distal embolization is occasionally seen as a complication of various endovascular procedures. We present a series of four patients who developed ALI due to arterial embolization during cardiovascular procedures that were successfully treated via catheter directed aspiration embolectomy. Methods: Retrospective review of demographics, risk factors, and procedural outcomes was completed for 4 patients who presented with ALI due to distal embolization following cardiovascular procedures. All patients were successfully treated with catheter directed aspiration embolectomy using the Penumbra Indigo System (Penumbra Inc., Alameda, California). All patients had high-quality angiography demonstrating successful embolectomy and end-procedure patency. Results: Three patients presented with Rutherford 2A and one with Rutherford 2B ALI secondary to intraoperative distal embolization. Three patients presented with ALI secondary to distal embolization during peripheral vascular interventions, and one following emergent intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement for myocardial infarction. All emboli were located in the infra-inguinal vasculature. Median post-operative ABIs were 0.94 (n = 4). Median length of stay was 2 days. There were no mortalities and no need for adjunctive fasciotomy, amputation, or bypass for limb salvage. All patients improved clinically after intervention, and returned to their reported pre-hospitalization functional status. Conclusion: All procedures achieved technical success with catheter-directed aspiration thrombectomy with or without adjunctive lysis. Catheter-directed aspiration embolectomy with the Penumbra Indigo System for ALI following an iatrogenic embolic event is a safe, less-invasive treatment option. The use of this technology may reduce the need for traditional open thrombectomy or thrombolytic therapy to address ALI.

An Alternative Approach to Carotid Endarterectomy in the High Carotid Bifurcation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical exposure of a high carotid bifurcation (HCB) for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can be technically challenging due to the presence of bony structures in the most cranial portion of the neck and is associated with significant morbidity making carotid artery stenting (CAS) a common alternative. However, a high transverse neck incision with subplatysmal flaps facilitates CEA in these patients without additional exposure techniques. We present a high transverse neck incision with subplatysmal flaps as an alternative to the standard surgical exposure of the carotid bifurcation to facilitate CEA in patients with HCB. METHODS: Four patients with carotid bifurcations located cranial to the C3-4 vertebral interspace (identified on preoperative imaging) requiring intervention underwent CEA using a high transverse neck incision through an existing skin crease with subplatysmal flap elevation. CEA was performed in a standard fashion with bovine pericardial patch. RESULTS: Two male and 2 female patients with an average age of 65 years successfully underwent CEA using this incision. One patient underwent concurrent carotid body tumor excision. None of the patients required mandibulotomy or hyoid bone resection. Two patients required division of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. There were no perioperative complications. Primary patency was 100% in the 4 patients with surveillance studies, and mean follow-up of 160 days (range 54-369 days). There were no significant cranial nerve injuries. No patient required conversion to an endovascular procedure due to inaccessibility of the lesion or subsequent interventions for incomplete endarterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: A high transverse incision with subplatysmal flaps is a safe, effective, and cosmetically preferable surgical approach in patients with HCB requiring carotid artery intervention and may be an alternative to CAS.

Diabetes control decreases morbidity and mortality after carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Single-institution studies have demonstrated a negative effect of diabetes mellitus on outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The aim of this study was to compare patients with explicitly controlled and uncontrolled diabetes at the population level. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample 2006-2013, we selected patients undergoing CEA. Rates of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and hospital mortality, as well as duration of stay and cost were compared among patients with uncontrolled diabetes (UCDM), well-controlled diabetes (WCDM), and those without diabetes (NDM). RESULTS: We reviewed data from 614,190 patients undergoing CEA. Patients with UCDM, compared with those with WCDM and NDM, had higher rates of stroke (3.27%, 0.93%, and 0.94%, respectively; P < .0001), MI (3.35%, 1.10%, and 0.87%, respectively; P < .0001), and higher hospital mortality (1.43%, 0.25%, and 0.27%, respectively; P < .0001). On multivariate analysis, patients with UCDM compared with WCDM were more likely to develop stroke (odds ratio[OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.71), and MI (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.96-2.60) and were more likely to die (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.19-3.42). Patients with WCDM compared with patients without diabetes had similar likelihoods of stroke (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.90-1.02) and MI (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.98-1.10) but were actually less likely to die (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.95). CONCLUSION: Patients with uncontrolled diabetes had poorer outcomes after CEA than those with controlled diabetes, whose outcomes were comparable to if not better than individuals without diabetes.

Catheter-Directed Therapy is Safe and Effective for the Management of Acute Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: The management of acute thrombosis of inferior vena cava (AT-IVC) has evolved to catheter-based therapies, the results of which remain uncertain. We report our institution's experience treating AT-IVC using endovascular methods. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review of patients presenting with symptomatic IVC thrombosis between the years 2005 and 2014 was performed. Demographic data, treatment modalities, and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (44% men) underwent treatment for acute (<2 weeks) symptomatic IVC thrombosis. Presenting symptoms included pain and limb swelling in 23 (92%), motor dysfunction in 16 (64%), sensory loss in 14 (56%), and pulmonary embolism (PE) in 2 (8%) patients. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens was present in 5 patients, a history of malignancy was identified in 7 patients, and 21 patients had an IVC filter at presentation (Trapease 12, G2X 3, Option 2, Eclipse 2, Meridian 2). Four patients had a documented hypercoagulable state, 21 patients underwent venous angioplasty, and 7 (28%) patients underwent venous stenting of the IVC or iliofemoral veins. Significant (>50% luminal gain) angiographic resolution of venous thrombus was achieved in all 25 patients. Twenty-one (84%) patients reported moderate-to-complete symptomatic improvement immediately after completion of the procedures. Two patients had a clinically symptomatic PE and 1 patient underwent an above-knee amputation secondary to venous gangrene. Other complications included 6 minor bleeding complications (2 local hematoma, 4 hematuria) all of which resolved spontaneously. There were 2 major bleeding complications (1 disseminated intravascular coagulation, 1 retroperitoneal hematoma). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of AT-IVC, regardless of etiology, is safe and effective with excellent short-term clinical results. An aggressive endovascular approach to treatment of AT-IVC is warranted even in the presence of a thrombosed vena cava filter.

A novel technique to retrieve a maldeployed vascular closure device.

PURPOSE: To report a novel technique for endovascular retrieval of a maldeployed vascular closure device, obviating the need for a femoral cutdown. TECHNIQUE: To remove a 6-F Angio-Seal device that embolized to the superficial femoral artery, the contralateral common femoral artery was accessed, and an 8-F, 65-cm-long sheath was inserted just proximal to the embolus. A second semistiff 0.035-inch buddy wire was advanced past the lesion along the sheath. A 0.014-inch wire was advanced past the embolus, and a SpiderFX embolic protection device was deployed 1 cm past the embolized Angio-Seal device. The sheath was advanced so as to push the embolus into the filter. The sheath and the filter containing the Angio-Seal device were then removed. CONCLUSION: Endovascular retrieval of an embolized Angio-Seal device can be done using an embolic filter device, restoring arterial flow to the limb.

Laparoscopic repair of incidentally found Spigelian hernia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A Spigelian hernia is a rare type of hernia that occurs through a defect in the anterior abdominal wall adjacent to the linea semilunaris. Estimation of its incidence has been reported as 0.12% of all abdominal wall hernias. Traditionally, the method of repair has been an open approach. Herein, we discuss a series of laparoscopic repairs. METHODS: Case series and review of the literature. CASES: Three patients are presented. All were evaluated and taken to surgery initially for a different disease process, and all were incidentally found to have a spigelian hernia. These patients underwent laparoscopic repair of their hernias; 2 were repaired intraperitoneally and one was repaired totally extraperitoneally. Two patients initially underwent a mesh repair, while the third had an attempted primary repair. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that supports the use of laparoscopy for both diagnosis and repair of spigelian hernias. There are also reports of successful repairs both primarily and with mesh. In our experience with the preceding 3 patients, we found that laparoscopic repair of incidentally discovered spigelian hernias is a viable option, and we also found that implantation of mesh, when possible, resulted in satisfactory results and no recurrence.