Endovascular Repair of Peripheral Arterial Disease: Midterm Results From a Single Center.

OBJECTIVE: One thousand consecutive patients who underwent endovascular repair in an 8-year period were studied retrospectively to evaluate technical success, freedom from reinterventions, early clinical outcome, and risk factors for restenosis/occlusion. METHODS: Mean ± SD Rutherford class was 3.29 ± 0.8. A total of 755 patients have claudication, 423 from rest pain, and 569 from ischemic ulceration. RESULTS: A total of 552 men and 448 women (mean ± SD = 69.84 ± 8 years; range = 19-89 years) underwent endovascular repair. A total of 698 patients received local anesthesia and 302 general anesthesia. A total of 447 patients received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, 650 stents were placed; 231 atherectomies were performed and 171 patients received hybrid approach. The procedure was successful in 847 patients (84%). There was no early death. There were 151 early occlusions (95 underwent surgery, 56 received stents), 121 dissections (39 underwent surgery, 56 received stents and 26 medical treatment), 32 hematoma, and 13 early leaks. Mean ± SD Rutherford class improved to 3.02 ± 0.9. Freedom from reintervention rate at 8 years was 76%. A total of 63 patients underwent surgery and 59 cellular therapy. A total of 134 finger, 142 below-knee, and 29 above-knee amputations were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular interventions can be performed with a satisfactory technical success and low complication rates; however, nonfatal complications and catheter-based reinterventions are frequent.

Effect of Montelukast on Spinal Cord Ischemia- Reperfusion Injury.

AIM: Paraplegia due to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the spinal cord is a devastating complication of thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. Cysteinyl leukotrienes are potent mediators of inflammation that are associated with I/R injury. The present study was designed to investigate the role of montelukast, a selective reversible CysLT1 receptor antagonist, on spinal cord I/R injury in an experimental model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=7 per group) as G1 (no aortic occlusion and montelukast administration), G2 (45 min. aortic occlusion; no montelukast administration) and G3 (45 min. aortic occlusion, 10 mg/kg montelukast administration). After neurologic evaluation using the Motor Deficit Index (MDI) score at the 48th hour of reperfusion, lumbar spinal cords were removed for histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemical staining for HSP70, interleukin-6 and myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS: All rats in the G1 group had a normal neurological status and their MDI score was 0 (p < 0.05). The MDI score of G3 was significantly lower than G2 group (2.8 vs. 5.5; p < 0.05). Vacuolar congestion was found to be significantly lower in G1 than the other groups (p=0.0001). The interleukin-6 receptor level was found to be significantly lower in G3 group than the control group (p=0.013). There was no statistically significant difference found among the groups in terms of the degree of HSP70 and MPO staining. CONCLUSION: Increased generation of leukotrienes in postischemic organs play an important role in I/R injury. The findings of the current study demonstrated that montelukast improved motor recovery and decreased IL-6 levels in spinal cord I/R injury.

Application of radiofrequency ablation procedure on a morbidly obese patient with a venous ulcer and large saphenous vein.

Venous ulcers that occur due to chronic venous insufficiency are seen on the upper medial malleol of the ankle. Treatment of venous ulcers is protracted and generally the success rate is low. Co-morbid factors play an important role in the success of treatment of venous ulcers. In this case report, we demonstrate successful venous ulcer treatment in a morbidly obese patient with co-morbid conditions.

Use of a superficial femoral artery autograft as a femoral vein replacement.

Posttraumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are common complications of vascular penetrating trauma. Here we present a case of a 59-year-old woman who had a history of gunshot injury 42 years ago causing AVF between superficial femoral artery (SFA) and superficial femoral vein (SFV). SFV was resected. Ipsilateral SFA was used to restore SFV. SFA was reconstituted using a 7-mm polytetrafluorethylene graft. The patient has normal venous and arterial flow at 3- and 15-month follow-up.

Relationship of admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with in-hospital mortality in patients with acute type I aortic dissection.

AIM: Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is proposed as a prognostic marker and found to be related to worse clinical outcomes in various cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and in-hospital mortality in acute type I aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 123 consecutive patients who had undergone emergent surgery for acute type I aortic dissection. Patients were divided into 2 groups as patients dying in the hospital (Group 1) and those discharged alive (Group 2). All parameters, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, were compared between the 2 groups and predictors of mortality was estimated by using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients (79 males, mean age: 55.2 + 14 years) were included in the final analysis. In multivariate analyses, cross- clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, intensive care-unit duration, platelet count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were found to be independent predictors of mortality. Patients with higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios had a significantly higher mortality rate (hazard ratio: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.10; P = 0.033). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that using a cut-off point of 8, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts mortality with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 53%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a potential predictive parameter for determining the in-hospital mortality of acute type I aortic dissection.

Surgical treatment of post-infarct left ventricular pseudoaneurysm with on-pump beating heart technique.

Left ventricular pseudo-aneurysms develop when cardiac rupture is contained by pericardial adhesions or scar tissue due to myocardial infarction, surgery, trauma or infection. Left ventricular pseudo-aneurysms are uncommon, difficult to diagnose and prone to cardiac rupture. Urgent surgical repair is recommended. Here we report on a case of a large left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm on the anterolateral wall due to a previous anterior myocardial infarction, and its successful repair using the on-pump beating-heart technique.

Transventricular mitral valve repair in patients with acute forms of ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Transventricular mitral valve surgery combined with left ventricular restoration avoids atriotomy and provides a larger operative field. We describe a series of 5 patients in whom we performed transventricular mitral valve repair by various techniques, such as band annuloplasty, papillary muscle reattachment, chordal cutting, and edge-to-edge repair. The more acute forms of ischemic mitral regurgitation, as found in our patients, can coexist with post-myocardial infarction contained rupture or post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture. Because these patients already have an indication for ventriculotomy, concomitant transventricular repair of the mitral valve can render a separate atriotomy unnecessary and thereby shorten the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. Moreover, in patients with acute presentations, the absence of atrial dilation (this last associated with chronic cases) might make transventricular repair a better choice than the more difficult atrial approach.

Radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein in an elderly patient with co-morbid disease.

An 86-year-old male patient with hypertension, Parkinsonism, benign prostatic hyperplasia, cataract and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had a history of coronary bypass surgery in two veins due to anterior myocardial infarction one year earlier. He presented with pain and feelings of paresthesia below the knee of his left leg, and had fallen twice. He had used compressions and venoprotective medication for two years and had also received physiotherapy but it had not alleviated the symptoms. He had varicose dilatations in the left leg and pigmentation and a recovered venous ulcer scar were present on the medial malleolus. The patient was classed as grade 4 according to the CEAP classification. Because there was no deficiency in the superficial femoral and popliteal veins, the patient was taken for endovenous ablation. He had no pain or sensation of heaviness in the legs on postoperative day 10, and the first, third and sixth months of check up. Endovenous ablation is a procedure that increases the quality of life and comfort in elderly patients, with minimal pain. Radiofrequency catheter procedures have proven to be more successful in patients of all age groups than procedures such as standard surgery and foam therapy.

Tumescentless endovenous radiofrequency ablation with local hypothermia and compression technique.

INTRODUCTION: Modern surgical management of chronic venous insufficiency is possible since the development of catheter-based minimally invasive techniques, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and the application of colour Doppler sonography. RFA technology requires the use of tumescent anaesthesia, which prolongs the operating time. Instilling tumescent anaesthesia percutaneously below the saphenous fascia is the steepest part of the learning curve. In our study, we compared operative and postoperative results of tumescentless RFA and RFA with tumescent anaesthesia, to investigate the necessity of tumescent anaesthesia. METHODS: A total of 344 patients with Doppler-confirmed great saphenous vein insufficiency underwent RFA between January and December 2012. Patients were divided into two groups according to anaesthetic management. Group 1 consisted of 172 patients: tumescent anaesthesia was given before the ablation procedure, and group 2 contained 172 patients: a local hypothermia and compression technique was used; no tumescent anaesthesia was administered. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used and ecchymosis scores of the patients were recorded. Clinical examinations were performed at each visit and Doppler ultrasonography was performed in the first and sixth month. RESULTS: Mean ablation time was significantly lower in group 2 compared to group 1 (7.2 vs 18.9 min; p < 0.05). Skin burn and paresthesia did not occur. The immediate occlusion rate was 100% for both groups. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of VAS and ecchymosis scores. All patients returned to normal activity within two days. The primary closure rate of group 1 was 98.2% and group 2 was 98.8% at six months, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Eliminating tumescent infusion is a desirable goal. Tumescentless endovenous RFA with local hypothermia and compression technique appears to be safe and efficacious. Our technique shortens the operation time and prevents patient procedural discomfort.

Efficacy of iloprost and montelukast combination on spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: The thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery may cause spinal cord ischemia because of aortic cross-clamping and may result in severe postoperative complications caused by spinal cord injury. Ischemia/reperfusion injury may directly or indirectly be responsible for these complications. In this study we sought to determine whether combination of iloprost and montelukast can reduce the ischemia/reperfusion injury of spinal cord in a rat model. METHODS: Medulla spinalis tissue concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) were determined in 3 groups of Spraque Dawley rats: control group (operation with cross clamping and intraperitoneal administration of 0.9% saline, n = 7), sham group (operation without cross clamping, n = 7), and study group (operation with cross-clamping and intraperitoneal administration of iloprost (25 ng/kg) and montelukast (1 mg/kg), n = 7). The abdominal aorta was clamped for 45 minutes, with a proximal (just below the left renal artery) and a distal (just above the aortic bifurcation) clip in control and study groups. Hindlimb motor functions were evaluated at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours using the Motor Deficit Index score. All rats were sacrificed 48 hours after the procedure and spinal cord tissue levels of myeloperoxidase, interleukin-6, and heat shock protein (HSP-70) were evaluated as markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Histopathological analyses of spinal cord were also performed. RESULTS: The tissue level of HSP-70 was found to be similar among the 3 groups, however, MPO was highest and IL-6 receptor level was lowest in the control group (p = 0.007 and p = 0.005; respectively). In histopathological examination, there was no significant difference among the groups with respect to the neuronal cell degeneration, edema, or inflammation, but vascular congestion was found to be significantly more prominent in the control group than in the sham or in the study group (p = 0.05). Motor deficit index scores at 24 and 48 hours after ischemia were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that combined use of iloprost and montelukast may reduce ischemic damage in transient spinal cord ischemia and may provide better neurological outcome.

Novel suture technique for hemostatic aortic anastomosis: backstitch.

Postoperative anastomotic suture line complications, such as hemorrhage and pseudoaneurysm, are often encountered in thoracic aortic surgery. To minimize these complications different anastomotic techniques have been developed. We hereby describe a new distal anastomotic technique, which involves positioning the graft inside the aorta at the distal end, reinforcing the suture line with an externally placed Teflon felt strip, and finishing the anastomosis with a circumferential and continued suture technique called "backstitch."

Repair of mitral paravalvular leak with double left atrial wall folding.

Mitral paravalvular leaks can be repaired by alternative repair techniques instead of direct suture repair of the leak site. We report our technique of double left atrial wall folding for repair of posterior mitral paravalvular leaks.

Protective effect of heparin in the end organ ischemia/reperfusion injury of the lungs and heart.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is harmful to the cardiovascular system and is responsible for the inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunctions. In this study we investigated the effect of activated clotting time level on the aortic cross-clamping triggers a systemic inflammatory response and it effects to lungs and heart. METHODS: End organ concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) were determined in four groups of Spraque Dawley rats: ischemic control (operation with cross clamping received IP of 0.9% saline at 2 ml/kg n=7) Sham (operation without cross clamping, n=7), heparin (ACT level about 200), High dose heparin (ACT level up to 600) The infrarenal aorta was clamped for 45 minutes by a mini cross clamp approximately 1cm below the renal artery and 1cm iliac bifurcation in all groups without sham group. Heparin was given intraperitoneal (IP) before the procedure. All rats were sacrificed 48 h later. In a second experiment, the effects of I/R on remote organs (lungs and heart) were harvested for analysis. We evaluated tissue levels of myeloperoxidase, interleukin-6, and heat shock protein (HSP-70) were analyzed as markers oxidative stress and inflammation. Histological analyses of the organs were performed. RESULTS: The lungs paranchymal MPO and HSP-70 levels significantly decreased (p<0.05), but IL-6 level was not significant (p>0.05) in heparinized and high dose heparinized groups when compared to ischemic control group. Histopathological evaluation as edema, cell degeneration, inflammation statistically significantly decreased in both group heparinized and high dose heparinized compared with ischemic control group (p<0.05). The heart paranchymal MPO levels significantly decreased in heparinized and high dose heparinized groups when compared to ischemic control group (p=0.023). IL-6, HSP-70 levels were not significant heparinized and high dose heparinized groups when compared to ischemic control group (p=0.0489, p=0.0143). Histopathological evaluation as degeneration statistically significantly decreased in both group heparinized and High dose heparinized compared with ischemic control group (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Heparin decreased remote organs injury on the lung and heart after ischemia/reperfusion of infra-renal section of the body in the rat model. So, we should be balance to act level for avoid to I/R injury per operative and early post operative period as providing ACT level nearly 200.

[Alterations in pulmonary artery pressure following mitral valve replacement]. / Mitral kapak degisimi sonrasi pulmoner arter basincindaki degisiklikler.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the early postoperative hemodynamics and clinical aspects in patients with moderate to severe pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) due to isolated mitral valve stenosis. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty patients (33 women, 17 men; mean age 45.8±11.2) were divided into two groups according to mean PAP levels (PAP <50 mmHg as Group I and PAP >50 mmHg as Group II). PAP and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) values were recorded using Swan-Ganz catheter just before the surgery in the operation theatre. These measurements were repeated after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, at 1, 12 and 24 hours. Intubation period in the intensive care unit, need for inotropic agents in the pre-and postoperative course, and mortality and morbidity data were also evaluated. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure PAP at the postoperative 24th hour and at the 2nd month after the surgery. RESULTS: Mean PAP decreased significantly in both groups compared with basal levels. The regression was higher in Group II than Group I. Decrease in PCWP was more significant in Group II. PAP had decreased similarly in both groups according to the postoperative 24th hour echocardiographic evaluation; however, at the postoperative second month follow-up, the decrease in PAP was more significant in Group II. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures significantly decreased in the early periods when the stenosis was alleviated in the isolated mitral stenosis cases with moderate or high PAP levels. This study demonstrates the increased morbidity in patients with higher PAP levels undergoing surgery. It seems that moderate PAP levels do not have a negative influence on postoperative outcomes.

[The effects of implanted valve sizes on ventricular hypertrophy in aortic stenosis]. / Aort darliginda takilan kapak ölçülerinin ventrikül hipertrofisi üzerine etkileri.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the effects of the valve sizes according to body surface area on aortic gradient and ventricular hypertrophy in the cases of aortic valve replacement due to isolated aortic stenosis. METHODS: Between January 2006 and April 2007, patients (12 men, 15 women; totally 27) followed up prospectively with echocardiography fourth and sixth month postoperatively. The patients were divided into two groups according to the prosthetic aortic valve diameters (19-21 mm vs 23-25 mm). The primary endpoints between the two groups (aortic regurgitation, left ventricular mass index and transvalvular gradient measured by color and continuous wave Doppler) were compared. Fischer exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for intergroup comparison whereas intragroup analysis was done with Freidman test. RESULTS: Mean systolic gradient and left ventricular mass index were significantly reduced in 23 mm and 25 mm valves (p<0.01) in the postoperative follow-up. In addition, especially, decline in the values of left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, peak systolic gradient and the mean systolic gradient were found to be significant. These values associated with regression were detectable at the postoperative 4th month, but actual significant regression was observed at the postoperative 6th month (p<0.01). On the other hand, the values obtained for 19 mm and 21 mm valves also showed significant progress (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Factors such as age, gender and activity are important in the selection of appropriate valve sizes in aortic valve replacement. However, the patient's body surface is the most important prognostic factor compared to others.