Sex disparities in popliteal artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Only 5% of patients with popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) are female. Evidence on PAA treatment and outcomes in women is therefore scarce. The POPART Registry provides one of Europe's largest data collections regarding PAA treatment. Data on clinical presentation, aneurysm morphology, and perioperative outcomes after open surgical PAA repair in women will be presented. METHODS: POPART is a multicenter, noninterventional registry for open and endovascular PAA repair, with 42 participating centers in Germany and Luxembourg. All patients aged >18 years who have been treated for PAA since 2010 are eligible for study inclusion. Data collection is based on an online electronic case report form. RESULTS: Of the 1236 PAAs, 58 (4.8%) were in women. There were no significant differences in age or cardiopulmonary comorbidities. However, female patients had a lower prevalence of contralateral PAAs and abdominal aortic aneurysms (P < .05). PAAs in women were more likely to be symptomatic before surgery (65.5% vs 49.4%; P = .017), with 19% of women presenting with acute limb ischemia (vs 11%; P = .067). Women had smaller aneurysm diameters than men (22.5 mm vs 27 mm; P = .004) and became symptomatic at smaller diameters (20 mm vs 26 mm; P = .002). Only 8.6% of women and 11.6% of men underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (P > .05); therefore, the perioperative outcome analysis focused on open surgical repair. In total, 23.5% of women and 16.9% of men developed perioperative complications (P > .05). There were no differences in major cardiovascular events (P > .05), but women showed a higher incidence of impaired wound healing (15.7% vs 7.2%; P = .05) and major amputation (5.9% vs 1.1%; P = .027). Female sex was significantly associated with the need for nonvascular reinterventions within 30 days after surgery (odds ratio: 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-4.88), whereas no significant differences in the odds for vascular reinterventions were observed (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.68-5.77). In the multiple logistic regression model, female sex, symptomatic PAAs, poor quality of outflow vessels, and graft material other than vein graft were independently associated with perioperative reinterventions. CONCLUSIONS: Women have smaller PAAs, are more likely to be symptomatic before treatment, and are more often affected by nonvascular reinterventions in the perioperative course. As our understanding of aneurysmatic diseases in women continues to expand, sex-specific treatment strategies and screening options for women in well-selected cohorts with modified screening protocols should be continuously re-evaluated.

Factors associated with successful median arcuate ligament release in an international, multi-institutional cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Prior research on median arcuate ligament syndrome has been limited to institutional case series, making the optimal approach to median arcuate ligament release (MALR) and resulting outcomes unclear. In the present study, we compared the outcomes of different approaches to MALR and determined the predictors of long-term treatment failure. METHODS: The Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium is an international, multi-institutional research consortium. Data on open, laparoscopic, and robotic MALR performed from 2000 to 2020 were gathered. The primary outcome was treatment failure, defined as no improvement in median arcuate ligament syndrome symptoms after MALR or symptom recurrence between MALR and the last clinical follow-up. RESULTS: For 516 patients treated at 24 institutions, open, laparoscopic, and robotic MALR had been performed in 227 (44.0%), 235 (45.5%), and 54 (10.5%) patients, respectively. Perioperative complications (ileus, cardiac, and wound complications; readmissions; unplanned procedures) occurred in 19.2% (open, 30.0%; laparoscopic, 8.9%; robotic, 18.5%; P < .001). The median follow-up was 1.59 years (interquartile range, 0.38-4.35 years). For the 488 patients with follow-up data available, 287 (58.8%) had had full relief, 119 (24.4%) had had partial relief, and 82 (16.8%) had derived no benefit from MALR. The 1- and 3-year freedom from treatment failure for the overall cohort was 63.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.0%-68.3%) and 51.9% (95% CI, 46.1%-57.3%), respectively. The factors associated with an increased hazard of treatment failure on multivariable analysis included robotic MALR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.16-2.59; P = .007), a history of gastroparesis (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.09-3.09; P = .023), abdominal cancer (HR, 10.3; 95% CI, 3.06-34.6; P < .001), dysphagia and/or odynophagia (HR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.27-4.69; P = .008), no relief from a celiac plexus block (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.00-4.72; P = .049), and an increasing number of preoperative pain locations (HR, 1.12 per location; 95% CI, 1.00-1.25; P = .042). The factors associated with a lower hazard included increasing age (HR, 0.99 per increasing year; 95% CI, 0.98-1.0; P = .012) and an increasing number of preoperative diagnostic gastrointestinal studies (HR, 0.84 per study; 95% CI, 0.74-0.96; P = .012) Open and laparoscopic MALR resulted in similar long-term freedom from treatment failure. No radiographic parameters were associated with differences in treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found in long-term failure after open vs laparoscopic MALR; however, open release was associated with higher perioperative morbidity. These results support the use of a preoperative celiac plexus block to aid in patient selection. Operative candidates for MALR should be counseled regarding the factors associated with treatment failure and the relatively high overall rate of treatment failure.

Surgical resection and graft replacement for primary inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma: A multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is best managed with surgical resection when technically feasible. However, consensus is lacking regarding the best choice of conduit and reconstruction technique. The aim of the present multicenter study was to perform a comprehensive assessment through the VLFDC (Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium) to determine the most effective method for caval reconstruction after resection of primary leiomyosarcoma of the IVC. METHODS: A multicenter, standardized database review of patients who had undergone surgical resection and reconstruction of the IVC for primary leiomyosarcoma from 2007 to 2017 was performed. The demographics, periprocedural details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients (60 women and 32 men), with a mean age of 60.1 years (range, 30-88 years) were treated. Metastatic disease was present in 22%. The tumor location was below the renal veins in 49 (53%), between the renal and hepatic veins in 52 (57%), and above the hepatic veins in 13 patients (14%). The conduits used for reconstruction included ringed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; n = 80), nonringed PTFE (n = 1), Dacron (n = 1), autogenous vein (n = 1), bovine pericardium (n = 4), and cryopreserved tissue (n = 5). Complete R0 resection was accomplished in 73 patients (79%). In-hospital mortality was 2%, with a median length of stay of 8 days. The primary patency of PTFE reconstructed IVCs was 97% and 92% at 1 and 5 years, respectively, compared with 73% at 1 and 5 years for the non-PTFE reconstructed IVCs. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival for the entire cohort were 94%, 86%, and 65%, respectively CONCLUSIONS: The findings from our multi-institutional study have demonstrated that complete en bloc resection of IVC leiomyosarcoma with vascular surgical reconstruction in selected patients results in low perioperative mortality and is associated with excellent long-term patency. A ringed PTFE graft was the most commonly used conduit for caval reconstruction, yielding excellent long-term primary patency.

A Multinational, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Cyclical Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: The TWO2 Study.

OBJECTIVE: Topical oxygen has been used for the treatment of chronic wounds for more than 50 years. Its effectiveness remains disputed due to the limited number of robust high-quality investigations. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of multimodality cyclical pressure Topical Wound Oxygen (TWO2) home care therapy in healing refractory diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) that had failed to heal with standard of care (SOC) alone. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with diabetes and chronic DFUs were randomized (double-blind) to either active TWO2 therapy or sham control therapy-both in addition to optimal SOC. The primary outcome was the percentage of ulcers in each group achieving 100% healing at 12 weeks. A group sequential design was used for the study with three predetermined analyses and hard stopping rules once 73, 146, and ultimately 220 patients completed the 12-week treatment phase. RESULTS: At the first analysis point, the active TWO2 arm was found to be superior to the sham arm, with a closure rate of 41.7% compared with 13.5%. This difference in outcome produced an odds ratio (OR) of 4.57 (97.8% CI 1.19, 17.57), P = 0.010. After adjustment for University of Texas Classification (UTC) ulcer grade, the OR increased to 6.00 (97.8% CI 1.44, 24.93), P = 0.004. Cox proportional hazards modeling, also after adjustment for UTC grade, demonstrated >4.5 times the likelihood to heal DFUs over 12 weeks compared with the sham arm with a hazard ratio of 4.66 (97.8% CI 1.36, 15.98), P = 0.004. At 12 months postenrollment, 56% of active arm ulcers were closed compared with 27% of the sham arm ulcers (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This sham-controlled, double-blind randomized controlled trial demonstrates that, at both 12 weeks and 12 months, adjunctive cyclical pressurized TWO2 therapy was superior in healing chronic DFUs compared with optimal SOC alone.

Subclavian carotid transposition: immediate and long-term outcomes of 126 surgical reconstructions.

BACKGROUND: Subclavian carotid transposition (SCT) is a safe, effective, and durable treatment in atherosclerotic disease of the proximal subclavian artery. We report about our experience in SCT in a retrospective study with a long-term outcome in 126 cases and discuss our results with the current literature. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2013, we treated 126 patients (51 men, 75 women; mean age, 60.9 years; range, 25-80 years) for proximal subclavian atherosclerotic lesions. Preoperative angiography revealed 58 stenoses (46.0%) and 68 occlusions (54.0%). We performed 126 SCTs. The following parameters were documented through a retrospective chart review: demographic data, occlusion site, preoperative symptoms, cardiovascular risk profile, coexisting cerebrovascular disease, and postoperative outcome. Continuous variables are summarized as mean. Categoric variables are expressed as frequency and percentage. Survival and patency rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Four immediate occlusions and 1 hemodynamic relevant stenosis (4.0%) occurred postoperatively. Thrombectomy was successful in 2 and a carotid axillary bypass was performed in 3 cases. Three strokes occurred, one during concomitant carotid endarterectomy. The 30-day mortality was 0%. Follow-up data were obtained on 106 of 126 patients (84.0%). The mean follow-up period was 53.8 months (range, 3-159 months). Twenty-three (18.3%) late deaths occurred. Estimated survival was 121.48 ± 6.86 months (range, 3-112 months). Ninety-five percent reported continuous resolution of symptoms. Primary patency rate was 96.0% and secondary patency rate was 100% at 30 days. The long-term patency rate was 96.3% at a mean follow-up of 53.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: SCT is safe, effective, and durable in the long term. SCT is a standard procedure for occlusion and stenosis. Vessel occlusions, ineffective angioplasty, and preparation for thoracic stent grafting make SCT an important procedure in the surgeon's repertoire.

Systemic inflammation after aortic cross clamping is influenced by Toll-like receptor 2 preconditioning and deficiency.

BACKGROUND: The perioperative morbidity and mortality of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is linked to systemic inflammation. Important triggers of the latter are Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which play a central role in innate immunity. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can be influenced by either TLR stimulation before I/R (preconditioning) or TLR dysfunction (deficiency or polymorphism). The influence of TLR2 stimulation or deficiency on systemic cytokine release and organ damage after aortic cross clamping has not been evaluated yet. METHODS: Wild type (WT) and TLR2-deficient mice were subjected to 1 h ischemia and 2 or 4 h reperfusion of the infrarenal aorta. One group of WT mice was preconditioned with the synthetic TLR2 agonist Pam(3)Cys-Ser-Lys(4) (Pam(3)CSK(4)). Sham-operated animals without I/R served as controls. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-α, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatinine were measured. RESULTS: I/R injury caused by transient clamping of the infrarenal aorta led to a time-dependent increase of all measured cytokines except IL-4, IL-5, and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor. This was accompanied by elevated markers of organ damage (ALT, AST, and LDH) except creatinine. Preconditioning with Pam(3)CSK(4) led to lower plasma concentrations of all cytokines, with the exception of anti-inflammatory IL-10 which was significantly upregulated. Furthermore, ALT, AST, and LDH plasma concentrations were lower in the preconditioning group. TLR2-deficient mice similarly showed reduced signs of systemic inflammation and organ damage, although less distinctive. IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, ALT, and LDH were time dependently lower compared with WT mice. IL-10 concentration was higher in TLR2-deficient mice compared with WT. CONCLUSIONS: Both, preconditioning via TLR2 and TLR2 deficiency, ameliorate systemic inflammation and organ damage during I/R injury caused by clamping of the infrarenal aorta. Compared with untreated WT animals, Pam(3)CSK(4) preconditioned and TLR2-deficient mice showed lower concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas anti-inflammatory IL-10 was elevated in both groups. This was accompanied by reduced organ dysfunction parameters.

Genetic variation of TLR4 influences immunoendocrine stress response: an observational study in cardiac surgical patients.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic inflammation (for example, following surgery) involves Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling and leads to an endocrine stress response. This study aims to investigate a possible influence of TLR2 and TLR4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on perioperative adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol regulation in serum of cardiac surgical patients. To investigate the link to systemic inflammation in this context, we additionally measured 10 different cytokines in the serum. METHODS: A total of 338 patients admitted for elective cardiac surgery were included in this prospective observational clinical cohort study. Genomic DNA of patients was screened for TLR2 and TLR4 SNPs. Serum concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were determined before surgery, immediately post surgery and on the first postoperative day. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were identified as TLR2 SNP carriers, 51 as TLR4 SNP carriers and 274 patients as non-carriers. Basal levels of ACTH, cortisol and cytokines did not differ among groups. In all three groups a significant, transient perioperative rise of cortisol could be observed. However, only in the non-carrier group this was accompanied by a significant ACTH rise. TLR4 SNP carriers had significant lower ACTH levels compared to non-carriers (mean (95% confidence intervals)) non-carriers: 201.9 (187.7 to 216.1) pg/ml; TLR4 SNP carriers: 149.9 (118.4 to 181.5) pg/ml; TLR2 SNP carriers: 176.4 ((110.5 to 242.3) pg/ml). Compared to non-carriers, TLR4 SNP carriers showed significant lower serum IL-8, IL-10 and GM-CSF peaks (mean (95% confidence intervals)): IL-8: non-carriers: 42.6 (36.7 to 48.5) pg/ml, TLR4 SNP carriers: 23.7 (10.7 to 36.8) pg/ml; IL-10: non-carriers: 83.8 (70.3 to 97.4) pg/ml, TLR4 SNP carriers: 54.2 (24.1 to 84.2) pg/ml; GM-CSF: non-carriers: 33.0 (27.8 to 38.3) pg/ml, TLR4 SNP carriers: 20.2 (8.6 to 31.8) pg/ml). No significant changes over time or between the groups were found for the other cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: Regulation of the immunoendocrine stress response during systemic inflammation is influenced by the presence of a TLR4 SNP. Cardiac surgical patients carrying this genotype showed decreased serum concentrations of ACTH, IL-8, IL-10 and GM-CSF. This finding might have impact on interpreting previous and designing future trials on diagnosing and modulating immunoendocrine dysregulation (for example, adrenal insufficiency) during systemic inflammation and sepsis.

Analysis of calcifications in patients with coral reef aorta.

BACKGROUND: Coral reef aorta is a rare vascular disease with intraluminal calcifications of the dorsal part of the visceral aorta. The pathogenesis of this disease with its topographic and morphologic characteristics is unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate calcification inhibitors and the ultrastructure of calcifications in patients with coral reef aorta. METHODS: Ten patients with coral reef aorta were examined. Calcified specimens were investigated by immunohistochemical techniques for the expression of the calcification inhibitors matrix gla protein (MGP) and fetuin-A. Vessel walls were also assessed by electron microscopic techniques including electron energy-lost spectroscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, and electron diffraction. Sera of patients were analyzed for fetuin-A, uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP), and osteoprotegerin. RESULTS: As assessed by immunohistochemistry, most MGP was detected in the vicinity of calcified regions. Serum levels of the calcification inhibitors ucMGP, fetuin-A, and osteoprotegerin were 370+/-107 nmol/L, 0.57+/-0.03 g/L, and 5.64+/-0.79 pmol/L, respectively. Ultrastructural analysis of calcified specimens showed a core-shell structure with multiple calcification nuclei. Calcifications displayed a fine-crystalline character, and elemental analysis revealed hydroxyl apatite as the chemical compound. CONCLUSION: The coral reef aorta represents an extreme exophytic growth of vascular calcification with multiple nuclei which resemble typical media calcification. Positive vascular immunostaining and low serum levels of both fetuin-A and ucMGP suggest a pathophysiologic role of these calcification inhibitors in the development of coral reef aorta.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome: vascular surgical therapy and follow-up of 18 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) or celiac artery compression syndrome is a rare vascular disorder caused by an extrinsic compression of the celiac artery from the median arcuate ligament, prominent fibrous bands, and ganglionic periaortic tissue. Clinical symptoms are postprandial abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, unintentional weight loss, and sometimes, abdominal pain during body exercise caused by an intermittent visceral ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the operative management of patients with MALS in our institution, especially in consideration of various vascular reconstructive techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2000 and January 2009, a total of 341 patients were treated in our department for vascular pathologies of the visceral arteries (225 chronic visceral ischaemia, 84 acute visceral ischaemia, and 14 visceral artery aneurysms). In a retrospective study of 18 patients with MALS, the records, clinical symptoms, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical procedures were compiled. This was completed by a reassessment for a follow-up. RESULTS: A MALS was diagnosed in 15 female (83.3%) and three male (16.7%) patients. The mean patient age was 46.2 years (range 20-68 years). The diagnosis of MALS was based on a radiological analysis in all patients by a digitally subtracted angiogram, but duplex ultrasound was used lately more frequently to study the influence of respiration on the stenotic degree of the celiac trunk. All 18 patients were treated with open surgery in an elective situation. Due to the local and specific pathology of the celiac trunk with a fixed stricture or stenosis, out of 18 cases beside decompression, 11 (primary, seven; secondary, four patients) further procedures were performed on the celiac artery (aorto-celiac vein interposition n = 6, aorto-hepatic vein interposition n = 1, resection of the celiac artery and end-to-end anastomosis n = 2, patchplasty of the celiac artery with vein n = 1, and transaortic removal of a stent of the celiac artery n = 1) Follow-up was obtained in 15 patients (83.33%) with a mean duration after surgery of about three and a half years (40.68 months, range from 2 to 102 months). Eleven of the 15 patients (73.33%) were completely free of abdominal symptoms, and nine of them had gained between 3 and 10 kg in weight after surgery. The weight of two patients remained stable. Of the 11 patients with a successful outcome in the follow-up, six of them had undergone decompression solely. In the other five patients, vascular co-procedures on the celiac trunk had been performed. CONCLUSIONS: The MALS is a rare vascular disorder caused by an extrinsic compression of the celiac artery and induces upper abdominal, mostly, postprandial pain. A definite diagnosis of MALS can be achieved by lateral aortography of the visceral aorta and its branches during inspiration and expiration. Open surgical therapy is a safe and reliable procedure with no mortality and low morbidity. As to the local and specific pathology of the celiac trunk after decompression with fixed stricture or stenosis, further vascular procedures are necessary. The long-time follow-up seemed adequate. The laparoscopic approach reduces the procedure of decompression only, something which seemed inadequate for most cases. Endovascular treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and insertion of a stent does not solve the underlying problem of extrinsic compression of the celiac trunk and often requires open procedures during the long-term course. Due to the low incidence of MALS, no guidelines will do justice to all the patients sufficiently, and the choice of treatment must depend on the specific clinical situation for each patient.

Visceral artery aneurysms--follow-up of 23 patients with 31 aneurysms after surgical or interventional therapy.

PURPOSE: Visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) are rare forms of vascular pathology, with an incidence of 0.1% to 0.2% in routine autopsies. They frequently present as a life-threatening, often fatal, emergency, if associated with rupture and intra- or retroperitoneal bleeding. The clinical symptoms, natural history, and mortality of VAAs vary depending on the vessels involved. The mortality rates range from 8.5% up to 25% and, in pregnant women, up to 75%. A retrospective analysis of all VAAs diagnosed at our institution from 1991 to 2006 was performed. The presentation, management, and outcome of therapy was evaluated for each patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (12 men, 11 women, mean age 55.8 years) with 31 VAAs were identified. The anatomical involvement concerned seven regions: celiac (CT) nine, superior mesenteric (SMA) seven, splenic (SA) five, hepatic (HA) six, gastroduodenal (GDA) two, pancreatoduodenal (PDA) one, and one branch of the superior mesenteric artery. Fourteen patients presented symptoms attributable to their aneurysms, which included a total of four ruptures. Nine patients had no symptoms. The etiology of VAAs was atherosclerosis (67.8%), mycotic embolization (12.9%), trauma (9.7%), Marfan Syndrome (3.2%), Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (3.2%), and giant cell arteritis (3.2%). Open surgery was performed for 29 aneurysm in 21 patients: partial resection and tailoring in 13 cases (41.9%), resection of the aneurysm with additional autologous vein graft interposition in nine cases and prosthetic graft interposition in 2 cases (35.5%), aneurysm exclusion by ligation in three cases (9.6%) and aneurysm ligation combined with additional autologous bypass procedure in two cases (6.5%). Two patients (6.5%) were treated interventionally with embolization, in one case each with a right hepatic artery aneurysm and in the other with splenic artery aneurysm. RESULTS: No deaths were observed. The morbidity rate associated with surgical treatment was low. After treatment, a total of 17 patients were followed up for a period ranging from 3 to 154 months (mean 54.6 months). Fifteen patients required no additional procedures. The patency rate of the reconstructed visceral arteries was 90.4%. Six patients were lost for follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical and interventional therapy of VAAs can be life-saving treatments for the patient with a low periprocedural morbidity. The success rate, defined as the exclusion of VAA rupture and the absence of abdominal discomfort, in our material was 88.2% after a mean follow-up of 54.6 months.

Rosiglitazone is cardioprotective in a murine model of myocardial I/R.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a regulator of anti-inflammatory genes. One of its agonists, rosiglitazone-widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus-has recently been reported to increase the risk for myocardial infarction. In contrast, various studies provide evidence for a rosiglitazone-induced cardioprotection in different models of acute myocardial I/R. Here, we report that this protection can still be observed after 28 days of reperfusion in a murine model even when treatment commenced after the period of ischemia (reperfusion therapy). In vitro, cells from the rat cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2(2-1) are protected against oxidative stress by incubation with rosiglitazone, which can be abrogated by dexamethasone or cycloheximide. The antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase 1 is up-regulated in these cells after rosiglitazone treatment. Our data provide further evidence that rosiglitazone exerts protective effects during myocardial I/R and might contribute to the reevaluation of the approved drug rosiglitazone.

Infrarenal transposition of the superior mesenteric artery: a new approach in the surgical therapy for Wilkie syndrome.

The superior mesenteric artery syndrome, also known as Wilkie syndrome or as arteriomesenteric obstruction of the duodenum, is a rare condition of upper intestinal obstruction in which the third part of the duodenum is compressed by the overlying, narrow-angled superior mesenteric artery against the posterior structures. It is characterized by early satiety, recurrent vomiting, abdominal distention, weight loss, and postprandial distress. When nonsurgical management is not possible or the problem is refractory, surgical intervention is necessary. Usually a laterolateral duodenojejunostomy or Roux-en-Y reconstruction for reconstruction of the intestinal passage is performed. We report the first successful transposition, to our knowledge, of the superior mesenteric artery into the infrarenal aorta in the therapy of Wilkie syndrome.

Extracranial carotid arteries aneurysms in children: single-center experiences in 4 patients and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAAs) are very rare conditions in children but carry a great potential of thromboembolic episodes and ruptures. METHODS: To determine the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of ECAA in children in our department, we reviewed the patients' records and completed the data from phone correspondence, written survey, and clinical examination. RESULTS: From January 1981 to June 2006, 4 patients younger than 18 years were surgically treated for ECAA in our department. They were 3 boys and 1 girl. A medical history of tonsillectomy was reported in 3 patients. The aneurysm was symptomatic in all of the patients, local signs being present in every patient. The aneurysm caused hemispheric symptoms in 1 patient and finally stroke. The aneurysms were located in the common carotid artery, in the external carotid artery, and 2 in the internal carotid artery. The cause was congenital, mycotic, and traumatic (post tonsillectomy); for 1 patient, the etiology remained unknown. Aneurysm resection and interposition with vein graft were performed in 3 patients. The external carotid artery aneurysm was resected without reconstruction. There was no perioperative death or stroke. During the early follow-up period, 1 patient had a transient dysphagia and another a transient facial palsy. The patient with preoperative stroke remained with a neurologic deficit. All these patients were followed since the operation. The patient operated on in 1981 is asymptomatic after 25 years, but the graft became occluded 3 years after the operation. The patient who had recurrent attacks is still with residual neurologic deficit. The 2 other patients are without complains; the reconstructions remain patent. CONCLUSION: Although very rare, ECAA can be encountered even in the pediatric population. The past medical history may reveal a tonsillectomy, although the relation may not be easy to establish. Local signs may be accompanied by hemispheric thromboembolic complications, rupture, and bleeding. Therefore, surgical treatment is indicated, but can be challenging according to the anatomical location of the aneurysm.

The coral reef aorta - a single centre experience in 70 patients.

Coral reef aorta (CRA) is described as rock-hard calcifications in the visceral part of the aorta. These heavily calcified plaques grow into the lumen and can cause significant stenoses, which may lead to malperfusion of the lower limbs, visceral ischemia or hypertension due to renal ischemia. From January 1984 to February 2007, 70 patients (24 men, 46 women, mean age 59.5 years, range 14 to 81 years) underwent treatment in the Department of Vascular Surgery and Renal Transplantation, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University (Düsseldorf, Germany) for CRA. The present study is based on a review of patients' records and the prospective follow-up in the outpatient clinic. The most frequent finding was renovascular arterial hypertension (44.3%) causing headache, vertigo and visual symptoms. Intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial occlusive disease was found in 28 patients (40.0%). Seventeen patients (24.3%) presented with chronic visceral ischemia causing diarrhea, weight loss and abdominal pain. Sixty-nine of the 70 patients (98.6%) underwent surgery; in 57 patients, aortic reconstruction was achieved with thromboendarterectomy, performed on an isolated suprarenal segment in six cases (8.7%), an infrarenal segment in 15 cases (21.7%), and the supra- and infrarenal aorta in 43 cases (62.3%). Eight patients (11.6%) died during or soon after surgery. Postoperative complications requiring corrective surgery occurred in 11 patients (15.9%). Almost one-third of the patients (n=19, 27.5%) returned for follow-up after a mean of 52.6 months (range six to 215 months). Of the 19 patients, there was significant clinical and diagnostic improvement in 16 patients (84.2%) and three patients (15.8%) were unchanged. Impairment was not observed. Despite the existing and improving surgical techniques for the treatment of CRA, its pathophysiological basis and genesis is not yet understood.