Temporary Perfusion Branches to Decrease Spinal Cord Ischemia in the Endovascular Treatment of Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Based on a Presentation at the 2013 VEITH Symposium, November 19-23, 2013 (New York, NY, USA).

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) is one of the most feared complications following the repair of thoraco- abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). Endovascular repair of TAAA is now possible with branched stent grafts, but spinal cord ischaemia rates are still unacceptably high. A number of techniques have been utilized to reduce these levels, however, SCI remains a challenge to endovascular repair of TAAA. The use of sac perfusion branches aims to reduce the incidence of this catastrophic complication. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing branched endovascular aortic repair for all thoraco-abdominal aneurysms (TAAA) using custom made devices during January 2008 to August 2014. We describe a two staged technique in which perfusion of segmental vessels is maintained by a temporary endoleak through an open perfusion branch, incorporated within the branched stent graft, followed by a closure of this branch at a later date to complete exclusion of the aneurysm. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients underwent TAAA repair. Twenty-five (53%) had a two-stage procedure using either a sac perfusion branch or a target vessel to perfuse the sac. Nine patients (19.15%) suffered some form of SCI with eight patients having temporary SCI (lasting less than 72 hours) and one patient having permanent SCI. Of eight patients that had temporary spinal cord ischemia, all had a perfusion strategy. There was one case of permanent SCI (2.13%). CONCLUSION: Sac perfusion branches provide a safe method for preventing SCI, however this needs to be used in conjunction with controlling MAP and CSF drainage.

Best evidence for medical therapy for carotid artery stenosis.

Carotid atheromatous disease is an important cause of stroke and represents a key target in stroke prevention. Randomized trials have shown the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy in secondary stroke prevention. Carotid stenting presents a less invasive alternative to surgical intervention. Advances in medical management, if compliance can be ensured, are leading to improvement in outcomes when implemented as sole therapy in the treatment of atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. This includes lifestyle modification, blood pressure control, and antiplatelet and statin therapy. Over the last 20 years, the annual rate of ipsilateral stroke associated with asymptomatic carotid stenosis has decreased from 2% to 4% to less than 1%. This is largely due to improvements in medical therapy. However, despite numerous trials and years of clinical research, the optimal management of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease remains controversial. This article presents and summarizes the evidence supporting best medical treatment for carotid artery stenosis.

A new technique of branched stent graft treatment for ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) using a branched stent graft is a technically challenging procedure. A 64-year-old man with multiple medical problems, including severe renal impairment, is presented with a ruptured type IV TAAA. He underwent emergency repair using an off-the-shelf branched stent graft and carbon dioxide as the exclusive contrast agent.

An observational study to determine the effect of delayed admission to the intensive care unit on patient outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed patient admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to lack of bed availability is a common problem, but the effect on patient outcome is not fully known. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using departmental computerised records to determine the effect of delayed ICU admission and temporary management within the operating theatre suite on patient outcome. Emergency surgical and medical patients admitted to the ICU (2003 to 2007) were divided into delay (more than three hours from referral to admission) and no-delay (three or fewer hours from referral to admission) groups. Our primary outcome measure was length of ICU stay. Secondary outcome measures were mortality rates and duration of organ support. RESULTS: A total of 1,609 eligible patients were included and 149 (9.3%) had a delayed admission. The delay and no-delay groups had similar baseline characteristics. Median ICU stay was 5.1 days (delay) and 4.5 days (no-delay) (P = 0.55) and ICU mortality was 26.8% (delay) and 24.2% (no-delay) (P = 0.47). Following adjustment for demographic and baseline characteristics there was no difference in either length of ICU stay or mortality rates between groups. ICU admission delay was associated with both an increased requirement for advanced respiratory support (92.3% delay vs. 76.4% no-delay, P <0.01) and a longer time spent ventilated (median four days delay vs. three days no-delay, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in length of ICU stay or mortality rate was demonstrated between the delay and no-delay cohorts. Patients within the delay group had a significantly greater requirement for advanced respiratory support and spent a longer time ventilated.

Should Internal Mammary Lymph Node Biopsy be A Routine Step in Recurrent Breast Cancer? Report of Three Cases With Negative Axilla and Positive Internal Mammary Node.

Lymph node status is the most important clinicopathological prognostic factor for breast cancer patients and in most breast units it reflects only the axillary lymph nodes. A second often overlooked basin consists of the internal mammary lymph nodes (IMLNs) whose evaluation is not done as a routine step during the staging process. We highlight the need to consider incorporation of IMLNs into a patient's staging by presenting three cases of recurrent breast cancer with negative axilla and positive IMLN, a finding which altered their final management. We suggest that biopsy of IMLN should be a routine step in recurrent breast cancer when axillary lymphatics are disrupted by previous surgery although further research is required to define the optimal management of node positive cases.