Epithelioid sarcoma with retained INI1 expression as a cause of a chronic leg ulcer.

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma typically presenting itself as a subcutaneous or deep dermal mass in distal portions of the extremities of adolescents and young adults. They are frequently mistaken for ulcers, abscesses, or infected warts resistant to standard medical treatment. Patients often develop multiple local recurrences with subsequent metastases. We report a case of a 66-year-old patient with chronic leg ulcer who died of generalization of an epithelioid sarcoma.

Vancomycin-releasing cross-linked collagen sponges as wound dressings.

The study presents a novel vancomycin-releasing collagen wound dressing derived from Cyprinus carpio collagen type I cross-linked with carbodiimide which retarded the degradation rate and increased the stability of the sponge. Following lyophilization, the dressings were subjected to gamma sterilization. The structure was evaluated via scanning electron microscopy images, micro-computed tomography, and infrared spectrometry. The structural stability and vancomycin release properties were evaluated in phosphate buffered saline. Microbiological testing and a rat model of a wound infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were then employed to test the efficacy of the treatment of the infected wound. Following an initial mass loss due to the release of vancomycin, the sponges remained stable. After 7 days of exposure in phosphate buffered saline (37°C), 60% of the material remained with a preserved collagen secondary structure together with a high degree of open porosity (over 80%). The analysis of the release of vancomycin revealed homogeneous distribution of the antibiotic both across and between the sponges. The release of vancomycin was retarded as proved by in vitro testing and further confirmed by the animal model from which measurable concentrations were observed in blood samples 24 hours after the subcutaneous implantation of the sponge, which was more than observed following intraperitoneal administration. The sponge was also highly effective in terms of reducing the number of colony-forming units in biopsies extracted from the infected wounds 4 days following the inoculation of the wounds with the MRSA solution. The presented sponges have ideal properties to serve as wound dressing for prevention of surgical site infection or treatment of already infected wounds.

Three-layer collagen-based vascular graft designed for low-flow peripheral vascular reconstructions.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to develop a prototype of an artificial blood vessel which has similar mechanical properties to a human saphenous vein graft and to experimentally verify the function of the prosthesis via ovine carotid bypass implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prototype of an artificial graft prosthesis for low flow was developed and manufactured from a collagenous matrix and reinforcing polyester mesh. We compared the results of both the pressurisation and the mechanical stress evaluation tests of VSM with four types of hybrid vascular graft. The most similar graft (type II) was chosen for the first ovine model implantation. RESULTS: Dominant behavior e.g. mechanical response of VSM graft in plots of circumferential and axial stress during loading is observed in circumferential direction. Average results of used VSM showed area of ideal mechanical response and the properties of artificial blood vessels were fitted into this area. Developed graft remained patent after 161 days of follow up in ovine model. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanical properties of the graft were designed and adjusted to be similar to the behaviour of human saphenous veins. This approach showed promising results and enhanced the final performance of the prosthesis.

Structural changes arising from different thawing protocols on cryopreserved human allograft's aortic valve leaflets.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our experimental work was to assess the impact and morphological changes that arise during different thawing protocols on human aortic valve (AV) leaflets resected from cryopreserved aortic root allografts (CARAs). OBJECTIVES: Two thawing protocols were tested: 1. CARAs were thawed at a room temperature (23°C); 2. CARAs were placed directly into a water bath at a temperature of 37°C. After all the samples were thawed, non-coronary AV leaflets were sampled from each specimen and fixed in a 4% formaldehyde solution before they were sent for morphological analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the samples were washed in distilled water for 5 min and dehydrated in a graded ethanol series (70%, 85%, 95%, and 100%) for 5 min at each level. The tissue samples were then immersed in 100% hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) for 10 min, and then air-dried in an exhaust hood at room temperature. Processed samples were mounted on stainless steel stubs and coated with gold. Histological analysis was performed with the use of an electron microscope on a scanning mode operating at 25 kV - BS 301. RESULTS: Thawing protocol 1 (room temperature at 23°C): 6 (100%) samples showed loss of the endothelial covering of the basal membrane with no damage to the basal lamina. Thawing protocol 2 (water bath at 37°C): 5 (83%) samples showed loss of the endothelial covering of the basal membrane with no damage to the basal lamina. One (17%) sample showed loss of the endothelial covering the basal membrane with significant damage to the basal membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experimental work, we can clearly conclude that cryopreserved AV leaflet allografts show identical structural changes at different rates of thawing.

Fibrin sealants in cardiac surgery: The last five years of their development and application.

This review article describes the use of fibrin glue or fibrin sealants and their development over the past 5 years, with a focus on cardiac surgery. The roles of various types of sealants that are available in hemostasis control are reviewed briefly, together with the various potential risks and side effects of their use. The results of experimental work reported during the last 5 years, clinical data from the same period and the safety aspects of fibrin-based glues and sealants are summarized, showing many advantages of their clinical application over the use of synthetic glues or sealants that may be stronger in some cases, but less safe. It can be concluded that the widespread use of fibrin sealants is fully justified, as it benefits the patient as well as the surgeon through the improved control of hemostasis without increasing any adverse effects or complications during surgical procedures.

Role of Dipyrone in the High On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity amongst Acetylsalicylic Acid-Treated Patients Undergoing Peripheral Artery Revascularisation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of dipyrone on sensitivity to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid [ASA]) in patients who underwent peripheral artery vascular reconstruction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Impedance aggregometry and light transmission aggregometry were used to determine the effects of dipyrone on ASA treatment in 21 patients. Blood samples were drawn in a 7-day period after the surgery. The cut-off value for high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) was set at < 65% of aggregation inhibition for impedance aggregometry. For light transmission aggregometry the cut-off value for arachidonic acid-induced aggregation was set at > 20% of aggregating platelets, and the cut-off value for epinephrine-induced aggregation was > 44% of aggregating platelets. The cut-off value for each method was derived from a large number of patients treated with a daily dose of 100 mg of ASA. RESULTS: We found HTPR in 14 (67%) of the 21 patients. None had primary resistance to ASA, i.e., after the addition of ASA in vitro all samples showed antiplatelet efficacy. Regression analysis showed a possible correlation between lower efficacy of ASA treatment and higher daily doses of dipyrone (p = 0.005 for impedance aggregometry, p = 0.04 for light transmission aggregometry), higher platelet count (p = 0.005 for impedance aggregometry), and shorter time from surgery (p = 0.03 for impedance aggregometry). CONCLUSION: HTPR occurs in 67% of ASA-treated patients after lower limb vascular surgery. The occurrence of HTPR correlates with the daily dose of dipyrone. Therefore, dipyrone should not be used as a postoperative analgesic in ASA-treated patients after peripheral artery revascularisation due to its influence on the effectiveness of ASA.

Organization model for allotransplantations of cryopreserved vascular grafts in Czech Republic.

The transplantation of fresh or cryopreserved vascular allografts in patients with a prosthetic graft infection or critical limb ischemia is necessary for their limb salvage and, in many cases, represents a lifesaving procedure. While transplantation of fresh allografts has a long history in the Czech Republic, the standard use of cryopreserved vascular allografts was introduced into the clinical practice in 2011 as a result of the implementation of EU Directive 2004/23/EC into national legislation (Human Cell and Tissue Act No. 296/2008 Coll.). The authors present an organizational model based on cooperation between the majority of Czech Transplant Centers with a tissue establishment licensed by the national competent authority. In various points, we are addressing individual aspects of experimental and clinical studies which affect clinical practice. Based on experimental and clinical work, the first validation of cryopreserved arterial and venous grafts for clinical use was performed between 2011 and 2013. The growing number of centers participating in this programme led to a growing number of patients who underwent transplantation of vascular allografts. In 2015 the numbers of transplanted fresh versus cryopreserved allografts in the Czech Republic were almost equal. Cooperation of the participating centers in the Czech Republic with the licensed Tissue Establishment made it possible to achieve a full compliance with the European Union Directives, and harmonized national legal norms and assured a high quality of cryopreserved vascular allografts.

Failed TAVI in TAVI Implantation: TAVI Dislocation Followed by Ensuing Surgical Graft Resection.

We are presenting a case report of failed valve-in-valve treatment of severe aortic stenosis. A control ultrasonography after TAVI implantation revealed a severe aortic regurgitation of the graft which was subsequently unresolved with postimplantation dilatation. Second TAVI was implanted with cranial dislocation to the aortic root. Patient underwent a CT examination to clarify the TAVI in TAVI position. Patient underwent a surgical resection of TAVI with implantation of biological aortic valve prosthesis. In situations where TAVI treatment fails or is complicated beyond the possibility of endovascular repair, surgical intervention despite its higher risks is the preferred choice.

Cryopreserved human aortic root allografts arterial wall: Structural changes occurring during thawing.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our experimental work was to assess morphological changes of arterial wall that arise during different thawing protocols of a cryopreserved human aortic root allograft (CHARA) arterial wall. METHODS: The experiment was performed on CHARAs. Two thawing protocols were tested: 1, CHARAs were thawed at a room temperature at +23°C; 2, CHARAs were placed directly into a water bath at +37°C. MICROSCOPIC SAMPLES PREPARATION: After fixation, all samples were washed in distilled water for 5 min, and dehydrated in a graded ethanol series (70, 85, 95, and 100%) for 5 min at each level. The tissue samples were then immersed in 100% hexamethyldisilazane for 10 minutes and air dried in an exhaust hood at room temperature. Processed samples were mounted on stainless steel stubs, coated with gold. RESULTS: Thawing protocol 1: All 6 (100%) samples showed loss of the endothelium and damage to the subendothelial layers with randomly dispersed circular defects and micro-fractures without smooth muscle cells contractions in the tunica media. Thawing protocol 2: All 6 (100%) samples showed loss of endothelium from the luminal surface, longitudinal corrugations in the direction of blood flow caused by smooth muscle cells contractions in the tunica media with frequent fractures in the subendothelial layer. CONCLUSION: All the samples thawed at the room temperature showed smaller structural damage to the CHARA arterial wall with no smooth muscle cell contraction in tunica media when compared to the samples thawed in a water bath.

Intercondylar Route of Prosthetic Infragenicular Femoropopliteal Bypass Has Better Primary, Assisted, and Secondary Patency but Not Limb Salvage Rate Compared to the Medial Route.

Aim. To compare the differences between medial and intercondylar infragenicular femoropopliteal prosthetic bypasses in terms of their midterm patency and limb salvage rates. Methods. Ninety-three consecutive patients with peripheral arterial disease who underwent a simple distal femoropopliteal bypass using a reinforced polytetrafluorethylene graft were included in this retrospective study. The bypass was constructed in the intercondylar route in 52 of the patients (group A) and in 41 in the medial route (group B). Results. Median observation time of the patients was 12.7 (IQR 4.6-18.5) months. There were 22 and 24 interventional or surgical procedures (angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, or correction of the anastomosis) performed to restore patency of the reconstruction in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.14). The 20-month primary, assisted, and secondary patency rates and limb salvage rates were 57%, 57%, 81%, and 80% in group A compared to 21%, 23%, 55%, and 82% in group B (p = 0.0012, 0.0052, 0.022, and 0.44, resp.). Conclusion. Despite better primary, assisted, and secondary patency rates in patients with a prosthetic infragenicular femoropopliteal bypass embedded in the intercondylar fossa compared to patients with the medial approach, there is no benefit in terms of the limb salvage rate and the number of interventions required to maintain patency of the reconstruction.

Juxtarenal Modular Aortic Stent Graft Infection Caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Introduction. We are presenting a case report of an infected modular abdominal stent graft. Case Presentation. A 67-year-old male patient three years after Cook's modular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) graft implantation for juxtarenal AAA with an implantation of a stent extension into the right common iliac artery for type Ib endoleak. The patient was admitted into our center in severe condition with suspected retroperitoneal bleeding. Computed tomography angiography (CTAG) confirmed retroperitoneal bleeding in the right common iliac artery. An urgent surgical revision was indicated; destructed arterial wall around the stent extension in the right common iliac artery was discovered. Due to the severe state of health of the patient, a resection of the infected stent and affected arterial wall was performed, followed by an iliac-femoral crossover bypass. The patient was transported to the intensive care unit with hepatic and renal failure, with maximal catecholamine support. Combined antibiotic treatment was started. The patient died five hours after the procedure. The cause of death was multiorgan failure caused by sepsis. Hemocultures and perioperative microbiological cultures showed the infection agent to be Staphylococcus aureus methicillin sensitive. Conclusion. Stent graft infection is a rare complication. Treatment is associated with high mortality and morbidity.

Basilic Vein Transposition Used as a Tertiary Vascular Access for Hemodialysis: 15 Years of Experience.

INTRODUCTION: The quality of the life in patients requiring long term hemodialysis is directly proportional to the long-term patency of their vascular access. Basilic vein transposition for vascular access (BAVA) represents a suitable option for creating a tertiary native vascular access for hemodialysis on the upper extremities for patients requiring long term hemodialysis. The purpose of the study is to compare BAVAs with arteriovenous grafts (AVG). METHOD: Data collection was based on selecting all of the patients with BAVA created in the time period in between January 1996 and August 2011. A questionnaire was created and sent to the selected hemodialysis centers. The resulting set of data was statistically analyzed and evaluated. RESULTS: In the time period between 1 January 1996 and August 2011, arteriovenous access for hemodialysis was created in 6754 patients (7203 procedures in total). Out of these patients, 175 BAVAs were created. Our patient database of those undergoing the BAVA procedure consisted of 98 females (56%) and 77 males (44%) with an average age of 64.5 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 60% (105 patients). Primary patency after 12 months was 68.8%, 24 months 59.7%, 36 months 53.8, 48 months 53.8%, and 60 months 50%. Primary assisted patency after 12 months was 89.9%, 24 months 84.6%, 36 months 77.8%, 48 months 77.9%, 60 months 70.8%. Secondary patency after 12 months was 89.4%, 24 months 86.9%, 36 months 81%, 48 months 78.9%, 60 months 75.7%. Twenty-nine BAVAs (16.5%) were obliterated. CONCLUSION: Patients benefit from this type of procedure due to the longer patency of a native arteriovenous access, as well as a lower incidence of infectious complications.

Prediction of compartment syndrome based on analysis of biochemical parameters.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of predicting severe compartment syndrome using simple biochemical parameters was evaluated in a single-center study of 55 patients who presented with acute femoral embolism and who were treated with open surgical embolectomy. METHODS: Parameters related to tissue damage and oxidative metabolism (i.e., lactate, bilirubin, myoglobin, uric acid, glucose, and fibrinogen) were monitored in ipsilateral femoral vein blood. RESULTS: Several statistically significant predictors of relevant compartment syndrome after surgical reperfusion were found, including lactate, uric acid, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, bilirubin, intrafascial pressure, and serum myoglobin. Glycemia and serum albumin did not significantly change over time. CONCLUSIONS: The lactate concentration in femoral vein blood sampled during surgical embolectomy can be used for the stratification of additional postoperative risk of clinically significant compartment syndrome complicating reperfusion after acute embolism of the femoral artery.

Surgical extirpation of glomus tumor from rare localization on the upper extremity.

Objective. To report on a very rare case of a glomus tumor manifested on the upper arm in a healthy young male patient. Case Presentation and Intervention. A 22-year-old male patient presented with bluish multifocal venous malformation on the left upper arm and was admitted for venous malformation excision. Pain, discomfort, and upper arm paraesthesia had been present for almost 6 years. Ultrasonography revealed septet tumor without blood flow in the subcutaneous region of anterior aspect of the upper arm. A multifocal venous malformation approximately 5-10 mm in diameter was excised. Histological examination showed dilated vascular area with proliferated glomus cells with round nucleus in the wall of dilated vascular structures. Based on histological examination, the final diagnosis was made as "glomangioma." Conclusion. Histological examination is the only method that can establish final diagnosis. Currently, the only available treatment for this type of tumor is surgical excision.