Characterization of Venous Involvement in Vasculo-Behçet Disease

Background@#Behçet disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a varying etiology.Herein, we report the involvement of peripheral veins in Behçet disease and discuss the treatment thereof. @*Methods@#Thirty-four patients with venous involvement in vasculo-Behçet disease were retrospectively analyzed over 15 years. We reviewed the clinical manifestations, treatment choices, and complications of these patients. @*Results@#Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was observed in 24 patients (70.59%) and varicose veins in 19 (52.94%). Immunosuppressive treatment was administered to all patients due to the pathological feature of vein wall inflammation. In patients with DVT, anticoagulation therapy was also used, but post-thrombotic syndrome was observed in all patients along with chronic luminal changes. Eleven patients with isolated varicose veins underwent surgery; although symptoms and lesions recurred in half of these patients, no cases of secondary DVT occurred. @*Conclusion@#When DVT was diagnosed in patients with Behçet disease, there was no cure for the lesions. Ultrasonographic abnormalities were observed in all patients, and post-thrombotic syndrome remained to varying degrees. In cases of isolated varicose veins in patients with Behçet disease, DVT did not occur after surgical treatment. If the activity of Behçet disease is controlled, surgical correction of varicose veins is preferable.

Traumatic Peripheral Arterial Injury with Open Repair: A 10-Year Single-Institutional Analysis

Background@#We report our 10-year experience with traumatic peripheral arterial injury repair at an urban level I trauma center. @*Methods@#Between January 2007 and December 2016, 28 adult trauma patients presented with traumatic peripheral arterial injuries. Data were retrospectively collected on demographic characteristics, the mechanism of injury, the type of vascular injury, and physiological status on initial assessment. The analysis also included the Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS), Injury Severity Score, surgical procedures, and outcome variables including limb salvage, hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, and postoperative vascular complications. @*Results@#Four (14.3%) patients required amputation due to failed revascularization. MESS significantly differed between patients with blunt and penetrating trauma (8.2±2.2 vs.5.8±1.3, respectively; p=0.005). The amputation rate was not significantly different between patients with blunt and penetrating trauma (20% vs. 0%, respectively; p=0.295). The overall mortality rate was 3.6% (1 patient). @*Conclusion@#Blunt trauma was associated with higher MESS than penetrating trauma, and amputation was more frequent. In particular, patients with blunt trauma had significantly higher MESS than patients with penetrating trauma (8.2±2.2 vs. 5.8±1.3, respectively; p=0.005), and amputation was performed when revascularization failed in cases of blunt trauma of the lower extremity. Therefore, particular care is needed in making treatment decisions for patients with peripheral arterial injuries caused by blunt trauma.

Videoscopic Surgery for Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Access

Background@#When an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is created using the basilic or deep cephalic vein, it is additionally necessary to transfer the vessels to a position where needling is easy; however, many patients develop wound-related postsurgical complications due to the long surgical wounds resulting from conventional superficialization of a deep AVF or basilic vein transposition. Thus, to address this problem, we performed videoscopic surgery with small surgical incisions. @*Methods@#Data from 16 patients who underwent additional videoscopic radiocephalic superficialization, brachiocephalic superficialization, and brachiobasilic transposition after AVF formation at our institution in 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. @*Results@#Needling was successful in all patients. No wound-related complications occurred. The mean vessel size and blood flow of the AVF just before the first needling were 0.73±0.16 mm and 1,516.25±791.26 mL/min, respectively. The mean vessel depth after surgery was 0.26±0.10 cm. Percutaneous angioplasty was additionally performed in 25% of the patients. Primary patency was observed in 100% of patients during the follow-up period (262.44±73.49 days). @*Conclusion@#Videoscopic surgery for AVF dramatically reduced the incidence of postoperative complications without interrupting patency; moreover, such procedures may increase the use of native vessels for vascular access. In addition, dissection using a videoscope compared to blind dissection using only a skip incision dramatically increased the success rate of displacement by reducing damage to the dissected vessels.

A Comparative Study of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Endovascular Aneurysm Repair versus Open Repair

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has dramatically changed the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) as the number of open aneurysm repairs have declined over time. This report compares AAA-related demographics, operative data, complications, and mortality after treatment by open aneurysm repair or EVAR. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 136 patients with AAAs who were treated over an 8-year time period with open aneurysm repair or EVAR. RESULTS: The mean age of the EVAR group was higher than that of the open repair group (p=0.001), and hospital mortality did not differ significantly between groups (p=0.360). However, overall survival was significantly lower in the EVAR group (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: Although EVAR is the primary treatment modality for elderly patients, it would be ideal to set slightly more stringent criteria within the anatomical guidelines contained in the instructions for use of the EVAR device when treating younger patients.

Should We Remove the Retrievable Cook Celect Inferior Vena Cava Filter? Eight Years of Experience at a Single Center

BACKGROUND: The inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) is very effective for preventing pulmonary embolism in patients who cannot undergo anticoagulation therapy. However, if a filter is placed in the body permanently, it may lead to other complications. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of 159 patients who underwent retrievable Cook Celect IVCF implantation between January 2007 and April 2015 at a single center. Baseline characteristics, indications, and complications caused by the filter were investigated. RESULTS: The most common underlying disease of patients receiving the filter was cancer (24.3%). Venous thrombolysis or thrombectomy was the most common indication for IVCF insertion in this study (47.2%). The most common complication was inferior vena cava penetration, the risk of which increased the longer the filter remained in the body (p=0.032, Exp(B)=1.004). CONCLUSION: If the patient is able to retry anticoagulation therapy and the filter is no longer needed, the filter should be removed, even if a long time has elapsed since implantation. If the filter cannot be removed, it is recommended that follow-up computed tomography be performed regularly to monitor the progress of venous thromboembolisms as well as any filter-related complications.

General Considerations of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Although development of surgical technique and critical care, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm still carries a high mortality. In order to obtain good results, various efforts have been attempted. This paper reviews initial management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and discuss the key point open surgical repair and endovascular aneurysm repair.

Bypass Surgery in Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) causes ischemic symptoms; it is the rarest type, occurring in 5% of all TOS cases. This paper is a case report of a 38-year-old male patient diagnosed with arterial TOS, displaying symptoms of acute critical limb ischemia caused by thromboembolism. Brachial artery of the patient has been diffusely damaged by repeated occurrence of thromboembolism. It was thought to be not enough only decompression of subclavian artery to relieve the symptoms of hand ischemia; therefore, bypass surgery using reversed great saphenous vein was performed.

Upper Limb Ischemia: Clinical Experiences of Acute and Chronic Upper Limb Ischemia in a Single Center

BACKGROUND: Upper limb ischemia is less common than lower limb ischemia, and relatively few cases have been reported. This paper reviews the epidemiology, etiology, and clinical characteristics of upper limb ischemia and analyzes the factors affecting functional sequelae after treatment. METHODS: The records of 35 patients with acute and chronic upper limb ischemia who underwent treatment from January 2007 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The median age was 55.03 years, and the number of male patients was 24 (68.6%). The most common etiology was embolism of cardiac origin, followed by thrombosis with secondary trauma, and the brachial artery was the most common location for a lesion causing obstruction. Computed tomography angiography was the first-line diagnostic tool in our center. Twenty-eight operations were performed, and conservative therapy was implemented in seven cases. Five deaths (14.3%) occurred during follow-up. Twenty patients (57.1%) complained of functional sequelae after treatment. Functional sequelae were found to be more likely in patients with a longer duration of symptoms (odds ratio, 1.251; p=0.046) and higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (odds ratio, 1.001; p=0.031). CONCLUSION: An increased duration of symptoms and higher initial serum LDH levels were associated with the more frequent occurrence of functional sequelae. The prognosis of upper limb ischemia is associated with prompt and proper treatment and can also be predicted by initial serum LDH levels.

Peptidoglycan Up-Regulates CXCL8 Expression via Multiple Pathways in Monocytes/Macrophages

Peptidoglycan (PG), the gram positive bacterial pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP), is detected in a high proportion in macrophage-rich atheromatous regions, and expression of chemokine CXCL8, which triggers monocyte arrest on early atherosclerotic endothelium, is elevated in monocytes/macrophages in human atherosclerotic lesion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PG induced CXCL8 expression in the cell type and to determine cellular signaling pathways involved in that process. Exposure of THP-1 cell, human monocyte/macrophage cell line, to PG not only enhanced CXCL8 release but also profoundly induced il8 gene transcription. PG-induced release of CXCL8 and induction of il8 gene transcription were blocked by OxPAPC, an inhibitor of TLR-2/4 and TLR4, but not by polymyxin B, an inhibitor of LPS. PG-mediated CXCL8 release was significantly attenuated by inhibitors of PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways. PKC inhibitors, MAPK inhibitors, and ROS quenchers also significantly attenuated expression of CXCL8. The present study proposes that PG contributes to inflammatory reaction and progression of atherosclerosis by inducing CXCL8 expression in monocytes/macrophages, and that TLR-2, PI3K-Akt-mTOR, PKC, ROS, and MAPK are actively involved in the process.

The Factors Affecting Recurrence of Symptoms after Infrainguinal Arterial Endovascular Angioplasty

BACKGROUND: This study reports the result of endovascular treatment for arterial occlusive disease limited to femoropopliteal lesions, focusing on the recurrence of symptoms instead of patency. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study. From April 2007 to November 2011, 48 limbs in 38 patients underwent endovascular stenting or balloon angioplasty to treat femoropopliteal arterial occlusive disease. The factors affecting the recurrence of symptoms were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.60+/-7.62 years. Among the baseline characteristics of the patients, initial hyperlipidemia was the most important factor affecting the recurrence of symptoms (relative risk=5.810, p=0.031). The presence of a dorsal arch was also a significant factor (relative risk=0.675, p=0.047). CONCLUSION: The major factors that affect the recurrence of symptoms after endovascular treatment for femoropopliteal arterial occlusive lesions are hyperlipidemia and the presence of a dorsal arch. Therefore, the usage of lipid-lowering agents after endovascular treatment and taking the presence of a dorsal arch into consideration are important elements of managing the recurrence of symptoms.

Double Primary Aortoenteric Fistulae: A Case Report of Two Simultaneous Primary Aortoenteric Fistulae in One Patient

Aortoenteric fistula is a rare but potentially fatal condition causing massive gastrointestinal bleeding. In particular, double primary aortoenteric fistulae are vanishingly rare. We encountered a 75-year-old male patient suffering from abdominal pain, hematochezia, hematemesis, and hypotension. His computed tomography images showed abdominal aortic aneurysm and suspected aortoenteric fistulae. During surgery, we found two primary aortoenteric fistulae. The one fistula was detected between the abdominal aorta and the third portion of the duodenum, and the other fistula was detected between the abdominal aorta and the sigmoid colon. We conducted the closure of the fistulae, the exclusion of the aneurysm, and axillo-bifemoral bypass with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The patient was discharged with no complications on the 21st postoperative day.

Factors Affecting the Postoperative Mortality in the Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

BACKGROUND: Although patients with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) often reach the hospital alive, the perioperative mortality is still very high. We retrospectively reviewed thirty patients who underwent repair of RAAA to identify the factors affecting postoperative mortality in a single hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2007 and May 2011, thirty patients with RAAA underwent emergent surgery (n=27) or endovascular aneurysm repair (n=3). Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed regarding three categories: 1) preoperative patient status: age, gender, vital signs, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, hematocrit, and hemoglobin level: 2) aneurysmal status: size, type, and rupture status; and 3) operative factors: interval time to operating room, operative duration, and amount of perioperative transfusion. RESULTS: The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 13.3% (4/30); later mortality was 3.3% (1/30). On multivariate analysis, the initial diastolic blood pressure (BP), interval time to operating room and amount of preoperative packed cell transfusion were statistically significantly linked with postoperative mortality (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, preoperative diastolic BP, preoperative packed cell transfusion amount and interval time between arrival and entry to operating room were significantly associated with postoperative mortality. It is important to prevent hemorrhage as quickly as possible.

Duodenal Perforation Caused by an Inferior Vena Cava Filter

The inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is known as an effective and safe method for preventing fatal pulmonary thromboembolism in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Usually, the remaining IVC filters are asymptomatic and do not cause clinical problems. We report a case of duodenal perforation caused by a remaining IVC filter.

Clinical Efficacy of Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has come into use and been widely extended because of the low complication rate and less-invasiveness. This article aimed to describe our experience in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm with EVAR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for the 22 patients who underwent EVAR in a single hospital December 2001 to June 2009. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 68.5+/-7.6 years. There were several risk factors and comorbidities in 20 patients (90.9%). The mean diameter of the aortic aneurysms was 61.2+/-12.9 mm. The mean length, diameter, and angle of the aneurysmal neck were 30.5+/-15.5 mm, 24.0+/-4.5 mm, and 43.9+/-16.0degrees, respectively. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 28.8+/-29.5 months. The 30-day postoperative mortality was none. Seven patients (31.8%) had endoleaks during the hospital stay and three patients (13.6%) had endoleaks during the follow-up period. One patient (4.5%) died due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. The cumulative patient survival rates were 88.2%, 88.2%, and 70.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: EVAR is currently a safe, feasible procedure for high risk patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm because of low postoperative complication and mortality if patients are selected properly and followed up carefully.

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm after Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

In treating uncomplicated abdominal aortic aenurysm, endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been employed as a good alternative to open repair with low perioperative morbidity and mortality. However, the aneurysm can enlarge or rupture even after EVAR as a result of device failure, endoleak, or graft migration. We experienced two cases of aneurismal rupture after EVAR, which were successfully treated by surgical extra-anatomic bypass.

The Efficacy of Endovascular Treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious disease that causes life-threatening pulmonary embolism and chronic venous insufficiency. Anticoagulation is the standard therapy for DVT. However, the results of standard anticoagulation for treating DVT have been disappointing, so endovascular treatment is commonly performed nowadays. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an endovascular procedure for treating patients with DVT. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical data of 29 DVT patients who underwent an endovascular procedure between December 2006 and July 2008. We compared the results of the 29 patients with the results of another 45 patients who were treated with only aspirin and heparin. RESULT: The patient's mean age was 55.4 years in the intervention group and 53.7 years in the control group. DVT occurred more frequently in the females. Catheter-directed thrombolysis was performed in 22 patients (75.8%). Aspiration thrombectomy was performed in 18 patients (62%) and a endovascular stent was placed in 25 patients (86.2%). Fifteen patients (51.7%) underwent percutaneous insertion of a retrievable IVC filter for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. In the control group, thirty nine patients (86.7%) were treated with low-molecular heparin, and seven patients (15.6%) who were contraindicated for warfarin were treated with aspirin. No bleeding complications occurred during thrombolysis or anticoagulation. We analyzed the statistical data according to recurrence of DVT and the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) during the follow-up period. The intervention group had a significantly lower incidence of PTS (p-value=0.008), but they had the same result as the control group for the recurrence of DVT. In addition, death from the DVT did not occur in the intervention group. Thus, we obtained better clinical outcomes in the intervention group as compared to those in the anticoagulation only group. CONCLUSION: Endovascular procedures are effective alternative modalities, as compared to systemic anticoagulation, for the treatment of DVT. But more studies are needed to determine the specific indications and to validate the long-term efficacy of endovascular procedures for the treatment of DVT.

Clinical Study of the Treatments for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm; Comparison between the Retroperitoneal and Transperitoneal Approaches / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The principal surgical technique for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm since the 1960s has been the transperitoneal approach, yet there have been some recent studies that have reported improved surgical results with using the retroperitoneal approach. However, there are only limited clinical Korean studies that have, compared between the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study included 36 patients who had been diagnosed as having an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and they were surgically treated between January 2001 and July 2007. The patients were subdivided into the retroperitoneal approach group (n=17) and the transperitoneal approach group (n=19), and they were compared in terms of the preoperative risk factors, the postoperative complications and the operative mortality. The risk factors of operative mortality risk and long-term survival for the 36 patients were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULT: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of gender, age, the underlying disease, a history of smoking, rupture of aneurysm, the preoperative symptoms, the operation time and the incidence of postoperative complications. However, the duration of postoperative fasting, the number of days of having an indwelling nasogastric tube and the length of the stay in the intensive care unit were significantly short for the retroperitoneal approach group (p or =1.8 mg/dL, p=0.016) and ruptured aneurysm (p<0.001) were the significant risk factors of operative mortality. As assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method, the long-term survival was comparable between the groups and the five-year survival rate of all the patients was 57.5%. CONCLUSION: In the present study, a retroperitoneal approach has several advantages such as a shorter intensive care unit stay, a shorter duration of postoperative fasting and a shorter duration of an indwelling nasogastric tube. Therefore, unless there is any contraindication for a retroperitoneal approach, it could be considered as a primary surgical access for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Does Bilateral Pedicle Internal Thoracic Artery Harvest Increase the Risk of Mediastinitis?

PURPOSE: Bilateral in situ internal thoracic artery (ITA) bypassing may result in excellent myocardial revascularization without increasing the risk of deep sternal wound infection. Although there have been concerns with the use of pedicled bilateral ITA, the risk of infection may not be greater than the use of skeletonized ITA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was retrospectively undertaken to determine if pedicled BITA grafts are associated with a higher risk of sternal wound complications. A total of 207 patients who underwent bilateral ITA bypasses with or without existing diabetes mellitus, and 162 patients of those received bilateral pedicled ITA and 98 patients received unilateral ITA bypass grafts. RESULTS: No sternal wound complications were noted in either the bilateral ITA or unilateral left ITA groups. CONCLUSION: Bilateral pedicled ITA harvesting was not associated with a greater incidence of infectious sternal complications compared to patients receiving unilateral ITA bypass grafts.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients Treated in an Emergency Center for Vascular Trauma

PURPOSE: The mortality and the amputation rates due to vascular trauma remain high despite advanced vascular surgical techniques and supportive management. The clinical features of patients with vascular trauma have not been well studied in the Korean population. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with vascular trauma and to develop a database and guidelines for improving the outcomes of treatment. METHODS: The medical records of 37 patients with traumatic vascular injuries who had visited in an emergency center between January 2002 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 37.8 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 5.2 : 1. The mechanism of vascular trauma was penetrating in 18 patients and blunt in 19 patients. Upper extremities were most frequently injured (39.4%). The treatment methods were primary repair in 21 patients, exploratory laparotomies in 7, radiological interventions in 3, resections and graft interpositions of the pseudoaneurysm in 3, observations in 3 and a bypass graft in 1. Four out of the 37 patients died, and three of these who died had injuried abdominal vessels. Twenty-five of the patients recovered completely, four expired, seven had neuropathy in the course of treatement, one had his limb amputated, and one experienced wound necrosis. CONCLUSION: Peripheral vessel injuries are commonly accompanied by nerve, muscle, or tendon injuries. Patients without associated fractures or compartment syndrome had good prognosis. Although the time intervals from hospital arrival to definite treatment were the shortest among patients with blunt abdominal vascular injuries, three expired. Therefore, we offer a 'critical pathway' to improve the outcomes of patients with blunt abdominal vascular injury.

Clinical Study of Vascular Injuries / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Major vascular injuries can jeopardize a patient's life or imperil limb survival. We performed this study to establish an optimal management plan for vascular injuries. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 26 cases of vascular injury that were treated at Pusan National University Hospital from May, 1999 to September, 2004. The age and sex distribution, the locations and causes of vascular injury, the diagnostic tools, the degree of injuries, clinical manifestations, the treatment modality and complications were reviewed. RESULT:The mean age was 39.5 years (range: 12~86) and the male to female ratio was 22:4. The injuries were in 6 descending thoracic aortas, 4 femoral arteries, 4 popliteal veins and so on. The causes of injury were iatrogenic in 8 cases, traffic accident in 7, stab injury in 6 and industrial accident in 5. The most commonly used diagnostic tools were CT and angiography. The degrees of arterial injury were pseudoaneurysm in 10 cases, partial severance in 5, complete severance in 3 and thrombosis in 3. The degrees of venous injury were partial severance in 6 cases, complete severance in 2 and arteriovenous fistula in 2. The clinical manifestations were absence of pulse in 8 cases, coldness in 7, chest pain in 6, swelling in 5, bleeding in 5 and so on. The most frequently used type of revascularization was graft interposition in 11 cases. Two arteriovenous fistulae were repaired by endovascular procedure. There was one case of mortality due to multi-organ failure after hemorrhagic shock. There were three major amputations, and two of them were due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION: A system for the early diagnosis and treatment is essential for improving limb salvage and patient mortality. As a consequence of the widespread application of endovascular procedures, the incidence of iatrogenic injuries has recently increased. Educating physicians is important for the prevention of iatrogenic injury. Easy communication and cooperation for earlier involvement of a vascular surgeon is also an important factor.