Identifying barriers to preventive care among First Nations people at risk of lower extremity amputation: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: First Nations people in Canada are overrepresented among those who have undergone nontraumatic lower extremity amputation, and are more likely to be younger, have diabetic foot infections and have no previous revascularization procedures than non-First Nations populations who have undergone lower extremity amputations. We sought to identify access barriers for high-risk First Nations patients, explore patients' experiences with health care systems and identify solutions. METHODS: Employing a community participatory research design, we engaged representatives from 2 communities. They assisted with research design and data analysis, and approved the final manuscript. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and purposeful sampling, we conducted 5 semistructured focus groups between August and December 2021 with community health care teams and patients at risk for, or who had previously undergone, a nontraumatic lower extremity amputation. RESULTS: Patients' (n = 10) and community health care providers' (n = 18) perspectives indicated that barriers to health care access led to delayed care and increased complications and risk for lower extremity amputations, leading to aggressive procedures upon receiving care. Barriers to care led to negative experiences at urban centres and aggressive procedures created further distrust, leading to care disengagement and poor outcomes. Patients and providers both suggested building stronger partnerships between urban and rural health care providers, improving education for patients and health care providers and identifying innovative strategies to improve patients' overall health. INTERPRETATION: Systemic changes, health promotional program and reliable on-reserve primary care are needed to create equitable access for First Nation patients at risk for lower extremity amputations. The study results imply that health care delivery for First Nations patients at risk for lower extremity amputations can be improved through stronger partnership and communication between urban and community providers, and continued education and cultural competency training for urban health care providers.

The effect of peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication on gait regularity and symmetry.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects 20-30% of older adults and is associated with intermittent claudication (IC), which is walking-induced pain. This study compared the regularity and symmetry of gait between healthy older adults and adults with PAD, and between IC and non-IC conditions in the PAD group. Eighteen control (70.7 ± 6.3 years) and 11 PAD participants (67.0 ± 10.1 years) walked overground at a continuous, self-selected speed. A waist-mounted accelerometer determined step time, stride time, gait speed and mediolateral (ML), vertical (V) and anteroposterior (AP) gait regularity (step/stride) and symmetry. Correlations between ankle-brachial index (ABI) scores and PAD gait regularity/symmetry were also investigated. PAD step and stride times were greater (p < 0.01), while gait speed, ML and AP step regularity and ML and V stride regularity were significantly less than the controls (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in gait symmetry. Within the PAD group, post-IC step/stride time and speed increased and decreased, respectively, (p < 0.05), while post-IC step and stride regularity were significantly less in all three directions (p < 0.01). Similarly, ML and V post-IC gait asymmetry increased significantly (p < 0.05). ABI was significantly correlated with pre-and post-IC vertical stride regularity (p < 0.01), and with pre- and post-IC ML gait symmetry (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that gait regularity decreases as a result of PAD and IC. The association between gait regularity/symmetry and ABI should be investigated further, as it may have clinical application to the assessment of PAD severity.

Trends of limb amputation considering type, level, sex and age in Saskatchewan, Canada 2006-2019: an in-depth assessment.

BACKGROUND: Most epidemiologic reports focus on lower extremity amputation (LEA) caused specifically by diabetes mellitus. However, narrowing scope disregards the impact of other causes and types of limb amputation (LA) diminishing the true incidence and societal burden. We explored the rates of LEA and upper extremity amputation (UEA) by level of amputation, sex and age over 14 years in Saskatchewan, Canada. METHODS: We calculated the differential impact of amputation type (LEA or UEA) and level (major or minor) of LA using retrospective linked hospital discharge data and demographic characteristics of all LA performed in Saskatchewan and resident population between 2006 and 2019. Rates were calculated from total yearly cases per yearly Saskatchewan resident population. Joinpoint regression was employed to quantify annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Negative binomial regression was performed to determine if LA rates differed over time based on sex and age. RESULTS: Incidence of LEA (31.86 ± 2.85 per 100,000) predominated over UEA (5.84 ± 0.49 per 100,000) over the 14-year study period. The overall LEA rate did not change over the study period (AAPC -0.5 [95% CI - 3.8 to 3.0]) but fluctuations were identified. From 2008 to 2017 LEA rates increased (APC 3.15 [95% CI 1.1 to 5.2]) countered by two statistically insignificant periods of decline (2006-2008 and 2017-2019). From 2006 to 2019 the rate of minor LEA steadily increased (AAPC 3.9 [95% CI 2.4 to 5.4]) while major LEA decreased (AAPC -0.6 [95% CI - 2.1 to 5.4]). Fluctuations in the overall LEA rate nearly corresponded with fluctuations in major LEA with one period of rising rates from 2010 to 2017 (APC 4.2 [95% CI 0.9 to 7.6]) countered by two periods of decline 2006-2010 (APC -11.14 [95% CI - 16.4 to - 5.6]) and 2017-2019 (APC -19.49 [95% CI - 33.5 to - 2.5]). Overall UEA and minor UEA rates remained stable from 2006 to 2019 with too few major UEA performed for in-depth analysis. Males were twice as likely to undergo LA than females (RR = 2.2 [95% CI 1.99-2.51]) with no change in rate over the study period. Persons aged 50-74 years and 75+ years were respectively 5.9 (RR = 5.92 [95% Cl 5.39-6.51]) and 10.6 (RR = 10.58 [95% Cl 9.26-12.08]) times more likely to undergo LA than those aged 0-49 years. LA rate increased with increasing age over the study period. CONCLUSION: The rise in the rate of minor LEA with simultaneous decline in the rate of major LEA concomitant with the rise in age of patients experiencing LA may reflect a paradigm shift in the management of diseases that lead to LEA. Further, this shift may alter demand for orthotic versus prosthetic intervention. A more granular look into the data is warranted to determine if performing minor LA diminishes the need for major LA.

Stability of Discontinuous Galerkin Spectral Element Schemes for Wave Propagation when the Coefficient Matrices have Jumps.

We use the behavior of the L 2 norm of the solutions of linear hyperbolic equations with discontinuous coefficient matrices as a surrogate to infer stability of discontinuous Galerkin spectral element methods (DGSEM). Although the L 2 norm is not bounded in terms of the initial data for homogeneous and dissipative boundary conditions for such systems, the L 2 norm is easier to work with than a norm that discounts growth due to the discontinuities. We show that the DGSEM with an upwind numerical flux that satisfies the Rankine-Hugoniot (or conservation) condition has the same energy bound as the partial differential equation does in the L 2 norm, plus an added dissipation that depends on how much the approximate solution fails to satisfy the Rankine-Hugoniot jump.

S100A9-RAGE Axis Accelerates Formation of Macrophage-Mediated Extracellular Vesicle Microcalcification in Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular calcification is a cardiovascular risk factor and accelerated in diabetes mellitus. Previous work has established a role for calcification-prone extracellular vesicles in promoting vascular calcification. However, the mechanisms by which diabetes mellitus provokes cardiovascular events remain incompletely understood. Our goal was to identify that increased S100A9 promotes the release of calcification-prone extracellular vesicles from human macrophages in diabetes mellitus. Approach and Results: Human primary macrophages exposed to high glucose (25 mmol/L) increased S100A9 secretion and the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) protein. Recombinant S100A9 induced the expression of proinflammatory and osteogenic factors, as well as the number of extracellular vesicles with high calcific potential (alkaline phosphatase activity, P<0.001) in macrophages. Treatment with a RAGE antagonist or silencing with S100A9 siRNA in macrophages abolished these responses, suggesting that stimulation of the S100A9-RAGE axis by hyperglycemia favors a procalcific environment. We further showed that an imbalance between Nrf-2 (nuclear factor 2 erythroid related factor 2) and NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) pathways contributes to macrophage activation and promotes a procalcific environment. In addition, streptozotocin-induced diabetic Apoe-/-S100a9-/- mice and mice treated with S100a9 siRNA encapsulated in macrophage-targeted lipid nanoparticles showed decreased inflammation and microcalcification in atherosclerotic plaques, as gauged by molecular imaging and comprehensive histological analysis. In human carotid plaques, comparative proteomics in patients with diabetes mellitus and histological analysis showed that the S100A9-RAGE axis associates with osteogenic activity and the formation of microcalcification. CONCLUSIONS: Under hyperglycemic conditions, macrophages release calcific extracellular vesicles through mechanisms involving the S100A9-RAGE axis, thus contributing to the formation of microcalcification within atherosclerotic plaques.

A Case of an Aortic Dissection After Mechanical Chest Compression by LUCAS.

A 68-year-old man presented following a cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed by the Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS), a mechanical chest compression device. Investigations revealed an aortic dissection, which was likely an iatrogenic injury from mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation by LUCAS. This case highlights this potential complication. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Factors associated with delay in carotid endarterectomy for patients with symptomatic severe internal carotid artery stenosis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care (2008 update) recommend that patients with neurologic symptoms secondary to severe internal carotid artery stenosis undergo carotid endarterectomy within 14 days of symptom onset to prevent stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify patient and system factors associated with meeting, or failing to meet, the guideline. METHODS: In this case-control study, potential study participants were identified through an electronic search of the Discharge Abstract Database. We reviewed the charts of patients who presented to our centre with neurologic symptoms ipsilateral to internal carotid artery stenosis of 70%-99% and underwent carotid endarterectomy in our centre between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2014. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with meeting, or failing to meet, the guideline. RESULTS: Of the 412 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy during the study period, 219 met the inclusion criteria. Sixty-seven patients (30.6%) met the 14-day guideline. Thirty (14.2%) of the 212 patients who could be classified as case or control subjects did not access the health care system within 14 days. Once in the health care system, failure to meet the guideline was associated with a presentation of amaurosis fugax (odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05-0.96 compared to completed minor stroke) and presentation to a nonemergency outpatient setting (OR 9.08, 95% CI 2.51-32.80 compared to emergency department). INTERPRETATION: Improvements in meeting the goal of carotid endarterectomy within 14 days of symptom onset for severe internal carotid artery stenosis should be directed at patient and system factors. A system for rapid diagnosis and referral of symptomatic patients to an appropriate surgeon should be established.

Economic implications of endovenous great saphenous ablation in a public health care system.

BACKGROUND: In mid-2007, endovenous ablation (EVA) of the great saphenous vein was introduced into the publicly funded health care system in Saskatchewan, Canada. We hypothesize that the introduction of EVA resulted in a decrease in use of high ligation and stripping (HL/S), decreased costs to the health care system, and increased demand of patients for great saphenous vein ablative procedures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed administrative data to capture cases of HL/S between 2003 and 2014 and cases of EVA of the great saphenous vein (endovenous laser treatment and radiofrequency ablation) between 2007 and 2014. Accounting for the change in practice pattern that occurred slowly between 2007 and 2009, we divided our patients into the pre-EVA era (2003-2006) and the post-EVA era (2010-2014). Procedure costs were determined with models used by our health region for this purpose. RESULTS: Utilization rates for great saphenous vein intervention remained similar in the pre-EVA (90 procedures per year) and post-EVA (92 procedures per year; P = .83) eras. Case costs of HL/S ($1965.12/case) were higher than those of EVA (endovenous laser treatment, $1295.08/case; radiofrequency ablation, $1410.54/case). The total annual costs of great saphenous vein intervention decreased from $176,861 in the pre-EVA era to $134,525 (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of publicly funded EVA has reduced rates of HL/S and reduced costs to our health system by approximately $42,000 per year, without increasing great saphenous vein intervention rates.

Identification of Mature Atherosclerotic Plaque Proteome Signatures Using Data-Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with complex pathobiology and one of the most common causes of cardiovascular events. The process is characterized by complex vascular remodeling processes that require the actions of numerous proteins. The composition of atherosclerotic plaque is increasingly recognized as a major factor governing the occurrence of cardiovascular or neurological symptoms. To gain deeper insights into the composition of atherosclerotic plaques, we created quantitative proteome profiles of advanced plaque tissues of six male patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for stroke prevention. Using a quantitative, data-independent proteome approach, we identified 4181 proteins with an average protein coverage of 45%. An analysis of the quantitative composition of the tissue revealed key players of vascular remodeling processes. Moreover, compared with proximal arterial tissue, 20 proteins in mature plaques were enriched, whereas 52 proteins were found in lower quantities. Among the proteins with increased abundance were prominent extracellular matrix proteins such as biglycan and lumican, whereas cytoskeletal markers for contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were decreased. Taken together, this study provides the most comprehensive quantitative assessment of mature human plaque tissue to date, which indicates a central role of SMCs in the structure of advanced atherosclerotic plaques.

Prevalence of Extracranial Venous Narrowing on Magnetic Resonance Venography Is Similar in People With Multiple Sclerosis, Their Siblings, and Unrelated Healthy Controls: A Blinded, Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: The study sought to assess and compare the prevalence of narrowing of the major extracranial veins in subjects with multiple sclerosis and controls, and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance venography (MRV) for describing extracranial venous narrowing as it applies to the chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency theory, using catheter venography (CV) as the gold standard. METHODS: The jugular and azygos veins were assessed with time-of-flight MRV in this assessor-blinded, case-control study of subjects with multiple sclerosis, their unaffected siblings, and unrelated controls. The veins were evaluated by diameter and area, and compared with CV. Collateral vessels were also analyzed for maximal diameter, as a potential indicator of compensatory flow. RESULTS: A high prevalence of extracranial venous narrowing was demonstrated in all study groups, collectively up to 84% by diameter criteria and 90% by area, with no significant difference between the groups when assessed independently (P = .34 and .63, respectively). There was high interobserver variability in the reporting of vessel narrowing (kappa = 0.32), and poor vessel per vessel correlation between narrowing on MRV and CV (kappa = 0.064). Collateral neck veins demonstrated no convincing difference in maximum size or correlation with jugular narrowing. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of narrowing of the major extracranial veins on MRV in all 3 study groups, with no significant difference between them. These findings do not support the chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency theory. Although MRV has shown a high sensitivity for identifying venous narrowing, time-of-flight imaging demonstrates poor interobserver agreement and poor specificity when compared with the gold standard CV.

The Nature of Iron Deposits Differs between Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques.

Iron within atherosclerotic plaque has been implicated as a catalyst of oxidative stress that causes progression of plaque, and plaque rupture. Iron is believed to accumulate within plaque by incorporation of erythrocytes following plaque rupture and hemorrhage. There is only indirect evidence to support this hypothesis. Plaque specimens were obtained from ten symptomatic and fifteen asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy at a single institution. Plaques were sectioned for study using synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence the study the distribution of zinc, calcium and iron. Histologic staining was carried out with Prussian Blue, and immunohistochemical staining was done to localize macrophages with CD68. Data were compared against patient clinical variables. Ten symptomatic (15 ± 10 days between index symptoms and surgery) and fifteen asymptomatic carotid plaques were studied. Zinc and calcium co-localized in mineralized areas of symptomatic and asymptomatic plaque. Iron was identified away from zinc and calcium in both symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques. Within the symptomatic plaques, iron was found within the thrombus associated with plaque rupture and hemorrhage. It did not stain with Prussian Blue, but was found in association with CD68 positive macrophages. In symptomatic plaques, the abundance of iron showed an association with the source patient's LDL cholesterol (R2 = 0.39, Significance F = 0.05). Iron in asymptomatic plaque was present as hemosiderin/ferritin that stained positive with Prussian Blue, and was observed in association with CD68 positive macrophages. Iron in acutely symptomatic plaques is found within thrombus, in the presence of macrophages. The abundance of iron in symptomatic plaques is associated with the source patient's LDL cholesterol. Within asymptomatic plaques, iron is found in association with macrophages, as hemosiderin/ferritin.

Geographic disparities in the burden of ruptured and unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The province of Saskatchewan presents unique challenges for the care of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), including variable access to health care resources and long transportation distances to tertiary vascular care. This study assessed the rates of ruptured and total AAA to determine regional variations within Saskatchewan and ascertain whether there are areas of high AAA prevalence that would possibly benefit from the implementation of a targeted screening program. METHODS: All diagnoses of AAA from 2001 to 2012 in the province of Saskatchewan were reviewed, with patients grouped by health region of residence. Diagnoses of ruptured and unruptured AAAs were obtained from the Saskatchewan Discharge Abstracts Database, Medical Services Billings Claims data, and Vital Statistics data. RESULTS: During the study period, 6163 AAAs were diagnosed. The provincial age-adjusted rate of AAA was 53.0/100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 48.8-57.6). The highest age-adjusted rate of AAA was found in the Five Hills Health Region (FHHR), at 63.1/100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 57.6-69.0), which was significantly higher than the provincial average (P < .05). The rate of ruptured AAA in FHHR was nearly twofold higher than the provincial average (6.0 vs 2.9/100,000 person-years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant geographic variations in the prevalence of AAA in the province of Saskatchewan, with the highest rate of AAA found in the FHHR.

Patient and observer scar assessment scores favour the late appearance of a transverse cervical incision over a vertical incision in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for stroke risk reduction.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a very common operation, but there is no agreement on the appropriate orientation of the surgical incision. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who had undergone CEA between Jul. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2013. We contacted patients identified in the review to solicit participation in a clinical follow-up examination, during which the esthetic outcome of the scar was evaluated using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). RESULTS: During the study period 237 CEAs were performed. Nine patients refused the use of their personal health information in this study. There were no significant differences in the neurologic outcomes of patients based on the incision orientation (perioperative stroke and death 1.4% with transverse incision v. 0% with a vertical incision, p = 0.44). Fifty-two patients presented for follow-up examination. Thirty-three had a transverse incision and 19 had a vertical incision. Results of the POSAS significantly favoured the transverse incision (p = 0.03). Vertical incisions were more often associated with persistent, mild marginal mandibular nerve dysfunction (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Carotid endarterectomy performed through a transverse skin incision compared with a vertically oriented skin incision is associated with improved esthetic outcome, as measured by the POSAS, without an observed statistically significant difference in the risk of perioperative stroke or death between the 2 techniques.

CONTEXTE: L'endartériectomie de la carotide est une intervention chirurgicale très courante. Toutefois, il n'existe aucun consensus sur l'orientation de l'incision. MÉTHODES: Nous avons analysé rétrospectivement les dossiers de patients ayant subi une endartériectomie de la carotide entre le 1er juillet 2010 et le 31 décembre 2013. Nous avions communiqué au préalable avec les patients concernés pour solliciter leur participation à un examen de suivi clinique au cours duquel le résultat esthétique de leur cicatrice serait évalué au moyen de l'échelle d'évaluation des cicatrices par les patients et les observateurs (POSAS). RÉSULTATS: Au cours de la période visée, 237 endartériectomies de la carotide ont été pratiquées. Neuf patients ont refusé qu'on utilise leurs renseignements médicaux personnels dans le cadre de l'étude. Aucune différence significative n'a été observée quant aux capacités neurologiques des patients selon l'orientation de leur incision chirurgicale (décès et accident vasculaire cérébral périopératoires : 1,4 % avec incision transversale contre 0 % avec incision verticale, p = 0,44). Au total, 52 patients se sont présentés pour un examen de suivi : 33 avaient eu une incision transversale et 19, une incision verticale. Les résultats à la POSAS étaient nettement meilleurs pour les incisions transversales (p = 0,03). Les incisions verticales étaient plus souvent associées à un dysfonctionnement léger, mais persistant de la branche marginale de la mandibule du nerf facial (p = 0,04). CONCLUSION: Notre étude indique que d'après la POSAS, l'endartériectomie de la carotide est associée à un meilleur résultat esthétique lorsqu'elle est pratiquée au moyen d'une incision cutanée transversale qu'au moyen d'une incision verticale. Par ailleurs, aucune différence statistiquement significative n'a été observée quant aux risques de décès et d'accident vasculaire cérébral périopératoires associés à l'une ou l'autre de ces 2 techniques.

Distal revascularization and interval ligation (DRIL) procedure requires a long bypass for optimal inflow.

BACKGROUND: Distal revascularization and interval ligation (DRIL) is commonly used to treat ischemic steal syndrome caused by arteriovenous hemodialysis access and has been associated with good outcomes. However, the literature lacks technical details of a successful intervention. We tested the hypothesis that a brachial-level arteriovenous fistula (AVF) generates a zone of low arterial blood pressure in the brachial artery near the AVF origin. METHODS: We identified patients with ischemic steal syndrome caused by an AVF originating from the brachial artery level who were eligible for the DRIL procedure. All patients were studied with invasive pressure monitoring in the brachial artery at the time of digital subtraction angiography. We measured systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure at 5 cm intervals from a point in the arterial circulation 5 cm distal to the origin of the AVF and continuing proximally into the subclavian artery. RESULTS: Our series involved 10 patients with a mean age of 66.5 (range 53-81) years. Four patients were women and 8 had diabetes. All patients had grade 3 ischemic steal syndrome with ischemic rest pain and/or ischemic tissue loss. Mean systolic, diastolic and arterial pressures increased from the level of the AVF until central pressures were reached. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower than central blood pressure until a level 20-25 cm proximal to the AVF. CONCLUSION: The benefits of the DRIL procedure in alleviating ischemic steal syndrome associated with hemodialysis access are best achieved with a DRIL bypass for which inflow originates at least 20-25 cm proximal to the origin of the AVF.

CONTEXTE: On utilise souvent la revascularisation distale avec ligature intermédiaire (DRIL) pour traiter le syndrome d'hémodétournement ischémique causé par une fistule artérioveineuse pour hémodialyse et elle a été associée à de bons résultats. Or, la littérature donne peu de détails techniques sur les interventions réussies. Nous avons voulu tester l'hypothèse selon laquelle une fistule artérioveineuse (FAV) brachiale génère une zone de tension artérielle réduite dans l'artère brachiale près de la naissance de la FAV. MÉTHODES: Nous avons recensé des patients porteurs d'un syndrome de détournement ischémique causé par une FAV de l'artère brachiale qui étaient admissibles à l'intervention DRIL. Nous avons examiné les patients par monitorage endovasculaire de la pression de l'artère brachiale sous angiographie numérique avec soustraction. Nous avons mesuré les tensions artérielles systoliques, diastoliques et moyennes à des intervalles de 5 cm, à partir d'un point distal de la circulation artérielle éloigné de 5 cm de la naissance de la FAV, puis proximalement, jusqu'à la sous-clavière. RÉSULTATS: Notre série a regroupé 10 patients âgés en moyenne de 66,5 ans (de 53 à 81 ans). Quatre patients étaient des femmes et 8 souffraient de diabète. Tous les patients étaient porteurs d'un syndrome d'hémodétournement ischémique de grade 3 accompagné de douleur ischémique au repos et/ou d'ischémie tissulaire. Les tensions artérielles systoliques, diastoliques et moyennes allaient croissant à partir de la FAV, jusqu'à l'atteinte des tensions centrales. La tension systolique s'est révélée significativement plus faible que la tension centrale jusqu'à un point proximal situé à 20­25 cm de la FAV. CONCLUSION: Dans le traitement du syndrome d'hémodétournement ischémique associé à une fistule artérioveineuse pour hémodialyse, les avantages de l'intervention DRIL sont plus marqués avec un pontage dont l'influx tire son origine à au moins 20­25 cm de la naissance de la FAV.

Prevalence of extracranial venous narrowing on catheter venography in people with multiple sclerosis, their siblings, and unrelated healthy controls: a blinded, case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency has been proposed as a unique combination of extracranial venous blockages and haemodynamic flow abnormalities that occurs only in patients with multiple sclerosis and not in healthy people. Initial reports indicated that all patients with multiple sclerosis had chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency. We aimed to establish the prevalence of venous narrowing in people with multiple sclerosis, unaffected full siblings, and unrelated healthy volunteers. METHODS: We did an assessor-blinded, case-control, multicentre study of people with multiple sclerosis, unaffected siblings, and unrelated healthy volunteers. We enrolled the study participants between January, 2011 and March, 2012, and they comprised 177 adults: 79 with multiple sclerosis, 55 siblings, and 43 unrelated controls, from three centres in Canada. We assessed narrowing of the internal jugular and azygous veins with catheter venography and ultrasound criteria for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency proposed by Zamboni and colleagues. Catheter venography data were available for 149 participants and ultrasound data for 171 participants. FINDINGS: Catheter venography criteria for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency were positive for one of 65 (2%) people with multiple sclerosis, one of 46 (2%) siblings, and one of 32 (3%) unrelated controls (p=1·0 for all comparisons). Greater than 50% narrowing of any major vein was present in 48 of 65 (74%) people with multiple sclerosis, 31 of 47 (66%) siblings (p=0·41 for comparison with patients with multiple sclerosis), and 26 of 37 (70%) unrelated controls (p=0·82). The ultrasound criteria for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency were fulfilled in 35 of 79 (44%) participants with multiple sclerosis, 17 of 54 (31%) siblings (p=0·15 for comparison with patients with multiple sclerosis) and 17 of 38 (45%) unrelated controls (p=0·98). The sensitivity of the ultrasound criteria for detection of greater than 50% narrowing on catheter venography was 0·406 (95% CI 0·311-0·508), and specificity was 0·643 (0·480-0·780). INTERPRETATION: This study shows that chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency occurs rarely in both patients with multiple sclerosis and in healthy people. Extracranial venous narrowing of greater than 50% is a frequent finding in patients with multiple sclerosis, unaffected siblings, and unrelated controls. The ultrasound criteria are neither sensitive nor specific for narrowing on catheter venography. The significance of venous narrowing to multiple sclerosis symptomatology remains unknown. FUNDING: MS Society of Canada, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, Vancouver Coastal Health Foundation, and the Wolridge Foundation.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in southern Saskatchewan: a 10-year mortality review.

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region (RQHR) provides all tertiary vascular care for southern Saskatchewan and portions of southwestern Manitoba. The present study was undertaken to determine the regional mortality rates following rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and to compare these rates with the published literature. A retrospective chart review was undertaken on all cases of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) presenting to the RQHR between March 1, 1996, and February 28, 2006. The demographic data and clinical outcomes were collected from hospital charts by a single reviewer. Over the 10-year study period, 101 cases of rAAA were presented to the RQHR. Patient demographics and comorbidities were comparable to other studies in the published literature. Thirty-seven percent of patients presented with systolic blood pressure below 90 mm Hg, and 7% had no recordable blood pressure. The overall mortality was 25%. Mortality risk was not statistically different between patients presenting within Regina (30%) and those referred from a distance of more than 35 km (21%, P = .353). Seven patients were treated palliatively, and 94 proceeded to open surgical repair. Within the group of patients undergoing surgery, there was a 19% mortality rate. The data show a low observed mortality rate for rAAA presenting to the RQHR. The favorable outcome of the patients is not associated with preselection bias of patients transported long distances to specialist vascular care.

Axillary artery to right atrium shunt for hemodialysis access in a patient with advanced central vein thrombosis: a case report.

Central venous thrombosis presents a challenge to the treatment of hemodialysis patients requiring vascular access. We present the case of a patient with renal failure and virulent thrombophilia causing severe central venous thrombosis. We discuss the use of a hemodialysis shunt from the right axillary artery to the right atrium and describe the technical details and the pitfalls encountered in our utilization of this technique.