Biomechanical Analysis of Cadaveric Thoracic Aorta Zones: The Isthmus is the Weakest Region.

BACKGROUND: The thoracic aorta is a site of multiple pathological processes, such as aneurysms and dissections. When considering the development of endovascular devices, this vessel has been extensively manipulated because of aortic diseases, as well as to serve as a route for procedures involving the head and neck vessels. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to obtain biomechanical experimental information about the strength and deformability of this vessel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one thoracic aorta specimens were harvested during the autopsy procedure. They were carefully dissected and transversally sectioned according to Criado's aortic arch map landing zones (0 to 4). The supra-aortic trunks were removed, and the aortic rings were opened in their convexity, which resulted in flat tissue segments. Four millimeter-wide strips were prepared from each zone after which they were attached to a clip system connected to the INSTRON SPEC 2200 device, which was responsible for pulling the fragment up to its rupture during the uniaxial tension test. The INSPEC software was used to coordinate the test, and data management was conducted via the SERIES IX software. The biomechanical variables that were measured included failure stress, failure tension, and failure strain. RESULTS: When comparing the five segments from all 31 aortas, three different strength levels were observed. Zones 0 and 1 exhibited the highest failure stress and failure tension values, followed by Zones 2 and 4. Zone 3 (aortic isthmus) was the weakest segment that was tested when compared to the stress and tension of Zones 0 and 1 (P < 0.001), the stress and tension of Zone 2 (P = 0.005 and P = 0.002, respectively) and the stress and tension of Zone 4 (P = 0.023 and P = 0.006, respectively). Among donors > 65 years-old, women presented significantly weaker descending aortas than men in regards to stress (P = 0.049) and tension (P = 0.014). Among male donors, the elderly donors presented significantly stiffer aortic walls and weaker ascending (P = 0.029 for stress) and descending (P = 0.004 for stress; P = 0.031 for tension) aortas than younger men. CONCLUSIONS: Uniaxial tensile strength tests revealed that the thoracic aorta is a very heterogeneous vessel. Isthmus frailty may add to the understanding of the pathophysiology of some aortic diseases that commonly compromise this region. The lower strength that was verifiedin some aortic segments from elderly donors may contribute to the genesis of some thoracic aorta diseases among that group of donors. These data can contribute to the development of new endovascular devices that are specifically designed for this vessel.

Can contrast-enhanced ultrasound with second-generation contrast agents replace computed tomography angiography for distinguishing between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with a second-generation contrast agent in distinguishing between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery, comparing it with that of conventional Doppler ultrasound and the gold standard, computed tomography angiography. METHOD: Between June 2006 and June 2012, we screened 72 symptomatic vascular surgery outpatients at a public hospital. Among those patients, 78 cervical internal carotid arteries were previously classified as occluded by Doppler ultrasound (without contrast). The patients were examined again with Doppler ultrasound, as well as with contrast-enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography angiography. The diagnosis was based on the presence or absence of flow. RESULTS: Among the 78 cervical internal carotid arteries identified as occluded by Doppler ultrasound, occlusion was confirmed by computed tomography angiography in only 57 (73.1%), compared with 59 (77.5%) for which occlusion was confirmed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (p>0.5 vs. computed tomography angiography). Comparing contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Doppler ultrasound, we found that the proportion of cervical internal carotid arteries classified as occluded was 24.4% higher when the latter was used (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in making the differential diagnosis between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery, contrast-enhanced ultrasound with a second-generation contrast agent is significantly more effective than conventional Doppler ultrasound and is equally as effective as the gold standard (computed tomography angiography). Our findings suggest that contrast-enhanced ultrasound could replace computed tomography angiography in this regard.

Can contrast-enhanced ultrasound with second-generation contrast agents replace computed tomography angiography for distinguishing between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with a second-generation contrast agent in distinguishing between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery, comparing it with that of conventional Doppler ultrasound and the gold standard, computed tomography angiography. METHOD: Between June 2006 and June 2012, we screened 72 symptomatic vascular surgery outpatients at a public hospital. Among those patients, 78 cervical internal carotid arteries were previously classified as occluded by Doppler ultrasound (without contrast). The patients were examined again with Doppler ultrasound, as well as with contrast-enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography angiography. The diagnosis was based on the presence or absence of flow. RESULTS: Among the 78 cervical internal carotid arteries identified as occluded by Doppler ultrasound, occlusion was confirmed by computed tomography angiography in only 57 (73.1%), compared with 59 (77.5%) for which occlusion was confirmed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (p>0.5 vs. computed tomography angiography). Comparing contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Doppler ultrasound, we found that the proportion of cervical internal carotid arteries classified as occluded was 24.4% higher when the latter was used (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in making the differential diagnosis between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery, contrast-enhanced ultrasound with a second-generation contrast agent is significantly more effective than conventional Doppler ultrasound and is equally as effective as the gold standard (computed tomography angiography). Our findings suggest that contrast-enhanced ultrasound could replace computed tomography angiography in this regard. .

Strength training increases walking tolerance in intermittent claudication patients: randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of strength training (ST) in walking capacity in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) compared with walking training (WT) effects. METHODS: Thirty patients with IC were randomized into ST and WT. Both groups trained twice a week for 12 weeks at the same rate of perceived exertion. ST consisted of three sets of 10 repetitions of whole body exercises. WT consisted of 15 bouts of 2-minute walking. Before and after the training program walking capacity, peak VO(2), VO(2) at the first stage of treadmill test, ankle brachial index, ischemic window, and knee extension strength were measured. RESULTS: ST improved initial claudication distance (358 +/- 224 vs 504 +/- 276 meters; P < .01), total walking distance (618 +/- 282 to 775 +/- 334 meters; P < .01), VO(2) at the first stage of treadmill test (9.7 +/- 2.6 vs 8.1 +/- 1.7 mL.kg(-1).minute; P < .01), ischemic window (0.81 +/- 1.16 vs 0.43 +/- 0.47 mm Hg minute meters(-1); P = .04), and knee extension strength (19 +/- 9 vs 21 +/- 8 kg and 21 +/- 9 vs 23 +/- 9; P < .01). Strength increases correlated with the increase in initial claudication distance (r = 0.64; P = .01) and with the decrease in VO(2) measured at the first stage of the treadmill test (r = -0.52; P = .04 and r = -0.55; P = .03). Adaptations following ST were similar to the ones observed after WT; however, patients reported lower pain during ST than WT (P < .01). CONCLUSION: ST improves functional limitation similarly to WT but it produces lower pain, suggesting that this type of exercise could be useful and should be considered in patients with IC.

Classificação angiográfica na revascularização do membro inferior isquêmico: pode a angiografia definir a resistência do leito receptor do enxerto? / Angiographic classification in ischemic lower limb revascularization: can it define arterial outflow resistance?

CONTEXTO: A arteriografia é muitas vezes utilizada como único método pré-operatório para a definição da conduta terapêutica na revascularização do membro isquêmico, seja ela realizada através de angioplastia transluminal, ou de cirurgia convencional. Ainda hoje, sua utilização é assunto de debate. OBJETIVO: Comparar um método de classificação arteriográfica simples com estudos hemodinâmicos pré e intraoperatórios do leito arterial isquêmico a ser revascularizado, com o objetivo de verificar seu poder para definir a resistência desse leito arterial. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas 68 cirurgias de revascularização de membros inferiores isquêmicos realizadas no período de julho de 1999 a julho de 2004 no Setor de Cirurgia Vascular do Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia. As características do leito arterial receptor do enxerto foram estudadas e comparadas através de método de classificação arteriográfica pré-operatória proposto pelos autores, análise hemodinâmica pré-operatória por eco-Doppler colorido e intraoperatória por medidas diretas de vazão, pressão e resistência. RESULTADOS: Foram observados índices de correlação de Spearman positivos (p < 0,05) entre o sistema de classificação arteriográfica pré-operatória proposto e as medidas hemodinâmicas ultrassonográficas pré-operatórias de volume de fluxo sanguíneo (p = 0,035) e as medidas diretas intraoperatórias de vazão (p = 0,006), pressão (p = 0,037) e resistência (p = 0,006). CONCLUSÃO: O método de classificação arteriográfica pré-operatória proposto pode definir a resistência do leito arterial a ser revascularizado e auxiliar na definição da conduta e do prognóstico da revascularização do membro inferior isquêmico.

BACKGROUND: Angiography is often used as the only preoperative method to define the therapeutic approach for ischemic lower limb revascularization, either by transluminal angioplasty or surgery. Today its use is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare a simple method of angiographic classification with hemodynamic preoperative and intraoperative studies of the ischemic arterial bed in order to verify its efficacy in defining arterial bed resistance. METHODS: We analyzed 68 cases of surgical revascularization of ischemic lower limbs performed from July 1999 to July 2004 at the Division of Vascular Surgery of Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia. The characteristics of the graft recipient arterial runoff were studied and compared using the method of preoperative angiographic classification proposed by the authors, preoperative hemodynamic analysis by color duplex scanning, and intraoperative direct measurements of flow, pressure and resistance. RESULTS: Positive rates for Spearman correlation (p < 0.05) were observed between the preoperative angiographic classification proposed in this study and the preoperative ultrasound hemodynamic measurements of blood flow volume (p = 0.035) and direct intraoperative measurements of flow (p = 0.006), pressure (p = 0.037) and resistance (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The preoperative method of angiographic classification proposed can assess the resistance of the arterial bed to be revascularized and help to define the approach and prognosis of the revascularization of ischemic lower limbs.

Trombose arterial relacionada à artroplastia total de joelho: revisão de literatura / Arterial thrombosis in total knee arthroplasty: a literature review

As complicações arteriais após artroplastia total de joelho (ATJ) são raras, no entanto a doença arterial oclusiva (DAO) associada à osteoartrose crônica do joelho, pode representar um problema. Uma vez que as seqüelas podem ser desastrosas, a abordagem operatória da ATJ deveria ser diferente quando a DAO esteja presente. A maior parte dos casos referidos esteve atribuída aos seguintes fatores: uso de torniquete, manipulação operatória excessiva ou correção de contratura de flexão. A DAO é subestimada nos pacientes com osteoartrose e a maior parte dos casos ocorre em pacientes com evidências clínicas ou radiológicas de doença arterial. A avaliação vascular deveria ser considerada nestas situações. Alem disso, é difícil reconhecer e tratar prontamente um membro isquêmico no período pós-operatório de uma ATJ. Em que pese à pequena incidência da trombose arterial, é referido um alto risco de amputação. A revisão de literatura mostrou que a incidência referida de DAO em pacientes apresentando osteoartrose de joelho e aspectos da trombose arterial pós ATJ. Foram, ainda, identificados os fatores preditivos de complicações isquêmicas ateroscleróticas na ATJ. Lesões devidas ao trauma direto de artérias normais, levando aos pseudo-aneurismas, fístulas artério-venosas e sangramento não foram estudadas.

Simpatectomia cervicotorácica videotoracoscópica: experiência de 8 anos / Thoracoscopic cervicothoracic sympathectomy: an eight-year experience

Objetivo: Apresentar a experiência da Disciplina de Cirurgia Vascular, do Serviço de Cirurgia Torácica e da Clínica Particular, com a simpatectomia cervicotorácica vídeo-assistida. Métodos: Foram operados 388 pacientes (240 do sexo feminino), sendo 378 por hiperidrose, quatro por tromboangeíte obliterante, quatro por causalgia e dois por síndrome de QT longo. Nos primeiros 45 pacientes da série, foi realizada ressecção da cadeia simpátioca; em 251, termoablação com o eletrocautério; nos últimos 92, termoablação com o bisturi harmônico. Resultados: Não houve mortalidade nem necessidade de reverter o procedimento para cirurgia aberta em nenhum paciente. O seguimento variou de 1 a 60 meses (média de 12,42+ -8,3). Resultados ótimos ou bons foram obtidos em 90 por cento dos pacientes, incluindo os 10 que apresentavam doenças orgânicas. A principal complicação, nos casos de hiperidrose, foi a hiperidrose compensatória, que ocorreu de forma moderada ou intensa em 64 por cento dos casos, sendo o motivo de arrependimento com relação à cirurgia em 4 por cento dos pacientes. Conclusão: A simpatectomia cervicotorácica videotoracoscópica constitui um método simples, efetivo e seguro no tratamento da hiperidrose e em casos selecionados de isquemia grave de mão, causalgia e síndrome do QT longo...

Peroneal artery approach for angioplasty of the superficial femoral artery: a case report.

The authors report the implantation of a Palmaz stent in the superficial femoral artery using an approach not previously described, the peroneal artery. A 64-year-old man was admitted with extensive necrosis of the right foot. Physical examination showed a normal right femoral pulse but absence of popliteal and tibial pulses. Arteriography showed a superficial femoral artery with critical stenoses but a normal profunda artery. A classic below-knee amputation was performed. During the procedure, the muscular blood flow was considered insufficient, by clinical experience, to achieve limb healing at this level, and so the surgeon chose to perform an angioplasty of the superficial femoral artery lesion, utilizing an access through the leg arteries. After introducing the guidewire through the peroneal artery, the surgeon successfully dilated the lesion and implanted a Palmaz stent. Afterward, the popliteal pulse became palpable in physical examination and improved the skin and muscular aspect in this level. The surgery was finished with a closed stump. The surgery healed satisfactorily, without any complications, and the patient had a satisfactory follow-up, with ambulatory rehabilitation, and recovery of walking capacity with a leg prosthesis. The peroneal approach gave satisfactory results and should be considered in clinical situations like this.

VII Fórum Nacional da SBACV: patologia de carótida: inocaçöes no diagnóstico e tratamento / Pathology of the carotid artery: diagnostic and treatment innovations

The Brazilian National Forum on Carotid Surgery gathered the consensus of 15 Regional Chapters of the Braziliam Society of Angiology an Vascular Surgery.Established diagnostic method and newly developed tecchiques were discusses.Concerning the method of anesthesia, there was a concensus that the surgical skills, rather tan the type of anesthesia, are the main factors for good or bad results.Local anesthesis does not avoid complications caused by inadequte technique.There was a concensus that utilization of a temporary shunt in select cases may lower the incidence of post-operative neurologic deficits, wich not surpas 3 porcents.Angioplasty and carotid stenting were considered experimental procedures and with no approval of the medical community so far, except when performed under research protocols, submitted to boards of ethics and with informed consent.Finally, it was emphasized that the carotid surgery is to be perfomed in regional centers to which patients should be referred in order to archieve the best results.

Simpatectomia cervicotoracica por videotoracoscopia: experiência inicial / Thoracoscopic cervicodorsal sympathectomy: initial results

O objetivo do presente trabalho é avaliar os resultados iniciais obtidos com a simpatectomia cervicotorácica videotoracoscópica. De outubro de 1995 a outubro de 1997 foram realizados 24 procedimentos em 14 pacientes: dez homens e quatro mulheres, com idades que variaram de 16 a 56 anos. Indicações para a operação foram: hiperidrose palmar em dez pacientes, isquemia de mão em três e causalgia em um. Nos casos de hiperidrose, a ressecção da cadeia simpática incluiu T2 e T3. Nos portadores de isquemia e causalgia também o gânglio estrelado foi ressecado. Vinte e três das 24 extremidades mostraram excelente resposta imediata à simpatectomia. Somente uma extremidade de paciente com hiperidrose permaneceu inalterada devido a procedimento incompleto, tendo sido desnervada pela mesma técnica em reoperação posterior, com bom resultado. Pneumotórax residual pós-operatório ocorreu em uma paciente com resolução espontânea. Treze pacientes tiveram seguimento que variou de dois a 18 meses, com média de 11 meses. Não houve mortalidade nessa série, e a principal complicação tardia observada nos pacientes operados por hiperidrose foi a hiperidrose compensatória, que ocorreu, em grau variado, nos nove pacientes com seguimento, sendo que em 30 por cento deles esta manifestação foi significativa. Concluímos tratar-se de procedimento simples, seguro, eficiente e de melhor aceitação por parte dos pacientes do que a operação convencional

Angioplastia transluminal percutanea: uma alternativa eficaz no tratamento da arteriopatia periferica obstrutiva / Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: effective alternative in the treatment of the peripheric vascular obstructive disease

Atualmente, pacientes portadores de patologia obstrutiva vascular dos membros inferiores podem ser tratados atraves de procedimentos percutaneos sem recorrer as classicas cirurgias de reconstrucao vascular. Desta maneira contribui-se para o desenvolvimento de uma modalidade conhecida como Radiologia Intervencionista...

Pseudoaneurisma embolomicótico da artéria femoral comum na endocardite infecciosa / Embolomycotic pseudoaneurysm of the commom femoral artery in infective endocarditis

Paciente do sexo masculino, seis anos de idade, com quadro clínico e ecocardiográfico compátivel com endocardite infecciosa de valva mitral, apresentou como complicaçäo, pseudoaneurisma embolomicótico da artéria femoral comum direita. Submetido a tratamento cirúrgico com a reconstruçäo arterial, evoluiu satisfatoriamente

Estudo anatômico da distribuiçäo e interdependências das artérias do pênis humano / Anatomical study of the distribution and interdependence of the human penial arteries

Vinte espécimes obtidas de cadáveres com idade inferior a 45 anos foram submetidos a radiografias contrastadas das artérias do pêniss e depois dissecados ou corroídos para comparaçöes anatômicas com as radiografias. Os principais achados forma: diferença de calibre entre ambas as aa. dorsais do pênis; ramos das aa, dorsais säo emitidos para a a. profunda do mesmo lado ou do oposto; as duas aa. profundas originam-se de uma das aa. do pêniss, pode existir predomínio de uma a. profunda quanto a irrigaçäo dos corpos cavernosos. Baseando-se nestes resultados anatômicos acreditam os autores que os dados obtidos atrvés de exame físico ou instrumental de pacientes (Doppler-Ultrassom ou arteriografia pudenda seletiva) devem ser examinados com extrema cautela; a ausência de pulso peniano de um lado ou näo identificaçäo de uma dessas artérias na angiografia podem constituir varioaçäo anatômica

Disfunçöes sexuais e a procura anterior de tratamento / Sexual dysfunctions and the anterior search of treatment

De um grupo de 1.100 pacientes que procuram o Instituto H. Ellis, Centro multidisciplinar para o diagnóstico e tratamento em sexualidade, separaram-se aleatóriamente e consecutivamente 200 pacientes homens para se estudar a associaçäo de procura de tratamento anterior e o tempo de evoluçäo do atual problema sexual. Os pacientes säo na maioria casados (67,5//), com idade média de 46 anos e um tempo médio de evoluçäo do problema sexual de 5 anos. A disfunçäo erétil foi a queixa de 92// destes pacientes, a ejaculaçäo prematura foi queixa de 6,5// e 1,5// queixaram-se de ausência do desejo sexual. Destes pacientes 37// nunca haviam tratado o problema anteriormente, sendo que o tempo médico de evoluçäo do problema sexual para estes pacientes foi de 4 anos e 2 meses. Os pacientes com dificuldades sexuais relutam em procurar ajuda profissional, demorando-se vários anos até fazerem, provavelmente por uma dificuldade interna e psicológica de se expor com relaçäo a problemas sexuais mesmo em contextos profissionais. Tais dificuldades psicológicas devem ser consideradas na avaliaçäo diagnóstica da disfunçäo sexual, a qual deve ser de caráter multidisciplinar, podendo assim determinar a influência destas dificuldades psicológicas e o seu significado conjunto às possíveis causas orgânicas que possam ser reveladas