Superior mesenteric artery mycotic aneurysm repaired with bifurcated saphenous vein graft.

A mycotic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery caused by Enterococcus faecalis was successfully treated with aneurysmectomy and reconstruction with a bifurcated saphenous vein graft. A 49-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and a recent left transmetatarsal amputation for osteomyelitis presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain, an unexplained 30-lb weight loss, and wound dehiscence. Computed tomography angiography showed an aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery and a splenic abscess. The patient underwent splenectomy, surgical resection of the aneurysm, and reconstruction with a bifurcated saphenous vein. Follow-up revealed normal gastrointestinal function and graft patency.

Does perivascular fibrin glue application have a preventive effect for the endothelial damage on saphenous vein graft? An experimental model.

BACKGROUND: The effect of tissue adhesives on coronary grafts in cardiac surgery is a controversial issue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of fibrin glue (FG) applied around the saphenous vein grafts (SVG) in preventing cellular damage resulting from intraluminal pressure increase. METHODS: Twenty volunteer patients were included in this ex vivo study. The SVGs remained after coronary artery bypass grafting were connected to the arterial line of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. The grafts were divided into two segments and one segment received perivascular FG applied whereas the other part was used plain. SVGs were kept in circulation at 120 mmHg pressure 250 mL/min flow rate for 60 min. The tissues were sent for histopathological examination to determine the endothelial damage. RESULTS: Endothelial damage was more pronounced in the control group when compared with the FG group. In the FG group, no damage was seen in 13 samples and no Type 3 endothelial damage was observe whereas Type 1 injury was detected in seven specimens, Type 2 injury was observed in seven specimens, and Type 3 injury was detected in two specimens in the control group. CONCLUSION: Perivascular application of FG on the SVG showed a protective effect against endothelial damage resulting from increased intraluminal pressure.

ANTECEDENTES: El efecto de los adhesivos tisulares sobre los injertos coronarios en cirugía cardíaca es un tema controvertido. OBJETIVO: Investigar el efecto del pegamento de fibrina aplicado alrededor de los injertos de vena safena para prevenir el daño celular resultante del aumento de la presión intraluminal. MÉTODO: En este estudio ex vivo fueron incluidos 20 pacientes voluntarios. Los injertos de vena safena que quedaron después del injerto de derivación de la arteria coronaria se conectaron a la línea arterial del circuito de derivación cardiopulmonar. Los injertos se dividieron en dos segmentos y a uno de ellos se le aplicó pegamento de fibrina perivascular, mientras que la otra parte se usó sola. Los injertos de vena safena se mantuvieron en circulación a una presión de 120 mmHg y una velocidad de flujo de 250 ml/min durante 60 minutos. Los tejidos se enviaron para examen histopatológico para determinar el daño endotelial. RESULTADOS: El daño endotelial fue más pronunciado en el grupo de control que en el grupo de pegamento de fibrina. Se observó lesión de tipo 2 en siete muestras del grupo de pegamento de fibrina y lesión de tipo 3 en dos muestras del grupo de control. CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación perivascular de pegamento de fibrina en los injertos de vena safena mostró un efecto protector contra el daño endotelial resultante del aumento de la presión intraluminal.

Morphological Changes in Endothelial Cell Organelles in a No-Touch Saphenous Vein Graft.

INTRODUCTION: Improved long-term patency of the no-touch (NT) saphenous vein graft has been reported to result from the preservation of a healthy vascular microstructure, especially endothelial cells. However, the precise morphology of endothelial cells and their organelles in NT saphenous vein graft has not been fully investigated. In this study, we assessed the ultrastructure of preserved endothelial cells in saphenous vein graft using transmission electron microscopy. METHODS: Intact control (IC) vein, NT saphenous vein graft, and conventional (CT) saphenous vein graft were harvested from a patient. After observation by light microscopy, the nuclei and mitochondria in the preserved endothelial cells were compared among IC, NT, and CT using transmission electron microscopy, and the endothelial organelles were assessed quantitatively. RESULTS: Light microscopy showed that the preservation of endothelial cells was comparable in IC, NT, and CT. Subsequent transmission electron microscopy observation showed that the nuclei in preserved endothelial cells appeared more swollen in CT than that in NT. Quantitative analysis revealed that nuclear size and circularity of preserved endothelial cells in NT and IC were similar, but those in CT were larger and higher, respectively, than those in IC and NT. In addition, the mitochondrial size in preserved endothelial cells in CT was larger than that in IC and NT. CONCLUSION: Necrotic changes in endothelial organelles characterized by swelling of nuclei and mitochondria were prominent in CT saphenous vein graft. The normally maintained ultrastructure of preserved endothelial cells in NT saphenous vein graft could contribute to long-term patency.

Morphological Changes in Endothelial Cell Organelles in a No-Touch Saphenous Vein Graft

ABSTRACT Introduction: Improved long-term patency of the no-touch (NT) saphenous vein graft has been reported to result from the preservation of a healthy vascular microstructure, especially endothelial cells. However, the precise morphology of endothelial cells and their organelles in NT saphenous vein graft has not been fully investigated. In this study, we assessed the ultrastructure of preserved endothelial cells in saphenous vein graft using transmission electron microscopy. Methods: Intact control (IC) vein, NT saphenous vein graft, and conventional (CT) saphenous vein graft were harvested from a patient. After observation by light microscopy, the nuclei and mitochondria in the preserved endothelial cells were compared among IC, NT, and CT using transmission electron microscopy, and the endothelial organelles were assessed quantitatively. Results: Light microscopy showed that the preservation of endothelial cells was comparable in IC, NT, and CT. Subsequent transmission electron microscopy observation showed that the nuclei in preserved endothelial cells appeared more swollen in CT than that in NT. Quantitative analysis revealed that nuclear size and circularity of preserved endothelial cells in NT and IC were similar, but those in CT were larger and higher, respectively, than those in IC and NT. In addition, the mitochondrial size in preserved endothelial cells in CT was larger than that in IC and NT. Conclusion: Necrotic changes in endothelial organelles characterized by swelling of nuclei and mitochondria were prominent in CT saphenous vein graft. The normally maintained ultrastructure of preserved endothelial cells in NT saphenous vein graft could contribute to long-term patency.

Association between SYNTAX II Score and late saphenous vein graft failure in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a well-established treatment modality for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Syntax II Score has been established as novel scoring system with better prediction of postprocedural outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of SYNTAX II Score for predicting late saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure in patients undergoing isolated CABG. METHODS: The records of 1,875 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG with at least one SVG were investigated. Those who underwent coronary angiography and SVGs angiography at least 1 year after the CABG were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of SVG failure. For each group, predictors of late SVG failure and subsequent clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: According to this study, the presence of hypertension, higher rates of repeat revascularization, and higher SYNTAX II Scores were found to be independent predictors of late SVG failure. In addition, the prognostic value of SYNTAX II Score was found to be significantly higher than anatomical SYNTAX Score in terms of predicting late SVG failure and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong association between SYNTAX II Score and late SVG failure in patients undergoing isolated CABG.

Revascularización de arteria humeral con vena safena invertida, en traumatismo vascular por arma blanca / Revascularization of the humeral artery with a vein saphenous inverted in vascular trauma by stabbing

Introducción: Los traumatismos vasculares de los miembros son muy frecuentes en la actualidad, cuando no reciben la atención requerida, pueden evolucionar a complicaciones graves: pérdida del miembro y muerte del paciente. Objetivo: Describir la técnica de reparación de la arteria humeral mediante el uso de vena safena, en un caso con traumatismo de la arteria humeral, con compromiso vascular. Caso clínico: Paciente de 37 años de edad con antecedentes de enfermedad psiquiátrica, con diagnóstico de herida por arma blanca con compromiso vascular en antebrazo izquierdo, de cuatro horas de evolución. Al ingreso se encontraba inestable, con choque hipovolémico, miembro cianótico y ausencia de pulsos distales. Se indicó, por vía parenteral, antibióticos, soluciones cristaloides y sangre. En el quirófano se encontró sección de total de la arteria humeral, se realizó revascularización con injerto de vena safena invertida. El paciente evolucionó favorablemente y egresó al tercer día. Once meses después se realizó ecografía dópler y se constató buena permeabilidad del injerto. Conclusiones: La técnica de revascularización con vena safena invertida contribuyó de forma satisfactoria en la supervivencia y calidad de vida del paciente tratado (AU)

Introduction: The vascular traumatisms of the limbs are very frequent at present. When these injuries do not receive the required care they can evolve to serious complications, which includes the loss of the limb or death. Objective: To describe the brachial artery repair technique using the saphenous vein in a case with brachial artery trauma with vascular compromise. Clinical case: 37-year-old patient with a history of psychiatric illness, with a diagnosis of a stab wound with vascular compromise in the left forearm of four hours of evolution. On admission, he was unstable, hypovolemic shock, with cyanotic limb and absence of distal pulses. Intravenous antibiotics, crystalloid solution and blood were indicated. The patient was transferred to the surgery and a total section of the brachial artery was found. The revascularization technique was performed with an inverted saphenous vein graft. The patient evolved favorably and was discharged on the third day. Eleven months later, Doppler ultrasound was performed and good graft patency was confirmed. Conclusions: The inverted saphenous vein revascularization technique contributed satisfactorily to the survival and quality of life of the treated case(AU)

Exceso de mortalidad no cardíaca en pacientes sometidos a angioplastía de puentes coronarios / Excess non cardiac mortality in patients undergoing PCI of venous coronary bypass grafts

Resumen: Introducción Las fallas de los puentes venosos pueden llegar casi al 50% a 10 años y la angioplastía percutánea es el tratamiento de elección. Estos pacientes constituyen un grupo de muy alto riesgo cardiovascular con tasas de mortalidad cercanas al 30% en el mediano plazo. Objetivo Caracterizar a la población sometida a angioplastia de puentes coronarios (APC) y comparar su mortalidad con un grupo pareado de pacientes intervenidos con Infarto agudo al miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST). Métodos Estudio retrospectivo de tipo Caso-Control que incluyó a pacientes con APC entre los años 2010-2016 comparados con igual número de controles con IAMCEST pareados por edad y sexo. Se analizaron características clínicas del procedimiento y mortalidad, tanto global como de causa cardiaca usando T Student, Chi2 y curvas de Kaplan Meier. Resultados Se identificaron 63 pacientes sometidos a APC (total 76 procedimientos). Los puentes más comúnmente intervenidos fueron a la arteria circunfleja 48,7%. Hubo 18 (28,5%) pacientes fallecidos en el grupo APC y 6 (9,5%) pacientes en el grupo con IAM-CEST, lo que resultó en un exceso de mortalidad global en pacientes con APC (HR 3,02; IC 95% 1,11 - 8,22, p=0,02). Esta diferencia se debió a una mayor mortalidad de causa no cardiaca en el grupo APC (12,7% (n=8) vs 3,2% (n= 2) [p=0,04]). Conclusión Los pacientes sometidos a APC presentan una mortalidad 3 veces mayor que aquellos pacientes con IAMCEST, principalmente derivada de una mayor mortalidad no cardíaca.

Abstract: Background Failure rates of saphenous vein grafts can reach almost 50% at 10 years and percutaneous angioplasty is the treatment of choice. This is a group with a very high cardiovascular risk, with mid-term mortality rates close to 30%. Aim To describe the population undergoing coronary bypass angioplasty (CBA) and compare their mortality with an age and gender matched group of patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (STEMI) Methods This was a retrospective case-control study including patients with CBA between 2010-2016. This group was compared with the same number of controls with STEMI matched by age and sex. Clinical characteristics, procedure variables and overall mortality as well as cardiac mortality were analyzed using Student's T test, Chi squared test and Kaplan Meier curves (significance set at p <0.05). Results: We identified 63 patients undergoing CBA (76 procedures). The most commonly intervened bypasses were to the circumflex artery (48.7%). There were 18 (28.5%) patients who died in the CBA group and 6 (9.5%) patients in the STEMI group, which resulted in an excess of global mortality risk in patients with CBA (HR 3.02, 95% CI 1.11 - 8.22, p = 0.02). This difference was driven by a higher non-cardiac mortality in the CBA group (12.7% (n = 8) vs 3.2% (n = 2) [p = 0.04]) Conclusion Patients undergoing CBA have a mortality rate more than three times that of the STEMI patients, mainly due to a higher non-cardiac mortality.

Long-term outcomes of saphenous vein graft stenting compared with native coronary artery stenting in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery / Stents en vasos coronarios nativos comparados con endoprótesis en injertos de vena safena en pacientes con cirugía de revascularización coronaria previa. Evolución a largo plazo

Propósito del estudio: el objetivo primario del estudio fue valorar la tasa de eventos cardiacos mayores después de cirugía de revascularización coronaria por angioplastia con stent en el injerto de vena safena, comparados con los de angioplastia con stent en la arteria coronaria nativa, tanto en el periodo de hospitalización como a largo plazo. Métodos: estudiamos a 127 pacientes, 49 con stent en injerto de vena safena (grupo 1) y a 78 con stent en arterias coronarias innatas (grupo 2). Resultados: no hubo diferencias significativas en la edad, ni en frecuencia de diabetes, tabaquismo, hipertensión arterial, dyslipidemia, fracción de expulsión del ventrículo izquierdo o clase funcional entre los grupos. La incidencia del fenómeno de no reflujo persistente fue mayor en el grupo 1 (10.2% contra 1.2%, p = 0.0001) y la suma de eventos cardiacos sólo fue distinta durante el primer mes (10.2% contra 2.5%, p = 0.041). La supervivencia sin eventos cardiacos a 36 meses fue menor en los pacientes del grupo 1 (65.0% contra 89.1%, p = 0.024). Conclusiones: La suma de eventos cardiacos mayores fue mayor en el grupo 1 y la supervivencia sin dichos eventos a 3 años fue superior en los pacientes con endoprótesis en arteria coronaria natural.

Objective: Our main objective was to compare the in-hospital and long-term outcomes of saphenous vein graft stenting and native coronary artery stenting in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: We studied 127 patients who had prior coronary artery bypass; they were divided in two groups, according to the kind of percutaneous coronary intervention performed. The first group included 49 patients with saphenous vein graft stenting and the second group included 78 patients who underwent native coronary artery stenting. Results: There was no significant difference in age, incidence of diabetes, smoking, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, left ventricular ejection fraction or in the New York Heart Association functional class between both groups. The incidence of no reflow phenomenon was higher in group 1 (10.2% vs. 1.2%, p = 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events was different between groups at 1 month (10.2% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.041). There was a lower MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) free survival at 36 months in the saphenous vein graft stenting group (65.0% vs. 89.1%, p = 0.024). Conclusions: Major in-hospital complications occurred more frequently in the saphenous vein graft stented group. MACE-free survival at 3 years was higher in the native coronary artery stent patients.

Human saphenous vein organ culture under controlled hemodynamic conditions

INTRODUCTION: Saphenous vein grafting is still widely used to revascularize ischemic myocardium. The effectiveness of this procedure is limited by neointima formation and accelerated atherosclerosis, which frequently leads to graft occlusion. A better understanding of this process is important to clarify the mechanisms of vein graft disease and to aid in the formulation of strategies for prevention and/or therapeutics. OBJECTIVE: To develop an ex vivo flow system that allows for controlled hemodynamics in order to mimic arterial and venous conditions. METHODS: Human saphenous veins were cultured either under venous (flow: 5 ml/min) or arterial hemodynamic conditions (flow: 50 ml/min, pressure: 80 mmHg) for 1-, 2- and 4-day periods. Cell viability, cell density and apoptosis were compared before and after these intervals using MTT, Hoeschst 33258 stain, and TUNEL assays, respectively. RESULTS: Fresh excised tissue segments were well preserved prior to the study. Hoechst 33258 and MTT stains showed progressive losses in cell density and cell viability in veins cultured under arterial hemodynamic conditions from 1 to 4 days, while no alterations were observed in veins cultured under venous conditions. Although the cell density from 1-day cultured veins under arterial conditions was similar to that of freshly excised veins, the TUNEL assay indicated that most of these cells were undergoing apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The results observed resemble the events taking place during early in vivo arterial-vein grafting and provide evidence that an ex vivo perfusion system may be useful for the identification of new therapeutic targets that ameliorate vein graft remodeling and increase graft patency over time.