The effects of foam sclerotherapy on ulcer healing: a single-centre prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: This prospective study of foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins aimed to determine the outcomes of treatment including ulcer healing and complication rates in our unit. Data were collected prospectively over a 10-year period and maintained on a database by our vascular sciences unit, which performed the planning and post-treatment venous duplex scans. Patients undergoing treatment due to venous ulceration were identified from this database. An initial cohort of patients underwent a follow-up scan and assessment at one year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with foam sclerotherapy, in multiple sessions if required, to occlude all incompetent superficial veins greater than 3 mm in size. We used 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate as our sclerosing agent, according to our departmental protocol, followed by a period of compression therapy. Patients underwent pre- and post-treatment scans to assess venous competence, the effects of treatment and any complications that arose. RESULTS: We identified 336 patients treated for clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathophysiological stage 5/6 venous ulceration. At six weeks post-treatment, 21% had fully healed ulcers and a further 46.1% were clinically improving with no further venous incompetence. The remainder continued treatment. An initial cohort of 162 patients was assessed at one year and 77.1% ulcers remained healed. The remainder demonstrated some venous incompetence and ultimately 12.5% required further treatment. Our complication rates were similar to those quoted in published meta-analyses including a deep vein thrombosis rate of 1.16%. CONCLUSIONS: Foam sclerotherapy remains a useful treatment option for venous ulceration with a low morbidity rate.

External validity of a mortality prediction model in patients after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair using multi-level methodology.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the prognostic ability of the APACHE-AAA model in an independent group of post-operative (open) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) patients. METHODS: The model was applied to predict in-hospital mortality in 541 patients (325 elective and 216 emergencies; 489 from Oxford; 52 from Lewisham). Multi-level modelling was used to adjust for both the local structure and process of care and patient case-mix. Model performance was assessed using goodness-of-fit and subgroup analyses. RESULTS: The model's predictive ability to discriminate between dead and alive patients was very good (ROC area=0.84). The model achieved a good fit across all strata of risk (Hosmer-Lemeshow C-test (8, N=476)=7.777, p=0.456) and in all subgroups. The model was able to rank the ICUs according to their performance independently of the patient case-mix. CONCLUSION: The APACHE-AAA model accurately predicted in-hospital mortality in a population of patients independent of the one used to develop it, confirming its validity. The multi-level methodology employed has shown that patient outcome is not only a function of the patient case-mix but instead predictive models should also adjust for the individual hospital-related factors (structure and process of care).

Histological correlates of carotid plaque surface morphology on lumen contrast imaging.

BACKGROUND: Carotid angiographic plaque surface morphology is a powerful risk factor for stroke and systemic vascular risk. However, the underlying pathology is unclear, and a better understanding is required both to evaluate other forms of carotid imaging and to develop new treatments. Previous studies comparing angiographic plaque surface morphology with pathology have been small and unblinded, and the vast majority assessed only the crude macroscopic appearance of the plaque. We performed the first large study comparing angiographic surface morphology with detailed histology. METHODS AND RESULTS: Carotid plaque surface morphology was classified as ulcerated, irregular, or smooth on 128 conventional selective carotid artery angiograms from consecutive patients undergoing endarterectomy for severe symptomatic stenosis. Blinded angiographic assessments were compared with 10 histological features recorded on detailed microscopy of the plaque using reproducible semiquantitative scales. Angiographic ulceration was associated with plaque rupture (P=0.001), intraplaque hemorrhage (P=0.001), large lipid core (P=0.005), less fibrous tissue (P=0.003), and increased instability overall (P=0.001). For example, angiographically ulcerated plaques were much more likely than smooth plaques to be ruptured (OR=15.4, 95% CI=2.7 to 87.3, P<0.001), show a large lipid core (OR=26.7, 95% CI=2.6 to 270, P<0.001) or a large hemorrhage (OR=17.0, 95% CI=2.0 to 147, P=0.02). The equivalent odds ratios for angiographically irregular versus smooth plaque were 6.3 (1.3 to 31, P=0.02), 6.7 (1.5 to 30, P=0.008), and 9.2 (1.1 to 77, P=0.02), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous studies based on macroscopic assessment, we found very strong associations between detailed histology and carotid angiographic plaque surface morphology. Plaque surface morphology on carotid angiography is a highly sensitive marker of plaque instability. Studies of the predictive value of MR- and CT-based lumen contrast plaque surface imaging are required.

Total parental nutrition using conventional and medium chain triglycerides: effect on liver function tests, complement, and nitrogen balance.

Conventional long chain triglyceride (LCT) was compared with a new emulsion containing 50% medium chain triglyceride (5% MCT/5% LCT) in a randomized cross-over trial of 10 days duration. Plasma concentrations of albumin, prealbumin, the complement components C3 and C4, and prothrombin times measured daily at 8 am, before lipid infusion, showed no progressive change during the 10 days of the trial, nor in each separate 5-day period when LCT or MCT/LCT was infused. Aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were similar over the two periods. There was a significant increase (compared with preinfusion levels) in C3 and C4 levels after 5 hr of either lipid infusion. Nitrogen balance was improved, and plasma bilirubin levels were lower on the regimen containing MCT/LCT.

A comparison between gap-length and Waterston classification as guides to mortality and morbidity after surgery for esophageal atresia.

In a retrospective study of tracheoesophageal fistula repairs in the Oxford Region, 1968 to 1982, 64 consecutive cases were classified according to Waterston group and gap length (less than 2 cm or greater than 2 cm); where possible their current status was assessed by interview or questionnaire. Waterston group and gap length varied independently. Both affected the course of the first admission but thereafter, Waterston classification was a poor prognostic guide. However, those with a long gap were significantly more likely to have respiratory and swallowing difficulties and stunted growth.

Assessment of the distal lower limb arteries: a comparison of arteriography and Doppler ultrasound.

Simple Doppler was compared with routine arteriography in assessing patency of the arteries at the ankle and the pedal arch. Fifty-six limbs were evaluated--29 with rest pain or trophic lesions, 20 with claudication, and 7 without symptoms. On Doppler examination 177 of 220 (80%) vessels were assessed patent, compared with 127 of 220 (58%) on arteriography. Of the 49 judged occluded on arteriograms, 59% were patent by Doppler and of 44 in which arteriograms were inadequate 82% had Doppler signals. Doppler signals could be heard in 20 of 177 (11%) vessels only with the feet dependant. This prospective, double-blind study provides numerical data to support the observation that a simple Doppler probe can detect patent distal vessels which may not be demonstrated by routine arteriography. This allows selection of patients for further more detailed arteriograms or for operative exploration with a view to distal bypass grafting.

The use of laparoscopy in the management of right iliac fossa pain.

Fourty-six patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were laparoscoped before exploration. As a result the diagnosis was revised in 10 patients (22%). With experience the laparoscopic features of appendicitis can be recognised confidently so reducing the number of normal appendices removed.

The natural history of peptic oesophageal strictures treated by dilatation and antireflux therapy alone.

A total of 195 patients with benign peptic oesophageal strictures treated by endoscopic dilatation and antireflux medication between July 1977 and July 1986 were studied prospectively to determine the effect of such treatment on the subsequent course of this disease. Of the patients, 58% were female and they were significantly older than the males at the time of initial presentation (75 years vs 68 years, P less than 0.0001). 46% of both sexes required only one dilatation but the men required more dilatations over a longer period: 31% males vs 19% females required more than 3 dilatations (P less than 0.05) and 40% males vs 27% females were being dilated 2 years or more after the initial dilatation (P less than 0.05). Dilatation combined with antireflux medication is clearly an effective method of management for most patients with peptic oesophageal strictures. The value of antireflux surgery requires evaluation for that subset of patients, predominantly males, who require long-term and repeated dilatation.

Duplex-guided compression of femoral artery false aneurysms reduces the need for surgery.

In a 1-year period, 13 patients underwent duplex-guided compression (DGC) of femoral artery false aneurysms. Of the 13 false aneurysms, 11 arose after cardiac catheterisation, and DGC was successful in 10 (77%) cases. The number of percutaneous cardiological procedures has risen over the past 5 years, and with time a greater proportion of these procedures have become more complex, involving coronary angioplasty or coronary stenting. The rate of vascular complications has risen from 0.2% in 1991-1992 to 0.61% in 1994-1995. Duplex-guided compression has reduced the number of operations performed for the vascular complications of percutaneous cardiological procedures by 50%. No complications have arisen from DGC, and it is recommended as the first line of management for femoral artery false aneurysms after percutaneous cardiological procedures.

The use of telemedicine in the management of vascular surgical referrals.

We have performed a feasibility study of telemedicine as an alternative to conventional outpatient appointments for the making of diagnostic and management decisions for patients referred for vascular surgery. Twenty-two sequential patients referred by a single general practice to a vascular centre were offered a telemedicine clinic appointment as an alternative to a conventional hospital outpatient appointment. A referral pro forma and digital photograph (where appropriate) were transmitted in advance of the videoconference. The videoconference involved patient, practice nurse and vascular consultant. All patients opted for the teleconsultation. The majority had leg ulceration or leg pain. Six patients required only the initial teleconsultation and were managed thereafter in the community. Thirteen were referred to the vascular laboratory for investigation. Three proceeded to angioplasty and four to surgery. Two patients had a conventional outpatient appointment for follow-up but all others were followed up via telemedicine. Overall 27 conventional outpatient appointments were replaced by a teleconsultation.

Comparison of mortality prediction models after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: Comparison of the accuracy of prediction of contemporary mortality prediction models after open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) surgery. METHODS: Post-operative data were collected from AAA patients from 2 UK Intensive Care Units (ICU). POSSUM and VBHOM based models were compared to the APACHE-AAA model which was able to adjust for the hospital-related effect on outcome. Model performance was assessed using measures of calibration, discrimination and subgroup analysis. RESULTS: 541 patients were studied. The in-hospital mortality rate for elective AAA repair (325 patients) was: 6.2% (95% confidence interval (c.i.) 3.5 to 8.8) and for emergency repair (216 patients) was: 28.7% (95% c.i. 22.5-34.9). The APACHE-based model had the best overall fit to the whole population of AAA patients, and also separately in elective and emergency patients. The V-POSSUM physiology-only (p<0.001) and VBHOM (p=0.011) models had a poor fit in elective patients. The RAAA-POSSUM physiology-only (p<0.001) and VBHOM models (p=0.010) had a poor fit in emergency patients. CONCLUSIONS: The APACHE-AAA model with its ability to adjust for both the hospital-related "effect" as well as the patient case-mix, was a more accurate risk stratification model than other contemporary models, in the post-operative AAA patient managed in ICU.

Fast track open aortic surgery: reduced post operative stay with a goal directed pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Open aortic aneurysm repair is traditionally associated with an extended hospital stay. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of reducing post-operative stay through the implementation of a fast-track, goal directed, clinical pathway for elective open aortic surgery. METHODS: A fast-track clinical pathway for aortic surgery was introduced in a regional vascular unit in September 2005. The pathway has daily goals and targets discharge for all patients on the 3rd post operative day. This study compares thirty consecutive discharges of unselected patients undergoing elective infra-renal aortic surgery following introduction of the pathway to the thirty consecutive cases preceding its introduction. Reasons for prolonged hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: Six of thirty patients achieved discharge by Day 3. The median hospital stay reduced from 9 (range 4 to 17 days) to 5 days (range 2 to 12 days) following introduction of the pathway. There was one readmission within 30 days and no complications attributable to the pathway implementation. Cardiac complications and home planning were the most common causes of delayed discharge. CONCLUSION: Post-operative stay in patients undergoing standard elective open infra-renal aortic surgery can be safely reduced with the introduction of a goal directed pathway.

Thromboelastographic changes following nonionic contrast medium injection during transfemoral angiography in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) are known to be systemically hypercoagulable and there is concern that exposing them to contrast media during angiography may exacerbate that thrombotic tendency. Many in vitro studies in which blood is exposed to contrast media suggest that nonionic contrast medium (NICM) has a weaker anticoagulant effect than ionic contrast medium (ICM) and some studies suggest that NICM can lead to activation of coagulation thus increasing the risk of thrombotic events where it is employed. We have looked at the changes in coagulation adjacent to the site of contrast injection/potential angioplasty to determine the magnitude of change locally. METHODS: We measured changes in the coagulability of aortic blood samples immediately before and within 2 min after injection of the last bolus of iohexol (NICM) prior to any intervention procedure in 30 patients with PAOD. Samples were analyzed using thromboelastography (TEG) to identify changes in the coagulability of the aortic blood samples. RESULTS: TEG tracings of samples taken from the aorta after injection of NICM showed a significant increase in R time (time to fibrin formation) (p = 0.036) and in k time (dynamics of clot formation) (p = 0.028) and a reduction in Angle (decreased acceleration of fibrin build-up) (p = 0.013), Maximal amplitude (MA) (reduced ultimate clot strength) (p = 0.018) and Coagulation Index (CI) (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: These changes in TEG parameters show that the local effect of NICM is a reduction in coagulation activity rather than the activation suggested by some previous studies.

Quantification of mortality risk after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: The study was designed to evaluate the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II risk scoring system in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. The aim was to create an APACHE-based risk stratification model for postoperative death. METHODS: Prospective postoperative APACHE II data were collected from patients undergoing AAA repair over a 9-year interval from 24 intensive care units (ICUs) in the Thames region. A multilevel logistic regression model (APACHE-AAA) for in-hospital mortality was developed to adjust for both case mix and the variation in outcome between ICUs. RESULTS: A total of 1896 patients were studied. The in-hospital mortality rate among the 1289 patients who had elective AAA repair was 9.6 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 8.0 to 11.2) per cent and that among the 605 patients who had an emergency repair was 46.9 (95 per cent c.i. 43.0 to 50.9) per cent. Four independent predictors of death were identified: age (odds ratio (OR) 1.05 (95 per cent c.i. 1.03 to 1.07) per year increase), Acute Physiology Score (OR 1.14 (95 per cent c.i. 1.12 to 1.17) per unit increase), emergency operation (OR 4.86 (95 per cent c.i. 3.64 to 6.52)) and chronic health dysfunction (OR 1.43 (95 per cent c.i. 1.04 to 1.97)). The APACHE-AAA model was internally valid, as shown by calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow C statistic: chi(2) = 6.14, 8 d.f., P = 0.632), discrimination properties (area under receiver-operator characteristic curve 0.845) and subgroup analysis. There was no significant variation in outcome between hospitals. CONCLUSION: APACHE-AAA was shown to be an accurate risk-stratification model that could be used to quantify the risk of death after AAA surgery. It might also be used to determine the relative impact of ICU over high-dependency unit care.

Gynaecomastia.

This paper reviews the development of excess breast tissue in the male. Gynaecomastia is a common problem and may have a physiological or pathological basis. It can be dealt with in most cases by reassurance or simple surgery.

Infra-inguinal aneurysms: outcome for patient and limb.

The outcome of conservative treatment of infra-inguinal (femoral and popliteal) aneurysms was compared with that following vascular reconstruction. Over a 12-year period up to December 1988, 43 femoral aneurysms and 35 popliteal aneurysms presented to the Oxford Regional Vascular Service; 88 per cent of the femoral and 60 per cent of the popliteal aneurysms were treated by vascular reconstruction. The outcome was assessed in terms of limb symptoms or preservation and patient survival at the most recent point of follow-up (median 4.5 years). At least 12 of the 13 initially asymptomatic femoral and popliteal aneurysms which were untreated remained asymptomatic. In contrast, six of the 26 limbs with asymptomatic femoral aneurysms and three of the 11 limbs with asymptomatic popliteal aneurysms developed significant distal ischaemia after vascular reconstruction; four limbs came to amputation after intervention. Aggressive surgical management of all asymptomatic infra-inguinal aneurysms is unjustified and dangerous.

Vitamin K requirements in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.

The vitamin K requirements of 47 adult patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were investigated by randomly allocating them to receive either 0.15 mg vitamin K1 (1 ampoule of 'Vitlipid') per week or 20.15 mg vitamin K1 (1 ampoule of 'Vitlipid' plus 10 mg vitamin K X 2) per week. Vitamin K1 in a dose of 0.15 mg was as effective as a dose of 20.15 mg per week in maintaining a normal BCR (British Corrected Ratio) in most TPN patients. Seven patients in each group developed a BCR greater than 1.3; this was significantly associated with the use of cephalosporin antibiotics and responded to 10 mg vitamin K1 per day. Most patients receiving parenteral feeding require no more vitamin K than that provided by 1 ampoule of 'Vitlipid' per week. Regular monitoring of the BCR, especially in patients on antibiotics, will reveal those who need more. Such patients need 10 mg vitamin K1 per day.

Improved quality of life among patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined how carotid endarterectomy affects patients' view of their quality of life. METHODS: Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy from January 1996 to March 1997 at the John Radcliffe Hospital completed the United Kingdom Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey Questionnaire before undergoing the procedure and again at 3 months afterward. Scores were compared with population normal values. RESULTS: In 50 patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease, there was significant improvement in the SF-36 overall "change in health" score after the procedure compared with beforehand (61.0 +/- 3.7 vs 44.5 +/- 3.4, P =.003, Wilcoxon signed rank test). There were, however, no statistically significant differences in the group's mean SF-36 subscores after operation compared with before the procedure. The physical subscores were below age-adjusted healthy population means but similar to those for chronically ill patients (physical function subscore P =.015 vs normal, P =.89 vs ill; role limitation-physical subscore P =.007 vs normal, P =.89 vs ill). Patients with postoperative complications did not have an improved change in health score (-12.5 vs 22.0, P =.03, Mann-Whitney U test). There was no effect on change in health score because of other risk factors or in patients with contralateral carotid artery occlusion or a history of preoperative stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease undergoing an uncomplicated carotid endarterectomy perceive improved quality of life and overall health. There is no perception of worsened pain, energy, or physical or mental function after the procedure. These results confirm that patients believe that performance of carotid endarterectomy improves their overall health, supporting the surgical approach to carotid artery disease.

Carotid artery bifurcation advancement: an alternative to patching.

Carotid bifurcation advancement uses the in situ external carotid artery to patch the internal carotid after carotid endarterectomy. This avoids the potential complications of patch rupture and pseudo-aneurysm formation seen with vein and synthetic patches. In 25 cases a Dacron patch was used to close and nine bifurcation advancement closures were compared retrospectively with 30 cases using simple primary closure and 13 using a saphenous vein patch. Follow-up with carotid duplex scanning revealed six restenoses > 50% in the primary closure group, whereas the patch angioplasty and bifurcation advancement groups had no restenoses (P = 0.002). No significant difference in post-endarterectomy flow increase was shown between the patch angioplasty groups and the bifurcation advancement group. Operation times did not differ significantly between the patch closure and the bifurcation advancement groups. Carotid bifurcation advancement is an alternative method of vessel closure with comparable rates of restenosis, post-endarterectomy flow increase, and operation time as compared with conventional patch angioplasty closure techniques.

Changes in blood coagulability as it traverses the ischemic limb.

OBJECTIVE: We undertook this study to determine whether changes in blood coagulability associated with peripheral arterial occlusive disease are due to contact with the atherosclerotic arterial wall or passage through distal ischemic tissue. METHODS: Thirty patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease undergoing angiography participated in the study. Ankle-brachial pressure index was recorded before intervention. Blood samples taken from the aorta, common femoral artery, and common femoral vein were analyzed at thromboelastography. Angiograms were scored for stenotic disease by a radiologist blinded to the other results. RESULTS: When femoral artery samples were compared with aortic samples there was a decrease in reaction time (R; P <.05), an increase in maximum amplitude (MA; P <.05), and an increase in coagulation index (CI; P <.002), indicating an increase in coagulability as blood flowed down the iliac segment. These changes also correlated (DeltaR, r = 0.442, P <.05; DeltaMA, r = 0.379, P <.05; DeltaCI, r = 0.429, P <.05) with the severity of disease in the ipsilateral iliac segment. Significant differences in R (P <.05), angle (P <.05), MA (P <.005), and CI (P <.001) between common femoral arterial and venous samples confirmed that venous samples were more coagulable in this group of patients. This difference in Thromboelastography parameters across the arteriovenous segment correlated inversely with the degree of ischemia (represented by ankle-brachial pressure index; DeltaCI, r = -0.427, P <.05; DeltaMA, r = -0.370, P <.05) in the puncture side limb. CONCLUSION: Passage of blood down an atherosclerotic artery leads to an increase in coagulability proportional to the degree of stenosis in that vessel. Passage of blood through ischemic tissue may also contribute to increased coagulability in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.