Is routine screening for silent pulmonary embolism justified in patients with deep vein thrombosis? / Existe justificativa para o rastreio de embolia pulmonar silenciosa em pacientes com trombose venosa profunda?

Abstract The incidence of asymptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) exceeds 70% in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), even in cases of distal deep vein thrombosis. We report the case of a patient with a diagnosis of DVT in the lower left limb associated with asymptomatic PE who presented late symptoms due to this same PE. The absence of acute symptoms and the late onset of symptoms could have provoked doubts about the most appropriate treatment, resulting in unnecessary interventions, if pulmonary embolism had not already been diagnosed with tomography. In the present case, we demonstrate that computed tomography angiography conducted at the time of DVT diagnosis accurately diagnosed PE and prevented any misinterpretation of recurrent DVT in a patient already being medicated, which could have been mistakenly interpreted as demonstrating failure of anticoagulant therapy. Such a situation could lead to unnecessary intervention to fit an inferior vena cava filter. We cannot suggest that a classic medical conduct should be reformulated simply on the basis of a case report. However, we would be remiss not to suggest that well-designed studies should be carried out in the future to assess the need for this examination in the acute phase.

Resumo A ocorrência de embolia pulmonar assintomática em pacientes com trombose venosa profunda tem uma incidência que excede 70%, mesmo nos casos de trombose venosa profunda distal. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com diagnóstico de trombose venosa profunda no membro inferior esquerdo associado a embolia pulmonar assintomática, que apresentou sintomas tardios devido a essa mesma embolia. A ausência de sintomas agudos e o surgimento de sintomas tardios pode suscitar dúvidas quanto ao tratamento mais adequado e resultar em intervenções desnecessárias, se o diagnóstico tomográfico de embolia pulmonar não tiver sido feito anteriormente. No presente caso, demonstramos que uma angiotomografia realizada no momento do diagnóstico de trombose venosa profunda detectou a embolia pulmonar e evitou uma interpretação incorreta de um evento trombótico recorrente na vigência de anticoagulação, o que por engano demonstraria uma falha na terapia anticoagulante. Essa situação pode levar a intervenções desnecessárias, como o implante de filtro de veia cava inferior. Entendemos que apenas um relato de caso não deve mudar uma conduta médica já estabelecida; no entanto, fomenta a discussão e estimula estudos que avaliem a necessidade de um exame diagnóstico pulmonar no momento do diagnóstico de trombose venosa profunda.

The therapeutic challenge of giant splenic artery aneurysm: a case repport / O desafio terapêutico do aneurisma gigante da artéria esplênica: um relato de caso

ABSTRACT Giant splenic artery aneurysm is a rare condition that represents an eminent life threatening for the patient, requiring, therefore, urgent surgical correction. A 61-year-old woman, former smoker, hypertensive, hypercholesterolemic and multipara sought our service because of a large tumor in the mesogastrium, which was an abdominal ultrasound finding. Despite the size of the tumor, the patient was asymptomatic. The angiotomography and the magnetic resonance image of the abdomen were suggestive of giant splenic artery aneurysm with more than 10cm in diameter that was confirmed by an angiography. She underwent surgery, open splenectomy, and partial aneurysmectomy. The approach of the celiac artery, which was ligated, was only possible with medialvisceral rotation because there was no possibility to view it through the anterior access. The histopathological test of aneurysmatic wall revealed atheroma plaques in the intima. The patient progressed without complications and she was discharged cured. In general, giant splenic artery aneurysms are symptomatic, however, as in the case we report, it may be asymptomatic and found in abdominal imaging exam. Although less invasive Interventional methods exist, such as laparoscopy and endovascular techniques, they were considered inappropriate in this case. Conventional open surgery should be the therapy of choice for a giant splenic artery aneurysm.

RESUMO O aneurisma gigante da artéria esplênica constitui condição rara, que representa risco de vida iminente para o paciente, necessitando, consequentemente, de correção cirúrgica urgente. Mulher de 61 anos, ex-fumante, hipertensa, com hipercolesterolêmica e multípara nos procurou por apresentar grande tumor no mesogástrio, achado de ultrassonografia abdominal. Apesar das dimensões do tumor, era assintomática. Angiotomografia e ressonância magnética de abdômen sugeriam tratar-se de aneurisma gigante de artéria esplênica com mais de 10cm de diâmetro, confirmado por angiografia. Foi submetida a tratamento cirúrgico aberto, tendo sido realizadas esplenectomia e aneurismectomia parcial. A abordagem do tronco celíaco, que foi ligado, só foi possível com rotação visceral medial, pois não havia possibilidade de visualizá-lo pela via anterior. O exame anatomopatológico da parede do saco aneurismático revelou placas de ateroma na íntima. A paciente evoluiu sem intercorrências e teve alta hospitalar curada. Aneurismas da artéria esplênica de dimensões avantajadas, em geral, são sintomáticos, porém, como no caso em questão, podem ser assintomáticos e descobertos em exame de imagem do abdômen. Apesar de existirem métodos intervencionistas menos invasivos, como laparoscopia e técnicas endovasculares, eles não foram considerados adequados neste caso. Diante de um aneurisma gigante de artéria esplênica, a conduta terapêutica de eleição é a cirurgia convencional aberta.

Randomized trial of radiofrequency ablation versus conventional surgery for superficial venous insufficiency: if you don't tell, they won't know

OBJECTIVES: This study compared radiofrequency ablation versus conventional surgery in patients who had not undergone previous treatment for bilateral great saphenous vein insufficiency, with each patient serving as his own control. METHOD: This was a randomized controlled trial that included 18 patients and was carried out between November 2013 and May 2015. Each of the lower limbs of each patient was randomly assigned to undergo either radiofrequency ablation or conventional surgery. Clinical features (hyperpigmentation, hematoma, aesthetics, pain, skin burn, nerve injury, and thrombophlebitis) were evaluated at one week, one month, and six months postoperatively. Hemodynamic assessments (presence of resection or occlusion of the great saphenous vein and recurrent reflux in the sapheno-femoral junction and in the great saphenous vein) were performed at one month, six months, and 12 months postoperatively. The independent observer (a physician not involved in the original operation), patient, and duplex ultrasonographer were not made aware of the treatment done in each case. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02588911. RESULTS: Among the clinical variables analyzed, only the aesthetic evaluation by the physicians was significant, with radiofrequency ablation being considered better than conventional surgery (average, 0.91 points higher: standard deviation: 0.31; 95% confidence interval: -1.51, -0.30; p=0.003). However, in our study, we observed primary success rates of 80% for radiofrequency ablation and 100% for conventional surgery. CONCLUSIONS: If the physician is not required to inform the patient as to the technique being performed, the patient will not be able to identify the technique based on the signs and symptoms. Our study revealed that both techniques led to high levels of patient satisfaction, but our results favor the choice of conventional surgery over radiofrequency ablation, as patients who underwent conventional surgery had better hemodynamic assessments.

Endovascular revascularization of TASC C and D femoropopliteal occlusive disease using carbon dioxide as contrast / Revascularização endovascular de doença oclusiva fêmoro-poplítea TASC C e D com o uso de dióxido de carbono como meio de contraste

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the results of ten angioplasties of TASC C and D femoropopliteal lesions using CO2 as primary contrast in patients with no formal contraindication to iodine, aiming to decrease allergic reactions and potential nephrotoxicity in high-risk patients. Methods We describe the results of ten angioplasties of TASC C and D femoropopliteal lesions using CO2 as primary contrast in patients with high risk for open revascularization and no formal contraindication to iodine. We analyzed feasibility of the procedures, complications, quality of the angiographic images, clinical and surgical outcomes, and costs of C and D lesions treated using CO2 as contrast medium. Results The use of CO2 in C and D lesions needed iodine complementation in most of the cases (nine cases) but decreased the potential nephrotoxicity of iodine contrast medium by the reduction of its volume in this group of high-risk patients. The extension of the arterial lesions was the factor that most contributed to the need for iodine supplementation due to the difficulty to visualize the refill after a long arterial occlusion. Conclusion The use of CO2 as contrast in patients with C and D lesions with no restriction for iodine contrast medium was an alternative that did not dismiss the need of iodine supplementation in most of the cases, but could decrease the potential nephrotoxicity of iodine constrast medium.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar os resultados de dez angioplastias de lesões fêmoro-poplíteas TASC C e D utilizando CO2 como meio de contraste primário em pacientes sem restrição ao meio de contraste iodado com o objetivo de diminuir reações alérgicas e potencial de nefrotoxicidade em pacientes de alto risco. Métodos Descrevemos os resultados de dez angioplastias de lesões fêmoro-poplíteas TASC C e D utilizando CO2 como meio de contraste primário em pacientes de alto risco para revascularização aberta e sem contraindicação formal a iodo. Analisamos possibilidade de execução dos procedimentos, complicações, qualidade das imagens obtidas, desfechos clínicos e cirúrgicos e custos das lesões C e D tratadas com CO2 como meio de contraste. Resultados O uso de CO2 nas lesões C e D necessitou de complementação de iodo na maioria dos casos (nove casos), porém reduziu o potencial de nefrotoxicidade do meio de contraste iodado, diminuindo seu volume nesse grupo de pacientes de alto risco. A extensão das lesões arteriais foi o fator que mais contribuiu para necessidade de suplementação de iodo, devido à dificuldade de visualizar o reenchimento após oclusão arterial longa. Conclusão O uso de CO2 como contraste em pacientes com lesões C e D sem restrição ao meio de contraste iodado foi uma alternativa que não excluiu a necessidade de suplementação com iodo na maioria dos casos, porém pôde diminuir o potencial de nefrotoxicidade do meio de contraste iodado.

Carbon dioxide contrast medium for endovascular treatment of ilio-femoral occlusive disease

OBJECTIVES:Compare the use of carbon dioxide contrast medium with iodine contrast medium for the endovascular treatment of ilio-femoral occlusive disease in patients without contraindications to iodine.MATERIALS AND METHODS:From August 2012 to August 2014, 21 consecutive patients with ilio-femoral occlusive disease who were eligible for endovascular treatment and lacked contraindications to either iodine contrast or carbon dioxide were randomized into the carbon dioxide or iodine groups and subjected to ilio-femoral angioplasty.We analyzed the feasibility of the procedures, the surgical and clinical outcomes, the procedure lengths, the endovascular material costs, the contrast costs and the quality of the angiographic images in each group.RESULTS:No conversions to open surgery and no contrast media related complications were noted in either group. A post-operative femoral pulse was present in 88.9% of the iodine group and 80% of the carbon dioxide group. No differences in procedure length, endovascular material cost or renal function variation were noted between the groups. Four patients in the carbon dioxide group required iodine supplementation to complete the procedure. Contrast media expenses were reduced in the carbon dioxide group. Regarding angiographic image quality, 82% of the carbon dioxide images were graded as either good or fair by observers.CONCLUSIONS:The use of carbon dioxide contrast medium is a good option for ilio-femoral angioplasty in patients without contraindications to iodine and is not characterized by differences in endovascular material costs, procedure duration and surgical outcomes. In addition, carbon dioxide has lower contrast expenses compared with iodine.

Carbon dioxide as a substitute for iodine contrast in arteriography during embolectomy / Uso de dióxido de carbono como substituto ao contraste iodado em arteriografia durante embolectomia

Acute limb ischemia can be potentially harmful to the limb and life threatening. Renal failure is a possible outcome associated with release of products of ischemic limb reperfusion. Some authors reported the benefit of performing angiography after embolectomy, even though iodine contrast is also nephrotoxic. We report a case of embolectomy on a patient with renal insufficiency in whom carbon dioxide was used as a substitute for iodine contrast.

A isquemia aguda de membro pode ser danosa para o membro e para a vida. A insuficiência renal é um desfecho possível associado à liberação dos produtos da reperfusão do membro isquêmico. Alguns autores relatam o benefício de realização de angiografia após embolectomia, apesar do contraste iodado também ser nefrotóxico. Relatamos um caso de embolectomia em uma paciente com insuficiência renal, em que o dióxido de carbono foi utilizado como substituto para o contraste iodado.

Public private partnership in vascular surgery / Parceria público-privada em cirurgia vascular

Objective To describe and analyze the results of a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Health and a private hospital in a project of assistance and scientific research in the field of endovascular surgery. Methods: The flows, costs and clinical outcomes of patients treated in a the public-private partnership between April 2012 and July 2013 were analyzed. All patients underwent surgery and stayed at least one day at the intensive care unit of the private hospital. They also participated in a research protocol to compare two intravenous contrast media used in endovascular surgery (iodinated contrast and carbon dioxide). Results A total of 62 endovascular procedures were performed in 57 patients from the public healthcare system. Hospital and endovascular supplies expenses were significantly higher as compared to the amount paid by the Unified Health System (SUS - Sistema Único de Saúde) in two out of three disease groups studied. Among outpatients, the average interval between appointment and surgery was 15 days and, in hospitalized patients 7 days. All procedures were successful with no conversion to open surgery. The new contrast medium studied - carbon dioxide – was effective and cheaper. Conclusion The waiting time for patients between indication and accomplishment of surgery was significantly reduced. Public-private partnerships can speed up care of patients from public health services, and generate and improve scientific knowledge. .

Objetivo Descrever e analisar os resultados de parceria público-privada entre o Ministério da Saúde e um hospital privado em projeto de assistência e pesquisa científica na área de cirurgia endovascular. Métodos: Foram analisados fluxos, custos e resultados clínicos dos pacientes atendidos numa parceria público-privada entre abril de 2012 e julho de 2013. Todos os pacientes foram operados, ficaram pelo menos um dia na unidade de terapia intensiva do hospital privado e participaram de um protocolo de pesquisa para comparação entre dois contrastes endovenosos para cirurgia endovascular (contraste iodado e dióxido de carbono). Resultados Foram realizados 62 procedimentos endovasculares em 57 pacientes provenientes do sistema público. Os gastos hospitalares e com material endovascular mostraram-se significativamente maiores em relação ao que é pago pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) em dois dos três grupos de doenças estudados. Entre os pacientes ambulatoriais, o intervalo médio entre a consulta e a cirurgia foi de 15 dias e, nos internados, 7 dias. Todos os procedimentos foram bem sucedidos, sem conversão para cirurgia aberta. O novo contraste estudado, o dióxido de carbono, mostrou-se eficaz e mais barato. Conclusão O tempo de espera dos pacientes entre indicação cirúrgica e sua realização foi significativamente reduzido. Parcerias público-privadas podem trazer agilidade no atendimento dos pacientes do SUS, permitindo também geração de conhecimento científico. .

Doença cística adventicial da artéria poplítea: causa infrequente de claudicação intermitente / Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: an infrequent cause of intermittent claudication

A claudicação intermitente está frequentemente associada à doença aterosclerótica, mas diagnósticos diferenciais devem ser pesquisados em pacientes sem fatores de risco tradicionais. A doença cística adventicial, de etiologia incerta, acomete em maior proporção a artéria poplítea e, eventualmente, apresenta-se como claudicação intermitente. Apresentamos um caso da doença e seu manejo cirúrgico, e discutimos a etiopatogenia, os aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos da enfermidade.

Intermittent claudication is frequently associated with atherosclerotic disease, but differential diagnosis must be sought in patients with no traditional risk factors. Cystic adventitial disease, of unknown etiology, most frequently affects the popliteal artery, and occasionally presents as intermittent claudication. We report a case of this disease and the surgical treatment, and discuss some aspects related to etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

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...

Arterial embolectomy in lower limbs

Arterial embolisms in the lower limbs occur frequently, and are of great interest to the vascular surgeon. The authors studied 159 cases of arterial embolisms in lower limbs from January 1991 to July 1993. Ages varied from 12 to 98, with a mean of 58. Eighty patients were male and 78 were female. In most cases, etiology of the embolus was well-established, and mainly caused (78 percent) by atrial fibrillation. Oclusion was most frequent in the femoral artery (53.4 percent). All patients presented severe lower limb ischemia, but not gangrene, on admission. The duration of ischemia, between of onset of symptoms and the liberation of arterial flow, was in most patients (67.9 percent) less than 24 hours. All patients were submitted to lower limb embolectomy with the Fogartyy catheter, of which 70.9 percent were done through the femoral artery. Fasciotomy was performed on 48 patients due to a compartimental syndrome. Nineteen patients died immediately after operation; 68.4 percent due to heart failure. Twenty-three (16.4 percent) of the 140 surviving patients (150 operated limbs) were submitted to amputations after the occlusion of artery branches, which had undergone embolectomies. One hundred and twenty-seven limbs (84.6 percent) were preserved in 117 patients (83.5 percent). Eleven cases (7.3 percent) required repeated surgery with the Fogarty catheter. The patients wich muscle tenderness, paralysis, or ischemia lasting longer than 24 hours had worse results in relation to the preservation of the limb (p<0.05). We conclude that patients who present lower limb embolisms, are in good clnical condition, and who do not have any necrosis in the limbs, have good outcomes as to limb preservation, along with low complication rates, after embolectomy with the Fogarty catheter. Limb preservation was significantly higher in patients who did not present muscle tenderness, and who had normal motor activity and a ischemia duration of less than 24 hours.

Surgical treatment of noniatrogenic trauma of the femoral arteries

Trauma to the femoral arteries corresponds to 30 percent of all arterial traumas. The authors reviewed 74 patients with noniatrogenic trauma of the femoral arteries treated from January 1991 to December 1993. Ages ranged from 11 to 50 years, with a mean of 24 Seventy-one patients were male and three female. Fifty-two patients (70.2 percent) were white, 20 (27 percent) were black and two (2.8 percent) were Asian. Trauma due to firearms had the highest incidence, with 61 cases (82.4 percent). Absence of pluse was the most frequent clinical symptom (62.5 percent). Severe ischemia, with risk of loss of limb, was found in 66.2 percent of the cases. The superficial femoral artery was impaired in 77 percent of the cases. A preoperative arteriography was performed on only five patients, victims of multiple penetrating trauma or an asymptomatic penetrating wound along a vessel passage. In six cases, arterial and venous ligature was the chosen procedure. In three cases, a primary arterial anantomosis was performed. Simple arterrirraphy was feasible in one patient. In 64 of the patients, a venous graft was undertaken using a segment of the inverted great saphenous vein withdrawn from the other lower limb. Fasciotomy was used in 32 patients (43.2 percent), all of whom exhibited pasting of the lower limb muscles at admission. One patient died during the immediate postoperative period as the result of multiple organ failure caused by polytraumatism. Preservation of the limb was attained in 72 patients (97.3 percent) Severe, previously-incurred ischemia was responsible for the only two amputations, aggravated by an exceedingly long delay between the time of injury and surgery. One of these patients, in addition to severe ischemia, had extensive injuries to the soft tissues. We conclude that trauma of the femoral arteries, attended while the limb still maintains its vitality, has a positive clinical outcome with a high rate of limb preservation. Mortality usualy results from injury to other organs.

Aneurisma de aorta abdominal infectado por Campylobacter fetus spp fetus: relato de cas e revisao de literatura / Abdominal aortic aneurysm infected with campylobacter fetus spp fetus

A infeccao de aneurisma de aorta por Campylobacter fetus spp fetus e rara, sendo o primeiro caso relato em 1971. Apresentamos um caso de aneurisma de aorta abdominal, com historia de dor abdominal, febre e calafrios, em que houve identificacao deste bacilo Gram negativo na cultura de fragmento de aorta colhido na operacao e visualizacao de microrganismo em estudo anatomo-patologico...

Trauma to arteries of the forearm

O trauma de artérias do antebraço corresponde a 20 por cento do total de traumas arteriais. Os autores analisaram 24 pacientes com trauma näo iatrogênico de artérias do antebraço, atendidos de janeiro de 1987 a dezembro de 1990. Todos os pacientes eram do sexo masculino, o trauma por agente penetrante foi o mais freqüente, com 21 casos (87,5 por cento), a ausência de pulsos foi a manifestaçäo clínica mais freqüente (62,5 por cento), quinze pacientes näo apresentavam manifestaçöes isquêmicas (54,2 por cento) e metade dos doentes eram assintomáticos do ponto de vista neurológico. Constatou-se lesäo isolada de uma artéria em 11 casos, sendo cinco de artéria radial (20,8 por cento), cinco de artéria ulnar (20,8 por cento) e uma de artéria interóssea (4,2 por cento). Lesäo concomitante das artérias radial e ulnar foi verificada em 13 casos (54,1 por cento). Quanto ao comprometimento nervoso, constatou-se lesäo de nervo radial em 4 casos (16,6 por cento) e de nervos mediano e ulnar em um caso cada (4,1 por cento). Todos os pacientes com lesäo conjunta das artérias radial e ulnar (13) foram submetidos e restauraçäo arterial. Os 11 pacientes com lesäo isolada de uma artéria de antebraço foram tratados da seguinte maneira: ligadura de artéria interóssea em um caso, ligadura de artéria radial em quatro casos, rafia de artéria radial em um caso, ligadura de artéria ulnar em trés casos, restauraçäo de artéria ulnar com segmento de safena em dois casos nos quais o teste de Allen foi positivo. Um paciente faleceu no pós-operatório imediato devido a falência de múltiplos órgäos por politraumatismo. A preservaçäo do membro foi obtida em 23 doentes (95,8 por cento) e a única amputaçäo, se deveu a traumatismo de partes moles extenso com infecçäo grave e comprometimento sistêmico