Trombo flotante en el arco aórtico, una causa poco frecuente de isquemia de miembros inferiores / Floating thrombus in the aortic arch, a rare cause of lower limb ischemia

Resumen La oclusión arterial aguda de los miembros inferio res es una urgencia médica y quirúrgica por su morbi mortalidad. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 59 años que ingresó al servicio de urgencias por un dolor agudo y difuso del miembro inferior izquierdo causado por extensos coágulos obstructivos en las arterias del miembro inferior izquierdo. Siendo improbable la cau sa ateromatosa tras realización de la angioscopia de miembros inferiores, se sospechó un origen cardíaco. La ecografía cardiaca no mostró anomalías, sin embargo, la angiotomografía torácica reveló un trombo flotante en el arco aórtico. El paciente fue tratado quirúrgica mente con colocación de una endoprótesis aórtica sin complicaciones.

Abstract Acute arterial occlusion of the lower limbs is a medi cal and surgical emergency due to its morbi-mortality. We present the case of a 59-year-old man admitted to the emergency department for acute and diffuse pain in the left lower limb caused by extensive obstructive clots in the arteries of this limb. Since atheromatous cause was unlikely after angioscopy of the lower limbs, a car diac origin was suspected. Echocardiogram was normal, however, thoracic angiotomography revealed a floating thrombus in the aortic arch. The patient was treated surgically with placement of an aortic endoprosthesis without complications.

Precisión y fiabilidad de la medición del índice tobillo-brazo utilizando un dispositivo oscilométrico versus el método Doppler / Accuracy and reliability of ankle-brachial index measurement using an oscillometric device versus the Doppler method

Introducción: la medición del índice tobillo-brazo (ITB) es una prueba de primera línea y con alta precisión diagnóstica para detectar la enfermedad vascular periférica (EVP). El método Doppler, considerado el estándar de oro, requiere del dispositivo y de un operador capacitado, lo que limita su uso en la atención primaria. Como alternativa, un método oscilométrico que emplea un dispositivo de presión arterial automático es una prueba simple y accesible que podría minimizar los sesgos del observador y eliminar la necesidad de capacitación especial. Objetivos: validar la capacidad diagnóstica de un dispositivo oscilométrico automatizado frente al método Doppler para la medición del ITB. Materiales y métodos: se incluyeron pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 y 2 (DM1 y DM2), mayores de 50 años, con uno o más factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Luego de que los pacientes permanecieran 5 minutos acostados, se registró la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) con tensiómetro Welch Allyn DS 45-11 y Doppler Vascular Contec Sonoline B 8 Mhz en ambas arterias tibiales posteriores y en arteria braquial derecha. Posteriormente se realizaron los mismos registros con monitor de presión arterial automático modelo Omrom HEM-7130. Se calculó el ITB de cada miembro inferior y las capacidades diagnósticas (sensibilidad [S-, especificidad [E], concordancia por coeficiente kappa, valor predictivo positivo [VPP] y valor predictivo negativo [VPN]) del método oscilométrico para detectar un ITB patológico por Doppler (≤0,90). Resultados: se evaluaron 66 pacientes, 52 varones y 14 mujeres, 7 con DM1 y 59 con DM2, 69 años de edad (DS 9,8), con una antigüedad de la DM de 18,05 años (DS 12,01). La prevalencia de EVP detectada por Doppler (ITB ≤0,90) fue del 16,7% (IC 95% 9,9-23,4). El método oscilométrico para detectar un ITB ≤0,90 por Doppler mostró una S del 72,7% (IC 95% 51,8-93,6), una E del 96,3% (IC 95% 92,4-100), una concordancia del 92,4% (IC 95% 87,5-97,3), un VPP del 80,0% (IC 95% 59,9-100) y un VPN del 94,6% (IC 95% 90,0-99,3). Conclusiones: el alto VPN hallado (condición esencial para un método de screening) significa que si el método oscilométrico da un ITB >0,90, hay un 94,6% de posibilidad de que el ITB por Doppler no sea ≤0,90. El VPP de 80% encontrado significa que si el ITB oscilométrico es ≤0,90, hay un 80% de posibilidad de que el ITB Doppler sea verdaderamente ≤0,90. Por lo tanto, consideramos que la simple medición del ITB con el método oscilométrico podría recomendarse en la atención primaria, donde se requieren métodos rápidos, fáciles y confiables.

Introduction: the measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a first-line test with high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of peripheral vascular disease. The Doppler method, considered the gold standard, requires the device and a trained operator, which limits its use in primary care. Alternatively, an oscillometric method using an automated blood pressure device is a simple and affordable test that could minimize observer bias and eliminate the need for special training. Objectives: to validate the diagnostic capacity of an automated oscillometric device against the Doppler method for ABI measurement. Materials and methods: diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 (DM1 and DM2) patients older than 50 years with 1 or more cardiovascular risk factors were included. After 5 minutes lying down, SBP was recorded with a Welch Allyn DS 45-11 sphygmomanometer and Contec Sonoline B 8 Mhz Vascular Doppler in both posterior tibial arteries and in the right brachial artery. Subsequently, the same recordings were made with an Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor Model Omrom HEM-7130. The ABI of each lower limb and the diagnostic capabilities (sensitivity [S], specificity [E], concordance by kappa coefficient, positive predictive value [PPV] and negative predictive value [NPV] of the oscillometric method to detect a pathological ABI were calculated by Doppler (≤0.90). Results: 66 patients were evaluated, 52 men and 14 women, 7 DM1 and 59 DM2, 69 years old (SD 9.8) with a history of diabetes of 18.05 years (SD 12.01). The prevalence of PVD detected by Doppler (ABI ≤0.90) was 16.7% (95% CI 9.9-23.4). The oscillometric method to detect an ABI ≤0.90 by Doppler showed an S of 72.7% (95% CI 51.8-93.6), an E of 96.3% (95% CI 92.4-100), a concordance of 92.4% (95% CI 87.597.3), a PPV of 80.0% (95% CI 59.9-100) and a NPV of 94.6% (95% CI 90 .0-99.3). Conclusions: the high NPV found (essential condition for a screening method) means that if the oscillometric method gives an ABI >0.90, there is a 94.6% chance that the Doppler ABI is not ≤0.90. The PPV of 80% found means that if the oscillometric ABI is ≤0.90, there is an 80% chance that the Doppler ABI is truly ≤0.90. Therefore, we consider that the simple measurement of ABI with the oscillometric method could be recommended in primary care, where fast, easy and reliable methods are adequate.

Enrichment of miR-17-5p enhances the protective effects of EPC-EXs on vascular and skeletal muscle injury in a diabetic hind limb ischemia model

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is highly susceptible to diabetic hind limb ischemia (DHI). MicroRNA (MiR)-17-5p is downregulated in DM and plays a key role in vascular protection. Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-released exosomes (EPC-EXs) contribute to vascular protection and ischemic tissue repair by transferring their contained miRs to target cells. Here, we investigated whether miR-17-5p-enriched EPC-EXs (EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p) had conspicuous effects on protecting vascular and skeletal muscle in DHI in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: EPCs transfected with scrambled control or miR-17-5p mimics were used to generate EPC-EXs and EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p. Db/db mice were subjected to hind limb ischemia. After the surgery, EPC-EXs and EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p were injected into the gastrocnemius muscle of the hind limb once every 7 days for 3 weeks. Blood flow, microvessel density, capillary angiogenesis, gastrocnemius muscle weight, structure integrity, and apoptosis in the hind limb were assessed. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and myoblast cells (C2C12 cells) were subjected to hypoxia plus high glucose (HG) and cocultured with EPC-EXs and EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p. A bioinformatics assay was used to analyze the potential target gene of miR-17-5p, the levels of SPRED1, PI3K, phosphorylated Akt, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 were measured, and a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was used for pathway analysis. RESULTS: In the DHI mouse model, miR-17-5p was markedly decreased in hind limb vessels and muscle tissues, and infusion of EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p was more effective than EPC-EXs in increasing miR-17-5p levels, blood flow, microvessel density, and capillary angiogenesis, as well as in promoting muscle weight, force production and structural integrity while reducing apoptosis in gastrocnemius muscle. In Hypoxia plus HG-injured ECs and C2C12 cells, we found that EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p could deliver their carried miR-17-5p into target ECs and C2C12 cells and subsequently downregulate the target protein SPRED1 while increasing the levels of PI3K and phosphorylated Akt. EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p were more effective than EPC-EXs in decreasing apoptosis and necrosis while increasing viability, migration, and tube formation in Hypoxia plus HG-injured ECs and in decreasing apoptosis while increasing viability and myotube formation in C2C12 cells. These effects of EPC-EXsmiR-17-5p could be abolished by a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that miR-17-5p promotes the beneficial effects of EPC-EXs on DHI by protecting vascular ECs and muscle cell functions.

Monitoring distal limb perfusion using near-infrared spectroscopy in patients on intra-aortic balloon pump

Background: The application of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for the purpose of monitoring cerebral perfusion is well known. There have been only a few reports of its use in adult patients undergoing peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to monitor lower limb perfusion. Aim and Objective: Our study aimed to understand the usefulness of NIRS monitoring for the early detection of reduced distal limb perfusion in patients who were placed on intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) through femoral artery. Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied the use of NIRS monitoring for the early detection of reduced distal limb perfusion in 36 adult patients, who were supported with IABP between 2018 and 2019 (NIRS group). The decision to reinsert the IABP in the contralateral lower limb was made based on the NIRS system’s regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) values. To compare outcomes, the medical records of 45 adult patients who had previously received IABP without NIRS monitoring (control group) between 2017 and 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Institutional Ethical Committee Approval was taken ref. no. IEC/39/18 dated January 22, 2018. Results: There was no significant difference between the frequency of reinsertion of IABP in the contralateral lower limb in both groups (P = 0.414). The mean time to reinsertion of IABP in the contralateral lower limb is shorter in the NIRS group (20.6 ± 21.4 vs. 40.0 ± 61.0 h). In the NIRS group, no patients underwent fasciotomy, whereas 13.5% did in the control group (P = 0.030). Conclusion: We believe that NIRS monitoring is an effective and accurate approach for detecting limb ischemia in IABP patients. Its use could lead to the early correction of perfusion deficits, as well as the avoidance of compartment syndrome and limb problems.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Following Axillo-Femoral Bypass in a Patient with Stanford B Acute Aortic Dissection Accompanied by Renal Ischemia / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 71-year-old male was admitted to our institution because of right leg pain and paleness, accompanied by sudden chest-back pain. The right femoral artery was not palpable. The reticulated cyanosis appeared on the right leg. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed an acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) extending from the descending thoracic aorta to the left common iliac artery and right external iliac artery. The intimal tear was located at thoraco-abdominal aorta. There was a severe stenosis of the true lumen at bilateral common iliac arteries because of the dynamic compression caused by the extended false lumen. Blood to the right leg was not supplied from the dissected iliac artery, the peripheral circulation was maintained by collateral flow. The patient was diagnosed acute TBAD complicated with lower limb ischemia. An emergent right axillary artery-bifemoral arteries bypass was carried out for malperfusion of lower extremities. The symptoms in the lower limbs disappeared immediately. The bilateral femoral arteries were well palpated. However, 4 days later, uncontrollable severe hypertension and anuria appeared suddenly. Contrast enhanced CT revealed the stenosis of true lumen at bilateral renal arteries and an exacerbation of stenosis of true lumen at abdominal aorta. Emergent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for entry closure was performed to improve the renal function and prevent mesenteric ischemia. Postoperative contrast enhanced CT revealed the complete closure of the entry tear and dilatation of the true lumen at the descending and abdominal aorta. At the bilateral renal arteries, the blood flow improved. The renal function recovered and mesenteric ischemia did not occurred. In this report, we presented a case of acute TBAD complicated with lower limbs ischemia and late onset acute ischemic renal failure. We first performed the right axillary artery-bifemoral arteries bypass grafting, after that we had to perform TEVAR to close the entry tear. One-stage emergent TEVAR should be considered for acute TBAD with the dynamic compression at the level of abdominal aorta in future.

Preoperative risk factors for early extremity blood supply after repair of major arterial injury / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the preoperative risk factors affecting early extremity blood supply after repair of major arterial injury so as to provide clues for prevention of limb ischemia.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 139 patients (140 extremities) with major extremity arterial injury who had been admitted to Department of Microsurgery, Orthopaedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University from January 2003 to December 2019. There were 112 males and 27 females, with a mean age of 30 (20, 44) years. The primary outcome was the early status of blood supply to the injured extremity (48 hours after surgery). Univariate analysis was conducted of such factors as gender, age, ischemia time, injury mechanism, injury site, fracture, soft tissue lesion, and duration of surgery. The significant factors ( P<0.1) were then analyzed by logistic regression, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Ischemia happened in 44 (31.4%, 44/140) extremities within 48 hours after surgery. There were significant differences in injury mechanism, ischemia time, fracture, and soft tissue lesion between patients with and without postoperative extremity ischemia ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that blunt injury ( OR=5.639, 95% CI: 1.068 to 29.761, P=0.042) and soft tissue lesion ( OR=12.568, 95% CI: 3.402 to 46.431, P<0.001) were significant preoperative risk factors affecting the early blood supply after repair of major extremity arterial injury. Conclusion:As blunt injury and soft tissue defect are preoperative risk factors for early extremity ischemia after repair of major extremity arterial injury, surgeons should pay more attention to them when assessing patients and making repair protocols.

Plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex evaluates hypercoagulable states and predicts revasenosis after revascularization in patients of atherosclerosis obliterans / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To study the changing characteristics of the levels of plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) in atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) patients with different conditions and the clinical value of predicting luminal restenosis after revascularization.Methods:A total of 386 ASO patients were collected, including 209 males and 177 females, aged 70 (44-97) years old, including 196 patients with intermittent claudication and 190 patients with critical limb ischemia. There were 172 patients with intermittent claudication and 185 patients with critical limb ischemia who received revascularization therapy. During the 30-day follow-up period, 23 patients with intermittent claudication and 49 patients with critical limb ischemia developed restenosis after surgery. Venous blood samples were collected before surgery, on the 3rd day after surgery, and on the 7th day after surgery. Plasma TAT levels were determined by Shine i2900-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer; Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison among multiple groups; Mann-Whitney U test was used for data comparison between the two groups; continuous comparison of patient data in the same group was done by using Friedman rank test; multivariate correlation analysis by Logistic regression was conducted to obtain odds ratio( OR). The diagnostic performance of TAT was evaluated by ROC analysis. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the survival curve, and the hazard ratio (HR) was obtained by Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results:Compared with the healthy control group, the level of plasma TAT in patients with intermittent claudication was significantly higher ( P<0.001); the level of plasma TAT in patients with critical limb ischemia was significantly higher than that in patients with intermittent claudication ( P<0.001). The plasma TAT of patients with Rutherford grade 3 >grade2, grade4 >grade3, and grade6 >grade5 ( P values were 0.038, <0.001, and 0.013, respectively).In the intermittent claudication group, the plasma TAT levels of the patients with restenosis on the 3rd and the 7th day after revascularization were both higher than that of the patients with unobstructed blood flow ( P values were 0.004 and <0.001, respectively); The plasma TAT level of patients with unobstructed blood flow on the 7th day after surgery was lower than that on the 3rd day after surgery and before surgery (both P values <0.001); the plasma TAT level of patients with restenosis on the 7th day after surgery was lower than that on the 3rd day after surgery and higher than before surgery (both P values < 0.001). In the critical limb ischemia group, before surgery, on the 3rd and the 7th day after surgery,the plasma TAT levels of the patients with restenosis were higher than that of the patients with unobstructed blood flow ( P values were 0.001, 0.013, and <0.001, respectively); The plasma TAT level of patients with unobstructed blood flow on the 7th day after surgery was lower than that on the 3rd day after surgery and before surgery (both P values <0.001); the plasma TAT level of patients with restenosis on the 7th day after surgery was lower than that on the 3rd day after surgery ( P<0.001), but was not significantly difference from that before surgery. The ROC analysis showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma TAT on the 7th day after surgery to predict postoperative restenosis in all the patients, patients with intermittent claudication and those with critical limb ischemia were 0.839, 0.783 and 0.853, respectively. Survival analysis indicated that in the critical limb ischemia group, patients with plasma TAT levels higher than the critical value (≥7.66 ng/ml) on the 7th day after surgery showed significantly higher cumulative risk of restenosis events within 30 days after surgery (Log-rank χ 2=93.674, P<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that the plasma TAT level on the 7th day after the surgery could be used as an independent indicator to predict the occurrence of restenosis within 30 days after surgery in the critical limb ischemia group ( HR=2.259, P<0.001). Conclusion:Plasma TAT can reflect the hypercoagulable state of ASO patients in different conditions, which is helpful for stratification of disease severity. In addition, TAT is highly sensitive for luminal restenosis after revascularization and can be used as an independent marker for evaluating postoperative restenosis events in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Pseudoaneurisma humeral secundario a punción arterial inadvertida / Brachial artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to inadvertent arterial puncture

RESUMEN Los pseudoaneurismas de la arteria humeral son infrecuentes, pero pueden asociarse a complicaciones de alta morbilidad como la isquemia de miembro superior. Comunicamos un caso de pseudoaneurisma humeral en el pliegue del codo, que se presentó como tumor pulsátil con leve disminución de la temperatura y parestesias en la mano homolateral de un año de evolución, debido a una punción arterial inadvertida durante la venopunción para extracción de sangre. Se trató con éxito mediante resección quirúrgica más reconstrucción vascular con bypass húmero-cubital y bypass húmero-radial ambos con vena safena. Se discuten las diversas opciones terapéuticas disponibles para los pseudoaneurismas humerales considerando las características anatómicas y la sintomatología del paciente.

ABSTRACT Brachial artery pseudoaneurysms are rare but can be associated with severe complications as ischemia of the upper extremity. We report a case of a brachial artery pseudoaneurysm in the crease of the elbow presenting as a pulsating mass with progressive growth over the past year. The ipsilateral hand was sightly cold and presented paresthesia. The lesion was due to inadvertent arterial puncture during venipuncture. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with surgical resection and vascular reconstruction with a brachial to ulnar artery bypass and brachial to radial artery bypass with saphenous vein graft. The different therapeutic options available for brachial artery pseudoaneurysms are discussed, considering the anatomic characteristics and patients' symptoms.

Resultados en el corto y mediano plazo del tratamiento endovascular en la enfermedad arterial obstructiva infrapoplítea en pacientes con isquemia crítica de una extremidad / Short to midterm results after endovascular approach in critical limb isquemia in patients with below-the-knee arterial disease

Resumen Objetivo: Mostrar los resultados en el corto y mediano plazo del tratamiento endovascular de angioplastia transluminal percutánea (ATP) con balón en pacientes en estado de isquemia crítica por enfermedad arterial obstructiva infrapoplítea. Materiales y Método: Estudio descriptivo, observacional, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron los pacientes hospitalizados entre 2009 y 2018 por isquemia crítica Fontaine III o IV sometidos a una ATP del territorio infrapoplíteo. Se observó como objetivos primarios la preservación de la extremidad afectada y la mortalidad posoperatoria a un año plazo, y como objetivos secundarios los procedimientos adicionales en pacientes con lesiones o necrosis distales, estadía hospitalaria, complicaciones posoperatorias y necesidad de reintervención. Resultados: Se incluyeron 42 pacientes con un promedio de edad de 66 años (46-82), con importantes comorbilidades. Un 83,3% ingresó en etapa Fontaine IV. En 16 casos se realizó una angioplastia percutánea en más de una arteria. No se colocó stents. Se presentaron complicaciones en 3 pacientes, 2 requirieron una amputación mayor y en otro se debió efectuar un nuevo procedimiento endovascular de rescate. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue 22 días. No hubo mortalidad precoz posprocedimiento. La mortalidad global a un año fue 9,5%. A todos los pacientes en etapa Fontaine IV se les efectuó algún procedimiento adicional, a 31 una amputación menor, 3 cerraron sus lesiones por segunda intención y en otro se realizó un injerto dermo-epidérmico. De los 35 pacientes con seguimiento, 77% preservó su extremidad a un año. Conclusión: La reparación endovascular mediante una angioplastia percutánea en estos casos es un procedimiento seguro y tiene una alta tasa de preservación de la extremidad inicial a un año de seguimiento.

Aim: Show initial and midterms results of endovascular Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) in critical limb isquemia (CLI) patients caused by below-the-knee arterial disease. Materials and Method: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study. 42 CLI patients admitted in our hospital from 2009 until 2018 with Fontaine III or IV treated by PTA in infrapopliteal arteries were analyzed, collecting demographic, clinical and surgical characteristics, additional procedures in Fontaine IV, hospital stay, postoperative complications, need of reintervention, limb preservation and mortality with one year follow-up after procedure. Results: 42 patients, average age 66 year-old (46-82), with significant comorbidities. Fontaine IV stage patients were 83.3%. In 16 cases more than one artery was intervened. No stent revascularization was performed. Complications occurred in 3 patients, 2 required major amputation and an urgent endovascular reintervention was required in another. Average hospital stay was 22 days with no post-operative mortality. One-year global mortality was 9.5 One-year follow-up in 35 patients shows that 77% preserved their limb. Conclusión: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedure in this patients has a high rate of limb preservation in a one-year follow-up. There was no post-operative mortality.

Endovascular revascularization of chronic total arterial occlusion of the lower limb using the SAFARI technique / Revascularização endovascular utilizando a técnica SAFARI em casos de oclusão arterial total do membro inferior

Abstract The SAFARI technique or Subintimal Arterial Flossing with Antegrade-Retrograde Intervention is an endovascular procedure that allows recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusive (CTO) lesions when conventional subintimal angioplasty is unsuccessful. Retrograde access is usually obtained through the popliteal, anterior tibial, dorsalis pedis artery, or posterior tibial arteries and may potentially provide more options for endovascular interventions in limb salvage. The case of an 81-year-old man with a history of uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia is presented. He presented with a cutaneous ulcer on the right lower limb with torpid evolution and poor healing. The Doppler ultrasound and arteriographic study revealed a CTO lesion of the popliteal artery that was not a candidate for antegrade endovascular revascularization, but was successfully treated using the SAFARI technique. The patient had no perioperative complications, the wound showed better healing, and he was discharged with an indication of daily dressings and control by an external outpatient clinic.

Resumo A técnica SAFARI, ou Subintimal Arterial Flossing with Antegrade-Retrograde Intervention, é um procedimento endovascular que permite a recanalização de lesões por oclusão total crônica (OTC) em caso de fracasso da angioplastia subintimal convencional. O acesso retrógrado é geralmente obtido através da artéria poplítea, tibial anterior, pediosa ou tibial posterior e pode fornecer mais alternativas de intervenções endovasculares para o salvamento do membro. É apresentado o caso de um homem de 81 anos com histórico de hipertenção não controlada, diabetes melito e dislipidemia. Ele apresentava uma lesão ulcerativa cutânea no membro inferior direito com evolução tórpida e má cicatrização. O ultrassom Doppler e o estudo arteriográfico revelaram uma lesão por OTC na artéria poplítea. O paciente não era candidato a revascularização endovascular anterógrada; sendo assim, esta foi realizada com successo utilizando a técnica SAFARI. O paciente não apresentou complicações perioperatórias e recebeu alta com indicação de cuidados diários com a ferida e controle em um ambulatório externo. Além disso, a ferida apresentou melhor cicatrização.

Fístula coronaria a ventrículo derecho en paciente con ateroesclerosis sistémica / Coronary artery fistula to the right ventricle in a patient with systemic atherosclerosis

RESUMEN La ateroesclerosis es una enfermedad sistémica que afecta múltiples lechos vasculares. Después de períodos prolongados de progresión comienzan las manifestaciones clínicas, de forma aguda o crónica (infarto agudo de miocardio, angina estable, claudicación intermitente, enfermedad cerebrovascular, entre otras); por lo que puede cursar de manera subclínica en pacientes con enfermedad arterial coronaria. Lo interesante de esta forma de presentación es que dentro de una serie de casos con enfermedad multivaso, asociado a un índice tobillo-brazo (ITB) < 0,9, después de un síndrome coronario agudo, hemos encontrado, como hallazgo angiográfico, la presencia de una fístula coronaria a ventrículo derecho en un paciente con ITB muy bajo y clínica de claudicación intermitente. Esta fístula es la causa de los síntomas que interrumpieron la rehabilitación cardiovascular; es una enfermedad poco frecuente y causa de dolor torácico, que se informa solo de 0,3 a 0,8%, como hallazgo incidental en angiografías coronarias.

ABSTRACT Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that affects a number of vascular beds. Clinical manifestations whether acute or chronic (acute myocardial infarction, stable angina, intermittent claudication, cerebrovascular disease, among others) start after long periods of progression; so it may present subclinically in patients with coronary artery disease. What is particularly interesting about this form of presentation is that within a series of cases with multivessel disease, associated with an ankle-brachial index (ABI)<0.9, after an acute coronary syndrome, we have identified, as an angiographic finding, the presence of a coronary artery fistula to the right ventricle in a patient with very low ABI and clinical intermittent claudication. This fistula led to the symptoms that hampered cardiovascular rehabilitation. It is an infrequent disease characterized by chest pain; with low reporting (0.3 to 0.8%), as an incidental finding in coronary angiographies.

Alprostadil associated with low molecular weight heparin to treat limb ischemia caused by SARS-CoV2 / Alprostadil associado a heparina de baixo peso molecular para o tratamento da isquemia de membros causada por SARS-CoV2

Abstract The current coronavirus pandemic has already taken a great toll globally, causing massive morbidity and mortality. One of its severe forms is a thrombophilic state that can damage several systems. This article reports the case of 60-year-old female patient who presented with mild flu symptoms, which turned out to be a SARS-CoV2 infection, and ended up developing arterial thrombosis with limb ischemia in a private care hospital in Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Considering this progression, we decided to intervene with low molecular weight heparin and Alprostadil, achieving a good clinical outcome. Our description aims to identify key points and clinical signs that offer evidence of the therapeutic window and a treatment option for coagulatory presentations of COVID-19.

Resumo A atual pandemia de coronavírus já gerou danos profundos ao redor do mundo, causando grande quantidade de morbidades e mortes. Uma das manifestações das formas graves da doença é o estado trombofílico, que pode provocar danos em vários sistemas. Este artigo relata o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 60 anos de idade, que foi internada em um serviço hospitalar privado com sintomas gripais inespecíficos leves, mas que progrediu com trombose arterial e isquemia de membros causada pelo SARS-CoV2. Devido à essa evolução, foi optada pela administração concomitante de heparina de baixo peso molecular e Alprostadil, com bom desfecho clínico. Nossa descrição objetiva identificar pontos-chave e sinais clínicos que evidenciem essa janela terapêutica, bem como uma opção de tratamento para as apresentações coagulatórias da COVID-19.

COVID-19 diagnosis in a patient with critical limb ischemia: complications and clinical outcomes / Diagnóstico de COVID-19 em paciente com isquemia crítica do membro: complicações e desfechos clínicos

Abstract A 67-year-old male diabetic patient with systemic arterial hypertension was admitted to the emergency department with a necrotic ulcer in the left external malleolus and no palpable popliteal or pedal pulses. Arterial Duplex ultrasound identified femoropopliteal occlusion, with popliteal refilling below the knee and a patent peroneal artery. An endovascular procedure was performed, requiring retrograde access to the popliteal artery to re-establish blood flow and deploy a popliteal stent. Technical success was achieved and the patient underwent debridement of the wound. Two days later, about 48 hours after the operation, the patient began to exhibit respiratory symptoms, with coughing and dyspnea. He immediately underwent a chest CT that identified ground glass opacities, the crazy-paving pattern, and bilateral air bronchogram in the lungs. A reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was positive for SARS-Cov-2. The patient was moved to an intensive care unit and put on mechanical ventilation. Both hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin were administered. Despite appropriate treatment, the patient died 4 days after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Resumo Paciente do sexo masculino, 67 anos, diabético, hipertenso, foi admitido no pronto-socorro com histórico de úlcera necrótica no maléolo externo esquerdo, sem pulsos poplíteos e distais palpáveis. A ultrassonografia Doppler arterial identificou oclusão femoropoplítea, com reenchimento da artéria poplítea infragenicular e perviedade da artéria fibular. Foi realizado procedimento endovascular, com necessidade de acesso retrógrado na artéria poplítea para restabelecer o fluxo sanguíneo e realizar implante de stent poplíteo. O sucesso técnico foi alcançado e, em seguida, o paciente foi submetido ao desbridamento da ferida. No segundo dia, cerca de 48 horas de pós-operatório, o paciente apresentou quadro respiratório com tosse e dispneia. Foi submetido a uma tomografia computadorizada do tórax, que identificou opacidades em vidro fosco e broncograma aéreo bilateralmente nos pulmões, com teste de reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivo para SARS-Cov-2. O paciente foi transferido para uma unidade de terapia intensiva, necessitando de ventilação mecânica. Recebeu hidroxicloroquina e azitromicina. Apesar do tratamento em suporte intensivo, o paciente morreu 4 dias após o diagnóstico de COVID-19.

Terapia gênica de isquemia de membro é uma realidade? / Is gene therapy for limb ischemia a reality?

Resumo O conceito de terapia angiogênica surgiu no início da década de 90, o que pode ser feito com genes que codificam fatores de crescimento para promover a formação de novos vasos e o remodelamento de vasos colaterais. Como o procedimento dessa terapia geralmente consiste em apenas injeções locais de vetores, esse processo é pouco invasivo, rápido e de simples realização. Entretanto, desde as primeiras evidências clínicas do efeito de terapia gênica com o fator de crescimento de endotélio vascular (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF) vistos nos pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica até hoje, apenas dois fármacos de terapia angiogênica foram aprovados, um na Rússia e outro no Japão, o que parece um número muito pequeno diante do grande número de investimentos feitos por meio de estudos pré-clínicos e clínicos. Afinal, podemos considerar que a terapia angiogênica já é uma realidade?

Abstract The concept of angiogenic therapy emerged in the early 1990s. The method employs genes that encode growth factors to promote formation of new vessels and remodeling of collateral vessels. Since the procedure involved in this therapy usually only consists of local injections of vectors, the process is minimally invasive, quick, and simple to perform. However, since the first clinical evidence of the effects of gene therapy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was observed in patients with peripheral artery disease, to date only two angiogenic therapy drugs have been approved, one in Russia and another in Japan, which seem a very small number, in view of the large volume of investment made in pre-clinical and clinical studies. After all, can we conclude that angiogenic therapy is a reality?

Application of digital subtraction angiography in dog hindlimb arteriography / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The research on lower extremity vascular disease is becoming popular. In the experiment of large animals as research platform, It Is necessary to detect the shape and density of lower extremity vascular In order to study and verify the effectiveness of Intervention measures, and this detection method needs high feasibility and repeatability. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility, influencing factors and application value of digital subtraction angiography in lower limb arteriography of a canine animal model. METHODS: Six Beagle dogs were fixed on the working bed after anesthesia and punctured percutaneously through the femoral artery with an indwelling needle. Contrast agent was injected artificially. Digital subtraction angiography bolus chase technology was used to collect contrast images. The image effect and influencing factors were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The final arteriography images of all six Beagle dogs’ hind limbs were clear, and the branches of small vessels could be distinguished without artifacts. (2) The first beagle shook when encountering contrast agent stimulation during the initial angiography, resulting in poor image effect. After fixing the limbs and diluting the contrast agent, the clear images were obtained by re-angiography. (3) These results indicate that arteriography using digital subtraction angiography can clearly reveal the shape and density of blood vessels in canine animal models. It is simple and reproducible, and is of great significance for research on animal models of limb ischemia.

Protective effect of diminazene on kidney injury of limb ischemiareperfusion model mice and its mechanism / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To detect the levels of angioteinsin II (Ang II) and angioteinsin (1-7) [Ang (1-7)] and the expression levels of angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R) and Mas receptor (MasR) proteins in kidney tissue of the limb ischemia-reperfusion (LIR) mice pre-treated with the angiotensin coverting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activator diminazene (DIZE), and to explore the protective effect of DIZE on the kidney injury of the LIR mice. Methods: Eighteen male ICR mice aged 8 weeks were divided into control group, LIR group and LIR+DIZE group. The mice in model group and LIR+DIZE group were subjected to 2 h of ischemia and 4 h of reperfusion to establish the LIR models. The mice in LIR + DIZE group were pre-treated with 10 mg · kg-1 · d-1 DIZE for 14 d by subcutaneous injection before LIR. The histological technique was used to observe the morphology of kidney tissue of the mice and the pathological injury was evaluated. Chemical colorimetry was performed to determine the levels of serum urea and serum creatinine (Scr) of the mice. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the Ang II and Ang (1-7) levels in kidney tissue of the mice. Western blotting method was used to measure the expression levels of AT1R and MasR proteins in kidney tissue of the mice. Results: Compared with control group, the pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial cell degeneration were found in kidney tissue of the mice in LIR group, and the kindey injury score was obviously increased (P<0. 05); compared with LIR group, the kidney injury performance in the kidey tissue of the mice in LIR + DIZE group was alleviated and the kidney injury score was decreased significantly (P<0. 05). Compared with control group, the levels of serum urea and Scr of the mice in LIR group were significantly increased (P<0. 05); compared with LIR group, the levels of serum urea and Scr of the mice in LIR + DIZE group were significantly decreased (P<0. 05). Compared with control group, the Ang II, Ang (1-7) levels and the ratio of Ang II/Ang (1-7) of the mice in LIR group were significantly increased (P<0. 05); compared with LIR group, the Ang II level of the mice in LIR+DIZE group was markedly decreased (P<0. 05), the Ang (1-7) level was significantly increased (P<0. 05)), and the ratio of Ang II/Ang (1-7) was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expression level of AT1R protein in kidney tissue of the mice in LIR group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the expression of MasR protein was significantly increased (P<0. 05), and the ATlR/MasR ratio was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with LIR group, the AT1R and MasR protein expression levels in kidney tissue of the mice in LIR + DIZE group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the ATlR/MasR ratio was also increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The imbalance of Ang II/Ang (1-7) and AT1R/Mas expressions in kidney tissue of the mice may be involved in kidney injury after LIR of the mice. ACE2 activitor DIZE may play a protective role in the kidney by improving the imbalance of Ang II/Ang (1-7) and ATlR/MasR expressions.

Clinical Study of Chronic Lower Limb Ischemia and its Management

Background: The aim of the study was to study the modes of presentation of chronic lower limb ischemia, to study the effectof comorbid conditions such as smoking, diabetes, and hypertension on the presentation, progression of lower limb ischemia,and to correlate the above study finding with management and outcome.Materials and Methods: This is a study of 77 cases of chronic lower limb ischemia admitted in Mahatma Gandhi MemorialHospital, attached to Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, Telangana state, during the period of October 2011–October 2013.All the patients with a history of chronic lower limb ischemia requiring admission during the study period are included in thisstudy. Results were analyzed.Results: In our hospital, 125,263 patients were admitted between the study period, i.e., October 2011 and October 2013. Amongthem, the number of cases of chronic lower limb ischemia was 77. Thus, the incidence of chronic lower limb ischemia amongthe total number of hospital admissions was found to be 0.06%. The total number of surgical admissions in our institute duringthe period from October 2011 to October 2013 was 12,877, of which the number of cases of chronic lower limb ischemia was77 (incidence – 0.597%). The highest incidence of chronic lower limb ischemia is seen to occur in the age group of 50 yearsand above. The main features at the time of presentation were with gangrenous changes in the lower limb, ischemic ulceration,claudication, and rest pain.Conclusion: Atherosclerosis (77.92%) is the major etiological factor causing chronic lower limb ischemia. Thromboangiitisobliterans is the second cause and it exclusively affects males. Smoking plays a major role in the etiology of chronic lower limbischemia and smokers get affected at a younger age, 12.1 years, than non-smokers. Diabetes has a major role in the etiologyof chronic lower limb ischemia. It also has a crucial role in the outcome of the patients. Most of the cases in the present studywith diabetes had surgical intervention (92.59%) with very few cases managed by conservative approach alone (7.41%).

Intrauterine upper limb thrombosis: an unusual presentation

Intrauterine thrombosis with extremity ischemia presenting at birth in a newborn is a rare event. A 29 year old mother, 2nd gravida with one first trimester spontaneous abortion delivered a 33week gestation male preterm baby. On Examination, the entire left upper limb was ischemic and edematous with an absent flow on Doppler USG. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was started after which gradually the limb turned pink with good volume pulsations. Thrombophilia mutation studies revealed the heterozygous state for the MTHFR (C677T) mutation only in the mother. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment has a favourable outcome in cases of intra-uterine thrombo-embolism.

Effect of Thbs4 gene editing BMSCs transplantation on VEGF and Ang-1 in diabetic hind limb ischemia rats and related mechanism / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective To investigate the effects and the mechanism of thrombospondin 4 (Thbs4) gene-edited bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in diabetic rats with hind limb ischemia. Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the model group, BMSCs treatment group and Thbs4-BMSCs treatment group on average. After constructing the typeⅡdiabetic rat model with hind limb ischemia, 100μl normal saline, BMSCs suspension and Thbs4-BMSCs suspension (cell number: 2×106) were locally injected into the ischemic injury area of rats for the model group, BMSCs group and Thbs4-BMSCs group, respectively. The rats were sacrificed on the 14th day after stem cell transplantation, and the muscle tissues near the ischemic area were collected. The relative expression of VEGF and p-Smad2/3 protein was detected by Western Blot. The Ang-1 protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The levels of related genes were detected by qRT-PCR, and the von Willebrand Factor (vWF) protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Results The relative expression levels of VEGF, Ang-1 and vWF protein in the Thbs4-BMSCs group were significantly higher than those in the model group and BMSCs group (VEGF protein:P<0.01 and P<0.05). The mRNA expression of VEGF and Ang-1 were significantly up-regulated, the differences were statistically significant(VEGF mRNA:all P<0.01;Ang-1:P<0.01 and P<0.05). The expression of p-Smad2/3 protein in the Thbs4-BMSCs group was significantly higher than that in the model group and the BMSCs treatment group (all P<0.01). The expression of p-Smad2/3 protein was significantly decreased after the addition of p-Smad2/3 pathway inhibitor, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Thbs4-BMSCs transplantation can effectively promote angiogenesis in diabetic rats with hind limb ischemia, and the effect of angiogenesis may be related to the activation of Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Clinical analysis of type A aortic dissection with acute lower limb ischemia / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To summarize the clinical experience and efficacy of surgical treatment for Stanford type A aortic dissection leading to acute lower limb ischemia.Methods From January 2014 to January 2018,12 patients with severe lower limb ischemia caused by acute type A aortic dissection were treated with Suns surgery.Among them,11 patients were treated with restoration of lower limb blood supply preferentially,including 10 cases of femoral artery bypass and 1 case of abdominal aorta-iliac artery stent graft implantation.Another case was treated with ascending aorta-femoral artery bypass after Sung surgery.Results 3 cases died of ischemia and necrosis of the lower extremities.Two of them died of multiple organ failure due to amputation and one died of low cardiac output due to refractory acidosis.Acute renal failure performed bedside CRRT in 5 patients and ECMO in 1 patient.The remaining 9 patients were discharged from the hospital and the symptoms of lower limb ischemia disappeared.After an average follow-up of 23 months,the re-examination of the aorta CTA showed that the bypass artery was unobstructed and the distal femoral artery was well developed.One patient infecting vascular prosthesis was cured by taking out the unit.Conclusion For acute lower limb ischemia caused by type A aortic dissection,blood flow of lower extremities should be restored as soon as possible to reduce mortality and complications.Femoral artery bypass and abdominal aorta-iliac arterial repair are simple and effective in reconstructing lower limb blood supply.