Classificação WifI: o novo sistema de classificação da Society for Vascular Surgery para membros inferiores ameaçados, uma revisão de literatura / WIfI classification: the Society for Vascular Surgery lower extremity threatened limb classification system, a literature review

Resumo A Society for Vascular Surgery propôs nova classificação para o membro inferior ameaçado, baseada nos três principais fatores influenciadores do risco de amputação do membro: ferida (Wound, W), isquemia (Ischemia, I) e infecção do pé (foot Infection, fI): a classificação WIfI. Esta abrange também os diabéticos, anteriormente excluídos do conceito de isquemia crítica do membro devido a seu quadro clínico complexo. O objetivo da classificação era fornecer estratificação de risco precisa e precoce ao paciente com membro inferior ameaçado; auxiliar no manejo clínico, permitindo comparar terapias alternativas; e predizer o risco de amputação em 1 ano e a necessidade de revascularização. O objetivo deste estudo é reunir os principais pontos abordados sobre a classificação WIfI no meio científico. A maior parte dos estudos de validação da classificação demonstram sua associação à predição de salvamento do membro, eventos de reintervenção, amputação e estenose, taxas de amputação maior e menor, sobrevida livre de amputação, e cicatrização de feridas.

Abstract The Society for Vascular Surgery has proposed a new classification system for the threatened lower limb, based on the three main factors that have an impact on limb amputation risk: Wound (W), Ischemia (I) and foot Infection ("fI") - the WIfI classification. The system also covers diabetic patients, previously excluded from the concept of critical limb ischemia because of their complex clinical condition. The classification's purpose is to provide accurate and early risk stratification for patients with threatened lower limbs; assisting with clinical management, enabling comparison of alternative therapies; and predicting risk of amputation at 1 year and the need for limb revascularization. The objective of this study is to collect together the main points about the WIfI classification that have been discussed in the scientific literature. Most of the studies conducted for validation of this classification system prove its association with factors related to limb salvage, such as amputation rates, amputation-free survival, prediction of reintervention, amputation, and stenosis (RAS) events, and wound healing.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing human basic fibroblast growth factor increase vasculogenesis in ischemic rats

Administration or expression of growth factors, as well as implantation of autologous bone marrow cells, promote in vivo angiogenesis. This study investigated the angiogenic potential of combining both approaches through the allogenic transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expressing human basic fibroblast growth factor (hbFGF). After establishing a hind limb ischemia model in Sprague Dawley rats, the animals were randomly divided into four treatment groups: MSCs expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP-MSC), MSCs expressing hbFGF (hbFGF-MSC), MSC controls, and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) controls. After 2 weeks, MSC survival and differentiation, hbFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and microvessel density of ischemic muscles were determined. Stable hbFGF expression was observed in the hbFGF-MSC group after 2 weeks. More hbFGF-MSCs than GFP-MSCs survived and differentiated into vascular endothelial cells (P<0.001); however, their differentiation rates were similar. Moreover, allogenic transplantation of hbFGF-MSCs increased VEGF expression (P=0.008) and microvessel density (P<0.001). Transplantation of hbFGF-expressing MSCs promoted angiogenesis in an in vivo hind limb ischemia model by increasing the survival of transplanted cells that subsequently differentiated into vascular endothelial cells. This study showed the therapeutic potential of combining cell-based therapy with gene therapy to treat ischemic disease.

Putative role of ischemic postconditioning in a rat model of limb ischemia and reperfusion: involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1? expression

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is one of the most potent angiogenic growth factors. It improves angiogenesis and tissue perfusion in ischemic skeletal muscle. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that ischemic postconditioning is effective for salvaging ischemic skeletal muscle resulting from limb ischemia-reperfusion injury, and that the mechanism involves expression of HIF-1α. Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=36 each): sham-operated (group S), hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion (group IR), and ischemic postconditioning (group IPO). Each group was divided into subgroups (n=6) according to reperfusion time: immediate (0 h, T0), 1 h (T1), 3 h (T3), 6 h (T6), 12 h (T12), and 24 h (T24). In the IPO group, three cycles of 30-s reperfusion and 30-s femoral aortic reocclusion were carried out before reperfusion. At all reperfusion times (T0-T24), serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, as well as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations, were measured in rats after they were killed. Histological and immunohistochemical methods were used to assess the skeletal muscle damage and HIF-1α expression in skeletal muscle ischemia. In groups IR and IPO, serum LDH and CK activities and TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations were all significantly increased compared to group S, and HIF-1α expression was up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In group IPO, serum LDH and CK activities and TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were significantly decreased, IL-10 concentration was increased, HlF-1α expression was down-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the pathological changes were reduced compared to group IR. The present study suggests that ischemic postconditioning can reduce skeletal muscle damage caused by limb ischemia-reperfusion and that its mechanisms may be related to the involvement of HlF-1α in the limb ischemia-reperfusion injury-triggered inflammatory response.

Limb remote ischemic post-conditioning reduces brain reperfusion injury by reversing eNOS uncoupling.

Limb remote ischemic postconditioning (LRIP) can reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), but its mechanisms are still unclear. We hypothesize that LRIP reduces IRI by reversing eNOS uncoupling. Focal ischemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h followed by a 24 h reperfusion. Before this surgery, folic acid (FA) was administered to the drug treatment group by gavage for 11 days. After a 24 h reperfusion, behavioural testing, vascular function, NO concentration and superoxide dismutase activity in the serum were determined. In addition, the infarct size of the brain was also detected. The mRNA of eNOS, nNOS, GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH), P22phox and xanthine oxidase (XO) in the ischemic region were detected by RT-PCR, and nitrotyrosine (Tyr-NO2) was detected using Western blot analysis. The results showed that LRIP, FA and FA+LRIP all could improve behavioural score, and increase NO–mediated endothelium-dependent vasomotor responses, reduce infarction of rats subjected to IRI. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the Tyr-NO2 levels and the mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit P22phox and XO were up-regulated in the ischemic brain, which was significantly inhibited by LRIP, FA and FA+LRIP. The mRNA expression of the rate-limiting enzyme in BH4 synthesis, GTPCH, was down-regulated in the ischemic brain, which could be significantly augmented by LRIP and FA+LRIP. It can be concluded that IRI induces eNOS uncoupling in the cerebral ischemic region and LRIP partially reverses the eNOS uncoupling induced by IRI.

Tratamiento endovascular de las arterias distales del miembro inferior / Endovascular treatment of distal lower limb arteries / Tratamento endovascular das artérias distais do membro inferior

La angioplastía es un procedimiento que se ha introducido en el tratamiento de las lesiones oclusivas de los miembros inferiores con resultados prometedores. No obstante, son importantes los nuevos aportes de datos sobre los resultados obtenidos, teniendo en cuenta la falta de homogeneidad de los pacientes tratados afectados por diferentes procesos obstructivos arteriales, tratados en diferentes situaciones clínicas y con una muy variada extensión de las lesiones. Se realiza un análisis de 239 casos incluidos en un estudio prospectivo con el objetivo de analizar los resultados en relación a los diversos factores que afectan a los pacientes. Se analizan los resultados y se valoran los mismos.

A angioplastia é um procedimento que foi introduzido no tratamento das lesões oclusivas dos membros inferiores com resultados prometedores. Entretanto, são importantes as novas contribuições de dados sobre os resultados obtidos, levando em consideração a falta de homogeneidade dos pacientes tratados afetados por diferentes processos obstrutivos arteriais, tratados em diferentes situações clínicas e com uma muito variada extensão das lesões. Realiza-se uma análise de 239 casos incluídos em um estudo prospectivo com o objetivo de analisar os resultados com relação aos diversos fatores que afetam os pacientes. Analisam-se os resultados e se valorizam os mesmos.

Angioplasty is a procedure that has been introduced with promising results in the treatment of occlusive lesions of the lower limbs. However, it is necessary further input of data on the results obtained taking into account the lack of homogeneity of patients suffering from obstructive arterial different processes, treated in different clinical situations and with a very wide extent of the injury. An analysis of 239 cases in a prospective study to analyze the results in relation to the various factors that affect patients. The results are analyzed and valued the same.

Ischemic post-conditioning attenuates the intestinal injury induced by limb ischemia/reperfusion in rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of ischemic post-conditioning on damage to the barrier function of the small intestine caused by limb ischemia-reperfusion injury. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (N = 36 each): sham operated (group S), lower limb ischemia-reperfusion (group LIR), and post-conditioning (group PC). Each group was divided into subgroups (N = 6) according to reperfusion time: immediate (0 h; T1), 1 h (T2), 3 h (T3), 6 h (T4), 12 h (T5), and 24 h (T6). In the PC group, 3 cycles of reperfusion followed by ischemia (each lasting 30 s) were applied immediately. At all reperfusion times (T1-T6), diamine oxidase (DAO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) intestinal tissue concentrations, plasma endotoxin concentrations, and serum DAO, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations were measured in sacrificed rats. Chiu’s pathology scores for small intestinal mucosa were determined under a light microscope and showed that damage to the small intestinal mucosa was lower in group PC than in group LIR. In group PC, tissue DAO and SOD concentrations at T2 to T6, and IL-10 concentrations at T2 to T5 were higher than in group LIR (P < 0.05); however, tissue MPO and MDA concentrations, and serum DAO and plasma endotoxin concentrations at T2 to T6, as well as TNF-α at T2 and T4 decreased significantly (P < 0.05). These results show that ischemic post-conditioning attenuated the permeability of the small intestines after limb ischemia-reperfusion injury. The protective mechanism of ischemic post-conditioning may be related to inhibition of oxygen free radicals and inflammatory cytokines that cause organ damage.

Extremity vascular trauma. A 7-year experience in Lahore, Pakistan

To determine the outcome of various techniques of vascular repair in terms of repair related complications and limb salavagibility. From January 1999 to December 2005, this retrospective study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The patients, who underwent various surgical interventions for extremity vascular trauma, were included in this study. Those, who underwent primary amputation due to non-salvageable injuries or who presented with late complications of vascular injuries were excluded. Ninety-three patients underwent different surgical procedures for extremity vascular trauma. Majority of the patients were young, mean, 29.4 years male 91.3%. Penetrating trauma was the most common mode of injury 77.4%. The median time interval between injury and repair was 4.5 hours. Superficial femoral artery was the most frequently injured artery 26.8%. Graft repair was carried out in 41 patients 46.6%, while 34.1% of the patients had end-to-end anastomosis. Wound infection was the most common complication 18.2%. Seven patients 7.5% had secondary amputations and 3 3.2% died from other injuries. Vascular reconstruction was successful in 89.3% of the patients. Early revascularization by employing simple repair or interposition autogenous vein graft repair results in successful limb salvage with acceptable complication rate

Lymphoscintigraphic evidence of lymph vessel dilation in the limbs of children with Brugia malayi infection.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is targeted for global elimination by the year 2020. It was earlier believed that LF is mostly a disease of adults. Recent studies indicate that in endemic countries filarial infection starts mostly in childhood even though the disease manifestations occur much later in life. The initial damage to the lymph vessels where the adult worms are lodged is dilation, thought to be irreversible even with treatment. Most of these studies relate to bancroftian filariasis. Studies that address this early pathology in brugian filariasis in humans are scarce. We report here for the first time, the lymphatic abnormalities seen on lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) in children with Brugia malayi filariasis. LSG was performed in 100 children aged between 3-15 years, who were enrolled in the study either because they were microfilaremic; had present or past filarial disease or were positive for antifilarial IgG4 antibodies. Inguinal and axillary lymph nodes were imaged in most children. Dilated lymph vessels were visualized in 80 children and this pathology was evenly distributed in all the three study groups. Lymph vessels dilation was seen even in three year old children. The implications of these findings for management of LF and control programmes are discussed.

Analysis of the effects of the interruption of the flow in the normal arterial endothelium morphology and the correlation with the ischemia duration in rabbits

The study of acute arterial insufficiency of the extremities is an area of continuing interest and investigation, in light of the possible effects stemming from the evolution of the disease and the necessity for urgent treatment. PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of the interruption of the flow in the normal arterial endothelium morphology and correlate them with the ischemia duration. METHODS: We submitted 30 rabbits to the ligature of the right external iliac artery for 6 hours or 72 hours and observed specific morphological variables in the endothelial layer under optical and electronic microscopy. RESULTS: In the optical microscopic study, no statistically significant results were observed in the comparison of the groups (control, 6- and 72-hour occlusions). With electronic microscopy, we observed alterations in the endothelial cell characterized by hyperpigmentation with detachment of the same from its bed; and rupture of the internal elastic membrane, with the exposure of the subendothelial material to the vascular lumen. CONCLUSIONS: The optical microscopy was not an effective method for the determination of endothelial morphological alterations; the electronic microscopy allowed us to observe initial signals of the endothelial cell and layer injury 72 hours after the interruption of the normal arterial flow.

O estudo da insuficiência arterial aguda das extremidades é área de contínuo interesse e investigação, devido possibilidade de eventos catastróficos na evolução da doença e necessidade de tratamento cirúrgico de urgência. OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos da ausência de fluxo na morfologia do endotélio arterial normal segmentar, como os que ocorrem na porção imediatamente abaixo da área que sofreu oclusão arterial aguda por embolia, e correlacioná-los com o tempo de isquemia. MÉTODOS: Submetemos 30 coelhos à ligadura da artéria ilíaca externa direita por 6 horas ou 72 horas e observamos variáveis morfológicas específicas da camada endotelial e subendotelial à microscopia óptica e eletrônica. RESULTADOS: No estudo da microscopia óptica não foram observados resultados estatisticamente significativos quando comparados os grupos entre si. A microscopia eletrônica observamos alterações da célula endotelial caracterizadas por hiperpigmentação e descolamento da mesma de seu leito, e ruptura da membrana elástica interna com exposição do material subendotelial para luz vascular. CONCLUSÕES: A microscopia óptica não foi procedimento eficaz na determinação das alterações morfológicas endoteliais estudadas; a microscopia eletrônica mostrou sinais iniciais de sofrimento da célula endotelial e lesão da camada endotelial após 72 horas da ausência de fluxo na artéria normal.

Estreptoquinase e oxigênio hiperbárico em congestão após reimplante de membro / Effects of streptokinase and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on venous occlusion after limb reimplantation in rats

OBJETIVO: Foram testados os efeitos do fármaco estreptoquinase e da terapia com oxigênio hiperbárico em modelo experimental de oclusão venosa após reimplante de membro. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas amputações com preservação de vasos e nervos dos membros posteriores direitos de 140 ratos. Os grupos GM0, GM1, GM2, GM3 e GM4 foram submetidos a tempos de oclusão venosa de zero, uma, duas, três e quatro horas. Os grupos GE1 e GE2 foram tratados com estreptoquinase e terapia com oxigênio hiperbárico, respectivamente, após oclusão venosa de três horas. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo teste do Qui-quadrado (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: As taxas de mortalidade transoperatórias dos grupos GM0, GM1, GM2, GM3 e GM4 foram 0 por cento, 10 por cento, 15 por cento, 30 por cento e 60 por cento e as pós-operatórias foram 5 por cento; 11,1 por cento; 11,7 por cento; 14,2 por cento e 100 por cento, respectivamente. As taxas de viabilidade dos membros isquêmicos após sete dias de avaliação foram 100 por cento, 87,5 por cento, 80 por cento e 66,67 por cento. As taxas de viabilidade dos grupos GE1 e GE2 foram 76,9 por cento e 100 por cento, respectivamente. As taxas de mortalidade transoperatórias foram diferentes estatisticamente com exceção de GM1 e GM2. As taxas de mortalidade pós-operatórias não foram diferentes com exceção de GM3 e GM4. As taxas de viabilidade dos grupos modelo foram diferentes entre si, exceto os grupos GM1 e GM2. GE1 resultou em uma viabilidade de membros sem diferença estatística e GE2 em uma viabilidade de membros maior que GM3. CONCLUSÃO: A estreptoquinase não alterou os efeitos da oclusão venosa e a terapia com oxigênio hiperbárico aumentou a viabilidade dos membros.

OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of streptokinase and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on venous occlusion after limb reimplantation was tested in rats. METHODS: Amputation with preservation of vessels and nerves of the right hind limb was carried out in 140 rats. Groups MG0, MG1, MG2, MG3 and MG4 were submitted to 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours of venous occlusion. MG3 was elected as control for the experimental groups. Groups EG1 and EG2 were submitted to 3 hours of venous occlusion and were treated with streptokinase and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Limbs were observed for 7 days and their mortality and survival rates were studied. RESULTS: Trans-operatory mortality rates in groups MG0, MG1, MG2, MG3 and MG4 were 0, 10, 15, 30 and 60 percent respectively and the postoperatory mortality rates were 5; 11.1; 11.7; 14.2 and 100 percent respectively. The limb survival rates were 100 percent, 87.5 percent, 80 percent and 66.67 percent respectively and 76.9 percent and 100 percent in EG1 and EG2. Model groups were statistically different, except for MG1 and MG2 in trans-operatory mortality rates. There were no statistical differences in postoperatory mortality rates between model groups except for MG3 and MG4. Model groups were statistically different, with the exception of MG1 and MG2, in limb survival rates. EG1 and MG3 showed no statistical difference in limb survival and EG2 had a better limb survival than MG3. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the administration of streptokinase does not change effects of venous occlusion and that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may decrease the effects of venous occlusion in limbs.

Acute limb ischemia: delayed presentation and outcome

Acute limb ischemia still represents an important dangerous situation in vascular surgery. Delayed presentation of acute ischemia usually leads to catastrophic outcome. Late ischemia represented 20.4% of all cases of acute limb ischemia admitted to our hospital during one year period. We were aiming to evaluate such cases with acute prolonged limb ischemia identifying causes of delayed presentation and its imprint on patients limb and life. Forty-five patients [45 limbs] were included in this study. There were 25 females and 20 males with ages ranged between 20 and 85 years [mean; 58 years]. The lower limbs were affected in 91.1% of cases while the upper limbs were involved in 8.9%. Sixty percent of cases had embolic ischemia while 40% suffered from thrombotic ischemia. The average ischemic interval was 6.8 days. Methods of treatment included medical and/or surgical intervention. Doctors of other specialties were responsible for delayed presentation in 62.2% of cases because of wrong diagnosis or treatment. Patients themselves were blamed in 31.1% of cases due to ignorance or low socioeconomic level. Long distance from the nearest specialty hospital was the cause of delay in 6.7% cases. Overall, a good outcome was recorded in 11.1% patients. Major amputation was ultimately required in 71.1% patients. Death occurred in 4.5% patients. Treatment of acute prolonged limb ischemia is difficult and results in high morbidity. Proper management of acute limb ischemia requires educational programs for genior doctors, patients and community to realize its causes, manifestations, methods of diagnosis, and importance of time factor and its imprint on patient's limb and life

Acute limb ischemia due to ergotism

Acute ischemia of an extremity potentially threatens limb loss and occasionally the life of the patient. We are reporting two cases of extremity ischemia secondary to ergot poisoning. The first patient was a 60 years old woman, who presented with a 15 days history of ischemia of the left arm with gangrene of the fingers and pain in the resting right hand for one day. Right brachial artery catheterization showed severe spasm of the artery which was resolved by passage of the inflated balloon catheter. She underwent amputation for gangrene of the left hand. The second patient presented with bilateral symmetrical ischemia of the lower extremities which improved upon withdrawal of the ergot containing medicine. She responded to nifedipine

Resultados y oportunidad del tratamiento quirúrgico de las embolias de las extremidades / Results of the surgical treatment of embolic occlusion of limb arteries

La oclusión embólica de una extremidad representa una emergencia médica. Nuestro objetivo es analizar la oportunidad del diagnóstico y tratamiento de las embolias de las extremidades y sus resultados. Fueron revisadas retrospectivamente las fichas clínicas de los pacientes sometidos a Embolectomía de las extremidades, entre Enero de 1995 y Diciembre del 2002. El grupo esta compuesto por 26 hombres y 42 mujeres, en los que se realizaron 75 embolectomías. Un 28 por ciento de los pacientes presentó la embolia estando hospitalizado, y en el resto, está fue su motivo de ingreso. En el grupo de pacientes hospitalizados, el tiempo previo al diagnóstico fue 1.6 días (media) y en los otros de 8.2 días (media). Todos los pacientes con embolias en Clase II b y estadios iniciales de Clase III (clasificación de la SVS/ISCVS), fueron intervenidos dentro de las 6 horas siguientes al diagnóstico. De las 75 embolectomías; se logró revascularizar el 88 por ciento de las extremidades diagnosticadas dentro de las primeras 24 hora de evolución, y sólo un 48.8 por ciento de aquellas que presentaban mas de 24 horas, lo que representa una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p=0.000). Fueron realizadas 18 amputaciones mayores (24 por ciento). La mortalidad post operatoria fue de 31 por ciento. No hubo diferencia en cuanto a mortalidad en el grupo con diagnóstico en las primeras 24 horas, comparado con aquellos en que el diagnóstico fue mas tardío. Existió mayor mortalidad entre los pacientes que presentaron el episodio embólico estando hospitalizados por otra patología (52.6 por ciento) con respecto a aquellos en que la embolia motivo el ingreso (22,4 por ciento), p = 0.016. Lo anterior mostraría que la alta mortalidad esta asociada a la gravedad de las patologías subyacentes.

Extremity vascular trauma-the continuing challenge

A retrospective study of 36 consecutive patients with extremity vascular trauma managed by the South Surgical Ward trauma team between February 1998 to January 2000. All our patients were men with a mean age of 27 years. The commonest clinical presentation.was with haemorrhage [75%] or ischemia [58.4%]. The mode of injury was gunshot wounds [75%], blunt trauma [20%] and iatrogenic injuries [5%]. The most commonly injured arteries were the superficial femoral [27.5%], the popliteal [24%] and the brachial [24%]. The techniques utilized for.repair of the arterial injuries were autogenous reverse vein grafting [51.7%], end-to-end anastomosis [27.6%].and lateral repair [3.4%]. 17.2% of the arterial injuries were ligated. 43% of the venous injuries underwent lateral venorrhaphy while 57% were ligated. Tri-compartment leg fasciotomies were carried out in 14 patients The commonest complication was vein graft thrombosis [16.7%]. Our amputation rate and mortality were both at 6.9%. Early transport of the patient to a good surgical facility, good surgical judgement and the liberal use of. vein grafts improves the outcome in vascular injuries of the extremities

Diagnóstico clínico da isquemia crítica dos membros / Clinical diagnosis of the chronic critical limb ischaemia

A isquemia crônica dos membros representa um risco de amputaçäo e óbito, se o diagnóstico e o tratamento näo forem corretos e de imediato. Devido ao comprometimento de múltiplos órgäos o tratamento do doente deve ser multidisciplinar, normalmente em regime hospitalar. O tratamento é realizado com a compensaçäo dos múltiplos órgäos insuficientes e do membro em risco é feito através de fármacos e de procedimentos endovasculares e cirúrgicos.

Disecciones aorticas: cirugía indirecta de las complicaciones isquémicas / Aortic dissections: indirect surgery in ischemic complications

Objetivo: exponer nuestra experiencia en la revascularización indirecta de las complicaciones isquémicas derivadas de disecciones aórticas y evaluación de la sobrevida de nuestros pacientes como un parámetro aproximado del resultado obtenido. Material y métodos: se conformó una serie de 22 pacientes intervenidos entre 1978 y 1998 por complicaciones isquémicas en región única y 8 con más de una región comprometida. Cuatro disecciones tipo A y 18 tipo B. Se clasificaron las disecciones mediante arteriografía por cateterismo axilar o femoral y a todos se les practicó estudio tomográfico. Resultados: la mortalidad operatoria (primer mes) fue de 22,7 por ciento ñ 8,9. La sobrevida acumulada fue de 77,3 por ciento ñ 8,9 al primer mes, disminuyendo a 72,7 por ciento ñ 9,5 al segundo, a 68,2 popr ciento ñ 9,9 al tercero, resultando de 55,7 por ciento ñ 11,7 a los 24 meses. La sobrevida en 5 pacientes con isquemia solamente en miembros inferiores fue del 100 por ciento operatoria y 75 por ciento ñ 22 a 24 meses, mientras que en pacientes con isquemia mesentérica y/o renal fue 71 por ciento ñ 11 y 53 por ciento ñ 12, respectivamente (p=ns). Los pacientes con insuficiencia renal recuperaron la función. No se realizó ninguna amputación de miembro inferior. Conclusión: la tasa de mortalidad operatoria con cirugía indirecta (22,7 por ciento; 4,9 por ciento a 40,5 por ciento según intervalo de confianza 95 por ciento) resultó menor a la cirugía directa según bibliografía consultada (50 por ciento; p<0,05)

Vascular complications of diagnostic angiography via femoral artery

Vascular complications of angiographic procedures are important causes of iatrogenic morbidity. During a five-year period, thirteen patients were managed for vascular complications following angiographic procedures via the femoral artery. Eleven patients had acute limb ischemia, one had a retroperitoneal hematoma and shock and one was presented one month after catheterization with a femoral pseudoaneurysm. The management and outcome of these complications were presented and discussed. It was recommend that every clinician requesting angiography must be aware of its complications as early diagnosis is the key for successful management