Performance of ePTFE-covered endograft in patients with occlusive disease of the superficial femoral artery: a three-year clinical follow-up study.

AIM: Feasibility of ePTFE-covered endoprosthesis for treatment of atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusions of the SFA. This was a prospective follow-up study on intention-to-treat basis. ePTFE-covered endoprosthesis were used. METHODS: From November 2001 to December 2006, 96 patients were treated for invalidating claudication, critical ischemia or gangrene. ABI and ischemia severity score according to Rutherford were defined. Morphology of the lesions was classified according to the Trans-Atlantic InterSociety Consensus. Clinical outcome was investigated by ABI, Duplex-ultrasound, and luminal diameter measurements inside grafts. Follow-up visits were conducted at six weeks and six months, and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: Significant clinical improvement was achieved in all patients. ABI increased to normal, and did not fall during three-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier estimates for primary patency were 76% (N.=77), 70% (N.=56) and 67.7% (N.=40), and for secondary patency 86.9% (N.=85), 82.2 (N.=63) and 79.8% (N.=45) at 1, 2, and 3 years. Intraluminal graft diameters did not decrease significantly during follow-up. Graft occlusion was seen in 21/96 endografts; 20 patients underwent additional PTAs, only three patients had intragraft stenosis. Occluded grafts did not show reduction of luminal diameters on follow-up examinations before occlusion. CONCLUSION: ePTFE-covered endografts have excellent properties for treatment of SFA stenosis or occlusions. There was no intimal hyperplasia inside endografts, and graft occlusion occurred due to progression of atherosclerotic disease outside the graft.

Surgical strategy in patients with secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism. A bi-institutional series.

BACKGROUND: Although total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation is a widely accepted treatment for patients with secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) some debate persists about the optimal surgical strategy. In particular, the question what to do when less than four parathyroid glands can be found during surgery has yet to be resolved. The aim of this retrospective study was to review the outcome of total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and to assess the proper procedure (to autotransplant or not) when finding less than 4 glands after extensive surgical exploration. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2005, parathyroidectomy was performed in 74 patients in two affiliated centers. In this case-control study both clinical and biochemical outcomes of a total or subtotal parathyroidectomy were compared. The parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium concentration, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase levels were monitored preoperatively, 1 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Sixty five patients underwent a total parathyroidectomy and nine patients underwent a subtotal parathyroidectomy. Persistent HPT was seen in nine patients (12%). Recurrent HPT was seen in eight patients (11%). There were no significant differences between the group with > or = 4 glands excised and the group with three glands excised regarding serum PTH levels after 12 months and the number of patients with a hypo- or hyperparathyroidism (persistent or recurrent). Procedure related morbidity was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation is safe and effective for patients with secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism. In case of not finding a fourth gland after extensive surgical exploration, our general advice is to proceed as planned with the autotransplantation.

Prospective randomized study of carotid endarterectomy with Fluoropassiv thin wall carotid patch versus venous patch.

INTRODUCTION: The practice of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with patch angioplasty is more effective compared to primary closure. However, the type of patch material remains a controversy. The Fluoropassiv thin wall carotid patch is a polyester patch with an interpenetrating, nanometer-scale, solvent-applied surface modification, based on a biocompatible fluoropolymer. The present pilot study is the first clinical trial evaluating results of CEA with Fluoropassiv versus venous patch. MATERIALS/METHODS: Eighty-seven patients were randomized to 42 Fluoropassiv patching and 45 venous patching. Patients were observed by a vascular surgeon and a neurologist and scanned using duplex ultrasound with a follow-up of 2 years. No patients were lost to follow-up. Restenosis was defined as a Peak Systolic Velocity ratio >2.6, lumen reduction >50%. RESULTS: Perioperative stroke rate was 2.4% in the Fluoropassiv group and 8.9% in the venous group (p=0.02; 1 regressive, 4 non-regressive strokes). Multivariate analysis showed that bilateral carotid stenosis and stroke as indication for CEA were related to perioperative stroke. There was no link between perioperative stroke and patch type after correction for these factors. Patch type had no influence on operation time, clamp time, cranial nerve damage, hypertension, hematoma, infections, time to discharge, or early thromboembolic events. There were no significant differences between the Fluoropassiv and the venous group for cumulative mortality (respectively 4.4 vs 4.8%), patch occlusion (4.8 vs 2.2%), or stroke rate during 2 year follow-up (2.2 vs 2.4%). CONCLUSION: This first clinical study with the Fluoropassiv thin wall carotid patch showed no enhanced thrombogenicity compared to a venous patch. The Fluoropassiv patch is not related to a higher rate of postoperative bleeding events either.