The clinical and hemodynamic results after axillary-to-popliteal vein valve transplantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of axillary vein to popliteal vein valve transplantation (VVTX), we reviewed the clinical, phlebographic, and noninvasive hemodynamic results in 15 patients. METHODS: All patients had postthrombotic destruction of deep venous valves as determined by ascending phlebography, whereas descending phlebography demonstrated grade III or IV reflux in all patients. A segment of valve-bearing axillary vein was transplanted to the popliteal vein in the affected limb. Postoperative evaluation was by clinical, noninvasive, and phlebographic means. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years (1.25 to 11 years), 13 of 14 patients (93%) had symptomatic improvement with relief of swelling, whereas all 14 patients who were admitted with pain had relief after operation. Thirteen of 15 patients (87%) returned to work or household duties. Physical findings of edema, skin pigmentation, and lipodermatosclerosis improved in most patients. Only three patients (21%) had development of recurrent ulcers, with an average postoperative ulcer-free interval of 4 years by life-table analysis. The cumulative ulcer-free survival rate for the group averaged 62% at late follow-up. All three patients with ulcer recurrence had a functioning valve by descending phlebography, but recurrent perforating veins were found in two patients, and deep venous thrombosis above a patent VVTX was observed in the third. Late assessment of reflux by venous filling index and valve closure times for the entire sample demonstrated mean values of 4.9 seconds in the latter and 6.8 ml/sec in the former. Residual volume fraction, which correlates with invasive ambulatory venous pressures, was reduced to a mean of 31%. No deterioration in late sequential noninvasive values could be detected. CONCLUSION: VVTX is a durable procedure for preventing recurrent venous ulcers.

An assessment of the positive predictive value and cost-effectiveness of dipyridamole myocardial scintigraphy in patients undergoing vascular surgery.

PURPOSE: The approach to cardiac risk stratification of patients undergoing vascular surgery continues to be controversial. The success of algorithms that use clinical risk factors to determine cardiac risk have been inconsistent. Dipyridamole myocardial scintigraphy (DMS) has been accepted as a sensitive, noninvasive approach to risk stratification with excellent negative predictive value. Low positive predictive value (PPV) of abnormal DMS scans is a shortcoming that contributes to extensive preoperative cardiac evaluation and intervention with associated morbidity, mortality, and cost in most patients who undergo uncomplicated vascular procedures, regardless of DMS results. METHODS: Over 6 years, 237 patients underwent DMS before surgical management of infrarenal aortic aneurysm, aortoiliac, or infrainguinal occlusive disease. The value of multiple clinical factors and DMS were assessed retrospectively for the prediction of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI), heart-related death, or preoperative selection for myocardial revascularization. Only congestive heart failure and two or more reversible defects on DMS were statistically significant on logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The PPV of DMS was 19% for all patients with reversible defects, 12% for patients with one reversible defect, and 36.7% for patients with two or more reversible defects. The rates of cardiac death and MI were 1.3% and 5.9%, respectively. Perioperative echocardiography revealed unchanged postinfarction ejection fraction in most patients who experienced MI. Cost-effectiveness of DMS screening was evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The costs per MI and cardiac death averted suggest a decline in cost-effectiveness of screening with DMS over time, assuming improving cardioprotective strategies of patient care. Clinical risk factors were minimally useful in the prediction of perioperative MI, heart-related death, or need for myocardial revascularization. The PPV of DMS is low, and the majority of MIs may be clinically insignificant. The cost-effectiveness of cardiac screening with DMS may not be justifiable given current trends of health care reform.