Use of Intraoperative Duplex Ultrasound and Resistance Index Reduces Complications in Living Renal Donor Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of choice in end-stage renal disease is transplantation. Hemodynamic disturbances can evoke graft loss, while early ultrasound identification of vascular problems improves outcome. The aim of this study was to identify differences in postoperative complications with and without systematic intraoperative Doppler ultrasound use. METHODS: The primary outcome was the postoperative rate of complications and the secondary aim was to find a predictive resistance index cut-off value, which would show where surgical reintervention was necessary. Over a 10-year period, 108 renal transplants were performed from living donors at our institution. In group 1 (n = 67), intraoperative duplex ultrasound and intraparenchymatous resistance index measurements assessed patients, while in group 2 (n = 41), no ultrasound was performed. RESULTS: There were no intergroup differences in the overall postoperative complication rate or in benefit to graft or patient survival with Doppler use. However, significantly more vascular complications (10% vs 0%, P = .02) and more acute rejections (37% vs 10%) occurred in group 2 than in group 1. Therefore, an intraoperative cut-off value of the resistance index 0.5 was proposed to justify immediate surgical revision. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report demonstrating benefits of systematic intraoperative Doppler ultrasound on postoperative complications in renal transplantation from living donors. Our results support surgical revision with a resistance index <0.5.

[Isolated true aneurysm of the deep femoral artery]. / Un anévrisme isolé de l'artère fémorale profonde.

Aneurysms of the deep femoral artery, accounting for 5% of all femoral aneurysms, are uncommon. There is a serious risk of rupture. We report the case of an 83-year-old patient with a painless pulsatile mass in the right groin due to an aneurysm of the deep femoral artery. History taking revealed no cardiovascular risk factors and no other aneurysms at other localizations. The etiology remained unclear because no recent history of local trauma or puncture was found. ACT angiography was performed, revealing a true isolated aneurysm of the deep femoral artery with a diameter of 90mm, beginning 1cm after its origin. There were no signs of rupture or distal emboli. Due to unsuitable anatomy for an endovascular approach, the patient underwent open surgery, with exclusion of the aneurysm and interposition of an 8-mm Dacron graft to preserve deep femoral artery flow. Due to their localization, the diagnosis and the management of aneurysms of the deep femoral artery can be difficult. Options are surgical exclusion or an endovascular approach in the absence of symptoms or as a bridging therapy. If possible, blood flow to the distal deep femoral artery should be maintained, the decision depending also on the patency of the superficial femoral artery. In case of large size, aneurysms of the deep femoral artery should be treated without any delay.

Nitric Oxide Deficit Drives Intimal Hyperplasia in Mouse Models of Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of different types of hypertension on the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH). METHOD: Genetic, surgical, and pharmacological models of hypertension were used to compare IH formation in a murine model of carotid artery ligation (CAL). CAL was performed in normotensive WT male mice and in three mouse models of hypertension: (1) L-NAME (Nω-nitro-l-arginine-methyl-ester) treatment for 2 weeks prior to CAL to instate renin-independent hypertension; (2) 2K1C (two kidneys, one clip) surgery 1 week prior to CAL to induce renin-dependent hypertension; (3) Cx40-/- mice, a genetic model of renin-dependent hypertension. Mice were sacrificed prior to CAL or 3, 14, or 28 days post CAL. Data collection included tail blood pressure measurements, and morphometric and histological assessment of the ligated carotids. RESULTS: CAL triggered the formation of a VSMC-rich neointima layer after 14-28 days, which was increased in all hypertensive mice. Despite similarly increased blood pressure, L-NAME treated mice displayed more IH than all other hypertensive groups. In addition, L-NAME induced hypertension triggered more cell proliferation and recruitment of CD45 positive inflammatory cells to the ligated vessel wall compared with Cx40-/- or normotensive WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: NO deficiency is a major aspect of vascular inflammation, VSMC proliferation, and IH in hypertensive conditions.

Angiojet Thrombo-aspiration Guided by Trans-Oesophageal Ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: A 59 year old woman presented with acute right leg ischemia. On the computed tomography scan, thrombi were seen in the brachiocephalic trunk, in the descending aorta, in the infrarenal aorta, in the right deep femoral artery, and in the right crural arteries. TECHNIQUE: To remove the risk of cerebral emboli, thrombo-aspiration of the brachiocephalic trunk was planned, with associated thrombectomy of the infrarenal aorta, the right deep femoral artery, and the right crural arteries. Because the brachiocephalic thrombus could not be visualized with angiography, the anesthetists, who were performing a trans-oesophageal ultrasound of the heart, were asked to locate the thrombus, which was easily seen on the trans-oesophageal ultrasound. The aspiration catheter Angiojet (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) could be positioned under ultrasound guidance. Complete aspiration of the thrombus was then confirmed with the ultrasound (see video). The thrombectomy of the infrarenal aorta and right leg was then performed by open surgery. The patient's recovery was uneventful. Despite extensive investigations no etiology was found for the thrombi. DISCUSSION: Pre-operative trans-oesophageal ultrasound is routinely performed by anesthetists in patients with acute ischemia, to search for a cardiac source of emboli. In this case it had the added advantage of helping to locate and aspirate a thrombus in the brachiocephalic trunk.

Investigations of a thermosensitive gel to temporarily occlude crural arteries in femoro-distal bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Long occlusions in calcified crural arteries are a major cause of endovascular technical failure in patients with critical limb ischaemia. Therefore, distal bypasses are mainly performed in patients with heavily calcified arteries and with consequently delicate clamping. A new reverse thermosensitive polymer (RTP) is an alternative option to occlude target vessels. The aim of the study is to report our technical experience with RTP and to assess its safety and efficiency to temporarily occlude small calcified arteries during anastomosis time. METHODS: Between July 2010 and December 2011, we used RTP to occlude crural arteries in 20 consecutive patients with 20 venous distal bypasses. We recorded several operative parameters, such as volume of injected RTP, duration of occlusion and anastomotic time. Quality of occlusion was subjectively evaluated. Routine on-table angiography was performed to search for plug emboli. Primary patency, limb salvage and survival rates were reported at 6 months. RESULTS: In all patients, crural artery occlusion was achieved with the RTP without the use of an adjunct occlusion device. Mean volume of RTP used was 0.3 ml proximally and 0.25 ml distally. Mean duration of occlusion was 14.4 ± 4.5 min, while completion of the distal anastomosis lasted 13.4 ± 4.3 min. Quality of occlusion was judged as excellent in eight cases and good in 12 cases. Residual plugs were observed in two patients and removed with an embolectomy catheter, before we amended the technique for dissolution of RTP. At 6 months, primary patency rate was 75% but limb salvage rate was 87.5%. The 30-day mortality rate was 10%. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that RTP is safe when properly dissolved and effective to occlude small calcified arteries for completion of distal anastomosis.

[The complex aortic abdominal aneurysm: is open surgery old fashion?]. / Anévrismes complexes de l'aorte abdominale: la chirurgie ouverte est-elle obsolète?

Open surgery is still the main treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysm. Nevertheless, this approach is associated with major complications and high mortality rate. Therefore the fenestrated endograft has been used to treat the juxtarenal aneurysms. Unfortunately, no randomised controlled study is available to assess the efficacy of such devices. Moreover, the costs are still prohibitive to generalise this approach. Alternative treatments such as chimney or sandwich technique are being evaluated in order to avoid theses disadvantages. The aim of this paper is to present the endovascular approach to treat juxtarenal aneurysm and to emphasize that this option should be used only by highly specialized vascular centres.

[Vascular follow up in patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease and undergoing revascularization]. / Suivi angiologique des patients artériopathes après geste de revascularisation.

The rapid evolution of revascularization techniques has allowed an improvement in quality of life of patients with peripheral artery disease. The angiological follow-up aims to insure durable results of revascularization, to diminish risk of amputation and to limit progression of atheroma plaques. The patient history and physical examination are essential in evaluating impact of peripheral artery disease upon quality of life and insuring the appropriate control of cardiovascular risk factors.

Infrainguinal bypass for peripheral arterial occlusive disease: when arms save legs.

OBJECTIVES: Determine if arm veins are good conduits for infrainguinal revascularisation and should be used when good quality saphenous vein is not available. DESIGN: Retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated a consecutive series of infrainguinal bypass (IB) using arm vein conduits from March 2001 to December 2006.We selected arm vein by preoperative ultrasound mapping to identify suitable veins. We measured vein diameter and assessed vein wall quality. We followed patients with systematic duplex imaging at 1 week, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and annually thereafter. We treated significative stenoses found during the follow-up. RESULTS: We performed 56 infrainguinal revascularisation using arm vein conduits in 56 patients. Primary patency rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 65%, 51% and 47%. Primary assisted patencies at 1, 2 and 3 years were 96%, 96% and 82%. Secondary patency rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 92%, 88% and 88%. The three-year limb salvage rate was 88%. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that infrainguinal bypass using arm vein for conduits gives good patency rates, if selected by a preoperative US mapping to use the best autogenous conduit available.

Laparoscopic surgery for coeliac artery compression syndrome: current management and technical aspects.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to assess the feasibility and midterm outcome of trans-peritoneal laparoscopy for coeliac artery compression syndrome (CACS). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review involving four European vascular surgery departments and two surgical teams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: charts for patients who underwent laparoscopy for symptomatic CACS between December 2003 and November 2009 were reviewed. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography and postoperative duplex scan and/or CT angiography were performed. RESULTS: Eleven consecutive patients (nine women) with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range: 42.5-59 years) underwent trans-peritoneal laparoscopy for CACS. All patients had a history of postprandial abdominal pain; weight loss exceeded 10% of the body mass in eight cases. Preoperative CT angiography revealed coeliac trunk stenosis >70% in all cases. One patient had additional aortitis and inferior mesenteric artery occlusion, while another patient presented with an occluded superior mesenteric artery. Two conversions occurred (one difficult dissection and one aorto-hepatic bypass needed for incomplete release of CACS). The median blood loss was 195 ml (range: 50-900 ml) and median operative time was 80 min (interquartile range: 65-162.5 years). Symptoms improved immediately in 10/11 patients (no residual stenosis) while one remained unchanged despite a residual stenosis treated by a percutaneous angioplasty. Symptoms reappeared in one patient due to coeliac axis occlusion. The mean follow-up period was 35 ± 23 months (range: 12-78 months). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that trans-peritoneal laparoscopy for treating median arcuate ligament syndrome is safe and feasible. Additional patients and a longer follow-up are needed for long-term assessment of this laparoscopic technique.

Ex vivo pulsatile perfusion of human saphenous veins induces intimal hyperplasia and increased levels of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1.

Vessel wall trauma induces vascular remodeling processes including the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH). To assess the development of IH in human veins, we have used an ex vivo vein support system (EVVSS) allowing the perfusion of freshly isolated segments of saphenous veins in the presence of a pulsatile flow which reproduced arterial conditions regarding shear stress, flow rate and pressure during a period of 7 and 14 days. Compared to the corresponding freshly harvested human veins, histomorphometric analysis showed a significant increase in the intimal thickness which was already maximal after 7 days of perfusion. Expression of the endothelial marker CD31 demonstrated the presence of endothelium up to 14 days of perfusion. In our EVVSS model, the activity as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, the inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), were increased after 7 days of perfusion, whereas the expression levels of tPA and uPA were not altered. No major change was observed between 7 and 14 days of perfusion. These data show that our newly developed EVVSS is a valuable setting to study ex vivo remodeling of human veins submitted to a pulsatile flow.

Salvage treatment for venous aneurysm complicating vascular access arteriovenous fistula: use of an exoprosthesis to reinforce the vein after aneurysmorrhaphy.

OBJECTIVES: We report a new salvage technique for treating venous aneurysms (VAs) complicating vascular access arteriovenous fistula (AVF) using externally reinforced venous aneurysmorrhaphy. DESIGN: A retrospective study over a 20-month period from a single centre. PATIENTS: Patients presenting to the vascular surgery department, Bordeaux University Hospital for revision of a vascular access AVF were included. METHODS: Reinforced venous aneurysmorrhaphy consisted in removal of redundant vessel wall followed by reinforcement using an external prosthetic graft. Patency, diameter and flow were assessed by duplex ultrasound at 1, 6 and 12 months after salvage. RESULTS: Thirty-eight eligible patients were identified. Five were excluded because VA was associated with central vein stenosis; the remaining 33 underwent salvage. Indications were rapidly expanding or painful VA in seven cases; VA with frequent bleeding or damaged overlying skin in eight; VA in close relation to a stenosis in two; and VA associated with high-flow rate in 16. Cannulation was attempted after 30 days. Mean follow-up time was 12 S.D. 5 months (range: 4-22). Two repaired AVFs failed. Primary 1-year patency was 93%. No aneurysm or infection occurred. Reduction of high flow was successful in 12 of 16 patients. The remaining four required re-operation. CONCLUSIONS: Reinforced venous aneurysmorrhaphy is effective in controlling venous dilation and achieving patency. Reduction of high-flow rates was not always achieved. Further study is needed to evaluate long-term efficacy of this treatment.

Fish oil after abdominal aorta aneurysm surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Fish oil (FO) may attenuate the inflammatory response after major surgery such as abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. We aimed at evaluating the clinical impact and safety aspects of a FO containing parenteral nutrition (PN) after AAA surgery. METHODS: Intervention consisted in 4 days of either standard (STD: Lipofundin medium-chain triglyceride (MCT): long-chain triglyceride (LCT)50%-MCT50%) or FO containing PN (FO: Lipoplus: LCT40%-MCT50%-FO10%). Energy target were set at 1.3 times the preoperative resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry. Blood sampling on days 0, 2, 3 and 4. Glucose turnover by the (2)H(2)-glucose method. Muscle microdialysis. CLINICAL DATA: maximal daily T degrees, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. RESULTS: Both solutions were clinically well tolerated, without any differences in laboratory safety parameters, inflammatory, metabolic data, or in organ failures. Plasma tocopherol increased similarly; with FO, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid increased significantly by day 4 versus baseline or STD. To increased postoperatively, with a trend to lower values in FO group (P=0.09). After FO, a trend toward shorter ICU stay (1.6+/-0.4 versus 2.3+/-0.4), and hospital stay (9.9+/-2.4 versus 11.3+/-2.7 days: P=0.19) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both lipid emulsions were well tolerated. FO-PN enhanced the plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content, and was associated with trends to lower body temperature and shorter length of stay.

Clinical results of autologous infrainguinal revascularization using grafts originating distal to the femoral bifurcation in patients with mild inflow disease.

AIM: Chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI) often requires venous bypass grafting to distal arterial segments. However, graft patency is influenced by the length and quality of the graft and occasionally patients may have limited suitable veins. We investigated short distal bypass grafting from the superficial femoral or popliteal artery to the infrapopliteal, ankle or foot arteries, despite angiographic alterations of inflow vessels, providing that invasive pressure measurement at the site of the planned proximal anastomosis revealed an inflow-brachial pressure difference of

[New treatments in vascular diseases]. / Nouveautés en chirurgie vasculaire.

In superficial venous insufficiency, surgery remains the treatment of choice. Endovenous therapies are a minimal invasive alternative, whose long-term results are not demonstrated yet. In the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm, endovascular repair (EVAR) and laparoscopic approach are comparatively studied with open repair, to define their precise indications. In occlusive arterial disease, endovascular treatment offers inferior results in term of durability and patency, however with a decrease in morbidity and mortality.

[Quality of life after superficial femoral vein harvest for infra-inguinal reconstructions]. / Evaluation de la qualité de vie après prélèvement de la veine fémorale superficielle lors de reconstructions infra-inguinales.

BACKGROUND: The superficial femoral vein (SFV) is a well-established alternative conduit for infra-inguinal reconstructivenous hypertension after SFV harvest may however result in significant morbidity. This study reports the efficiency of SFV as conduit for infra-inguinal reconstructions and characterize the anatomic and physiologic changes in harvest limbs and their relationship to the development of venous complications. METHODS: From May 1999 through November 2003, 23 SFV were harvested from 21 patients undergoing infra-inguinal reconstructions. Bypasses were controlled by regular duplex-ultrasound. The venous morbidity was assessed by measurements of leg circumferences, strain-gauge plethysmography and quality of life, investigated by the VEINES-QOL scale. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 10.4 months (range 1-56), primary, secondary patency and limb salvage rates of infra-inguinal bypasses using SFV are 71.4%, 76.2% and 85.7% respectively. No patient had major venous claudication. Oedema was significantly present in nine patients. Strain-gauge plethysmography showed outflow obstruction in all patients. The VEINES-QOL assessment showed no limitation in social and domestic activity, moderate complain about leg heaviness despite presence of oedema. CONCLUSION: The SFV harvest is a reliable conduit for infra-inguinal reconstructions and results in moderate venous morbidity in terms of functional consequences and quality of life.

[Management of critical limb ischemia]. / Prise en charge de l'ischémie critique des membres inférieurs.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the leading cause of major leg amputation. Diabetes, smoking and end stage renal disease are the main risk factors for CLI. Despite their reduced survival rate, most CLI patients should be treated by surgical or endovascular arterial reconstruction, since amputation rate with conservative treatment alone is as high as 95% at 1 year in surviving patients with tissue loss, and can be reduced to 25% with successful reconstruction. When arterial reconstruction is impossible or fails, spinal cord stimulation also allows to avoid major amputation in up to 75% of precisely selected patients. Timely management and multidisciplinary approach are advised to reduce the risk of major amputation.

Foot skin blood flow following infrainguinal revascularization for critical lower limb ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the blood flow in the feet before and after lower limb revascularization using laser Doppler imaging (LDI). METHODS: Ten patients with critical lower limb ischemia were prospectively enrolled from June to October 2004. All patients underwent successful unilateral surgical interventions including above-knee bypass, distal bypass and endarterectomy. Skin blood flow (SBF) over the plantar surface of both forefeet and heels was measured by LDI 24h before and 10 days after revascularization, expressed in perfusion units (PU), and reported as mean+/-SD. RESULTS: Measurements in the forefoot and heel were similar. Before revascularization mean SBF was significantly lower in the ischemic foot (130+/-71 PU) compared to the contralateral foot (212+/-68 PU), p<0.05. After revascularization a significant increase of the SBF in the forefoot (from 135+/-67 to 202+/-86 PU, p=0.001) and hindfoot (from 148+/-58 to 203+/-83, p=0.001) was observed on the treatment side. However, a large decrease of the SBF was seen in forefoot and hindfoot on the untreated side (from 250+/-123 PU to 176+/-83 and from 208+/-116 to 133+/-40, p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the benefits of revascularization in patients with nonhealing foot lesions due to critical limb ischemia. A significant increase of the SBF was observed on the treatment side. However, an unexpected decrease was observed on the untreated side.

The effect of six different statins on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human smooth muscle cells.

Intimal hyperplasia (IH) can occur after any vascular injury and results from smooth muscle cells (SMC) proliferation, migration, and invasion into the subintimal space. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of six different statins on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human venous SMC. The statins were all used at their Cmax concentrations. SMCs were used to construct growth curves in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum or 10% fetal calf serum supplemented with the six statins. Migration and invasion experiments were performed using modified Boyden chambers. The invasion experiments were performed using Matrigel coated plates. We found that all of the statins significantly inhibited SMC proliferation compared to the platelet-derived growth factor control (ranging from fluvastatin 33% of control to pravastatin 72% of control, P = 0.03). SMC migration through uncoated polycarbonate membranes in presence of the six statins was significantly reduced (ranging from lovastatin 43% to pravastatin 57% of control, P = 0.006). All six statins also significantly reduced SMC invasion (ranging from fluvastatin 65% to simvastatin 87% of control, P = 0.002). We conclude that the inhibitory effect of statins on SMC proliferation, migration, and invasion is a class, rather than drug specific effect.

A comparison of six statins on the development of intimal hyperplasia in a human vein culture model.

OBJECTIVE: Intimal hyperplasia (IH) threatens the patency of up to 35% of saphenous vein (SV) bypass grafts. In addition to reducing cholesterol levels, statins may modulate smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Statins inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. We therefore investigated the effect of six statins on neointimal formation and MMP activity in human SV organ culture. STUDY DESIGN: Human SV specimens were cultured for 14 days in the presence of six different statins and subsequently processed for measurement of neointimal thickness and MMP activity. The drug concentrations chosen corresponded to the manufacturers' Cmax. RESULTS: The six statins all significantly reduced IH development (P = 0.004) in association with reduced expression of proMMP-2 and 9 (P = 0.03) and reduced activity of activated MMP-2 and 9 (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the potential benefit of statins in reducing IH is a class effect and not confined to specific statins. The reduction of IH produced by statins may in part be due to their inhibition of MMPs.