Penetrating Vascular Injuries of the Lower Limbs after Stab Wounds: Predictive Factors of Limb Loss and Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating vascular injuries (PVIs) of the lower limbs due to stab wounds are associated with high mortality and limb loss rates. We analyzed the outcomes of a series of patients who underwent surgical treatment of these lesions, assessing the presence of any factor associated with limb loss and mortality; (2) Methods: Data of patients admitted from 01/2008 to 12/2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcomes were the limb loss and the mortality rate at 30 days postoperatively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed as appropriate. p values < 0.05 were considered significant; (3) Results: Data of 67 male patients were analyzed. Two died (3%) and three (4.5%) had a lower limb amputation after failed revascularization. In the univariate analysis, the clinical presentation significantly affected the risk of postoperative mortality and limb loss. The location of the lesion at the superficial femoral artery (OR 4.32, p = 0.001) or at the popliteal artery (OR 4.89, p = 0.0015) also increased the risk. In the multivariate analysis, the need for a vein graft bypass was the only significant predictor of limb loss and mortality (OR 4.58, p < 0.0001); (4) Conclusions: PVIs of lower limbs due to stab wounds were lethal in 3% of cases and lead to a secondary major amputation in 4.5% more cases. The need for a vein bypass grafting was the strongest predictor of postoperative limb loss and mortality.

Endovascular therapy for steno-occlusive subclavian artery disease early and long-term outcomes in a multicentric Tunisian study.

AIM: To evaluate the outcomes of endovascular therapy in patients with subclavian steno-occlusive disease over the short and long term in a Tunisian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent endovascular treatment of subclavian artery (SCA) steno-occlusive disease between 2013 and 2019 in three Tunisian centers were evaluated retrospectively. After treatment, patients were follow-up was scheduled at 1, 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively and annually afterwards by Doppler ultrasound and clinical findings. Primary outcomes included technical, clinical procedural success rates and limb salvage rate. Secondary outcomes included the occurrence of periprocedural complications and primary patency rates. RESULTS: 56 patients (33 males, 58.9%) were evaluated. Patients' mean age was 61.5 + years. Technical success rate was 94.6 %, being 100% in case of stenosis and 78.5% in case of occlusion. The technical success rate was 94.6%. The clinical success rate was 100% and the upper limb salvage rate was 100%. Minor amputations were performed on 5 patients. Perioperative mortality and morbidity rates were 0% and 8.9% respectively. Mean follow-up was 26.7±16.4 months (range 12-86 months). Two in-stent restenosis occurred (at 12 and 15 months) and one case of thrombosis at the 16th month. The primary patency rates were 88.7%+4.3% at the end of the first year and 78.7%+6.1% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment can be considered as a safe and effective treatment of SCA steno-occlusive disease, with low perioperative complication rates and a good patency rates over long term. KEY WORDS: Subclavian artery stenosis, Subclavian artery occlusion, endovascular, subclavian revascularization.

Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysms in patients affected by osteochondroma.

Although exostosis or osteochondroma is a common bone tumor, associated vascular complications are rare. Clinical and radiological diagnoses are sometimes challenging, and there is no codification for surgical management. We report two cases of popliteal arterial pseudoaneurysms due to osteochondroma of the distal femur. A review of the current literature about case series and case reports of patients affected by arterial pseudoaneurysm complicating osteochondroma was also performed.

Pseudo-tumeur inflammatoire cardiaque mimant un myxome.

La pseudo-tumeur inflammatoire de localisation cardiaque est une entité rare et bénigne. Elle peut souvent mimer une tumeur maligne dans sa présentation clinique et radiologique, pouvant entrainer un retard diagnostic. Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient âgé de 20 ans, sans antécédents médicaux, admis dans le service pour l'exploration d'une fièvre prolongée. Un myxome du ventricule droit a initialement été suspecté sur l'imagerie. Une résection complète de la masse cardiaque a été effectuée. L'étude histopathologique a conclu à une pseudo-tumeur inflammatoire. Ce cas vise à présenter les caractéristiques cliniques, radiologiques, histologiques ainsi que la prise en charge d'une pseudo-tumeur inflammatoire cardiaque.

Malignant hypertension secondary to iliac artery stenosis after kidney transplantation: a case report.

Iliac artery stenosis is a rare complication after renal transplantation. This complication affects elderly patients and related to atheromatous disease. It mimics the same clinical presentation as a transplant renal artery stenosis or renal artery stenosis. This entity is can be responsible for serious complications such as renal dysfunction, malignant hypertension and acute pulmonary oedema. We present in this paper the case of a 51-year-old patient, who benefited 7 years early of renal transplantation, with a good initial result, and who was admitted actually for malignant hypertension and renal function impairment due to an iliac artery stenosis proximal to the renal transplant and who was treated with a stenting angioplasty of the external iliac artery with a mixed outcome. Our case highlights the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of such complications to avoid definitive renal failure and permanent hypertension.

Endovascular management of an isolated common iliac artery aneurysm: a case report.

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms are rare, and treatment by conventional surgery gives good results. Endovascular repair of such aneurysms has recently become the preferred form of treatment, provided the appropriate anatomy for endovascular repair exists. We report the case of a 60-year-old man admitted in our department for an aneurysm of the left primitive iliac artery revealed by intermittent claudication and treated by a covered stent after embolization of the hypogastric artery by an Amplatzer Vascular Plug with a good result. This case highlights the importance of preservation of the collaterals of the hypogastric artery when you treat such entity; in order to avoid transient gluteal claudication and sexual dysfunction.

Case Report: Mycotic common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a child. A case report.

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms in children are extremely rare, nevertheless associated with a great potential of thromboembolic episodes and rupture especially those with mycotic origin. The surgical treatment is very challenging, and there is still a controversy concerning revascularisation after the resection of the aneurysm. In this manuscript, we report the observation of an 8-year-old boy with the medical history of Leukemia who is admitted urgently for a mycotic right common carotid artery aneurysm, occurring after a chemoport infection who was operated on in our cardiovascular surgery department with surgical resection and ligation. It is the second report in the pediatric literature of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm situated in the common carotid artery, but the first documented by medical imagery. Through this case, we highlight that ligation of the infected carotid artery can be a safe and efficient alternative especially in Children.

Endovascular Management of a Subclavian Arterial Injury During Central Venous Catheter Placement for Hemodialysis.

Subclavian artery injuries after central venous catheter placement constitute a rare but potentially fatal complication. The surgical repair of a subclavian artery trauma is a real challenge, associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The role of endovascular treatment for vascular trauma, including injury to the subclavian artery, continues to evolve. In this manuscript, we report the case of an urgent endovascular repair by a covered stent graft of a subclavian artery perforation following the placement of a central venous catheter for dialysis in a 52-year-old patient, having a chronic kidney failure stage 5, with multiple comorbidities. The present case suggests that attention needs to be paid to preventing iatrogenic arterial cannulation during central vein catheterization to avoid potentially devastating complications. Endovascular treatment using a covered stent should be attempted as a first-line therapeutic option.

Hybrid Management of a Pseudoaneurysm of the Inferior Gluteal Artery Following a Stab Wound.

Aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms of the gluteal artery are rare. They represent less than 1% of the described arterial aneurysms. Those that touch the inferior gluteal artery are even rarer. Only a few cases have been described worldwide. Such cases often present with a variable time course, mode of injury, and associated symptoms, leading to their misdiagnosis and improper treatment. We present the case of a 30-year-old male, who presented to our emergency room one week after a stab wound in the left gluteal region causing a pseudoaneurysm of the left inferior gluteal artery with a sciatic compartment syndrome treated by a hybrid approach.

Reoperation after modified Björk procedure for tricuspid atresia.

Rarely performed nowadays, the Björk procedure is an alternative to the Fontan palliation for biventricular repair in patients with tricuspid atresia. The right atrium to right ventricle conduit failure leads to serious long-term complications. The management of such patients at high surgical risk remains challenging. We report a successful reoperation in a young adult 25 years after the modified Björk intervention, who presented with severely narrowed and calcified valved conduit.

Simulation training for continuing professional development of nurses in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.

BACKGROUND:   Nurses play a key role in cardiac arrest management, especially those assigned to cardiac intensive care units, where they are often actively involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. AIM: To evaluate the effect of simulation training in in continuing professional development of nurses in this setting. METHODS: A comparative study using paired samples (where the candidate was his own control with repeated measures before and after intervention), was conducted among nurses working in the cardiology and cardiovascular surgery division of our institution. The primary endpoint was the change in skills judged on the basis of competency score of 20 assessed before and after simulation training. RESULTS: 32 nurses participated in the training session. Despite a median job seniority of 8.5 years [4.0 - 12.5], only 44% of nurses had already participated in a simulation session. Although most of the candidates (84%) had previously performed chest compressions, only 34% had delivered an electrical defibrillation during their exercise. We showed a significant increase in overall scores from 8.0 [5.0 - 9.8] to 17.5 [17.0 - 19.0] after the simulation training session (p<0.0001). All the criteria judged in the evaluation grid (basic life support, manual electrical defibrillation) were significantly improved and the most positive effect was observed in the manual defibrillation where the prior experience of the participants was limited. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation learning had a major positive impact on the development of nurses' skills in terms of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Endovascular and Surgical Management of Subclavian Artery Occlusive Disease: Early and Long-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to report early and late outcomes of surgical and endovascular management of subclavian artery atherosclerotic disease (SAAD). METHODS: Data about consecutive patients treated for subclavian artery atherosclerotic occlusive disease between 2001 and 2018 either by open surgical repair (OSR) or by endovascular repair (ER) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Primary outcomes included 30-day death, as well as cardiac and neurologic events, reported separately for occlusion and stenosis. Secondary outcomes included primary patency in the long term, reported separately for occlusive and stenotic lesions. The Kaplan-Meier analysis with the logrank test was used to estimate long-term primary patency. Chi-squared and t-tests were used as appropriate to compare the outcomes of the 2 groups. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were treated using ER (49 patients) and OSR (19). Technical success rate was 100% in both groups. During in-hospital stay, 1 brachial hematoma and 2 acute upper limb ischemia occurred in the ER group and in the OSR group, respectively. At 30 days, no deaths or neurological/cardiac events were recorded in both ER and OSR groups. Symptoms resolution and upper limb salvage were 100% in both groups. In the ER group, primary patency was 100% at 7 years in patients who had been treated for stenotic lesions and 62.5 ± 21.3% in patients who had been treated for occlusive lesions (P = 0.0035). In the OSR group, primary patency was 100% at 7 years in patients treated for stenotic lesions and 25 ± 21.6% in patients who had been treated for occlusive lesions (P < 0.0001). Overall, long-term primary patency in the OSR group was 76.9 ± 11.7% at 7 years, being lower than that reported after ER (93.4 ± 4.5%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Both ER and OSR proved to be safe, effective, and durable in the treatment of SAAD. In particular, the primary patency rates at long term for both ER and OSR showed better outcomes for stenotic lesions.

Arterial lesions in osteoarticular trauma of the lower limbs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in-hospital mortality and limb salvage of a series of patients presenting with arterial injury of the lower limbs complicating an osteoarticular trauma, and to determine any preoperative predictive factors of limb salvage. METHODS: Data of consecutive patients treated between 01/2007 and 12/2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and limb salvage. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess any variable that could affect limb salvage. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The postoperative course, death occurred in 2 patients Lower limb amputation was performed in 13 cases (15.6%). The main factors predicting limb amputation were the timing of staged surgery, in particular when bone stabilization was performed first (P<0.001), and a delay Data concerning 74 patients with 83 traumatized lower limbs were analyzed. Most vascular lesions were located at the popliteal artery (47, 63.5%). Surgical bone stabilization was performed as a first step in 45 patients (60.8% of cases), followed by a delayed arterial repair. The median time to revascularization was 14.3 hours (range from 2 hours to 6 days). In 29 patients (39.2%) vascular repair and bone stabilization were performed simultaneously. During to limb revascularization longer than 6 hours (P<0.001). The location of injury at the popliteal artery (P=0.005), the presence of infection (P<0.001), and the severe ischemic signs at presentation (P=0.001) also were factors associated with amputation. CONCLUSIONS: The timing of staged surgical repair and the revascularization delay were the main predictor factors of limb salvage. KEY WORDS: Osteoarticular trauma, Vascular injury, Limb salvage, Orthopedic trauma.

[Revascularization of supra-aortic trunks in Takayasu's arteritis]. / Revascularisation des troncs supra-aortiques au cours de la maladie de Takayasu.

INTRODUCTION: Takayasu's disease is an inflammatory arteritis mainly affecting the aorta, its main divisional branches and pulmonary arteries. The arterial damage during Takayasu's disease is essentially occlusive and preferentially affects supra-aortic trunks. Indications for revascularization of supra-aortic trunks are clear but results are rarely reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of supra-aortic trunk revascularization in Takayasu's arteritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report a retrospective study conducted between 2012 and 2018 about patients with Takayasu's arteritis who underwent revascularization of supra-aortic trunks. RESULTS: Our series consisted of six patients. All patients were female. The average age was 29 (range 18-48) years. The operative indication was cerebrovascular ischemic symptoms in five patients and intermittent claudication of the upper limb in one. We performed aorto-bi-carotid bypass in four patients, a subclavian artery angioplasty in one and a vertebral artery angioplasty in one. At 1 month, operative mortality was zero and morbidity was marked by hemorrhagic stroke in one patient operated by conventional surgery. The average follow-up was 4 years (1.8). During the follow-up, one patient was reoperated after 18 months for an anastomotic false aneurysm in the ascending aorta. We noted a favorable outcome with total resolution of the symptomatology for the other patients and Doppler ultrasound confirmed patency during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical revascularization of supra-aortic trunks in Takayasu's arteritis can be associated with a risk of stroke and a risk of anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. Endovascular revascularization appears to be less invasive but its long-term results are rarely reported.

Hybrid Repair of a Saccular Aortic Arch Aneurysm Ruptured in the Left Pulmonary Bronchus.

The rupture of aortic arch aneurysm is rare but serious and a life-threatening pathologic condition. We report a case of an 80-year-old woman who was admitted to our department for a rupture of a saccular aortic arch aneurysm in the left pulmonary bronchus. There was no landing zone in the aortic arch. First, we performed a total supra-aortic debranching and a bifurcated graft bypass from the ascending aorta to both the innominate artery and the left carotid artery. Then, we implanted in the aortic arch an endoprosthesis covering the origin of all supra-aortic trunks. Final angiography was satisfactory. The patient died 8 days later due to pulmonary-originated septic shock. Aortic arch hybrid procedures show a variety of severe complications associated with a relevant morbidity, mortality, and reintervention rate. Prognosis of rupture depends not only on the hemorrhage caused but also on the potential infection.

Atrial septal defect closure in adults: A ten-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial septal defects (ASD) constitute the most frequent congenital heart disease in adults and ostium secundum (OS) the most common type. Benefit of its closure in adulthood has long been controversial. AIM: To evaluate outcomes of OS-ASD closure in adults. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, over a ten-year period from 2008 to 2018. All adults (≥20 years old) who benefited from OS-ASD closure were included. Study endpoints were closure success rate, functional status evolution and incidence of new arrhythmias at 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty patients were recruited. Dyspnea (≥ NYHA II) was noted in 58% and arrhythmia in 18% of patients. Feasibility of a percutaneous closure was 50%. Closure success rate was 100%. Surgery was associated with high postoperative morbidity with longer hospitalization stay (20 vs. 4 days, p <0.001). At 12 months, an improvement in functional status was observed in 79%. Incidence of new arrhythmias was 5%. A significant decrease in right cavities dilation as well as pulmonary arterial pressure has been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate results of OS-ASD closure in adults are satisfactory. Percutaneous closure is associated with reduced hospital morbidity. At 12 months, a significant improvement in functional status was observed however the possible occurrence of new arrhythmias imposes a close follow-up.

Acute ischemia of the lower limb on ECMO: risk factors and preventive modalities.

The acute ischemia of the lower limb on the veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a frequent and dangerous complication that can put the vital and functional prognosis at risk. Several risk factors have been incriminated and the lack of a sufficient distal perfusion is the most common. We report the case of an 11-year-old girl with veno-arterial ECMO for acute myocarditis complicated by severe acute lower limb ischemia.