Open reconstructions for symptomatic atherosclerotic lesions of the supra-aortic vessels: thirty years results from two university hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic lesions at the origin of common carotid, subclavian, and innominate arteries are causes for brain and hand ischemic symptoms. Surgical reconstructions of symptomatic cases remain the golden standard treatment, although the endovascular approach has been promising as well. In this retrospective study, long-term results of open reconstructions from 2 University Hospitals are presented. METHODS: Through a 30-year period, prospective data of 107 patients, suffering from symptomatic atherosclerotic supra-aortic artery disease, were retrospectively reviewed and included in this study. Demographic data, arterial risk factors, presenting symptoms and signs, diagnostic evaluation, operative treatment and complications, resolution of symptoms, redo surgery, and overall mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were operated on for subclavian, 14 for innominate, and 12 for common carotid severe lesions, through an extra-thoracic reconstruction (91 patients) or a transthoracic one (16 patients). Perioperative mortality was null although morbidity was 16.8%, and primary perioperative patency was 97.2% (secondary patency 100%). The cumulative primary patency was 95.3%, 90.7%, and 86.0% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. The mean time of patency was 214.6 months (95% confidence interval = 198.5-230.6), with no difference between transthoracic and extrathoracic reconstructions (P = 0.278). CONCLUSIONS: Open reconstructions remain a therapeutic strategy with a considerably low perioperative morbidity/mortality offering excellent long-term results regarding patency of the reconstructions and clinical resolution of the symptoms. However, in the modern era of the endovascular techniques, we need more studies for establishing anatomic and clinical criteria regarding patient selection for endovascular angioplasty/stenting or open repair.

High-dose ascorbic acid decreases cholesterolemic factors of an atherogenic diet in guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND: The study evaluates the effect of a high supplemental dose of ascorbic acid (AA) on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), total lipids (TL), and lipoprotein fractions high-density, very-low-density-, and low-density lipoprotein (HDL, VLDL, LDL) in guinea pigs fed with atherogenic diet. METHODS: Group I consisted of 5 normally fed guinea pigs plus a low dose of AA (1 mg/100 g/day), group II consisted of 7 guinea pigs fed with food enriched with 2% cholesterol plus a low dose of AA (1 mg/100 g/day), and group III consisted of 7 guinea pigs fed with food enriched with 2% cholesterol plus a high dose of AA (30 mg/100 g/day). Cholesterolemic factors concentrations were determined after nine weeks. RESULTS: Concentrations of TC, TG, TL, LDL, and VLDL were increased in group II compared to group I (p < 0.01 for all differences). Supplementation with a high dose of AA resulted in decreased concentrations of TC (p < 0.01), TG (p < 0.01), TL (p < 0.01), and LDL (p < 0.01) in group III compared to group II. Additionally, concentration of HDL was increased in group III compared to group II (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: High-dose AA supplementation to an atherogenic diet decreases concentrations of TC, TG, TL, and LDL and increases concentration of HDL compared to low-dose AA.

Impact of femoropopliteal bypass surgery on the survival and amputation rate of end-stage renal disease patients with critical limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The appropriate medical approach to treat patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) is still controversial. The goal of this study was to investigate the survival rate of ESRD patients with foot ulcers who underwent femoropopliteal bypass surgery versus patients who did not receive any major surgical interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of 99 ESRD subjects with foot ulcers, stage IV, recruited in the authors' single-center study between 1997 and 2005, was performed. 27 patients underwent bypass surgery because of meeting standard eligibility criteria for this procedure, and 72 patients received only conventional treatment due to their poorer vascular condition. Patients were censored upon major amputation during the observation period. Start of the observation was date of ulcer diagnosis. RESULTS: Survival rate was 16.2% (standard error [SE], 0.08) in the bypass group versus 18.6% (SE, 0.06) in the non-bypass group (p = 0.92; log-rank test). Median time to bypass surgery was 0.36 years (range, 0-2.65 years) after ulcer diagnosis. Six patients of 27 (22.2%) were censored due to major amputation in the bypass group versus 25 patients of 72 (34.7%) in the non-bypass group. CONCLUSION: These results may suggest that bypass surgery in ESRD patients with foot ulcers as treatment of CLI is not the appropriate surgical approach, since this procedure does not seem to cause a better survival than in patients who could not undergo revascularization surgery because of their poorer overall vascular condition.

[A value of compression therapy prophylaxis following surgery in patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency]. / Wartosc pooperacyjnej profilaktyki kompresoterapia u chorych na przewlekla niewydolnosc zylna konczyn dolnych.

The varices of the lower limbs and its complications are very common Surgical procedure which consists of ligatur of the venous tranks or stripping of them, ligation of perforating veins are basic methods of the treatment. After surgery, veins compression prevents secondary bleeding and above all, the development or recurrence of thrombosis The purpose of this study was the assessment of graduated compression stockings in prophylaxis of varicose vein disease recurrency. The study included 120 patients who underwent phlebectomy due to varicose veins. The period of follow up lasts 3 years and has been carried out in two groups. The first one was agreed to use compression therapy following surgery. The second group did not get any physical support to their legs. Compression class I and II: calf, thigh, panty medical stockings and were used. The first group of 60 patients (102 legs) wearing medical stockings following surgery have no either subjective or objective signs of venous insufficiency in long period of time after surgery. Statistical analysis pointed out marked significance between both groups of patients p < 0.001.