Protective effect of antithrombin III against lung and myocardial injury in lower-limb ischemia-reperfusion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of blood flow to an acutely ischemic limb can trigger systemic inflammation. We investigated whether antithrombin III (AT-III) exerts a protective action against remote lung and myocardial injury in an experimental animal model of lower-limb ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: Ischemia was induced by lower-limb arterial occlusion for 6 hours in 60 male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into those receiving AT-III (dose, 250 mg/kg) 30 minutes before the reperfusion (group A, n = 30) and those receiving placebo (group B, n = 30). Animals were then sacrificed, and lung and myocardial tissue samples were taken at baseline, 30 minutes, and 4 hours after reperfusion. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a compound used as indirect index of oxygen free radicals, were estimated in lung and myocardium, and the two groups were compared at different time points using the independent sample t test. RESULTS: Animals administered AT-III had significantly lower levels of lung MDA compared with the placebo group at baseline and at 30 minutes, but not at 4 hours (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, and P = 0.9, respectively), indicating a protective action of AT-III against remote lung injury early in the reperfusion phase. With regard to myocardial MDA levels, no statistically significant differences existed between the AT-III and placebo groups at baseline, at 30 minutes, and at 4 hours (P = 0.07, P = 0.07, and P = 0.2, respectively) after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In this experimental animal model, AT-III appears to exert a protective effect against remote ischemia-reperfusion injury in the lung tissue, but not in the myocardium.

An unusual complication of a "blind" femoral embolectomy.

Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms after femoral embolectomy are unusual and have been described in the peroneal, posterior tibial, and popliteal arteries. We present an unusual case of such a pseudoaneurysm originating from a medial superior genicular collateral vessel that was coming off the proximal popliteal artery at an acute angle. It is likely that the embolectomy catheter had accidentally entered this branch, which ruptured when the balloon was inflated. Transcatheter coil embolization resulted in successful thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm.

Thirty-day outcome following carotid artery stenting: a 10-year experience from a single center.

We aimed to present our experience with carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) and to document how the technique evolved over the last decade (1997-2007). A retrospective study of 333 patients (259 men; median age, 69 years) who underwent 336 CAS procedures. Of these, 118 (35%) patients were symptomatic and 164 (49%) lesions involved the left carotid bifurcation. The first 163 patients received a balloon-expandable stent, whereas the remaining 173 received a self-expandable one. Cerebral protection devices were used in the last 84 (25%) procedures. Access was via the femoral artery in all but six cases, in which direct puncture of the common carotid was necessary. The left common carotid originated from the innominate artery in 18 cases (5%). Conversion to open endarterectomy was necessary in two patients due to inability to remove the filter. Perioperative neurological events included stroke in 6 patients (1.8%), transient ischemic attack in 15 (4.5%), and hyperperfusion syndrome in 10 (3.0%). Three patients died during the first 30 days. As a result, the mortality and the combined stroke/death rate were 0.9 and 2.4%, respectively, with no differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Bradycardia was noted in 48 patients (14%), and hypotension in 45 (13%). Univariate analysis identified hypertension (P = 0.03), hyperlipidemia (P = 0.02), and current or ex-smoking (P = 0.02) as significant risk factors for death/stroke. On multivariate analysis using logistic regression, only hyperlipidemia [odds ratio (OR), 53.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.19-693.47; P = 0.002] and current or ex-smoking (OR, 63.84; 95% CI,: 4.80-848.68; P = 0.001) remained statistically significant. In conclusion, CAS can be performed safely and effectively, with acceptable mortality, stroke/death, and cardiovascular complication rates. Although technological advances (stent design, cerebral protection devices), perioperative pharmacological management, and increasing experience are all clinically significant factors influencing the short-term results, none appeared to be statistically significant in this patient sample.

Axillary artery transection after recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation.

Axillary artery transection after recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation is extremely rare. We present 2 such patients. The first, a 62-year-old man, presented with acute ischemia and a large hematoma in the axilla and chest wall. The second, a 63-year-old man, had a pseudoaneurysm and palpable peripheral pulses. Both underwent urgent computed tomography, which confirmed the clinical diagnosis, and the patients were taken to the operating room. In the first patient, intraoperative angiogram through both the brachial and the femoral route showed complete disruption of the axillary artery rendering an endovascular approach not possible. Proximal balloon occlusion was then undertaken through the femoral artery, controlling the bleeding and allowing easier dissection of the ruptured segment. Revascularization was performed with an interposition polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass restoring normal blood supply to the upper extremity. The second patient had a Viabhan (W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, Ariz) stent-graft implanted through the brachial artery with an excellent clinical and angiographic result. As expected, both patients had significant neurologic morbidity due to associated brachial plexus palsy. Ruptured axillary artery after shoulder dislocation is very uncommon. Endovascular repair and hybrid procedures combining open and endovascular techniques can offer reliable solutions to these challenging problems.

Endovascular management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: an 8-year single-centre experience.

We aimed to review our experience with the endovascular treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA). During an 8-year period, 69 patients with a RAAA presented to our department; 67 underwent assessment by computed axial tomography, and 2 died on arrival before any evaluation was possible. A total of 42 patients (63%) were suitable for stent-grafting, and all but 1 (c-arm failure) proceeded to endovascular repair. Of these, 27 underwent surgery with local anaesthesia; 3 did so under general anaesthesia; and a further 11 procedures were commenced with the patient under local anaesthesia and then converted to general anaesthesia. A total of 28 bifurcated and 14 aorto-uni-iliac stent-grafts were implanted. Aortic occlusion balloons were used in 2 (5%) patients. The in-hospital and the 30-day mortality rates were 36% and 41%, respectively. After surgery, 21 complications were encountered in 17 patients. Two patients required reintervention during their hospital stay (1 type I endoleak and 1 limb occlusion). During the follow-up (median 730 days [range 90 to 580 days]), the 1-year and 5-year cumulative survival probabilities were 53% (SE 7.9%) and 50% (SE 8.0%), respectively. Three reinterventions were necessary during follow-up (2 type I endoleaks and 1 graft occlusion). We conclude that endovascular treatment is feasible in the emergency setting, and the early experience is promising. Whether such an approach is superior to open surgery remains to be determined.