Comparative Doppler flow measurements of the ulnar artery and of the postanastomotic radial artery in radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas to detect steal syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess whether a comparison of the Doppler flow measurements of the ulnar artery and of the postanastomotic radial artery can help detect steal syndromes at the level of native dialysis fistulas of the wrist. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have prospectively analyzed 35 distal radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas presenting with postanastomotic radial artery Doppler inversion of flow. The flows of the ulnar artery and of the postanastomotic radial artery have been measured and compared. Subsequent clinical examination to detect any sign of ischemia at the hand level was performed and the results of medical imaging were confronted with the clinical data. RESULTS: A steal syndrome was discovered in a total of 6 patients (17%), 4 patients out of 23 displaying an ulnar flow lower than the postanastomotic radial one and 2 patients among 12 with an ulnar flow higher than the radial one. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the test were 67%, 34%, 17% and 83%, respectively. Paradoxically, the mean intensity of ulnar flow deficiency has been measured at 40% among true positive patients and at 70% among false positive ones. We have not been able to identify any difference, be it in terms of systolic upstroke time, maximum systolic speed, telediastolic speed or in terms of global architecture of the curves between the Doppler waveforms of 4 true positive and 4 false positive patients. CONCLUSION: The comparative Doppler study of the flows of the ulnar and postanastomotic radial arteries does not enable us to detect steal syndromes at the level of wrist dialysis fistulas. Hence we consider that a systematic study of the postanastomotic radial artery flow, during routine Doppler examination of distal dialysis fistulas, proves superfluous.

Choice of access for percutaneous carotid angioplasty and stenting: a comparative study on cervical and femoral access.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is a well established technique. CAS indications currently still limited are yet evolving. The choice of the access is defined by the risk factors of the patient among whom ''the vascular anatomy'' is essential. The authors will focus here on the accesses, their advantages and their drawbacks. They made a retrospective study relating 314 patients treated by CAS. No significant difference in term of morbidity or mortality between the cervical or femoral access was found but a clear tendency in favor of the cervical access which avoids the arch manipulations. It can be concluded that various access offer better options for CAS and must be discussed depending on the patient's anatomy and risks factors.

Laparoscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction: a retrospective study on 156 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction (SBO) has been proposed in selected patients. This study reports an experience and tries to establish indications for laparoscopy. METHODOLOGY: 156 patients underwent laparoscopic or open approach for SBO. Demographics, clinical, biological, radiological and previous surgery were recorded. Obstruction causes, conversion rates and postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Laparoscopic approach was undertaken for 96 patients (61%) and completed in 62 (65%), whereas 34 (35%) required conversion. 60 patients (39%) underwent a direct open approach. Mortality was 10% and morbidity 38%. Postoperative adhesion was the predominant etiology. Conversion rate and type of approach was directly influenced by cause of obstruction and type of previous surgery, but not by number of previous surgeries. Conversions and open approach increase morbidity, mortality, length of stay and return to transit. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an elegant tool for management of selected patients with SBO. A single band of obstruction appearing after minor surgery appears to be a good indication for laparoscopy. Nevertheless, conversion rate and morbidity are still high. On the contrary, laparoscopy seems contraindicated for patients with prior history of major abdominal surgery, neoplasia or multiple laparotomies, and a direct open approach is then advocated. Prospective randomized studies comparing laparoscopy and open approach are required to evaluate their respective efficacy and safety in management of SBO.

Identification of proximal landing zone limit for proper deployment of aortic arch stentgraft after supra-aortic great vessels transposition.

The proper identification of the proximal landing zone prior to aortic stentgraft deployment is a key step that impacts the global outcome of the procedure. We report an intraoperative technique during total aortic arch transposition that facilitates subsequent endovascular arch exclusion thanks to a reliable radio-opaque marker. In patients who require an endovascular exclusion of the aortic arch, a total arch transposition can be performed through a median sternotomy prior to stentgraft deployment. During the surgical stage, a radio-opaque thread is pull out of a surgical sponge pad, looped around the ascending aorta just distal to the ostium of the aorto-innominate bypass and fixed in place by means of metal clips. The technique we describe increases the accuracy of stentgraft deployment in the ascending aorta after total arch transposition. It will potentially improve the outcome.