Medical management of acute superficial vein thrombosis of the saphenous vein.

OBJECTIVE: Acute superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) of the axial veins, such as the great saphenous vein (GSV), is a common clinical condition that carries with it significant risk of propagation of thrombus, recurrence, and, most concerning, subsequent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Conservative therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and heat does not prevent extension of thrombus or protect against recurrent or future VTE in patients with extensive SVT (thrombotic segment of at least 5 cm in length). To prevent future thromboembolic events, anticoagulation has become the treatment of choice for extensive acute SVT in the GSV. In spite of this, the dose and duration of anticoagulation in the treatment of SVT vary widely. This review summarizes the evidence from large prospective, randomized clinical trials on the treatment of SVT with anticoagulation (vs placebo or different doses and durations of anticoagulation) with respect to the outcome measures of thrombus extension, SVT recurrence, and future VTE. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using the MEDLINE database to identify all prospective, randomized controlled trials of treatment with anticoagulation in patients with SVT in the GSV. Six prospective, randomized trials were identified that met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: Treatment of acute SVT was most commonly managed in an outpatient setting using either low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in four studies or, alternatively, a factor Xa inhibitor in one large multicenter trial. LMWH was associated with a lower rate of thrombus extension and subsequent recurrence, especially when an intermediate dose (defined as a dose between prophylactic and therapeutic doses) was used for a period of 30 days. The full effect of treatment with LMWH on the risk of subsequent VTE remains unclear, as do the optimal dose and duration of this drug. Prophylactic doses of fondaparinux, a factor Xa inhibitor, were found to be beneficial in reducing the rate of thrombus extension and recurrence as well as in reducing the risk of subsequent VTE both during treatment and after cessation of anticoagulation in the short term. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that treatment of acute SVT of the GSV with anticoagulation, at doses below therapeutic levels, does offer the benefit of decreased risk of thrombus propagation, recurrence, and, at least in one large randomized clinical trial, subsequent VTE. Future studies to refine optimal dose and duration of anticoagulation to lower the rate of subsequent thromboembolic events and SVT recurrence are needed.

Vascular arteritides in women.

The vasculitides are multiple clinical disease states that are characterized by inflammation of the wall of blood vessels. They are typically classified by the size of the vessel that is affected. Some of the vasculitides are more commonly identified in women, such as the large-vessel vasculitides. In addition, the incidence of some of the medium and small-vessel vasculitides in women has increased during the past several decades. These inflammatory conditions specifically affecting women will be reviewed here. The implications that pregnancy may have on various vasculitides will also be highlighted.

Low ejection fraction predicts shortened survival in patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of endovascular therapy for lower extremity ischemia it is important to better determine what factors may affect the outcome. The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether ejection fraction (EF) is predictive of outcome in infrainguinal arterial reconstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 736 patients undergoing 897 infrainguinal arterial reconstructions from July 1999 to February 2002. Patients were divided into two groups: group I contained 54 patients with an EF<35% and group II had 216 patients with an EF > or =35%. The outcome evaluated was major adverse clinical events (MACEs), defined as postoperative myocardial infarction (MI), arrhythmia, congestive heart failure (CHF), and perioperative mortality. RESULTS: Major adverse clinical events occurred in 20.3% of patients (11/54) in group I and 10.6% patients (23/216) in group II (p = 0.068). Group I had a trend toward a greater incidence of MACEs compared to group II. Two-year survival for group I was 61.7%, whereas survival for group II was 78.4% (p = 0.0085). CONCLUSIONS: Low EF predicts a significantly shortened 2-year survival after infrainguinal arterial reconstruction and a trend toward increased perioperative complications. This is another factor to be considered in choosing open versus endovascular options.

Creatinine clearance but not serum creatinine alone predicts long-term postoperative survival after lower extremity revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Renal insufficiency is a well-described risk factor for perioperative morbidity and shortened survival after major vascular procedures. Due to the potential inaccuracy of serum creatinine levels alone in measuring kidney function, our aim was to determine whether estimated creatinine clearance more consistently predicted long-term survival. METHODS: A retrospective review of one institution's vascular registry was performed. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine independent predictors of 1-, 2- and 3-year postoperative mortality. Creatinine clearance was estimated as [140 - age (years)] x weight (kg)/72 x serum creatinine (mg/dl), multiplied by 0.85 for women. RESULTS: A total of 252 consecutive patients underwent infrainguinal bypass procedures between August 1999 and May 2000. Demographics included average age 68 years, 65% male, 74% diabetic, 12% dialysis-dependent, 23% history of congestive heart failure, 12% history of stroke and 20% serum creatinine >2 mg/dl. One-year mortality was 16% (n = 40), 2-year mortality was 25% (n = 64), and 3-year mortality was 35% (n = 88). There was no difference in serum creatinine values between survivors and non-survivors at 1 year (1.8 vs. 1.9, p = 0.80), 2 years (1.8 vs. 2.0, p = 0.62) or 3 years (1.8 vs. 2.0, p = 0.24), and creatinine >2 mg/dl did not predict long-term adverse outcomes. In contrast, reduced creatinine clearance (< or =60 ml/min) was an independent predictor of mortality regardless of dialysis status (1 year: OR = 2.53, p = 0.014; 2 years: OR = 2.46, p = 0.004; 3 years: OR = 2.45, p = 0.001), and creatinine clearance was higher for survivors versus non-survivors at all 3 time points (1 year: 70.2 vs. 49.5, p = 0.003; 2 years: 72.3 vs. 51.2, p < 0.0001; 3 years: 74.7 vs. 52.6, p < 0.0001). Other independent predictors of mortality included a history of stroke (1 year: OR = 3.28, p = 0.008; 2 years: OR = 2.55, p = 0.025; 3 years: OR = 2.35, p = 0.038) and congestive heart failure (1 year: OR = 2.86, p = 0.006; 2 years: OR = 2.54, p = 0.005; 3 years: OR = 2.13, p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Independent of dialysis status, a decreased creatinine clearance, but not elevated serum creatinine alone, is an independent predictor of mortality after lower extremity arterial reconstruction. Determination of creatinine clearance should replace serum creatinine in the preoperative risk evaluations of patients undergoing major vascular surgical procedures.

Lower extremity minor amputations: the roles of diabetes mellitus and timing of revascularization.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the frequent performance of minor foot amputations in patients with lower extremity vascular disease, little is known regarding the rate of conversion to major amputations and the role of bypass graft timing in relation to amputation. METHODS: Between January 1990 and December 2001, 670 patients underwent 920 minor amputations (interphalangeal, ray, or transmetatarsal) on 747 limbs. RESULTS: Of 670 patients, 468 were men (69.9%), 616 had diabetes mellitus (91.9%), and 137 (19.7%) had a serum creatinine level >2.0 mg/dL, of whom 92 were on dialysis (end-stage renal disease) (11.5%). Ipsilateral revascularization was performed < or =30 days before the initial amputation in 64.9% (485 of 747), whereas 9.8% (73 of 747) had a bypass < or =30 days postamputation. The initial amputation levels were 466 interphalangeal (62.4%), 159 transmetatarsal (21.3%), and 122 ray (16.3%). Operative 30-day mortality was 0.7% (6 of 920). Limb salvage was 89.8% at 1 year and 82.3% at 5 years. Diabetes mellitus had no impact on limb salvage (P = .61). Limb loss predictors included end-stage renal disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.83, P < .01) and the need for transmetatarsal amputation as the initial procedure (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.93; P < .01). Patients with revascularizations subsequent to an initial amputation had a significant increase in limb loss (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.39 to 4.21, P < .005). Patient survival was 83.9% at 1 year and 43.5% at 5 years. Neither gender nor diabetes mellitus impacted survival; however, serum creatinine levels >2.0 mg/dL (5 years, 48.8% +/- 2.3% vs 23.9% +/- 4.2%, P < .0001) and the need for a major amputation < or =30 days (3 years, 60.8% +/- 2.1% vs 40.1% +/- 7.8%, P < .01) adversely affected survival. CONCLUSIONS: Although minor amputations can lead to limb preservation in most patients, the performance of a revascularization subsequent to amputation, transmetatarsal as the initial amputation, and end-stage renal disease are poor prognostic indicators. Inferior long-term patient survival is most closely associated with renal insufficiency and conversion to major amputation early after the initial procedure.

Preoperative cardiac evaluation does not improve or predict perioperative or late survival in asymptomatic diabetic patients undergoing elective infrainguinal arterial reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial reconstruction frequently have increased cardiac risk factors. Diabetic patients are often asymptomatic despite advanced cardiac disease. This study investigates whether preoperative cardiac testing improves the outcome in diabetic patients at risk for cardiac disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing lower-extremity arterial reconstructions in a 32-month period from July 1999 to February 2002. Of the 433 patients identified undergoing 539 procedures, 295 had diabetes mellitus and considered in this study. The patients were stratified into two groups according to the present American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) algorithm. We identified 140 patients with two or more of ACC (Eagle) criteria who met the inclusion criteria for a preoperative cardiac evaluation. These patients were separated into two groups: those undergoing a cardiac work-up (WU) according to the ACC/AHA algorithm and those not undergoing the recommended work-up (NWU). Outcomes included perioperative mortality, postoperative myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and length of hospitalization. Significance of association was assessed by the Fisher exact test. Length of hospitalization was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Survival data was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One hundred forty patients met the criteria for moderate risk. There were 61 patients in the NWU group and 79 in the WU group. Ten patients in the WU group underwent preoperative coronary revascularization (6 had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 4 underwent coronary artery bypass grafting). There was no difference between perioperative mortality (WU, 1%; NWU, 2%; P = 1.00) or in postoperative cardiac morbidity, including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmia requiring treatment (WU, 5%; NWU, 6%; P = .71). There were no perioperative deaths and one episode of congestive heart failure in the group that had preoperative coronary revascularization. Median length of hospitalization was 10 days in the WU group and 8 days in the NWU group ( P = .11). Patient survival at 12 months for the NWU, WU, and revascularized groups was 85.3%, 78.5%, and 80.0%, respectively; 36-month survival was 73.6%, 62.9%, and 80.0%, respectively. The three survival curves did not differ significantly ( P = .209). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative cardiac evaluation, as defined by the ACC/AHA algorithm, does not predict or improve postoperative morbidity, mortality, or 36-month survival in asymptomatic, diabetic patients undergoing elective lower-extremity arterial reconstruction. These data do not support the current ACC/AHA recommendations as a standard of care for diabetic patients with an intermediate clinical predictor who undergo peripheral arterial reconstruction, a high-risk surgical procedure.

Bypass to plantar and tarsal arteries: an acceptable approach to limb salvage.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate our experience with distal arterial bypass to the plantar artery branches and the lateral tarsal artery for ischemic limb salvage. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of data prospectively entered into our vascular surgery database from January 1990 to January 2003 for all consecutive patients undergoing bypass grafting to the plantar artery branches or the lateral tarsal artery. Median follow-up was 9 months (range, 1-112 months). Demographic data, indications for surgery, outcomes, and patency were recorded, and statistical analysis was performed to assess significance. RESULTS: Ninety-eight bypass procedures to either the medial plantar artery, lateral plantar artery, or lateral tarsal artery were performed in 90 patients. Eighty-one patients (83%) were men. Mean age was 67.5 +/- 11.6 years. Indications for operation were tissue loss in 93 patients (95%), rest pain in 3 patients (3%), and failing graft in 2 patients (2%). Eighteen patients (18%) had previously undergone vascular reconstruction, and 5 patients (5%) had undergone previous bypass to the dorsalis pedis artery. Seventy-one grafts (72%) had inflow from the popliteal artery, 25 grafts had inflow from a femoral artery or graft (26%), and 2 grafts had inflow from a tibial artery (2%). Conduits used were greater saphenous vein in 67 patients (69%), arm vein in 20 patients (20%), composite vein in 10 patients (10%), and polytetrafluoroethylene conduit in 1 patient (1%). There were 77 bypasses (79%) to plantar artery branches, and 21 bypasses (21%) to the lateral tarsal artery. Thirty-day mortality was 1% (1 of 98 procedures). Early graft failure within 30 days occurred in 11 patients (11%). In the subset of patients with a previous arterial reconstruction, there were 2 early graft failures within 30 days (11%). Both occurred in patients who had undergone previous bypass to the dorsalis pedis artery. Primary patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and patient survival were 67%, 70%, 75%, and 91%, respectively, at 12 months, and 41%, 50%, 69%, and 63%, respectively, at 5 years, as determined from Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Greater saphenous vein grafts performed better than all other conduits, with a secondary patency rate of 82% versus 47% at 1 year (P = .009). CONCLUSION: Inframalleolar bypass to plantar artery branches and the lateral tarsal artery, even in patients with a previously failed revascularization, can be undertaken with acceptable patency and limb salvage rates. Early graft failure, however, is higher, whereas patency and limb salvage rates are lower, compared with bypass to the dorsalis pedis artery. The use of saphenous vein as a conduit results in the best patency for plantar or lateral tarsal bypass procedures.

Popliteal artery aneurysms: a comparison of outcomes in elective versus emergent repair.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare outcomes of elective versus emergent operative repair of popliteal artery aneurysms. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively recorded vascular surgery database from June 1992 to December 2002 was performed with chart review. Main outcome measures Patient survival, limb salvage, and graft patency were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-one popliteal artery aneurysms were repaired in 39 patients, all male and ranging in age from 18 to 87 years (mean 67.1). Mean follow-up was 47.8 months. Repair was elective in 37 (72.5%) and emergent in 14 (27.5%) limbs, 13 with acute ischemia and one with aneurysm rupture. Thrombolytic therapy was utilized in four ischemic limbs with no suitable bypass target vessel identified on initial arteriogram. Outflow vessels included the popliteal artery in 22 (43.1%) and infrapopliteal vessels in 29 (56.9%) limbs. Cardiac morbidity and 30-day mortality rates were 0%. Overall primary patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and actuarial survival were 95.6%, 100%, 98.0%, and 98.0% at 1 year and 85.1%, 96.9%, 98.0%, and 83.8% at 5 years, respectively. Bypass graft redo or revision was performed for stenosis in one and occlusion in four limbs. Two amputations were performed at 6 days and 63.6 months after initial aneurysm repair. No difference was noted between elective and emergent groups with regard to patency, limb salvage, or survival (P >.26), and no association between the number of identified target vessels and limb salvage or patency was demonstrated (P =.12). CONCLUSION: In our experience, the outcome of the popliteal artery aneurysm repair was comparable in the emergent and elective settings. Aggressive tibial reconstruction plays a crucial role in the treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms, especially in those presenting with acute limb ischemia. Thrombolytic therapy is infrequently required in the acute setting, although it may be useful in patients with no identifiable outflow target vessel on initial arteriogram.

Major lower extremity amputation: outcome of a modern series.

HYPOTHESIS: Major lower extremity amputation results in significant morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective database query and medical record review for January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2001. Mean follow-up was 33.6 months. SETTING: Academic tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Nine hundred fifty-nine consecutive major lower extremity amputations in 788 patients, including 704 below-knee amputations (BKAs) (73.4%) and 255 above-knee amputations (AKAs) (26.6%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient survival, cardiac morbidity, infectious complications, and subsequent operation. RESULTS: Overall 30-day mortality was 8.6%, worse for AKA (16.5%) than BKA (5.7%) patients (P<.001). Thirty-day mortality for guillotine amputation for sepsis control was 14.3% compared with 7.8% for closed amputation (P =.03). Complications included cardiac (10.2%), wound infection (5.5%), and pneumonia (4.5%). Twelve AKA (4.7%) and 129 BKA (18.4%) limbs required subsequent operation. Only 66 BKAs (9.4%) required conversion to AKA (average, 77.1 days postoperatively). Overall survival was 69.7% and 34.7% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Survival was significantly worse for AKAs (50.6% and 22.5%) than BKAs (74.5% and 37.8%) (P<.001). Survival in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) was 69.4% and 30.9% vs 70.8% and 51.0% in patients without DM at 1 and 5 years, respectively (P =.002). Survival in end-stage renal disease patients was 51.9% and 14.4% vs 75.4% and 42.2% in patients without renal failure at 1 and 5 years, respectively (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Major amputation continues to result in significant morbidity and mortality. Survivors with BKA require revision or conversion to AKA infrequently. Long-term survival is dismal for patients with DM and end-stage renal disease and those undergoing AKA.