Tratamiento de pseudoaneurismas arteriales yatrógenos con inyección de trombina humana / Treatment of iatrogenic arterial pseudoaneurysms with human thrombin injections

Introducción. La incidencia de pseudoaneurismas yatrógenos ha aumentado debido al mayor número de procedimientos intervencionistas y a la anticoagulación asociada. La búsqueda de tratamientos eficaces frente a la cirugía ha sido un reto en los últimos años. Objetivo. Analizar la eficacia y seguridad del tratamiento con trombina humana (TH) de una serie de 10 pseudoaneurismas y atrógenos. Pacientes y métodos. Ocho pacientes (cinco mujeres y tres varones), de edad media 67 años (46-85), sumaban un total de 10 pseudoaneurismas en la arteria femoral común, secundarios a cateterismo cardíaco (cinco), arteriografía diagnóstica (uno), embolización de aneurisma cerebral (uno) y fibrinólisis intrarterial (uno). La selección para su tratamiento fue: diámetro superior a 15 mm (15-35) y localización anterior respecto a la arteria. Se empleó solución salina de TH (100 U/cm 3, procedente de Tissucol ®) y aguja 22G. Se inyectaron en la cavidad 100-400 U mediante inyección percutánea guiada por ecografía. Dos pacientes estaban anticoagulados durante el procedimiento. Se exploraron índices tobillo/brazo y pulsos, antes y después de la inyección. Se hicieron controles a las 24 horas, 2 y 6 meses. Resultados. La trombosis total de la cavidad se produjo a los pocos segundos, sin cambios en el índice talón-rodilla o pulsos. Sólo hubo una recidiva en un pseudoaneurisma, a las 24 horas. Conclusiones. La inyección percutánea de TH es una técnica efectiva (90 per cent de trombosis primaria), segura (sin dolor ni complicaciones en nuestra serie) y de corta duración para el tratamiento de primera línea de los pseudoaneurismas femorales y atrógenos (AU)

Thrombosed aneurysm of the infrarenal vena cava: diagnosis and treatment.

Aneurysms of the inferior vena cava are rare. Usually they are diagnosed incidentally or due to the patient having suffered thromboembolic complications. We report one case of a patient admitted due to deep vein thrombosis of his left lower limb in whom a thrombosed mass of the infrarenal vena cava and of both proximal common iliac veins was detected by duplex, CT scan and MRI. The additional information obtained by the phlebography showed abundant collateral circulation via ascending lumbar veins, suggesting gradual occlusion rather than sudden thrombosis. Guided biopsy was not contemplated and the patient underwent surgery with a diagnosis of thrombosis of the infrarenal vena cava due to suspected malignancy versus aneurysm. Intraoperative anatomopathological examination revealed no evidence of malignancy and partial resection with infrarenal vena cava ligation was performed. After six months the patient remains well under oral anticoagulation. On the basis of the literature and taking into account this case, the management of aneurysms of the inferior vena cava when they have already suffered thrombosis should include open surgery which allows us to make the diagnosis with certainty and treatment of the patient.

Factors increasing the mortality rate for patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The objective of this report was to analyze the current surgical results of operative treatment in patients suffering ruptured AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysms) and to define those independent predictive factors for mortality. During a period of 2 years, from January 1996 to December 1997, 144 patients operated on for ruptured AAA in 10 hospitals were included in a multicenter retrospective study. Among the collected variables concerning each patient, those with potential relation to surgical mortality were studied: gender, age, diabetes, hypertension, cardiopathy, pulmonary obstructive disease, preoperative renal dysfunction, symptomatic cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, hematocrit on admission, preoperative hypotension < 80 mmHg, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, aortic aneurysm location (infrarenal versus non-infrarenal), iliac involvement, aneurysm size, type of rupture, left renal vein ligature, ligature of a patent inferior mesenteric artery, place of aortic cross-clamping, type of grafting, exclusion of both hypogastric arteries, venous technical complications, associated surgery, use of cell saver, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications (renal failure, sepsis, coagulopathy, cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, colon ischemia, prosthetic graft complications, and need for reoperation). Those variables with statistical significance in the univariate analysis were introduced into a multivariate logistic regression model to determine the independent predictors of death. From our results we concluded that surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms continues to have an excessively high mortality rate. Even though some preoperative variables could be identified as predictors of mortality, an absolute mortality risk has not yet been determined and the decision to negate surgery should be individualized rather than taken on that basis only. Early diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic aneurysms would improve mortality figures and selective screening should be contemplated.

Knitted dacron grafts used for abdominal aortic reconstruction: sizing references.

This study was undertaken to analyze immediate and mid-term knitted Dacron graft dilation and to establish which parameters should be taken as a reference when aortic graft dilation is evaluated. A Dacron knitted microvel double velour vascular graft (Hemashield Gold) was implanted in 30 patients with aneurysmal (19 cases, 63%) or occlusive (11 cases, 37%) aortic disease. The stems of bifurcated prostheses (27 patients, 90%) and tube grafts (3 patients, 10%) were measured. The package sizing (labelled size) was compared with the external diameter measured intraoperatively with a slide caliper, prior to implantation and after complete clamp release. Additional measurements were obtained by ultrasound 1 and 6 months after implantation, and in 16 cases (53% of the patients) ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were performed at the end of the first year. The means of the measurements were compared using Student's t test for matched pairs. The statistical significance level was set at p values < 0.05. There was a statistically significant difference between the package sizing (15.3 +/- 1.1 mm) and the external diameter measured prior to implantation (18.7 +/- 1.3 mm); and with the external diameter following implantation (19.6 +/- 1.4 mm), (p < 0.01). External diameters measured prior to grafting and following implantation (after complete clamp release), when compared with the manufacturer's size, showed a mean increase in graft diameter of 3.4 mm (22%) and 4.3 mm (28%), respectively. There were no statistical differences between the external diameter measured after clamp release (19.6 +/- 1.4 mm) and the size determined by ultrasound 4 weeks (19.3 +/- 1.2 mm) and 6 months (19.8 +/- 1.5 mm) following surgery (p values 0.11 and 0.56, respectively). Considering size after clamp release as a reference (19.6 +/- 1.4 mm), an almost significant (p = 0.08) increase in the diameter (0.7 +/- 1.5 mm) was obtained at the end of the first year when the measurement was performed with ultrasound. However, when the measurement was performed by CT at the end of the first year, the differences (0.9 +/- 1.6 mm) revealed statistical relevance (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the sizes obtained by ultrasound (20.3 +/- 2.1 mm) and by CT (20.5 +/- 2.2 mm) at the end of the first year (p values 0.07). The package sizing is not a reliable parameter for choosing the size of knitted Dacron grafts. Immediate increase in diameter noted in Dacron grafts is caused by discrepancies between the package sizing and the measured diameter after clamp release during implantation, and by an initial adaptation of the textile structure. This must be taken into account for an accurate investigation of the immediate graft dilation rate, and if further follow-up is contemplated, a measurement to be taken as a reference should be performed by ultrasound or CT in the immediate postoperative period.

Surgical treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in the elderly.

The aims of this study were to investigate current results of surgical treatment for elderly patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and to define factors associated with mortality. The study included 112 patients aged 75 years or older who were operated on for a ruptured AAA. The surgeries took place from January 1995 to December 1996 in 21 hospitals in Spain. Variables that could be related to death were retrospectively analyzed by entering data into SPSS statistical software. These variables included sex, age, diabetes, hypertension, cardiopathy, pulmonary obstructive disease, renal dysfunction, symptomatic cerebrovascular disease, peripheral occlusive disease, peripheral aneurysms, hematocrit on admission, preoperative hypotension, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, AAA location, aneurysm size, type of rupture, place of aortic cross-clamping, type of graft, use of cell saver, technical complications, intraoperative blood loss, and transfusion requirements. Postoperative complications were also considered, including renal failure, sepsis, coagulopathy, cardiac complications, pulmonary complications, colon ischemia, prosthetic graft complications, and need for reoperation. For univariate statistical analysis, the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and chi-square test were used. Those variables showing statistical significance were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model. The results of these analyses indicate that in elderly patients undergoing surgery for ruptured AAA have a high operative mortality. Comorbid factors, however, were not identified as independent predictors of death. Surgery should not be denied these patients and selective screening should be contemplated.

Cryopreserved arterial homografts: preliminary results in infrageniculate arterial reconstructions.

The aim of this report is to present our preliminary experience using cryopreserved arterial homografts in below-knee revascularization. We carried out a retrospective study at the Public Health Hospital of the Servicio Galego da Saude (SERGAS) from October 1995 to March 1997 in which cryopreserved arterial homografts were used for revascularization of 17 lower limbs in 16 patients. The clinical indications were limb-threatening ischemia in 15 lower extremities (7 with rest pain and 8 with ischemic ulcers or gangrene), and large aneurysms of femoropopliteal arteries in 2. In addition, 75% of the patients had undergone previous surgical procedures for revascularization on the involved extremity. No patient had a suitable greater saphenous vein in the ipsilateral extremity and all patients required a below-knee arterial reconstruction procedure. There was just one runoff vessel in 11 of 17 extremities (65%). A histological exam was performed in four patients who died (1 case) or had homograft-related complications (3 cases). The results of this study indicated that cryopreserved arterial homografts could be a promising alternative when below-knee revascularization is required in patients lacking suitable greater saphenous vein, especially in those with limited life expectancy, but despite early acceptable results, many aspects must be clarified. Close follow-up is mandatory.