Role of intraoperative fibrinolytic therapy in acute arterial occlusion.

Nineteen patients with acute onset of ischemia affecting the lower extremities were studied from January 1985 to March 1987. Patients with preoperative Doppler and angiographic studies consistent with arterial occlusions subsequently underwent a thromboembolectomy using a Fogarty catheter. All patients were given a bolus injection of 5,000 units of heparin intravenously at the start of the surgical procedure. In all patients studied, a clot was retrieved on the first pass, but after two additional passes, total distal blood flow was not shown to be restored on angiogram. Intraoperative angiograms showed distal emboli. All patients underwent intraoperative fibrinolytic therapy by local bolus infusion. Streptokinase, ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 units, was administered in 50,000 unit injections in ten to 15 minute intervals. Repeat attempts at thromboembolectomy with the Fogarty catheter resulted in an additional clot retrieved in all 19 patients with intraoperative angiographic, Doppler and clinical improvement. No perioperative or postoperative complications were observed, including anaphylactic reactions, uncontrollable bleeding or amputation. Four patients had nonacute femoropopliteal bypass operations within the next six months. Intraoperative fibrinolytic therapy can be a safe and effective adjunct in acute arterial embolic occlusion requiring balloon catheter thromboembolectomy.

Subclavian-external carotid bypass for symptomatic severe cerebral ischemia from common and internal carotid artery occlusion.

Occlusion of the common and internal carotid arteries in a patient with symptomatic severe cerebral ischemia, with or without contralateral carotid disease, portends a poor prognosis. The present study has described our experience with subclavian and external carotid artery revascularization for symptomatic severe cerebral ischemia from common and internal carotid artery occlusion. Nine patients (five men and four women) with a mean age of 62 (range 41 to 82 years) were diagnosed as having symptomatic severe cerebral ischemia. All patients had ipsilateral hemispheric symptoms, seven had amaurosis fugax, and two had associated syncope. Four patients (three men and one woman) were hypertensive, four (two men and two women) had diabetes, eight smoked, and all had a history of coronary artery disease. All of the patients had noninvasive laboratory studies and preoperative angiography, and three had postoperative angiography. Five patients were successfully revascularized to a patent external carotid artery despite nonvisualization by angiography. Six patients had unilateral and three bilateral occlusion of the common and internal carotid arteries appropriate to their symptoms. Using regional anesthesia, four patients underwent a subclavian-external carotid bypass with polytetrafluoroethylene; saphenous vein was used in five; and three had concomitant axilloaxillary bypass grafting with polytetrafluoroethylene. Neurologic improvement (that is, no subsequent deficit and no progression of symptoms) was noted in all nine patients with a follow-up of 4 to 28 months (mean 11.2 months). Two patients died from myocardial infarction 4 and 7 months after operation. Subclavian-external carotid artery bypass is a safe addition to the options for the treatment of symptomatic severe cerebral ischemia with occlusion of the common and internal carotid arteries, visualization of a superior thyroid collateral vessel on the recipient end, and nonvisualization of the external carotid artery.

Selective management of arterial occlusion with low-dose streptokinase.

Fibrinolytic therapy has been reported as a limited aid in limb salvage. It is allegedly fraught with complications and pitfalls; however, the usage of low-dose streptokinase has never totally been explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of low-dose streptokinase in arterial occlusion. Nineteen patients (12 men and 7 women) with an average age of 68 years (range 37 to 79 years) and a total of 22 limbs under study were treated with low-dose streptokinase (initial intravenous dose of 10,000 units and a subsequent dose of 5,000 to 10,000 units/hour) for 1 to 3 days. Seven of the patients underwent further operative intervention and four underwent angioplasty. Seven patients had diabetes controlled by insulin. Results were assessed clinically by angiography and by noninvasive measurement of distal pressure. Within 30 days of low-dose streptokinase therapy, four patients died from a myocardial infarction that was thought to be part of their total disease process. Limited salvage occurred in 19 of 22 limbs at risk. Ten patients (12 extremities) underwent subsequent balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery. There were three amputations. One patient received a below-knee amputation rather than an expected above-knee amputation, one had a below-knee amputation, and one had an above-knee amputation. In all cases, the patency or lack thereof was confirmed by angiography. The mean ankle to brachial pressure indices increased from 0.07 +/- 0.15 to 0.64 +/- 0.14 after therapy. There were no prolonged hospital stays due to complications in any of the patients. Selective infusions of low-dose streptokinase lyse thrombi, open collaterals, and provide an opportunity for extended surgery and angioplasty, increasing limb salvage without the risks of coagulopathy and bleeding that may occur in full-dose thrombolysis.

Use of digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis of splenic artery aneurysms.

A 64-year-old woman with thalassemia presented with fullness of the upper abdomen. Calcification in the left upper quadrant suggested splenic artery aneurysm. The diagnosis was confirmed by arterial injection digital angiography. The patient had a benign course following resection of the aneurysm. This is the first reported incidence of the noted hemoglobinopathy occurring in conjunction with a visceral aneurysm. Digital subtraction angiography has not been previously reported in the diagnostic evaluation of visceral artery aneurysms.

Long-term tracheal intubation practice in the United Kingdom.

A questionnaire was circulated to members of the Intensive Care Society and hospitals with more than 120 acute beds in the United Kingdom. The object was to determine the usage of the various types of cuffs on tracheal tubes and the practice of long-term tracheal intubation in contrast to tracheostomy. One hundred and fifty two replies were received (a 55% response rate). The majority of units favoured the high volume cuff for long term ventilation (61% for tracheal tubes and 69.2% for tracheostomy tubes). The cuffs were mainly inflated to 'no-leak' ventilation and pressure was not measured. The majority of units changed from tracheal tubes to tracheostomy after about one week but, for children, a longer period of tracheal intubation is employed. The results are discussed.