Modern diagnostic approach to patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a relatively frequent and serious condition in vascular surgery. The diagnostic and indication process and its treatment are driven by the guidelines which dictate an intervention when the maximum AAA diameter is more than 55 mm. Nevertheless, this approach is not fully sufficient in all AAA cases and thus we have been seeking to develop a modern diagnostic tool using computer modeling and vascular wall stress analysis. METHODS: The project has been ongoing in cooperation with engineers from VUT Brno (Brno University of Technology) and VŠB Ostrava (Technical University of Ostrava) for ten years. The design of the analytical tool was created during the first, experimental period of the project; this tool is able to assess vascular wall stress from regular CT scans using the finite element method. This primary model was gradually altered and its precision was increased considerably in the course of the years using data from mechanical and histological tests of AAA wall specimens harvested during open repairs. Additionally, other patient specific data are included in the analysis such as blood pressure, gender and material characteristics. RESULTS: The effectiveness of the method was evaluated in a pseudo-prospective study, showing clear superiority of the vascular wall stress analysis over the maximum diameter approach. The method was used in clinical practice for the first time during restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic; based on the analysis we were able to assess which AAA cases can be postponed and which had a high risk of rupture and an intervention was required despite the restrictions. The method achieved 100% sensitivity, and its specificity was also much better compared to the maximum diameter approach. CONCLUSION: The vascular wall stress analysis of AAA seems to be much more precise than the classic indication approach based only on the maximum diameter, and it can be used to determine the therapy based on patient specific parameters.

Endovenous ablation of varicose veins current status and overview of methods.

During the last two decades, superficial venous surgery has experienced an unprecedented boom. Traditional surgical procedures (crossectomy and stripping) are now being replaced to a greater or lesser extent by new less invasive endovenous methods. Our aim is to provide an up-todate review of all available endovenous techniques (laser, radiofrequency, steam, mechanochemical ablation and venous glue) describing the indications, the technique and mechanism of action, and the results. In experienced hands, all endovenous techniques are safe and effective, with long-term results comparable to conventional surgical procedures.

[Pedal bypass using venous allograft]. / Pedální bypass s pouzitím allogenní zilní náhrady.

INTRODUCTION: Pedal or distal crural bypass surgery for limb salvage is a method with very good long-term results. For patients in whom a suitable autologous venous graft is not available, the use of a venous allograft is an alternative procedure. CASE REPORT: A 68 years old man with ischaemic disease of lower extremities and gangrene of the left foot was admitted to our Centre in August 2014. He underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of crural arteries of his left lower extremity. This, however, failed to improve peripheral circulation. The patient was then indicated for pedal or distal crural vascular reconstruction. Since no suitable autologous vein was available, distal bypass surgery using a donor graft remained the only option for limb salvage. Amputation of the toes on the left foot due to gangrene was necessary. Subsequently, femoro-pedal bypass to the left common plantar artery was performed using a great saphenous vein allograft. The post-operative course was without complications, the pedal bypass was patent and toe amputation was with good healing. The patient remained in follow-up care. CONCLUSION: A good outcome of vascular reconstruction with an allograft depends on the availability of a suitable allograft and good patient compliance with post-operative care. In the case presented here, the pedal bypass grafting by means of an allograft helped to save the patients limb. KEY WORDS: pedal bypass venous allograft limb salvage.

[Endoscopic harvest of great saphenous vein for infrainguinal arterial bypass: summary of our initial experience]. / Pouzití metody endoskopického odberu velké safény v periferní infrainguinální cévní chirurgii - zhodnocení iniciálních zkuseností.

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of endoscopic vein harvest (EVH) for infrainguinal arterial bypass surgery. We describe our initial experience and early results of bypasses done using this minimally invasive approach. METHOD: From April 2012 to March 2015, 16 patients underwent 16 femoropopliteal bypass operations with great saphenous vein (GSV) being harvested by endoscopic technique. The indication for intervention was critical limb ischemia (Rutherford category "5") in 7 patients (43.7%) and severe intermittent claudication (Rutherford category "3") in 9 patients (56.3%). There were 14 male (87.5%) and 2 female (12.5%) patients, with a mean age of 59.9 years. Selection of patients for EVH was based on clinical and duplex ultrasound appearance of GSV. Only patients with adequate GSV were considered for EVH. We collected data regarding patients demographics, history, clinical findings, operative procedures and postoperative recovery including complications. Patients were followed at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter. Patencies were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: Endoscopically harvested GSV was utilised for formation of proximal (10; 62.5%) or distal (6; 37.5%) femoropopliteal bypass. One patient underwent conversion to open harvest after endoscopic dissection of the vein. It occurred early in our experience. All other GSV harvests were accomplished endoscopically. 2 patients (12.5%) developed postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) Szilagyi gr. II (1 patient after successful EVH - location: groin; 1 patient after conversion of EVH to open vein harvest - location: groin and vein harvest incision). Mean follow-up was 10.2 months (range 0.3 to 27.0 months). At 1 and 2 years, primary patency was 82.0% and 82.0%, assisted primary patency was 93.8% and 93.8%, and secondary patency was 100.0% and 100.0%. At 1 and 2 years, amputation-free survival was 100.0% and 100.0%. No patient died within the study period (mortality 0.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic harvest of GSV is a minimally invasive alternative to a standard open harvest of GSV. It is a feasible option for patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial bypass. In our early experience, patencies of EVH femoropopliteal bypasses are comparable to those achieved using traditional open vein harvest technique. Combination of endoscopic vein harvest with femoropopliteal bypass formation results in a low incidence of surgical site infections. KEY WORDS: endoscopic vein harvest - great saphenous vein - peripheral vascular surgery - femoropopliteal bypass - minimally invasive vascular surgery.

[The use of hybrid revascularization procedures for the therapy of multilevel lower extremity arterial disease--analysis of single center experience]. / Analýza výsledku hybridních revaskularizacních výkonu pro multietázové postizení tepenného systému dolních koncetin--výsledky jednoho centra.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to evaluate our experience and results of single staged hybrid procedures for revascularization of lower extremities affected by multilevel arterial occlusive disease. We analysed the effect of the indication and type of reconstruction on patency. METHOD: Patients were retrospectively reviewed. Data collection was conducted prospectively. Patients were divided into 5 groups based on the type of hybrid reconstruction. Group "1" included patients who underwent transluminal angioplasty (TA)±stenting of iliac arteries with endarterectomy (EA) and patch arterioplasty of the femoral bifurcation (35 patients; 27.6 %). Group "2" included patients who underwent TA±stenting of iliac arteries with infrainguinal bypass (15 patients; 11.8 %). Group "3" consisted of patients who underwent TA±stenting of outflow lower extremity arteries: superficial femoral artery±popliteal artery±crural arteries in combination with EA and patch arterioplasty of the femoral bifurcation (52 patients; 40.9 %). Group "4" represented patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass surgery in combination with TA distal to the site of open reconstruction (3 patients; 2.4%). Group "5" represented a heterogenous population of patients who underwent a hybrid reconstruction which did not belong to any of the 4 previously mentioned groups (22 patients; 17.3 %). The patients were divided into 3 groups based on the indication criteria of the intervention: Patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) were put into group "ALI". Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) were put into group "CLI". Patients with claudications were put into group "II". Patency analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier life tables. Differences in patency rates between the different groups of patients were determined using the log-rank test. Statistical analysis was performed using the software IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0. RESULTS: The study included 127 patients who underwent 127 hybrid arterial procedures. Technical and clinical success rates were 96.9% and 98.4%. 30-day perioperative mortality rate was 3.1%. The primary (PP), assisted-primary (APP) and secondary patency (SP) results at 2 years were the best amongst the patients from groups "1" and "3". These patients underwent patch arterioplasty±EA of the femoral bifurcation in combination with transluminal angioplasty of inflow or outflow arteries of the lower extremity. The resulting PP, APP and SP rates at 2 years in group "1" were 80.6%, 84.3% and 84.3%. Patency rates in group "3" in the same order at 2 years were 81.1 %, 82.8% and 86.3%. Significantly lower patency rates were achieved in patients from groups "2" and "5". The resulting PP, APP and SP rates in group "2" at 2 years were 39.4%, 59.1% and 59.1%; in group "5" at 2 years they were 30.4%, 49.2% and 70.7%. Taking into account the effect of the indication on patency rates, we found that patients from group "CLI" had the best APP and SP rates at 2 years: 81.6% and 86.2%. Only the PP rate at 2 years was the best in group "II" (patients with claudications): 71.1%. Patients who underwent their operations because of acute limb ischemia (group "ALI") achieved the worst results among these 3 groups. Their PP, APP and SP rates at 2 years were 33.7%, 46.2% and 45.5%. Patients from the group "CLI" had the best amputation-free survival at 2 years: 89.1% amongst the 3 groups subdivided according to the indication for the intervention ("II" 81.9%; "ALI" 61.4%). Overall survival and amputation-free survival at 2 years were 93.2% and 82.3%, respectively, for the whole studied population. CONCLUSION: The hybrid procedure is an intervention which combines endovascular and open reconstruction performed at the same time. Hybrid procedures provide effective therapy for patients with multilevel lower extremity arterial disease. They have low complication rates, periprocedural morbidity and mortality. Using these procedures, we are able to achieve good limb salvage rates and patency rates irrespective of the form of chronic limb ischemia (claudications, critical limb ischemia). Results for patients with acute limb ischemia are inferior. The combination of patch arterioplasty±endarterectomy of the femoral bifurcation with transluminal angioplasty of inflow or outflow limb arteries is our hybrid procedure of choice with the most favourable results.

[Vascular dialysis access with transposed superficial femoral vein]. / Dialyzacní cévní prístup transponovanou vena femoralis superficialis.

The authors describe the case report of a 63 years old female patient with chronic renal failure in systemic lupus erythematosus. Vascular dialysis access in upper limbs could no more be used. The condition was approached by constructing an arteriovenous (AV) fistula in the thigh with transposed superficial femoral vein as the first procedure in the Czech Republic.

Long-term patency of a RaK collagen vascular prosthesis - single centre results during a 10 year follow-up.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of vascular operations based on the RaK prostheses, with a particular attention paid to their long-term patency. The study included 105 patients who were operated on in the period from 1992 to 1996. Vascular surgery was performed in the aortofemoral area and the underlying diagnoses were Leriche syndrome, asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm, iliac artery stenosis or occlusion and symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm. During the mean follow-up time of 96 months (range 28-144), 8 patients (7.6 %) were lost to follow-up and 23 patients (21.9 %) died. At 12, 36, 60 and 120 months after surgery, the prostheses were patent in 99 %, 98 %, 93 % and 89 % of the patients, respectively. It is concluded that the RaK collagen prosthesis is the device of high quality and parameters comparable with the other types of knitted vascular prostheses currently used (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 17).

[A rare case of a long-term patent axillobipopliteal bypass--a case report]. / Ojedinelý prípad dlouhodobé pruchodnosti axillo-bipopliteálniho bypassu--kazuistika.

INTRODUCTION: One of the options for the treatment of vascular graft infection in the aortoiliofemoral region is its explantation and extra-anatomical reconstruction. The authors present a rare case of a long-term patent axillobipopliteal bypass. CASE REPORT: A polymorbid patient with complete infection of the aortobifemoral prosthetic graft, with abscess in the groin and bilateral occlusion of the superficial femoral artery was treated by complete graft explantation and implantation of extra-anatomical axillobipopliteal bypass. The occlusion of the distal part of the left limb of the graft after 6 years was successfully solved by reoperation replacement with a new vascular prosthesis. DISCUSSION: The advantage of the extra-anatomical axillo(bi)femoral/popliteal reconstruction is its usability in urgent conditions. However, this reconstruction is associated with a high risk of graft thrombosis because of the length of the graft. Currently, we prefer an autogenous femoral vein for the treatment of the graft infection in the aortoiliofemoral region. CONCLUSION: Although the long-term results of the axillo(bi)femoral/popliteal reconstructions are generally not favourable, the secondary patency of the extra-anatomical bypass in presented patient is maintained for more than 6 years.

[Autogenous superficial femoral vein for replacement of an infected aorto-ilio-femoral prosthetic graft]. / Autogenní vena femoralis superficialis jako náhrada infikované aorto-iliako-femorální cévní protézy.

A group of 12 patients (10 men, 2 women; average age, 52.7 years; range, 50-79 years) with vascular prosthetic graft infection (n=9) or with an increased risk of such infection (n=3) underwent arterial aorto-ilio-femoral reconstruction using autogenous superficial femoral vein. None of the patients died or had to have revision surgery during the follow-up (mean +/- SD, 14.1 +/- 7.3 months; range, 3-27 months). No pulmonary embolism occurred, nor were any early or late complications such as recurrent infection, graft occlusion, limb amputation or aneurysmal dilatation of vein graft recorded. In one patient, benign oedema of the limb following deep vein harvest persists, but this is well managed with a compression stocking. The findings reported in the international literature as well as the authors' experience show that the use of autogenous femoral vein gives very good results in the treatment of an infected vascular prosthetic graft, one of the most feared and most serious complications of vascular surgery.

[Lower extremity deep vein as arterial replacement in the treatment of prosthetic graft infection]. / Hluboká zíla dolní koncetiny jako tepenná náhrada pri resení infekce cévní protézy.

In June 2007, an autologous lower extremity deep vein was used for arterial reconstruction for the first time in the Czech Republic. For this procedure, the superficial femoral vein was harvested in its full length, including part of the popliteal vein. Due to previous explantation of an infected prosthesis, the patient had critical ischemia and progressive gangrene of the lower extremity. His condition required an iliac-femoral artery reconstruction. Because of the high risk of recurrent infection, none of the conventional approaches involving a vascular prosthesis could be used. The implantation of a lower extremity deep vein appears to be very efficient in the treatment of prosthetic graft infection, which is one of the most serious and feared complications in vascular surgery.

Pedal bypass grafting on arteriographically invisible foot arteries detected by duplex ultrasound for limb salvage.

AIM: In this study the long-term outcomes in patients undergoing pedal bypass grafting were evaluated and the risk of graft occlusion was related to whether, preoperatively, the pedal arteries were visualized by angiography or not and were only detected by duplex ultrasonography. METHODS: In 2000-2005, 81 pedal bypass grafts were performed in patients with chronic critical lower-limb ischemia, of which 54 (66.7%) had diabetes. Tissue loss (SVS/ISCVS-category 5) was recorded in 68 (84%) limbs and rest pain (SVS/ISCVS-category 4) in 13 (16%) limbs. In 24 limbs (29.6%) bypass grafts were implanted on the pedal arteries that had not been visualized by preoperative angiography, but had been detected only by duplex ultrasound. RESULTS: During the follow-up (median, 17 months; range, 3-69 months), 18 grafts (22.2%) failed. Seven limbs had to be treated by early thrombectomy, which resulted in long-term graft patency and limb salvage. The early postoperative mortality rate was 2.5%. Cumulative primary and secondary graft patency rates, and limb-salvage rates were 70.2%, 80.2% and 82.4%, respectively. No significant difference in graft occlusion was found between the patients with visible and those with not visible pedal arteries on preoperative arteriograms (Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Duplex ultrasonography is a reliable modality for detection of target pedal arteries not visualized by preoperative arteriography and it helps reduce the number of patients with non-operable arterial occlusion disease by about 25%.

Pedal bypass as urgent surgical revascularisation.

Pedal bypass (arterial reconstruction with distal anastomosis on the dorsal pedal artery (DPA) or in the submalleolar portion of the posterior tibial artery) is now considered as a standard method of revascularisation in critically ischaemic limb with obliteration of the crural arterial system. While a number of studies in large cohorts have proved the success of this method in saving limbs with chronic critical ischaemia, only few papers report the pedal bypass as an urgent intervention. In this study, the authors describe 3 cases where urgent pedal bypass saved the limb threatened by an acute ischaemia (Fig. 3, Ref. 12).

[Rupture of the renal artery aneurysm in a patient with symptoms of a systemic connective tissue disorder--A case review]. / Ruptura aneuryzmatu renální tepny u pacientky s projevy systémového postizení pojiva--kazuistika.

The renal arteries aneurysms are relatively rare, however, their rupture has a high mortality rate. The authors present a case-review of a 38-year old female, hospitalized with a pain in the left lumbar region, lasting for 24 hours, which spread into the mesogastrium and the left groin. Upon angiographic examination, the left renal artery aneurysm was detected. Embolization was conducted, aiming to save the kidney, however, it proved unsuccessful and was complicated by a rupture of the aneurysm. Consequently, urgent nephrectomy was completed. Prior to the procedure, massive haemorrhaging from the right groin following angiography, was managed. Relapsing haemorrhaging from the right groin and development of a major retroperitoneal haematoma, complicated the postoperative course and required repetitive postoperative revisions. The accidental finding of a minor aneurysm of the lienal artery, the patient's constitution, her anamnestic data and the complicated course of hospitalization, suggested the systemic connective tissue disorder. Furthermore, the authors discuss contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the renal arteries aneurysms.

Follow-up and its importance for long-term pedal bypass functionality.

Pedal bypasses, for salvage of a critically ischaemic limb, demonstrate excellent long-term outcomes. However, regular follow-up of patients and timely detection and treatment of a contingent haemodynamically significant bypass stenosis, which could cause its thrombosis, are prerequisites. The authors report a case of femoropedal bypass graft in which regular duplex follow-up detected critical stenoses at 18 months and at 36 months. Patch-angioplasty (at 18 months) and percutaneous balloon angioplasty (at 36 months) preserved the long-term patency of this pedal bypass graft.

Vascular collagen prosthesis of RaK type--long-term patency.

In 1990, the vascular prosthesis of RaK type (collagen-impregnated knitted prosthesis), produced by the Research Institute of Hosiery in Brno, was introduced into clinical practice. In 1998, we published our experience with this type of prosthesis in form of a clinical evaluating study performed according to the methods of the EN 540 European Norm. Now we inform about the results of the studied group followed during 3 years. The long-term patency of the prosthesis in the aortic-phemoral part is 88.8%; the incidence of infection of the vascular prosthesis in our group studied in the 3-year period is 2.5%. Thus we can say that even long-term results confirm our previous good experience with this vascular prosthesis produced in Brno. (Tab. 8, Fig. 1, Ref. 11.)