Management of Aortic Sac Enlargement Following Successful EVAR in a Frail Patient.

BACKGROUND: An enlarging aneurysm after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) without clear endoleak is a clinical challenge. Management of this problem is guided by the current evidence for adequate EVAR follow up and recommended thresholds for re-intervention. In a frail patient, careful risk assessment of aneurysm related mortality against the risks associated with examinations and interventions is required. METHODS: The literature was reviewed for imaging modalities for EVAR follow up and their advantages and disadvantages. The current evidence and guideline recommendations regarding follow up and re-intervention after EVAR were assessed in relation to the presented case. RESULTS: To detect sac expansion after EVAR, repeated examinations with the same imaging modality are needed. Verified expansion must be above the inter-observer variation of the method used. Although duplex ultrasound is an excellent modality for EVAR follow up, the finding of a significant expansion on duplex requires further examination, primarily with computed tomography angiography to assess sealing, stent graft integrity, and presence of endoleak. A frail patient should be assessed thoroughly before any kind of surgical intervention, the extent of which is related to the identified or suspected cause of expansion. CONCLUSION: Failure to totally exclude the aneurysm from continuing circulation, pressure and endoleak remains a potential shortcoming of EVAR. Significant sac expansion is an indication of EVAR failure. Decisions regarding further examinations or intervention are guided by the stability of the initial EVAR performed, the cause and extent of expansion, and the patient's comorbidities.

The clinical significance of below-knee great saphenous vein reflux following endovenous laser ablation of above-knee great saphenous vein.

AIMS: The standard technique for endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for varicose veins due to great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux involves obliteration of the above-knee (AK) GSV. This study assesses the significance of persistent below-knee (BK) GSV reflux following such therapy. METHODS: Sixty-nine limbs (64 patients) with varicosities and GSV reflux underwent AK-EVLA. Post treatment, GSV reflux (ultrasound: six, 12 weeks) and Aberdeen varicose vein severity scores (AVVSS, 12 weeks) were assessed, and residual varicosities treated with foam sclerotherapy (six weeks). RESULTS: The untreated BK-GSV remained patent in all limbs. Ultrasound showed normal antegrade flow in 34/69 (49%, Group A), flash reflux<1 s in 7/69 (10%, Group B) and >1 s reflux in 28/69 (41%, Group C). Although AVVSS improved in all groups (P<0.001): A: 14.6 (8.4-19.3) versus 2.8 (0.5-4.4), B: 13.9 (7.5-20.1) versus 3.7 (2.1-6.8), C: 15.1 (8.9-22.5) versus 8.1 (5.3-12.6) the improvement was less in Group C (P<0.001 versus A and B) and was associated with a greater requirement (A: 4/34 [12%]; B: 1/7 [14%]; C: 25/28 [89%]) for sclerotherapy (persisting varicosities) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although AK-GSV EVLA improves symptoms regardless of persisting BK reflux, the latter appears responsible for residual symptoms and a greater need for sclerotherapy for residual varicosities.

General anaesthesia versus local anaesthesia for carotid surgery (GALA): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of carotid endarterectomy in lowering the risk of stroke ipsilateral to severe atherosclerotic carotid-artery stenosis is offset by complications during or soon after surgery. We compared surgery under general anaesthesia with that under local anaesthesia because prediction and avoidance of perioperative strokes might be easier under local anaesthesia than under general anaesthesia. METHODS: We undertook a parallel group, multicentre, randomised controlled trial of 3526 patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis from 95 centres in 24 countries. Participants were randomly assigned to surgery under general (n=1753) or local (n=1773) anaesthesia between June, 1999 and October, 2007. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with stroke (including retinal infarction), myocardial infarction, or death between randomisation and 30 days after surgery. Analysis was by intention to treat. The trial is registered with Current Control Trials number ISRCTN00525237. FINDINGS: A primary outcome occurred in 84 (4.8%) patients assigned to surgery under general anaesthesia and 80 (4.5%) of those assigned to surgery under local anaesthesia; three events per 1000 treated were prevented with local anaesthesia (95% CI -11 to 17; risk ratio [RR] 0.94 [95% CI 0.70 to 1.27]). The two groups did not significantly differ for quality of life, length of hospital stay, or the primary outcome in the prespecified subgroups of age, contralateral carotid occlusion, and baseline surgical risk. INTERPRETATION: We have not shown a definite difference in outcomes between general and local anaesthesia for carotid surgery. The anaesthetist and surgeon, in consultation with the patient, should decide which anaesthetic technique to use on an individual basis. FUNDING: The Health Foundation (UK) and European Society of Vascular Surgery.

Carotid endarterectomy: technical practices of surgeons participating in the GALA trial.

OBJECTIVE: Recent meta-analyses confirm an advantage to patch angioplasty during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and suggest a benefit from routine shunting. GALA Trial (RCT: general [GA] versus local [LA] anaesthesia for CEA) collaborators (non-UK [European] and UK) were surveyed to assess current practice techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postal questionnaires determined: shunt usage, monitoring techniques dictating shunt deployment, criteria for patching and the influence of anaesthetic technique upon these decisions. RESULTS: 157/216 surgeons (73%) replied. For UK surgeons (n=76) performing GA CEA a shunt was always, never, or selectively used by 73.6%, 4.2% and 22.2% respectively. Figures for non-UK surgeons (n=77) were 20.8% (p<0.0001), 26% (p<0.0002) and 53.2% (p<0.0001). When shunting selectively, fewer UK surgeons relied on stump pressure (26.4% v 48.1%; p<0.0064) with TCD more widely used (38.9% v 11.7%; p<0.0001). Shunting criteria during LA CEA were the same for both groups (impaired awake-testing). Routine patching was commoner amongst UK surgeons (GA: 76.4% v 34.2%, p<0.0001; LA: 70.1% v 31.9%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that more UK surgeons have adopted current suggestions for improving CEA outcomes. Future analysis of unblinded GALA Trial data may provide further information about the impact of different policies for shunting and patching.

Fate of the great saphenous vein following endovenous laser ablation: does re-canalisation mean recurrence?

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in great saphenous vein (GSV) diameter and the significance of re-canalisation following endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Two groups were studied. Group A: 73 consecutive patients (84 GSVs) underwent EVLA followed by duplex ultrasound at 6, 12 and 52 weeks. Vein diameter and patency were recorded. Group B: From a prospectively maintained database 27 patients with a GSV that was found to have recanalised 6-12 weeks post-EVLA were identified and rescanned at 52 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment Aberdeen varicose vein severity scores (AVVSS) were measured. RESULTS: Group A: 81/84 (96%) GSVs were ablated and 3/84 (4%) had re-canalised (flash reflux <1s). GSV diameter diminished with time: pre-EVLA: mean diameter 7.7 S.D .2.0mm; 6 weeks: 5.1 S.D. 1.3mm; 12 weeks: 3.2 S.D. 1.2; 52 weeks: 85% non-visible (p<0.001). Group B: 3/27 (11%) with reflux >1s underwent repeat EVLA. 16/27 (59%) remained competent at 52 weeks and 8/27 (30%) showed trickle reflux. Vein diameter decreased in both subgroups (mean diameter 7.3 S.D. 2.5mm to 3.1 S.D. 0.8mm (p=0.006) and 7.2 S.D. 2.3mm to 3.0 S.D. 0.7mm (p=0.009) respectively) as did the AVVSS (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Successful EVLA causes GSV shrinkage with transition from a non-compressible "thrombosed" vein to a non-visible vein by 1 year. A re-canalised GSV usually remains small with no/minimal reflux and persisting clinical benefit.

Is heparin reversal with protamine after carotid endarterectomy dangerous?

OBJECTIVE: Although systemic heparinisation is routine during CEA, reversal with protamine is controversial with 3 studies suggesting increased peri-operative stroke rates and 3 no effect. None included independent peer-review. DESIGN: Non-randomised observational study of data derived from a randomised controlled study of anaesthetic technique for CEA. METHODS: Data on heparin and protamine use and risk factors potentially influencing CEA outcome were collected prospectively. Stroke, death, MI, wound haematoma and re-operation rates were recorded following independent peer-review. RESULTS: 1513/2107 patients received heparin alone (H) and 594/2107 had heparin reversed with protamine (H+P). Risk factors for outcome were similar in both groups. The frequency of outcome events (H v H+P) were: stroke: 67/1513 (4.4%) v 17/594 (2.9%), p=0.098; non stroke or MI death: 10/1513 (0.7%) v 5/594 (0.8%), p=0.657; MI: 6/1513 (0.4%) v 3/594 (0.5%), p=0.718; haematoma: 157/1513 (10.4%) v 44/594 (7.4%), p=0.037; re-operation: 51/1380 (3.7%) v 18/565 (3.2%), p=0.581. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a non-significant increase in stroke rate in patients receiving heparin alone refuting suggestions that protamine is harmful. Conversely post-operative haematoma was more frequent when protamine was withheld but re-operation rates were no different. Thus protamine use appears safe and should remain a matter for individual surgeon preference.

Randomized clinical trial comparing endovenous laser ablation with surgery for the treatment of primary great saphenous varicose veins.

BACKGROUND: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a minimally invasive technique for treating varicose veins due to truncal vein incompetence. This randomized trial compared EVLA with conventional surgery in patients with primary saphenofemoral and great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux. METHODS: Consecutive consenting patients with symptomatic varicose veins were randomized to EVLA 1 (stepwise laser withdrawal), EVLA 2 (continuous laser withdrawal) or surgery (saphenofemoral ligation, GSV stripping, multiple phlebectomies). Principal outcome measures were abolition of GSV reflux and improvement in Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Score (AVVSS) 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: GSV reflux was abolished in 41 of 42 legs treated with EVLA 1, 26 of 29 following EVLA 2 and 28 of 32 after surgery (P = 0.227). The median (interquartile range, i.q.r.) AVVSS improvement was similar: 9.38 (4.54-14.93) with EVLA 1, 10.26 (5.03-15.03) after EVLA 2 and 8.36 (4.54-13.21) following surgery (P = 0.694). Return to normal activity (median (i.q.r.) 2 (0-7) versus 7 (2-26) days; P = 0.001) and work (4 (2-7) versus 17 (7.25-33.25) days; P = 0.005) was quicker after EVLA by either method. CONCLUSION: Abolition of reflux and improvement in disease-specific quality of life was comparable following both EVLA and surgery. The earlier return to normal activity following EVLA may confer important socioeconomic advantages. REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN99270116 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Factors influencing the effectiveness of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in the treatment of great saphenous vein reflux.

OBJECTIVE: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is an alternative to surgery for treating sapheno-femoral and great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux. This study assesses factors that might influence its effectiveness. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. METHOD: EVLA was used to treat the great saphenous vein in 644 limbs as part of the management of varicose veins. Body mass index (BMI), maximum GSV diameter, length of vein treated, total laser energy (TLE) and energy density (ED: Joules/cm) delivered were recorded prospectively. Data from limbs with ultrasound confirmed GSV occlusion at 3-months were compared with those where the GSV was partially occluded or patent. Complications were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: GSV occlusion was achieved in 599/644 (93%) limbs (group A). In 45 limbs (group B) the vein was partially occluded (n=19) or patent (n=26). Neither BMI [group A: 25.2 (23.0-28.5); group B: 25.1 (24.3-26.2)], nor GSV diameter [A: 7.2mm (5.6-9.2); B: 6.9 mm (5.5-7.7)] influenced success. TLE and ED were greater p<0.01) in group A (median [inter-quartile range]: 1877J (997-2350), 48 (37-59)J/cm) compared to group B (1191J (1032-1406), 37 (30-46)J/cm). Although TLE reflects the greater length of GSV ablated in Group A (33 cm v 29 cm, p=0.06) this does not influence ED. GSV occlusion always occurred when ED>/=60 J/cm with no increase in complications. CONCLUSIONS: ED (J/cm) of laser delivery is the main determinant of successful GSV ablation following EVLA.

Fate and clinical significance of saphenofemoral junction tributaries following endovenous laser ablation of great saphenous vein.

BACKGROUND: Unlike surgery, endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) abolishes great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux but does not specifically interrupt the GSV tributaries at the groin. The fate and clinical significance of these tributaries were assessed in a prospective study. METHODS: Eight-one legs (70 patients) underwent colour flow duplex ultrasonography 12 months after GSV ablation for primary varicose veins. Saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) reflux, tributary patency, and recurrent or residual varicosities were recorded, and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Severity Scores (AVVSS) were compared with pretreatment values. RESULTS: The GSV had recanalized without evidence of reflux in two patients. None of the 81 legs showed SFJ reflux although one or more patent tributaries were visible in 48 (59 per cent); all were competent. In 32 legs (40 per cent) there was flush GSV occlusion with the SFJ and no tributaries were detectable. One leg showed evidence of neovascularization in the groin. AVVSS values were similar in groups with or without visible tributaries, both before and after EVLA: median (interquartile range) 13.9 (7.6-19.2) before EVLA and 2.9 (0.6-4.8) at follow-up in patients with visible tributaries, and 14.9 (9.2-20.2) and 3.1 (0.8-5.1) respectively in those without. Recurrent varicosities were present in one leg only, due to an incompetent mid-thigh perforating vein. CONCLUSION: Persistent non-refluxing GSV tributaries at the SFJ did not appear to have an adverse impact on clinical outcome 1 year after successful EVLA of the GSV.

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of great saphenous vein to abolish "paradoxical reflux" in the Giacomini vein: a short report.

INTRODUCTION: Reflux in the GSV due to sapheno-popliteal incompetence associated with ascending (paradoxical) reflux in the Giacomini vein is a rare but well described pattern of reflux. Treatment of this type of reflux is controversial and only surgical treatment has been described. REPORT: We describe 2 patients in whom this type of reflux was successfully abolished following endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the GSV with the SPJ and Giacomini vein regaining competency. DISCUSSION: Paradoxical reflux in the Giacomini vein and SPJ is secondary to GSV incompetence which exerts a syphon effect. EVLA of the refluxing segment of GSV interrupts this effect and prevents the paradoxical reflux at the SPJ.

Carotid endarterectomy in the UK: acceptable risks but unacceptable delays.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is of benefit for stroke prevention in the presence of severe carotid stenosis, provided surgical morbidity and mortality are acceptably low. To assess the current performance of CEA in the UK, an interim analysis of 30-day postoperative outcome data, blinded to anaesthetic allocation, from the first 1,001 UK patients randomised in the GALA Trial (multicentre randomised trial of general versus local anaesthesia for CEA) took place and the time from last symptomatic event to surgery was recorded. The 30-day risk of stroke was 5.3%, myocardial infarction (MI) 0.4%, death 1.7%, and stroke, MI or death 6.4%. Median delay between symptoms and surgery was 82 days. These risks are similar to those reported in the large randomised trials of CEA, but current delays to surgery are excessive and must have substantially reduced the benefit of endarterectomy.