Carotid endarterectomy in octogenarians: comparison with patient characteristics and outcomes in younger patients.

OBJECTIVES: Carotid endarterectomy has been shown to be of clear benefit to selected patients. However, recent trials of carotid endarterectomy versus best medical therapy have excluded octogenarians, and some authors have suggested that carotid endarterectomy would have an unfavorable cost-benefit relationship in octogenarians. We compared patients and results for carotid endarterectomy in octogenarians and younger patients. METHODS: We reviewed the results for 582 primary carotid endarterectomies (90 in octogenarians and 492 in younger patients) performed in 528 patients between February 1, 1985, and January 31, 1998 (all data were collected prospectively for the most recent 301 carotid endarterectomies). Conventional surgical technique was used with general anesthesia, selective shunting, and selective patching. Main outcome measures were perioperative and late ipsilateral stroke and death. RESULTS: The two groups were similar with respect to indications for carotid endarterectomy and patient characteristics, except that octogenarians were more likely to have histories of congestive heart failure or hypertension and less likely to have histories of smoking or chronic lung disease. Carotid endarterectomy was performed for asymptomatic disease in 27% of the octogenarians and 33% of the younger patients (P =.31). Stenosis was >/=80% in 90% of the octogenarians and 78% of the younger patients (P =.014). Perioperative strokes, all of which were ipsilateral, occurred in one octogenarian (1.1%) and eight younger patients (1.6%, P = 1.00). No octogenarians and two younger patients died within 30 days of surgery (P = 1.00). Length of stay and direct costs associated with carotid endarterectomy were similar for octogenarians and younger patients. Late strokes occurred in two octogenarians (one ipsilateral) and four younger patients (two ipsilateral). Life table estimates of freedom from ipsilateral stroke at 2 years were 98% and 97% for octogenarians and younger patients, respectively (log-rank P =.69), and life table estimates of patient survival at 4 years were 81% and 89% for octogenarians and younger patients, respectively (P =.11). Octogenarians represented an increasing fraction of the carotid endarterectomies performed during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians selected for carotid endarterectomy were similar to younger patients with respect to indications for carotid endarterectomy and comorbidities. Early mortality, early and late neurologic outcome, complications, and resource utilization were similar for the two groups, and more than 75% of octogenarians survived 4 years after undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Cost-benefit analyses for carotid endarterectomy, which are highly sensitive to expected patient survival, might not be pertinent to individual patient situations. Intellectually intact octogenarians without unusually severe comorbidities are good candidates for and should be offered the benefits of carotid endarterectomy.

Supraceliac versus infrarenal aortic cross-clamp for repair of non-ruptured infrarenal and juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms may require aortic occlusion above the renal arteries. Despite fears of renal, hepatic and intestinal ischemia, recent publications have suggested that when repair would be difficult or impossible with infrarenal aortic clamping, supraceliac clamping may not be associated with significantly increased morbidity. Between February 1985 and January 1994, 169 patients underwent elective or urgent (symptomatic but not ruptured) repair of infra- or juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Twenty-three patients (14%) required supraceliac clamping for juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm, or other difficult exposure problems. Supraceliac clamping and infrarenal aortic clamping patients were indistinguishable with respect to age, gender, abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter, and other co-morbidities. There was a trend toward more frequent use of supraceliac clamping in urgent operations. Preoperative angiography was used selectively and was obtained more often in supraceliac clamping patients, reflecting suspected juxtarenal or renal involvement based on computed tomography findings, but the decision to employ supraceliac clamping was made at surgery. Mean (s.d.) supraceliac clamping clamp time was 22(5) (range 12-30) min. Similar numbers of supraceliac clamping and infrarenal aortic clamping patients required bifurcated grafts, operative times were comparable, and numbers of early complications were similar in the two groups. Transfusion requirements were slightly greater and length of stay was insignificantly shorter in supraceliac clamping patients (due to a few prolonged hospital stays in infrarenal aortic clamping patients). No supraceliac clamping patient required dialysis or suffered clinically apparent hepatic failure, coagulopathy, or intestinal ischemia. There were no operative deaths and all patients were discharged from the hospital. Supraceliac clamping was not associated with greater perioperative morbidity and may have contributed to a lack of mortality by facilitating repair of difficult abdominal aortic aneurysm. Supraceliac clamping should be considered for elective and urgent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair when there is inadequate length or quality of infrarenal aorta for anastomosis, severe associated pararenal atherosclerosis, inflammatory aneurysm, or previous aortic surgery. It is concluded that selective supraceliac clamping is safe and facilitates repair of difficult aortic problems.

Carotid endarterectomy in women versus men: patient characteristics and outcomes.

PURPOSE: To examine and compare the results of carotid endarterectomy in women and men in a single-group experience. METHODS: A review of a consecutive series of 426 carotid endarterectomy procedures performed over an 11-year period. RESULTS: Women and men who underwent carotid endarterectomy were remarkably similar in nearly all characteristics except that women were less likely to have clinically overt coronary artery disease. Women were more likely than men to undergo patch closure of the carotid artery, but details of surgery and hospital stay were otherwise similar. A trend toward higher perioperative stroke risk in women was not significant, and late ipsilateral stroke risk was comparable in women and men. Women enjoyed a better late survival rate, presumably related to their lower prevalence of coronary artery disease. CONCLUSIONS: Women enjoyed similarly low risks of perioperative and late stroke and a better long-term survival rate when compared with men who underwent carotid endarterectomy. Further experience and longer follow-up in prospective randomized trials may provide more definitive information regarding the comparative efficacy of carotid endarterectomy in women and men, but our results suggest that absolute results are similar and excellent in both women and men.

Color duplex-guided compression therapy for postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms in a community hospital.

Diagnostic or therapeutic arterial catheterization may be complicated by postcatheterization pseudoaneurysm. Pseudoaneurysms have generally been treated surgically, but more recently, encouraging results with duplex-guided compression therapy (DGCT) of pseudoaneurysms have been reported from university hospitals. We reviewed our experience with DGCT to assess the applicability of DGCT in a community hospital setting. Sixty-two patients presented with 63 symptomatic postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1993. Prior to October 28, 1991, all pseudoaneurysms were treated surgically. Subsequently we initiated DGCT as primary treatment for pseudoaneurysms, reserving surgery for DGCT failures and unstable patients. DGCT patients were indistinguishable from primary surgery patients, and the number of pseudoaneurysms treated did not appear to increase during the study period. DGCT was initially successful in 27 (75%) of 36 patients. Three pseudoaneurysms recurred, yielding cumulative success in 24 (67%) of 36 patients. Three of 12 DGCT failures were due to patient intolerance. DGCT was unsuccessful in three of four intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)-associated pseudoaneurysms. There was some variation in pseudoaneurysm volume between the successful and failed groups, and a trend toward failure with larger pseudoaneurysm was not significant (13 vs. 6 cm3, p > or = 0.25). DGCT failure appears more likely in post-IABP pseudoaneurysms and possibly with larger pseudoaneurysms. Anticoagulation, type of procedure (exclusive of IABP), obesity, and other patient characteristics examined did not appear to predict success or failure of DGCT. Treatment was reserved for symptomatic patients throughout the period of study and there was no evidence that patients were more likely to be treated for pseudoaneurysms after DGCT was initiated. We conclude that DGCT is usually successful and is appropriate primary treatment for all symptomatic postcatheterization pseudoaneurysms in stable patients.

Mesenteric artery bypass: objective patency determination.

PURPOSE: Many authors have reported extended relief of intestinal ischemia by use of a variety of reconstructive techniques, but all have relied on symptomatic follow-up. None have objectively measured patency rates. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary patency rates of bypass grafts placed for acute and chronic splanchnic atherosclerotic occlusive disease with use of objective follow-up with mesenteric duplex ultrasound scanning or arteriography. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients (mean age 61, female/male ratio of 2.7:1) who underwent placement of 38 splanchnic bypass grafts (29 saphenous vein grafts, 9 polytetrafluoroethylene) (22 retrograde, 16 antegrade) for ischemic symptoms (9 acute ischemia: 16 chronic ischemia) between 1984 and 1994 were monitored with either duplex scanning (30 grafts) or arteriography. Life-table and log rank analysis were used to determine and compare graft patency. RESULTS: Three patients (12%, 2 acute ischemia and 1 chronic ischemia) died after operation. Six patients (30%) had significant morbidity (4 acute ischemia and 2 chronic ischemia). During follow-up from 1 to 136 months (mean 35 months), no patient died of bowel infarction or required revision for recurrent symptoms. Objective testing revealed three graft occlusions. Symptomatic follow-up had a sensitivity of only 33% for graft occlusion when compared with objective measurement. The life-table primary patency rate was 89% at 72 months. Life-table survival for the same patients was 75% at 36 months. Patency rates for antegrade (93% at 36 months) versus retrograde (95% at 36 months) bypass and saphenous vein grafts (95% at 36 months) versus polytetrafluoroethylene (89% at 36 months) were not significantly different (p = 0.47 and 0.43, respectively). Late patency rates of grafts placed for acute ischemia (92% at 36 months) versus chronic ischemia (89% at 36 months) were not significantly different (p = 0.77). CONCLUSION: Splanchnic bypass for mesenteric ischemia, with a primary patency rate of 89% at 72 months, is an extremely durable form of revascularization. Long-term patency of grafts placed for acute ischemia does not differ significantly from that of bypasses for chronic occlusion. Duplex scanning allows standardized objective periodic follow-up of splanchnic reconstruction. Objective assessment is critical to accurately measure visceral revascularization patency rates.

The role of extraanatomic bypass in the management of bilateral aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Axillofemoral bypass is a hemodynamically inferior reconstruction that should be performed only in high-risk patients. In view of the apparent inferior patency and hemodynamic performance when compared with aortofemoral bypass, axillofemoral bypass should not be performed for claudication except in truly disabled, low-risk patients whose contraindication to aortofemoral bypass is a "hostile abdomen." Some of these patients might be candidates for extraperitoneal iliofemoral bypass, thoracofemoral bypass, or other procedures that would probably provide hemodynamically superior results. Axillofemoral bypass produces acceptable hemodynamic results, patency, and limb salvage in high-risk patients with limb-threatening ischemia and limited life-expectancy. Despite overall inferior results, relief of initial symptoms is nearly always achieved and few patients require amputation before death. Axillofemoral bypass will remain an important option in such patients. In general, we continue to favor axillobifemoral reconstructions when symptoms are significantly bilateral. However, we do not hesitate to perform axillounifemoral bypass when symptoms and disease are unilateral and alternative unilateral inflow operations are not appropriate. Outcome of operations is clearly influenced by patient selection, and this must be considered when interpreting published results. It is likely that axillofemoral bypass will continue to be a critical tool for vascular surgeons faced with desperately ill patients at risk of limb loss due to bilateral aortoiliac inflow disease. As the operative risk of aortofemoral and iliofemoral bypass continues to decrease, the admonition that a significant number of long-term survivors should prompt the surgeon to ask whether she or he is performing axillofemoral bypass when another procedure might be more appropriate is probably more true today than when DeLaurentis et al first made the following statement: If indeed this operation is designed for poor risk cardiopulmonary patients threatened with loss of limb and a short life expectancy rate, we should not expect to see reports of patients with long term survival rates.

Vascular graft infection.

This article presents a discussion of the management of vascular prosthetic infections. The emphasis is on aortic graft infections, but other peripheral graft infections are also discussed.

Persistent sciatic artery and vein: an unusual case.

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare anomaly that has been reported in 48 patients in the North American literature. No report has contained more than two cases. This article discusses the first reported case of bilateral persistent sciatic arteries in a patient who also has normally developed superficial femoral arteries. This unique situation allowed removal of the superficial femoral artery for a malignant femoral nerve schwannoma without a concomitant reconstructive arterial procedure. A similar anomaly of the venous system permitted the operation to be done without compromising venous outflow.