Results of Obturator Foramen Bypass in Patients with Groin Infection and Arterial Involvement.

BACKGROUND: Arterial bypass tunneling via the obturator foramen (OFB) can be performed to circumvent groin infections during lower extremity revascularization. The objective of this study is to report safety and efficacy outcomes of OFB in the setting of infected femoral pseudoaneurysms and infected prosthetic femoral bypass grafts. METHODS: A multihospital, single-entity healthcare system retrospective review was conducted for all patients who underwent OFB between January 2014 through June 2020. Any patient >18 years of age who underwent OFB in the setting of groin infection with a minimum of 30 days follow-up was included in the trial. Demographic, operative, and clinical characteristics of patients were gathered during chart review. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and R studio. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent OFB during the defined time-period. Demographic data are presented in the first table (Demographic Characteristics). Mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 3.25. Mean estimated blood loss was 500 mL. Mean operative time was 307 min. Mean follow-up time was 8.5 months (range 0-35 months). In total, 41.2% patients underwent fluoroscopic-guided tunneling, and, when compared to blind tunneling, showed no difference in intraoperative complications or operative time (P value 0.3). In total, 52.9% of patients required ICU admission resulting in a mean number of 0.8 ICU days. The overall mean length of stay was 16.8 days. Two major amputations were reported during follow-up. Patient mortality within 30 days was 0%. Primary patency within 30 days was 100%. Intravenous drug use was not associated with an increased number of subsequent groin wound procedures (P value 0.3). Intravenous drug use was not associated with concomitant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (P value 0.3). CONCLUSION: OFB is a safe and effective surgical option in patients who are unable to undergo anatomic tunneling during lower extremity bypass. OFB is associated with favorable rates of primary patency and amputation-free survival at midterm follow-up.

Use of Indocyanine Green During Repair of a Superior Mesenteric Artery Aneurysm.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) aneurysms are rare and associated with a high risk of rupture, with resultant significant morbidity and mortality. During open operative repair of a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm, perfusion of the involved small bowel must be evaluated when determining need for and/or extent of vascular reconstruction. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman who underwent open repair of a non-ruptured superior mesenteric artery aneurysm with ligation and excision, in whom no revascularization was determined to be needed and the involved small bowel was able to be preserved, with intraoperative evaluation of perfusion using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging, as an adjunct to more traditional methods of perfusion assessment.

Approaches to the Salvage of Axillary Bilateral Femoral Bypass in Patients with Claudication due to Demand Ischemia.

The axillary bilateral femoral bypass is often utilized as an alternative to in-line aortic reconstruction in patients with multiple medical comorbidities, who would be unable to tolerate open abdominal surgery with an aortic clamp, or patients with mycotic aneurysms, or infected grafts. Idealized fluid mechanics suggest that there would be equal flow in an axillary bilateral femoral bypass when compared to in-line reconstruction. However, in a non-idealized state, friction results in kinetic energy loss and decreased volume flow to the lower extremities in the longer, smaller diameter graft. Although older or less active people may tolerate the lower volume flow of a long segment extra-anatomic bypass, there is growing evidence that a subset of patients will be symptomatic from reduced flow volumes. Here we present 3 patients in whom symptomatic relief was achieved with the addition of a contralateral axillary femoral bypass and ligation of the previous femorofemoral component.

Predictors of Limb Outcome Following Arterial Ligation of Infected Femoral Pseudoaneurysms in Drug Abusers.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study variables affecting limb outcome following ligation of infected femoral pseudoaneurysms in intravenous drug abusers (IVDA)in the emergency setting and to propose an algorithm for management. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: We studied short-term outcomes of 26 IVDA presenting with infected femoral pseudoaneurysms who underwent arterial ligation, hematoma evacuation, and debridement. Long-term results pertaining to limb functionality were unfeasible, as all patients were lost to follow-up. We aimed to study the potential predictors that might impact limb outcome in the emergency setting, namely: 1) mode of presentation (impending versus ruptured), 2) site of arterial ligation (above versus below inguinal ligament), 3) presence or absence of pedal Doppler flow post-ligation, and 4) ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) pre- and post-ligation. RESULTS: Arterial ligation without revascularization was done in 19 (73.1%) of our patients, requiring no further intervention for limb salvage during their hospital stay. Four patients (15.4%) required iliopopliteal bypass, and 3 patients (11.5%) required major amputations (2 hip disarticulations and one above-knee amputation). In total, 23 limbs (88.5%) were salvaged. Proximal arterial ligation was done below the inguinal ligament (common femoral artery) in 21 patients (80.8%), while in the remaining 5 patients (19.2%), higher ligation was done above the inguinal ligament (external iliac artery). All 19 patients who were compensated had pedal Doppler flow post-ligation, and 18 of them had arterial ligation done below the inguinal ligament. The mean preoperative ABI (±SD) was 0.87 ± 0.34, and the mean postoperative ABI (±SD) was 0.37 ± 0.27. The mean change in ABI (±SD) was 0.50 ± 0.32. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial ligation with local debridement alone is a safe procedure and would have salvaged 73.1% of limbs in this study. However, implementing a selective approach for post-ligation revascularization and our proposed algorithm increased limb salvage rate to 88.5%. The detection of pedal Doppler flow after ligation can stratify patients in whom urgent revascularization might not be required for limb salvage. Additionally, all efforts should be made to ligate the femoral artery below the inguinal ligament to preserve important juxta-inguinal collateral branches.

Flow-Diverter Stenting of Intracavernous Internal Carotid Artery Mycotic Aneurysm.

This is the first reported case in which a mycotic aneurysm refractory to the first medical treatment was treated with a Pipeline embolization device (PED), and the first case of a mycotic aneurysm from Brucella treated by endovascular therapy. A 35-year-old man presented with left eye pain and ptosis, and fever for 2 weeks. Before symptom onset, he visited Vietnam where he developed a flu-like illness; however, antibiotics were ineffective. We suspected Brucella as the most likely infectious etiology for the patient's intracavernous aneurysm. Since the aneurysm did not reduce in size following 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy, we placed a PED in the left internal carotid artery. Follow-up angiogram 4 months later showed no residual aneurysm, and cranial nerve palsies had completely resolved. From the results of this case, it appears that flow diverter stenting may be a safe and effective treatment of mycotic aneurysms of the cavernous segment of ICA.

Rupture of a Totally Occluded Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Totally occluded aortic aneurysm is a rare pathology. The medical history and the evolution are unknown. We present a case of a regularly followed up 60-year-old man with chronic thrombosed aneurysm, presenting with mycotic acute rupture. As an original treatment, the patient was treated by aortic ligation without distal revascularization. A literature review from 1974 to 2015 enhances the contemporary understanding of the pathology, by exploring the thrombus interaction, pressure, and the wall shear stress. The literature review confirms the poor prognosis and concludes of a necessary closer follow-up for chronic occluded aneurysm.

Surgery for Acute Presentation of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Disease.

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are most commonly asymptomatic until there is either an impending aortic catastrophe or one that has already occurred. While open surgery remains the gold-standard method for repair, modern technology has led to the development of less invasive endovascular devices and techniques. We provide an expert review of open and endovascular therapies for 3 highly lethal thoracoabdominal aortic emergencies in order to highlight expectations for both short- and long-term outcomes in an era of evolving technology and improvements in patient evaluation and postoperative care. Open repair of ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is associated with a dramatic increase in all postoperative complications, even in specialized aortic surgery centers. Mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysms are highly lethal if surgical treatment is not initiated quickly as they have a propensity toward rapid growth and fatal rupture. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is well-suited for the treatment of acute complicated type B aortic dissection with outcomes superior to open repair in some centers. Acute aortic events associated with thoracoabdominal aneurysms represent technically challenging situations that require rapid diagnosis and treatment to avoid a fatal outcome. Endovascular techniques have evolved as a viable alternative therapy for acute complicated type B aortic dissection or as a bridge to more definitive repair in the setting of infection or rupture.

[Mycotic aneurysms: a case report, clinical review, imaging appearances and management].

To report a clinical case of mycotic thoracic aortic aneurysm. To describe and illustrate the spectrum of MDCT findings, analysing the pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management. To emphasis the early non-invasive diagnosis as a way to overall survival improvement. A mycotic aneurysm is an uncommon vascular lesion resulting from arterial wall destruction by infection, generally involving the peripheral arteries or aorta and rarely the cerebral and visceral arteries. Defined as a lobulated saccular outpouching of the wall communicating with the lumen, it is surrounded by oedema, hematoma and/or fibro-inflammatory tissue. Due the non-specific and delayed - or even absent - manifestations, a high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary to achieve a timely treatment and prognosis improvement. In this setting, radiologic evaluation - mainly by MDCT angiography - is essential, allowing detection, characterization and complications assessment before treatment planning.

Pretende-se reportar um caso clínico de aneurisma micótico da aorta torácica; descrever e ilustrar o espectro de achados tomodensitométricos (TDM); rever a fisiopatologia, a avaliação diagnóstica e o tratamento; e enfatizar o diagnóstico não-invasivo precoce como forma de aumentar a sobrevivência. Um aneurisma micótico é uma lesão vascular infrequente que resulta da destruição da parede arterial por um processo infecioso, que geralmente afeta as artérias periféricas ou a aorta, e, raramente, as artérias cerebrais ou viscerais. É definida como uma protrusão sacular e lobulada da parede em comunicação com o lúmen arterial, rodeada por edema, hematoma e/ou tecido inflamatório. Atendendo às manifestações inespecíficas e tardias que a caracterizam, é necessário um elevado grau de suspeição para que se obtenha um tratamento atempado e se possa melhorar o prognóstico. Consequentemente, a avaliação imagiológica ­ particularmente o estudo angiográfico TDM ­ é essencial, permitindo a deteção, caracterização e avaliação de complicações, necessárias ao planeamento terapêutico.

Massive haemoptysis secondary to mycotic pulmonary artery aneurysm in subacute invasive aspergillosis.

A 68-year-old man, presented with 3 week history of infective symptoms and mild haemoptysis. Past medical history included severe emphysema and a chronic right upper lobe (RUL) cavity. He was discharged from follow-up a year ago in view of clinical and radiological stability; previous bronchoscopic examinations yielded no specific diagnosis. CT scan on admission confirmed complex cavitary consolidation of RUL. He developed massive haemoptysis requiring intubation and ventilation. CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) revealed 16 mm RUL pulmonary artery (PA) aneurysm which was successfully embolized. Sputum cultures, aspergillus antigen and rapidity of clinical progression suggested a diagnosis of subacute invasive aspergillosis (SAIA), prompting treatment with Voriconazole. Bronchoscopy showed blood ooze from RUL even after embolization. Unfortunately, patient continued to deteriorate and succumbed to profound septicaemia.

Endovascular management of chronic symptomatic aortic dissection with the Streamliner Multilayer Flow Modulator: Twelve-month outcomes from the global registry.

OBJECTIVE: Reported are initial 12-month outcomes of patients with chronic symptomatic aortic dissection managed by the Streamliner Multilayer Flow Modulator (SMFM; Cardiatis, Isnes, Belgium). Primary end points were freedom from rupture- and aortic-related death, and reduction in false lumen index. Secondary end points were patency of great vessels and visceral branches, and freedom of stroke, paraplegia, and renal failure. METHODS: Out of 876 SMFM implanted globally, we have knowledge of 542. To date, 312 patients are maintained in the global registry, of which 38 patients were identified as having an aortic dissection (12.2%). Indications included 35 Stanford type B dissections, two Stanford type A and B dissections, and one mycotic Stanford type B dissection. RESULTS: There were no reported ruptures or aortic-related deaths. All cause survival was 85.3% Twelve-month freedom from neurologic events was 100%, and there were no incidences of end-organ ischemia, paraplegia or renal insult. Morphologic analysis exhibited dissection remodeling by a reduction in longitudinal length of the dissected aorta, and false lumen volume. A statistically significant reduction in false lumen index (P = .016) at 12 months, and a borderline significant increase in true lumen volume (P = .053) confirmed dissection remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: The SMFM is an option in management of complex pan-aortic dissection. Results highlight SMFM implantation leads to dissection stabilization with no further aneurysm progression, and no retrograde type A dissection. Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair by SMFM ensued in freedom from aortic rupture, neurologic stroke, paraplegia and renal failure. Further analysis of the global registry data will inform long-term outcomes.

Explantation of infected aortic aneurysm and endograft with ascending aorta to mesenteric bypass for mesenteric ischemia.

A 65-year-old man presented with an infected perivisceral aortic aneurysm after previous treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with an endograft. On presentation, he was septic and had occlusion of the celiac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, and bilateral renal arteries. He underwent a three-stage procedure: first, axillobifemoral bypass; then resection of the thoracoabdominal aorta; and finally bypass from the ascending aorta to the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries with a rifampin-soaked Gelsoft graft (Vascutek, Renfrewshire, Scotland). The abdominal pain resolved, and the patient remains symptom free 10 months postoperatively. This rare surgical revascularization technique offered a nontraditional solution to a difficult surgical issue.

Juxtarenal Mycotic Aneurysm as a Complication of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Cholecystitis Treated by Resection and Replacement by a Fresh Allograft.

We present a case of a female patient with infectious (mycotic) juxtarenal abdominal aneurysm with atypical symptoms beginning as acute exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis. Apart from common antibiotic treatment, the patient successfully underwent resection of the diseased segment and replacement by a fresh allograft in order to reduce the risk of infection of the graft, but with the need of subsequent life-long immunosuppressive therapy. Perioperative monitoring of the spinal cord by near infrared spectroscopy was used to identify possible spinal ischemia. The choice of the fresh allograft was based on our experience supported by review of the literature.

Aneurismas micóticos: particularidades diagnósticas y de tratamiento / Mycotic aneurysms: Diagnostic and treatment characteristics

Los aneurismas infecciosos, pese a su escasa prevalencia, suponen un desafio para el cirujano vascular que se enfrenta a ellos, dado que el diagnóstico precisa de un índice de sospecha muy elevado, habitualmente ante un paciente comprometido con sepsis, rotura arterial y localizaciones atípicas. Son cuadros que no permitan normalmente la simple escisión como tratamiento satisfactorio, que se mantiene actualmente en controversia. Se realiza una discusión acerca de los métodos diagnósticos y los tratamientos más contrastados, incluyendo el manejo endovascular

Infected aneurysms, despite their low prevalence, are a great challenge for the vascular surgeon. Thus, its diagnosis is made under a high index of suspicion, usually when faced with septic patient with arterial rupture located in atypical sites. Their treatment still remains controversial as there is no single or simple treatment. The most well-known diagnostic methods and treatments are discussed, including the endovascular point of view

[MYCOTIC ANEURYSM OF THE ASCENDING AORTA AND CEREBRAL INFARCTS IN A 17-MONTH OLD CHILD WITH KINGELLA KINGAE ENDOCARDITIS].

Endocarditis is an uncommon presentation of Kingella kingae infection in children. A previously healthy 17 month old child was referred to our emergency department for evaluation of fever lasting eleven days, aphthous stomatitis and a new systolic murmur. Within a few hours of admission, antibiotic therapy was initiated for a presumptive diagnosis of bacteremia and within 24 hours after admission, gram negative coccobacilli were growing in the blood culture. In addition, echocardiography demonstrated a mycotic aneurysm of the ascending aorta with a mobile vegetation. The presumptive diagnosis of Kingella kingae endocarditis was made. Further evaluation by MRI revealed frontal and occipital cerebral infarcts. Due to the presence of presumed septic emboli in conjunction with progressive left ventricular dysfunction, the child was urgently taken to the operating room where aggressive debridement of the infected tissue was performed and the aortic aneurysm was repaired. The patient had an uneventful post-operative course. This case emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion when evaluating children with community acquired infection. In addition, it also demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of K. kingae endocarditis.

Electrocardiographic Total 12-Lead QRS Voltage in Patients Having Operative Resection of Syphilitic Aortic Aneurysm.

Electrocardiographic voltage has been used to determine the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy for about 70 years. Varying electrocardiographic criteria have been applied. We have found total 12-lead QRS voltage to be most useful in this regard. We measured total 12-lead QRS voltage in 24 patients in whom an ascending aortic aneurysm was resected and histologic study of its wall was classic of syphilitic aortitis. In these 24 patients total 12-lead QRS voltage ranged from 57 to 161 mm, averaging 120 ± 32 in the 11 men and 106 ± 24 mm in the 13 women. If normal 12-lead QRS voltage in adults is considered to be >175 mm not a single one of the 24 patients had normal voltage. Indeed, most were in the low normal area. Thus, this study provides some evidence via this indirect means that the heart itself is infrequently involved by syphilitic aortitis which produces an ascending aortic aneurysm of sufficient size to warrant resection.

Interventional therapeutic strategy for hemoptysis originating from infectious pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms.

This study reports 6 cases of hemoptysis originating from infectious pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms (PAPs). Selective pulmonary angiography revealed PAPs in 5 cases, and segmental pulmonary artery embolization was performed using coils and gelatin sponge particles. Systemic arterial embolization also was performed in 5 cases because of inadequate initial control or for shunts from systemic to pulmonary arteries. At a median follow-up time of 9 months (range, 25 d to 25 mo), no recurrence occurred, although 2 patients died of respiratory failure. Segmental artery embolization combined with systemic artery embolization may be useful in patients with hemoptysis secondary to PAPs.