Persistent proatlantal artery associated with carotid artery stenosis treatment by percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty

A 58-year-old man had an asymptomatic tight stenosis of the internal carotid artery associated with a persistent proatlantal artery. This as well as other compositional arterial anomalies of the basilar artery were discovered on arteriograms. The stenosis was successfully treated by percutaneous transluminal balloon angiopfasty. Therapeutic choices are discussed in this setting because of the risk of carotid clamping in the presence of persistent carotid-basilar anastomoses. kg]Key wordsPresented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Combined percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and extraanatomic bypass for symptomatic unilateral iliac artery occlusion with contralateral iliac artery stenosis

We have reviewed our experience with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of contralateral iliac stenosis and extraanatomic bypass of the occluded iliac artery. Twenty-two men and nine women with a mean age of 65 years (range 46 to 84) presented with symptomatic iliac occlusive disease. Twenty-four (77%) had disabling claudication, four (13%) rest pain, and three (10%) ischemic tissue loss. Six (19%) had undergone previous vascular reconstructive procedures. All had an occluded iliac artery on the symptomatic side and greater than 50% stenosis of the contralateral iliac artery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the iliac stenosis was done prior to extraanatomic bypass, using polytetrafluoroethylene. There were six late deaths after discharge. The only significant complication was a femoral artery thrombosis which was corrected when the bypass graft was performed. Cumulative primary graft patency was 89% at one year and 81% at three years. The crossover graft occluded in six patients, five within 48 months of surgery, and one after nine years. One of these occluded grafts was salvaged by thrombectomy, for a secondary patency rate of 85% at three years. Two patients required aortobifemoral bypass, one an iliobifemoral bypass and one an ilioprofunda bypass. One patient operated upon for rest pain came to below-knee amputation. Mean resting ankle/brachial systolic pressure index increased significantly on the side of the iliac occlusion from 0.35 ±0.21 to 0.70 ± 0.20 (p < 0.05, paired t test) after the combined procedure. There was no significant difference in the mean resting ankle/brachial systolic pressure index on the contralateral side (0.60 ± 0.22 to 0.65 ± 0.27, ns). Combined iliac percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and femorofemoral bypass is a safe alternative to aortobifemoral bypass for selected patients with aortoiliac arterial occlusive disease. Presented at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, General Scientific Meeting, May 1989, Melbourne, Australia.     

经皮腔内血管成形术联合血管内支架治疗下肢动脉硬化闭塞症

目的观察经皮腔内血管成形术(PTA)联合血管内支架治疗下肢动脉硬化闭塞症(ASO)的临床疗效。方法 2007年1月～2009年12月,对采用股动脉血管内支架治疗的26例下肢ASO患者的跛行距离及踝肱指数(ABI)进行观察。结果术后1个月,间歇性跛行距离由(124.6±32.2)m增加到(552.7±137.5)m,ABI由0.62±0.04增加到0.94±0.06,手术前后比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后1年支架通畅率为100%,2年通畅率为92.3%。结论 PTA联合血管内支架置放是治疗下肢ASO的有效方法。     

经皮腔内血管成形术治疗髂-股动脉狭窄或闭塞

目的探讨经皮腔内血管成形术（PTA）及血管内支架植入术治疗髂-股动脉狭窄或闭塞的应用价值。方法 66例髂-股动脉狭窄或闭塞患者,患肢均有不同程度的缺血症状,均采用PTA和（或）支架植入术进行介入治疗,分别于治疗前、后测定踝/肱指数（ABI）。结果 66例患者成功完成介入治疗,共植入支架73枚,其中髂动脉植入27枚,股浅动脉植入32枚,髂-股动脉植入14枚,无严重并发症发生。术后患者患肢缺血症状明显减轻或消失。ABI由术前0.39±0.12上升至0.72±0.15,术后随访3～24个月（平均15个月）,10例患者因复发而再次接受介入治疗。结论 PTA及血管内支架植入术,因其创伤小、可重复性高、疗效显著等特点已成为治疗髂-股动脉狭窄或闭塞的有效手段。     

Blowout of carotid venous patch angioplasty

Two cases of vein patch blowout were observed five and seven days after carotid bifurcation endarterectomy with patch angioplasty. Both patients died in spite of emergency reoperation. One patient developed respiratory failure with subsequent fatal cardiac arrest seven days after reoperation; the other died of extensive hemispheric infarction on the fifth postoperative day. At reoperation both ruptures were found to be located in the middle of the patch whereas the suture lines were intact. Both patients were hypertensive. In the first case, an accessory saphenous vein retrieved from the calf had been the only venous material available for the patch, while the other patient had varicose veins in the contralateral leg. Pathology revealed central transmural tissue necrosis in one of the disrupted patches. A review of the literature regarding morphologic alterations of free vein grafts placed within the arterial circulation as well as hemodynamics in patched arterial segments may provide additional insight as to the inherent benefits and risks of vein patch angioplasty after carotid endarterectomy. When considering vein patch angioplasty, particular attention should be directed to the gross aspect of the vein to be used as well as to any antecedent history of phlebitis.     

Hyperparathyroidism presenting as an unusual cause of lower extremity gangrene

Vascular surgeons are often consulted on the management of lower extremity ulcerations and gangrene which are commonly due to atherosclerotic arterial occlusive disease or to chronic venous insufficiency. The following report describes an unusual case of severe lower extremity cutaneous gangrene associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and a review of the literature.     

The peripheral vascular consequences of smoking

Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk and extent of advanced atherosclerotic vascular disease in peripheral as well as coronary arteries. The likelihood of claudication, amputation, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and failure of vascular reconstruction is higher in smokers than nonsmokers. Smoking exerts its deleterious effects through many interactive mechanisms. Nicotine and carbon monoxide produce acute cardiovascular consequences, including altered myocardial performance, tachycardia, hypertension, and vasoconstriction. Smoking injures blood vessel walls by damaging endothelial cells, thus increasing permeability to lipids and other blood components. Among metabolic and biochemical changes induced by smoking are elevated plasma, free fatty acids, elevated vasopressin, and a thrombogenic balance of prostacyclin and thromboxane A ₂.Chronic smoking is associated with a tendency for increased serum cholesterol, reduced high density lipoprotein, and other lipid effects that contribute to atherosclerosis. In addition to rheologic and hematologic changes from increased erythrocytes, leukocytes, and fibrinogen, smokers have alterations in platelet aggregation and survival that produce thrombosis. Considering the ubiquitous repercussions of this menace, vascular surgeons should play an active role in motivating their patients to quit smoking.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of arteriosclerotic lesions in the pelvis and lower extremities

The experience of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in 66 patients (71 stenoses) with arteriosclerotic lesions in the pelvic and lower extremity arteries is reported. The PTA was technically successful in 70 stenoses. Complications were seen in eleven patients. The follow-up time was 19 months (2-44). The frequency of recurrencies was clearly related to the location of stenosis, the more distal the lesion the higher the recurrency rate. The immediate roentgenologic result had no prognostic value to protect recurrencies. To conclude PTA is an alternative to surgery in patients with short stenoses in the iliac arteries, but very strict indications should be used when lesions are localized below the inguinal ligament.     

Pentoxifylline in the nonoperative management of intermittent claudication

To assess the clinical effectiveness of pentoxifylline (Trental) in the treatment of intermittent claudication and ischemic rest pain, 129 patients were retrospectively interviewed with respect to compliance and improvement of symptoms. Risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis were tabulated, as was the severity of symptomatic lower extremity peripheral vascular insufficiency. The duration of pentoxifylline treatment was 35.8±45.0 weeks (mean±1 S.D.). Forty-eight percent of the patients discontinued pentoxifylline on their own, most commonly because of side effects (13%) or perceived lack of improvement (23%). Of those patients taking pentoxifylline for eight weeks or more (n=110), 64% noted some improvement, with 31% reporting increased claudication distance and 52% reduced claudication pain. Pentoxifylline provided pain relief in 52% of patients with ischemic rest pain (n=27). Neither diabetes, hypertension, concomitant antiplatelet therapy, the severity of claudication, nor pretreatment ankle-brachial Doppler pressures were related to treatment outcome. Increased daily walking exercise during treatment was associated with successful outcome (p=0.04). Clinical response to pentoxifylline was inversely related to the number of cigarettes smoked daily in those with 1 block claudication (n=71, p=0.05). Pentoxifylline was not very effective in increasing reported claudication distance. This review suggests that pentoxifylline may be of value for patients with ischemic rest pain when arterial reconstruction is not possible. Whether pentoxifylline is useful adjunctive therapy for intermittent claudication requires further scrutiny.     

Vein patch rupture after carotid endarterectomy: A survey of the Western Vascular Society members

To determine the prevalence, demographics and morbidity of vein patch rupture, the authors polled members of the Western Vascular Society. Forty-eight surgeons (53% of the members) reported an experience with 23,873 carotid operations. A vein patch was used in 1,760 operations (7.4%), and rupture of the patch occurred in 13 patients (0.7%), 10 women and three men. Indications for the patch were a small artery in 10 patients and restenosis in three. Saphenous vein was used for all patches and was harvested from the ankle in 12 patients and from the groin in one patient. All ruptures occurred from a split in the vein patch. Hypertension was present in seven of the 13 patients. None of the ruptures were associated with infection. Two ruptures occurred on the first postoperative day, six on the second day, three on the third day, one on the eighth day, and one on the twenty-first day. Four patients died: airway obstruction (1), hemorrhagic cerebral infarction (1), and myocardial infarction (2) were the causes. Three had a stroke and survived, one had a retinal embolus, and five underwent reoperation without complication. Vein patch of the carotid artery is used infrequently by members of the Western Vascular Society. The incidence of rupture of the patch is low (0.7%), but when it occurs, there is significant mortality (30.7%), and morbidity (30.7%). Patients with a vein patch should be observed in the hospital for three days after endarterectomy because rupture demands immediate reoperation.Presented at the Western Vascular Society Meeting, Coronado, California, January 25–28, 1990.     

Monobloc resection of the upper extremity of the leg for bone tumor with distal vascular reconstruction

A patient with juxtacortical osteosarcoma of the upper extremity of the left tibia which encased the popliteal neurovascular bundle was treated by monobloc resection of the superior extremity of the tibia and the tibial nerve. The knee joint was replaced by a Guepar prosthetic knee. Arterial and venous continuity was reestablished by a double bypass using the contralateral greater saphenous vein. One year later the patient had good lower limb function and was free of local or general disease. This observation confirms that preservation of lower limb function is possible using reconstruction techniques of bone, nerves, and vessels in sarcoma of the musculoskeletal system.     

Spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of the common iliac artery

A 52-year-old man sought medical advice for sudden onset of intermittent claudication of the left lower limb after 50 meters walking. Aortography documented a dissecting aneurysm limited to the left common iliac artery. After resection, a prosthetic graft was inserted. Pathology showed that the cause of the dissection was atheroma. Spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of the common iliac artery is rare. Rupture represents the principal hazard. A high index of suspicion should lead to diagnosis as soon as signs of lower limb ischemia, occasionally transient, appear.     

Management of renal vascular disease in neurofibromatosis type 1 and the role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in renal artery stenosis (RAS) associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has not been established. A review of the literature revealed 14 studies, mainly case reports, of which a total of 16 patients had been treated with PTA, all prior to any surgery being undertaken. METHODS: A retrospective case review of 10 children with renal vascular disease secondary to NF was conducted to evaluate the outcome of different treatment modalities, including PTA. Four patients had unilateral disease, while six had bilateral disease, which was associated with middle aortic syndrome in three. Treatment was a combination of antihypertensive drug therapy, PTA and surgery. PTA was performed 15 times on six patients, nine procedures prior to surgery. RESULTS: The success rate for PTA on primary stenoses was 33% with improvement in blood pressure (BP) control in another 33%. Angioplasties performed on stenoses post-surgery had a success rate of 67%. There were no major complications and PTA had no adverse effect on subsequent surgery. The pre-surgery results obtained at a tertiary referral centre are consistent with those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: PTA is a safe and moderately effective treatment modality for RAS secondary to NF1. Although there is only limited success in primary stenoses as there is no adverse effect on subsequent surgery we feel it should be considered as first line management when clinically indicated.     

锁骨下动脉闭塞的血管腔内治疗

目的：探讨经皮血管内成形术(PTA)和血管内支架置放术治疗锁骨下动脉起始段闭塞的疗效。方法：应用经皮血管内成形术(PTA)和血管内支架安置术治疗5例锁骨下动脉起始段闭塞的病人。结果：5例手术均获成功。术后患肢动脉搏动恢复正常，多普勒测压双上肢血压压差由术前平均54mmHg降至术后9．6mmHg．术后随访1～3月；彩超提示支架无脱落及移位，病变部位血流通畅，椎动脉恢复为正常人颅血流。结论：PTA和血管内支架安置术是治疗锁骨下动脉起始段闭塞的一种微创、安全可行和疗效满意的方法。     

Complications of anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery: Case report and review of the literature

A 35-year-old black woman presented with thrombosis of an anomalous right subciavian artery and distal arterial embolization. Initially, her right subclavian artery was reimplanted onto the common carotid artery, and a brachial artery embolectomy plus intraoperative thrombolytic therapy were used to reopen her distal arterial circulation. When her brachial artery repair thrombosed the following day, a distal ulnar artery bypass and repeat thrombolytic therapy were required to restore arterial patency. Six months later, she returned with severe, progressive, neointimal hyperplasia of her brachial artery and a second attempt at arterial reconstruction was unsuccessful. She eventually required a right below-elbow amputation. This patient demonstrated an anomalous right subclavian artery that presented with distal embolization without an antecedent history of severe atherosclerotic disease or the development of a right subclavian artery aneurysm. A review of the medical literature relating to complications of this anomaly is provided.     

Upper limb embolus: A timely diagnosis

In a ten year period, 36 patients were treated surgically for embolic occlusion of upper limb vessels. The sources of embolus were cardiac (58%), peripheral aneurysm (22%) and unknown (20%). Brachial embolectomy was performed in all cases. Six out of eight peripheral aneurysms were resected. A patency rate of 94% was achieved at five years. Hospital mortality and morbidity rates were 3% and 10%, respectively. One patient died of a myocardial infarct one week postoperatively. Three patients suffered ischemic contracture or amputation; all three presented after 36 hours. We conclude that upper limb emboli are usually easy to recognize and treat. Prompt surgery (< 24 hours) produces the most satisfactory results. Late presentation or delay in treatment can result in limb loss.     

True aneurysmal disease in the hand and upper extremity

Ten patients with true aneurysmal disease of the hand and forearm vessels were treated at our institution between 1981 and 1990. Pseudoaneurysms resulting from penetrating trauma or mycotic aneurysms were specifically excluded. Eight patients were male, two were female; mean patient age was 38 years (range 26 to 72 years). A history of repetitive occupational or recreational trauma was elicited in five patients. All patients presented with painful masses or neurologic symptoms due to nerve compression. Ischemic changes were evident in five patients due to thrombosis or distal embolization. Arteriography and transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound aided in documentation of flow characteristics and planning for operative intervention. Three patients underwent excision and ligation once collateral flow was demonstrated to be adequate and reconstruction was not felt to be feasible. Seven patients underwent resection with vein graft reconstruction. Immediate postoperative and interval patency rates were 100%. No digital amputations were required even in those patients presenting with severe distal ischemia.     

Surgical management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms

Between 1982 and 1991 we performed eight operations on seven patients with carotid artery aneurysms. Their mean age was 52.8 years (range: 20–67 years). Five aneurysms were atherosclerotic, one was associated with Marfan's syndrome, and two were pseudoaneurysms, one occurring after Dacron patch angioplasty and the other due to tuberculosis. Seven aneurysms were treated electively; one patient underwent an emergency surgical procedure. In one case, the internal carotid artery was ligated. Seven operations were reconstructive. No intraluminal shunt was used. No perioperative deaths occurred. Regressive hemiparesis and ipsilateral Horner's syndrome developed in one patient. The follow-up period ranged from six months to nine and a half years. One patient died of myocardial infarction three months after surgery.     

Infrainguinal polytetrafluoroethylene grafts: Saved limbs or wasted effort? A report on ten years' experience

Two-hundred and twenty-four infrainguinal polytetrafluoroethylene reconstructions were performed for critical ischemia over a 10 year period: 48 to the above-knee popliteal artery, 113 to the below-knee popliteal artery, and 63 to the tibial vessels. The cumulative patency rates were 84±6% and 63±9% for above-knee popliteal, 53±5% and 35±7% for below-knee popliteal, 45±6% and 30±9% for tibial vessels at one and five years respectively. Limb salvage rates were 81±6% and 73±9% (above-knee popliteal), 69±5% and 57±9% (below-knee popliteal), 64±7% and 32±10% (tibial vessels) at one and five years respectively. Graft occlusion did not result in limb loss in 32 cases. Preoperatively, 54% of the patients had limited mobility while 43% were regarded as severely restricted. At follow-up, 57% of the patients were considered to be independent, 26% had limited mobility, and 17% were still severely restricted. Polytetrafluoroethylene provides good short-term limb salvage and improved mobility in patients with critical ischemia and poor life expectancy. Its use is well worth the effort.