Redo bypass surgery to the infrapopliteal arteries for critical leg ischaemia.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the results of redo bypass surgery to the infrapopliteal artery and the value of adjuvant arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in this setting. DESIGN: retrospective study. MATERIALS: fifty-one redo reconstructions to the infrapopliteal arteries were done for critical leg ischaemia in 45 patients who have had primary infrainguinal reconstructions to the popliteal artery in 20 cases (39%), the crural arteries in 18 (35%), and the pedal arteries in 13 (25%). METHODS: a PTFE prosthesis was used in 21 cases (41%). A Miller cuff was used in 16 prosthetic grafts. Adjuvant AVF was added to three autogenous vein and 12 prosthetic grafts. RESULTS: at 2 years, the primary patency rate was 42%, the secondary patency was 43%, the limb salvage was 67%, the survival was 77%, and 53% of patients were alive with salvaged leg. The primary patency rate with a vein graft was 44% at 1 year, with prosthesis plus AVF 67%, but with prosthesis without AVF only 19%. Secondary patency rates were similar. Prosthetic graft with AVF and those without AVF achieved a 1-year leg salvage rate of 100% and 51%, respectively (p =0.01). Patients with adjuvant AVF had a worse 2-year survival rate that those without AVF (31% vs 89%) (p =0.007; RR: 8.87, CI 95%: 1.62-48.42). CONCLUSIONS: redo bypass surgery using autogenous vein graft may achieve satisfactory long-term results. The use of adjuvant AVF may improve patency of redo infrapopliteal prosthetic bypass grafts.     

Transluminal iliac angioplasty with distal bypass surgery in patients with critical limb ischaemia

Transluminal balloon angioplasty of the iliac artery was combined with a distal bypass graft procedure in 25 patients with critical ischaemia of the lower limb. Eleven patients had angioplasty in the operating theatre before a vascular graft and the remaining 14 patients had percutaneous transluminal angioplasty performed in the X-ray department before bypass surgery. The distal bypass grafts were 20 femoropopliteal and five femorofemoral grafts. Two patients died in the immediate postoperative period. Follow-up of patients ranged from 2 to 26 months with a graft patency of 63% at 12 months and 50% at 24 months but successful limb salvage rate of 75% at 12 and 24 months. Six patients required major amputations for failure of limb salvage. Transluminal iliac angioplasty is a valuable adjunct to distal bypass surgery by improving arterial inflow without the requirement for major aorto iliac surgery.     

Arteriogram scoring systems and Pulse Generated Run-off in the assessment of patients with critical ischaemia for femorodistal bypass

Conventional arteriography is the investigation of choice in patients with critical ischaemia to select the site for the distal anastomosis of a femorodistal bypass. Several arteriographic scoring systems have been devised in an attempt to quantify the run-off. More recently Pulse Generated Run-off and intraoperative peripheral resistance measurements have been proposed as better predictors of early graft patency. Eighty-eight consecutive femorodistal bypass grafts were studied using Pulse Generated Run-off (PGR), conventional and intra-arterial digital subtraction arteriography (DSA) and peripheral resistance measurement. Three widely used arteriographic scoring systems were used to grade the arteriographic run-off. There were significant correlations between the scoring systems and the measured peripheral resistance, although PGR correlated better with peripheral resistance than arteriography (rs = -0.59, P less than 0.001). Intra-arterial DSA improved the correlation between the arteriogram scoring systems and the measured peripheral resistance in the distal popliteal artery, but not in single calf vessels. In contrast, PGR correlated much better with peripheral resistance in single calf vessels (rs = -0.82, P less than 0.001). We recommend that selection for femorodistal reconstruction be based on a combination of intra-arterial DSA and PGR. PGR will identify patent distal calf vessels not seen on arteriography and determine their continuity with the pedal arch, two features which are essential prerequisites for successful femorodistal bypass.     

Diabetes and the outcome of infrainguinal bypass for critical limb ischaemia

Aim: To examine the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the outcome of infrainguinal bypass operations performed for critical foot ischaemia in Chinese patients. Methods: A prospective audit of 265 consecutive infrainguinal bypass operations. Results: Diabetic patients suffered more frequently from ischaemic heart disease (48%vs 25%, P= 0.001) and tissue loss (90%vs 79%, P = 0.01) at presentation. Cigarette smoking was more prevalent in the non‐diabetic (NDM) group (72%vs 51%, P = 0.001). Arterial segments distal to the common femoral artery were more often used as inflow to bypass graft in DM patients (36%vs 22%, P = 0.02). Operative mortality (seven DM vs one NDM, P = 0.19). Early graft failure (7% in DM group vs 10% in NDM group, P = 0.24), wound infection rate (24% in DM group vs 17% in NDM group, P = 0.21), early limb loss (9% in DM group vs 6% in NDM group, P = 0.66) were comparable. However, hospital mortality was higher in DM patients (8%vs 1%, P = 0.04). DM patients more frequently required further surgical debridement postoperatively (20%vs 9%, P = 0.04). Long‐term, patient survival was inferior in the DM group (43% NDM vs 33% DM at 5 years, P = 0.03). Primary graft patency (46% DM vs 34% NDM at 4 years P = 0.19), secondary graft patency (57% DM vs 47% NDM at 4 years P = 0.14) and limb salvage rate (78%vs 81% at 5 years, P = 0.79) were comparable. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus adversely affects hospital mortality and long‐term survival. Graft patency and limb salvage are not compromised by the presence of DM.     

Does an adjuvant AV-fistula improve the patency of a femorocrural PTFE bypass with distal vein cuff in critical leg ischaemia?--a prospective randomised multicentre trial.

INTRODUCTION: A lack of suitable veins can cause serious problems when attempting to revascularise critically ischaemic legs. Prosthetic grafts have much worse patency in the femocrural position, despite the use of distal anastomotic cuffs. The use of adjuvant AV-fistula at the distal anastomosis should increase the graft flow above the thrombotic threshold velocity and thus increase prosthetic graft patency. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefit of an adjuvant AV-fistula on the patency of a femorocrural PTFE bypass with a distal vein cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective randomised multicentre trial was conducted in four centres. A total of 59 patients with critical leg ischaemia and no suitable veins for grafting were randomised to receive a femocrural PTFE bypass and distal vein cuff, with or without an adjuvant AV-fistula. Thirty-one patients were randomised to the AV-fistula group (AVFG) and 28 to the control group (CG). Six patients were lost to follow-up during the 2-year study time. RESULTS: There were six immediate occlusions in each treatment group, but half of these were saved by re-operation. The mean postoperative ankle-brachial index (ABI) was 0.85 in the AVFG and 0.94 in the CG. The primary and secondary patency rate at 2 years was 29 and 40% for the AVFG and 36 and 40% for the CG (NS). Leg salvage at 2 years was 65 and 68%, respectively (NS). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant AV-fistula does not improve the patency of a femorocrural PTFE bypass with a distal vein cuff.     

Managing risk factors for atherosclerosis in critical limb ischaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To review the best medical management of critical limb ischaemia (CLI). METHODS: Published studies dealing with CLI and risk factors were searched for via PUBMED. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI) have a one and ten year mortality of approximately 20% and 75% respectively. Risk factors for the development of peripheral atherosclerosis are the same as for coronary and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis namely diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, arterial hypertension, and smoking. As there are few studies of risk factor for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), treatment recommendations are often based on studies in patients with coronary or cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. While waiting for specific studies, CLI patients should be treated according to current guidelines for other atherosclerotic patients.     

进展期胰腺癌患者姑息性旁路手术治疗的预后多因素分析

目的探讨进展期胰腺癌患者姑息性旁路手术后的预后因素。方法选取2005年1月至2013年12月我院109例姑息性手术治疗的胰腺癌患者,研究患者年龄、肿瘤大小、肿瘤部位、淋巴结转移、KPS评分、远隔脏器转移情况、术后治疗方法、术前血清CA19-9及CEA水平等变量与预后的关系。结果本研究中所有患者总体中位生存期为8.2个月。Cox单因素及多因素分析确定KPS评分、远隔脏器转移情况、术后治疗方法、术前血清CA19-9水平是与患者预后有关的独立因素(P0.05)。Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示KPS评分80分、远隔脏器转移、高血清CA19-9水平及术后未进行联合放化疗的患者生存时间较短(P0.05)。结论 KPS评分、远隔脏器转移、术后治疗方法、术前血清CA19-9水平可作为姑息性治疗的进展期胰腺癌患者预后的重要因素。     

The influence of gender difference on the outcomes of infrainguinal bypass for critical limb ischaemia in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: to investigate the influence of gender difference on the outcomes of infrainguinal bypass operations performed in Chinese patients with critical limb ischaemia. METHODS: we prospectively studied the results of 191 consecutive infrainguinal bypass operations (98 men, 93 women) for critical lower limb ischaemia in Chinese patients. RESULTS: the women were older than men (median 75 vs 70 years, p=0.001) and cigarette smoking was commoner in men (83% vs 37% p<0.001). The calibre of run-off arteries at the level of distal anastomosis was smaller in women (median 2.5 mm vs 2.0 mm, p=0.03). The 30-day mortality was 3% (five men vs one woman, p=0.09) and early graft failure occurred in 19 patients (12 women vs seven men, p=0.28). At 3 months limb loss occurred in 16 (10 women vs six men, p=0.35) patients. Survival (38% vs 60% at 4 years, p=0.12) was similar in men and women. However, women suffered from poorer primary (33% vs 49% at 3 years, p=0.03) secondary graft patency rates (35% vs 64% at 3 years, p=0.02) than men. Limb survival rate in two groups (75% vs 85% at 4 years, p=0.18) was comparable. CONCLUSION: following infrainguinal bypass for critical limb ischaemia, early results were similar in both gender groups. In the long-term, women patients suffered from significantly higher graft failure rate. However, their long-term survival and limb salvage rate remained comparable to those of men.     

A 1 year prospective study of management and outcome of patients presenting with critical lower limb ischaemia.

OBJECTIVES: to determine management of patients with critical lower limb ischaemia (CLI) from first presentation to investigation and treatment. DESIGN: prospective study of critical ischaemia patients. METHODS: one-year prospective survey (May 2000-May 2001). Follow-up 3-15 months. RESULTS: some 873 arterial cases presented, 134 patients had CLI. Of the latter 49% were men, 30% diabetic, the median age was 81 years. Only 15 (24%) of 62 cases were referred to outpatients as urgent. Patients waited a median of 25 days (range 1-100) to be seen in outpatients, and had symptoms for a median of 8 weeks. Treatment was conservative for 70 patients, and 11 primary amputations, six secondary amputations, and 62 revascularisation procedures (34 operative, 28 percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) were performed. At follow-up (3-15 months, median 9 months), rates of major amputation and death were 12 and 27% respectively. Significantly more diabetics underwent major amputation (p < 0.02) than non diabetics. Patients presenting with ulceration or gangrene were at greater risk of death than those with rest pain alone (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: patients with CLI often have symptoms for many weeks before being seen by a specialist, and 76% are referred as non-urgent cases. This compares with patients with suspected malignant disease in the U.K. who are required to be seen within 2 weeks.     

Y-grafts and sequential grafts in coronary bypass surgery: a critical evaluation of patency rates.

In a series of 584 patients undergoing coronary bypass, 425 patients received Y-grafts, sequential grafts, or a combination of the two. The saphenous veins from the legs frequently had Y- or double Y-branches suitable for bypasses. As many as 5 grafts have been served satisfactorily by a single proximal anastomosis. Simultaneous procedures included 45 left ventricular aneurysmectomies, 18 valve replacements, 7 carotid endarterectomies, repairs of a ventricular septal defect, an acute dissection, and coronary arteriovenous fistulas, with a total surgical mortality of 6 (1.4%). Restudy to determine graft patency was undertaken only in the 59 patients with unsatisfactory surgical results. These patients represent the worst 10% of the series in terms of surgical results. The patency rate for proximal anastomoses was 93%; Y-branchings, 93%; distal end-to-side anastomoses, 89%; and distal side-to-side anastomoses, 89%. Fifty-eight patients (98%) had at least 1 patient graft, and in 47 patients (80%) all anastomoses were patent up to six years after operation. Six patients underwent reoperation without any deaths.     

Prognostic factors for response to sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of sildenafil as treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) the factors associated with treatment failure were investigated. METHODS: Open, prospective study including 244 patients suffering from ED who were evaluated by anamnesis, physical exploration, blood test, dynamic penile color duplex ultrasonography and Sexual Health Inventory for Male (SHIM). The efficacy of sildenafil was assessed by repeating the SHIM 2 months after therapy, independent of the final dose used. Side effects were also recorded. Factors influencing treatment outcome were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. RESULTS: Overall, sildenafil was effective in 56.8% of 213 eligible patients. When the etiologic diagnosis was not included in the multivariate analysis, antecedents of diabetes mellitus, non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy and SHIM basal score were selected as predictors of a poor response. In a second analysis including etiologic diagnosis, only SHIM basal score and etiological diagnosis proved to be of prognostic value. Side effects were noticed by 24.4% of patients, none of them being severe. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil is a rather effective and well-tolerated treatment for ED. The basal severity of ED and etiological diagnosis are the prognostic factors most significantly associated with treatment outcome.     

The impact of diabetes on current revascularisation practice and clinical outcome in patients with critical lower limb ischaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare current revascularisation practice and outcome in diabetic and non-diabetic patients presenting with critical limb ischaemia (CLI) to a single vascular surgeon. METHODS: Data for 113 patients presenting with CLI were collected prospectively over a 3-year period. Forty-four (39%) were diabetic. Treatment was classified as percutaneous angioplasty, arterial reconstruction, primary major amputation, and conservative therapy. Main outcome measures were 30-day mortality, major amputation, survival, and amputation-free survival. RESULTS: Diabetic patients were more likely to present with gangrene, give a history of angina, be treated with nitrates and statins, and have lower cholesterol levels. No significant differences were found in the initial treatment options between diabetics and non-diabetics: angioplasty 39 vs 26%, surgical revascularisation 34 vs 33%, primary major amputation 9% vs 17%, and conservative treatment 11 vs 19% (p = ns in all). There were eight deaths (7%) within 30-days. At follow-up (1-44 months, median 14 months), rates of major amputation and death for the entire population were 23 and 8%, respectively. The 12-month cumulative survival and amputation-free survival rates were 90 and 72%, respectively. When comparing diabetic to non-diabetic patients, there were no significant differences in the 30-day mortality (6.8 vs 7.2%, p = 0.4), cumulative survival (93 vs 89% at 12 months, log-rank test: 0.00, p = 0.9), amputation-free survival (71 vs 73% at 12 months, log-rank test: 0.00, p = 0.99), and major amputation rates (22.7 vs 23.1% at 12 months, p = 0.96). Similarly, there were no differences in limb salvage rates between diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing revascularisation procedures (78 vs 90% at 12 months, log-rank test: 2.04, p = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: In current practice, an aggressive multidisciplinary approach in diabetic patients presenting with CLI leads to similar limb salvage, amputation-free survival, mortality, and major amputation rates to those seen in non-diabetic patients. The presence of diabetes should not deter clinicians from attempting revascularisation by means of angioplasty or surgical reconstruction.     

Prognostic factors in Ewing's sarcoma of the foot

The outcome of treatment and prognostic factors were reviewed in 36 patients who had Ewing's sarcoma of the foot. The tumor was most common in the calcaneus (19 patients) and metatarsals (15 patients). Age, levels of lactate dehydrogenase, degree of anemia, tumor volume, type of surgery, and radiotherapy were not related to prognosis. Females with pain for less than 6 months, fever, high levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and high levels of alkaline phosphatase showed a tendency for a poorer prognosis. The only observed prognostic factors are tumor site and treatment. Patients treated with four-drug neoadjuvant chemotherapy had the best survival. Four patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis died. Fourteen of 32 patients (44%) with localized Ewing's sarcoma were continuously disease-free at an average followup of 7 years.     

进展期胰腺癌患者姑息性旁路手术后的预后因素分析

目的：探讨进展期胰腺癌患者接受姑息性旁路手术后的预后影响因素。 方法：回顾2005年5月—2013年6月收治的102例接受旁路手术的进展期胰腺癌患者的临床资料,分析患者术后的生存情况与预后影响因素。 结果：全组患者的中位总生存时间（OS）为8.7个月,生存分析显示,疼痛程度轻微患者中位OS高于疼痛程度严重患者、ASA I/II患者的中位OS高于ASA III级患者、C反应蛋白（CRP）水平正常患者中位OS高于CRP升高患者、无转移患者中位OS高于肝/腹膜转移患者,差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。单因素分析显示,患者的中位OS与疼痛程度、ASA分级、术中失血量、有无肝/腹膜转移、CRP水平、CA19-9水平、白蛋白（ALB）水平有关（均P<0.05）;COX回归多因素分析显示,ASA III级、重度疼痛、CRP≥5 mg/L、肝/腹膜转移为影响患者术后生存的独立危险因素（均P<0.05）。 结论：ASA III级、重度疼痛、高水平CRP及肝、腹膜转移是姑息性治疗的进展期胰腺癌预后不良的指标。

     

Dorsalis pedis arterial bypass: Durable limb salvage for foot ischemia in patients with diabetes mellitus

Purpose:Although the technical feasibility of pedal artery bypass for limb salvage is now well established, questions remain about its most appropriate use and its long-term durability.Methods:We reviewed our experience over an 8-year period in 367 consecutive patients undergoing 384 vein bypass grafts to the dorsalis pedis for limb salvage.Results:Ninety-five percent of the patients had diabetes mellitus. Infection complicated ischemia at initial presentation in 55.2% of patients. The preoperative arteriogram demonstrated a patent dorsalis pedis in 362 extremities (92.8%). Four hundred two patients underwent exploration for bypass, including 29 patients without demonstrated arteries on the arteriogram but audible pedal Doppler signals. Successful bypasses were carried out in 357 of 362 cases, where preoperative arteriography demonstrated a patent dorsalis pedis artery (98.6%), 16 of 28 cases explored on the basis of a Doppler signal alone (57%), and 11 of 12 patients where angiographic status was unknown. All procedures were performed with vein: in situ 38.5%, reversed 29%, onreversed 18%, arm vein 7%, and composite vein 8%. Inflow was taken from the common femoral artery in 34%, superficial femoral or popliteal arteries in 60%, a previously placed graft in 5%, and a tibial artery in 1%. There were seven erioperative deaths (1.8%) and 21 myocardial infarctions (5.4%). Twenty-nine grafts failed within 30 days (7.5%), but 19 were successfully revised. Eight of the 10 failed grafts resulted in major amputation (80%). Over the remaining study period, there were 39 additional graft failures, of which 17 were successfully revised, and 17 additional major amputations. Actuarial primary and secondary patency and limb salvage rates were 68%, 82%, and 87%, respectively, at 5 years' followup. The actuarial patient survival rate was 57% at 5 years. Patency rates were similar for in situ and translocated saphenous vein grafts.Conclusions:Dorsalis pedis arterial bypass is an effective limb salvage procedure with long-term durability comparable to distal vein grafts placed into more proximal arteries. (J VASC SURG 1995;21:375-84.)     

Lipoprotein (a) level and mortality in patients with critical lower limb ischaemia.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate if serum lipoprotein (a) level is a predictor of survival in patients with lower limb atherosclerotic occlusive disease. DESIGN: prospective follow up study. METHODS: demographic, biochemical and disease variables were collected prospectively in 441 patients with lower limb arterial occlusive disease. Survival data were obtained at a mean follow up of 44 months, and significant risk factors identified by the life table method and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: the cumulative survival for all patients at three and five years was 79% and 63%. Lipoprotein (a) level was the only significant independent biochemical predictor for all deaths and cardiorespiratory deaths on multivariate analysis, along with age, diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, cardiac diseases and major amputation. An elevated Lipoprotein(a) level of >24 mg/dl incurred a 107% and 45% increase in mortality at three and five years respectively. The higher mortality associated with elevated Lipoprotein (a) was particularly evident in patients with critical ischemia, in whom three and five year survival was reduced from 85% to 63% and 67% to 53% (p=0.0064). In claudicants a survival discrepancy was manifested only after five years (73% vs 62%), and the overall association did not reach statistic significance (p=0.52). CONCLUSIONS: lipoprotein (a) level is a reliable biochemical marker for survival in patients with critical ischemia where traditional atherosclerosis risk factors were prevalent.