An unusual branching pattern of the superficial brachial artery accompanied by an ulnar nerve with two roots

Variations in the arterial pattern of the upper limb are common and have been reported by several investigators (Fuss et al. 1985; Poteat, 1986; Tountas & Bergman, 1993; Rodriguez-Baeza et al. 1995). These variations are often associated with anomalies in the arrangement of the nerves of the brachial plexus (Miller, 1939; Lengele & Dhem, 1989). The presence of a superficial brachial artery (Schwyzer & De Garis, 1935; Skopakoff, 1959; Fuss et al. 1985) and the usual pattern of its branching in the upper arm or forearm have also been reported (McCormack et al. 1953; Keen, 1961; Karlson & Niechalev, 1982; Lippert & Pabst, 1985; Rodriguez-Baeza et al. 1995). The great variability of this arterial pattern may be attributed to the failure of regression of some paths of the embryonic arterial trunks (Tountas & Bergman, 1993; Rodriguez-Baeza et al. 1995).
The aim of the present report is to describe the concomitant appearance of 3 unusual variations in the same upper limb of a male cadaver. In this arm: (1) a superficial brachial artery terminated its course by dividing into 3 branches at the cubital fossa; (2) the definitive brachial artery had an unusual origin; and (3) the ulnar nerve was abnormally formed from 2 roots. This novel variation is compared with other anatomical variations in the arterial supply of the upper limb. In a series of routine dissections of 100 embalmed human cadavers the following variations were observed in the right upper limb of a male subject.     

Infants of diabetic mothers: late normalization of fetal cyclic motility persists after birth

The prenatal development of cyclic motility (CM) in the human is disrupted by maternal diabetes, but appears normal by the end of gestation. To determine whether birth and adaptation to postnatal life reveal new or persisting abnormalities in CM, 24 newborn infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers (IDMs) and 24 normal newborns were studied for 2-4 hr in a controlled environment. Spectral analysis of spontaneous movement revealed that CM was common in both groups. Measures of its cyclic organization in each state did not differ between IDMs and controls. State differences were the same in the two groups, and replicated the pattern found in a previous study of normal newborns. For IDMs, there were no differences associated with neonatal evidence of increased glucose supply in utero (macrosomia, postnatal hypoglycemia), or with determinations of prenatal maternal hyperglycemia. IDMs had also been studied as fetuses, and the pattern of continuity and change in CM across birth replicated the pattern previously reported for normal fetuses. The results suggest that the development and control of CM is buffered from the prenatal metabolic insults suffered by IDMs, and support speculations that cyclic activation is a general and robust property of the developing motor system in the human.     

Acute arterial thrombosis associated with inadvertent high dose of tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid (TA) act as anti-fibrinolytic agent and is widely used to limit bleeding in clinical practice. Tranexemic acid bind with plasminogen and prevent its conversion to plasmin, which limits the fibrinolytic pathway, so there is a theoretical risk of increasing thrombosis with high or prolonged therapy with TA. We encountered a case of acute arterial thrombosis following inadvertent administration of high dose of TA. A 27-years-old male with no other co-morbidity was ordered intravenous 1 gm TA to control excessive bleeding from previous bladder injury, but by mistake, he received 10 gm of TA. The patient developed signs and symptoms of acute ischemia in the right lower limb, which was diagnosed as acute iliac arterial thrombosis by computed tomography (CT) angiography. The patient was managed with systemic heparinization, fasciotomy for impending gangrene and other supportive care following which he recovered fully within a few days. Caution should be exercised for all prophylactic use, especially with high dosage or prolonged therapy with TA.     

Neurocognitive sequelae of infants of diabetic mothers

On the basis of animal models, it was hypothesized that infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) would be at risk for suffering damage to the hippocampus primarily because of fetal iron deficiency, chronic hypoxia, and hypoglycemia. This, in turn, may result in impairments in recognition memory at a young age. To test this model, the memory of 6-month-old IDMs and control infants was evaluated with electrophysiological (event-related potential [ERP]) and behavioral (looking time) measures. At 12 months, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development was administered. Our ERP measures showed robust evidence consistent with memory deficits in the IDMs. In contrast, the looking time measures and the Bayley exam failed to distinguish between the groups. From these results it was concluded that the ERP, but not the behavioral, measures are able to detect, in an at-risk population, deficits in recognition memory that are thought to be mediated by damage to the hippocampus.     

Unique case of trifurcation of the brachial artery: its clinical significance

The variability of the arteries in the upper extremity is considerable. This case is a report of a trifurcation of the brachial artery that divided into radial, ulnar, and superior ulnar collateral arteries high in the arm; the length of the brachial artery was only 4.9 cm. Because the upper extremity is a frequent site of injury, various surgical and invasive procedures are performed in this region; consequently, it is of utmost importance to be aware of arterial variations. For some medical procedures, there may be an increased risk of complications because of variant vessels; however, for other procedures, they may be beneficial. In addition to presenting a detailed anatomic study of the case, the clinical significance of the variation has been addressed.     

膝以下动脉硬化闭塞症的介入治疗

目的：探讨膝以下动脉硬化闭塞症腔内治疗的方法、难点、并发症处理以及预后。方法：2008年1月至2011年12月,采用介入方法治疗膝以下动脉硬化闭塞症72例（84条肢体）。采取股总动脉顺行或逆行穿刺,下肢动脉造影,以导丝配合导管通过动脉狭窄段,或开通动脉闭塞段;开通失败者,尝试内膜下血管成形术;经导丝引入球囊进行扩张,扩张完毕后造影,如残余狭窄＞30％,则再次扩张;出现动脉夹层者,行药物洗脱支架植入。结果：84条肢体行介入治疗,82条肢体获得影像学成功,技术成功率为97．6％。术后16例间歇性跛行患者跛行距离平均增加500 m（50～2500 m）,43例静息痛者疼痛均减轻或消失,8例足趾溃疡者经换药3个月内溃疡全部愈合,1例足趾溃疡患者因介入术后支架内血栓形成而行股-腘动脉自体大隐静脉原位转流术。3例足趾坏疽者行截趾术,术后3个月内创口愈合。1例前半足坏疽者行膝下截肢。术后6个月、1年肢体通畅率分别为96．3％和95．0％,术后1年肢体保全率为95．0％。结论：对于膝以下动脉狭窄或闭塞性病变者行腔内治疗,成功率高、效果明显、并发症少、保肢率高、可重复治疗,是安全有效的治疗方法。     

Vascular anomalies in campomelic syndrome

We report on 4 patients with the campomelic syndrome (CS) in whom postmortem angiography of the lower limbs was performed. Of the 4 ptients, 3 were phenotypic females (2 of them with a 46,XY karyotype) and one was a male with a normal 46,XY karyotype. Three fulfilled the criteria fo CS, and one (phenotypically female with a 46,XY karyotype) lacked the lower limb bowing and the talipes equinovarus typical of CS. This infant may constitute a further example of the recently reported CS without campomelia. The results of the angiographic study are compared with 46 postmortem angiographies of normal fetuses and newborn infants at different gestational ages. In the first 3 Cs patients the main arterial axis of the lower limb, formed by the superficial femoral and anterior tibial arteries, has smaller diameters than expected while the profunda femoris and posterior tibial arteries had greater diameters than age-matched controls However, the most striking abnormality was the absence or marked deficiency of the anterior tibial artery. Its terminal branch, the doralis pedis artery, was also absent and the plantar arch was abnormally formed by the posterior tibial artery either alone or in conjunction with the peroneal artery. The normal arterial pattern was found in the patient who lacked bowed bones. This finding supports an developmental association between vascular defects and lower limb anomalies in CS. This aberrant arterial pattern in CS may affect or be affected by muscle development. The shortness of the posterior femoral and calf muscles fix the knee and the ankle joints. Bone bowing is probably related to the abnormal mechanical forces applied to the developing long bones of the lowe limb. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pathophysiology and diagnosis for arteriosclerosis obliterans

Patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans, or peripheral arterial disease have been conventionally diagnosed and treated from only the viewpoint of peripheral arterial circulation. These concepts may have improved the quality of life for patients, but could not contribute the prognosis of life, because peripheral arterial disease is associated with an increased risk of the coronary disease and cerebrovascular disease. Intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease, results from flow-reducing lesions in the arteries of the lower extremity that cause exercise-induced muscle ischemia. In order to evaluate intermittent claudication, many kinds of noninvasive diagnostic studies, including ABPI (ankle brachial pressure index) and the measurement of claudication distance, et al have been proposed. We have used the recovery time of the ischemic reaction at foot sole, plethysmography, thermography, laser doppler flowmetry, or NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) after walking test, rather than ABPI. These examinations will be superior to ABPI to evaluate effects after ergotherapy or pharmacotherapy for patients with intermittent claudication. Carotid artery sclerosis may be a good marker of systemic atherosclerosis. By our assessment of risk factors, the progression of atherosclerotic change in carotid artery was strongly correlated with two risk factors, such as smoking and systolic blood pressure. In the cholesterol analysis, Lp (a) was only high risk factor for atherosclerotic change of carotid artery. Recent technical advances, adequate evaluation of systemic atherosclerosis, and reduction of risk factors should improve the prognosis of patients with peripheral arterial disease.     

Peripheral arterial disease in women

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is chronic arterial occlusive disease of the lower extremities caused by atherosclerosis whose prevalence increases with age. Only one-half of women with PAD are symptomatic. Symptomatic and asymptomatic women with PAD are at increased risk for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and mortality from coronary artery disease. Modifiable risk factors that predispose women to PAD include active cigarette smoking, passive smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, increased plasma homocysteine levels and hypothyroidism. With regard to management, women who smoke should be encouraged to quit and referred to a smoking cessation program. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypothyroidism require treatment. Statins reduce the incidence of intermittent claudication and improve exercise duration until the onset of intermittent claudication in women with PAD and hypercholesterolemia. Anti-platelet drugs such as aspirin or especially clopidogrel, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins should be given to all women with PAD. Beta blockers are recommended if coronary artery disease is present. Exercise rehabilitation programs and cilostazol increase exercise time until intermittent claudication develops. Chelation therapy should be avoided as it is ineffective. Indications for lower extremity percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or bypass surgery in women are (1) incapacitating claudication interfering with work or lifestyle; and (2) limb salvage in women with limb-threatening ischemia as manifested by rest pain, non-healing ulcers, and/or infection or gangrene. Future research includes investigation of mechanisms underlying why women have a higher risk of graft failure and major amputation.     

Hypoglossia-hypodactylia syndrome with jejunal atresia in an infant of a diabetic mother

Despite advances in therapy for maternal diabetes, pregnancies of diabetic women remained at an increased risk of spontaneous abortion or delivery of an infant with major malformation. We report on an infant of a diabetic mother with hypoglossia-hypodactylia associated with complete jejunal atresia. A common pathogenesis for these 2 malformations could be a vascular disruptive mechanism with in utero arterial thrombosis. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Anastomosis at the level of the elbow joint connecting the deep, or normal, brachial artery with major arterial variations of the upper limb

Major variations of the principal arteries of the upper limb have long received the attention of anatomists. These variations can be summarised as the presence of 2 main arteries traversing the cubital fossa, a deep (or normal) brachial artery in coexistence with a superficial brachial, radial or ulnar artery. Anastomosis between these arterial trunks at elbow level has been reported in 1–6% of cases as an incidental finding in studies on the major arterial variations of the upper limb (Quain, 1844; Müller, 1903; Poynter, 1922; Adachi, 1928; McCormack et al. 1953; Wankoff, 1962; Rodríguez-Baeza et al. 1995). Only a single report (Ljubomudroff, 1927) has dealt specifically with the anastomosis.
The anatomical pattern of the anastomosis has been classified into 2 or 3 types depending on different morphological details. Three types have been described, taking into account its length, calibre and form (Quain, 1844) or the positions of the origin and number of recurrent radial arteries (Ljubomudroff, 1927). Two types have been described on the basis of whether the anastomosis coursed anterior or posterior to the bicipital tendon (McCormack et al. 1953). The aim of this study was to revisit these specific morphological details in a statistically reliable sample in order to catalogue the variations of the anastomosis and to provide an embryological explanation.     

Elevated plasma tissue factor levels in neonates with umbilical arterial catheter-associated thrombosis

Catheterization of the umbilical artery has been a useful aid in the management of sick neonates for the past few decades. However, it is associated with various complications. Reported studies strongly suggest a significant role of intravascular catheterization in the development of aortic thrombi. Increase in thrombosis of large vessels is believed to be related to mechanical injury in the catheterized vessels, which provide direct exposure of blood to tissue factor (TF), the primary cellular initiator of the extrinsic coagulation pathway. This study was conducted to determine the levels of plasma TF, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and D-dimer (DD) in infants with umbilical arterial catheter (UAC)-associated thrombosis. Quantification of TF was carried out using an in-house sandwich ELISA, whereas TFPI and DD levels were measured with commercial immunoassay kits. Infants with UAC inserted were found to have significantly higher levels of plasma TF (p < 0.001) than baseline levels. However, there were no significantly elevated levels of TFPI or DD. Infants with UAC-associated thrombosis demonstrated a greater increase of TF level (median: 414.5 pg/mL; range: -76.0, 6667.0) than infants without UAC-associated thrombosis (105.0 pg/mL; -976.0, 9480.0; p = 0.009) following UAC insertion. Our findings indicate that quantification and monitoring of TF levels could predict thrombus formation in infants with indwelling UAC. Following umbilical arterial catheterisation, infants with an approximately 3-fold rise in plasma TF levels were most at risk of developing abdominal aorta thrombosis as confirmed by real-time abdominal ultrasonography.     

Use of anti-thrombotic agents during chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer

The association between malignancy and venous thrombotic events is well established. However, arterial thrombosis among cancer patients is extremely rarely reported. There are several mechanisms of arterial thrombosis or embolism in malignancy. Important mechanisms in arterial thrombogenesis are shear stress-induced platelet aggregation and platelet-derived microparticles. Both of these are induced by major abdominal surgery. A major abdominopelvic surgery followed by adjuvant platinum-based combined chemotherapy is routinely performed for epithelial ovarian cancer which is the leading cause of death among all gynecologic malignancies. These patients have a greater risk of arterial thrombosis at the postoperative period. If the affected arteries are relatively larger, clinical findings will be evident due to limb ischemia or fatal organ infarctions. However, thrombosis of the small arteries disturbs the tissue circulation which is extremely important for the chemotherapeutic agents to reach the residual tumor cells. When the thrombosis of small arteries is prevented, these drugs will reach all of the residual macroscopic or microscopic tumoral tissues and so the prognosis of the patients may be improved. Therefore, we hypothesize that anti-platelet therapy with aspirin is needed to be initiated during the postoperative period of epithelial ovarian cancer patients and be continued as long as chemotherapy goes on. Such an approach might have a role in optimizing the oncological prognosis of these patients via increasing the effectiveness of cytotoxic therapy since some of the recurrences may be caused by some microscopic tumor foci which were not affected by cytotoxic drugs because of subclinical small arterial thromboses.     

Trifurcation of brachial artery with variant course of radial artery: Rare observation

Variations in the arterial pattern of the upper limb have been observed frequently, either in the routine dissections or in clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to describe the anatomical, surgical and embryological importance of major arteries of upper limbs of human beings. The present article is the report of low division and trifurcation of brachial artery and abnormal course of radial artery (passing deep to the pronator teres muscle) found in a 45-year-old embalmed male cadaver. Knowledge of the arterial variations in the upper limb is of considerable importance during invasive and non-invasive investigative procedures or orthopedic, reconstructive, or surgical procedures.     

An arterial island pattern of the axillary and brachial arteries: a case report with clinical implications

The variability of axillary and brachial arteries is often associated with neural anomalies in arrangement of the brachial plexus. The current report is focused on the coexistence of two brachial arteries of axillary origin with an atypical median nerve formatted by three (two lateral and a medial) roots in the right arm of a 68-year-old male cadaver. Medially, the brachial artery located in front of the median nerve was named superficial brachial artery and anastomosed with the brachial artery situated posterolateral to the median nerve, hence it is referred as the main brachial artery or brachial artery. Subsequently, the two arteries were recombined and the created arterial complex, like an island pattern, ended dividing into radial and ulnar arteries, at the level of the radial neck. To our knowledge, the combination of the above-mentioned arterial pattern to an abnormally formatted median nerve has not yet been cited. The current neurovascular abnormalities followed by an embryological explanation may have clinical implications.     

急性上肢哑铃训练对颈总动脉硬度和血液动力学的影响

抗阻力训练对于动脉硬度的影响存在着相互矛盾的结果。为研究不同负荷的急性上肢哑铃训练对颈总动脉硬度和血液动力学的影响,选择10名健康男性志愿者,年龄（21 ± 2）岁,分别进行5 kg和7 kg负荷的哑铃上肢曲臂训练各50次,两种负荷中间休息30 min。用彩色超声多普勒记录静息状态及不同哑铃负荷训练后颈总动脉的管径和轴心流速波形,用电子自动血压计同步测量心率和肱动脉血压。基于检测的实验数据,用经典血液动力学理论对颈总动脉硬度、压力-应变弹性模量以及相关血液动力学参数进行分析和计算。结果表明,受试者经过急性上肢哑铃训练后,心率、最大轴心流速、收缩压和最大壁面切应力等血液动力学参数明显增大,而颈总动脉管径、平均流量率、平均血压等参数没有明显变化。此外,在经过5 kg哑铃训练后,最大流量率和平均轴心流速显著增加,最小轴心流速显著减小,颈总动脉硬度、压力-应变弹性模量、舒张压、最小壁面切应力和振荡剪切指数无明显变化;而7 kg哑铃训练后,颈总动脉硬度、压力-应变弹性模量、振荡剪切指数明显增加,舒张压、最小壁面切应力显著降低,平均轴心流速和轴心流速最小值无明显变化。上肢急性哑铃训练会明显改变部分血液动力学参数,在高负荷训练时会急性增加颈总动脉的硬度。     

Is it Time to Go Back to Basics?

How to cite this article: Chaturvedi A, Trikha A. Is it Time to Go Back to Basics? Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(5):598.

Sir,We read with interest the article by Piazza et al.¹ in JAMA on arterial and venous thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. We wish to share our clinical observation and experience regarding arterial thrombosis in critically ill COVID-19 patients. We have come across three severely ill COVID-19 patients who had developed radial artery thrombosis following radial artery cannulation. Of these, two developed gangrenous changes despite being on standard therapeutic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin. The two patients who developed these gangrenous changes had thrombus of ulnar artery as evidenced by the Doppler study done after the onset of gangrene. The third patient developed minimal discoloration of the index and the ring finger within few hours of radial artery cannulation. The arterial cannula was removed, and the Doppler study revealed radial artery thrombus and a sluggish flow in the ulnar artery. Confirmation of thrombosis was based on Doppler ultrasonography (USG) in all three patients. An important observation was that all three patients had elevated D-dimer values on admission, as well as raised serum interleukin-6 and ferritin values. Raised D-dimer is similar to the findings of Piazza et al.¹ The authors recommended thromboprophylaxis in critically ill COVID-19 patients. However, our patients developed thrombosis despite thromboprophylaxis. We suggest and have started a practice of doing modified Allen''s test in such patients prior to radial artery cannulation. This test despite being far from foolproof is a simple and quick bedside test for assessing the presence of collateral circulation.² It can be performed in conjunction with observation of the plethysmograph on pulse oximetry, in patients at high risk of thrombosis. When indicated, the diagnosis can be supported by the use of Doppler USG for confirmation. We thus recommend performing the modified Allen''s test and observing the plethysmograph in all critically ill COVID-19 patients with raised inflammatory markers prior to arterial cannulation to further safeguard against this dreaded complication.     

Development of the arterial pattern in the upper limb of staged human embryos: normal development and anatomic variations

A total of 112 human embryos (224 upper limbs) between stages 12 and 23 of development were examined. It was observed that formation of the arterial system in the upper limb takes place as a dual process. An initial capillary plexus appears from the dorsal aorta during stage 12 and develops at the same rate as the limb. At stage 13, the capillary plexus begins a maturation process involving the enlargement and differentiation of selected parts. This remodelling process starts in the aorta and continues in a proximal to distal sequence. By stage 15 the differentiation has reached the subclavian and axillary arteries, by stage 17 it has reached the brachial artery as far as the elbow, by stage 18 it has reached the forearm arteries except for the distal part of the radial, and finally by stage 21 the whole arterial pattern is present in its definitive morphology. This differentiation process parallels the development of the skeletal system chronologically. A number of arterial variations were observed, and classified as follows: superficial brachial (7.7%), accessory brachial (0.6%), brachioradial (14%), superficial brachioulnar (4.7%), superficial brachioulnoradial (0.7%), palmar pattern of the median (18.7%) and superficial brachiomedian (0.7%) arteries. They were observed in embryos belonging to stages 17–23 and were not related to a specific stage of development. Statistical comparison with the rates of variations reported in adults did not show significant differences. It is suggested that the variations arise through the persistence, enlargement and differentiation of parts of the initial network which would normally remain as capillaries or even regress.     

Radial artery running beneath the biceps tendon and its interrelation between the radial recurrent arteries

A radial artery running beneath the biceps tendon was found in the cadaver of a Japanese woman during a student dissection course at Kumamoto University School of Medicine in 2006. The brachial artery bifurcated into the radial artery and the ulnar artery in the cubital fossa, and the radial artery twisted laterally running beneath the biceps tendon, and when it was situated laterally to the tendon, twisted distally at the level of the radial tuberosity, and then twisted medially again. After the radial artery passed over the biceps tendon, it turned distally and continued as a normal radial artery. The superficial brachial artery, which coexisted with the brachial artery, was given off from the axillary artery and it continued to the final twist of the radial artery. The course of this radial artery is similar to the arterial rings surrounding the biceps tendon, found during the same dissection course. The arterial rings were formed between the brachial artery and the radial artery, and their proximal origins ran beneath the biceps tendon, while the distal origins were superficial. The present arterial variation is thought to have occurred when the normal part of the radial artery in the cubital fossa was substituted by the arterial ring, coexisting with the superficial brachial artery, which usually disappears during normal development. Furthermore, it is suggested that a part of the arterial ring always remains as a radial recurrent artery.     

Serum amyloid P (SAP) is associated with impaired brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in chronically HIV-1 infected adults on stable antiretroviral therapy

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and endothelial dysfunction (ED), as measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional analysis utilizing baseline data of 135 participants with HIV infection on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Hawaii Aging with HIV-Cardiovascular (HAHC-CVD) study who had available baseline inflammatory biomarkers and brachial artery FMD measurements.

Results:We observed significant associations between brachial artery FMD and baseline brachial artery diameter, age, male gender, traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as BMI, waist to hip ratio, hypertension, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and LDL cholesterol, and 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk estimated by Framingham risk score (FRS). Of all biomarkers tested, higher level of C-reactive protein (CRP) (beta?= ??0.695, P?=?0.030) and serum amyloid P (SAP) (beta?= ??1.318, P?=?0.021) were significantly associated with lower brachial artery FMD in univariable regression analysis. After adjusting for baseline brachial artery diameter, age, and selected traditional CVD risk factors in multivariable model, SAP remained significantly associated with brachial artery FMD (beta?= ??1.094, P?=?0.030), while CRP was not (beta?= ??0.391, P?=?0.181).

Discussion:Serum amyloid P was independently associated with impaired brachial artery FMD and may potentially relate to ED and increased CVD risk in HIV-infected patients on stable ART.