Repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with renal, iliac, or distal arterial occlusive disease

Appropriate preoperative vascular assessment of patients presenting with aortic aneurysms and arterial occlusive disease is essential to obtain the optimal results from aneurysm repair. The renal arteries should be evaluated in patients with hypertension or renal dysfunction, and stenosis must be addressed when seen on arteriograms. Hemodynamically significant lesions are candidates for bypass concomitant with aortic replacement. The stump pressure of a patent inferior mesenteric artery should be assessed intraoperatively, and bypass or reimplantation should be performed if colon ischemia might result from internal mesenteric artery ligation. If vasculogenic impotence is suggested by preoperative studies, meticulous nerve-sparing dissection and revascularization of the internal iliac arteries may result in recovery of erectile function in some patients. In all cases of aneurysm repair, the hypogastric circulation must be maintained through either direct revascularization or bypass to major collateral arteries. Iliac occlusive disease may be evaluated with several modalities, including physical examination, noninvasive laboratory testing, arteriography, and the papaverine test, to determine whether critical or subcritical stenoses are present. Aortic bifurcation grafts should be used to construct the distal anastomoses beyond areas of significant disease. The extent of lower-extremity occlusive disease directly affects the long-term patency of aortic replacement, and diligent follow-up is necessary for timely intervention to maintain patency of vascular reconstructions.     

Successful endovascular repair of juxtarenal and suprarenal aortic aneurysms with a branched stent graft

This case report describes a new technique for repairing pararenal aortic aneurysms with a transluminally placed triple-branched stent graft with sidearms extending into the superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries. Endovascular repair with the branched stent graft was attempted in two patients with a pararenal aortic Aneurysm. Stent grafting was technically successful in both patients. Although postoperative transient renal function impairment and paralytic ileus occurred in patient 2, these complications were gradually resolved in the perioperative period. A substantial shrinkage of the aneurysm was revealed by means of computed tomographic measurements in patient 1. In both patients, complete exclusion of the aneurysm and patency of the bilateral renal arteries and the superior mesenteric artery were confirmed by means of follow-up computed tomographic images at 2 years. This minimally invasive approach for pararenal aortic aneurysms appears to be a viable therapeutic option for patients who are at high risk for open surgery.     

Descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafting: A role for primary revascularization for aortoiliac occlusive disease?

Purpose: Bypass grafts that originate from the descending thoracic aorta to the iliac or femoral arteries are well described but are not commonly used as primary procedures, and the long-term results remain unknown. A 15-year experience with 50 descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafts for aortoiliac occlusive disease is the basis of this report. Methods: From January 1983 to December 1997, patients who underwent bypass grafting procedures from the descending thoracic aorta to the iliac or femoral arteries were identified. Surgical indications, morbidity and mortality rates, primary and secondary patency rates, limb salvage rates, and survival rates were determined. Results: Fifty descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafting procedures were performed—24 (48%) for severe claudication, 22 (44%) for rest pain, and 4 (8%) for ischemic ulceration. A primary procedure was performed in 31 patients (62%) for complete occlusion (21 patients) and severe atherosclerotic disease (10 patients) of the infrarenal aorta. The indications for 19 secondary revascularizations (38%) were prior aortic or extra-anatomic graft failure in 17 cases and aortic graft infection in 2 cases. The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 150 months (mean, 39 months). The cumulative life-table 5-year primary patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and survival rates were 79%, 84%, 93%, and 67%, respectively. An improved patency trend was observed for patients who underwent operation for severe claudication as compared with limb-threatening ischemia (92% and 69%; P = .07). However, there was no difference between primary and secondary operations in primary patency rates (81% and 79%; P = NS) or survival rates (72% and 62%; P = NS). Conclusion: Descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafting has excellent overall long-term results. These results support its more liberal use for primary revascularization, especially for patients with severe atherosclerotic disease or complete occlusion of the infrarenal aorta. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:249-58.)     

Multivessel coronary revascularization without saphenous vein: long-term results of bilateral internal mammary artery grafting

When the saphenous vein is absent or inadequate, options for multivessel coronary revascularization include bilateral mammary artery grafting and the use of conduits of unproven durability (arm vein, homologous umbilical vein, prosthetic graft). To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of bilateral mammary artery grafting, we reviewed the cases of 76 consecutive patients with multivessel disease (33 with two-vessel disease, 43 with three-vessel disease) who underwent revascularization with bilateral mammary artery grafts only during the period from 1971 to 1980. No hospital deaths occurred. Thirty-three free and 119 in situ grafts were used. Late follow-up was complete, ranging from 12 to 132 months (mean interval, 67 months) and revealed improvement by at least one New York Heart Association functional class in 59 of 71 survivors. Postoperative arteriograms (mean interval, 26 months) of 55 grafts in 28 patients showed that 49 grafts were patent (89%). Five late deaths (2 noncardiac) occurred. Actuarial survival was 97.2% to seven years and 90.2% at nine years after operation. Bilateral mammary artery grafting yielded excellent graft patency, relief of symptoms, and long-term survival. When saphenous vein is unsuitable for grafting, bilateral mammary artery grafts should be utilized before other conduits are considered.     

Combined aortic and visceral arterial reconstruction: risks and results

The indications, morbidity, and efficacy of combined reconstruction of the abdominal aorta and visceral arteries (renal and superior mesenteric; excluding suprarenal aortic aneurysms) were analyzed retrospectively in 29 consecutive patients who underwent surgery from June 1984 through February 1990. Seventeen men and 12 women ages 32 to 76 years (mean, 66 years) were studied. Follow-up was complete in all patients to either death or calendar year 1989 to 1990 (mean, 31.9 months; range, 2 to 66 months). All patients underwent bypass of angiographically proven severe lesions of one renal artery (19 patients), both renal arteries (8 patients), or the superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries (2 patients), in concert with synthetic distal aortic replacement for occlusive disease (10 patients) or aneurysm (19 patients). Indications for renal artery repair included severe hypertension in 13 patients, ischemic renal insufficiency in 8 patients, and lesion morphology alone in 8 patients. Operative mortality rate was 3 of 29 (10.3%), and each death was the result of multisystem organ failure. Nonfatal complications occurred in 11 of the 26 survivors (42%), and this group differed significantly from the uncomplicated 15 patients only in having a higher mean preoperative serum creatinine (2.5 +/- 1.1 mg/dl vs 1.6 +/- 0.9 mg/dl, p = 0.04, t test). The mortality rate of patients with preoperative serum creatinine greater than or equal to 2.0 mg/dl, was 15.4% (2/13 patients), compared to 6.2% (1/16) in patients with creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dl. Three late deaths occurred (2 stroke, 1 cancer). Hypertension control improved in 64% of patients overall, and in 7 of 9 patients whose major operative indication was renovascular hypertension. Renal function remained stable or improved in 12 of 15 patients (80%) with renal insufficiency, but 3 patients progressed to require dialysis. Long-term graft patency was demonstrated by angiography or on duplex scan in all studied survivors (21 patients). Although operative risks are clearly increased compared to less complex vascular procedures, careful patient selection and management will yield a favorable outcome in most patients with such combined lesions.     

Outcomes after redo procedures for failed mesenteric revascularization

This report examines results of mesenteric revascularization following a failed splanchnic revascularization. Patients undergoing repeat mesenteric revascularization from January 1985 to July 2002 were identified from a prospectively maintained registry. Data recorded included procedures performed, perioperative mortality, complications, and operative indications. Patients who had embolic events were excluded. Eighty-six patients underwent 105 mesenteric interventions in this time period; 22 patients underwent 33 repeat mesenteric revascularization procedures. There were 25 single-vessel bypasses, 3 multivessel reconstructions, 3 angioplasty procedures (1 open, 2 percutaneous), and 2 graft thrombectomies. Complications occurred in 33.3%. Perioperative mortality was 6.1%, all in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. One- and 4-year primary patency for repeat mesenteric revascularization was 73.5% and 62.2%, respectively, and survival for repeat mesenteric revascularization was 85.9% and 75.5%, respectively. Patients surgically treated for mesenteric ischemia can require additional interventions. Repeat revascularization effectively prolongs survival when an earlier intervention fails.     

Revascularization of the superior mesenteric artery alone for treatment of intestinal ischemia

OBJECTIVE: Complete revascularization is recommended by many authors for treatment of intestinal ischemia. The observation that postprandial intestinal hyperemia is limited to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) has suggested to us that SMA revascularization alone should be adequate treatment. We preferentially manage intestinal ischemia with a single bypass graft to the SMA and herein update our results using this approach. METHODS: Patients were identified from a prospectively established vascular surgical registry. Each patient was assessed for acute versus chronic intestinal ischemia, preoperative angiographic findings, operation used, perioperative morbidity and mortality, late symptomatic relief, cause of death, and life table-determined survival and graft patency. Graft patency was determined by follow-up angiography or duplex scanning. RESULTS: Fifty bypass grafts to the SMA alone were performed in 49 patients (31 women, 18 men; mean age, 62 years) for treatment of intestinal ischemia. In all patients additional splanchnic arteries were available for bypass grafting. Operative indications were acute symptoms in 21 patients, 14 of whom had bowel infarction; chronic symptoms in 26 patients; and prophylaxis in conjunction with infrarenal aortic surgery in 3 patients. Thirty-two grafts originated from the aorta or an iliac artery, and 18 originated from an aortic graft. There were 40 prosthetic and 10 autogenous conduits. Perioperative mortality was 3% in patients with chronic symptoms and 12% overall. All survivors were symptomatically improved. Mean follow-up was 44 months. Nine-year assisted primary graft patency was 79%, and 5-year patient survival was 61%. Two late deaths occurred in patients with recurrent intestinal ischemia resulting from graft occlusions. CONCLUSIONS: Bypass grafting to the SMA alone appears to be both an effective and durable procedure for treatment of intestinal ischemia. Our results appear equal to those reported for "complete" revascularization for intestinal ischemia. When the SMA is a suitable recipient vessel, multiple bypass grafts to other splanchnic vessels are unnecessary in the treatment of intestinal ischemia.     

Postinfarct ventricular septal defect repair: effect of coronary artery bypass grafting.

Between June 1968 and April 1991, 75 patients who had undergone coronary angiography underwent repair of a postinfarction ventricular septal defect. Group 1 (n = 33) includes patients who had two- or three-vessel serious (> 75% narrowing) proximal coronary artery disease and underwent complete revascularization in addition to repair of the ventricular septal defect. Group 2 (n = 19) patients also had two- or three-vessel coronary artery disease but bypass grafting was not performed; only the ventricular defect was repaired. Group 3 (n = 23) patients had only single-vessel coronary artery disease that corresponded to the region of the infarct; they underwent ventricular septal defect repair only. Follow-up of hospital survivors was 96% complete at a mean of 86.2 months (range, 1 to 288 months). Hospital mortality after ventricular septal defect repair was 21.2% in the cohort with bypassed coronary artery disease (group 1), 26.3% in those with unbypassed disease (group 2), and 26.1% in those with only single-vessel coronary artery disease (group 3) (p = 0.88). With follow-up after 5 and 10 years, the actuarial survival was 72.2% +/- 8% and 47.8% +/- 10%, respectively, in the bypassed group, 29.2% +/- 11% and 0%, respectively, in the unbypassed group, and 52.2% +/- 10% and 36.5% +/- 11%, respectively, in the cohort with single-vessel disease. Bypassing associated coronary artery disease significantly increased long-term survival when compared with patients with unbypassed coronary artery disease (p = 0.0015).     

Hybrid repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in high-risk patients using a quadrifurcated graft

Surgical treatment for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm is still challenging and is associated with a high risk of paraplegia. Hybrid repair with stent graft insertion for the thoracoabdominal aorta excluding the branches of the lumbar and visceral arteries and bypass grafting to the visceral branches has been introduced as a less invasive treatment that reduces the risk of paraplegia. For hybrid repair, it is important to have appropriate management of the revascularized grafts to the 4 visceral arteries with sufficient inflow. We have recently adopted a knitted quadrifurcated graft applied inversely from the abdominal aorta or the iliac artery to the 4 visceral arteries; the celiac, superior mesenteric, and bilateral renal arteries. To date, we have used the graft in hybrid repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in 2 high-risk elder patients who had disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and severe renal failure, respectively. We found that a knitted quadrifurcated graft was easy to handle and useful for reducing the number of anastomoses, which were expected to shorten the operation time. Postoperative courses were uneventful without paraplegia in either patient. Postoperative computed tomography showed excellent patency of the inversely applied quadrifurcated graft without any endoleak or migration in the thoracoabdominal stent. In conclusion, revascularization of 4 visceral arteries using a quadrifurcated graft should be considered a preferable option in hybrid treatment for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.     

Chronic visceral ischemia: symptom-free survival after open surgical repair

A retrospective review of patients treated with a history of chronic visceral ischemia (CVI) was made to determine primary patency of open surgical repair and estimated symptom-free survival. Patients with CVI between 1990 and 2003 were reviewed. Included were those with chronic symptoms alone (C-CVI) and acute-on-chronic symptoms (A-CVI). Data were obtained from a vascular database. Symptom-free survival and graft patency were estimated by using product limit estimates. Fifty-eight patients (13 men, 45 women; mean age: 63 years) were treated surgically for C-CVI (34 patients) and A-CVI (24 patients). All patients had postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss (mean: 17 kg). One fourth reported food fear. Preoperative imaging demonstrated disease of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) (100%; 64% occluded), celiac axis (89%; 37% occluded), and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) (54%; 60% occluded). Multiple vessels were involved in 95% of patients (mean: 2.3 vessels/patient). Operative management included antegrade revascularization of 80 vessels. Combined aortic and/or renal procedures were performed in 7 patients. Patient demographics and visceral disease did not differ for C-CVI and A-CVI; however, perioperative mortality differed significantly (10% for C-CVI vs 54% for A-CVI [p < 0.001]). Intestinal gangrene at presentation was associated with perioperative (hazard ratio [HR]: 7.6; 95% CI: 2.7-21.6; p=0.0002) and follow-up death (HR: 7.8; CI 2.8-21.9; p <0.0001). Follow-up (mean: 34 months) was complete for 54/68 vessels (79%). Estimated primary and primary assisted patency at 5 years were 81% and 89% respectively. Estimated symptom-free survival for hospital survivors was 57% at 70 months. Open antegrade methods of visceral artery repair for CVI were durable and associated with 57% symptom-free survival at 70 months. Patient demographics and distribution of visceral artery anatomy were similar; however, perioperative mortality for C-CVI and A-CVI differed dramatically. Improved outcomes for A-CVI require recognition and treatment of CVI before onset of intestinal gangrene.     

Endovascular versus open mesenteric revascularization: immediate benefits do not equate with short-term functional outcomes

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous therapy for symptomatic visceral occlusive disease is rapidly gaining popularity in many centers. This study evaluates the anatomic and functional outcomes of open and endovascular therapy for chronic mesenteric ischemia at an academic medical center. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent endovascular or open mesenteric arterial revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia between January 1989 and September 2003. Indications for revascularization included postprandial abdominal pain (92%) or weight loss (54%). All had atherosclerotic visceral occlusive disease with a median of 2 vessels with more than 50% stenosis or occlusion on angiography. Sixty patients (44 women, mean age 66 years) underwent 67 interventions (43 vessels bypassed, 23 vessel endarterectomies, 22 vessel angioplasty and stents). The median numbers of vessels revascularized were two in the open group and one in the endovascular group. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality and cumulative survival at 3 years were similar (open, 15% and 62% +/- 9%; endovascular, 21% and 63%+/-14%, respectively; p=NS). Cumulative patencies at 6 months were 83%+/-7% and 68%+/-14% in the open and endovascular groups, respectively (p=NS). Major morbidity, median postoperative length of stay, and cumulative freedom from recurrent symptoms at 6 months were significantly greater in the open group (open, 46%, 23 days, and 71%+/-7%, respectively; endovascular, 19%, 1 day, and 34%+/-10%, respectively; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular revascularization is attractive because it carries equivalent patency to open revascularization. Symptomatic benefit of endovascular revascularization is not achieved, probably as a result of incomplete revascularization. Despite incomplete revascularization, endovascular therapy has equivalent survival and lower morbidity compared with open revascularization. Complete endovascular revascularization needs further evaluation to determine if it is superior to open revascularization. In the interim, endovascular therapy should be reserved for the patient unable to undergo open revascularization.     

Chimney-Graft bei komplexen Aortenaneurysmen

Purpose

The aim of this article is to review the literature reporting the use of the chimney graft (CG) technique for the treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

Methods

Studies were included in the present review if revascularization of visceral branches during endovascular treatment of complex AAAs was accomplished with the CG technique. Case reports and non-consecutive series with less than ten patients were excluded.

Results

A total of 5 publications with a total number of 94 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The CG procedure was applied for the treatment of primary pararenal or juxtarenal AAAs in 78.7?% and for the repair of para-anastomotic pseudoaneurysms or endoleaks after prior open or endovascular repair in 19.2%. Of the patients 2 (2.1?%) were operated on for atheromatous aortic occlusive disease and 16 (17%) in an urgent setting. A total of 148 (average 1.57 per patient) visceral vessels were treated with CGs: 124 (83.8?%) renal arteries, 21 (14.2?%) superior mesenteric arteries (AMS) and 3 (2?%) celiac arteries (CT). Primary technical success was 96.8?% with an early type I endoleak rate of 11?%. The 30-day in-hospital mortality was 5.3?% (5.1?% and 6.3?% for elective and urgent cases, respectively) and CG patency during follow-up (mean 9.9 months) was 97.3?%. Postoperative renal function impairment occurred in 16?%, cardiac complications in 7.4?% and ischemic stroke in 3.2?% of patients.

Conclusions

Early results of the CG method demonstrate feasibility but due to the lack of long-term outcome data this technique should be currently limited to bail-out procedures or acute situations. For elective cases, fenestrated stent grafting or open repair remain the treatments of choice.     

Long-term outcome after mesenteric artery reconstruction: a 37-year experience

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was the definition of the late results and determining factors after mesenteric artery reconstruction (MAR) for atherosclerotic mesenteric ischemia. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 48 consecutive patients (66 arteries) who underwent MAR for acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) of nonembolic origin (n = 23; 12 with and 11 without prior symptoms) and chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI; n = 25) from 1963 to 2000 in a tertiary care referral center. The 29 women (60%) and the 19 men (40%) had a mean age of 64 years (range, 40 to 87 years). The operative procedures consisted of bypass grafting in 36 arteries (AMI, 12; CMI, 24), local endarterectomy (LEA) in 16 arteries (AMI, 9; CMI 7), and transaortic endarterectomy (TAE) in 14 arteries (AMI, 4; CMI, 10). The follow-up of the 34 survivors was complete in all but four patients and averaged 5.3 years (range, 30 days to 36 years). Radiographic documentation of vessel/graft patency was obtained in 33 of 34 survivors. RESULTS: Single-vessel revascularization was performed more frequently in the AMI group than in the CMI group (91% versus 48%; P =.001). The perioperative (<30 days) mortality rate in the AMI group was 52% (12 of 23 cases) as compared with 0 of 25 cases in the CMI group (P <.001). Bowel infarction was the cause of nine deaths. Major complications occurred in 60% of the cases. Fifteen late graft failures occurred, for a cumulative patency rate of 57% at 5 years and 46% at 10 years. TAE was associated with improved patency rates as compared with LEA (TAE versus LEA; P =.002). Symptomatic recurrences developed in eight patients, all involving superior mesenteric artery thrombosis (P <.001). The freedom-from-recurrence rates in the survivors were 79% at 5 years and 59% at 10 years. The late survival rates were 54% and 20% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. With the exclusion of perioperative deaths, the probability of long-term survival was 77% at 5 years and 29% at 10 years and did not differ between AMI and CMI. CONCLUSION: Although MAR for CMI carries a low mortality rate, AMI remains a lethal and frequently unheralded problem. Long-term patency and symptom-free survival can be expected after successful MAR for AMI and is comparable with those rates achieved after MAR for CMI. The patency of the SMA is important in the prevention of symptomatic recurrences. Elective MAR is indicated in patients with CMI and warrants long-term surveillance.     

Preoperative spinal cord arteriography in aneurysmal disease of the descending thoracicand thoracoabdominal aorta: Preliminary results in 45 patients

Between 1985 and 1988 45 patients with descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms underwent selective arteriography of the intercostal and lumbar arteries to delineate preoperatively the artery of Adamkiewicz and the thoracic radicular artery. Identification of these vessels failed in five patients (11%), was considered complete in 31 patients (69%) and incomplete in nine (20%). Selective arteriography classified these patients into four groups: groups A and B--the artery of Adamkiewicz arose respectively above and below the zone of operation; group C--the artery arose directly from the segment to be operated; and group D--origin could not be determined. All 30 patients in group C underwent a spinal cord revascularization procedure (complete in 20 cases, incomplete in 10). Spinal cord complications occurred in 9/45 patients (20%). No spinal cord complications occurred in groups A and B; their incidence was 5% in group C when revascularization was complete, and 50% when revascularization was incomplete; and 60% had complications in group D (p less than 0.01). Spinal cord complications were more frequent (p less than 0.05) when the artery of Adamkiewicz arose from an intercostal or lumbar artery obliterated at its aortic origin but filled through collaterals or when spinal cord circulation was interrupted for more than 45 minutes. This study confirms the importance of preserving arterial supply to the spinal cord during repair of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms. The information obtained from spinal cord arteriography allows the prediction of complications and informs the choice of the appropriate surgical technique.     

Graft design strategies with optimum antegrade bypass flow in total arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass.

OBJECTIVE: In arterial conduits, graft flow is one of the major determinants of long-term patency. We sought to delineate the effect of strategy for graft arrangement and design to three-vessel disease by evaluation of the dominant flow direction in each segment of a bypass graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed coronary angiograms of 1571 bypass grafts in 395 patients who underwent total arterial off-pump coronary revascularization without aortic manipulation for three-vessel disease since December 2000. The graft flow graded as A (antegrade), B (competitive), C (reverse), and O (no flow=occlusion). The current arrangement and design has been introduced since March 2003, and consists of the in-situ left internal thoracic artery (ITA) to the anterior descending artery and the composite I-graft of the right ITA and radial artery to the left circumflex (LCX) and right coronary artery (RCA) territories. Either clockwise or counterclockwise orientation, the I-graft was chosen to achieve a sufficient antegrade flow. Group I consisted of 181 patients with a single in-situ ITA as a composite Y-graft. Group II consisted of 214 patients with bilateral in-situ ITAs, which subdivided into Subgroup II-A consisted of 80 patients with bilateral in-situ ITAs until February 2003, and Subgroup II-B consisted of 134 patients with bilateral in-situ ITAs since March 2003. RESULTS: The number of distal anastomoses was 3.52+/-0.63 in Group I, and 4.36+/-0.83 in Group II, respectively (p<0.0001). The overall graft patency rate was 98.6% (1549/1571), and there was no significance different between the groups. The rate of grade A in Group II was 863/933 (92.5%) and was significantly higher (p=0.049) than that of Group I 572/638 (89.7%). The rate of functioning bypass in Subgroup II-B was (95.8%) 568/593, and was significantly higher (p=0.03) than that in Subgroup II-A (92.4%) 314/340. In Subgroup II-B, 233/268 (86.9%) of the conduits had completely grade A bypass flow, and this ratio was significantly higher (p=0.04) than that in Subgroup II-A (79.4%) 127/160. CONCLUSION: Usage of bilateral ITAs and selecting the orientation of the I-graft to LCX and RCA branches provide maximal distal anastomotic sites with satisfactory graft patency rate, and simultaneously minimized the incidence of reverse and competitive flow.     

Type III and IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair: results of a trifurcated/two-graft technique

OBJECTIVE: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair continues to present a surgical challenge because of obligate intraoperative visceral, renal, and spinal cord ischemia. A novel two-graft technique with a trifurcated graft for sequential visceral revascularization followed by a second graft for inline aneurysm reconstruction minimizes this endorgan ischemia. We herein present our updated experience with this approach for repair of type III and type IV TAAs. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (mean age, 70 years) underwent nonemergent repair of extent III (12 patients) and IV (20 patients) TAAs between March 1996 and October 2001. Repair was achieved with a trifurcated graft for uninvolved descending thoracic aorta-to-celiac/superior mesenteric/renal artery bypass with an additional tube or bifurcated graft for inline aneurysm reconstruction. Adjunctive cerebrospinal fluid drainage was used in the last six patients. Six patients had a solitary kidney, and six had previous infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. RESULTS: Mean visceral ischemia times were as follows: celiac artery, 12 minutes; superior mesenteric artery, 12 minutes; left renal artery, 10 minutes; and right renal artery, 33 minutes. The creatinine level at discharge was not significantly different from the preoperative level (1.7 versus 1.3; P =.10). Two patients (6.3%) had transient renal failure; however, the permanent renal failure rate was zero. No patient with a solitary kidney had renal dysfunction develop. Paraplegia occurred in two patients (6.3%), one of whom had prior abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and neither of whom had cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Prolonged ventilatory support (>2 days) was necessitated in six patients (19%). The perioperative mortality rate was 6.3% (two patients). The mean follow-up period was 22 months, with a life-table survival rate of 76% at 36 months. Maintenance of preoperative functional status was achieved in 92% (23/25 patients) of long-term survivors. CONCLUSION: Type III and IVTAA repair with a trifurcated graft for sequential visceral revascularization followed by a second graft for inline aneurysm reconstruction provides short visceral, renal, and spinal cord ischemia times and leads to low rates of endorgan ischemic damage and paraplegia. Preoperative functional status is maintained in most survivors. These results compare favorably with other methods of TAA repair, and this technique presents a useful option in thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction.     

Long-term results of the surgical management of symptomatic chronic intestinal ischemia.

We analyzed our surgical experience in 20 patients who underwent revascularization procedures for symptomatic chronic intestinal ischemia caused by atherosclerosis. The group comprised 17 women and 3 men, with an age range of 25 to 71 years (mean 58.6 years). Sixteen patients had postprandial abdominal pain, and 4 had pain not related to eating. The average weight loss was 23.8 lb. Malabsorption and diarrhea were present in 8 patients. The duration of the symptoms was from 4 to 46 months (mean 13.4 months). One patient presented with acute intestinal ischemia following balloon angioplasty reocclusion of a stenotic celiac artery, and 3 underwent surgery for stenosis of a previously placed graft. Five patients had single mesenteric artery involvement, 10 had double-artery involvement, and 5 had significant occlusion in all 3 mesenteric arteries. The major arteries were revascularized whenever technically possible; therefore, 36 arteries were revascularized in 20 patients. Bypass grafts were done in 27 vessels, reimplantation in 7, and endarterectomy with patch angioplasty in 2. The saphenous vein was used in 12 vessels, polytetrafluoroethylene grafts in 8, dacron in 6, and inferior mesenteric vein in 1. The type of revascularization or graft utilized did not affect long-term patency. Two patients had early graft thrombosis and required intestinal resection. All patients survived the operation. At a mean follow-up of 36 months, all 20 patients were alive and asymptomatic with regard to their abdominal complaint. Ten patients (50%) underwent postoperative abdominal angiography; all the grafts were patent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mid-term angiographic comparison of sequential and individual anastomosis techniques for diagonal artery

OBJECTIVE: The mid-term patency rates for individual and sequential grafts as coronary bypass conduits for diagonal arteries were angiographically compared; the impact of native coronary vessel and type of the conduit characteristics are investigated. METHODS: Between March 1992 and April 2000, we performed a total number of 811 distal anastomosis on diagonal arteries of left anterior descending (LAD) artery in 296 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) distal anastomosis in our clinic. The patients were divided into two groups in this prospective study. In group A (n = 195) individual anastomosis technique, in group B (n = 101) sequential anastomosis technique was chosen as the myocardial revascularization strategy. At an average of 49.4 +/- 13.2 months after coronary revascularization procedure coronary angiographies were evaluated. Individual and sequential grafting techniques were compared by graft patency rates. RESULTS: The patency rates of sequential conduits were markedly higher than those of individual conduits (66.7% vs. 89.2%, p = 0.0001). This difference was also clear in coronary arteries with poor quality and small (<1.5 mm) diameter (49.1% vs. 66.6%, p = 0.032). Also, the patency rates of sequential radial artery conduits were higher than sequential saphenous vein graft (SVG) conduits (sequential radial artery; 94.1%, sequential SVG; 85.3%, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Sequential grafting for diagonal artery is technically more demanding but the mid-term results are better than individual grafting especially in coronary arteries with poor quality. Using radial artery as a sequential graft increases the mid-term graft patency rates.     

Left anterior descending coronary artery: long-term angiographic results of CABG with endarterectomy

AIM: The procedure of coronary bypass grafting (CABG) with coronary endarterectomy (CE) is controversial. However, in the setting of severely calcified coronary arteries CE may enable complete revascularization. Complete revascularization, especially of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), is important for long-term outcome. In this study we assessed long-term LAD graft patency and anterior wall function after CABG with CE of the LAD. METHODS: Between 1984 and 1992, 283 patients underwent CABG with CE of the LAD. In 50 patients (47 men), aged 59+/-7.6 (40-77), clinical reassessment and surveillance angiography were performed. In all patients complete revascularization had been achieved with 3.5+/-1 (1-5) grafts/patient with 1-3 CE/patient. The LAD was grafted either with a saphenous vein segment (N=38) or with left intern thoracic artery (N=12). A graft obstructed less than 50% in diameter was defined as patent. RESULTS: At follow-up 39 patients (78%) were in CCS class I/II and had improved significantly (P<0.000). Control angiography after 7.6+/-2.5 (3.5-11.7) years after CABG revealed a patent LAD graft in 30/50 patients (60%). Actuarial graft patency was 100%, 96%, and 56% after 2, 5, and 10 years and was lower in patients with diabetes (P=0.001). Deterioration of anterior wall motion was observed in 17 patients (34%) and was more frequent if anterior wall motion was preoperatively normal (P=0.002), irrespective of LAD graft patency. CONCLUSION: Clinical status and long-term graft patency of grafts on endarterectomized LAD is considerable. However, patients with preoperatively normal anterior wall function are at increased risk for myocardial damage in the long-term.     

Adjunctive renal artery revascularization during juxtarenal and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs

Background

We report a 15-year experience with renal artery revascularization during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods

AAA repairs from 1994 to 2009 were reviewed. Postoperative complications, renal function, patency, and survival in patients undergoing renal artery revascularization were evaluated and compared with a control group of patients undergoing juxtarenal AAA repairs not requiring renal artery revascularization.

Results

Sixty patients underwent renal artery revascularization during AAA repair. Transient postoperative renal insufficiency occurred in 20 patients. Temporary hemodialysis was required in 3 patients, with none requiring permanent hemodialysis. There was 1 postoperative death. There was 1 renal artery revascularization failure at 1 month but no other graft failures at 12 months median follow-up evaluation (1-year patency, 97%). In comparison with the control group, transient renal insufficiency and pulmonary complications (33.3% vs 19.8%; P = .042) were more common with renal artery revascularization, with no differences in long-term renal complications or mortality.

Conclusions

Renal artery revascularization can be performed during AAA repair with excellent patency and minimal morbidity.