Distal thoracic aorta as inflow for the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia

PURPOSE: Mesenteric revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) traditionally involves antegrade or retrograde bypass graft originating from the supraceliac or infrarenal aorta. The distal thoracic aorta (DTA) may provide a better inflow source than the abdominal aorta. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results with the DTA used as inflow for the surgical treatment of CMI. METHODS: All patients undergoing mesenteric revascularization for CMI with grafts originating from the DTA were identified from 1990 to 1999. A ninth interspace thoracoretroperitoneal incision was used for exposure, and distal aortic flow was maintained by use of a partial occlusion clamp. RESULTS: Eighteen consecutive patients with CMI underwent mesenteric bypass grafting with the DTA used as inflow. All patients were admitted with chronic abdominal pain or weight loss, with two (12%) requiring urgent revascularization because of acute exacerbation of chronic symptoms. Fourteen (78%) patients had both celiac and superior mesenteric artery bypass grafts placed, and three (17%) patients had superior mesenteric artery grafts alone. There was one (6%) perioperative death and three (17%) major complications. There was no kidney failure, mesenteric infarction, or spinal cord ischemia. The life-table survival rate was 89%, 89%, and 76% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. All 18 patients remained symptom free and required no additional procedures to assist patency. There was no evidence of graft stenosis or occlusion (100% patency) for those grafts evaluated objectively during the mean follow-up of 34.8 months (range, 1-97 months). CONCLUSIONS: Antegrade mesenteric revascularization with the DTA used as inflow is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, it provides excellent midterm patency and survival results and should be considered as a primary approach for reconstruction of patients with CMI.     

Technical consideration in the management of chronic mesenteric ischemia

Our aging population may result in a rise in the prevalence of chronic mesenteric ischemia. This report reviews our contemporary experience with a tailored surgical approach to chronic mesenteric ischemia. The medical records of 17 patients operated on for chronic mesenteric ischemia were retrospectively reviewed. Symptom-free survival and long-term patency documented by duplex scanning when available were also analyzed. Sixteen patients ranging in age from 32 to 80 years were included in the study. Seventy-five per cent of the patients were female. The most common preoperative complaints were postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. Revascularization was tailored to the arterial anatomy and included bypass to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) alone (eight), bypass to the celiac artery and SMA (six), SMA reimplantation onto the aorta (one), SMA/inferior mesenteric artery reimplantation (one), and transaortic endarterectomy of the celiac artery/SMA (one). Bypass conduits included Dacron (eight), saphenous vein (four), and polytetrafluoroethylene (two). Bypass grafts originated from the supraceliac aorta in 12 patients; the remaining bypass originated from the left limb of an aortofemoral graft. There was one perioperative death (mortality 5.6%). Follow-up duplex scans at a mean of 34 months (range 1-114) showed no graft thromboses. We conclude that a variety of surgical techniques can provide durable relief of mesenteric ischemia. A tailored approach to revascularization optimizes patency and provides long-term symptom-free survival.     

Comparison of superficial femoral vein and saphenous vein as conduits for mesenteric arterial bypass

PURPOSE: Gangrenous bowel, intraabdominal sepsis, and previous failed mesenteric bypass are indications for use of an autogenous conduit for mesenteric arterial reconstruction. Saphenous vein (SV) is often used as the autogenous conduit of choice, but it may be prone to graft stenosis or occlusion. Recent experience with superficial femoral vein (SFV) suggests that it is an excellent alternative conduit for major arterial reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of SV and SFV for mesenteric arterial bypass. METHODS: During a 7-year period, 26 patients underwent 43 mesenteric arterial bypass procedures with autogenous conduit. SV was used for 23 bypasses (53%), and SFV was used for 20 bypasses (47%). Indications for revascularization included chronic mesenteric ischemia (n = 15; 58%), acute mesenteric ischemia (n = 9; 35%), and mycotic aneurysm of the paravisceral aorta (n = 2; 7%). Three patients (11%) underwent revascularization with SV grafts and two patients (8%) with SFV grafts after previous failed mesenteric bypass. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was 15%. Three deaths occurred after SV bypass for acute mesenteric ischemia, and one death occurred after a SFV bypass for a ruptured paravisceral mycotic aneurysm. Twenty-two surviving patients were followed for a mean of 31 +/- 6 months. Three of 11 patients (27%) who survived after SV bypass had recurrent mesenteric ischemia develop (acute, n = 1; chronic, n = 2) from graft thrombosis at a mean interval of 32 +/- 22 months after surgery. No patient had recurrent symptoms develop after SFV bypass. One of the three patients with SV graft failure died of acute mesenteric ischemia, and the other two patients underwent successful bypass with SFV. Symptomatic graft failure was significantly more likely to occur in patients receiving SV grafts compared with SFV grafts (P <.05). CONCLUSION: SFV yields acceptable clinical outcomes for mesenteric arterial bypass compared with SV. SFV is a viable alternative to SV when autogenous conduit is indicated for mesenteric arterial reconstruction.     

Technique of hybrid retrograde superior mesenteric artery stent placement for acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischemia

Revascularization for acute mesenteric ischemia can be challenging in patients with bowel gangrene, peritoneal contamination, and no good source of inflow for a bypass graft. A 70-year-old female patient presented with acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischemia, flush superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion, and diffuse aorto-iliac occlusive disease. This study describes the technique of hybrid retrograde SMA recanalization and stent placement using a midline laparotomy is described. The mid-portion of the SMA was exposed and jejunal branches were controlled with silastic vessel loop. Retrograde access was established under direct vision and the occluded SMA segment was crossed, pre-dilated, and stented using a balloon-expandable stent. The SMA was flushed through a longitudinal arteriotomy, which was closed using a saphenous vein patch. Retrograde hybrid SMA stenting is an expeditious option to revascularize patients with acute on chronic mesenteric ischemia who have peritoneal contamination and no other good source of inflow to the mesenteric arteries.     

Superior mesenteric artery bypass for chronic mesenteric ischaemia: a DGH experience

This article evaluates the results of single vessel bypass surgery for symptomatic chronic mesenteric ischaemia (CMI) in 6 patients undergoing a total of 8 superior mesenteric artery (SMA) bypass operations, all with good post-operative symptom relief. Post-prandial pain and weight loss was present in 5 out of 6 patients. Epigastric bruit was present in only two patients and 4 out of 6 patients had diarrhoea. The patients had varying degrees of peripheral vascular disease, ischaemic heart disease and hypertension. All patients had occlusion of the SMA on angiography and bypassing the occluded segment resulted in disappearance of the symptoms and weight gain. The vascular graft was sutured end to side to the front of the infra-renal aorta and end to side to the SMA, distal to the origin of the middle colic artery. Two patients had recurrence of symptoms due to graft occlusion at 3 and 4 years, respectively; they were successfully treated with repeat SMA bypass. There were no major complications or deaths related to the procedure in this study; one patient developed an incisional hernia requiring elective repair. Thus, early restoration of SMA circulation by bypass grafting in patients with CMI is sufficient to alleviate symptoms and prevent intestinal infarction with its high mortality rate.     

Mesenteric vascular problems. A 26-year experience.

Mesenteric vascular problems are infrequent, but may be catastrophic. During a 26-year period, 55 private patients were treated for the following disorders: (1) 12 patients with visceral artery aneurysms, (2) 8 with celiac compression syndrome, (3) 13 with chronic mesenteric ischemia, (4) 12 with acute mesenteric ischemia, and (5) 10 with mesenteric ischemia associated with aortic reconstructions. Splenic artery aneurysms were managed by excision and splenectomy, while celiac and hepatic had excision with graft replacement. Patients with celiac compression syndrome underwent lysis of the celiac artery. Two patients had compression of both celiac and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). One patient required vascular reconstruction of both arteries for residual stenoses. Patients having chronic mesenteric ischemia were treated with bypass grafts, with one death (7.7% mortality) and good long-term results. Those with acute mesenteric ischemia were treated by SMA embolectomy, bowel resection, or both, with a mortality of 67%. When associated with aortic reconstructions, mesenteric ischemia carried a mortality of 100% if bowel infarction occurred after operation, but when prophylactic mesenteric revascularization was performed at the time of aortic surgery, prognosis was greatly improved, with only one death among six patients. An aggressive approach including prompt arteriography with early diagnosis and surgical therapy is advocated for these catastrophic acute mesenteric problems.     

Aorto‐Mesenteric and Renal Allograft Transplant: A Novel Treatment for Midaortic Syndrome

Midaortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare condition characterized by stenosis of the aorta and often involving renal and visceral arteries. Current therapies include medical management of associated hypertension, and interventional procedures such as angioplasty or surgical bypass. We report a 2‐year‐old female with severe MAS who was initially treated with angioplasty and stents in both her aorta and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Due to the presence of long segment stenoses, her renal arteries were not amenable to surgical reconstruction and she rapidly progressed to Stage V chronic kidney disease. The patient underwent bilateral nephrectomy and renal transplantation using a donor thoracoabdominal aorta allograft to provide inflow for the kidney as well as to bypass the nearly occluded aorta. The donor SMA was used to bypass the native SMA stenosis. Postoperatively, the patient had normalization of four limb blood pressures. She weaned from five anti‐hypertensive agents to monotherapy with excellent renal function. This is the first reported case of thoracoabdominal aortic bypass using allograft aorta to address MAS. This approach allowed for successful kidney transplantation with revascularization of the mesenteric, and distal aortic circulation using allograft conduit that will grow with the child, obviating the need for repeated interventional or surgical procedures.     

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.     

Supraceliac aortomesenteric bypass for intestinal ischemia

The supraceliac aorta has received little attention as an inflow site of bypass graft origin for mesenteric arterial reconstruction; this article describes our experience with its use in 10 patients. Ten patients underwent bypass grafts (three vein and seven prosthetic grafts) from the supraceliac aorta incorporating the celiac axis to the superior mesenteric artery. All patients had two- or three-vessel mesenteric arterial occlusion. No operative deaths occurred. Nine patients were studied with postoperative arteriography. Nine of ten patients have had satisfactory results on follow-up from 5 to 99 months (mean 43 months), although two patients required operative revision to achieve this. The operative technique is described, including approach to the aorta in the lower mediastinum via upper abdominal exposure and pancreatic displacement to expose the superior mesenteric artery. This method permits avoidance of the infrarenal aorta, if desired because of atherosclerotic disease or previous operation. Antegrade supraceliac aortomesenteric grafts avoid turbulence and compression of conventional "retrograde" bypass beneath the mesentery. We conclude that supraceliac aortic grafts provide a useful visceral artery reconstruction technique.     

Superior mesenteric artery-to-renal artery bypass: A rare but useful alternative for renal artery revascularization

The aorta, celiac axis, and iliac arteries are the most common inflow arteries used for renal revascularization. When these inflow vessels are diseased, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) can be an alternative source of renal artery graft inflow. Previous reports have suggested that only an enlarged SMA should be used for this purpose, for fear of developing mesenteric ischemia. We report a patient who required renal artery revascularization with a saphenous vein graft from a normal-caliber SMA who did not develop subsequent mesenteric ischemia. The procedure was unique in demonstrating that the SMA can be used as a viable source of graft inflow even when it is anatomically normal.     

Durability of antegrade synthetic aortomesenteric bypass for chronic mesenteric ischemia

OBJECTIVE: The optimal treatment (endovascular/open repair, conduit, configuration) for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) remains unresolved. This study was designed to review the outcome of patients with CMI treated with antegrade synthetic aortomesenteric bypass. METHODS: The study was designed as a retrospective review in an academic tertiary care medical center. Patients with CMI who underwent antegrade synthetic aortomesenteric bypass were identified from a computerized vascular registry (from January 1987 to January 2001) with antegrade synthetic aortomesenteric bypass as intervention. Outcome measures were functional outcome (symptom relief, weight gain) and both graft patency (duplex ultrasound/angiography) and survival rates as determined with life-table analysis. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (female, 70%; age, 62 +/- 12 years) underwent aortomesenteric bypass (aortoceliac/aortosuperior mesenteric, n = 45; aortosuperior mesenteric, n = 2) for CMI (abdominal pain, 98%; weight loss, 83%). In-hospital mortality rate was 11% (four multiple organ dysfunction, one bowel infarction), mean length of stay was 32 +/- 30 days, three patients (6%) were discharged to a nursing home, and one (2%) was discharged home on parenteral nutrition (duration 4 months). At a mean follow-up period of 31 +/- 27 months, all patients had relief of abdominal pain and 86% had gained weight (at > or =1 year follow-up: mean ideal body weight 103 +/- 22%; versus before surgery: 87 +/- 17%; P <.001). Fourteen patients (34%) had diarrhea at discharge that persisted more than 6 months in 10. One patient had acute mesenteric ischemia develop from a failed graft (at 20 months), two patients had recurrent CMI develop from failing grafts (at 46 months and 49 months), and one asymptomatic patient was found to have a failing graft with duplex ultrasound scan (at 17 months); all grafts were revised. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary 5-year graft patency rates with life-table analysis were 69% (standard error [SE], 17%), 94% (SE, 7%), and 100%, respectively, and the 5-year survival rate was 74% (SE, 12%). CONCLUSION: Antegrade synthetic aortomesenteric bypass for CMI is associated with good functional outcome and long-term graft patency.     

Jejunal Artery Can Be a Useful Option for Arterial Reconstruction in Living Donor Liver Transplantation When the Suitable Arterial Inflow Is Absent

Successful arterial reconstruction is essential for liver transplantation. In the case of inadequate arterial inflow, an arterial conduit from the aorta using artery graft or re-establishment of arterial flow through other arteries such as the splenic artery, gastroepiploic, or sigmoid artery is considered. Herein we report our experience of 27 cases of hepatic artery reconstruction using alternative methods. The most common cause of hepatic artery reconstruction requiring alternative methods was intimal dissection for which we usually used the gastroepiploic artery. Many patients had a previous operation or transarterial chemoembolization history. Among these cases, hepatic artery reconstruction using the jejunal artery was performed for 2 cases of living donor liver transplantation due to the absence of suitable alternatives. These patients have been followed up with patent hepatic arterial flow until now. Thus, the jejunal artery can be a useful option for arterial reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation when suitable arterial inflow is absent.     

Gefäßchirurgische Therapieoption beim Wilkie-Syndrom

Background

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome, also known as Wilkie syndrome or arteriomesenteric obstruction of the duodenum, is a rare condition. The third part of the duodenum is compressed by the overlying, narrow-angled superior mesenteric artery (SMA) against the posterior structures. Typical symptoms are early satiety, recurrent vomiting, abdominal distention, weight loss with anorexia, and postprandial fullness. A gastrojejunostomy, duodenojejunostomy or Roux-en-Y reconstruction for reconstruction of the intestinal passage are usually the first surgical choices.

Material und methods

Four patients (37, 28, 23, and 24 years old) with typical symptoms of Wilkie syndrome who were treated with transposition of the superior mesenteric artery into the infrarenal aorta are reported. Postoperative upper gastro-intestinal series and abdominal computed tomography scans showed normal morphology with no signs of duodenal obstruction and a normal aortomesenteric angle. During follow-up, all patients’ physical conditions had improved.

Results

The vascular surgery approach to treat SMA syndrome is an alternative treatment option. Compression of the SMA is eliminated and it avoids contact and compression of the duodenum. Transposition of the SMA in the infrarenal aorta is the standardized vascular surgical procedure and a valuable treatment option in patients with chronic visceral ischemia.

Conclusion

Wilkie syndrome can be successfully treated by transposition of SMA without disrupting the continuity of the small bowel.     

Endovascular treatment as a bridge to successful surgical revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia

Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) can be treated with surgical revascularization or with angioplasty and stenting. As experience has been gained, endovascular treatment appears safe and effective in selected patients. Currently, surgical revascularization has better success and patency rates but also a higher short- and midterm mortality and morbidity, especially in patients at high surgical risk. A 72-year-old female with severe respiratory dysfunction presented with CMI resulting in profound malnutrition. Serial percutaneous interventions averted urgent surgery and reversed the mesenteric ischemia. Nine months later, after repeated angioplasty and stenting had failed, elective uncomplicated iliomesenteric bypass, in a medically optimized patient, resolved the ischemia. At an 18-month follow-up, the graft remained widely patent and the patient asymptomatic with a body weight corresponding to her ideal body weight. Compared to surgical revascularization, reocclusion or restenosis occurs more frequently after endovascular treatment of CMI, and reintervention may be necessary. Nevertheless, percutaneous intervention effectively provides relief from mesenteric ischemia and has lower perioperative complication rates compared to surgery in patients at high surgical risk. After initial relief of the CMI, the patient's condition may improve, allowing for more definitive secondary surgical revascularization, if needed.     

Off-pump coronary artery revascularization: ideal indication for patients with porcelain aorta and calcification of great vessels

Patients with porcelain aorta and severe calcification of the great vessels are a challenging dilemma for the cardiovascular surgeon regarding bypass technique, choice of conduit, and selection of proximal anastomotic sites due to the high incidence of devastating thromboembolization and aortic injury. No currently proposed surgical approach avoids manipulation of the heavily calcified ascending aorta. Three patients presented with unstable angina and decreased ventricular function secondary to significant left main coronary artery stenosis and 3-vessel coronary artery disease. In addition to the coronary artery disease, severely calcified ascending aorta and great vessels were discovered. One patient presented with near total distal abdominal aortic occlusion, severe peripheral vascular disease, history of stroke, and carotid endarterectomy. Surgical coronary revascularization was indicated. Coronary artery bypass grafting using internal thoracic artery and greater saphenous vein composite arterial inflow grafts in combination with off-pump beating heart surgery was successfully used. Cardiopulmonary bypass and clamping of the aorta was avoided. No new neurologic deficit was observed. Coronary revascularization with internal thoracic artery composite grafts and avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass and clamping the calcified aorta is an effective method to prevent clamp injury and thromboembolization. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting seems to be an ideal indication in patients with porcelain aorta because the surgical techniques of "no-touch" and "no-cannulation" can be applied.     

Successful surgical treatment for aneurysm of splenic artery with anomalous origin.

The splenic artery is the third common site of an infrarenal abdominal arterial aneurysm after the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, and the most common site of a visceral artery aneurysm. It is a rare, but clinically important form of vascular disease with the potential for life-threatening rupture. We report a 64-year-old woman with a splenic artery aneurysm. Though she was asymptomatic, calcification around the left upper quadrant was incidentally detected. A saccular aneurysm with calcification located in the proximal portion of the splenic artery was detected by computed tomography (CT). Anomalous origin of the splenic artery, from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), was also detected. Aneurysmal resection without splenectomy was carried out successfully. A suitable approach to aneurysms must be selected in each case, because the splenic artery exhibits congenital anomaly in 10% of all the people.     

Right colectomy with simultaneous vascular reconstruction for celiac and superior mesenteric arterial occlusion

INTRODUCTIONIdentification of the primary feeding vessel and its removal with corresponding lymphatics is crucial for oncologic bowel resection for colon cancer. However, this notion would be challenged if we encountered abnormal mesenteric vascular anatomy. We report a case of colon cancer with abnormal mesenteric circulation, for whom we performed oncologic colectomy with vascular reconstruction.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 61-year-old man presented with obstructing transverse colon cancer. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed complete occlusion at the root of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the celiac artery (CA), with evidently dilated marginal artery (MA). An X-ray angiography revealed retrograde arterial blood flow originating from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) via the MA, the SMA, and to the CA.At laparotomy, we found remarkably dilated MA with the mid-transverse colon cancer. There were no other communicating vessels between the IMA and the SMA. Right colectomy with proper lymph node dissection was completed, following vascular anastomosis between the MA to the SMA. His postoperative course was uneventful. A postoperative CT angiography showed revascularization of the areas where the SMA and the CA supplied.DISCUSSIONIn this patient, if the abberant mesenteric circulation remained unrecognized at the time of surgery, and the MA were divided without vascular reconstruction, severe ischemia and subsequent gangrene of large part of the visceral organs would have occurred.CONCLUSIONThis case illustrates the fundamental importance of assessment for vascular anatomy in patients undergoing oncologic abdominal surgery which associates with division of major mesenteric arteries.     

经腹小切口超声引导系膜穿刺逆向开通治疗肠系膜上动脉开口全堵病变

背景与目的：对于肠系膜上动脉（SMA）闭塞患者,尤其是存在开口处动脉粥样硬化性无残端病变,开腹逆行肠系膜动脉支架置入术（ROMS）是一种有效的治疗方法,但该手术创伤较大,一些身体条件差的患者并不适合。笔者通过报告1例SMA全堵病变病例的治疗过程介绍一种改良的微创ROMS技术,以期为临床治疗方法的选择提供参考。 方法：回顾复旦大学附属中山医院厦门医院血管外科2019年10月收治的1例SMA全堵病变患者的临床资料。患者为64岁女性,诊断为SMA闭塞引起的慢性肠系膜缺血,行杂交手术再通SMA。 结果：患者SMA开口处为无残端完全闭塞病变且无侧支血管与腹腔干动脉及脾动脉沟通,顺行或逆行血管腔内开通均无法进行。因患者全身条件较差,难以耐受开放血运重建手术和传统的ROMS。遂做腹部做小切口,超声引导下经系膜穿刺SMA远端建立通路,导丝顺利逆向通过SMA闭塞处进入降主动脉;右侧肱动脉入路导管和逆向导丝对接后顺利正向通过病变,完成球囊扩张和支架置入术。术后患者恢复良好,症状消失,3个月后随访CTA示,支架形态、位置良好,血流通畅。 结论：对于血管腔内治疗失败且全身条件较差的SMA闭塞患者,通过经腹小切口超声引导系膜穿刺逆向开通SMA是可行的。     

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.     

Long-Term Results of Aorta-Superior Mesenteric Artery Bypass Using a New Route

Purpose Several methods of revascularization after mesenteric ischemia have been proposed. Using a new route, we performed retrograde loop bypass grafting to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with a ringed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft.Methods We anastomosed the graft to the infrarenal aorta, which ran behind the left renal hilum, turned ventral, and was anastomosed to the SMA in an antegrade fashion hemodynamically. Five patients underwent this procedure, which resulted in remarkable symptomatic relief.Results There were no postoperative deaths or serious complications, although some patients suffered paralytic ileus. All of the grafts remained patent during long-term follow-up, ranging from 17 to 72 months (mean: 37.8 months). Postoperative angiograms showed good configuration of the graft, which did not compress the renal vessels.Conclusion Infrarenal aorta-SMA bypass relieved mesenteric ischemia and achieved good long-term graft patency. Thus, we consider it to be an effective and durable vascular procedure to reduce postoperative mortality and morbidity.