Aortocoronary saphenous vein graft aneurysm in redo coronary artery bypass grafting: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Oct. 14, 1996; accepted on Mar. 4, 1997)     

Portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy successfully treated by an enormous dosage of fibrinolytic agent in a short period: Report of two cases

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after splenectomy in a patient with portal hypertension occurs with unusually high frequency. Recently, two patients with PVT following splenectomy were treated by fibrinolytic therapy with an enormous dosage of urokinase (UK) in a short period. PVT was quickly dissolved without side effects and the patients are now doing well without any recurrence of PVT. Therefore, when there is no evidence of bowel infarction, fibrinolytic therapy with an enormous dosage of UK over a short period is deemed to be both effective and essential as a conservative therapy for PVT.     

Late graft failure of autologous vein grafts for arterial occlusive disease: Clinical and experimental studies

Late graft failure following arterial reconstructive surgery, especially after infrainguinal reconstruction, remains a major concern for vascular surgeons. To more effectively predict the outcome of reconstructed arteries, we herein propose an intraoperative flow waveform analysis which correlates well with the long-term patency rate of grafts. According to this flow waveform analysis, late graft failure was occasionally seen in grafts with type II waveforms when poor distal runoff vessels had been shown by the preoperative arteriogram. Next, to investigate which events occurring in autologous vein grafts under abnormal hemodynamics may contribute to late graft failure, a distal poor-runoff model was made in the canine femoral artery. In this review, we present the results of our investigation on autologous vein grafts using this poor-runoff model. We also relate our recent findings on the function of regenerated endothelium in autologous vein grafts.Presented at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery held in Palm Desert, California, March 24–28, 1993.     

Evaluation of corporal fibrosis in cadaveric pericardium and vein grafts for tunica albuginea substitution in rats

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the degree of corporal fibrosis in rats with cadaveric pericardium or vein as grafting materials for tunica albuginea substitution. Materials and methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (300 g-325 g) were divided at random into 3 groups of 10 animals each: group 1 was the sham-operated controls and groups 2 and 3 underwent wedge excision of tunica albuginea and replacement with cadaveric pericardium and vein grafts, respectively. Four months later, rats were sacrificed and the penis removed to assess the degree of fibrosis using RT PCR technique for TGP-β1 mRNA expression. The tissues were fixed in 10 % formalin, paraffin-embedded and stained with Masson's trichrome and Verhoff's van Giesen for collagen and elastic fibers. Results: Four months after grafting, there was minimal fibrosis surrounding the patch in the vein graft rats and moderate fibrosis in the pericardial graft rats. The degree of penile fibrosis in the pericardial graft rats was significantly higher than that i     

Adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery treated by bypass graft utilizing the short saphenous vein: A case report

IntroductionAdventitial cystic disease is relatively rare vascular disease, frequently occurred in the popliteal artery. No definitive treatment has been established yet.Prentation of caseA 53-year-old woman presenting intermittent claudication of the right leg was diagnosed as adventitial cystic disease of popliteal artery. Percutaneous balloon dilation yielded an immediate recurrence. The disease was successfully treated by bypass grafting utilizing the short saphenous vein to replace the part of the popliteal artery containing the adventitial cyst. No postoperative complication was found six months after surgery.DiscussionComparing to a great saphenous vein, a short saphenous vein as a material of bypass graft has a significant advantage, as only a single surgical field is necessary.ConclusionWe propose that bypass graft surgery employing a short saphenous vein is worth considering as a treatment of adventitial cystic disease at the popliteal artery.     

Use of single saphenous interposition vein graft for primary arterial circuit and secondary recipient site in head and neck reconstruction: a case report

BACKGROUND: Autologous vein grafts are a valuable tool in microsurgical free tissue transfer. Interposition vein grafts offer the surgeon greater freedom when placing the free flap and choosing the recipient vessels, providing valuable options in case recipient vessels are not available for those patients with large wounds. Free flaps transferred to head and neck regions carry a higher risk of failure, which may be expected to increase more with the use of vein grafts. METHODS: We present our case with the double use of a single vein graft for both primary arterial conduit in end-to-end fashion and secondary end-to-side recipient site in the microsurgical reconstruction of a complicated head and neck defect. RESULTS: All these anastomoses and flaps survived perfectly, and the patient was discharged 14 days after the transfer of the second flap. CONCLUSION: Although the anastomosis of 2 flaps to a single vein graft was successful in our case, it represents a higher risk option than different recipient vessels. We provide this alternative procedure in selected patients, as there is no other receipt vessel or recipient blood flow strong enough to supply more than 1 flap.     

Changes in angiographic features and the ankle/brachial pressure index of femorodistal arterial bypass grafts during knee flexion

Systolic ankle pressure was measured in limbs in the extended and 90°-flexed positions in three groups of patients who had undergone below-knee femorodistal arterial bypass. Group 1 consisted of eight limbs in seven patients who had received an autologous saphenous vein (ASV) graft; group 2 consisted of seven limbs in seven patients who had received a ringed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft; and group 3 consisted of five limbs in five patients who had received a reinforced biosynthetic borine collagen vascular (Omniflow) graft. Intravenous digital subtraction angiography was performed within 3 months of implantation. The ankle/brachial index (ABI) was significantly lower when the knee was flexed than when it was extended in groups 1 and 3, but not in group 2. The ABI in flexion in group 1 was similar to that in group 2. Morphologic changes such as kinking were demonstrated angiographically in groups 1 and 3. Given that the ABIs in groups 1 and 2 were similar with the knee flexed, despite the morphologic changes in group 1, we concluded that saphenous vein and ringed ePTFE grafts are more durable when subjected to acute knee flexion than Omniflow grafts. Thus, as graft failure is unlikely to result from kinking as a result of knee flexion alone, further clinical studies are required to elucidate the precise causes of graft failure.     

Application of cryopreserved vein grafts as a conduit between the coronary vein and liver graft to reconstruct portal flow in adult living liver transplantation

Abstract:  Adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation is an alternative to donation from a deceased individual, and can help relieve the shortage of liver donations available for adult patients in Asian countries. When transplant candidates have thrombosis and deterioration of the portal vein, living donor liver transplantation is relatively contraindicated because portal veins in the grafts are short and vein grafts may not be available to reconstruct the portal vein. From June 2003 to May 2007, 82 adult living donor liver transplantations were performed at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital. Three patients had portal vein thrombosis and marked fibrosis of the portal vein and cryopreserved vein grafts were used to reconstruct portal flow from the engorged coronary vein to the graft portal vein. All vein grafts are patent and all patients have normal liver function at 21–36 months after transplantation. When cryopreserved vein grafts are available, adult living donor liver transplantation can be successfully performed in patients with marked deterioration of the portal vein. The short distance from the engorged coronary vein to the graft portal vein may decrease the incidence of re-thrombosis of the venous conduit.     

Arterialization of reversed autogenous vein grafts: quantitative light and electron microscopy of canine jugular vein grafts harvested and implanted by standard or improved techniques

To provide sequential, quantitative analysis of the cellular events occurring in reversed autogenous vein grafts after implantation and potential modifications of these events, two groups of veins were evaluated. Veins prepared by standard techniques of unmonitored pressure distension with cold heparinized saline solution, tributary ligation adjacent to the wall, and storage at 4 degrees C were morphometrically compared with veins harvested by means of a modified protocol of papaverine irrigation, tributary ligation away from the graft wall, pressure distension to 100 mm Hg with heparinized blood containing papaverine at body temperature, storage in identical solution at 4 degrees C, and implantation while distended. Unilateral jugular veins harvested from dogs with the modified technique (IRJV,N = 9) or standard technique (SRJV,N = 9) were implanted into carotid arteries, retrieved at 30 minutes, 2 days, and 10 days postoperatively along with the contralateral control vein after perfusion fixation in situ, and examined microscopically to quantitate intimal-medial thickness and endothelial damage (denudation and ultrastructural alterations). All IRJVs remained endothelialized, whereas SRJVs had 19% and 40% endothelial denudation at 30 minutes and 2 days, respectively, as well as massive neutrophil, platelet, and monocyte involvement. In contrast, IRJVs had only a modest infiltration of monocytes beginning early after implantation and culminating in their localization beneath endothelial cells; these endothelial cells increased in number during the 10-day period. Although SRJVs exhibited nearly complete reendothelialization over the luminal surface of macrophages by 10 days, endothelial damage was consistently higher than that of IRJVs at all periods and intimal-medial thickness was significantly greater at 10 days (65 +/- 0 vs. 57 +/- 0 micron, respectively; p less than 0.001). These findings suggest that endothelial preservation with improved harvesting techniques inhibits thrombosis and limits wall thickening and also that macrophages may play a protective role by promoting endothelial proliferation.     

肝硬化门静脉血栓形成患者凝血和纤溶系统变化的临床研究

目的研究肝硬化门静脉血栓形成（PVT）患者凝血和纤溶系统的变化。方法肝炎后肝硬化患者共87例,26例合并PVT作为血栓组,余61例作为对照组。对两组血小板（Pt）、凝血酶原时间（PT）、活化部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、纤维蛋白原（Fib）、D-二聚体（D-dimer）、组织纤溶酶原激活物（t-PA）和纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂-1（PAI-1）进行检测,对比两组各项指标的差异。结果血栓组患者D—dimer为（0．97±0．53）mg／L,显著高于对照组的（0．61±0．40）mg／L,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P=0．001）。血栓组与对照组的Pt、PT、APTT、Fib、t-PA和PAI-1检测结果差异无统计学意义。PT和APTT随肝功能恶化而延长,Fib随肝功能恶化而减少,Child-Push分级间比较差异有统计学意义。Pt随肝功能恶化而减少,t—PA和PAI-1随肝功能恶化而升高,但Child-Prtgh分级间比较差异无统计学意义。结论肝硬化患者凝血和纤溶系统存在明显异常。肝硬化PVT患者与无PVT患者相比D-dimer明显升高。肝硬化患者应常规检测D-dimer,如异常升高则提示患者可能合并PVT。     

Nitric oxide expression by interleukin-10 in the endoscopic and open methods of vein harvesting in coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that suppresses lymphocyte functions, regulates production of proinflammatory cytokines, and suppresses nitric oxide production by activated macrophages. We examined IL-10 expression and its value as a surrogate index for nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cultures obtained from saphenous vein samples. METHODS: Using 2 different techniques (the open and endoscopic), we harvested samples of human saphenous veins from 90 randomly selected patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Endothelial cells collected from the vein samples retrieved through both techniques were cultured for 72 hours. Using a solid phase enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA), we analyzed pre- and postoperative sera, in addition to the supernatants from the cultures, for IL-10. RESULTS: Mean preoperative levels of IL-10 (0.09 +/- 0.04 pg/mL) did not differ significantly from that for postoperative sera (0.14 +/- 0.17 pg/mL) (P = 0.54). Mean IL-10 levels for endothelial cell culture supernatants did not differ significantly between the endoscopic (0.32 +/- 0.39 pg/mL) and the open method (0.46 +/- 0.80 pg/mL) (P= 0.30). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that endoscopic and open saphenectomies are technically comparable with respect to their effects on IL-10 release during saphenous vein harvesting for CABG. We recommend the endoscopic method for its low morbidity and earlier hospital discharge.     

Comparative assessment of intimal hyperplasia development after 14 days in two different experimental settings: tissue culture versus ex vivo continuous perfusion of human saphenous vein

BACKGROUND: Intimal hyperplasia (IH) is a vascular remodeling process which often leads to failure of arterial bypass or hemodialysis access. Experimental and clinical work have provided insight in IH development; however, further studies under precise controlled conditions are required to improve therapeutic strategies to inhibit IH development. Ex vivo perfusion of human vessel segments under standardized hemodynamic conditions may provide an adequate experimental approach for this purpose. Therefore, chronically perfused venous segments were studied and compared to traditional static culture procedures with regard to functional and histomorphologic characteristics as well as gene expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Static vein culture allowing high tissue viability was performed as previously described. Ex vivo vein support system (EVVSS) was performed using a vein support system consisting of an incubator with a perfusion chamber and a pump. EVVSS allows vessel perfusion under continuous flow while maintaining controlled hemodynamic conditions. Each human saphenous vein was divided in two parts, one cultured in a Pyrex dish and the other part perfused in EVVSS for 14days. Testing of vasomotion, histomorphometry, expression of CD 31, Factor VIII, MIB 1, alpha-actin, and PAI-l were determined before and after 14days of either experimental conditions. RESULTS: Human venous segments cultured under traditional or perfused conditions exhibited similar IH after 14 days as shown by histomorphometry. Smooth-muscle cell (SMC) was preserved after chronic perfusion. Although integrity of both endothelial and smooth-muscle cells appears to be maintained in both culture conditions as confirmed by CD31, factor VIII, and alpha-actin expression, a few smooth-muscle cells in the media stained positive for factor VIII. Cell-proliferation marker MIB-1 was also detected in the two settings and PAI-1 mRNA expression and activity increased significantly after 14 days of culture and perfusion. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility to chronically perfuse human vessels under sterile conditions with preservation of cellular integrity and vascular contractility. To gain insights into the mechanisms leading to IH, it will now be possible to study vascular remodeling not only under static conditions but also in hemodynamic environment mimicking as closely as possible the flow conditions encountered in reconstructive vascular surgery.     

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目的评价和分析对大隐静脉剥脱术加以改进治疗大隐静脉曲张的疗效。方法首都医科大学附属北京安贞医院血管外科自2007年4月至2011年2月,应用改进的大隐静脉剥脱术治疗336例(418条肢体)大隐静脉曲张病人,并对术后并发症、术后复发等进行评价。结果平均每条肢体手术时间73min,术后并发症的发生率1.9%。病人术后症状明显减轻,随访3～12个月未见曲张静脉复发。结论改进的大隐静脉剥脱术是一种治疗大隐静脉曲张的有效措施,疗效肯定,并发症较少,术后复发率低。     

Computed tomography perfusion in living donor liver transplantation: an initial study of normal hemodynamic changes in liver grafts

Abstract:  Hepatic hemodynamic changes in grafts after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are complicated. In this study, computed tomography (CT) perfusion parameter values, especially portal vein perfusion (PVP), was retrospectively analyzed in recipients both with and without small-for-size syndrome (SFSS). PVP was significantly higher in non-SFSS recipients on post-operative day (POD) 14 or 28 than in normal donors before donation (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively), but it significantly decreased between 14 and 28 days post-operatively (p = 0.007). There was a significant inverse correlation between graft-to-recipient spleen size ratio and PVP on POD 14 in non-SFSS group ( r  = −0.545, p = 0.002). Furthermore, PVP in the SFSS group was significantly greater than in the non-SFSS group on POD 14 (p = 0.042). In conclusion, we successfully evaluated normal hemodynamic changes in grafts without SFSS by CT perfusion examination. To our knowledge, this is the first study on hemodynamic changes of living donor liver grafts using CT technique.     

激光腔内闭合联合高位结扎与大隐静脉高位结扎剥脱术治疗下肢静脉曲张的疗效比较

目的比较应用激光腔内闭合术(EVLT)联合高位结扎与大隐静脉高位结扎+剥脱术治疗下肢静脉曲张的临床效果。方法将2007年3月至2012年2月间我院收治的278例下肢静脉曲张患者(共342条肢体)分成EVLT联合高位结扎组(A组,286条肢体)和大隐静脉高位结扎+剥脱术组(B组,56条肢体)。比较两组的手术时间,术后48h疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAPS),术后首次下床时间,术后住院天数;术后第6个月比较手术前后CEAP分级、患者自身对手术效果及整体满意度评价。结果两组手术时间、住院天数比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但A组术后48 h疼痛较轻、下床时间稍早(P<0.05);术前和术后6个月两组的CEAP分级、手术效果评分比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),组间差异则无统计学意义(P>0.05),但术后患者的整体评价A组优于B组(P<0.05)。结论 EVLT联合高位结扎术治疗具有与传统手术相似的效果,患者满意度高,值得临床推广。     

Analysis of microvessels in pancreatic cancer: by light microscopy, confocal laser scan microscopy, and electron microscopy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The microvessel density (MVD) of most malignant tumors is considered to be strongly related to metastasis and prognosis. Weidner's "hot spot method" for determining MVD is in general use, but it is possible that cells other than endothelial cells will also be stained. In our previous study, no correlations were observed between MVD determined by the "hot spot method" and prognosis/metastasis. But, using the "lumen method," we found a correlation with the number of vessel structures only. In the present study, we analyzed the staining of microvessels in pancreatic cancer, using light microscopy, confocal laser scan microscopy (CLSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). METHODS: Microvessel staining of pancreatic cancer with CD34, factor VIII, and CD45 antibodies was examined in consecutive slices by light microscopy. For CLSM, freshly resected specimens were immunostained with factor VIII and fluorescein isothiocynate. For TEM, specimens were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, treated with 1% osmium tetroxide, and embedded in epoxy resin. RESULTS: Staining of vessels with CD34 and factor VIII antibodies appeared similar under light microscopy. However, CD34-stained consecutive slices were judged not to reveal vessel structures, and some cells stained with CD45 antibody were similar in appearance to CD34-stained cells. Under CLSM, irregular arrangements of neovascularization, consisting of many branches, were observed, but many positively stained cells not identified as vessels were also seen. Microvessels were distinctly identified under TEM, but the types of individual cells could not be determined. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated, reproducible method for the measurement of MVD is vital. For pancreatic cancer, the "lumen method" is recommended.     

Ultrasound guided internal jugular vein access in children and infant: A meta‐analysis of published studies

Introduction: Central venous catheter placement is technically difficult in pediatric population especially in the younger patients. Ultrasound prelocation and/or guidance (UPG) of internal jugular vein (IJV) access has been shown to decrease failure rate and complications related to this invasive procedure. The goal of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the advantages of UPG over anatomical landmarks (AL) during IJV access in children and infants. Material and methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials that focused on the comparison of UPG to AL techniques during IJV access in children and infants. Two reviewers independently assessed each study to meet inclusion criteria and extracted data. Data from each trial were combined to calculate the pooled odds ratio (OR) or the mean differences (MD), and their 95% confidence intervals [CI 95%]. I² statistics were used to assess statistics heterogeneity and to guide the use of fixed or random effect for computation of overall effects. Subgroup analysis was used to clarify the effects of the techniques used (prelocation or guidance) or the experience of practitioners. Results: Literature found five articles. Most of the patients were cardiac surgery patients. In comparison with AL, UPG had no effect on IJV access failure rate (OR = 0.28 [0.05, 1.47], I² = 75%, P = 0.003), the rate of carotid artery puncture (OR = 0.32 [0.06, 1.62], I² = 68%, P = 0.01), haematoma, haemothorax, or pneumothorax occurrence (OR = 0.40 [0.14, 1.13], I² = 17%, P = 0.30, OR = 0.72, OR = 0.81 [0.18, 3.73], I² = 0%, P = 0.94, respectively) and time to IJV access and haemothorax/pneumothorax occurrence. Subgroup analysis found an efficacy of ultrasound when used by novice operators or during intraoperative use. Discussion: This current meta‐analysis does not found the utility of ultrasound during IJV access in children and infants in increasing the success rate and in decreasing complications.