Predictors of wound complications following major amputation for critical limb ischemia.

Objectives: For patients with end-stage critical limb ischemia (CLI) who have already suffered over an extended period of time, a major amputation that is free of wound complications remains paramount. Utilizing data from the American College of Surgeons, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), the objective of this report was to determine critical factors leading to wound complications following major amputation.

Methods: ACS-NSQIP was used to identify patients ≥ 50 years, with CLI, and having an ipsilateral below-(BKA) or above-knee amputation (AKA).

Outcome of a comprehensive follow-up program to enhance maturation of autogenous arteriovenous hemodialysis access.

Objective: To examine the outcome of a comprehensive follow-up program for autogenous arteriovenous hemodialysis access (AVF) when performed by the hemodialysis access surgeon.

Methods: Patients with first time AVFs between 2000 and 2005 underwent history and physical examination between the third and sixth postoperative weeks, followed by repeat examination every 6 to 8 weeks until maturation. Primary outcomes included maturation assessment and interventions required prior to maturation.

Establishment of a varicose vein center in a tertiary vascular surgery practice: urban versus rural differences.

We examined changes in practice patterns after the establishment of a varicose vein center (VVC) within two tertiary university vascular surgery practices and compared differences between urban (U) and rural (R) sites. Practice patterns for the treatment of VVs were compared 3 years before (period 1) and 3 years after (period 2) the formation of a U-VVC and an R-VVC in 2001. Both VVCs were part of similar-sized tertiary vascular surgery practices.

Superior vena cava perforation and cardiac tamponade after filter placement in the superior vena cava--a case report.

The purpose of this paper is to report the complication of perforation of the superior vena cava (SVC) leading to cardiac tamponade after the insertion of a Trapease IVC filter in the SVC position. A 29-year-old man was hit by motor vehicle and sustained numerous injuries including a left skull fracture, intracerebral hemorrhage, and left open tibial shaft fracture. During his hospitalization, he developed an extensive symptomatic right upper extremity deep venous thrombosis involving the brachial, axillary, subclavian, internal jugular, and brachiocephalic veins.

Closure of a surgically created arteriovenous fistula with a covered stent-graft in a patient with venous ambulatory hypertension--a case report.

The purpose of this paper is to report the use of a covered stent-graft in the endovascular treatment of a surgically created arteriovenous fistula. A 37-year-old woman with symptomatic venous ambulatory hypertension underwent a left common femoral vein-to-right common iliac vein bypass using 10 mm ringed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with creation of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula from the superficial femoral artery to the PTFE graft. At 1 year postoperatively, recurrent symptoms thought to be due to the arteriovenous fistula were treated by placement of an 8 mm x 10 cm Viabahn covered stent-graft.

The inaccuracy of simple visual interpretation for measurement of carotid stenosis by arteriography.

Purpose: To determine intraobserver and interobserver variability of carotid arteriography interpretation as well as the reliability of simple visual interpretation (SVI) or "eyeballing" of arteriography in the measurement of internal carotid artery stenoses.

Methods: Intraobserver and interobserver measurements of 200 carotid arteriograms were performed in a blinded fashion by two vascular surgeons (VS1 and VS2) using a digital caliber computer program similar to software available in catheterization laboratories. The distal normal internal carotid artery was used as a frame of reference.

Anesthesia technique and outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair.

Anesthetic techniques vary widely in the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR). Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using local anesthesia. However, the ideal anesthetic technique has not been determined.

Predictors of complications after a prospective evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic endovascular procedures.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate complications after diagnostic and therapeutic endovascular procedures (DTEPs) and determine what factors are predictive.

Methods: From December 2002 to December 2003, all patients undergoing DTEPs performed by university vascular surgeons in a catheterization laboratory were prospectively evaluated. Medical demographics, procedure-related details, and type and severity of complications were recorded at the time of the procedure, during the first 24 hours, and at 2 to 4 weeks.

Characterization and probability of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis.

The objective of this study was to characterize patient demographics, risk factors, and anatomic distribution of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) to develop a probability model for diagnosis. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent color-flow duplex scanning (CDS) for clinically suspected acute UEDVT over a 5-year period was performed. Patient risk factors and clinical symptoms were evaluated as predictors.

Pancreatitis caused by rheolytic thrombolysis: an unexpected complication.

Two patients developed acute pancreatitis after mechanical thrombolysis with use of the AngioJet system. Patient 1 had undergone a remote complex revascularization of the lower extremities and presented with acute ischemia after thrombosis of his composite distal bypass. Patient 2 presented with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome and had thrombosis of the SVC and innominate veins.

Selective venography versus nonselective venography before vena cava filter placement: evidence for more, not less.

Objective: We undertook this study to determine whether additional use of selective venography, compared with nonselective venography alone, reveals more abnormal anatomic venous findings that lead to changes in vena cava filter (VCF) position.

Methods: From January 1998 to June 2002, 94 patients underwent VCF placement by vascular surgeons at a university tertiary care center. Indications, techniques, decision analysis, and complications were reviewed.

Retrograde endovascular hypogastric artery preservation (REHAP) and aortouniiliac (AUI) endografting in the management of complex aortoiliac aneurysms.

The preservation of internal iliac artery (IIA) flow during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (er-AAA) remains a controversial area. Ectasia and aneurysmal disease of the iliac arteries represent a formidable challenge to the endovascular surgeon, particularly when aortic neck length and diameter are suitable for er-AAA. We describe a procedure to maintain arterial perfusion to the pelvis during er-AAA called retrograde endovascular hypogastric artery preservation (REHAP).

Indications and outcomes of AneuRx Phase III trial versus use of commercial AneuRx stent graft.

Objective: Approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration of endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with the AneuRx stent graft was based on the outcome of a multicenter trial in which patients met strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Since widespread use of the commercially available graft, little information is available as to whether indications and outcomes have evolved. We examined this important issue at our institution.

Mechanism of failure in the treatment of type II endoleak with percutaneous coil embolization.

Purpose: Type II endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is a failure of aneurysm sac exclusion with unknown long-term consequences. Elevated aneurysm sac pressures documented in these patients have led us to aggressively treat type II endoleaks with percutaneous transluminal coil embolization (PTCE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results and the mechanisms of failure of PTCE for type II endoleak.

Pitfalls in achieving the Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative (DOQI) guidelines for hemodialysis access?

The Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative (DOQI) mandates that 50% of permanent hemodialysis (HD) access be native arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs). Recent reports have shown that when these guidelines are followed, the percentage of new AVFs can exceed DOQI guidelines. From July 1998 to July 2001, 330 HD access procedures were performed in an academic tertiary care center.

The use of color-flow duplex scan for the detection of endoleaks.

Objective: Computed tomographic (CT) scan represents the criterion standard for surveillance of endoleaks after endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (erAAAs). Given need for surveillance, risks, and expense of CT scan, the accuracy of color-flow duplex (CFD) scan after erAAA was determined.

Methods: During a 43-month period, patients enrolled in phase II and III of the AneuRx Multicenter Clinical Trial at our institution underwent CFD scan 1 month after erAAA.

Endovascular management of iliac limb occlusion of bifurcated aortic endografts.

Although aortic endograft iliac limb occlusion is an uncommon event, its treatment is problematic because standard surgical thrombectomy risks graft dislodgment or component separation. Although femorofemoral bypass grafting can restore perfusion to the affected limb, its longevity may be inferior to reestablishing patency of the endograft itself and represents a failure of the endograft procedure. With aortic endografts now commercially available, implanting surgeons must be aware of this important complication and well versed in all of the endovascular treatment options.