Preoperative coronary artery revascularization and long-term outcomes following abdominal aortic vascular surgery in patients with abnormal myocardial perfusion scans: a subgroup analysis of the coronary artery revascularization prophylaxis trial.

Background: Abdominal aortic operations have the highest perioperative cardiac risk. To test the impact of preoperative coronary artery revascularization (PR) in this high-risk subset, a post hoc analysis was performed in patients undergoing aortic surgery within the Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) trial.

Methods: The study cohort was a subset of 109 CARP patients with myocardial ischemia on nuclear imaging randomized to a strategy of PR (N = 52) or no PR (N = 57) before their scheduled abdominal aortic vascular operation.

Culprit coronary lesions requiring percutaneous coronary intervention after vascular surgery often arise from in-stent restenosis of bare metal stents.

Background: The natural history of coronary artery disease (CAD) after vascular surgery is poorly defined. The aim of this study was to determine the temporal change of coronary artery lesions requiring revascularization with a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after elective vascular surgery and to determine the utility of preoperative biomarkers on predicting those patients at risk for new coronary lesions.

Methods: The Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis Trial tested the long-term survival benefit of coronary artery revascularization before elective vascular surgery.

Perioperative complications after vascular surgery are predicted by the revised cardiac risk index but are not reduced in high-risk subsets with preoperative revascularization.

Background: The Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) is useful for risk stratifying patients before noncardiac operations. Among patients with documented coronary artery disease who undergo vascular surgery, it is unclear whether preoperative revascularization reduces postoperative cardiac complications in high-risk subsets defined by the RCRI.

Methods And Results: The Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis Trial was a randomized, controlled trial that tested the long-term benefit of a preoperative coronary artery revascularization before elective vascular surgery.

Usefulness of revascularization of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease before elective vascular surgery for abdominal aortic and peripheral occlusive disease.

The Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) study showed no survival benefit with preoperative coronary artery revascularization before elective vascular surgery. The generalizability of the trial results to all patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) has been questioned. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of prophylactic coronary revascularization on long-term survival in patients with multivessel CAD.

Diagnostic coronary angiography in patients with peripheral arterial disease: a sub-study of the Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis Trial.

Background: Although patients in need of elective vascular surgery are often considered candidates for diagnostic coronary angiography, the safety of this invasive study has not been systematically studied in a large cohort of patients scheduled for an elective vascular operation. The goal of this sub-study of the Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) trial was to assess the safety of coronary angiography in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Methods: The CARP trial tested the long-term benefit of coronary artery revascularization prior to elective vascular operations.

Aortitis and bacterial endocarditis.

Aortitis is an inflammatory condition that can be due to numerous causes. It is a diagnostic quandary because it commonly shows similar clinical, pathologic, and aortographic features independently of the etiology. A case of aortitis, possibly secondary to bacterial endocarditis, initially misdiagnosed as an atherosclerotic aortic ulcer and managed with an endoprosthesis is presented.

Predictors and outcomes of a perioperative myocardial infarction following elective vascular surgery in patients with documented coronary artery disease: results of the CARP trial.

Aims: The predictors and outcomes of patients with a peri-operative elevation in cardiac troponin I above the 99th percentile of normal following an elective vascular operation have not been studied in a homogeneous cohort with documented coronary artery disease.

Methods And Results: The Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) trial was a randomized trial that tested the benefit of coronary artery revascularization prior to vascular surgery. Among 377 randomized patients, core lab samples for peak cardiac troponin I concentrations were monitored following the vascular operation and the blinded results were correlated with outcomes.

Comparison of resident self-assessments with trained faculty and standardized patient assessments of clinical and technical skills in a structured educational module.

Background: This study assessed the reliability of surgical resident self-assessment in comparison with faculty and standardized patient (SP) assessments during a structured educational module focused on perioperative management of a simulated adverse event.

Methods: Seven general surgery residents participated in this module. Residents were assessed during videotaped preoperative and postoperative SP encounters and when dissecting a tumor off of a standardized inanimate vena cava model in a simulated operating room.

Clinical factors associated with long-term mortality following vascular surgery: outcomes from the Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) Trial.

Background: Preoperative cardiac risks and clinical indications for vascular surgery are both important determinants of outcome following a vascular operation. Using the nonrandomized cohort from the Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) Trial, we analyzed the predictors of outcome based on the presenting vascular problem and prevalence of comorbid conditions and cardiac risks.

Methods And Results: Between March 1, 1999 and February 28, 2003, 4414 patients were ineligible for randomization in the CARP Trial and their survival was retrieved through the BIRLS system (the Department of Veterans Affairs Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem).

Coronary artery bypass grafting is superior to percutaneous coronary intervention in prevention of perioperative myocardial infarctions during subsequent vascular surgery.

Background: Among patients in need of coronary revascularization before an elective vascular operation, the value of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in preventing perioperative myocardial infarctions is uncertain. We hypothesized that more complete revascularization would improve outcomes after vascular surgery.

Methods: In this Veterans Affairs Cooperative trial involving 18 medical centers, 222 patients underwent elective vascular surgery after coronary revascularization.

Postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing elective revascularization for critical limb ischemia and intermittent claudication: a subanalysis of the Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) trial.

Objective: To determine the perioperative mortality, myocardial infarction rate, and long-term survival of patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) compared with those with intermittent claudication (IC) within a cohort selected for significant coronary artery disease, a secondary analysis was conducted of a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial of Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) before peripheral vascular surgery. This multicenter trial was sponsored by the Cooperative Studies Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Methods: Of the 510 patients enrolled in the CARP trial and randomized to coronary revascularization or no revascularization before elective vascular surgery, 143 had CLI and 164 had IC as an indication for lower limb revascularization; >95% of each group were men.

Management of adverse surgical events: a structured education module for residents.

Background: This pilot project involved the development of a structured, experiential, educational module using a bench model technical skills simulation and standardized patients. It integrated teaching and assessment of clinical, technical, and interpersonal skills, as well as professionalism within the context of an adverse surgical event.

Methods: General surgery residents (postgraduate year [PGY] 2, 3) were asked to participate in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative management of a patient with a retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Cardiovascular training effect associated with polestriding exercise in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Because individuals with claudication pain secondary to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are limited in both walking speed and duration, the benefits of walking exercise may be insufficient to yield a cardiovascular training effect. The objectives of this analysis were to determine whether polestriding exercise training, performed by persons with PAD, would improve exercise endurance, elicit a cardiovascular training benefit, and improve quality of life (QoL). Persons (n = 49) whose claudication pain limited their exercise capacity were randomized into a 24-week polestriding training program (n = 25, 65.

The utility of screening renal ultrasonography: identifying renal cell carcinoma in an elderly asymptomatic population.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and utility of screening renal ultrasonography (RUS) in older patients with a high prevalence of risk factors for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as with the widespread use of advanced imaging techniques the identification of incidental RCC has increased, and although previous studies in low-risk groups reported little use for screening RUS, its utility in high-risk groups is unknown.

Patients And Methods: From 1993 to 1997, screening RUS was completed for 6678 consecutive patients in conjunction with the Aneurysm Detection and Management study. Patient demographics, medical and social history were recorded for each patient.

Study of the venous reflux progression.

Background: Patients with chronic venous disease (CVD) often ask whether elective vein surgery could be delayed without consequences. Because the natural history of CVD is not well known, this study was designed to determine its progression in such patients.

Methods: One hundred and sixteen limbs in 90 patients who had at least 2 exams with duplex ultrasound (DU) scanning prior to vein surgery at a university medical center were studied.

Coronary-artery revascularization before elective major vascular surgery.

Background: The benefit of coronary-artery revascularization before elective major vascular surgery is unclear.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients at increased risk for perioperative cardiac complications and clinically significant coronary artery disease to undergo either revascularization or no revascularization before elective major vascular surgery. The primary end point was long-term mortality.

Disparate opinions regarding indications for coronary artery revascularization before elective vascular surgery.

Despite consensus guidelines, the optimal strategy for preoperative cardiac risk management among patients scheduled for major noncardiac surgery remains controversial. This study assesses current opinion about the role of preoperative coronary revascularization for patients with coronary artery disease scheduled for elective vascular surgery. Thirty-one practicing cardiologists recruited from 4 different regions reviewed case records, imaging tests, and coronary angiograms of 12 patients with coronary artery disease participating in the Coronary Artery Revascularization Prophylaxis (CARP) trial.

Predictors of early discharge following open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair have lower perioperative morbidity and leave the hospital earlier than patients undergoing open repair. However, potential complications require continuous surveillance of endografts and there are few data regarding their long-term fate. If an open operation were well tolerated, this might be a preferable alternative.

Comparison of standard carotid endarterectomy with Dacron patch angioplasty versus eversion carotid endarterectomy during a 4-year period.

Currently, the two primary approaches to carotid endarterectomy for extracranial carotid stenosis are carotid endarterectomy with patch angioplasty and eversion carotid endarterectomy. In a retrospective study over a 4-year period from 1998 to 2002, we had an opportunity to compare the two approaches as two surgeons utilized carotid endarterectomy with Dacron patch angioplasty and two other surgeons utilized eversion carotid endarterectomy. During the 4-year period, 189 carotid endarterectomies were performed, 125 with Dacron patch angioplasty (CE-P) and 64 with eversion (EE) endarterectomy.

Same-evening discharge after carotid endarterectomy: our initial experience.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the initial implementation of a same-evening discharge algorithm for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Method: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database of patients undergoing CEA over 3 years.

Results: From January 2000 to December 2002, 207 patients underwent CEA, of which 186 qualified for same-evening discharge.

Quality of life, impotence, and activity level in a randomized trial of immediate repair versus surveillance of small abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: We compared long-term health-related quality-of-life outcome after randomization to immediate elective repair or imaging surveillance, and in relation to time of elective repair, in patients with small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out in 16 Veterans Affairs medical centers. Study subjects were patients at good surgical risk, aged 50 to 79 years, with AAAs 4.

PoleStriding exercise and vitamin E for management of peripheral vascular disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of PoleStriding exercise (a form of walking that uses muscles of the upper and lower body in a continuous movement similar to cross-country skiing) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) to improve walking ability and perceived quality of life (QOL) of patients with claudication pain secondary to peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods: Fifty-two subjects were randomized into four groups: PoleStriding with vitamin E (N = 13), PoleStriding with placebo (N= 14), vitamin E without exercise (N= 13), and placebo without exercise (N = 12). The dose of vitamin E was 400 IU daily.

The effect of intraoperative duplex on the management of postoperative stroke.

Background: Stroke after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) may be a result of intraoperative ischemia, embolism, or thrombosis at the operative site. Intraoperative duplex should eliminate the occurrence of a severe internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis and, thus, negate the benefit of reoperation. This article will detail the results of our evolving treatment algorithm for immediate versus delayed post-CEA neurologic deficit (ND).

Outcome of nonoperative management of asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of nonoperative management (NOM) of asymptomatic high-grade (80% to 99%) carotid stenosis.

Methods: From April 1994 to December 2000, asymptomatic high-grade (80% to 99%) carotid stenosis was identified in 196 carotid arteries in 180 male veterans. Of the original number identified, 137 carotid endarterectomies (CEs) were performed in 123 patients (OP group) and 59 carotid arteries in 57 patients were managed nonoperatively (NOM group.