Persistent sciatic artery in a patient with unilateral acute lower extremity ischemia.

We report a rare case of a persistent sciatic artery in a 59-year-old woman who had presented with unilateral acute limb ischemia. A heparin infusion was started. A right lower extremity arterial duplex ultrasound scan showed an occluded superficial femoral artery and underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis of her right popliteal artery, which was fed by a persistent sciatic artery.

Duplex-guided endovascular treatment for occlusive and stenotic lesions of the femoral-popliteal arterial segment: a comparative study in the first 253 cases.

Objective: The standard technique of balloon angioplasty with or without subintimal dissection of infrainguinal arteries requires contrast arteriography and fluoroscopy. We attempted to perform this procedure with duplex guidance to avoid the use of nephrotoxic contrast material and eliminate or minimize radiation exposure.

Methods: From September 2003 to June 2005, 196 patients (57% male) with a mean age of 73 +/- 10 years (range, 42-97 years) had a total of 253 attempted balloon angioplasties of the superficial femoral and/or popliteal artery under duplex guidance in 218 limbs.

Morbidity and mortality associated with brachial vein thrombosis.

We have noted a significant incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and mortality associated with upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT). Since there is an association between site of lower extremity DVT (LEDVT) and PE, we hypothesized that there might also be a correlation between site of UEDVT and PE with associated mortality. To further elucidate this hypotheses, we analyzed the mortality and incidence of PE diagnosed with subclavian/axillary/internal jugular vein thrombosis during an 11-year period at our institution and compared the data to those of patients diagnosed with brachial DVT.

Prospective evaluation of combined upper and lower extremity DVT.

The clinical importance of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) has been increasingly demonstrated in recent literature. Not only has the risk of pulmonary embolism from isolated upper extremity DVT been demonstrated, but a significant associated mortality has been encountered. Examination of this group of patients has demonstrated the existence of combined upper and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in some patients who exhibit an even higher associated mortality.

Mini skin incision for carotid endarterectomy (CEA): a new and safe alternative to the standard approach.

Purpose: Patients requiring surgery are naturally attracted to shorter incisions because they tend to cause less pain and are esthetically more appeasing. To substantially shorten the length of standard skin incisions (4 to 7 inches) for carotid endarterectomy (CEA), we used preoperative duplex scanning to outline the carotid bifurcation as well as to determine the extent of disease in both the internal and common carotid arteries.

Methods: During the last 21 months, 265 consecutive primary CEAs were performed in 253 patients (mean age 72 +/- 10 years) at a single institution.

A 10-year experience with complementary distal arteriovenous fistula and deep vein interposition for infrapopliteal prosthetic bypasses.

Since up to 20% of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization do not have an adequate venous conduit, some authors have explored the use of prosthetic grafts with adjunctive techniques for lower extremity revascularization. However, the long-term graft patency of those procedures has not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term patency of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass with adjunctive arteriovenous fistula and venous interposition (AVF/VI) for infrapopliteal revascularization.

Risk factors for mortality in patients with upper extremity and internal jugular deep venous thrombosis.

Objective: To elucidate the natural history of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT), we examined factors that may contribute to the high mortality associated with UEDVT.

Methods: Five hundred forty-six patients were diagnosed with acute internal jugular/subclavian/axillary deep venous thrombosis from January 1992 to June 2003 by duplex scanning at our institution. There were 329 women (60%).