Stent effects on duplex velocity estimates.

Background: Doppler-derived velocity criteria used to define the presence and severity of in-stent restenosis after percutaneous angioplasty and endoluminal stenting have been called into question. This study uses an in vitro flow model to examine Doppler-derived velocities after placement of balloon-expandable and self-expanding endoluminal stents (BES and SES).

Methods: An in vitro vascular circuit model consisting of a pulsatile pump, tubing, and a conduit was created.

Anesthesia-based evaluation of outcomes of lower-extremity vascular bypass procedures.

Background: This report examines the effects of regional versus general anesthesia for infrainguinal bypass procedures performed in the treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Methods: Nonemergent infrainguinal bypass procedures for CLI (defined as rest pain or tissue loss) were identified using the 2005 to 2008 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using International Classification of Disease, ninth edition, and Current Procedure Terminology codes. Patients were classified according to National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data as receiving either general anesthesia or regional anesthesia.

Diastolic function predicts survival after renal revascularization.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define the relationship between left ventricular diastolic function and survival after renal revascularization.

Methods: Seventy-six adult patients (49 women, 27 men; mean age: 63 ± 13 years) with preoperative echocardiography who underwent renal revascularization for atherosclerotic disease were identified. Diastolic function was estimated from the early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E), the atrial transmitral flow velocity (A), and the mitral annular tissue doppler velocity (e').

Results of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair with general, regional, and local/monitored anesthesia care in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Background: This study examined outcomes of endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) using general, spinal, epidural, and local/monitored anesthesia care (MAC) in a multicenter North American hospital database reflecting contemporary anesthesia and surgical practices.

Methods: Elective EVAR cases performed between 2005 and 2008 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Excluded were emergency cases and patients with concomitant procedures requiring general anesthesia.