Cryopreserved saphenous vein allograft for infragenicular bypass in the presence of foot infection.

We report our distal bypass experience with cryopreserved saphenous vein allograft (CSVA) in 12 patients presenting with infection and no autologous saphenous vein available. Twelve patients underwent 13 arterial reconstructions. The mean age of the cohort was 68.

Use of the Angiojet catheter to remove plaque outside a neuroprotection filter during carotid artery stenting.

Carotid protection devices (CPD) during carotid artery stenting reduce the risk of cerebral embolization. The presence of debris outside the filter presents a problem as the material may be plaque or thrombus. We report a case that required the use of the Angiojet catheter to remove debris outside the CPD.

Günther Tulip and Celect IVC filters in multiple-trauma patients.

Purpose: To evaluate results with the retrievable Günther Tulip (GT) and Celect inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) placed at the intensive care unit (ICU) bedside under "real-time" intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in multiple-trauma patients.

Methods: Between December 2004 and December 2008, 187 multiple-trauma patients (109 men; mean age 44+/-2 years, range 17-71) with contraindications to low-dose anticoagulation therapy or sequential compression devices had Günther Tulip (n = 97) or Celect (n = 90) retrievable IVCFs placed under real-time IVUS guidance. Günther Tulip filters were inserted using a "double-puncture" technique.

The role of CT angiography in the diagnosis of blunt traumatic thoracic aortic disruption and unsuspected carotid artery injury.

We have replaced aortography and open thoracic surgery to diagnose and treat blunt traumatic thoracic aortic disruption (TTAD) in favor of CT angiography (CTA) and endovascular repair. The purpose of this study is to review our experience with the management and outcomes of TTAD and associated carotid artery injuries. In January 2003, we initiated a protocol that used CTA to evaluate all patients with suspected TTAD from blunt trauma.

Endovascular repair of traumatic thoracic aortic disruptions with "stacked" abdominal endograft extension cuffs.

Objective: Endovascular stent graft repair of a traumatic thoracic aortic disruption (TTAD) is rapidly becoming an accepted alternative to open surgical repair. The use of currently approved thoracic stent grafts especially in younger patients with small, "steep," tapered aortas, remains a concern due to the acute thoracic endograft collapse and enfolding. The objective of this study, the largest report to date, was to evaluate the mid-term results of TTAD treated with abdominal aortic "stacked" extension cuffs, with follow-up extending to 41 months.

Retrievability of the Günther Tulip vena cava filter after dwell times longer than 180 days in patients with multiple trauma.

Purpose: To evaluate the retrieval feasibility of the Günther Tulip inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) after dwell times >180 days in patients with multiple trauma.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 117 multiple-trauma patients (70 men; mean age 36 years, range 17 to 64) who underwent prophylactic placement of Günther Tulip retrievable IVCFs between December 1, 2003 and October 1, 2006. Prior to IVCF retrieval, all patients had vena cavography to identify possible IVCF thrombus entrapment.

Atherosclerotic aneurysm formation in a lower extremity saphenous vein graft.

Saphenous vein is the most widely used conduit for arterial bypass procedures and aneurysms of the vein graft are rare. We report a true aneurysm of a reversed femoropopliteal saphenous vein graft implanted nine years earlier. Duplex ultrasonography identified an aneurysm of the saphenous vein graft and arteriography confirmed this finding.

Remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy and distal aSpire stenting: results of a multinational study at three-year follow-up.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the results of remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy (RSFAE) in conjunction with distal aSpire stenting in a multinational study.

Methods: RSFAE is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a limited groin incision. A total of 210 patients were included in this study.

Traumatic superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula and aortic pseudoaneurysm 20 years after repair.

A case of traumatic superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula (SMAVF) and aortic pseudoaneurysm successfully treated by a unique combination of operative and endovascular techniques with a 20-year follow-up is reviewed. After 20 years, the patient presented with an aortoenteric fistula, which was managed with a cryopreserved aortic interposition graft. In this report, we review the evolution of the treatment for traumatic SMAVF and aortic pseudoaneurysm and the current management of aortoenteric fistula.

Retrievable inferior vena cava filters: initial clinical results.

Anticoagulation is the accepted therapy for patients with thromboembolic disease. When contraindications to anticoagulant therapy are present, however, interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) may prevent pulmonary embolism (PE). The objective of this study was to report our early technical and clinical results with retrievable IVC filters (IVCFs) for the prevention of PE.

OptEase retrievable inferior vena cava filter: initial multicenter experience.

The purpose of this article is to describe our experience with the retrievable OptEase inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) (Cordis Corporation, Miami Lakes, FL) in the prevention of pulmonary embolus (PE). Forty patients (24 men, age range 15-85 years, mean age 38 years) who were at temporary risk of PE underwent insertion and retrieval of the OptEase IVCF at two institutions. Eleven patients were treated with filter implantation and subsequent repositioning in the inferior vena cava (IVC) to extend implantation time.

Transthoracic cuffed hemodialysis catheters: a method for difficult hemodialysis access.

Background: Recurrent vascular access failure is a major cause of morbidity in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis. Central venous catheters are often necessary for dialysis, and easily accessed vessels (ie, the internal jugular vein and subclavian vein) frequently occlude because of repeated cannulation. When standard access sites occlude, unconventional access methods become necessary.

Retrievable inferior vena cava filters: early clinical experience.

Aim: Multiple-trauma patients often have injuries that prevent the use of anticoagulant or sequential compression device prophylaxis. Temporary inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) offer protection against pulmonary embolism (PE) during the early, highest-risk perioperative and immediate injury period, while avoiding potential long-term sequelae of a permanent IVCF. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic, temporary IVCF placement at the intensive care unit (ICU) bedside under real-time intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in multiple-trauma patients.

Stent-graft repair of traumatic thoracic aortic disruptions.

Objective: Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic disruption results in pre-hospital death in 80% to 90% of patients. Because of the significant surgical morbidity and mortality associated with open operative repair, endovascular stent-graft repair has been investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of thoracic aortic disruptions treated with commercially available proximal aortic extension cuffs.

Role of prophylactic temporary inferior vena cava filters placed at the ICU bedside under intravascular ultrasound guidance in patients with multiple trauma.

Objective: Patients with multiple trauma often have injuries that preclude the use of anticoagulation therapy or sequential compression device prophylaxis. Temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filters (IVCFs) offer protection against pulmonary embolism during the early immediate injury and perioperative period, when risk is highest, while averting potential long-term sequelae of permanent IVCFs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic, temporary IVCF placement at the intensive care unit bedside under real-time intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in patients with multiple trauma.

Real-time intravascular ultrasound-guided placement of a removable inferior vena cava filter.

Background: Reports have demonstrated the benefit of prophylactic inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement to prevent pulmonary embolism. This series evaluates the potential for the bedside placement of a removable IVCF under "real-time" intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance.

Methods: Twenty trauma patients underwent intensive care unit placement of a removable IVCF with IVUS guidance.

Prevention of intimal hyperplasia; Initial results with low-dose beta-radiation applied by an external vascular polymer wrap.

Objective: Endovascular brachytherapy, delivered by a variety of catheter-based devices, has proven clinically effective for the inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) after coronary and peripheral balloon/stent angioplasty. No platform, however, has been developed to deliver low-dose radiation in concert with vascular surgical operations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vascular response following balloon injury to the rabbit carotid artery, with and without topical low-dose 45Ca, applied by an external vascular "wrap".

Remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy and distal aSpire stenting: multicenter medium-term results.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the results of remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy (RSFAE) in conjunction with distal aSpire stenting.

Methods: RSFAE is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a limited groin incision. Forty patients were included in the study.

Remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy.

The advent of minimally invasive procedures such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stent, laser-assisted balloon angioplasty, and atherectomy, whose results have proven disappointing in the treatment of long-segment (> more than 15 cm) superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease, stimulated a reassessment of SFA endarterectomy. With the evolution of remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy (RSFAE) a minimally invasive technique became available which could be performed through a single incision, allowed, debulking of the arterial plaque, and placement of an endovascular stent. We report results of RSFAE in an initial trial, results of RSFAE in concert with the aSpire Covered Stent which is a flexible ePTFE covered Nitinol stent with significant radial strength to withstand torsional stresses at the knee joint, and RSFAE and distal vein bypass for limb salvage.

Cellular remodeling of depopulated bovine ureter used as an arteriovenous graft in the canine model.

Background: One of the greatest challenges in hemodialysis access surgery is improving the durability of prosthetic grafts caused by structural deterioration. The depopulated bovine ureter SynerGraft (SG) (CryoLife, Inc) is a tissue-engineered vascular graft processed to remove the xenograft cells while maintaining an unfixed connective tissue matrix capable of autologous cell repopulation by the recipient.

Study Design: Nineteen 6-mm diameter bovine ureter SG conduits were implanted in 12 dogs as arteriovenous grafts between the carotid artery and jugular vein (n = 11) or between the femoral artery and vein (n = 8).

Renal cell carcinoma invading the inferior vena cava: use of a "temporary" vena cava filter to prevent tumor emboli during nephrectomy.

Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extension into the inferior vena cava (IVC) remains a difficult operative challenge. Placement of a suprarenal "temporary" IVC filter, with its ease of insertion and removal, makes it the ideal treatment to prevent pulmonary embolism in these difficult cases. We report the first 2 cases of temporary suprarenal IVC filters placed at the time of radical nephrectomy to eliminate the possibility of perioperative pulmonary embolus and avoid the potential long-term sequelae of a permanent suprarenal IVC filter.

Retrohepatic vena cava and hepatic vein injuries: a simplified experimental methods of treatment by balloon shunt.

Background: Fecal contamination from colon injury has been thought to be the most significant factor for the development of surgical site infection (SSI) after trauma. However, there are increasing data to suggest that other factors may play a role in the development of postinjury infection in patients after colon injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of gastric wounding on the development of SSI and nonsurgical site infection (NSSI) in patients with colon injury.

Bedside intravascular ultrasound-guided vena cava filter placement.

Objective: Several reports have demonstrated the efficacy of inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) placement with intravascular ultrasound guidance (IVUS). The majority of these procedures,however, have been done in concert with contrast venography and/or fluoroscopic guidance. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the potential for bedside IVCF placement with "real-time" IVUS guidance only.

Remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy and distal vein bypass for limb salvage: initial experience.

Purpose: To examine the results of remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy (RSFAE) performed through a small groin incision in conjunction with distal saphenous vein (SV) bypass for limb salvage.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 21 patients (14 men; mean age 68.5 years, range 47-78) who underwent RSFAE and distal SV bypass between May 1998 and September 2001 for limb salvage.