Is Repeat PTA of a Failing Hemodialysis Fistula Durable?

Purpose. Our objective was to evaluate the outcome of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and particularly rePTA in a failing arteriovenous fistula (AV-fistula). Are multiple redilations worthwhile? Patients and Methods.

The Hardman index in patients operated on for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: A systematic review.

Background: The aims of the present study were to (1) analyze preoperative predictors for outcome suggested by Hardman and surgical mortality after open repair and endovascular repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA), and (2) further evaluate the Hardman index in a systematic review.

Methods: Patients operated on for rAAA during a 5-year period between 2000 and 2004 were scored according to Hardman-1 point for either age >76 years, loss of consciousness after presentation, hemoglobin <90 g/L, serum creatinine >190 micromol/L or electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of ischemia-with blinded evaluation of ECGs by a specialist in clinical physiology. The results were included in a systematic review of studies evaluating the Hardman index.

Predictors for outcome after open and endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to analyze patient- and management-related predictors for outcome after open (OR) and endovascular repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA).

Design: Retrospective study.

Materials: The in-hospital registry of Malmö University Hospital identified 162 patients operated on due to rAAA between 2000 and 2004.

Increasing incidence of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: a population-based study.

Objective: The aim of the present population-based study was to assess the trends of age- and gender-specific incidence of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA).

Methods: Patients with rAAA from the city of Malmö, Sweden, were studied between 2000 and 2004. An analysis of trends of incidence and mortality of rAAA in Malmö was possible because of a previous population-based study on patients with rAAA between 1971 and 1986 (autopsy rate 85% compared with 25% for the time period 2000 to 2004).

Outcome of treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms depending on the type of hospital.

Objective: To compare the outcome of patients operated on acutely for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) or otherwise symptomatic aortic aneurysms in a university hospital and in two county hospitals by the same group of vascular surgeons.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: 1 university and 2 county hospitals, Sweden.

Intraoperative angioscopy may improve the outcome of in situ saphenous vein bypass grafting: a prospective study.

Objective: To find out whether intraoperative angioscopic assistance has any effect on graft outcome in patients with critical leg ischemia.

Material And Methods: One hundred one patients requiring a below-knee bypass were assigned to undergo in situ saphenous vein bypass with or without intraoperative angioscopic assistance; otherwise treated similarly including preoperative duplex vein mapping, intraoperative graft flow measurements, and angiography. Data on operative details, morbidity, hospital stay, and graft patency were collected prospectively and compared.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of crural arteries: diabetes and other factors influencing outcome.

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the crural arteries.

Patients And Methods: a retrospective review of patients treated with PTA of at least one crural artery during an 8-year period (1990--1997).

Results: one hundred and fifty-five legs in 140 consecutive patients (mean age 74 years, range 38--91 years) were treated.

Intraoperative contamination of synthetic vascular grafts. Effect of glove change before graft implantation. A prospective randomised study.

Objectives: to investigate the incidence of intraoperative graft contamination, bacterial species and the influence of change of surgeon's gloves on contamination.

Design: a prospective randomised study.

Materials And Methods: forty patients had implantation of synthetic vascular grafts.

Response of inflammatory markers to balloon angioplasty in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Objectives: To study the inflammatory response to balloon angioplasty (PTA).

Design: Prospective study.

Materials: Blood samples were drawn for cytokine analysis from 10 patients undergoing PTA before, after 60 min and 6 h after the balloon inflation.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting for femoropopliteal occlusions? A randomized controlled study.

Background: To investigate the-one year outcome of PTA and stenting and PTA alone for femoropopliteal occlusions.

Design: Randomized prospective study

Methods: 32 patients with femoropopliteal occlusions were randomized into two treatment groups: PTA and Strecker-stent (n=15) and PTA alone (n=17). The median age of the patients was 71 years.

Outcome and influence of age after infrainguinal revascularisation in critical limb ischaemia. The Swedish Vascular Registry.

Objectives: To evaluate whether revascularisation has any influence on the mortality rate, and the impact of old age in patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI).

Design: Analysis of Swedish Vascular Registry (Swedvasc) data.

Patients And Methods: During 1987-1995, 3730 surgical and 1199 endovascular (PTA) procedures below the groin due to CLI were reported.

Magnetic resonance imaging and MR angiography of endoluminally treated abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objectives: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium-based contrast medium-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) for the follow-up of endoluminally treated abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Design: MRI/MRA, angiography and computed tomography (CT) were performed 1 month after endoluminal stent-graft placement. MRI/MRA was repeated at 6 and 12 months and angiography and CT were added to confirm unexpected findings.

[Endovascular technique in aortic aneurysm. A promising alternative to open surgery].

The article consists in a presentation of endovascular surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in 23 cases. Two cases required conversion to open surgery, but the procedure could be completed in the remaining 21 cases, with a current duration of follow-up of up to 30 months. There was early leakage in one case, and late leakage in five cases.

Influence of heparin coating on in vitro bacterial adherence to poly(vinyl chloride) segments.

End-point attached, covalently bound heparin has been shown to be effective in preventing activation of the coagulation cascade by biomaterials. Data concerning its possible influence on bacterial attachment and resistance to biomaterial-associated infection are, so far, lacking. In the present work, the in vitro adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, one isolate of each species, to plain poly(vinyl chloride) (plain PVC) and heparin coated poly(vinyl chloride) (EPA-PVC) segments was compared.

Biological responses differ considerably between endovascular and conventional aortic aneurysm surgery.

Objectives: To determine the inflammatory responses in endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and their relation to clinical findings.

Design: Prospective non-randomised study.

Setting: University Hospital, Department of Surgery.

Reduced susceptibility of polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prostheses to colonization by Staphylococcus aureus following in situ endothelialization.

The impact of endothelialization of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts on susceptibility to experimental colonization by Staphylococcus aureus was studied in a rat model. One hundred and eight grafts (2 mm inner diameter, 5 mm length) were implanted into the infrarenal aorta (54 rats) or the infrarenal caval vein (54 rats). The progress of endothelialization following graft implantation was evaluated by SEM at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days on 6 grafts from each group.

Influence of some plasma proteins on in vitro bacterial adherence to PTFE and Dacron vascular prostheses.

The in vitro adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli (one strain of each species) to commercially available, microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and woven Dacron vascular grafts before and after coating with human plasma was compared. Standard size segments of the materials were incubated with 35S-labeled bacteria for 0.5-18 h and, following washes, the radioactivity associated with the segment was measured.

Bacterial adherence to synthetic vascular prostheses and influence of human plasma. An in vitro study.

The in vitro adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli to five commercially available prosthetic vascular graft materials was compared. The influence of precoating the segments with human plasma for 2 h was also studied. S35-methionine was used to radiolabel bacteria.

Endothelialization of microporous polytetrafluoroethylene grafts in the infrarenal aorta and caval vein of the rat.

To study healing and endothelialization of vascular grafts, microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prostheses 2 mm in inner diameter and 5 mm long were implanted into the infrarenal aorta or caval vein of the rat. Patency was assessed in six rats from each group at days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 after implantation. Four grafts were occluded, two in the aorta (56 days) and two in the caval vein (3 and 14 days).

Management of pancreatic pseudocysts in relation to pain relief.

Seventy patients were treated either surgically, by percutaneous puncture, or conservatively for pancreatic pseudocysts at this hospital; 61 (87%) had pain, which in most cases was moderate. Before admission 14 patients had been taking opioid drugs regularly and 18 had used opioids occasionally. Nine patients used non-opioid analgesic drugs less than once a day.