Short-Term Results of an Algorithm for Brachial Artery Injury Repair Favoring a Reversed Ipsilateral Arm Vein Conduit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:The brachial artery is the most frequently injured artery in the upper extremity due to its vulnerability. The purpose of our study was to review our experience with brachial artery injuries over a 9-year period, describing the type of injury, surgical procedures, complications, and associated injuries.PATIENTS AND METHODS:Forty-nine patients with brachial artery injury underwent surgical repair procedures at our hospital, from the beginning of May 1999 to the end of June 2008. The brachial artery injuries were diagnosed by physical examination and Doppler ultrasonography. Depending on the mode of presentation, patients were either taken immediately to the operating room for bleeding control and vascular repair or were assessed by preoperative duplex ultrasonography.RESULTS:This study group consisted of 43 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 6 to 65 years with a mean (SD) age of 27.9 (6.7) years. The mechanism of trauma was penetrating in 45 patients and blunt in the remaining 4 patients. Stab injury was the most frequent form of penetrating trauma (24 of 45). Treatment included primary arterial repair in 5 cases, end-to-end anastomosis in 28 cases, interposition vein graft in 15 cases, and interposition-ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft in 1 case. Associated injuries were common and included venous injury (14), bone fracture (5), and peripheral nerve injury (11). Fifteen patients developed postoperative complications. One patient underwent an above-elbow amputation.CONCLUSIONS:Prompt and appropriate management of the brachial artery injuries, attention to associated injuries, and a readiness to revise the vascular repair early in the event of failure will maximize patient survival and upper extremity salvage.

Arm Vein as an Alternative Autogenous Conduit for Infragenicular Bypass in the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischaemia: A 15 Year Experience

The use of prosthetic grafts such as polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) or Dacron to bypass occluded arteries in the lower leg is an accepted practice in the absence of suitable autologous vein. The aim is limb salvage or functional improvement in critical limb ischaemia, but patency rates for below knee prosthetic bypasses are low. Creating a vein cuff at the distal anastomosis is thought to improve outcomes. Other techniques including the use of pre-cuffed synthetic grafts, spliced segments of vein and the creation of an arterio-venous fistula (AVF) are also used to improve patency. To compare the beneficial effects of using vein cuffed prosthetic grafts for below knee bypass in critical limb ischaemia with other types of reconstruction. The Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched May 2012) and CENTRAL (2012, Issue 5) for publications comparing prosthetic infragenicular bypass using vein cuffs with other bypass techniques. Randomised controlled trials comparing interposition vein cuff prosthetic graft with autologous vein graft and non-cuffed prosthetic graft for infragenicular bypass in patients with critical limb ischaemia were included. Trials comparing vein cuff prosthetic grafts with or without AVF and vein cuff prosthetic grafts with pre-cuffed prosthetic grafts were also included. The trials were selected and assessed independently by two review authors. Six trials with a combined total of 885 patients were included in this review. Only studies using prosthetic PTFE grafts were identified.Two trials compared PTFE graft with or without a vein cuff. In one underpowered trial for below knee bypass the cumulative primary patency rate was statistically significantly higher in the vein cuff group (80.3% versus 65.3% at 12 months and 51.8% versus 29.1% at 24 months, P = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in secondary patency (82.9% versus 72.5% and 58.6% versus 34.9%, P = 0.14) and limb salvage rates (86.3% versus 71.8% and 82.6% versus 62.2%, P = 0.08) at 12 and 24 months respectively. The other trial showed no statistically significant difference between the groups at three years in the below knee femoro-popliteal bypasses (primary patency rate 26% (95% confidence interval (CI) 18 to 38) and 43% (95% CI 33 to 58), secondary patency rate 32% (95% CI 23 to 44) and 42% (95% CI 31 to 56) and limb salvage rate 64% (95% CI 54 to 75) and 61% (95% CI 50 to 74) in the collar and no collar groups respectively). In the femoro-distal bypass group, the differences in primary patency, secondary patency and limb salvage rates were also not statistically significant at three years (primary patency rate 20% (95% CI 11 to 38) and 17% (95% CI 9 to 33), secondary patency rate 22% (95% CI 12 to 39) and 20% (95% CI 11 to 35) and limb salvage rate 59% (95% CI 46 to 76) and 44% (95% CI 32 to 61) in the collar and no collar groups respectively).One trial compared pre-cuffed PTFE grafts with vein cuffed grafts. There was no statistically significant difference in primary patency rate (62% pre-cuffed PTFE versus 52% vein cuff PTFE and 49% versus 44%, P = 0.53), secondary patency rate (66% pre-cuffed PTFE versus 53% vein cuff PTFE and 55% versus 50%, P = 0.30) or limb salvage rate (75% pre-cuffed PTFE versus 72% vein cuff PTFE and 62% versus 65%, P = 0.88) at 12 and 24 months respectively.One trial compared spliced vein grafts with vein cuffed PTFE grafts. At 24 months, the secondary patency rate was statistically significantly higher in the spliced vein group (86% in the spliced vein and 52% in the vein cuff group, P < 0.05). There was no statistical significant difference in primary patency rate (44% versus 50%, P > 0.05) and limb salvage rate (94% versus 85%, P > 0.05).Two trials compared vein cuff PTFE grafts with and without AVF. There was no statistical significant difference at 24 months in primary patency rate (29% versus 36%, P = 0.77; 32% versus 28%, P = 0.2), secondary patency rate (40% versus 40%, P = 0.89; 28% versus 24%, P = 0.2) and limb salvage rate (65% versus 70%, P = 0.97; 62% versus 71%, P = 0.3). There is evidence that a vein cuff at the distal anastomosis site improves primary graft patency rates for below knee PTFE graft, but this does not reduce the risk of limb loss. Pre-cuffed PTFE grafts have comparable patency and limb salvage rates to vein cuff PTFE grafts. The use of spliced veins improved secondary patency but this did not translate into improved limb salvage. The use of an AVF alone showed no added benefits. Evidence for a beneficial effect of vein cuffed PTFE grafts is weak and based on underpowered trials. A large study with a specific focus on below knee vein cuff prosthetic grafts, including PTFE, is required.

Despite advances of endovascular interventions, bypass surgery remains the gold standard for treatment of long and complex arterial occlusions in the lower limb. Autologous vein is regarded superior to other options. As the graft of first choice, the great saphenous vein (GSV) is often not available due to previous bypass, stripping or poor quality. Other options like arm veins (AV) are important alternatives. As forearm portions of AVs are often unusable, a graft created from the upper arm basilic and cephalic veins provides a valuable alternative. We analyzed consecutive patients treated at an academic tertiary referral center between 01/1998 and 07/2018 using arm veins as the main peripheral bypass graft. Study endpoints were primary patency, secondary patency, limb salvage and survival. In the observed time period 2702 bypass procedures were performed at our institution for below-knee arterial reconstructions. Vein grafts used included the ipsilateral GSV (iGSV; n = 1937/71.7%), contralateral GSV (cGSV; 192/7.1%), small saphenous vein (SSV; 133/4.9%), prosthetic conduits (61/2.3%) and different configurations of AV (379/14%). In the majority of patients receiving AV grafts a complete continuous cephalic or basilic vein (CAV) was used (n = 292/77%). If it was not possible to use major parts of these 2 veins, either spliced arm vein grafts (SAV) (42/11%) or an upper arm basilic-cephalic loop graft (45/12%) were used. Median follow-up was 27 (interquartile range: 8-50) months. After 3 years secondary patency (CAV: 85%; SAV: 62%; loop: 66%; p = 0.125) and limb salvage rates (CAV: 79%, SAV: 68%; loop: 79%; p = 0.346) were similar between the 3 bypass options. The encouraging results of alternative AV configurations highlight their value in case the basilic or cephalic veins are not useable in continuity. Especially for infragenual redo-bypass procedures, these techniques should be considered to offer patients durable revascularization options.

The impact of gender on outcome after infrainguinal arterial reconstructions for peripheral occlusive disease

Results of a policy with arm veins used as the first alternative to an unavailable ipsilateral greater saphenous vein for infrainguinal bypass

Background: Patient groups with secondary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) management with saphenous vein (SV) graft and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft for hemodialysis (HD) were reviewed in terms of patency and complication rate. Methods: Forty HD access procedures were performed in 40 consecutive patients between January 2006 and January 2010. All access procedures were planned on the basis of preoperative duplex ultrasonography (USG) scans of arm and forearm veins. Functional patency was defined as ability to cannulate for HD successfully for the patient. Primary and secondary cumulative functional patency of SV and PTFE grafts were determined with Kaplan Meier test; differences in patency rates were analyzed with Log Rank test and differences in revision rates including thrombolysis, thrombectomies and operative revisions were analyzed with the Z test and the Fisher's exact t-test. Results: Mean follow-up was 48 months (range 43-54 months). Risk factors were similar between the two groups. Saphenous vein graft had better patency rates. The HD access complications were higher in SV graft group, while infection and thrombosis were higher in PTFE group. Conclusion: Our data strongly support the necessity that SV graft should be considered initially, compared to PTFE graft, for the patient who is a candidate for an upper arm secondary AVF creation based on anatomical criteria.

Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is associated with high rates of mortality, amputation, and impaired quality of life. The great saphenous vein (GSV) is the first-choice material for surgical revascularization of the infrapopliteal arteries. It may occur that the autologous material is not of good quality, presenting varicosities and ectasias which can affect bypass patency. The long-term patency rate of these operations is still not clear and few evidences are still present in literature. The aim of our study is to report the technical feasibility and efficacy of infrainguinal bypasses performed with autologous ectatic or varicose vein and with the use of external vascular supports. Materials and Methods: From September 2005 to January 2023, infrainguinal venous bypasses with autologous varicose or ectatic vein using an external vascular support were collected in the present study. The indication for surgery was the presence of CLTI with rest pain and/or gangrene. In case of localized dilatations of a segment of the GSV a partial bypass scaffolding (i.e. 10 to 15 cm) was used. Patients with a long segment of varicose vein underwent a completely covered ex situ vein bypass after a bench devalvulation. Follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and every 6 months thereafter, by clinical examination and color Doppler ultrasound. The outcome measures were technical success, 30-day and long-term primary and primary assisted bypass patency, as well as the limb salvage rate. External support infection rates upon reoperation for surgical wound infection as well as graft aneurysmal dilatation over time were also analyzed. Results: 63 patients underwent infrainguinal bypass with autologous varicose or ectatic venous material. In 51 patients (80.9%) the GSV was used, in 3 cases (4.8%) the short saphenous vein (SSV) and in 9 cases (14.3%) a composition of both saphenous veins or with one arm vein. Technical success was achieved in all cases and the mean surgical time was 320±80 minutes. No intraoperative mortality was recorded. At 30 days the primary patency and limb salvage rate were 97.8%, due to two early bypass occlusions. No infections of the external vascular support were recorded. During a mean follow-up of 54.6±27.2 months 8 (13.1%) hemodynamic stenoses requiring reoperation and 3 (4.9%) thromboses of the bypass were found. The primary patency rate was 62.8%, assisted primary 76.3%, with a limb salvage rate of 78%. Conclusion: In our experience, the great saphenous vein, even if ectatic or varicose, has proved to be a valuable conduit for the preparation of a infrainguinal bypasses in CLTI patients, with a satisfactory patency and limb salvage rates. In addition, composite vein graft also using arm vein, could be used in infrainguinal bypass with acceptable results. Also in the light of these results, a “saphenous sparing" surgical approach during corrective surgery for venous insufficiency of the lower limbs should be recommended, so as not to preclude future surgical treatments for limb salvage.

Impact of inflow reconstruction on infrainguinal bypass

PurposeInfrainguinalfemoropopliteal bypass (IFPB) is recommended to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with a long occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). The aims of our study were to determine the patency of graft materials, and identify the risk factors of graft failure.MethodsFrom January 1995 to April 2011, we had performed 380 IFPBs in 351 patients, including 302 femoro-above the knee (AK) bypasses and 78 femoro-below the knee (BK) bypasses. We compare age, sex, severity of ischemia between polytetra-uoroethylene (PTFE) graft and saphenous vein (SV) graft, and evaluate patency rate rates of the two groups.ResultsThe primary patency rates at 5 years for SV (n = 76 limbs) and PTFE grafts (n = 226 limbs) in AK were 85.2% and 64.5% (log rank = 0.03), and the secondary patency rates at 5 years for SV and PTFE grafts in AK were 88.2% and 79.0% (log rank = 0.13). The primary patency rates at 5 years for SV (n = 50 limbs) and PTFE grafts (n = 28 limbs) in BK were 63.2% and 40.0% (log rank = 0.08), and the secondary patency rates at 5 years for SV and PTFE grafts in BK were 71.6% and 55.5% (log rank = 0.18).ConclusionThere was no statistical significant difference in secondary patency rates between SV and PTFE in IFPB. PTFE grafts as SV grafts can be a good alternative bypass material in IFPB instead of SV grafts.

Distal revascularization and interval ligation for dialysis access-related ischemia is best performed using arm vein conduit

Femorofemoral bypass grafts: Factors influencing long-term patency rate and outcome

Femorofemoral bypass grafts: Factors influencing long-term patency rate and outcome

Prospective controlled study of polytetrafluoroethylene versus saphenous vein in claudicant patients with bilateral above knee femoropopliteal bypasses

Prospective controlled study of polytetrafluoroethylene versus saphenous vein in claudicant patients with bilateral above knee femoropopliteal bypasses