Open Vascular Surgery Research Articles

Predicting outcomes in older patients undergoing vascular surgery using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score.

Frailty may explain why some older patients having vascular surgery are at high risk of adverse outcomes. The Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) has been designed specifically for use with administrative data and has three categories of frailty risk (low, intermediate and high). The aim of this study was to evaluate the HFRS in predicting mortality, and hospital use in older patients undergoing vascular surgery. Routinely collected hospital data linked to death records were analysed for all patients aged 75 years or older who had undergone either endovascular or open vascular surgery between 2010 and 2012 in New South Wales, Australia. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to compare outcomes adjusted for patient and procedural factors, with and without frailty. Some 9752 patients were identified, of whom 1719 (17·6 per cent) had a high-risk HFRS. Patients in the high-risk frailty category had an adjusted odds ratio for death by 30 days after surgery of 4·15 (95 per cent c.i. 2·99 to 5·76) compared with those in the low-risk frailty category, and a similarly increased odds of death by 2 years (odds ratio 4·27, 3·69 to 4·95). Adding the HFRS to a model adjusted for age, sex, co-morbidity score, socioeconomic status, previous hospitalization and vascular procedure type improved the prediction of 2-year mortality and prolonged hospital stay, but there was minimal improvement for 30-day mortality and readmission. Adjusting for the HFRS in addition to other patient and procedural risk factors provided greater discrimination of outcomes in this cohort of older patients undergoing vascular surgery.

Opioid Use after Endovascular Compared with Open Vascular Surgery

Opioid Use after Endovascular Compared with Open Vascular Surgery

Cost-effectiveness analysis of negative pressure wound therapy dressings after open inguinal vascular surgery – The randomised INVIPS-Trial

AimWhile the scientific evidence in favour of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressings on sutured incisions in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) has increased, the cost-effectiveness after vascular surgery has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of NPWT compared to standard dressings for the prevention of SSIs after open inguinal vascular surgery. Materials and methodsPatient data were retrieved from the randomised INVIPS-trial's open arm, which included patients randomised to either NPWT or standard dressings. The patients were surveyed for SSIs for 90 days postoperatively. The patients' individual cost data were included and analysed from a healthcare perspective. The patients' quality of life was measured using the Vascuqol-6 questionnaire pre- and 30 days postoperatively. Cost-effectiveness of NPWT was determined by decreased or equal total costs and a significant reduction in SSI incidence. Results: The mean vascular procedure-related costs at 90 days were €16,621 for patients treated with NPWT (n = 59) and €16,285 for patients treated with standard dressings (n = 60), p = 0.85. The SSI incidence in patients treated with NPWT was 11.9% (n = 7/59) compared to 30.0% (n = 18/60) with standard dressings, p = 0.015. This corresponds to an increased mean cost of €1,853 per SSI avoided. The cost-effectiveness plane of incremental vascular procedure-related costs and difference in Vascuqol-6 score showed that 42% of estimates were in the quadrant where NPWT was dominant. Conclusion: NPWT is considered cost-effective over standard dressings in patients undergoing open inguinal vascular surgery due to reduced SSI incidence at no higher costs.

Prospective evaluation of preoperative lung ultrasound for prediction of perioperative outcome and myocardial injury in adult patients undergoing vascular surgery (LUPPO study).

Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is a frequent perioperative event in vascular surgery, associated both with worse outcome and subsequent cardiovascular events. Current guidelines advocate troponin (hs-cTnT) and NT-proBNP measurements in selected patients before surgery, but accurate preoperative identification of patients at risk for MINS is an unmet clinical need. Focused lung ultrasound (LUS) might help to select patients at increased risk for MINS, because it can visualize B-line artifacts correlating to cardiopulmonary disease. Therefore, we investigated whether quantification of B-line artifacts improves perioperative risk predictive accuracy for MINS. In this prospective single-center observational study, 136 consecutive open vascular surgery patients underwent conventional preoperative assessment expanded by lung ultrasound. Lung ultrasound B-lines were counted in each of 28 bilateral scan fields of the anterior and lateral chest. Improvement of risk predictive accuracy was quantified with area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and net reclassification improvement (NRI). We included 118 patients into the final analysis. Twenty-three (19%) patients fulfilled the criteria for the primary endpoint MINS. Three or more bilateral positive B-line fields were calculated as the best ROC-derived cutoff associated with an increased incidence of MINS (odds ratio: 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5 to 12.7; P=0.007). Adding LUS to hs-cTnT measurements improved risk predictive accuracy for MINS (NRI: 0.36, P=0.043). Lung ultrasound in combination with hs-cTnT showed a better test accuracy than hs-cTnT alone and might guide clinicians to identify vascular patients at increased risk for MINS.

Rectus Sheath Catheters vs. Thoracic Epidural for Open Abdominal Vascular Surgery

Objective: Epidural analgesia remains the gold standard for laparotomies. However, it has certain limitations and may be contraindicated. Rectus sheath catheters (RSCs) provide an alternative for analgesia in these patients, though their outcomes and efficacy are poorly investigated in the literature. The aim was to investigate RSCs vs. epidural analgesia for patients undergoing open abdominal vascular surgery.

Drugs to reduce bleeding and transfusion in major open vascular or endovascular surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Drugs to reduce bleeding and transfusion in major open vascular or endovascular surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Science, Medicine, and the Anesthesiologist

Science, Medicine, and the Anesthesiologist

Open Vascular Surgery Training in the Endovascular Era: 5 Years’ Experience of a Cadaver Laboratory

As operative experience in open vascular surgery decreases in favor of endovascular techniques, there is less exposure of surgical residents to routine and advanced vascular exposures. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate a benefit of cadaver laboratory (CAD LAB) courses on surgical exposures and vascular operation simulations.

In Oncovascular Surgery Well Planned is Half Done: A Field That Still Requires Major Open Vascular Surgery

In Oncovascular Surgery Well Planned is Half Done: A Field That Still Requires Major Open Vascular Surgery

One-year patient survival correlates with surgeon volume after elective open abdominal aortic surgery

ObjectiveVolume-outcome relationships in surgery have been well established. Studies have shown that high-volume surgeons provide improved outcomes in performing open abdominal aneurysm repairs. The hypothesis of this study was that high-volume surgeons provide superior short-term and midterm outcomes of elective open aortic operations compared with low-volume surgeons. MethodsWe evaluated patients undergoing elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortofemoral bypass, and aortomesenteric bypass by board-certified vascular surgeons using the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database from 2002 to 2014. The Contal and O'Quigley technique was used to estimate a cut point objectively and provided an estimate of significance. A division using average yearly volumes (averaged during 3 years) of seven or more cases and fewer than seven cases per year returned the highest Q statistic, and this grouping was used to classify high-volume and low-volume provider groups. Rates of complications during index hospitalization, length of stay, 30-day survival, 90-day survival, 1-year survival, and cause of death were analyzed using mixed effect models. ResultsIn 118 hospitals during the 13-year period, 266 board-certified vascular surgeons performed 244 aortomesenteric bypasses, 4202 aortofemoral bypasses, and 6126 abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs. High-volume surgeons' rates of complications during index hospitalization, 30-day survival, 90-day survival, and 1-year survival were superior to those of low-volume surgeons. The Contal and O'Quigley technique returned an estimate of seven operations per year for optimal survival during 1 year. This cutoff is associated with an adjusted 1-year hazard ratio of 0.687 (P = .003), a 2.69% difference in 1-year all-cause survival (P = .003), and a 1.76-day reduction in the mean length of stay at index hospitalization (P < .001). Higher volume surgeons showed a 25.0%, 43.4%, 42.4%, 40.6%, and 45.0% reduction in postoperative rates of acute renal failure (P < .001), hemorrhage (P < .001), pulmonary failure (P < .001), sepsis (P < .001), and venous thromboembolism (P < .001), respectively. Abdominal abscess, acute renal failure, hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, and sepsis were associated with increased cardiovascular cause-specific mortality after open aortic operations (P < .001). ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that high-volume surgeons performing elective open aortic operations provide reduced complications and improved short-term and midterm survival compared with low-volume surgeons. Clinical and postoperative variables that are associated with increased cardiovascular cause-specific mortality are also identified. These data provide further evidence that elective open abdominal vascular surgery should be centralized to high-volume surgeons.

The Effect of Improving Basic Preventive Measures in the Perioperative Arena on Staphylococcus aureus Transmission and Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections increase patient morbidity and health care costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize improved basic preventive measures to reduce bacterial transmission and infections among patients undergoing surgery. To assess whether improved basic preventive measures can reduce perioperative Staphylococcus aureus transmission and surgical site infections. This randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 20, 2018, to September 20, 2019, among 19 surgeons and their 236 associated patients at a major academic medical center with a 60-day follow-up period. Participants were a random sample of adult patients undergoing orthopedic total joint, orthopedic spine, oncologic gynecological, thoracic, general, colorectal, open vascular, plastic, or open urological surgery requiring general or regional anesthesia. Surgeons and their associated patients were randomized 1:1 via a random number generator to treatment group or to usual care. Observers were masked to patient groupings during assessment of outcome measures. Sustained improvements in perioperative hand hygiene, vascular care, environmental cleaning, and patient decolonization efforts. Perioperative S aureus transmission assessed by the number of isolates transmitted and the incidence of transmission among patient care units (primary) and the incidence of surgical site infections (secondary). Of 236 patients (156 [66.1%] women; mean [SD] age, 57 [15] years), 106 (44.9%) and 130 (55.1%) were allocated to the treatment and control groups, respectively, received the intended treatment, and were analyzed for the primary outcome. Compared with the control group, the treatment group had a reduced mean (SD) number of transmitted perioperative S aureus isolates (1.25 [2.11] vs 0.47 [1.13]; P = .002). Treatment reduced the incidence of S aureus transmission (incidence risk ratio; 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37-0.86; P = .008; with robust variance clustering by surgeon: 95% CI, 0.42-0.76; P < .001). Overall, 11 patients (4.7%) experienced surgical site infections, 10 (7.7%) in the control group and 1 (0.9%) in the treatment group. Transmission was associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection (8 of 73 patients [11.0%] with transmission vs 3 of 163 [1.8%] without; risk ratio, 5.95; 95% CI, 1.62-21.86; P = .007). Treatment reduced the risk of surgical site infection (hazard ratio, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.92; P = .04; with clustering by surgeon: 95% CI, 0.03-0.51; P = .004). Improved basic preventive measures in the perioperative arena can reduce S aureus transmission and surgical site infections. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03638947.

Intraoperative Diagnostik in der offenen Gefäßchirurgie

Intraoperative imaging diagnostics during open vascular surgical procedures aim to enhance diagnostic certainty during the operation, ensure quality control documentation and reduce avoidable complications; however, the evidence for the various diagnostic imaging procedures with respect to improvement of perioperative outcome is not confirmed for carotid endarterectomy or for infrainguinal bypass surgery. Nevertheless, an intraoperative diagnostic control is principally recommended. The advantage of intraoperative imaging is confirmed and essential for the surgical reconstruction of bypass occlusions and acute thromboembolic occlusions.

Development of a pulsatile cadaver-based simulation for training of open abdominal vascular surgery skills

ObjectiveDeveloping competence in open aortic surgery is increasingly challenging in vascular surgery training programs. Although static cadaver models provide an opportunity for dissection and exposure, the lack of pulsatility limits further education in managing blood vessels. We developed an affordable pulsatile cadaver simulation model to improve training in open abdominal aortic surgery with the primary objective of determining whether it incorporated the fidelity required to teach critical surgical techniques. MethodsThe University of Minnesota Bequest program supported a pilot project to develop a fresh pulsatile cadaver. A written pretest on exposure of the aorta in various locations was given to all trainees. The external iliac artery was exposed, cannulated, then perfused in a pulsatile fashion using normal saline and a pump. Trainees were then evaluated and timed on location of the aorta, retractor placement, dissection, and creation of an aortic anastomosis. ResultsTwenty-six pulsatile cadaver procedures were performed with five fellows over 13 months. All procedures were performed under the supervision of the same faculty member. Total cost over the study period was $8800. Four abdominal aortic aneurysms were found (15%). With bilateral iliac artery ligation, adequate pulsatility was created for blind supraceliac aortic dissection. Abdominal wall and organ relationships were ideal for teaching proper retractor placement and techniques for vascular dissection, endarterectomy, and anastomosis. Although 100% of fellows documented written understanding of the steps for procedures on the pretest, no fellow successfully placed a supraceliac aortic clamp, properly positioned retractors for proper open AAA exposure, or placed all proximal aortic back wall sutures transmurally on the initial assessment. After training for a variable number of cases, all were able to place a supraceliac clamp blindly within 4 minutes from skin incision. Retractor placement and suturing technique improved significantly for all trainees during the study period. ConclusionsThe implementation of a pulsatile cadaver-based simulation model for abdominal vascular surgery has the potential to be both affordable and provide necessary haptics and fidelity for training fellows in critical abdominal vascular techniques.

Sequential Surgical Procedures in Vascular Surgery Patients Are Associated With Perioperative Adverse Cardiac Events.

Patients at elevated cardiovascular risk are prone to perioperative cardiovascular complications, like myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS). We have demonstrated in a mouse model of atherosclerosis that perioperative stress leads to an increase in plaque volume and higher plaque vulnerability. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in development and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. For this exploratory post-hoc analysis we identified 40 patients recruited into a prospective perioperative biomarker study, who within the inclusion period underwent sequential open vascular surgery. On the basis of protein markers measured in the biomarker study, we evaluated the perioperative inflammatory response in patients' plasma before and after index surgery as well as before and after a second surgical procedure. We also analyzed available immunohistochemistry samples to describe plaque vulnerability in patients who underwent bilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in two subsequent surgical procedures. Finally, we assessed if MINS was associated with sequential surgery. The inflammatory response of both surgeries was characterized by postoperative increases of interleukin-6,−10, Pentraxin 3 and C-reactive protein with no clear-cut difference between the two time points of surgery. Plaques from CEA extracted during the second surgery contained less Tregs, as measured by Foxp3 staining, than plaques from the first intervention. The 2nd surgical procedure was associated with MINS. In conclusion, we provide descriptive evidence that sequential surgical procedures involve repeat inflammation, and we hypothesize that elevated rates of cardiovascular complications after the second procedure could be related to reduced levels of intraplaque Tregs, a finding that deserves confirmatory testing and mechanistic exploration in future populations.

Amputation-free survival in patients with diabetic foot ulcer and peripheral arterial disease: Endovascular versus open surgery in a propensity score adjusted analysis

AimsThe aim of the present study was to compare outcomes of endovascular surgery versus open vascular surgery in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). MethodsBetween 1984 and 2006, 1151 patients with DFU were admitted to the diabetic foot care team. Three hundred seventy-six patients with 408 limbs were consecutively included at a multidisciplinary foot center, 289 limbs were treated with endovascular surgery and 119 limbs with open vascular surgery first strategy. A propensity score adjusted analysis was performed to compare outcomes for type of revascularization. ResultsMajor amputation rates at 3 years were 17.0% and 16.8% (p = 0.97) and mortality at 3 years were 43.1% and 46.5% (p = 0.55) after endovascular surgery and open vascular surgery, respectively. In the propensity score adjusted analysis, patients undergoing endovascular surgery first had similar outcomes in terms of major amputation, mortality, combined major amputation/mortality compared to those undergoing open vascular surgery. Longer time to intervention (p = 0.003) was associated with increased major amputation rate in the multivariable Cox regression analysis. ConclusionThe endovascular surgery first and open vascular surgery first strategies were associated with similar long-term results in a large cohort of patients with DFU and PAD undergoing revascularization. Rapid revascularization reduces the risk of amputation.

Percutaneous Retrieval of Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices With an EndoscopicGraspingTool.

This study sought to evaluate the safety and feasibility of percutaneous retrieval of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices with an endoscopic grasping tool. Transcatheter LAAC is a mechanical stroke prevention strategy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who are poor candidates for long-term oral anticoagulation. However, these LAAC devices can be inadvertently released into an unfavorable location, the device might migrate to a different (unfavorable) position within the left atrial appendage (LAA) or may embolize from the heart into the aorta. In such instances, it can be challenging to remove the LAAC device without open cardiac or vascular surgery. This study reports on a series of 4 cases in which an endoscopic grasping tool (Raptor) designed for gastrointestinal applications was used to percutaneously (non-surgically) remove LAAC devices that were either malpositioned or embolized. LAAC devices were safely and non-surgically removed using the grasping device in all 4 cases (Amulet: 1, Watchman: 3). Devices were successfully retrieved from the left inferior pulmonary vein, descending aorta, aortic arch, and the edge of the LAA ostium. Time of device retrieval post-LAAC implantation ranged from 24h to 1 year. Special precautionary measures, such as preemptive pericardial access, embolic protection devices, and intraprocedural imaging, were used in 2 cases. This case series demonstrated that the endoscopic grasping tool appeared to be safe and useful to percutaneously retrieve LAAC devices.

Robot-assisted operations in vascular surgery

The article contains a systematic review of the literature dedicated to vascular robot-assisted operations, also discussing the use of robotic technologies in vascular surgery, their advantages and disadvantages. In so doing, we studied the experience of Russian and leading international surgical centres, comparing the reported outcomes by such parameters as the average duration of the operation, mean time of aortic cross-clamping, time spent for anastomosis formation, frequency of postoperative complications, etc. Benefits of robot-assisted operations allowed the latter to occupy the leading positions in various fields of surgery, although the use of robots in vascular surgery has only begun to gain popularity. A robotically assisted system eliminates the main shortcomings of laparoscopy and opens opportunities for expanding robot-assisted surgery in this field.

Inguinal Vascular Surgical Wound Protection by Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial-INVIPS Trial.

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken to determine the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on closed incisions after inguinal vascular surgery regarding surgical site infections (SSIs) and other wound complications. SSIs are a major concern in open vascular procedures involving the inguinal region. Prophylactic NPWT on closed incisions has shown promising results, but the quality of evidence can be debated. This study aims to objectively evaluate whether NPWT on sutured inguinal incisions after elective vascular surgery can decrease the incidence of surgical site complications. One hundred thirty-nine patients undergoing elective open vascular surgery with inguinal incisions received either NPWT or a standard dressing. Patients with bilateral incisions randomly received a dressing on one incision and the opposite dressing on the other. The primary endpoints were SSI or other wound complications at 3 months, assessed by wound care experts blinded to the treatment arm and using objective wound assessment criteria (ASEPSIS-score). Statistical analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis and obtained P values from analyses in the uni- and bilateral groups were combined to an overall P value using Fisher's method for combining P values. The incidence of SSI was reduced in the NPWT group compared with the control group [11.9% vs 29.5% in the unilateral group (n = 120), 5.3% vs 26.3% in the bilateral group (n = 19), respectively; combined P = 0.02]. No differences regarding other surgical site complications were observed between the groups. NPWT on closed inguinal vascular surgical incisions in elective patients reduces the incidence of SSI.

Role of open vascular surgery in this era of endovascular interventions

Role of open vascular surgery in this era of endovascular interventions

Retrograde popliteal and pedal access in management of superficial femoral artery occlusion after failed antegrade approach: a comparative study

Aim To evaluate feasibility, efficacy, and safety of popliteal access compared to tibial retrograde approach for management of chronic total occlusion of superficial femoral artery after failed antegrade recanalization. Patients and methods The study was carried out from January 2016 to April 2019 at Sohag University Hospitals on 30 patients experiencing chronic total occlusion of superficial femoral artery and underwent retrograde transpopliteal or transpedal approach after failed antegrade intervention. Technical success and procedure-related complications were evaluated and compared among patient groups. Results Popliteal access was performed in 14 patients, whereas pedal puncture was accessed in 16 patients. Mean age was 57 (50–64) and 63 (52–65) years in popliteal and pedal access groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient baseline characteristics. Arterial puncture was successful in pedal than popliteal access (94.4 vs. 92.9%, P=0.96). Technical success was higher in patients with pedal access than those with popliteal puncture (87.5 vs. 78.6%, P=0.19). Operative time was shorter in pedal access than popliteal access (90±35, 120±28 min, P=0.04). Time to achieve hemostasis was 12±4.6 and 5±1.7 min in popliteal and pedal access, respectively (P=0.022). Access-site hematoma was higher in popliteal access group than pedal access group (28.6 vs. 6.3%, respectively, P=0.042). Spasm of pedal vessels occurred in three (18.8%) patients, acute thrombosis in two (6.7%) patients, access-site occlusion in one (6.3%) patient, and wire perforation in two (12.5%) patients. Conclusion When antegrade revascularization fails, retrograde access offers another endovascular option to treat critical limb ischemia before going to open vascular surgery, especially in high surgical risk patients. When both popliteal and pedal approaches are available, pedal access procedure is more preferable as it is relatively easier with less puncture-site complication.