Effects of Enhanced External Counterpulsation With Different Sequential Levels on Lower Extremity Hemodynamics

Objective: This study aimed to investigate acute hemodynamics of lower extremities during enhanced external counterpulsation with a three-level sequence at the hips, thighs, and calves (EECP-3), two-level sequence at the hips and thighs (EECP-2), and single leg three-level sequence (EECP-1).Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers were recruited in this study to receive a 45-min EECP intervention. Blood flow spectrums in the anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery, and dorsalis pedis artery were imaged by Color Doppler ultrasound. Mean flow rate (FR), area, pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean flow velocity (MV), and systolic maximum acceleration (CCAs) were sequentially measured and calculated at baseline during EECP-3, EECP-1, and EECP-2.Results: During EECP-3, PI, PSV, and MV in the anterior tibial artery were significantly higher, while EDV was markedly lower during EECP-1, EECP-2, and baseline (all P < 0.05). Additionally, ACCs were significantly elevated during EECP-3 compared with baseline. Moreover, FR in the anterior tibial artery was significantly increased during EECP-3 compared with baseline (P = 0.048). During EECP-2, PI and MV in the dorsalis pedis artery were significantly higher and lower than those at baseline, (both P < 0.05). In addition, FR was markedly reduced during EECP-2 compared with baseline (P = 0.028). During EECP-1, the area was significantly lower, while EDV was markedly higher in the posterior tibial artery than during EECP-1, EECP-2, and baseline (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, FR of the posterior tibial artery was significantly reduced compared with baseline (P = 0.014).Conclusion: Enhanced external counterpulsation with three-level sequence (EECP-3), EECP-2, and EECP-1 induced different hemodynamic responses in the anterior tibial artery, dorsalis pedis artery, and posterior tibial artery, respectively. EECP-3 acutely improved the blood flow, blood flow velocity, and ACCs of the anterior tibial artery. In addition, EECP-1 and EECP-2 significantly increased the blood flow velocity and peripheral resistance of the inferior knee artery, whereas they markedly reduced blood flow in the posterior tibial artery.

Prevalence and characteristics of the aberrant anterior tibial artery: a single-center magnetic resonance imaging study and scoping review

Background Planning surgical procedures of the lower leg benefits from considering the possibility of an aberrant anterior tibial artery (AATA), but previously published data on the frequency of this anatomic variant shows heterogeneity. We assessed the prevalence of AATA in a Latin American cohort using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compared these with other studies reported in the literature. Methods We retrospectively included consecutive patients who had undergone multiplanar knee MRI at a radiology department in Lima, Peru. The MRI protocol included coronal T1 weighted, axial, sagittal and coronal proton density fat-saturated (PDFS) and sagittal T2 weighted images. Two experienced radiologists assessed all images and were blinded to each other’s findings. The frequency of the AATA was compared to previous cohorts. A scoping review was undertaken to provide an overview of previously published data on the prevalence of ATAA. Results We analyzed 280 knee MRI examinations of 253 patients (median age 41 years (IQR 31–52), 53.8% male). The aberrant anterior tibial artery variant was present in 8 of 280 (2.9%) evaluated knees, resulting in a prevalence of 3.2% in our study population. The PDFS sequence in the axial or sagittal orientation was most effective to identify AATA. The frequency of AATA in the reviewed literature using different radiological modalities ranged from 0.4 to 6% (median 1%, IQR (0.5–2.3%). Conclusions The AATA is a frequent vascular variant that can be detected by MRI in the preparation of invasive interventions of the lower leg.

Acute Limb Ischemia in One Dose Vaccination of COVID-19

Introduction: The extraordinary thrombotic manifestations of Corona virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, presenting as venous and arterial thrombosis have been reported in several literatures, but in this report, we presented a special case of acute limb ischemia in a patient that has been vaccinated by COVID-19 vaccine. Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is defined as decreasing in arterial perfusion of a limb with a threat to viability of the limb and mortality. COVID-19 has been declared as a global pandemic by the WHO. Patients with COVID-19 have abnormalities in blood coagulation parameters and are prone to thromboembolic events. This hypercoagulable state caused by COVID-19 mainly manifests as venous thromboembolism while peripheral arterial involvement is less frequent. Case: A 54-year diabetic and smoker male has already got one dose COVID-19 vaccination came to our emergency unit with severe acute respiratory syndrome and pain, pale and paresthesia of his left leg. There was pneumonia pattern according to chest X-ray and a ground glass opacity in chest CT-scan, he was confirmed infected by COVID-19 according to RT-PCR test. From CT-Angiography we found multiple thrombosis in the distal aorta, superficial femoral artery (SFA), anterior tibial artery (ATA), and posterior tibial artery (PTA) of left lower extremity. Initial treatment we started with unfractionated heparin, oxygenation, intravenous fluid and analgesia. We managed the patient in isolation ward special for COVID-19. We did thrombectomy to save the limb, nevertheless in few days after we performed amputation at the level of talonavicular joint to the distal part of left foot caused by gangrene. Conclusion: Vaccination can protect from COVID-19 if we vaccinated with full dose and our immune system able to create antibody. The condition will be different in immunocompromised condition and we get not full dose vaccination. Covid-19 Patient with Diabetes and smoker could have higher risk to develop acute limb ischemia because of hypercoagulable state. Management of a COVID-19 patient with cute limb ischemia is more complicated and challenging. Although we have already vaccinated life style modification like wearing a mask, social distancing and using hand sanitizer can give us more protection from Covid 19. Keywords: acute limb ischemia, COVID-19 vaccination, heparinization, thrombectomy

Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) before Reconstructive Jaw Surgery Using Fibula Free Flap: Retrospective Analysis of Vascular Architecture

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is widely used in preoperative evaluation of the lower limbs’ vascular system for virtual surgical planning (VSP) of fibula free flap (FFF) for jaw reconstruction. The present retrospective clinical study analysed n = 72 computed tomography angiographies (CTA) of lower limbs for virtual surgical planning (VSP) for jaw reconstruction. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the morphology of the fibular bone and its vascular supply in CTA imaging, and further, the amount and distribution of periosteal branches (PB) and septo-cutaneous perforators (SCPs) of the fibular artery. A total of 144 lower limbs was assessed (mean age: 58.5 ± 15.3 years; 28 females, 38.9%; 44 males, 61.1%). The vascular system was categorized as regular (type I-A to II-C) in 140 cases (97.2%) regarding the classification by Kim. Absent anterior tibial artery (type III-A, n = 2) and posterior tibial artery (type III-B, n = 2) were detected in the left leg. Stenoses were observed mostly in the fibular artery (n = 11), once in the anterior tibial artery, and twice in the posterior tibial artery. In total, n = 361 periosteal branches (PBs) and n = 231 septo-cutaneous perforators (SCPs) were recorded. While a distribution pattern for PBs was separated into two clusters, a more tripartite distribution pattern for SCPs was found. We conclude that conventional CTA for VSP of free fibula flap (FFF) is capable of imaging and distinguishing SCPs and PBs.

Ankle Peak Systolic Flow Velocity (PSV) with Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Ankle peak systolic flow velocity can measure peripheral arterial blood flow which can predict extent of peripheral arterial disease. Atherosclerosis is more common in patients with diabetes mellitus and can affect simultaneously coronary circulation and peripheral circulation. Aims and Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to determine the occurrence of peripheral vascular disease by ankle Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) in patients admitted for coronary artery disease with diabetes mellitus .The secondary objective was to see the association between the ankle Peak Systolic Flow Velocity (PSV) with the extent of abnormality of coronary angiogram in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: All patients admitted in the hospital with coronary artery disease with diabetes mellitus in whom coronary angiogram was done were included in the study over a period of one year Presence of significant vessel disease CAD was defined as at least >70 % stenosis at one or more major coronary arteries (left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary artery). Ankle Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) was measured in all patients by the Duplex method. The peak systolic velocities in the distal posterior tibial artery and the distal anterior tibial artery was measured and the average peak systolic velocities within three cardiac cycles6 was recorded by the radiologist. The ankle peak systolic flow above 40cm/s was considered as good flow in the lower limb extremity [7]. The data was analysed using SPSS version 17.0 software and mean and standard deviation was used . Results: Out of the cases studied 24 patients (80%) were males and 6 patients (20%) were females. All the Coronary angiograms was classified to single 13(43.3%), double 8(26.7%) and triple 9 (30%) vessel disease by the cardiologist. Out of the 13 patients with single vessel disease 3 patients had < 40 cm/s flow in the right anterior tibial artery and 10 patients had >40 cm/s flow in the right tibial artery indicating good perfusion.Out of the 8 patients with double vessel disease 4 patients had flow <40 cm/s and 4 patients had flow >40 cm/s. In triple vessel disease category 5 patients had flow <40 cm/s and 4 patients had flow>40cm/s. The p value was 0.2 was not significant and the chi square was 2.79 Similar results were obtained while compared with left ankle peak systolic flow velocity. Conclusion: In this study patients with single vessel disease have higher ankle peak systolic velocity though statistically not significant. Lower ankle peak systolic flow velocity corroborates with peripheral arterial disease [12] and is seen in patients with coronary artery disease [13].

Peripheral arterial disease in patients with renal-diabetic foot ulcers

Objective: To describe the angiographic characteristics of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in persons with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) on dialysis treatment. Method: The study is a retrospective analysis of patients with DFUs and PAD who had been referred to our diabetic foot clinic. All patients had been managed by a pre-set limb salvage protocol including revascularisation of the affected limb. Arterial lesions (stenosis between 50–99% and occlusions) were retrospectively evaluated through angiogram analysis. According to the presence or not of dialysis, patients were divided into two patient groups: renal-diabetic foot (RDF) and diabetic foot (DF). Distribution of PAD and immediate revascularisation outcome (technical revascularisation outcome) for RDF and DF were separately reported and compared. Results: The sample included 239 patients: mean age was 71.8 years; 72.4% were male; 87.4% had type 2 diabetes; mean diabetes duration was 21.4 years; and the mean HbA1c was 63±22mmol/mol. The RDF group compared with the DF group reported higher numbers of vessels affected (n=5±1.6 versus 3.9±1.5, respectively, p<0.0001), greater involvement of the superficial femoral artery (90.2% versus 75.8%, respectively, p=0.003), the tibial-peroneal trunk (53.7% versus 25.5%, respectively, p=0.01), the anterior tibial artery (93.9% versus 80.9%, respectively, p=0.03) and below-the-ankle (BTA) arteries (70.7% versus 35.7%, respectively, p=0.0001). The RDF group showed a higher rate of revascularisation failure in comparison to DF patients (43.9% versus 15.3%, respectively, p<0.0001). BTA arterial disease (odds ratio 9.5; 95% Confidence Interval: 3.5–25.4; p=0.0001) resulted as the only independent predictor of revascularisation failure. Conclusion: In this study, RDF patients showed a widespread distribution of arterial lesions with a higher involvement of foot arteries in comparison with DF patients. BTA arterial disease was found to be an independent predictor of revascularisation failure.

Late results of surgical treatment of critical ischemia of the lower extremities after one-staged direct revascularization

Objective. To optimize the tactics of surgical treatment in patients, suffering chronic ischemia of the lower extremities with the help of elaboration and introduction of a one-staged direct and indirect revascularization into clinical practice. Materials and methods. Analysis of the treatment results in 162 patients, suffering obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities vessels, who were treated in stationary in Department of Vascular Surgery of Zakarpattya Regional Clinical Hospital named after Andriy Novak in 2015 - 2020 yrs. The patients were distributed in accordance to the lower extremities ischemia degree: ІІB – 7 (4.3%), ІІІA – 61 (37.7%), ІІІB – 58 (35.8%), ІV – 36 (22.2%). All the patients have had atherosclerotic affection of femoro-ankle-foot segment of the main arteries with preservation of central blood flow in aorto-iliac segment. Results. Occlusion of femoral artery was noted in all patients. Occlusion of anterior tibial artery was revealed most frequently – in 72% of the patients, than in fibular - in 42% of patients (p=0.00), and equally frequently with occlusion of posterior tibial artery – in 68% (p=0.61). The foot arteries were involved into the process in 51 (31.5%) patients. Affection of 2-3 arteries of the shin were registered more frequently, than occlusion of one artery – in 109 (67.3%) and 48 (26.5%) patients, accordingly. Occlusive-stenotic affection of popliteal artery have had 127 (78.4%) patients. Mostly frequent affection of the shin arteries was observed in basin of anterior tibial artery – in 67 (41.4%) patients, as well as in combined affection of anterior and posterior tibial arteries - in 45 (27.8%) patients. Іsolated affection of posterior artery was revealed in 36 (22.2%) patients. Combined affection of posterior tibial and fibular was observed in 14 (8.6%) patients. Conclusion. Efficacy of indirect revascularization after the arterial inflow restoration is more prognosticated, than efficacy of its isolated conduction in environment of chronic critical ischemia of the lower extremities. Combined application of direct and indirect revascularization guarantees more secure positive result in remote postoperative period and enhancement of the extremities preservation index.

Case report of a massive pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery

The majority of arterial pseudoaneurysms treated in our department of vascular surgery are consequences of catheter-associated medical procedures and located in the groin region. Clinical signs, combined with the recent history of a percutaneous intervention, ensure quick diagnosis and therapy. However, pseudoaneurysms can develop after any artery of the body is injured. No consensus on the therapeutic strategy is achieved because of the rare nature of this injury. This study provided an overview of the methods described in previous studies and contributions to their clinical experience. A case of a young man whose injury was not recognized immediately and who presented months after the accident with a pseudoaneurysm of unusual location and size was reported. Sonographic diagnosis was confirmed through computed tomography angiography, and open surgical repair was performed with satisfactory results. Conclusion. This case is a reminder that seemingly minor accidents can cause arterial injury, and patients should be carefully examined to avoid delayed diagnosis and therapy.

Iatrogenic Anterior Tibial Artery Pseudoaneurysm – A Rare Case Report

Introduction: Interlocking tibia nail fixation for tibia shaft fracture treatment is one of the most commonest procedures performed in orthopedic trauma practices. We report one such case of a rare complication of anterior tibial artery (ATA) pseudo-aneurysm caused by the proximal coronal locking bolt performed by an unusual entry from lateral to medial side during shaft of tibia fracture fixation. Case Report: A 86- years old female sustained a road traffic accident and was diagnosed with a closed tibia shaft fracture of the right leg for which she underwent intramedullary interlocking nail IMIL nailing elsewhere. She presented to us three 3 weeks after primary surgery with persistent pain and swelling in the right leg proximally. We investigated and diagnosed her as having a pseudoaneurysm of the Anterior Tibial Artery on color Doppler and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) angiography. The pseudoaneurysm of ATA was clipped without any complications. To avoid the rupture of the pseudoaneurysm during manipulation of nail and bolts, their positions were not changed as they were supporting the fracture well and the fracture was also not united at that time. Conclusion: Though Although interlocking nailing of tibia shaft fracture is a commonly performed procedure, it can lead to disastrous vascular complications if the procedure is not performed with utmost care. ATA injury by proximal locking bolts of the tibia nail mandates the need for reconsideration of the nail design with better screw hole positions. We recommend preferring standard AO manual instructions for proximal tibia locking bolt direction. Keywords: Pseudo-aneurysm, tibia nail, locking bolt, anterior tibial artery.