Case of persistent sciatic artery in a dialysis patient with critical limb ischemia

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare congenital malformation (incidence rate, 0.03%–0.06%). We report the case of a 72-year-old male patient with persistent sciatic artery suffering from pain at rest and an ulcer on the left first toe. Angiography findings showed 90% stenosis in the distal persistent sciatic artery. Endovascular therapy was considered difficult because of a long stenotic lesion from the persistent sciatic artery to the popliteal artery and extremely high calcification of the whole body. Because of poor blood flow to the lower leg, vascular prosthesis would have increased the risk of thrombotic occlusion. Therefore, below-knee femoropopliteal bypass using the great saphenous vein graft was performed, which led to the healing of the ulcer on the left first toe. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the lower limbs was performed to confirm that the bypass blood flow was good. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5.

Quercetin Relieves the Excised Great Saphenous Vein Oxidative Damage and Inflammatory Reaction

Objective. The patency and quality of transplanted great saphenous vein (GSV) can seriously influence the physical state and life quality of patients who accepted the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Quercetin is known for antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. In this study, we examined the protection of quercetin to the great saphenous vein from oxidative and inflammatory damage. Methods. The GSVs were collected from 15 patients undergoing CABG and cultured. Treated the veins by H2O2 and detected the NO, SOD, and MDA content by the relevant kits to explore the quercetin protection against oxidative damage. Then, for another group of GSVs, sheared them and detected the inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNFα, CCL20, PCNA, and VEGF. Collect the veins for H&E staining and PCNA and VEGF immunofluorescent staining. Results. Pretreatment by quercetin reduced the production of NO and MDA induced by H2O2, and increased SOD activity. Quercetin also supressed the mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNFα after mechanical damage and had no influence on CCL20 and VEGF. Consistent with the lower expression of PCNA treated by quercetin, the vein intima was thinner. Conclusion. These results demonstrated that quercetin protects GSVs by reducing the oxidative damage and inflammatory response and also suppresses the abnormal thickening of venous endothelium by inhibiting cell proliferation. It reminded that, to some extent, quercetin has the potential to release the great saphenous vein graft damage.

Saphenous vein graft harvesting site dermatoses among CABG patients

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a cardiac surgical procedure in which the greater saphenous vein graft is most often used to bypass the narrowed coronary artery segments. The side effects of leg vein harvesting include a variety of cutaneous changes. We report the cutaneous effects at the saphenous vein harvesting sites in 32 patients who underwent CABG. To study the dermatoses occurring at the saphenous vein harvest site post CABG surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective observational study on prevalence of saphenous vein harvesting site dermatoses in patients with CABG attending a tertiary care centre in Kanyakumari, for a period of 6 months from March 2021 to September 2021. The cutaneous changes on and around the saphenous vein (SV) graft donor site were noted in all patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 200 patients underwent CABG during the period of study, out of which 32 patients developed dermatitis at the vein harvesting site. At the donor site, Pruritus was the most common symptom seen in 14 (44%) patients, followed by eczema in 11 (34%) patients, xerosis in 9 (28%), hyperpigmentation in 6 (20%), depigmentation in 2 (3%), anesthesia in 3 (10%), neuralgic pain in 3 (8%), burning sensation in 2 (6%), hypertrophic scar in 3 (10%), and infections in 3 (9%) patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> To minimize the donor site complications following CABG, we recommend proper cutaneous and vascular evaluations, identifying the best graft site, employing meticulous surgical technique, recognizing complications early, and starting treatment without delay.</p>

Comparison Between Saphenous Vein Graft and Radial Artery Graft in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background: To bypass the obstruction in native coronary arteries both arterial and venous grafts are used. Inspite of having radial artery graft as a favored second conduit for bypass, venous grafts are more frequently used. Objective: To compare the CT angiography patency findings of radial artery graft vs. saphenous vein graft 3 months postoperatively. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Settings: The study was conductedat the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Data Collection: All patients fulfilling theinclusioncriteria were recruited. A written informed consentwastaken. The non-dominant arm was used almostexclusively forharvesting the radial artery in those patients who have positive modified Allen`s test as a pedicle by atraumatic "no-touch" technique. After heparanization, it was immersed in diluted solution (Inj. verapamil hydrochloride 5mg + Inj. nitroglycerin 2.5mg + Inj. heparin 500 IU + Inj. ringer lactate 300 ml with Inj. 8.4% NaHCO3 0.9 m1). All the patients in the study received LIMA to LAD and were done on pump. After that the patients were dividedinto2 groups namely Group I and Group II by computer generated method. In Group I, the patient received the radial artery as a second graft to a coronary having more than 90% stenosis. The third or fourth graft if required is saphenous vein graft. The group II had SVG as second, third or fourth grafts, one of the venous grafts were to a coronary having more than 90% stenosis. Results: Average age of all (n=62) patients was 38.82±9.93 years. Average age in Group-I & II patients was 39.09±9.49 & 38.54±10.50 years respectively. Among patients 47% were male and 53% were female patients. In Group-I, 12 (38.7%) of the patients were male, and 19 (67.3%) were female, whereas in Group-II, 17 (54.8%) of the patients were male, and 14 (45.8%) were female. In Group-I 1(3.2%) patient and in Group-II 3(9.7%) patients died (p=0.301). Insignificant difference was seen for cardiac arrhythmias i.e. Group-I:16.1% vs. Group-II: 19.4%, p=0.740. Myocardial infarction in Group-A 5(16.1%) patients and in Group-B 7(22.6%) (p=0.520). In Group-A, 30(96.8%) patients and in Group-B, 28(90.3%) patients showed patency of artery after coronary artery bypass grafting(P>0.05). Conclusion: We discovered no significant difference in the patency of both radial artery and saphenous vein grafts on 3 months postoperative CT angiography and clinical outcomes in terms of perioperative mortality, MI, and cardiac arrhythmias in patients who underwent CABG in this study. Keywords: radial artery graft, saphenous vein graft, coronary artery bypass grafting, Myocardial Infarction, Mortality, Cardiac arrhythmias

495 New-onset left ventricular dysfunction and critical coronary artery disease: an MRI can help—a clinical case

Aims Understanding the aetiology of heart failure is crucial for treatment. Gadolinium cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a powerful technique to distinguish dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) from left ventricular (LV) dysfunction related to coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods and results Clinical case: a 61 years old Caucasian woman with a history of hypertension and dyslipidaemia presented to the emergency department of our hospital with pulmonary oedema and hypertensive crisis, requiring non-invasive ventilatory support. She complained about shortness of breath and exertional angina for almost one year. On admission, the echocardiography showed severe LV systolic dysfunction and severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Troponin levels were slightly increased, and NT-proBNP was 2809 pg/ml. Once obtained clinical stability, anti-remodelling cardiac therapy was introduced and up titrated. Due to the history of angina and the new-onset severe LV systolic dysfunction, coronary angiography was performed, showing critical stenosis of the left main (LM) and of the proximal tract of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). In deciding the best treatment pathway for the patient evaluate myocardial viability and characterize myocardial tissue was of paramount importance. Subsequently, a CMR confirmed severe LV systolic dysfunction and severe functional mitral regurgitation but demonstrated myocardial viability, with no late gadolinium enhancement. Therefore the patient underwent surgical myocardial revascularization with triple coronary artery bypass grafts (left internal mammary artery-LAD, saphenous vein graft-obtuse marginal artery, saphenous vein graft-diagonal branch of LAD) and mitral valve repair (annuloplasty). The patient underwent a period of cardiac rehabilitation asymptomatic and in good clinical status. Three months later, echocardiography demonstrated an initial recovery of LV systolic dysfunction with signs of reverse cardiac remodelling and a good result of mitral valve repair. The patient is now on optimal medical therapy, free of symptoms and in good clinical and functional condition. Conclusions Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is an excellent diagnostic tool in heart failure. This clinical case can be formative, confirming once again the importance of an accurate and complete diagnostic workup and a subsequent therapy of aetiology in heart failure.