The Increase of The Relative Amount of Nodular Calcification In Femoral Plaques is Associated With Milder Lower Extremity Arterial Disease

Vascular calcification exists in different forms that reflect variable clinical and histological implications. Categories of calcification have not been quantified in relation to the clinical presentation of lower extremity arterial disease. The study analyzed 51 femoral plaques collected during femoral endarterectomy, characterized by > 90% stenosis. The plaques were longitudinally sectioned, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and digitized for a deep learning platform for quantification of the relative area of nodular calcification to the plaque section area. Vessel measurements and quantity of each calcification category was compared to the clinical risk factors and outcomes. nodular calcification area proportion is associated with reduced risk of severely lowered toe pressure (< 30mmHg) (OR=0.910, 95%CI =0.835-0992, p<0.05), severely lowered ankle brachial index (<0.4), (OR=0.912, 95%CI=0.84-0.986, p<0.05), and semi-urgent operation (OR=0.882, 95%CI=0.797-0.976, p<0.05). The analysis was adjusted by age, gender, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Increase of the relative amount of nodular calcification in femoral plaques with over 90% stenosis is associated with protection against severe LEAD, identified by severely lowered toe pressure and ankle brachial index and semi-urgent operations. Nodular calcification may contribute to a slower obstruction, hence milder obstructive ischaemic presentation.

Surgical Treatment of Ruptured Infectious Femoral Pseudoaneurysms Caused By Intravenous Drug Abuse: A Nonemergent (Postponed) Operation Pattern May Be a Possible Alternative

Objective: To evaluate the possibility of surgical treatment of ruptured infectious femoral pseudoaneurysms caused by intravenous drug abuse in a nonemergent operation pattern, with retrospective analysis of clinical data and experience at a single center.Methods: Clinical data of 85 consecutive patients presenting with groin area active or recent hemorrhage due to a ruptured infectious femoral artery pseudoaneurysm related to drug abuse who were treated in the First Hospital of Changsha, China, from July 2008 to June 2020 were collected and analyzed.Results: A total of 74.1% of patients presented with active hemorrhage, and 36.5% presented with significant hypotension at admission. The average interval between arrival and operation was 34.7±4.7 hours. Vital physiological parameters and overall situation improved significantly after sufficient preoperative preparation. Satisfactory hemostasis can be achieved by bandage compression or local skin suture. No case was transferred to urgent operation due to severe bleeding, and 1 postoperative death case was observed in the cohort. The main operative- and postoperative-related indicators were satisfactory and close to those in the emergent operation pattern.Conclusion: While emergent or urgent operation is the mainstream surgical treatment for ruptured infectious femoral pseudoaneurysms, nonemergent (postponed) operation with sufficient preoperative preparation might also be an acceptable and comparable choice in some cases.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on surgical care of patients with acute aortic conditions

Background The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic catastrophically interrupted medical care systems causing substantial decrease in the admission of patients and consecutively a sharp decline in the number of surgeries and interventions. In several European countries, the nationwide lockdown severely restricted movement which may have contributed to this phenomenon on top of anxiety of patients to contract COVID-19 when admitted to hospital. Purpose The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic onto acute and elective thoracic aortic surgeries and interventions and to compare the data with the same period in 2019 in a single aortic centre. Methods Information on admission and surgery/intervention was extracted from hospital electronic record system. Patients who were admitted for treatment of aortic conditions between January 1st to June 30th both in 2019 and 2020 were identified and selected for this analysis. The time from referral to admission and surgery/intervention was noted for service delay analysis. Aortopathies were classified as type A aortic dissection, type B aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm and others. In a daily central hub meeting, urgency was defined as emergent (operation required before the next working day), urgent (operation needed within 48 hours), and elective. Patients' condition and comorbidities were represented by ACEF II score. Results Total case volume of 81 in 2019 reference period was reduced to 70 in 2020 (−14%). Elective cases significantly declined from 59 (72.8%) in 2019 to 30 (42.8%) in 2020 (−49%). Urgent and emergent cases were performed more frequently in 2020 with 40 cases versus 22 in 2019 (+45%). The ACEF II score showed no difference for patients in both periods (2.1±1.9 vs. 2.5±2.1, p=0.221), however, a trend to higher ACEF II score in 2020 consistent with a higher proportion of urgent and emergent cases. The overall in-hospital delay (from admission to surgery) was not significant affected with 1 (IQR 1–2) versus 1 (IQR 0–2); p=0.991. However, with the official declaration of a pandemic and introduction of restrictions, no in-hospital delay was documented. In-hospital mortality was observed lower in 2019 as compared in 2020 (6.1% vs 11.4%, P=0.251). Conclusion The first wave of COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the aortic service, however, acute care for urgent thoracic aortic conditions and subsequent procedures even increased compared to 2019 as a result of both centralised allocation system and decline of elective cases. Acute aortic syndromes were managed despite COVID-19 according to current guidelines. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Impact of COVID on aortic case load

Delayed traumatic cardiac tamponade: An extremely rare sequela of blunt trauma

To our knowledge, there have been minimal information on the delayed traumatic cardiac tamponade, which is an extremely rare but a life-threatening condition if not treated promptly. We present a 25-year-old female who had cardiac tamponade of delayed onset after a motor vehicle crash. It was found on a computed tomography scan of the chest, and confirmed on subsequent echocardiography. Urgent operation of creation of pericardial window was performed. She made a good recovery after the operative intervention. The current report emphasises the importance of having high index of suspicion in patients with non-penetrating multi-trauma with careful observation and appropriate investigations.

Tactics of treatment of the inflow varico-thrombophlebitis

Objective. To substantiate the indications for surgical treatment of the inflow thrombophlebitis, depending on state of venous hemodynamics in the large subcutaneous vein basin. Materials and methods. Analysis of the examination and treatment results was conducted in 23 patients, suffering the inflow varico-thrombophlebitis in the large subcutaneous vein basin. Results. Localization, length, borders, level of proximal and distal edges of thrombotic occlusion, and the thrombotic masses character were estimated in a case of the inflow thrombophlebitis diagnosis. Establishment of an acute inflow varico-thrombophlebitis diagnosis have had served the indication for performance of an urgent operation. At the same time, taking into account of the ultrasonographic investigation results obtained, it became possible to elaborate a differentiated tactics for the inflow varico-thrombophlebitis in the large subcutaneous vein basin present. Conclusion. Following an active surgical tactics for the inflow varico-thrombophlebitis have permitted to prevent effectively the spread of thrombtotic process on the large subcutaneous vein trunk and insufficient perforant veins, as well as to prevent the development of thrombosis in deep veins and venous thromboembolism morbidity. At the same time the operation volume reduction due to the inflow thrombophlebitis presence in the patient gave a chance to preserve the intact subcutaneous vein for possible further reconstructive interventions and to prevent the chronic venous insufficiency development as well.

Aortoduodenal fistula after abdominal aortic aneurism resection: Two case reports

Introduction. Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is rare and extremely difficult complication of aortic surgery. We presented two cases of secondary aortoduodenal fistula (SADF) as complication after aortic surgery. Case reports. In the first patient SADF happened 11 years after open abdominal aneurysmal resection with gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bleeding. After negative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) we performed multislice computed tomography (MSCT) which revealed contrast leakage in duodenum from 10 cm wide visceral aortic aneurysm. The patient was treated with graft excision, aneurysmal reduction, sewing of proximal and distal aortal stumps, bowel repair followed by axillobifemoral bypass (AxFF). The patient dismissed on 30th postoperative day. The second case of ADF happened five months after endovascular reconstruction of abdominal aorta with GIT bleeding and fewer. During following 8 days, he had three negative EGDS. On MSCT we found signs of endoleak, free air in aneurysmal sac, and signs of blood in the intestine. On urgent operation we extracted stent graft, sewed proximal and distal aortal stumps, performed bowel repair and AxFF. The patient died a day after operation with signs of sepsis and multiple organ failure syndrome. Conclusion. Conventional treatment of ADF means extraanatomic AxFF with complete excision of infected graft or stent graft, with closure of aorta?s proximal and distal stumps and duodenal repair. Because of high mortality, prompt diagnostic evaluation and quick decision of an adequate operative treatment is necessary. Although European Society of Vascular Surgery recommendations, as a guide, are very helpful, there is no unique attitude about management of AEF, so each patient should be specifically treated.

Редкий клинический случай ущемленной диафрагмальной грыжи морганьи – ларрея в старческом возрасте

The authors presented a rare case of diaphragmatic strangulated Morgagni-Larrea hernia in an elderly woman (76 years old) with a favorable outcome, due to pre-operative diagnostics of hernia and performed urgent operation. The authors presented the complaints,patient's past and present history, the results of clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination. Details of the operation of removing diaphragmatic hernia were described. The authors also show the postoperative period. The anatomical substrate of the hernia was the presence of developmental aperture as «weak» zone in the area of sternocostal triangle where there were no muscle fibers. Patients with this disease require timely diagnostics and early intervention to prevent severe complications. To make the results of treatment better and to improve surgical technique further studies of this pathology are becessary.