International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology
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Antiplatelet drugs given to high risk patients for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease are frequently withdrawn prior to surgical or diagnostic procedures to reduce bleeding complications. This is also the case for many patients undergoing lower limb vascular surgery via spinal or epidural anaesthesia. The aim of this study is to corroborate the clinician's decision for discontinuing or continuing the anti-platelet treatment in these patients perioperatively. ⋯ Therefore, their preoperative withdrawal is suggested 8 hours to 14 days prior, accordingly. The existing evidence does not justify the discontinuation of aspirin and NSAIDs before the intended procedure. Anesthesiologists and surgeons should be aware of the cardiovascular risks of withdrawal versus the non - evidence based benefit in hemorrhage complications.
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Case Reports
Endovascular graft bail-out post reconstruction of popliteal artery injury. First case report.
A male patient who sustained a blunt trauma to the right knee and chest resulting in posterior dislocation of the knee joint and avulsion injury to the right popliteal artery (segments II and III) had a vascular repair by interposition saphenous vein graft. Postoperatively an episode of hypotension resulted in thrombotic occlusion of the graft and acute limb ischemia. Graft and distal thrombectomy, though successful, resulted in a stenotic segment with two perforations. ⋯ Immediate regain of pedal pulses was achieved, and at 6 months follow up Viabahn endograft is still patent, foot well perfused with normal pedal pulses and patient fully active. In complicated popliteal artery injuries, with complex time consuming revascularization procedures, an endovascular graft as a back up or bail-out technique might be a valid option in some selected cases with high anesthetic risk, to shorten operating time. In this context Viabahn endoprosthesis seems to be both efficient and durable on the short term.