Annals of vascular surgery
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The proximal radial artery fistula (PRA) has been established as an early viable surgical option for arteriovenous fistula creation. The overall assisted primary patency reported in the literature approaches 100% at 1 year. We hypothesize that this excellent patency does not represent a functional result when seen in light of successful cannulation and fistula utilization. ⋯ The PRA remains a viable first access procedure undertaken at our institution. Compared with the reported 12-month assisted primary patency of this fistula type, we found a small percentage of PRAs actually being accessed for successful hemodialysis treatment. The S-PRA appears to have a significantly higher successful cannulation rate, functional patency, and total duration time when compared with the P-PRA in patients receiving hemodialysis treatments. The mechanism of these improved outcomes is not known; considering patency or thrombosis of a previous access in the S-PRA group did not predict future access success in the same extremity.
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Vascular steal syndrome related to a dialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) can lead to symptoms of distal ischemia, limb loss, digit ulceration, and gangrene. Several complex procedures have been used to augment and restore distal limb perfusion while maintaining a functional AVF. We reviewed our experience in treating AVF-related vascular steal syndrome by simple plication of the initial AVF inflow segment. ⋯ Surgical plication of the initial AVF inflow segment offers a simple solution to preserve the dialysis access and resolve symptoms related to vascular steal associated with high volume flow through the AVF.
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Observational Study
Mid- and long-term outcome of patients with permanent inferior vena cava filters: a single center review.
Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE), especially in patients with active contraindication to systemic anticoagulation. The aim of this study is to examine the outcomes of patients who received permanent IVC filters at our institution. ⋯ This observational study showed that IVC filters were effective in the prevention of PE, although symptomatic postfilter VTE and PTS were common, leading to significant morbidity. Patients who received permanent filters have high mortality on follow-up; however, none were procedure or device related.
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Blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) is of very rare occurrence in adolescents. The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of BTAI in this subset of patients. ⋯ The incidence of BTAI is very low in adolescents. Mortality rate is considerable even in young patients and it is associated with high ISS and degree of aortic wall disruption. Young patients with BTAI who survive hospitalization have a lower ISS and are often discharged home rather than to a rehabilitation facility.
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Controlled limb reperfusion has been shown to prevent the deleterious effects of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) syndrome following revascularization of acute limb ischemia (ALI). To reduce the production of cell-toxic oxygen-free radicals, we have established a new initially oxygen-free, hypothermic, heparin-coated perfusion and hemofiltration system and report on our first results. ⋯ An initially oxygen-free, hypothermic, heparin-coated ECMO counteracts local and systemic effects of IR injury. Reduced mortality and morbidity might result from this new treatment, although this could not be conclusively proven in our study. A prospective, randomized controlled trial is needed to prove superiority of this new concept.