Is severe Vitamin D Deficiency an independent risk factor for Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) in patients with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD)?

HYPOTHESIS : Vitamin D is not a risk factor in peripheral arterial occlusive disease BACKGROUND : The role Vitamin D in metabolic homeostasis is well understood as it is required to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphates. The Vitamin D receptors (VDR) are also present in the heart and blood vessels. In animal studies, absence of vitamin D receptors causes cardiovascular disease. Critical limb ischemia is a severe form of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) which includes rest pain, tissue loss in the form of ulcer and gangrene. Medical therapy and surgical revascularization are the best options of treatment for limb salvage. METHODS : This was an observational crossectional study. Patients with atherosclerotic PAOD were classified into claudicants and critical limbs. Their serum Vitamin D levels were checked after informed consent. The results were analyzed using inferential statistics. RESULTS : There were 50 claudicants and 50 patients with critical limb ischemia. 80% were men and 20% were women. There was statistically significant difference of severe vitamin D deficiency in the critical limbs compared to the claudicants (32.7%, 14% (p =0.004). Low ankle brachial index (<0.4) was related with severe vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSIONS : Severe vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor in critical limb ischemia

A Novel Stretch Sensor to Measure Venous Hemodynamics

Chronic venous insufficiency is a debilitating condition causing varicose veins and venous ulcers. The pathophysiology includes reflux and venous obstruction. The diagnosis is often made by clinical examination and confirmed by Venous Doppler studies. Plethysmography helps to quantitatively examine the reflux and diagnose the burden of deep venous pathology to better understand venous hemodynamics, which is not elicited by venous duplex examination alone. However, most of these tests are qualitative, expensive, and not easily available. In this paper, we demonstrate the potential use of a novel stretch sensor in the assessment of venous hemodynamics during different maneuvers by measuring the change in calf circumference. We designed the stretch sensor by using semiconductor strain gauges pasted onto a small metal bar to form a load cell. The elastic and Velcro material attached to the load cell form a belt. It converts the change in limb circumference to a proportional tension (force of distension) when placed around the calf muscle. We recorded the change in limb circumference from arrays of stretch sensors by using an in-house data acquisition system. We calculated the venous volume (VV), venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF) and residual venous volume (RVV) on two normal subjects and on two patients to assess venous hemodynamics. The values (VV &gt; 60 ml, VFI &lt; 2ml/s, EF &gt; 60%, RVV &lt; 35%) in normal subjects and (VV &lt; 60 ml, VFI &gt; 2ml/s, EF &lt; 60%, RVV &gt; 35%) in patients were comparable to those reported in the literature

A Novel Stretch Sensor to Measure Venous Hemodynamics

Chronic venous insufficiency is a debilitating condition causing varicose veins and venous ulcers. The pathophysiology includes reflux and venous obstruction. The diagnosis is often made by clinical examination and confirmed by Venous Doppler studies. Plethysmography helps to quantitatively examine the reflux and diagnose the burden of deep venous pathology to better understand venous hemodynamics, which is not elicited by venous duplex examination alone. However, most of these tests are qualitative, expensive, and not easily available. In this paper, we demonstrate the potential use of a novel stretch sensor in the assessment of venous hemodynamics during different maneuvers by measuring the change in calf circumference. We designed the stretch sensor by using semiconductor strain gauges pasted onto a small metal bar to form a load cell. The elastic and Velcro material attached to the load cell form a belt. It converts the change in limb circumference to a proportional tension (force of distension) when placed around the calf muscle. We recorded the change in limb circumference from arrays of stretch sensors by using an in-house data acquisition system. We calculated the venous volume (VV), venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF) and residual venous volume (RVV) on two normal subjects and on two patients to assess venous hemodynamics. The values (VV > 60 ml, VFI 60%, RVV 2ml/s, EF 35%) in patients were comparable to those reported in the literature

Imaging criteria to predict Shamblin group in carotid body tumors – revisited

PURPOSEThis study aims to compare the imaging findings of carotid body tumors on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with the intraoperative Shamblin grade and to evolve an imaging-based scoring system that can accurately predict the Shamblin grade.METHODSPreoperative contrast-enhanced CT scans of 40 patients who underwent surgical excision of carotid body tumors in our institution between 2004 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The angle of contact with the internal carotid artery (ICA), tumor volume, presence of peritumoral tuft of veins, loss of tumor adventitia interface and distance from the skull base were assessed and compared with the intraoperative Shamblin grades of the tumor. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine which parameters could be predictors of the Shamblin grades. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to score the tumor volumes.RESULTSAmong the 42 tumors evaluated, 6 (14.3%) were surgically classified as Shamblin I, 15 (35.7%) as Shamblin II, and 21 (50%) as Shamblin III tumors. Pairwise comparison between the three Shamblin groups showed a statistically significant difference for angle of contact with ICA, maximum tumor dimension, presence of peritumoral tuft of veins and loss of tumor adventitia interface (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.038 and p = 0.003, respectively). However, tumor volumes and distance from skull base were not significantly different between the Shamblin groups (p = 0.136 and p = 0.682). A scoring system, including four of the above mentioned parameters (angle of contact with ICA, tumor volume, presence of peritumoral tuft of veins, and loss of tumor adventitia interface) was developed with a maximum score of 8 and a minimum of 2. A statistically significant difference was found between the final scores among the three Shamblin groups (p 1000 mL had Shamblin grade III tumors. Postoperative complications like stroke, ICA thrombosis and lower cranial nerve palsies were seen only with Shamblin grade II and III tumors.CONCLUSIONThe simple scoring system we have proposed correlates well with the Shamblin grade and helps in identifying patients who have a higher risk of developing complications

Deep Vein Thrombosis is Not Uncommon in India

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has for long been under-diagnosed and ignored as one of the major causes of morbidity worldwide. Knowledge of the pathology and treatment of DVT has progressed many fold over the years. Inspite of it being common, knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal condition remains limited. In this review article, we look at the DVT and the available options for diagnosis and treatment

Endovascular Management of Primary Aortoenteric Fistulae

Primary aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a rare clinical entity which is life-threatening. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment play a crucial role in the management. Minimally invasive approaches such as endovascular treatment are newer options in treatment. We describe three patients with primary AEF successfully managed with endovascular treatment. The presentation of primary AEF may be acute, with an exsanguinating unstable patient who would be unfit to undergo a major laparotomy. In such instances, endovascular treatment can be used as the initial option to control the bleeding. Endovascular treatment is a valuable treatment option to control bleeding when the morbidity of open repair is high

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome: A short review

Venous thoracic outlet obstruction can be either primary or secondary. Effort-induced thrombosis of the upper limb ranges from 1% to 4% of all venous thrombosis has been the focus of discussion in many an international and national journal recently because of an increase in the number of cases being seen, diagnosed, and treated. In this paper, we discuss an overview of the problem and our management approach based on available evidence and share the experience gained from treating patients with effort-induced axillary-subclavian thrombosis or Paget—von Schroetter syndrome, as it is otherwise called

Decongestive lymphatic therapy in postfilarial lymphedema: A prospective study

Context: In a filariasis endemic country like India, the need for an effective and consistent treatment for filarial lymphedema has long been recognized. In this study, we set out to evaluate decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) for postfilarial lymphedema. Aims: The aims of this study are to determine the efficacy of DLT in the management of postfilarial lymphedema of extremities. Settings and Design: This is one prospective study from April 1, 2010, to March 30, 2011 included twenty patients with the diagnosis of lymphedema of the extremities. After the Institutional Review Board approval, consent was taken. Subjects and Methods: Patients with unilateral postfilarial lymphedema were included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: (1) Other forms of lymphedema, (2) Clinical evidence of local infection, (3) Severe cardiac disease, (4) Uncontrolled hypertension, (5) Malignancy. The clinical profile of the patient was recorded and was noted. Limb circumferences were measured at axial intervals of 10 cm for the entire limb length. Each segment's volume was calculated with the truncated cone formula H × (C2 + Cc + c2)/12 Π, H = height, C = circumference at the top of the cone, c = circumference at the base of the cone. Total limb volume was acquired by adding the segments. Patients were subjected to daily DLT which included manual lymphatic drainage, low-stretch compression bandaging, and skin care and exercises and volume reduction measured. The patients were followed up for 1 year. Statistical Analysis Used: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, one sample t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test. Results: The mean reduction in the volume of the affected limb was 63.12% with standard deviation of 11.38 and P < 0.001. Long-term therapeutic benefits were maintained through self-massage, self-bandaging, exercise, and consistent use of compressive garments. The average volume of the affected limb at presentation was 10067.45 ml ± 3768.42. After DLT, the average volume was 7860.4 ml ± 2617.36. The average volume after 1-year follow-up was 8109.3 ml ± 2438.4. There was no correlation between the severity of pretreatment limb volume and the extent of reduction after DLT. No complications were seen during the course of the study. Conclusions: DLT is an effective and safe modality for the treatment of lymphedema of the extremities. It has wide applicability, especially in postfilarial lymphedema

Management of klippel-trenaunay syndrome from a single center in India: Experience shared

India with a population of about 1.3 billion and diverse cultures holds within its large land mass an encyclopedia of medical cases, several un/underdiagnosed. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is one such condition. Over the years, as the understanding of our team increased about the condition, we were able to share the same with our colleagues across the institution and publish the brief article. This resulted in an increased referral pattern from within the institution and across the country. At our institution, we managed 127 cases of KTS between October 2009 and December 2017. In this article, we share our experience about managing the cases, lessons learnt, and the challenges we face