Understanding Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome was once debated in the world of vascular surgery. Today, it is more understood and surprisingly less infrequent than once thought. Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is composed of three types: neurogenic, venous, and arterial. Each type is in distinction to the others when considering patient presentation and diagnosis. Remarkable advances have been made in surgical approach, physical therapy, and rehabilitation of these patients. Dedicated centers of excellence with multidisciplinary teams have been developed and continue to lead the way in future research

The role of advanced diagnostic technology in the selection of a patient with symptomatic but hemodynamically insignificant disease for carotid endarterectomy.

Current Level I evidence demonstrates no benefit for carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic patients with <50% carotid stenoses. However, unstable plaque morphology is increasingly recognized in the genesis of ischemic cerebral events. New advanced imaging technology, such as contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and ultrasound imaging, are emerging as important adjuncts in the evaluation of this patient population. We present a case where both modalities were beneficial in identifying plaque instability manifested by intraplaque hemorrhage and neovascularization in a patient with recurrent cerebral ischemic events and hemodynamically insignificant carotid disease

Thirty-day readmission after lower extremity bypass in diabetic patients

Background: Lower extremity bypass (LEB) for peripheral vascular disease is a common procedure in diabetics and is associated with readmission. Thus, we hypothesized that diabetes might be a predictor of 30-d unplanned readmission after LEB.Methods: Patients undergoing infrainguinal LEB in the 2011-12 American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database were divided into nondiabetics mellitus (NDM), non-insulin-dependent diabetics mellitus (NIDDM), and insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus (IDDM). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the influence of diabetes on 30-d readmission.Results: A total of 9207 patients (5155 [56%] NDM, 1690 (18%) NIDDM, and 2362 (26%) IDDM) underwent LEB. Unplanned readmission was observed in 1448 patients (16%). IDDM had significantly higher crude postoperative complication (43% versus 30% NDM, 36% NIDDM; P \u3c 0.001) and unplanned readmission rates (20% versus 14% NDM, 16% NIDDM; P \u3c 0.001). Concomitant cardiac disease significantly modified the association between diabetes and unplanned readmission. On multivariable analysis, IDDM was an independent predictor of unplanned readmission in the absence of cardiac disease (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.47; P = 0.01). However, this association did not remain significant in the presence of cardiac disease (OR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.48-1.01; P = 0.56). On subgroup analysis of those without cardiac disease, cardiac complications were a significant risk factor for readmission in IDDM (OR = 2.00; 95% CI, 1.12-3.57; P = 0.02) but not NDM (P = 0.31) or NIDDM (P = 0.10).Conclusions: Although post-LEB unplanned readmission was more common among diabetics, IDDM was independently associated with unplanned readmission only in those without cardiac disease. This was driven, in part, by increased cardiac complications. Therefore, a more stringent preoperative cardiac workup in this group should be considered before LEB

Gluteal and thigh compartment syndrome after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Although compartment syndrome (CS) can occur in any myofascial compartment, the thigh and buttock are among the least common. CS is characterized by an increase in pressure of a myofascial compartment that results in a reduction of capillary blood flow and myonecrosis. Although >75% of cases of CS occur after long bone fractures, acute CS can also occur from nontraumatic and vascular etiologies. We report a case of gluteal and thigh CS resulting from ischemia–reperfusion injury after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and left common iliac artery bypass