Early aneurysmal degeneration of femoral vein conduit used for aortoiliac reconstruction in a child

We report the case of a 14-year-old boy who underwent an aortobi-iliac bypass with a femoral vein graft. The patient presented with early aneurysmal degeneration of the entire venous graft only 11 months later. He was treated successfully with redo abdominal aortic surgery and a bifurcated Dacron graft

The Prognostic Significance of Different Definitions for Angiosome-Targeted Lower Limb Revascularization

Background: The definition of angiosome-targeted revascularization is confusing, especially when a tissue lesion affects several angiosomes. Two different definitions of direct revascularization exist in the literature. The study aim was (1) to compare the 2 definitions of direct revascularization in patients with foot lesions involving more than one angiosome and (2) to evaluate which definition better predicts clinical outcome. Methods: This study cohort comprises 658 patients with Rutherford 5-6 foot lesions who underwent infrapopliteal endovascular or surgical revascularization between January 2010 and July 2013. We compared the 2 angiosome-targeted definitions using multivariate analysis; the impact of each angiosome-targeted definition was adjusted for a propensity score obtained by means of nonparsimonious logistic regression. Results: Direct revascularization according to definition A was performed in 367 cases (55.8%) versus 198 cases (30.1%) with definition B. The propensity-score-adjusted analysis showed that definition A of direct revascularization was associated with significantly better wound healing (P <0.044, hazard ratio [HR] 1.291) and lower amputation rates (P <0.047, HR 0.706), whereas definition B was associated only with significantly better wound healing (P <0.029, HR 1.321). The prognostic ability of direct revascularization according to definition A was confirmed in a Cox proportional hazard analysis. Conclusions: Definition A of direct revascularization was associated with a significantly higher wound healing and leg salvage rate than indirect revascularization in both series. Therefore, it seems that, if the wound spreads over several angiosomes in the forefoot or heel, any angiosome involved in the wound can be targeted.Peer reviewe

Quality Control of the Foot Revascularization Using Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging

Objectives Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a clinical diagnosis, confirmed by objective tests, usually ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe pressure (TP) and TcPO2. Furthermore, the anatomical lesions in patients affected by CLI were visualized by ultrasound, angiography, CTA, or MRA. Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (ICG-FI) is a diagnostic modality for assessing foot perfusion. We aimed to study the usefulness of ICG-FI in the quality control of revascularization. Materials and methods One hundred and four CLI limbs in 101 patients were studied with ICG-FI using SPY Elite before and after open or endovascular revascularization. ABI and TP were also measured. After ICG-FI, assessment of circulation was done using time-intensity curve derived from the two regions of interest the one being in the plantar side of the foot and the other in the dorsal side of the foot. Three parameters were derived from the curves: maximum intensity (the absolute value of the maximum intensity); intensity rate (the value from the time-intensity curve describing the increase in maximum intensity/s) and SPY10 (the intensity achieved during the first 10 s after the foot starts to gain intensity). Results Sixty-two limbs presented category 3 of Rutherford classification, 12 limbs category 4, and 30 limbs category 5. Ninety-five technically successful procedures were achieved, 63 (66.3%) endovascular and 32 (33.7%) surgical revascularizations. In 9 (9.5%) patients, an in-line flow from the aorta to the foot was not achieved due to a failure to recanalize the occlusion (n = 7) or due to distal embolization (n = 2). ABI was not reliable in 58 patients (57.4%) mostly due to pseudohypertension and TPs in 49 (48.5%) patients mostly due to previous minor amputations. ICG-FI was successful in all patients. The mean intensity values before and after the procedure in patients who underwent successful revascularization were 81 +/- 47 units and 120 +/- 5 units of intensity (p <001) and intensity rates 4.2 +/- 4 and 8.0 +/- 6.2 units/s (p =.001), respectively. In the PTA patients in whom the revascularization was unsuccessful, no changes were seen in the hemodynamic parameters. In 6 (8.8%) patients who underwent technically successful revascularization, the SPY values were worse after the revascularization than at the baseline. Conclusions ICG-FI with SPY Elite provides reliable information on the increase in perfusion after revascularization, in addition to implicating possible failure if there is no improvement in the ICG-FI variables. Unlike ABI and TP, it can be performed in all patients. It gives valuable information to complement traditional assessment methods.Peer reviewe

Competing Risk Analysis of the Impact of Pedal Arch Status and Angiosome-Targeted Revascularization in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Introduction In the context of chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI), the prognostic impact of angiosome-targeted revascularization and of the status of the pedal arch are debated. Materials and method This series includes 580 patients who underwent endovascular (n=407) and surgical revascularization (n=173) of the infrapopliteal arteries for CLTI associated with foot ulcer or gangrene. The risk of major amputation after infrapopliteal revascularization was assessed by a competing risk approach. A subanalysis was made separately for patients who underwent endovascular or open surgical revascualrization. Results At 2 years, survival was 65.1% and leg salvage was 76.1%. Multivariable competing risk analysis showed that C-reactive protein≥ 10 mg/dL, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, increased number of affected angiosomes and the incomplete or total absence of pedal arch compared to complete pedal arch were independent predictors of major amputation after infrapopliteal revascularization. Multivariable analysis showed increasing risk estimates of major amputation in patients with incomplete (SHR 2.131, 95%CI 1.282-3.543) and no visualized pedal arch (SHR 3.022, 95%CI 1.553-5.883) compared to complete pedal arch. Pedal arch was important even if angiosome-targeted revascularization was achieved: Angiosome-directed revascularization in presence of complete pedal arch had a lower risk of major amputation (adjusted SHR 0.463, 95%CI 0.240-0.894) compared to angiosome-directed revascularization without complete pedal arch. In the subanalysis, among patients who underwent endovascular revascularization, complete pedal arch (SHR 0.509, 95%CI 0.286-0.905) and angiosome-targeted revascularization (SHR 0.613, 95%CI 0.394-0.956) were associated with a lower risk of major amputation. Conclusions Competing risk analysis showed that a patent pedal arch had significant impact on leg salvage and that the subset of patients undergoing endovascular procedure may most benefit of an angiosome-targeted revascularization.Peer reviewe

Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation after Surgical Repair of Type A Aortic Dissection

Venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) in patients undergoing surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is controversial and the available evidence is confined to limited case series. We aimed to evaluate the impact of this salvage therapy in this patient population. Between January 2010 and March 2018, all TAAD patients receiving VA-ECMO for PCS were retrieved from the PC-ECMO registry. Hospital mortality and other secondary outcomes were compared with PCS patients undergoing surgery for other cardiac pathologies and treated with VA-ECMO. Among the 781 patients in the PC-ECMO registry, 62 (7.9%) underwent TAAD repair and required VA-ECMO support for PCS. In-hospital mortality accounted for 46 (74.2%) patients, while 23 (37.1%) were successfully weaned from VAECMO. No significant differences were observed between the TAAD and non-TAAD cohorts with reference to in-hospital mortality (74.2% vs 63.4%, p = 0.089). However, patients in the TAAD group had a higher rate of neurological events (33.9% vs 17.6%, p = 0.002), but similar rates of reoperation for bleeding/tamponade (48.4% vs 41.5%, p = 0.29), transfusion of >= 10 red blood cell units (77.4% vs 69.5%, p = 0.19), new-onset dialysis (56.7% vs 53.1%, p = 0.56), and other secondary outcomes. VA-ECMO provides a valid support for patients affected by PCS after surgery for TAAD. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Six-Month Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe COVID-19

Objectives: The authors evaluated the outcome of adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Design: Multicenter retrospective, observational study. Setting: Ten tertiary referral university and community hospitals. Participants: Patients with confirmed severe COVID-19-related ARDS. Interventions: Venovenous or venoarterial ECMO. Measurements and Main Results: One hundred thirty-two patients (mean age 51.1 +/- 9.7 years, female 17.4%) were treated with ECMO for confirmed severe COVID-19-related ARDS. Before ECMO, the mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 10.1 +/- 4.4, mean pH was 7.23 +/- 0.09, and mean PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio was 77 +/- 50 mmHg. Venovenous ECMO was adopted in 122 patients (92.4%) and venoarterial ECMO in ten patients (7.6%) (mean duration, 14.6 +/- 11.0 days). Sixty-three (47.7%) patients died on ECMO and 70 (53.0%) during the index hospitalization. Six-month all-cause mortality was 53.0%. Advanced age (per year, hazard ratio [HR] 1.026, 95% CI 1.000-1-052) and low arterial pH (per unit, HR 0.006, 95% CI 0.000-0.083) before ECMO were the only baseline variables associated with increased risk of six-month mortality. Conclusions: The present findings suggested that about half of adult patients with severe COVID-19 -related ARDS can be managed successfully with ECMO with sustained results at six months. Decreased arterial pH before ECMO was associated significantly with early mortality. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that initiation of ECMO therapy before severe metabolic derangements subset may improve survival rates significantly in these patients. These results should be viewed in the light of a strict patient selection policy and may not be replicated in patients with advanced age or multiple comorbidities. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.Peer reviewe

Using exoskeletons to assist medical staff during prone positioning of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients: a pilot study

International audienceWe conducted a pilot study to evaluate the potential and feasibility of back-support exoskeletons to help the caregivers in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University Hospital of Nancy (France) executing Prone Positioning (PP) maneuvers on patients suffering from severe COVID-19-related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. After comparing four commercial exoskeletons, the Laevo passive exoskeleton was selected and used in the ICU in April 2020. The first volunteers using the Laevo reported very positive feedback and reduction of effort, confirmed by EMG and ECG analysis. Laevo has been since used to physically assist during PP in the ICU of the Hospital of Nancy, following the recrudescence of COVID-19, with an overall positive feedback

Prognostic Significance of Arterial Lactate Levels at Weaning from Postcardiotomy Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Background: The outcome after weaning from postcardiotomy venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is poor. In this study, we investigated the prognostic impact of arterial lactate levels at the time of weaning from postcardiotomy VA. Methods: This analysis included 338 patients from the multicenter PC-ECMO registry with available data on arterial lactate levels at weaning from VA-ECMO. Results: Arterial lactate levels at weaning from VA-ECMO (adjusted OR 1.426, 95%CI 1.157-1.758) was an independent predictor of hospital mortality, and its best cutoff values was 1.6 mmol/L (= 1.6 mmol/L, 45.0%; adjusted OR 2.489, 95%CI 1.374-4.505). When 261 patients with arterial lactate at VA-ECMO weaning = 1.4 mmol/L, 38.5%, p = 0.014). Among 87 propensity score-matched pairs, hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with arterial lactate >= 1.4 mmol/L (39.1% vs. 23.0%, p = 0.029) compared to those with lower arterial lactate. Conclusions: Increased arterial lactate levels at the time of weaning from postcardiotomy VA-ECMO increases significantly the risk of hospital mortality. Arterial lactate may be useful in guiding optimal timing of VA-ECMO weaning

Six-Month Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe COVID-19

ObjectivesThe authors evaluated the outcome of adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).DesignMulticenter retrospective, observational study.SettingTen tertiary referral university and community hospitals.ParticipantsPatients with confirmed severe COVID-19–related ARDS.InterventionsVenovenous or venoarterial ECMO.Measurements and Main ResultsOne hundred thirty-two patients (mean age 51.1 ± 9.7 years, female 17.4%) were treated with ECMO for confirmed severe COVID-19–related ARDS. Before ECMO, the mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 10.1 ± 4.4, mean pH was 7.23 ± 0.09, and mean PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio was 77 ± 50 mmHg. Venovenous ECMO was adopted in 122 patients (92.4%) and venoarterial ECMO in ten patients (7.6%) (mean duration, 14.6 ± 11.0 days). Sixty-three (47.7%) patients died on ECMO and 70 (53.0%) during the index hospitalization. Six-month all-cause mortality was 53.0%. Advanced age (per year, hazard ratio [HR] 1.026, 95% CI 1.000-1-052) and low arterial pH (per unit, HR 0.006, 95% CI 0.000-0.083) before ECMO were the only baseline variables associated with increased risk of six-month mortality.ConclusionsThe present findings suggested that about half of adult patients with severe COVID-19–related ARDS can be managed successfully with ECMO with sustained results at six months. Decreased arterial pH before ECMO was associated significantly with early mortality. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that initiation of ECMO therapy before severe metabolic derangements subset may improve survival rates significantly in these patients. These results should be viewed in the light of a strict patient selection policy and may not be replicated in patients with advanced age or multiple comorbidities. Clinical Trial Registration: identifier, NCT04383678.</p

Postcardiotomy Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients Aged 70 Years or Older

Background. There is uncertainty whether venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) should be used in older patients with cardiopulmonary failure after cardiac surgery.Methods. This was a retrospective multicenter study of 781 patients who required postcardiotomy VA-ECMO for cardiopulmonary failure after adult cardiac surgery from 2010 to 2018 at 19 cardiac surgery centers. A parallel systematic review with meta-analysis of the literature was performed.Results. The hospital mortality in the overall Post-cardiotomy Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (PC-ECMO) series was 64.4%. A total of 255 patients were 70 years old or older (32.7%), and their hospital mortality was significantly higher than in younger patients (76.1% vs 58.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.199; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.536 to 3.149). Arterial lactate level greater than 6 mmol/L before starting VA-ECMO was the only predictor of hospital mortality among patients 70 years old or older in univariate analysis (82.6% vs 70.4%; P = .029). Meta-analysis of current and previous studies showed that early mortality after postcardiotomy VA-ECMO was significantly higher in patients aged 70 years or older compared with younger patients (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.59 to 2.75; 5 studies including 1547 patients; I-2, 5.9%). The pooled early mortality rate among patients aged 70 years or older was 78.8% (95% CI, 74.1 to 83.5; 6 studies including 617 patients; I-2, 41.8%). Two studies reported 1-year mortality (including hospital mortality) of 79.9% and 75.6%, respectively, in patients 70 years old or older.Conclusions. Advanced age should not be considered a contraindication for postcardiotomy VA-ECMO. However, in view of the high risk of early mortality, meaningful scrutiny is needed before using VA-ECMO after cardiac surgery in older patients. (C) 2019 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeon