Search

We present a case of surgical site haematoma developed in a female patient with breast cancer who had undergone modified radical mastectomy. On investigation, the underlying aetiology was detected to be axillary artery branch pseudoaneurysm. The patient was managed with the minimally invasive technique of angioembolisation with coils. A multidisciplinary approach resulted in an excellent outcome. The patient made good recovery without any residual impairment.

PURPOSE: Upper extremity access (UEA) for antegrade cannulation of aortic side branches is a relevant part of endovascular treatment of complex aortic aneurysms and can be achieved using several techniques, sites, and sides. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different UEA strategies in a multicenter registry of complex endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).METHODS: In six aortic centers in the Netherlands, all endovascular aortic procedures from 2006 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received UEA during complex EVAR were included. The primary outcome was a composite end point of any access complication, excluding minor hematomas. Secondary outcomes were access characteristics, access complications considered individually, access reinterventions, and incidence of ischemic cerebrovascular events.RESULTS: A total of 417 patients underwent 437 UEA for 303 fenestrated/branched EVARs and 114 chimney EVARs. Twenty patients had bilateral, 295 left-sided, and 102 right-sided UEA. A total of 413 approaches were performed surgically and 24 percutaneously. Distal brachial access (DBA) was used in 89 cases, medial brachial access (MBA) in 149, proximal brachial access (PBA) in 140, and axillary access (AA) in 59 cases. No significant differences regarding the composite end point of access complications were seen (DBA: 11.3% vs MBA: 6.7% vs PBA: 13.6% vs AA: 10.2%; P = .29). Postoperative neuropathy occurred most after PBA (DBA: 1.1% vs MBA: 1.3% vs PBA: 9.3% vs AA: 5.1%; P = .003). There were no differences in cerebrovascular complications between access sides (right: 5.9% vs left: 4.1% vs bilateral: 5%; P = .75). Significantly more overall access complications were seen after a percutaneous approach (29.2% vs 6.8%; P = .002). In multivariate analysis, the risk for access complications after an open approach was decreased by male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.72; P = .009), whereas an increase in age per year (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.004-1.179; P = .039) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.20-11.41; P = .023) increased the risk.CONCLUSIONS: Between the four access localizations, there were no differences in overall access complications. Female sex, diabetes mellitus type 2, and aging increased the risk for access complications after a surgical approach. Furthermore, a percutaneous UEA resulted in higher complication rates than a surgical approach.

This study aims to assess the safety of upper extremity access with surgical exposure of the axillary artery in fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/B-EVAR), evaluating neurological and local complications as well as re-interventions associated with the technique.All patients undergoing an F/B-EVAR procedure with surgical exposure of the axillary artery between January 2010 and March 2020 were included in this retrospective single centre study. Endpoints were neurological and access related complications and re-interventions related to the upper extremity access. Complications related to the technique included stroke/transient ischaemic attack, wound infection, peripheral nerve injury, and arterial complications.264 patients (192 male, mean age 70 ± 7 years) were included. Upper extremity access was performed over the left axillary artery in 257 (97%) of the cases, and over the right axillary artery in the remaining seven cases. Six (2.2%) patients had early complications related to the arterial access: four with post-operative bleeding and two with acute arm ischaemia. Two patients with post-operative bleeding and both patients with ischaemic complications required re-intervention. One of these patients with arm ischaemia died five weeks after the re-intervention due to sepsis complications related to patch infection. Sixteen (6%) patients presented with transient arm paraesthesia or sensory neurological deficit post-operatively. The symptoms completely recovered in all cases with no residual deficits. Peri-operative ischaemic stroke occurred in three (1%) patients (two minor, one major). No other access related complications were recorded during follow up in any of the patients with no cases of late stenosis/occlusion.Upper extremity access with surgical exposure of the axillary artery is a safe method for antegrade catheterisation of fenestrations and branches in complex endovascular aneurysm repair.

We report a simplified Zone 2 arch repair using a trifurcated graft for acute type A aortic dissection. The right axillary artery is cannulated. After completion of proximal aortic repair using a one-branched graft, a trifurcated graft is anastomosed to the ascending graft just above the proximal suture line or coronary buttons in case of Bentall procedure. Distal aortic anastomosis is performed at the Zone 2 level under unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion. Full cardiopulmonary bypass flow is resumed via the right axillary and ascending graft using both Y-shaped arterial limbs. The left common carotid and innominate artery are sequentially anastomosed.

Acute upper limb ischemia is considered a vascular emergency. These events are mostly thromboembolic and are often detected in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Surgical thrombectomy and percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy are the usual methods to treat this medical emergency. In this case, we report the case of a 75-years old woman with a history of AF who initially presented to our center because of syncope resulting from Torsades de pointes due to a known long-QT syndrome. Those episodes were treated adequately from the implanted ICD. In addition to the symptoms of syncope, the patient also noted symptoms of right upper-limb ischemia. Using duplex sonography, we noticed a thrombotic occlusion at the level of the axillary artery. Using femoral access, we performed an antegrade angiography of the axillary artery, which confirmed a fresh thrombotic occlusion. The initially performed thrombus aspiration wasn't successful, and the decision was made to use an ekosonic endovascular system (Ekosonic ™ Endovascular System, Boston Scientific, EKOS) catheter to perform catheter-directed thrombolysis. Locally, 10 mg Actilyse were administrated. Then an EKOS Catheter was delivered to the occlusion area and was placed for 6 h. Symptoms of ischemia were resolved, and the angiographic control showed normal flow in the axillary artery. The patient was discharged without any local deficits of the right hand.

The axillary artery is a reliable inflow vessel when addressing pathology of the aortic root and aortic arch that may preclude standard central cannulation strategies. This narrative review examines the use of the axillary artery in cardiac surgery. Anatomy, indications for use, cannulation strategies, and potential complications will be discussed.A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Review, and authoritative committee guidelines. A narrative review incorporating current available evidence was undertaken.Use of the axillary artery in select cardiac surgical cases is reliable, reproducible, and may be preferable in certain cases involving ascending aortic pathology, reoperative surgery, porcelain aorta, access for transcatheter valve therapies, and peripheral mechanical circulatory support.

Axillary artery injury is a rare but complex surgical problem that often requires challenging exposures, lengthy operations, and morbid outcomes for repair. For these reasons, endovascular repair is an attractive alternative as it obviates many of the challenges present with open repair. While pseudoaneurysms, dissections, and short segment injuries with limited arterial disruption are regularly treated endovascularly, complete arterial transections are almost exclusively treated with open repair as obtaining wire access across the site of injury is often not possible. Here we report a case of successful endovascular repair of a completely transected axillary artery with the use of snare assistance to obtain through and through femoral to brachial artery access. This ultimately allowed for covered stent deployment across the axillary transection restoring distal blood flow. Snare assistance in obtaining through and through access across areas of complete transection can allow for increased use of endovascular repair.

Objectives To define chronic ultrasound lesions of the axillary artery (AA) in long-standing giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to evaluate the reliability of the new ultrasound definition in a web-based exercise. Methods A structured Delphi, involving an expert panel of the Large Vessel Vasculitis subgroup of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound Working Group was carried out. The reliability of the new definition was tested in a 2-round web-based exercise involving 23 experts and using 50 still images each from AA of long-standing and acute GCA patients, as well as 50 images from healthy individuals. Results The final OMERACT ultrasound definition of chronic changes was based on measurement and appearance of the intima-media complex. The overall reliability of the new definition for chronic ultrasound changes in longstanding GCA of the AA was good to excellent with Light's kappa values of 0.79-0.80 for inter-reader reliability and mean Light's-kappa of 0.88 for intra-reader reliability. The mean inter-rater and intra-rater agreements were 86-87% and 92%, respectively. Good reliabilities were observed comparing the vessels with longstanding versus acute GCA with a mean agreement and kappa values of 81% and 0.63, respectively. Conclusion The new OMERACT ultrasound definition for chronic vasculitis of the AA in GCA revealed a good to excellent inter- and intra-reader reliability in a web-based exercise of experts.

Although hybrid and parallel ECMO circuits may prove useful in managing certain patients, generally these strategies should not be used as the initial means of cannulation. Rather, patients should be supported with isolated VA or VV ECMO with the understanding that patient conditions are dynamic and they may require a modification to their modality of support during their course. This may require optimization of the existing circuit, changing cannulation site (eg, femoral artery to axillary artery), conversion from one modality to another, the employment of hybrid or parallel ECMO circuits, or even conversion to central cannulation, and de-escalation from there as the patients’ status changes. Further, cannula position should be optimized and medical management should be maximized. Patients who ultimately require a hybrid or parallel ECMO support represent a small fraction of total patients receiving ECMO, as illustrated by Extracorporeal Life Support Organization data. In general, survival is lower in these patients, with adult respiratory patients having a survival of 32% with V-AV support compared to 60% with VV support, and adult cardiac patients having a survival of 32% with V-AV support compared with 41% with VA support.7 There are currently no data that clearly establish a mortality benefit of the use of hybrid or parallel circuits. The high mortality associated with these strategies likely reflects the severity of illness of patients who require hybrid strategies compared with those who are supported with isolated VV or VA ECMO. Mechanical circulatory support is a complex landscape, and patients requiring support have dynamic disease processes. With the myriad of ECMO configurations and mechanical circulatory support devices that are available, each patient requires an individualized approach. The determination must be made of the appropriate cannulation strategy for ECMO and whether to use it in isolation or in concert with another circulatory support device to best fit each patient. Conflict of Interest Statement David J. Kaczorowski has a patent for devices for endovascular access through extracorporeal life support circuits. All other authors reported no conflicts of interest. The Journal policy requires editors and reviewers to disclose conflicts of interest and to decline handling or reviewing manuscripts for which they may have a conflict of interest. The editors and reviewers of this article have no conflicts of interest.

A patient with a 6-year-old left upper arm brachial cephalic AVF presented with symptoms of hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia (HAIDI). Physical exam findings showed a well-developed AVF, but compression of the AVF aggravated arm pain and induced diffuse erythema of the left upper extremity. Angiographic evaluation disclosed the presence of a large axillary artery vascular malformation (AVM) as well as distal forearm hypo-perfusion. We elected to publish this case report to describe the interesting physical exam findings related to the AVM, and discuss HAIDI treatment options that are peculiar to this case. We also highlight the importance of thorough vascular evaluation prior to AV access creation as well as during the investigation of the cause of HAIDI.

Introduction : Parallel grafting presents a viable method for treating patients with complex aortic aneurysms. The current literature is limited to mostly pararenal configurations. We examined our results in patients with SMA/Celiac artery involvement. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed for all patients undergoing parallel grafting during the period of 2014 to 2018 at a single institution. All patients had at least SMA with/without Celiac artery parallel grafting. Results : Seventy-nine patients (65% male, median age 74) were treated with 208 parallel grafts. Median ASA 1 score is 4. Forty-nine cases were elective, 22 urgent, and 8 emergent. Mean pre-operative aneurysm diameter was 7.1cm (4.6-15cm). Self-expanding covered stents were used for the renal arteries (mean 6.3mm), and balloon-expandable covered stents were used for the SMA and Celiac (mean SMA 8.6mm, mean celiac 8.3mm). Axillary exposure was the choice of access in 68 patients (86%). Technical success was achieved in all cases. We defined this as aneurysm sac exclusion with patent visceral stent grafts, and absent to mild gutter leaks. Mean aortic graft proximal seal achieved was 48mm. Coverage extended above the celiac artery in 75% (10% stented and 65% covered). Median contrast volume was 145ml, operative duration was 4 hours, fluoroscopy time was 56min, and EBL was 250ml. Peri-operative mortality was 6.1%. 4.5%, and 25%, for the elective, urgent, and emergent groups, respectively. There was no incidence of spinal cord ischemia. Axillary access was complicated in 4 patients, requiring patch closure of the axillary artery. One patient developed postprocedural ESRD from a rupture and ATN despite patent renal stents. Of those patients with a patent GDA and celiac coverage, two required a cholecystectomy. Nine patients had a persistent gutter leak at the conclusion of the procedure. Median follow-up was 12 months. On follow-up imaging, all SMA and Celiac stents were patent. Six renal stents were occluded and 2 patients progressed to ESRD, both solitary renal periscope configurations at the index procedure. Only 4 patients had persistent gutter leaks with 2 requiring reintervention. Ninety-five percent of patients demonstrated sac regression or stabilization with a mean sac size of 6.5cm. Conclusions : Parallel grafting presents a safe, efficacious and off the shelf alternative to conventional repair of complex aortic aneurysms involving the visceral aorta.

In this study, thrombolytic therapy is described and a case of left subclavian artery thrombosis with acute clinical symptoms is presented. The patient was an 82-year-old woman with the symptoms of axillary artery thrombosis. Catheter-directed thrombolysis was performed and thrombolytic medication was injected via a catheter. In addition, a low dose of heparin was infused intravenously. Following treatment, clinical symptoms were normal. The repeated angiography indicated a good blood flow to the left upper distal limb. Minimally invasive methods, such as catheter-based thrombolytic therapy may be a suitable alternative for patients with viable limb acute ischemia. Keywords:Axillary artery,Subclavian artery,Thrombolytic therapy,Thrombosis

Background During endovascular treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysms (PAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA), our antegrade vascular access of choice is a lateral axillary exposure (LAE). We directly access the axillary artery with multiple sheaths followed by primary closure of the axillary artery at case completion. The aim of this study is to describe our technique and to report our results with this approach. Methods This study is a single-institution, retrospective review of 53 patients who were treated with parallel grafts for endovascular repair of PAA and TAAA from 2006 to 2018. The aortic repairs requiring LAE included: 9 cases of endo-leaks from prior endovascular repair, 20 TAAAs, and 24 PAAs. The axillary artery was exposed with a vertical axillary skin incision followed by retraction of the lateral border of the pectoralis major to expose the axillary artery distal to the pectoralis minor. A 5-French (F) through 12F sheaths were used to directly access the axillary artery for delivery of endovascular devices. Results Two hundred and sixty reno-visceral stents were delivered through 125 axillary sheaths in an antegrade fashion to 114 arteries without intraoperative complications or technical failures. Two postoperative complications included an access-site hematoma managed conservatively (1.9%) and a left brachial vein thrombosis treated with anticoagulation (1.9%). There were no cases of cerebrovascular or peripheral neurologic events, upper extremity ischemia, or reoperation related to LAE. Conclusions LAE is a valid approach for upper extremity access during the endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms requiring simultaneous delivery of multiple reno-visceral devices. It does not require the use of a prosthetic conduit. There were no neurologic events or upper extremity ischemia in our series.

Ventricular septal defects are increasingly being closed by transcatheter technique, with lesser morbidity and shorter hospital stay compared to open heart surgery. We report a case of embolization of a duct occluder deployed in a posterior muscular septal defect. The rare site of embolization necessitated an unusual approach for retrieval prior to subsequent closure using a double-disc device.

Subclavian and proximal axillary arterial injuries are rare and difficult to manage. Eight patients were managed from January 2008 to December 2018 at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan with mean age of 36.13 ± 14.48 years. All patients had penetrating injuries, from gunshot in 5 (62.5%), bomb blast in 2 (25%), and stab wound in 1 (12.5%) case. Six (75%) patients presented in haemodynamically stable condition. The mean time between the injury and patient presentation was 28 ± 8.39 hours. The injuries were approached via supraclavicular incision in 3 (37.5%) patients, infraclavicular incisions in 2 (25%) patients and median sternotomy in 2 (25%) patients. Three (37.5%) patients had false aneurysm, while 5 (62.5%) had transected artery. Primary repair was performed in 2 (25%) cases, while 6 (75%) patients were treated with interposition graft with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). All patients have salvaged limbs with good functional outcomes. Key Words: Subclavian artery, Penetrating injury, Vascular trauma, Vascular repair.

Background: The Southern Karaman sheep, which is very fertile in terms of meat and milk production and is often preferred in livestock raising, is known as a domestic sheep breed. The Hasak sheep is a breed formed by the triple crossbreeding of the German Black-headed, Hampshire and Akkaraman breeds. Arterial feeding of the forelimb is provided by arteria axillaris, a continuation of arteria subclavia. In this study, it was aimed to examine the forelimb arteries in Southern Karaman and Hasak sheep breeds. Materials and methods: Totally, 8 Southern Karaman and 8 Hasak sheep were obtained from Konya Bahri Dagdas International Agricultural Institute. The sheep were anesthetised with xylazine and ketamine and extravasated by cutting the arteria carotis communis in the neck area of the sheep. The forelimbs of the sheep separated from the body were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution and then dissections were made and the course and branching of the arteries were examined. Results: It was determined that the arteria brachialis was divided into two main branches as distal arteria brachialis and proximal arteria subscapularis at the articulatio humeri level of the arteria axillary. Arteria mediana, which is a continuation of arteria brachialis, was also examined in different parts of antebrachium and ended by splitting into branches. Conclusions: According to the findings of the Southern Karaman and Hasak sheep breeds, it was determined that the forelimb arteries had some anatomical differences but were similar in structure to many sheep breeds.

During routine dissection of a male cadaver for I year MBBS students in the department of Anatomy bilateral variations in the branching pattern of Axillary artery were observed. In the present study it was observed that, on the left side, the subscapular artery which usually arises from the third part of Axillary artery was found to be originating from the second part along with the lateral thoracic artery and thoraco-acromial artery whereas anterior circumflex humeral artery and posterior circumflex humeral artery originated from the third part as usual. On the right side, the circumflex scapular artery and the Thoracodorsal artery were arising as a common trunk from the third part which is not the usual pattern. Knowing such variations is of utmost significance in performing various clinical procedures by Vascular surgeons, Radiologists, Clinical anatomists and in interventional and diagnostic procedures in cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiogenic shock with electrical storm is a challenging condition to manage in patients with acute myocardial infarction despite primary percutaneous coronary interventions. While active mechanical circulatory support devices may improve hemodynamics in this situation, identifying the appropriate arterial access for device deployment is difficult in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease due to severe stenosis or obstruction and tortuous path of the femoral-iliac artery or descending aorta; additionally, this also reduces the mechanical viability of the implanted circulatory support devices, thus posing a risk for limb ischemia. Herein, we report on the effectiveness of the IMPELLA 5.0, deployed via the axillary artery, in combination with atrial overdrive pacing to manage a patient with cardiogenic shock and electrical storm, without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Our strategy, which does not require access via the groin area, may be an attractive option for patients with severe peripheral arterial disease, particularly those with aorto-iliac occlusive disease.

Objective The safety and efficacy of right axillary cannulation during complex aortic aneurysm repair for the deployment of chimney grafts is controversial, however there are few studies that compare right and left upper extremity access . We favor the right axillary approach because of the relative ease of access to the visceral branches and the ability of surgeons and nursing staff to work on the same side of the patient, while avoiding the left sided image intensifier. We aim to demonstrate that right sided access is equivalent or safer than left sided access in terms of technical success and complication rates, with a focus on neurologic outcomes. Methods This is a single institution retrospective study with a review of patients who underwent aortic intervention from January 2012 through December 2018. A total of 398 aortic interventions were performed, and 97 of these required brachial, axillary or subclavian arterial access for attempted ChEVAR or thoracic endovascular aortic repair with parallel chimney grafts. Primary endpoints that were analyzed were site or sites of upper extremity access, technical success, 30-day mortality, cerebrovascular events, and subclavian/axillary artery injury. The number of parallel grafts, age, mean hospital length of stay, prior aortic intervention, emergent or elective status were also analyzed Results 97 endovascular aortic operations required upper extremity access, with 67 using access from the right upper extremity, 26 using access from the left upper extremity, and 4 utilizing bilateral upper extremity access. A total of 68.0% of patients had undergone prior aortic surgery. Technical success was achieved in 85 cases (87.6%). 5 total patients suffered cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), with 2 occurring in left sided access (7.7%), 2 in right sided access (3.0%) , and 1 in bilateral access (25%). Conclusions Right upper extremity access for patients undergoing parallel graft placement during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair is a safe and feasible approach that is not associated with an increased risk of stroke or neurological events as compared to left upper extremity access.

Background The axillary intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is frequently used in selected patients for circulatory support as a bridge to heart transplantation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of axillary intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) support for heart transplant candidates. Methods The study investigators collected data on 133 patients who underwent axillary IABP support as a bridge to transplantation from July 2009 to April 2019. Of these patients, 94 (70.7%) underwent IABP insertion with surgical axillary grafts, and 39 (29.3%) underwent percutaneous IABP insertion. The outcomes of interest included ambulatory data, IABP-related complications, and successful heart transplantation with this type of support. Results The overall preoperative ejection fraction was 20.3% ± 8.0%. The median duration of axillary IABP support was 21days, with 131patients (98.5%) mobilizing with the device. Hemodynamic variables significantly improved after the axillary IABP support was placed. Overall, 122 patients (91.7%) were successfully bridged to heart transplantation. Six patients (4.5%) required escalation to further mechanical support. Two patients (1.5%) died while awaiting transplantation. Four patients (3.0%) experienced a stroke during axillary IABP support (3 before transplantation and1 after transplantation). Two of the 3 patients with a stroke diagnosis before transplantation recovered and eventually underwent heart transplantation. Conclusions With axillary IABP support, most patients were able to ambulate and undergo physical rehabilitation while waiting for heart transplantation. This study demonstrates that axillary IABP results in a high success rate of bridge to transplantation and a low number of complications. Thus, an ambulatory axillary IABP provided efficient and safe support for selected patients as a bridge to heart transplantation.

Despite the evolution of device technology and increasing operator experience, vascular and bleeding complications remain a major source of perioperative morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with peripheral arterial disease. These complications may be compounded with the use of large bore access sheaths for mechanical support, which may be required to be left in the vessels for a prolonged period of time. Through this article, the authors demonstrate the importance of assessment for peripheral arterial disease before insertion of large bore sheaths. They also describe various strategies to manage occlusive sheaths for distal reperfusion and percutaneous axillary artery access as an alternate option.

Type A aortic dissection most often requires emergent surgery to prevent malperfusion, stroke, and/or rupture of aorta. To achieve the structural goals of the operation, the conduct of the surgery is targeted from it inception at restoring true lumen flow. In this regard, institution of cardiopulmonary bypass and circulation management is key to allow adequate systemic flow, perfusion of brain and visceral organs and comprehensive systemic cooling to achieve circulatory arrest when needed. Different strategies have been used to establish adequate true lumen perfusion with varying success rates, with the most common still being femoral cannulation. More recently axillary and central cannulation strategies have shown satisfactory results by allowing more reliable true lumen flow. Cannulation approach should, therefore, depend on individual patient characteristics, presentation, and true lumen anatomy.

An aberrant right subclavian artery usually arises from the aortic arch just distal to the left subclavian artery and crosses behind the esophagus on its way to the right axillary artery. Several reconstructive techniques of this artery in aortic surgery have been reported but mostly resulted in troublesome procedures. Here, we describe an alternative strategy presenting the occlusion of the aberrant right subclavian artery through the right pleural approach followed via extraanatomical axillary artery bypass. This surgical approach might be a simple and safe option for the aberrant right subclavian artery.

Objectives To measure with US the intima-media thickness (IMT) of temporal (superficial, parietal and frontal branches) and axillary arteries in subjects without a diagnosis of GCA and/or PMR with different cardiovascular (CV) risk; and to assess the performance of previously proposed cut-off values for normal IMT. Methods Subjects ≥ 50 years without a diagnosis of GCA or PMR were included. Bilateral US of the temporal arteries, including the frontal and parietal branches, and axillary arteries was performed by two sonographers using a 10–22 MHz and 6–18 MHz probe. The following previously proposed cut-offs were considered: superficial temporal artery: 0.42 mm; frontal branch: 0.34 mm; parietal branch: 0.29 mm; axillary artery: 1.0 mm. Results A total of 808 arteries in 101 subjects were evaluated; of these, 31 (30.7%) were classified as very high CV risk, seven (6.9%) as high, 34 (33.7%) as moderate and 29 (28.7%) as low risk. Subjects with very high or high risk showed higher IMT than those with moderate or low risk in the superficial temporal arteries [0.23 (s.d. 0.07) vs 0.20 (s.d. 0.04), P < 0.01] and in the axillary arteries [0.54 (s.d. 0.17) vs 0.48 (s.d. 0.10), P = 0.002] . The IMT was higher than the reference cut-off in 13/808 (1.6%) arteries, in ≥1 artery in 10/101 subjects (10.1%). Of these 10 subjects, 8 (80%) were classified as having very high or high risk. Conclusion Our results suggest that CV risk might influence the US-determined IMT of the temporal and axillary arteries in subjects without GCA. Therefore, in patients with suspected GCA, particular attention should be paid when measuring the IMT in those patients with very high/high CV risk.

Background/Aim: Various cannulation techniques are used for different aortic pathologies during aortic surgery. High aortic arch cannulation is an easy technique which does not require a second incision. The aim of this study is to compare high aortic arch cannulation with other arterial cannulation techniques and assess its safety and risks profile.Methods: This retrospective study included sixty consecutive patients (23 female and 37 male) who underwent elective surgery for ascending aortic aneurysm between July 2011 and June 2014. Patients were divided into Group 1 (aortic arch cannulation) and Group 2 (femoral artery, axillary artery, innominate artery cannulations) according to the location of arterial cannulation. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data of patients with or without arch cannulation were compared. Results: Ascending aorta was replaced with a graft in all patients. High aortic arch cannulation was performed in thirty-eight patients (63.3%) while the cannulation site was axillary artery in 9 (15%), femoral artery in 8 (13.3%) and innominate artery in 5 (8.3%) patients. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of preoperative demographic factors, concomitant cardiac pathologies, additional surgical procedures, and intraoperative parameters (P>0.05). Moreover, there was no difference between postoperative complications with the one exception of complications related to the cannulation site which was significantly more frequent in cannulation techniques other than arch cannulation (P=0.04). We observed no complications related to the cannulation site in patients with arch cannulation. Conclusion: Our study showed that high aortic arch cannulation in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms is an easy, fast, and safe technique with low complication rates. It can be the technique of first choice for those with ascending aortic aneurysms limited to ascending aorta with no place for cannulation, cross clamp and anastomosis but still can be repaired with single cross-clamping without total circulatory arrest.

Background To evaluate the safety and efficacy of femoral artery cannulation as an alternative to axillary artery cannulation, we retrospectively compared outcomes between patients with axillary or femoral artery cannulation during open aortic arch repair for type A aortic dissection (TAAD). Methods Between January 2014 and January 2019, 646 patients underwent open aortic arch repair with circulatory arrest for TAAD using antegrade selective cerebral perfusion (SACP) and were divided into two groups according to the site of arterial cannulation: an axillary artery group (axillary group, n=558) or a femoral artery group (femoral group, n=88). The axillary artery was considered as the primary cannulation site, and the femoral artery was used as an alternative when axillary artery cannulation was deemed unsuitable or had failed. Propensity score matching was performed to correct baseline differences. Results After propensity score matching, the patients' characteristics were comparable between groups (n=85 in each). The incidence of in-hospital mortality (10.6% vs. 14.1%; P=0.642) and stroke (3.5% vs. 5.9%; P=0.720) were comparable between the axillary and femoral groups. The incidence of newly required dialysis was lower in the femoral group, but the difference was not statistically significant (34.1% vs. 20.0%; P=0.050). Other outcomes and major adverse events were comparable. Conclusions Femoral artery cannulation produced similar perioperative outcomes to axillary cannulation after open arch repair for TAAD. The femoral artery can be used as a safe and effective alternative to the axillary artery for arterial cannulation in TAAD patients undergoing open arch repair.

The Impella 5.5 (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) is a percutaneous, continuous micro-axial left ventricular assist device. The Impella 5.5 provides systemic end-organ perfusion by moving blood from the left ventricle (LV) into the aorta, thereby unloading the ventricle. The pump has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for short-term, LV support. The insertion of an Impella 5.0 or 5.5 device requires surgical and endovascular skillsets to properly expose the axillary artery, suture a graft in a chimney fashion, and ensure the endovascular delivery of the device over a wire across the aortic valve into the LV under flouroscopic guidance. In this article, we detail a step-by-step guide to implant the Impella 5.5 device via the open surgical approach and including the endovascular technique. Anticipated pitfalls and safeguard measures are highlighted and detailed.

OBJECTIVES Our goal was to assess the safety, outcomes and complication rate of axillary artery cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on data obtained from the review of medical charts of all consecutive patients undergoing VA-ECMO implantation between January 2013 and December 2017 at a teaching hospital. Only patients with right axillary VA-ECMO implantation in a non-emergency setting were included. Post-procedural outcomes and local and systemic complications were analysed. RESULTS One hundred and seventy-four [131 male (75.3%), 43 female (24.7%); mean age 56.8 ± 15.1 years] patients underwent femoral-axillary VA-ECMO. Indications were cardiogenic shock from any cause (n = 78, 44.8%) or post-cardiotomy syndrome (n = 96, 55.2%). Fifty-three (30.5%) patients died while on VA-ECMO support. At the time of VA-ECMO ablation, 89 (51.1%) patients had recovered; 13 (7.5%) patients were bridged to a long-term mechanical support device and 19 (10.9%) patients underwent heart transplants. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality was 36.2% (n = 63) and 49.4% (n = 86), respectively. The 1-year survival rate of patients who were weaned from VA-ECMO support was 72.7% (n = 88). The complications of axillary cannulation were bleeding (n = 7, 4%), local infection (n = 3, 1.7%), upper limb ischaemia (n = 2, 1.1%) and brachial plexus injury (n = 1, 0.6%). Left ventricle unloading was required for 9 (5.2%) patients. The median duration of VA-ECMO support was 7 (range 1–26) days. CONCLUSIONS Right axillary artery cannulation is a safe and reliable method for VA-ECMO support with a low rate of local complications. In the absence of a control group with femoro-femoral cannulation, no definitive conclusion about the superiority of axillary over femoral cannulation can be drawn.

Objectives: Surgery is the main treatment option of both anatomical and surgical neck humeral fractures, which could result in damage to the circumflex humeral vessels. Current research studies have found that vascular supply to the shoulder is variable. However, the incidence of these variations and how they can affect the blood supply to the shoulder region is still under investigation. The aim of this study is to identify possible variation patterns of the circumflex humeral vessels. Methods: A total of 10 shoulders (3 males, 2 females; average age of 68.8 years) were dissected in Anatomy, University of Edinburgh, under the regulation of the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006. Each shoulder was dissected, and tissues were removed to identify the axillary artery and its branches. Results: The anterior and posterior circumflex humeral arteries were observed to arise as single branches from the 3rd part of the axillary artery in 70% (n=7) and 80% (n=8), respectively. In one cadaver, the posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) arose from the subscapular artery in one side (10%, n=1) and from the profunda brachii artery on the contralateral side (10%, n=1). In the remaining 10% (n=1), the anterior circumflex humeral artery (ACHA) was found as a branch from the PCHA, with the latter being a direct branch from the 3rd part of the axillary artery. Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness of these variations is essential to not only suspect, diagnose and treat possible complications of common fractures and dislocations in the region, but also to prevent iatrogenic injury.

Injuries to the axillosubclavian arteries are rare, comprising 5% of all extremity trauma. This study aims to examine contemporary outcomes of traumatic axillosubclavian injuries.A retrospective review was performed on patients admitted with innominate, subclavian, and/or axillary artery injuries to a level 1 trauma center from 2011 to 2021. Patients undergoing endovascular repair were compared to those with open repair.Thirty two patients met inclusion criteria. Injuries were approached open in 22 (59%) cases and endovascular in 10 (27%). There was no difference in 30-day mortality or hospital length of stay between endovascular and open repair. Endovascular repairs had shorter operative times (1.9 vs 3.1 h, p = 0.009) and lower blood loss (72 vs 1662 mL, p 0.001).Endovascular repair of axillosubclavian arterial injuries demonstrate similar outcomes to open repair. Significantly shorter operative times and lower blood loss suggest potential decreased morbidity.

The deep brachial artery (DBA) is the first and largest branch of the brachial artery. Multiple variations of the DBA's origin, termination, and diameter have been reported in the literature. Major online medical databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched in order to find all studies considering origin variations and the diameter of the DBA. The prevalence of the DBA originating directly from the axillary or brachial artery was shown to be 92.87%. DBA originating indirectly from the axillary or brachial artery, as a common trunk with other arteries, was found to be 7.13%. The mean diameter of the DBA was shown to be 2.05 mm. The authors of the present study believe that this is the most accurate and up-to-date meta-analysis considering origin patterns and the diameter of the DBA. Additionally, this study contains a comprehensive literature review in which current detailed anatomical knowledge concerning the DBA was gathered. The results of this study could provide a helpful tool for physicians, especially surgeons, dealing with an upper limb in their daily practice.

Background A national analysis of clavicle fractures is lacking and the risk of concomitant axillosubclavian vessel injury (ASVI) in patients with clavicle fractures is unknown. A minority of patients may have a combined brachial plexus injury (BPI). We sought to describe risk factors for concomitant ASVI in patients with a clavicle fracture; hypothesizing patients with combined clavicle fracture and BPI has a higher risk of ASVI. Methods The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2010-2016) was queried for blunt trauma patients with a clavicle fracture. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine risk factors for ASVI. A subset analysis on patients with isolated clavicle fractures was additionally performed. Results From 59 198 patients with clavicle fractures, 341 (.6%) had concomitant ASVI. Compared to patients without ASVI, patients with ASVI had a higher median injury severity score (24 vs. 17, P < .001) and rates of pulmonary contusions (43.4% vs. 37.7%, P = .029) and BPI (18.2% vs. .4%, P < .001). After controlling for associated chest wall injuries and humerus fracture, the BPI odds ratio (OR 49.17, 35.59-67.92, P < .001) was independently associated with risk for ASVI. In a subset analysis of isolated clavicle fractures, BPI remained associated with risk of ASVI (OR 60.01, confidence intervals 25.29-142.39, P < .001). Conclusion The rate of concomitant ASVI in patients with a clavicle fracture is

The application of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has expanded rapidly over the last decade as a less invasive option for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. In order to perform successful TAVR, vascular access must be obtained with a large-bore catheter to deliver the transcatheter valve to the aortic annulus. Several techniques have been developed for this purpose including transfemoral (TF), trans-aortic, trans-apical, trans-caval, trans-carotid, and trans-axillary (TAx) with varying degrees of success. Among them, TF access is the most common and preferred method owing to its superior and well-established outcomes. However, in the setting of diseased iliofemoral arterial vessels, severe tortuosity, or iliofemoral arteries of insufficient caliber, TF access may not be possible. In these scenarios, one of the aforementioned alternative access routes needs to be considered. TAx-TAVR is an attractive alternative because it can be accomplished via access to a peripheral vessel as opposed to needing to enter the pericardial space or thoracic cavity. In addition, the open surgical cut-down procedure used to expose the axillary artery is familiar to cardiac surgeons who are accustomed to cannulating it for cardiopulmonary bypass. With advancements in TAVR technology including the evolution of delivery systems and corresponding smaller sheath sizes, total percutaneous access via the axillary artery is gaining substantial attention. In this review, we outline key aspects of patient selection, imaging and procedural techniques, and examine contemporary clinical outcomes with this approach.

Traumatic lesions of the axillary artery itself are limited to 2.9–9% of major arterial injuries. Pseudoaneurysms represent a pulsating encapsulated hematoma in communication with the lumen of a ruptured vessel. Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the axillary artery is a rare sequela of injury to the shoulder region. We describe a case of posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm involving the axillary artery, which was initially misdiagnosed as an aggressive soft tissue tumor. The man presented 10 years after an injury from a fall from a tree with a slowly growing mass in the right upper limb region and reduced range of movement. This is a neglected case with a history of traditional massage. The patient presented a pathologic fracture of the right proximal humerus and dislocation of the glenohumeral joint. At the beginning, it was suggested to be a primary soft tissue tumor, but after several examinations, including comparable X-ray, ultrasound, and histopathology, the results did not support a soft tissue tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography angiography (CTA) finally confirmed the finding of a pseudoaneurysm of the right axillary artery associated with a huge hematoma with different age of the bleeding product and granulation tissue. This case demonstrates the necessity of early diagnosis of axillary artery pseudoaneurysm to prevent complications after a history of trauma. CTA is a useful modality to evaluate vascular injury and provides valuable information.

Anatomical variations of the formation and distribution of the brachial plexus are fairly common and it is related to the embryological development of upper limbs. The present report describes an unusual variation of the brachial plexus in which the cords are arranged lateral to the 1st and 2nd parts of the axillary artery. Therefore, some of the main terminal branches show different relationship to the 3rd part of the axillary artery and the brachial artery. Awareness of such variations of the formation, relations and distribution of main branches of brachial plexus is of remarkable clinical importance for clinicians who carry out surgical, interventional radiological and anaesthetic procedures in the axillary region.

Background and objectivesThe intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) has significant anatomical variation. Localization of the ICBN requires an operator’s skill. This cadaveric study aims to describe two simple ultrasound-guided plane blocks of the ICBN when it emerges at the chest wall (proximal approach) and passes through the axillary fossa (distal approach).MethodsThe anatomical relation of the ICBN and adjacent structures was investigated in six fresh cadavers. Thereafter, we described two potential techniques of the ICBN block. The proximal approach was an injection medial to the medial border of the serratus anterior muscle at the inferior border of the second rib. The distal approach was an injection on the surface of the latissimus dorsi muscle at 3–4 cm caudal to the axillary artery. The ultrasound-guided proximal and distal ICBN blocks were performed in seven hemithoraxes and axillary fossae. We recorded dye staining on the ICBN, its branches and clinically correlated structures.ResultsAll ICBNs originated from the second intercostal nerve and 34.6% received a contribution from the first or third intercostal nerve. All ICBNs gave off axillary branches in the axillary fossa and ran towards the posteromedial aspect of the arm. Following the proximal ICBN block, dye stained on 90% of all ICBN’s origins. After the distal ICBN block, all terminal branches and 43% of the axillary branches of the ICBN were stained.ConclusionsThe proximal and distal ICBN blocks, using easily recognized sonoanatomical landmarks, provided consistent dye spread to the ICBN. We encourage further validation of these two techniques in clinical studies.

Objectives To systematically review relevant literature regarding cardiovascular outcomes of large-bore axillary arterial access via percutaneous and surgical approaches. Background In patients with severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing cardiac interventions, large-bore femoral access may be prohibitive. The axillary artery provides an alternative vascular access for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or mechanical circulatory support. There have been limited comparisons of percutaneous transaxillary (pTAX) approach with the more traditional surgical transaxillary (sTAX) approach. Methods Pubmed and Medline databases were queried through January 2019 for studies describing pTAX or sTAX approaches with TAVR or Impella insertion. Primary outcomes were access-related mortality, 30-day mortality, stroke, major vascular complications, and major bleeding. Results One hundred and fifty five studies were reviewed, with additional unpublished data from 1 institution. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Patient data was heterogeneous, with 69% TAVR and 31% Impella use in the pTAX group, and 96% TAVR and 4% Impella use in the sTAX group. There was more cardiogenic shock in the pTAX group. When compared to surgical approach, the percutaneous approach had similar 30-day mortality for TAVR (5.6% vs 4.6%, OR non-significant) and Impella (43.4% vs 38.6%, OR non-significant), similar stroke rates (4.3% vs 4.2%, OR non-significant), similar major vascular complications (2.8% vs 2.3%, OR non-significant) and less major bleeding (2.7% vs 17.9%, OR significant). Conclusions Data suggests large-bore pTAX access has similar 30-day mortality, stroke rates, and major vascular complications as sTAX access, with less major bleeding. Additional studies are needed to validate results.

Brachial mycotic pseudoaneurysms (BMPA) are a rare complication of infective endocarditis (IE), but potentially could be a limb-threatening condition. We present the case of a 38-year-old male referred to our department, complaining of the sudden onset of a painful pulsatile mass 5 x 10 cm in the right antecubital fossa that slowly progressed over time. Two years before this, he underwent aortic and mitral valve replacement with mechanical prosthetic valves and tricuspid annuloplasty for IE with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus after a six-week course of intravenous antibiotherapy with oxacillin. Clinical examination of the right upper limb revealed a pulsatile and compressible mass with a normal temperature and without other clinical signs of inflammation. Pulse of the axillary artery, brachial and radial arteries were palpable. He was diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonography and digital subtraction angiography with BMPA. Furthermore, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed normal function of the aortic and mitral prosthetic valve with no signs of prosthetic valve endocarditis and no feature of congestive heart failure. Considering these clinical findings, surgical treatment was planned. He underwent re-section of the brachial pseudoaneurysm and arterial reconstruction. One year after the pseudoaneurysm resection, evolution was excellent. This manuscript presents this rare, uncommon complication after IE and also reviews the available surgical management strategies for this pathology.

Variants of the axillary artery and brachial plexus were found bilaterally in the axilla of an 86-year-old Asian female. On the left, the cadaver donor had a high bifurcation of the second part of the axillary artery, creating a superficial brachial artery. Meanwhile, the right axilla presented with root, trunk, and cord variations in the formation of the brachial plexus, the most interesting feature being a single, unified cord. Presented in this case report are the structural relationships of the variants with considerations regarding anatomy, embryology, prevalence, and clinical importance.

We sought to study the feasibility of axillary artery as alternative access for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in cardiogenic shock and high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (HR-PCI) patients with severe occlusive peripheral artery disease (PAD). In patients with severe PAD, the iliofemoral artery may be so diseased preventing deployment of MCS, precluding the use of lifesaving therapy. In such circumstances, the axillary artery may be a viable access site. Records of all patients presenting with cardiogenic shock or HR-PCI requiring MCS through axillary artery access at our institution from January 2016 to September 2018 were examined. Demographics, clinical, procedural, and outcomes data were collected on all patients. A total of 48 patients presented with cardiogenic shock (60%) or HR-PCI (40%) requiring MCS via axillary artery due to prohibitive PAD (mean age 66 ± 11 years). Admission diagnoses were non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (38%), unstable angina (23%), ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (19%), and cardiac arrest (21%). Time from axillary access to activation of Impella was 11.9 ± 4 minutes. Four patients required concomitant Impella RP for right ventricular support due to biventricular cardiogenic shock. Twenty-two patients died before Impella was explanted due to multiorgan failure, stroke, and infection. None of the patients who died had vascular complications related to axillary access. Axillary artery appears to be a viable alternative access for large bore devices in patients with prohibitive PAD. As experience of the field with this approach grows, it may be the default access for deployment of large bore sheaths in the future.

The problem of variant anatomy of blood vessels does not lose its relevance, it comprehensively is being studied still and important in modern human anatomy. The study of the diversity of branching of the arterial bed is of interest not only to anatomists, but also to practicing physicians. The anatomical and clinical Russian and English-language medical literature describes numerous variants of the structure of the arterial system regarding the place of branching, the presence of additional arteries and the absence of major arteries, their branching types. During the preparation of corpses intended for practical studies with students at the Department of Human Anatomy, anatomists are often found with variability of branching vessels. Based on many years of cadavers’ preparation experience, it can be said that almost every corpse has certain structural features of the vascular system that are different from the classical description. Variants and anomalies of vascular branching can affect the pathogenesis and symptoms of various diseases, as well as the choice of methods for their treatment. When dissecting a female corpse, atypical branching of the axillary and brachial arteries was discovered. The aim of the study was to describe the revealed vascular anomaly of this corpse. In the study of the upper third of the shoulder was found a high fission of a. brachialis on its two main branches - a. ulnaris and a. radialis. A. thoracica lateralis was absent. Moreover, a. thoracoacromialis was branched from a. axillaris in the area of the thoracic triangle. This case is an example of atypical branching of the brachial and axillary arteries. Knowledge of branching options for arteries is necessary for carrying out diagnostic and treatment manipulations, since such atypical branching types undoubtedly complicate the work during surgical procedures during surgical interventions in this area of the limb, which, in fact, can lead to iatrogenic damage of arteries.

Background: Injuries to blood vessels are among the most dramatic challenges facing trauma surgeons because repair is often urgent, the surgeon has to decide between management options (open or endovascular), and gaining control and reconstructing a major arterial injury can be technically demanding .Objective:,To analyze the cause of injury, surgical approach, outcome and complications of axillary artery injuries.Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study on fifty patients at Ibn-Alnafees hospital in Baghdad from January 2005 to December 2010Results Males were more commonly affected than female with ratio of 6.1:1. Most injuries were caused by bullet and shell (84%), followed by stab wounds (10%) and blunt trauma (6%). Patients were divided into three groups according to the involved part of the axillary artery: the first part, the second part and the third part. The second part represents most of the cases (48%), the third part account for (30%), while the least is the first part (22%). Resection and end to end anastomosis was done in 80% of the cases, lateral repair in 8%, graft interposition in 8 % and ligation in 4%.Conclusion: The outcome of the injury in this study was in general good. The morbidity of the patients due to nerve injury and wound infection still problem. Mortality due to associated injury and delayed presentation was 4% which is acceptable as compared with other studies.

Objective Interventional approaches to managing intermittent claudication vary widely. According to Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines, any invasive treatment of claudication must offer long-term benefit at low risk of complications. Our aim was to evaluate contemporary claudication intervention patterns and functional outcomes. Methods The Vascular Study Group of New England database (2003-2018) was queried for peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs), infrainguinal bypasses, and suprainguinal bypasses for claudication. Perioperative and 1-year outcomes were evaluated. Results There were 7051 PVIs, 2527 infrainguinal bypasses, and 849 suprainguinal bypasses performed for claudication. Treatment levels were iliac (52.2%), femoral-popliteal (54%), and tibial (5.7%). Isolated tibial interventions were completed in 1.7% of patients. Infrainguinal bypasses were most often to the popliteal artery (81.2%); however, in 18.8% of cases, bypasses were to tibial targets. Suprainguinal bypasses originated primarily from the abdominal aorta (88.6%) but also from the axillary artery (10.6%) and thoracic aorta (0.8%). Common perioperative complications were access site hematoma in 4.9% of PVIs and cardiac complications in 3.7% of infrainguinal bypasses and 11.3% of suprainguinal bypasses. Overall, 30-day mortality was 0.4% to 2%. After 1 year, of patients initially ambulating without assistance, 2.4% to 3.6% required assistance and 0.3% to 1.3% were nonambulatory. Ipsilateral reintervention/amputation-free survival, major amputation-free survival, and survival at 1 year were 81.4% to 90.6%, 92.9% to 94.1%, and 95.3% to 97%, respectively. Conclusions Multisegment PVI was the most commonly performed intervention for claudication; however, a subset of patients received treatments supported by limited evidence, including isolated tibial PVI and bypasses with axillary inflow and tibial outflow. Interventions had low perioperative morbidity and mortality, yet patients were still at risk for worse functional status and limb loss at 1 year, emphasizing the importance of careful patient selection, medical optimization, and informed consent.