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Intraoperative hemodilution and retransfusion were used for blood replacement in 30 patients who underwent elective reconstruction of the abdominal aorta, thoracic aorta or femoropopliteal segment. During each operation, 1,000 to 2,000 milliliters of autologous blood were collected through an arterial cannula during induction of anesthesia and the initial stages of operative exposure. Each volume of shed blood was replaced with 1.5 volumes of colloid and crystalloid solutions to maintain a stable intravascular volume despite transient low hematocrit values--mean, 25.8 +/- 2.1 per cent--during the period of maximum blood loss in the surgical field. Collected blood was stored in standard citrate-phosphate-dextrose disposable units and was reinfused at the conclusion of the vascular procedure. Swan-Ganz pulmonary artery catheters were inserted in an initial study group of 15 patients. Serial blood hematocrit and coagulation studies and hemodynamic parameters were measured or calculated before and after induction of anesthesia, during hemodilution, after reinfusion of autologous blood and 24 hours after operation. Improvement in cardiac output and reduction in peripheral vascular resistance maintained adequate systemic oxygen transport during hemodilution. Transient dilution of coagulation factors was documented by abnormal prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, but serious bleeding tendencies did not occur. Twenty-one of the 30 patients received no homologous blood. Considering the entire series of 30 patients, each required only 0.46 +/- 0.87, S.D., unit of homologous blood during operation and the postoperative period.

In this report, compared in retrospect is the incidence of intraoperative stroke among 152 operations performed under hypercarbic general anesthesia without carotid artery shunting, 260 operations performed under both hypercarbia and normocarbia anesthesia with selective shunting based upon internal carotid artery back pressure and 366 operations performed under normocarbia anesthesia with routine carotid artery shunting. Chi-square analysis determined that routine carotid shunting was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of intraoperative stroke among patients with previous transient ischemic attacks. In addition, both routine shunting and selective shunting, depending upon internal carotid artery back pressure, reduced the incidence of intraoperative stroke among patients with subtotal stenosis of the contralateral internal carotid artery. Considering the safety, simplicity and wide availability of Silastic carotid artery shunts, their routine use during carotid endarterectomy appears advisable in preference to more elaborate and expensive methods of intraoperative cerebral protection.

From 1983 through 1985, 801 consecutive patients (mean age: 66 years) underwent 917 primary carotid endarterectomies at the Cleveland Clinic. Conventional arteriotomy closure was performed during 483 operations, while patch angioplasty using a distal segment of saphenous vein was employed in 434. Preoperative risk factors, surgical management, and antiplatelet therapy were equivalent in the vein patch (VP) and nonpatch (NP) groups. Early results were evaluated by intravenous angiography (DSA) in 715 patients (89%), and 332 reconstructions (36%) have been reassessed by objective imaging during a mean follow-up interval of 21 months. Ischemic strokes occurred after 18 (1.9%) of the 917 procedures (0.7% VP, 3.1% NP; p = 0.0084), and symptomatic (N = 9) or unsuspected (N = 8) thrombosis of the internal carotid artery was confirmed by neck exploration or routine DSA after 1.9% of all operations (0.5% VP, 3.1% NP; p = 0.0027). Only ten patients (1.2%) have required reoperations for severe recurrent lesions, but the cumulative 3-year incidence of new defects (greater than or equal to 30% stenosis) documented by objective studies in the VP and NP groups was 9% and 31%, respectively (p = 0.0066). These results strongly suggest that VP angioplasty enhances the safety and durability of carotid endarterectomy.

During a study period from 1977 through 1984, 11 (0.4%) of 2651 patients who had undergone carotid endarterectomy at The Cleveland Clinic had early, symptomatic thrombosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and underwent urgent reoperations. With only two exceptions, neurologic deficits occurred after lucid intervals when the patients had recovered from general anesthesia and were discovered within the first 8 hours in three patients, within 8 to 24 hours in five patients, and on the second postoperative day in one patient. Surgical management consisted of thrombectomy alone in two patients, thrombectomy and vein patch angioplasty in eight patients, and thrombectomy of the external carotid artery with ligation of the ICA in a single patient in whom retrograde ICA flow could not be reestablished. Eight (73%) of the 11 patients recovered substantial neurologic function after reoperations, six of whom had complete or nearly complete resolution of their symptoms. One patient (9%) sustained a fatal hemorrhagic cerebral infarction. In a collected series of 41 patients from this study and other reports, prompt surgical treatment of thrombosis occurring after carotid endarterectomy was associated with clinical improvement in 61% of patients and appears to be the preferred approach to this catastrophic complication.

The present mortality rate of more than 80% for patients with superior mesenteric arterial thrombosis or embolism will remain unacceptable until earlier diagnosis is achieved. Although leukocytosis is often an early feature and may seem elevated out of proportion to the severity of the illness, the later developments of abdominal rigidity, intestinal paralysis, and vascular collapse indicate transmural gangrene and peritonitis. At this stage, the eventual high mortality of acute ischemia is established whatever the urgency of the operation or the skill with which it is performed. The syndrome must be suspected immediately when a patient in an older age group complains of sudden abdominal pain in the presence of associated cardiac arrhythmia, valvular disease or congestive heart failure, particularly if other sites of peripheral embolization are identified.

Resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm was associated with intraoperative or postoperative leg ischemia in seven of 100 consecutive survivors of this procedure. Distal embolization of thrombus and debris is the apparent cause in the majority of cases (six). One case of stenosis at a graft-to-vessel anastomosis was identified. Early (intraoperative) thromboembolectomy averted tissue loss in four cases. The role of concurrent lumbar sympathectomy in ameliorating ischemic tissue loss is evaluated. Postaneurysmectomy leg ischemia may accompany other serious complications, particularly hypotension and renal failure.

Graft replacement was performed for 123 (77%) of 160 popliteal aneurysms evaluated at The Cleveland Clinic from 1952 to 1984, employing autogenous saphenous vein in 58 (36%), polytetrafluoroethylene in 19 (12%), and of historic interest, Dacron (12%) or arterial homograft (16%) in 46. The 10-year cumulative patency (CP) rate was 56% and the limb salvage (LS) rate was 83% following graft replacement, but late results were superior in patients who received vein bypass (CP, 94%; LS, 98%), in those who underwent revascularization before ischemic complications had occurred (CP, 92%; LS, 96%), and in those who recovered both pedal pulses (CP, 64%; LS, 96%). Long-term asymptomatic limbs were restored in 96%, 92%, and 89% of these subsets, respectively, compared with 65% of those receiving other graft materials (p = 0.00003), 59% of those with preoperative ischemic symptoms (p = 0.00001) and 68% of those regaining only an isolated popliteal pulse (p = 0.0326). These data indicate that popliteal aneurysms should be corrected by vein bypass to a patent tibioperoneal segment before spontaneous thrombosis or embolization eliminates the critical outflow bed.

In order to determine the incidence of cranial nerve injury during carotid endarterectomy, preoperative and postoperative otolaryngologic examinations were performed in a prospective series of 240 operations. Thirty patients experienced a total of 38 cranial nerve injuries, involving the recurrent laryngeal nerve in 14, the hypoglossal nerve in 13, the marginal mandibular nerve in six and the superior laryngeal nerve in five. Postoperative dysfunction affected one cranial nerve in 25 patients, two nerves in four and three nerves in one patient. Most cranial nerve injuries were asymptomatic or mild in severity, resolved in one to 12 months and probably were caused by intraoperative retraction.

From 1980 through 1982, intravenous extracranial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 6684 patients at the Cleveland Clinic. Of these, 290 previously unoperated patients had asymptomatic carotid stenosis exceeding 50% of lumen diameter on unequivocal DSA studies. Either the presence or the absence of carotid bruits substantially misrepresented the severity of angiographic stenosis on approximately 30% of sides. Nonoperative management was employed in 195 patients, including 104 (53%) who received antiplatelet therapy, while another group of 95 patients underwent prophylactic carotid endarterectomy. During mean follow-up intervals of 33-38 months, surgical treatment significantly reduced the cumulative incidence of subsequent neurologic events in men (p = 0.05). Statistically unconfirmed trends also suggested that carotid endarterectomy tended to prevent late strokes in subsets of patients with greater than 70% stenosis or bilateral carotid lesions. The overall stroke rate for women was higher in the surgical group (p = 0.03), in part because of their unusual risk for perioperative complications (9%) in this particular series.

From 1965 through 1980, 1,108 patients (1.5%) underwent thrombectomy and local arterial reconstruction because of brachial artery occlusion after a total of 73,750 cardiac catheterization procedures performed at the Cleveland Clinic. In a study group of 100 consecutive patients, 91 had simple arteriotomy revision and nine had segmental arterial resection with either axial reanastomosis or a saphenous vein interposition graft. Thirteen patients sustained early recurrent thrombosis after limited arteriotomy revisions, and 11 of these had successful reoperations. Ninety-eight patients were discharged from the hospital with normal distal pulses and no ischemic symptoms. Statistical analysis indicated that women were more likely than men to experience early recurrent thrombosis, and that late ischemic symptoms were most common among women and among those who required reoperations at the time of initial treatment.

The technique of renal revascularization using a saphenous vein bypass graft from the superior mesenteric artery is described. This operation has been performed for the correction of renal artery stenosis in 4 patients with atherosclerotic aortic occlusion. When the requisite conditions are present, mesenterorenal bypass offers a safe and effective method of renal revascularization, and is preferable to aortic replacement in selected patients.

During the last 20 years carotid endarterectomy has become an important method of treatment for selected patients with arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease. Improvement in selection of patients for operation, in anesthetic management, and in surgical techniques has resulted in a decline in complications associated with the operation. The steps of the operation are described in detail. The causes, prevention, and treatment of the surgical complications are discussed.

From 1975 through 1979, 29 members of The Cleveland Vascular Society operated on 1049 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms; of these, 152 ruptured aneurysms. The postoperative mortality rate was 38% (58 of 152). In 27% (41 of 152) of the patients, a diagnosis was made prior to rupture, and the average interval from diagnosis rupture was 16 months. A history of diabetes, hypertension, or a single myocardial infarction (MI) prior to rupture was not associated with an increased mortality rate. Patients with a history of more than one MI prior to rupture had a 75% (six of eight) mortality rate. The average time from onset of symptoms to examination was 2 days 10 hours. When the initial diagnosis was correct, or an intra-abdominal disease was at least suspected, the mortality rate was 35% (47 of 135). When the initial diagnosis was incorrect and a cardiopulmonary or cerebral cause was suspected, the mortality rate was 75% (13 of 17). When the diagnosis was incorrect, the interval from diagnosis to surgery was 2 1/2 days. With only intramural bleeding or a small hematoma in the area of rupture, the mortality rate was 17% (4 of 24); when the hematoma was more extensive, the mortality rate was 43% (55 of 128). This study encompassed a large number of operations performed in a metropolitan area during a relatively short period of time, during which there had been few changes in operative technique or supportive measures. It demonstrated that the most critical factors influencing survival were correct initial diagnosis, the extent of the hematoma, and the history of more than one preoperative MI.

Routine coronary angiography to determine the prevalence of severe coronary artery disease (CAD) has been recommended to all patients under consideration for elective peripheral vascular reconstruction at the Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic since April 1978. Those found to have severe, correctable CAD have been advised to undergo myocardial revascularization prior to performance of elective peripheral vascular operations. Forty-one of the 68 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and 26 of the 71 patients with aortoiliac occlusive arterial disease (AI) had clinical evidence of CAD; coronary angiography demonstrated severe, correctable CAD in 23 patients with AAA and in 14 patients with AI. Twenty-seven patients with AAA and 45 patients with AI had no clinical evidence of CAD; severe, correctable CAD was found in six patients with AAA and in six patients with AI. Ninety-six patients, including 26 who had staged cardiac procedures performed, have had elective aortic reconstruction, with one operative death.

Ligation of atherosclerotic extracranial carotid aneurysms was described nearly 200 years ago, but resection and direct reconstruction of these unusual lesions currently are associated with less risk for perioperative neurologic complications as well as with durable late results. During an interval in which carotid endarterectomy was performed in over 1500 patients at The Cleveland Clinic, only six patients underwent surgical management of cervical carotid aneurysms. Aneurysm resection was performed in conjunction with reanastomosis of the internal carotid artery in two patients but required saphenous vein interposition grafts in four others. A temporary carotid shunt was employed routinely and was threaded through the harvested vein before its insertion whenever graft replacement was necessary. Although one vein graft required revision because of early thrombosis, no operative deaths or permanent strokes occurred in this small series. Each patient has remained asymptomatic throughout a maximum follow-up period of 6 years postoperatively.

From 1974 through 1978, 557 patients (mean age: 63 years) underwent Dacron graft replacement of the abdominal aorta at the Cleveland Clinic. Postoperative complications occurred in 110 patients (20%), with mortality rates of 5.1% for those having intact aortic aneurysms, 26% for those with ruptured aneurysms, and 2.3% for those with aortoiliac occlusive disease. Myocardial infarction was the most common cause of postoperative death, affecting 3.1% of the entire series, but all 87 patients who had previously required myocardial revascularization survived subsequent aortic procedures (p less than 0.01). As defined in this investigation, temporary renal failure (7.0%) or pulmonary insufficiency (5.9%) were encountered more frequently than were other complications, but each of these was the singular cause of death in only 0.2% of all patients. Several risk factors significantly influenced postoperative mortality, (p less than 0.01), including age over 60 years, suspected coronary artery disease, serum creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/dl, complementary renal artery revascularization, and aneurysm rupture. In addition, intraoperative blood loss had a statistically valid correlation with postoperative mortality (p less than 0.01), myocardial infarction (p less than 0.010, renal failure (p less than 0.001), and pulmonary insufficiency (p less than 0.001).

In the presence of ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, external carotid artery (ECA) revascularization can improve cerebral perfusion or eliminate an embolic source. From 1974 through 1984, 37 patients at The Cleveland Clinic underwent 42 ECA reconstructions; autologous patch angioplasty and intraluminal shunting were used when feasible. Thirty procedures were limited to primary ECA revascularization, whereas 12 extended procedures were performed as reoperations after previous ECA endarterectomy or required complementary subclavian or intracranial bypass. There were no early postoperative deaths nor neurologic morbidity in the limited group, but one death, four ipsilateral hemispheric strokes, and one retinal embolism occurred in the extended group. Ten patients have died during a follow-up interval of 1 to 72 months (mean 27 months). Five late deaths were caused by myocardial infarction, only one of which was complicated by a contralateral stroke. Two additional strokes have occurred; one involved the ipsilateral and one the contralateral cerebral hemisphere. Five other patients experienced recurrent cerebral or ocular ischemic symptoms. In conclusion, extended ECA reconstruction is associated with a higher operative risk than limited revascularization. Late follow-up is necessary to detect those patients who may eventually require additional management of recurrent cerebrovascular symptoms or incidental coronary artery disease.

During a 12-month period of study, 265 patients (mean age 65 years) underwent a total of 314 carotid endarterectomies for the management of previous transient cerebral ischemia (39%), prior stroke (10%), or severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis (51%). Five patients (1.6%) died within 30 days of operation, but only three deaths (1%) were related to carotid reconstruction. Six patients (1.9%) experienced postoperative strokes, including 1.6% of those with previous transient ischemia, 9.7% of those with prior strokes (P less than 0.02), and 0.6% of those with asymptomatic carotid stenosis before operation. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed during the same hospital admission following 262 procedures in a group of 214 patients, including all patients who had postoperative neurologic complications. Seven of these operations were limited to external carotid endarterectomy. The internal carotid artery was entirely normal in 239 (94%) of the remaining 255 DSA studies. The external carotid artery was normal on 238 (93%) of 255 DSA examinations, but was occluded on 12 (4.7%). A focal intimal defect corresponding to the apical arteriotomy suture was found in nine internal carotid arteries (3.6%), but these lesions did not appear to be hemodynamically significant. The internal carotid artery contained over 30% stenosis in two patients (0.8%) and was occluded in five (1.9%). Two of these five patients had neurologic complications, but four others with operative strokes had normal angiograms. Asymptomatic postoperative thrombosis of the internal carotid artery was documented in only three patients (1.2%).

Elective resection and prosthetic graft replacement of asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms 5 cm or more in diameter are dependable measures to counter the formidable threat of rupture. Operative mortality should be less than 5% among patients without severe associated disease. Those patients who have large aneurysms but who represent marginal risks for major vascular repair may be guided through such an operation with reasonable safety by meticulous preoperative and postoperative care. Particular attention should be devoted to assessment and support of pulmonary and renal function and to detection of associated arteriosclerosis of the coronary and carotid arteries.

Intraoperative autotransfusion by a continuous-flow centrifuge system was used during more than 300 abdominal aortic reconstructions at the Cleveland Clinic since May 1979. Fifty consecutive patients undergoing such operations were studied prospectively. Volumes of blood lost, salvaged, and transfused during each operation were tabulated. Autologous autotransfused blood was compared with homologous bank blood with respect to oxygen-carrying capacity, coagulation factors, microaggregate levels, red cell mass, pH, and free hemoglobin concentration. Chromium-51 red cell survival studies were performed in autotransfused blood in random patients and in control subjects. Renal, hepatic, and coagulation functions were determined during the first postoperative week. Each patient received a mean volume of 1,203 ml of autotransfused blood and 1,682 ml of bank blood to replace a mean operative blood loss of 2,386 ml. Red blood cell survival of both salvaged autologous and unshed autologous blood in the control group was nearly identical. Salvaged blood had superior oxygen-carrying capacity, a lower microaggregate level, and better buffering capacity than bank blood. Although transient elevations in liver function values and free hemoglobin levels were noted, no clinically important aberration of coagulation, hepatic, or renal function was demonstrated.

Evaluation of a patient with a carotid body tumor requires a complete head and neck examination with special attention to the cranial nerves and careful search for additional paragangliomas in other sites. Angiography is very helpful in making the diagnosis and assessing the ipsilateral and contralateral carotid artery. Surgery should be performed early, since group I tumors are easily excised and are associated with a low surgical morbidity. Surgical excision shoud be performed by head and neck and vascular surgeons applying shunting or reconstructive techniques when appropriate. With improved diagnostic and surgical techniques, the morbidity and mortality should continue to approach zero.

Cardiac catheterization was performed in a prospective series of 1000 patients under consideration for elective peripheral vascular reconstruction from 1978-1982. Of these, 381 (mean age 62) presented primarily because of lower extremity ischemia. Severe, surgically correctable coronary artery disease (CAD) was documented in 79 (21%) of the leg group, and 68 (18%) received myocardial revascularization, with three fatal complications (4.4%). In this subset, 39 patients have had uneventful aortoiliac, femoropopliteal or distal extremity procedures, compared to an operative mortality of 23% for 13 others with uncorrected or inoperable CAD (p = 0.015). A total of 286 patients have undergone 407 peripheral vascular operations with eight early deaths (2.8%). An additional 114 patients (30%) died during the late follow-up interval, including 48 (13%) with cardiac events. Both the cumulative 5-year survival (72%) and cardiac mortality (16%) after coronary bypass are superior to comparable figures (21% and 56%, respectively) among 36 other patients with severe, uncorrected or inoperable CAD (p = 0.0001). Five-year survival appears to be improved by myocardial revascularization in men (p = 0.0027), hypertensives (p = 0.0001), nondiabetics (p = 0.0002) and those over 60 years of age (p = 0.0072).

From 1978 to 1982 routine preoperative coronary angiography was performed in a series of 1000 patients under consideration for elective peripheral vascular reconstruction, including 295 who were selected primarily because of recognized extracranial cerebrovascular disease. Incidental asymptomatic carotid bruits were discovered in 144 (20%) of the remaining 705 patients who primarily were scheduled for such procedures as aortic replacement, lower extremity revascularization, or visceral artery bypass, and 139 of these 144 patients underwent cerebral angiography as well as cardiac catheterization. Carotid stenosis exceeding 50% of lumen diameter was documented by biplanar angiography in 39 (58%) of 67 patients with unilateral bruits and in 54 (75%) of 72 patients with bilateral bruits (p = 0.0471), and greater than 75% stenosis was present in 42% and 46% of these subsets, respectively. Cardiac catheterization revealed severe, surgically correctable coronary artery disease (CAD) in 29% of patients with incidental carotid bruits and in 24% of those without bruits, as well as in 32% of patients who had documented carotid stenosis and in 22% of those who did not. Although these differences were not statistically valid, the incidence of severe, correctable CAD was significantly higher among patients suspected to have CAD by standard clinical criteria (33% to 38%) than among those who were not (13%), irrespective of whether carotid bruits were present (p = 0.0021) or absent (p = 3.48 X 10(-9). Prophylactic carotid endarterectomy was performed in 54 patients (bilateral in nine), with one death (1.6%) and one postoperative stroke. In addition, 153 patients underwent elective myocardial revascularization in an attempt to reduce subsequent surgical risk and enhance late survival, with an early mortality rate of 5.2%. Only three strokes (0.4%) occurred after a total of 714 other peripheral vascular procedures in this series, and the overall operative mortality rate was 2.7%. While this study does not resolve the controversy concerning the management of incidental asymptomatic carotid bruits in patients scheduled for other operations, it provides new perspective regarding synchronous carotid and coronary disease and confirms the low risk for subsequent stroke and death after appropriate carotid and coronary reconstruction.

From 1965 through 1980, 51 men and 49 women (mean age: 55 years) underwent transthoracic or extrathoracic revascularization of the innominate, common carotid, subclavian, or vertebral arteries. Preoperative symptoms were limited to the vertebrobasilar syndrome in 29 patients, to hemispheric neurologic or monocular visual events in 19, and to upper extremity ischemia in 13. Multiple symptoms were present in 27 other patients, and 12 patients were asymptomatic before operation. Median sternotomy was performed for correction of innominate, common carotid, or subclavian lesions in 34 patients, including six simultaneous brachiocephalic and cardiac procedures, with five operative deaths (14.7%). Extrathoracic reconstruction, such as carotosubclavian and axilloaxillary bypass or vertebral endarterectomy and reimplantation, was employed in 66 patients, with two operative strokes but no mortality (p less than .01). Late results were obtained from two to 189 months after operation (mean: 52 months). Considering their original symptoms, 82 patients have been classified as asymptomatic or improved, nine as unchanged, and nine others, including those who had operative complications, as worse. Twelve patients have eventually sustained either transient cerebral ischemia (six) or strokes (six), most of which were unrelated to eight documented late operative failures. In addition to 20 patients who required combined brachiocephalic and carotid bifurcation reconstruction, 27 additional carotid endarterectomies have at some time been necessary for patients having extensive cerebrovascular disease. Twenty patients have died during the follow-up interval, including eight with myocardial infarctions, but only one with a fatal stroke.

Recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a DNA-synthesized thrombolytic agent recently approved for clinical trials. We present the results of t-PA infusions in 18 patients with thrombosed peripheral arteries (12 patients) and peripheral bypass grafts (six patients). The duration of occlusion ranged from 1 to 21 days (mean, 6.8 days). Infusions of t-PA were done by way of an intra-arterial approach at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/hr. All patients demonstrated thrombus lysis angiographically. Fifteen of 18 (83%) had clinical as well as angiographic improvement. Secondary procedures to maintain patency of the arterial segment were required in seven patients. No complications occurred that were related to the t-PA infusion. No significant prolongation of the prothrombin, thrombin, or activated partial thromboplastin times occurred. At the end of t-PA infusion, the mean circulating fibrinogen level was 59% of the starting value. The therapeutic use of t-PA is still in its preliminary stages and the efficacy and safety of this promising agent need to be further established. From our early experience with t-PA, it appears to be safe as well as effective.

Between January 1974 and March 1977, arm bovine carotid heterograft arteriovenous fistulas were constructed in 75 patients. Twenty-six fistulas were established between the distal radial artery and an antecubital vein, and 49 fistulas used the brachial artery and the axillary vein. Thirty-eight heterografts have functioned without complication over a maximun interval of 29 months, including 15 of 26 radiobasilic fistulas and 23 of 49 brachioaxillary fistulas. Of the 37 heterograft failures, 28 were caused by thrombosis, six by infection, two by false aneurysm formation, and one by distal arm ischemia. Early postoperative thrombosis was associated with a higher subsequent failure rate after thrombectomy than was late thrombosis and it often required insertion of a new heterograft. Infected heterografts must be ligated and eventually replaced with another fistula at a distant site to avoid the potentially lethal complications of systemic sepsis and local hemorrhage.

Between 1978 and 1982, 1000 patients under consideration for peripheral vascular reconstruction underwent coronary angiography. Normal coronary arteries were found in 8%; mild to moderate coronary artery disease (CAD), in 32%; advanced but compensated CAD, in 29%; severe correctable CAD, in 25%; and inoperable CAD, in 6%. Severe correctable CAD was demonstrated in 14% of patients who had no indications of CAD on clinical criteria. Patients with severe correctable CAD were advised to undergo myocardial revascularization before the vascular operation. Under this protocol, a total of 1292 cardiac and peripheral vascular reconstructions were performed with an overall mortality rate of 2.6% (5.2% for myocardial revascularization and 2% for vascular operation). Only one death (0.8%) occurred after peripheral vascular reconstruction in 130 patients who had preliminary myocardial revascularization. These results indicate that approximately 30% of all patients who require vascular reconstruction have severe, but surgically correctable, CAD and that preliminary myocardial revascularization appears to add a margin of safety to the subsequent vascular operation.

To determine the relative incidence of recurrent carotid stenosis (RCS) and the effect of methodology on data analysis and interpretation, late results were obtained for 232 patients (270 procedures) from 1 to 51 months (mean 22 months) after carotid endarterectomy (group A). Patency of the carotid artery was confirmed by postoperative intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for most of the series, and a subset (subgroup A1) of 113 patients (129 procedures) also received DSA studies at later intervals of 4 to 49 months (mean 26 months). There were 23 late deaths and five late strokes. Only two of the strokes were ipsilateral to previous endarterectomy, and both of these patients had normal follow-up DSA studies. Late DSA imaging revealed either no RCS or only trivial defects (20% diameter or less) in 111 arteries, moderate (36% to 60%) RCS in nine, severe (70% to 90%) RCS requiring secondary procedures in eight, and internal carotid occlusion in one. Depending on the definition of RCS (secondary operation vs greater than or equal to 30% angiographic lesions), the cohort selected for analysis (group A vs subgroup A1), and the approach to calculations (crude vs cumulative), the incidence of recurrent stenosis after carotid reconstruction in this single study could be expressed within the extraordinary wide range of 3% to 32%. Although carotid endarterectomy was associated with uniformly low risk for late stroke, these results confirm that the reported recurrence rate may be substantially influenced by the method in which data are grouped and manipulated. Consistently presented data are essential to any comparisons concerning the surgical therapy for extracranial disease.

It is widely accepted that transient cerebral ischemia and permanent stroke frequently are caused by platelet and thrombotic cerebral emboli that originate from lesions at the carotid bifurcation. Microembolization from ulcerated atheroma during carotid dissection also offers a logical explanation for the incidence of intraoperative neurologic deficits during carotid endarterectomy. The risk of intraoperative embolization is obvious when ulcers are macroscopic; but focal cerebral ischemia associated with atheroma that appear smooth and nonulcerated usually has been attributed to decreased regional cerebral blood flow. Several endarterectomy specimens were submitted for scanning electron microscopic evaluation using X20 through X4,000 malignification. Results indicate that carotid atheroma may contain superficial ulcerations and thrombi that are not appreciated by direct inspection or conventional microscopic techniques. Electron microscopic ulcerations and intraluminal thrombi may be responsible for embolic transient ischemic attacks, spontaneous strokes, and intraoperative neurologic deficits in patients in whom gross ulcerations are absent.

One hundred twenty two patients ahd carotid compression tonography (CCT) followed by bilateral carotid arteriogaraphy. Inthe group (82 patients) which was felt to have significant occlusive disease of internal carotid at the level of carotid bifurcation (smaller than 50 percent stenosis), the CCT showed a 92 per cent correlation with arteriography. Of the group (48 patients) that underwent endarterectomy, there was a 94 per cent correlation with CCT testing. In 40 patients, with normal arteriogram or with less than 50 percent stenotic lesions on arteriography, there was a larger number (25% of patients with a CCT test which appeared to indicate decreased flow. Various reasons for this are discussed. The high correlation of the CCT test and carotid arteriography in the patients with surgically amenable lesions would suggest that the CCT test is a good noninvasive screening technique for the detection of significant occlusive disease of the extracranialcarotid vascular system.

A case of an aorto-appendicular, aorto-enteric fistula diagnosed by colonoscopy after presentation with colonic haemorrhage is reported. The role of colonoscopy in such patients is discussed and reported experience is reviewed.

One hundred and sixty-eight asymptomatic patients with a carotid artery stenosis of more than 50% were observed over a period of up to 12 years. During this time, 136 patients remained asymptomatic, two patients developed atypical neurologic symptoms that spontaneously disappeared, 26 patients developed transient ischemic attacks and successfully underwent carotid endarterectomy, three patients developed transient ischemic attacks that were ignored and they subsequently suffered a completed stroke, and one patient suffered a completed stroke without a warning transient attack. These data suggest that surgery is not required in the patient with an asymptomatic carotid stenosis until a transient ischemic attack occurs.

Simultaneous coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy were performed in 331 patients (mean age 61 years) at the Cleveland Clinic from 1973 through 1981. Of these, 195 (59%) had Functional Class III-IV angina pectoris, 308 (93%) had multiple-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD), 68 (21%) had over 50% stenosis of the left main coronary artery, and 185 (56%) had either segmental or diffuse impairment of left ventricular function. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis was documented in 173 patients (52%), and the remaining 158 had experienced either previous transient cerebral ischemia (38%) or completed strokes (10%). Single aorta-coronary grafts were placed in 59 patients (18%), double grafts in 131 (40%), and three or more grafts in 141 (42%). Nineteen patients (5.7%) died postoperatively in the hospital. Neurologic deficits occurred in 30 patients (9.0%) and produced permanent functional impairment in 15 (4.5%). Late results have been obtained for 312 operative survivors at a mean postoperative interval of 38 months. Thirty-eight patients (12%) have died, but the 5 year life-table survival rate of the study group was identical to that of the normal population aged 61 years. Significant differences in cumulative 5 year survival rates were identified among diabetic patients (p less than 0.025) and among those receiving single rather than double (p less than .005) or multiple (p less than .01) coronary grafts. Although 18 patients (5.8%) have had late strokes, only five (1.6%) of these strokes have involved the cerebral hemisphere on the same side as combined carotid endarterectomy.

Fifteen patients with chronic ischemia of the intestine underwent mesenteric revascularization at the Clinic between 1964 and 1975. Diagnosis was established by strict interpretation of historical and physical findings and the results of lateral abdominal aortography. Three patients had acute ischemia of the intestine immediately following diagnostic arteriography and an operation was required immediately. Vascular reconstruction of selected visceral arteries included the insertion of a bypass graft, endarterectomy and reimplantation of the superior mesenteric artery. Ten of the 15 patients had clearly good results, one patient had only fair relief and four patients had poor results, with one operative death. Surgical results of mesenteric revascularization, in large measure, reflect the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis and patient selection.

Establishment of a dependable means of venous access is vitally important to patients who require hemodialysis. Physical examination and phlebography are used to assess the most appropriate site for arteriovenous fistula construction. The radial artery and cephalic vein near the wrist should be used whenever possible, but several alternative procedures are available, including the brachiocephalic fistula, and saphenous vein and bovine heterograft interposition. Each operation contributes immeasurably to the comfort and survival of patients with terminal renal failure, and each must be performed with careful attention to detail.

From 1980 through 1982, intravenous extracranial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in 6684 patients at the Cleveland Clinic. Of these, 211 previously unoperated patients had prior transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or strokes in conjunction with greater than 50% carotid stenosis on unequivocal DSA studies. Nonoperative management was employed in 126 patients, including 120 (84%) who received antiplatelet therapy or formal anticoagulation. The remaining 85 patients underwent carotid endarterectomy. During a mean follow-up interval of 36 months, there was no overall difference in survival, late TIA, or stroke between the nonoperated and surgical cohorts. However, parity was maintained in these groups only because of the prevalence of intermediate (50-69%) stenotic lesions and stable internal carotid occlusions in the nonoperated group. Carotid endarterectomy provided superior stroke prevention for patients with greater than 70% unilateral stenosis (p = 0.04), for those with greater than 50% bilateral stenosis (p = 0.004), and for those with internal carotid occlusions associated with greater than 50% contralateral stenosis (p = 0.03). The special risk of such discrete subsets should be recognized in order to plan appropriate treatment at the present time, as well as to conduct safe clinical trials in the future.

This is a report of a case of false aneurysm of the external iliac artery associated with pre-existing bone irradiation necrosis and postoperative infection of a total hip replacement arthroplasty in a 77-year-old woman. Vascular injury, when it does occur, requires prompt recognition, proper exposure and adequate treatment while techniques of primary suture should be used for closure of most defects, extensive ligation, resection and grafting procedures may be required in certain instances to control hemorrhage and maintain necessary circulation. The most important factors are an awareness of the likelihood of vascular pathology prior to surgery and the importance of angiographic examination in any patient in whom suspicion of such defects exists.

Between 1969 and 1976, 174 patients were treated surgically for simultaneous carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. In 59 patients, staged carotid endarterectomy was performed a few days to 6 months prior to myocardial revascularization. Severe (more than 60% stenosis) coronary atherosclerosis affected a single vessel in 11 patients (19%), two vessels in 20 patients (34%), and three vessels in 28 patients (47%). Left ventricular contraction was impaired in 30 patients (51%). Nine patients (15%) had previous neurological symptoms, and 50 patients (85%) had asymptomatic carotid stenosis. One patient (1.5%) had a permanent stroke after carotid endarterectomy. There were no permanent strokes after staged myocardial revascularization, and the early mortality rate was 1.7%. Combined carotid endarterectomy and myocardial revascularization were performed in 115 patients with severe cardiac disease. Coronary atherosclerosis affected a single vessel in 10 patients (9%), two vessels in 39 patients (34%), and three vessels in 66 patients (57%). Left ventricular impairment was present in 72 patients (63%). Thirty-five patients (30%) had previous neurological symptoms, and 80 patients (70%) had asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Five patients (4.3%) had permanent strokes after combined revascularization, and four of these patients had occlusion or severe stenosis of the contralateral internal carotid artery. The early mortality rate was 4.3%, but no deaths could be attributed to carotid repair. The results suggest that significant simultaneous carotid and coronary atherosclerosis should be corrected in selected patients by staged operations when feasible. In the presence of severe cardiac disease, a combined precedure may be performed in face of higher risk of intraoperative stroke.

Coronary angiography was performed during the evaluation of a prospective series of 506 patients (mean age, 65 years) presenting with extracranial cerebrovascular disease and previous neurologic symptoms (N = 288) or asymptomatic carotid bruits (N = 218). Severe, surgically correctable coronary artery disease was documented in 37% of patients suspected to have coronary artery disease by conventional clinical criteria, compared with 16% of those who were not. Severe inoperable coronary disease was present in 9.8% and 1.5% of these respective subsets and was especially common (14%) among diabetics. As the result of this investigation, an algorithm for perioperative cardiac screening has been developed in an attempt to reduce the eventual mortality caused by myocardial infarction in patients who require extracranial reconstruction.