BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava filter is an effective way to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism. The existing filters have some shortcomings that limit the clinical application. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the feasibility and capture efficiency of a new self-convertible inferior vena cava filter(SCF)in vitro. METHODS: The biodegradable switch was constructed of a copolymer of ε-caprolactone and L-lactide (75%/25%, PCLA75). The biodegradable switch bound together with the apices of the convertible struts to make the self-convertible filter. The deformability and capture efficiency of the filter were tested in an in-vitro flow model with three different diameters (22, 25, 28 mm). A total of 15 filters were implanted both in the vertical and horizontal positions, and the tilt angle of the filter was tested after release. To accelerate switch degradation, a lipase perfusate was injected into the flow model and refreshed every 8 hours until conversion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All the filters were successfully implanted without tilting, both in the vertical and horizontal positions in the three different diameter models. (2) All the 15 SCFs were converted successfully without tilting, structural damage, and displacement. (3) The capture efficiency of the SCF had significant difference between the different diameter of the models, the size of the embolus and the position of the two models (P < 0.001). The mean capture efficiency was 82.5%, and the capture efficiency exhibited a downward trend with the increase of pipe diameter, the decrease of emboli size, and the position of pipeline changing from vertical to horizontal. All these results show that the SCF is feasible and highly efficient.

BACKGROUND:An inferior vena cava filter is an effective tool to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism. The existing filters have some shortcomings that limit their clinical application. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the feasibility and capture efficiency of a new self-convertible inferior vena cava filter (SCF)in vivo. METHODS:L-lactide and ε-caprolactone were fused and polymerized to act as a degradable deformable switch of the filter. Medical stainless steel wire as the metal structure of the filter was combined with the degradable deformable switch to make the SCF. Eight SCFs were implanted into the inferior vena cava of eight adult Beagle dogs. The inferior vena cava angiography was performed to evaluate the release process, morphology and location of the filter. Venous angiography was performed 2 weeks later to evaluate the morphology and location of the filter and inferior vena cava patency. Detection of pulmonary embolism or other complications was performed at autopsy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eight SCFs were successfully implanted and positioned accurately with no tilt, and they were converted successfully at 2 weeks after the implantation, as assessed by the venous angiography. One of the eight SCFs migrated to the orifice of the right atrium, and caused asymptomatic inferior vena cava obstruction. The remaining SCFs were normally positioned with no tilt and local lesion or obstruction after deformation. No marked filling defect in the trunk of the pulmonary artery was shown by the pulmonary artery angiography. The autopsy report revealed that the filter arm had been endothelialized, and the inferior vena cava that was in contact with the filter arm had no obvious stenosis. Mild intimal hyperplasia, less than 1 mm in thickness, was found in the bottom of the filter arm, but it did not cause a stenosis in the lumen. No vena cava perforation, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, and injury of the surrounding viscera were found. Overall, the design of the SCF is feasible.

Objective To evaluated the safety and feasibility of excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) combined with drug-eluting balloon angioplasty in treating chronic ischemia of lower limbs.Methods ELA combined with paclitaxel-eluting balloon angioplasty was adopted to treat chronic ischemia of lower limbs caused by arteriosclerosis occlusive disease of lower extremity in three patients.All three patients had arteriosclerosis occlusive disease of superficial femoral artery;in two of them the disease was primary occlusive lesion and in another patient the disease was in-stent re-occlusion lesion after sten implantation.Results After the treatment,the blood flow in the diseased arteries was unobstructed,the blood supply of the lower limbs was obviously improved.No procedure-related complications occurred.Two weeks after the treatment,no recurrence of ischemic symptoms was observed,the blood flow in superficial femoral artery kept unobstructed.The patients recovered smoothly.Conclusion For the treatment of chronic ischemia of lower limbs,which are caused by the primary arteriosclerosis occlusive disease of lower extremity or by the in-stent re-occlusion lesion after sten implantation,ELA combined with paclitaxel-eluting balloon angioplasty is clinically safe and feasible,although its long-term effect needs to be clarified with more studies.

BACKGROUNDTotally laparoscopic aortic surgery is still in its infancy in China. One of the factors preventing adoption of this technique is its steep learning curve. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD).

METHODSFrom November 2008 to November 2012, 12 patients were treated for severe AIOD with a totally laparoscopic bypass surgery at our university hospital. The demographic data, operative data, postoperative recovery data, morbidity and mortality were analyzed and compared with those of conventional open approach.

RESULTSTwelve totally laparoscopic aortic surgery procedures, including two iliofemoral bypasses (IFB), three unilateral aortofemoral bypasses (UAFB), and seven aortobifemoral bypasses (ABFB), were performed. Conversion to open procedures was required in three patients. The mean operation time was 518 (range, 325-840) minutes, mean blood loss was 962 (range, 400-2500) ml, and mean aortic anastomosis time was 75 (range, 40-150) minutes. Compared with conventional open approach for aortofemoral bypasses performed concomitantly during this period, laparoscopic patients required fewer narcotics and a shorter in-hospital stay and earlier recovery. Postoperative complications developed in four patients, including a single patient with transient left hydronephrosis, ischemic colonic fistula and pneumonia, residual aortic stenosis proximal to the anastomotic site, and asymptomatic partial left renal infarction. All patients recovered and were discharged on postoperative Days 7-14 except one patient that died of respiratory failure on Day 46. All grafts were patent with follow-up imaging performed by Duplex examination, with a mean follow-up time of 10.7 (range, 2-61) months.

CONCLUSIONTotally laparoscopic bypass surgery is a feasible and safe procedure for AIOD, but attention needs to be paid to improve laparoscopic skills of vascular surgery in order to minimize morbidity during the learning curve of this advanced procedure.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Diseases ; surgery ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology

Carotid Artery Diseases ; drug therapy ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; complications ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Thrombin ; administration & dosage ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

A 68-year-old female patient was treated for unhealed ulcer in the fourth toe of the left foot. Clinical examinations identified severe stenosis of the proximal segment and occlusion of the distal segment of the left anterior tibial artery, and occlusion of the left posterior tibial artery and the peroneal artery. The proximal stenotic segment of the left anterior tibial artery was dilated, but the distal occlusive part failed to be re-canalized. Left anterior tibial artery to dorsal pedal artery bypass was performed on the patient with an epoxide-crosslinked, special radicals antigen-sealed, porcine-derived biological graft; debridement of the left 4th digiti pedis was also performed. Postoperation course was uneventful. The pulse of the left dorsal pedal artery was strong. The ankle brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.60 to 1.09. Warfarin and two antiplatelet drugs were given after the operation. Six months after operation, computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) identified the patent graft.
Aged ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Diabetic Foot ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; surgery ; Leg ; blood supply

A 68-year-old female patient was treated for unhealed ulcer in the fourth toe of the left foot. Clinical examinations identified severe stenosis of the proximal segment and occlusion of the distal segment of the left anterior tibial artery, and occlusion of the left posterior tibial artery and the peroneal artery. The proximal stenotic segment of the left anterior tibial artery was dilated, but the distal occlusive part failed to be re-canalized. Left anterior tibial artery to dorsal pedal artery bypass was performed on the patient with an epoxide-crosslinked, special radicals antigen-sealed, porcine-derived biological graft; debridement of the left 4th digiti pedis was also performed. Postoperation course was uneventful. The pulse of the left dorsal pedal artery was strong. The ankle brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.60 to 1.09. Warfarin and two antiplatelet drugs were given after the operation. Six months after operation, computed tomographic angiogram (CTA)identified the patent graft.

OBJECTIVETo verify the improvement function of warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on the early motor function of hemiparalysis patients caused by ischemic brain stroke.

METHODSEighty cases were randomly divided into a warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training group (group A) and a rehabilitation training group (group B), 40 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with internal routine treatment. The Motor Relearning Program rehabilitation was used in group B, while warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with Motor Relearning Program rehabilitation were used in group A. Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected, and warming-reinforcing method was used in these points, they were treated for 3 weeks. The neurological functional deficits scores of hemiparalysis patients, Fugl-Meyer Score, Motor Function Assessment Score (MAS), Barthel Index and Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate the condition of hemiparalysis patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe effective rate of group A (87.5%, 35/40) superior to that of group B (67.5%, 27/40) (P < 0.05). The neurological functional deficit scores, Fugl-Meyer score, MAS and Barthel Index of both groups were improved after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the improved degree of group A was better than that of group B (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is obvious improvement function of warming-reinforcing acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on the early motor function of hemiparalysis patients caused by ischemic brain stroke, and the function is better than that of simple rehabilitation training.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Hemiplegia ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Activity ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate medium-long term patency of below-knee bypass on patients who suffered from diabetic lower limb ischemia.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 51 patients was retrospectively analyzed who underwent 56 below-knee bypass because of diabetes from November 2001 to December 2006. There were 35 male and 16 female with an average age of 68 years. They endured 26 months ischemic time lag in average, and had suffered from diabetes for 11 years. All of the patients were performed bypass to below-knee (posterior tibial, anterior tibial or peroneal) arteries. Kaplan-meier method was applied. The subgroups of different operative methods and different out-flow vessels were compared by Log-rank tests.

RESULTSAn average follow-up time of 23 months was achieved, and lost-follow-up rate was 15%. The total 1- and 5-year primary patent rates were 68% and 54% respectively, secondary patent rate were 70% and 60% respectively, limb salvage rates were 69% and 65%, survival rates were 82% and 60%. One year (3 years) of patent rate(s) of operative method subgroups of femoral-popliteal-infrageniculate bypass with composite grafts, femoral/popliteal-infrageniculate bypass with artificial grafts and femoral/popliteal-infrageniculate bypass with autologous veins were 70% (50%), 33% (33%) and 70% (70%) respectively. One year (4 years) of patent rate(s) of out-flow vessel subgroups of posterior tibial artery, anterior tibial artery and peroneal artery were 65% (60%), 80% (53%) and 77% (66%) respectively. However, both subgroups did not show any statistic differences by log-rank tests.

CONCLUSIONSPartial or whole autologous veins as bypass grafts should be chosen when infrageniculate bypass is considered in diabetic patients. Considerable patent rates are acceptable no matter what kinds of out-flow vessels are chosen.

Aged ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; surgery ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia ; etiology ; surgery ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Artery ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Saphenous Vein ; transplantation ; Tibial Arteries ; surgery ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of surgical bypass and to explore the role of transcranial doppler (TCD) during the bypass operation.

METHODSFrom March 2003 to February 2008, sixteen patients (4 male and 12 female) with mean age of 32 years old and mean disease course of 7.5 years were treated by surgical procedures. The main clinical presentations were dizziness, headache, vertigo, and visional dysfunction. Variated degree of artery stenoses in the 4 arteries (bilateral carotid and vertebral arteries) were revealed by color doppler ultrasonography and DSA. Eight patients underwent aorto-bi-subclavian arteries prosthetic graft bypass. Three patients underwent aorto-bi-subclavian artery prosthetic graft bypass and graft-unilateral carotid artery bypass with autologous great saphenous vein. Three patients underwent aorta-unilateral subclavian artery-unilateral carotid artery prosthetic graft bypass. Two patients underwent aorta carotid artery bypass with autologous great saphenous vein, of which one patient underwent aortocoronary artery bypass simultaneously. Cerebral blood supply was monitored in 14 patients with transcranial doppler. Unilateral subclavian carotid and femoral carotid artery shunt was used respectively to avoid cerebral ischemia during operation in 2 patients.

RESULTSSymptoms and signs of cerebral ischemia improved in all patients with effective rate of 100% apart from deflected tongue-protrusion in 3 patients which recovered in 2 weeks after operation. All patients survived and no symptoms recurred at the end of a 2.2 year's follow-up. Unfortunately, two patients developed aneurysm at the anastomosis within 4 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONSArterial reconstruction is an effective method for Takayasu's disease with severe cerebral ischemia. TCD monitoring plays an important role during the bypass operation. It can help to determine the revision of blood pressure and prevent postoperative brain reperfusion injury.

Adult ; Brain ; blood supply ; Brain Ischemia ; etiology ; surgery ; Cerebral Revascularization ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Regional Blood Flow ; Takayasu Arteritis ; complications ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; Young Adult