Publications
Conduit quality control protocol in CABG
Cardiac revascularization surgery has a long history. Its results and safety are well known. Nonetheless, the long-term patency rate of certain grafts used in cardiac revascularization is non-optimal, and CABG is associated with a risk of cerebrovascular stroke due to aortic manipulation. We have developed a simple control quality protocol of the anastomosis performed in CABG, aiming to improve the long-term patency of certain grafts used in cardiac revascularization surgery and reduce the risk of cerebrovascular stroke in those patients.
How I do it: Endoscope-assisted in situ arterial reconstruction of the lower limb
Arterial reconstruction with the great saphenous vein is a frequently performed vascular surgery technique for revascularization of chronic limb threatening ischemia. Surgeon variations of the procedure are common and aim to balance patency, limb salvage, complications, hospital resources, and technical feasibility. We describe a minimally invasive revascularization option using endoscope assistance for in situ great saphenous vein–arterial bypass... Read more
Long Term Results of Pancreatectomy With and Without Venous Resection: A Comparison of Safety and Complications of Spiral Graft, End-to-End and Tangential/Patch Reconstruction Techniques
Objective
Roughly 10% – 20% of pancreatic cancer patients are candidates for curative intent surgical treatment. In the 2000s, many studies showed similar survival rates comparing pancreatic surgery with or without vein resection and reconstruction. The aim was to identify the best method of venous reconstruction.
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1 375 patients undergoing pancreatectomy between 2005 and 2018 were identified. Patients undergoing a combined pancreatic resection and venous reconstruction were included retrospectively. When tumour infiltration to the portal/superior mesenteric vein was detected, excision and reconstruction with tangential suturing/patch, end to end anastomosis, or a spiral graft from the great saphenous vein was performed. Next, 90 day and long term survival and outcomes across reconstruction techniques were analysed.
Results
Overall, 198 patients had venous involvement visible in pre-operative scans or detected during surgery... Read more
Transit time flow measurement in arterial grafts
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the foundations of treatment for coronary artery disease. While it has improved substantially since its inception more than 50 years ago, including a rising use of multiple arterial grafting, intraoperative quality assessment is yet to be disseminated as an integral part of the procedure. Read More...
Intimal hyperplasia, saphenous vein graft disease, and clinical outcomes: Insights from the CTSN VEST randomized trial
Background: Diffuse intimal hyperplasia and graft irregularity adversely affect the long-term patency of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The VEST trial evaluated the efficacy of external graft support in limiting the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH) at 1 year postsurgery. In the present secondary analysis, we explored the associations between graft disease and IH and clinical events. We also examined risk factors for early graft occlusion.
Methods: VEST is a within-patient randomized, multicenter trial that enrolled 224 patients with multivessel coronary disease undergoing CABG surgery, of whom 203 were evaluated by 1 year postsurgery. Intimal hyperplasia, lumen uniformity, graft stenosis, and graft perfusion were measured by intravascular ultrasound and angiography. Major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization) were recorded over a median follow-up of 3 years.
Results:... Read more...