The UK Small Aneurysm Trial suggested that female sex is an independent risk factor for rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study assessed the effect of sex on the growth rate of AAA.Between January 1985 and August 2005 all patients who were referred to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with an AAA who were not considered for early aneurysm repair were assessed by serial abdominal ultrasonography. Maximum anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the AAAs were measured.A total of 1255 patients (824 men and 431 women) were followed up for a median of 30 (range 6-185) months. A median of six examinations (range 2-37) was performed for each patient. Median diameter on initial examination was 41 (range 25-83) mm. Median growth rate overall was 2.79 (range - 4.80-37.02) mm per year. Median growth rate of AAA was significantly greater in women than men (3.67 (range - 1.2-37.02) versus 2.03 (range - 4.80-21.00) mm per year; P < 0.01). Weighted linear regression analysis revealed that large initial anteroposterior AAA diameter and female sex were significant predictors of faster aneurysm growth rate (P < 0.001 and P = 0.006 respectively).The growth rate of AAA was significantly greater in women than in men. This may have implications for the frequency of follow-up and timing of repair of AAA in women.
Arterial lignocaine concentrations were measured in twenty-six patients who had carotid endarterectomy performed under deep and superficial cervical plexus blockade. A dose of 6 mg/kg of 1.5% lignocaine with 1:200,000 adrenaline was used, as well as additional supplementation by the surgeons when required. Concentrations obtained produced a mean peak of 5 micrograms/ml and were similar to those previously reported from multiple bilateral intercostal blockade, which is the regional technique widely considered to produce the highest systemic levels of local anaesthetic. Apart from one peak concentration of 16.9 micrograms/ml, levels were well below the convulsion threshold. We find the technique acceptable and safe for carotid surgery and lignocaine toxicity is not identified as a problem.
Patients with critical limb ischemia have a perioperative cardiovascular morbidity comparable to patients with acute coronary syndromes. We hypothesized that perioperative dual antiplatelet therapy would improve biomarkers of atherothrombosis without causing unacceptable bleeding in patients undergoing surgery for critical limb ischemia.In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 108 patients undergoing infrainguinal revascularization or amputation for critical limb ischemia were maintained on aspirin (75 mg daily) and randomized to clopidogrel (600 mg prior to surgery, and 75 mg daily for 3 days; n = 50) or matched placebo (n = 58). Platelet activation and myocardial injury were assessed by flow cytometry and plasma troponin concentrations, respectively.Clopidogrel reduced platelet-monocyte aggregation before surgery (38%-30%; P = 0.007). This was sustained in the postoperative period (P = 0.0019). There were 18 troponin-positive events (8 [16.0%] clopidogrel vs. 10 [17.2%] placebo; relative risk [RR]: 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.39-2.17; P = 0.86). Half of troponin-positive events occurred preoperatively with clopidogrel causing a greater decline in troponin concentrations (P < 0.001). There was no increase in major life-threatening bleeding (7 [14%] vs. 6 [10%]; RR: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.49-3.76; P = 0.56) or minor bleeding (17 [34%] vs. 12 [21%]; RR 1.64, 95% CI: 0.87-3.1; P = 0.12), although blood transfusions were increased (28% vs. 12.6%, RR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.0-5.29; P = 0.037).In patients with critical limb ischemia, perioperative dual antiplatelet therapy reduces biomarkers of atherothrombosis without causing unacceptable bleeding. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to establish whether dual antiplatelet therapy improves clinical outcome in high-risk patients undergoing vascular surgery.
The surgical management of 2 patients presenting with symptomatic thoraco-abdominal aneurysms is reported. In the first patient a technique which utilized multiple side-arm grafts to the visceral arteries is described. In the second patient we used the simpler and more expeditious technique of anastomosing the visceral artery orifices to "windows" in the aortic replacement graft from within the opened aneurysm. The merits and demerits of the different techniques and their hazards are discussed. It would seem that few aneurysms can be regarded as inoperable.
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