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Biomedical subjects

C V Ruckley

Publications and source records attributed to C V Ruckley.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Fibrin sealant reduces suture line bleeding during carotid endarterectomy: a randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether topical fibrin sealant reduced suture line bleeding during carotid endarterectomy with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch closure. DESIGN: Prospective randomised non-blinded control trial. SETTING: Regional vascular surgery unit. MATERIALS: Seventeen patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were randomised either to receive fibrin sealant as a topical haemostatic agent at the arteriotomy suture line or to act as control. OUTCOME MEASURES: Time taken to achieve haemostasis at the suture line. Intraoperative blood loss. Total operative time. RESULTS: The median time to achieve haemostasis was 5.5 min (range 4-31 min) in the treatment group and 19 min (range 10-47 min) in the control group. This difference was statistically significant p < 0.005 by Mann-Whitney test. There was no statistical difference in total operative time. Operative blood loss was lower in the treatment group (median 420ml, range 300-500ml) than in the control group (median 550ml, range 350-1200ml) but this difference was not statistically significant. One patient in the control group suffered a perioperative thrombo-embolic event. CONCLUSION: Fibrin sealant is an effective topical haemostatic agent for arteriotomy suture lines involving PTFE material.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Cerebral oximetry: a useful monitor during carotid artery surgery.

Cerebral oximetry was evaluated as a monitor of oxygenation during carotid endarterectomy in 22 patients. The oximeter was a reliable continuous monitor, identifying changes in cerebral oxygenation during episodes of hypotension and after arterial occlusion. Changes in oxygenation correlated well with the surgical assessment of backbleeding after arterial clamping, but less well with other methods which are used to make a decision on insertion of an arterial shunt. There was no correlation between internal carotid artery stump pressure and change in cerebral oxygenation after application of the arterial cross clamp. However, cerebral oxygenation correlated weakly with the change in middle cerebral artery velocity as measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (r = 0.49, p < 0.02).

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1995

Improvements in bandaging technique following training.

Effective compression bandaging is critical for leg ulcer care. The bandaging technique of 18 nurses was assessed using a pressure monitor and the assessment repeated after training with feedback from the monitor. The use of a bandage marked with a tension indicator resulted in a small, insignificant improvement in bandaging technique. The combination of training and feedback significantly improved the nurses' bandaging technique. This improvement was sustained on retesting two weeks later.

Bandages↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of impaired cerebrovascular reserve in patients with symptomatic carotid artery disease.

Cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) was studied in 104 consecutive patients with symptomatic carotid territory disease and ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis. Overall, 30 of 104 patients (29 per cent) had impaired CVR. The frequency of CVR impairment increased with the severity of internal carotid artery stenosis: impairment was present in none of 11 patients with stenosis of less than 50 per cent, four of 24 with stenosis of 50-69 per cent, 14 of 41 with stenosis of 70-89 per cent and 12 of 28 with stenosis of 90-99 per cent. Patients presenting with a stroke were significantly more likely to have impaired CVR than those with transient ischaemic attacks and/or amaurosis fugax (odds ratio 3.7 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1.5-9.0)), as were those with a residual neurological deficit (odds ratio 4.3 (95 per cent c.i. 1.6-11.5)) and evidence of infarction from computed tomography (odds ratio 3.8 (95 per cent c.i. 1.6-9.4)).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Recurrent varicose veins: assessment of the saphenofemoral junction.

Thirty-six consecutive unselected patients, who had apparently previously undergone saphenofemoral ligation for primary uncomplicated long saphenous varicosities and who had then re-presented with recurrent thigh varices emanating from the groin, underwent preoperative clinical assessment, hand-held Doppler and duplex ultrasonographic examination and varicography to establish the presence or absence of saphenofemoral incompetence as the cause of recurrence. All patients underwent reexploration of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) via a lateral approach. Twenty-six patients had an intact SFJ (type I recurrence) and ten had varices arising from either a thigh perforator, or from abdominal or perineal veins (type II recurrence). Clinical examination alone was poor at distinguishing type I from type II recurrence. Doppler ultrasonography was sensitive (88 per cent) but non-specific (40 per cent). In contrast, duplex scanning was insensitive (42 per cent) but extremely specific (100 per cent) and accurate, with a positive predictive value of 100 per cent. Varicography also had a specificity and positive predictive value of 100 per cent, a sensitivity of 73 per cent and in addition provided a precise anatomical 'road-map'. A combination of clinical examination and hand-held Doppler ultrasonography seems to be the most appropriate first-line method of preoperative assessment in these patients. Duplex ultrasonography, if available, will provide additional useful information about both the SFJ and the presence of thigh perforators. Contrast examination may be reserved for patients who have equivocal results on non-invasive investigations, who have had more than one previous groin operation or who have, in addition, deep venous disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Extracranial carotid artery flow measurement during carotid endarterectomy using a Doppler ultrasonographic flowmeter.

A study was performed to evaluate immediate changes in carotid artery blood flow after carotid endarterectomy using a Doppler ultrasonographic flowmeter. Forty-seven consecutive patients aged 49-78 (median 64) years with symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis underwent carotid endarterectomy. Volume flow, resistance and pulsatility index were measured in the common carotid artery (CCA) and ICA both before and after operation. ICA flow increased by 54 per cent (P < 0.01) and resistance decreased by 58 per cent (P = 0.01). CCA flow rose by 17 per cent (P = 0.1) and resistance fell by 21 per cent (P = 0.02). The pulsatility index did not change significantly. The Doppler ultrasonographic flowmeter offers a simple, non-invasive and convenient means of improving understanding of the immediate haemodynamic effects of carotid endarterectomy. It is useful in everyday practice to confirm the adequacy of endarterectomy, particularly in the absence of other methods of quality control. Duplex ultrasonography might still be necessary after surgery if the flowmeter does not demonstrate an increase in flow compared with the preoperative value.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Trends in vascular surgery since the introduction of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Lower-limb percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been used increasingly over the past decade, either alone or in conjunction with arterial reconstructive surgery. However, its impact on operation rates has not been evaluated properly. Rates of vascular operations and PTAs performed per referral for peripheral arterial disease to the regional vascular service at The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, were calculated for the years 1986-1992. The overall rate of PTA for peripheral arterial disease increased ninefold over this period; that for critical ischaemia increased fivefold. Rates of aortic and femoral reconstruction for all peripheral arterial disease increased by 40 and 100 per cent respectively, but rates for critical ischaemia remained static. The major amputation rate rose by 47 per cent between 1986 and 1990, and thereafter reached a plateau. Increased use of PTA was not associated with a reduction in the number of vascular operations.

Amputation, Surgical↗
PubMed1994

Venous function and clinical outcome following deep vein thrombosis.

The severity of post-thrombotic symptoms in 111 limbs (107 patients) with previous phlebographically proven deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was correlated with superficial and deep venous function as determined by foot volumetry (n = 90) and duplex ultrasonography (n = 62). The median delay between DVT and assessment was 8 (range 1-34) years. Symptoms were mild (group 1) in 31 limbs (28 per cent), moderate (group 2) in 41 (37 per cent) and severe (group 3) in 39 (35 per cent). There was no significant relationship between the site of DVT, or the time since DVT, and the severity of symptoms. Without tourniquet occlusion of superficial veins, limbs in group 3 had a significantly shorter half-refilling time than those in groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.01). Although a similar trend was observed after tourniquet occlusion of superficial veins, this was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the expelled volumes between the three clinical groups. On duplex scanning, deep and superficial venous reflux was detected in just over half of the limbs in each group. Eight patients had entirely normal scans and none of them had severe symptoms (P = 0.04). This study identifies a strong association between severe postphlebitic syndrome and venous reflux, such that it may be considered that venous reflux is necessary for the development of severe post-thrombotic symptoms. However, many patients with severe reflux have only mild symptoms and additional factors must therefore contribute to the development of severe postphlebitic syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The clinical course of patients following extensive deep venous thrombosis.

Following deep venous thrombosis (DVT), patients may develop leg swelling, skin changes and ulceration. Early studies have suggested that patients suffer progressive deterioration and poor eventual outcome. The objective of this study was to determine whether extensive DVT still carries a poor prognosis. In this study 83 patients with 86 affected limbs were followed with annual review for 12-135 months, median 47 months. Thirty-seven patients were referred at time of DVT and 46 patients referred with established symptoms following DVT. In the latter group, time from DVT to referral ranged from mean 2-45 years (median 7 years). All patients had phlebographically proven deep venous thrombosis. The main outcome measures were subjective improvement in symptoms, healing of leg ulcer or development of a new leg ulcer. Deterioration or improvement in signs of post-thrombotic syndrome were documented by one observer (CVR). Patients were routinely provided with graduated compression stockings. They were given advice, as appropriate, on weight reduction and care of the limb. Improvement of symptoms was reported in 25 (29%) limbs, 49 (57%) had no change and 12 (14%) deteriorated. Three patients (3%) developed a new leg ulcer. The great majority of patients following extensive deep venous thrombosis, when provided with graduated compression stockings and regularly supervised, either remained stable or improved when followed long-term. The development of a new leg ulcer was uncommon. The post-thrombotic syndrome does not carry the poor prognosis reported in earlier studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Declining incidence of amputation for arterial disease in Scotland.

OBJECTIVES: To determine time trends and geographical variations in the incidence of major amputation for peripheral arterial disease and whether lower rates of amputation were related to higher rates of arterial reconstruction. DESIGN: Analysis of Scottish hospital discharge data. SETTING: Scotland 1981-1990. MATERIALS: Patients undergoing major amputation or arterial reconstruction for peripheral arterial disease. CHIEF OUTCOME MEASURES: Time trends in age-sex standardised rates of major amputation and arterial reconstruction, and correlation between the rates of these operations by health board. MAIN RESULTS: In Scotland, between 1981 and 1990, the incidence of major amputation fell by 22% (p < 0.001). Inconsistencies were observed within different age-sex groups. In the population under 65 years of age the incidence of amputation fell by 45% (p < 0.001), whereas in those over 65 years the incidence increased by 54% (p < 0.001). Amputation rates fell in men but a paradoxical increase was observed in women. Between 1981 and 1990, rates of arterial reconstruction doubled (p < 0.001), with an increase in all age-sex groups. Rates of amputation and reconstruction varied between health boards of residence, with a positive correlation (r = 0.5) between rates of operations within health board. Therefore areas with higher reconstruction rates tended to have higher amputation rates. CONCLUSIONS: In Scotland, the incidence of amputation has fallen during a period when reconstruction rates have risen greatly. However inconsistencies in time trends by age-sex groups, and the lack of an inverse correlation by health board of residence, suggest that fewer amputations are unlikely to be due solely to an increase in reconstructive surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Postoperative haemorrhage following aortic aneurysm repair.

Between 1988 and 1993, 17 (3%) out of a total 654 patients underwent reoperation for control of haemorrhage following repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a vascular surgery unit. The first operation was performed for rupture in 12 cases and electively in five. The incidence of reoperation for postoperative bleeding was 1.7% following elective operation and 3.3% following emergency operation. Case-controls, matched for sex and primary operation, were identified. The mortality rate in those requiring reoperation was 58% compared with 23% in the control group (p = 0.037). Seven patients suffered progressive deterioration and died in the early postoperative period. Of the remaining ten patients, four suffered unexpected serious complications; two a fatal cerebro-vascular accident (CVA), one a fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and the fourth a non-fatal CVA. The patients requiring reoperation had greater blood loss (p < 0.05), greater transfusion requirements and lower core temperatures (p < 0.05) at the end of their first operation than the control group. All except one of the patients who bled had evidence of coagulopathy and had lower platelet counts than the control group both before and after the first operation. At reoperation there were multiple minor bleeding points in 11 patients, no active bleeding points in two patients and a discrete bleeding point in four patients. In conclusion, re-operation for control of postoperative haemorrhage is an uncommon complication which is strongly associated with coagulopathy, may predispose to "rebound" postoperative thrombotic episodes, and carries a poor prognosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Leg ulceration in rheumatoid arthritis.

Chronic leg ulcers occur in 1% of the adult population with considerable associated morbidity, and community costs estimated at up to 600 million pounds p.a. in the UK. Leg ulcers appear to be relatively common in patients with RA and are widely believed to be resistant to treatment. Such ulcers are often attributed to vasculitis, but little is known of the occurrence of other potential aetiological factors. This article reviews the epidemiology, natural history and aetiology of chronic leg ulcers in RA as well as the therapeutic options available.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of varicose veins. A review.

Disease of the venous system is a major problem affecting western societies, resulting in considerable morbidity in the population and cost to the health service. In many countries "varicose veins are probably the commonest disorder presenting to general surgeons" and an average of 30% of district nursing time is estimated to be spent caring for patients with venous ulcers. For the patient with varicose veins or leg ulceration, there is often persistent discomfort and disability extending over long periods of time. Despite this, little epidemiological research has been carried out on venous disease, perhaps partly because of society's perception that venous disease is not a major problem and it is not normally a cause death. More recently however, efforts have been made to conduct structured epidemiological studies to identify risk factors and to clarify the geographical variations suggested in the past by anecdotal evidence. This article reviews recent epidemiological studies, discusses the prevalence of varicose veins and presents evidence for and against the differing theories of causation.

Adolescent↗