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J F Fairbairn

Publications and source records attributed to J F Fairbairn.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1981

Subclavian-axillary artery aneurysms.

The records of all patients with aneurysm of the subclavian-axillary artery who were seen between January, 1960, and January, 1980, were reviewed. There were 31 patients (21 male and 10 female) with a mean age of 47 years. The aneurysm (mean size, 3.0 cm) was located on the right in 20 patients and on the left in 10; one patient had bilateral aneurysms. Mural thrombus was present in 25 patients. Eight patients were asymptomatic and 23 presented with upper extremity pain. Thromboembolism occurred in five patients, one presenting with impending loss of tissue. Two patients had the aneurysm rupture and one of them died. A pulsating mass was palpable in 20 patients, including the eight who were asymptomatic. Vocal cord paralysis occurred in two patients. The cause of the aneurysm was atherosclerosis in 12 patients, trauma in 10, poststenotic dilation secondary in thoracic outlet obstruction in 6, mycotic aneurysm in 2, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in one patient. Seven patients had nine aneurysms in other areas. Surgical treatment consisted of thoracic outlet decompression in 4 patients, graft interposition in 11, tangential aneurysmorrhaphy in 8, ligation in 4, and exploratory surgery only in one. One forearm amputation was subsequently performed. Three patients did not undergo surgery. Average length of follow-up was 9.2 years. Except for the patient who underwent amputation, all treated patients had adequate circulation in the extremities. No aneurysm recurred and no complication of the repair developed. We conclude that aneurysms of the subclavian-axillary artery, although rare, are both life- and limb-threatening. Resection and arterial reconstruction are recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Peripheral arteriovenous fistula. Detection by contrast echocardiography.

A method for detecting peripheral arteriovenous fistulas using contrast echocardiography is described. The detection of intracardiac and intrapulmonary shunts by this technique has previously been documented. After injection of indocyanine green dye into the blood stream, a dense cloud of echoes can be detected downstream as well as at the injection site. This echo-producing effect is completely lost on a single transit through a capillary bed. Thus detection of resultant echoes in the systemic venous circuit after systemic arterial injection of dye would indicate the presence of an abnormal arteriovenous communication. We have recently tested this hypothesis for the confirmation of left-to-right shunts in two patients who had suspected traumatic lower extremity arteriovenous fistulas. After injection of indocyanine green dye through a small-gauge needle into the femoral artery, a dense cloud of contrast echoes appeared in the right ventricle, which indicated the presence of arteriovenous shunting. This procedure is safe and easily performed and represents a new and relatively noninvasive technique for the detection of peripheral arteriovenous fistulas.

Adolescent↗