Biomedical subjects

Mark D Iafrati

Publications and source records attributed to Mark D Iafrati.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a tremendous health care problem in western societies. Venous disease can affect any combination of the superficial, deep, and perforator venous systems of the lower extremities. Generally the superficial venous deficits are addressed through sclerotherapy, enovenous ablation, stab phlebectomy, and or stripping. Patients with advanced clinical sequelae (lipodermatosclerosis or ulceration) of CVI should also be evaluated for the presence of incompetent perforating veins. Open surgical approached to the calf perforating veins (ie. Linton procedure) were complicated by significant wound complications and have largely been replaced by the less invasive Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS). The use of SEPS in patients with ulceration has been shown to be safe and to reduce the time that patients will have ulcers during follow-up. This chapter will review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of incompetent perforating veins of the legs with particular attention to surgical issues.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2004

Compensatory mechanisms influence hemostasis in setting of eNOS deficiency.

The balance between thrombosis and hemorrhage is carefully regulated. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of these processes, as it prevents platelet adhesion to the endothelium and inhibits platelet recruitment. Although endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-deficient mice have decreased vascular reactivity and mild hypertension, enhanced thrombosis in vivo has not been demonstrated. To determine the role of endogenous NO in hemostasis, a model of carotid arterial injury and thrombosis was performed using eNOS-deficient and wild-type mice. Paradoxically, the eNOS-deficient animals had a prolongation of time to occlusion compared with the wild-type mice (P < 0.001). Consistent with this finding, plasma markers suggesting enhanced fibrinolysis [tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity and antigen and D-dimer levels] were significantly elevated in eNOS-deficient animals. Vascular tissue expression of t-PA and platelet activity levels were not altered. In endothelial cells, t-PA is stored in Weibel-Palade bodies, and exocytosis of these storage granules is inhibited by NO. Thus in the absence of NO, release of Weibel-Palade body contents (and t-PA) could be enhanced; this observation is also supported by increased von Willebrand factor levels observed in eNOS-deficient animals. In summary, although eNOS deficiency attenuates vascular reactivity and increases platelet recruitment, it is also associated with enhanced fibrinolysis due to lack of NO-dependent inhibition of Weibel-Palade body release. These processes highlight the complexity of NO-dependent regulation of vascular homeostasis. Such compensatory mechanisms may partially explain the lack of spontaneous thrombosis, minimally elevated baseline blood pressure, and normal life span that are seen in animals deficient in a pivotal regulator of vascular patency.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Systematic review of outcomes after surgical management of venous disease incorporating subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In the United States more than 6 million persons have chronic venous insufficiency and more than 500,000 have venous ulcers. Patients in whom conservative therapies fail may improve after surgical treatment of superficial and perforating venous disease, but the degree of this benefit is uncertain. PURPOSE: We performed a systematic review of health outcomes in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency treated with surgical management that incorporated subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS), to quantify the overall rates of surgical outcomes. METHODS: Published studies in English reporting venous ulcer healing and recurrence outcomes after SEPS were obtained from a MEDLINE search. Data regarding patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were abstracted from each study, and the outcomes were combined by using a random effects model. RESULTS: Our search identified 20 studies, 1 randomized trial and 19 case series, involving 1140 treated limbs. CEAP classification was secondary cause (E(S)) in 36%, deep venous involvement (A(D))in 56%, and obstructive (P(O)) in 12%. Overall, after surgical treatment including SEPS, with or without concomitant superficial venous ablation, ulcers in 88% of limbs healed. Ulcers recurred in 13%, at mean time of 21 months. Risk factors for nonhealing and recurrence included postoperative incompetent perforator veins, pathophysiologic obstruction, secondary cause, and ulcer diameter greater than 2 cm. Complications and their overall rates after surgical treatment including SEPS were wound infection (6%), hematoma (9%), neuralgia (7%), and deep venous thrombosis (1%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgical management of venous ulcer including SEPS, with or without saphenous ablation, leads to an 88% chance of ulcer healing and a 13% chance of ulcer recurrence over the short term. Randomized controlled trials are needed to discern the contributions of compression therapy, superficial venous surgery, and SEPS in the treatment of venous ulcer disease.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2004

Correlation of duplex ultrasound scanning-derived valve closure time and clinical classification in patients with small saphenous vein reflux: Is lesser saphenous vein truly lesser?

OBJECTIVE: We recently identified small saphenous vein (SSV) reflux as a significant risk factor for ulcer recurrence in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) undergoing perforator vein ligation. In this study we examined the role of SSV reflux in patients across the spectrum of CVI. METHODS: From March 15, 1997, to December 24, 2002, clinical and duplex ultrasound (US) scanning data from all valve closure time studies performed in our vascular laboratory were prospectively recorded. Valve closure time in the deep and superficial leg veins was assessed with the rapid cuff deflation technique; reflux time greater than 0.5 seconds was considered abnormal. SSV reflux was correlated with the CEAP classification system and eventual surgical procedure. Data were analyzed with Pearson chi(2) analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 722 limbs in 422 patients, 265 (63%) female patients and 157 (37%) male patients, with a mean age of 48 +/- 12.8 years (range, 16-85 years). In the entire cohort the cause was congenital (Ec) in 5 patients, primary (Ep) in 606 patients, and secondary (Es) in 112 patients. SSV reflux was present in 206 limbs (28.5%) evaluated. Among limbs with SSV reflux, Ec = 4 (2%), Ep = 162 (79%), and Es = 40 (19%). SSV reflux did not correlate with gender, side, or age. The prevalence of SSV reflux increases with increasing severity of clinical class: C1-C3, 25.8% versus C4-C6, 36.1% (P =.006). SSV reflux is highly associated with deep venous reflux, 35.2% of femoral vein reflux (P =.015), 35.8% of femoral vein plus popliteal vein reflux (P =.001), and 40.5% of isolated popliteal vein reflux (P <.001). Great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux was identified in 483 (67%) limbs studied with valve closure time, whereas SSV reflux was present in 206 (28%) limbs. In this cohort, 127 GSV or SSV surgical procedures were performed subsequent to valve closure time examination. Among these operations 107 (84%) were GSV procedures, and only 20 (16%) were SSV procedures. CONCLUSION: SSV reflux is most common in patients demonstrating severe sequelae of CVI, such as lipodermatosclerosis or ulceration. The increasing prevalence of SSV reflux in more severe clinical classes and the strong association of SSV reflux and deep venous reflux suggest that SSV may have a significant role in CVI. Our data further show that, in our institution, a GSV with reflux is more than twice as likely to be surgically corrected as an SSV with reflux. It is time for the SSV to assume greater importance in the treatment of lower extremity venous disease. Future improvements in surgical techniques for access and visualization of the SSV may facilitate this method.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed2003

Microthrombectomy reduces postsclerotherapy pigmentation: multicenter randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Postsclerotherapy pigmentation occurs in nearly 30% of patients. Hemosiderin, from degradation of the venous thrombus, is the possible cause. The hypothesis that early removal of the thrombus may eliminate or decrease the incidence of pigmentation has not been proved or documented. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of early microthrombectomy on incidence of postsclerotherapy pigmentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, controlled study involved 101 patients with varicose veins (100 women, 1 man; mean age, 46 years [range, 25-68 years]). Patients were divided into two groups, with veins 1 mm or less in diameter (group 1, n = 50) or veins 3 mm or less in diameter (group 2, n = 51). Group 1 was treated with Sotradecol (STD) 0.25%, and group 2 with STD 0.50%. In each patient, an area of varicosities was selected and divided into halves. One half was randomized to microthrombectomy and the other half served as control. Microthrombectomy was performed 1 to 3 weeks after treatment in the randomized half. Standard photographs were obtained before and 16 weeks after treatment, and were evaluated by three independent reviewers who were blinded to treatment assignments. Each reviewer received an identical set of pretreatment and posttreatment 10 x 15-cm color photographs of the study area, and completed a scoring sheet. Average of the scores was used to evaluate primary (pigmentation) and secondary (overall clinical improvement) end points. The paired t test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In group 1, microthrombectomized areas had statistically significant less pigmentation (P =.0047) and better overall clinical improvement scores (P =.0002) compared with the control side. In group 2 there was no significant difference between the two areas, but patients reported significant relief of pain and inflammation associated with postsclerotherapy thrombophlebitis. CONCLUSION: In veins 1 mm or smaller, microthrombectomy reduced pigmentation and improved overall clinical results. In veins 3 mm or smaller, statistical significance was not achieved, but thrombectomy resulted in faster resolution of the postsclerotherapy pain and inflammation. On the basis of these results, microthrombectomy after sclerotherapy is recommended.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Is the nihilistic approach to surgical reduction of superficial and perforator vein incompetence for venous ulcer justified?

OBJECTIVE: Twenty-five years ago, the senior author showed a 55% postoperative ulcer recurrence rate after open perforator ligation. Those data contributed to a nihilistic attitude toward incompetent perforating veins. Conversely, since the introduction of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS), we have undertaken ablation of superficial and perforator reflux as initial treatment in patients with ulcers (C6) or healed ulcers (C5). This report outlines our long-term results. METHODS: Between December 1994 and November 1999, SEPS was performed on 51 limbs in 45 patients with C5/C6 disease. Sixteen limbs underwent SEPS alone, and 35 had additional surgery on the greater saphenous vein (GSV), the lesser saphenous vein, or the tributary varicies. Data were collected according to the reporting standards in venous disease. Preoperative duplex scan of deep, superficial, and perforating veins was performed. Data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method, Mantel-Cox log-rank test, or t test. RESULTS: Of the 51 limbs that underwent SEPS, the GSV was stripped in 28. Twenty-nine were C6, and 22 were C5. Etiology was primary (Ep) in 25 limbs and secondary (Es) in 26 limbs. All limbs had duplex scan evidence of perforator incompetence (Ap), and deep insufficiency (A(D)) was seen in 39 cases (76%). Reflux predominated (P(R)). The clinical follow-up period was 0 to 82 months (median, 38 months). Venous disability scores improved from 9.8 before surgery to 4.2 at last follow-up (P <.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed 74% healing at 6 months. The presence of an ulcer more than 2 cm in diameter, secondary etiology, and SEPS without concomitant GSV stripping were associated (P <.05) with delayed healing. Among patients in whom ulcers healed or who were seen with healed ulcers, the 5-year ulcer recurrence rate was 13%. Lesser saphenous vein reflux was the only factor that correlated with increased ulcer recurrence. Deep system reflux as measured with duplex scan valve closure times did not correlate with the rate of ulcer healing or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Nihilism has no place in the management of venous disease in the 21st century. An aggressive approach to superficial and perforating vein reflux in this cohort of patients with C5 and C6 disease resulted in rapid ulcer healing and low 5-year recurrence rates. Prior saphenous vein stripping, large ulcers, and secondary etiology were associated with delayed healing. A less aggressive posture toward lesser saphenous vein reflux contributed to a higher recurrence rate in this subgroup of patients. These risk factors are useful in counseling patients as to their expected postoperative course; however, no combination of factors should a priori preclude surgical intervention in this group of patients.

Adult↗