Calcifications are rarely located within the inferior vena cava and the renal veins. The etiology is poorly understood and the prognosis is uncertain. We report a case in a 55-year-old man.Calcifications are rarely located within the inferior vena cava and the renal veins. The etiology is poorly understood and the prognosis is uncertain. We report a case in a 55-year-old man.
Type B aortic dissections are serious diseases with a 60 to 80 % 5-year survival rate. Although typically managed with a medical treatment, surgery may be necessary in the acute/subacute or the chronic phase if significa...Type B aortic dissections are serious diseases with a 60 to 80 % 5-year survival rate. Although typically managed with a medical treatment, surgery may be necessary in the acute/subacute or the chronic phase if significant complications are encountered. For these patients, CT angiography is the first-line imaging modality, used for indicating and preparing the surgical procedure as well as for follow-up. Physicians in charge of these patients should be familiar with the key reading points. Visceral malperfusion is the most common acute complication, while aneurysmal dilatation of the false lumen is the most common chronic complication, with surgical management generally indicated when the axial diameter of the aorta exceeds 55mm. Endovascular treatment tends to replace open surgery: it requires precise measurements and identification of the entry tear (contribution of 4D-MRA).
Thromboembolic events in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are rare and predominated by venous damage. Arterial thromboembolic events are extremely uncommon. We are reporting the case of a 50-year-old male patient with...Thromboembolic events in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are rare and predominated by venous damage. Arterial thromboembolic events are extremely uncommon. We are reporting the case of a 50-year-old male patient with an 8-year history of ulcerative colitis, who presented a recurring severe lower limb ischemia during hospital stay for exacerbation of his inflammatory bowel disease. During the first visit, the patient underwent a balloon thromboembolectomy via femoral approach, with fasciotomy of the leg. Because of recurrence of symptoms, he underwent a second and a third thromboembolectomy by a popliteal approach, with an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged home 10 days later, on warfarin therapy and oral corticosteroids. After an extensive literature review using PubMed, we found 20 reported cases in the English literature over the past 25 years; not including this present case. In the absence of major cardiovascular risk factors, inherited thrombophilia and intracardiac thrombi, we consider active ulcerative colitis to be the major trigger of the embolic lower limb ischemia in our patient. By means of this report, we seek to create awareness of the increased risk of arterial thromboembolism in inflammatory bowel diseases patients.
Exostoses, or osteochondromas are benign bone tumors that have developed on the bone surface. These benign tumors can be asymptomatic or lead to complications, for instance arterial pseudoaneurysm. We report a case of a...Exostoses, or osteochondromas are benign bone tumors that have developed on the bone surface. These benign tumors can be asymptomatic or lead to complications, for instance arterial pseudoaneurysm. We report a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery treated surgically in a 17-year-old girl with a solitary exostosis of the right femur. Surgery was closure of the pseudoaneurysm and a bypass using a venous graft.
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are recommended for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. However, they are associated with hemorrhagic complications. Management of D...Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are recommended for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. However, they are associated with hemorrhagic complications. Management of DOAC-induced bleeding remains challenging. Activated or non-activated prothrombin concentrates are proposed, although their efficacy to reverse DOAC is uncertain. Therapeutic options also include antidotes: idarucizumab, antidote for dabigatran, has been approved for use whereas andexanet alpha, antidote for anti-Xa agents, and aripazine, antidote for all DOAC, are under development. Other options include hemodialysis for the treatment of dabigatran-associated bleeding and administration of oral charcoal if recent DOAC ingestion. DOAC plasma concentration measurement is necessary to guide DOAC reversal. We propose an update on DOAC-associated bleeding, integrating the availability of dabigatran antidote and the critical place of DOAC concentration measurements.
UNLABELLED: Peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs is a serious condition because of its local and general prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To identify the localization of peripheral arterial disease, associated risk facto...UNLABELLED: Peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs is a serious condition because of its local and general prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To identify the localization of peripheral arterial disease, associated risk factors, topography and features of the disease in Guadeloupe. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive non-interventional study was performed in Guadeloupe located in French West Indies from March to June 2014. Data for all patients, who underwent Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb in a vascular outpatient clinic and in the University Hospital in Guadeloupe for known or suspected peripheral arterial disease were included. RESULTS: The study included 268 patients. Localizations were: infrapopliteal (n=227 patients), popliteal (n=148), femoral (n=185) and aorto-iliac (n=115). Smoking was associated with aorto-iliac (16 patients; P<0.05) and femoral (27 patients; P<0.05) localizations. Diabetes was associated with infrapopliteal localizations (133 patients; P<0.05), and high blood pressure was associated with infrapopliteal, popliteal and femoral localizations. Mean age was 73.1±10.8 years; half of patients (51 %) were women. Peripheral arterial disease was known for 52 % of the population; 147 patients were asymptomatic. Associated factors were high blood pressure (88 %), diabetes (63 %), dyslipidemia (45 %), and smoking (7 %). Ischemic heart disease was found in 14 % of patients, cerebrovascular disease in 18 % and all three localizations in 4 %. A history of amputation, bypass or endovascular treatment was found in 11 %, 20 % and 32 % of patients respectively. CONCLUSION: In our population, an infrapopliteal site was more often found than a proximal site. Distal localization was associated with diabetes, and proximal localization with smoking. Cardiovascular risk factors exhibited an atypical pattern with a large majority of patients (88 %) having high blood pressure, two-thirds diabetes, but with very few (7 %) smokers. Peripheral arterial disease was more often associated with a history of stroke than with ischemic heart disease.
Aneurysms of the deep femoral artery, accounting for 5% of all femoral aneurysms, are uncommon. There is a serious risk of rupture. We report the case of an 83-year-old patient with a painless pulsatile mass in the right...Aneurysms of the deep femoral artery, accounting for 5% of all femoral aneurysms, are uncommon. There is a serious risk of rupture. We report the case of an 83-year-old patient with a painless pulsatile mass in the right groin due to an aneurysm of the deep femoral artery. History taking revealed no cardiovascular risk factors and no other aneurysms at other localizations. The etiology remained unclear because no recent history of local trauma or puncture was found. ACT angiography was performed, revealing a true isolated aneurysm of the deep femoral artery with a diameter of 90mm, beginning 1cm after its origin. There were no signs of rupture or distal emboli. Due to unsuitable anatomy for an endovascular approach, the patient underwent open surgery, with exclusion of the aneurysm and interposition of an 8-mm Dacron graft to preserve deep femoral artery flow. Due to their localization, the diagnosis and the management of aneurysms of the deep femoral artery can be difficult. Options are surgical exclusion or an endovascular approach in the absence of symptoms or as a bridging therapy. If possible, blood flow to the distal deep femoral artery should be maintained, the decision depending also on the patency of the superficial femoral artery. In case of large size, aneurysms of the deep femoral artery should be treated without any delay.
PURPOSE: Systemic sclerosis is characterized by cutaneous sclerosis, vascular disease and immunological dysfunction. The prevalence of macrovascular disease remains controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a descrip...PURPOSE: Systemic sclerosis is characterized by cutaneous sclerosis, vascular disease and immunological dysfunction. The prevalence of macrovascular disease remains controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive prospective single-center study conducted in the vascular medicine department of the University Hospital of Bordeaux from July 1 to September 1, 2015. All inpatients followed for systemic scleroderma were included. Each patient had a Doppler ultrasound of the supra-aortic, upper and lower limb, and digital arteries as well as the aorta. The main objective of the study was to describe the presence and location of arterial lesions in patients with systemic sclerosis. RESULTS: Of the twenty patients included, there were 13 women and 7 men; mean age was 58±16years. Patients exhibited wall thickening (n=16, 80%), calcified plaques (n=10, 50%), hemodynamically significant stenoses (n=3, 15%) and arterial occlusions (n=12, 60%). Ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) was 0.98±0.16 on the right and 0.99±0.21 on the left. Two patients had ABPI<0.8. The mean brachial systolic blood pressure was 113±14mmHg. Arterial mapping (860 arterial sites) found wall thickening (n=93 arteries, 10%), calcified plaques (n=47, 5%), hemodynamically significant stenoses (n=7) and occlusions (n=22). Arterial occlusions were located in the ulnar arteries (n=2), the digital arteries (n=18), the posterior tibial artery (n=1) and the dorsalis pedis artery (n=1). CONCLUSION: The data of our study correlate with macrovascular disease described in the literature. This finding raises two questions: how does this concept integrate with the severity of Raynaud's phenomenon and the risk of digital ulcers and changes in patients' capillaroscopic landscape during follow-up? What is the cause of these vascular anomalies, some of which are very different from what is observed in atherosclerosis?
Cancer and venous thrombo-embolic disease (VTE) are closely related. Indeed, cancer can reveal VTE and VTE can be the first sign of cancer. Low molecular weight heparin (LWMH) is now the first line treatment in cancer pa...Cancer and venous thrombo-embolic disease (VTE) are closely related. Indeed, cancer can reveal VTE and VTE can be the first sign of cancer. Low molecular weight heparin (LWMH) is now the first line treatment in cancer patients. Compliance with marketing authorizations and guidelines are crucial for patient-centered decision-making. This work deals with the prescription of LWMH in patients who develop VTE during cancer in order to better recognize what should or should not be done. The patient's wishes must be taken into consideration when making the final therapeutic decision. The other treatments are discussed: vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may be useful.
INTRODUCTION: In France, the Leonetti law, adopted on April 22, 2005, stipulates the regulations concerning advanced directives. This is a patient's right that is not well known and rarely applied. In 2015, a new law pro...INTRODUCTION: In France, the Leonetti law, adopted on April 22, 2005, stipulates the regulations concerning advanced directives. This is a patient's right that is not well known and rarely applied. In 2015, a new law project was thus presented in which the French National Authority for Health recommended that doctors, including all specialists, bring up the subject, especially during consultation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the vascular specialist's possibility to mention the topic of advanced directives during consultations. METHOD: A single and non-interventional prospective study conducted with the help of patients who consulted a private practitioner vascular specialist: recurrent patients regularly consulting a private practitioner vascular specialist were included. First-time consultants, minors and patients to whom it was not adapted to speak about the subject were not included. RESULTS: Between July 27 and September 23, 2015, 159 consecutive patients were examined. Fifty-five first-time consultants and four patients for whom the interview was unsuitable were excluded. In all, 100 patients were questioned. None of them refused to talk about the subject. Women made up a majority of the population (63 %) with an average age of 67 years (23-97). The principal diagnostics were common to vascular medicine consultations: deep vein thrombosis (20 %), peripheral arterial disease (15 %), varicose veins (11 %), lymphedema (11 %) and leg ulcers (9 %). Thirteen percent of the people had a history of cancer. Half of the patients had had follow-ups for over 10 years. The average time devoted to discussing the topic was 12minutes (5-40). Only 22 % of the patients declared having been familiar with advance directives. Once informed however, 78 % chose to write up an adapted form: 36 % with the help of their doctor and 42 % with a doctor and a relative. Seventy-three percent of the consultants thought that talking about the advance directives would reinforce the confidence link between the doctor and the patient. CONCLUSION: In private practice vascular medicine, it seems possible to mention the subject of advance directives, as recommended by the French authorities. The procedure is well perceived by the patients. It nevertheless implies allotting a non-negligible amount of additional consultation time. The reinforcement of the doctor-patient relationship suggested by these results should be confirmed by a qualitative study made up of meetings.
We report the case of a young adult admitted to the Abidjan Heart Institute for coronary angiography to explore unstable angina. Coronary angiography showed multiple aneurysms which suggested sequelae of misdiagnosed Kaw...We report the case of a young adult admitted to the Abidjan Heart Institute for coronary angiography to explore unstable angina. Coronary angiography showed multiple aneurysms which suggested sequelae of misdiagnosed Kawasaki disease.
Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare disease characterized by its clinical polymorphism and multiplicity of risk factors. Infections represent less than 10% of etiologies. Tuberculosis is not a common etiology, only a fe...Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare disease characterized by its clinical polymorphism and multiplicity of risk factors. Infections represent less than 10% of etiologies. Tuberculosis is not a common etiology, only a few observations are published in the literature. Between January 2005 and March 2015, 61 patients were hospitalized for neuro-meningeal tuberculosis. Among them, three young women had presented one or more cerebral venous sinus thromboses. No clinical feature was observed in these patients; vascular localizations were varied: sagittal sinus (2 cases), lateral sinus (2 cases) and transverse sinus (1 case). With anticoagulant and antituberculosis drugs, the outcome was favorable in all cases. During neuro-meningeal tuberculosis, the existence of consciousness disorders or neurological focal signs is not always the translation of encephalitis, hydrocephalus, tuberculoma or ischemic stroke; cerebral venous sinus thrombosis may be the cause and therefore should be sought.
Babaka K, Sarr SA, Kane AD
… +11 more, Mbaye A, Ngaïde AA, Fobang Djiogap DH, Bodian M, Ndiaye MB, Ndour-Mbaye M, Diao M, Diack B, Kane M, Diagne-Sow D, Kane A
AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of atherosclerotic carotid plaques and association with cardiovascular risk factors and vascular diseases in a semi-rural area of Gueoul in Senegal. PATIE...AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of atherosclerotic carotid plaques and association with cardiovascular risk factors and vascular diseases in a semi-rural area of Gueoul in Senegal. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study over a period of one month in 2012 in Senegalese people who were older than 35 years, and resided in semi-rural Gueoul for at least six months. Carotid plaques were measured with a portable Doppler Diadop 50(®) and defined by an intima-media thickness greater than 1.5mm. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The survey involved 1411 individuals with a sex ratio of 2.93 and an average age of 48.5 years. Prevalence of risk factors was high: dyslipidemia (61.1 %), physical inactivity (56.2 %), abdominal obesity (53.9 %), hypertension (46.4 %), obesity (12 %), diabetes (7.2 %) and smoking (2.5 %). Prevalence of atherosclerotic carotid plaques was 6.8 %, including 42.7 % with bilateral plaques. Prevalence increased with age (P=0.001), hypertension (P=0.0001), diabetes (P=0.004) and metabolic syndrome (P=0.008). There were no significant associations with the other risk factors. The presence of carotid plaques was associated with medical history of stroke (P=0.01), myocardial infarction (P=0.02) and peripheral artery obstructive disease (P=0.5). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of atherosclerotic carotid plaques seems weak but it is associated with many cardiovascular risk factors. It requires measures for early diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Senegal.
On the 4th of December 2015, the French authorities officially recognized the birth of a specialty in vascular medicine entitled CO-DES cardiology-vascular/vascular Medicine. France is the 7th country to obtain this spec...On the 4th of December 2015, the French authorities officially recognized the birth of a specialty in vascular medicine entitled CO-DES cardiology-vascular/vascular Medicine. France is the 7th country to obtain this specialty after Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia, six countries in the EEC. It has taken years to achieve a long but exciting experience: we went from hopes to disappointments, sometimes with the blues, but lobbying helping… with sustained confidence. This article tells the story of 30 years of struggle to achieve this vascular medicine specialty. Gaston Bachelard wrote: "Nothing is obvious, nothing is given, all is built." For the construction of vascular medicine, we had to overcome many obstacles, nothing was given to us, everything was conquered. Beware "The specialist is one who knows more and more things about an increasingly restricted field, up to 'knowing everything about nothing"' recalled Ralph Barton Ferry, philosopher; so there is room for modesty and humility but also convictions. The physical examination will remain the basis of our exercise. But let us recall the contributions of all those vascular physicians who practiced in the past, together with those currently active, who built day after day, year after year, a vascular medicine of quality. It is because of the trust of our colleagues and our patients that we can occupy the place that is ours today.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown lower rates of cancer following venous thromboembolism (VTE) than previously described. OBJECTIVES: To reassess the risk of cancer in patients with clinical symptoms of VTE with or w...BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown lower rates of cancer following venous thromboembolism (VTE) than previously described. OBJECTIVES: To reassess the risk of cancer in patients with clinical symptoms of VTE with or without confirmed VTE. PATIENTS: We used data from OPTIMEV, a French prospective multicenter observational study of patients presenting to hospital and community vascular medicine specialists with suspected VTE. Patients with confirmed VTE (1565) and matched controls without VTE (1847) were followed for 3 years (2006-2009). The main outcome was occurrence of cancer at 3 years, and death was a censoring event. RESULTS: A total of 5.0% [4.0-6.3] of patients with VTE and 3.8% [3.0-4.9] without VTE developed cancer during follow-up. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 1.2 [0.9-1.8] for patients with confirmed VTE (P=0.22). The overall standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was 1.4 [1.1-1.6] for our population, VTE+ and VTE-, compared with the general population, statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found a lower occurrence of cancer after VTE than previously described, with no significant difference between patients whether VTE was confirmed or not. Our results (low incidence and no difference between patients VTE+ or VTE-) provide no argument in favor of an extensive screening for cancer in case of VTE.