The frequent exposure to heparin by patients with peripheral vascular disease is associated with a high incidence rate (21%) of HAAb formation, which makes it one of the more common hypercoagulable conditions in these patients. The patients who were HAAb positive had a 2.6-fold increase in perioperative thrombotic events. Thrombocytopenia or decreasing platelet counts were not reliable clinical markers for identifying patients who were HAAb positive. It is suggested that all patients who have undergone heparin therapy and who have an unexplained perioperative thrombotic event develop should undergo testing for HAAb.

Objective: To compare the results and time and cost efficacy of eversion carotid endarterectomy (ECEA) with standard carotid endarterectomy (SCEA). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 88 carotid endarterectomies performed by the residents under the guidance of the senior author between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1993, was done. Fifty-five patients underwent SCEA (44 vein patch, 11 primary closure) and 33 had ECEA. The two groups were compared for operative time, intraoperative evaluation, cost, immediate and delayed morbidity, and restenosis (> 50%). Results: The two groups were found to be similar for age, sex ratio, and associated diseases. The indications for surgery were transient ischemic attack (TIA) (57% ECEA, 64% SCEA), previous stroke with minimal residual deficit (9% ECEA, 17% SCEA), and asymptomatic high-grade stenosis (34% ECEA, 19% SCEA). The average operative time for ECEA was significantly less (99.2 vs 135.2 minutes, P < 0.02). The mean blood loss was also less for ECEA (86 vs 181 cc). Two SCEA patients had immediate postoperative thrombosis resulting in 1 cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (1.8%), and 3 SCEA patients had cranial nerve injuries. In follow-up, 1 patient with SCEA had restenosis and 1 had a CVA unrelated to carotid disease. Morbidity associated with ECEA included 1 unsuccessful ECEA requiring interposition vein grafting and 1 intraoperative repair of an intimal flap. There was no associated residual morbidity. There was no significant difference in stroke rate between the two groups. The operative cost (excluding surgeon fee) was 28% higher for SCEA patients. Conclusion: Eversion carotid endarterectomy is a safe procedure and can be an important addition to a surgeon's armamentarium in efforts to cut costs while maintaining quality.

We present the case of a 64-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with bilateral limb ischemia and paralysis for approximately 1 hour. Computed tomographic angiography demonstrated occlusion of the infrarenal aorta beginning just above the patient’s known abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and extending into both common iliac arteries. He was emergently treated via open repair of the AAA with a Gore-Tex tube graft, bilateral common iliac thrombectomies, and bilateral lower extremity four-compartment fasciotomies. Post-operatively, he had monophasic signals in both posterior tibial arteries, neither of which was present before the operation. During recovery, he developed an ileus but otherwise did not have complications. He was discharged to rehabilitation on post-operative day 15.

A review of the authors' experience with spontaneous carotid artery dissections and a comparison of their management strategies and outcomes with a review of the recent literature are presented. A retrospective chart analysis revealed 5 cases over the past nine years. All were treated in a conservative fashion. Two underwent anticoagulation, 2 received antiplatelet therapy, and 1 was merely observed. Their ages ranged from thirty-eight to eighty-three and all were men. Four of the 5 (80%) went on to an uneventful recovery. One patient receiving anticoagulation developed total occlusion of the left internal carotid artery associated with an acute stroke.Angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis, but the role of duplex ultrasound for diagnosis and follow-up has strengthened.Of patients with spontaneous carotid artery dissection, 85-90% have an uneventful recovery, and surgical intervention is rarely indicated.

We present the case of a 64-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with bilateral limb ischemia and paralysis for approximately 1 hour. Computed tomographic angiography demonstrated occlusion of the infrarenal aorta beginning just above the patient's known abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and extending into both common iliac arteries. He was emergently treated via open repair of the AAA with a Gore-Tex tube graft, bilateral common iliac thrombectomies, and bilateral lower extremity four-compartment fasciotomies. Post-operatively, he had monophasic signals in both posterior tibial arteries, neither of which was present before the operation. During recovery, he developed an ileus but otherwise did not have complications. He was discharged to rehabilitation on post-operative day 15.