Factors associated with successful median arcuate ligament release in an international, multi-institutional cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Prior research on median arcuate ligament syndrome has been limited to institutional case series, making the optimal approach to median arcuate ligament release (MALR) and resulting outcomes unclear. In the present study, we compared the outcomes of different approaches to MALR and determined the predictors of long-term treatment failure. METHODS: The Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium is an international, multi-institutional research consortium. Data on open, laparoscopic, and robotic MALR performed from 2000 to 2020 were gathered. The primary outcome was treatment failure, defined as no improvement in median arcuate ligament syndrome symptoms after MALR or symptom recurrence between MALR and the last clinical follow-up. RESULTS: For 516 patients treated at 24 institutions, open, laparoscopic, and robotic MALR had been performed in 227 (44.0%), 235 (45.5%), and 54 (10.5%) patients, respectively. Perioperative complications (ileus, cardiac, and wound complications; readmissions; unplanned procedures) occurred in 19.2% (open, 30.0%; laparoscopic, 8.9%; robotic, 18.5%; P < .001). The median follow-up was 1.59 years (interquartile range, 0.38-4.35 years). For the 488 patients with follow-up data available, 287 (58.8%) had had full relief, 119 (24.4%) had had partial relief, and 82 (16.8%) had derived no benefit from MALR. The 1- and 3-year freedom from treatment failure for the overall cohort was 63.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.0%-68.3%) and 51.9% (95% CI, 46.1%-57.3%), respectively. The factors associated with an increased hazard of treatment failure on multivariable analysis included robotic MALR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.16-2.59; P = .007), a history of gastroparesis (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.09-3.09; P = .023), abdominal cancer (HR, 10.3; 95% CI, 3.06-34.6; P < .001), dysphagia and/or odynophagia (HR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.27-4.69; P = .008), no relief from a celiac plexus block (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.00-4.72; P = .049), and an increasing number of preoperative pain locations (HR, 1.12 per location; 95% CI, 1.00-1.25; P = .042). The factors associated with a lower hazard included increasing age (HR, 0.99 per increasing year; 95% CI, 0.98-1.0; P = .012) and an increasing number of preoperative diagnostic gastrointestinal studies (HR, 0.84 per study; 95% CI, 0.74-0.96; P = .012) Open and laparoscopic MALR resulted in similar long-term freedom from treatment failure. No radiographic parameters were associated with differences in treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found in long-term failure after open vs laparoscopic MALR; however, open release was associated with higher perioperative morbidity. These results support the use of a preoperative celiac plexus block to aid in patient selection. Operative candidates for MALR should be counseled regarding the factors associated with treatment failure and the relatively high overall rate of treatment failure.

A Survey of Vascular Surgery Program Directors: Perspectives following USMLE Step 1 Conversion to Pass/Fail and Virtual Only Interviews.

BACKGROUND: Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), a historically important factor in the selection of vascular surgery residents and fellows, transitioned to completely pass/fail on January 26, 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residency and fellowship interviews were conducted virtually during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 application cycles. Given these significant changes in the evaluation of candidates for residency training, we sought to understand vascular surgery program directors' (PDs) perspectives regarding the change in step 1 scoring and use of virtual interviews as well as determine which factors will assume importance when applying to vascular surgery training programs in the future. METHODS: A 26-item survey questionnaire was created using Qualtrics survey tools with questions regarding attitudes toward the change in step 1 scoring and virtual interviews, the importance of additional factors utilized by programs in selecting candidates for interviews and ranking applicants for residency/fellowship selection, and programmatic demographics. This was distributed anonymously to all vascular surgery training programs over a 2-week period using a comprehensive list of 249 unique email addresses created by cross-referencing the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education list of certified vascular training programs with email addresses from individual program websites identifying current program leadership. Responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics with values listed as average Likert scale weight ± standard deviation (SD) or percentages. RESULTS: Sixty-eight of 249 (27.3%) program and associate PDs responded to the survey. Of which, 33.9% of respondents strongly disagreed with step 1 going completely pass/fail. In the absence of a scored USMLE step 1, letters of recommendation (average Likert scale weight ± SD, 4.43 ± 0.92), dedication to specialty (4.14 ± 1.03), and USMLE step 2 CK (4.06 ± 0.92) had the highest average scores for deciding which applicants to interview for integrated vascular surgery residency. For determining which candidates to interview for vascular surgery fellowship, letters of recommendation (4.51 ± 0.84), dedication to specialty (4.12 ± 0.90), and research (4.10 ± 0.80) had the highest average scores. For ranking residency candidates, the interviewee's perceived "fit" (4.61 ± 0.55), letters of recommendation (4.53 ± 0.76), and an overall interview experience (4.47 ± 0.62) had the highest average scores. Similarly, the factors with the highest average Likert scores for ranking fellowship candidates included the interviewee's perceived "fit" (4.69 ± 0.51), letters of recommendation (4.65 ± 0.52), and an overall interview experience (4.51 ± 0.59). The majority (72.2%) of PDs preferred in-person interviews; however, 50% of respondents were at least "somewhat satisfied" with virtual interviews during the 2021-22 application cycle as they could judge applicants' interview skills at least "moderately well." The minority (18.8%) who preferred virtual interviews most commonly noted a "reduction of the financial burden for applicants" as the reason for this preference. CONCLUSIONS: Most vascular surgery program and associate PDs were dissatisfied with USMLE step 1 going pass/fail with most indicating prescreening applicants using both step 1 and step 2 clinical knowledge (CK) during the residency and fellowship selection processes. In the absence of a scored step 1, the top factors for interviewing and ranking integrated vascular surgery residency and fellowship candidates included letters of recommendation, dedication to specialty, research, USMLE step 2 CK, the interviewee's perceived "fit," and overall interview experience. Though most PDs preferred face-to-face interviews, they were overall at least "somewhat satisfied" with the virtual format that took place during the 2021-22 cycle.

Depression screening in patients with vascular disease.

OBJECTIVES: Major depression is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in vascular surgery patients. The US Preventive Services Task Force and American Heart Association recommend routine depression screening for adults, especially those with cardiovascular disease. Since routine depression screening has not been implemented in most vascular surgery clinics across the nation, we sought to determine the feasibility of depression screening and understand the prevalence and predictors of depression in patients presenting to a single institution's vascular surgery clinic over a 4 month period. METHODS: From June to September 2020, vascular surgery clinic patients were administered a 26-item survey that included validated scales for depression (PHQ-9), pain, frailty, alcohol dependence, and nicotine dependence. Although not validated, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was also administered. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic information and medical history. 9-digit patient zip codes were used to determine Area Deprivation Index, a measure of socioeconomic status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to understand the factors associated with increased depression prevalence in the study population. RESULTS: A total of 140 (36.4%) of 385 patients met study inclusion criteria. 35.7% of them screened positive for mild to severe depression (PHQ-9 scores ≥5). On univariate analysis, major depression was significantly associated with lower socioeconomic status (p = 0.007), higher frailty (p < 0.001), lower self-esteem (p < 0.001), higher daily pain (p < 0.001), health problems that interfere with social activities (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), unmarried status (p = 0.031), and lack of primary care provider (p = 0.048). Multivariate analyses significantly predicted higher frailty (B= 0.487, p = 0.007) and lower self-esteem (B= -0.413, p < 0.001) in patients with depression. Depression was not associated with gender, age, employment status, smoking status, alcohol use, or type of vascular disease. COCLUSIONS: More than one-third of vascular surgery clinic patients have comorbid depression. Higher frailty and lower self-esteem are significant risk factors for depression. Prevention and early identification of frailty may improve outcomes. Depression screening in vascular surgery clinics is feasible and could be useful in determining which patients may benefit from more frequent follow-up and monitoring for associated comorbidities. Vascular surgeons may play an important role in screening for depression and referring patients for psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy.

Acute Limb Ischemia Secondary to Patent Foramen Ovale-Mediated Paradoxical Embolism: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Paradoxical embolism is the translocation of a thrombus originating in the systemic venous circulation into the arterial circulation through a cardiac defect, most commonly a patent foramen ovale (PFO). PFO exists in 15-35% of the adult population. The most common manifestation is cerebrovascular accident; acute limb ischemia is much rarer. METHODS: A 67-year-old woman with multiple confounding risk factors for hypercoagulability presented with grade IIb left lower limb ischemia secondary to thromboembolism through a previously silent PFO. Management included urgent embolectomy, prophylactic fasciotomy, postoperative anticoagulation, and PFO closure. A systematic literature review of PFO-mediated acute limb ischemia was performed to identify the patient populations most commonly affected, the anatomic distribution of emboli, and patient management. RESULTS: Forty-three reports including 51 patients with first-time PFO-mediated paradoxical embolism were identified. Fifty-one percent were men, and the average age at presentation was 54 years. Multiple limbs were affected in 14 patients (27.5%), and a propensity for the lower limbs (72%) and left-sided circulation (82%) was noted. Deep venous thromboembolism was identified in 36 patients (71%). Immediate anticoagulation was instituted in 31 patients. Embolectomy and/or fibrinolysis were performed in 45 patients (88%). CONCLUSIONS: Acute limb ischemia is a rare manifestation of PFO-mediated paradoxical embolism that requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Middle-aged individuals appear to be more commonly affected, and acute limb ischemia most often occurs in the lower limbs and left-sided circulation, with the potential to affect multiple extremities simultaneously. Prompt identification and surgical embolectomy with prophylactic fasciotomy can facilitate successful outcomes. Perioperative management should include anticoagulation and may include workup with echocardiography, duplex ultrasound, and hypercoagulability testing.

A multi-institutional experience in adventitial cystic disease.

BACKGROUND: Adventitial cystic disease (ACD) is an unusual arteriopathy; case reports and small series constitute the available literature regarding treatment. We sought to examine the presentation, contemporary management, and long-term outcomes using a multi-institutional database. METHODS: Using a standardized database, 14 institutions retrospectively collected demographics, comorbidities, presentation/symptoms, imaging, treatment, and follow-up data on consecutive patients treated for ACD during a 10-year period, using Society for Vascular Surgery reporting standards for limb ischemia. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed comparing treatment methods and factors associated with recurrent intervention. Life-table analysis was performed to estimate the freedom from reintervention in comparing the various treatment modalities. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (32 men, 15 women; mean age, 43 years) were identified with ACD involving the popliteal artery (n = 41), radial artery (n = 3), superficial/common femoral artery (n = 2), and common femoral vein (n = 1). Lower extremity claudication was seen in 93% of ACD of the leg arteries, whereas patients with upper extremity ACD had hand or arm pain. Preoperative diagnosis was made in 88% of patients, primarily using cross-sectional imaging of the lower extremity; mean lower extremity ankle-brachial index was 0.71 in the affected limb. Forty-one patients with lower extremity ACD underwent operative repair (resection with interposition graft, 21 patients; cyst resection, 13 patients; cyst resection with bypass graft, 5 patients; cyst resection with patch, 2 patients). Two patients with upper extremity ACD underwent cyst drainage without resection or arterial reconstruction. Complications, including graft infection, thrombosis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence, occurred in 12% of patients. Mean lower extremity ankle-brachial index at 3 months postoperatively improved to 1.07 (P < .001), with an overall mean follow-up of 20 months (range, 0.33-9 years). Eight patients (18%) with lower extremity arterial ACD required reintervention (redo cyst resection, one; thrombectomy, three; redo bypass, one; balloon angioplasty, three) after a mean of 70 days with symptom relief in 88%. Lower extremity patients who underwent cyst resection and interposition or bypass graft were less likely to require reintervention (P = .04). One patient with lower extremity ACD required an above-knee amputation for extensive tissue loss. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional, contemporary experience of ACD examines the treatment and outcomes of ACD. The majority of patients can be identified preoperatively; surgical repair, consisting of cyst excision with arterial reconstruction or bypass alone, provides the best long-term symptomatic relief and reduced need for intervention to maintain patency.

Relationships between study habits, burnout, and general surgery resident performance on the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination.

BACKGROUND: The American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) is used by programs to evaluate the knowledge and readiness of trainees to sit for the general surgery qualifying examination. It is often used as a tool for resident promotion and may be used by fellowship programs to evaluate candidates. Burnout has been associated with job performance and satisfaction; however, its presence and effects on surgical trainees' performance are not well studied. We sought to understand factors including burnout and study habits that may contribute to performance on the ABSITE examination. METHODS: Anonymous electronic surveys were distributed to all residents at 10 surgical residency programs (n = 326). Questions included demographics as well as study habits, career interests, residency characteristics, and burnout scores using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, which assesses burnout because of both exhaustion and disengagement. These surveys were then linked to the individual's 2016 ABSITE and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) step 1 and 2 scores provided by the programs to determine factors associated with successful ABSITE performance. RESULTS: In total, 48% (n = 157) of the residents completed the survey. Of those completing the survey, 48 (31%) scored in the highest ABSITE quartile (≥75th percentile) and 109 (69%) scored less than the 75th percentile. In univariate analyses, those in the highest ABSITE quartile had significantly higher USMLE step 1 and step 2 scores (P < 0.001), significantly lower burnout scores (disengagement, P < 0.01; exhaustion, P < 0.04), and held opinions that the ABSITE was important for improving their surgical knowledge (P < 0.01). They also read more frequently to prepare for the ABSITE (P < 0.001), had more disciplined study habits (P < 0.001), were more likely to study at the hospital or other public settings (e.g., library, coffee shop compared with at home; P < 0.04), and used active rather than passive study strategies (P < 0.04). Gender, marital status, having children, and debt burden had no correlation with examination success. Backward stepwise multiple regression analysis identified the following independent predictors of ABSITE scores: study location (P < 0.0001), frequency of reading (P = 0.0001), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory exhaustion (P = 0.02), and USMLE step 1 and 2 scores (P = 0.007 and 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Residents who perform higher on the ABSITE have a regular study schedule throughout the year, report less burnout because of exhaustion, study away from home, and have shown success in prior standardized tests. Further study is needed to determine the effects of burnout on clinical duties, career advancement, and satisfaction.

The use of cryopreserved aortoiliac allograft for aortic reconstruction in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Aortic infections, even with treatment, have a high mortality and risk of recurrent infection and limb loss. Cryopreserved aortoiliac allograft (CAA) has been proposed for aortic reconstruction to improve outcomes in this high-risk population. METHODS: A multicenter study using a standardized database was performed at 14 of the 20 highest volume institutions that used CAA for aortic reconstruction in the setting of infection or those at high risk for prosthetic graft infection. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty patients (mean age, 65; male:female, 1.6/1) were treated since 2002 for culture positive aortic graft infection (60%), culture negative aortic graft infection (16%), enteric fistula/erosion (15%), infected pseudoaneurysm adjacent to the aortic graft (4%), and other (4%). Intraop cultures indicated infection in 66%. Distal anastomosis was to the femoral artery and iliac. Mean hospital length of stay was 24 days, and 30-day mortality was 9%. Complications occurred in 24% and included persistent sepsis (n = 17), CAA thrombosis (n = 9), CAA rupture (n = 8), recurrent CAA/aortic infection (n = 8), CAA pseudoaneurysm (n = 6), recurrence of aortoenteric fistula (n = 4), and compartment syndrome (n = 1). Patients with full graft excision had significantly better outcomes. Ten (5%) patients required allograft explant. Mean follow-up was 30 ± 3 months. Freedom from graft-related complications, graft explant, and limb loss was 80%, 88%, and 97%, respectively, at 5 years. Primary graft patency was 97% at 5 years, and patient survival was 75% at 1 year and 51% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: This largest study of CAA indicates that CAA allows aortic reconstruction in the setting of infection or those at high risk for infection with lower early and long-term morbidity and mortality than other previously reported treatment options. Repair with CAA is associated with low rates of aneurysm formation, recurrent infection, aortic blowout, and limb loss. We believe that CAA should be considered a first line treatment of aortic infections.

Contemporary management and outcomes of peripheral venous aneurysms: A multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVE: Extremity venous aneurysms result in the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) and chronic venous insufficiency. At present, owing to the rarity of these aneurysms, no consensus for their treatment has been established. The purpose of the present study was to review the presentation, natural history, and contemporary management of extremity venous aneurysms. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multi-institutional review of all patients with extremity venous aneurysms treated from 2008 to 2018. A venous aneurysm was defined as saccular or fusiform with an aneurysm/vein ratio of >1.5. RESULTS: A total of 66 extremity aneurysms from 11 institutions were analyzed, 40 of which were in a popliteal location, 14 iliofemoral, and 12 in an upper extremity or a jugular location. The median follow-up was 27 months (range, 0-120 months). Of the 40 popliteal venous aneurysms, 8 (20%) had presented with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or PE, 13 (33%) had presented with pain, and 19 had been discovered incidentally. The mean size of the popliteal venous aneurysms presenting with DVT or PE was larger than that of those presenting without thromboembolism (3.8 cm vs 2.5 cm; P = .003). Saccular aneurysm morphology in the lower extremity was associated with thromboembolism (30% vs 9%; P = .046) and fusiform aneurysm morphology with a thrombus burden >25% (45% vs 3%). Patients presenting with thromboembolism were more likely to have had a thrombus burden >25% in their lower extremity venous aneurysm compared with those who had presented without thromboembolism (70% vs 9%). Approximately half of all the patients underwent immediate intervention, and half were managed with observation or antithrombotic regimen. In the non-operative cohort, three patients subsequently developed a DVT. Eight patients in the medically managed cohort went on to require surgical intervention. Of the 12 upper extremity venous aneurysms, none had presented with DVT or PE, and only 2 (17%) had presented with pain. Of the 66 patients in the entire cohort, 41 underwent surgical intervention. The most common indication was the absolute aneurysm size. Nine patients had undergone surgery because of a DVT or PE, and 11 for pain or extremity swelling. The most common surgery was aneurysmorrhaphy in 21 patients (53%), followed by excision and ligation in 14 patients (35%). Five patients (12%) had undergone interposition bypass grafting. A postoperative hematoma requiring reintervention was the most common complication, occurring in three popliteal vein repairs and one iliofemoral vein repair. None of the patients, treated either surgically or medically, had reported post-thrombotic complications during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Large lower extremity venous aneurysms and saccular aneurysms with thrombus >25% of the lumen are more likely to present with thromboembolic complications. Surgical intervention for lower extremity venous aneurysms is indicated to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the need for continued anticoagulation. Popliteal aneurysms >2.5 cm and all iliofemoral aneurysms should be considered for repair. Upper extremity aneurysms do not have a significant risk of VTE and warrant treatment primarily for symptoms other than VTE.

Prolonged success with a covered endovascular stent after emergent use in radiation-induced subclavian artery blowout: a case report.

Radiation-induced damage to the bone, soft tissues, and vasculature represents the unfortunate consequences of radiation therapy for the treatment of malignant tumors. Complications arising from irradiation are frequently challenging to manage and may be life threatening. A case is presented of a patient with a longstanding clavicular osteoradionecrosis with an acute massive hemorrhage after rupture of the subclavian artery and subsequent management with endovascular stent placement. With over 2 years' follow-up, vascular patency was maintained with no further bleeding episodes in this surgically high-risk patient.

Limb ischemia: medical therapy trial update.

Peripheral arterial disease has a significant impact on the quality of a patient's life. Pain, fear of limb loss, increased inactivity, and poor lifestyle choices such as continued smoking further debilitate these patients. Surgical and endovascular procedures have affected this outcome for many but carry the added risk of procedural complications and mortality for this group of high-risk individuals. Risk factor management and medical therapy carry little risk and can also improve functional outcome for many of these patients. Despite this, there are currently only two FDA-approved medications for the treatment of claudication. This review discusses published data on the impact of walking distance with investigational pharmacotherapy.

Comparison of risk-adjusted 30-day postoperative mortality and morbidity in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and selected university medical centers: vascular surgical operations in women.

BACKGROUND: Women with peripheral vascular disease requiring vascular operations are less well studied than their male counterparts. The surgical outcomes of female vascular patients in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and private sector hospitals have not previously been compared, and their preoperative risk profile, postoperative morbidity, and mortality need to be better elucidated. STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing vascular operations at 14 private sector and 128 VA hospitals, from October 2001 through September 2004, had their preoperative characteristics, operative data, and 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality compared, as part of the Patient Safety in Surgery (PSS) Study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to develop predictive models for morbidity and mortality, which allowed for a comparison of risk-adjusted outcomes between the two hospital groups. RESULTS: There were 458 vascular surgical operations performed in women in the VA, and 3,535 vascular operations were performed in women in the private sector. Eighteen of 45 preoperative comorbidities and laboratory variables differed considerably between the institutions, and 16 of 18 were adverse among the private sector patients. The unadjusted 30-day mortality rate was higher in the private sector compared with the VA (5.2% versus 2.4%, p=0.008); the unadjusted morbidity rate was higher in the private sector compared with the VA sector (23.4% versus 13.3%, p < 0.0001). After risk adjustment, there was no marked difference between the VA and the private sector in mortality (p=0.12), but the difference in morbidity rates remained pronounced, with an odds ratio of 0.60 for VA versus private sector (95% CI=0.44, 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with their VA counterparts, women undergoing vascular operations at private sector hospitals had a higher incidence of preoperative comorbidities; after risk adjustment, mortality did not differ substantially. Despite risk adjustment, the incidence of postoperative morbidity in the VA patients was considerably lower, suggesting unidentified differences in the hospital populations, their processes of care, or both.

Outcomes of endovascular AAA repair in patients with hostile neck anatomy using adjunctive balloon-expandable stents.

Hostile neck anatomy remains the predominant reason that patients are denied endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). We reviewed our experience of EVAR with use of prophylactic adjunctive proximal balloon-expandable stents in patients with hostile neck anatomy and adjunctive proximal balloon-expandable stents in patients with type I endoleaks. Of 140 patients who underwent EVAR between 2000 and 2004, we reviewed data for 19 patients in whom we used proximal balloon-expandable stents. By high-resolution computed tomography scan or angiography, hostile neck anatomy was classified as length <15 mm, neck diameters > or =26 mm, circumferential thrombus at the proximal neck, angulated neck > or =60 degrees, and neck bulge or reverse taper necks. Patients were considered to have hostile anatomy if they met 1 or more of the above-cited criteria. All patients underwent AAA repair with commercially available endograft systems, Zenith (Cook, Bloomington, IN) and AneuRx (Medtronic/AVE, Minneapolis, MN). Balloon-expandable stents utilized included Cordis-Palmaz stents (17/19) and eV3 Max stents (2/19). Stents were deployed in the proximal graft with transrenal extension. AneuRx (18/19) and Zenith (1/19) endografts were used in all of the patients. Of the 19 patients, 15 had prophylactic stent placement for known hostile neck anatomy and 4 patients had stent placement for type I endoleak. Assisted primary technical success was achieved in all patients. Three patients had maldeployment of the endograft or proximal stent requiring additional endovascular interventions at the time of surgery. No endografts were deployed too low requiring stent placement. Procedure-related complications occurred in 2 of 19 patients. These included 1 operative death secondary to pneumonia and 1 patient who developed progressive renal failure. Short-term clinical success was achieved in 17 of 19 patients. Two patients required secondary interventions, 1 due to device migration with secondary conversion to open repair, and an endoleak, which, on angiogram, was a large type II endoleak successfully treated with coiling of the inferior mesenteric artery. One patient was observed to have a type II endoleak with no associated aneurysm enlargement. Short-term results suggest the use of prophylactic adjunctive balloon-expandable stents may decrease the incidence of secondary interventions related to hostile neck anatomy when used as an adjunctive measure with EVAR. Based on our experience, we feel EVAR may be offered to an expanded patient population with hostile neck anatomy with use of prophylactic balloon-expandable stents.

Perspectives of Decisional Surrogates and Patients Regarding Critical Illness Genetic Research.

BACKGROUND: Critical illness research is challenging due to disease severity and because patients are frequently incapacitated. Surrogates called upon to provide consent might not accurately represent patient preferences. Though commonplace, genetic data collection adds complexity in this context. We undertook this investigation to understand whether surrogate decision makers would be receptive to permitting participation in a critical illness genetics study and whether their decision making was consistent with that of the patient represented. METHODS: We invited individuals identified as surrogates for critically ill adults, if required, as well as patients once recovered to participate in a survey designed to understand attitudes about genetic research. Associations between dependent (receptivity to participation, concordance of responses) and independent variables were tested using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Most of the entire surrogate sample (n=439) reported familiarity with research, including genetic research; tended to view research as useful; and were receptive to allowing their family member participate (with 39.6% and 38.1% stating that this would be "very" and "somewhat likely," respectively) even absent direct benefit. Willingness to participate was similar comparing genetic and non-genetic studies (χ2 [1,n=439]=0.00127, p=0.972), though respondents expressed worry regarding lack of confidentiality of genetic data. Responses were concordant in 70.8% of the 192 surrogate-patient pairs analyzed. In multivariate analysis, African American race was associated with less receptivity to genetic data collection (p<0.05). No factors associated with concordance of surrogate-patient response were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Surrogates' receptivity to critical illness research was not influenced by whether the study entailed collection of genetic data. While more than two-thirds of surrogate-patient responses for participation in genetics research were concordant, concerns expressed regarding genetic data often related to breach of confidentiality. Emphasizing safeguards in place to minimize such breeches might prove an effective strategy for enhancing recruitment.

True lumen re-entry devices facilitate subintimal angioplasty and stenting of total chronic occlusions: Initial report.

OBJECTIVE: The acute technical failure of endovascular treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is most often due to the inability to re-enter the true lumen after occlusion is crossed in a subintimal plane. This study reports our initial experience with true lumen re-entry devices in the treatment of CTOs. METHODS: Patients with treatment of CTOs were identified from our vascular registry. All patients in whom the Pioneer catheter or the Outback catheter were used were also identified from a prospectively maintained separate database of cases in which true lumen re-entry devices were used. We used procedural data from the prospective database and reviewed the medical records. Lesion character and location, access type, location of true lumen re-entry, stent usage, procedural times, and complications, were tabulated. RESULTS: From August 2003 to December 2004, endovascular techniques were used to treat 87 CTOs in 58 iliac and 29 superficial femoral arteries. In 24 (26%), the true lumen could not be re-entered by using standard catheter and wire techniques. The true lumen was not initially re-entered in 20 (34%) of 58 of treated iliac CTOs and four (13%) of 29 of treated superficial femoral artery CTOs (73% TASC C and D lesions). Intravascular ultrasound-guided true lumen re-entry using the Pioneer catheter (21 CTOs), or fluoroscopic-guided true lumen re-entry using the Outback catheter (3 CTOs) was successful in achieving true lumen re-entry in all cases at the location desired. Total time of re-entry catheter manipulation required to achieve re-entry was <10 minutes and was routinely accomplished in <3 minutes. All occlusions were stented. No cases were converted to open repair. Bleeding from the recanalization and angioplasty site occurred in four patients (15%). It was controlled with use of covered stents in two cases, and resolved after placement of uncovered stents in the other two. No significant bleeding occurred at the sites of true lumen re-entry needle deployment. All occlusions treated with true lumen re-entry devices remain clinically patent at a mean follow-up of 5.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of chronic total occlusions is often limited by the inability to re-enter the true lumen after subintimal crossing of the occluded segment. This occurs more commonly with treatment of iliac occlusions than in superficial femoral artery occlusions. True lumen re-entry catheters are very effective at gaining wire passage back to the true lumen and facilitating successful endovascular treatment of chronic total occlusions that would otherwise require open bypass.