Outcomes after endovascular reintervention for aortic interventions.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular reinterventions are often performed after previous open or endovascular aortic procedures. We used the GREAT (Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment) database to compare the outcomes between these groups. We also compared reintervention of any type with a group of patients who had undergone primary endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: All patients enrolled in GREAT were grouped according to a previous EVAR or open abdominal aortic procedure (OAP). Univariate analysis was performed using the χ2, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Fisher exact tests. Cox proportional analysis was used to test the predictors for all-cause and aorta-related mortality. RESULTS: A total of 3974 subjects who had undergone EVAR with follow-up data available were included in the GREAT. Of the 3974 procedures, 196 (4.9%) were reinterventions (49 after OAP and 147 after previous EVAR). Reintervention after previous EVAR showed a trend toward a greater endoleak rate through 2 years (13.6% vs 4.1%; P = .07), although no difference was found in the occurrence of the intervention (12.2% vs 17.7%; P = .37). Reintervention after OAP resulted in higher all-cause mortality through 2 years of follow-up (32.7% vs 17.7%; P = .0.03). The predictors of mortality included prior OAP, renal insufficiency, and the use of cutdown for access. Compared with the patients who had undergone primary endovascular repair, patients in the reintervention cohort were older (75.3 years vs 73.3 years; P = .0005), had had only femoral artery access used (95.8% vs 90.3%; P < .0001), and were more likely to have undergone aortic branch vessel procedures (32.3% vs 13.3%; P < .0001). Both all-cause and aorta-related mortality through 2 years was higher in the reintervention group than in the primary EVAR group (21.4% vs 12.5% [P = .0003; and 4.6% vs 1% [P < .0001], respectively). On multivariate analysis, the predictors of aortic-related mortality included reintervention, renal insufficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, underweight body mass index, increasing aortic diameter, and the use of brachial artery or other arterial access sites. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular reintervention for aortic pathology was associated with higher mortality than was primary EVAR. Reinterventions after prior OAPs were associated with higher mortality than were prior EVARs.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Major Amputation in Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease and Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Both peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are leading causes of lower extremity amputation. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is a tool used to estimate socioeconomic status (SES) based off a person's 9-digit zip code, and this value has been shown to correlate with poor health outcomes. We sought to understand the effect of SES on major amputation in diabetic patients with PVD in a single healthcare system. METHODS: All patients presenting to a single healthcare system with dual diagnosis of PVD and DM from January 2012 to December 2017 were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9/10 codes. Patients undergoing major amputation (below-knee and above-knee) were identified by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and compared to those who did not have amputation. The ADI score and comorbid disease processes were identified. The Mann-Whitney U-test was performed to compare ADI scores between the amputation and nonamputation groups. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-squared or Fisher's exact test, and t-tests were used for continuous variables. A logistic regression was performed to test the association between SES and amputation status. RESULTS: A total of 2,009 patients were identified, of which 85 underwent major amputation. After adjusting for comorbidities, patients in the amputation group had higher ADI scores as compared to those who did not have amputation (median ADI score 8 vs. 6, P < 0.05). Logistic regression modeling demonstrated an Odds Ratio of 1.10 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.19), indicating the odds of being in the amputation group are increased by 10% for every 1-point increase in the ADI score. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for comorbidities, patients with PVD and DM residing in neighborhoods with lower SES have increased odds of undergoing major lower-limb amputation than those from neighborhoods with higher SES despite receiving care at the same healthcare system. Further study is warranted to determine factors contributing to this difference.

Aortic endograft sizing and endoleak, reintervention, and mortality following endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Endograft sizing for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is not consistent despite published instructions for use (IFU). We sought to identify factors associated with over/undersizing, determine sex influence on sizing, and examine sizing effects on endoleak, reintervention, and mortality by analyzing data obtained from the W.L. Gore & Associates Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT). METHODS: All patients enrolled in GREAT undergoing EVAR were included for analysis. Proximal/distal aortic landing zones were compared with device implanted to assess sizing as related to IFU. χ2/Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate associations between IFU sizing and demographics. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify predictors of outside IFU sizing. Cox proportional hazards regression analyzed the relationship between sizing and endoleak, device-related reinterventions, and all-cause/aortic mortality. RESULTS: There were 3607 EVAR subjects enrolled in GREAT as of March 2020. Of them, 1896 (53%) were within IFU for sizing, 791 (22%) were oversized, 540 (15%) were undersized, and 380 (10%) had both over- and undersized components. Factors predictive of use outside of IFU included female sex (P = .001), non-white race (P = .0003), decreased proximal neck length (P < .061), or larger iliac diameters (P < .0001). Women were more likely than men to have proximal neck undersizing and iliac limb oversizing, and men were more likely to have iliac limb undersizing. On multivariate analysis, undersizing of the proximal graft was associated with endoleak (hazard ratio [HR], 1.8) and aortic (HR, 60.5) and all-cause (HR, 18.0) mortality. Undersizing of iliac limbs was associated with endoleak (HR, 1.5) and device-related reintervention (HR, 1.4). Iliac limb outside IFU sizing was associated with aortic (HR, 2.6) and all-cause (HR, 1.3) mortality. Proximal and distal oversizing was not associated with adverse outcomes. Female sex was associated with mortality on univariate but not multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Women undergoing EVAR with GORE EXCLUDER abdominal aortic aneurysm Endoprosthesis (W.L. Gore & Associates Inc, Flagstaff, Ariz) are more likely to have proximal stent-graft undersizing and iliac limb oversizing, whereas men are more likely to have undersized iliac limbs. Proximal aortic graft undersizing is associated with endoleak and all-cause/aortic mortality, whereas undersizing of iliac limbs is associated with endoleak and device-related reintervention. Oversizing was not associated with adverse outcomes.

Optional filters in trauma patients: can retrieval rates be improved?

Prophylactic inferior vena cava interruption may be appropriate in trauma patients at risk for pulmonary embolism for whom anticoagulation is contraindicated. The Recovery filter is approved for removal up to 180 days from insertion. High retrieval rates need to be achieved before we can lower the threshold for inserting these filters prophylactically. The objective of this study was to evaluate the retrieval rate of the Recovery filter in this patient population and how it has influenced our practice. This is a retrospective study in which the records of 122 consecutive trauma patients in whom the Recovery filters were inserted between October 2003 and October 2005 were reviewed. Patients who had the new generation of this filter were excluded. All these filters were inserted with the intention of retrieval. We attempted to contact all these patients at 3 months. The technical factors associated with failure to retrieve these filters were reviewed. There were no complications related to filter insertion. Excluding six patients (4.9%) who expired from causes unrelated to the insertion procedure, 20 patients could not be reached (17.3%) and 21 patients declined retrieval (18.1%). The filters were considered permanent in 18 patients (15.5%) if they were not ambulatory or if they developed inferior vena cava occlusion. Inferior vena cava occlusion was diagnosed in four patients (5.5%). Seventy-three (62.9%) patients presented for follow-up and were evaluated by color venous duplex ultrasound. We attempted to retrieve the filters in 52 patients and were successful in 45 (86.5%). However, the total retrieval rate was 40.5%. All failures of retrieval were related to tilting of the filters or bending of the limbs. There were no complications related to the retrieval procedure. Insertion and retrieval of the Recovery inferior vena cava filter are safe. In spite of the thorough follow-up and the good success rate in retrieving the filters, the overall retrieval rate in this patient population is still low. This should be strongly considered at the time of insertion. Multiple factors were found to contribute. Attention to details in patient selection and follow-up as well as modifications in technique may improve the retrieval rate.

Native superficial femoral artery peripheral atherectomy site pseudoaneurysm: a case report.

A 45-year-old woman who presented with blue toe syndrome was treated with atherectomy for a focal plaque located in the superficial femoral artery. She subsequently developed a large pseudoaneurysm at the atherectomy site requiring multiple sequential endovascular procedures in order to maintain in-line blood flow to the foot. Pseudoaneurysm formation at native peripheral artery atherectomy site has not been reported previously. We discuss possible complications of atherectomy and the possible mechanism of pseudoaneurysm formation after atherectomy. We address the importance of understanding risks of these minimally invasive procedures along with planning follow-up duplex and potential bail-out tactics.

Simvastatin suppresses experimental aortic aneurysm expansion.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation is a result of inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A inhibitors (statins), although clinically used as lipid-lowering agents, have also been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study was designed to determine whether the hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A inhibitor simvastatin suppresses aneurysm formation in an elastase-induced rat AAA model. METHODS: Aneurysms were created in adult male Wistar rats by infusion of elastase into isolated infrarenal aortic segments. The rats were randomized to receive either simvastatin (n = 17) or placebo (n = 17) by gastric lavage daily starting the day before surgery. The rats were euthanized and the infrarenal aortas harvested on postoperative day 7. Aortic diameters were measured before infusion, immediately after infusion, and at the time of harvesting. Protein expression was measured by immunoblot analysis. Gene expression profiling using Affymetrix U34A rat genome chips was performed to identify changes in gene expression caused by simvastatin treatment. RESULTS: Mean aneurysm diameter was significantly less in the simvastatin treatment group compared with controls (3.4 +/- 0.08 mm vs 4.3 +/- 0.19 mm; P = .0001). MMP-9 and nuclear factor-kappaB protein levels were decreased in the aortas of simvastatin-treated animals. Gene microarray analysis revealed 315 genes with statistically significant changes in expression (P < .05) in the simvastatin group. Genes related to inflammation, ECM remodeling, and oxidative stress function were downregulated. These included genes for interleukin 1, interleukin 4, inducible nitric oxide synthase, P-selectin, platelet-derived growth factor alpha, tumor necrosis factor, and several chemokines. CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin significantly suppresses experimental aneurysm expansion and reduces protein levels of MMP-9 and nuclear factor-kappaB. Gene array analysis provides evidence that several mediators of inflammation, matrix remodeling, and oxidative stress are downregulated by simvastatin treatment. This suggests that simvastatin inhibits AAA formation by blocking the expression of certain proinflammatory genes. Simvastatin may be useful as an adjuvant therapy to suppress the growth of small aneurysms.