Effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on the Incidence of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (Remote Ischemic Preconditioning-Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Study).

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a major inconvenience in the use of iodinated contrast media (ICM) and it is associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality and cost of hospitalization. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a noninvasive and cost-effective tissue protection technique that has showed to be beneficial in decreasing renal insult in patients receiving intravascular contrast. AIM: The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the impact of RIPC on the incidence of CIN in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair. METHODS: Patients suffering from aortic aneurysm were recruited prior to the administration of ICM. Randomization was used to assign patients into the control/RIPC groups. Biochemical parameters determined renal function before and after surgery in immediate (24-72 hr) and at 30 days of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 120 patients included in the study, 98,3% were male. Mean age was 73 years (range: 56-87 years). Diabetes and chronic renal failure (considering estimated glomerular filtration [eGFR] <60) was present prior to administration of ICM in 29.16% and 38.33%, respectively. RIPC was applied in 50% (n = 60) of the patients. A total of 24.17% developed CIN regardless of fluidotherapy, RIPC, and other protective strategies. RIPC did not influence outcomes in terms of incidence on CIN, serum creatinine, urea, eGFR, or microalbuminuria in immediate postoperative period. However, the group of RIPC patients showed a statistically significant benefit in renal function in terms of serum creatinine (1.46 ± 0.3 vs. 1.03 ± 0.5; P < 0.001), urea (61.06 ± 27.5 mg/dL vs. 43.78 ± 12.9 mg/dL; P = 0.003), and an increase in eGFR (56.37 ± 23.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 72.85 ± 17.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.004) at 30 days of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: RIPC seems to be a reasonable, effective, and low-cost technique to alleviate effects of ICM on the renal parenchyma in endovascular aneurysm repair procedures during short-term postoperative period.

Impact of nutritional and inflammatory status in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia.

BACKGROUND: A pro-inflammatory state and a poor nutritional status have been associated with severity and prognosis of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The clinical applicability of the different pre-operative nutritional and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) was analyzed. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed, that included all patients with CLTI revascularized from January 2016 to July 2019. The inflammatory state was calculated using neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR), lymphocyte/monocyte (LMR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratios (PLR). For nutritional status, the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) was calculated. Mortality and number of major amputations at 6 months and hospital length-of stay were studied. RESULTS: 310 patients were included. Higher levels of NLR and lower levels of PNI were associated with mortality (6.61±5.6 vs. 3.98±3.27, P=0.034; 40.33±7.89 vs. 45.73±7.48, P=0.05, respectively). Lower levels of PNI and LMR (42.57±7.82 vs. 45.44±7.65, P=0.036; 2.77±1.61 vs. 3.22±1.75, P=0.013, respectively) and higher levels of NLR (6.91±7.85 vs. 3.94±2.57, P=0.023) were associated with major amputations. The mean hospital length-of-stay was higher in patients with lower levels of PNI and LMR (P=0.000 and P=0.003) and higher levels of NLR and PLR (P=0.001 and P=0.002). A PNI<42.87 predicted short-term mortality with a 66.7% of sensitivity and a 66.8% of specificity (P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that these inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers are independent predictors of short-term mortality and major amputations. In addition, our results suggest that PNI could be used to predict the short-term mortality with high sensitivity and specificity.

Dataset of the vascular e-Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic (EL-COVID) survey.

This dataset supports the findings of the vascular e-Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic survey (the EL-COVID survey). The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union was taken into consideration in all steps of data handling. The survey was approved by the institutional ethics committee of the Primary Investigator and an online English survey consisting of 18 questions was developed ad-hoc. A bilingual English-Mandarin version of the questionnaire was developed according to the instructions of the Chinese Medical Association in order to be used in mainland People's Republic of China. Differences between the two questionnaires were minor and did affect the process of data collection. Both questionnaires were hosted online. The EL-COVID survey was advertised through major social media. All national and regional contributors contacted their respective colleagues through direct messaging on social media or by email. Eight national societies or groups supported the dissemination of the EL-COVID survey. The data provided demographics information of the EL-COVID participants and an insight on the level of difficulty in accessing or citing previously attended online activities and whether participants were keen on citing these activities in their Curricula Vitae. A categorization of additional comments made by the participants are also based on the data. The survey responses were filtered, anonymized and submitted to descriptive analysis of percentage.

Vascular e-Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The EL-COVID Survey.

BACKGROUND: The corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has radically changed the possibilities for vascular surgeons and trainees to exchange knowledge and experience. The aim of the present survey is to inventorize the e-learning needs of vascular surgeons and trainees as well as the strengths and weaknesses of vascular e-Learning. METHODS: An online survey consisting of 18 questions was created in English, with a separate bilingual English-Mandarin version. The survey was dispersed to vascular surgeons and trainees worldwide through social media and via direct messaging from June 15, 2020 to October 15, 2020. RESULTS: Eight hundred and fifty-six records from 84 different countries could be included. Most participants attended several online activities (>4: n = 461, 54%; 2-4: n = 300, 35%; 1: n = 95, 11%) and evaluated online activities as positive or very positive (84.7%). In deciding upon participation, the topic of the activity was most important (n = 440, 51.4%), followed by the reputation of the presenter or the panel (n = 178, 20.8%), but not necessarily receiving accreditation or certification (n = 52, 6.1%). The survey identified several shortcomings in vascular e-Learning during the pandemic: limited possibility to attend due to lack of time and increased workload (n = 432, 50.5%), no protected/allocated time (n = 488, 57%) and no accreditation or certification, while technical shortcomings were only a minor problem (n = 25, 2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic vascular e-Learning has been used frequently and was appreciated by vascular professionals from around the globe. The survey identified strengths and weaknesses in current e-Learning that can be used to further improve online learning in vascular surgery.

Doppler Ultrasound as a Unique Diagnosis Test in Peripheral Arterial Disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze duplex ultrasound (DUS) and intraoperative angiography concordance for diagnosis of lower limb peripheral artery disease and its value for surgical planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study, including patients who underwent revascularization of the lower limbs during 2018, diagnosed by DUS only or combined with preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography. The concordance between preoperative DUS or CT angiography and the intraoperative angiography was studied using the Cohen kappa coefficient (k). The degree of agreement between the DUS-based surgical plan and the final surgical technique was also evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were included, with mean age of 71.8 ± 11.96 years (46-94); 23 had chronic kidney disease (45%). In 17 patients (34%), preoperative CT angiography was also performed. DUS showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval (CI) [83.3-100%]), 80% (95% CI [50.21-100%,]), and 100% (95% CI [96.43-100%]) at the iliac, femoral, and popliteal sector, respectively, and a specificity of 93.55% (95% CI [83.29-100%]), 95.45% (95% CI [84.48-100%]), and 90.48% (95% CI [75.54-100%]) at the iliac, femoral, and popliteal sector, respectively. The positive predictive value for DUS was 60% (95% CI [7.06-100%]), 88.9% (95% CI [62.8-100%]), and 87.5% (95% CI [68.17-100%]) for the iliac, femoral, and popliteal sectors, respectively, whereas the negative predictive value was 100% (95% CI [98.28-100%]), 91.3% (95% CI [77.61-100%]), and 100% (95% CI, [97.37-100%]). The concordance between DUS and intraoperative angiography showed a k index of 0.587 (P = 0.000) in the iliac sector, 0.799 in the femoral sector (P = 0.000), and 0.699 in the popliteal sector (P = 0.000). The concordance between CT angiography/intraoperative angiography had a k index of 0.71 in the iliac sector (P = 0.0093), 0.566 in the femoral sector (P = 0.006), and 0.5 in the popliteal sector (P = 0.028). DUS-based surgical plan was accurate in 86% of cases (n = 44). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that DUS arterial mapping of the femoral and popliteal areas is better than CT angiography and can be considered as a unique preoperative imaging test during the surgical planning in patients undergoing a lower limb revascularization procedure.

Celiac trunk segmental arterial mediolysis: a rare cause of arteriopathy.

A 50-year-old male patient, without a previous medical history, presented sudden severe abdominal pain with no alterations in the blood analysis. A CT-Angiography (CTA) was performed that showed a wall thickening of the celiac trunk extended to the hepatic artery with a filiform lumen and no involvement of the splenic artery. There were no signs of intestinal or liver ischemia, therefore no further radiological tests were performed. The proteinogram and serology were normal, with no immunological and acute phase reactant markers, excluding vasculitis. It appeared as an isolated lesion with no signs of arterial dissection or pseudoaneurysms of the remaining abdominal vessels or the aorta. Therefore, it was considered as a Segmental Arterial Mediolisis (SAM).

Endovascular Treatment of Venous Bypass Graft Pseudoaneurysm with the New Solaris Self-Expanding Covered Stent.

Nonanastomotic pseudoaneurysm formation after vascular reconstruction is a rarely encountered problem. Covered stent graft constitutes a minimal approach. To our knowledge, the present study constitutes the first case of implantation of Solaris stent graft in Europe. A 69-year-old man with severe cardiac dysfunction presented a pseudoaneurysm of a popliteal to popliteal artery reversed saphenous vein bypass graft. The patient was successfully treated by the percutaneous placement of a Solaris self-expanding covered stent. The postimplantation arteriogram demonstrated exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm, complete apposition of the stent, and adequate runoff. No complications occurred, and the patient was discharged from the hospital one day later receiving 75 mg of clopidogrel. Endovascular exclusion by covered stent deployment offers a safe, rapid, and minimally invasive alternative to open surgical resection in patients with lower limb venous graft pseudoaneurysm. The Solaris covered stent provides a new catheter-based device with adequate navigability and exceptional accurate delivery system.

Geometric and hemodynamic analysis of fenestrated and multibranched aortic endografts.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hemodynamic force on the development of type III endoleak and branch thrombosis after complex endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. METHODS: Patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, within surgical range, treated with a fenestrated or branched endovascular aneurysm repair from 2014 to 2018 and with 3-month control computed tomography angiography were selected. Demographic variables, aneurysm anatomy, and endograft conformation were analyzed retrospectively from a prospective registry. The hemodynamic force was calculated using the mass and momentum conservation equations. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included; the mean follow-up period was 24.7 ± 19.3 months. There were 102 abdominal vessels successfully catheterized (19 celiac arteries, 29 superior mesenteric arteries, 27 right renal arteries, 26 left renal arteries, and 1 polar renal artery). The rate of type III endoleak was 11.5% (n = 12); six cases were associated with branches that received two stents (P < .001). A higher rate of endoleak was observed with wider stents (8.50 ± 1.0 mm vs 7.17 ± 1.3 mm; P = .001) but not with longer stents (P = .530). All cases of type III endoleak affected visceral arteries (eight celiac arteries and four superior mesenteric arteries). The freedom from type III endoleak at 24 months was 86%. The rate of thrombosis was 5.9% (n = 6). A higher rate of thrombosis was observed in smaller vessels (5.00 ± 1.3 mm vs 7.16 ± 1.8 mm; P = .001), with higher stent oversizing (36.87% ± 23.6% vs 5.52% ± 15.0%; P < .001), and with a higher angle of curvature (124.33 ± 86.1 degrees vs 57.71 ± 27.9 degrees; P < .001). All cases of thrombosis were related to renal arteries (two left renal arteries, two right renal arteries, and two polar renal arteries). The freedom from thrombosis at 24 months was 92%. The area under the curve for the angle of curvature was 0.802 (95% confidence interval, 0.661-0.943; P = .013), and the cutoff point was established at 59.5 degrees (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 60.4%). The receiver operating characteristic curve for the stent oversize showed an area under the curve of 0.903 (95% confidence interval, 0.821-0.984; P = .001), and the cutoff point was 14.5% (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 77.1%). A higher hemodynamic force was associated with thrombosis (23.35 × 10-3 N ± 18.7 × 10-3 N vs 12.31 × 10-3 N ± 6.8 × 10-3 N; P = .001) but not with endoleak (P = .796). The freedom from endoleak and thrombosis at 24 months was 86% and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Longer stents should be preferred to avoid type III endoleak. A higher angle of curvature leads to a higher hemodynamic force that results in a higher rate of thrombosis. Accordingly, we recommend maintaining the angle of curvature under 59.9 degrees. Small vessels and excessive stent oversizing entail a higher risk of thrombosis; as such, we advise a maximum stent oversize of 14.5%. Renal arteries are more susceptible to thrombosis, whereas visceral arteries are more prone to endoleak.

Total Laparoscopic Inferior Mesenteric Artery Ligation and Direct Sac Puncture Embolization Technique for Treatment of Type II Endoleak.

Type II endoleak relates to aneurysm perfusion through a patent branch vessel. Reintervention for type II endoleak should be considered in the presence of significant aneurysm growth. Recurrences and subsequent reinterventions are frequent by occult type II endoleaks through feeder arterial branches. We report a case of a patient with a type II endoleak due to inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) patency associated with aneurysm sac growth after an unsuccessfully attempt of transarterial embolization. Laparoscopic ligation of the IMA with direct sac puncture embolization was performed. The postoperative and 1-year follow-up computed tomography angiography scan demonstrated no endoleak signs and aneurysm sac shrinkage. The proposed modification of this technique constitutes a novel approach to this entity. Total laparoscopic IMA ligation and direct sac puncture embolization technique may increase the success rate for the treatment of endoleaks type II by excluding the recurrences. This technique may offer a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive approach for type II endoleaks when other endovascular techniques are unsuccessful.

Real-World Results of Supera Stent Implantation for Popliteal Artery Atherosclerotic Lesions: 3-Year Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Reports our experience for the first 50 cases of use of Supera stent for popliteal atherosclerotic lesions treatment. METHODS: This prospective single-arm trial enrolled the first 50 limbs (46 patients) treated in our center with a Supera stent for symptomatic atherosclerotic disease of the popliteal artery. Also, a follow-up of 36 months is reported. RESULTS: The mean preoperative ankle-brachial index increased from 0.38 ± 0.37 before intervention to 0.63 ± 0.46 postoperatively at 12 months (P = 0.014), 0.66 ± 0.39 at 24 months (P = 0.023), and 0.74 ± 0.46 at 36 months (P = 0.029). Primary patency at 12, 24, and 36 months were 89.6%, 72.3%, and 70.2%, and primary assisted patency was 93.8%, 87.2%, and 85.1%, respectively, by Kaplan-Meier estimates. After 3 years of follow-up, age <75 years (P = 0.034) and Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC)-II D lesions (P = 0.041) constituted risk factors for stent occlusion. During the follow-up of the patients, none of them developed stent fracture as evidenced on plain radiographs during follow-up. Implantation defects did not constitute a risk factor for stent restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, Supera stent has shown an excellent 3-year patency in this difficult-to-treat anatomic segment. In our experience, younger patients and complex lesions (TASC-II type D) were positive significant predictors for restenosis. In our cohort, post deployment stent conformation did not influence patency. Nevertheless, further investigations, including randomized studies comparing the Supera stent with other stent platforms, drug eluting angioplasty, or atherectomy devices, are mandatory.

Laparoscopic treatment of median arcuate ligament syndrome: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is an uncommon condition caused by the extrinsic compression of the celiac trunk (CT) and celiac ganglion, secondary to an anatomical abnormality of the median arcuate ligament fibers. It is characterized by postprandial epigastric pain, chronic abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. MALS is typically diagnosed after the exclusion of other, more common conditions; however, a variety of imaging and diagnostic modalities, including Duplex ultrasonography, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, gastric tonometry and angiography can suggest findings consistent with MALS. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Laparoscopic approach has been proposed as the option of choice for the treatment of these patients. A systematic review of the international literature regarding this modality of treatment is presented here. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The review included 504 cases, and several principles are suggested to improve the management. The advantages of this minimally invasive technique include short operative time (136.0 minutes, range 70-242), shorter hospital stay (3.8 days, range 0.5-7) and low rate of conversion to open surgery (4.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Various treatment modalities are available to decompress the celiac trunk. Although open surgery has been traditionally accepted as the gold standard, laparoscopic division of the MALS has proven equal results. Others have described different treatment modalities, including bypass surgery and endovascular procedures (angioplasty or stent placement). Laparoscopic approaches to correct MALS are feasible and safe. It may be the preferred modality of treatment in view of its lack of morbidity, shorter hospital stay and good results.

Endovascular Treatment of Popliteal Artery Occlusion Caused by a Ruptured Supera Interwoven Nitinol Stent.

The Supera peripheral stent system has a woven wire design that may confer a potential advantage and has higher resistive radial strength of traditional stents, which gives it the ability to avoid kinking. Because a stent is a permanent implant in the target vessels and they would be subjected to a wide variety of torsion, compression, and stress, a rupture is not surprising. Only three cases of ruptured Supera stents have been published in literature. We present a case of P2 popliteal segment thrombosis secondary to Supera stent fracture. A 51-year-old male patient presented with lifestyle-limiting intermittent claudication after 6 months of popliteal recanalization and Supera stent implantation. The computed tomography angiography demonstrated a popliteal artery occlusion secondary to stent fracture. The lesion was satisfactorily treated by endovascular recanalization and with a new Supera stent deployment. The duplex examination after 3 and 6 months demonstrated stent's permeability, and the plain anteroposterior and lateral radiographs did not reveal new stent fractures. Our data suggested that Supera stents are not free of fractures during follow-up and their treatment depends on the type of fracture, with the possibility for endovascular treatment in type III fractures.

Radioprotection Measures during the Learning Curve with Hybrid Operating Rooms.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular procedures come with a potential risk of radiation hazards both to patients and to the vascular staff. Classically, most endovascular interventions took place in regular operating rooms (ORs) using a fluoroscopy C-arm unit controlled by a third party. Hybrid operating rooms (HORs) provide an optimal surgical suit with all the qualities of a fixed C-arm device, while allowing the device to be controlled by the surgical team. The latest studies suggest that an operator-controlled system may reduce the radiation dose. The purpose of the present study is to determine the amount of absorbed radiation using an HOR in comparison with a portable C-arm unit and to assess whether the radioprotection awareness of the surgical team influences the radiation exposure. The primary end point was the effective dose in milliSievert (mSv) for the surgical team and the average dose-area product (ADAP) in Gray-meters squared (Gym2) for patients. METHODS: The values of absorbed radiation of the surgical team's dosimeters were collected from January 2015 to May 2016. The HOR was installed in June 2015, and a radioprotection seminar was given in October 2015. The HOR-issued radiation, measured by the maximum dose-area product, ADAP, average dose (AD) per procedure, maximum dose per procedure per month, maximum fluoroscopy time, average fluoroscopic time, peak skin dose, and average skin dose (ASD), was collected monthly from September 2015 to July 2016. The timeline was divided into 3 periods: 5 months pre-HOR (Pre-HOR), 5 months after the HOR installation (PreS-HOR), and 5 months after a radioprotection seminar (PostS-HOR). RESULTS: The average number of procedures per month was 22.55 (±4.9), including endovascular aneurysm repair/thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair, carotid, visceral, and upper and lower limb endovascular revascularization. The average amount of absorbed radiation by the surgeons during PreS-HOR was 1.07 ± 0.4 mSv, which was higher than the other periods (Pre-HOR 0.06 ± 0.03 mSv, P = 0.002; PostS-HOR 0.14 ± 0.09 mSv, P = 0.000, respectively). The ADAP during PreS-HOR was 0.016 ± 0.01 Gym2, which was lower than the PostS-HOR (0.001 ± 0.002 Gym2) (P = 0.034). The AD during PreS-HOR was 0.78 ± 0.3 Gy and 0.39 ± 0.3 Gy during PostS-HOR (P = 0.098). The ASD during PreS-HOR was 0.40 ± 0.2 Gy and 0.20 ± 0.1 Gy during PostS-HOR (P = 0.099). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the HOR increases the amount of absorbed radiation for both patients and surgeons. The radioprotection seminars are of utmost importance to provide a continued training and optimize the use of ionizing radiation while using an HOR. Despite the awareness of the surgical team in the radioprotection field, the amount of absorbed radiation using an HOR is higher than the one using a C-Arm unit.

[Incidence of contrast induced nephropathy in patients who underwent an aortic endovascular repair]. / Incidência De Nefropatia Induzida Por Contraste Em Pacientes Operados De Reparação Aórtica endovascular.

INTRODUCTION: Intravascular iodinated contrasts are essencial in endovascular therapy. One of their major inconveniences is contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), which has been associated with an increase in complications and prolonged hospital stay. AIM: To analyze the incidence of CIN in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study including patients (n=129) treated with EVAR between January 2014 - September 2015. Information was gathered concerning age, history of diabetes, hypertension, pre-existing chronic kidney disease and previous treatment with diuretics or metformin. We analyzed serum levels of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and glomerular filtrate (GF), at baseline, at 24hours, peak levels during post-operative period and before discharge. The amount of intravascular contrast and periprocedureral hydration were correlated to creatinine and GF to determine their effect on CIN. RESULTS: Of 129 patients, 11 (8.53%) developed CIN. A significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative levels of urea and sodium, both p<0.001.Volume of contrast was the only variable that presented a statistically significant association with increase of creatinine levels in postoperative period (p=0.032). Worsening of glomerular filtrate showed a statistically significant association with preoperative levels of urea (p=0.036) and GF (p= 0.019). Fluid-therapy before or after exposure to contrast did not show any influence on the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CIN depends mainly on baseline GF and amount of contrast, and it is barely associated with hydration during the perioperative period. Since there is no specific treatment for CIN, the best practice is its prevention.