Spinal Cord Protection During Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Endovascular Aortic Repair: 5-Year Results of a Preventive Protocol Including Prophylactic Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage in High-Risk Patients.

PURPOSE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating complication of thoracoabdominal aortic (TAA) repair. The use of prophylactic cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) as part of a protective protocol during endovascular repair is controversial. This article reports the results of the prophylactic use of CSFD as part of the of a prevention protocol implemented in 2016. METHODS: Retrospective review of spinal cord outcomes (SCI rate and CSFD-related complications) in patients treated endovascularly for TAA disease at a single institution from 2016 (implementation of an institutional SCI risk reduction protocol) to 2021. Patients were classified as high risk (≥2 factors), intermediate risk (1 factor), or low risk (0 factor). Only high-risk patients without contraindications underwent a prophylactic CSFD placement. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one patients were analyzed (124 males; 69.6 years): 130 (69%) aneurysms (n=24 thoracic, n=28 Crawford 1-2-3, and n=78 Crawford 4/pararenal), 35 (19.9%) chronic aneurysmal dissections, and 16 (8.8%) acute complicated type B dissections. Interventions were staged in 31 (17.2%) cases, and consisted of 74 (41%) Thoracic EndoVascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) and 107 (59%) Fenestrated Branched EndoVascular Aneurysm Repair (F-BEVAR). Sixty-nine (38.1%) patients were identified as being at high risk of SCI and CSFD was used prophylactically in 64 of them (4 failures and 1 contraindication). Spinal cord injury occurred in 8 cases (4 paraparesis, 4 paraplegias including 2 permanent), of which 3 had a prophylactic CSFD and 5 underwent rescue drainage. In addition, 4 patients developed SCI related to prophylactic CSFD (intradural hematoma), resulting in 1 paraparesis and 3 paraplegias. Other CSFD-related complications were mild (6) or moderate (2), for a total of 12 complications (17%). Factors associated with major drain complications were: curative anticoagulation 36 hours after drain removal (n=1), multiple punctures (n=1), platelet count <100 000 at drain removal (n=1), and bipolar disorder (n=2). Overall, 4 patients had permanent paraplegia and 1 had sphincter dysfunction at the last follow-up. Mean follow-up was 17 months. Mortality was 4.4% at 30 days and 13.3% at 18 months, including 3 (1.6%) aortic-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: With the protocol we used to protect the spinal cord, we report results comparable with the SCI literature and highlight the risks associated with prophylactic CSFD use, which requires a better understanding of contraindications.

Arterial Reconstruction for En-Bloc Resection of Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Single Tertiary Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Tertiary centers recruit a number of locally advanced or recurrent soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) that require large tissue loss including vessels. Arterial reconstruction (AR) in the context of patients with cancer who may receive radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) is challenging. METHODS: This retrospective single centre cohort study includes patients affected by extremities or trunk STS who underwent an AR during sarcoma resection, between October 2015 and February 2021 at Institut Curie. The endpoints of this study were to analyze the morbidity, the patency, and the impact on surgical margins of such associations. RESULTS: Of 976 patients operated, 21 (2.15%) had AR. Seventeen (81%) had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores ≥2. Locations were as follows: intra-abdominal n = 9 (43%), lower limb n = 8 (38%), upper limb n = 3 (14%), and cervical n = 1 (5%). N = 11 (52.3%) and n = 5 (23.8%) received RT or were operated on a preirradiated field, respectively. N = 7 (34%) patients received CT. Vein graft was used in n = 12 (57%). Musculo-cutaneous flaps were associated in n = 13 (62%) patients. Margins of resection were R0 n = 19 (90.4%), R1 n = 2, and R2 n = 0. The median follow-up was 16 months [6-44]. No postoperative death occurred. Two patients died of metastasis. At 1, 6, 12, and 24 months the primary patency was 80.9%, 71.4%, 87.5%, and 88.9%, respectively. Seven patients (33%) presented perioperative infection. Reoperation rate at 1, 6, and 12 months were 38%, 14%, and 5%, respectively. Ten patients (48%) presented persistent lymphoedema during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: AR enlarges the possibilities of STS excision with healthy margins and achieves good patency. Majority of patients were ASA ≥ 2 and received adjuvant treatments. In this particular context, morbidity is high and requires an upfront multidisciplinary management taking into account all these specific issues.

Customizable modification of banding with external stenting for arteriovenous fistula flow reduction.

We performed a single-center retrospective study of prospectively collected data for all patients who had flow reduction surgery with FRAME FR between November 2020 and January 2021. Ten patients had arteriovenous fistula flow reduction surgery with this technique. One patient had a distal fistula, whereas nine were within the cubital fossa. In nine patients the device was applied over the postanastomotic arteriovenous fistula outflow vein and in one in the preanastomotic radial artery. Technical success was achieved in all patients with a median flow reduction from 2150 to 825 mL/min. There were no wound or device-specific complications.

Antegrade Superficial Femoral Artery Approach Using Manual Compression and 4-F Delivery System for Infrainguinal Occlusive Disease.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to assess the feasibility and safety of antegrade superficial femoral artery (SFA) duplex-guided puncture using a 4-F catheter sheath and manual compression for the treatment of infrainguinal occlusive lesions. METHODS: From March 2017 to March 2019, all patients who underwent endovascular treatment employing an antegrade SFA approach for femoropopliteal or below-the-knee lesions were included in this study. Follow-up included clinical and duplex ultrasound examinations at 1 month. The primary endpoint was the frequency of major complications at the puncture site. RESULTS: In all, 71 procedures were performed in 70 patients (46 men; mean age: 79.1 ± 11.5 years), most of whom presented with critical limb-threatening ischemia (n = 59; 83%). Of these 71 procedures, 35 (49.3%) were performed for isolated femoropopliteal lesions and 24 (33.8%) for multilevel lesions. The primary endpoint was observed in 4 patients (5.6%). There were 3 observed hematomas (4.2%): 2 required surgical treatment, and 1 necessitated transfusion without intervention. At 30 days, we reported 1 pseudoaneurysm (1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that antegrade SFA puncture is feasible and safe with duplex ultrasound guidance and use of a 4-F catheter sheath.

Bare Stents for Iliac Chronic Total Occlusions ("TELIS"): A Prospective Cohort Study with a Midterm Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess primary bare stenting for iliac chronic total occlusions (CTOs) with midterm follow-up. METHODS: From April 2013 to May 2016, all patients presenting with symptomatic iliac CTO were treated endovascularly and included in a prospective single-center cohort. Common iliac CTOs were treated with balloon-expandable bare-metal stents. External iliac lesions were treated with bare self-expandable nitinol stents. Primary end point was primary sustained clinical improvement. A total of 49 iliac CTOs were treated in 46 patients. RESULTS: A total of 22 lesions were located at the level of the common iliac artery (45%), 20 at the external iliac artery (41%), and 7 extending to both (14%). Mean stenting length was 114.4 ± 49.8 mm. Technical success was 98%. Primary sustained clinical improvement was achieved for 93.4 ± 3.7% of patients at 12 months and 87.7 ± 5.2% at 24 months. Three in-stent thrombosis were observed with no restenosis in the remaining patients at 24 months. Freedom from target lesion revascularization was 93.3% ± 3.7% at 24 months. Three stent fractures were noted, none were symptomatic. Mean quality of life (EQ5D-3L) was significantly improved at 24 months (71.2 ± 20.3 vs. 52.4 ± 22.6, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that primary bare-metal stenting for iliac CTO is safe and efficient at 24 months and could be considered as a first-line strategy.

French Guidelines for the Management of Ambulatory Endovascular Procedures for Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory hospitalization for endovascular repair of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) could be a real opportunity to respond to the burden of PAD, to reduce costs, and to improve patients' empowerment. The French Society of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (SCVE) established guidelines to facilitate the development of ambulatory hospitalization in France. METHODS: In 2017, we used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and MEDLINE database to conduct a systematic review of available literature. A total of 448 relevant articles were found. Twelve articles, all published after the year 2000, were included and reviewed by two independent investigators. The SCVE mandated a scientific committee to collectively establish these guidelines. RESULTS: Eligibility for ambulatory management shall be based on the assessment of the triad: (1) patient, (2) procedure, and (3) structure. Comprehensive information and a detailed procedural pathway should be provided for the patient. No age limit is recommended. American Society of Anesthesiologists I, II, and III stable patients are eligible for ambulatory intervention. Specific comorbidities such as severe obesity, sleep apnea, and/or chronic kidney failure should be assessed preoperatively. Critical limb ischemia and complex lesions have not been considered as exclusion criteria. Antiplatelet drug use (aspirin and/or clopidogrel) has not been considered as a contraindication. Femoral ultrasound-guided puncture is recommended. Manual compression or closure devices have been recommended for 7F sheath or less. A minimum of 4 hours of monitoring after percutaneous femoral access is required before discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The SCVE guidelines aim to frame the practice of ambulatory endovascular procedures for lower extremity peripheral artery disease and to give vascular interventionalists help in their routine practice.

Management of ambulatory (day case) endovascular procedures for peripheral arterial disease.

INTRODUCTION: Thanks to exceptional improvements in technological developments and vascular teams' expertise, endovascular repair of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has drastically increased these past decades. Incidence of PAD rising, pressure to reduce costs and patient's empowerment make outpatient endovascular procedures for PAD an attractive alternative to conventional hospitalization. This review describes outpatient endovascular procedures for PAD in the literature. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We used PRISMA guidelines and Medline to conduct this systematic review. 448 relevant articles were found. Twelve articles, all published after year 2000 were included and reviewed by two independent investigators. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Among 12 selected articles, 10762 outpatient endovascular procedures were performed and 3883 procedures were realized for arterial lower limb revascularization. Average age was 65.2. Major exclusion criteria were social isolation (no available accompanying adult for the first 24 hours, no available communication system) and high-risk patients (ASA 4 and above). During the perioperative period, no death was noted. Major hematoma rate was 0% to 3%, minor hematoma rate went from 1.6% to 20%. Conversion to in-patient status for overnight observation occurred in 0% to 16% in ten real life studies and was mostly due to complications at puncture site. Reintervention over the first month occurred in 0% to 4%. Readmission in the first month after being discharged occurred in 0% to 3.2%. Diabetes and critical limb ischemia were not related to higher complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: This review indicates that outpatient endovascular procedures for PAD are safe and efficient. Guidelines are necessary to enforce patients' selection and insure high quality perioperative care.