Role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair in T4b esophageal cancer management: a systematic review.

The incidence of T4b esophageal cancer with aortic invasion but without distant metastasis is estimated to be between 3.8% and 4.6% of all esophageal cancer cases. Development of an aortoesophageal fistula in such cases is a rare but not unlikely event, leading to catastrophic consequences. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the importance of aortic stenting (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair-TEVAR) and its optimal timing in the management of locally advanced esophageal cancer. A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was undertaken to identify relevant studies published up to March 2024. An individual patient data analysis was performed by forming a patient cohort with elective and salvage TEVAR subgroups, depending on the timing of the stenting. The study pool consisted of 25 studies incorporating 101 cases of locally advanced esophageal cancer, with a median age of 64 years (range 45-87 years). Of them, 50 patients underwent elective TEVAR compared with 51 patients receiving TEVAR in an acute salvage setting. Elective or prophylactic TEVAR was found to significantly increase esophageal resection rates (65.6% vs. 16.7% in the salvage subgroup, P < 0.001), concurrently reducing complication rates (8.3% vs. 36.1%, P < 0.001). Overall survival was also prolonged in the elective subgroup (8.3 vs. 4 months, P = 0.001), with elective stenting being the only independent predictor of improved survival. In conclusion, management with aortic stenting in high-risk patients may reduce the catastrophic consequences of massive bleeding, minimize complications, and enhance survival rates.

EndoVenous-assisted invaginated stripping of the great saphenous vein: A pilot and feasibility study.

Objective: By incorporating an endovascular component into Great Saphenous Vein stripping, EndoVenous-assisted Invaginated Stripping (EVIS) aims to make the procedure minimally invasive. A study was conducted to investigate the surgical intervention. Methods: Sketches and videos were used to illustrate the technical aspects of EVIS. A prospective cohort study included 20 patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Results: EVIS is performed as a day-surgery. Technical success was 100%, and no complications were recorded. The mean operative time was 45 minutes, intraoperative pain score was 4.8, post-operative pain was 2.5, 1.8, 1.2, 0.5 at 48 hours, 1, 4, and 12 weeks, respectively. The mean blood loss was 15 mL, and the mean length of the GSV strapped was 19 cm. The follow-up duplex showed a reduction in the diameter of the residual GSV stump. Conclusions: EVIS is a combination of standard techniques that may prove valuable in managing CVI.

Myocardial Expression of Pluripotency, Longevity, and Proinflammatory Genes in the Context of Hypercholesterolemia and Statin Treatment.

Background: This study sought to assess the effect of statin therapy on myocardial inflammation in a White New Zealand rabbit model of atherogenesis. Methods: The mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory, pluripotency, and aging-related markers were quantified following a controlled feeding protocol and statin treatments. Results: Following high-cholesterol diet induction, we observed significant upregulation in the myocardial mRNA levels of MYD88, NF-κB, chemokines (CCL4, CCL20, and CCR2), IFN-γ, interleukins (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-18), and novel markers (klotho, KFL4, NANOG, and HIF1α). In contrast, HOXA5 expression was diminished following a hyperlipidemic diet. Both statin treatments significantly influenced the markers studied. Nevertheless, rosuvastatin administration resulted in a greater reduction in MYD88, NF-kB, chemokines (CCL4, CCL20, and CCR2), and interleukins IL-1ß, IL-8, KLF4, NANOG, and HIF1α than fluvastatin. Fluvastatin, on the other hand, led to a stronger decrease in IL-4. Downregulation of IL-2 and IL-18 and upregulation of IFNß and HOXA5 were comparable between the two statins. Notably, rosuvastatin had a stronger effect on the upregulation of klotho and IL-10. Conclusion: Overall, statin therapy significantly attenuated inflammatory, pluripotency, and klotho expression in myocardial tissue under atherogenic conditions. Our findings also highlight the differential efficacy of rosuvastatin over fluvastatin in curtailing proatherogenic inflammation, which could have profound implications for the clinical management of cardiovascular disease.

A Hybrid Approach That May Facilitate the Repair of Traumatic Popliteal Artery Pseudoaneurysms.

PURPOSE: Traumatic popliteal pseudoaneurysms may occur in accidents or as an iatrogenic complication of a total knee arthroplasty. Complications often arise in open repair because of distorted anatomy. Up to 22% of the patients may suffer above-knee amputation. Endovascular treatment has proven to be an effective solution. However, the long-term performance of stents at the hinge point of the popliteal artery is questionable. We present a hybrid technique that was used successfully in 2 cases. TECHNIQUE: Our approach takes advantage of both open and endovascular techniques. At first, we apply a stent graft at the side of the injury to cover the arterial trauma and stop blood leakage to the aneurysm sac. This allows for a safer dissection and open repair. We clamp the artery proximally and distally, open the sac, extract the stent graft, and extend to a longitudinal arteriotomy. We then reconstruct the entire area with a standard in lay end-to-end anastomosis using a vein graft. This hybrid technique may reduce the risk of uncontrollable bleeding and allow for a safer nerve decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of such injuries is technically demanding. A hybrid approach may reduce the risk of complications and offer excellent long-term outcomes. CLINICAL IMPACT: The hybrid approach to the treatment of traumatic popliteal pseudoaneurysms combines the advantages of both open and endovascular approaches. It may be possible to make an acute operation just as safe as an elective operation by implementing the proposed strategy. The procedure can be performed by surgeons of all levels, and patients may benefit from a safer surgical dissection with fewer complications and blood loss. This smart combination of standard techniques may prove invaluable in a hostile surgical environment where limb loss is likely.

Transfection of Vein Grafts with Early Growth Response Factor-1 Oligodeoxynucleotide Decoy: Effects on Stem-Cell Genes and Toll-like Receptor-Mediated Inflammation.

The long-term patency of vein grafts is challenged by intimal hyperplasia. We sought to explore the intricate relationships between the transcription factor Egr-1, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and stem cell genes and also assessed oligodeoxynucleotide decoys (ODNs) as a strategy to prevent vein graft failures. A total of 42 New Zealand white rabbits were fed hyperlipidemic chow and classified into three groups. A double-stranded Egr-1 ODN was synthesized and infused in vein grafts prior to anastomosis with the common carotid artery. All vein grafts were retrieved at the conclusion of the predefined experimental period. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to estimate expression patterns for several genes of interest. MYD88, TLR2-4, TLR8, NF-kB, TNF-α, IFNß, and IFNγ; chemokines CCL4, CCL20, CCR2; numerous interleukins; and stem cell genes KFL4, NANOG, HOXA5, and HIF1α were universally downregulated in the ODN arm compared with the controls. By understanding these multifaceted interactions, our study offers actionable insights that may pave the way for innovative interventions in vascular reconstructions.

MYD88 and Proinflammatory Chemokines in Aortic Atheromatosis: Exploring Novel Statin Effects.

Atherosclerosis is driven by a diverse range of cellular and molecular processes. In the present study, we sought to better understand how statins mitigate proatherogenic inflammation. 48 male New Zealand rabbits were divided into eight groups, each including 6 animals. The control groups received normal chow for 90 and 120 days. Three groups underwent a hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) for 30, 60, and 90 days. Another three groups underwent HCD for 3 months, followed by normal chow for one month, with or without rosuvastatin or fluvastatin. The cytokine and chemokine expressions were assessed in the samples of thoracic and abdominal aorta. Rosuvastatin significantly reduced MYD88, CCL4, CCL20, CCR2, TNF-α, IFN-ß, IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, and IL-10, both in the thoracic and abdominal aorta. Fluvastatin also downregulated MYD88, CCR2, IFN-ß, IFN-γ, IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in both aortic segments. Rosuvastatin curtailed the expression of CCL4, IFN-ß, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 more effectively than fluvastatin in both types of tissue. MYD88, TNF-α, IL-1b, and IL-8 showed a stronger downregulation with rosuvastatin compared to fluvastatin only in the thoracic aorta. The CCL20 and CCR2 levels reduced more extensively with rosuvastatin treatment only in abdominal aortic tissue. In conclusion, statin therapy can halt proatherogenic inflammation in hyperlipidemic animals. Rosuvastatin may be more effective in downregulating MYD88 in atherosclerotic thoracic aortas.

Appraisal of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Use of Antithrombotic Therapy in Elective Spinal Procedures: Do We AGREE (II)?

The perioperative management of patients medicated with antithrombotic agents who require elective spinal surgery is extremely challenging because of the increased risk of surgical bleeding and the concurrent need to minimize the thromboembolic risk. The aims of the present systematic review are to: (1) identify clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and recommendations (CPRs) on this topic and (2) assess their methodological quality and reporting clarity. An electronic systematic search of the English Medical Literature up to January 31, 2021 was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Two raters assessed the methodological quality and reporting clarity of the gathered CPGs and CPRs using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool. The agreement between the two raters was assessed using Cohen's kappa. Of the initially gathered 38 CPGs and CPRs, 16 fulfilled our eligibility criteria and were evaluated using the AGREE II instrument. The reports published by "Narouze 2018" and "Fleisher 2014" were scored as being of "high-quality" and having an adequate interrater agreement (Cohen's kappa ≥0.60). Overall, the AGREE II domains of "clarity of presentation" and "scope and purpose" yielded the highest scores (100%), whereas the domain "stakeholder involvement" scored the lowest score (48.5%). The perioperative management of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents in elective spine surgery may be challenging. Because of the lack of high-quality data in this field, uncertainty remains regarding the optimal practices to balance the risk of thromboembolism against that of bleeding.

Computational Study of Hemodynamic Field of an Occluded Artery Model with Anastomosis.

In this research work, the hemodynamic field of an occluded artery with anastomosis by means of computational simulation has been studied. The main objective of the current study is the investigation of 3D flow field phenomena in the by-pass region and the effect of the bypass graft to stenosis volume flow ratio on their formation. The anastomosis type was end-to-side with a 45° angle, while stenosis imposed a 75% area blockage of the aorta vessel and the total volume flow was 220 lt/h. The computational study of the flow field was utilized via a laminar flow model and three turbulence models (k-ε RNG, standard k-ω, and k-ω SST). Numerical results were compared qualitatively with experimental visualizations carried out under four different flow conditions, varying according to the flow ratio between the stenosis and the anastomotic graft. Comparison between computational results and experimental visualization findings exhibited a good agreement. Results showed that SST k-ω turbulence models reproduce better visually obtained flow patterns. Furthermore, cross-sectional velocity distributions demonstrated two distinct flow patterns down the bypass graft, depending on the flow ratio. Low values of flow ratio are characterized by fluid rolling up, whereas for high values fluid volume twisting was observed. Finally, areas with low wall shear stresses were mapped, as these are more prone to postoperative degradation of the bypass graft due to the development of subendothelial hyperplasia.

The Role of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cancer-Associated Thrombosis According to the Current Literature.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication among patients suffering from malignancies, leading to an increased mortality rate. Novel randomized trials have added valuable information regarding cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) management using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The aim of this study is to present an overview of the current literature and recommendations in CAT treatment. A few randomized control trials (RCTs) have been integrated suggesting that DOACs may be effectively applied in CAT patients compared to low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) with a decreased mortality and VTE recurrence rate. However, the risk of bleeding is higher, especially in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Real-world data are in accordance with these RCT findings, while in the currently available recommendations, DOACs are suggested as a reliable alternative to LMWH during the initial, long-term, and extended phase of treatment. Data retrieved from the current literature, including RCTs and "real-world" studies, aim to clarify the role of DOACs in CAT management, by highlighting their benefits and remarking upon the potential adverse outcomes. Current recommendations suggest the use of DOACs in well-selected patients with an increasing level of evidence through years.

Efficacy and Safety of Adjunctive Cilostazol to Clopidogrel-Treated Diabetic Patients With Symptomatic Lower Extremity Artery Disease in the Prevention of Ischemic Vascular Events.

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for lower extremity arterial disease. Cilostazol expresses antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilator actions and improves the claudication intermittent symptoms. We investigated the efficacy and safety of adjunctive cilostazol to clopidogrel-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus exhibiting symptomatic lower extremity arterial disease, in the prevention of ischemic vascular events and improvement of the claudication intermittent symptoms. Methods and Results In a prospective 2-arm, multicenter, open-label, phase 4 trial, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with intermittent claudication receiving clopidogrel (75 mg/d) for at least 6 months, were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio, either to continue to clopidogrel monotherapy, without receiving placebo cilostazol (391 patients), or to additionally receive cilostazol, 100 mg twice/day (403 patients). The median duration of follow-up was 27 months. The primary efficacy end point, the composite of acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, acute myocardial infarction, and death from vascular causes, was significantly reduced in patients receiving adjunctive cilostazol compared with the clopidogrel monotherapy group (sex-adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.468; 95% CI, 0.252-0.870; P=0.016). Adjunctive cilostazol also significantly reduced the stroke/transient ischemic attack events (sex-adjusted HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15-0.98; P=0.046) and improved the ankle-brachial index and pain-free walking distance values (P=0.001 for both comparisons). No significant difference in the bleeding events, as defined by Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria, was found between the 2 groups (sex-adjusted HR, 1.080; 95% CI, 0.579-2.015; P=0.809). Conclusions Adjunctive cilostazol to clopidogrel-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with symptomatic lower extremity arterial disease may lower the risk of ischemic events and improve intermittent claudication symptoms, without increasing the bleeding risk, compared with clopidogrel monotherapy. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02983214.

Simultaneous Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm Repair for Severe Aortic Stenosis and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Report of 2 Cases and Literature Review.

The prevalence of concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and severe aortic stenosis (AS) has been increasing in the elderly population. Both conditions have adverse outcomes, if not adequately managed. No clear recommendations are available in the literature until today, in regards of the management sequence making thus the decision-making challenging. We report 2 cases of AAA and significant AS treated with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) during the same procedure and a review of the literature on this topic. Based on our experience, the combined procedure with TAVI followed by EVAR seems to be feasible, safe, and effective while detailed preoperative planning and a carefully tailored management strategy by a multidisciplinary team are essential.