The Role of Platelets and Aneurysm Thrombus in the EVAR Post Implantation Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Post implantation syndrome (PIS) is a well-defined entity with unclear etiology, complicating a number of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms treated with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). The aim of this study was to assess the platelets' role and the influence of aneurysmal sac thrombus volumes in the development of PIS. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed, and 76 patients who were treated by EVAR (2011-2013) were studied. Aneurysms with endoleak were not included in the study. Based on the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), 17 patients (22%) developed PIS (which is considered a SIRS analogue), while 59 (78%) did not. METHODS: The 2 groups were compared in relation to the following parameters: baseline platelet count (PLT), decrease of platelet count (PLT drop), volume of the arterial flow before the procedure (V flow), volume of thrombus of the aneurysm (V thromb), ratio of thrombus volume to aneurysm sac volume (V ratio), and the volume of newly formed thrombus (V new). Volume flow measurements were calculated by Osirix software preoperatively and in the first month postoperatively. Parametric and nonparametric techniques (unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test) were used accordingly. RESULTS: Baseline platelets absolute count was greater in the PIS group (239,000 ± 17,000) versus the non-PIS group (194,000 ± 6,900, P = 0.004), and the PLT drop was larger in the PIS group (74,000 ± 15,600 versus 45,000 ± 5,300, P = 0.019). No difference was found regarding the aneurysm volumes (V flow, V thromb, V ratio, and V new) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Platelets, in terms of their absolute baseline count and their decrease after the procedure, seem to be an important factor in developing PIS after EVAR. Further, more tailored studies are needed to elucidate the role of platelets and flow or thrombus volumes in the development of PIS.

Laparoscopic Ligation of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery: A Systematic Review of an Emerging Trend for Addressing Type II Endoleak Following Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background/Objectives: this systematic review aims to explore the efficacy and safety of the laparoscopic ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) as an emerging trend for addressing a type II endoleak following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across several databases including Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. The search focused on articles reporting on the laparoscopic ligation of the IMA for the treatment of a type II endoleak post-EVAR. Data were extracted regarding study characteristics, patient demographics, technical success rates, postoperative outcomes, and follow-up results. Results: Our analysis included ten case studies and two retrospective cohort studies, comprising a total of 26 patients who underwent a laparoscopic ligation of the IMA between 2000 and 2023. The mean age of the cohort was 72.3 years, with a male predominance (92.3%). The mean AAA diameter at the time of intervention was 69.7 mm. The technique demonstrated a high technical success rate of 92.3%, with a mean procedure time of 118.4 min and minimal blood loss. The average follow-up duration was 19.9 months, with 73% of patients experiencing regression of the aneurysmal sac, and no reports of an IMA-related type II endoleak during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The laparoscopic ligation of the IMA for a type II endoleak following EVAR presents a promising, minimally invasive alternative with high technical success rates and favorable postoperative outcomes. Despite its potential advantages, including reduced contrast agent use and radiation exposure, its application remains limited to specialized centers. The findings suggest the need for further research in larger prospective studies to validate the effectiveness of this procedure and potentially broaden its clinical adoption.

A Successful Endovascular Treatment of Massive Hematuria Caused by Aorto-Ureteric Fistula: A Report of a Rare Case.

Fistula formation between the urinary tract and the arterial system is very rare, and usually involves the ureter and the adjacent iliac vessels. Communication of the ureter with the aorta has been described a few times worldwide, and most of them had a fatal outcome. In our case, a 79-year-old man had a history of total cystectomy for malignancy and diversion of both ureters to a single site in the right hypogastrium with the left one crossing over the aorta. He was admitted elsewhere several times for intermittent hematuria, and four months ago the diagnosis of communication of the left ureter with a mycotic aortic pseudoaneurysm was made. He was then referred to an interventional radiologist who sealed the communication. He was admitted to our hospital four months later in a state of hypovolemic shock and massive hematuria. In lack of information, it seemed to us that he had been treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for uretero-aortic communication, and was experiencing a regression because of endoleak formation. We attempted to treat him as type I endoleak with a proximal extension, and upon failure, with distal extensions, but finally we had to 'build' the entire previous graft from the inside to achieve hemodynamic stability. Our patient remained stable, without endoleak on the post-intervention computed tomography angiography (CTA). Post-operatively, we discovered that the initial operation was the formation of a bifurcated graft with multiple bare stents and coil embolization through them. This was done in an attempt to avoid material infection by the mycotic aneurysm. This is an example of a case where 'things got rough' in a lack of information on patients' medical records. Maybe the time has come to adopt the concept of implanting microchips into humans which would enable doctors to access their medical records. This will only serve as a tool for the benefit of the suffering patients, especially when we are dealing with life-threatening situations with no time to be lost.

Visceral Artery Revascularization With the "Roof-Top" Approach: An Alternative Technique With Great Exposure of the Suprarenal Aorta.

Due to the extensive collateral arterial network, symptomatic chronic mesenteric ischemia is a relatively uncommon condition and is associated with severe atherosclerotic disease of all major visceral arteries. Open surgical repair has been commonly used to restore blood supply to the visceral arteries, and the "roof-top" approach has been advocated as an alternative technique to traditional midline incision, mainly because of the great exposure of the suprarenal aorta that it offers. Roof-top approach, in other words, bilateral subcostal incision, is a totally abdominal approach to the suprarenal aorta, and as the title says, it is like a roof-top on the abdominal wall. We present a case of a female patient with intestinal angina that was deemed unsuitable for endovascular repair (ER) and was treated with open surgical repair utilizing the "roof-top" approach.

Endovascular Coil Embolization of a Large Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report.

This case report aims to elucidate the current practices and efficacy of endovascular repair in managing splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs), particularly focusing on a case of a large, partially ruptured SAA. A 66-year-old female presented with severe abdominal pain and was later diagnosed with a 53mm saccular, degenerative SAA showing signs of partial rupture. The patient underwent successful endovascular repair using a combination of interlocking detachable coils and fibered coils. Despite the initial success, a follow-up CT angiogram revealed residual issues, necessitating additional embolization. The patient recovered well, with subsequent follow-ups indicating complete aneurysm closure and no complications. The successful management of this case aligns with current trends in SAA treatment, emphasizing the shift towards endovascular repair methods. This approach, highlighted in the literature, offers a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery, with lower morbidity and mortality rates. This case underscores the importance of individualized treatment planning and vigilant follow-up, particularly in light of the potential need for secondary interventions. This report contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting endovascular repair as a safe and effective treatment for SAAs, advocating for continued research into long-term outcomes and the development of advanced endovascular technologies.

Acute Upper Extremity Ischaemia as a Result of Muscular Hypertrophy: The Popeye Syndrome.

Arterial entrapment syndrome (AES) at the elbow level is very rare. In cases of acute upper extremity ischaemia presenting in middle-aged patients with evident muscular hypertrophy, AES should always be included in the differential diagnosis. A thorough clinical examination should always follow, particularly when symptoms appear after reported strenuous upper extremity activity, and emergent surgical decompression is mandatory to avoid thrombotic complications in the affected arm in the future.

Two-Territory Stroke as a Result of Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis and Fetal Posterior Cerebral Artery: A Didactic Paradigm.

A complete configuration of the circle of Willis is not always present, and anatomical variations are observed often. The fetal posterior cerebral artery has been described in cases where the embryonic posterior communicating artery has failed to regress, something that may happen on the right side, the left side, or bilaterally. We describe a case of a male patient with bilateral posterior cerebral arteries with direct communication with the internal carotid artery on both sides who presented with symptoms of stroke allocated to both posterior and middle cerebral artery areas. In our knowledge, although there are several reported cases of occipital infarction from internal carotid artery disease, this is the first case of simultaneous infarction in the territories of the posterior cerebral and middle cerebral arteries due to internal carotid artery disease.