Bypass Grafting vs Endovascular Therapy in Patients With Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CRITISCH Registry).

Purpose: To report the outcomes of bypass grafting (BG) vs endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Materials and Methods: The CRITISCH Registry is a prospective, national, interdisciplinary, multicenter registry evaluating the current practice of all available treatment options in 1200 consecutive CLTI patients. For the purposes of this analysis, only the 337 patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD treated by either BG (n=86; median 78 years, 48 men) or EVT (n=251; median age 80 years, 135 men) were analyzed. The primary composite outcome was amputation-free survival (AFS); secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and amputation-free time (AFT). All outcomes were evaluated in Cox proportional hazards models; the results are reported as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The Cox regression analysis revealed a significantly greater hazard of amputation or death after BG (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.03, p=0.028). The models for AFT and overall survival also suggested a higher hazard for BG, but the differences were not significant (AFT: HR 1.66, 95% CI 0.78 to 3.53, p=0.188; OS: HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.47, p=0.348). The absence of runoff vessels (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.60, p=0.008) was associated with a decreased AFS. The likelihood of amputation was higher in male patients (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.10 to 4.45, p=0.027) and was associated with a lack of runoff vessels (HR 1.95, 95% CI 0.96 to 3.95, p=0.065) and myocardial infarction (HR 3.74, 95% CI 1.23 to 11.35, p=0.020). Death was more likely in patients without runoff vessels (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.80, p=0.016) and those with a higher risk score (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.91, p=0.038). Conclusion: This analysis suggested that BG was associated with poorer AFS than EVT in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD and CLTI. Male sex, previous myocardial infarction, and the absence of runoff vessels were additionally identified as predictors of poorer outcomes.

The relevance of low-fidelity virtual reality simulators compared with other learning methods in basic endovascular skills training.

OBJECTIVE: The use of simulators has shown a profound impact on the development of both training and assessment of endovascular skills. Furthermore, there is evidence that simulator training is of great benefit for novice trainees. However, there are only a few simulators available geared specifically toward novice learners. Whereas research suggests that low-fidelity simulators could fill this gap, there are insufficient data available to determine the role of low-fidelity simulators in the training of endovascular skills. METHODS: Medical students in their fifth year (N = 50) with no previous endovascular experience were randomized into three groups: conventional learning through a video podcast (group V; n = 12), low-fidelity simulation training with tablet-paired touch-gesture navigation (group A; n = 12), and low-fidelity simulation training with tablet-paired physical endovascular tool navigation (group S; n = 26). Within their respective groups, all students attended a 1-day class on basic endovascular skills. Questionnaire items for self-assessment before and after the class and assessment after the class of the participant's practical skills on a high-fidelity simulator were analyzed across all three groups as well as for each group separately using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: All 50 participants completed the training. Participants in group S showed a significantly increased interest in working in interventional cardiology (P = .02) and vascular surgery (P = .03) after the class. Evaluation of the questionnaire items after the class showed that participants in group S rated their practical skills significantly higher after the class compared with those in group V and group A (P < .001 for pairwise comparison of all three groups, respectively), creating a significant trend across the three groups. However, analysis of the practical skills assessment for all three groups showed a significant difference between the groups only for choosing a guidewire (P = .045) and a significant trend in performance across the groups for choosing a guidewire and for positioning the guidewire in the vessel (P = .02 and P = .05, respectively). All other steps of the skills assessment showed no significant differences or a trend across the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-fidelity simulation training, particularly with physical endovascular tool navigation, led to increased motivation in novice trainees. Whereas simulator training was associated with increased confidence of trainees in their skills, assessment of their practical skills showed no actual improvement in this study. Overall, low-fidelity simulation has the potential to benefit novice trainees, but possible risks of simulation training should be further evaluated.

An Enigmatic Case of an Uncommon Syndrome: The Hughes-Stovin Syndrome.

Hughes-Stovin syndrome is a disorder characterized by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary artery aneurysms with potentially life-threatening complications. The case of a 22-year-old Moroccan male patient, presenting with signs of sepsis of unclear etiology, is presented here. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed thrombosis of the inferior vena cava up to the hepatic veins, thrombosis of both common iliac veins and a thrombus in the right atrium. Primarily suspecting septic thrombosis, surgical thrombectomy was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged with oral anticoagulants. Three weeks later, he was admitted again with acute shortness of breath. A new CT scan showed bilateral pulmonary embolism and multiple pulmonary artery aneurysms. Hughes-Stovin syndrome was diagnosed, and high-dose heparin and an immunosuppressant (prednisolon) were administered. Two weeks later, the patient presented again with massive epistaxis and hemoptysis. A CT scan showed diffuse parenchymal bleeding. After prophylactic intubation and conservative treatment, he recovered rapidly and was again discharged uneventfully. Under immunosuppressants, a rapid reduction in the diameter of the pulmonary aneurysms was observed and the patient remained symptom-free during follow-up.

Thrombosis of the Inferior Vena Cava after Endovascular Aortic Repair in a Patient with May-Thurner Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A 70-year-old male patient of Italian origin presented with a 9.3 × 8.4 cm infrarenal AAA, which was treated by endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). He reported a history of ulcerative colitis and was on prednisolone 80 mg daily. Seven weeks postoperatively the patient was readmitted with a deep vein thrombosis including both iliac veins and IVC, and bilateral pulmonary embolism. Venous thrombectomy and decompression of the IVC were performed by partial resection of the aneurysm sac. A covered stent was intraoperatively placed in the left common iliac vein to treat compression of the left iliac vein (May-Thurner Syndrome). Enoxaparin (2 × 0.8 mg) and antiplatelet agent with aspirin were administered, as well as intermittent compression therapy to the left leg. This case report describes vena cava thrombosis as a rare complication after EVAR in a patient with May-Thurner syndrome.

Early outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease after revascularization for critical limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report early outcomes of patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) after revascularization for critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). METHODS: Perioperative data of patients from the CRITISCH (critical limb ischemia) Registry, who also had NDD-CKD (stages 3 and 4), were compared to their counterparts with normal renal function (NRF) or mild renal insufficiency (stages 1 and 2). Patient characteristics and type of first-line treatment were assessed. Amputation-free survival was the primary composite endpoint. Secondary endpoints included major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) and hemodynamic failure of revascularization. Multivariable logistic regression determined risk factors for the endpoints. RESULTS: 424 patients with NDD-CKD were identified. Endovascular revascularization (ER) was performed in 251 patients (59.2%). Eighty-six patients (20.3%) underwent bypass surgery (BS) and 29 patients (6.8%) femoral artery patchplasty (FAP). Conservative treatment (CT) was offered to 46 patients (10.9%); 12 patients (2.8%) underwent primary major amputation (PMA). Logistic regression analysis showed an increased early risk for amputation/death (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.09-3.40), death (OR=5.53, 95% CI: 1.92-15.90) and hemodynamic failure of the revascularization (OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.19-2.72) compared to patients with NRF. Patients with NDD-CKD also seem to carry a higher risk for MACCE (OR=1.82, 95% CI: 0.99-3.36). NDD-CKD was not a risk factor for limb loss alone (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.49-2.22). CONCLUSIONS: NDD-CKD was an independent risk factor for early postoperative mortality, morbidity and reduced patency, but not for limb loss. Robust follow-up is necessary to monitor for such events, as well as to prevent readmission.

Staged treatment of mega aortic syndrome using the frozen elephant trunk and hybrid thoracoabdominal repair.

OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with a staged hybrid approach for the treatment of extended aortic disease, also known as "mega aortic syndrome." METHODS: A total of 15 patients (10 male, 5 female) underwent staged repair of the thoracoabdominal aorta, consisting of 3 separate stages (repair of ascending aorta and aortic arch using the frozen elephant trunk technique and hybrid thoracoabdominal repair with debranching of the renovisceral branches and stent graft implantation). RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 14 patients. After the first stage (repair of ascending aorta and aortic arch), no mortality or spinal cord ischemia occurred. One patient required temporary dialysis. After the thoracoabdominal repair, permanent paraplegia developed in 1 patient. One patient died intraoperatively after aneurysm rupture. The in-hospital mortality for the complete repair reached 6.7%. None of the surviving patients required permanent dialysis. Interval aortic events consisted of 1 contained rupture. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of a staged hybrid repair of the mega aortic syndrome is technically feasible. The frozen elephant trunk technique represents an attractive treatment option, offering an adequate landing zone for later thoracoabdominal repair in patients with extended aortic disease. For completion of the repair, a staged hybrid approach with renovisceral debranching and aneurysm exclusion using off-the-shelf stent grafts shows promising results with low surgical morbidity and mortality.