Long-term serological follow-up after primary Coxiella burnetii infection in patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever.

We evaluated the long-term serological follow-up of patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever that were previously Coxiella burnetii seropositive. C. burnetii phase I IgG titers were reevaluated in patients that gave informed consent or retrospectively collected in patients already deceased or lost to follow-up. Of 107 patients, 25 (23.4%) became seronegative, 77 (72.0%) retained a profile of past resolved Q fever infection, and five (4.7%) developed chronic Q fever. We urge clinicians to stay vigilant for chronic Q fever beyond two years after primary infection and perform serological testing based on clinical presentation.

Primary and secondary arterial fistulas during chronic Q fever.

OBJECTIVE: After primary infection with Coxiella burnetii, patients may develop acute Q fever, which is a relatively mild disease. A small proportion of patients (1%-5%) develop chronic Q fever, which is accompanied by high mortality and can be manifested as infected arterial or aortic aneurysms or infected vascular prostheses. The disease can be complicated by arterial fistulas, which are often fatal if they are left untreated. We aimed to assess the cumulative incidence of arterial fistulas and mortality in patients with proven chronic Q fever. METHODS: In a retrospective, observational study, the cumulative incidence of arterial fistulas (aortoenteric, aortobronchial, aortovenous, or arteriocutaneous) in patients with proven chronic Q fever (according to the Dutch Chronic Q Fever Consensus Group criteria) was assessed. Proven chronic Q fever with a vascular focus of infection was defined as a confirmed mycotic aneurysm or infected prosthesis on imaging studies or positive result of serum polymerase chain reaction for C. burnetii in the presence of an arterial aneurysm or vascular prosthesis. RESULTS: Of 253 patients with proven chronic Q fever, 169 patients (67%) were diagnosed with a vascular focus of infection (42 of whom had a combined vascular focus and endocarditis). In total, 26 arterial fistulas were diagnosed in 25 patients (15% of patients with a vascular focus): aortoenteric (15), aortobronchial (2), aortocaval (4), and arteriocutaneous (5) fistulas (1 patient presented with both an aortocaval and an arteriocutaneous fistula). Chronic Q fever-related mortality was 60% for patients with and 21% for patients without arterial fistula (P < .0001). Primary fistulas accounted for 42% and secondary fistulas for 58%. Of patients who underwent surgical intervention for chronic Q fever-related fistula (n = 17), nine died of chronic Q fever-related causes (53%). Of patients who did not undergo any surgical intervention (n = 8), six died of chronic Q fever-related causes (75%). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients with proven chronic Q fever developing primary or secondary arterial fistulas is high; 15% of patients with a vascular focus of infection develop an arterial fistula. This observation suggests that C. burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, plays a role in the development of fistulas in these patients. Chronic Q fever-related mortality in patients with arterial fistula is very high, in both patients who undergo surgical intervention and patients who do not.

Inadequate Health Literacy in Patients with Arterial Vascular Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the prevalence of inadequate health literacy in patients with arterial vascular disease. This was a cross sectional study. METHODS: Patients with arterial vascular disease visiting the outpatient clinic between January 5, 2015 and December 28, 2016, were randomly included and screened for inadequate health literacy with the Newest Vital Sign-Dutch (NVS-D), a validated health literacy assessment measure. A score of <4 out of six identified individuals with inadequate health literacy. Age, gender, highest education level, and reason for consultation were also registered. Data analysis was performed using Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test. Logistic regression with backward elimination was applied to identify independent predictors. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients were included. The mean NVS-D score was 1.91 (SD ± 1.948, median 1). The prevalence of inadequate health literacy was 76.7%. A significantly higher prevalence of inadequate health literacy was found in patients ≥65 years (p < .001) and patients with a lower education level (p < .001). No significant difference was found between female/male patients (p = .056), nor between participants with peripheral arterial occlusive disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm (p = .116). Age (OR 1.060; 95% CI 1.017-1.104; p = .005) and education level (OR 0.164; 95% CI 0.078-0.346; p < .001) were identified as independent predictors of inadequate health literacy. CONCLUSION: This study shows a prevalence of inadequate health literacy of 76.7% in patients with arterial vascular disease, with a significantly higher prevalence in patients ≥ 65 years and patients with a lower education level. The high prevalence of inadequate health literacy should be considered when information is provided, and suggests the need to further investigate the best methods to convey medical information to this group of vulnerable patients.

Endovenous laser ablation of insufficient perforating veins: Energy is key to success.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and anatomical success of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent perforating veins (IPV). METHODS: All 135 consecutive patients with IPV treated with ELVA (intention-to-treat) from January 2008 to December 2013 were included. Up to the end of 2011, an 810-nm laserset (14 W) was used, and afterwards, a 1470-nm laserset (6 W) was introduced. Duplex ultrasound was performed at 6 weeks' follow-up to assess anatomical success. RESULTS: Overall anatomical success at 6 weeks' follow-up was 56%. Anatomical success was 63% after treatment with 810 nm and 45% with 1470 nm (p = 0.035). This difference in the success rate seems associated with the significantly higher amount of energy delivered in the 810 nm cohort (560 J) versus 1470 nm (186 J). Regardless of the type of laser, anatomical success was significantly higher after treatment with more than 400 J (66%) compared with 0-200 J (40%, p = 0.009) and 200-400 J (43%, p = 0.029). Complications were limited to two cases of transient paresthesia. CONCLUSIONS: EVLA of IPVs is safe and feasible. The amount of energy is highly important in achieving anatomical success.

Vascular complications and surgical interventions after world's largest Q fever outbreak.

OBJECTIVE: Since chronic Q fever often develops insidiously, and symptoms are not always recognized at an early stage, complications are often present at the time of diagnosis. We describe complications associated with vascular chronic Q fever as found in the largest cohort of chronic Q fever patients so far. METHODS: Patients with proven or probable chronic Q fever with a focus of infection in an aortic aneurysm or vascular graft were included in this study, using the Dutch national chronic Q fever database. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients were diagnosed with vascular chronic Q fever between April 2008 and June 2012. The infection affected a vascular graft in 62 patients (50.8%) and an aneurysm in 53 patients (43.7%). Seven patients (5.7%) had a different vascular focus. Thirty-six patients (29.5%) presented with acute complications, and 35 of these patients (97.2%) underwent surgery. Following diagnosis and start of antibiotic treatment, 26 patients (21.3%) presented with a variety of complications requiring surgical treatment during a mean follow-up of 14.1 ± 9.1 months. The overall mortality rate was 23.7%. Among these patients, mortality was associated with chronic Q fever in 18 patients (62.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The management of vascular infections with C. burnetii tends to be complicated. Diagnosis is often difficult due to asymptomatic presentation. Patients undergo challenging surgical corrections and long-term antibiotic treatment. Complication rates and mortality are high in this patient cohort.

Histological characteristics of the abdominal aortic wall in patients with vascular chronic Q fever.

The aim of this study was to describe specific histological findings of the Coxiella burnetii-infected aneurysmal abdominal aortic wall. Tissue samples of the aneurysmal abdominal aortic wall from seven patients with chronic Q fever and 15 patients without evidence of Q fever infection were analysed and compared. Chronic Q fever was diagnosed using serology and tissue PCR analysis. Histological sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin staining, Elastica van Gieson staining and immunohistochemical staining for macrophages (CD68), T lymphocytes (CD3), T lymphocyte subsets (CD4 and CD8) and B lymphocytes (CD20). Samples were scored by one pathologist, blinded for Q fever status, using a standard score form. Seven tissue samples from patients with chronic Q fever and 15 tissue samples from patients without Q fever were collected. Four of seven chronic Q fever samples showed a necrotizing granulomatous response of the vascular wall, which was characterized by necrotic core of the arteriosclerotic plaque (P = 0.005) and a presence of high numbers of macrophages in the adventitia (P = 0.007) distributed in typical palisading formation (P = 0.005) and surrounded by the presence of high numbers of T lymphocytes located diffusely in media and adventitia. Necrotizing granulomas are a histological finding in the C. burnetii-infected aneurysmal abdominal aortic wall. Chronic Q fever should be included in the list of infectious diseases with necrotizing granulomatous response, such as tuberculosis, cat scratch disease and syphilis.

Two cases with acute abdominal aneurysm and evidence of acute Q fever infection.

We report 2 patients with symptomatic aortic aneurysm and serologic evidence of acute Q fever with positive Coxiella burnetii PCR in blood/tissue. This suggests a role for acute Q fever in aneurysm progression. Diagnostic testing for Q fever infection in patients with symptomatic aneurysms in Q fever areas is recommended.

Mobile applications in peripheral arterial disease (PAD): a review and introduction of a new innovative telemonitoring application: JBZetje.

Introduction:Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an occlusive vascular disease of the lower extremities with increasing incidence and prevalence numbers and therefore rising health care costs. Mobile applications have great potential to improve health system efficiency and can assist in overcoming the increasing health care costs. In this review all available mobile applications developed for PAD are summarized and a new innovative application is introduced.Areas covered:Available applications for PAD are scarce and currently aim at prevention, teleconsultation and telemonitoring via questionnaires and activity tracking. Integration in the daily workflow of the physician is an overlooked aspect of these applications. JBZetje is an innovative mobile application that provides remote care, information services and self-service tools, and enables connection with the electronic health record (EHR).Expert opinion:Connection of the application with the EHR generates a complete overview of a patient's current health status. This will reinforce the tendency toward personalized medicine and will probably lead to reduced health care costs and increase the quality of care. Future feasibility studies should answer the question whether the use of mobile applications is feasible in the PAD population.

Fluoroscopic Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (FRSA) to study three-dimensional stent graft dynamics.

We report the clinical feasibility of fluoroscopic Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (FRSA), a validated method to quantify real time three-dimensional (3D) dynamic motion of stent grafts and the first clinical results after abdominal and thoracic endovascular repair (EVAR). Stent graft motion was measured at 30 (stereo) frames per second, during the cardiac cycle and in the patient after abdominal EVAR, due to respiratory action. Translational motions of the center of mass, diameter change, and rotational and axial motion could be measured. Quantification of 3D motion was not available until now. FRSA can provide crucial information on the forces exerted on stent grafts and will, therefore, provide essential information for improvements in stent graft design.

Short-term outcome and mid-term access site complications of the percutaneous approach to endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR) after introduction in a vascular teaching hospital.

The objective is to evaluate our center's experience with the safety and efficacy of the percutaneous approach to endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR) with use of the Perclose Proglide device, in the first period after introduction in our center in 2014. We retrospectively identified all patients that underwent PEVAR or endograft extension with percutaneous approach in our center in the urgent and elective setting. Included were all procedures performed between the introduction of the technique in January 2014 and February 2016 when PEVAR had become the predominant technique in our center. Exclusion progressed from expected difficulty of the procedure as estimated by the operator to total calcification of the ventral wall of the CFA towards the end of the study period. Surgical and clinical reports were used to analyze patient characteristics, procedural success, and short-term outcome after 30 days. Follow-up imaging was used to assess mid-term access site complications at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. A univariate regression analysis was conducted to determine significant predictors of access-related complications with the Perlcose Proglide system. Of all 78 patients (mean age 74, SD: 7 years, 70 men), 68 (87.2%) underwent PEVAR and 10 (12.8%) underwent endograft extension procedures with percutaneous approach. Sixty-seven (85.9%) patients underwent an elective procedure and 11 (14.1%) patients underwent urgent PEVAR. The total number of vessels that was percutaneously accessed was 142. Direct technical success of the procedure as analyzed per vessel was 98.6% (140/142), with two cases of conversion to the femoral cut-down approach. A total of 274 Perclose Proglide devices were placed. Device failure of the Perclose device occurred in 5.8% (16/274) and was reason for conversion to cut-down procedure in one case. Mean duration of the procedure and median time of hospitalization were 100 (SD: 34) min and 2 (IQR 1, 3) days, respectively. Event-free survival per vessel after 30 days was 91.0%, with two minor access-related complication. Fifty-five individual patients (105 vessels) were eligible for inclusion in the 1-year follow-up analysis. Of these patients, 19 (34 vessels) could be included in the 2-year follow-up analysis. No additional access site complications occurred at mid-term follow-up. No significant predictors of device failure were found. The percutaneous approach to EVAR appears to be a safe and effective option with high success rate and low complication rate in a real-world setting. Based on our findings, we conclude that the technique can safely be introduced in a vascular center.

Dysregulation of serum gamma interferon levels in vascular chronic Q Fever patients provides insights into disease pathogenesis.

A large community outbreak of Q fever occurred in the Netherlands in the period 2007 to 2010. Some of the infected patients developed chronic Q fever, which typically includes pathogen dissemination to predisposed cardiovascular sites, with potentially fatal consequences. To identify the immune mechanisms responsible for ineffective clearance of Coxiella burnetii in patients who developed chronic Q fever, we compared serum concentrations of 47 inflammation-associated markers among patients with acute Q fever, vascular chronic Q fever, and past resolved Q fever. Serum levels of gamma interferon were strongly increased in acute but not in vascular chronic Q fever patients, compared to past resolved Q fever patients. Interleukin-18 levels showed a comparable increase in acute as well as vascular chronic Q fever patients. Additionally, vascular chronic Q fever patients had lower serum levels of gamma interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) than did acute Q fever patients. Serum responses for these and other markers indicate that type I immune responses to C. burnetii are affected in chronic Q fever patients. This may be attributed to an affected immune system in cardiovascular patients, which enables local C. burnetii replication at affected cardiovascular sites.

Estimated prevalence of chronic Q fever among Coxiella burnetii seropositive patients with an abdominal aortic/iliac aneurysm or aorto-iliac reconstruction after a large Dutch Q fever outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Q fever and prevalence of chronic Q fever in patients with abdominal aortic and/or iliac disease after the Q fever outbreak of 2007-2010 in the Netherlands. METHODS: In November 2009, an ongoing screening program for Q fever was initiated. Patients with abdominal aortic and/or iliac disease were screened for presence of IgM and IgG antibodies to phase I and II antigens of Coxiella burnetii using immunofluorescence assay and presence of C. burnetii DNA in sera and/or vascular wall tissue using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A total of 770 patients with abdominal aortic and/or iliac disease were screened. Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 130 patients (16.9%), of which 40 (30.8%) patients showed a serological profile of chronic Q fever. Three patients presented with acute Q fever, one of which developed to chronic Q fever over time. The number of aneurysm-related acute complications in patients with chronic Q fever was significantly higher compared to patients negative for Q fever (p = 0.013); 9.0% (30/333) vs. 30.0% (6/20). Eight out of 46 patients with past resolved Q fever (8/46, 17.4%) presented with aneurysm-related acute complications (no significant difference). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic Q fever in C. burnetii seropositive patients with abdominal aortic and/or iliac disease living in an epidemic area in the Netherlands is remarkably high (30.8%). Patients with an aneurysm and chronic Q fever present more often with an aneurysm-related acute complication compared to patients without evidence of Q fever infection.

Delirium after emergency/elective open and endovascular aortoiliac surgery at a surgical ward with a high-standard delirium care protocol.

Delirium is a common problem in elderly patients undergoing surgery. Standard delirium care is not available at all surgical wards. We determined the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of postoperative delirium among patients undergoing elective/emergency aortoiliac surgery at a surgical ward with high-standard delirium care. A prospective descriptive survey in 107 patients was conducted. High-standard delirium care was given to patients above age 65, consisting of an extended focus on risk factors and intensive screening. The Delirium Observation Scale was used as a screening instrument for delirium. Patients were classified as having delirium if they met the DSM-IV criteria. The overall incidence of delirium was 23%. The incidence was 14% after elective surgery. Delirium occurred in 59% after emergency surgery and more often after open than after endovascular aneurysm repair (p < .01). Delirium was associated with age (p < .01) and emergency surgery (p = .01) and is an important and frequent complication after aortoiliac surgery.

[Screening for chronic Q fever in symptomatic patients with an aortic aneurysm or prosthesis]. / Screening op chronische Q-koorts bij symptomatische patiënt met aneurysma of prothese van de aorta.

A 76-year-old man was referred to the Emergency Department because of collapse, epigastric pain and nausea. The patient had been diagnosed with an infrarenal aneurysm of the abdominal aorta nine years earlier. His symptoms were attributed to an aortic-duodenal fistula originating from the aneurysm. The patient died despite placement of an aortic prosthesis. A hospital screening programme for chronic Q fever in patients with aortic aneurysm revealed chronic Q fever. Until recently, vascular infection with Coxiella burnetii was an unknown disease in the Netherlands. In view of the nonspecific clinical presentation, severity and therapeutic consequences of the disease, we advise screening for chronic Q fever in all symptomatic patients with an aortic aneurysm or prosthesis - whether or not with aspecific symptoms - in regions where the disease is endemic.

Inflammatory aneurysm of the common iliac artery mimicking appendicitis.

Isolated inflammatory aneurysm of the common iliac artery is a rare condition. Previously reported cases presented with urologic complications owing to entrapment of the ureter in the perianeurysmal fibrosis. We report a case of a healthy young man who presented with acute abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant without urologic complications mimicking acute appendicitis. The pain was caused by an isolated inflammatory aneurysm of the right common iliac artery measuring 4 cm in diameter. Three years after open aneurysmal resection and graft interposition, the patient is doing well, with excellent peripheral circulation. The available literature on presentation, diagnosis, and treatment is reviewed.

Accurate detection of stent-graft migration in a pulsatile aortic model using Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) versus computed tomography (CT) for detecting stent-graft migration in an in vitro pulsatile circulation model and to study the feasibility of a nitinol endovascular clip (NEC) as an aortic wall reference marker for RSA. METHODS: An aortic model with stent-graft was constructed and connected to an artificial circulation with a physiological flow and pressure profile. Tantalum markers and NECs were used as aortic reference markers for RSA analysis. Stent-graft migrations were measured during pulsatile circulation with RSA and CT. CT images acquired with 64 x 0.5-mm beam collimation were analyzed with Vitrea postprocessing software using a standard clinical protocol and central lumen line reconstruction. RSA in the model with the circulation switched off was used as the reference standard to determine stent-graft migration. The measurement errors of RSA and CT were determined during pulsatile circulation. RESULTS: The mean measurement error +/- standard deviation (maximum) of RSA during pulsatile circulation using the tantalum markers was -0.5+/-0.16 (0.7) mm. Using the NEC, the mean (maximum) measurement error was -0.4+/-0.25 (1.1) mm. The mean (maximum) measurement error of CT was -1.1+/-1.17 (2.8) mm. CONCLUSION: RSA is an accurate and feasible tool to measure stent-graft migration in a pulsatile environment. Migration measurement with RSA was more accurate than CT in this experimental setup. The nitinol clip tested in this study is potentially feasible as an aortic reference marker in patients after endovascular repair.

Assessment of three-dimensional stent-graft dynamics by using fluoroscopic roentgenographic stereophotogrammetric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the use of fluoroscopic roentgenographic stereophotogrammetric analysis (FRSA) for its feasibility and accuracy for measuring the three-dimensional dynamic motion of stent grafts. METHODS: A digital biplane fluoroscopy setup was calibrated (Siemens Axiom Artis dBc). Stereo images were acquired of a static aortic model with a stent graft in different axial positions, imposed by a micromanipulator. The three-dimensional measurement error of FRSA was determined by comparing FRSA measurements with the micromanipulator. An aortic model with a stent graft was constructed and connected to an artificial circulation with a physiological flow and pressure profile. Markers were added to the spine (tantalum spherical markers; diameter 1 mm) and stent (welding tin; diameter 1 mm). The three-dimensional measurement precision was determined by measuring the position of a single (stable) spine marker during two pulsatile cycles. Finally, three-dimensional stent marker motion was analyzed with a frame rate of 30 images per second, including three-dimensional marker position (change), diameter change, and center of circle position change. RESULTS: The mean error of FRSA measurement of displacement was 0.003 mm (SD, 0.019 mm; maximum error, 0.058 mm). A very high precision of position measurement was found (SD, 0.009-0.015 mm). During pulsatile motion, the position (changes) of the markers could be assessed in the x, y, and z directions, as well as the stent diameter change and center of circle position change. CONCLUSIONS: FRSA has proven to be a method with very high accuracy and temporal resolution to measure three-dimensional stent-graft motion in a pulsatile environment. This technique has the potential to contribute significantly to the knowledge of stent-graft behavior after endovascular aneurysm repair and improvements in stent-graft design. The technique is ready for clinical testing.

Technique for safe removal of an aortic endograft with suprarenal fixation.

Complete removal of an aortic endograft with suprarenal fixation is difficult. We report the use of a simple device to extract a Zenith endograft. This device is made by cutting off the tip of the cylinder of a 20-mL syringe and rounding off the edges. The main body of the graft is resheathed by advancing the cylinder cranially while keeping the graft in a stable position. This way, the graft collapses and the hooks are withdrawn without tearing the wall of the aorta. The supraceliac clamping time in our patient was less than 2 minutes. This technique offers a safe and fast solution to the potentially hazardous removal of an aortic endograft with suprarenal fixation.

Aneurysm sac pressure monitoring: effect of pulsatile motion of the pressure sensor on the interpretation of measurements.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of pulsatile motion of graft-attached pressure sensors on the accuracy of aneurysm sac pressure measurement. METHODS: Pressure inside a pressure box was measured with a sensor attached to a stent-graft (Sensorgraft) facing a sensor in fixed position (Sensorbox). Maximum inter-sensor variation of Sensorgraft and Sensorbox was determined in static experiments. Experiments with pulsatile circulation were performed with a compliant and a noncompliant stent-graft at 120/80 mmHg and 160/95 mmHg. Pressure measurements in the box were repeated after the box pressure was increased from 0 to 120 mmHg. Sensorgraft motion was measured by ultrasound. Measurements with Sensorgraft were compared to those with Sensorbox using Pearson correlation coefficients to determine the concordance between the sensors. RESULTS: The maximum inter-sensor variation was 4 mmHg. Increased box pressure induced progressive pulsatile graft and sensor motion during all experiments. During the experiments with the compliant graft at systemic pressures of 120/80 and 160/95 mmHg, the maximum inter-sensor variation was exceeded at box pressures of 65 and 75 mmHg, respectively. The sensor motion at these box pressures was 214+/-2.70 microm and 210+/-0.93 microm, respectively. Measurements of Sensorgraft were higher than Sensorbox, up to 13 mmHg at a box pressure of 120 mmHg. The Pearson correlation coefficients during these experiments were 0.99 and 1.00 (p < 0.001), respectively. In the experiments with the noncompliant graft, the maximum inter-sensor variation was not exceeded, and sensor motion was only 7 +/- 0.46 microm and 26 +/- 1.48 microm, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient during these experiments was 1.00 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pulsatile sensor motion can influence the accuracy of pressure measurement. More compliant grafts are more susceptible to this phenomenon. Despite false high pressure measurements, stent-graft-attached pressure sensors seem appropriate to follow pressure trends in the aneurysm sac.