The Impact of age and outcomes of high-risk patients on carotid revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the accuracy of high-risk criteria for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and analyze the correlation between age and outcome of CEA and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in risk groups. METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively managed vascular surgery database in a single tertiary referral center, and 2482 internal carotid arteries (ICAs) had undergone carotid revascularization from November 1994 to December 2021. To validate high-risk criteria for CEA, patients were classified as high risk (Hr) and normal risk (Nr). Subgroup analysis was performed with patients older or younger than 75 years to investigate the relationship between age and outcome in each group. Primary endpoints were 30-day outcomes including stroke, death, stroke/death, myocardial infraction (MI), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). RESULTS: A total of 2345 ICAs in 2256 patients were enrolled. The number of patients in the Hr group was 543 (24%) and the number in the Nr group was 1713 (76%). CEA and CAS were performed on 1384 (61%) and 872 (39%) patients, respectively. The 30-day stroke/death rate was higher with CAS than CEA in both the Hr (1.1% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.032) and Nr (1.2% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.001) groups. In unmatched logistic regression analysis of the Nr group (n = 1778), the rate of 30-day stroke/death (OR, 5.575; 95% CI, 2.922-10.636; p < 0.001) was higher for CAS than CEA. In propensity score matching of the Nr group, the rate of 30-day stroke/death (OR, 5.165; 95% CI, 2.391-11.155; p < 0.001) was also higher for CAS than CEA. In the age <75 subgroup of the Hr group (n = 428), CAS was associated with higher 30-day stroke/death (OR, 14.089; 95% CI, 1.314-151.036; p = 0.029). In the age ≥75 subgroup of the Hr (n = 139), there was no difference in 30-day stroke/death between CEA and CAS. In the age <75 subgroup of the Nr group (n = 1318), 30-day stroke/death (OR, 6.300; 95% CI, 2.797-14.193; p < 0.001) was higher in CAS. In the age ≥75 subgroup of the Nr group (n = 460), 30-day stroke/death (OR, 6.468; 95% CI, 1.862-22.471; p = 0.003) was higher in CAS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients older than 75 years in the Hr group, there were relatively poor 30-day treatment outcomes in both CEA and CAS. Alternative treatment is needed that can expect better outcomes in older high-risk patients. In the Nr group, CEA has a significant benefit compared with CAS, and CEA should be recommended more to these patients.

Comparable surgical outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with and without Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Marfan syndrome (MFS) affects the cardiovascular system. Aortic root aneurysm is a pathognomonic feature of MFS; however, the abdominal aorta is rarely affected. A consensus on surveillance for the abdominal aorta in patients with MFS has not been established. In the present study, we compared the outcomes after open surgical repair (OSR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in patients with and without MFS. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-center cohort study from 2003 to 2020. We reviewed and compared 28 patients with MFS and 426 patients without MFS who had undergone OSR for AAAs. The baseline characteristics, medical comorbidities, previous cardiovascular surgery, anatomic features of the AAAs, and surgical treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The patients with MFS were younger than those without MFS at the AAA diagnosis (47.2 ± 12.3 vs 70.6 ± 7.9 years; P < .001). The proportion of women was also greater for those with MFS (46.4% vs 15.7%; P < .001). The AAAs were most often located at the infrarenal aorta in both groups. However, thoracoabdominal AAAs were more often found among patients with MFS (10.7% vs 0.9%; P < .012). The proportion of symptomatic patients was lower in the MFS group (3.6% vs 21.6%; P = .022). The maximum median diameter of the AAA at surgery was smaller in the patients with MFS (52 mm vs 58 mm; P = .001). However, concomitant aortic dissection (32.1% vs 3.3%; P < .001) was more prevalent among the patients with MFS. Consequent aneurysmal changes in the iliac artery after AAA repair were more frequent in the patients with MFS (7.1% vs 0%; P = .004). No significant differences were found in 30-day or overall mortality between the patients with and without MFS during a median follow-up period of 71 months (interquartile range, 24.7-121.1 months) and 26.7 months (interquartile range, 7.4-69.5 months), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical outcomes of OSR for AAAs for patients with MFS were not significantly different from those for patients without MFS in a well-established surveillance program of MFS.

Culture-Negative Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms Probably Have a Less Severe Clinical Nature Than Culture-Positive Counterparts.

BACKGROUND: Mycotic aortic aneurysm constitutes a potentially devastating disease that necessitates prompt suspicion and diagnosis. There is no exact consensus for treatment, but removal of infected tissues and prolonged use of antimicrobials based on the identified causative microorganisms seem widely acceptable and have been similarly practiced worldwide. However, some patients still show no identified microorganisms. In this study, we sought to determine whether there are any clinical significance or differences of note in culture-negative mycotic aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Between October 2003 and August 2018, 71 patients were identified as treated for mycotic aortic aneurysms at a single tertiary institution. Review of medical records and imaging studies were completed to collect the following information: demographics, previous medical/surgical history regarding potential infection sources, laboratory and radiologic findings, clinical presentations, treatment method, and morbidity and mortality rates. For analysis, patients were categorized into two groups: the blood and/or tissue culture-positive (CP) group and the blood and/or tissue culture-negative (CN) group. The latter was further divided as CN with identified microorganism by molecular biologic methods [CN(+)] and CN with no identified microorganism [CN(-)]. RESULTS: More patients in the CP group were symptomatic than were in the CN(+) group (100% vs. 80%; P = 0.034). However, identification of causative microorganisms did not result in a difference in symptom status upon comparing the [CP + CN(+)] and [CN(-)] groups. Inflammatory markers were the most elevated in the CP group and least elevated in the CN(-) group. The aneurysm growth rate seemed slower in the CN(-) group than in the CN(+) and CP groups (1.3 vs. 3.4 vs. 9 mm/month respectively). Aneurysm rupture at initial presentation was more prevalent in the CP group (33.3%). 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography showed increased uptake regardless of whether or not the microorganisms were identified. Early mortality and disease-specific mortality rates during the follow-up period were higher in the CP group but without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the CP group, the CN groups appeared clinically less severe, and also exhibited a relatively less devastating course as exhibited by the slower aneurysm expansion rate and smaller number of ruptured aneurysms at the initial presentation.

Outcomes after Elective Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Octogenarians Compared to Younger Patients in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Although the first choice of treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is endovascular aneurysm repair, especially in elderly patients, some patients require open surgical repair. The purpose of this study was to compare the mortality outcomes of open AAA repair between octogenarians and younger counterparts and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent elective open AAA repair due to degenerative etiology at a single tertiary medical center between 1996 and June 2020 were included in this retrospective review. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed to collect the following information: demographics, comorbid medical conditions, clinical presentations, radiologic findings, surgical details, and morbidity and mortality rates. For analysis, patients were divided into two groups: older and younger than 80 years of age. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with mortality after elective open AAA repair. RESULTS: Among a total of 650 patients who underwent elective open AAA repair due to degenerative AAA during the study period, 58 (8.9%) were octogenarians and 595 (91.1%) were non-octogenarians. Patients in the octogenarian group were predominantly female and more likely to have lower body weight and body mass index (BMI), hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and lower preoperative serum hemoglobin and albumin compared with patients in the non-octogenarian group. Maximal aneurysm diameter was larger in octogenarians. During the median follow-up duration of 34.4 months for 650 patients, the median length of total hospital and intensive care unit stay was longer in octogenarians. The 30-day (1.7% vs. 0.7%, P = 0.374) and 1-year (6.9% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.108) mortality rates were not statistically significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that low BMI was associated with increased 30-day (odds ratio [OR], 16.339; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.192-224.052; P = 0.037) and 1-year (OR, 8.236; CI, 2.301-29.477; P = 0.001) mortality in all patients. CONCLUSION: Because the mortality rate of octogenarians after elective open AAA repair was not significantly different compared with their younger counterparts, being elderly is not a contraindication for open AAA repair. Low BMI might be associated with increased postoperative mortality.

The Effect of Left Renal Vein Division on Renal Function Following Open Abdominal Aortic Surgery Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Open surgery of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) or aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) sometimes requires left renal vein division (LRVD) to gain adequate exposure of the abdominal aorta. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of LRVD on the postoperative renal function using propensity score matching (PSM). METHODS: From July 1996 to January 2018, we retrospectively reviewed 698 patients who underwent open aortic surgery, including 543 AAAs and 155 AIODs, at a single institution. 66 patients (9.6%, 47 AAAs, 19 AIODs) needed LRVD during the operation. A 1:3 ratio PSM was used to control the selective bias between the LRVD and non-LRVD groups. We investigated preoperative and postoperative renal function including serum creatinine (sCr) level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2). Major complications, long-term renal function, and 30-day mortality were also compared. RESULTS: The LRVD group had a significantly higher rate of renal artery reconstruction (15.2% vs. 3.3%, P < 0.001) and suprarenal clamping (54.6% vs. 9.5%, P < 0.001) and higher incidence of juxtarenal AIOD (24.2% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001). With PSM, 63 patients in the LRVD group and 144 patients in the non-LRVD group were enrolled in this study. The baseline characteristics were well balanced in the groups after PSM. There were no significant differences in preoperative eGFR (72.4 ± 21.3 vs. 76.1 ± 25.0, P = 0.306) and postoperative eGFR on day 3 (69.5 ± 26.6 vs. 77.5 ± 28.5, P = 0.065), day 7 (73.3 ± 24.8 vs. 78.5 ± 27.4, P = 0.264), and in the long-term follow-up period (69.0 ± 22.2 vs. 68.9 ± 27.1, P = 0.986, 50.2 month ± 45.50) in the 2 groups. Only the sCr level (1.40 ± 0.59 vs. 1.21 ± 0.62, P = 0.045) and eGFR (59.5 ± 23.9 vs. 71.4 ± 26.0, P = 0.002) were significantly worse on postoperative day 1 in the LRVD than in the non-LRVD group. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality (1.6% vs. 1.6%, P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The patients in the LVRD group underwent initial drop in renal function; however, eGFR improved during the follow-up period. There was no difference in renal function and postoperative mortality between LRVD and non-LRVD groups. Therefore, LRVD is a safe and durable procedure during complex abdominal aortic surgery.

Comparative Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis: Primary Closure versus Patch Angioplasty During Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Primary closure (PC) and patch angioplasty (PA) during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) have been disputed in many studies. Some studies announced that PC is associated with a higher restenosis rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of PC and PA using propensity score matching (PSM). METHODS: Between November 1994 and October 2016, 1,044 patients underwent primary CEA procedures at our institution and were retrospectively analyzed. The study endpoints included rates of ipsilateral stroke, any clinical stroke, cranial nerve palsy, hematoma, bleeding warranting repeat surgery within 30 postoperative days. We also investigated the restenosis rates, overall survival, stenosis-free survival, and stroke-free survival during follow-up (median follow-up 37.1 months). RESULTS: This study includes 435 cases of PC and 476 cases of PA. After PSM analysis, baseline characteristics (age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, atrial fibrillation, previous percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting, contralateral carotid occlusion, degree of carotid stenosis, and symptomatic status within 6 months) were balanced. Finally, 377 pairs of matched cases were analyzed. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the 2 groups in ipsilateral stroke (P = 0.45), clinical stroke (P = 0.75), cranial nerve palsy (P = 1), hematoma (P = 0.18), bleeding which required reoperation (P = 0.12) within 30 postoperative days, and restenosis rates during follow-up (P = 0.16). In addition, there were no differences between the 2 groups during follow-up in overall, stroke-free, and restenosis-free survival with P values of 0.136, 0.07, and 0.06, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the analysis using PSM, there were no significant differences between PC and PA closure during CEA in perioperative and long-term outcomes.

Treatment Strategies for Cephalic Arch Stenosis in Patients with Brachiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula.

BACKGROUND: Cephalic arch is one of the sites most susceptible to stenosis in brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (BCAVF). We performed a retrospective study to identify the incidence of cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) in BCAVF, to compare the patency of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) with that of cephalic vein transposition (CVT), and to establish the optimal treatment strategy for CAS. METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2016, 462 patients underwent BCAVF creation. CAS was defined as >50% stenosis at the confluence of the cephalic and axillary veins on ultrasonography. Treatment was planned for clinically significant CAS, which was defined as >25% reduction in flow volume compared to previous examination, elevation of venous pressure, delayed puncture site hemostasis, and/or acute thrombotic occlusion. RESULTS: Seventy-seven (16.7%) patients had CAS and 42 of them (54.5%) were treated for clinically significant CAS. PTA was performed in 36 patients (85.7%), and CVT was done in 6 patients (14.3%) as the initial treatment. Nine patients underwent CVT after PTA, resulting in a total of 15 patients treated with CVT. Investigation of the patency of the 36 cases of PTA and 15 cases of CVT revealed that primary-assisted patency rates at 6 and 12 months were 68.2% and 57.3% for PTA and 100.0% and 87.5% for CVT, respectively (P = 0.038). Secondary patency rates at 6 and 12 months were 72.0% and 56.9% for PTA and 100% and 100% for CVT, respectively (P = 0.010). The median intervention rate was 2.5 interventions per access-year in the 36 cases treated with PTA and 1.5 interventions per access-year in the 15 cases treated with CVT. CONCLUSIONS: CAS is a common cause of BCAVF dysfunction, and careful surveillance is warranted. CVT should be considered for treatment of CAS to achieve better long-term patency with fewer reinterventions.

Treatment strategy based on the natural course for patients with spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal treatment of spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) is still not known, and we sought to determine an optimal treatment strategy for patients with SISMAD based on its natural clinical course. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with SISMAD treated from 2001 through 2016. Diagnosis and angiographic type of SISMAD were determined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan, and the clinical features were obtained using a fixed form questionnaire. All patients were treated conservatively, except for five who unselectively underwent primary interventional treatment. For the follow-up examinations, clinical features and morphologic changes of superior mesenteric artery dissection were examined with CT angiography every 6 to 12 months. RESULTS: During the past 15 years, 116 patients with SISMAD (male, 92%; mean age, 54.7 ± 10.8 years; symptomatic, 76%) were encountered. Clinical features and morphologic changes on CT examinations were available in 100% and 88% of the patients, respectively, during the mean follow-up of 53 ± 39 months (range, 1-173 months). Of 83 symptomatic patients managed conservatively, 96% achieved pain resolution; 4% experienced prolonged pain, including one patient with bowel gangrene. After pain resolution, 20% of patients developed late recurrence of abdominal pain, which was relieved with conservative management, whereas two patients (12%) required surgery to treat bowel stricture. Follow-up examinations (n = 102) by CT angiography revealed no change in 34%, partial or complete remodeling in 63%, aneurysmal change in 2%, and dissection progression in 1% of the patients. Antithrombotic therapy offered no beneficial effects on either clinical or morphologic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: With conservative treatment, the majority of patients with SISMAD showed clinical improvement and no morphologic changes during long-term follow-up. We thus recommend a conservative management strategy as the first-line treatment for patients with SISMAD, regardless of angiographic type.

Treatment strategy based on the natural course of the disease for patients with spontaneous isolated abdominal aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the natural history of spontaneous isolated abdominal aortic dissection (SIAAD) and to establish an optimal management strategy for patients with SIAAD. METHODS: We searched the database of thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) performed at a single institution from January 2003 to July 2016 using the keywords "aortic dissection" and "dissection AND aorta." Once a diagnosis of SIAAD was made, we investigated the initial clinical and morphologic features and aorta-related events for all patients and morphologic changes of the aortic dissection (AD) during the follow-up period for the patients who underwent follow-up CT scans. We compared characteristics of the patients, frequencies of clinical events (aortic rupture, intervention, death), and morphologic changes (false lumen enlargement, progression of AD, remodeling of AD, and involvement of iliac or visceral artery) during the follow-up period according to the location of AD (infrarenal vs suprarenal), symptom status (symptomatic vs asymptomatic), and gender. RESULTS: There were 210 (10.7%) patients (median age, 69.4 years [interquartile range, 61.3-74.7]; male, 73.3%) who were diagnosed with SIAAD among 1958 patients with AD. SIAAD was most frequently located at the infrarenal aorta (86.2%), extended to the iliac (12.4%) or visceral artery (2.9%), and was symptomatic in 13.3% of patients. During the study period, aortic rupture developed in two patients (0.9%), aortic intervention was required in five (2.4%), and aorta-related deaths were identified in three (1.4%). Among 138 (65.7%) patients who underwent follow-up CT scans, 81.9% showed no morphologic change or remodeling during the follow-up period (median, 25 months; range, 1-158 months; interquartile range, 12.3-49.1 months). In the meantime, false lumen enlargement and longitudinal progression of AD developed in 8.7% and 6.5% of patients, respectively. However, newly developed visceral artery extension was not found in any of the patents. When characteristics of the patients and frequencies of clinical events or late morphologic changes of AD were compared on the basis of the location of AD, symptom status, and gender, female gender, presence of symptoms, and suprarenal SIAAD were more frequently associated with aorta-related mortality. False lumen enlargement was more frequent in the suprarenal AD group than in the infrarenal AD group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our observation, the majority of symptomatic and asymptomatic SIAAD patients can be managed conservatively unless they present with aortic rupture, concomitant large aortic aneurysm, or underlying connective tissue disease. However, a more proactive management strategy may be required for female, symptomatic patients or those with suprarenal SIAAD.

Editor's Choice - Comparison of Early Outcomes and Restenosis Rate Between Carotid Endarterectomy and Carotid Artery Stenting Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Despite randomised evidence, the debate continues about the preferred treatment strategy for carotid stenosis in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes and restenosis rates after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting (CAS) in unselected patients using propensity score matching (PSM). METHODS: The 30 day incidence of major adverse clinical events (MACE; defined as stroke, transient ischaemic attack, myocardial infarction, or death) and procedure related complications, as well as restenosis rates during follow-up were compared between unselected patients undergoing CEA or CAS between January 2002 and December 2015 at a single institution. PSM was used to balance the following factors between the CEA and CAS cohorts: age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, smoking, atrial fibrillation, previous percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular heart disease, contralateral carotid occlusion, degree of carotid stenosis, and symptomatic status. Statistical comparisons of outcomes were based on logistic regression analysis and log rank test. RESULTS: Of 1184 patients (654 CEA and 530 CAS), 452 PSM pairs of CEA and CAS patients were created. The CAS group showed a relatively higher 30 day incidence of MACE (7.5% vs. 2.4%; odds ratio [OR] 3.261, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.634-6.509; p = .001) but a lower incidence of procedure related complications (1.5% vs. 5.3%; OR 0.199, 95% CI 0.075-0.528; p = .001). During a mean follow-up of 49.1 months (range 1-180 months), restenosis rates were higher after CAS than after CEA (1.5% vs. 1.0% at 12 months and 5.4% vs. 1.2% at 24 months, respectively; p = .008). CONCLUSION: This PSM based observation reconfirmed previous trial results in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis in routine clinical practice: CEA showed lower 30 day MACE and mid-term restenosis rates than CAS.

Analysis of the postoperative hemodynamic changes in varicose vein surgery related with small saphenous vein reflux.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the postoperative hemodynamic changes in varicose vein surgery related with SSV reflux using APG. METHODS: Totals of 181 limbs and 178 patients who underwent high ligation and stripping (HLS) (87 limbs), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (43 limbs), or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) (51 limbs) for SSV reflux from 1995 to 2022 were enrolled. We measured venous volume (VV), venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF), and residual volume fraction (RVF) preoperatively and at postoperative one and 6 months. RESULTS: Comparing preoperative results to those at postoperative 1 month, the reduction rates of VV, VFI, and RVF were 27, 53, and 31%, while EF increased by 18% (p < 0.001). Comparing preoperative and postoperative 6 month, the reduction rates of VV, VFI, and RVF were 27, 45, and 35%, while EF increased by 27% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There were hemodynamic improvement in the lower leg after varicose vein surgery including HLS, RFA, and EVLA.

Cryopreserved allografts versus end-to-end anastomosis for the reconstruction of a segment-resected portomesenteric vein during advanced pancreatic cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Porto-mesenteric vein (PMV) infiltration of pancreatic cancer is classified as borderline resectable cancer. For en-bloc resectability, the probability of PMV resection and reconstruction is the most decisive factor. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze PMV resection and reconstruction during pancreatic cancer surgery using end-to-end anastomosis (EA) and a cryopreserved allograft (AG) and to verify the effectiveness of reconstruction using an AG. METHODS: Between May 2012 and June 2021, 84 patients (65 underwent EA, and 19 received AG reconstruction) underwent pancreatic cancer surgery with PMV reconstruction. An AG is a cadaveric graft with a diameter of 8-12 mm and is obtained from a liver transplant donor. Patency after reconstruction, disease recurrence, overall survival, and perioperative factors were assessed. RESULTS: The median age was higher in EA patients (p = .022) and neoadjuvant therapy (p = .02) was more in AG patients. Upon histopathological examination, the R0 resection margin did not show a significant difference by reconstruction method. During a 36-month survival analysis, primary patency was significantly superior in EA patients (p = .004), and there was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival (p = .628) or overall survival (p = .638) rates. CONCLUSION: Compared with EA, AG reconstruction after PMV resection during pancreatic cancer surgery showed a lower primary patency, but there was no difference in recurrence-free or overall survival rates. Therefore, the use of AG can be a viable option for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer surgery if the patient is properly followed-up postoperatively.

Natural course of venous malformation after conservative treatment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical course of patients with venous malformation (VM) treated conservatively. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the database of our Congenital Vascular Malformation clinic and interviewed 207 patients with VM, who had been managed only conservatively. The questionnaires asked about changes in size (no change, increase in proportion to growth, increase greater than in proportion to growth, decrease) and changes in symptoms (markedly worse, moderately worse, no change, moderately improved, markedly much improved). Progression of VMs was defined as an increase greater than in proportion to growth or worsening symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty patients (24 %) reported an increase in size greater than in proportion to growth and 25 patients (12 %) reported symptoms worsening from their initial symptoms. Overall, sixty-six (32 %) of the patients reported evidence of progression of their VM. A binary logistic regression model identified VM combined with capillary malformation (CM) or lymphatic malformation (LM) as an independent predictor of VM progression (OR 2.67, 95 % CI 1.29-5.53). CONCLUSIONS: Based on responses to the questionnaire, the size and symptoms of VM progressed in 32 % of patients over the course of their life. VMs combined with CM or LM were the only independent predictor of progression of a VM after conservative management.

Analysis of atherosclerotic plaque distribution in the carotid artery.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that the outer wall at the carotid bifurcation is the most common area of atherosclerotic plaque deposition due to the low shear stress. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that the most common site of arteriosclerosis in carotid arteries is different in the early and late stages. METHODS: This is an observational study of patients with <50% stenosis of the common and internal carotid arteries (ICAs) identified by Duplex ultrasound in our health promotion center. Plaque location was categorized as a quarter of the cross-section in the distal common carotid artery (CCA) and proximal ICA. Carotid plaque score (CPS) was calculated by the addition of one point for each detected section. The sum of CPSs was calculated for each section. RESULTS: Among 3996 Duplex scans of carotid arteries in 999 patients between June 2020 and October 2020, a total of 569 patients (73.6% male; mean age, 68.4± 9.1 years; 652 CCAs and 567 ICAs) were included. Total CPS was high in the anterior and posterior sections. The distribution in the ICA was: 308 (31.0%) anterior, 90 (9.0%) medial, 373 (37.5%) posterior, and 224 (22.5%) lateral section. The distribution in the CCA was 385 (32.6%) anterior, 103 (8.7%) medial, 528 (44.7%) posterior, and 165 (14.0%) lateral section. The axial distribution of posterior and lateral sections was significantly different according to the directional flow (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior and posterior sections of the CCA and ICA were atherosclerotic plaque-prone sites. This result is different from the tendency of atherogenesis to affect the lateral section having low shear stress at the carotid bifurcation.

Treatment results of carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting for patients with radiation-induced carotid stenosis.

Purpose: Exposure to ionizing radiation over the head and neck accelerates atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries. Owing to the characteristics of radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS), the results regarding the optimal revascularization method for RICS vary. This study compared treatment outcomes between carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in RICS. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent CEA or CAS for carotid stenosis. RICS was defined as carotid stenosis (>50%) with the prior neck irradiation for cancer treatment on either side. For the analyses, demographics, comorbid conditions, carotid lesion characteristics based on imaging studies, surgical complications, neurologic outcomes, and mortality during the follow-up period were reviewed. To compare CEA and CAS results in RICS, a 1:1 propensity score matching was applied. Results: Between November 1994 and June 2021, 43 patients with RICS and 2,407 patients with non-RICS underwent carotid revascularization with CEA or CAS. RICS had fewer atherosclerotic risk factors and more frequent severe carotid stenosis and contralateral carotid occlusions than non-RICS. CAS was more commonly performed than CEA (22.9% vs. 77.1%) for RICS due to more frequent unfavorable carotid anatomy (0 vs. 16.2%). Procedure-related complications were more common in the CEA than in the CAS. However, there was no significant difference in neurologic outcomes and restenosis rates between CEA and CAS in RICS. Conclusion: Considering its lesion characteristics and cumulative incidence, RICS requires more attention than non-RICS. Although CAS has broader indications for RICS, CEA has shown acceptable results if selectively performed.

Prevalence of asymptomatic carotid stenosis in Korea based on health screening population.

We attempted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of carotid artery stenosis in Korea. Twenty thousand seven hundred twelve individuals who underwent carotid artery ultrasonography for health screening between March 2005 and March 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. The population was divided into four groups, according to the degree of stenosis, as Group A, below 29%; Group B, 30% to 49%; Group C, 50% to 74%; Group D, above 75%. The medical records of the individuals were investigated, and Fisher's exact test, chi-square tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests and a binary logistic regression model were used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of carotid stenosis was Group B, 5.5%; Group C, 0.9%; Group D, 0.1%. Old age, male gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were significantly higher in Groups C and D (P = 0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.048, and 0.001, respectively). Among the males aged over 65 yr, the prevalence of carotid stenosis ≥ 50% and ≥ 30% were 4.0% and 18.2%, respectively. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis is not uncommon in Korea. Carotid ultrasonography is necessary for people with above-listed risk factors.

Outcomes of Carotid Revascularization versus Optimal Medical Treatment Alone for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: Inverse-Probability-of-Treatment Weighting Using Propensity Scores.

BACKGROUND: The benefits and necessity of revascularization for asymptomatic carotid stenosis remains under debate. This study aimed to determine the more durable and beneficial alternative between carotid revascularization and optimal medical treatment (OMT) alone for asymptomatic carotid stenosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis at a tertiary institution between 1994 and 2017. We compared revascularization (carotid endarterectomy [CEA] and carotid artery stenting [CAS]) with OMT alone by using inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting with propensity scores to account for selection bias. The primary end point was a composite of any stroke, myocardial infarction, and death within 30 days, plus ipsilateral stroke thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 1089 patients were included in the analysis (56% CEA, 25% CAS, 19% OMT alone). Patients who underwent CAS consistently showed greater risk regarding the primary composite end point compared with those who received OMT alone (hazard radio [HR] 3.32, 95% confidence interval 1.014-10.868; P = 0.047), but the CEA group showed no significant difference (HR 1.19, 95% confidence interval 0.385-4.584; P = 0.761). The CAS group had the greatest rates of any stroke within 30 days (4.0%, P = 0.0006) and ipsilateral stroke thereafter (3.68%, P = 0.0009). There was no death within 30 days. In the long-term outcomes, neither CEA nor CAS showed significant differences in HR compared with OMT alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that for stroke prevention in asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis, CAS might be inferior to the other 2 options regarding early outcomes. However, further investigation is required regarding the efficacy and durability of OMT alone.

Factors associated with long-term graft patency after lower extremity arterial bypasses.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine factors associated with long-term graft patency after lower extremity arterial bypass (LEAB). METHODS: Database of LEABs for patients with chronic arterial occlusive disease (CAOD) at a single institution was retrospectively reviewed. To determine the factors we compared demographic, clinical, and procedural variables between 2 patient groups; group I (graft patency < 2 years) and group II (graft patency ≥ 5 years after LEAB) using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Among 957 LEABs, 259 limbs (group I, 125 limbs and group II, 134 limbs) in 213 patients were included for the analysis. On a univariable analysis, younger age (69 years vs. 66 years, P = 0.024), hypertension (60.8% vs. 74.6%, P = 0.017), claudication (51.2% vs. 70.9%, P = 0.001), absence of prior intervention (50.4% vs. 73.9%, P < 0.001), common femoral artery based bypass (57.6% vs. 70.1%, P = 0.035), above-the knee bypass (36.8% vs. 64.2%, P < 0.001), postoperative graft salvage procedure (3.2% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.001), and statin use (75.2% vs. 88.8, P = 0.004) were associated with long-term patency. On a multivariate analysis hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.91; P = 0.038), claudication (OR, 2.08; P = 0.032), no prior intervention (OR, 2.48; P = 0.001), vein graft (OR, 4.36; P = 0.001), above-the knee bypass (OR, 4.68; P < 0.001), and graft salvage procedures (OR, 7.70; P < 0.001) were identified as independent factors. CONCLUSION: These factors can be considered in decision making before treatment of patients with CAOD.

Mortality after Use of Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons Correlates with Total Cumulative Dosage of Paclitaxel in Real-World Analysis.

This study used independent, real-world, patient-level data to examine whether the dosage or frequency of paclitaxel exposure correlated with mortality during follow up. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated with a drug-coated balloon (DCB) for an atherosclerotic femoropopliteal lesion from February 2013 to December 2018, excluding patients with non-atherosclerotic lesions or restenosis after DCB treatment in another hospital. We investigated the causes of death, comorbidities (including cancer status), and the initial and total cumulative dosages and frequency of paclitaxel use. To determine whether the dosage or frequency of paclitaxel exposure affected mortality during follow up, we analyzed the risk factors for all-cause death by conducting a time-dependent Cox regression analysis that considered demographics, comorbidities, lesion and procedural characteristics, and paclitaxel exposure data (dosage and frequency). Our analysis examined 225 patients (mean age 71 ± 9 years, range 38-93 years, male 81%). During a mean follow-up duration of 35 months (range 1-89 months), 56 patients (24.9%) died from cardiac disorders (16%, including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest), malignancy (14.3%), respiratory failure with pneumonia (12.5%), septic shock (12.5%), or another cause. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses identified age (hazard ratio, HR, 1.057; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1019-1096; p = 0.0032), critical limb ischemia (CLI) (HR, 4135; 95% CI, 2171-7876; p < 0.0001), and the total dosage of paclitaxel (mg) (HR, 1.040; 95% CI, 1006-1074; p = 0.0210) as predictors of mortality during follow up. The subgroup analysis found that the total dosage of paclitaxel (mg) was also a predictor of mortality during follow up in the CLI group (HR, 1.046; 95% CI, 1007-1087, p = 0.0198). The estimated cut-off value of total cumulative paclitaxel dosage for predicting mortality was 12 mg as evaluated by minimum p value approach. This patient-level analysis identified the total cumulative dosage of paclitaxel as a predictor of mortality after the use of paclitaxel-coated balloons. Our results provide limited information about the potential dose-response relationship underlying paclitaxel-associated mortality concerns.

Prevalence and risk factors for atherosclerotic carotid stenosis and plaque: A population-based screening study.

Atherosclerotic carotid stenosis (ACS) is a major cause of ischemic stroke. Screening for asymptomatic ACS is important to identify the patients who require longitudinal surveillance, medication, or endovascular surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for ACS and carotid plaque (CP) in Korea using a population-based screening study.We recruited participants during visits to several community welfare centers in Korea. The baseline characteristics of the study population were collected. All patients underwent duplex ultrasonography to examine their bilateral carotid arteries. ACS was defined as the presence of plaque with ≥50% vessel diameter reduction and peak systolic velocity (PSV) ≥125 cm/s or PSV ratio ≥2.0. CP was defined as the presence of plaque with <50% vessel diameter reduction. The Mann-Whitney test, χ test, Fisher exact test, and logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis.A total of 3030 participants were enrolled in this study (male 43.7% and female 56.3%). The prevalence of ACS and CP was 1.1% and 5.7%, respectively. Significant risk factors for CP included age ≥80 years (odds ratio [OR], 8.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.45-18.93), male sex (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.29-3.61), hypertension (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21-2.45), and hyperlipidemia (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.30-2.62). The presence of ACS was significantly associated with age (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12), hypertension (OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.34-7.46), and being an ex-smoker (OR, 6.81; 95% CI, 1.66-27.93) or current smoker (OR, 6.97; 95% CI, 1.78-27.31) after adjusting for confounding factors.This population-based screening study revealed that ACS was uncommon and had a prevalence of 1.1% in the study population. Age, hypertension, and smoking were risk factors for ACS. Further investigations into the prevalence and risk factors of ACS are required, as are studies on the cost-effectiveness of a national screening program.