A multicenter prospective observational study appraising the effectiveness of the Supera stent after subintimal recanalization of femoro-popliteal artery occlusion: The SUPERSUB II study.

BACKGROUND: Complex femoropopliteal artery disease represents a challenge. The Supera stent holds the promise of improving the results of endovascular therapy for complex femoropopliteal disease. AIMS: We aimed at appraising the early and long-term effectiveness of the Supera stent after successful subintimal angioplasty (SuperSUB strategy) for complex femoropopliteal lesions. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, single-arm observational study including consecutive patients at participating centers in whom Supera was implanted after successful subintimal angioplasty for complex femoropopliteal lesions. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included Femoropopliteal arteries were the most common target, and lesion length was 261 ± 102 mm. Most procedures were technically demanding, with antegrade femoral access in 35 (38%) and retrograde distal access in 55 (60%). Supera stent length was 281 ± 111 mm, with 4, 5, and 6 mm devices being most commonly used: 32 (35%), 35 (38%), and 23 (25%), respectively. Technical success was achieved in 100% of subjects, as was clinical success (per subject), whereas procedural success (per subject) was obtained in 98%. At 24 months, freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization was 93%, whereas primary patency was 87%. When compared with a similar historical cohort, Supera stent use appeared to be associated with a reduction in resources. CONCLUSION: Use of Supera stent after successful subintimal recanalization of complex lower limb arterial lesions yields favorable procedural results, which are maintained over follow-up, and are associated also with a favorable resource use profile.

Seven-Year Approach Evolution of the Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Endovascular Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment is now considered the first-line therapy for the aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). We report our experience with the total endovascular treatment of infrarenal and pararenal aortoiliac occlusions and the 7-year approach evolution. METHODS: A total of 22 patients underwent total endovascular treatment of AIOD from January 2008 to September 2014. Bare metal stents in kissing configuration were deployed in 9 cases, covered stents in kissing configuration in 9 patients and the aortic bifurcation reconstruction with the Y-guidewire configuration technique was performed in the last 4 patients. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%. Perioperative mortality rate was 4.5%. ankle-brachial index improved from 0.49 ± 0.19 to 0.96 ± 0.05 at the right side and from 0.53 ± 0.17 0.98 ± 0.04 at the left side (P < 0.01). Mean follow-up was 39.5 months (range, 5-80 months). The primary patency rate was 95.2% at 1 year and 90.5% at 3 years, and the secondary patency rate was 95.2% at 1 year and 100% at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Different stent types and configurations used for the aortoiliac endovascular treatment offer all the benefits of these materials for treatment on a case-by-case basis. The Y-guidewire configuration technique for the aortic bifurcation reconstruction may render the procedure more feasible. More cases and longer follow-up are necessary before the widespread use of this technique.

From aortouniiliac bifurcated to aortobisiliac trifurcated endograft for hypogastric artery preservation during EVAR.

An 81-year-old man presented with rapid enlargement of a 2-year known abdominal aortic and common iliac aneurysms. A hybrid approach to preserve both hypogastric arteries (HAs) was planned: a bifurcated endograft for the right aortoiliac axis, right femoral-to-left femoral artery bypass, and left external-to-internal iliac artery stent graft placement. Urethral stenosis requiring an epicystostomy rendered this approach not feasible. After left HA embolization, a bifurcated endograft was deployed for the abdominal aortic aneurysm exclusion. The endograft right limb was extended using a second bifurcated endograft for the ipsilateral aortoiliac axis. Surgical femoral accesses were used for the 2 bifurcated endografts and left HA embolization. Through the left brachial access, 2 stent grafts were used to preserve the right hypogastric artery revascularization. The 5-year follow-up computed tomography scan demonstrated complete aneurysm exclusion and HA patency.

How the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Patients' Hospital Admission and Care in the Vascular Surgery Divisions of the Southern Regions of the Italian Peninsula.

Background: To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the vasculopathic population. Methods: The Divisions of Vascular Surgery of the southern Italian peninsula joined this multicenter retrospective study. Each received a 13-point questionnaire investigating the hospitalization rate of vascular patients in the first 11 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the preceding 11 months. Results: 27 out of 29 Centers were enrolled. April-December 2020 (7092 patients) vs. 2019 (9161 patients): post-EVAR surveillance, hospitalization for Rutherford category 3 peripheral arterial disease, and asymptomatic carotid stenosis revascularization significantly decreased (1484 (16.2%) vs. 1014 (14.3%), p = 0.0009; 1401 (15.29%) vs. 959 (13.52%), p = 0.0006; and 1558 (17.01%) vs. 934 (13.17%), p < 0.0001, respectively), while admissions for revascularization or major amputations for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and urgent revascularization for symptomatic carotid stenosis significantly increased (1204 (16.98%) vs. 1245 (13.59%), p < 0.0001; 355 (5.01%) vs. 358 (3.91%), p = 0.0007; and 153 (2.16%) vs. 140 (1.53%), p = 0.0009, respectively). Conclusions: The suspension of elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant reduction in post-EVAR surveillance, and in the hospitalization of asymptomatic carotid stenosis revascularization and Rutherford 3 peripheral arterial disease. Consequentially, we observed a significant increase in admissions for urgent revascularization for symptomatic carotid stenosis, as well as for revascularization or major amputations for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

[A case of arteriovenous fistula stenosis treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty]. / Un caso di stenosi serrata post-anastomotica di fistola arterovenosa trattata con angioplastica percutanea trans-luminale.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is considered the gold standard for vascular access in hemodialysis, even in elderly patients. Malfunction of AVF is the first cause of hospitalization in the HD population, with a correlated increase in costs. For the monitoring and surveillance of fistulas, the 2006 K/DOQI workgroup recommends physical examination, direct flow measurement, Doppler ultrasonography and recirculation (by a non-urea-based dilutional method). We report the case of a 67-year-old woman affected by AVF stenosis. Combined AVF surveillance with recirculation and Doppler ultrasonography permitted early diagnosis and treatment with percutaneous angioplasty.

[Cephalic arch stenosis. Case report and literary review].

Dysfunctional AVF represents one of the leading causes of morbidity in the hemodialysis population, with venous stenosis-related dysfunction being the most common underlying problem. Cephalic arch is a well-known site for the development of stenosis, especially in patients with brachiocephalic fistulas. The pathophysiology of cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) is still being investigated and various contributing factors have been suggested. The treatment options for CAS are many and include angioplasty, endovascular stent insertion, access flow reduction and surgical interventions, but none of the current modalities are ideal. Therefore, the treatment of CAS is difficult, as the stenosis in this area tends to recur leading to the need for repeat angioplasty, stents or surgical revision. A 57-year-old woman undergoing hemodialysis (HD) through a right brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula was found to have high venous pressure during HD and prolonged bleeding after HD. Clinical examination revealed a hyperpulsatile fistula suggestive of outflow obstruction. Doppler ultrasound examination showed cephalic vein thrombosis, severe outflow stenosis and juxta-anastomotic area. A 10 x 40 mm stent (Cordis Smart stent) was positioned appropriately in the cephalic arch and deployed, the stenotic lesion in juxta-anastomotic area was dilated with angioplasty balloon with improvement in flow. After 14 months, the fistula is still working perfectly with adequate flow.

Aortic aneurysm endovascular treatment with the parallel graft technique from the aortic arch to the iliac axis.

BACKGROUND: The chimney technique has been developed for the treatment of complex aortic aneurysms. We analyzed the midterm to long-term outcomes of this approach from a single-center experience. METHODS: From October 2008 to July 2016, 58 patients underwent endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using the chimney technique. Indications for treatment were thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) (N.=11), thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) (N.=2), pararenal aortic aneurysm (PAAA) (N.=15), aortoiliac/isolated hypogastric artery aneurysm (N.=25), type I endoleak after previous TEVAR/EVAR (N.=4), proximal pseudoaneurysm after AAA open repair (N.=1). Elective (82.8%) and emergent (17.2%) procedures were included. RESULTS: The immediate technical success was 100%. Single, double and triple chimneys were performed in 46, 10, and two patients, respectively. Overall, 61 target vessels (three left common carotid arteries, eight left subclavian arteries, three celiac trunks, three superior mesenteric arteries, 19 renal arteries and 25 hypogastric arteries) were involved. Postoperative mortality was 0. No neurologic complications were registered. Primary patency rate of the chimney stent/stent graft was 98.3%. Low-flow type I endoleak was observed in four patients (6.9%). Postoperative chimney graft re-intervention rate was 1.7%. The median follow-up was 32±20 months (range 3-96 months). Overall estimated survival at 12, 50, and 80 months was 100%, 89% and 44%, respectively. Estimated freedom from endoleak at 1, 12, 24, and 36 months was 96.5%, 95%, 95%, and 93%, respectively. One hypogastric artery stent-graft occluded at the 3rd month of follow-up. No reintervention was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience with the chimney technique for aortic aneurysms from the aortic arch to the iliac axis shows promising and durable mid- and long-term results. Endograft oversizing, associated with the chimney graft diameter and length choice remain fundamental to reduce the risk of the most frequent procedure complications: type I endoleak and CG occlusion. The wider use of this technique should be justified in patients considered at high risk for open repair and/or not suitable for the custom-made branched/fenestrated endografts.

Neurological aspects of hyperinsulinism-hyperammonaemia syndrome.

Hyperinsulinism-hyperammonaemia syndrome (HHS) is a rare cause of congenital hyperinsulinism, due to missense mutations in the GLUD1 gene, resulting in glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) overactivity. The aim of this study was to document the spectrum of neurological disturbances associated with HHS and to identify possible phenotype-genotype correlations. We retrospectively analyzed the neurological outcomes of 22 consecutive patients (12 males, 10 females) aged from 18 months to 40 years and diagnosed with HHS. We analyzed demographic and clinical features and neuroradiological, biochemical, and genetic findings. Fourteen patients had childhood-onset epilepsy. Learning disability was found in 17 patients. Two patients had pyramidal involvement and one had generalized dystonia. Seizures were observed in 11 of 19 patients with documented GLUD1 mutations, and nine of these 11 patients had a mutation in the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) binding site. Our data demonstrate that neurological disorders in HHS are more frequent than previously thought and might suggest that mutations in the GTP binding site of GDH could be associated with more frequent epilepsy.