Development and Evaluation of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol to Reduce Length of Stay following Elective Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) can be performed safely with a short postoperative length of stay (LOS). We aimed to develop and assess the impact of an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) on LOS after elective EVAR. METHODS: Pre-ERP development single center retrospective review of elective EVAR procedures from January 2012 to December 2019. ERP was developed by targeting factors associated with prolonged LOS (>2 days) elucidated from semistructured interviews and Bayesian additive regression tree analysis. Post-ERP development, a subsequent retrospective review of elective EVAR performed from January 2018 to June 2021 was performed to evaluate LOS before and after ERP. Primary outcome was LOS. RESULTS: Two hundred sixteen patients underwent elective infrarenal EVAR from 2012 to 2019. Periprocedural factors identified as associated with LOS >2 days included noncommercial insurance (43.6% vs. 26.5%; P = 0.01), preoperative anemia (hemoglobin 12.56 g/dL vs. 13.57 g/dL; P = 0.001), worse renal function (creatinine 1.31 mg/dL vs. 1.01/dL; P = 0.004), open femoral access (74.4% vs. 26.5%; P < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) stay (2.7 days vs. 0.9 days; P < 0.001), postoperative anemia (9.8 g/dL vs. 11.9 g/dL; P < 0.001), postoperative creatinine (1.55 mg/dL vs. 0.97 mg/dL; P < 0.001), and beta blocker need on discharge (45.5% vs. 25%; P = 0.003) as significant between patients with short and prolonged LOS groups. Semistructured interviews revealed postoperative day 1 complete blood count/chemistry, postoperative physical therapy evaluation, ICU admission, urinary retention, patient expectations, and unavailability of transportation home as modifiable factors that delayed early discharge. A 14-component ERP was created to target the factors identified from combined qualitative and quantitative results. Post-ERP development, 74 elective EVAR patients were reviewed from 2018 to 2021 (37 pre-ERP and 37 post-ERP). Following ERP development, the mean LOS was reduced from 2.6 (standard deviation: 1.9) to 1.3 days (standard deviation: 1.3); P < 0.01. There were no significant differences in 30-day readmission, postoperative complications, emergency room visits, or 90-day mortality before and after the ERP was used. CONCLUSIONS: Practice and procedural factors can be modified through an informed and safe process to reduce LOS after elective EVAR. LOS following elective EVAR was safely reduced following the use of a systematically developed ERP.

18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT imaging versus conventional imaging alone to guide postprostatectomy salvage radiotherapy for prostate cancer (EMPIRE-1): a single centre, open-label, phase 2/3 randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Molecular imaging is increasingly used to guide treatment decisions and planning in prostate cancer. We aimed to evaluate the role of 18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT in improving cancer control compared with conventional imaging (bone scan and either CT or MRI) alone for salvage postprostatectomy radiotherapy. METHODS: In EMPIRE-1, a single-centre, open-label, phase 2/3 randomised controlled trial, patients with prostate cancer with detectable PSA after prostatectomy and negative conventional imaging (no extrapelvic or bone findings) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to radiotherapy directed by conventional imaging alone or to conventional imaging plus 18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT. Computer-generated randomisation was stratified by PSA concentration, adverse pathology indicators, and androgen deprivation therapy intent. In the 18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT group, radiotherapy decisions were rigidly determined by PET findings, which were also used for target delineation. The primary endpoint was 3 year event-free survival, with events defined as biochemical or clinical recurrence or progression, or initiation of systemic therapy, using univariate and multivariable analyses in patients who received radiotherapy. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01666808 and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: From Sept 18, 2012, to March 4, 2019, 165 patients were randomly assigned, with median follow-up of 3·52 years (95% CI 2·98-3·95). PET findings resulted in four patients in the 18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT group having radiotherapy aborted; these patients were excluded from survival analyses. Median survival was not reached (95% CI 35·2-not reached; 33% of 81 patients had events) in the conventional imaging group compared with not reached (95% CI not reached-not reached; 20% of 76 patients) in the 18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT group, and 3 year event-free survival was 63·0% (95% CI 49·2-74·0) in the conventional imaging group versus 75·5% (95% CI 62·5-84·6) for 18F-fluciclovine-PET/CT (difference 12·5; 95% CI 4·3-20·8; p=0·0028). In adjusted analyses, study group (hazard ratio 2·04 [95% CI 1·06-3·93], p=0·0327) was significantly associated with event-free survival. Toxicity was similar in both study groups, with the most common adverse events being late urinary frequency or urgency (37 [46%] of 81 patients in the conventional imaging group and 31 [41%] of 76 in the PET group), and acute diarrhoea (11 [14%] in the conventional imaging group and 16 [21%] in the PET group). INTERPRETATION: Inclusion of 18F-fluciclovine-PET into postprostatectomy radiotherapy decision making and planning significantly improved survival free from biochemical recurrence or persistence. Integration of novel PET radiotracers into radiotherapy decisions and planning for prostate cancer patients warrants further study. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

A Single Center 8 Year Experience of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis Management.

OBJECTIVE: Segmental Arterial Mediolysis (SAM) is a rare, poorly understood vasculopathy that involves vacuolization of the arterial wall, most commonly of the visceral arteries. There are no established therapeutic or monitoring guidelines for SAM, and intervention typically depends on patient presentation. The purpose of this study is to review the management and outcomes of patients with this rare vascular disease METHODS: Single center retrospective review of patients diagnosed with SAM between 2011 and 2019. Included were patients with radiological diagnosis of SAM. Demographic factors, past medical history, presenting symptoms, affected vessels, management, and lesion characteristics over time were collected. Demographic and periprocedural factors, and medical management strategies were compared for those who required operative intervention versus those managed non-operatively. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, 21 (70%) were male, mean age was 53.5 years (range: 35.7-72.2). Twenty-seven patients were managed non-operatively, 3 patients required surgical intervention. Patients who underwent operative intervention were more likely to present with pain >30 days (P < 0.05), and hemorrhage (P < 0.01). Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom (n = 24, 80%). Arterial dissection was the most common radiological finding at time of presentation (n = 20, 67%). The celiac artery and its branches were most often involved (n=22, 73%) followed by the superior mesenteric artery and its branches (n = 15, 50%). Non-operative management most often consisted of anti-hypertensive therapy (n = 13, 43%), antiplatelet agents (n = 17, 57%%), and lipid-lowering agents (n = 13, 43%), with 7 patients receiving all three. Six patients demonstrated confirmed resolution of lesions during surveillance imaging, with average time to resolution of 325.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent intervention for SAM presented with either mesenteric ischemia or pseudoaneurysm rupture. In patients that present without those conditions, medical management consisting of anti-hypertensives, antiplatelet agents, and lipid-lowering therapy was effective. Non operative management resulted in symptom resolution in all patients and surveillance imaging showed resolution of radiographic abnormalities in 6 patients out of 27 at less than one year.

Endovascular stenting of supra-aortic lesions using a transcarotid retrograde approach and flow reversal: A multicenter case series.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular treatment has largely replaced open reconstruction of proximal brachiocephalic and left common carotid ostial arterial stenoses. The objective of this study was to report the technical feasibility and safety of a flow-based embolic protection system in stenting of single and tandem stenotic lesions of supra-aortic arch vessels. METHODS: All cases used flow-based neuroprotection by the ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System (Silk Road Medical, Sunnyvale, Calif). Case specifics, such as the stents used, the details of flow-based neuroprotection, the order in which lesions were treated, and the case-specific exceptions, are detailed in the body of the publication. The primary end point of this study was the occurrence of stroke or transient ischemic attack. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (12 women) with an average age of 68 years (range, 54-83 years) underwent endovascular stenting to treat single (11 patients) or tandem (5 patients) stenotic lesions of supra-aortic arch vessels. A total of 21 lesions were treated: 7 in the innominate artery, 1 in the right common carotid artery, 8 in the left common carotid artery, and 5 in the internal carotid artery (tandem cases). Eleven patients (69%) were symptomatic, and the stenoses of the five asymptomatic patients were identified during routine workup for comorbidities. Technical success was obtained in all cases. There were no strokes or transient ischemic attacks during the 30 days after the procedure. Minor complications included a minor wound dehiscence that healed secondarily without sequelae and a hematoma at the neck incision that resolved spontaneously without further intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a transcarotid retrograde approach with flow-based neuroprotection is technically feasible for the endovascular stenting of single and tandem stenotic lesions of the supra-aortic arch vessels. These data further support the advantages of a transcarotid approach and flow-based neuroprotection to minimize the risk of intraoperative complications and embolic events during and after the procedure.

Unplanned 30-day readmissions after endovascular aneurysm repair: An analysis using the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the preferred method for addressing abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), with proven reduction in perioperative morbidity and mortality. There are, however limited data examining the readmissions after EVAR that are associated with increased patient morbidity and cost. As EVAR use continues its dominance in the management of AAAs, it becomes imperative to identify and mitigate risk factors associated with unplanned hospital readmissions. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was queried for all 30-day readmissions after an index EVAR procedure from 2012 to 2014. Preoperative patient demographics, hospital characteristics, readmission diagnosis, and costs were compared between those who were and were not readmitted within 30 days of the index operation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors associated with unplanned readmissions within 30 days. RESULTS: We identified 120,646 patients who underwent an EVAR from 2012 to 2014 in the United States. The overall unplanned readmission rate during this period was 11.6% (n = 14,073) within 30 days of the index EVAR procedure. The readmission rate was the highest in 2012, with a rate of 12.3% (P = .02). Multivariate regression analysis showed that EVAR readmissions were significantly higher in patients who were of younger age (18 to 49 years) compared with other age groups (odds ratio [OR], 1.9-2.17; P < .001), female sex (OR, 1.367; P < .001), had Medicare (OR, 1.39) or Medicaid (OR, 1.25) insurance, or a combination of these. Underlying patient comorbidities significantly associated with readmissions included congestive heart failure (OR, 2.4), peripheral vascular disease (OR, 1.1), chronic pulmonary disease (OR, 1.2), cancer with no metastasis (OR, 1.5), metastatic cancer (OR, 2.2), renal failure (OR, 1.8), and diabetes (OR, 1.5). CONCLUSIONS: The trend in 30-day readmission rates after EVAR has decreased slightly since 2012, but overall rates are at 11.6%, which is not insubstantial. Patient factors strongly associated with hospital readmission were younger age and patient comorbidities, including congestive heart failure, concurrent cancer diagnosis, renal failure, and diabetes.

Outcomes and Cost Comparison of Percutaneous Endovascular Aortic Repair versus Endovascular Aortic Repair With Open Femoral Exposure.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess cost differences between patients who underwent percutaneous endovascular aortic repair (PEVAR) and open surgical femoral exposure in elective endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An IRB-approved single center retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysms from 2009 to 2016 was performed. One hundred patients were selected with 50 patients who underwent PEVAR and 50 patients who underwent open surgical femoral exposure. Patient demographics, procedural variables, and hospital outcomes were collected and compared. Primary outcomes assessed used in cost calculations included operating time (OR time), hospital length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit stay (ICU LOS). Extrapolated cost differences were based on known, published cost multipliers for the primary outcomes observed. RESULTS: Patients undergoing PEVAR had significant reduction in mean OR time (113.9 min versus 144.9 min, P < 0.001), mean ICU LOS (19.7 h versus 28.9 h, P = 0.094), and overall LOS (28.3 h versus 33.1 h, P = 0.020). There was no statistically significant difference in access related complications, although there was a trend toward less complication rates with PEVAR (0% versus 5%, P = 0.056). Calculated cost of procedures based on mean ICU LOS, hospital LOS, and OR time, showed significant reduction in mean hospital costs with PEVAR ($16,628.5 versus $21,705.8, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated an overall 23% cost reduction with PEVAR. CONCLUSIONS: Prior reports comparing PEVAR versus EVAR with open femoral exposures have shown improvement in overall patient time to ambulation and other hospital metrics such as LOS with PEVAR. There is, however, a paucity of overall cost comparison data regarding PEVAR. In this study, adoption of PEVAR was seen to significantly reduce OR times (19%) and overall hospital LOS (50%). The outcomes observed ultimately translated into significant reduction in hospital costs.

Sex-dependent outcomes following elective endovascular aortic repair.

BACKGROUND: Evidence has shown that women derive less benefit from endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in large part due to more challenging aortoiliac anatomy. This study sought to examine whether sex-dependent outcomes exist following elective EVAR cases. METHODS: An institutional retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent elective EVAR procedures between 2008 and 2014. Outcome data collected included procedural and hospital morbidity, mortality, and overall EVAR durability based on the incidence of unplanned graft-related secondary interventions (SIs) (e.g., open conversion, proximal or distal extensions, and coil embolizations). RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one patients (150 men, 31 women) met the study inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 40.3 mo. Women had more challenging anatomy compared to men including smaller overall iliac diameters (6.8 mm versus 8.0 mm, P < 0.001) and more severe iliac angulation (77% moderate to severe versus 44%, P < 0.001). Women had increased risk of postoperative complications compared to men (41.9% versus 11.3%, P = 0.003). There was no perioperative mortality in our series of elective EVAR cases. Median 5-y survival following EVAR was 64.4% for men and 76.3% for women (P = 0.599). Late SI rates following EVAR was 10.5% with 16 (10.7%) men and 3 (9.7%) women needing interventions (P = 0.870). Overall durability of EVAR extrapolated as time to SIs was 91% at 2 y and 85% at 5 y. Factors predisposing SIs were iliac tortuosity (P = 0.046), aortic neck angle (P = 0.022), and endoleak at the follow-up (P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, immediate outcomes following EVAR were different between men and women, with women having increased rates of postoperative complications. Mortality and overall long-term durability of EVAR, however, were the same between sexes despite anatomical differences. EVAR durability was significantly dependent on the severity of iliac tortuosity, aortic neck angulation, and presence of endoleak at the follow-up.

Improved prostate delineation in prostate HDR brachytherapy with TRUS-CT deformable registration technology: A pilot study with MRI validation.

Accurate prostate delineation is essential to ensure proper target coverage and normal-tissue sparing in prostate HDR brachytherapy. We have developed a prostate HDR brachytherapy technology that integrates intraoperative TRUS-based prostate contour into HDR treatment planning through TRUS-CT deformable registration (TCDR) to improve prostate contour accuracy. In a perspective study of 16 patients, we investigated the clinical feasibility as well as the performance of this TCDR-based HDR approach. We compared the performance of the TCDR-based approach with the conventional CT-based HDR in terms of prostate contour accuracy using MRI as the gold standard. For all patients, the average Dice prostate volume overlap was 91.1 ± 2.3% between the TCDR-based and the MRI-defined prostate volumes. In a subset of eight patients, inter and intro-observer reliability study was conducted among three experienced physicians (two radiation oncologists and one radiologist) for the TCDR-based HDR approach. Overall, a 10 to 40% improvement in prostate volume accuracy can be achieved with the TCDR-based approach as compared with the conventional CT-based prostate volumes. The TCDR-based prostate volumes match closely to the MRI-defined prostate volumes for all 3 observers (mean volume difference: 0.5 ± 7.2%, 1.8 ± 7.2%, and 3.5 ± 5.1%); while CT-based contours overestimated prostate volumes by 10.9 ± 28.7%, 13.7 ± 20.1%, and 44.7 ± 32.1%. This study has shown that the TCDR-based HDR brachytherapy is clinically feasible and can significantly improve prostate contour accuracy over the conventional CT-based prostate contour. We also demonstrated the reliability of the TCDR-based prostate delineation. This TCDR-based HDR approach has the potential to enable accurate dose planning and delivery, and potentially enhance prostate HDR treatment outcome.

Recurrent prostate cancer detection with anti-3-[(18)F]FACBC PET/CT: comparison with CT.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of the synthetic amino acid analogue PET radiotracer anti-3-[(18)F]FACBC (fluciclovine) with that of CT in the detection of recurrent prostate carcinoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 53 bone scan-negative patients with suspected recurrent prostate carcinoma who underwent fluciclovine PET/CT and routine clinical CT within 90 days of each other. The correlation between imaging findings and histology and clinical follow-up was evaluated. Positivity rates and diagnostic performance were calculated for fluciclovine PET/CT and CT. RESULTS: Of 53 fluciclovine PET/CT and 53 CT examinations, 41 (77.4 %) and 10 (18.9 %), respectively, had positive findings for recurrent disease. Positivity rates were higher with fluciclovine PET/CT than with CT at all prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, PSA doubling times and original Gleason scores. In the prostate/bed, fluciclovine PET/CT was true-positive in 31 and CT was true-positive in 4 of 51 patients who met the reference standard. In extraprostatic regions, fluciclovine PET/CT was true-positive in 12 and CT was true-positive in 3 of 41 patients who met the reference standard. Of the 43 index lesions used to prove positivity, 42 (97.7 %) had histological proof. In 51 patients with sufficient follow-up to calculate diagnostic performance in the prostate/bed, fluciclovine PET/CT demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.6 %, a specificity of 56.3 %, an accuracy of 78.4 %, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 81.6 %, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 69.2 %; the respective values for CT were 11.4 %, 87.5 %, 35.3 %, 66.7 % and 31.1 %. In 41 patients with sufficient follow-up to calculate diagnostic performance in extraprostatic regions, fluciclovine PET/CT demonstrated a sensitivity of 46.2 %, a specificity of 100 %, an accuracy of 65.9 %, a PPV of 100 %, and an NPV of 51.7 %; the respective values for CT were 11.5 %, 100 %, 43.9 %, 100 % and 39.5 %. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of fluciclovine PET/CT in recurrent prostate cancer is superior to that of CT and fluciclovine PET/CT provides better delineation of prostatic from extraprostatic recurrence.

Preventable Complications Driving Rising Costs in Management of Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify factors that drive increasing health-care costs associated with the management of critical limb ischemia in elective inpatients. METHODS: Patients with a primary diagnosis code of critical limb ischemia (CLI) were identified from the 2001-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Demographics, CLI management, comorbidities, complications (bleeding, surgical site infection [SSI]), length of stay, and median in-hospital costs were reviewed. Statistical analysis was completed using Students' t-test and Mann-Kendall trend analysis. Costs are reported in 2011 US dollars corrected using the consumer price index. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2011, there were a total of 451,823 patients who underwent open elective revascularization as inpatients for CLI. Costs to treat CLI increased by 63% ($12,560 in 2001 to $20,517 in 2011, P < 0.001 in trend analysis). Endovascular interventions were 20% more expensive compared with open surgery ($19,566 vs. $16,337, P < 0.001). Age, gender, and insurance status did not affect the cost of care. From 2001 to 2011, the number of patient comorbidities (7.56-12.40) and percentage of endovascular cases (13.4% to 27.4%) increased, accounting for a 6% annual increase in total cost despite decreased median length of stay (6 to 5 days). Patients who developed SSI had total costs 83% greater than patients without SSIs ($30,949 vs. $16,939; P < 0.001). Patients who developed bleeding complications had total costs 41% greater than nonbleeding patients ($23,779 vs. $16,821, P < 0.001). Overall, there was a 32% reduction in SSI rates but unchanged rates of bleeding complications during this period. CONCLUSIONS: The cost of CLI treatment is increasing and driven by rising endovascular use, SSI, and bleeding in the in-patient population. Further efforts to reduce complications in this patient population may contribute to a reduction in health care-associated costs of treating CLI.

The increasing incidence of thromboembolic events among hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: We performed a national population-based study examining the incidence of both venous and arterial thromboembolic events in patients hospitalized with inflammatory bowel disease over the past decade. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database was performed. Patients hospitalized with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were identified using ICD-9 codes. The incidence of clinically relevant venous thromboembolic events and arterial thromboembolic events including myocardial infarction, visceral ischemia, cerebrovascular accidents, and peripheral arterial events was examined. RESULTS: During the study period, 461,415 hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease patients were identified. Among these patients, 28,820 had a diagnosis of a thromboembolic event (overall prevalence of 6%). The incidence of thromboembolic events in patients with inflammatory bowel disease rose from 5.65% in 2000 to 7.17% by 2009. There were 18,270 (3.96%) patients who had an arterial thrombotic event, the most common being myocardial infarction (50%), followed by visceral ischemia (25%), and cerebrovascular incidents (22%). There were 11,083 (2.4%) patients identified to have had a venous thrombotic event, with the most common manifestation being deep vein thrombosis (77%), pulmonary embolism (32%), and portal vein thrombosis (3.9%). CONCLUSION: An increasing incidence of thromboembolic event in patients with inflammatory bowel disease was observed over the past decade. Interestingly, there were more arterial thrombotic events in comparison to venous thrombotic events.

The effect of Surgical Care Improvement Project measures on national trends on surgical site infections in open vascular procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) is a national initiative to reduce surgical complications, including postoperative surgical site infection (SSI), through protocol-driven antibiotic usage. This study aimed to determine the effect SCIP guidelines have had on in-hospital SSIs after open vascular procedures. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was retrospectively analyzed using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnosis codes to capture SSIs in hospital patients who underwent elective carotid endarterectomy, elective open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and peripheral bypass. The pre-SCIP era was defined as 2000 to 2005 and post-SCIP was defined as 2007 to 2010. The year 2006 was excluded because this was the transition year in which the SCIP guidelines were implemented. Analysis of variance and χ(2) testing were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The rate of SSI in the pre-SCIP era was 2.2% compared with 2.3% for carotid endarterectomy (P = .06). For peripheral bypass, both in the pre- and post-SCIP era, infection rates were 0.1% (P = .22). For open, elective AAA, the rate of infection in the post-SCIP era increased significantly to 1.4% from 1.0% in the pre-SCIP era (P < .001). Demographics and in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of SCIP guidelines has made no significant effect on the incidence of in-hospital SSIs in open vascular operations; rather, an increase in SSI rates in open AAA repairs was observed. Patient-centered, bundled approaches to care, rather than current SCIP practices, may further decrease SSI rates in vascular patients undergoing open procedures.

Endovascular management of a traumatic renal-caval arteriovenous fistula in a pediatric patient.

Traumatic renal arteriovenous fistula involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) are exceptionally rare, but if left untreated can have devastating clinical consequences, including development of renovascular hypertension, cardiomegaly, and congestive heart failure. We report a rare, pediatric case of a renal-caval arteriovenous fistula that developed after a gunshot wound to the abdomen and its subsequent treatment with endovascular means. We review our case and the world literature on the evaluation and management of trauma-related renal-caval arteriovenous fistulae.

Surgical site infections after lower extremity revascularization procedures involving groin incisions.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the incidence, epidemiology, and factors associated with surgical site infections (SSIs) after lower extremity revascularization procedures involving groin incisions and determine outcomes based on SSI status. METHODS: This is a single-institution, retrospective cohort study of 106 patients who underwent lower extremity revascularization procedures involving femoral artery exposure through a groin incision at a tertiary referral hospital. The primary outcome was occurrence of SSI at the groin wound. The duration of hospital stay, reoperation within 30 days, discharge disposition, and 30-day mortality were also evaluated. Independent variables included patient demographics and operative variables (i.e., procedure type, transfusion requirements, preoperative antibiotics, intraoperative vasopressors, and operative duration). Statistical analysis included chi-squared tests, t-tests, and multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 106 patients who underwent a lower extremity revascularization procedure with a groin incision for femoral artery exposure, 62% were male, and the mean age was 62 years. Comorbidities included hypertension (93%), dyslipidemia (65%), statin use (63%), active smoker (50%), diabetes (24%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (23%). All patients received preoperative antibiotics, 50% required intraoperative pressors, 21% received a blood transfusion, and the mean operative time was 296 min. The overall duration of stay was 10.7 days, the 30-day reoperation rate was 18%, and the 30-day mortality rate was 12%. Overall, 22% developed a seroma or hematoma, and 31% developed a SSI. Patients who developed an SSI compared with those who did not were more likely to have a postoperative seroma or hematoma (55% vs 5%) and to receive a blood transfusion (33% vs 15%), but less likely to be treated with a statin (47% vs 69%) or carry a diagnosis of dyslipidemia (50% vs 72%), respectively, all P < 0.05. Patients with an SSI had a longer duration of stay (14.5 vs 8.7 days) and a higher reoperative rate (49% vs 4%), but had a lower 30-day mortality (0% vs 18%) than those who did not develop an SSI (all P < 0.05). On multivariable regression analysis adjusting for differences in patient and operative variables, the occurrence of a wound seroma or hematoma remained an independent predictor for SSI (odd ratio: 27.6; 95% confidence interval: 5.4-139.6). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative surgical site complications after lower extremity revascularization procedures involving a groin incision was 31% and was significantly associated with blood transfusion, postoperative seroma or hematoma, dyslipidemia, and statin usage. After adjusting for differences in patient and operative variables, postoperative seroma or hematoma was an independent predictor of SSI. Patients with a SSI have a longer duration of hospitalization and higher reoperative rate. Additional prospective cohort studies are warranted to delineate ways to decrease the rate of SSI.

Carotid endarterectomy national trends over a decade: does sex matter?

BACKGROUND: The objective was to evaluate the difference in timing (if any) of in-hospital carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or outcomes of CEA based on sex among men and women hospitalized for carotid artery disease. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database. All patients from 2000-2009 who underwent CEA during their hospitalization were examined. International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision codes were used to identify patients who underwent CEA during hospitalization, stratify asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, determine time in days from admission to CEA, and examine in-hospital complications, including perioperative stroke, cardiac events, and death. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-squared and t-tests. Linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate relationships between sex and outcomes. The main outcome measures were time from admission to surgery, in-hospital mortality, complications, mean duration of stay, and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-one thousand two hundred fifty three patients underwent CEA during hospitalization. More than 9% (9.2%) had symptomatic carotid artery disease. Among symptomatic patients, bivariate analysis found that women had a longer mean time from admission to surgery (2.8 vs. 2.6 days; P < 0.001) and a longer duration of hospital stay (6.4 vs. 5.9 days; P < 0.001) than their male counterparts. However, there was no difference between men and women with regard to rates of perioperative stroke, cardiac complications, myocardial infarction, or death. Among asymptomatic patients, women had a longer mean time from admission to surgery (0.53 vs. 0.48 days; P < 0.001) and a trend toward increased perioperative stroke (0.6% vs. 0.5%; P = 0.06), but a lower rate of cardiac complications (1.5% vs. 1.7%; P = 0.01) and in-hospital mortality (0.26% vs. 0.31%; P = 0.05). However, on multivariable analysis adjusting for differences in age, elective status, insurance, race, hospital location, hospital region, and hospital teaching status, there was no sex disparity in time from admission to surgery, regardless of symptomatic status. In addition, asymptomatic women were less likely than men to have a cardiac complication (odds ratio [OR]: 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-0.97) or in-hospital mortality (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.70-0.98). Symptomatic women were also less likely than men to have a cardiac complication (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.63-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: In this decade-long national population-based study of hospitalized patients undergoing CEA, women had lower perioperative cardiac morbidity and mortality rates than men. After adjusting for patient, clinical, and hospital factors, there is no discernible difference in timing of CEA based on sex.

Explantation of an ALTO abdominal stent graft.

Explantation of traditional infrarenal aortic endografts has been previously described, and explanation of aortic endografts with standard suprarenal fixation at our center has been well defined. However, to the best of our knowledge, no cases have been reported on explantation of endografts with polymer rings present to facilitate the proximal seal. By obtaining full thoracoabdominal exposure with supraceliac clamping and opening the entire aorta along the graft, we were able to successfully explant the ALTO stent graft with polymer rings. (J Vasc Surg 2024;XX:XX-X.).

One-Year Results of a Low-Profile Endograft in Acute, Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The safety and effectiveness of the RelayPro endograft (Terumo Aortic) was assessed for the treatment of acute, complicated type B aortic dissection (TBAD). METHODS: A prospective pivotal trial analyzed a primary end point of all-cause mortality at 30 days. Secondary end points included technical success, major adverse events (disabling stroke, renal failure, and paraplegia/paralysis), endoleaks, patency, rupture, device integrity, false lumen perfusion, reinterventions, aortic expansion, and migration evaluated to 5 years. RESULTS: The study involved 22 United States centers and enrolled 56 patients (mean age, 59.5 ± 11.4 years) from 2017 to 2021; of whom, 73.2% were men and 53.6% were African American. TBAD was complicated by malperfusion of the kidneys (51.8%), lower extremities (35.7%), and viscera (33.9%), and rupture (10.7%). Dissection extended proximally to zones 1/2 (14.3%) and zone 3 (78.6%) and distally to the iliac arteries (67.3%). Most procedures were percutaneous (85.5%). Technical success was 100%. Median hospitalization was 7 days (interquartile range, 5-12 days). All-cause mortality at 30 days was 1.8% (1 of 56; upper 95% CI, 8.2%; P < .0001). Seven major adverse events occurred in 6 patients (10.7%), consisting of paraplegia (n = 3), paraparesis (n = 2), disabling stroke (n = 1), and renal failure (n = 1). All paraplegia/paraparesis resolved with lumbar drainage. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated a freedom from major adverse events of 89.1% at each interval from 30 days to 3 years. There was 1 endoleak (Type Ia), 2 retrograde dissections, and aortic diameter growth occurred in 2. There has been no rupture, fistula, component separation, patency loss, stenosis, kinking, twisting, bird beak, loss of device integrity, or fracture. CONCLUSIONS: RelayPro is safe and effective in acute, complicated TBAD. Follow-up is ongoing to evaluate longer-term outcomes and durability.

The association between C-reactive protein (CRP) level and biochemical failure-free survival in patients after radiation therapy for nonmetastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with outcomes in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Associations between prostate adenocarcinoma-specific endpoints and CRP in patients who are treated for localized disease remain unknown. METHODS: In total, 206 patients who received radiation therapy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate had at least 1 CRP measured in follow-up and were analyzed. The primary outcome was biochemical failure-free survival. In addition, associations were examined between CRP and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). RESULTS: On univariate analysis, higher CRP levels were associated significantly with shorter biochemical failure-free survival for patients who received radiation therapy after undergoing radical prostatectomy. For patients who were managed with definitive radiation therapy alone, higher CRP levels also were associated significantly with shorter biochemical failure-free survival on univariate and multivariable analyses (hazard ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-3.47; P = .009). In addition, CRP levels were associated significantly with PSA after radical prostatectomy for patients who had Gleason scores ≥ 8 (P = .037), for high-risk patients (P = .008), and for those with pretreatment PSA levels > 20 ng/mL (P = .05). In patients who received definitive radiation therapy, CRP levels also were associated with PSA both for those with pretreatment PSA levels > 20 ng/mL (P < .001), and for the intermediate-risk (P = .029) and high-risk (P = .009) subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: A higher CRP level was associated with shorter biochemical failure-free survival on univariate and multivariable analyses in patients who received definitive radiation therapy. CRP was also associated with PSA in exploratory subgroups. These findings warrant further exploration in a prospectively enrolled patient cohort.

Microbiology of explanted suture segments from infected and noninfected surgical patients.

Sutures under selective host/environmental factors can potentiate postoperative surgical site infection (SSI). The present investigation characterized microbial recovery and biofilm formation from explanted absorbable (AB) and nonabsorbable (NAB) sutures from infected and noninfected sites. AB and NAB sutures were harvested from noninfected (70.9%) and infected (29.1%) sites in 158 patients. At explantation, devices were sonicated and processed for qualitative/quantitative bacteriology; selective sutures were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bacteria were recovered from 85 (53.8%) explanted sites; 39 sites were noninfected, and 46 were infected. Suture recovery ranged from 11.1 to 574.6 days postinsertion. A significant difference in mean microbial recovery between noninfected (1.2 isolates) and infected (2.7 isolates) devices (P < 0.05) was noted. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Peptostreptococcus spp., Bacteroides fragilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia spp. were recovered from infected devices, while commensal skin flora was recovered from noninfected devices. No significant difference in quantitative microbial recovery between infected monofilament and multifilament sutures was noted. Biofilm was present in 100% and 66.6% of infected and noninfected devices, respectively (P < 0.042). We conclude that both monofilament and braided sutures provide a hospitable surface for microbial adherence: (i) a significant difference in microbial recovery from infected and noninfected sutures was noted, (ii) infected sutures harbored a mixed flora, including multidrug-resistant health care-associated pathogens, and (iii) a significant difference in the presence or absence of a biofilm in infected versus noninfected explanted devices was noted. Further studies to document the benefit of focused risk reduction strategies to minimize suture contamination and biofilm formation postimplantation are warranted.