Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognostic Impact of Type Ib Endoleak Following Endovascular Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives of this scoping review were to assess the rate of and risk factors for type Ib endoleak and to evaluate the extent of the evidence base that links type Ib endoleak to short and long term outcomes in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Potentially eligible studies were searched in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, SciELO Citation Index, Russian Science Citation Index, and KCI-Korean Journal Database. A scoping review was performed according to PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. RESULTS: A total of 27 articles (four prospective registries and 23 retrospective cohort studies) dealing with type Ib endoleak were included in the final analysis. The number of patients reported on was 7 197, with follow up ranging between 12 months and 93 months. The reported frequency of type Ib endoleak in patients treated with EVAR ranged from 0% to 8%, Patient and or procedure related factors associated with risk of type Ib endoleak were (1) common iliac artery (CIA) diameter ˃ 18 mm requiring use of flared stent graft limbs (FLs) ˃ 20 mm, (2) length of CIA landing zone ˂ 20 mm, (3) marked iliac tortuosity, and (4) large initial AAA diameter. Depending on the study, 50 - 100% of type Ib endoleaks were corrected by endovascular means, with a reported immediate technical success of 100% in the studies providing this information. CONCLUSION: Type Ib endoleak after EVAR has been reported to occur in 0 - 8% of cases. Several anatomical features, including CIA diameter ˃ 18 mm or requiring the use of FLs ˃ 20 mm, length of CIA landing zone ˂ 20 mm, marked iliac tortuosity, and large initial AAA diameter, could increase the risk of type Ib endoleak and may require alternative therapeutic options and or more stringent follow up. Therefore, this updated scoping review provides a comprehensive summary of the frequency, risk factors, prognosis, and treatment of type Ib endoleaks, and has identified knowledge gaps in the literature to guide further studies.

In Situ Laser Fenestrations of Aortic Endografts for Emergent Aortic Disease.

BACKGROUND: In situ laser fenestration (ISLF) is a novel endovascular technique which allows customization of a standard stent graft to a patient's anatomy. While most reported cases involve revascularization of the left subclavian artery (LSA), some centers have now reported their initial experience treating branches of the visceral aorta for aortic aneurysms. The aim of this study is to examine the adoption of ISLF in emergent aortic pathology at a specialized aortic center. METHODS: Between December 2020 and February 2022, all patients who underwent ISLF as part of endovascular intervention for complex aortic pathology at a university hospital were identified. Cases were collected from a prospective aortic database with additional information obtained from a retrospective review of electronic hospital records. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (11 men and 4 women) underwent emergency ISLF, with a median age of 76 years. Eleven presented with symptomatic or ruptured aortic aneurysms, three with acute complicated aortic dissections and 1 aortic traumatic transection. Most aortic aneurysms were thoraco-abdominal (n = 7), with 1 arch, 1 thoracic, 1 supra-renal, and one-juxta-renal aortic aneurysm. ISLF was performed to revascularize the LSA in 8 cases, and branches of the reno-visceral aorta in 7 cases. All LSA ISLF cases had left brachial artery exposure. Femoral access was percutaneous in 14 of 15 cases. Technical success was 96.3% (26/27)). Median ischemic times were: superior mesenteric artery 7 min, renal arteries 22 min, and celiac trunk 43.5 min. There were 2 early aortic/fenestration related reinterventions. There was no stroke and 1 death caused by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia within 30 days. The majority of patients did not require intensive care admission (n = 8). The median intensive care unit stay was 0 days and hospital length of stay 18 days. There was no fenestration endoleak or reintervention post discharge with a median follow-up of 168 days. CONCLUSIONS: ISLF is a promising new technique that can show excellent technical results in experienced aortic centers, even during the learning curve. While custom-made devices with reinforced fenestrations are preferred in nonemergent situations, ISLF is a feasible option for complex aortic pathology in the acute setting when open surgery is not feasible.

A SiMplified bARe-Wire Target Vessel (SMART) Technique for Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to present a new technique for fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (FEVAR) and to review its preliminary results. The SiMplified bARe-wire Target vessel (SMART) technique for FEVAR aims to simplify the procedure by avoiding guiding sheaths into visceral arteries during the main graft deployment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SMART technique requires a 12 to 16Fr contralateral introducer, depending on number of fenestrations-compared with standard 18 to 22Fr for 3 to 4 FEVAR-to achieve target vessel catheterization and stenting during FEVAR by avoiding the use of parallel 6 to 7Fr guiding sheaths into each visceral vessel. Fenestrations are sequentially catheterized, assisted by a steerable sheath. A Rosen wire is maintained in each fenestration, with a single sheath parked in the final target vessel while releasing the fenestrated graft. Data on patients treated for pararenal or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with FEVAR, adopting the SMART technique, were retrospectively reviewed. End points were technical success, intraprocedural variables, 90-day mortality, major adverse events (MAEs), and target vessel patency. RESULTS: From May 2018 to December 2020, 57 consecutive patients were treated for pararenal or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Median total procedure time and total fluoroscopy time were 223 (196-271) minutes and 81 (71-94) minutes, respectively. Primary technical success was 96.4% (55/57). No misalignment occurred from graft deployment. The total number of fenestrations was 169, including 54 left and 53 right renal arteries, 43 superior mesenteric arteries and 18 celiac trunks (3.0±0.9 vessels/patient), with target vessel technical success of 98.2%. During the first 90 days, there were no deaths (0%). The MAEs included acute kidney injury (AKI) in 3 patients (5%) with no new dialysis onset, respiratory failure requiring prolonged ventilation in 2 patients (4%), myocardial ischemia in 1 patient (2%), but no lower limb ischemia, stroke, or spinal cord ischemia (SCI) occurred. After a mean follow-up of 14±10 months, there was 1 aortic-related death. Primary and assisted primary target vessel patency was 94.6%±1.8 and 97.0%±1.3% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The SMART technique proved to be a safe alternative to standard FEVARs, with excellent technical result and acceptable target vessel patency at mid-term, while reducing the risk for introducer-induced lower limb ischemia, related complications, and morbidity. CLINICAL IMPACT: This study evalautes the outcome of fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) procedures at Uppsala university hospital using a simplified bare-wire Target vessel (SMART) technique. The SMART technique requires a smaller contralateral introducer compared to standard 18-22Fr for 3-4 FEVAR to achieve target vessel catetherization and stenting. Fifty-seven consecutive patients were treated for pararenal or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. The SMART technique proved to be a safe alternative to standard FEVARs with excellent technical result and acceptable target vessel patency at mid-term, while reducing the risk for introducer-induced lower limb ischemia, related complications, and morbidity.

The reversed bell-bottom technique (ReBel-B) for the endovascular treatment of iliac artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of the reversed bell-bottom (ReBel-B) technique for the endovascular treatment of iliac aneurysms (IA) involving the origin of hypogastric artery (HA). METHODS: The ReBel-B technique is a strategy for the occlusion of HA in selected patients presenting with IA, in whom the HA cannot be spared or safely occluded with coils or vascular plugs. When employing this technique, an iliac flared ("bell-bottom") extension is deployed in a reverse fashion, through a contralateral crossover femoral access that allows the occlusion of the HA at its origin, by exploiting the flared "bell" part of the reversed endograft. A second limb is then deployed to complete the implant, from the common iliac to the external iliac artery, inside the previous graft. Data of all consecutive patients treated with this technique in our experience were then retrospectively reviewed, and outcomes analyzed. RESULTS: The ReBel-B technique was employed in total of six patients who came in an emergent setting for the rupture of a common IA, from January 2014 to December 2018. Endovascular exclusion was performed using a ReBel-B graft plus iliac leg in five out of six cases. In the remaining case, a bifurcated aortic endograft was used to complete the aneurysm exclusion. Technical success was 100%. No complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, the ReBel-B technique can be used for the complete exclusion of IA preventing type II endoleak from the HA, when the embolization with coils or plug or the preservation of the HA is anatomically unfeasible.

Acute Lower Limb Ischemia as Clinical Presentation of COVID-19 Infection.

Novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) infection usually causes a respiratory disease that may vary in severity from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia with multiple organ failure. Coagulation abnormalities are frequent, and reports suggest that COVID-19 may predispose to venous and arterial thrombotic complications. We report a case of acute lower limb ischemia and resistance to heparin as the onset of COVID-19 disease, preceding the development of respiratory failure. This case highlights that the shift of coagulation profile toward hypercoagulability was associated with the acute ischemic event and influenced the therapy.

Viabahn-assisted sutureless anastomosis (VASA) repair of a complex internal carotid artery aneurysm.

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (CAAs) are extremely rare and often require surgical intervention to avoid complications such as local compression symptoms and thrombo-embolization. We present the case of a 63-year-old man with a history of hypertension, meningioma, and an incidental finding of a right saccular internal carotid artery aneurysm at the base of the skull. He underwent open surgical repair; nonetheless, end-to-end anastomosis was not feasible. As bailout, the internal carotid artery was successfully reconstructed with a novel Viabahn-assisted sutureless anastomosis technique (GORE, Viabahn). Postoperative clinical assessment revealed no complications, postoperative computed tomography angiography revealed a patent reconstruction, and the patient was discharged home uneventfully with 1-year clinical and computed tomography angiography follow-up without remarks. Hybrid procedure is a viable option for technically challenging carotid anastomoses near the skull base.

Outcomes of biosynthetic vascular graft for infrainguinal femoro-popliteal and femoro-distal revascularization.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze early and late outcomes of infrainguinal revascularization performed with the Omniflow-II® (LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., Burlington, MA, USA) biosynthetic vascular graft (BVG) for complex femoro-popliteal obstructive disease. METHODS: Over a 10-year period, this BVG was used in 110 patients who underwent infrainguinal femoro-popliteal or femoro-distal bypass. Early (intraoperative and <30 days) results were analyzed in terms of death, thrombosis, amputations and reinterventions. Follow-up results were analyzed in terms of primary and secondary graft patency, and amputation-free survival. RESULTS: We performed 87 (79.1%) above-the-knee bypass, 20 (18.2%) below-the-knee bypass, and 3 (2.7%) tibial artery bypass. In-hospital mortality was not observed. Mean follow-up was 66±37 months (range, 3-150). Estimated primary patency rate at 1, 2 and 5-years of follow-up was 77%±4 (95%CI: 68-84), 73%±5 (95%CI: 63.5-83), and 59%±6 (95%CI: 47-70.5) respectively. Predictors of primary patency loss were the presence of critical limb ischemia (P=0.048; HR: 2.1; 95%CI: 1.01-4.28), and the necessity of below-the-knee bypass (P=0.012; HR: 2.4; 95%CI: 1.22-4.75). Aneurysmal degeneration of the BVG was detected in 4 (3.6%) patients, an infected BVG occurred in 3 (2.7%) patients. The amputation-free survival was 96%±2 (95%CI: 91-99), 93%±3 (95%CI: 86-96), and 76%±5 (95%CI: 66-84) at 1, 2 and 5-years respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, Omniflow-II® is a valid first-line alternative for infrainguinal revascularization when the ipsilateral autologous saphenous vein is not available. Aneurysmal degeneration was lower than previously reported with alternative BVGs, and the incidence of BVG infection was acceptably low.

Factors affecting the occurrence of proximal endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic repair for abdominal aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study was performed to assess the clinical and radiological variables associated with proximal type IA endoleak (EL) in patients treated with elective endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms. METHODS: The chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression analysis were performed as appropriate. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The data of 79 patients were analyzed. No mortality occurred. During follow-up (median, 28.5 months; interquartile range, 12.8-43.0 months), 10 patients developed type IA EL. In the logistic regression analysis, undersizing of the endograft diameter by <10% significantly affected the occurrence of type IA EL. When the diameter was used for measurements, less oversizing was significantly associated with a higher risk of type IA EL. When the area was used for measurements, oversizing of >20% significantly affected the occurrence of type IA EL. CONCLUSION: When sizing endografts, a discrepancy was noted between the measurements of the diameter and area of the proximal neck. The area might represent a more accurate measurement than the axial diameter to optimize the proximal sealing and lower the risk of developing type IA EL.

Assessment of the praxis circuit in glioma surgery to reduce the incidence of postoperative and long-term apraxia: a new intraoperative test.

OBJECTIVEApraxia is a cognitive-motor deficit affecting the execution of skilled movements, termed praxis gestures, in the absence of primary sensory or motor disorders. In patients affected by stroke, apraxia is associated with lesions of the lateral parietofrontal stream, connecting the posterior parietal areas with the ventrolateral premotor area and subserving sensory-motor integration for the hand movements. In the neurosurgical literature to date, there are few reports regarding the incidence of apraxia after glioma surgery. A retrospective analysis of patients who harbored a glioma around the central sulcus and close to the parietofrontal circuits in depth showed a high incidence of long-term postoperative hand apraxia, impairing the patients' quality of life. To avoid the occurrence of postoperative apraxia, the authors sought to develop an innovative intraoperative hand manipulation task (HMt) that can be used in association with the brain mapping technique to identify and preserve the cortical and subcortical structures belonging to the praxis network.METHODSThe intraoperative efficacy of the HMt was investigated by comparing the incidence of postoperative ideomotor apraxia between patients undergoing mapping with (n = 79) and without (n = 41) the HMt. Patient groups were balanced for all demographic and clinical features.RESULTSIn patients with lesions in the dominant hemisphere, the HMt dramatically reduced the incidence of apraxia, with a higher sensitivity for the ideomotor than for the constructional abilities; patients with lesions in the nondominant hemisphere benefitted from the HMt for both ideomotor and constructional abilities. The administration of the test did not reduce the extent of resection.CONCLUSIONSThe HMt is a safe and feasible intraoperative tool that allowed surgeons to prevent the occurrence of long-term hand apraxia while attaining resection goals for the surgical treatment of glioma.