Partial Endograft Removal Preserves the Aortic Walls During Delayed Open Conversions of Endovascular Aortic Repair.

BACKGROUND: Open conversion of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is the first-choice treatment in case of endograft failure or high-flow endoleak. However, the traditional technique based on the total removal of the endograft can produce injuries of the aortic walls, with severe consequences on the anastomoses quality. Our aim is to show the advantages of the partial endograft removal on the aortic integrity by reporting a case series including 25 delayed open conversion performed with this technique. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted over the cases of delayed open conversions performed in the last 30 months. Demographics, past medical history, endograft type, causes for conversions, and early and mid-term outcomes were recorded and analyzed in relation with the technique employed (partial vs total endograft removal). RESULTS: Between September 2016 and March 2019, 25 consecutive cases of EVAR failure were converted to open treatment. In all cases, the endografts were resected leaving in place part of the iliac branches, and, whenever possible, also the proximal stent of the main body. Primary technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. Disease-free survival over 18-month median follow-up was 100%. All patients underwent abdominal aortic duplex scan controls as scheduled, with no early or late postoperative complication. No anastomotic aneurysms or any surgery-related complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Partial endograft removal is a safe and effective technique that could be used to protect the aortic integrity in delayed open conversions of EVAR.

Characteristics of Venous Thromboembolism in COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter Experience from Northern Italy.

BACKGROUND: The liability of patients affected by novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to develop venous thromboembolic events is widely acknowledged. However, many particulars of the interactions between the two diseases are still unknown. This study aims to outline the main characteristics of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in COVID-19 patients, based on the experience of four high-volume COVID-19 hospitals in Northern Italy. METHODS: All cases of COVID-19 in-hospital patients undergoing duplex ultrasound (DUS) for clinically suspected DVT between March 1st and April 25th, 2020, were reviewed. Demographics and clinical data of all patients with confirmed DVT were recorded. Computed tomography pulmonary angiographies of the same population were also examined looking for signs of PE. RESULTS: Of 101 DUS performed, 42 were positive for DVT, 7 for superficial thrombophlebitis, and 24 for PE, 8 of which associated with a DVT. Most had a moderate (43.9%) or mild (16.9%) pneumonia. All venous districts were involved. Time of onset varied greatly, but diagnosis was more frequent in the first two weeks since in-hospital acceptance (73.8%). Most PEs involved the most distal pulmonary vessels, and two-thirds occurred in absence of a recognizable DVT. CONCLUSIONS: DVT, thrombophlebitis, and PE are different aspects of COVID-19 procoagulant activity and they can arise regardless of severity of respiratory impairment. All venous districts can be involved, including the pulmonary arteries, where the high number and distribution of the thrombotic lesions without signs of DVT could hint a primitive thrombosis rather than embolism.

Current results of a combined endovascular and open approach for the treatment of aortoesophageal and aortobronchial fistulae.

BACKGROUND: Aortoesophageal (AEF) and aortobronchial (ABF) fistulae are uncommon but invariably fatal if left untreated. Mortality rates of open surgery remain prohibitive. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was shown to be a valid alternative to control bleeding in emergency, allowing a reduction of perioperative mortality. However, it entails a significant risk of late sequelae, namely endograft contamination and sepsis, related to the untreated esophageal leak. The aim of this study is to present initial results of a combined "hybrid" (endovascular and open) strategy to treat AEF and ABF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006 to 2013, 8 patients (6 men, mean age 63 ± 13 years) were operated at our institution for primary and secondary AEF (7 patients) or ABF (1 patient) by means of a combined approach: emergent endovascular exclusion of the aortic rupture, followed by staged open surgical repair of the esophageal or bronchial lesion with associated intercostal muscle flap interposition. Follow-up was available in all patients (mean 34 ± 26 months). RESULTS: TEVAR was successfully performed in all cases in emergency because of active bleeding or hemodynamic instability. Stabilization of hemodynamic parameters was obtained in all patients. Open surgical stage was performed either directly after TEVAR (n = 1) or after a mean delay of 6.9 ± 3.5 days (n = 7). No perioperative sepsis, bleeding, or death was observed. At follow-up, 7 patients were alive (87.5%). One patient died 1 year after the procedure because of sudden cardiocirculatory arrest of unknown origin. Another patient experienced 2 hospitalizations, at 3 and 8 months after the procedure, for recurrent fever requiring prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy. No conversion or aortic bleeding was recorded during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate TEVAR followed by staged open repair of the esophageal or bronchial defect with intercostal muscle flap interposition appears to be a feasible treatment of AEF and ABF. Despite the fact that initial results are encouraging, further data on wider cohorts with longer follow-up are necessary to confirm the efficacy and durability of this strategy.

Guideline on carotid surgery for stroke prevention: updates from the Italian Society of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. A trend towards personalized medicine.

BACKGROUND: This guideline (GL) on carotid surgery as updating of "Stroke: Italian guidelines for Prevention and Treatment" of the ISO-SPREAD Italian Stroke Organization-Group, has recently been published in the National Guideline System and shared with the Italian Society of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (SICVE) and other Scientific Societies and Patient's Association. METHODS: GRADE-SIGN version, AGREE quality of reporting checklist. Clinical questions formulated according to the PICO model. Recommendations developed based on clinical questions by a multidisciplinary experts' panel and patients' representatives. Systematic reviews performed for each PICO question. Considered judgements filled by assessing the evidence level, direction, and strength of the recommendations. RESULTS: The panel provided indications and recommendations for appropriate, comprehensive, and individualized management of patients with carotid stenosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic processes of the best medical therapy, carotid endarterectomy (CEA), carotid stenting (CAS) according to the evidences and the judged opinions were included. Symptomatic carotid stenosis in elective and emergency, asymptomatic carotid stenosis, association with ischemic heart disease, preoperative diagnostics, types of anesthesia, monitoring in case of CEA, CEA techniques, comparison between CEA and CAS, post-surgical carotid restenosis, and medical therapy are the main topics, even with analysis of uncertainty areas for risk-benefit assessments in the individual patient (personalized medicine [PM]). CONCLUSIONS: This GL updates on the main recommendations for the most appropriate diagnostic and medical-surgical management of patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis to prevent ischemic stroke. This GL also provides useful elements for the application of PM in good clinical practice.

Surgical treatment of posterior nutcracker syndrome.

Posterior nutcracker syndrome (PNS) is a rare condition due to left renal vein (LRV) hypertension, caused by compression of the LRV between the vertebral column and the abdominal aorta. Diagnosis of PNS is challenging, as symptoms are variable and not specific. Therapeutic options are debated, and either conservative, open, or endovascular approaches have been advocated as both safe and effective. We report our experience with a case of PNS in a 17-year-old woman, who presented with a 2 year history of recurrent hematuria associated to severe left flank and back pain, successfully treated with anterior transposition of the LRV.

Endovascular treatment of aortoesophageal and aortobronchial fistulae.

BACKGROUND: Even when promptly recognized and treated, aortoesophageal (AEF) and aortobronchial (ABF) fistulae are highly lethal conditions. Open surgical repair also carries a high risk of mortality and morbidity. Several alternative strategies have been recently reported in the literature including thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). However, relatively little is known about results of TEVAR for AEF and ABF due to their rarity and the lack of large surveys. METHODS: A voluntary national survey was conducted among Italian universities and hospital centers with an endovascular program. Questionnaires were distributed by e-mail to participating centers and aimed to evaluate the results of endovascular repair of established AEF or ABF. RESULTS: Seventeen centers agreed to participate and provided data on their patients. Between 1998 and 2008, a total of 1138 patients were treated with TEVAR. In 25 patients (2.2%), the indication to treatment was an AEF and/or an ABF. In 10 of these cases (40%), an associated open surgical procedure was also performed. Thirty-day mortality rate of AEF/ABF endovascular repair was 28% (7 cases). No cases of paraplegia or stroke were observed. Mean follow-up was 22.6 months (range, 1-62). Actuarial survival at 2 years was 55%. Among the 18 initial survivors, five patients (28%) underwent reintervention due to late TEVAR failure. CONCLUSIONS: Stent grafting for AEF and ABF represents a viable option in emergent and urgent settings. However, further esophageal or bronchial repair is necessary in most cases. Despite less invasive attempts, mortality associated with these conditions remains very high.

Pseudoaneurysm overlying an osteochondroma: a noteworthy complication.

Pseuodaneurysms are an extremely rare complication of osteochondromas. We describe a case of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery presenting as a soft tissue mass in a patient who was treated for an osteochondroma 3 years earlier. This case demonstrates that radiographic follow-up of large osteochondromas is mandatory and that, in patients with soft tissue masses and a history of osteochondroma, pseudoaneurysms should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Visceral aortic patch aneurysm after thoracoabdominal aortic repair: conventional vs hybrid treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Visceral aortic patch (VAP) aneurysm repair following thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) open treatment carries high morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of our series of patients who underwent redo VAP aneurysm open surgery (conventional group) with a selected group of high-risk patients who underwent, in the same time period from 2001-2007, an alternative hybrid surgical and endovascular approach (hybrid group). METHODS: Conventional group: Twelve patients (11 males, median age 71.5 years, range, 65 to 77 years) underwent VAP aneurysm (median maximum diameter 62 mm, range, 52 to 75 mm) repair with re-inclusion technique via redo thoracophrenolaparotomy or bilateral subcostal laparotomy. Reimplantation of a single undersized VAP or separate revascularization of one or more visceral arteries was performed. Hybrid group: Seven patients (5 males, median age 70 years, range, 63 to 78 years) defined as at high risk for conventional surgery having American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class 3 or 4 associated with a preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <50% or an ejection fraction <40%, underwent VAP aneurysm (median maximum diameter 73 mm, range, 62 to 84 mm) repair via median laparotomy, visceral arteries rerouting, and VAP aneurysm exclusion using commercially available thoracic aortic endografts. RESULTS: Conventional group: Perioperative mortality was 16.7% and major morbidity 33.3%. One perioperative anuria was successfully treated with bilateral renal artery stenting. No paraplegia or paraparesis were observed. At a median follow-up of 2.3 years (range, 1.6-7 years), we observed one case of peri-graft fluid collection with sepsis at postoperative day 46 requiring surgical drainage and prolonged antibiotic therapy and one case of renal failure at day 68 requiring permanent hemodialysis. Hybrid group: perioperative mortality was 14.3% and major morbidity 28.6% with one case of transient delayed paraplegia. At a median follow-up of 1.9 years (range, 0.3-6.8 years), we observed one case of late pancreatitis (46 days postoperatively) resolved with pharmacologic treatment and one death due to an acute visceral grafts thrombosis (78 days postoperatively). We did not observe other procedure-related deaths or complications, VAP aneurysm growth, endoleak, and endograft migration. CONCLUSION: Hybrid repair is clearly a feasible alternative to simple observation for patients unfit for redo VAP aneurysm open surgery. However, despite our promising early results, new mid-term specific procedure-related complications have been observed and a widespread use of this technique should be currently limited until longer-term follow-up is available.

Severe vascular complication after implantation of a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis.

We report a case of acute arterial ischemia and deep venous thrombosis due to compression of the external iliac vein and artery by the reservoir of a three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis.

Effectiveness of 3D printed models in the treatment of complex aortic diseases.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of complex aortic diseases has known in the last years an extraordinary improvement, thanks to the development of new devices and techniques, especially concerning endovascular surgery. In this field, technological evolution has enabled vascular surgeons to overcome anatomical concerns and impairments that in the past made endovascular treatment unfeasible in many cases. However, the full exploitation of the devices offered by medical industry requires more and more powerful and accurate tools for case-by-case analysis and preoperative planning. Beside traditional imaging techniques, such as computed tomographic angiography (CTA), and virtual 3D reconstructions, an increasing interest towards 3D printing has been reported in the latest years. The purpose of this paper is to assess the actual value of this technology by reporting its use in 25 cases of complex aortic surgery. METHODS: For each patient, we have 3D printed a preoperative life-sized model of the vascular aortic lumen, deciding and planning the most suitable procedure by its direct examination. After the intervention, we have examined the corresponding model printed derived from postoperative CTA to check the outcome and discuss possible further corrections, if needed. RESULTS: All the cases for which a surgical or endovascular procedure was decided were treated successfully, in absence of major complications or intra-operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal resolution of anatomical details and immediate comprehension of the most important technical aspects were reported by examining the models. 3D printing has proved a valuable tool in dealing with complex aortic diseases.

Peripheral arterial disease in diabetic patients: a long-term population-based study on occurrence, outcomes and cost.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent disease with severe long-term consequences, and a known risk factor for peripheral artery disease (PAD). These two diseases combined are responsible for high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the burden of PAD in patients with DM, the effect of revascularization on outcomes, and geographical variation in the access to PAD courses of treatment. METHODS: From the healthcare claims of the Lombardy residents (16% of the Italian population) we identified diabetic patients with PAD as the study population, distinguishing between patients who received revascularization procedures (Revasc) and those who did not (NoRevasc). Patients were classified by sex, age, comorbidities, mortality, amputation received and direct healthcare cost. RESULTS: The DM with PAD study population consisted of 18,344 patients (61% male), aged on average 72 (±10.1) years. Most of them (64%) did not receive any revascularization procedures and 12% of the latter had at least one major amputation. The major amputation rate was significantly lower for the Revasc group when compared to the NoRevasc group. Geographical heterogeneity in DM and PAD occurrences as well as in revascularization procedures was detected in the area under study. CONCLUSIONS: The present study gives an up-to-date description of the dramatic epidemiologic and economic burden of PAD in diabetic subjects using a truly population-based data and longitudinal follow-up of up to 9 years. It represented a useful tool to evaluate the impact of revascularization and to provide evidence of different outcomes associated with different levels of access to services.

Endovascular treatment of an early arch aneurysm rupture after open thoracoabdominal aortic repair.

Optimal treatment for synchronous aortic aneurysms is still debated. Staged repair is advocated as the standard of care. Its disadvantage however is the consistent risk of rupture of the untreated aortic segment during recovery; moreover a considerable percentage of patients either refuse the second stage or is lost to follow-up. We present the case of a patient with a ruptured aortic arch aneurysm after open-surgery for a type III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Our therapeutic decision is described and discussed, with all the related advantages and disadvantages.

Branched stent-grafts deployed in the true and false lumen to exclude a post dissecting thoracoabdominal aneurysm.

The aim of this case report was to present an endovascular treatment of a residual post-dissection Crawford type III thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAA). A 60-year-old man, who had suffered from acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) 8 years ago and had already been treated for both descending thoracic and infrarenal aortic aneurysm with open repair, presented with a 61mm post-dissection TAA. The aneurysm was successfully excluded with a staged fully endovascular procedure by employing two multibranched custom-made stent grafts deployed into the false lumen. The first stent-graft with a proximal monobranch was created to perfuse the right renal artery via the true lumen. The latter, with a triple branch design, was meant to perfuse the visceral arteries and left renal artery arising from the false lumen. Available branched custom-made stent-grafts for the treatment of degenerative TAA can be employed also in post TBAD aneurysms so as to simplify the procedure. The branched stent-grafts could be deployed within an enlarged false lumen provided that a suitable distal landing zone is available as well as that the visceral vessels can be perfused from the false lumen. A proximal branch for perfusing one of the lumens of the dissection from the proximal tear can be an alternative solution to creating neofenestrations.

Combined endovascular treatment of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and off-pump myocardial revascularization-a case report.

Endovascular intervention is an alternative form of treatment for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms. Coexistent cardiovascular diseases may adversely influence the postoperative course and affect the long-term prognosis. The case of a 76-year-old man with severe coronary artery disease and a thoracic aortic aneurysm is reported. A single-stage procedure of off-pump coronary artery revascularization and endoluminal exclusion of the descending thoracic aortic aneurysm was performed. The patient was treated first with off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (left internal mammary artery on the left anterior descending coronary artery and two single venous grafts from ascending aorta to obtuse marginal artery and posterior descending artery). After heart revascularization, two Thoracic Excluder endovascular grafts (34 x 100 and 37 x 100 mm) were implanted to treat the descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. Follow-up with computed tomography angiography showed successful exclusion of the thoracic aneurysm 12 months after the procedure. The patient is well and free of symptoms 18 months later.