Automatic Measurement of Maximal Diameter of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm on Computed Tomography Angiography Using Artificial Intelligence.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm relies on surgical repair and the indication mainly depends on its size evaluated by the maximal diameter (Dmax). The aim of this study was to evaluate a new automatic method based on artificial intelligence to measure the Dmax on computed tomography angiography. METHODS: A fully automatic segmentation of the vascular system was performed using a hybrid method combining expert system with supervised deep learning. The aorta centreline was extracted from the segmented aorta and the aortic diameters were automatically calculated. Results were compared to manual segmentation performed by two human operators. RESULTS: The median absolute error between the two human operators was 1.2 mm (IQR 0.5-1.9). The automatic method using the deep learning algorithm demonstrated correlation with the human segmentation, with a median absolute error of 0.8 (0.5-4.2) mm and a coefficient correlation of 0.91 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although validation in larger cohorts is required, this method brings perspectives to develop new tools to standardize and automate the measurement of abdominal aortic aneurysm Dmax in order to help clinicians in the decision-making process.

Incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia and identification of potential predictive factors.

OBJECTIVE: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) is commonly used to investigate acute abdominal conditions, but the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) has been poorly investigated in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of CI-AKI in these patients and identify potential predictive factors. METHODS: Patients admitted for acute mesenteric ischemia who had a diagnostic CTA with contrast medium and a follow-up of creatinine concentration were retrospectively included. RESULTS: Among 53 patients included, 9 (16.9%) developed CI-AKI. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease did not differ significantly between those who developed CI-AKI and those who did not (33.3 vs 18.2%, p=.372). Plasma total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin levels were significantly higher in patients who developed CI-AKI (17.5 vs 8.0 µmol/L, p=.013 and 8.0 vs 3.0 µmol/L, p=.031, respectively). The proportion of patients who had revascularization was similar between patients who developed CI-AKI and those who did not (11.1 vs 20.5%, p>.999). No significant difference was observed for 30-day mortality and all-cause mortality for a median follow-up of 168 days (22.2 vs 13.6%, p=.611; and 33.3 vs 61.4%, p=.153, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study reports the incidence of CI-AKI in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia after diagnostic CTA with contrast medium. Plasma bilirubin levels were a predictive factor of CI-AKI in these patients. The administration of contrast media during revascularization was not associated with an increased risk of CI-AKI.

Vascular Calcifications are Associated with Increased Mortality in Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Vascular calcifications have been identified as predictors of mortality in several cardiovascular diseases but have not been investigated in context of acute mesenteric ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of vascular calcifications in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. METHODS: Patients admitted for an acute mesenteric ischemia were retrospectively included. The presence of calcifications in the visceral aorta, the celiac trunk, the superior mesenteric artery, and the renal arteries was assessed on computed tomography scan images at the arterial phase. The calcification volumes were measured using the software Aquarius iNtuition Edition®. RESULTS: The all-cause mortality was 55 out of 86 patients (63.9%) for a median follow-up of 3.5 days (1-243). The survival rate of patients with calcification in the superior mesenteric artery was significantly lower than that of those without calcification (22% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.019). Patients who died had significantly a higher frequency of calcifications in the superior mesenteric artery, the visceral aorta, the celiac trunk, and the renal arteries. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of vascular calcifications in the superior mesenteric artery is associated with increased mortality in patients diagnosed with acute mesenteric ischemia. Further studies are required to identify the mechanisms underlying this association.

Evaluation of the Impact of Sarcopenia in Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia has been identified as a prognostic factor in several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sarcopenia in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted for acute mesenteric ischemia were retrospectively included at the University Hospital of Nice. Sarcopenia was assessed by the measurement of total psoas area normalized for height (TPA/H) on CT-scan and was defined as a TPA/H inferior to the lowest sex-specific quartile. The management of the patients and the 30-day outcomes were compared between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients. Correlations between the TPA/H and biological characteristics were investigated. RESULTS: Among the 80 patients included, the lowest quartile of TPA/H that defined sarcopenia was 406.1 mm2/m2 for men and 307 mm2/m2 for women. The rate of revascularization or the need of intestinal resection did not significantly differ between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients (10.5% vs. 26.2%, P = 0.214 and 26.3% vs. 47.5%, P = 0.118 respectively). The 30-day mortality did not significantly differ between the two groups (63.2% vs. 47.5%, P = 0.297). The TPA/H was significantly negatively correlated with the neutrophil, thrombocyte, and monocyte counts (r = -0.283; -0.288, -0.225, P < 0.05) and positively correlated with the hemoglobin concentration and the glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.368; 0.261, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Further studies on longer follow-up period would be of interest to fully understand the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

Pseudoaneurysm of the Brachial Artery after Reduction and Fixation of a Displaced Supracondylar Elbow Fracture in a Child.

About 10% of supracondylar humerus fractures in children are associated with distal ischemia. In case of acute limb ischemia after reduction and fixation, it is recommended to explore the brachial artery surgically without delay. However, there is no consensus on the management of intermediate situations, like a perfused hand with a weak pulse after fracture fixation. A 6-year-old boy presented a displaced Gartland type III supracondylar humerus fracture with no radial or ulnar pulse and hand ischemia. Immediately after closed reduction and internal fixation, the pulses were still missing. A duplex ultrasound of the radial artery showed an arterial flow, although diminished compared to the contralateral limb. Ten minutes later, a weak radial pulse was noticed and the hand perfusion was progressively increasing. Therefore, we suspected an arterial spasm. At 48 hr, distal pulse was present and the saturometer showed 98% of O2. The patient was discharged. At day 11, the patient complained about a painful tumefaction above the elbow. An injected computed tomography scan showed a pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery surrounded by an hematoma. Forearm arteries were patent. The injured segment of the brachial artery was resected and replaced by a venous graft. At 2-month follow up, there were no vascular or cutaneous complications, duplex ultrasound examination was normal and the fracture was healed. This case highlights a "gray zone" between complete ischemia and complete recovery after supracondylar fracture fixation with initial ischemia. In such situations, a full duplex ultrasound examination, or a contrast computed tomography scan of the upper limb arteries seem appropriate.

Impact of Polar Renal Artery Coverage after Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair for Juxtarenal and Type IV Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) of complex aneurysm can require the coverage of polar renal artery. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the procedure on postoperative outcomes in patients with juxtarenal or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Patients who had FEVAR for juxtarenal or type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm were retrospectively included between January 2010 and October 2017. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was recorded before and at 1 day, 7 days after surgery, and at the last follow-up. The occurrence of renal infarct was analyzed on the injected computed tomography scan images. RESULTS: Forty-three patients deemed at high-risk for open repair underwent FEVAR; 10 patients (23.3%) had polar renal artery coverage and were compared to patients without polar renal artery. The eGFR did not differ between the groups at 1 day and 7 days after FEVAR (69 vs 61.6 mL/mn/1.73 m2, P = 0.8708 and 68.4 mL/mn/1.73 m2 vs 68, P = 0.9440, respectively). For a median follow-up of 233 days, the eGFR at the latest follow-up was 38 mL/mn/1.73 m2 (21.8-56.3) in patients who had polar renal artery covered and 57 mL/mn/1.73 m2 (46.5-76) in patients without polar renal artery (P = 0.0748). Patients who had polar renal artery had a higher rate of postoperative kidney renal infarct (60% vs 21.2%, P = 0.0441). The proportion of vascular complications did not differ (30% vs 30.3%, P = 0.9999). No endoleak related to polar renal artery coverage was observed. The 30-day postoperative mortality was 4.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Polar renal artery coverage during FEVAR is not associated with critical renal and vascular short-term outcomes but could impact long-term renal function.

High Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio are Associated with Symptomatic Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been identified as predictive factors in several cardiovascular diseases but their significance in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis is still poorly known. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of the preoperative NLR and PLR in patients with ICA stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy for ICA stenosis were retrospectively included (n = 270). The population was divided into 2 series of 4 groups based on the quartile values of the preoperative NLR and PLR: group Ia (NLR < 1.5), IIa (1.50 < NLR < 2.07), IIIa (2.07 < NLR < 2.95), IVa (NLR>2.95), and group Ib (PLR < 86.6), IIb (86.6 < PLR < 111.7), IIIb (111.7 < PLR < 148.3), IVb (PLR > 148.3). Clinical characteristics and 30-day postoperative outcomes were compared among the groups. RESULTS: One death (.4%) was reported during the 30-day postoperative period and the overall stroke and death rate was 1.5%. The proportion of patients with symptomatic ICA stenosis were significantly higher in group IVa compared to groups Ia, IIa, IIIa (64.2% vs 33.8%, 44.8% and 45.6%, respectively, P = .005), and higher in group IVb compared to groups Ib, IIb, IIIb (59.7% vs 47.1%, 35.8%, 45.6%, P = .051). No significant difference on 30-day postoperative all-cause complications was observed among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A high preoperative NLR and PLR is significantly associated with symptomatic ICA stenosis. Further studies are required to determine their interest as predictors of postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio as a predictive factor of 30-day mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute mesenteric ischemia is associated with high rates of mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on 30-day outcomes in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients who were admitted for an acute mesenteric ischemia were retrospectively included. The full white blood count at the time of admission to the hospital was recorded. The population was divided into 4 subgroups according to the quartiles of the NLR and the PLR. The 30-day outcomes including the mortality and the complications were compared among the subgroups. RESULTS: In total, 106 patients were included. A surgical treatment including revascularization and/or digestive resection was performed for 56 patients (52.8%). The 30-day all-cause mortality was 72 patients (67.9%). Patients with higher PLR value (PLR >429.3) had significantly higher rate of mortality compared to the other groups (80.8% vs 46.2%, 66.7% and 77.8%, p = 0.03). No significant difference on 30-day outcome was observed among the subgroups divided according to the NLR. CONCLUSION: The PLR, but not the NLR, is a predictive factor of 30-day mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

Association of Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio and Risk of 30-Day Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Aortic Surgical Repair.

INTRODUCTION:: The predictive value of the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been demonstrated in several cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the interest of the preoperative PLR as a predictor of 30-day postoperative outcome in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) undergoing open or endovascular surgical repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS:: Two hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with infrarenal AAA were retrospectively included and divided into 4 quartiles according to the value of the preoperative PLR: PLR < 91.5 (group I), 91.5 < PLR < 120.8 (group II), 120.8 < PLR < 163.3 (group III), and PLR > 163.3 (group IV). RESULTS:: The AAA diameter was similar among the groups (54.9 mm vs 58.6, 57.5, and 58.7 mm; P = .4655). The proportion of symptomatic AAA and the procedural characteristics did not differ. Patients from group I and IV had significantly higher rates of all-cause postoperative complications compared to group II and III (55.4% and 64.3% vs 39.3% and 46.4%, respectively; P = .0478). The all-cause mortality tended to be higher in group I and IV (7.1% and 8.9% vs 0% and 3.6%, respectively; P = .1305). CONCLUSION:: Extreme values of PLR are associated with a higher risk of complications following AAA surgical repair, suggesting its interest as a biomarker to evaluate the surgical risk.

Investigation of Plasma Inflammatory Profile in Diabetic Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION:: Clinical studies have unraveled a negative association between diabetes and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but the mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether diabetic patients with AAA had a distinct plasma inflammatory profile compared to nondiabetic patients. METHODS:: Plasma samples were obtained from 10 diabetic patients with AAA and 10 nondiabetic patients with AAA. The relative protein expression of 92 inflammatory-related human protein biomarkers was assessed by proximity extension assay technology using Proseek Multiplex Inflammation I kit (Olink). RESULTS:: Clinical characteristics were similar in diabetic patients with AAA compared to nondiabetic patients with AAA, the median ages being 67 and 73 years, respectively ( P = .61). The AAA diameters were, respectively, 50 and 49 mm ( P = .72). Among the 92 markers screened, 67 (72.8%) were detected in all samples. Diabetic patients had significantly lower protein expression of C-C motif chemokine 19 (CCL19) and C-C motif chemokine 23 (CCL23; 542.3 vs 980.3, P = .01 and 1236 vs 1406, P = .04, respectively). They tended to have higher expression of tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14) compared to controls (14.6 vs 10.8, P = .05). CONCLUSION:: Diabetic patients with AAA differentially expressed CCL19, CCL23 and TNFSF14 in plasma compared to nondiabetic patients with AAA. Further studies are required to determine whether the markers identified could play a role in the negative association between diabetes and AAA pathogenesis.

Patterns of Acute Ischemic Strokes After Carotid Endarterectomy and Therapeutic Implications.

AIM: Acute ischemic strokes following surgical treatment of carotid stenosis lead to substantial disability and mortality, and vascular mechanisms underlying their development are not fully elucidated. The goal of this study was to analyze the topographic patterns of acute ischemic stroke following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on diffusion-weighted and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from consecutive patients who underwent CEA and developed postoperative acute ischemic stroke. Based on the MRI data sets, the lesion patterns of acute stoke were characterized. Morphology of the circle of Willis, the 3-D time-of-flight (3D-TOF) of the cerebral arteries, and status of the carotid circulation were also analyzed in order to determine the vascular mechanisms involved in stroke development. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and May 2015, 821 patients were treated surgically for a symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis at the University Hospital of Nice. Nineteen (2.3%) patients had an acute ischemic stroke after surgery. Among them, 11 (57.9%) patients had a territorial infarction and 8 (42.1%) patients had an internal watershed infarction, cortical watershed infarction, or mixed border zone infarction. According to imaging data sets, embolic mechanism of stroke was reported for 12 (63.2%) patients, hemodynamic mechanism for 2 (10.5%) patients, and mixed mechanism for 5 (26.3%) patients. An asymmetry on 3D-TOF was observed in 60% and 50% of patients with hemodynamic and mixed stroke and in 25% of patients with embolic stroke. The latter 2 patients with embolic stroke underwent successful mechanical thrombectomy using stent-retriever devices. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, embolic mechanism leading to postoperative stroke was more frequently observed than hemodynamic mechanism. Immediate characterization of the cerebral lesion by postoperative brain MRI is of utmost importance because it may rapidly identify patients eligible for treatments such as mechanical thrombectomy.