Long-term outcomes of the Endurant endograft in patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: To investigate the long-term outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a real-world setting using the Endurant endograft (EG). METHODS: 184 EVAR candidates treated with the Endurant family EGs in a single vascular center were prospectively enrolled from January 2009 to December 2016. Kaplan-Meir estimates of long-term standardized primary and secondary outcome measures were performed. Per protocol, subgroup comparison analysis was performed in three groups: patients treated within instructions for use (in-IFU) vs patients treated outside IFU (outside-IFU), EVAR in patients receiving the Endurant proximal diameter 32 or 36 mm EG vs those receiving the <32 mm diameter EG and EVAR with various Endurant EG versions. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 75.09 ± 37.9 months (range: 4.1-172 months). The median age of the patients was 72.96 ± 7.03 years (range: 55-88 years). A total of 177 patients were male (96.2%). Compliance with IFU was followed in 107 patients (58.2%). Overall survival was 69.5% and 48% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Of the 102 all-cause deaths, 7 (6.9%) were aneurysm related. Six of these postimplant deaths occurred in patients presented with aneurysm rupture from type Ia or/and type Ib endoleak. At 5, 8, and 10 years of observation, freedom from aneurysm rupture, open surgical conversion, type I/III endoleak, any type of endoleak, aneurysm-related secondary intervention probabilities, and neck-related events were as follows: 98.1%, 95%, and 89.4%; 95.1%, 91.2%, and 85.7%; 93.6%, 87.3%, and 83.9%; 83.4%, 74%, and 70.9%; 89.8%, 76.7%, and 72%; and 96.3%, 90%, and 87.6%, respectively. Corresponding clinical success was 90%, 77.4%, and 68.4%, respectively. Patients treated outside-IFU had significantly higher risk of aneurysm rupture, open surgical conversion probability, occurrence of type I/III endoleak, and chance of reinterventions and lower clinical success probabilities compared with the in-IFU counterparts at 5 and 8 years. This statistical difference remained when type Ia endoleak or endoleak of any type was considered independently. In addition, it was stronger in patients having extreme anatomic boundaries (>1 hostile anatomic condition), when aneurysm-related death, aneurysm rupture, and clinical success at 5 years were considered. Overall proximal migration and limb occlusion were recorded in 1.1% and 4.9% of the patients, respectively. Overall reintervention rate was 17.4%. An increase in aneurysm sac diameter was observed in 12.5% of patients and was not related to IFU status. The Endurant version or the proximal EG diameter had no significant association with the chance of any complication or adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: The data confirmed the durability of the Endurant EG, achieving promising long-term outcomes in a real-world setting. However, its positive performance must be interpreted with caution in patients treated off-label especially those with extreme anatomic boundaries. In this cohort, some of EVAR advantages might be lost in the late future. Further similar studies are warranted.

Customizing foam sclerotherapy of the great saphenous vein: A proposed algorithm to enhance technical efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: The catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy (FS) and the suggested perivenous tumescent application for great saphenous vein (GSV) diameter reduction are suggested to improve technical and clinical results; yet, their use is reported rather indiscriminately. Our aim is to introduce an algorithm categorising the use of technical modalities accompanying ultrasound-guided FS of the GSV and present the technical efficacy of FS through a 5 F × 11  cm sheath placed at the knee level. METHODS: Representative cases of GSV insufficiency were chosen to describe our methodology. RESULTS: Sole sheath-directed FS can achieve complete GSV occlusion proximally at a level comparable to the catheter-directed technique. We apply perivenous 4°C cold tumescent to GSV >6 mm even in the standing position to ensure diameter reduction of the proximal GSV as close to the saphenofemoral junction. We use long catheters only to overcome large varicosities above the knee level that could otherwise compromise the adequate foam infusion from the sheath tip. When GSV insufficiency extends along the entire limb and severe skin lesions preclude the antegrade distal catheterisation, the sheath-directed FS in the thigh can be concomitantly combined with retrograde FS from catheterisation just below the knee. CONCLUSIONS: A topology-oriented methodology with sheath-directed FS is technically feasible and avoids indiscriminate use of more complex modalities.

Teaching vascular anatomy: the anatomy we know, the anatomy we see or the anatomy we need?

PURPOSE: This article presents the evolution of the subject of vascular anatomy and discusses the associated clinical applicability. METHODS: Clinically-driven surgical examples met in our everyday practice were used to depict characteristic anatomical paradoxes raised by the inconsistencies between classical anatomical perception, current imaging modalities and modern surgical techniques. RESULTS: Consequent anatomy-driven modifications of medical devices comprise a characteristic example of the vivid, modern and meaningful role that anatomy can have on clinical decision-making and improvement of technical and clinical success. Clinical experience provides a feedback that shifts the focus of anatomic research towards new fields of interest, such as the role of arterial collateral networks as therapeutic targets. The clinical feedback brings into light queries and issues where traditional anatomical answers may be vague and inadequate to apply, thereby necessitating further research, refinement and reevaluation. CONCLUSION: While the traditional teaching of vascular anatomy is based on information and illustrations derived from dissection and prosection courses, the development of modern imaging technologies applied in large numbers of living patients and application of minimally invasive techniques challenge our understanding of what should be perceived as fixed and permanent. Moreover, the recently introduced evidence-based philosophy in anatomy elaborate more robust data which not only update, validate and enrich the existing knowledge of anatomical variations but also enable subgroup analyses with respect to race, age and sex, identifying specific anatomic features associated with a significant impact on patient treatment.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of stroke rates in patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and type B dissection.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the stroke rates after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for descending thoracic aortic aneurysms and/or dissections. METHODS: A systematic search of all the literature reported until September 2021 was performed according to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. The pooled perioperative stroke rates and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed or random effect methods. RESULTS: A total of 878 study titles were identified by the initial search strategy, of which 43 were considered eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. A total of 5764 patients (63.5% male) were identified among the eligible studies. The pooled any stroke rate was 4.4% (95% CI, 3.60%-5.28%). However, after procedures without left subclavian artery (LSA) ostial coverage (eg, TEVAR deployed within or distal to zone ≥3), the stroke rate was 3.15% (95% CI, 2.21%-4.22%). For the patients with LSA coverage, the pooled stroke rate was 2.8% (95% CI, 1.69%-4.14%) for patients receiving left subclavian artery revascularization. However, the patients without LSA revascularization had a pooled estimated stroke incidence of 11.8% (95% CI, 5.85%-19.12%). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke has been a common finding after TEVAR, especially with LSA coverage without revascularization, validating current clinical practice guidelines recommending routine revascularization, when feasible. Additional studies with larger patient numbers that provide separate data regarding the aortic pathology treated, the anatomic location of the stroke and their association with functional recovery and survival are needed.

Superficialization Methods of Arteriovenous Fistula in Obese Patients: A Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The creation of an arteriovenous fistula in obese patients with end-stage-renal-disease, might not lead to a successful hemodialysis session, partly due to excess adipose tissue overlapping the enlarged vein. This review summarizes the available evidence on superficialization methods in studies dealing with obese patients. METHODS: An English-language literature search was undertaken in the MEDLINE/SCOPUS databases looking for publications that described procedures of salvaging autologous arteriovenous access in upper extremities of obese patients. Perioperative outcomes including technical and clinical success, mean vein depth reduction, wound complications and patency rates were compared within all identified techniques. RESULTS: We identified 12 prospective and 8 retrospective studies. A total of 1149 patients with a mean age 57.2 (range: 49-68) years and a mean BMI 35.8 (range: 28.2-40.8) kg/m2 underwent mainly radial-cephalic and brachial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula superficialization procedures [transposition, 54%; elevation, 11.1%; lipectomy, 26.1%; liposuction, 2.4%; implantation of a venous window needle guide device, 6.4%]. Technical success was similar between all methods (≥96%). However, successful cannulation was lower after liposuction and elevation (81.5% and 78.1% respectively). Transposition achieved lower mean vein depth reduction and clinical success when compared with lipectomy (4.9 mm vs. 8.8 mm and 90% vs. 92.7% respectively). Transposition and liposuction had the lowest and highest complication rate respectively (1.6% vs. 40.8%). Primary and secondary patency rates were lower with liposuction (51.8% and 76.6% respectively), while lipectomy and elevation achieved the highest primary patency rates (68.3% and 71.6% respectively) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients, all superficialisation techniques report high technical success rates. Although limited by the design of individual published studies and lack of a standard for reporting outcomes, these results lead to satisfactory postoperative and early outcomes. In aggregate, lipectomy and transposition are more clinically effective and more durable procedures.

Guessing the sequence of multiple relinings with AFX and nitinol-based cuff: "A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma".

OBJECTIVE: Knowing the structural and technical features of both the older and newer aortic endografts is an essential tool to understand off-the-shelf combinations of different devices used to treat challenging abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) anatomies or failures of previous endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVAR). METHODS: We present a case of a 72-year-old male with history of AAA and evidence of multiple past EVAR interventions who presented with abdominal pain. With no reliable surgical history, we attempted to delineate the types of different endograft parts implanted and the sequence of relining procedure based on plain X-ray projections and combined computed tomography along with intraoperative angiography. RESULTS: A tubular endograft was presented with a distal fracture of its endoskeleton, and relined with the same type unibody bifurcate. The latter was extended proximally with an AFX extension of a characteristic radiopaque continuous rim. Angiographic findings intraoperatively excluded the latter as part of the initial procedure. Moreover, an extra nitinol-based cuff was identified centrally. CONCLUSION: In diagnostic challenges involving multiple relining attempts of different endograft parts, careful analysis of the imaging findings, based on knowledge of the structural and technical features of both the older and newer endografts is necessary for proper diagnosis, identification of potential problems and complications and intervention planning, if needed.

First case of relining an aortic bifurcated bypass graft with the Altura endograft to treat anastomotic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Use of classic bifurcated endografts for relining of bifurcated aortic bypass grafts with aneurysms is usually precluded by the short distance between the lowermost renal artery and the aneurysmatic bifurcation, rendering their management challenging. METHODS: We present the use of the Altura endograft in a case of a 75-year old male with large anastomotic aneurysms in the proximal and the left iliac amastomosis of a bifurcated aortic bypass graft. The Altura endograft consists of two separate components with a proximal D-shaped design. Its braided nitinol endoskeleton is attached only at the proximal and distal ends of the inner surface of the polyester fabric and results in adjustable lengths of the components according to the vessel diameters where they are deployed. RESULTS: A 24 mm Altura sealed successfully at the native infarenal aortic segment covering the entire distance between the lowermost renal artery and the upper end of external iliac artery, providing successful exclusion of the aneurysms. No iliac extensions were used. The completion angiography showed no endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS: The unique design of Altura makes it ideal for treatment of anastomotic aneurysms of bifurcated bypass grafts, overcoming anatomic limitations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report addressing this crucial issue.

Foam sclerotherapy of great saphenous vein: The need for further improvement and ill-defined issues.

Foam sclerotherapy is considered an acceptable method to treat great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency, promoting occlusion of its trunk and eradicating reflux. Yet, certain technical points have not been standardized while issues regarding the ultrasonographic appearance of successful or acceptable GSV obliteration or the end-points of the method are not clearly defined. This article comments on the aforementioned using examples based on personal experience.

Network meta-analysis of trials comparing first line endovascular treatments for arteriovenous fistula stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the comparative effectiveness of different endovascular treatments for patients with failing autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with outflow vein stenosis. METHODS: The Medline (via PubMed) and SCOPUS databases were searched. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that had investigated the effectiveness of plain balloon angioplasty (PBA), cutting balloon angioplasty, and drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCBA) to treat vein stenoses in autogenous AVFs. Studies of central vein stenosis were excluded. The main outcome measures were the failure rates at 6 months and 1 year after treatment. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled trials were included, with 814 patients, 395 of whom had undergone PBA. The network meta-analysis showed that DCBA at 6 months was significantly more effective than PBA (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.81) and ranked as the best treatment option, although the difference was not statistically significant compared with cutting balloon angioplasty (odds ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-2.12). The differences among the three treatments at 1 year were not statistically significant. Additional conventional pairwise meta-analyses did not find significant differences at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In failing AVFs with outflow stenosis, DCBA was significantly superior to PBA, with improved 6-month failure rates. However the effectiveness of DCBA in the long term deserves further investigation.

Editor's Choice - Network Meta-Analysis of Carotid Endarterectomy Closure Techniques.

OBJECTIVE: There is discordance between reviews comparing eversion endarterectomy (EvE) with conventional carotid endarterectomy (CEA) mostly because under this term various "closure" techniques are included, from direct closure to a wide spectrum of patches with different materials. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (via PubMed) and SCOPUS. REVIEW METHODS: This was a systematic review of the Medline (via PubMed) and SCOPUS databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different CEA closure techniques. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed with a frequentist approach. The primary and the secondary outcome measures were the 30 day combined stroke and death rate and the late restenosis rate, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-three RCTs were finally included in the NMA with a total of 4440 patients randomised, representing seven different techniques (primary carotid closure, n = 753; EvE, n = 431; vein patch closure, n = 973; polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE] patch, n = 948; Dacron patch, n = 828; bovine pericardium patch, n = 249; and polyurethane patch, n = 258). NMA showed that EvE had a decreased 30 day combined stroke and death rate vs. all other methods of arterial closure, with the exception of PTFE and bovine pericardium patching. Additionally, EvE was associated with the lowest restenosis rate vs. all other methods of arterial closure after CEA. EvE was significantly superior to Dacron patches with regard to late restenosis, with the prediction intervals (PIs) lying completely on the beneficial side (risk ratio 0.06; PI 0.01-0.58) and increasing confidence of this comparison. Rare catastrophic complications of vein patch blow out or synthetic patch infection were reported in 0.2% of the total (n = 9/4 400) and no comparisons were made. CONCLUSION: EvE and patching with bovine pericardium or PTFE is associated with a lower incidence in both short term and late undesired outcomes following CEA and seems to represent the best choice compared with other carotid closure techniques. These results may support the vascular surgeon's choice of technique/patch material.

A Clampless Technique to Facilitate Successful End-to-End Anastomosis in Small Vessels With Spasm.

End-to-end anastomosis in small arteries can be challenging, especially when the stumps are in spasm after traumatic transection. We describe a novel technique to facilitate such anastomoses under local anesthesia, presenting a 24-year old patient who suffered complete traumatic transection of the left ulnar artery. After having found and prepared the proximal and distal stumps, a soft polyurethane feeding tube (La-med Healthcare, India) and a vein cannula were inserted in the proximal and distal stump, respectively, without using vascular clamps. The manipulation of the catheters offered excellent visualization and widening of the anastomotic line, enabling simultaneous infusion of heparinized saline or vasodilating agents. The anastomosis was completed with no stenosis and pulpable pulses were restored immediately postoperatively. At 1-month follow-up, the Allen test was normal with a normal regular flow of the ulnar artery at duplex ultrasound. The described technique ensures efficient sealing avoiding clamping, casts the small lumens, provides optimal visualization of the anastomotic aspects and prevents stenosis. We believe it should have a place in the surgeon's armamentarium.

The "Pull, Cast, and Fix" Technique for Bypass in the Midpopliteal (P2) Arterial Segment in Chronic Femoropopliteal Occlusions.

Femoropopliteal bypass operations can be difficult when the occlusive disease involves the superficial femoral artery and the popliteal arterial segment above the knee joint (supragenicular artery, P1). In case of lack of suitable vein graft or when the surgeon wishes to spare to infrapopliteal segment, the choice of the midpopliteal artery as anastomotic site becomes challenging because of its location. Moreover, totally endovascular recanalization procedures in such cases can be complex and demanding, whereas other reported hybrid revascularization techniques require advanced technical skills and raise significantly the cost. Therefore, we present our suggestion of a "pull, cast, and fix" technique to encounter these challenges and facilitate a successful bypass with a synthetic graft in the upper midpopliteal (P2) segment, combing a secure endarterectomy and anastomosis even under marginal visualization by means of securing the lumen with a soft feeding tube after the artery has been pulled via a Satinsky vascular clamp. Accordingly, the procedure is accomplished with placement of a flexible self-expandable stent in the midpopliteal artery through the synthetic graft.

Late Basilic Vein Superficialization Combined with Revision Using Distal Inflow (RUDI) Operation to Treat a Symptomatic High Flow Fistula.

BACKGROUND: Vascular access (VA)-related high flows (HF) are common with brachial artery based fistulas. Flow-reduction procedures are indicated in symptomatic patients or asymptomatic ones with flows >2 L/min. However concomitant issues increase their complexity. We describe a case of a patient suffering congestive heart failure as a result of HF brachial-basilic fistula >3 L/min. A simultaneous late basilic vein transposition and revision using distal inflow (RUDI) was performed. METHODS: A large diameter untransposed arterialized basilic vein was carefully and completely mobilized up to the proximal upper arm. After harvesting an autologous great saphenous vein (GSV) segment, a new inflow anastomosis was performed in the proximal ulnar artery. At the final stage, and after tunneling the mobilizing basilic vein in a subcutaneous semicircular configuration, an end-to-end anastomosis joining the two stumps (basilic vein outflow portion and GSV inflow arterial portion) was performed. A decision-making process in order to reach this complex option is discussed. Results Access flow and cardiac output were greatly attenuated following our approach. After a mean follow-up of 9 months no VA complications were observed, with flow still detected below 2 L/min. All cardiac symptoms and ultrasound investigations improved. CONCLUSION: Multiple VA issues including HF pose a risk for abandonment and a challenge for the vascular surgeon. An effort toward increasing the "upper extremity life span" is advised.

Modeling and Computational Comparison of the Displacement Forces Exerted between the AFX Unibody Aortic Stent Graft and its Hybrid Combination with a Nitinol-based Proximal Aortic Cuff.

BACKGROUND: The bifurcated AFX (Endologix, Inc, Irvine, CA, USA) aortic stent-graft is the sole unibody endograft for the management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA). In order to improve the AFX central sealing and clinical efficacy in challenging cases, a replacement of the central chromium-cobaltium AFX extension with a Nitinol-based proximal aortic cuff has been suggested. Yet, comparative data regarding the hemodynamic performance of this design is missing. Aim of this study was to compare the displacement forces (DF) acting on the hybrid AFX-Endurant design, with the classic AFX and Endurant endografts, in angulated and non-angulated cases based on patient-specific Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. METHODS: 3D endograft models of 11 treated AAA cases were reconstructed from Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) imaging data: 5 cases of AFX, 3 cases of the combination AFX-Endurant and 3 cases of the classic Endurant design. The DF on the main-body, the iliac limbs, and the entire stent-graft was calculated by processing the velocity and pressure fields generated by pulsatile CFD simulations. RESULTS: The range of total DF (acting on the whole endograft structure) in the AFX, hybrid AFX-Endurant and Endurant group was 2.5-5.2N, 2.0-5.9N and 1.9-2.9N respectively, with the maximum total DF being lower for Endurant. The DF on the main-body of the classic and hybrid AFX cases were higher than the right and left iliac limbs (2.5-4.9N vs. 0.6-5.3N and 0.7-3.6N respectively). Conversely, the DF on the main-body of the Endurant cases was comparable to the force exerted on the right and left limbs. When separating the cases with respect to their neck angulation, the DF on all endograft parts (main-body, limbs) and on the endograft as a whole were lower for the hybrid AFX-Endurant group compared to the classic AFX and Endurant groups, for cases with almost straight neck. CONCLUSION: The off-label use of the hybrid AFX-Endurant stent-graft does not seem superior to the conventional AFX or Endurant endografts in angulated cases but was associated with lower DF than AFX or Endurant in non-angulated cases. The clinical value and utility of these findings remain to be elucidated.

Multicenter Mid-term Results After Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair with the Incraft® Device.

OBJECTIVES: Durability after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is considered an ongoing topic of investigation and was always a point of concern with smaller profile devices. Recently released five-year clinical trial results using the Incraft® ultralow profile device are encouraging. However, additional real-life experience will need to assist these initial findings. Herein, we investigated the outcomes after EVAR, in real world practice using the Incraft® endograft (EG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) ≥50 mm in diameter treated with the Incraft® device in three vascular centers were enrolled from November 2015 to July 2018. Follow-up was completed in August 2020. Selection of EVAR using the Incraft® device was individualized according to aorto-iliac morphologic features, comorbidities, history of previous abdominal surgery and preference of the patient. At the early phase of the study, we specifically opted for preferential use of this low profile EG mainly in cases of small and tortuous iliac vessels (more challenging access routes). At later stages, it was used according to surgeon preference and not specifically in complex anatomies (real-world conditions). End-points included technical success, perioperative complications, 30-day survival, endoleg patency, presence of endoleaks, sac enlargement >5 mm and clinical success. RESULTS: The primary technical success rate was 97.4% before the addition of an aortic cuff and iliac extension for a type Ia and type Ib endoleak respectively, and the repair of a maldeployment iliac component (primary-assisted and secondary technical success, 100%). Intraoperative small type II endoleaks (visible in final angiogram) were noted in 19 patients (24.7%). There were no intraoperative deaths from AAA rupture, primary conversions or conversions to aortounilateral grafts. Two complications occurred, necessitating hybrid techniques for repair (replaced of a dislodged endoleg and distal external iliac artery hemostasis). No deaths were reported within 30 days. Occlusion of an endoleg, was observed in two patients, 6 and 14 months respectively after implantation (2.6%), and were treated by femoral-femoral PTFE bypass after unsuccessful endovascular recanalization. The latter required open conversion, 3 mo later, to repair compromised flow to the inflow iliac axis. Three patients (3.9%) experienced sac enlargement >5 mm in diameter compared with the 1-month CT scan. All of these had type II endoleaks and two received embolization procedures. Eleven patients died from causes unrelated to AAA repair. Clinical success was 97.3%, 92.8% and 89.4% through 1, 2 and 3 years respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EVAR with the Incraft® device might be considered a reliable option in real-world conditions and not specifically only in complex iliac anatomies.

Five-Year Management of Vascular Injuries of the Extremities in the "Real-World" Setting in Northeastern Greece: The Role of Iatrogenic Traumas.

BACKGROUND: Vascular trauma comprises a diagnostic and surgical challenge. Aim of this study was to present the vascular traumas treated in our Tertiary Hospital during the last 5 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the surgical records of our vascular department and documented the site and type of vascular injuries of the extremities along with the concurrence of musculoskeletal injuries. The type and outcome of surgical interventions were also recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-eight cases of vascular trauma were recorded (39 in the upper and 19 in the lower extremities). Overall, iatrogenic traumas accounted for 41.3% of cases. The arterial injuries of the upper limb were blunt and penetrating in 27% and 67%, respectively. The most affected artery in the upper limb was the radial artery (37.8%), followed by the ulnar artery (27%) and the brachial artery (24.3%). Orthopedic injuries were recorded in 19% of patients. Management involved simple revascularization, bypass operations, patch arterioplasty and endovascular management in 48.7%, 33.3%, 5.1%, and 5.1%, respectively. The most affected site in the lower extremity was the common femoral artery (36.8%) followed by the popliteal artery (21%). Bone fractures were reported in 5 cases (26.3%). The surgical management involved bypass, simple revascularization, patch arterioplasty in 42.1%, 26.3%, and 21%, respectively. Endovascular management was performed in 10.5%. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable percentage of iatrogenic vascular injuries was recorded, affecting both the upper and lower limbs. Despite the trend toward centralization of vascular services, a basic service of vascular surgery should be available in most sites to ensure that patients with vascular injuries receive fast and appropriate care.

Lessons Learned from Open Surgical Conversion after Failed Previous EVAR.

BACKGROUND: Delayed open conversion (OpC) after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is becoming increasingly common worldwide. We reviewed our experience to characterize the perioperative spectrum of OpC repairs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained institutional database to identify patients who underwent late OpC after failed EVAR was performed. Patient and aneurysm baseline characteristics, mechanism of failure, perioperative details, including type of repair/complications/survival, and late outcomes were examined. RESULTS: From January 2003 to January 2020, 38 male patients (mean age, 75 ± 7 years; range, 60-90) required late OpC. Interval time from initial EVAR to OpC was 63.6 ± 33.8 months (range, 17-120). Mean diameter of the aneurysms was 82.2 ± 22.1 mm before OpC compared with 62.9 ± 13 mm before endograft implantation. Mechanisms of failure were type Ia, Ib, II, and III endoleaks in 14 (36.8%), 9 (23.7%), 4 (10.5%), and 1 (2.6%) patient(s), respectively; infection in 3 (7.9%), leg ischemia in 2 (5.3%), and multiple causes in 5 (13.2%) patients. We observed 4 (10.5%) asymptomatic, 16 (42.1%) symptomatic, and 18 (47.3%) ruptured aneurysms. Four patients (10.5%) had stable contained ruptures, whereas the remaining 13 (34.2%) and 1 additional patient (2.6%) with aortoenteric fistula presented with hemorrhagic shock (class ≥II). Total endograft explantation, endograft preservation, or proximal/distal partial graft removal was performed in 16 (42.1%), 10 (26.3%), and 2 (5.2%)/9 (23.7%) of patients, respectively. Technical success was 100%, excluding an early postaortic clamping death. Overall, 30-day mortality was 21.1% (8 of 38) and significantly higher in patients with hemorrhagic shock or hemodynamic instability at presentation (P = 0.04 and P = 0.009, respectively) and in patients who had endografts with hooks/barbs or experiencing higher postoperative complication rate (P = 0.02 and P = 0.006, respectively). By definition, procedure success was 81.1%. Mean follow-up was 37.6 ± 39.8 months. By the end of the study, we recorded 11 deaths (2 were aneurysm related). CONCLUSIONS: Despite high technical success, OpC has a significant mortality in patients presenting with hemorrhagic shock and had active fixation endografts or experiencing high complication rate. Many other confounding factors may play a role.

Computational Comparison between the Altura Aortic Endograft Configuration and the Classic Bifurcated Idealized Designs.

BACKGROUND: The Altura (Alt) endograft is a new design, lacking the classic main body with the flow divider. Instead, 2 proximal D-shaped endografts form a round circumference in the aortic neck for secure sealing and land in the iliac arteries in a cross-limb fashion. The aim of this computational study was to compare hemodynamically this model with the classic bifurcated (Bif) and cross-limb (Cx) endograft designs of equal total length. METHODS: All 3D endograft models were created using the finite volume analysis application ANSYS CFX (Ansys Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). The Alt inlet was constructed as 2 opposing D-shaped sections. The flow was quantified by time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), relative residence time (RRT), and helicity. The displacement forces were also compared for all models with computational fluid dynamics analysis. RESULTS: The Alt design was associated with lower forces (range 4.0-5.9Ν) than Bif (4.17-6.15 N) and Cx (4.43-6.53 N). The 2-piece inlet site of the separated limbs of Alt has higher TAWSS than the uniform inlet segment of the Cx and the Bif model. Most importantly, the mid-segment and distal segment of the limbs in the Alt design present higher TAWSS in a greater area than the other 2 models. The inlet of the Alt design showed higher OSI than the other accommodations and similar or comparable OSI values along their mid-limb and distal limb segments. The range, location, and values or RRT were comparable between the 3 models. Helicity in the iliac limbs is more prominent in the crossed accommodations (Alt and Cx). CONCLUSIONS: Only small differences in the hemodynamic indices and displacement forces were detected between the Alt and classic accommodations. From this point of view, the Alt design could be theoretically considered not inferior to other widely used endograft configurations.

Composite Contralateral Axillobifemoral Bypass for Ipsilateral Axillobifemoral Bypass Infection.

We report an innovative technique in an 82-year-old patient with a patent but infected right axillobifemoral (AxBF) bypass performed 7 years ago owingto critical limb ischemia who underwent a semielective de novo left-sided composite AxBF bypass consisting of a central prosthetic polytetrafluoroethylene segment and distal autologous limbs to the femoral regions (femoral crossover bypass vein to the right limb using the femoral vein and jump graft to the left femoral limb using the great saphenous vein.) Although AxBF bypass is not considered the "gold standard" surgical composite revascularization procedure in the suprainguinal region, it can constitute an acceptable intervention in selected cases.

Computational Comparison Between a Classic Bifurcated Endograft and a Customized Model With "Dog Bone"-Shaped Limbs.

PURPOSE: To use computational simulations to compare the hemodynamic characteristics of a classic bifurcated stent-graft to an equally long endograft design with "dog bone"-shaped limbs (DB), which have large diameter proximal and distal ends and significant narrowing at the midsection to accommodate aneurysms with an extremely narrow bifurcation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3-dimensional model was constructed using commercially available validated software. Inlet and outlet diameters were 28 and 14 mm, respectively. The total length of both models was kept constant to 180 mm, but the main body of the DB model was 20 mm shorter than the bifurcated endograft. The iliac limbs of the DB model had a 9-mm stenosis over a 30-mm segmental length in the midsection. Flow was quantified by time-averaged wall shear stress, oscillatory shear index (OSI), and relative residence time (RRT). The displacement forces in newtons (N) and maximum wall shear stress (WSS) in pascals (Pa) were compared during a cardiac cycle at 3 segments (main body, bifurcation, and iliac limbs) of both models with computational fluid dynamics analysis. RESULTS: The DB accommodation was associated with higher forces at the main body (range 3.15-4.9 Ν) compared with the classic configuration (1.56-2.34 N). On the contrary, the forces at the bifurcation (3.81-5.98 vs 3.76-5.54 N) and at the iliac limbs (0.34-0.85 vs 0.49-0.74 N) were comparable for both models. Accordingly, maximum WSS was detected at the iliac sites for both models throughout the cardiac cycle. The highest values were detected at peak systole and equaled 26.6 and 12 Pa for the DB and bifurcated configurations, respectively. The narrow segments in the DB model displayed high stress values but low OSI and very low RRT. CONCLUSION: The DB accommodation seems to correlate with higher displacement forces at the main body and higher stresses at the iliac limbs. Consequently, regular imaging follow-up of the DB design deems necessary to delineate its mid- and long-term clinical performance.