Ultrasonography for endoleak detection after endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: People with abdominal aortic aneurysm who receive endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) need lifetime surveillance to detect potential endoleaks. Endoleak is defined as persistent blood flow within the aneurysm sac following EVAR. Computed tomography (CT) angiography is considered the reference standard for endoleak surveillance. Colour duplex ultrasound (CDUS) and contrast-enhanced CDUS (CE-CDUS) are less invasive but considered less accurate than CT. OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of colour duplex ultrasound (CDUS) and contrast-enhanced-colour duplex ultrasound (CE-CDUS) in terms of sensitivity and specificity for endoleak detection after endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). SEARCH METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, ISI Conference Proceedings, Zetoc, and trial registries in June 2016 without language restrictions and without use of filters to maximize sensitivity. SELECTION CRITERIA: Any cross-sectional diagnostic study evaluating participants who received EVAR by both ultrasound (with or without contrast) and CT scan assessed at regular intervals. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two pairs of review authors independently extracted data and assessed quality of included studies using the QUADAS 1 tool. A third review author resolved discrepancies. The unit of analysis was number of participants for the primary analysis and number of scans performed for the secondary analysis. We carried out a meta-analysis to estimate sensitivity and specificity of CDUS or CE-CDUS using a bivariate model. We analysed each index test separately. As potential sources of heterogeneity, we explored year of publication, characteristics of included participants (age and gender), direction of the study (retrospective, prospective), country of origin, number of CDUS operators, and ultrasound manufacturer. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 42 primary studies with 4220 participants. Twenty studies provided accuracy data based on the number of individual participants (seven of which provided data with and without the use of contrast). Sixteen of these studies evaluated the accuracy of CDUS. These studies were generally of moderate to low quality: only three studies fulfilled all the QUADAS items; in six (40%) of the studies, the delay between the tests was unclear or longer than four weeks; in eight (50%), the blinding of either the index test or the reference standard was not clearly reported or was not performed; and in two studies (12%), the interpretation of the reference standard was not clearly reported. Eleven studies evaluated the accuracy of CE-CDUS. These studies were of better quality than the CDUS studies: five (45%) studies fulfilled all the QUADAS items; four (36%) did not report clearly the blinding interpretation of the reference standard; and two (18%) did not clearly report the delay between the two tests.Based on the bivariate model, the summary estimates for CDUS were 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 0.91) for sensitivity and 0.93 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.96) for specificity whereas for CE-CDUS the estimates were 0.94 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.98) for sensitivity and 0.95 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.98) for specificity. Regression analysis showed that CE-CDUS was superior to CDUS in terms of sensitivity (LR Chi2 = 5.08, 1 degree of freedom (df); P = 0.0242 for model improvement).Seven studies provided estimates before and after administration of contrast. Sensitivity before contrast was 0.67 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.83) and after contrast was 0.97 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.99). The improvement in sensitivity with of contrast use was statistically significant (LR Chi2 = 13.47, 1 df; P = 0.0002 for model improvement).Regression testing showed evidence of statistically significant effect bias related to year of publication and study quality within individual participants based CDUS studies. Sensitivity estimates were higher in the studies published before 2006 than the estimates obtained from studies published in 2006 or later (P < 0.001); and studies judged as low/unclear quality provided higher estimates in sensitivity. When regression testing was applied to the individual based CE-CDUS studies, none of the items, namely direction of the study design, quality, and age, were identified as a source of heterogeneity.Twenty-two studies provided accuracy data based on number of scans performed (of which four provided data with and without the use of contrast). Analysis of the studies that provided scan based data showed similar results. Summary estimates for CDUS (18 studies) showed 0.72 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.85) for sensitivity and 0.95 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.96) for specificity whereas summary estimates for CE-CDUS (eight studies) were 0.91 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.98) for sensitivity and 0.89 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.96) for specificity. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates that both ultrasound modalities (with or without contrast) showed high specificity. For ruling in endoleaks, CE-CDUS appears superior to CDUS. In an endoleak surveillance programme CE-CDUS can be introduced as a routine diagnostic modality followed by CT scan only when the ultrasound is positive to establish the type of endoleak and the subsequent therapeutic management.

Rheolytic Thrombectomy with AngioJet® Is Safe and Effective in Revascularization of Renal Arteries' Acute Occlusion on Previous Complex Aortic Endovascular Repair.

Acute occlusion of the visceral arteries is a threatening complication following branched endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Its prompt diagnosis and treatment are mandatory to restore renal function. Several techniques have been used to manage this complication. We report 2 clinical cases of patients, previously treated with implantation of an off-the-shelf thoracoabdominal aortic endograft, with acute bilateral occlusion of the renal arteries. Both patients were successfully treated with AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy. Acute occlusion of the renal arteries can dramatically complicate the outcome of patients treated with branched EVAR. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required. Rheolytic thrombectomy rapidly removes intra-arterial thrombus through Bernoulli effect, preventing the risk of distal embolization and rapidly restoring the renal function.

Osteochondromas: An Unusual Cause of Vascular Disease in Young Patients: 2 Clinical Cases.

Osteochondroma is the most common benign tumor of bones in young patients. It is an unusual cause of nonatherosclerotic peripheral arteriopathy. It is mostly detected in youth and, thus, diagnosis can be delayed since symptoms such as claudication can be confused with muscular cramps. In case of clinical suspicion of peripheral artery disease in the young, the presence of an exostosis should be suspected. We reported our experience of 2 young patients with limb ischemia due to ab extrinseco compression of popliteal artery. In both cases, surgical exeresis of a lower limb exostosis was performed. In the first case, bypass surgery was not required since arterial wall was not damaged. In the second case, an autologous inverted saphenous vein femoro popliteal bypass was performed.

Total endovascular solution for complex visceral aneurysms.

Visceral aneurysms are rare in the general population (<2%), and the most serious complication is represented by aneurysm rupture. The use of stent grafts to exclude visceral aneurysms is described in several reports but is reserved for patients with favorable anatomy. We report here on a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm in a liver transplant patient and a patient with an aneurysmal vein graft degeneration of a renal bypass, both with no suitable proximal neck for standard stent grafting. Both patients were successfully treated with a custom-made aortic endograft with a single fenestration for the hepatic or renal artery, together with a visceral covered stent. Although initial results are promising, long-term follow-up is required to assess durability.

Elevated lipid peroxidation biomarkers and low antioxidant status in atherosclerotic patients with increased carotid or iliofemoral intima media thickness.

OBJECTIVES: Lipid peroxidation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, a chronic, age-related disease process of the arterial wall with onset decades prior to its clinical manifestations. The aim of the study was to assess the association between the intima media thickness (IMT) of the major arteries as a clinical marker of atherosclerosis and markers of lipid peroxidation along with the antioxidant status in humans. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: A university-affiliated outpatient clinic. SUBJECTS: Thirty patients (22 males, 8 females; 70.4 +/- 7.3 years) with atherosclerosis of the carotid or iliofemoral arteries and 62 healthy controls (30 males, 32 females; 68.3 +/- 4.3 years). METHODS: Plasma levels of 8,12-isoprostane F2alpha-VI (8,12-IPF2alpha-VI) were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, whereas levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamins A (retinol) and E (alpha- and gamma-tocopherol), and carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: Patients showed, independent of fruit and vegetable intake, significantly lower plasma levels of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and all carotenoids excluding beta-cryptoxanthin compared with controls. On the contrary, plasma 8,12-IPF2alpha-VI levels were almost doubled (p < .001) and MDA levels increased by one-third (p < .01) in atherosclerotic patients compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The analyses of isoprostanes and antioxidant nutrients in plasma as markers of oxidative stress and the parallel evaluation of IMT as a structural marker of atherosclerosis are suitable tools for investigating the role of antioxidants and oxidative stress in atherosclerosis.

Effect of statins on survival in patients undergoing dialysis access for end-stage renal disease.

The benefit of statin therapy in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease remains uncertain. Randomized trials have questioned the efficacy of the drug in improving outcomes for on-dialysis populations, and many patients with end-stage renal disease are not currently taking statins. This study aimed to investigate the impact of statin use on survival of patients with vascular access performed at a vascular center for chronic dialysis. Consecutive end-stage renal disease patients admitted for vascular access surgery in 2006 to 2013 were reviewed. Information on therapy was retrieved and patients on statins were compared to those who were not on statins. Primary endpoint was 5-year survival. Independent predictors of mortality were assessed with Cox regression analysis adjusting for covariates (ie, age, sex, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiac disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, diabetes, and statins). Three hundred fifty-nine patients (230 males; mean age 68.9 ± 13.7 years) receiving 554 vascular accesses were analyzed: 127 (35.4%) were on statins. Use of statins was more frequent in patients with hypertension (89.8% v 81%; P = .034), hyperlipidemia (52.4% v 6.2%; P < .0001), coronary disease (54.1% v 42.6%; P = .043), diabetes (39.4% v 21.6%; P = .001), and obesity (11.6% v 2.0%; P < .0001). Mean follow-up was 35 months. Kaplan-Meier survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 84.4% and 75.9% for patients taking statins and 77.0% and 65.1% for those not taking statins (P = .18). Cox regression analysis selected statins therapy as the only independent negative predictor (odds ratio = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.32-0.95; P = .032) of mortality, while age was an independent positive predictor (odds ratio = 1.05; 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.08; P < .0001). Vascular access patency was comparable in statin takers and those not taking statins (P = .60). Use of statins might halve the risk of all-cause mortality at 5 years in adult patients with vascular access for chronic dialysis. Statins therapy should be considered in end-stage renal disease populations requiring dialysis access placement.

Percutaneous approach in the maintenance and salvage of dysfunctional autologous vascular access for dialysis.

PURPOSE: Endovascular procedures have been increasingly used for salvage of failing vascular access with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to assess the mid-term patency and complication rates of angioplasty procedures performed in a single center for treatment of stenosis compromising vascular accesses. METHODS: A prospective database of vascular accesses performed in 2006-2010 was investigated. The endovascular approach was applied following a standardized protocol by a dedicated team. A total of 531 consecutive procedures were reviewed (326 men; mean age 70.94 years). Patency rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: There were 199 procedures for failing access: 135 were surgical and 64 angioplasties performed for anastomosis (n=27), venous (n=45) or arterial (n=7) stenosis. Immediate technical success of endovascular procedures was 95.3%(61/64); complication rate was 6.3% (4/64). Primary patency rates were 55% at six months, 49% at 12 months, and 21% at 24 months. In the concurrent group of 135 open procedures, primary patency rates were 80% at six months and 67% at 12 months (P=.002); nevertheless, at 24 months, patency was as low as 49%. Cost estimates for angioplasty revealed additional fees ranging from 411.34 to 446.34 Euro with respect to open surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Most dysfunctional vascular accesses can be successfully and safely treated by the endovascular route. In spite of poor mid-term durability, the angioplasty balloon might be considered as a bridge, effective, and repeatable solution with reasonable costs to prolong access survival avoiding additional surgery. The failure rate in the mid-term for dysfunctional vascular access may also be high after surgical reintervention.

Predictive factors and clinical consequences of proximal aortic neck dilatation in 230 patients undergoing abdominal aorta aneurysm repair with self-expandable stent-grafts.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have suggested that proximal aortic neck dilatation (AND) is a frequent event after balloon-expandable endografting. Yet few data are available on AND after repair with self-expandable stent grafts. To investigate incidence, predictive factors, and clinical consequences of AND, computed tomography (CT) scans obtained at intervals during follow-up of 230 patients who had undergone endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with self-expandable stents were reviewed. SUBJECTS: Between April 1997 and March 2001, 318 patients underwent endoluminal AAA repair with a self-expandable endograft at our unit. CT scans obtained at 1 and 12 months after surgery and yearly thereafter were prospectively stored in a computer imaging data base. Two hundred thirty patients were available for minimum 1-year assessment. Two vascular surgeons with tested interobserver agreement reviewed 686 CT scans. Diameter of the proximal aortic neck was measured as the minor axis of the first CT section that contained at least half of the proximal portion of the endograft. For endografts with suprarenal attachment the first scan below the lowest renal artery was considered. Diameter change of 3 mm or more between the CT scan at 1 month and subsequent evaluations was defined as AND. Nine possible independent predictors of AND were analyzed with Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 24 months (range, 12-54 months). In 2 patients, AAA ruptured during follow-up. CT scans for 65 patients (28%) showed AND. Thirteen patients with AND (5.6%) underwent repeat intervention, including positioning of the proximal cuff in 8 patients and late conversion to open repair in five patients. Of the nine variables examined with multivariate analysis, only 3, ie, presence of neck circumferential thrombus (hazard ratio [HR], 2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-5.01; P =.008), preoperative proximal neck diameter (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.07-135; P =.001), and preoperative AAA diameter (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.06; P =.046) were positive independent predictors of AND, whereas the other 6, ie, neck angulation more than 60 degrees, neck length, suprarenal fixation, oversizing more than 15%, endoleak at 30 days, and increased AAA diameter during follow-up, showed no significant correlation. Probability of AND at 48 months was 59 +/- 6.1 at analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method. CONCLUSIONS: AND is a frequent sequela of endoluminal repair in the mid-term. Severe AND developed in a small percentage of our patients, compromising integrity of AAA repair. Patients with large aneurysms and aortic necks and patients with aortic neck circumferential thrombus are at high risk for aortic neck enlargement after endoluminal repair of AAA.

Outcome of abdominal aortic endografting in high-risk patients: a 4-year single-center study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in patients whose fitness for surgery is questionable. METHODS: Between April 1997 and December 2001, 389 consecutive patients underwent endovascular AAA repair. Of these, 51 (13.1%) were ASA grade IV. The perioperative and late outcomes of this group were compared to the remaining 338 patients with ASA grades 0.05). Actuarial survival at 30 months was 62.9% in ASA IV group and 88.0% in ASA