Endovascular treatment of a giant renal artery aneurysm associated with an arteriovenous fistula: Report of a case and review of the literature.

Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) concomitant with a renal arteriovenous fistula (RAVF) has been infrequently reported in the literature. We report a case of a 42-year-old man suffering from a giant RAA combined with a congenital high-flow RAVF. The contrast-enhanced CTA showed a 12.7-cm RAA synchronous with an RAVF between the right renal artery and a draining vein. After a comprehensive preoperative assessment, an endovascular approach was decided. Successful embolization was performed using an Amplatzer vascular Plug, and multiple coils. Completion angiogram demonstrated no flow into the RAA. The results of longterm follow-up demonstrate that endovascular techniques are safe and effective for the management of RAAs combined with high-flow RAVF.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the streamliner multilayer flow modulator stent for treatment of complex aortic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of multilayer flow modulator (MFM) stents (Cardiatis, Isnes, Belgium) for the treatment of complex aortic lesions. METHODS: A systematic electronic research was conducted for studies reported from December 2008 to May 2020. Data extracted from 15 eligible case series (CS) were appropriately pooled and analyzed in a meta-analysis. The patient baseline characteristics were recorded, and 16 outcomes of interest were studied. The primary end points included 30-day all-cause and aneurysm-related mortality, aneurysm-related mortality at 1 year, vessel patency, and any endoleaks, ruptures, reinterventions, and aneurysm exclusion at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 39 studies (15 CS and 24 case reports), involving 429 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 436 lesions were treated, and 1521 aortic branches were covered by the multilayer stent. The mean follow-up for the 15 CS with 404 patients was 14.6 months. Compliance with the instructions for use was reported by eight CS, with 75% of the procedures performed within the instructions for use. However, 41% of the patients reported by 12 CS had undergone a previous aortic intervention. The pooled 30-day all-cause and 30-day aneurysm-related mortality rates were 0.56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.00%-2.54%) and 0.00% (95% CI, 0.00%-0.80%), respectively. The pooled aneurysm-related mortality at 1 year of follow-up was 5.25% (95% CI, 0.07%-14.91%). The pooled vessel patency at the end of follow-up was 99.12% (95% CI, 97.73%-99.93%). The pooled reintervention and endoleak rates at the end of follow-up were 10.94% (95% CI, 3.64%-20.67%) and 10.70% (95% CI, 4.45%-18.66%), respectively. The crude spinal cord ischemia and renal failure rates were 0.69% and 1.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present review and meta-analysis have indicated the safety and efficacy of MFM stents for treating challenging aortic pathologic lesions when used as first-line treatment and within the instructions for use. The almost zero pooled 30-day all-cause and aneurysm-related mortality rates combined with the low crude spinal cord ischemia and renal failure rates indicate the use of MFM stents is a good treatment option for complex aortic lesions in the short- and mid-term periods. The lack of long-term follow-up warrants further research concerning the efficacy of the device in the long term.

The use of iliac branch devices for preservation of flow in internal iliac artery during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Common iliac artery aneurysms are present in more than a third of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and may pose a challenge during open and endovascular repair. Although embolization of the internal iliac artery is an established method, it may be complicated with buttock claudication, erectile dysfunction, colon ischemia, and pelvic necrosis. Iliac branch devices (IBDs), which permit preservation of the hypogastric artery, have been used to prevent these complications. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the safety and outcomes of IBDs and to explore potential differences between the commercially available types of IBDs. METHODS: The meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. After review of the literature, 36 eligible studies with a total of 1502 patients were included in our study. A meta-analysis was performed with investigation of the following outcomes: technical success rate, 30-day mortality, 30-day patency, follow-up patency, endoleak, buttock claudication, and IBD-associated reintervention. Furthermore, we conducted a subgroup meta-analysis by commercial type of endograft among the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Among all eligible studies, technical success of the method was 97.35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.27-98.29). The endoleak rate postoperatively and during the follow-up period was 12.68% (95% CI, 8.80-17.07). The 30-day patency of IBDs was estimated at 97.59% (95% CI, 96.49-98.54), whereas follow-up patency was 94.32% (95% CI, 91.70-96.54). Furthermore, reintervention rate associated with IBDs was 6.96% (95% CI, 5.10-9.03), and buttock claudication during the follow-up period was 2.15% (95% CI, 1.25-3.22). CONCLUSIONS: IBD seems to be a safe, feasible, and effective technique for the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms in select patients with suitable anatomy. Further results are awaited to explore the long-term efficacy and durability of these devices.

Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Marfan Syndrome.

Extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms are rare and most of them are considered of atherosclerotic etiology. Marfan syndrome (MS) is a systemic connective tissue disorder caused by mutation in the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin 1. Clinical manifestations of the MS include aortic aneurysms, dislocation of the ocular lens, and long bone overgrowth. The presence of extracranial ICA aneurysm in patients with MS is very rare. We report a 62-year-old female patient with MS presented with an extracranial ICA aneurysm. She was treated with aneurysmectomy and end-to-end anastomosis, with good outcomes. Only 10 cases of patients with MS and extracranial ICA aneurysm have been described in the literature. Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of these patients are reviewed and discussed.

Spinal Cord Ischemia following Elective Endovascular Repair of Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysms: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a rare but devastating complication. The mechanism underlying the occurrence of SCI after EVAR seems to be multifactorial and is underreported and not fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical outcomes in patients with this serious complication. METHODS: A systematic review of the current literature, as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines, was performed to evaluate the incidence of SCI after elective EVAR. PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched. Studies reporting on thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair, open repair of AAAs, and symptomatic or ruptured AAAs were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 18 articles reporting 25 cases were included. The mean age was 74.6 ± 7.6 (range: 60-90) years. The mean diameter of AAAs was 5.96 ± 1.0 cm (range: 4.7-8.3). Six cases also had aneurysms in the common iliac arteries. Seventy-one percent of AAAs had characteristics that made EVAR difficult and technically demanding. The mean operative time was prolonged, 254 ± 104.6 min, and associated with extensive intravascular handling. In 41.6% of cases, additional procedures were performed because of the difficult anatomy. Thirty-two percent of the cases had 1 internal iliac artery (IIA) embolized with coils or covered with the stent graft, and 14% had both IIAs compromised. In most of the cases, SCI symptoms presented immediately after the operation, and in 14.8% of patients, the symptoms had late presentation. Almost all cases had motor loss in the form of paraparesis or paraplegia, 54% of the cases also had diminished sensation, and 29.1% of the cases had urinary and/or fecal incontinence. Heterogeneity was observed regarding the management of the disease; in 6 of the cases, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage was performed, steroids were administered in 5, and in the other cases, an expectant strategy was selected. In 50% of the cases, only small improvement was seen at follow-up. In 25% of the cases, no improvement was seen, and 25% had almost complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified a common pattern among patients who present SCI after EVAR: difficult anatomy, prolonged operative time, additional procedures, and extensive intravascular handling that may have led to embolization. Patency of pelvic circulation preoperatively is also of importance. Regarding outcomes, only 25% of patients recovered, and in certain cases, CSF drainage may have significantly improved chances for recovery.

Safety and efficacy of polyurethane vascular grafts for early hemodialysis access.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous grafts made of polyurethane (PU) have the advantage of early cannulation obviating the placement of a central vein catheter in patients with an acute need for long-term hemodialysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and complication rate of PU vascular grafts for dialysis access in patients in whom early cannulation was performed. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2015, 125 straight brachial-axillary grafts were placed in patients with an acute thrombosis of a previous arteriovenous access. Sixty-four were PU and 61 were polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Patency and complications rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The median interval from implantation to cannulation was 1 day in the PU group vs 28 days in the PTFE group. Cumulative infection rate at 5 years was 13% and 8% in the PU and the PTFE groups, respectively (P = .6). None of the patients in the PU group developed a pseudoaneurysm necessitating intervention, compared with one patient in the PTFE group. Primary and secondary patency rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. The cumulative median primary patency was 23 months in the PU group vs 26 months in the PTFE group. Median secondary patency was 42 vs 33 months, respectively. Diabetes mellitus was the only factor adversely affecting graft patency in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: PU grafts offer the advantage of early cannulation with infection, pseudoaneurysm formation and patency rates similar to those of the PTFE grafts.

A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing treatment modalities for de novo superficial femoral artery occlusive lesions.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions remains challenging. We conducted a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aiming to explore the efficacy of treatment modalities for SFA "de novo" lesions. METHODS: Eleven treatments for SFA occlusive disease were recognized. We used primary patency and binary restenosis at 12-month follow-up as proxies of efficacy for the treatment of SFA lesions. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies (66 study arms; 4659 patients) were deemed eligible. In terms of primary patency, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were statistically significantly higher in drug-eluting stent (DES; OR, 10.05; 95% CI, 3.22-31.39), femoropopliteal bypass surgery (BPS; OR, 7.15; 95% CI, 2.27-22.51), covered stent (CS; OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.33-9.53), and nitinol stent (NS; OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.42-5.51) compared with balloon angioplasty (BA). The rank order from higher to lower primary patency in the multidimensional scaling was DES, BPS, NS, CS, drug-coated balloon, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with brachytherapy, stainless steel stent, cryoplasty (CR), and BA. Combination therapy of NS with CR and drug-coated balloon were the two most effective treatments, followed by NS, CS, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with brachytherapy, cutting balloon, stainless steel stent, BA, and CR in terms of multidimensional scaling values for binary restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: DES has shown encouraging results in terms of primary patency for SFA lesions, whereas BPS still maintains its role as a principal intervention. On the contrary, BA and CR appear to be less effective treatment options.

Treatment of Type II Endoleak and Aneurysm Expansion after EVAR.

BACKGROUND: The management of type II endoleak causing sac enlargement continues to be a topic of debate. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the outcomes between open surgical technique with sacotomy and suturing of the feeding vessels to interventional embolization in patients with aneurysm sac expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Inclusion criteria for intervention in patients with prior EVAR and type II endoleak were asymptomatic expanding aneurysm sac > 5 mm between 2 consecutive follow-up computed tomography angiography scans and symptomatic aneurysm sac expansion. Age, sex, comorbidities, clinical presentation, commercial type of endograft of prior EVAR, aneurysm sac increase, type of treatment, morbidity, mortality, and follow-up were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 694 consecutive patients were operated with EVAR during the study period. Among them, 29 patients (4.2%) were presented with a type II endoleak that required reintervention. Ten patients (34.5%) were treated with embolization. We recorded a 50% technical success in the group of primary translumbar embolization and 67% in the group of intra-arterial embolization. Twenty-two patients were treated with laparotomy and open ligation of the culprit arteries causing the type II endoleak. Among them, 3 patients (13.6%) had been initially treated with unsuccessful embolization. Periprocedural intervention complications for the embolization group (10%, 1/10) included 1 psoas hematoma. On the contrary, complications after primary open ligation were 13.6% (3/22) and included 1 proximal dislocation treated with endograft explantation, 1 distal dislocation, and 1 limb ligation with femoral-femoral bypass which resulted in colonic ischemia and death (4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical repair with sacotomy and suturing of the feeding vessels appeared to have better outcome regarding the exclusion of the aneurysm but was associated with a higher incidence of severe complications and one related death. If these results are confirmed in larger series, endovascular approach should be the preferred treatment option.

Endovascular management of infected iliofemoral pseudoaneurysms - a systematic review.

We conducted a systematic review regarding the efficacy and outcome of endovascular treatment of infected iliofemoral arterial pseudoaneurysms with covered stents. 35 cases were identified, including 5 own. 22 pseudoaneurysms were located in the femoral area and 13 in the iliac vessels. The most commonly reported complaints were pulsatile groin mass (40 %), sepsis (37.1 %), active bleeding (31.4 %), and groin infection with purulent discharge (17.1 %). S. aureus (65.7 %) and Streptococcus species (22.9 %) were the most common microbes isolated. Factors for the development of infected pseudoaneurysms were intravenous drug use (20 %), infection of anastomosis in bypass surgery (22.9 %), cancer (14.3 %), history of multiple hip operations (14.3 %), renal transplantation (2.9 %), and obesity (5.7 %). The most commonly used covered stents were Viabahn (22.9 %),Jostent (17.1 %), Fluency (14.3 %), and Wallgraft (14.3 %). In 15 cases, surgical debridement and/or drainage was also performed.The mean follow-up was 15.8 months. There were only 2 cases of stent graft thrombosis (5.7 %). 2 patients required an open vascular bypass procedure at a later stage. One death was attributed to procedure-related complications (2.9 %). The infection rate of the deployed stent graft in follow-up was 3.4 %. Endovascular exclusion of an infected pseudoaneurysm with primary stent grafting and drainage may be an option in high-risk patients.
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Anaphylactic Reaction During Implantation of the Ovation Stent-Graft System in a Patient With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of anaphylactic reaction during implantation of the Ovation Abdominal Stent Graft System in a patient treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). CASE REPORT: An 82-year-old man with a 5.3-cm asymptomatic AAA underwent endovascular repair using an Ovation stent-graft. Polymer was infused into the inflatable rings of the aortic body under continuous angioscopy, but the rings were not filled, even though the entire amount of the polymer was administered. Simultaneously, the patient presented with a severe anaphylactic reaction resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest. He was successfully resuscitated, but the procedure was abandoned; the patient refused any further treatment. CONCLUSION: A rupture of the Ovation main body's polymer-filled rings may lead to extremely severe anaphylactic reaction.

Inflammatory response and renal function following endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta.

PURPOSE: To evaluate inflammatory response and renal function after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of lesions in the descending thoracic aorta. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients treated with TEVAR from January 2010 to August 2013 were enrolled in this prospective study. Two were excluded owing to dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) extending into the renal arteries with renal failure in one and a saccular TAA in which a multilayer flow-modulating stent was implanted in the other. This left 30 patients (28 men; mean age 68.8±5.9 years) with 28 TAAs, an aortic dissection, and an aortic ulcer for the analysis. Temperature and serum levels of white blood cells (WBCs), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), creatinine, urea, and cystatin C were measured preoperatively and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases in temperature and serum levels of WBCs, CRP, IL-10, and IL-6 were observed 24 and 48 hours postoperatively compared to baseline (all p<0.05). The number of endografts and the coverage of the celiac or subclavian artery did not affect the magnitude of the inflammatory response. No significant differences were observed concerning serum levels of IL-8, TNF-α, creatinine, or cystatin C from baseline to 24 or 48 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Endograft implantation in the thoracic aorta may propagate an inflammatory response during the early postoperative period. No clinical adverse events related to the increased inflammatory response were observed. Renal function does not seem to be deteriorated after TEVAR in the descending thoracic aorta.

Bibliometric analysis of factors predicting increased citations in the vascular and endovascular literature.

BACKGROUND: Dissemination of research findings in the scientific community is reflected by the citation count. Our objective was to investigate the relative citation impact of vascular research studies and identify potential predictors of increased citation rates. METHODS: Articles published in leading journals of vascular and general surgery (Journal of Vascular Surgery, European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Journal of Endovascular Therapy, Annals of Vascular Surgery and Annals of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, and JAMA Surgery) during a 4-month period were identified through electronic databases. Variables potentially associated with increased citation rates, including subject, design, title characteristics, article length, bibliographic references, authorship, geographic distribution, interdisciplinary collaboration, article access, and funding, were assessed in univariate and multiple linear regression models through December 2012. RESULTS: A total of 226 articles with a total number of 4,605 citations were identified. Univariate analysis revealed that endovascular-related studies, study design, studies reporting design in the title, long articles, and studies with high number of references were associated with higher citation rates. On multivariate analysis, 3 variables were found to independently predict the number of citations: study subject (endovascular-related studies; regression coefficient [95% confidence interval], 0.474 [0.240-0.708]; P < 0.001); study design (randomized controlled trial; regression coefficient [95% confidence interval], 0.575 [0.145-1.005]; P = 0.009); and article length (number of pages; regression coefficient [95% confidence interval], 0.069 [0.016-0.123]; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Authors involved in vascular research may enhance the impact of their work by embarking on research strategies of high methodologic quality and pursuing work related with new technologies and evolving endovascular therapies.

The impact of carotid artery stenting on cognitive function in patients with extracranial carotid artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on cognitive function in patients with extracranial carotid artery stenosis is equivocal. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of CAS on various domains of cognitive function. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of the studies evaluating various domains of cognitive function before and after CAS, namely, (1) global cognition using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), (2) executive function using Trail Making Test (TMT) A or Color Trails Test (CTT) A and TMT B or CTT B, (3) language ability using Boston Naming Test (BNT), (4) memory, (5) attention/psychomotor speed, and (6) functional ability, using various cognitive tests. Pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were appropriately calculated using fixed or random effects models after assessing between-study heterogeneity. Meta-regression analysis was performed with number of patients per study; mean age (years); follow-up (months); proportion of men; proportion of patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and coronary artery disease; proportion of symptomatic patients; and degree of ipsilateral and degree of contralateral carotid stenosis as covariates. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were eligible, including a total of 626 CAS patients. A statistically significant improvement of global cognition was detected with MMSE (WMD = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.29-1.05, P < 0.001; follow-up = 5.6 months), but not with RAVLT (SMD = 0.45, 95% CI = -0.03 to 0.93, P = 0.07; follow-up = 2.4 months). Significant improvement of memory (SMD = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.11-0.55, P < 0.01; follow-up = 4.1 months) and attention/psychomotor speed (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.04-0.39, P = 0.02; follow-up = 4 months) was also detected. No statistically significant effect on executive function (TMT A/CTT A and TMT B/CTT B; SMD = 0.08, 95% CI = -0.10 to 0.26, P = 0.39; follow-up = 3.9 months and SMD = -0.02, 95% CI = -0.20 to 0.16, P = 0.82, respectively; follow-up = 3.9 months), language ability (BNT; SMD = 0.24, 95% CI = -0.05 to 0.54, P = 0.10; follow-up = 4 months), and functional ability (SMD = -0.05, 95% CI = -0.25 to 0.15, P = 0.63; follow-up = 3.8 months) was observed. No significant effects of the examined covariates were demonstrated in the meta-regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: CAS may be associated with improvement in global cognition, memory, and attention/psychomotor speed. There was no positive effect on executive function, language, and functional ability, but CAS was not associated with a decline in any area of cognitive function. Future studies in larger groups of patients are probably needed to fully investigate the long-term effect of CAS on cognition in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm: A case report.

Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm is a relatively uncommon entity. We reported the case of a 51-year-old man, who was incidentally diagnosed with an asymptomatic 52 × 65 mm portal vein aneurysm, which was located at the main trunk of the portal vein, just before its bifurcation. The patient was treated with partial clamping of the portal vein aneurysm and aneurysmorrhaphy. Postoperative course was uneventful. Surgical intervention should be considered for patients with large, symptomatic or expanding portal vein aneurysms.

Volume of new-onset thrombus is associated with the development of postimplantation syndrome after endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of contrast medium volume, inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) patency, and pre-existing as well as new-onset thrombus on the inflammatory response after elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: The study included 87 patients undergoing elective endovascular repair of asymptomatic infrarenal aneurysms between January 2011 and November 2011. The patency of the IMA was determined by preoperative computed tomography angiography; the volume of the contrast medium used during the procedure was measured, and the volumes of chronic mural as well as new-onset thrombus were calculated from the preoperative and postoperative computed tomography angiograms with dedicated imaging software. The results were correlated to the occurrence of postimplantation syndrome (PIS) as well as to the main clinical and laboratory components of PIS: fever; increased white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level; decreased platelet count; and increased interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. RESULTS: Postoperatively, a statistically significant increase was recorded in the mean values of body temperature, WBCs, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, and a statistically significant decrease was recorded in the number of platelets. After adjustment for endograft type, the volume of new-onset thrombus was found to be significantly correlated with the peak postoperative temperature (ß = .307; P < .05) and the increase in WBC count (ß = .271; P < .05), CRP level (ß = .484; P < .001), and IL-6 level (ß = .288; P < .05). On the contrary, the volume of chronic mural thrombus, the patency of the IMA, and the volume of contrast medium were not found to significantly affect any parameter of the PIS. PIS occurred in 34 patients (39%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both the volume of new-onset thrombus and the type of endograft were independently associated with the development of PIS. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of new-onset thrombus is associated with the development of PIS after EVAR, whereas chronic mural thrombus appears to be an inert material. IMA patency and contrast medium volume are irrelevant to the inflammatory response after EVAR.

Comparison of treatment strategies for thoracic endograft infection.

OBJECTIVE: Endograft infection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is associated with a substantial mortality rate that exceeds 70% in the largest published series. The aim of this study was to review all published reports on infection after TEVAR treated with either preservation of the endograft or surgical excision of the stent graft with the intention of providing a comparison of the safety, efficacy, and durability of the two different treatment strategies. METHODS: An extensive electronic health database search was undertaken to identify all articles that were published up to December 2013 reporting on endograft infection after TEVAR. Overall, 55 patients treated with endograft preservation (group A) and 41 patients treated with endograft explantation (group B) were included in this review. RESULTS: The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Streptococcus species (29.4%) and Staphylococcus species (29.4%). The mortality for both groups was 66.6%. The in-hospital mortality rate in group A was 42% and reached 81.8% in a mean follow-up period of 8.6 months. The in-hospital mortality rate in group B was 36.6%. Four (9.7%) further deaths due to reinfection or fistula recurrence were recorded in a mean follow-up period of 15.3 months, leading to an overall mortality of 46.3%. The meta-analysis showed a trend of better outcome with endograft explantation compared with endograft preservation (odds ratio [OR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-1.48). In group A, a trend of better outcome was revealed when drainage and repair of the fistula were applied (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 0.55-8.90). A trend of worse outcomes was detected in fistula patients compared with nonfistula patients (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.43-3.74). CONCLUSIONS: Endograft preservation seems not a durable option. It can be offered to patients who refuse surgery or as a palliative option or bridging procedure for severely ill patients. Compared with antibiotic therapy alone, antibiotic therapy followed by drainage and repair of the fistula may control the sepsis, providing, however, mainly a temporary benefit. The presence of fistula is a predictor of dismal outcome. Endograft explantation remains the "gold standard" of treatment. The mortality rate of surgical conversion is much higher in the presence of fistula.

Outcome after preservation of infected abdominal aortic endografts.

PURPOSE: To review the published outcomes of aortic endograft infection treated with preservation of the stent-graft. METHODS: An extensive electronic health database search was undertaken to identify all articles published up to May 2013 that reported endograft infection after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in which treatment included preservation of the stent-graft. The search found 17 articles with 29 patients (27 men; mean age 73.1±7.6 years) fulfilling the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: In 2 (7%) cases, the endograft infection was diagnosed within 30 days of the initial procedure; 4 (14%) were identified within 3 months and the remaining 23 (79%) within 12 months. Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus species, and Escherichia coli were the most common isolated microorganisms. Seven (24%) had a secondary aortoenteric fistula after EVAR. Twelve (41%) patients received only antibiotic therapy, while the remaining had an additional procedure (drainage, surgical debridement, sac irrigation, and/or omentoplasty). The in-hospital mortality was 21% (n=6). During a mean follow-up of 11.4±3.1 months, 7 more patients died (overall mortality 45%). None of the 7 patients with fistula survived. Half (50%) of the 12 patients who received only antibiotic therapy died, while 7 (41%) of the 17 patients who underwent an additional procedure died during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Among patients treated for endograft infection without explantation, those with aortoenteric fistula had the worst outcome. There is evidence for lower mortality in patients who underwent an additional procedure, such as drainage, surgical debridement, and sac irrigation. Larger studies are needed to examine the efficacy of this approach compared to surgical conversion with endograft excision and in situ reconstruction or extra-anatomical bypass.

Endovascular treatment of tandem lesions of the carotid arteries.

BACKGROUND: High-grade stenoses of both common (CCA) and the internal (ICA) carotid arteries are rare and represent a therapeutic dilemma for the treating physician. The aim of this article is to present our experience with fully endovascular repair of those lesions. METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012, 5 patients (all male, age 73.6 years) with concomitant CCA and ICA stenoses were treated endovascularly. All patients were asymptomatic. The lesions involved the left carotid in 3 and the right carotid in 2 cases. Common carotid artery stenosis was located at the ostium (1 patient), the middle (3 patients) and the distal segment (1 patient) of the CCA. In 3 cases, CCA stenting was initially performed followed by ICA treatment, whereas in the remaining 2, ICA stenting preceded CCA stenting. A filter embolic protection device was used in 2 cases. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed. Technical success rate was 100%. Mortality rate was 0%. One patient experienced transient neurologic complication. An 82-year-old who underwent left mid-CCA and ICA stenosis without embolic protection device suffered a transient ischemic attack with dysarthria lasting for a few minutes. A 73-year-old patient with left CCA and ICA stenosis and occlusion of the right ICA who underwent stenting under cerebral protection experienced symptoms consistent with cerebral hyperperfusion. Patients were followed up for a mean of 6 months. No neurologic complications or stent restenosis were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Angioplasty and stenting is a technically feasible method for the treatment of concomitant CCA and ICA stenosis with acceptable short- and mid-term results.

Wandering stent within the pulmonary circulation.

To present a case of a wandering stent within the pulmonary circulation that was managed conservatively with the "wait-and-see" strategy. Accidental dislodgement of a left brachiocephalic vein stent into the left lower lobe pulmonary artery occurred in an 83-year-old patient suffering from end-stage renal disease during placement of a left jugular vein catheter. The following day, a second X-ray revealed migration of the stent from the left to the right lower lobe pulmonary artery. Our patient was managed conservatively with low-molecular-weight heparin and was discharged on clopidogrel. The patient remained asymptomatic with regard to the migrated stent for four and a half years and died of old age. This is the first case of a wandering stent within the pulmonary circulation reported in the literature, supporting the "wait-and-see" policy in the management of such patients.

Association between carotid artery occlusion and ultrasonographic plaque type.

BACKGROUND: Internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is associated with acute stroke and carries significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine whether ultrasonographic carotid plaque type may be associated with ICA occlusion. METHODS: Two hundred eleven patients (85% men, mean age 66.0±9.5 years, 28.9% asymptomatic) with ICA occlusion were included in this case-control study. Ultrasonographic Gray-Weale plaque type (I-IV, echolucent to echogenic) characterization was obtained in both the occluded and the contralateral ICA. Univariate and conditional logistic regression analyses with 1:1 pair matching per artery were undertaken. Each contralateral carotid artery with stenosis was treated as control to the ipsilateral-occluded ICA of the same patient. RESULTS: A total of 261 ICAs (61.9%) were recorded with type I-II plaque, of which 165 (63.2%) were among the occluded and 96 (36.8%) were among the contralateral ICAs with stenosis (P<0.001). Mean contralateral ICA stenosis was 58.2%±20.4%. Regression analysis showed that carotid plaque type I-II was significantly associated with carotid artery occlusion compared with plaque type III-IV (crude odds ratio [OR]=4.29, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=2.81-6.57%, P<0.001, adjusted OR=5.60, 95% CI=3.23-9.70, P<0.001). Previous neurological events did not seem to be significantly associated with plaque echolucency (OR=0.62, 95% CI=0.29-1.35, P=0.23). CONCLUSIONS: A significant association between echolucent plaque and ICA occlusion was observed. This observational hypothesis may prompt for further investigation of the causal mechanism between carotid plaque type and ICA occlusion by larger cohort studies.