Utility of Hook Sign in the Diagnosis of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a clinical syndrome caused by compression of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament that often manifests with nonspecific abdominal pain. Identification of this syndrome is often dependent on imaging of compression and upward bending of the celiac artery by lateral computed tomography angiography, the so-called "hook sign." The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of radiologic characteristics of the celiac artery to clinically relevant MALS. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review from 2,000 to 2,021 of 293 patients at a tertiary academic center diagnosed with celiac artery compression (CAC) was performed. Patient demographics and symptoms of 69 patients who were diagnosed with symptomatic MALS were compared to 224 patients without MALS (but with CAC) per electronic medical record review. Computed tomography angiography images were reviewed and the fold angle (FA) was measured. The presence of a hook sign (defined as a visual FA < 135°), as well as stenosis (defined as >50% of luminal narrowing on imaging) were recorded. Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Chi-squared test were used for comparative analysis. Logistic model was run to relate the presence of MALS with comorbidities and radiographic findings. RESULTS: Imaging was available in 59 patients (25 males, 34 females) and 157 patients (60 males, 97 females) with and without MALS, respectively. Patients with MALS were more likely to have a more severe FA (120.7 ± 33.6 vs. 134.8 ± 27.9, P = 0.002). Males with MALS were also more likely to have a more severe FA compared with males without MALS (111.1 ± 33.7 vs. 130.4 ± 30.4, P = 0.015). In patients with body mass index (BMI) >25, MALS patients also had narrower FA compared with patients without MALS (112.6 ± 30.5 vs. 131.7 ± 30.3, P = 0.001). The FA was negatively correlated with BMI in patients with CAC. The hook sign and stenosis were associated with diagnosis of MALS (59.3% vs. 28.7%, P < 0.001, and 75.7% vs. 45.2%, P < 0.001, respectively). In logistic regression, pain, stenosis, and a narrow FA were statistically significant predictors of the presence of MALS. CONCLUSIONS: The upward deflection of the celiac artery in patients with MALS is more severe compared with patients without MALS. Consistent with prior literature, this bending of the celiac artery is negatively correlated with BMI in patients with and without MALS. When demographic variables and comorbidities are considered, a narrow FA is a statistically significant predictor of MALS. Regardless of MALS diagnosis, a hook sign was associated with narrower FA. While demographics and imaging findings may inform MALS diagnosis, clinicians should not rely on a visual assessment of a hook sign but should quantitatively measure the anatomic bending angle of the celiac artery to assist with the diagnosis and understand the outcomes.

Factors associated with successful median arcuate ligament release in an international, multi-institutional cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Prior research on median arcuate ligament syndrome has been limited to institutional case series, making the optimal approach to median arcuate ligament release (MALR) and resulting outcomes unclear. In the present study, we compared the outcomes of different approaches to MALR and determined the predictors of long-term treatment failure. METHODS: The Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium is an international, multi-institutional research consortium. Data on open, laparoscopic, and robotic MALR performed from 2000 to 2020 were gathered. The primary outcome was treatment failure, defined as no improvement in median arcuate ligament syndrome symptoms after MALR or symptom recurrence between MALR and the last clinical follow-up. RESULTS: For 516 patients treated at 24 institutions, open, laparoscopic, and robotic MALR had been performed in 227 (44.0%), 235 (45.5%), and 54 (10.5%) patients, respectively. Perioperative complications (ileus, cardiac, and wound complications; readmissions; unplanned procedures) occurred in 19.2% (open, 30.0%; laparoscopic, 8.9%; robotic, 18.5%; P < .001). The median follow-up was 1.59 years (interquartile range, 0.38-4.35 years). For the 488 patients with follow-up data available, 287 (58.8%) had had full relief, 119 (24.4%) had had partial relief, and 82 (16.8%) had derived no benefit from MALR. The 1- and 3-year freedom from treatment failure for the overall cohort was 63.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.0%-68.3%) and 51.9% (95% CI, 46.1%-57.3%), respectively. The factors associated with an increased hazard of treatment failure on multivariable analysis included robotic MALR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.16-2.59; P = .007), a history of gastroparesis (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.09-3.09; P = .023), abdominal cancer (HR, 10.3; 95% CI, 3.06-34.6; P < .001), dysphagia and/or odynophagia (HR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.27-4.69; P = .008), no relief from a celiac plexus block (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.00-4.72; P = .049), and an increasing number of preoperative pain locations (HR, 1.12 per location; 95% CI, 1.00-1.25; P = .042). The factors associated with a lower hazard included increasing age (HR, 0.99 per increasing year; 95% CI, 0.98-1.0; P = .012) and an increasing number of preoperative diagnostic gastrointestinal studies (HR, 0.84 per study; 95% CI, 0.74-0.96; P = .012) Open and laparoscopic MALR resulted in similar long-term freedom from treatment failure. No radiographic parameters were associated with differences in treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found in long-term failure after open vs laparoscopic MALR; however, open release was associated with higher perioperative morbidity. These results support the use of a preoperative celiac plexus block to aid in patient selection. Operative candidates for MALR should be counseled regarding the factors associated with treatment failure and the relatively high overall rate of treatment failure.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation following non-cardiac surgery: Predictors and risk of mortality.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a major complication that follows both cardiac and non-cardiac procedures. Many studies have explored POAF after cardiac procedures, however POAF following non-cardiac procedures has been understudied. METHODS: National Inpatient Sample database was utilized to conduct a retrospective study of hospitalizations with diagnosis of POAF following non-cardiac procedures between 2010 and 2015. RESULTS: 294,112 patients met the inclusion criteria. Advanced age, male gender, colonic resections, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte disorders and history of congestive heart failure are major predictors of POAF and in-hospital mortality. Race, type of insurance, income quartile and weekend admissions are independent determinants of mortality following POAF. CONCLUSIONS: Development of POAF and mortality is dependent upon a wide range of factors not limited to age and medical comorbidities. Although a patient may be at an increased risk for POAF this does not mean they are at an increased risk for mortality.

Heterogeneity in the guidelines for the management of diabetic foot disease in the Caribbean.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot (DF) disease and, as a result, lower extremity amputation rates remain high in the Caribbean. This study was undertaken to determine whether Caribbean countries have designated individuals that monitor DF disease and whether there are DF protocols consistent with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidance documents. Relevant DF health care personnel(s) from the CARICOM and Dutch Caribbean countries were called or sent questionnaires regarding the presence of structured programs to monitor and manage DF problems in the population. All 25 countries (100%) responded. 81% of respondents could not identify any Ministry, Hospital or individual initiatives that monitored the DF. Only 9 (36%) countries had any guidelines in place. Only 3 countries with guidelines in place utilized IWGDF guidelines. Only 6 (24%) countries had podiatrists and 10 (40%) had vascular surgery availability. 7 (28%) countries had the components for a multidisciplinary team. The presence or the appointment of a designated individual and/or a multidisciplinary approach within the countries for DF disease was absent in the majority of respondent countries. Only a minority of countries implemented DF guidelines or had expertise available to organize a DF multidisciplinary team. Vascular surgery and podiatric care were noticeably deficient. These may be critical factors in the variability and reduced success in implementation of strategies for managing DF problems and subsequent amputations amongst these Caribbean countries.

Popliteal Artery Occlusion with Collateral Blood Flow in a Reducible Knee Dislocation During Pregnancy: A Case Report.

CASE: A 29-year-old healthy woman, 19 weeks pregnant, sustained a right posterolateral knee dislocation with multiligamentous injury and a complete occlusive injury to the right popliteal artery yet had adequate distal perfusion. She declined operative management for both the knee dislocation and the arterial injury, and successful collaboration between obstetrical, vascular, and orthopaedic surgical services resulted in limb preservation and restoration of function. CONCLUSION: This is a unique case of traumatic complete popliteal artery occlusion with adequate collateral arterial perfusion after a reducible posterolateral knee dislocation in a pregnant patient that resulted in limb preservation with nonoperative management.

Prognostic Value of Radiotracer-Based Perfusion Imaging in Critical Limb Ischemia Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging of angiosome foot perfusion for predicting amputation outcomes in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and diabetes mellitus (DM). BACKGROUND: Radiotracer imaging can assess microvascular foot perfusion and identify regional perfusion abnormalities in patients with critical limb ischemia CLI and DM, but the relationship between perfusion response to revascularization and subsequent clinical outcomes has not been evaluated. METHODS: Patients with CLI, DM, and nonhealing foot ulcers (n = 25) were prospectively enrolled for SPECT/CT perfusion imaging of the feet before and after revascularization. CT images were used to segment angiosomes (i.e., 3-dimensional vascular territories) of the foot. Relative changes in radiotracer uptake after revascularization were evaluated within the ulcerated angiosome. Incidence of amputation was assessed at 3 and 12 months after revascularization. RESULTS: SPECT/CT detected a significantly lower microvascular perfusion response for patients who underwent amputation compared with those who remained amputation free at 3 (p = 0.01) and 12 (p = 0.01) months after revascularization. The cutoff percent change in perfusion for predicting amputation at 3 months was 7.55%, and 11.56% at 12 months. The area under the curve based on the amputation outcome was 0.799 at 3 months and 0.833 at 12 months. The probability of amputation-free survival was significantly higher at 3 (p = 0.002) and 12 months (p = 0.03) for high-perfusion responders than low-perfusion responders to revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT/CT imaging detects regional perfusion responses to lower extremity revascularization and provides prognostic value in patients with CLI (Radiotracer-Based Perfusion Imaging of Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease; NCT03622359).

A real world analysis of recurrence risk factors for early colorectal cancer T1 treated with standard endoscopic resection.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Currently, endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancer defined as carcinoma with limited invasion of the mucosa (Tis) and submucosa (T1) is possible. However, lymph node spreading increases to 16.2% of cases when tumor invades the submucosa. We analyzed the previously identified factors for lymph node dissemination and recurrence, in our population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively all patients with T1 tumors, treated at our center with endoscopic resection and some with additional surgery between January 2006 and January 2018. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-nine patients were treated with endoscopic resection, 56.6% with additional surgery. The mean age was 68.74 years and 69. 9% were male. All patients who underwent additional surgery presented negative margins and 8.8% presented positive lymph nodes. In a mean follow-up of 23.36 months, 13 patients had relapsed. The risk of relapse did not differ between patients treated with additional surgery from those who only underwent endoscopic resection (p = 0.506). On the other hand, lymph node dissemination (p = 0.007) and a positive endoscopic margin (p = 0.01) were independent risk factors for relapse. There was a positive association between lymph node dissemination and lymphatic (p = 0.07), vascular (p = 0.007), and perineural (p = 0.001) invasion and also with degree of histological differentiation (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, lymphatic, vascular, and perineural invasion and also the degree of histological differentiation were associated with lymph node dissemination. However, the only independent risk factors for long-term recurrence were a positive margin and lymph node dissemination.

Higher Inpatient Mortality for Women after Intervention for Lifestyle Limiting Claudication.

BACKGROUND: Sex-related differences in outcomes have been identified in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We hypothesized that women with PAD would have equivalent inpatient mortality with men after vascular intervention. METHODS: Patients with a primary diagnosis of critical limb ischemia (CLI) or lifestyle-limiting claudication (LLC) receiving endovascular (EV) or open surgical repair from 2003-2012 were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Demographics, comorbidities, and inpatient mortality were analyzed by chi-squared tests of independence and independent-samples t-tests. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of inpatient mortality. SPSS 24 software was used with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We identified 139,435 (59,432 women and 80,003 men) individuals meeting the aforementioned criteria. Women were older than men (71.5 years vs. 68.2, P < 0.001). There were no differences in racial distribution but women had lower rates of diabetes (38.6% vs. 39.7%, P < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17.9% vs. 19.5%, P < 0.001), and coronary artery disease (38.6% vs. 47.4%, P < 0.001), while having a higher rate of hypertension (60.0% vs. 56.1%, P < 0.001). There was no sex-related difference in the rate of chronic renal failure. Women had higher inpatient mortality than men after vascular intervention (1.3% vs. 1.1%, P < 0.001). When stratified by surgical technique, women also had higher inpatient mortality after EV repair (1.0% vs. 0.8%, P < 0.05) and open repair (1.9% vs 1.3%, P < 0.001). When separated by admitting diagnosis, women with CLI had higher inpatient mortality than men after open surgery (2.3% vs. 1.9%, P < 0.05) but not after EV intervention. Women with LLC had higher inpatient mortality after both open (0.6% vs. 0.3%, P < 0.05) and EV surgery (0.3% vs. 0.1%, P < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed female sex as an independent predictor of inpatient mortality in patients with LLC (OR, 1.74; 95% CI 1.30-2.32, P < 0.001) but not CLI. CONCLUSIONS: Women had higher inpatient mortality than men after vascular intervention for PAD. Women were also older and more likely to have EV intervention than men. Subgroup analysis suggests that these sex-related differences in inpatient mortality are more pronounced in patients with LLC than with CLI. Furthermore, regression analysis shows that sex is a significant predictor for patients diagnosed with LLC but not with CLI. Treatment guidelines should include consideration of sex in their indications for revascularization, particularly for patients diagnosed with LLC.

Use of Closed-Incision Negative-Pressure Therapy: Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.

Vascular groin wound and median sternotomy infections are challenging complications that may lead to serious sequela. Traditional gauze dressings have poor bacteria barrier properties, and so there has been a recent enthusiasm for the use of closed-incision negative-pressure therapy as an effective closed environment, which controls exudate and helps hold the incision edges together. Studies suggest that it may reduce surgical site infection in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.

Regulation of Yes-Associated Protein by Laminar Flow.

BACKGROUND: The cells lining the endothelium of blood vessels are recognized as playing critical roles in vascular health and disease. The mechanisms that regulate endothelial cells (ECs) proliferation and release of mediators remain poorly understood but represent a potential source of disease modulation. Actin-cytoskeleton remodeling and cell shape have been suggested as key regulators of phosphorylation of yes-associated protein (YAP) which controls cellular growth and proliferation. Because different types of flow have been shown to affect cell shape and cytoskeleton differently, we hypothesized that the level of phosphorylated yes-associated protein (pYAP; serine 127) decreases in EC exposed to pulsatile uniform flow or steady laminar flow, whereas exposure to pulsatile disturbed flow causes an increase or no change. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to pulsatile uniform flow, pulsatile disturbed flow, or steady laminar flow and analyzed by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Exposure of HUVECs to steady laminar flow caused a significant decrease in the levels of pYAP (69.7 + 2.6%, P < 0.05), whereas total YAP levels remained nearly unchanged. Conversely, exposure to either pulsatile uniform or disturbed flow caused a significant decrease in the levels of both pYAP (63.2 + 10.9% and 69.8 + 11.9%, respectively; P < 0.05) and total YAP (57.1 + 17.8% and 58.4 + 16.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). Addition of MG132, a ubiquitin-proteasome system inhibitor, failed to significantly inhibit the decrease in the levels of total YAP in HUVECs exposed to either pulsatile uniform or disturbed flow. CONCLUSIONS: Flow causes a decrease in pYAP. The observed decrease in total YAP levels with pulsatile flow is due to degradation via a proteasome-independent mechanism. This may be a potential target for intervention for disease states such as atherosclerosis and intimal hyperplasia.

Acute Limb Ischemia in an 8-Year-Old Patient: A Case Report.

We report the case of an 8-year-old patient with a history of nephrotic syndrome, who presented to the emergency department with right foot pain. The patient's mother described intermittent pain that woke her son from sleep and was accompanied by the foot turning purple and becoming cold to touch. Physical examination revealed capillary refill of over 10 seconds in the right and less than 2 seconds in the left foot. Ankle-brachial indices (ABIs) were 0.0 on the right and 0.96 on the left. The patient was admitted and started on therapeutic intravenous heparin. After consultation with his parents, right lower extremity angiography and thrombolysis was performed over 2 days. He subsequently underwent fasciotomy and amputation of the tip of all 5 toes. Eighteen months later, there is no leg length discrepancy, he is walking with foot inserts and has normal ABIs bilaterally.

Transanal endoscopic surgery is effective and safe after endoscopic polypectomy of potentially malignant rectal polyps with questionable margins.

AIM: To determine the percentage of residual lesion observed in the pathology study of transanal endoscopic surgery (TEM) specimens after endoscopic polypectomy of malignant rectal polyps with questionable margins, and the need for further surgery. Secondary aims: to determine the morbidity and mortality associated with this procedure and to identify the percentage of recurrence after excision by TEM. METHODS: Observational study with prospective data collection of all patients undergoing TEM after endoscopic polypectomy for malignant rectal polyps or non-invasive high-grade neoplasia, from January 2004 to December 2016. An en bloc full-thickness wall excision of the scar was performed. Variables recorded: histology of TEM specimen, 30-day morbidity and mortality according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, need for salvage surgery and recurrence. RESULTS: Fifty out of 690 patients undergoing TEM during the study period (36 adenocarcinomas, five non-invasive high-grade neoplasias and 9 neuroendocrine tumors) were included. Post-surgery histology showed residual lesion in 21 (42%) patients: 7 neuroendocrine tumors, 10 adenomas and 4 adenocarcinomas (two pT1, one pT2 and one pT3). The pT2 and pT3 patients (4%) underwent salvage surgery. No recurrence was observed, and mean follow-up was 29.1Â ± 21.6 months. The 30-day morbidity rate was 14%, but 4/7 with Clavien-Dindo grade I. CONCLUSIONS: After endoscopic polypectomy of malignant rectal polyps with questionable margins, the presence of residual lesion in the pathology study of transanal resection specimens is high. TEM with full-thickness resection of these lesions is an appropriate treatment, allowing disease control and achieving minimal morbidity.

Improved mortality in treatment of patients with endovascular interventions for chronic mesenteric ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) continues to be a devastating diagnosis. There is a national trend toward increased use of endovascular procedures with improved survival for the treatment of these patients. Our aim was to evaluate whether this trend has changed CMI patients' length of hospitalization and health care cost. METHODS: We identified all patients admitted for CMI from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2000 to 2014. Our primary end points included length of hospital stay (LOS) and cost of hospitalization (COH). Our secondary end points included mortality assessment of the CMI hospitalization. RESULTS: There were 15,475 patients admitted for CMI. The mean age of patients was 71 years, and 4022 (26.0%) were male. There were 10,920 (70.6%) patients treated endovascularly (ENDO) and 4555 (29.4%) patients treated in an open fashion (OPEN). Although a higher proportion of patients in the ENDO (43.3%) group vs OPEN (33.1%) had a Charlson Comorbidity Index score of ≥2 (P < .0001), they had a lower mortality rate (2.4% vs 8.7%; P < .0001), lower mean LOS (6.3 vs 14.0 days; P < .0001), and lower COH ($21,686 vs $42,974; P < .0001). After adjusting for clinical and hospital factors, OPEN continued to demonstrate higher mortality than ENDO (odds ratio, 7.2; 95% confidence interval, 4.9-10.6; P < .0001), longer LOS (mean, +9.7 days; P < .0001), and higher COH (mean, +$25,834; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of ENDO continues to rise nationally in the treatment of CMI patients. After adjusting for clinical and hospital factors, patients in the ENDO group tend to have lower in-hospital mortality of 2.4% and lower LOS by 10 days, and they incur a cost saving of >$25,000 compared with patients in the OPEN group. ENDO should be considered first line of therapy for patients with CMI.

Endovascular interventions decrease length of hospitalization and are cost-effective in acute mesenteric ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) continues to be one of the most devastating diagnoses requiring emergent vascular intervention. There is a national trend toward increased use of endovascular procedures, with improved survival for the treatment of these patients. Our aim was to evaluate whether this trend has changed the treatment of AMI and the subsequent impact on length of hospitalization and hospitalization costs. METHODS: We identified all patients admitted for AMI from the National Inpatient Sample from 2004 to 2014 who received open surgical revascularization (OPEN) or an endovascular intervention (ENDO). Primary end points included length of hospital stay and cost of hospitalization. Our secondary end points included acute kidney injury (AKI), in-hospital mortality, and routine discharge. RESULTS: Among 10,381 discharges identified in the data set, 3833 (37%; 97.5% confidence interval [CI], 35%-39%) were male patients with a mean age of 69 years (range, 18-98 years); 4543 (44%; 97.5% CI, 41%-47%) patients were treated ENDO, and 5839 (56%; 97.5% CI, 53%-59%) patients were treated OPEN. Although a higher proportion of patients in the ENDO group (28%; 97.5% CI, 24%-31%) vs the OPEN group (14%; 97.5% CI, 11%-16%) had a moderate to severe Charlson Comorbidity Index (P < .0001), ENDO was associated with a lower mortality rate (12.3% [97.5% CI, 9.8%-14.8%] vs 33.1% [97.5% CI, 29.9%-36.2%]; P < .0001) and a lower mean hospitalization cost ($41,615 [97.5% CI, $38,663-$44,567] vs $60,286 [97.5% CI, $56,736-$63,836]; P < .0001). After propensity-adjusted logistic regression analysis, OPEN retained a significant association with higher mortality than ENDO (odds ratio, 3.0; 97.5% CI, 2.2-4.1) and with higher costs (mean, $9196; 97.5% CI, $3797-$14,595). Patients in the OPEN group had higher risk for AKI (P < .0001) and discharge to a skilled nursing facility (P < .0001) rather than home. CONCLUSIONS: Although the rate of ENDO continues to rise nationally, it still has not surpassed OPEN revascularization in the face of AMI. Patients treated endovascularly demonstrated one-third the rate of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 3.0; 97.5% CI, 2.2-4.1), an increased hazard ratio for discharge alive (hazard ratio, 2.27; 97.5% CI, 2.00-2.58), and a cost saving of $9196 (97.5% CI, $3797-$14,595) per hospitalization. Furthermore, they were less likely to develop AKI and to be discharged home after hospitalization.

Increased mortality in octogenarians treated for lifestyle limiting claudication.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment for lifestyle limiting claudication (LLC) that is due to infra-inguinal peripheral artery disease relies on either bypass, angioplasty, and/or stenting. Given the enthusiasm and shift toward more endovascular therapy for treatment of LLC, we sought to analyze whether octogenarians benefit from infra-inguinal interventions in the same manner as their younger counterparts. METHODS: We identified all patients admitted for elective treatment of LLC from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2003 to 2012, who received open surgical or endovascular intervention for infra-inguinal peripheral arterial disease. These patients were divided into two groups including those between the ages 60-80 years (younger cohort) and those older than 80 years (octogenarians). Primary end-points included morbidity and mortality and the secondary end-points were length of hospital stay (LOS) and disposition after dismissal. RESULTS: Among 59,323 discharges identified in the dataset, 34,658 (58%) were males. There were 50,323 (85%) patients in the younger cohort and 9,000 (15%) octogenarians. The mean age was 69.9 ± 5.7 years and 84.2 ± 3.0 years for the younger cohort and octogenarians, respectively. The mean Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was higher in our younger cohort (2.1 ± 1.1, P < 0.001). Octogenarians mainly treated with open surgery prior to 2004 are now treated endovascularly and this trend has remained stable. The younger cohort's treatment modality has fluctuated through the study period and most recently is treated mainly with open surgery. The rate of acute kidney injury, exacerbation of congestive heart failure and mortality was higher in octogenarians (P < 0.001). The rate of infectious wound complications was higher in the younger cohort (P < 0.05). Octogenarians have longer LOS and are dismissed in higher percentage to a skilled nursing facility (P < 0.001). On binary logistic regression analysis, age over 80 years, female sex, higher CCI and having an open as opposed to an endovascular procedure are independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although endovascular techniques seem to dominate the care for octogenarians with LLC, the overall morbidity and mortality rates are significantly higher in this patient population. Other options such as medical management and/or supervised exercise therapy should be explored in this patient group.

Percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair in morbidly obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with percutaneous femoral access (PEVAR) has several potential advantages. Morbidly obese (MO) patients present unique anatomical challenges and have not been specifically studied. This study examines the trends in the use of PEVAR and its surgical outcomes compared with open femoral cutdown (CEVAR) in MO patients. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program files for the years 2005 to 2013 were reviewed. The study included all MO patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m2) undergoing EVAR. Patients were categorized as having CEVAR if they had any one of 11 selected Current Procedural Terminology (American Medical Association, Chicago, Ill) codes describing an open femoral procedure. The PEVAR group included any remaining patients who had only codes for EVAR and endovascular procedures. Linear correlation was used to evaluate temporal trends in the use of PEVAR among MO patients. Baseline comorbidities and surgical outcomes were compared between the PEVAR and CEVAR groups using χ2 tests or t-tests. RESULTS: There were 833 MO patients (470 CEVAR and 363 PEVAR) constituting 3.0% of all patients undergoing EVAR. The use of PEVAR in MO patients significantly increased from 27.3% of total EVARs in the years 2005 to 2006 to 48.6% in 2013 (P = .039). The two groups had similar baseline characteristics, including age, BMI, comorbidities, and emergency procedures, except for history of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (29.6% CEVAR vs 22.6% PEVAR; P = .024). PEVAR patients had shorter duration of anesthesia (244 vs 260 minutes; P = .048) and shorter total operation time (158 vs 174 minutes; P = .002). PEVAR patients had significantly decreased wound complications (5.5% vs 9.4%; P = .039). There was a trend towards PEVAR patients being more likely to be discharged home than to a facility (93.6% vs 87.8%; P = .060). There was no difference in any other complication or mortality. A subgroup analysis of 109 superobese patients with BMI ≥50 kg/mg2 (59 CEVAR and 50 PEVAR) demonstrated no significant differences in outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS: PEVAR is increasingly used in MO patients and decreases operating time and rates of wound infection compared with CEVAR. The advantages of PEVAR seem to be lost in the superobese patients.

Explantation of infected aortic aneurysm and endograft with ascending aorta to mesenteric bypass for mesenteric ischemia.

A 65-year-old man presented with an infected perivisceral aortic aneurysm after previous treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with an endograft. On presentation, he was septic and had occlusion of the celiac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, and bilateral renal arteries. He underwent a three-stage procedure: first, axillobifemoral bypass; then resection of the thoracoabdominal aorta; and finally bypass from the ascending aorta to the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries with a rifampin-soaked Gelsoft graft (Vascutek, Renfrewshire, Scotland). The abdominal pain resolved, and the patient remains symptom free 10 months postoperatively. This rare surgical revascularization technique offered a nontraditional solution to a difficult surgical issue.

Use of hyperspectral imaging to assess endothelial dysfunction in peripheral arterial disease.

BACKGROUND: Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a technology that with limited training can noninvasively measure oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations in the skin to create an oxygenation map. This pilot study determined whether HSI could be used to demonstrate vascular dysfunction in the upper extremity of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This prospective study included 93 consecutive, consented patients presenting to the vascular clinic, with and without diagnosed arterial disease, and healthy volunteers. Patients underwent HSI at the upper arm, forearm, and palm before and after cuff occlusion (50 mm Hg above systolic) for 5 minutes. Medical records of enrolled patients were reviewed for demographic data, medications, surgical history, and other pertinent information. RESULTS: Significant changes occurred with oxyHb, with minimal to no effects on deoxygenated hemoglobin. The highest values of oxyHb were detected in the upper arm, followed by the forearm and hand. The absolute and percentage change in oxyHb measured in the upper arm and forearm was significantly reduced in controls aged >40 years compared with controls aged <40 years. Significant differences were noted in the upper arm oxyHb absolute change in response to cuff occlusion comparing PAD or CAD (n = 47) vs the older control cohort (P = .028). When the 23 patients with PAD only were separated out, the upper arm oxyHb response to cuff occlusion is even more significantly impaired (P < .01) compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the ability of HSI to assess the presence of PAD or CAD based on systemic vascular dysfunction at sites remote from the clinically diseased vascular bed. This could enable early screening and tracking of arterial disease patients before the development of clinically advanced disease.

Clinical Decision Analysis and Markov Modeling for Surgeons: An Introductory Overview.

This study addresses the use of decision analysis and Markov models to make contemplated decisions for surgical problems. Decision analysis and decision modeling in surgical research are increasing, but many surgeons are unfamiliar with the techniques and are skeptical of the results. The goal of this review is to familiarize surgeons with techniques and terminology used in decision analytic papers, to provide the reader a practical guide to read these papers, and to ensure that surgeons can critically appraise the quality of published clinical decision models and draw well founded conclusions from such reports.First, a brief explanation of decision analysis and Markov models is presented in simple steps, followed by an overview of the components of a decision and Markov model. Subsequently, commonly used terms and definitions are described and explained, including quality-adjusted life-years, disability-adjusted life-years, discounting, half-cycle correction, cycle length, probabilistic sensitivity analysis, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and the willingness-to-pay threshold.Finally, the advantages and limitations of research with Markov models are described, and new modeling techniques and future perspectives are discussed. It is important that surgeons are able to understand conclusions from decision analytic studies and are familiar with the specific definitions of the terminology used in the field to keep up with surgical research. Decision analysis can guide treatment strategies when complex clinical questions need to be answered and is a necessary and useful addition to the surgical research armamentarium.