Editor's Choice - Outcomes of Cold Stored Saphenous Vein Allografts for Haemodialysis Vascular Access.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of cold stored saphenous vein allografts (CSVAs) for haemodialysis vascular access. METHODS: A retrospective, two centre study was conducted between January 2016 and December 2020 of all patients who had CSVA placement for haemodialysis vascular access. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency were analysed, as well as procedural complications and re-interventions. RESULTS: One hundred and nine patients (n = 55 women) with a mean age of 67.2 ± 13.6 years, with no options for creating an autogenous arteriovenous fistula, were included in the study. At one year, primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency were 37.6%, 59.0%, and 73.3%, respectively; and at two years 19.9%, 42.5%, and 54.9%, respectively. During a mean follow up period of 26 ± 18 months, five patients (4.6%) had an access infection, with no related death. During the follow up period, 32 patients (29.4%) died and 13 patients (11.9%) underwent a kidney transplant. None of these patients showed immunoconversion before transplantation. The cumulative incidence of adverse events by the Fine-Gray method was calculated. Considering competing risks (death and renal transplantation), 9.2% of patients lost their vascular access at one year and 18% at two years. Moreover, 57.8% patients had stenosis, mainly on the outflow (45.9%), and 49.5% had thrombosis. CONCLUSION: With a comparable patency rate associated with a low infection rate, CSVA offers a potential alternative to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. This creates haemodialysis vascular access when the venous capital is exhausted in patients with reported risk factors for vascular access infection, i.e., insertion in the thigh, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, immunocompromised state, obesity, or revision of an infected prosthetic graft.

From real-time single to multicompartmental Hodgkin-Huxley neurons on FPGA for bio-hybrid systems.

Modeling biological neural networks has been a field opening to major advances in our understanding of the mechanisms governing the functioning of the brain in normal and pathological conditions. The emergence of real-time neuromorphic platforms has been leading to a rising significance of bio-hybrid experiments as part of the development of neuromorphic biomedical devices such as neuroprosthesis. To provide a new tool for the neurological disorder characterization, we design real-time single and multicompartmental Hodgkin-Huxley neurons on FPGA. These neurons allow biological neural network emulation featuring improved accuracy through compartment modeling and show integration in bio-hybrid system thanks to its real-time dynamics.

Elective late open conversion after endovascular aneurysm repair is associated with comparable outcomes to primary open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Three of four patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm are now treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The incidence of secondary procedures and surgical conversions is increasing for a population theoretically unfit for open surgery. The indications and outcomes of late open surgical conversions after EVAR in a high-volume tertiary vascular unit are reported. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study includes all patients who underwent a late open conversion between January 1996 and July 2018. Data were collected from records on patient demographics, operative indications, surgical strategy, perioperative outcomes, and medium-term survival. RESULTS: Sixty-two consecutive patients (88.7% male) with a mean age of 77.5 years are included. The median duration since index EVAR was 38.5 months; 65% of stent grafts requiring late open conversion had suprarenal fixation. Indications included 22.6% type IA, 16.1% type IB, and 45.2% type II endoleaks; 12.9% graft thrombosis; and 14.5% endoprosthesis infection. Complete endograft explantation was performed in 37.1% of patients and a partial explantation in 54.8%, whereas 8.1% of stent grafts were wholly preserved in situ. Overall 30-day mortality was 12.9% (n = 8) in the cohort and 2.7% for elective patients. The all-cause morbidity rate was 40.1%, and the median length of hospital stay was 9 days. After follow-up of 28.4 months (range, 1.8-187.3 months), all-cause survival was 58.8%. Avoidance of aortic clamping (P = .006) and elective procedures (P = .019) were associated with a significant reduction in the length of hospital stay. Moreover, the 30-day mortality (P = .002), occurrence of postoperative renal dysfunction (P = .004), and intestinal ischemia (P = .017) were increased in the emergency setting. Excluding cases with rupture or infection, survival estimates were 97%, 97%, and 71% at 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Technically more complex than primary open surgery, late open conversion is a procedure that generates an acceptable perioperative risk when it is performed in a high-volume aortic surgical center. Elective open conversion is associated with excellent early and late outcomes. Endograft preservation strategies decrease perioperative morbidity.

[Acute and chronic pathologies of the thoracic aorta: From diagnosis to treatment]. / Pathologie aortique thoracique aiguë et chronique : du diagnostic au traitement.

Aortic pathologies benefit from imaging innovation and interventional radiology developments in order to improve patient management. At the early phase, vital risk should be considered. Whole body CT scan evaluate the complete aorta and its branches to assess the pathology and to choose the best approach between surgery or interventional radiology (fenestration, stentgraft, peripheral stenting). Algorithms, based on the understanding of the complications mechanisms and evolutive risk, modified the management specifically for aortic dissection. At chronic phase, GPs and angiologists should follow their patients in order to detect aortic complications and to treat cardiovascular risk factors. MRA is well indicated if possible.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair: A single center's 15-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: Specific complications of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) exist and long-term data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our long-term TEVAR results. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study of 223 patients undergoing TEVAR from 1998 to 2013. Indication was aneurysm (45%), traumatic (26%), dissection (23%), and septic (6%). RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 62.7 ± 17.9 years, 84% of them had an American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥3, and 42% had an aortic rupture. TEVAR was performed in zone 0 (n = 17), 1 (n = 17), or 2 (n = 59) in 42% of patients. Technical success rate was 96.4%. Overall 30-day mortality was 11.7% (elective aneurysm, 11.6%; emergent aneurysm, 34.3%; acute type B dissection, 14.8%; chronic dissection, 4.2%; septic, 8.3%; and traumatic, 1.7%). Major adverse events included stroke in 4.5%, spinal cord ischemia in 1.8%, and retrograde aortic dissection in 2.7%. Mean follow-up was 43.4 ± 38 months. Estimated aortic complications-free survivals at 12, 36, 60, and 120 months were (% ± standard error) 73% ± 3%, 64% ± 4%, 62% ± 4% and 57% ± 5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients treated for a chronic aortic dissection had a significant risk of late reintervention (P = .001) CONCLUSIONS: Because of its simplicity and low morbimortality rate, TEVAR has become the first-line approach for thoracic aortic diseases. Mortality outcomes are related to aortic pathology, emergent status, and proximal landing zone. To improve long-term results, rigorous patient selection and follow-up, development of referral centers, and technologic evolution of materials have to be reached.

Outcomes of cold-stored venous allograft for below-knee bypasses in patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Critical limb ischemia (CLI), the most advanced form of peripheral arterial disease, is associated with strikingly high morbidity and mortality rates. Autogenous single-segment great saphenous vein (GSV) remains the optimal conduit for infrainguinal revascularization. Unfortunately, GSV is unavailable in up to 20% of patients. There is no consensus about the alternative graft that should be used for infragenicular bypass grafting when the GSV is unavailable. Currently, there are no outcome data for cold-stored venous allograft use in regard to recent safety and efficacy objective performance goals described by the Society for Vascular Surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 118 infragenicular revascularizations performed for CLI with cold-stored venous allografts obtained from varicose vein stripping surgery in a single institution from November 2002 to August 2013. RESULTS: Mean age (± standard deviation) was 75 ± 12 years (male, 76%; diabetes, 73%; dialysis, 16%), and 38% (n = 45) had a history of failed ipsilateral revascularization. None had suitable autogenous conduit for even composite vein bypass. The distal anastomosis was performed to an infrapopliteal artery in 85 cases (72%). At 30 days, perioperative death rate was 6.8%, major adverse cardiovascular event rate was 7.6%, and major adverse limb event rate was 11.9%. Mean follow-up was 34 ± 29 months (range, 1-113 months). At 1 year, freedom from major adverse limb event or perioperative death, limb salvage, survival, amputation-free survival, and secondary patency rates were, respectively, 64.9%, 82.5%, 85.4%, 73.3%, and 58.3%. Ejection fraction <45% and dialysis were the most significant factors predicting failure of revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Cold-stored venous allografts may be used for performing infragenicular revascularization for CLI with acceptable safety and efficacy results despite poor long-term patency. Their level of performance remains inferior to autologous vein sources but seems comparable to alternative allografts or prosthetic conduit. Their availability is a major advantage compared with other biologic alternative sources.

Minimum 10-year follow-up of endovascular repair for acute traumatic transection of the thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta seems, in the short term, to be associated with better outcomes than open repair, but long-term data are lacking. METHODS: A review was conducted of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent TEVAR for traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta in our unit, with a minimum 10-year follow-up. Follow-up computed tomography scans were performed at 1 week, 3 and 6 months, and annually thereafter. Particular attention was focused on device-related issues. RESULTS: Among the 53 patients, 17 had a minimum 10-year follow-up: mean age was 45.8 ± 17 years (range: 18-78 years); 4 were women. Mean follow-up was 11.6 years (range: 10.1-13.1 years). Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. The distribution of the proximal landing zone was zone 2 in 4 cases, zone 3 in 13 cases. A case of inadvertent coverage of supra-aortic trunks occurred intraoperatively. An early proximal type I endoleak was successfully treated by proximal implantation of an additional second stent-graft. No perioperative death was observed, and none of the patients suffered transient or permanent paraplegia, or cerebral complication. After a minimum 10-year follow-up, all patients were still alive. Follow-up computed tomography scans did not reveal any stent-graft migration or collapse, or secondary endoleaks. However, we observed that the proximal and distal aortic neck dilated to some extent, as is the natural history of the thoracic aorta. This dilation was more marked in patients aged <30 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our minimum 10-year follow-up study of endovascular repair for acute traumatic transection of the thoracic aorta demonstrated that the reduction in the operative mortality rate of TEVAR, compared with open repair, lasts over time, without any device-related issues. Longer-term follow-up is necessary to determine whether the thoracic aorta expansion continues and becomes clinically significant.

Experimental evaluation of complete endovascular arch reconstruction by in situ retrograde fenestration.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this experimental study was to assess the feasibility of complete endovascular arch reconstruction by in situ retrograde fenestration and to investigate the impact of stent-graft material on stent-graft fenestrations. METHODS: The experiments were performed using 8 cadaveric human thoracic aortas (aortic arch) using 2 different stent-graft types: woven polyester (Valiant Captivia; Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, CA) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (conformable [C]-TAG; W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). A benchtop aortic pulsatile flow model was used. Stent-grafts were deployed into the aortic arch, covering the ostia of the supraaortic trunks. A 5-mm 30-degree angioscope was introduced into the ascending aorta to monitor the procedure. Retrograde fenestration and deployment of the balloon expandable stent-graft was performed sequentially for each supraaortic trunk. Subsequent to stent-graft explantation, macroscopic evaluation of each fenestration was performed. RESULTS: All attempts to fenestrate the C-TAG and Valiant stent-grafts and implant the covered stent through the supraaortic trunks were successful. In all cases, branch stents were patent and no endoleak was evident. The Valiant stent-graft was easier to puncture because of the higher radial force of the stent-graft providing better counterpressure; however, stent-graft material had no impact on the quality of fenestrations. CONCLUSIONS: Total endovascular repair of the aortic arch through in situ retrograde fenestration of stent-grafts is feasible. The behavior of the 2 types of stent-graft was significantly different while the fenestrations were fashioned, but stent-graft material had no impact on the quality of fenestrations.

VEGF modulates synaptic activity in the developing spinal cord.

Although it has been documented that the nervous and the vascular systems share numerous analogies and are closely intermingled during development and pathological processes, interactions between the two systems are still poorly described. In this study, we investigated whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a key regulator of vascular development, also modulates neuronal developmental processes. We report that VEGF enhances the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glycinergic but not glutamatergic synaptic activity in embryonic spinal motoneurons (MNs), without affecting MNs excitability. In response to VEGF, the frequency of these synaptic events but not their amplitude was increased. Blocking endogenous VEGF led to an opposite effect by decreasing frequency of synaptic events. We found that this effect occurred specifically at early developmental stages (E13.5 and E15.5) and vanished at the prenatal stage E17.5. Furthermore, VEGF was able to increase vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter density at the MN membrane. Inhibition of single VEGF receptors did not modify electrophysiological parameters indicating receptor combinations or an alternative pathway. Altogether, our findings identify VEGF as a modulator of the neuronal activity during synapse formation and highlight a new ontogenic role for this angiogenic factor in the nervous system.

Improvement in conformability of the latest generation of thoracic stent grafts.

OBJECTIVE: Poor aortic arch apposition increases the risk of technical failure after thoracic endovascular repair. The aim of this study was to assess the conformability of the latest generation of thoracic stent grafts in relation to the degree of device oversizing and aortic arch angulation. METHODS: A benchtop pulsatile flow model was designed to test stent graft anchorage in a 2-cm-long proximal landing zone at varying landing zone angles (from 140° down to 70°) and stent graft oversizing (12%-28%). The experiments were performed using 10 human thoracic cadaveric aortas and four stent grafts: C-TAG, Zenith TX2 Pro-Form, Valiant Captivia, and Relay. Device-wall apposition was measured as a function of landing zone angulation and oversizing during static and dynamic (60 pulses/min, 300/150 mm Hg) tests. RESULTS: The Valiant stent graft remained apposed to the aortic wall at each increment of neck angulation and device oversizing. Lack of apposition of the proximal anchorage segment was observed with the C-TAG above 120° landing zone angulation (1-2 mm) and with the Relay above 110° landing zone angulation (1-4 mm). Lack of "body" apposition (1-4 mm) was first observed with the Zenith Pro-Form stent graft above 110° angulation (P = .001). When the device was not apposed to the aortic wall, an increase in stent graft oversizing significantly (P = .01) decreased device-wall apposition. CONCLUSIONS: The requirement for close conformability has influenced the design of next-generation devices. Manufacturers have modified devices and/or their deployment system to specifically address this problem. When compared with the results of our previous experimental test, this study demonstrates that these alterations have resulted in a marked improvement in the performance of commercially available stent graft systems.

Hemi-aortic arch debranching for hybrid aortic arch repair by sequential transposition of the left common carotid and subclavian arteries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the short-term and midterm results after hemi-aortic arch debranching for hybrid aortic arch repair by sequential transposition of the left common carotid artery and of the left subclavian artery. METHODS: From November 1998 to August 2011, 11 patients underwent a hybrid technique with supra-aortic debranching (by sequential transposition of the left common carotid artery and of the left subclavian) and simultaneous endovascular stent grafting for zone 1 lesions. There were 8 men and 3 women (mean age, 62.9 ± 20.9 years; range, 15-89 years). Aortic arch lesions treated included 4 complicated aortic dissections, 3 degenerative aneurysms, 2 postcoarctectomy aortic pseudoaneurysms, 1 mycotic aneurysm, and 1 traumatic transection of the arch. Four (36%) operations were performed in an emergency setting. RESULTS: Endovascular exclusion success was achieved in 90.9% of the patients (type I endoleak: 1/11). One iliac artery rupture occurred intraoperatively. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. Overall actuarial survival was 82% and 71.8% at 1 and 2 years. Mean follow-up is 31 ± 25 months (range, 3-72 months). No instance of permanent cerebral or spinal cord ischemia was observed. Two type II endoleaks are currently observed. There was no device migration. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid aortic arch repair by sequential transposition of the left common carotid artery and of the left subclavian artery for zone 1 lesions provides an attractive alternative for treating hemi-aortic arch lesions in high-risk patients with minimal atherosclerotic disease in the aorta and great vessels with acceptable primary results and encouraging midterm efficacy to prevent rupture. This hybrid strategy avoiding prosthetic bypass offers several advantages over conventional repair, including the potential to treat patients who are not candidates for open repair and single-stage treatment of some pathologic conditions previously requiring 2-stage repair.

Open versus endovascular repair for patients with acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to compare the outcome between open and endovascular repair of acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta. METHODS: Seventy-five patients (mean age 38.6 ± 10.7 years) with an acute traumatic aortic rupture were referred to the Arnaud de Villeneuve Hospital between January 1990 and January 2010. Between January 1990 and December 2000, 35 patients (33 men, mean age 35.8 ± 11.3 years) underwent surgical repair using cardiopulmonary bypass. From January 2001, an endovascular approach was deliberately chosen; 40 patients (30 male, mean age 41 ± 10.1 years) underwent endovascular repair. The 2 groups were statistically comparable. RESULTS: The overall mortality rates for the surgical and endovascular groups were 11.4% (intraoperative mortality: 8.5%) and 2.5% (intraoperative mortality: 0%), respectively. The mortality rates related to aortic repair for the surgical and endovascular groups were 11.4% and 0%, respectively. In the surgical group, the morbidity rate was 14.2%: 4 cases of recurrent nerve palsy and 1 case of false anastomotic aneurysm were diagnosed at 52 months. In the endovascular group, the morbidity rate was 20%: 3 cases of intraoperative inadvertent coverage of supra-aortic trunks (requiring a secondary procedure in 2 cases after 1 and 2 years to revascularize the supra-aortic trunks), 1 proximal type I endoleak (requiring deployment of a second stent-graft at day 2), 2 stent-graft collapses in the first postoperative month (treated by open repair and explantation in 1 case and by the deployment of a second stent-graft in 1 case), 1 vertebrobasilar insufficiency after left subclavian artery coverage, and 1 intraoperative iliac rupture (surgically repaired). No cases of paraplegia or stroke were observed. The median follow-up was 7.7 (range, 0.4-15) years. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with open repair, endovascular repair of traumatic thoracic aortic rupture is associated with a lower death rate but failed to reach statistical significance, most likely because of underpowering. These results prompt us to consider endovascular repair as the first-line therapy for acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta, except in some rare but challenging anatomic situations. New stent-graft designs, sizes, and deployment systems could improve the results of endovascular repair in these indications.

Endovascular repair of aortic arch lesions in high-risk patients or after previous aortic surgery: midterm results.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the short- and midterm results after endovascular repair of the aortic arch in high-risk patients or after previous aortic surgery. METHODS: From November 1998 to November 2008, 57 thoracic stent grafts were implanted in 44 patients (sex ratio, 4.5; mean age, 66.5 +/- 16.5 years) for aortic arch repair (zone 0 to 2 according to the arch map proposed by Ishimaru) of 19 degenerative aneurysms, 12 traumatic transections of the aorta, 8 complicated aortic dissections, 4 postcoarctectomy aortic pseudoaneurysms, and 1 penetrating atheromatous ulcer. All patients were considered to be at high surgical risk owing to serious comorbidities (American Society of Anesthesiologists score > or = III [79.5%]) or previous aortic surgery. Endovascular repair was performed in an emergency setting in 27.3% (n = 12) of the patients. Thirty-four underwent a hybrid technique with supra-aortic debranching and simultaneous or staged endovascular stent grafting. Debranching was performed to provide an adequate proximal aortic landing zone, in 28 patients by a cervical approach and in 6 patients by a sternotomy approach. RESULTS: The technical success rates for aortic zone 0 patients (n = 6), zone 1 patients (n = 4), and zone 2 patients (n = 34) were, respectively, 100%, 100%, and 97%. The 30-day mortality rate was 20.4%. The actuarial survival was 70% over a mean follow-up of 29.9 months. The rate of stroke was 6.8%. Two (4.5%) cases of paraplegia were observed, 1 of which was reversible after cerebrospinal fluid drainage. The rate of endoleak was 15.9% (n = 7): 3 type I, 3 type II, and 1 type III. There were no cases of device migration, but 1 stent-graft collapse occurred 20 days after exclusion of an aortic traumatic transection. CONCLUSION: Hybrid endovascular aortic arch reconstructions, although some of these adjunctive procedures remain major operations, provide attractive alternatives for treating aortic arch lesions in high-risk patients who would otherwise be unsuitable for open repair, with acceptable primary results and encouraging midterm efficacy to prevent rupture.

Infrainguinal cutting balloon angioplasty in de novo arterial lesions.

BACKGROUND: This prospective, non-randomized study evaluated the short- and mid-term feasibility, safety, primary patency, and limb salvage of cutting balloon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (CB-PTA) for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). METHODS AND RESULTS: All data were collected for 128 consecutive patients who underwent CB-PTA to improve infrainguinal arterial circulation between January 2003 and July 2007. One-hundred thirty-five limbs with PAOD (claudication, n = 19; critical limb ischemia [CLI], n = 116) were treated. Patency was evaluated by clinical examination and duplex ultrasonography. A total of 203 lesions (183 stenoses, 20 occlusions) were treated in 66 femoropopliteal and 69 infrapopliteal arterial segments. The TransAtlantic Inter-Societal Consensus (TASC) classification of the primary lesions was A in 41.5%, B in 45.2%, C in 8.2%, and D 5.1%. Mean follow-up was 16.1 +/- 9.7 months. The overall technical success rate was 96.3% and the complication rate was 8.9%. There were two (1.5%) perioperative deaths. The primary patency rate was 82.1% at 12- and 24-months in patients with claudication (femoropopliteal lesions). The 1- and 2-year results for femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal lesions in patients with CLI were: primary patency 64.4% and 51.9 %, respectively; limb salvage 84.2% and 76.9%; survival 92.6% and 88.5%. More distal lesions and TASC classification were significant independent risk factors for outcome (P < .05). Treatment of multiple segment lesions was an independent predictor of a favorable outcome (P = .04). CONCLUSION: CB-PTA is safe and feasible for the treatment of infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease, with relatively low mid-term restenosis rates compared to other endovascular treatments. However, these data cannot be extrapolated to potential outcomes for lesions >10 cm in length. Further follow-up will be necessary to evaluate the long-term results of CB-PTA.

Lessons learned from midterm follow-up of endovascular repair for traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and midterm results following endovascular repair of a traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus. METHODS: Between January 2001 and January 2007, 27 patients underwent endovascular repair for acute traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus (8 women, 19 men, mean age 40.2 +/- 16.7 years [19-78]). All patients underwent a computed tomography scan resulting in the preoperative diagnosis of aortic disruptions. Twenty-one patients were treated within the first 5 days following diagnosis. Follow-up computed tomography scans were performed at 1 week, at 3 and 6 months, and annually thereafter. The median follow-up was 40 months. RESULTS: All endografts were successfully deployed (Excluder-TAG [16], Talent [10], Zenith [2]). Three patients required common iliac artery access. The morbidity rate was 14.8%: two cases of inadvertent coverage of supra-aortic trunks occurred peroperatively, a proximal type I endoleak was successfully treated by a proximal implantation of a second endograft, and one collapse of an endograft was successfully treated by open repair and explantation. No patient suffered transient or permanent paraplegia, cerebral complication, endograft migration, or secondary endoleak. The overall mortality rate was 3.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Short and midterm results following endovascular treatment for traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus favor the proposition of endovascular repair as the first-line treatment in hemodynamically unstable patients. In hemodynamically stable patients, the preoperative morphological evaluations aim to assess aortic anatomy and thereby detect possible technical limitations (aortic diameter <20 mm, severe aortic isthmus angulation, short proximal aortic neck <20 mm, conical aorta). In the presence of any one of these technical restrictions, open surgical treatment should be discussed to avoid major per- or postoperative complications related to endovascular repair. Further studies and long-term survival studies are mandatory to determine the efficacy and durability of this technique.

Acute carotid artery thrombosis: description of 12 surgically treated cases.

The morbidity and mortality of stroke secondary to acute internal carotid artery thrombosis range from 40 to 69% and from 15 to 55%, respectively, after purely medical treatment. This report describes a series of 12 patients who underwent urgent surgical treatment for primary acute carotid artery thrombosis between January 1999 and December 2002. Upon admission, all patients had severe neurologic deficits contralateral to carotid artery thrombosis. One patient experienced ongoing changes in the level of consciousness. The interval between the onset of symptoms and admission was less than 6 hr in all cases. Initial work-up in all patients included a brain computed tomographic scan with contrast injection and carotid duplex scan. The operative procedure consisted of carotid thomboemdarterectomy after shunt placement with prosthetic patch closure. Intraoperative angiography was performed in all cases. Following treatment, we observed deterioration of neurologic status leading to death in one case; improvement with partial regression of initial neurologic deficit in two cases, including one patient who died from causes unrelated to carotid artery disease; and full neurologic recovery in nine cases. The delay to revascularization was longer than 6 hr in both patients who died. These data support surgical intervention for carotid artery thrombosis in selected patients without major disturbances of consciousness or hemorrhagic infarction, provided that the delay to revascularization is less than 6 hr.

Endovascular repair for acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta.

BACKGROUND: We report endovascular treatment of acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta as a potential alternative to open surgery for high-risk patients. METHODS: Between January 2001 and July 2002, 9 patients with acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta were treated with a stent-graft. In all cases the endovascular management was selected because of age, associated polytrauma, or comorbidities. Preoperative workup included chest computed tomography scan, transoesophageal echography, and angiography. The devices used were the Excluder and the Talent stent-grafts. RESULTS: Eight patients underwent immediate repair and 1 patient was treated within 5 days of the accident because of delayed diagnosis of aortic rupture after surgical management of spleen rupture. The stent-graft was successfully expanded in all patients through the common femoral artery (n = 7) or the common iliac artery (n = 2). There was no perioperative death, renal failure, or neurologic complication (paraplegia or stroke). In 1 patient the computed tomography scan at 7 days postoperatively showed proximal endoleak requiring placement of a second stent-graft. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 20 months. All spiral computed tomography scans performed during follow-up revealed no evidence of endoleak, migration, or alteration of the stent-graft. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair in the acute phase of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta is technically feasible and safe, and may represent an alternative to open surgery for high-risk patients.

Ruptured aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta: impact of age and postoperative complications on mortality.

Between 1985 and 2000, a total of 871 patients underwent surgical treatment for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including 98 (11.2%) presenting with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAA). An optimized operative protocol was used to treat 77 RAAA starting in January 1989. The main features of the optimized protocol are routine use of intraoperative autotransfusion, revascularization by aortoaortic bypass, absence of systemic heparinization, and use of a collagen-impregnated prosthesis. Intraoperative mortality (IOM) was 3.8%. Postoperative mortality at 1 month (POM1) was 25.9% and postoperative mortality at 3 months (POM3) was 33.7%. Heart failure (p <0.001), hemodynamic shock (p <0.001), and hemorrhage (p = 0.04) were the only complications correlated with POM1. Pneumonia (p = 0.01) and sepsis (p = 0.01) were the only complications correlated with POM3. Isolated acute renal insufficiency was not a significant risk factor for postoperative mortality. Using a cutoff of 75 years, there was a significant age-related difference (p = 0.025) for POM1 but not for IOM and POM3. The findings of this study show that optimizing the operative protocol decreases mortality related to RAAA. The main predictor of POM1 was hemodynamic status while the main predictor of POM3 was infection. Isolated acute renal insufficiency was not a risk factor for mortality. Age should not be considered a contraindication for operative treatment.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: results in 102 cases.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term outcome of video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis. Between January 1996 and December 2000, a total of 67 patients underwent 102 sympathectomy procedures with excision of the sympathetic chain between the second and fourth sympathetic ganglion. The mean duration of hospitalization was 1.7 +/- 0.6 days. Five patients were lost to follow-up. Mean duration of follow-up for the 96 sympathectomy procedures in the remaining 62 patients was 38 +/- 6.3 months. Patient outcome showed that video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy is the treatment of choice for idiopathic palmar hyperhidrosis. Long-term patient satisfaction is excellent.

Outcome of common iliac arteries after aortoaortic graft placement during elective repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was determination of the expansion rates relative to the size of the common iliac artery (CIA) after elective placement of a straight aortic tube graft for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Between January 1993 and December 1997, 74 men (mean age, 69 years) with AAA underwent surgical repair with a straight tube graft. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. The mean follow-up period was 68.3 months. The preoperative CT scan revealed a dilatation of at least one of the two CIAs in 32 patients (43.2%; group A). Within this group, the CIA was ectatic (12 mm < diameter < 18 mm) in 13 patients (subgroup A1) and aneurysmal (diameter >/=18 mm) in 19 patients (subgroup A2). The diameters of both CIAs were normal (diameter