Prevalence and associations of incidental nonvenous duplex findings discovered during lower extremity venous imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Venous duplex imaging defines venous pathology (VP). Unexpected clinically relevant findings are also found but rarely mentioned in the literature. This study aims to define the prevalence of ancillary findings (nonvenous duplex) by study type and venous outcome and subgroup associations with primary study indication and risk factors. METHODS: Our vascular laboratory database was queried for lower extremity venous duplex studies with comments regarding ancillary findings and associated patient demographics, primary study indication, associated conditions, and venous study outcome. RESULTS: There were 52,215 venous studies performed, 48,425 to evaluate for venous occlusion (acute/chronic) and 3790 for venous reflux. Of these studies, 15,810 found VP and 36,405 found no venous disease. There were 875 studies with venous disease that had ancillary duplex findings (5.5%) noted as 559 (3.5%) with prominent lymph node(s) (LN), 179 (1.1%) Baker's cyst (BC), 44 (0.3%) hematoma/mass (HM), 31 (0.2%) arterial aneurysm, and 16 (0.1%) arterial occlusion. There were 3130 studies free of VP with ancillary findings (8.6%) noted as 2258 (6.2%) prominent LN(s), 626 (1.7%) BC, 156 (0.4%) HM, 37 (0.1%) arterial aneurysm, and 22 (0.06%) arterial occlusion. The overall prevalence of ancillary findings was 8.62%. Analysis demonstrated statistically more ancillary findings in venous occlusion (odds ratio [OR], 1.25) studies, which was the largest group at 13 to 1. Studies free of venous disease had more ancillary findings (P < .001) with an OR of 1.88 and similar results were noted for LN(s), BC, and hematoma. Studies with VP favored a finding of aneurysm (OR, 0.52). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that those with prominent LN(s) were statistically older and male and BC statistically older in those with coexistent venous disease. BC subgroup analysis showed that studies free of venous disease were 2.5 times more likely to report pain as the primary study indication (P < .0001). In general, within ancillary subgroups, leg symptoms were statistically more prominent on the side with ancillary pathology and free of venous disease. CONCLUSIONS: Ancillary findings are not uncommon and are more common in studies found free of VP. The most common are LNs, BC and HM and, within subgroups, significant leg symptoms favors the presence of ancillary findings without coexisting venous disease. Ancillary findings should be an integral part of a quality report.

Operative Traumatic Aortic Injuries at an Urban Pediatric Hospital.

PURPOSE: Limited data are available describing the long-term results of pediatric patients undergoing aortic repair secondary to trauma. Therefore, this descriptive investigation was completed to abrogate this deficit. METHODS: A retrospective review of an urban level 1 pediatric trauma database maintained at a high-volume dedicated children's hospital between 2008-2018 was completed to capture all cases of severe traumatic aortic injury and associated demographics, mechanisms, injury severity, treatment, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: In the prespecified interval, 2189 children (age <18 years) presented to our facility as a level 1 trauma activation. Of these cases, a total of 10 patients (.5%) had a demonstrable thoracic or abdominal aortic injury. The mean age of our study cohort was 10.4 ± 5.7 years. The mechanism of injury consisted of 8 participants involved in motor vehicle accidents, 1 pedestrian struck by a vehicle, and 1 struck by a falling boulder. Injuries were identified via CT angiogram (n = 9) or autopsy (n = 1) and consisted of 6 thoracic aortas and 4 abdominal aortas. The mean trauma injury severity score was 37.6 ± 19.9. Seven of the patients underwent open surgical intervention, 1 underwent endovascular intervention, 1 was treated with medical management, and 1 patient expired in the trauma bay before surgery could be performed. Aortic pathologies observed were 6 transections, 2 dissections, and 2 occlusions. Five of the ten patients underwent nonaortic surgical procedures. To determine operative outcomes, we excluded the 2 patients who did not receive aortic intervention. In the 8 remaining patients, the mean hospital length of stay was 12.8 ± 4.8 days with 6.8 ± 4.1 days in the intensive care unit. All 9 participants who survived the initial trauma evaluation were discharged from the hospital. Mean follow-up was 38.3 ± 43.0 months; during which, we observed no additional aortic-related morbidity, mortality, and reinterventions. The only stent-graft deployed remained in stable position without evidence of endoleak or migration by duplex. CONCLUSION: Traumatic aortic injury is exceedingly rare in children and primarily of blunt etiology. Of the patients who survive the scene, operative repair seems to be associated with excellent perioperative and long-term survival.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with novel coronavirus disease-2019 infection and deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Early reports suggest that patients with novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection carry a significant risk of altered coagulation with an increased risk for venous thromboembolic events. This report investigates the relationship of significant COVID-19 infection and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) as reflected in the patient clinical and laboratory characteristics. METHODS: We reviewed the demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory and radiologic evaluations, results of venous duplex imaging and mortality of COVID-19-positive patients (18-89 years) admitted to the Indiana University Academic Health Center. Using oxygen saturation, radiologic findings, and need for advanced respiratory therapies, patients were classified into mild, moderate, or severe categories of COVID-19 infection. A descriptive analysis was performed using univariate and bivariate Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to examine the distribution of patient characteristics and compare the DVT outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio of experiencing DVT and a receiver operating curve analysis to identify the optimal cutoff for d-dimer to predict DVT in this COVID-19 cohort. Time to the diagnosis of DVT from admission was analyzed using log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier plots. RESULTS: Our study included 71 unique COVID-19-positive patients (mean age, 61 years) categorized as having 3% mild, 14% moderate, and 83% severe infection and evaluated with 107 venous duplex studies. DVT was identified in 47.8% of patients (37% of examinations) at an average of 5.9 days after admission. Patients with DVT were predominantly male (67%; P = .032) with proximal venous involvement (29% upper and 39% in the lower extremities with 55% of the latter demonstrating bilateral involvement). Patients with DVT had a significantly higher mean d-dimer of 5447 ± 7032 ng/mL (P = .0101), and alkaline phosphatase of 110 IU/L (P = .0095) than those without DVT. On multivariable analysis, elevated d-dimer (P = .038) and alkaline phosphatase (P = .021) were associated with risk for DVT, whereas age, sex, elevated C-reactive protein, and ferritin levels were not. A receiver operating curve analysis suggests an optimal d-dimer value of 2450 ng/mL cutoff with 70% sensitivity, 59.5% specificity, and 61% positive predictive value, and 68.8% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that males with severe COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization are at highest risk for developing DVT. Elevated d-dimers and alkaline phosphatase along with our multivariable model can alert the clinician to the increased risk of DVT requiring early evaluation and aggressive treatment.

Chronic mesenteric ischemia: Clinical practice guidelines from the Society for Vascular Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) results from the inability to achieve adequate postprandial intestinal blood flow, usually from atherosclerotic occlusive disease at the origins of the mesenteric vessels. Patients typically present with postprandial pain, food fear, and weight loss, although they can present with acute mesenteric ischemia and bowel infarction. The diagnosis requires a combination of the appropriate clinical symptoms and significant mesenteric artery occlusive disease, although it is often delayed given the spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders associated with abdominal pain and weight loss. The treatment goals include relieving the presenting symptoms, preventing progression to acute mesenteric ischemia, and improving overall quality of life. These practice guidelines were developed to provide the best possible evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with CMI from atherosclerosis. METHODS: The Society for Vascular Surgery established a committee composed of vascular surgeons and individuals experienced with evidence-based reviews. The committee focused on six specific areas, including the diagnostic evaluation, indications for treatment, choice of treatment, perioperative evaluation, endovascular/open revascularization, and surveillance/remediation. A formal systematic review was performed by the evidence team to identify the optimal technique for revascularization. Specific practice recommendations were developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system based on review of literature, the strength of the data, and consensus. RESULTS: Patients with symptoms consistent with CMI should undergo an expedited workup, including a computed tomography arteriogram, to exclude other potential causes. The diagnosis is supported by significant arterial occlusive disease in the mesenteric vessels, particularly the superior mesenteric artery. Treatment requires revascularization with the primary target being the superior mesenteric artery. Endovascular revascularization with a balloon-expandable covered intraluminal stent is the recommended initial treatment with open repair reserved for select younger patients and those who are not endovascular candidates. Long-term follow-up and surveillance are recommended after revascularization and for asymptomatic patients with severe mesenteric occlusive disease. Patient with recurrent symptoms after revascularization owing to recurrent stenoses should be treated with an endovascular-first approach, similar to the de novo lesion. CONCLUSIONS: These practice guidelines were developed based on the best available evidence. They should help to optimize the care of patients with CMI. Multiple areas for future research were identified.

Association Between Body Mass Index and Perioperative Mortality After Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The attempt to repair a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm carries a significant risk of perioperative mortality. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and outcomes after repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has not been well defined. We report the association of BMI with outcomes after ruptured AAA repair. METHODS: Patients undergoing ruptured AAA repairs between 2008 and 2017 at 2 tertiary academic centers were included in this retrospective study. Demographics (including BMI), type of repair, length of stay, and admission mortality risk scores were gathered and analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was reported with 95% CIs and P values from the multivariate analysis. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Akaike information criterion (AIC) and c-statistics were used to assess the predictive power of models including physiologic score with or without BMI. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients underwent repair of ruptured AAA. In bivariate relationship, increased BMI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality. With multivariate analysis, adjusting for demographics, type of procedure, and physiologic score, for each kg/m2 increase in BMI, an 8% increase in the likelihood of perioperative mortality (AOR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.17; P = .04) was observed. CONCLUSION: When adjusted for admission risk score, type of procedure, and demographics, obesity was associated with increased 30-day mortality. With BMI as an additional data point, the c-statistics and AIC comparisons indicated that we would have a greater ability to preoperatively estimate mortality after ruptured AAA repair. Consideration could be made to include BMI in future mortality risk scoring systems for ruptured AAA.

Endovascular Treatment of a Persistent Traumatic Deep Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula After Gunshot Injury.

This article describes a deep femoral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) diagnosed over a decade after a small caliber gunshot injury to the groin. The fistula persisted following 2 previous attempts at endovascular exclusion and was referred to our institution for further care. We describe the successful exclusion of the AVF via a combination of endovascular techniques. Postoperatively, obliteration was noted to be durable for 4 additional years of follow-up.

The 2020 appropriate use criteria for chronic lower extremity venous disease of the American Venous Forum, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the American Vein and Lymphatic Society, and the Society of Interventional Radiology.

BACKGROUND: Stimulated by published reports of potentially inappropriate application of venous procedures, the American Venous Forum and its Ethics Task Force in collaboration with multiple other professional societies including the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), American Vein and Lymphatic Society (AVLS), and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) developed the appropriate use criteria (AUC) for chronic lower extremity venous disease to provide clarity to the application of venous procedures, duplex ultrasound imaging, timing, and reimbursements. METHODS: The AUC were developed using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, a validated method of developing appropriateness criteria in health care. By conducting a modified Delphi exercise and incorporating best available evidence and expert opinion, AUC were developed and scored. RESULTS: There were 119 scenarios rated on a scale of 1 to 9 by an expert panel, with 1 being never appropriate and 9 being appropriate. The majority of scenarios consisted of symptomatic indications were deemed appropriate for venous intervention. For scenarios with anatomically short segments of reflux and/or no symptoms, the indications were rated less appropriate. For the indication of edema, a wide dispersion of ratings was observed especially for short segments of saphenous reflux or stenting for iliac/ inferior vena cava disease, noting that there are multifactorial causes of edema, some of which could coexist with venous disease and possibly impact effectiveness of treatment. Several scenarios were considered never appropriate, including treatment of saphenous veins with no reflux, iliac vein or inferior vena cava stenting for iliac vein compression as an incidental finding by imaging with minimal or no symptoms or signs, and incentivizing sonographers to find reflux. CONCLUSIONS: The AUC statements are intended to serve as a guide to patient care, particularly in areas where high-quality evidence is lacking to aid clinicians in making day-to-day decisions for common venous interventions. This may also prove useful when applied on a population level, such as practice patterns, and not necessarily to dictate decision making for individual cases. As a product of a collaborative effort, it is hoped that this could be utilized by physicians and multiple stakeholders committed toward improving patient care and to identify and stimulate future research priorities.

The 2020 update of the CEAP classification system and reporting standards.

The CEAP (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology) classification is an internationally accepted standard for describing patients with chronic venous disorders and it has been used for reporting clinical research findings in scientific journals. Developed in 1993, updated in 1996, and revised in 2004, CEAP is a classification system based on clinical manifestations of chronic venous disorders, on current understanding of the etiology, the involved anatomy, and the underlying venous pathology. As the evidence related to these aspects of venous disorders, and specifically of chronic venous diseases (CVD, C2-C6) continue to develop, the CEAP classification needs periodic analysis and revisions. In May of 2017, the American Venous Forum created a CEAP Task Force and charged it to critically analyze the current classification system and recommend revisions, where needed. Guided by four basic principles (preservation of the reproducibility of CEAP, compatibility with prior versions, evidence-based, and practical for clinical use), the Task Force has adopted the revised Delphi process and made several changes. These changes include adding Corona phlebectatica as the C4c clinical subclass, introducing the modifier "r" for recurrent varicose veins and recurrent venous ulcers, and replacing numeric descriptions of the venous segments by their common abbreviations. This report describes all these revisions and the rationale for making these changes.

Procedural Complexity of TransCarotid Artery Revascularization Is Not Increased in Irradiated and Reoperative Necks.

BACKGROUND: TransCarotid Revascularization (TCAR) with dynamic flow reversal using the ENROUTE Neuroprotection System (ENPS) is a Food and Drug Administration-approved alternative carotid revascularization modality. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether TCAR in a hostile (fibrotic) surgical field increases procedural complexity and postoperative complications. METHODS: Perioperative variables for all institutional TCARs performed between December 2015 and April 2019 were prospectively captured. Procedures performed as part of the ongoing ROADSTER-2 registry were excluded. Univariate analysis, consisting of Student's T and Fisher's exact testing, comparing virgin and hostile neck TCAR, was performed at an alpha of 0.05. RESULTS: During the study period, 149 total procedures (n = 30, hostile ipsilateral necks) qualified for inclusion. Both hostile and virgin neck groups were comparable with respect to preoperative comorbidities and medication profiles. The ipsilateral hostile neck cohort consisted of ten patients who underwent previous ipsilateral neck radiation and 23 who were status after neck dissection (3 had both). Intraoperatively, there were no differences with respect to estimated blood loss (47.2 vs. 44.8 mL, P = 0.81), operative time (69.5 vs. 74.5 min, P = 0.38), reverse flow time (12.4 vs. 10.4 min, P = 0.34), radiation exposure (217.7 vs. 226.2 mGy, P = 0.88), fluoroscopy time (5.4 vs. 5.0 min, P = 0.65), contrast usage (23.5 vs. 25.0 mL, P = 0.55), and ability to achieve technical success (96.7% vs. 100%, P = 0.58) between virgin and hostile necks, respectively. Perioperative (30-day) ipsilateral stroke and death rate was 2.5% vs. 0% (P = 1.0) and 2.5% vs. 0% (P = 1.0), respectively, between virgin and hostile necks. We observed one postoperative cranial nerve injury in any of our TCAR patients (hostile neck, P = 0.20). Finally, a total of 3 hematomas (requiring washout) occurred in our (2 in virgin necks and one in a hostile neck) surgical cohort (P = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this limited, small series, TCAR in hostile surgical fields is not associated with an increase in case complexity and maintains a similar perioperative risk to virgin field procedures.

Aggressive Surveillance Is Needed to Detect Endoleaks and Junctional Separation between Device Components after Zenith Fenestrated Aortic Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Junctional separation and resulting type IIIa endoleak is a well-known problem after EVAR (endovascular aneurysm repair). This complication results in sac pressurization, enlargement, and eventual rupture. In this manuscript, we review the incidence of this late finding in our experience with the Cook Zenith fenestrated endoprosthesis (ZFEN, Bloomington, IN). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained institutional ZFEN fenestrated EVAR database capturing all ZFENs implanted at a large-volume, academic hospital system. Patients who experienced junctional separation between the fenestrated main body and distal bifurcated graft (with or without type IIIa endoleak) at any time after initial endoprosthesis implantation were subject to further evaluation of imaging and medical records to abstract clinical courses. RESULTS: In 110 ZFENs implanted from October 2012 to December 2017 followed for a mean of 1.5 years, we observed a 4.5% and 2.7% incidence of clinically significant junctional separation and type IIIa endoleak, respectively. Junctional separation was directly related to concurrent type Ib endoleak in all 5 patients. Three patients presented with sac enlargement. One patient did not demonstrate any evidence of clinically significant endoleak and had a decreasing sac size during follow-up imaging. The mean time to diagnosis of modular separation in these patients was 40 months. Junctional separation was captured in surveillance in 2 patients and reintervened upon before manifestation of endoleak. However, the remaining 3 patients completed modular separation resulting in rupture and emergent intervention in 2 and an aortic-related mortality in the other. CONCLUSIONS: Junctional separation between the fenestrated main and distal bifurcated body with the potential for type IIIa endoleak is an established complication associated with the ZFEN platform. Therefore, we advocate for maximizing aortic overlap during the index procedure followed by aggressive surveillance and treatment of stent overlap loss captured on imaging.

Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair-induced acute kidney injury does not result in chronic renal dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common physiologic complication after fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR). This investigation was initiated to determine the unknown impact of post-FEVAR AKI on long-term renal function after index hospital discharge. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of an institutional FEVAR database capturing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables related to the implantation of consecutive Zenith Fenestrated endografts (ZFEN; Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) between October 2012 and April 2018. AKI in this study was bimodally defined as qualification by either Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage (RIFLE) criteria or a postoperative serum creatinine (sCr) concentration increase of 0.5 mg/dL from baseline. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the validated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation. RESULTS: During the study period, 120 FEVARs were performed at our institution. Twenty-four (20%) patients exhibited postoperative AKI by our established definitions. Two in-hospital deaths occurred in the AKI cohort compared with none in the remaining FEVARs (P = .04). Four (16.7%) AKI patients required perioperative (<30-day) renal replacement therapy, three of whom were successfully weaned before discharge. FEVARs uncomplicated by AKI exhibited no differences in sCr concentration from baseline to 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up (mean, 1.8 ± 1.4 years). In contrast, patients exhibiting AKI experienced an sCr concentration increase of 57.1% (P = .01) at 1 month after the procedure. This elevation decreased to 14.3% (P = .35) at 6 months after the procedure and was maintained at baseline values at 1- and 2-year office visits (follow-up, 1.3 ± 1.5 years). A similar pattern of gradual recovery during follow-up was also observed with respect to calculated GFR. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is common after FEVAR but rarely results in permanent renal dysfunction as both sCr concentration and GFR return to baseline by 6 months after the procedure.

Outcomes associated with a transcarotid artery revascularization-centered protocol in high-risk carotid revascularizations using the ENROUTE neuroprotection system.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation describes the perioperative and early follow-up results associated with transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) in patients not participating in the Safety and Efficacy Study for Reverse Flow Used During Carotid Artery Stenting Procedure II (ROADSTER-2) registry using the ENROUTE neuroprotection system (ENPS; Silk Road Medical, Sunnyvale, Calif). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed capturing all TCAR/ENPS procedures in patients deemed to be at high risk for complications after traditional carotid endarterectomy. All patients enrolled in the ROADSTER-2 registry were excluded, leaving only those treated outside trial regulations for analysis. Preoperative demographics, intraoperative variables, and perioperative and follow-up outcomes were abstracted and reported herein. RESULTS: From December 2015 to January 2018, there were 75 carotid arteries treated at our institution. All interventions were performed on carotid arteries that were symptomatic with ≥50% stenosis (46.7%) or asymptomatic with ≥80% stenosis (53.3%) by duplex ultrasound and computed tomography angiography. Technical success in our series was 97.3% (73/75), with treatment failures attributed to one case of common carotid artery dissection and another secondary to stent maldeployment in the external carotid artery. Perioperative (30-day) ipsilateral stroke rate was 2.7% (n = 2), myocardial infarction incidence was 0%, and mortality rate was 2.7% (n = 2). We did not observe any cranial nerve injuries. After a mean follow-up of 8.0 ± 6.7 months, no carotid stents required reintervention. However, we noted one instance of minor (<50%) in-stent stenosis and one asymptomatic stent thrombosis. One additional ipsilateral stroke was observed on follow-up, probably from a cardiac source. CONCLUSIONS: We report that dynamic reverse-flow TCAR using the ENPS continues to be safe, feasible, and efficacious with minimal risks of postoperative stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality outside of ROADSTER-2 regulations.

Long-term outcomes after pediatric peripheral revascularization secondary to trauma at an urban level I center.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine our limb-related contemporary pediatric revascularization perioperative and follow-up outcomes after major blunt and penetrating trauma. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained pediatric trauma database spanning January 2010 to December 2017 to capture all level I trauma activations that resulted in a peripheral arterial revascularization procedure. All preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative continuous variables are reported as a mean ± standard deviation; categorical variables are reported as a percentage of the population of interest. RESULTS: During the study period, 1399 level I trauma activations occurred at a large-volume, urban children's hospital. The vascular surgery service was consulted in 2.6% (n = 36) of these cases for suspected vascular injury based on imaging or physical examination. Our study population included only patients who received an arterial revascularization, which was performed in 23 of the 36 consultations (1.6% of total traumas; median age, 11 years). These injuries were localized to the upper extremity in 60.9% (n = 14), lower extremity in 30.4% (n = 7), and neck in 8.7% (n = 2). The mean Injury Severity Score in the revascularized cohort was 14.0 (±7.6). Bone fractures were associated with 39.1% of the vascular injuries (90% of blunt injuries). Restoration of in-line flow was achieved by an endovascular solution in one patient and open surgery in the remainder, consisting of arterial bypass in 59.1% and direct repair in 40.9%. Within 30 days of the operation, we observed no deaths, no infections of the arterial reconstruction, and no major amputations. One patient required perioperative reintervention by the vascular team secondary to the development of a superficial seroma without evidence of graft involvement. Mean follow-up in our cohort was 43.3 (±35.4) months. During this phase, no additional deaths, amputations, chronic wounds, or limb length discrepancies were observed. All vascular repairs were patent, and all but one patient reported normal function of the affected limb at the latest clinic visit. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic peripheral vascular injury is rare in the pediatric population but is often observed secondary to a penetrating force or after long bone fracture. However, contemporary perioperative and long-term outcomes after surgical revascularization are excellent as demonstrated in this institutional case series.

Adjunctive visceral artery chimney in patients undergoing Zenith Fenestrated aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: Visceral artery chimneys have been employed as an adjunct to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) to treat short-neck infrarenal and juxtarenal aortic aneurysms for more than two decades. With the widespread introduction of fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair by the Food and Drug Administration-approved Zenith Fenestrated endograft (ZFEN; Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) to the United States in 2012, clinicians gained the ability to apply the chimney technique to these custom devices for difficult anatomy. The purpose of this report was to demonstrate feasibility and to provide evidence on the performance of chimneys for the treatment of complex juxtarenal aneurysms that could not be adequately treated with ZFEN alone. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of a prospectively maintained institutional ZFEN database capturing 110 fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repairs from October 2012 to January 2018 to identify patients undergoing a concomitant visceral artery chimney. All patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded from further analysis. Demographic, anatomic, intraoperative, perioperative, and follow-up characteristics were tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: Six patients met criteria and were included in this investigation. They were universally male with a mean age of 76.2 years at the time of ZFEN/chimney. Chimneys were placed in a total of six visceral arteries (n = 1 per patient) consisting of three renal arteries, two celiac arteries, and one accessory renal artery. Mean estimated blood loss and operative time were 283 mL and 298 minutes, respectively. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Two small type IA "gutter" endoleaks were detected early; both spontaneously resolved on follow-up. We observed no instances of chimney migration, stenosis, or thrombosis perioperatively or on follow-up. Two reinterventions were performed in these six patients; these consisted of a repeated renal stent for ostial stenosis at a main body fenestration and a common femoral artery endarterectomy and patch angioplasty for an access-related common femoral artery occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Use of ZFEN in conjunction with a singular chimney is safe, feasible, and durable in patients with difficult anatomy who do not meet instructions for use as demonstrated in this limited series.