Elevation of cardiac enzymes and B-type natriuretic peptides following venous recanalization and stenting in chronic venous obstruction.

BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP) and cardiac enzymes are both recognized biomarkers of heart health. Many studies have reported that using these indicators can assess cardiac condition and predict prognosis of patients undergoing surgery. Currently little is known on the effect of increased cardiac input after venous recanalization on cardiac physiology in patients with chronic venous obstruction (CVO). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of iliocaval recanalization and stenting on cardiac biomarkers in patients with CVO. METHODS: This was a prospective study involving 60 patients in a single unit. Blood tests were collected 1 day before and 1 day after venous intervention. Three groups as group 1: patients with iliofemoral post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) but without involvement of inferior vena cava (IVC) (n = 33); group 2: patients with iliofemoral PTS and involvement of IVC (n = 19) and group 3: patients with non-thrombotic vein lesion (NIVL) (n = 8) were compared based on cardiac biomarker levels. RESULTS: Median concentration of post-operative BNP (259.60 pg/mL) was greater than preoperative levels (49.80 pg/mL) [interquartile range (IQR), 147.15/414.68 versus 29.85/82.88; p < 0.001]. The levels of CK-MB [preop: 3 U/l (IQR, 1.40/11.00) versus postop: 14 U/l (IQR, 12/17), p < 0.001] and troponin T [preop: 3.00 pg/mL (IQR, 3.00/5.25) versus postop: level of 6 pg/mL (IQR, 3.00/9.50), p < 0.001]. Post-procedure increases in cardiac enzymes showed significant differences in BNP (p = 0.023) and troponin T (p = 0.007) across the three groups, while CK-MB levels were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Intergroup comparisons of postoperative BNP: group 1 versus group 2 (p = 0.013), group 2 versus group 3 (p = 0.029), group 1 versus group 3 (p = 0.834); and postoperative troponin T: group 1 versus group 2 (p = 0.018), group 2 versus group 3 (p = 0.002), group 1 versus group 3 (p = 0.282). According to multiple linear regression analysis, length of stenting and level of preoperative BNP were independent determinants of postoperative BNP levels (p < 0.05), and preoperative troponin T affected postoperative troponin T independently (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Troponin T, CK-MB and BNP seem to increase after venous recanalization and stent implantation, the elevation being more prominent for longer lesions.

Interventional treatment for post-thrombotic chronic venous obstruction: Progress and challenges.

Chronic venous obstruction, including nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions and post-thrombotic syndrome, presents a significant burden on patients' quality of life and health care systems. Venous recanalization and stenting have emerged as promising minimally invasive approaches, yet challenges in patient selection, procedural techniques, and long-term outcomes persist. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the interventional treatment of post-thrombotic syndrome, focusing on the evolution of endovascular techniques and stenting. Patient selection criteria, procedural details, and the characteristics of dedicated venous stents are discussed. Particular emphasis is given to the role of inflow and other anatomical considerations, along with postoperative management protocols for an optimal long-term outcome.

The role and principles of stenting in acute iliofemoral venous thrombosis.

Catheter-directed interventions for acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) have been increasingly used over the past 15 years to target severe symptomatology and prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome incidence or reduce its severity if it were to develop. Aside from successful thrombus removal, adjunctive stents are frequently required to treat an uncovered lesion or significant residual thrombus to ensure quality of life improvement besides retarding DVT recurrence and post-thrombotic syndrome. As the evidence is mounting, the need and role for stenting, as well as the principles of an optimal technique, in the acute DVT setting are now better understood. Accumulating experience appears to favor stenting in the acute setting. The diameter of the stent, the length, the extent of overlapping, and the landing zones are crucial determinants of a successful durable outcome. This article endeavors to guide the interventionalist on stenting when encountering a patient with acute symptomatic iliofemoral DVT with concerns of quality of life impairment.

The emerging role of mechanical thrombectomy in acute DVT management.

Catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy in various technical combinations have been the main driver of acute deep venous interventions for over a decade. While the majority of high-level evidence was based on it, CDT requires longer procedural care and is associated to a small but not negligible bleeding risk. Contemporary DVT intervention, following the paradigm shift in myocardial infarction and stroke management, has steadily migrated towards minimizing or eliminating thrombolytics due to the introduction of mechanical/aspiration thrombectomy. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) devices are undoubtedly improving our ability to remove thrombus more efficiently in a single session without the adverse events and complex logistics related to the use of thrombolytics.

The toolbox of acute DVT intervention.

Although the thrombectomy system is very important, there are many other devices and supportive tools that build the foundation for a successful interventional procedure. We suggest a toolbox of acute DVT intervention to aid in all likely strategies to effectively remove thrombus from the deep venous vasculature.

Single-center experience with catheter-directed thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty for acute upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis: a case series study.

BACKGROUND: Effective treatment of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is crucial to prevent further complications. Various treatments, including percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT), catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), decompression surgery, and venoplasty are suggested for UEDVT. However, no prospective study has yet favored any of these treatments. This study presents a review of our experience with CDT followed by balloon venoplasty in patients with acute primary UEDVT. METHODS: We enrolled all patients diagnosed with acute UEDVT from January 2020 to June 2021. Subjects with UEDVT due to secondary causes like malignancies, indwelling catheters, or leads were excluded. CDT was performed through brachial vein access, using a perfusion catheter, and rt-PA administration. Balloon venoplasty was performed if the treated segment had remaining stenosis after CDT. Patients were followed up at the vein clinic for any signs and symptoms in the upper extremity and lifestyle changes. Follow-up ultrasonography was done 12 months after discharge. RESULTS: Twelve patients with a mean age of 41.08 ± 14.0 years were included in the study. The mean duration of CDT was 25.00 ± 10.56 h. After CDT, all patients had remaining occlusions, with seven having more than 50% remaining stenosis. However, after balloon venoplasty, no patient had significant (more than 50%) stenosis. There was no serious complication after both procedures. Patients were followed up for a mean duration of twelve months after their admission, with a mean time of maintenance anticoagulation was 10.73 ± 5.77 months. Only one patient had recurrent symptoms in his target limb which required a decompression surgery, while the rest were free of symptoms in their treated extremity. No subject developed pulmonary emboli (PE) during admission or the follow-up period. There was no evidence of hospital readmission for any reason. Upper extremity color-doppler sonography of the patients at twelve months after their procedure showed normal venous flow without any significant stenosis in 8 (66.7%), and partially normal flow with patent target vein in 4 (33.3%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: CDT followed by balloon venoplasty may be an effective treatment for selected patients with acute primary UEDVT, providing desirable long-term results and potentially avoiding the need for decompression surgery in the short or long term.

Editor's Choice - Quality of Life after Stenting for Iliofemoral Venous Obstruction: A Randomised Controlled Trial with One Year Follow Up.

OBJECTIVE: Deep venous obstruction (DVO) is a great burden on the healthcare system and patients' quality of life (QoL). Case series show stenting is safe and effective, however most studies lack control groups and QoL changes have not been compared with conventional treatment. The aim was to assess the difference in QoL changes from baseline to 12 months between stent and conventionally treated patients with DVO. METHODS: Subjects > 18 years old with DVO due to post-thrombotic (PTS) or non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVLs) in a tertiary hospital were prospectively randomised to best medical therapy (BMT) or stent placement with BMT in a ratio 2:1, stratified for PTS or NIVL. The primary outcome was the between group difference in VEINES-QoL scores change from baseline to 12 months after treatment. Secondary outcomes included the difference in score changes for EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L), Pain Disability Index (PDI), Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and the Villalta score. RESULTS: After three years, the inclusion rate dropped to almost zero, therefore the study had to be stopped. Sixty-three patients were randomised to either the stent (n = 42) or control group (n = 21). Overall, 50 patients had available data for primary outcome analysis. The adjusted mean difference between 12 month scores for VEINES-QoL and VEINES-Sym was 8.07 (95% CI 3.04 - 13.09) and 5.99 (95% CI 0.75 - 11.24) (p = .026), respectively, in favour of the stent group. The differences were significant, but a pre-defined meaningful 14 point improvement in QoL was not reached. The mean difference between 12 month scores for VCSS was -2.93 (95% CI -5.71 - 0.16, p = .040), -11.83 (95% CI -20.81 - 2.86, p = .011) for PDI, 0.015 (95% CI -0.12 - 0.15, p = .82) for the EQ-5D index, and -2.99 (95% CI -7.28 - 1.30, p = .17) for the Villalta score. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic patients with DVO who received dedicated venous stents had significantly higher VEINES-QoL/Sym scores at 12 months compared with the control group, but the between group difference was lower than the pre-specified clinically relevant QoL difference of at least 14 points. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03026049.

Factors associated with difficulty in stenting the chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this article is to investigate the causes of technical failure during endovascular recanalization in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome with occluded iliofemoral veins and to suggest alternative techniques to improve outcomes in such challenging cases. METHODS: Between November 2015 and August 2020, 230 patients (274 limbs) treated in our institution with symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction underwent endovascular recanalization with angioplasty and stent placement. Overall, the initial attempt was unsuccessful in 15 limbs. We retrospectively analyzed the basic demographic and health characteristics of the involved patients and evaluated the endovascular procedures and techniques that resulted in a successful second intervention. RESULTS: The first attempts at endovascular intervention were unsuccessful in 15 of the 274 limbs (5.4%). Failures were attributed to hostile groin areas in intravenous drug abusers caused by multiple punctures in six cases. In addition, five interventions failed due to prior surgery at the site of venous occlusion and in retroperitoneal space, three patients due to severe stent deformity, and one patient due to congenital venous aplasia. Of the 15 patients, 11 underwent a subsequent attempt that included six successful recanalizations. The mean follow-up time of the six patients with successful recanalization was 27 months (5-62 months). The primary, assisted primary and secondary patency rates were 83.3%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The remaining five patients, in whom the second recanalization attempt failed, received conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Recanalization failure is rare in chronic venous obstruction patients. Severe stent deformities have the lowest chance of successful second intervention. Patients with a hostile groin or prior open surgeries at the occlusion site may be considered for reintervention with a success rate of nearly 50%.

Stent deformations in the common iliac and iliofemoral veins as a result of hip flexion and extension.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we characterized deformations of venous stents implanted into common iliac veins for nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions and iliofemoral veins for deep vein thrombosis due to hip movements commensurate with everyday activities such as walking, sitting, and stair climbing. METHODS: Patients treated with iliofemoral venous stents were recruited from three centers and underwent imaging with two orthogonal two-dimensional projection radiographs. Stents in the common iliac veins and iliofemoral veins crossing the hip joint were imaged with the hip in 0°, 30°, 90° and -15°, 0°, and 30° positions, respectively. Using the radiographs, the three-dimensional geometries of the stents were constructed for each hip position, and the diametric and bending deformations between those positions were quantified. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included, and the findings showed that the common iliac vein stents experienced approximately twofold more local diametric compression with 90° hip flexion compared with 30° flexion. Also, iliofemoral vein stents crossing the hip joint experienced significant bending with hip hyperextension (-15°) but not with hip flexion. In both anatomic locations, maximum local diametric and bending deformations were in proximity with each other. CONCLUSIONS: Stents implanted in the common iliac and iliofemoral veins exhibit greater deformation during high hip flexion and hyperextension, respectively, and iliofemoral venous stents interact with the superior ramus of the pubis during hyperextension. These findings suggest that device fatigue could be influenced by the type and level of patient physical activity, in addition to anatomic positioning, opening up the potential benefit of activity modification and the use of a careful implantation strategy. The proximity of maximum diametric and bending deformations means that simultaneous multimodal deformations should be considered for device design and evaluation.

Fake-news-free evidence-based communication for proper vein-lymphatic disease management.

Published scientific evidence demonstrate the current spread of healthcare misinformation in the most popular social networks and unofficial communication channels. Up to 40% of the medical websites were identified reporting inappropriate information, moreover being shared more than 450,000 times in a 5-year-time frame. The phenomenon is particularly spread in infective diseases medicine, oncology and cardiovascular medicine. The present document is the result of a scientific and educational endeavor by a worldwide group of top experts who selected and analyzed the major issues and related evidence-based facts on vein and lymphatic management. A section of this work is entirely dedicated to the patients and therefore written in layman terms, with the aim of improving public vein-lymphatic awareness. The part dedicated to the medical professionals includes a revision of the current literature, summing up the statements that are fully evidence-based in venous and lymphatic disease management, and suggesting future lines of research to fulfill the still unmet needs. The document has been written following an intense digital interaction among dedicated working groups, leading to an institutional project presentation during the Universal Expo in Dubai, in the occasion of the v-WINter 2022 meeting.

Intraoperative Hemoadsorption (Cytosorb™) during Open Thoracoabdominal Aortic Repair: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of cytokine adsorption in controlling the early inflammation cascade after open thoracoabdominal aortic (TAAA) repair has not been investigated. The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to assess the feasibility and effect of perioperative hemoadsorption during open TAAA repair. METHODS: Patients scheduled for open TAAA repair with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were included. The patients were randomized the day before surgery to either intraoperative hemoadsorption during CPB or standard of care. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group, whereas the control group consisted of 17 patients (mean age of the total cohort, 51.1 ± 11.2 years, 67% male, 3 patients not randomized). The majority of baseline and perioperative characteristics were similar, and no device-related adverse events were reported. A trend to shorter ventilation times in the intervention group was observed (median 88 h vs. 510 h, p = 0.08, Δ422). Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome was significantly less in the intervention patients (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first pilot study showing that the intraoperative use of hemoadsorption in open TAAA repair patients may be feasible and safe, yet larger trials are needed to evaluate whether intraoperative hemoadsorption is associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Development of a prediction model for deep vein thrombosis in a retrospective cohort of patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: Early and accurate prediction and diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is essential to allow for immediate treatment and reduce potential complications. However, all potentially strong risk factors have not been included in pretest probability assessments such as the Wells score. In addition, the Wells score might not be suitable for use in primary care because it was developed for secondary care. We hypothesized that the addition of more risk factors for DVT to existing diagnostic approaches could improve the prediction of DVT. METHODS: All consecutive patients suspected of having DVT from 2004 to 2016 in a primary care setting were included in our retrospective study. All the patients had undergone Wells score, D-dimer, and duplex ultrasound assessments. The available recorded data of the patients were used to develop a model to predict DVT. RESULTS: Of 3381 eligible patients, 489 (14.5%) had confirmed DVT. The developed model, which included the D-dimer level, Wells score, gender, anticoagulation use, age, and family history of venous thrombosis, was able to distinguish patients with DVT among those with suspected DVT with a sensitivity of 82% (95% confidence interval, 78%-86%) and specificity of 82% (95% confidence interval, 80%-83%). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model was able to predict for the presence of DVT among all patients with suspected DVT in a primary care setting with reasonable accuracy. Further validation in prospective studies is required.

Assessment of the lymphatic system by indirect lymphography in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Alterations in lower extremity lymph drainage caused by chronic venous obstruction (CVO) have not been well studied, partially because of a lack of standardized imaging modalities to assess the quality of lymphatic drainage in the lower extremities of patients with post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). However, these changes are likely to have an impact on the severity of the disease and clinical outcomes of interventions. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility and diagnostic value of preintervention indirect lymphography in patients with CVO and their pre- and postintervention Villalta scores. METHODS: A total of 17 patients (21 limbs) with iliofemoral and caval CVO were included in the study between 2017 and 2018. The deep and superficial lymphatic vessels in both legs were assessed before venous recanalization and stenting. The quality of lymphatic flow was compared between the legs with CVO and healthy legs. Moreover, the correlation between the lymphatic changes and clinical severity of PTS was evaluated using the Villalta score and CEAP (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology) classification. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 44 ± 12 years, and 10 patients (59%) were women. The patients had undergone treatment at a mean of 25 ± 6 months after their first episode of deep vein thrombosis. Five patients (29%) had had recurrent deep vein thrombosis. The mean pre- and postinterventional Villalta score was 10.5 ± 1.46 and 9.27 ± 1.12, respectively (P = .0096). Using the CEAP classification, four legs were class 5, seven were class 4, and three each were class 3 and 2. The primary and secondary patency rate was 70.5% and 82.5% after a mean follow-up of 18 months, respectively. Indirect lymphography of the superficial and deep lymphatic systems was completed before intervention in both legs for all 17 patients (21 legs). According to the qualitative criteria, abnormal lymphatic vessel function was found in 35.2% of the superficial and 58.8% of the deep lymphatic vessels of the affected legs. Further analysis revealed abnormal function of the deep lymphatic vessels in all patients with moderate to severe PTS according to the Villalta score. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect lymphography is a feasible diagnostic tool to use for the evaluation of the function of lymphatic vessels. Impaired drainage of the deep lymphatic system was found in all our patients with moderate to severe PTS. The clinical significance of these lymphatic changes is not clear; however, an association between clinical severity and outcomes is possible.

A risk score for iliofemoral patients with deep vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common condition with a high risk of post-thrombotic morbidity, especially in patients with a proximal thrombus. Successful iliofemoral clot removal has been shown to decrease the severity of post-thrombotic syndrome. It is assumed that earlier thrombus lysis is associated with a better outcome. Generally, the earlier IFDVT is confirmed, the earlier thrombus lysis could be performed. d-Dimer levels and Wells score are currently used to assess the preduplex probability for DVT; however, some studies indicate that the d-dimer value varies depending on the thrombus extent and localization. Using d-dimer and other risk factors might facilitate development of a model selecting those with an increased risk of IFDVT that might benefit from early referral for additional analysis and adjunctive iliofemoral thrombectomy. METHODS: All consecutive adult patients from a retrospective cohort of STAR diagnostic center (primary care) in Rotterdam suspected of having DVT between September 2004 and August 2016 were assessed for this retrospective study. The diagnostic workup for DVT including Wells score and d-dimer were performed as well as complete duplex ultrasound examination. Patients with objective evidence of DVT were categorized according to thrombus localization using the Lower Extremity Thrombolysis classification. Logistic regression analysis was done for a model predicting IFDVT. The cut-off value of the model was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: A total of 3381 patients were eligible for study recruitment, of whom 489 (14.5%) had confirmed DVT. We developed a multivariate model (sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 82%; area under the curve, 0.90; 0.86-0.93) based on d-dimer, Wells score, age, and anticoagulation use, which is able to distinguish IFDVT patients from all patients suspected of DVT. CONCLUSIONS: This multivariate model adequately distinguishes IFDVT among all suspected DVT patients. Practically, this model could give each patient a preduplex risk score, which could be used to prioritize suspected IFDVT patients for an immediate imaging test to confirm or exclude IFDVT. Further validation studies are needed to confirm potential of this prediction model for IFDVT.

Comparison of endovascular strategy versus hybrid procedure in treatment of chronic venous obstructions involving the confluence of common femoral vein.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of extensive chronic venous obstruction (CVO) with post-thrombotic trabeculation involving the common femoral vein with extension into the femoral vein or deep femoral vein remains a challenge and the best treatment technique for such cases is not clear. In the present study, we compared the results of endovascular alone vs endovascular with additional endophlebectomy (hybrid) procedures for such patients. METHODS: The medical records of 102 consecutive patients (108 limbs) treated between 2015 and 2020 for iliofemoral CVO extending to the femoral confluence were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: the hybrid procedure (HP) and endovascular treatment (EN) groups. The HP group consisted of those treated with stent implantation and endophlebectomy of the common femoral vein with creation of an arteriovenous fistula. The EN group included those who had undergone stent implantation alone. The patency rates, complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 102 patients, 47 (49 limbs) were in the EN group and 55 (59 limbs) were in the HP group. The demographics of the two groups were similar with no statistically significant differences in cumulative primary, assisted primary, or secondary patency rates at 36 months (33.7% vs 36.3%, P = .839; 59.8% vs 64%, P = .941; 69% vs 72.7%, P = .851; respectively). The patients in the EN group, however, had better clinical improvement with a lower postoperative complication rate (P = .012), shorter procedure duration (P < .001), and shorter hospital stay (P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: The EN and HP both provided similar patency rates for patients with CVO extending into the femoral confluence. The endovascular strategy has the benefit of fewer postoperative complications and a shorter procedure duration and hospital stay compared with the HP.

Effect of Stent Strut Interval on Neointima Formation After Venous Stenting in an Ovine Model.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of stent design on venous patency is not well studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stent material burden on endothelial coverage of stented venous segments, which may contribute to vessel healing and patency. METHODS: Segmented self expanding bare nitinol stents (18 × 50 mm) comprising 5 mm long attached metallic rings separated by 2, 5, or 8 mm gaps were implanted in the inferior vena cava (IVC) of 10 sheep. These stents were designed and manufactured for the purposes of this study. At six, 12, and 24 weeks after implantation the animals were euthanised and the stented vessels harvested for histomorphometric analysis. Three sections from the metallic part as well as the gaps between the struts were reviewed for quantification of endothelialisation after six, 12, and 24 weeks. The intimal thickness over and between the stent struts was measured. The endothelialisation score (graded from 1 for complete luminal endothelialisation to 5 for absence of endothelial cells) was determined. RESULTS: All stents were successfully deployed and all 10 sheep survived until the time of harvesting. Macroscopic inspection after 24 weeks showed only partial endothelialisation over stents with 2 mm and 5 mm skipped segments, whereas the stents with 8 mm skipped segments were totally incorporated into the vein wall. After 24 weeks, the mean (SD) neointimal thicknesses over stent struts with 2 mm, 5 mm, and 8 mm skipped segments were 254.0 (51.6), 182.2 (98.1), and 194.6 (101.1) µm, respectively. Comparison of endothelialisation scores of stents over time showed statistically significantly better endothelialisation over stents with 8 mm gaps after 12 and 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: Stent designs providing structural support to veins with larger gaps between the scaffold material appear to lead to faster and more complete endothelialisation as well as a thinner intimal layer.

Intermittent pneumatic compression after varicose vein surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is an established treatment option to remove tissue fluid from patients with lymphedema and chronic venous disease. The effects of IPC applied directly after varicose vein surgery performed with high volumes of tumescent local anesthesia have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of postoperative IPC concerning its effects on the leg volume and patient comfort after surgery. METHODS: We performed an investigator-initiated, single-center, open-label randomized controlled trial. A total of 186 patients indicated for saphenofemoral junction ligation and great saphenous vein or anterior accessory saphenous vein stripping or great saphenous vein redo surgery were randomly assigned 1:1 to the intervention or control group. The patients in the intervention group were treated with IPC at 40 mm Hg for 45 minutes directly after surgery. The outcome measures were the leg volume changes calculated using an optical three-dimensional scanning system (primary objective), quality of life (QoL; Freiburg Life Quality Assessment for chronic venous disease, short form), pain, and extent of ecchymosis with follow-up examinations on days 1 and 7 after surgery. RESULTS: The patients in both groups had comparable mean leg volume reductions from baseline to day 1 (IPC group, 58.8 mL; control group, 37.4 mL; P = .967) and to day 7 (63.1 mL and 57.0 mL, respectively; P = .546). We also did not observe significant differences between the two groups in QoL and pain. The patients in the IPC group had developed larger areas of ecchymosis compared with the control group (16% vs 13.3% of leg surface, respectively; P = .046), with a tendency toward an increase in pain at 7 days after surgery compared with no IPC application. CONCLUSIONS: The present randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the decongestive effects of a single postoperative session of IPC and its effect on QoL, pain, and ecchymosis in patients who had undergone varicose vein surgery under tumescent local anesthesia. Because no evidence for a benefit from IPC could be found in the present study and increased ecchymosis was found, its standard use after varicose vein surgery cannot be recommended.

SLPI - a Biomarker of Acute Kidney Injury after Open and Endovascular Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm (TAAA) Repair.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a relevant complication following thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair (TAAA). Biomarkers, such as secretory leucocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI), may enable a more accurate diagnosis. In this study, we tested if SLPI measured in serum is an appropriate biomarker of AKI after TAAA repair. In a prospective observational single-center study including 33 patients (51.5% women, mean age 63.0 ± 16.2 years) undergoing open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in 2017, SLPI was measured peri-operatively (until 72 h after surgery). After surgery, the postoperative complications AKI, as defined according to the KDIGO diagnostic criteria, sepsis, death, MACE (major cardiovascular events) and, pneumonia were assessed. In a subgroup analysis, patients with preexisting kidney disease were excluded. Of 33 patients, 51.5% (n = 17) of patients developed AKI. Twelve hours after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), SLPI serum levels were significantly increased in patients who developed AKI. Multivariable logistic regression revealed a significant association between SLPI 12 hours after admission to ICU and AKI (P = 0.0181, OR = 1.055, 95% CI = 1.009-1.103). The sensitivity of SLPI for AKI prediction was 76.47% (95% CI = 50.1-93.2) and the specificity was 87.5% (95% CI = 61.7-98.4) with an AUC = 0.838 (95% CI = 0.7-0.976) for an optimal cut-off 70.03 ng/ml 12 hours after surgery. In patients without pre-existing impaired renal function, an improved diagnostic quality of SLPI for AKI was observed (Sensitivities of 45.45-91.67%, Specificities of 77.7-100%, AUC = 0.716-0.932). There was no association between perioperative SLPI and the incidence of sepsis, death, MACE (major cardiovascular events), pneumonia. This study suggests that SLPI might be a post-operative biomarker of AKI after TAAA repair, with a superior diagnostic accuracy for patients without preexisting impaired renal function.