ORal anticoagulation risks late aortic intervention in Conservatively managed type B Aortic dissection (ORCA study).

OBJECTIVES: Single-center retrospective cohort study to evaluate the impact of oral anticoagulation (OAC) on long-term outcomes of conservatively managed acute type B aortic dissection. METHODS: Clinical and morphological data of eligible patients from a high-volume vascular centre from 1 January 2003 through 31 December 2020 were evaluated. Patients were excluded for: type A or non-A-non-B dissection, isolated abdominal dissection, intramural haematoma and connective tissue disease. The primary outcome was freedom from late aortic events (intervention, rupture and mortality). Secondary outcomes included spinal cord ischaemia, bleeding, reno-visceral artery occlusion, ilio-femoral intervention, dissection propagation, aortic growth, aortic remodelling, deterioration of false lumen thrombosis as well as 30-day and overall mortality. Time to event was analysed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with OAC as time-varying covariate and mortality as a competing risk. The impact of OAC was adjusted for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients [50 males, median age 65 (interquartile range: 58-72) years] were enrolled. The median follow-up was 49.3 (28-92) months. A total of 47 patients (68%) received OAC at any time throughout the follow-up for a median length of 26 (11-61) months. Late aortic events occurred in 28 patients (41%) including intervention (n = 27, 39%) and rupture (n = 1, 1%). OAC was associated with more late aortic events (hazard ratio 3.94, 95% confidence interval 1.06-14.6, P = 0.040). Secondary outcomes were not associated with OAC. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a relation of OAC therapy with an increased risk for late aortic interventions. Type B aortic dissection should not be the primary indication for OAC and patients with OAC for other indications require frequent follow-up imaging.

Influence of measurement and sizing techniques in thoracic endovascular aortic repair on outcome in acute complicated type B aortic dissections.

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the first-line therapy in acute complicated type B aortic dissections (cTBAD). Nevertheless, no evidence-based consensus on the optimal measurement technique and sizing for TEVAR in cTBAD exists. The aim was to evaluate how different measurement and sizing techniques for TEVAR affect long-term outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis investigating the association between sizing and postoperative results after TEVAR in patients with cTBAD, treated between January 2003 and December 2020. Diameter measurements were performed perpendicular to a centreline in pre-interventional Computed tomography angiographies. Oversizing was determined by measuring aortic diameter in zone 2 of the aortic arch in relation to the implanted stent graft, and categorized into 2 sizing groups (≤10% and >10%). The primary outcome was freedom from aortic-related events. Secondary outcomes included mortality and a comparison of 3 alternative measurement techniques considering the estimated pre-dissection diameter. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (median age 69, interquartile range 59.6-78.2 years) were included. Stent graft oversizing by ≤10% showed a trend towards fewer aortic-related events hazard ratio 0.455 (95% confidence interval 0.128-1.624, P = 0.225).The 3 measurement techniques using the pre-dissection aortic diameter differed by a mean of 1.7-4.0 mm with a variability of up to 8.4 mm. In none of the 57 patients, the same stent graft would have been chosen based on the different measurement techniques using an oversizing ≤10%. CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR oversizing of ≤10% in patients with cTBAD might reduce aortic-related events up to 50%. Consensus on measurement techniques of the pre-dissection aortic diameter and stent graft sizing is of paramount importance.

Risk and protective factors for post-thrombotic syndrome after deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: The most frequent complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). We recently showed inhibition of varicose vein development by atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. The aim of this study was to test the influence of lipid-lowering therapy with statins on PTS development. METHODS: All patients between January 2002 and June 2018 with diagnosed DVT were enrolled in this study and analyzed retrospectively. Documentation was performed using the standardized system M1 (CompuGroup Medical, Koblenz, Germany) throughout the observation period. Patients received therapeutic anticoagulation and compression stockings. In case of recurrent DVT, patients received lifelong therapeutic anticoagulation. All patients received clinical examination and duplex ultrasound evaluation 3 to 6 months after primary diagnosis and annually thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 579 patients with DVT were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 414 (71%) developed PTS (337/414 [81%] presented with the mild version; mean Villalta score, 5.79). Risk factors for PTS development were recurrent DVT (P = .001) and malignant disease (P = .001). Protective factors were therapy with platelet aggregation inhibitors (P = .049) and lipid-lowering therapy with statins (P = .001). After multivariable analysis, the only risk factor was recurrent DVT (P = .001), and the only protective factor was lipid-lowering therapy (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Post-thrombotic changes might be reduced by lipid-lowering therapy.

Midterm outcome of renal function after branched thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and impact of acute and chronic kidney dysfunction after branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (BEVAR) perioperatively and during follow-up. METHODS: Patients with a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm were treated with BEVAR. Serum creatinine; estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline, after 48 hours, at discharge, and after 1 and two years; perioperative results; and outcome during follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm using BEVAR was performed in 113 patients (mean age, 71 years; 79 male) with 434 side branches and two additional fenestrations (0.46%) for renovisceral perfusion. Sixty patients (53%) underwent staged procedures with temporary aneurysm sac perfusion and secondary side branch completion. Perioperative mortality was 9 of 113 (8%). Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) was observed in 41 of 113 patients (36%) with recovery of renal function after 2 years in most patients. However, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage progression after 1 and 2 years was observed in 25 of 104 patients (24%) and 17 of 52 patients (32.7%), respectively. Seven patients (6.7%) required permanent dialysis during 2 years of follow-up. Risk factors for AKI were nonstaged procedures (P = .02) and multiorgan failure (P = .01). CKD progression was related to renal branch reinterventions (P = .047), all branch reinterventions (P = .03), and postoperative AKI (P = .001). During follow-up, survival was decreased in patients with AKI, especially in those with nonmalignant diseases (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative AKI after BEVAR was observed in about one-third of patients associated with increased CKD stages after 2 years. Preoperative CKD was not a risk factor for postoperative AKI or perioperative outcome. The prevention of AKI by staged procedures, early interventions for renal side branch complications, and regular surveillance is recommended to improve outcomes.

Multicenter Analysis of Endovascular Aortic Arch In Situ Stent-Graft Fenestrations for Aortic Arch Pathologies.

BACKGROUND: In situ fenestration of aortic stent grafts for treatment of aortic arch aneurysms is a new option for endovascular aortic arch repair. So far, only few reports have shown perioperative and short-term results of in situ fenestrations for aortic arch diseases. We present the multicenter experience with the aortic arch in situ fenestration technique documented in the AARCHIF registry for treatment of aortic arch aneurysms or localized type A aortic dissections and analyzed perioperative outcome and midterm follow-up. METHODS: Patients with aortic arch pathologies treated by aortic arch in situ fenestration with proximal stent graft landing in aortic arch Ishimura zones 0 and 1 were included in the registry. Stent-graft in situ fenestrations were created using needles or radiofrequency or laser catheters and completed by implantation of covered connecting stent grafts. Single in situ fenestrations for the left subclavian artery (LSA) were excluded. RESULTS: Between 06/2009 and 03/2017, twenty-five patients were treated by in situ stent-graft fenestrations for aortic arch pathologies at 9 institutions in 7 different countries, 3 of them as bailout procedures for stent-graft malplacement. In situ fenestrations were performed for the brachiocephalic trunk (n = 20), the left common carotid artery (n = 21) and the LSA (n = 9). Technical success for intended in situ fenestrations was 94.0% (47/50), with additional supraaortic bypass procedures performed in 14 patients. Perioperative mortality occurred in 1 (4.0%) patient, treated as a bailout procedure and 3 (12.0%) perioperative strokes were observed. One proximal aortic stent-graft nonalignment and 4 type III endoleaks, 2 early and 2 late, required reeintervention. During follow-up (1-118 months), the diameter of aortic arch aneurysms decreased from 61.5 ± 4.1 mm to 48.4 ± 3.2 mm (P = 0.02) and, so far, 6 patients died from diseases unrelated to their aortic arch pathologies with a mean survival time of 79.5 months and 3 endovascular reinterventions for distal aortic expansion were performed. Cerebrovascular event (n = 4) was the most relevant prognostic factor for mortality during midterm follow-up (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The aortic arch in situ fenestration technique for endovascular aortic arch repair seems to be valuable treatment option for selected patients, although initial consideration of other treatment options is mandatory. Data about long-term durability are required.

Treatment of popliteal vein aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Popliteal vein aneurysms are associated with high risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. The goal of this study was to report treatment strategies for popliteal vein aneurysms and their outcome after long-term follow-up. METHODS: All patients between June 1993 and June 2018 with diagnosed popliteal vein aneurysm were enrolled in this study and analyzed retrospectively. They received regular surveillance alone or treatment. Patients were offered aneurysm resection or lifelong anticoagulation if they had aneurysm size of twice normal vein diameter. All patients received clinical examination and duplex ultrasound examination 3 to 6 months after operation or primary diagnosis and annually thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients (aneurysm size, mean 23.3 mm) were treated by either operation or anticoagulation (31/39 [79%]) or surveillance alone (8/39 [21%]). Patients with an aneurysm >20 mm in diameter had a significantly higher incidence of turbulent flow on duplex ultrasound examination with higher risk for development of DVT (P = .029). Of the 31 patients with a therapeutic approach, 29 (94%) preferred resection, whereas 2 (6%) patients were treated with lifelong anticoagulation and compression. Mean follow-up was 57.9 ± 12.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, it seems that patients with large popliteal vein aneurysms experience DVT more frequently. Therefore, popliteal vein aneurysms >20 mm should be considered for surgical treatment or lifelong anticoagulation, depending on the patient's preference.

Primary Endovascular Elective Repair and Repair of Ruptured Isolated Iliac Artery Aneurysms Is Durable-Results of 72 Consecutive Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcome of endovascular elective repair and repair of ruptured isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs) as a primary treatment strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with an IIAA undergoing endovascular treatment were included. Aneurysms were classified according to an anatomic classification and treated with coiling of the internal iliac artery, stent graft placement in the common to external iliac artery, or placement of a bifurcated aortoiliac stent graft. Between November 1996 and November 2015, 72 patients with 85 IIAAs underwent endovascular repair. Mean age was 73.9 years ± 9.2. Common iliac artery was involved in 63 patients (74.1%), internal iliac artery was involved in 21 patients (24.7%), and external iliac artery was involved in 1 patient (1.2%). Mean diameter was 5 cm (range, 2.5-11 cm). Emergency repair was performed in 19 patients owing to rupture (26.4%). RESULTS: Overall primary technical success rate was 95.8% with conversion rate to open surgery of 4.2% (all in the emergency group) and in-hospital mortality rate of 1.4%. During mean follow-up of 4.3 years ± 3.3 (median 3.8 y; range, 0-14.2 y), 17 endoleaks were observed (6 type I, 10 type II, 1 type IIIa). Overall reintervention rate was 16.7%. Primary patency rate was 98.6%. During the follow-up period, 22 deaths occurred (30.6%), including 2 aneurysm-related deaths (2.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Primary endovascular repair of IIAAs shows excellent results and should be considered as first-line therapy. Surgical backup should be available in emergency cases.

[Leg ulcers (ulcus cruris): The frequent macrovascular causes]. / Ulcus cruris: Die häufigen, makrovaskulären Ursachen.

Leg ulcers (ulcus cruris): The frequent macrovascular causes Abstract. Four pathologies make up the macrovascular etiologies of leg uclers: Venous leg ulcers (50 %), mixed venous-arterial leg ulcers (20 %), arterial leg ulcers (5 %), and Martorell hypertensive ischemic leg ulcer (5 %). The remaining 20 % concern a large array of other etiologies. Every leg ulcer requires vascular (arterial and venous) work-up, that can be completed with microbiology, biopsy, and more in-depth internal diagnostics, as indicated. Venous leg ulcers are treated with compression therapy. Incompetent saphenous veins and tributaries are abolished if the deep venous system is patent. Occluded iliac veins are recanalised and stented, as possible. Refractory venous leg ulcers are grafted with split skin or punch grafts, depending on their surface. Extensive dermatolipofasciosclerosis may be tangentially removed by shave therapy or fasciectomy, that can be combined with negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT). Skin equivalents are an alternative to treat superficial venous leg ulcers that fail to epithelialise. Their indication in the treatment of more complex leg ulcers still needs to be better investigated and understood. The use of dermal matrices leads to more stable scars. Mixed venous-arterial leg ulcers heal slower and recur more frequently. Compression needs to be reduced. Refractory cases require arterial revascularisation, to transform the mixed venous-arterial into a venous leg ulcer. Arterial leg ulcers require arterial revascularization and split skin graft. Martorell hypertensive ischemic leg ulcer is still underrecognised and often confounded with with pyoderma gangrenosum, which leads therapy into a wrong direction. Necrosectomy, antibiotic treatment in the presence of relevant bacterial superinfection, and repeated split skin grafts eventually heal the vast majority of these extremely painful and potentially mortal wounds.

Evaluation of visible spinal arteries on computed tomography angiography before and after branched stent graft repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intercostal and lumbar segmental arteries (SAs) detectable on computed tomography angiography (CTA) on the risk of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) in patients undergoing single-step or two-staged branched endovascular aneurysm repair (BEVAR). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients treated with branched stent grafts for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm at a single institution from January 2009 to June 2015 was performed. Data including preoperative comorbidities, perioperative and aneurysm-related parameters, presence and type of endoleak, and rate of severe SCI at discharge or 30 days after the procedure were collected. Preoperative and postoperative contrast-enhanced CTA images were semiquantitatively analyzed by two independent investigators, and the number of visible SAs in the stented aorta before and after BEVAR was evaluated to find a possible correlation with severe SCI. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were treated for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with BEVAR (47 men; mean age, 71.0 years), 40 (51.9%) of them with temporary aneurysm sac perfusion (TASP; open branch/TASP group) and 37 without (single-step group). The groups were comparable regarding parameters related to the patient, aneurysm type, and endovascular procedure. Severe SCI or paraplegia was observed in 10 patients (12.3%), and SCI was lower in the open branch/TASP group (2/40) compared with the single-step group (8/37; P = .032). The number of visible SAs in the intentionally overstented aortic segment was significantly reduced on postoperative CTA (10.0 vs 15.57 SAs; P < .001) in comparison to preoperative CTA imaging, with similar results in the open branch/TASP group (9.48 vs 15.83 SAs) and the single-step group (10.57 vs 15.30 SAs; P < .001 for both groups). Within the open branch/TASP group, more visible SAs were detected during the TASP interval in comparison to postoperative CTA after side branch completion (12.93 vs 9.48 SAs; P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in the single-step group revealed a cutoff point of 15 SAs on preoperative CTA with correlation to severe SCI (P = .006). In the high-risk subgroup of patients with 15 or more overstented SAs during BEVAR, staged open branch/TASP procedures again reduced the risk of SCI in comparison to the single-step patients (1/20 vs 8/22; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: More spinal arteries are visible during the TASP interval, supporting the open branch and TASP concept with a reduction of severe SCI during BEVAR. An intentional coverage of more than 15 SAs is related to an increased risk of SCI, and the rate of paraplegia was reduced after staged BEVAR with open branch/TASP in these high-risk patients.

Long-term durability of aortic arch in situ stent graft fenestration requiring lifelong surveillance.

We report successful endovascular repair of a 61-year-old man treated for a 7.1-cm excentric aortic arch aneurysm by in situ stent graft fenestration for the brachiocephalic trunk and the left common carotid artery. Cerebral perfusion during the intervention was maintained by pump-driven extracorporal bypass to the right common carotid artery and to the left axillary artery provided with a left carotid-subclavian bypass. After 5 years of follow-up, the aortic arch in situ revascularization is still patent, the aneurysm excluded, and no endoleak detectable, although endovascular reintervention with distal aortic stent graft extension due to dilatation of the descending aorta was required.

EndoAnchor placement in thoracic and thoracoabdominal stent-grafts to repair complications of nonalignment.

PURPOSE: To report our early experience in repairing incomplete sealing or nonalignment of thoracic or thoracoabdominal stent-grafts using EndoAnchors. METHODS: Six patients (5 men; mean age 67 years, range 56-76) with thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic stent-grafts and persistent type I endoleak (n=4), stent-graft migration (n=2), partial stent-graft infolding (n=2), and/or side branch malperfusion (n=1) were treated using the Heli-FX Aortic Securement System. Stent-graft or uncovered stent extension did not improve alignment in 3 patients prior to the use of EndoAnchors. RESULTS: Intended fixation of the proximal stent-graft in the aortic arch (n=1) and the proximal (n=3) or distal (n=2) descending thoracic aorta was achieved in all 6 patients using 28 EndoAnchors (3-7 per patient). Two to 4 EndoAnchors were placed at the site of the nonalignment and an additional 2 to 4 to fix the entire circumference of the stent-graft. The majority of the EndoAnchors were delivered successfully at the first attempt, but 5 required reapplication during the same intervention (no EndoAnchors were lost). No additional balloon dilation or other adjunctive maneuver was required for improvement of thoracic stent-graft fixation after the deployment of the EndoAnchors. The intraoperative and early postoperative periods were uneventful in 5 patients; however, one TAAA patient with a fenestrated aortic arch stent-graft suffered from multiple visceral and cerebral infarctions and died 4 weeks later. During the mean 11-month follow-up (range 5-22), no stent-graft migration or EndoAnchor dislocation has been observed. There have been no periaortic hematomas or side branch complications. CONCLUSION: Although the number of patients treated so far is small, the Heli-FX Aortic Securement System seems to be a feasible and safe treatment option for primary or secondary procedures in patients with complications of proximal or distal thoracic stent-graft nonalignment. However, extensive endovascular interventions in the proximal aortic arch should be performed with caution because of an increased risk of severe embolic events.

A comparison between contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and multislice computed tomography in detecting and classifying endoleaks in the follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: This study compared contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging and multislice computed tomography (MS-CT) angiography in detecting and classifying endoleaks in the follow-up of patients after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of 171 patients with CEUS imaging and MS-CT angiography follow-up examinations after EVAR. During follow-up, 489 CEUS and 421 MS-CT examinations were assessed. B-scan, color Doppler, and CEUS imaging were performed in all patients. MS-CT was performed with a 16-slice up to 128-slice scanner. RESULTS: From the 132 patients in our cohort, we obtained 200 contemporary imaging examination pairs. MS-CT was used as the preferred examination in determining the presence of an endoleak. The true-positive rate for the detection of endoleaks with CEUS imaging was 42% (84 of 200), the false-positive rate was 4% (8 of 200), the true-negative rate was 52% (105 of 200), and the false-negative rate was 2% (3 of 200). The sensitivity of CEUS imaging was therefore 97%, and the specificity was 93%. The McNemar test value was 0.227, and the κ coefficient was 0.889. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS imaging appears to be as good as MS-CT angiography in the detection of endoleaks in the follow-up after EVAR, with the added advantages of no radiation dose and no nephrotoxicity of the contrast agents. A switch of the preferred examination from MS-CT to CEUS imaging should be considered.

Aberrant subclavian artery pathologies and Kommerell's diverticulum: a review and analysis of published endovascular/hybrid treatment options.

Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) is one of the most common congenital vascular anomalies of the aortic arch. The incidences of aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA) are 0.4% to 2.3% and 0.05%, respectively. Approximately 60% of ARSA patients will have a Kommerell's diverticulum at the origin of the ASA. Symptomatic or aneurysmal ASAs need to be treated. Historically, open operation was the favored method to reconstruct ASA anatomy; however, novel endovascular techniques are now available. Following a brief discussion of embryonic development, symptoms, and treatment history of the ASA and Kommerell's diverticulum, the results of a literature review to collect the worldwide experience of endovascular/hybrid treatment of ASA is presented.

The LMP7-K allele of the immunoproteasome exhibits reduced transcript stability and predicts high risk of colon cancer.

Destruction of cancer cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes depends on immunogenic tumor peptides generated by proteasomes and presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. Functional differences arising from alleles of immunoproteasome subunits have not been recognized so far. We analyzed the genetic polymorphism of the immunoproteasome subunits LMP2 and LMP7 and of the transporters associated with antigen processing (TAP1 and TAP2) in two independently collected panels of colorectal carcinoma patients (N(1) = 112, N(2) = 62; controls, N = 165). High risk of colon cancer was associated with the LMP7-K/Q genotype (OR = 8.10, P = 1.10 × 10(-11)) and low risk with the LMP7-Q/Q genotype (OR = 0.10, P = 5.97 × 10(-13)). The basis for these distinct associations of LMP7 genotypes was functionally assessed by IFN-γ stimulation of colon carcinoma cell lines (N = 10), followed by analyses of mRNA expression of HLA class I, TAP1, TAP2, and LMP7, with real-time PCR. Whereas induction of HLA-B, TAP1, and TAP2 was comparable in all cell lines, transcript amounts of LMP7-Q increased 10-fold, but of LMP7-K only 3.8-fold. This correlated with a reduced transcript stability of LMP7-K (t(1/2) ≈ 7 minutes) compared with LMP7-Q (t(1/2) ≈ 33 minutes). In addition, LMP7-Q/Q colon carcinoma cells increased (the peptide based) HLA class I surface expression significantly after IFN-γ stimulation, whereas LMP7-Q/K and LMP7-K/K carcinoma cells showed minimal (<20%) changes. These results suggest that the presence of LMP7-K can reduce the formation of immunoproteasomes and thus peptide processing, followed by reduced peptide-HLA presentation, a crucial factor in the immune response against cancer.

Reexpansion pulmonary edema following a posttraumatic pneumothorax: a case report and review of the literature.

The reexpansion pulmonary edema is a rare, but life threatening complication of a pneumothorax. Early recognition and a fast symptom orientated therapy are necessary for a good outcome. Several cases after non traumatic pneumothoraces are reported. We describe a patient who presented with a post-traumatic right pneumothorax. After the insertion of a chest tube he developed a reexpansion pulmonary edema, which had to be treated by an intubation.Additionally, a review of the literature regarding case reports of reexpansion pulmonary edema is presented.

Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix with high grade microsatellite instability.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the vermiform appendix is a rare entity and is frequently discovered by the pathologist following appendectomy for suspected appendicitis.We present a 42-year-old male with primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix initially presenting symptoms of acute appendicitis. Histological investigation of the appendectomy specimen showed a mucinous adenocarcinoma and the patient was treated by secondary right hemicolectomy giving the final histopathological classification of an UICC IIIC tumor. Since the patient fulfills the revised Bethesda criteria analysis of immunoreactivity of DNA mismatch repair proteins was performed showing loss of MLH1 and MSH2 expression associated with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), not yet reported for primary mucinous appendiceal carcinoma. Further genetic analysis for DNA mismatch repair gene mutations were negative. The patient received intensified adjuvant chemotherapy according to the FOLFOX-4-scheme, since MSI-H colorectal carcinomas might show lower response rates following standard 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

Endovascular versus open treatment of degenerative aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta: a single center experience.

Multiple reports could show a reduced risk for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) compared with open treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate our twelve-year TEVAR experience for thoracic aortic aneurysms and compare these results with open repair. All patients who had received either open or endovascular surgery for a degenerative aortic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in our center were evaluated retrospectively. N = 53 TEVAR patients (1997-2008) were included and their course was compared with an open-surgery group of n = 24 patients (1992-2002). The percentage of symptomatic patients was 43% (TEVAR) and 42% (open surgery). Endovascular treatment resulted in a significantly reduced 30-day (5.7% versus 25% P = 0.02) and one-year mortality (19% versus 42% P = 0.05) in the entire cohort. Symptomatic patients benefited the most from TEVAR (30-day mortality: 9% versus 40%, P = 0.06; one-year mortality: 27% versus 70%, P = 0.049) whereas the survival of our asymptomatic patients was not significantly different (30-day mortality: 3% versus 14%, P = 0.22; one-year mortality: 13% versus 21%, P = 0.65). Lastly, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly improved survival after TEVAR (P = 0.05) and in particular for the symptomatic patients (P = 0.003). In conclusion, endovascular treatment for patients with degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms has significant advantages over open surgery.

The prognostic value of lymph node ratio in a population-based collective of colorectal cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed 3 previously identified cut-off values of lymph node ratios (0.17, 0.41, and 0.69) in a large population-based collective of patients with colorectal cancer for their prognostic value. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The lymph node ratio (LNR) (relation of tumor-infiltrated to total examined lymph nodes) has a high prognostic impact, but the relevant cut-off values are not determined. METHODS: Patients (N = 27,803) with a primary colorectal cancer diagnosed and operated in the Munich region between 1991 and 2006 were registered in the Munich Cancer Registry. Lymph node numbers and survival data were available for 17,309 patients with a mean follow-up of 5.9 years. RESULTS: The mean number (+/-SD) of resected lymph nodes was 16.8 +/- 8.4. Twelve or more lymph nodes were resected in 76.8%. Estimated 5-year overall survival decreased significantly with increasing LNR: LNR = 0 in 71.4%, LNR 0.01 to 0.17 in 52.4%, LNR 0.18 to 0.41 in 33.3%, LNR 0.42 to 0.69 in 19.8%, and LNR > or = 0.70 in 8.3% (P < 0.001). Multivariable survival analyses identified separately both LNR and pN- category, as well as number of resected lymph nodes, patient's age, tumor location, pT-category, pM-status, R-status, tumor grade, and year of operation as independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: : The 3 cut-off values of LNRs had strong independent prognostic value in a population-based collective of patients with colorectal cancer. The LNR should be routinely reported and included in the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. Nevertheless, the benefit of lymphadenectomy on survival is still unclear.

First experience using intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound during endovascular aneurysm repair for infrarenal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become an additional treatment option for patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms and suitable aortic morphology. However, endoleaks are commonly encountered and represent a relevant risk for secondary treatment failure. In addition, impaired renal function or allergic reactions to intravascular iodine application might represent exclusion criteria for conventional infrarenal endovascular aortic repair using intraoperative angiography with iodine contrast media. Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with a low mechanical index (MI) is a promising method recently introduced for follow up after endovascular infrarenal aortic repair. METHODS: In this study, intraoperative CEUS using SonoVue as ultrasound contrast agent was evaluated in 17 patients for localization of the proximal infrarenal landing zone, the distal iliac fixation area, and identification of endoleaks in patients suitable for endovascular aortic repair with an infrarenal aortic neck > or =10 mm and non-aneurysmal common iliac arteries. For comparison, 20 patients were treated by conventional EVAR using intraoperative fluoroscopy and iodine contrast media. RESULTS: Intraoperative application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (iCEUS) for identification of the infrarenal landing zone and proximal stent graft release was achieved in 14 out of 17 patients (82.4%), as verified by intraoperative angiography or postinterventional imaging. Intraoperative CEUS-assisted visualization of the distal fixation area proximal to the level of the iliac bifurcation was achieved in 89.3% (25 out of 28 iliac arteries examined) in comparison to intraoperative angiography or postinterventional CEUS, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Three selected patients having contraindications for iodine-based contrast media were treated by iCEUS-assisted EVAR without the use of any iodine contrast during fluoroscopy. Time for exposure to intraoperative radiation, volume of contrast medium used, and the number of intraoperative angiographies and postinterventional CT or MR angiographies were significantly reduced in the iCEUS-assisted EVAR group in comparison to conventional endovascular aortic treatment (P < .002 or less for all parameters). Intraoperative application of CEUS detected more endoleaks than conventional EVAR (8/17 vs 4/20; P = .08) treated by proximal stent graft extension in one symptomatic patient with a type Ia endoleak. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative CEUS-assisted EVAR in patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms represents a new option for intraoperative visualization of aortoiliac segments required as proximal or distal fixation zones and identification of endoleaks, especially in those patients with contraindications for usage of iodine-containing contrast agents, in association with a reduction of iodine contrast media used and radiation exposure during fluoroscopy.

Prostaglandin E positively modulates endothelial progenitor cell homeostasis: an advanced treatment modality for autologous cell therapy.

AIMS: The mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and their functioning in postnatal neovascularization are tightly regulated. To identify new modulators of EPC homeostasis, we screened biologically active prostaglandin E compounds for their effects on EPC production, trafficking and function. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found that EPC are a rich source for prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), stimulating their number and function in an auto- and paracrine manner. In vivo blockade of PGE(2) production by selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition virtually abrogated ischemia-induced EPC mobilization demonstrating its crucial role in EPC homeostasis following tissue ischemia. Conversely, ex vivo treatment of isolated EPC with the clinically approved PGE(1) analogue alprostadil enhanced EPC number and function. These effects were mediated by increased expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and were dependent on nitric oxide synthase activity. Most importantly, ex vivo PGE(1) pretreatment of isolated EPC significantly enhanced their neovascularization capacity in a murine model of hind limb ischemia as assessed by laser Doppler analysis, exercise stress test and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: The conserved role for PGE in the regulation of EPC homeostasis suggests that ex vivo modulation of the prostaglandin pathway in isolated progenitor cells may represent a novel and safe strategy to facilitate cell-based therapies.