Assessment of fitness for open repair in patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) was originally designed as a treatment modality for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) deemed unfit for open repair. However, the definition of "unfit for open repair" is largely subjective and heterogenous. The purpose of this study was to compare patients deemed unfit for open repair who underwent EVAR to a matched cohort who underwent open repair for infrarenal AAAs. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative of the Society for Vascular Surgery was queried for patients who underwent EVAR and open infrarenal AAA repair from 2003 to 2022. Patients that underwent EVAR were included if they were deemed unfit for open repair by the operating surgeon. EVAR patients deemed unfit because of a hostile abdomen were excluded. Patients in both the open and EVAR datasets were excluded if their repair was deemed non-elective or if they had prior aortic surgery. EVAR patients were matched to a cohort of open patients. The primary outcome for this study was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality, major adverse cardiac events, pulmonary complications, non-home discharge, reinterventions, and 5-year survival. RESULTS: A total of 5310 EVAR patients were identified who were deemed unfit for open repair. Of those, 3028 EVAR patients (57.0%) were able to be matched 1:1 to a cohort of open patients. Open patients had higher rates of major adverse cardiac events (20.2% vs 4.4%; P < .001), pulmonary complications (12.8% vs 1.6%; P < .001), non-home discharges (28.5% vs 7.9%; P < .001), and 30-day mortality (4.5% vs 1.4%; P < .001). There were no differences in early survival, but open repair had better middle and late survival compared with EVAR over the course of 5 years. A total of 74 EVAR patients (2.4%) had reinterventions during the study period. EVAR patients that required interventions had higher 1-year (40.5% vs 7.3%; P < .001) and 5-year mortality (43.2% vs 14.1%; P < .001) compared with those that did not require reinterventions. EVAR patients who had reinterventions had higher 1-year (40.5% vs 6.3%; P < .001) and 5-year (43.2% vs 20.3%; P = .006) mortality compared with their matched open cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing EVAR for AAAs who are deemed unfit for open repair have better perioperative morbidity and mortality compared with open repair. However, patients who had an open repair had better middle and late survival over the course of 5 years. The categorization of unfitness for open surgery may be inaccurate and re-evaluation of this terminology/concept should be undertaken.

Room for improvement in patient compliance during peripheral vascular interventions.

Introduction: For patients receiving Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA), patient cooperation is crucial as patients remain continuously aware of operating room activity and can be asked to perform tasks such as prolonged breath-holds. This survey aimed to collect information on patient compliance with on-table instructions and its relation to periprocedural outcomes from surgeons nationwide performing peripheral vascular interventions (PVI) under PSA. Methods: A 9-question online survey was sent to 383 vascular surgeons (including both vascular surgery attendings and trainees) across the United States through REDCap from August 30 to September 21, 2021, with responses closed on October 30, 2021. The survey response was analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: 83 (21.6%) vascular surgeons responded to the survey, of which 67 (80.7%) were attending vascular surgeons and 16 (19.3%) were vascular surgery trainees. 41 (49.4%) respondents performed 11-20 PVI cases under PSA every month, while 31 (41.0%) respondents performed 1-10 PVI cases under PSA every month. 41 (49.4%) respondents reported that in 1-10% of their cases, additional contrast and/or radiation was administered because patient moved on the table or did not cooperate with breath holds; 25 (30.1%) reported that this occurred in 11-20% of their cases, 12 (14.5%) reported that this occurred in 21-50% of their cases and 4 (4.8%) reported that this occurred in over 50% of their cases. In such cases, the majority of respondents reported a 1-10% increase in contrast volume (59.0%), radiation dosage (62.7%), sedative/analgesia administration (46.3%) and procedural time (54.9%). Of cases being converted to general anesthesia due to inadequate patient cooperation, 35 (42.2%) respondents reported between 1-5 per month, and 3 (3.6%) respondents reported between 6-10 per month. Of cases being aborted due to inadequate patient cooperation, 25 (30.1%) respondents reported between 1-5 per month, and 1 (1.2%) respondents reported between 6-10 per month. Conclusion: A significant fraction of PVI cases performed under PSA result in increased radiation and contrast exposure, sedative administration and procedural time due to inadequate patient cooperation. In certain cases, conversion to general anesthesia or case abortion is required. Further research should be performed to investigate strategies to minimize such adverse patient safety events.

Incidence and Outcomes of Visceral Ischemia in Acute Aortic Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Acute aortic occlusion (AAO) is a morbid diagnosis in which mortality correlates with severity of ischemia on presentation. Visceral ischemia (VI) is challenging to diagnose and its presentation as a consequence of AAO is not well-studied. We aim to identify characteristics associated with VI in AAO to facilitate diagnosis. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AAO who underwent revascularization were identified retrospectively from institutional records (2006-2020). The primary outcome was the development of VI (intra-abdominal ischemia). Univariate analysis was used to compare demographic, exam, imaging, and intraoperative variables between patients with and without VI in the setting of AAO. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were included. The prevalence of VI was 20.9%. Preoperative comorbidities, time to revascularization, and operative approach did not differ between patients with and without VI. Patients with VI more frequently were transferred from outside institutions (100% vs. 53%, P = 0.02), presented with advanced acute limb ischemia (Rutherford III 36.9% vs. 7.5%, P < 0.01), and had elevated preoperative serum lactate (4.31 vs. 2.41 mmol/L, P < 0.01). VI patients had an increased occurrence of bilateral internal iliac artery (IIA) occlusion (47.4% vs. 18.1%, P = 0.01). Unilateral IIA occlusion, level of aortic occlusion, and patency of inferior mesenteric arteries were not associated with VI. Patients with VI had worse postoperative outcomes. In particular, VI conferred significant risk of mortality (odds ratio 5.45, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Visceral ischemia is a common consequence of AAO. Elevated lactate, bilateral IIA occlusion, and advanced acute limb ischemia (ALI) should increase clinical suspicion for concomitant VI with AAO and may facilitate earlier diagnosis to improve outcomes.

Prosthetic Conduit Use Does Not Adversely Impact Outcomes after Open Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Single segment, greater saphenous vein (GSV) conduit is considered the optimal bypass conduit among patients undergoing bypass surgery for peripheral artery disease (PAD). While this data has been extrapolated to patients undergoing bypass for popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs), the pathophysiology of PAA is inherently different when compared to PAD, and the impact of conduit type on long-term outcomes after open repair of PAA remains unclear. METHODS: A multicenter database of five regional hospitals was retrospectively reviewed for all patients with PAA undergoing open surgical repair. Data were collected on demographic information, operative details, medications, and postoperative outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare freedom from major adverse limb events (MALE) following GSV versus prosthetic bypass. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify patient-level characteristics associated with MALE, which was defined as major ipsilateral limb amputation or reintervention for graft patency. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2020, a total of 101 patients with PAA underwent open exclusion and bypass surgery. Median follow-up period was 4.2 years (interquartile range, 1.3-7.4 years), and complete data were available for 99 (98.0%) patients. The majority of patients were male (99.0%) and Caucasian (93.9%). Only 11.1% of procedures were emergent, with the remainder (88.9%) being elective. All patients underwent medial exposure with a below-knee popliteal bypass target (100%). Bypass conduits included GSV (69.7%), prosthetic conduit (28.3%), and 2 (2.0%) alternative conduits (one spliced arm vein, one cryopreserved vein). Patients undergoing prosthetic bypass were older (72 vs. 66 years, P = 0.001) and had similar rates of medical comorbidities. Compared with the GSV group, patients with prosthetic conduits were more frequently placed on postoperative anticoagulation (60.7% vs. 23.2%, P < 0.001). Conduit type did not impact postoperative complication rates (P = NS each). MALE rates were low overall (19.2% at 2 years), and similar when stratified by conduit type (log rank P = 0.47). On multivariable analysis, emergent bypass was associated with MALE (hazard ratio [HR] 5.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.07-15.85, P < 0.001). Prosthetic conduit usage (HR 1.00, 95% CI, 0.40-2.51, P = 0.99) and postoperative anticoagulation (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.42-2.50, P = 0.97) were not associated with MALE. CONCLUSIONS: Open repair of PAA is associated with excellent long-term outcomes. Prosthetic bypass is a comparable alternative to autogenous conduit for below-knee popliteal bypass targets, and lack of suitable GSV should not prohibit open surgical repair when indicated.

Preoperative Anemia Is Associated With Postoperative Renal Failure After Elective Open Aortic Repair.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anemia has been consistently shown to be a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery. However, this association has not been examined in the open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (OAR) population and is the subject of this analysis. METHODS: Targeted Vascular Module from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for patients undergoing OAR from 2013 to 2019. Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization Guidelines: Hematocrit<36% for women or <39% for men. Primary endpoint was 30-day AKI. Anemia's effect on AKI was determined using inverse probability weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 2275 OAR; mean age was 70.9 ± 8.2 y; 24.0% were women. Anemia was present in 498 (26.3%) patients; 165 (7.6%) had a hematocrit<33% and 8 (0.35%) had a hematocrit<24%. Differences in patient factor were nonsignificant after weighting. Any degree of postoperative AKI was more common in the anemia group (11.2% vs 5.1%; unweighted P < 0.001), as was AKI requiring hemodialysis (7.7% vs 3.2%; unweighted P < 0.001). In the weighted multivariable analysis, anemia was independently associated with postoperative AKI (odds ratio 1.51; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.26; P = 0.042) while controlling for age and operative factors. Patients with postoperative AKI were significantly more likely to die postoperatively than those without (26.1% vs 1.9%; <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anemia was independently associated with post-OAR AKI after propensity weighting and controlling for operative factors. AKI is a major source of morbidity and mortality in these patients, and, if time permits, preoperative correction of anemia or its underlying cause should be considered in high-risk patients.

Preoperative Anemia is Associated with Poorer Postoperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Infrainguinal Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anemia is an important, modifiable risk factor among surgical patients. However, data are scarce on the impact of preoperative anemia on postoperative outcomes after infrainguinal bypass. METHODS: In this multi-institutional analysis, data were retrospectively collected on all infrainguinal bypass procedures performed between 2010 and 2020. Patients were grouped by preoperative hemoglobin as per the National Cancer Institute anemia scale (mild, 10 g/dL-lower limit of normal; moderate, 8.0-9.9 g/dL; severe, 6.5-7.9 g/dL). Multivariable comparisons were performed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 492 patients underwent bypass for peripheral artery disease over the 10-year study period. Median preoperative hemoglobin was 11.0 g/dL (interquartile range 9.5-12.7) and median follow-up was 1.7 years. Preoperative anemia was prevalent among bypass patients (mild 52.4% [n = 258], moderate 26.4% [n = 130], and severe 5.1% [n = 25]). Women were more likely to have moderate (49.2% [women] vs. 50.8% [men]) or severe anemia (52.0% [women] vs. 48.0% [men]) compared with normal hemoglobin (17.7% [women] vs. 82.3% [men]) (P < 0.001). Patients with preoperative anemia were more likely to present with tissue loss (22.8% [normal] vs. 47.7% [moderate] vs. 52.0% [severe], P = 0.01). Bypass target and conduit types were similar between groups. Anemic patients had longer median hospital length of stay compared with nonanemic patients (4 days [normal] vs. 5 days [mild] vs. 6 days [moderate] vs. 7 days [severe], P < 0.001). Postoperative mortality at 30 days was similar across anemia groups (2.5% [normal] vs. 4.6% [moderate] vs. 8.0% [severe], P = 0.23). On multivariable analysis, however, postoperative mortality was independently associated with severe anemia (odds ratio 7.5 [1.2-48.8], P = 0.04) and male gender (odds ratio 7.5 [1.2-26.4], P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anemia is common among patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery and is an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality. Future investigation is needed to determine whether correction of anemia improves postoperative outcomes in these high-risk patients.

Factors Influencing Hospital Readmission after Lower Extremity Bypass for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Objectives: Unplanned hospital readmission is a leading source of hospital resource expenditure, and preventing readmission may improve both patient quality of life and healthcare costs. The factors influencing hospital readmission after lower extremity bypass (LEB) for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) remain incompletely investigated. Methods: A regional, multi-institutional database was retrospectively reviewed for all patients who underwent LEB for CLTI between 1995 to 2020. The primary outcome was unplanned hospital readmission up to 30 days following bypass. Results: A total of 1315 patients underwent LEB across all institutions, of whom 843 (64.1%) underwent bypass for CLTI. The 30-day hospital readmission rate was 25.3%, and the leading causes of readmission were wound-related complications (51.6%). There was no difference in age, sex, or race between readmitted and non-readmitted patients. Conduit type and bypass target were also similar between groups. Readmitted patients more frequently underwent LEB for tissue loss (58.2% vs 50.2%, P = 0.042). On multivariable analysis, wound infection (odds ratio [OR] 9.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.2-13.2, P < 0.001) and non-infectious wound complications (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-3.9, P = 0.041) were independently associated with hospital readmission. Factors not associated with hospital readmission included patient age, conduit type, distal bypass target, and other medical comorbidities. Conclusions: One quarter of patients are readmitted within 30 days following lower extremity bypass for chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Efforts to mitigate wound infection and non-infectious wound complications may decrease rates of unplanned hospital readmission.

Impact of Rater Training on Residents Technical Skill Assessments: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The ACS/APDS Resident Skills Curriculum's Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) consists of task-specific checklists and a global rating scale (GRS) completed by raters. Prior work demonstrated a need for rater training. This study evaluates the impact of a rater-training curriculum on scoring discrimination, consistency, and validity for handsewn bowel anastomosis (HBA) and vascular anastomosis (VA). DESIGN/ METHODS: A rater training video model was developed, which included a GRS orientation and anchoring performances representing the range of potential scores. Faculty raters were randomized to rater training or no rater training and were asked to score videos of resident HBA/VA. Consensus scores were assigned to each video using a modified Delphi process (Gold Score). Trained and untrained scores were analyzed for discrimination and score spread and compared to the Gold Score for relative agreement. RESULTS: Eight general and eight vascular surgery faculty were randomized to score 24 HBA/VA videos. Rater training increased rater discrimination and decreased rating scale shrinkage for both VA (mean trained score: 2.83, variance 1.88; mean untrained score: 3.1, variance 1.14, p = 0.007) and HBA (mean trained score: 3.52, variance 1.44; mean untrained score: 3.42, variance 0.96, p = 0.033). On validity analyses, a comparison between each rater group vs Gold Score revealed a moderate training impact for VA, trained κ=0.65 vs untrained κ=0.57 and no impact for HBA, R1 κ = 0.71 vs R2 κ = 0.73. CONCLUSION: A rater-training curriculum improved raters' ability to differentiate performance levels and use a wider range of the scoring scale. However, despite rater training, there was persistent disagreement between faculty GRS scores with no groups reaching the agreement threshold for formative assessment. If technical skill exams are incorporated into high stakes assessments, consensus ratings via a standard setting process are likely a more valid option than individual faculty ratings.

Multi-institutional outcomes after femoropopliteal bypass in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVES: Open lower extremity revascularization is controversial among octogenarians; however, the indications for surgical bypass are higher in the elderly population. The aim of the study was to compare postoperative outcomes between octogenarians and non-octogenarians following femoropopliteal bypass surgery. METHODS: Our regional, multi-institutional database was queried for femoropopliteal bypass procedures performed between 1995 and 2020. Electronic medical records were individually reviewed for operative and postoperative data. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were utilized to determine predictors of postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Among 1315 patients who underwent femoropopliteal bypass, 234 (17.8%) were octogenarians. Octogenarians more frequently underwent bypass for lower extremity tissue loss (48.7% vs 30.2%), whereas claudication was more common among non-octogenarians (24.0% vs 9.8%) (p < .001). Below-knee bypass target (72.2% vs 59.3%) and prosthetic conduit utilization (58.5% vs 43.7%) were more frequent in octogenarians (p < .001 each). Overall hospital length of stay was longer among patients > 80 years (median 6 days [interquartile range [IQR] 4-9] vs 5 days [IQR 4-8], p = .017). The overall 30-day (5.6% vs 1.5%) and one-year mortality rates (25.6% vs 7.9%) were higher among octogenarians (p < .001 each). On multivariable analysis, age greater than 80 years was found to be an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality (OR 3.79 [1.75-8.20], p = .0007). CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians undergoing bypass femoropopliteal bypass surgery have considerably worse postoperative outcomes, compared with non-octogenarians. These data may help inform elderly patients prior to undergoing open lower extremity revascularization.

Outcomes of Femoropopliteal Bypass for Lifestyle-Limiting Claudication in the Endovascular Era.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes after femoropopliteal bypass for intermittent claudication (IC) remain unclear in the endovascular era. METHODS: A multi-institutional database was retrospectively queried for all femoropopliteal bypass procedures performed between 1995 and 2020. Demographics, operative details, and outcomes were documented. A statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards ratios (HR). RESULTS: A total of 282 patients underwent femoropopliteal bypass surgery for IC. Median age was 68 y (interquartile range, 61-73 y). Bypass conduits included great saphenous vein (GSV) (48.2%), prosthetic grafts (48.9%), and non-GSV autogenous grafts (2.8%). Distal bypass target was above-knee in 62.1% and below-knee in 37.9% of patients. The most common postoperative complications were wound infections (14.2%) followed by unplanned 30-d hospital readmissions (12.4%). Mortality rates were low at 0.4% (30 d) and 3.2% (1 y). Five-year primary patency rates trended highest for claudicants undergoing above-knee bypass with GSV conduit (log-rank P = 0.065). Five-year amputation-free survival rates were highest using GSV conduit regardless of distal bypass target (log-rank P = 0.017). On a multivariable analysis, age (HR 1.02 [1.00-1.04], P = 0.023) and active smoking (HR 1.48 [1.06-2.06], P = 0.021) were identified as risk factors for diminished primary graft patency. Risk factors for amputation-free survival included age (HR 1.03 [1.01-1.05], P < 0.001) and GSV conduit type (HR 0.65 [0.46-0.90], P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Femoropopliteal bypass among claudicants is associated with high rates of wound infection and hospital readmission. Active smoking portends worse outcomes in this population. These data may inform clinical decision-making regarding surgical intervention for claudication in the endovascular era.

Impact of anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy on femoropopliteal bypass graft outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulant and antiplatelet (AC/AP) medications have been reported to improve bypass graft patency, however, the optimal AC/AP strategy remains unclear in the heterogenous peripheral artery disease population. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective review utilizing the Research Patient Data Registry database from 1995 to 2020 was performed for all patients who underwent femoropopliteal bypass procedures. Electronic medical records were used to obtain demographic information, comorbidities, smoking status, operative details (bypass target), postoperative AC/AP medications, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes and were reviewed for the cohort. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine independent risk factors for major adverse limb events (MALE) after bypass. MALE was defined as reintervention for patency or major amputation of index limb (above- or below-knee amputation). RESULTS: A total of 1421 patients underwent femoropopliteal bypass between 1995 and 2020 throughout five institutions included in this study. Complete data were available for 1292 of the 1421 patients (90.9%). The indications for bypass included intermittent claudication (21.4%), rest pain (30.3%), tissue loss (33.5%), and nonatherosclerotic disease (14.8%). Distal bypass targets comprised above-knee (38.6%) and below-knee (61.4%) popliteal arteries. Patients were divided into six groups based on postoperative AC/AP use including none (n = 57 [4.4%]), monoantiplatelet therapy (n = 587 [45.4%]), dual AP therapy (n = 214 [16.6%]), AC alone (n = 73 [5.7%]), AC + monoantiplatelet therapy (n = 319 [24.7%]), and AC + dual AP therapy (n = 42 [3.3%]). Postoperative bleeding complications were low for both hematoma (3.7%) and pseudoaneurysm (0.7%). There was no difference in bleeding complications across AC/AP groups (hematoma, P = .61; pseudoaneurysm, P = .31). After adjusting for patient factors, below-knee bypass target (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.52; P = .019) and bypass for tissue loss (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04-1.88; P = .028) were independent predictors for MALE. Great saphenous vein conduit trended toward protection for MALE, compared with prosthetic grafts (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.70-1.01; P = .06). No AC/AP regimen was associated with of MALE, even stratifying by above-knee and below-knee bypass cohorts. The median follow-up period was 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing femoropopliteal bypass grafting, no combination of AC or AP medications was associated with improved graft patency; however, a below-knee target and tissue loss were associated with adverse limb events. AC and AP regimen may be individualized after bypass with regard to other concomitant medical comorbidities.

Endovascular management of complex tibial lesions.

The ability of vascular surgeons and endovascular specialists to treat complex tibial lesions has expanded greatly in recent years with the dissemination of contemporary techniques and the development of new endovascular devices. The number of patients with peripheral artery disease with tibial lesions will only increase going forward, especially with the increasing prevalence of diabetes and renal disease in the aging US population. Although open surgical bypass remains a robust option for treating complex tibial lesions, endovascular approaches are being employed increasingly in the tibial segment, often with promising results. In this review, we will lay out general principles for endovascular treatment of complex tibial lesions, outline the initial procedural approach, discuss options for crossing and treating complex tibial lesions, and review the evidence behind both established and emerging endovascular techniques in this challenging anatomic segment.

Differences in Aortic Intramural Hematoma Contrast Attenuation on Multi-Phase CTA Predict Long-Term Aortic Morphologic Change.

BACKGROUND: Evolution of aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) over time may range from resolution to degeneration and is difficult to predict. We sought to measure differences in contrast attenuation between arterial and delayed phase computed tomography angiography (CTA) images within the IMH as a surrogate of hematoma blood flow to predict resolution versus aortic growth and/or adverse outcomes. METHODS: IMH institutional data were gathered from 2005-2020. Hounsfield unit ratio (HUR) was measured as hematoma Hounsfield unit (HU), on delayed phase images divided by HU on arterial phase images on CTA. Aortic growth and effect of HUR was determined using a linear mixed effects model. Freedom from adverse aortic event, defined as the composite of intervention, recurrence of symptoms, radiographic progression, and rupture, was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: IMH occurred in 73 patients, of which 27 met the inclusion criteria. HUR ranged from 0.38-1.92 (mean: 0.98). Baseline aortic diameter growth independent of HUR measurement was 0.49 mm/year (95% confidence interval CI: -1.23 to 2.2). With the HUR was introduced into the model, the beta coefficient for time was -5.83 mm/year (95% CI: -10.4 to -1.28 mm/year) and the beta coefficient for the HUR was 5.05 mm/year per one-unit HUR (95% CI: 0.56 to 9.56 mm/year). Thus, an HUR>1.15 would correspond to aortic growth while an HUR<1.15 would correspond to reduction in aortic diameter, consistent with IMH resolution. Aortic adverse events occurred in 13 (48%) patients, 7 (26%) patients had recurrence of symptoms, 8 (30%) required intervention, 5 (18%) progressed to dissection, and 1(4%) had aortic rupture. There was a trend towards an association between higher HUR and composite adverse aortic events (HR 3.2 per 1-unit HUR; 95% CI: 0.6-17.3; P = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Increased HUR is associated with increased aortic growth and a trend toward adverse aortic events. Diminished delayed phase enhancement may predict partial or complete IMH resolution. HUR can be used to guide IMH surveillance and treatment.

Virtual Simulation of Intra-operative Decision-Making for Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Mixed Methods Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To create and pilot test a novel open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair virtual simulation focused on intraoperative decision-making. To identify if the simulation replicated real-time intra-operative decision-making and discover how learners' respond to this type of simulation. DESIGN: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study. We developed a step-by-step outline of major intra-operative decision points within a standard open AAA repair. Perioperative and intraoperative decision-making trees were developed and coded into an online virtual simulation. The simulation was piloted. Quantitative data was collected from the simulation platform. We then performed a qualitative thematic analysis on feedback from interviewed participants. SETTING: Four academic general and vascular surgical training programs across the US. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen vascular and general surgery trainees and 6 vascular surgery faculty. RESULTS: Participants spent on average 27 minutes (range: 8-45 minutes) interacting with the interface. 93% of participants reported feeling they were making real intraoperative decisions. 85% said it added to their knowledge base. 96% requested additional simulations. 22 interviews were completed: 241 primary codes were collapsed into 21 parent codes, and 6 emerging themes identified. Themes included the benefit of how (1) "Virtual Learning Could Standardize the Training Experience"; how (2) "Dealing with the Unexpected" as a trainee is an important part of surgical education growth, and that this (3) "Choose Your Own Adventure" virtual format simulates this intraoperative growth experience. Participants requested a (4) "Looping Feature Feedback Diagram" for future simulation iterations and highlighted that (5) "Fancier is Not Necessarily More Educational." Finally, many trainees wondered about (6) "The Attending Impact" from the simulation: if faculty would notice a difference between trainees who did vs did not utilize the simulation for case preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Operative simulation training should focus on both technical skills and intra-operative decision-making, particularly "dealing with the unexpected." The learners' responses indicate that a low-fidelity, scalable, virtual platform can effectively deliver knowledge and allow for intra-operative decision-making practice in a remote learning environment.

Risk factors and consequences of graft infection after femoropopliteal bypass: A 25-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: In this multi-institutional series, we aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of graft infection in patients post-femoropopliteal bypass. METHODS: A multi-institutional database was retrospectively queried for all femoropopliteal bypass procedures from 1995 through 2020. Cumulative incidence function estimated the long-term rate of bypass graft infection (BGI), and the Fine-Gray model was used to determine independent risk factors for BGI to account for death as a competing risk. RESULTS: Over the 25-year period, 1315 femoral popliteal bypasses were identified with a median follow-up of 2.89 years (interquartile range, 0.75-6.55 years). BGI was diagnosed in 34 patients (2.6%). BGI occurred between 9 days and 11.2 years postoperatively, with a median of 109 days. Estimated 1- and 5-year incidence of BGI was 2.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4%-3.1%) and 2.8% (95% CI, 1.9%-3.9%), respectively. Medical comorbidities, indications for bypass, and popliteal bypass targets (above- vs below-knee) were similar between patients with BGI and all patients (P = not significant for each). Patients with BGI were more frequently complicated by postoperative hematoma (14.7% vs 3.7%), superficial wound infection (38.2% vs 19.2%), lymphocele/lymphorrhea (8.8% vs 2.1%), and 30-day readmission rates (47.1% vs 21.3%) (P < .05 for each). Most commonly isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 19; 55.9%) and polymicrobial cultures (n = 5; 14.7%). Reoperation for BGI involved incision and drainage (n = 7; 20.6%), graft excision without reconstruction (n = 12; 35.3%), graft excision with in-line reconstruction (n = 11; 32.4%), and graft excision with extra-anatomic reconstruction (n = 2; 5.9%). Nine patients with BGI (26.5%) ultimately required major amputation. Prosthetic bypass (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 3.73; 95% CI, 1.64-8.51; P = .002), postoperative hematoma (SHR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.23-9.61; P = .018), and 30-day readmission (SHR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.27-5.44; P = .010) were independently associated with BGI. One-year amputation-free survival was 50% (95% CI, 31.9%-65.7%) after BGI. CONCLUSIONS: BGI is a rare complication of femoral-popliteal bypass with significant morbidity. Graft infection is associated with the use of prosthetic grafts, postoperative hematoma, and unplanned hospital readmission. Mitigation of these risk factors may decrease the risk of this dreaded complication.

Distal Bypass Versus Infrageniculate Endovascular Intervention for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) carries a high risk of amputation and warrants urgent intervention. CLTI involving the infrageniculate vessels, in particular, carries a considerably higher risk of major limb amputation. Open surgical bypass is the historical gold standard for the treatment of tibial arterial disease; however, endovascular therapy provides an attractive alternative in this high-risk patient population. In this article, we review the existing literature regarding distal bypass and infrageniculate endovascular intervention in patients with CLTI.

Derivation and Validation of a Risk Score for Abdominal Compartment Syndrome after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACoS) is a devastating complication after endovascular aneurysm repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rEVAR). This study sought to develop a risk score for ACoS to identify patients who would benefit from early decompressive laparotomy. METHODS: Model derivation was performed with Vascular Quality Initiative data for rEVAR from 2013 to 2020. The primary outcome was evacuation of abdominal hematoma. A multivariable logistic regression was used to create and validate a scoring system to predict ACoS. The model was validated using institutional data for rEVAR from 1998 to 2019. RESULTS: The derivation cohort included 2,310 patients with rEVAR. Abdominal hematoma evacuation occurred in 265 patients (11.5%). Factors associated with abdominal hematoma evacuation on a multivariable analysis included transfer from an outside hospital, preoperative creatinine ≥1.4 mg/dL, preoperative systolic blood pressure ≤85 mmHg, preoperative altered mental status, ≥3.0 liters intraoperative crystalloid, and ≥4 units of red blood cells transfused intraoperatively. The validation cohort consisted of 67 rEVAR; ACoS occurred in 8 patients (11.9%). The c-statistic was 0.84 in the derivation and 0.87 in the validation cohort, whereas Hosmer-Lemeshow was P = 0.15 in the derivation and 0.84 in the validation cohorts, suggesting good model discrimination and calibration. Points were applied based on ß-coefficients to produce a risk score ranging from -1 to 13. A cutoff of risk score ≥8 resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 87.5% and 83.1% for detecting patients with ACoS, respectively. ACoS conveyed a significantly higher mortality in both the derivation (ACoS: 49.8% vs. No ACoS: 17.8%; P < 0.001) and validation cohorts (ACoS: 75.0% vs. No ACoS: 15.2%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with equivocal signs/symptoms of ACoS, this scoring system can be used to guide surgeons on when to perform decompressive laparotomy prior to leaving the operating room for rEVAR. Patients with a risk score ≥8 would benefit from decompressive laparotomy at index rEVAR.

The Weekend Effect in Carotid Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis.

BackgroundRecent studies report a limited window in which carotid endarterectomy (CEA) provides the greatest benefit for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Given the time-sensitive nature of CEA for symptomatic stenosis, it is important to understand whether patient outcomes are adversely affected by undergoing CEA over the weekend. Currently, it is unclear whether CEA is impacted by the "weekend effect" phenomenon. Methods A multi-institutional database was queried for all patients undergoing CEA for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis from 2015 to 2020 via ICD-9 codes. A total of 288 patients were identified during the study period. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to compare outcomes based on weekend vs weekday surgery. Results A total of 261 patients (90.6%) underwent weekday CEA, as compared to 27 (9.4%) on the weekend. There were no differences in age, race, gender, or medical comorbidities between groups. Primary surgeon specialty was predominantly vascular surgery (77.0% weekday and 74.1% weekend) followed by neurosurgery (19.9% weekday and 25.9% weekend). Operative time was similar between groups (3.1 (weekday) vs 2.9 hr (weekend), P = .33) as well as estimated blood loss (100 vs 100 mL, P = .54). Hospital length of stay did not differ between groups (P = .69). Combined stroke and 30-day mortality rate was 2.0% on weekdays, compared to 3.7% on weekends (P = .75). On multivariate analysis, weekend surgery was not predictive of postoperative stroke or 30-day mortality (odds ratio .11 [95% CI: -1.57 to 1.85], P = .90). Conclusion In our multi-institutional experience, we did not identify a "weekend effect" in patients undergoing CEA for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Surgical revascularization should not be withheld on account of a weekend procedure in similar academic medical centers.

Pregnancy conditions and complications associated with the development of varicose veins.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a known risk factor for developing varicose veins (VV). However, pregnancy is often considered a homogeneous entity and few studies have examined if specific characteristics and complications of pregnancy may influence VV formation. This study sought to identify which pregnancy-specific factors are associated with the development of VV. METHODS: All women who gave birth (live or still) between 1998 and 2020 within a multicenter health care system were identified retrospectively and followed through all hospital encounters (inpatient and outpatient). The primary outcome was VV, defined as any encounter with a primary diagnosis code for VV or a procedure for VV. The study period for each woman was the time from the first to last encounter. Extended Cox regression modeling evaluated the association between VV and pregnancy-related factors as a time-varying covariates while controlling for patient comorbidities. RESULTS: There were 156,622 women with a median follow-up of 8.3 years (interquartile range, 2.7-16.6 years) included. During this time, 225,758 deliveries occurred. The 10- and 20-year freedom from VV was 97.0% (95% CI, 96.8%-97.1%) and 92.7% (95% CI, 92.4%-93.0%), respectively, from the estimated start of first pregnancy. Overall, 4028 patients (2.57%) developed VV during the follow-up period and 1594 (1.02%) underwent a procedure for VV. After risk adjustment, increasing parity was significantly associated with VV, with each subsequent pregnancy increasing hazard of developing VV (parity = 1: hazard ratio [HR], 1.78; 95% CI, 1.55-1.99; P < .001; parity ≥6: HR, 4.83; 95% CI, 2.15-1.99-10.9; P < .001), Other significant pregnancy factors included excessive weight gain in pregnancy (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09-1.91; P = .011), post-term pregnancy (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02-1.21; P = .021), pre-eclampsia (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.90; P < .001), and postpartum transfusion of platelets, plasma, or cryoprecipitate (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.19-3.53; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing parity, excessive weight gain in pregnancy, post-term pregnancy, and pre-eclampsia affect the development of VV after pregnancy. Although VV after pregnancy are likely underreported and true incidence is unknown, women should be counseled about the impact of these factors on VV development after pregnancy.

Morbidity and mortality associated with open repair of visceral aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) recently published clinical practice guidelines on the management of visceral aneurysms. However, studies investigating the perioperative outcomes of open repair of visceral aneurysms have been limited to single-center experiences with variable results that span multiple decades. In the present study, we sought to detail the morbidity and mortality associated with open repair of visceral aneurysms using a national database in the contemporary era. METHODS: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2013 to 2019 were queried for patients who had undergone open repair of visceral aneurysms, which had been classified as mesenteric, renal, or splenic using Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases codes. The primary endpoint was the composite of major complications (cardiovascular, pulmonary, progressive renal failure, deep wound infection, return to operating room, sepsis) and 30-day mortality. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of the primary endpoint for nonruptured aneurysm cases. RESULTS: Of the 304 aneurysms, 263 were nonruptured (137 mesenteric, 66 renal, 60 splenic) and 41 were ruptured (24 mesenteric, 1 renal, 16 splenic) and had undergone open repair. For those with nonruptured aneurysms, their mean age was 59.4 ± 14.7 years and 48.3% were women. For those with nonruptured aneurysms, the 30-day mortality was 1.9% and the major complication rate was 12.9%. A return to the operating room (5.3%) and prolonged ventilator support (3.8%) were especially common. As expected, rupture was associated with significantly greater mortality (22.0%; P < .001) and major complications (34.1%; P = .001). The use of postoperative transfusion was common in the elective group but was significantly greater in the ruptured group (24.3% vs 80.5%; P < .001). The predictors of the primary outcome for nonruptured aneurysms included male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-6.7; P = .011), anticoagulation (not discontinued before surgery) or bleeding disorder (OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 1.37-14.7; P = .012), and albumin <3.0 g/dL (OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 1.17-18.6; P = .029). Neither age nor aneurysm location were significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Open repair of visceral aneurysms was associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality, although these risks are significantly greater once ruptured. Male sex, bleeding risk, and low albumin were all risk factors for adverse events and should be considered for operative planning and postoperative care.