Correlation between Ultrasound Peak Systolic Velocity and Angiography for Grading Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis.

(1) Background: The success of carotid revascularization depends on the accurate grading of carotid stenoses. Therefore, it is important for every vascular center to establish its protocols for the same. In this study, we aimed to determine the peak systolic velocity (PSV) thresholds that can predict moderate and severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenoses. (2) Methods: To achieve this, we enrolled patients who underwent both duplex ultrasound (DUS) and invasive carotid artery digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The degree of ICA stenosis was assessed using the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) and the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) protocols. The PSV thresholds were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. (3) Results: Our study included 47 stenoses, and we found that the PSV cut-off for predicting ≥70% NASCET ICA stenoses was 200 cm/s (sensitivity 90.32%, specificity 93.75%). However, PSV did not correlate significantly with ≥50% NASCET ICA stenoses. On the other hand, the optimal PSV threshold for predicting ≥80% ECST ICA stenoses was 180 cm/s (sensitivity 100%, specificity 81.82%). (4) Conclusions: Based on our findings, we concluded that PSV is a good and simple marker for the identification of severe stenoses. We found that PSV values correlate significantly with severe NASCET and ECST stenoses, with 200 cm/s and 180 cm/s PSV thresholds. However, PSV was not reliable with moderate NASCET stenoses. In such cases, complementary imaging should be used.

Interventional Management of a Rare Combination of Nutcracker and Wilkie Syndromes.

Nutcracker and Wilkie syndromes are rare mesoaortic compression entities, and their association is even less common. Data on interventional treatment of these pathologies are still scarce, but results from limited case series are encouraging. We report the case of a previously healthy 45-year-old woman diagnosed with nutcracker and Wilkie syndromes who presented with macroscopic hematuria, intermittent pain in the left flank and hypogastric region, postprandial nausea, and unexplained significant weight loss. A successful endovascular approach with stent implantation in the left renal vein was performed, but the stent migrated toward the left kidney, and this acute complication was managed through an interventional strategy as well. At the three-month follow-up, the patient described a marked improvement in all symptoms, except for the macroscopic hematuria. As it was our strong belief that the approach was efficient, we further investigated the "hematuria", which eventually led to the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. A hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy were planned, and chemoradiotherapy was initiated with the goal of preoperative tumor reduction. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which both Wilkie and nutcracker syndromes were effectively treated by stent implantation in the left renal vein, complicated with very early stent migration due to inadequate apposition to the less compliant venous lumen. The treatment of the duodenal compression was indirectly included in the stenting of the left renal vein, as reclaiming the venous lumen widened the aortomesenteric angle. The aim of this review is to discuss our center's transcatheter experience with these rare disorders and explore the literature in order to establish the benefits and limitations of such an approach.

Thromboembolic Disease in Patients With Cancer and COVID-19: Risk Factors, Prevention and Practical Thromboprophylaxis Recommendations-State-of-the-Art.

Cancer and COVID-19 are both well-established risk factors predisposing to thrombosis. Both disease entities are correlated with increased incidence of venous thrombotic events through multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms involving the interaction of cancer cells or SARS-CoV2 on the one hand and the coagulation system and endothelial cells on the other hand. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended for hospitalized patients with active cancer and high-risk outpatients with cancer receiving anticancer treatment. Universal thromboprophylaxis with a high prophylactic dose of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) or therapeutic dose in select patients, is currentlyindicated for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Also, prophylactic anticoagulation is recommended for outpatients with COVID-19 at high risk for thrombosis or disease worsening. However, whether there is an additive risk of thrombosis when a patient with cancer is infected with SARS-CoV2 remains unclear In the current review, we summarize and critically discuss the literature regarding the epidemiology of thrombotic events in patients with cancer and concomitant COVID-19, the thrombotic risk assessment, and the recommendations on thromboprophylaxis for this subgroup of patients. Current data do not support an additive thrombotic risk for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Of note, patients with cancer have less access to intensive care unit care, a setting associated with high thrombotic risk. Based on current evidence, patients with cancer and COVID-19 should be assessed with well-established risk assessment models for medically ill patients and receive thromboprophylaxis, preferentially with LMWH, according to existing recommendations. Prospective trials on well-characterized populations do not exist.

Management of chronic peripheral artery disease patients with indication for endovascular revascularization.

With an increasing global burden of patients with chronic peripheral artery disease (PAD) the safe and effective provision of lower limb revascularisation is a growing medical need. Endovascular procedures for the treatment of PAD have become a crucial cornerstone of modern vascular medicine, and the first line revascularisation approach if technically feasible and taking patient choice into consideration. With the increasing age of patients with PAD and the increasing number of comorbidities open vascular surgery is also often not feasible. We outline a framework of key messages, endorsed by the board of the European Society of Vascular Medicine for pre-, peri- and post procedural management of patients requiring endovascular arterial procedures of the lower limbs. These key messages emphasize the important and increasing role of interventional vascular physicians.

Optical Coherence Tomography-OCT for Characterization of Non-Atherosclerotic Coronary Lesions in Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide, with coronary artery disease being the predominant underlying etiology. The most prevalent coronary lesions are represented by the atherosclerotic plaques, in more than 85% of cases, but there are several other non-atherosclerotic lesions such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection and/or hematoma and spontaneous recanalization of coronary thrombus, which are less common, approximately 5% of cases, but with similar clinical manifestations as well as complications. There are insufficient data regarding the pathological mechanism, true prevalence and optimal treatment of these kind of coronary lesions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an intracoronary imaging technique, developed in order to overcome the diagnostic limitations of a standard coronary angiography and has an extremely high resolution, similar to that of a usual histological evaluation of a biopsy sample, thus, OCT provides a histological-like information, but in a in vivo environment. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge regarding non-atherosclerotic coronary lesions, with an emphasis on the importance of OCT for optimal identification, characterization of pathogenic mechanisms and optimal treatment selection.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Need for an Integrated and Equitable Approach: An International Expert Consensus Paper.

BACKGROUND: One year after the declaration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and despite the implementation of mandatory physical barriers and social distancing, humanity remains challenged by a long-lasting and devastating public health crisis. MANAGEMENT: Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are efficient mitigation strategies. The success of these NPIs is dependent on the approval and commitment of the population. The launch of a mass vaccination program in many countries in late December 2020 with mRNA vaccines, adenovirus-based vaccines, and inactivated virus vaccines has generated hope for the end of the pandemic. CURRENT ISSUES: The continuous appearance of new pathogenic viral strains and the ability of vaccines to prevent infection and transmission raise important concerns as we try to achieve community immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants. The need of a second and even third generation of vaccines has already been acknowledged by the WHO and governments. PERSPECTIVES: There is a critical and urgent need for a balanced and integrated strategy for the management of the COVID-19 outbreaks organized on three axes: (1) Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, (2) Detection and early diagnosis of patients at risk of disease worsening, and (3) Anticipation of medical care (PDA). CONCLUSION: The "PDA strategy" integrated into state policy for the support and expansion of health systems and introduction of digital organizations (i.e., telemedicine, e-Health, artificial intelligence, and machine-learning technology) is of major importance for the preservation of citizens' health and life world-wide.

In vivo imaging of complicated atherosclerotic plaque - role of optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide, with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the predominant underlying etiology. Coronary angiography (CA) is the current invasive method used for CAD diagnosis, as well as for defining the coronary interventional treatment strategy. However, CA offers sometimes-poor accuracy in estimating atherosclerotic plaque volume, morphology and degree of stenosis severity. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an intracoronary imaging technique, developed in order to overcome CA limitations and is considered to be an "optical biopsy" that provides in vivo imaging. OCT has an extremely high resolution, similar to that of a usual histological evaluation of a biopsy sample. One of the most important clinical research areas for OCT is represented by the study of the pathophysiology of coronary and carotid atherosclerotic disease, in order to improve diagnosis and optimize therapy. This article reviews OCT basic technical aspects related to its diagnosis efficacy, OCT morphological information offered in coronary artery disease, including acute coronary syndromes and non-atherosclerotic coronary disease, OCT use for morphological percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) follow-up and stent-failure mechanisms, as well as the new three-dimensional (3D)-OCT approach for atherosclerotic plaque assessment.

Antithrombotic treatment in peripheral artery disease.

This review treats antithrombotic use for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In asymptomatic patients, there are no scientific data to support single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) for primary prophylaxis. In symptomatic PAD, SAPT with aspirin or clopidogrel is indicated. The efficacy of aspirin is controversial. Clopidogrel may be preferred over aspirin. Ticagrelor is not superior to clopidogrel in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events, but lowers the risk of ischaemic stroke. In symptomatic PAD, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel and aspirin does not provide benefit over SAPT with aspirin alone and is associated with increased risk of major bleeding. DAPT with ticagrelor 60 mg b. i. d. and aspirin provides a significant major adverse cardiovascular events reduction in symptomatic PAD patients and may be considered in PAD patients with prior myocardial infarction. The use of a new thrombin receptor antagonist, vorapaxar, on top of SAPT or DAPT with aspirin and/or clopidogrel, reduces the risk of acute limb ischaemia and peripheral artery revascularization in patients with symptomatic PAD, at the cost of an increased risk for bleeding. Rivaroxaban (2.5 mg b. i. d.) plus aspirin (100 mg daily) is the first antithrombotic association that proved significant benefit for PAD patients, in terms of strong endpoints - total mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, this association shows the strongest evidence for secondary prevention of symptomatic PAD patients. In PAD patients undergoing percutaneous peripheral interventions, at least four weeks of DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel is recommended after infrainguinal stent implantation. Stenting below-the-knee arteries is often followed by a longer period of DAPT, but no specific evidence is available. Anticoagulation is mandatory to prevent arterial occlusion during radial or brachial invasive procedures. The strategy includes use of unfractioned heparin, bivalirudin or enoxaparin. Vitamin K antagonists may be considered after autologous vein infrainguinal bypass.