Percutaneous endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms: clinical evaluation and literature results.

In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (p-EVAR). Anatomically selected patients treated with a single 10Fr Perclose Prostar XL vascular closure device (VCD) were examined. Primary success rate and common femoral artery (CFA) open conversion (OC) requirement per sheath size used were recorded. A literature review on p-EVAR results was also performed. One-hundred patients were enrolled. Successful p-EVAR was achieved in 183 of the 196 CFA access sites (93.4%), and was specifically 85.9% and 98.3% for sheaths ≥20Fr and ≤18Fr respectively. There were 13 periprocedural complications (bleeding = 10, arterial dissection and thrombosis = 1, pseudoaneurysm = 2) all leading to OC. Use of ≥20Fr sheaths had significantly higher OC rate (P < .05). Reconstruction was achieved with primary repair (N = 11) and patch angioplasty (N = 2). Mean hospital stay was 1.8 days. The literature review (vascular closure of 2921 CFA access sites) revealed an overall technical success rate of 92.3%. Device related- were more common than patient related-OCs (P < .05). p-EVAR procedures are safe and feasible. Sheath size is a significant predictor of OC rate and more OCs might be expected with very large (≥20Fr) sheath sizes.

Delayed 31st day traumatic hemothorax on acenocoumarol for aortic valve replacement.

A 48-year-old man, on acenocoumarol due to past aortic valve replacement, was referred to our emergency department for left thoracic pain, progressive dyspnea and fatigue gradually worsening over the past 24 hours. Thirty-one days ago he had suffered from left rib fractures due to a fall, while 15 days ago his regular follow-up chest X-ray was negative for hemopneumothorax. On admission, chest X-ray revealed left pleural effusion, while his peripheral blood hematocrit was 28% and the INR 3.57. Following plasma transfusion his INR recovered to two, but five hours later his blood hematocrit dropped to 22.6%. The hemothorax was then drained by a chest tube and followed by blood transfusion. Acenocoumarol might not have been the initiating factor of delayed hemothorax, but could be blamed for the exacerbation of bleeding. It is recommended that all patients with rib fractures, receiving anticoagulants should have a close surveillance until the 4th week post-injury.

Bilateral giant femoropopliteal artery aneurysms: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Popliteal artery aneurysms are the most common peripheral arterial aneurysms, and are frequently bilateral. Acute limb ischemia, rupture and compression phenomena can complicate these aneurysms when the diameter exceeds 2 cm. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an 82-year-old male patient with two giant femoropopliteal aneurysms, 10.5 and 8.5 cm diameters, managed in our institution. Both aneurysms were resected and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) femoropopliteal interposition graft was placed successfully. Management and literature review are discussed. CONCLUSION: We believe this is the first report in the medical literature of bilateral giant femoropopliteal aneurysms.

Sizeable carotid body tumor excision by ultrasonic surgical aspirator: a new technical approach.

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare neoplasms. Excision is the preferred treatment and is associated with low mortality and morbidity, although rates of cranial nerve dysfunction postoperatively and blood loss are still high. We herein present a case of a huge CBT, Shamblin group 3, managed successfully by the use of the Cavitral Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator after preoperative superselective embolization. Our goal was to minimize the possibility of cranial nerve injury, blood loss, and vascular reconstruction. Careful preoperative evaluation, management, and intraoperative precision are essential for successful outcomes. Ultrasonic dissection of a CBT allows a precise and energy-controlled approach, minimizing intraoperative complications in such a demanding and delicate operation.