A national cross-sectional analysis of dietary copper intake and abdominal aortic calcification in the US adults: NHANES 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Copper is an essential dietary element with a crucial role in physiological regulation. However, the relationship between dietary copper intake and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) remains uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study encompassed a cohort of 2535 adults aged over 40 years, derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014. Dietary copper intake from both food sources and supplements was assessed through two 24-h dietary recall interviews. AAC was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and classified into 3 groups using the Kauppila score system. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between dietary copper intake and AAC. Among the participants, a total of 771 individuals (30.4%) were diagnosed with AAC, of which 239 (9.4%) exhibited severe AAC. Higher dietary copper intake was significantly associated with a lower incidence of severe AAC. Specifically, for each 1 mg/day increase in dietary copper intake, the incidence of severe AAC decreased by 38% (odds ratios [OR] 0.62, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.39-0.98) after adjustment for relevant covariates. Moreover, individuals in the third tertile of copper intake had a 37% lower incidence of AAC compared to those in the first tertile [OR 0.63, 95% CI (0.43-0.95)]. However, no significant associations were found between supplemental copper intake or serum copper levels and AAC. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that lower dietary copper intake, rather than serum copper levels or supplement copper intake, is significantly associated with a higher prevalence of AAC in adults ≥40 years old in the United States.

Loss of Prosthetic Aortic Valve during TAVI Procedure: Endovascular Treatment in Emergent Setting.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has proven over the years to be a viable alternative to open surgery. A rare but severe complication is represented by the valve migration. We report a case of TAVI complication due to the loss of the prosthetic valve in the abdominal aorta treated by endovascular approach. METHODS: An 88-year-old patient with severe aortic valve stenosis, symptomatic for dyspnea was proposed for a TAVI because considered at high risk for surgery. During the TAVI procedure, the undeployed device (Edwards SAPIEN 3 - Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) detached from its delivery system. Several attempts to withdraw the valve fluctuating in the aorta into its supporting system were performed without success. An emergency endovascular treatment was promptly planned to obtain the exclusion from the flow of the embolized valve. Under local anaesthesia, through the percutaneous femoral access already present, a tube aortic endograft (EndurantTM II, Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA; ETTF2828C70EE) was successfully introduced and deployed in the infrarenal aorta without any related complications. The embolized valve was completely covered by the endgraft and thus fixed to the aortic wall. The first postoperative computer tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed the correct placement of the endograft, the exclusion of the valve from the flow and the patency of the great vessels. No perioperative or postoperative complications were recorded. The patient was discharged on the ninth postoperative day with the indication to a new attempt of TAVI, through transapical access. CONCLUSIONS: In case of intraprocedural loss of an undeplyed valve during TAVI, the valve fixing through endograft deployment in infrarenal aorta is a possible solution.

Changes in vascular calcification and bone mineral density in calcium supplement users from the Canadian Multi-center Osteoporosis Study (CaMOS).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Calcium supplements have been associated with increased cardiovascular events. This study investigates the relationship between calcium supplement use and the 5 year progression of abdominal aorta calcification (AAC) in participants from one center of the Canadian Multi-Centre Osteoporosis Study (CaMOS). METHODS: Participants (n = 296; 217 women and 79 men) had lateral spine X-rays and DEXA bone mineral density (BMD) scans (femoral neck, lumbar spine and total hip) taken at two time points within a 5 year interval. AAC was assessed using the Framingham Method. Calcium supplement use was assessed by a facilitated health history questionnaire and medication inventory. RESULTS: AAC significantly increased over 5 years, AAC progression was significantly greater in calcium supplement users, as compared to non-users, overall and in females. The amount of calcium was positively correlated to AAC progression. A multi-variable linear regression model was generated for women only, as there were not enough men for multivariable modelling. Calcium supplement use and amount remained significantly associated with AAC progression after adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes and smoking history. Change in AAC score was not associated with change in BMD T-Score. In univariate analyses of males, calcium supplement use was associated with a significantly greater BMD loss at the lumbar spine, hip, and femoral neck. CONCLUSIONS: Older female calcium supplement users had significantly higher AAC progression over 5 years, but did not have any significant BMD preservation. These results suggest that vascular calcification may contribute to the cardiovascular events observed in calcium supplement users.

Calcification of abdominal aorta in patients recently starting hemodialysis: A single-center experience from Egypt.

Vascular calcification (VC) is a well-known complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Keeping in mind, the end goal to assess the genuine effect of mineral bone disease in the pathogenesis of blood vessel calcification during the pre-dialysis course of CKD, we assessed the prevalence and extent of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in nondiabetic CKD patients recently starting hemodialysis (HD). Eighty-one patients with end-stage renal disease beginning HD over a one-month period were selected. They underwent a detailed clinical examination and laboratory evaluation, including serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor (FGF-23), and alkaline phosphatase were measured, and spiral computed tomography was performed to evaluate AAC score. AAC was present in 64 patients (79%). There was a significant correlation between the AAC score and age (r = 0.609, P <0.001) and FGF-23 (r = 0.800, P <0.001). This study suggests that the prevalence and extent of AAC are critical in incident HD patients. Serum FGF-23 level is the sole statistically significant correlate of AAC in these patients.

One-year experience of a regional service model of teleconsultation for planning and treatment of complex thoracoabdominal aortic disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report the methodology and 1-year experience of a regional service model of teleconsultation for planning and treatment of complex thoracoabdominal aortic disease (TAAD). METHODS: Complex TAADs without a feasible conventional surgical repair were prospectively evaluated by vascular surgeons of the same public health service (National Health System) located in a huge area of 22,994 km2 with 3.7 million inhabitants and 11 tertiary hospitals. Surgeons evaluated computed tomography scans and clinical details that were placed on a web platform (Google Drive; Google, Mountain View, Calif) and shared by all surgeons. Patients gave informed consent for the teleconsultation. The surgeon who submits a case discusses in detail his or her case and proposes a possible therapeutic strategy. The other surgeons suggest other solutions and options in terms of grafts, techniques, or access to be used. Computed tomography angiography, angiography, and clinical outcomes of cases are then presented at the following telemeetings, and a final agreement of the operative strategy is evaluated. Teleconsultation is performed using a web conference service (WebConference.com; Avaya Inc, Basking Ridge, NJ) every month. An inter-rater agreement statistic was calculated, and the κ value was interpreted according to Altman's criteria for computed tomography angiography measurements. RESULTS: The rate of participation was constant (mean number of surgeons, 11; range, 9-15). Twenty-four complex TAAD cases were discussed for planning and operation during the study period. The interobserver reliability recorded was moderate (κ = 0.41-0.60) to good (κ = 0.61-0.80) for measurements of proximal and distal sealing and very good (κ = 0.81-1) for detection of any target vessel angulation >60 degrees, significant calcification (circumferential), and thrombus presence (>50%). The concordance for planning and therapeutic strategy among all participants was complete in 16 cases. In one case, the consultation was decisive for creating an innovative therapeutic strategy; in the remaining seven cases, the strategy proposed by the patient's surgeon was changed completely after the discussion. Technical success was the same (100%) if concordance in planning was present initially or not. Overall 6-month mortality was 4%, 0% for those patients with initial concordance in planning vs 12% for those without initial concordance (P = .33). Surgery was always performed in a tertiary hospital by local surgeons, and in two cases (8%) external surgeons joined the local surgical team. CONCLUSIONS: Such a regional service of teleconsultation may be of value in standardizing the treatment and derived costs of complex TAADs in a huge region under the same health provider. The shared decision-making strategy may be of medical-legal value as well.

A Manganese-based Alternative to Gadolinium: Contrast-enhanced MR Angiography, Excretion, Pharmacokinetics, and Metabolism.

Purpose To compare intravascular contrast enhancement produced by the manganese-based magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent manganese-N-picolyl-N,N',N'-trans-1,2-cyclohexenediaminetriacetate (Mn-PyC3A) to gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) and to evaluate the excretion, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of Mn-PyC3A. Materials and Methods Contrast material-enhanced MR angiography was performed in baboons (Papio anubis; n = 4) by using Mn-PyC3A and Gd-DTPA. Dynamic imaging was performed for 60 minutes following Mn-PyC3A injection to monitor distribution and elimination. Serial blood sampling was performed to quantify manganese and gadolinium plasma clearance by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and to characterize Mn-PyC3A metabolism by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Intravascular contrast enhancement in the abdominal aorta and brachiocephalic artery was quantified by measuring contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) versus muscle at 9 seconds following Mn-PyC3A or Gd-DTPA injection. Plasma pharmacokinetics were modeled with a biexponential function, and data were compared with a paired t test. Results Aorta versus muscle CNR (mean ± standard deviation) with Mn-PyC3A and Gd-DTPA was 476 ± 77 and 538 ± 120, respectively (P = .11). Brachiocephalic artery versus muscle CNR was 524 ± 55 versus 518 ± 140, respectively (P = .95). Mn-PyC3A was eliminated via renal and hepatobiliary excretion with similar pharmacokinetics to Gd-DTPA (area under the curve between 0 and 30 minutes, 20.2 ± 3.1 and 17.0 ± 2.4, respectively; P = .23). High-performance liquid chromatography revealed no evidence of Mn-PyC3A biotransformation. Conclusion Mn-PyC3A enables contrast-enhanced MR angiography with comparable contrast enhancement to gadolinium-based agents and may overcome concerns regarding gadolinium-associated toxicity and retention. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Prophylactic Intraoperative Embolization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Sacs Using N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate/Lipiodol/Ethanol Mixture with Proximal Neck Aortic Balloon Occlusion during Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Repair.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of prophylactic intraoperative abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac embolization using a mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate/Lipiodol/ethanol (NLE) with proximal neck aortic balloon occlusion during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) to prevent the occurrence of endoleak and aneurysm sac expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prophylactic intraoperative AAA sac embolization was performed in 24 patients with an infrarenal neck angulation > 60° (n = 16) or AAA sac diameter > 60 mm (n = 17). AAA sac pressure was continuously measured with a 3-F catheter inserted into the AAA sac. The systolic sac pressure index (SPI) was calculated as the ratio of systolic AAA sac pressure to the simultaneously measured systolic aortic pressure, and was measured with and without proximal neck aortic balloon occlusion. The aneurysm sac was embolized with NLE during proximal neck aortic balloon occlusion immediately after EVAR. Endoleak and AAA sac diameter were evaluated by enhanced computed tomography and subtraction magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months and yearly after EVAR. RESULTS: Mean SPIs after EVAR with and without proximal neck aortic balloon occlusion were 0.36 and 0.57, respectively. There were no adverse events related to intraoperative sac embolization. Follow-up imaging (mean, 12.1 mo) revealed three minor endoleaks (12.5%) and no aneurysm sac expansion. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic intraoperative sac embolization with NLE during proximal neck aortic balloon occlusion was safe and feasible and may reduce endoleaks and prevent sac expansion after EVAR in patients with unfavorable anatomic factors.

Rescue baroreflex activation therapy after Stanford B aortic dissection due to therapy-refractory hypertension.

Clinical trials have demonstrated significant and durable reduction in arterial pressure from baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) in patients with resistant arterial hypertension. There is a lack of data, however, concerning the use of BAT in a rescue approach during therapy-refractory hypertensive crisis resulting in life-threatening end-organ damage. Here, we describe the first case in which BAT was applied as a rescue procedure in an intensive care setting after ineffective maximum medical treatment. A 34-year-old male patient presented with Stanford B aortic dissection and hypertensive crisis. The dissection membrane extended from the left subclavian artery down to the right common iliac artery, resulting in a total arterial occlusion of the right leg. After emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair and femorofemoral crossover bypass, the patient developed a compartment syndrome of the right lower limb, ultimately leading to amputation of the right leg above the knee. Even under deep sedation recurrent hypertensive crises of up to 220 mm Hg occurred that could not be controlled by eight antihypertensive drugs of different classes. Screening for secondary hypertension was negative. Eventually, rescue implantation of right-sided BAT was performed as a bailout procedure, followed by immediate activation of the device. After a hospital stay of a total of 8 weeks, the patient was discharged 2 weeks after BAT initiation with satisfactory blood pressure levels. After 1-year follow-up, the patient has not had a hypertensive crisis since the onset of BAT and is currently on fourfold oral antihypertensive therapy. The previously described bailout procedures for the treatment of life-threatening hypertensive conditions that are refractory to drug treatment have mainly comprised the interventional denervation of renal arteries. The utilization of BAT is new in this emergency context and showed a significant, immediate, and sustained reduction of blood pressure levels after activation. To our knowledge, we report the first case of an immediate activation of a barostim while the device is usually not activated before 2 to 4 weeks after implantation to allow time for the surgical site to heal. During the follow-up period, the healing process was not impaired, and a significant, immediate, and sustained reduction of blood pressure levels after activation could be observed. This treatment option offers maximum adherence to antihypertensive therapy to avoid future cardiovascular end-organ damage and possibly reduce antihypertensive medication and undesirable side effects.

[Cardiogenic shock due to spontaneous neonatal thrombosis of the abdominal aorta]. / Choc cardiogénique dû à une thrombose spontanée néonatale de l'aorte abdominale.

Neonatal arterial thrombosis is unusual and generally associated with an arterial umbilical catheter. Spontaneous aortic thrombosis is exceptional but its severity is related to high mortality rate and renovascular morbidity. We report here the observation of a 10-day-old term infant showing a large abdominal aortic thrombosis revealed by cardiogenic shock induced by systemic arterial hypertension. The resolution was fast following anticoagulant and antihypertensive therapy. Etiologic investigations showed renal failure and moderate hyperhomocysteinemia controlled by a vitamin supplement. Following this observation, we did a brief review of the neonatal spontaneous arterial thrombosis literature to discuss the neonatal hemostasis specific aspects. Management of infants presenting an arterial thrombosis varies depending on the hospital and there are no guidelines at this time concerning the etiologic investigation and treatment in France or internationally.

Chinese Herbal Cardiotonic Pill Stabilizes Vulnerable Plaques in Rabbits by Decreasing the Expression of Adhesion Molecules.

The cardiotonic pill (CP), consisting of a mixture of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Notoginseng, and Borneolum Syntheticum, has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Adhesion molecules, including intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, are involved in the development of vulnerable plaque. We investigated the effect of the CP in a rabbit model of vulnerable plaque established by local transfection with p53 gene. Compared with the control group, rabbits with vulnerable plaque showed a significantly lower intima-media thickness and plaque burden after CP treatment for 12 weeks. Moreover, the reduction in rate of plaque rupture and vulnerability index was similar. On enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry analysis, the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 was inhibited with CP treatment. CP treatment could postpone atherosclerotic plaque development and stabilize vulnerable plaque by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules in treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Osteoporosis and vascular calcification in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives To estimate the correlation between osteoporosis and vascular calcification in postmenopausal women and the influence of calcium/vitamin D supplements on vascular calcification. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed including 29 women with osteoporosis (15 not taking supplements) and 18 age-matched, non-osteoporotic women. They were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors and blood tests, lateral X-ray of lumbar spine (assessment of abdominal aorta calcification, AAC) and carotid ultrasound (increased intima media thickness (iIMT) or calcified plaques) were performed. Results In univariate analysis, osteoporotic women were 16 times more likely to develop AAC (odds ratio (OR) 15.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-135.4) and seven times more likely to develop iIMT (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.8-25.4) compared to normal individuals. The odds of developing AAC and iIMT were increased each year after menopause (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.2 and OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.3, respectively) and with aging (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.1-1.47 and OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.3, respectively). Calcified plaques were significantly correlated with osteoporosis (p = 0.014). In multivariate analysis, osteoporosis was an independent risk factor for AAC (OR 13.3, 95% CI 1.3-134.4) and iIMT (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.1-19.9). Low doses of supplements did not appear to affect vascular calcification (p = 0.6). Conclusions Osteoporosis is associated with increased calcification of the abdominal aorta and carotids. Low doses of supplements do not appear to cause any increase in vascular calcification in osteoporotic women.

CT-guided injection of N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue for treatment of chylous leak after aorto-mesenteric bypass.

Lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization are well-described techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic lymphatic leaks refractory to conservative treatment. However, thoracic duct embolization is not an option in patients with abdominal chylous leaks. The present report describes a 68-year-old man who underwent an aortomesenteric bypass complicated by a high-output postoperative chylothorax (>2,000 ml/day) and chylous ascites (>7,000 ml/paracentesis). Ultrasound-guided intranodal lymphangiography demonstrated a retroperitoneal lymphatic leak tracking along the vascular graft into the peritoneal cavity. Computed tomography-guided lymphatic duct occlusion with N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue was performed, resulting in successful treatment of both chylothorax and chylous ascites.

Abdominal aortic calcification on vertebral morphometry images predicts incident myocardial infarction.

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) measured on spine X-rays is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether AAC assessed using vertebral morphometry and a recently developed scoring system (AAC-8) is reliable and associated with cardiovascular risk factors or events. A total of 1471 healthy postmenopausal women and 323 healthy middle-aged and older men participated in 5 and 2 year trials of calcium supplements, respectively. AAC-8 was assessed on vertebral morphometry images at baseline and follow-up. In addition, 163 men also had coronary artery calcification measured using computed tomography. Cardiovascular events during the trials were independently adjudicated. We found strong inter- and intrameasurer agreement for AAC-8 (kappa > 0.87). The prevalence of AAC increased with age (p < .01) in women and in men. AAC was associated with many established cardiovascular risk factors, with serum calcium in women (p = .002) and with higher coronary calcium scores in men (p = .03). Estimated 5 year cardiovascular risk increased with increasing AAC-8 score (p < .001) in women and in men. The presence of AAC independently predicted myocardial infarction (MI) in women [hazards ratio (HR) = 2.30, p = .007] and men (HR = 5.32, p = .04), even after adjustment for estimated cardiovascular risk in women. In women, AAC independently predicted cardiovascular events (MI, stroke, or sudden death) (HR = 1.74, p = .007), and changes in AAC-8 score over time were associated with MI and cardiovascular events, even after adjustment for estimated cardiovascular risk. In summary, scoring AAC on vertebral morphometric scans is a reproducible method of assessing cardiovascular risk that independently predicts incident MI and cardiovascular events, even after taking into account traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

High-dose B vitamin supplementation and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, it remains unclear whether homocysteine is a cause or a marker of atherosclerotic vascular disease. We determined whether reduction of tHcy levels with B vitamin supplementation reduces subclinical atherosclerosis progression. METHODS: In this double-blind clinical trial, 506 participants 40 to 89 years of age with an initial tHcy >8.5 micromol/L without diabetes and cardiovascular disease were randomized to high-dose B vitamin supplementation (5 mg folic acid+0.4 mg vitamin B(12)+50 mg vitamin B(6)) or matching placebo for 3.1 years. Subclinical atherosclerosis progression across 3 vascular beds was assessed using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography to measure carotid artery intima media thickness (primary outcome) and multidetector spiral CT to measure aortic and coronary artery calcium (secondary outcome). RESULTS: Although the overall carotid artery intima media thickness progression rate was lower with B vitamin supplementation than with placebo, statistically significant between-group differences were not found (P=0.31). However, among subjects with baseline tHcy >or=9.1 micromol/L, those randomized to B vitamin supplementation had a statistically significant lower average rate of carotid artery intima media thickness progression compared with placebo (P=0.02); among subjects with a baseline tHcy <9.1 micromol/L, there was no significant treatment effect (probability value for treatment interaction=0.02). B vitamin supplementation had no effect on progression of aortic or coronary artery calcification overall or within subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose B vitamin supplementation significantly reduces progression of early-stage subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid artery intima media thickness) in well-nourished healthy B vitamin "replete" individuals at low risk for cardiovascular disease with a fasting tHcy >or=9.1 micromol/L.

[Reconstruction of a digital three-dimensional model of the rectum and the surrounding structures based on CT angiographic data].

OBJECTIVE: To reconstruct a digital three-dimensional model of the rectum and the surrounding structures based on CT angiographic (CTA) data. METHODS: Based on air pressure enema and CTA, the chest T12 level to upper portion of the femur of a healthy volunteer was scanned with 64-slice spiral CT in the arterial phase and venous phase. The rectum and the surrounding structures were reconstructed with Mimics software based on the two-dimensional images of 856 consecutive layers obtained by Dicom 3.0 standard CT. The model was validated using finite element analysis software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The established three-dimensional digital model allowed clear visualization of such structures of the lumbar vertebrae, pelvis, femur, abdominal aorta, internal iliac artery, external iliac artery, branches of the external iliac artery, skin, rectum, the colons, part of the small intestines, and the urinary bladder and prostate. The application of thin-layer CT and Dicom 3.0 standard renders better accuracy of the established digital model, which can provide a platform for surgical skill training and teaching of anatomy.

Effects of sevelamer on the progression of vascular calcification in patients on chronic haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Vascular calcification is thought to be associated with a high cardiovascular mortality rate in patients with end-stage renal disease. Control of hyperphosphataemia is important for the treatment of the vascular calcification. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sevelamer hydrochloride on the progression of aortic calcification in haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: 42 HD patients were studied in this study and divided into two groups (sevelamer vs. calcium). Sevelamer was added and titrated up to achieve serum P control for 6 months. The estimations of aortic calcification index (ACI) by abdominal computed tomography scans were performed twice in each patient. We compared the changes in serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, and lipids in two groups. RESULTS: Serum phosphorus levels decreased significantly from 6.7 +/- 0.7 to 6.2 +/- 0.5 mg/dl with no changes in serum intact parathyroid hormone levels in the sevelamer group (p < 0.01), and increased from 6.5 +/- 1.0 to 6.7 +/- 1.1 mg/dl in the calcium group (p < 0.05). Serum calcium levels did not change in the sevelamer group and calcium group. The serum levels of total cholesterol decreased significantly from 158.5 +/- 20.7 to 146.2 +/- 24.1 mg/dl (p = 0.024) and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level from 65.3 +/- 14.4 to 54.7 +/- 11.6 mg/dl (p = 0.014) in the sevelamer group. Serum C-reactive protein decreased significantly from 0.14 +/- 0.13 to 0.08 +/- 0.11 mg/dl in the sevelamer group (p = 0.038) and significantly increased (0.18 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.12 mg/dl) in the calcium group (p = 0.042). The mean changes in ACI (DeltaACI) were 3.6 +/- 1.5% in the sevelamer group and 8.2 +/- 3.1% in the calcium group. CONCLUSIONS: Sevelamer allows a better serum phosphorus control compared with calcium-based phosphate binder and suppresses the progression of aortic calcification in HD patients.

Endoluminal repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms under local anesthesia: initial experience.

Open surgical repair is the standard treatment for a ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). This approach is associated with mortality rates of up to 70%, with significant surgery-related morbidity among survivors. In selected patients, endoluminal repair (ER) of an rAAA under local anesthesia may allow emergent aneurysm repair with reduced perioperative stress, ideally resulting in improved outcomes. The authors report their initial experience using a commercially available bifurcated endoluminal stent-graft to treat patients with rAAA under local anesthesia. Five of 8 patients (63%) with rAAA in a 1-year interval (June 2000-May 2001) were treated with ER. Criteria for ER were the following: (1) suitable aortic anatomy based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging and (2) a hemodynamic state not requiring immediate aortic control. Mean size of ER rAAAs was 8 cm. Four of 5 patients underwent ER under local anesthesia. All 5 ER patients survived the initial surgery, and 4 patients survived to discharge. The expired patient was a Jehovah's Witness who had a successful ER but was profoundly anemic postoperatively and refused transfusion. On postoperative CT imaging, no endoleaks were noted and no AAA enlargement had occurred. In a selected but significant subset of rAAA patients, emergent repair using a commercially available bifurcated endograft under local anesthesia is feasible, and clinical outcomes are acceptable. These promising initial results suggest that a further evaluation of the role of endoluminal repair in the treatment of ruptured infrarenal AAAs is warranted.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with percutaneous transfemoral prostheses deployment under local anaesthesia. Initial experience with a new, simple-to-use tubular and bifurcated device in the first 27 cases.

BACKGROUND: Modification of endografts are required to simplify and improve the safety of the endovascular management of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a new custom-made, tubular and bifurcated device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The graft consisted of a continuous, self-expanding, stainless steel, Z-stent structure, covered with a thin wall PTFE tube. Bifurcated grafts were constructed in vivo from three PTFE tubes with a continuous Z-stent structure. Twenty-seven high risk patients with a mean age of 74 (62-86) years and AAA, mean diameter 5.9 cm, were treated in the last 26 months. Tube grafts were deployed in 13 aortic and one iliac cases, bifurcated grafts in nine cases and aorto-uni-iliac grafts with femorofemoral bypass in four cases. Grafts were deployed percutaneously under local anaesthesia. Patients were followed with contrast CT periodically. RESULTS: All grafts were deployed. There were no open conversions or other major complications. There were nine proximal and one distal postoperative endoleak. Four sealed spontaneously, three were treated successfully with endovascular techniques and three are under surveillance. In the 7 (2-23) months follow-up, one patient died due to heart failure 3 months post-procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Local anaesthesia and percutaneous graft introduction simplify and improve the efficacy of the procedure. Continuous aortic graft support provides stability and reduces the risk of migration. PTFE is a flexible, low-profile material for use in endovascular stent-grafts. The bifurcation concept used offers a simple technique for bifurcated grafts.

Effects of blood pressure reduction on the elastic profile of the aortic tree in patients with coronary heart disease.

Decreased arterial compliance of large arteries in coronary heart disease has been reported. Using intravascular ultrasound it was demonstrated that arterial compliance decreases with increasing distance from the heart. Until now changes in the elastic profile have not been investigated after a stepwise blood pressure (BP) reduction induced by antihypertensive agents. The local viscoelastic properties of the aortic tree were analyzed before and after a mean arterial BP reduction of about 5 and 15 mm Hg below baseline by the steady-state infusion of increasing doses of nisoldipine in 15 patients with coronary artery disease. Intravascular ultrasound imaging combined with arterial pressure measurements were performed at five sites along the aortic tree to determine the viscoelastic profile before nisoldipine administration and again after the 5 and 15 mm Hg nisoldipine-induced blood pressure reductions. The elasticity parameters varied depending on the distance from the heart and on the BP level. At both BP reduction levels nisoldipine infusion led to an increase in arterial compliance at the abdominal aorta and at the aortic bifurcation. A dissociation between the 5 and the 15 mm Hg BP reduction was found at the common iliac artery and at the external iliac artery. Our results provide direct quantitative evidence that stepwise BP reductions exhibit different and, in part, contrary effects on the elastic profile, depending on the aortic tree location. The results also suggest that nisoldipine infusion can significantly ameliorate local viscoelastic properties at the abdominal aorta and at the aortic bifurcation, an effect that was associated or caused by a change in BP attributable to a decrease in peripheral resistance.

Sonographic image degradation after barium enema.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors previously showed that barium does not interfere with abdominal sonography performed after a biphasic upper gastrointestinal tract examination. This study was designed to assess the impact of a barium enema (BE) examination on the quality of abdominal sonography performed immediately after the barium enema. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for routine barium enemas (22 air contrast and 18 solid column) were prospectively examined with abdominal sonography before and after their BEs. The resulting 80 sonograms were randomized; three radiologists blindly assessed the quality of images of each of six anatomic areas (aorta, pancreas, porta hepatis, gallbladder, and the right and left lobes of the liver). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant degradation of the images for the right and left lobes of the liver and the pancreas. However, the images for the gallbladder, porta hepatis, and aorta had a statistically significant (P < .05) degradation of their ultrasound quality following barium enema. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike upper gastrointestinal tract examination, BE examination does interfere with the quality of a subsequent abdominal ultrasonography. Thus, when both studies are required, sonography should be performed first.