Efficacy and one-year outcomes of Luminor® paclitaxel-coated drug-eluting balloon in the treatment of popliteal artery atherosclerosis lesions.

PURPOSE: Reporting outcomes with a new generation paclitaxel eluting balloon (Luminor®; iVascular, Vascular, S.L.U., Barcelona, Spain) in the popliteal district. Endovascular treatment of popliteal artery atherosclerotic disease is still debated without definitive evidences. METHODS: From January to June 2019, patients' data presenting popliteal artery atherosclerotic diseases and treated with the Luminor® (iVascular) drug eluting balloon (DEB) were prospectively collected. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) or severe claudication associated with popliteal artery stenosis >50% were the inclusion criteria. Measured outcomes were technical success, early and late results; including mortality, morbidity, symptoms recurrence, amputation, ankle-brachial index (ABI), survival, primary patency, secondary patency, freedom from restenosis. Median follow-up was 22.43 ± 4 (mean:21.58; IQR:20-24) months. RESULTS: Of the 33 included patients, 28 (85%) were diagnosed with CLI, with a mean preoperative run-off score of 5.39 (r:0-10; SD:3) and a chronic popliteal occlusion in 21 (64%). Technical success was achieved in all cases. Perioperative mortality was observed in 1 (3%) patient and perioperative complications in 2 (6%). During the follow-up were reported 2 symptoms recurrence; a significant ABI increase (0.57; IQR:0.41-0.47 vs. 0.69; IQR:0.50-0.67; P < 0.01); 1 (3%) major and 2 (6%) minor amputations. Estimated 24 months survival, primary patency, secondary patency, and freedom from restenosis were 97%, 96.9%, 100%, and 93.8% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study, the use of the Luminor® (iVascular) was safe and effective in addressing atherosclerotic popliteal artery lesions. Larger studies with longer term-outcomes are required to assess the durability of this device in the popliteal artery.

Position Paper on Young Vascular Surgeons Training of the Mediterranean Federation for the Advancing of Vascular Surgery (MeFAVS): State of the Art and Perspectives.

The Mediterranean Federation for the Advancing of Vascular Surgery (MeFAVS) was founded in 2018, with the aim to promote cooperation among vascular professionals within Mediterranean countries. Due to its prominent social and economic impact on national health systems, diabetic peripheral artery was selected as the very first topic to be investigated by the federation. In this second paper, different experiences from delegates of participating countries were shared to define common strategies to harmonize, standardize, and optimize education and training in the Vascular Surgery specialty.

Endovascular Treatment of Spontaneous and Isolated Infrarenal Acute Aortic Syndrome with Unibody Aortic Stent-Grafts.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous acute aortic syndrome (IAAS) is rarely localized in the infrarenal aorta. The endovascular approach is preferred over conventional open surgery with fewer complications. However, dedicated endovascular devices for IAAS treatment are unavailable. The aim was to report a large single-center experience using unibody stent-grafts to address IAAS. METHODS: From April 2016 to March 2019, a retrospective analysis of patients presenting spontaneous and isolated IAAS was performed. Patients addressed with the unibody stent-graft (AFX endovascular AAA system; Endologix Inc., Irvine, CA) were included in the study. Indications to IAAS treatment were persistent symptoms and/or dilated abdominal aorta (>3 cm). The measured outcomes were technical success; early outcomes (<30 days) including mortality, morbidity, symptoms recurrence, and endoleak occurrence; and late outcomes (>30 days) including mortality, symptoms recurrence, endoleak occurrence, stent-graft patency, and survival. Median follow-up was 23.77 ± 10 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with IAAS were included. Indications to treatment were symptoms in 14 (67%) patients and dilated abdominal aorta in 7 (33%). Technical success was achieved in all cases. No perioperative mortality and 1 (4.8%) early femoral access complication was encountered. During the follow-up were registered 1 (4.8%) aortic unrelated death and 1 (4.8%) stent-graft limb stenosis. The 36 months estimated survival and freedom from reintervention were 92% (CI: 37-43; SE: 1.7) and 94% (CI: 37-44; SE: 1.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The endovascular treatment of IAAS with unibody stent-graft (AFX endovascular AAA system; Endologix Inc.) is safe and effective with promising mid-term outcomes. The use of unibody stent-grafts expands the endovascular indication, despite the usual anatomic IAAS features. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required to validate the outcomes of the reported technique.

Endovascular Treatment of Spontaneous Internal Carotid Artery Dissection with Proximal Embolic Protection Device.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the feasibility and outcomes with the endovascular treatment of spontaneous internal carotid artery dissections (ICADs) using a proximal embolic protection device (EPD). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated for spontaneous symptomatic ICAD using a proximal EPD from January 2017 to December 2018. Indication for treatment was the presence of neurologic symptoms. Early outcomes measured included technical success, perioperative mortality, and major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular complications. Late outcomes were recurrent neurologic symptoms, patency, and reinterventions. RESULTS: A total of 4 male patients with ICAD were included. A preoperative cerebral computed tomography positive for cerebral ischemic events was reported in all cases. In 3 patients, the neurologic symptoms consisted of a transient ischemic attack; the remaining patient presented an amaurosis fugax and aphasia. In 2 patients, ICAD was associated with a carotid significant stenosis. In all patients, the reported approach was feasible with no complications and complete anatomic dissection resolution. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, all stents are patent and no restenosis recurrence or complications were registered. CONCLUSIONS: The use of proximal EPDs allowed the treatment of ICAD under flow arrest, minimizing the risk of stroke during the endovascular maneuvers. Larger series are required to validate this treatment strategy.

Single-Center Experience and Preliminary Results of Intravascular Ultrasound in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been introduced as diagnostic adjunct to provide new insights into the diagnosis and therapy of vascular disease. Herein, we compared the outcomes of conventional endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and EVAR with IVUS in patients presenting with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm using a propensity-matched cohort. METHODS: From May 2013 to August 2017, 221 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Of that, 122 patients were eligible for inclusion and underwent propensity score matching. Perioperative mortality and morbidity, renal function impairment, endoleak incidence, mean contrast medium usage, operative time, radiation exposure (including fluoroscopy time, dose-area product [DAP], and digital subtraction angiography [DSA] runs), survival, and freedom from reintervention were the outcomes measured. RESULTS: After matching, 52 patients were included, 26 in the conventional EVAR group and 26 in the EVAR with IVUS group. No perioperative mortality or type I/III endoleak were registered. One perioperative lymphatic fistula and one iliac limb occlusion were observed. In the EVAR with IVUS group, a significant reduction of contrast medium (92 [vs. 51 ± 17] vs. 51 [20-68] mL; P = 0.003) and radiation exposure including fluoroscopy time (12 [9-16] vs. 20 [12-25] min; P = 0.001), DAP (15 [9-21] vs. 32 [16-44] G*cm2; P = 0.002), and DSA runs (2 [1-3] vs. 3 [2-4]; P = 0.04) was reported. No differences were observed in terms of glomerular filtration rate (86 [45-121] vs. 90 [38-117] mL/min; P = 0.14) and operation time (176 [124-210] vs. 179 [120-210]; P = 0.48). Survival at 36 months was 93% for standard EVAR and 92% for EVAR with IVUS (P = 0.845). Freedom from reintervention at 36 months was 85.5% in both the groups (P = 0.834). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary experience, the use of IVUS during EVAR was feasible with no registered postoperative complications. A significant reduction of contrast medium usage and radiation exposure was observed with the use of IVUS. The IVUS is an adjunctive tool to consider in the vascular surgeon armamentarium, especially in centers where advanced radiological tools of imaging fusion are not available.

Symptomatic Deep Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm Endovascular Exclusion. Case Report and Literature Review.

Deep femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (DFAPs) are rare and generally occur after penetrating trauma or surgical procedures. A 36-year-old obese man presented with pain in correspondence of the anterior-lateral thigh after 6 months from gunshot wound. Duplex and computed tomography (CT) showed a bilobed right DFAP (maximal diameter 12.9 cm). The patient was managed urgently, under local anesthesia, by placement in the distal DFA of a Viabahn 8 × 100-mm stent graft (W L Gore & Associates, Inc). The postoperative course was uneventful, and the 24-month CT showed regular stent-graft patency and 20-mm DFAP shrinkage. The literature review reported 8 cases of DFAPs; of these 6 were managed by endovascular mean (3 stent-graft implantations and 3 coil embolization). The remaining 2 cases were managed surgically (one of these after failed coil embolization). In conclusion, the use of covered stent graft was effective to treat a DFAP localized in the medium DFA. This tool allowed maintaining the native DFA patency and the preservation of its main branches.

Spontaneous symptomatic common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm: case report and literature review.

Spontaneous common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm (CCAP) is rare but potentially lethal disease. A 78-year-old man presented with pain in correspondence of right neck side and slight right eye ptosis. No previous surgery, trauma, or venous catheterizations in the neck region were reported. The computed tomographic angiography (CTA) showed a 4-cm saccular CCAP. The patient was managed emergently with surgical CCAP excision. At 6-month follow-up, the patient is neck pain-free with complete ptosis regression, and the CTA shows no pathologic findings. The literature review reported 7 cases of pseudoaneurysm of carotid district. All these cases were managed by surgical approach, and in 1 case, an endovascular embolization procedure was associated before. The CTA was used in all cases but angiography in only one. In these cases, the surgical repair with pseudoaneurysm evacuation is still the treatment of choice.

Endograft connector technique to treat popliteal artery aneurysm in a morbid obese patient.

Surgical repair of popliteal artery aneurysm in morbid obese patients poses additional challenges. We report a morbid obese patient who had a 59 mm right popliteal artery aneurysm which was successfully treated with the endograft connector technique. This technique was used to perform the distal anastomosis of the below-knee femoro-popliteal bypass. A 10 mm Dacron graft was used as a main graft bypass and an 11 mm/10 cm stentgraft as endograft connector. Following the respective tunnel of the Dacron graft, an end-to-side proximal anastomosis was performed at distal femoral artery. The aneurysm exclusion was obtained through a proximal and a distal ligation. Postoperative duplex showed adequate bypass patency. Knee x-rays demonstrated no signs of stent kinking/fractures. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged home on fourth day post operative. The six-month computed tomography scan and the 12-month duplex control showed a patent bypass with no signs of stenosis.

Chronic mesenteric ischemia: critical review and guidelines for management.

BACKGROUND: CMI is caused by chronic occlusive disease of mesenteric arteries. In such an uncommon disease, clear recommendations are strongly needed. Unfortunately, treatment options for symptomatic CMI are still controversial and no guidelines exist. METHODS: A systematic literature review of the last 25-years was conducted through MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Review/Trials register to identify studies reporting on CMI treatment with more than 10 patients. Primary outcomes were perioperative mortality and morbidity rates. Secondary outcomes were survival rates, primary and secondary patency rates, vessels treated, CMI recurrence, follow-up (FU), technical success (TS), and in-hospital length of stay (InH-LOS). Patients were divided into endovascular treatment (ET) or open treatment (OT) groups. Subsequently, primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed by study publication year for the interval periods 1986-2000 ("A") and 2001-2010 ("B"). Differences were assessed using the t-test and the χ(2) test. RESULTS: Forty-three articles with 1,795 patients were included. Perioperative mortality and morbidity rates were lower in the ET group. No difference in survival rate was observed. Primary and secondary patencies were superior in the OT group. A greater number of vessels were revascularized in the OT group. CMI recurrence was more frequent in the ET group. FU was longer in the OT group. TS was superior in the OT group and InH-LOS was shorter in the ET group. A higher number of patients were treated by ET in the period "A." No differences in mortality and morbidity were observed between period "A" and "B" in ET and OT groups. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the lower periprocedural mortality and morbidity after ET, this approach should be considered as the first treatment option in most CMI patients, especially in those with severe malnutrition. Primary OT should be restricted to cases that do not qualify for ET or good surgical risk patients with long life expectancy. Considering better long-term results of OT, ET treatment should be considered as a bridge therapy to OT in some patients requiring retreatment if ET does not preclude subsequent OT.

A popliteal artery aneurysm presenting with ab extrinseco popliteal vein occlusion and compartment syndrome: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Aneurysms of popliteal artery are the most frequently reported aneurysm after abdominal aorta. An unusual presentation is compression to adjacent structure. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67 years old caucasian man presenting deep vein thrombosis signs to the right leg including functional impotence was admitted in emergency setting to Vascular Surgery Unit. A pulsing mass was present in the popliteal cave at inspection. The computed tomography angiography demonstrated a 53.2 mm popliteal artery aneurysm causing an ab extrinseco compression of the popliteal vein and a dislocation of popliteal nerve. A surgical open reconstruction with a reinforced Dacron graft was performed via a posterior approach. Patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day with no functional impotence. At three and six months Doppler ultrasound followup both popliteal arterial graft and popliteal vein were patent. CONCLUSION: An unusual presentation of a popliteal artery aneurysm can be a popliteal compartment syndrome, especially in large aneurysms. Deep popliteal vein compression and/or popliteal nerve dislocation signs can rarely represent the clinical symptoms. The popliteal artery aneurysm repair is generally required to avoid a distal embolization and rupture. Through a surgical open repair was possible to achieve both popliteal cave decompression and the popliteal artery aneurysm repair.

Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic anastomotic pseudoaneurysm. The experience of two centers.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysms are a rare but serious complication of aortic surgery. Treatment with traditional open surgery is associated with a high rate of perioperative mortality and morbidity. Endovascular treatment is less invasive and guarantees lower mortality and morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of short-, medium- and long-term endovascular treatment of these pseudoaneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over the past 10 years, 14 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, which developed after prior aortic surgery, underwent endovascular treatment involving implantation of an endoprosthesis at our institutions. Exclusion criteria were emergency treatment and suspicion of an infected prosthesis. A Cheatham-platinum covered stent mounted on a balloon catheter was implanted in one patient and self-expandable stent-graft in the other 13. No fenestrated or custom-made prostheses were used. RESULTS: The procedure had a 100% technical success rate. There was no postoperative mortality. Two type I endoleaks, observed at aortography at the end of the procedure, were not seen on the CT scan taken one month later. Three patients (21.4%) had major perioperative complications which consisted of early occlusion of a branch of the endoprosthesis, (treated with a femoro-femoral crossover bypass graft), a transient ischemic attack, and jaundice. The long-term mortality rate, at an average follow-up of 37.4 months, was 21.4%. None of the deaths was related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of patients who develop anastomotic pseudoaneurysm after surgery of the abdominal aorta is safe and effective both in the short and long term. In our opinion it is the treatment of choice for this category of patients.

The Role of Early Revascularization and Biomarkers in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Single Center Experience.

Diabetic neuropathy and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) are the main etiological factors in foot ulceration. Herein, we report our experience of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) management, with an analysis of the relationship between the rate of lower extremity amputation, in persons with infected DFU, after revascularization procedures performed to prevent major amputation. This study highlights the role of different biomarkers, showing their usefulness and potentiality in diabetic foot ulcer management, especially for the early diagnosis and therapy effectiveness monitoring. A retrospective analysis, from September 2016 to January 2021, of diabetic patients presenting diabetic foot with DFU, was performed. All patients were treated with at least one vascular procedure (endovascular, open, hybrid procedures) targeting PAD lesions. Outcomes measured were perioperative mortality and morbidity. Freedom from occlusion, primary and secondary patency, and amputation rate were registered. A total of 267 patients, with a mean age of 72.5 years, were included in the study. The major amputation rate was 6.2%, minor amputation rate was 17%. In our experience, extreme revascularization to obtain direct flow reduced the rate of amputations, with an increase in ulcer healing.

Surgical repair of popliteal artery aneurysms remains a safe treatment option in the endovascular era: a 10-year single-center study.

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular popliteal artery aneurysm repair has emerged recently as a feasible alternative to standard surgical repair. However, the evidence from the literature is still limited, with only case reports, case series and one small randomized trial. Currently, the available data suggests that stent-grafts should be used in patients at very high surgical risk. The purpose of this study is to present our surgical experience in popliteal artery aneurysm repair in an endovascular era. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 36 consecutive patients, who were admitted to our hospital from January 2000 to April 2010, was analyzed retrospectively. Twenty-six patients underwent surgical treatment through medial or posterior access. The posterior approach was used preferentially. The medial approach was adopted in patients with large aneurysms or aneurysms involving the superficial femoral artery. RESULTS: Twelve patients (Group A; 46.1%) were operated on via medial access followed by femoropopliteal bypass. In the remaining fourteen patients (Group B; 53.9%) an interposition graft was performed via a posterior approach. The 30-day overall mortality rate was 3.8% (1/26). The 30-day amputation rate was 0% in both groups. The primary patency rate was 83.3% in Group A at 78.8-month average follow-up (range: 18-128 months) and was 100% in Group B at 46.3-month average follow-up (range: 5-121 months). CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding the extensive use of stent-grafts worldwide, surgical repair remains the gold standard for the management of popliteal artery aneurysms. In our experience open repair using either a medial or posterior approach is associated with low mortality and morbidity rates.

Simultaneous Hybrid Treatment of Multilevel Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid treatments (HT) aim to reduce conventional open surgery invasiveness and address multilevel peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Herein, the simultaneous HT treatment in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is reported. METHODS: Retrospective analysis, for the period from May 2012 to April 2018, of patients presenting multilevel PAD with CLTI addressed with simultaneous HT. The outcomes of these interventions were measured the following metrics: early technical successes (within 30 days following treatment) and late technical successes (30 days or more following treatment) and included mortality, morbidity symptoms recurrence, and amputation. Survival and patencies were estimated. The median follow-up was 43.77 months. RESULTS: In the 45 included patients, the HT consisted of femoral bifurcation patch angioplasty followed by an endovascular treatment in 38 patients (84.4%) and endovascular treatment followed by a surgical bypass in 7 patients (15.6%). Technical success was 100% without perioperative mortality. Eight (17.8%) patients presented early complications without major amputations. During the follow-up, seven (15.6%) deaths occurred and six patients (13.3%) experienced symptoms recurrence, with five of those patients requiring major amputation. An estimated survival time of 5 years, primary patency, and secondary patency was 84.4%, 79.2%, and 83.3% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid treatments are effective in addressing patients presenting with multilevel PAD and CLTI. The common femoral artery involvement influences strategy selection. Larger studies with longer-term outcomes are required to validate the hybrid approach, indications, and results.

Residual vein thrombosis to establish duration of anticoagulation after a first episode of deep vein thrombosis: the Duration of Anticoagulation based on Compression UltraSonography (DACUS) study.

Residual vein thrombosis (RVT) indicates a prothrombotic state and is useful for evaluating the optimal duration of oral anticoagulant treatment (OAT). Patients with a first episode of deep vein thrombosis, treated with OAT for 3 months, were managed according to RVT findings. Those with RVT were randomized to either stop or continue anticoagulants for 9 additional months, whereas in those without RVT, OAT was stopped. Outcomes were recurrent venous thromboembolism and/or major bleeding. Residual thrombosis was detected in 180 (69.8%) of 258 patients; recurrent events occurred in 27.2% of those who discontinued (25/92; 15.2% person-years) and 19.3% of those who continued OAT (17/88; 10.1% person-years). The relative adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-2.93; P = .145). Of the 78 (30.2%) patients without RVT, only 1 (1.3%; 0.63% person-years) had a recurrence. The adjusted HR of patients with RVT versus those without was 24.9 (95% CI, 3.4-183.6; P = .002). One major bleeding event (1.1%; 0.53% person-years) occurred in patients who stopped and 2 occurred (2.3%; 1.1% person-years) in those who continued OAT. Absence of RVT identifies a group of patients at very low risk for recurrent thrombosis who can safely stop OAT. This trial was registered at http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov as no. NCT00438230.

Simultaneous endovascular treatment of synchronous symptomatic acute type B aortic dissection and large infrarenal aortic aneurysm. Technical tips and case report.

INTRODUCTION: Data from the literature suggest that in patients with acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD), associated with AAA, rupture risk is higher at the confluence tract than isolated lessions. Herein, we report a case of ATBAD and AAA managed with simultaneous intervention. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a complicated case of a symptomatic patient presenting with a type B aortic dissection and false lumen extension into superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Severe back pain and hypertension were the patient's initial complaints. This patient underwent endovascular repair with a thoracic and infrarenal aortic endograft. DISCUSSION: AAA rupture has been detected at admission in three-fourths of patients with ATBAD that extended to or involved a coexisting unoperated atherosclerotic aneurysms. Prompt surgical intervention is essential to deal with this dreadful aortic emergency. CONCLUSION: In our experience a totally endovascular solution to treat a complicated ATBAD plus AAA was a rapid solution with low invasivity, no complication and complete healing of patients.

A rare case of infrarenal aortic coarctation in a young female.

INTRODUCTION: Infrarenal abdominal aortic coarctation (AAC) is an extremely rare disease. It can be associated with renal artery stenosis determining secondary renal hypertension. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of AAC in young female patient presenting systemic hypertension non-responder to medical treatment. Diagnostics revealed the involvement of the right renal artery as the cause of hypertension. The management consisted of percutaneous renal artery stenting and close surveillance for the aortic segment. The treatment was uneventful with resolution of the hypertensive condition. DISCUSSION: AAC etiology is unknown. There are no studies comparing the long-term treatment outcome in adult patients. The long-term prognosis depends mainly on blood pressure control and the underlying disease. In the reported case the treatment of the renal lesion was adequate to control the secondary hypertension. This approach does not preclude future intervention in the aortic segment and provides a fast-recovery and less invasive approach to the major clinical manifestation. CONCLUSION: In this case the treatment of the specific vascular lesion was adequate to address the main clinical hypertensive manifestation. This less-invasive approach did not preclude future intervention in the aortic segment where the evolution of the disease is unknown.

Single staged hybrid approach for multilevel aortic-iliac-femoral-popliteal disease.

INTRODUCTION: Multilevel peripheral arterial disease (MPAD) is the main cause of critic limb ischemia (CLI). Vascular interventions are required to increase distal blood flow and reduce the risk of lower limb amputation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of complex hybrid revascularization in a patient presenting a Rutherford V MPAD involving the infrarenal aorta, iliac, femoral and popliteal segments. The simultaneous hybrid intervention consisted of an endovascular aortic stent-graft placement and a surgical above-the-knee prosthetic femoro-popliteal bypass. In the same operation a renal stenting was performed due to a significant renal artery stenosis associated to a systemic hypertension non-responder to medical management. DISCUSSION: Hybrid interventions can be performed simultaneously or staged with benefit given by the complementary role of endovascular and surgical treatments allowing the correction of eventually inadequate results of both approaches. Reports of simultaneous hybrid treatments are limited but, despite the complexity of such procedures, primary success rate is reported high. Also in the reported case, a complex simultaneous treatment in a patient presenting MPAD in association to a significant and symptomatic renal artery disease was feasible in the same operation. CONCLUSION: Hybrid procedure are safe with high degree of efficacy in terms of revascularization procedure, reduced morbidity and shorter intensive care and hospital stay. In our experience, the use of hybrid procedure is technically feasible and allowed the treatment of MPAD with a good outcomes.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report our experience about the inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA). METHODS: Between January 1999 and January 2008 we treated 8 cases of IAAA. Two patients underwent surgery in emergency. The preoperative diagnostic procedure were ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and intravenous urography (IVU). In 6 elective patients the diagnosis of IAAA was obtained preoperatively. In one case a left hydroureteronephrosis was demonstrated by intravenous urography (IVU). All patients underwent open surgery with midline incision and transperitoneal access. RESULTS: No 30-days mortality occurred. A case of pancreatitis was treated with conservative therapy. All patients had 60-days corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our datas suggest that because IAAA have the same rate of rupture of AAA, they need the same preventive treatment as non inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The kind of approach OPEN-EVAR should be chosen with the same criteria as AAA, even if EVAR treatment doesn't allow us to obtain the biopsy. Furthermore there are no sufficient evidences about regression of retroperitoneal fibrosis after EVAR treatment. Also the premature onset should be considered in the choice of treatment.

[Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) open repair]. / La Sindrome Compartimentale Addominale (ACS) dopo chirurgia dell'Aneurisma dell'Aorta Addominale (AAA).

INTRODUCTION: The Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) is a "condition in which increased tissue pressure in a confined anatomic space, causes decreased blood flow leading to ischaemia and organic dysfunction and may lead to permanent impairment of function". MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2007 and June 2008 all patients recovered to our Institution for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) underwent intermittent intra-abdominal pressure monitoring using intra-vescical catheter. Pressure data were registered before abdominal incision, during intervention, at closure of abdominal wall and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 hours in post-operative course. Rise in Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP) more then 20 mmHg was considered for surgical decompression. RESULTS: Twenty three cases of AAA were treated surgically Fourteen underwent elective repair and 9 emergency/urgency repair; in the emergency/urgency group, 8 were symptomatic without rupture signs and one case presented TC rupture signs. In the last case we registered preoperatively IAP more than 20 mmHg treated with only skin tension-free suture. No perioperative mortality was registered. DISCUSSION: ACS have been increasingly recognized as causes of significant morbidity and mortality over the last years after AAA surgery. ACS was recently classified from the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WSACS) as primary, secondary and recurrent. ACS was recognized as major prognostic factor after AAA repair. ACS incidence ranges from 4 to 12%. Even if ACS etiological bases are not well known, principal risk factor for ACS development after AAA repair are massive fluid resuscitation infusion and aortic clamping IAP values, and subsequent possibility of ACS development, are superior after ruptured AAA repair than elective repair. Also in our study, even if limited by small number of cases, we registered differences in IAP value during emergency/urgency repair and elective repair. Patients management with rising IAR or at risk of ACS development, should be mandatory decompressed for IAP higher than 20 mmHg or also with inferior values if in association to organ dysfunction. IAP measurement can be performed directly or indirectly and all these techniques have as objective IAP monitoring before its clinical manifestation in ACS. CONCLUSION: ACS can be considered a reliable predictive factor for aneurysm surgery outcome. Prevention of the ACS, with early recognition of rising IAP and urgent intervention to decompress the tense abdomen can lead to mortality reduction after aneurysm repair. The measurement of IAP is simple and non-invasive, and should be a routine component of physiological monitoring in patients following ruptured aneurysm repair in association with hypotensive hemostasis.