Direct oral anticoagulants over warfarin at discharge associated with improved survival and patency in infra-geniculate bypasses with prosthetic conduits.

OBJECTIVE: There is no consensus on the optimal anticoagulant regimen following lower extremity bypass. Historically, warfarin has been utilized for prosthetic or compromised vein bypasses. Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly replacing warfarin in this context, but their efficacy in bypass preservation has not been well-studied. Recent studies have shown that DOACs may improve outcomes following bypasses; however, it is unclear if this is dependent upon type of bypass conduit. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether a difference exists between vein and prosthetic infra-geniculate bypasses outcomes based on the anticoagulant utilized on discharge, warfarin or DOAC. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative infra-inguinal bypass database was queried for all patients who underwent an infra-geniculate bypass and were anticoagulation-naive at baseline but were discharged on either warfarin or DOACs. A survival analysis was performed for patients up to 1 year to determine whether the choice of discharge anticoagulation was associated with differences between those with vein vs prosthetic conduits in overall survival, primary patency, risk of amputation, or risk of major adverse limb events (MALE). A multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to control for differences in baseline demographic factors between the groups. RESULTS: During the study period (2003-2020), 57,887 patients underwent infra-geniculate bypass. Of these, 3230 (5.5%) were anticoagulated on discharge. There was a similar distribution of anticoagulation between vein (n = 1659; 51.4%) and prosthetic conduits (n = 1571; 48.6%). Thirty-two percent were discharged on DOACs, and 68.0% were discharged on warfarin. For prosthetic conduits, being discharged on a DOAC was associated with improved outcomes on univariate and multivariable analyses revealing lower risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.93; P = .021), loss of primary patency (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55-0.89; P = .003), risk of amputation (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.93; P = .013), and risk of MALE (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64-1.00; P = .048). Patients with a vein bypass had improved univariate outcomes for survival and primary patency; however, with multivariable analysis, there were no significant differences in outcomes between DOAC and warfarin. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulation-naive patients who underwent an infra-geniculate prosthetic bypass had higher rates of overall survival, bypass patency, amputation-free survival, and freedom from MALE when discharged on a DOAC compared with warfarin. Those with vein bypasses had similar outcomes regardless of the choice of anticoagulation.

Programmatic engagement in diversity, equity, and inclusion in U.S. vascular surgery training programs.

OBJECTIVE: Given the diversity of populations that modern healthcare professionals treat, there has been an increasing call for academic medical centers to ensure that they themselves are diverse and inclusive. Historically, this has been measured by the composition of the workforce in terms of protected categories such as race/ethnicity, gender, and disability. However, these broad categories have only poorly reflected the actual ability of organizations to engage with a diverse workforce and patient population. The diversity and engagement survey (DES) is a specifically constructed and validated instrument designed to measure the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within academic medical centers. The goal of the present study was to use the DES with vascular surgery program directors, to determine the predictors of low DEI in vascular surgery training programs. METHODS: An anonymous electronic survey was sent to all program directors and assistant program directors of vascular surgery training programs (residencies and fellowships) in the United States (n = 280). The survey consisted of 18 sections with 53 questions regarding details of the respondent, demographics, programmatic information, including information on faculty and trainee diversity, the resources available to enhance DEI within the program, institutional attitudes toward employees, and the DES itself. The total score from the DES section was used to the stratify institutions, which were classified as low DEI if in the bottom 25% percentile of the overall scores or as high DEI if scoring higher. Univariate analysis was used to determine whether any important differences were present in the demographics or survey responses between the institutions scoring as low vs high DEI. Multivariate logistic regression was also performed using the demographic variables and responses to the survey questions to determine their relationship to DEI status. RESULTS: There were a total of 102 complete responses to the survey (36.4% response rate). The proportion of women was higher (66.67%) than the men (33.30%) in the low DEI cohort, although women were only 28.4% of the overall cohort. A statistically significant difference was found between the high and low DEI institutions in the proportion of those who had responded yes, no, or preferred not to disclose whether they had experienced discrimination or hurtful comments (P < .001) with 71% of the respondents in the low DEI institutions reporting this experience compared with only 11% in high DEI institutions. Multivariate analysis also demonstrated that non-male gender (odds ratio, 5.10; P = .034) and experiences of discrimination (odds ratio, 6.51; P = .024) were associated with low DEI institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Non-male program directors and those who had experienced discrimination at their institution were significantly more likely to find that their institution had low DEI.

Use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants associated with improved survival and bypass graft patency compared with warfarin after infrageniculate bypass.

OBJECTIVE: No consensus has yet been reached regarding the optimal antiplatelet and anticoagulant regimen for patients after lower extremity bypass. Usually, patients who have undergone below-the-knee bypass will begin oral anticoagulation therapy. Historically, the bypass has been with prosthetic conduits and the anticoagulation therapy has been warfarin. However, the use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has been increasing owing to their relative ease of dosing. The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether a difference exists in the postoperative outcomes for patients who have undergone infrageniculate bypass stratified by the use of on DOACs vs warfarin. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative infrainguinal bypass database was queried for all patients who had undergone infrageniculate bypass, been anticoagulation naive at baseline, and been discharged with anticoagulation therapy. A survival analysis was performed for patients for ≤2 years postoperatively to determine whether discharge with warfarin vs DOACs was associated with differences in overall mortality, loss of primary patency, risk of amputation, and risk of major adverse limb events (MALE). A multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to control for differences in the baseline demographic factors between the two groups. RESULTS: During the study period (2007-2020) 57,887 patients had undergone infrageniculate bypass. Of these patients, 2786 had been anticoagulation naive and discharged with either warfarin (n = 1889) or DOACs (n = 897). Discharge with a DOAC was associated with a lower risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.83; P = .001), loss of primary patency (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62-0.87; P < .001), risk of amputation (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57-0.86; P = .001), and risk of MALE (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.97; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulation-naive patients who had undergone infrageniculate bypass had had higher rates of overall survival, bypass patency, amputation-free survival, and freedom from MALE when discharged with a DOAC than with warfarin.

Fourth-Year Medical Students' Perceptions of Vascular Surgery: Can We Improve the Pipeline?

BACKGROUND: Since their inception, Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency (IVSR) programs have expanded widely and attracted highly competitive medical students by offering a more focused approach to learning both open surgical and endovascular techniques. However, despite substantial modifications to the training paradigm, a shortage of vascular surgeons is still projected through 2050. We aimed to gather and analyze fourth-year medical students' knowledge and perceptions of vascular surgery (VS) to further inform strategies for recruiting future vascular surgeons. METHODS: We sent anonymous electronic questionnaires to fourth-year medical students at 7 allopathic and 3 osteopathic medical schools, with questions detailing demographics, specialty preferences, and exposure to and perceptions of VS. Descriptive statistics were obtained, and responses were compared between students applying to surgical specialties (SS) and nonsurgical specialties (NSS). RESULTS: Two hundred eleven of 1,764 (12%) participants responded (56% female). 56% reported VS exposure, most commonly during the third year. 64 (30%) planned to apply to SS. 57% of respondents reported knowledge of the management of vascular disease, and 56% understood procedures performed by vascular surgeons. Ranking the importance of factors in choosing specialties, SS selected "experiences gained during medical school rotations" (P < 0.05), "types and/or variety of treatment modalities used in this field" (P < 0.001), and "interest in the pathology or disease processes treated" (P < 0.05) as highest priorities. NSS preferred "lifestyle (work-life balance) as an attending" (P < 0.001). Only 7% of all respondents believed vascular surgeons have a good work-life balance, with a larger percentage of SS (P < 0.001) agreeing. Stratified by gender, female students rated "limited ability of childbirth during residency and/or postponement of family plans" (P < 0.05), "gender-related concerns, such as discrimination at work or unfair career possibilities" (P < 0.001), and "fear of unfair competition" (P < 0.05) as potential negative aspects of VS careers. 55% of respondents believed the IVSR makes VS more appealing. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students perceive poor quality of life and work-life balance as deterring factors to a career in VS. Opportunities exist to educate students on the pathologies treated, procedures performed, and attainable quality of life available in our field. We should also continue to develop recruitment strategies to stimulate student interest and increase early exposure in VS.

Effect of intravascular ultrasound on clinical outcomes after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt traumatic aortic injuries (BTAIs) can be complicated by inaccurate aortic measurements at the initial computed tomography angiography secondary to hypovolemic shock. The use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been proposed for more accurate aortic sizing, with prior data demonstrating larger aortic sizes measured by IVUS, potentially altering the vast majority of chosen endograft sizes. At present, and to the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined whether IVUS affects the clinical outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of IVUS on the clinical outcomes after TEVAR for BTAIs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients who had undergone TEVAR for BTAIs in the VQI registry. The cohorts were defined by the use of IVUS. The primary outcomes were mortality and reintervention at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 919 patients who had undergone TEVAR for BTAIs were included in the present analysis. The IVUS patients had presented with higher injury severity scores (36.2 vs 42; P = .0004) largely because of more extremity and external trauma. IVUS was more often used for patients with grade III injuries (49.1% vs 56.9%; P = .02) and less often for patients with rupture (21.1% vs 12.4%; P = .001). A trend toward a delay in TEVAR was seen for the patients for whom IVUS was used (1.8 vs 3.5 days; P = .38), with additional trends toward reduced intraoperative resuscitation and blood loss. The hemodynamic status of the patients and differences in aortic or endograft sizes could not be assessed with the available data. IVUS use was not associated with any differences in survival or reintervention rates in-hospital or at 1 year (Kaplan-Meier survival estimates: 0.91 no IVUS vs 0.92 IVUS; P = .46). Fifteen aortic-related reinterventions occurred across the entire patient cohort for all-available follow-up with comparable rates of type I endoleaks (1 no IVUS vs 2 IVUS), with no recorded cases of sizing-related complications such as device rupture, migration, or dissection. CONCLUSIONS: IVUS usage during TEVAR for BTAIs was associated with clinical scenarios in which patients were more stable and interventions to address BTAIs can be delayed. Despite this, the overall clinical outcomes were similar between cases in which IVUS was used and for which it was not.

In-situ bypass is associated with superior infection-free survival compared with extra-anatomic bypass for the management of secondary aortic graft infections without enteric involvement.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal revascularization modality following complete resection of aortic graft infection (AGI) without enteric involvement remains unclear. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the revascularization approach associated with the lowest morbidity and mortality using real-world data in patients undergoing complete excision of AGI. METHODS: A retrospective, multi-institutional study of AGI from 2002 to 2014 was performed using a standardized database. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative variables were recorded. The primary outcome was infection-free survival. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 241 patients at 34 institutions from seven countries presented with AGI during the study period (median age, 68 years; 75% male). The initial aortic procedures that resulted in AGI were 172 surgical grafts (71%), 66 endografts (27%), and three unknown (2%). Of the patients, 172 (71%) underwent complete excision of infected aortic graft material followed by in situ (in-line) bypass (ISB), including antibiotic-treated prosthetic graft (35%), autogenous femoral vein (neo-aortoiliac surgery) (24%), and cryopreserved allograft (41%). Sixty-nine patients (29%) underwent extra-anatomic bypass (EAB). Overall median Kaplan-Meier estimated survival was 5.8 years. Perioperative mortality was 16%. When stratified by ISB vs EAB, there was a significant difference in Kaplan-Meier estimated infection-free survival (2910 days; interquartile range, 391-3771 days vs 180 days; interquartile range, 27-3750 days; P < .001). There were otherwise no significant differences in presentation, comorbidities, or perioperative variables. Multivariable Cox regression showed lower infection-free survival among patients with EAB (hazard ratio [HR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-3.6; P < .001), polymicrobial infection (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-3.5; P = .001), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.7; P = .02), as well as the protective effect of omental/muscle flap coverage (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.92; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: After complete resection of AGI, perioperative mortality is 16% and median overall survival is 5.8 years. EAB is associated with nearly a two and one-half-fold higher reinfection/mortality compared with ISB. Omental and/or muscle flap coverage of the repair appear protective.

Paclitaxel-coated peripheral arterial devices are associated with improved overall survival and limb salvage in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Paclitaxel (PTX)-coated peripheral arterial devices have been shown to decrease femoropopliteal artery restenosis and the need for reintervention compared with non-PTX-coated devices. The data regarding PTX efficacy and safety come from randomized controlled trials that almost exclusively enrolled patients with claudication. The outcomes of PTX treatment in patients who present with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) are unknown. This study compares long-term outcomes in patients with CLTI treated with and without PTX. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 983 patients with CLTI treated with femoropopliteal artery angioplasty, atherectomy, stent, or combination between 2011 and 2019. Procedures were performed with additional proximal or distal tibial interventions as needed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox-regression analysis compared overall survival (OS), amputation-free survival (AFS), freedom from major amputation (ff-MA), and freedom from target vessel revascularization (ff-TVR) between patients treated with and without PTX. RESULTS: Demographics, comorbidities, and Rutherford class were similar between 574 PTX (58.5%) and 409 non-PTX (41.6%) patients except that non-PTX patients were more likely to be male (56.2% vs 49.7%), dialysis dependent (19.6% vs 14.3%), and have higher average creatinine (2.3 vs 1.8 mg/dL). Through 4-year follow-up, the PTX group demonstrated a significant increase in OS (56.2% vs 43.9%, P = .013), AFS (52.6% vs 36.1%, P < .0001), ff-MA (87.4% vs 78.7%, P = .0007), and ff-TVR (77.6% vs 70.6%, P = .012). Multivariable Cox-regression analysis demonstrated that PTX treatment was associated with improved OS, AFS, ff-MA, and ff-TVR. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CLTI, treatment with a PTX-coated device is associated with improved OS, AFS, ff-MA, and ff-TVR through 4-year follow-up. PTX-coated devices may be especially beneficial in patients who present with CLTI.

Paclitaxel-Coated Peripheral Arterial Devices are Associated with Reduced Mortality in Younger Patients.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel-coated devices have been shown to decrease restenosis when used in the femoropopliteal artery. Recent reports have suggested a possible risk of increased late mortality in patients treated with paclitaxel. It has been suggested that younger patients and those with limited comorbidities may be at higher risk. Our objective was to analyze long-term mortality based on patient age comparing treatment with paclitaxel to uncoated devices. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 1,170 consecutive patients who underwent femoropopliteal percutaneous intervention by angioplasty, atherectomy, stent placement, or combination between 2011 and 2018. Patients were grouped by age at the time of procedure: <60 years old (n = 244, 20.9%), 60-80 years old (n = 635, 54.3%), and >80 years old (n = 291, 24.9%). Within each group, patients were further divided by use of paclitaxel. The primary outcome measure was survival assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Differences between the groups were analyzed with analysis of variance. Multivariable analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Of the 1,170 patients who underwent femoropopliteal percutaneous intervention, 654 (55.9%) received a paclitaxel-coated device during treatment and 516 (44.1%) did not. Mean age of the overall patient cohort was 70.4 ± 12.6 years and 663 (56.7%) were male. When comparing the groups by age we found an increase in age but a decrease in the proportion of patients who smoke. The use of paclitaxel-coated devices was similar across the groups (<60 years old, 56.2%; 60-80 years old, 57.0%; >80 years old, 52.6%; P = 0.45). Demographics and comorbidities were similar between the patients treated with and without paclitaxel within each age group except more males in the <60-year-old group treated without paclitaxel and more patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia in the >80-year-old group treated with paclitaxel. In patients <60 and 60-80 years old paclitaxel use was associated with increased survival at 4 years: <60 (80.7% vs. 64.4%; P = 0.04); 60-80 (63.2% vs. 55.1%; P = 0.04). Survival was similar in the >80-year-old group (46.6% vs. 32.8%; P = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the use of paclitaxel-coated arterial devices is not associated with increased mortality. On the contrary, our data show that younger patients treated with paclitaxel show improved survival compared with those treated without paclitaxel. Paclitaxel-coated devices may be used with continued caution especially in patients at high risk for restenosis.

Paclitaxel-coated peripheral artery devices are not associated with increased mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term safety concerns have been raised that the use of paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents is linked to excess mortality. Our objective was to compare outcomes in patients treated with paclitaxel vs uncoated devices and to analyze long-term mortality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-institution review of 1170 consecutive patients who underwent femoropopliteal percutaneous revascularization by angioplasty, atherectomy, stent placement, or combination between 2011 and 2018. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality. Groups were divided into patients who received paclitaxel (n = 652) and those who did not (n = 518). Categorical variables were assessed using χ2 analysis and continuous variables with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. A multivariable analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression models. Mortality was compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: Demographics, risk factors, and Rutherford class were similar between the groups, except that the paclitaxel group was more likely to have diabetes (60.9% vs 55.0%; P = .04), was less likely to be on dialysis (10.7% vs 14.9%; P = .04), and had lower average creatinine concentration (1.6 ± 1.8 mg/dL vs 2.0 ± 2.3 mg/dL; P = .003). There were no differences in all-cause mortality through 2 years between paclitaxel and no-paclitaxel cohorts (25.5% vs 30.3%; log-rank, P = .098). At 3 years and 3.5 years, mortality was significantly lower in the paclitaxel group: year 3, 32.1% vs 39.4% (log-rank, P = .041); year 3.5, 35.2% vs 43.9% (log-rank, P = .027). Survival rates were not significantly different in examining subgroups by diabetes, chronic kidney disease, presence of chronic limb-threatening ischemia, or paclitaxel-coated balloon manufacturer. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that age, dialysis, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure were independent risk factors for mortality, whereas paclitaxel use was associated with lower mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The use of paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents does not increase mortality compared with uncoated devices out to 3.5 years. Paclitaxel-coated devices can be used with continued caution, especially in patients at increased risk of restenosis. Further long-term studies are needed to determine the risk of late mortality.

A multi-institutional analysis of transcarotid artery revascularization compared to carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a novel approach to carotid intervention that uses a direct carotid cut-down approach coupled with cerebral blood flow reversal to minimize embolic potential. The initial positive data with TCAR indicates that it may be an attractive alternative to trans-femoral carotid artery stenting and possibly carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for high-risk patients. The purpose of this study was to present 30-day and 1-year outcomes after treatment by TCAR and to compare these outcomes against a matched control group undergoing CEA at the same institutions. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent TCAR at four institutions between 2013 and 2017 was performed to evaluate the use of the ENROUTE Transcarotid Neuroprotection System (Silk Road Medical, Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif). TCAR patients had high-risk factors and were either enrolled in prospective trials or treated with a commercially available TCAR device after US Food and Drug Administration approval. Contemporaneous patients undergoing CEA at each institution were also reviewed. Patients were propensity matched in a 1:1 (CEA:TCAR) fashion with respect to preoperative comorbidities. Data were analyzed using statistical models with a P value of less than .05 considered significant. Individual and composite stroke, myocardial infarction, and death at 30 days and 1 year postoperatively were assessed. RESULTS: Consecutive patients undergoing TCAR or CEA were identified (n = 663) and compared. Patients undergoing the TCAR procedure (n = 292) had higher rates of diabetes (P = .01), hyperlipidemia (P = .02), coronary artery disease (P < .01), and renal insufficiency (P < .01) compared with unmatched CEA patients (n = 371). Stroke rates were similar at 30 days (1.0% TCAR vs 1.1% CEA) and 1 year (2.8% TCAR vs 3.0% CEA) in the unmatched groups. After propensity matching by baseline characteristics including gender, age, symptom status (36.3%, 35.3%) and diabetes, 292 TCAR patients were compared with 292 CEA patients. TCAR patients were more likely to be treated preoperative and postoperatively with clopidogrel (preoperatively, 82.2% vs 39.4% [P < .01]; postoperatively, 98.3% vs 36.0% [P < .01]) and statins (preoperatively, 88.0% vs 75.0% [P < .01]; postoperatively, 97.8% vs 78.8% [P < .01]). Stroke (1.0% TCAR vs 0.3% CEA; P = .62) and death (0.3% TCAR vs 0.7% CEA; P = NS) rates were similar at 30 days and comparable at 1 year (stroke, 2.8% vs 2.2% [P = .79]; death 1.8% vs 4.5% [P = .09]). The composite end point of stroke/death/myocardial infarction at 1 month postoperatively was 2.1% vs 1.7% (P = NS). TCAR was associated with a decreased rate of cranial nerve injury (0.3% vs 3.8%; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: These early data suggest that patients undergoing TCAR, even those with high-risk comorbidities, achieve broadly similar outcomes compared with patients undergoing CEA while mitigating cranial nerve injury. Further comparative studies are warranted.

Is bronchial thermoplasty cost-effective as treatment for problematic asthma patients? Singapore's perspective on a global model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) has been shown to be effective at reducing asthma exacerbations and improving asthma control for patients with severe persistent asthma but it is also expensive. Evidence on its cost-effectiveness is limited and inconclusive. In this study, we aim to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of BT combined with optimized asthma therapy (BT-OAT) relative to OAT for difficult-to-treat and severe asthma patients in Singapore, and to provide a general framework for determining BT's cost-effectiveness in other healthcare settings. METHODS: We developed a Markov model to estimate the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained with BT-OAT versus OAT from the societal and health system perspectives. The model was populated using Singapore-specific costs and transition probabilities and utilities from the literature. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify the main factors determining cost-effectiveness of BT-OAT. RESULTS: BT-OAT is not cost-effective relative to OAT over a 5-year time horizon with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $US138 889 per QALY from the societal perspective and $US139 041 per QALY from the health system perspective. The cost-effectiveness of BT-OAT largely depends on a combination of the cost of the BT procedure and the cost of asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. CONCLUSION: Based on established thresholds for cost-effectiveness, BT-OAT is not cost-effective compared with OAT in Singapore. Given its current clinical efficacy, BT-OAT is most likely to be cost-effective in a setting where the cost of BT procedure is low and costs of hospitalization and ED visits are high.

Incremental cost-utility of sevelamer relative to calcium carbonate for treatment of hyperphosphatemia among pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Sevelamer is an alternative to calcium carbonate for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia among non-dialysis dependent patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although some studies show that it may reduce mortality and delay the onset of dialysis when compared to calcium carbonate, it is also significantly more expensive. Prior studies looking at the incremental cost-effectiveness of sevelamer versus calcium carbonate in pre-dialysis patients are based on data from a single clinical trial. The goal of our study is to use a wider range of clinical data to achieve a more contemporary and robust cost-effectiveness analysis. METHODS: We used a Markov model to estimate the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained for treatment with sevelamer versus calcium carbonate. The model simulated transitions among three health states (CKD not requiring dialysis, end-stage renal disease, and death). Data on transition probabilities and utilities were obtained from the published literature. Costs were calculated from a third party payer perspective and included medication, hospitalization, and dialysis. Sensitivity analyses were also run to encompass a wide range of assumptions about the dose, costs, and effectiveness of sevelamer. RESULTS: Over a lifetime, the average cost per patient treated with sevelamer is S$180,724. The estimated cost for patients treated with calcium carbonate is S$152,988. A patient treated with sevelamer gains, on average, 6.34 QALYs relative to no treatment, whereas a patient taking calcium carbonate gains 5.81 QALYs. Therefore, sevelamer produces an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of S$51,756 per QALY gained relative to calcium carbonate. CONCLUSION: Based on established benchmarks for cost-effectiveness, sevelamer is cost effective relative to calcium carbonate for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia among patients with chronic kidney disease initially not on dialysis.

A Score for Predicting Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in an Asian Population.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a scoring system to predict acute kidney injury in Asian patients after coronary artery bypass grafting. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of data collected in an institutional cardiac database. SETTING: A tertiary academic hospital in a large metropolitan city. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 954 patients with coronary artery disease. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass but did not undergo any other concomitant procedures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome measured was acute kidney injury as defined by the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. The following 6 clinical variables were independent predictors of kidney injury: age>60 years, diabetes requiring insulin, estimated glomerular filtration rate<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), ejection fraction<40%, cardiopulmonary bypass time>140 minutes, and aortic cross-clamp time>100 minutes. These variables were used to develop the Singapore Acute Kidney Injury score. CONCLUSION: The Singapore Acute Kidney Injury score is a simple way to predict, at the time of admission to the intensive care unit, an Asian patient's risk of developing acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Intravascular Ultrasound May Not Impact Graft Sizing in Endovascular Repair of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury.

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the preferred treatment for severe blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAI). Successful outcomes rely on accurate endograft sizing, but initial imaging may underestimate aortic diameters. This study examines the impact of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) on endograft sizing and clinical outcomes in BTAI patients. METHODS: A prospectively collected multi-institutional dataset from the Aortic Trauma Foundation was analyzed. Patients with BTAI undergoing TEVAR with IVUS were compared to patients who underwent TEVAR alone. Demographics and operative variables were compared, focusing on IVUS effects on endograft sizing by examining maximal proximal and distal aortic diameter on initial CT imaging compared to the graft diameters used during TEVAR. RESULTS: 293 patients underwent TEVAR for BTAI with IVUS utilized in 124 cases (42.3%). The average graft size in the IVUS and non-IVUS groups were similar proximally (26.91 ± 4.3 mm IVUS vs 27.77 ± 4.7 mm non-IVUS, P = 0.116) and distally (25.96 ± 4.7 mm IVUS vs 26.51 ± 4.7 mm non-IVUS). IVUS did not impact the difference between graft size and initial CT measurements proximally (4.32 ± 4.8 mm IVUS vs 4.23 ± 3.9 mm non-IVUS, P = 0.859) or distally (4.17 ± 5.9 mm IVUS vs 4.50 ± 4.3 mm non-IVUS, P = 0.606). Although delayed hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke occurred less frequently in IVUS patients (0.8% IVUS vs 7.1% non- IVUS, P = 0.024), in-hospital mortality was similar between groups (5.6% IVUS vs 7.7% non-IVUS, P = 0.581). CONCLUSIONS: IVUS is not associated with significant changes in endograft sizing compared to sizing based on CT scan alone in BTAI patients. IVUS was not associated with differences in mortality but was associated with a decrease in delayed hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Routine IVUS in BTAI patients may not be necessary for accurate sizing, but there may be a relationship between IVUS and stroke.

Factors Associated With Tobacco Cessation Advice Recall and Quit Rates in Vascular Surgery Patients. A Single Center Study.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking is an important modifiable risk factor in all vascular diseases and verbal advice from providers has been shown to increase rates of tobacco cessation. We sought to identify factors that will improve tobacco cessation and recall of receiving verbal cessation advice in vascular surgery patients at a single institution. METHODS: The study is a retrospective cohort study. Patients seen in outpatient vascular surgery clinic who triggered a tobacco Best Practice Advisory (BPA) during their office visits over a 10-month period were contacted post-clinic and administered surveys detailing smoking status, cessation advice recall, and validated scales for nicotine dependence and willingness to quit smoking. This BPA is a "hard stop" that requires providers to document actions taken. Charts were reviewed for tobacco cessation documentation. Nine-digit zip-codes identified the area deprivation index, a measure of socioeconomic status. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with cessation and advice recall. RESULTS: One hundred out of 318 (31.4%) patients responded to the survey. Epic Slicer Dicer found 97 BPA responses. To dismiss the BPA, 89 providers (91.8%) selected "advised tobacco cessation" and "Unable to Advise" otherwise. Of the 318 patients, 115 (36.1%) had cessation intervention documented in their provider notes and 151 (47.5%) received written tobacco cessation advice. Of survey respondents, 70 recalled receiving verbal advice, 27 recalled receiving written advice, 28 reported receiving offers of medication/therapy for cessation. 55 patients reported having tobacco cessation plans, and among those 17 reported having quit tobacco. Recall of receiving written advice (P < .001) and recall of receiving medication/therapy (P = .008) were associated with recall of receiving verbal cessation advice. CONCLUSIONS: Providing patients with tobacco cessation medication/therapy and written tobacco cessation education during office visits is associated with increased patients' recall of tobacco cessation advice. Vascular surgeons should continue to provide directed tobacco cessation advice.

Cost-effectiveness of Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: Selective endothelial transplantation in the form of Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) is rapidly replacing traditional full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for endothelial disease. An incremental cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to determine whether the benefits of DSEK are worth the additional costs. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients at the Singapore National Eye Center, a tertiary eye center in Singapore, with Fuchs' dystrophy or bullous keratopathy who underwent either PK or DSEK. INTERVENTION: Patients underwent either PK (n = 171) or DSEK (n = 93) from January 2001 through December 2007. Data were collected from inpatient and outpatient notes corresponding to the time immediately before the procedure to up to 3 years after. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvements in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity were used to calculate the increase in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) 3 years after the procedure. This was combined with hospital charges (a proxy for costs) to determine incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) comparing PK with no intervention and DSEK with PK. RESULTS: Three-year charges for DSEK and PK were $7476 and $7236, respectively. The regression-adjusted improvement in visual acuity for PK relative to no intervention was -0.613 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units (P<0.001), and for DSEK relative to PK, it was -0.199 logMAR units (P = 0.045). The regression-adjusted marginal gain in utility for PK relative to no intervention was 0.128 QALYs (P<0.001) and for DSEK relative to PK was 0.046 QALYs (P = 0.031). This resulted in ICERs of $56 409 per QALY for PK relative to no intervention and $5209 per QALY for the more expensive DSEK relative to PK. CONCLUSIONS: If the goal is to maximize societal health gains given fixed resources, DSEK should be the preferred strategy. For a fixed budget, it is possible to achieve greater QALY gains by providing DSEK to as many patients as possible (and nothing to others), rather than providing PK.

Temporary diaphragm pacing for patients at risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation after extensive aortic repair.

Objective: Prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) after extensive aortic reconstructive surgery is common. Studies have demonstrated that diaphragm pacing (DP) improves lung function in patients with unilateral diaphragm paralysis. The goal of this study is to determine whether this technology can be applied to complex aortic repair to reduce prolonged MV and other respiratory sequelae. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent temporary DP after extensive aortic reconstructive surgery between 2019 and 2022. The primary end point was prolonged MV incidence. Other measured end points included diaphragm electromyography improvement, length of hospitalization, duration of intensive care unit stay, and reintubation rates. Results: Fourteen patients deemed at high risk of prolonged MV based on their smoking and respiratory history underwent DP after extensive aortic repair. The mean age was 70.2 years. The indications for aortic repair were a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 8, including 2 ruptured, 2 symptomatic, and 1 mycotic), a perivisceral aneurysm (n = 4), and a perivisceral coral reef aorta (n = 2). All patients had a significant smoking history (active or former) or other risk factors for ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction and prolonged MV. The mean total duration of MV postoperatively was 31.9 hours (range, 8.1-76.5 hours). The total average pacing duration was 4.4 days. Two patients required prolonged MV, with an average of 75.4 hours. Two patients required reintubation. No complications related to DP wire placement or removal occurred. Conclusions: DP is safe and feasible for patients at high risk of pulmonary insufficiency after extensive aortic reconstructive surgery.

Anatomic Utility of Single Branched Thoracic Endograft During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

INTRODUCTION: Single branched thoracic endografts (SBTEs) have been designed for pathology requiring zone 2 seal during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Numerous criteria must be met to allow for their implantation. Our aim was to analyze anatomic suitability for a next generation SBTE. METHODS: We reviewed 150 TEVAR procedures between 2015 and 2019. Proximal seal was: zone 0 in 21 (16%), zone 1 in 4 (3%), zone 2 in 52 (40%), zone 3 in 45 (35%), and zone 4 or distal in 7 (5%). We analyzed the Zone 2 patient's angiograms and CT angiograms using centerline software to measure arterial diameters and length in relation to the left common carotid artery (LCCA), left subclavian artery (LSA) and proximal extent of aortic disease to determine if patients met anatomic criteria of a novel SBTE. RESULTS: Zone 2 average age was 64.4 ± 16.3 years; 34 patients were male (65%). Indications for repair were aneurysm (N = 9, 17%), acute dissection (N = 14, 27%), chronic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration (N = 7, 13%), intramural hematoma (N = 9, 17%), penetrating aortic ulcer (N = 5, 10%), and blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI, N = 8, 15%). LSA revascularization occurred in 27 patients (52%). Overall, 20 (38.5%) of the zone 2 patients met anatomic criteria. Patients with dissection met anatomic criteria less frequently than aneurysm (33% [10 of 30] vs 64% [9 of 14]). Patients treated for BTAI rarely met the anatomic criteria (1 of 8, 13%). The main anatomic constraints were an inadequate distance from the LCCA to the LSA takeoff and from the LCCA to the start of the aortic disease process. CONCLUSION: Less than half of patients who require seal in zone 2 met criteria for this SBTE. Patients with aneurysms met anatomic criteria more often than those with dissection. The device would have little applicability in treating patients with BTAI.

Endothelial cell loss and graft survival after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: We sought to compare endothelial cell (EC) loss and graft survival after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and conventional penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in Asian eyes. DESIGN: Retrospective, nested, cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients who underwent DSAEK or PK with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy (BK) at a single tertiary center from April 1, 2006, to April 1, 2008. METHODS: Clinical data, and donor and recipient characteristics were recorded from our prospective cohort from the Singapore Corneal Transplant Study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percent EC loss and graft survival up to 3 years. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics of patients comparing DSAEK and PK; there were more patients with BK (n = 141, 68.4%) than Fuchs' dystrophy. Percent EC loss was lower in DSAEK compared with PK at 1 (30 ± 22% vs 37 ± 25%; P = 0.045), 2 (36 ± 23% vs 45 ± 33%; P = 0.018), and 3 years (39 ± 24% vs 47 ± 28%; P = 0.022) postoperatively. Graft survival was comparable (log-rank P = 0.671) between DSAEK and PK at 1 (94% vs 90%), 2 (88% vs 85%), and 3 years (87% vs 85%). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PK, DSAEK resulted in lower EC loss with comparable cumulative graft survival rates for up to 3 years in patients with Fuchs' dystrophy and BK.

Midterm outcomes in patients with upper extremity deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes and the necessity for anticoagulation in patients with upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UE DVT) are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of UE DVT, the outcomes of patients stratified by anticoagulation treatment, and which factors were significantly associated with mortality. METHODS: This study was a single-center, retrospective review of all patients undergoing UE venous duplex imaging in 2016. Information on patients' demographics, relevant comorbidities, use of anticoagulation at the time of diagnosis, characteristics of the UE DVT, treatment regimen(s), and outcomes was collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive and univariate statistics; multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify which of the aforementioned covariates are significantly associated with mortality rates at 30 days and 6 months, respectively, at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Of the 911 patients undergoing UE venous duplex imaging, 182 (20.0%) were positive for UE DVT. Within the first 30 days, 30 patients (16.5%) died, 13 (7.1%) had pulmonary emboli, 42 (23.1%) had either pulmonary emboli or died, and 3 (1.6%) had ischemic strokes. Within the first 6 months, 50 patients (27.5%) died. The mortality rate at 30 days was found to be significantly increased in patients who were older (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; P < .01), had high-risk contraindications to anticoagulation (OR, 5.14; P < .01), were on dialysis (OR, 3.03; P = .04), had centrally located UE DVTs (OR, 2.72; P < .05), and had a stroke (OR, 20.34; P = .03). Mortality was significantly decreased in patients who were treated with anticoagulation (OR, 0.16; P < .05). At 6 months, however, age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.05; P < .001), male sex (HR, 2.16; P = .02), dialysis (HR, 2.90; P = .01), high-risk contraindications to anticoagulation (HR, 2.67; P = .02), UE DVTs in both central and peripheral veins (HR, 4.55; P = .03), and ischemic stroke in the first 30 days (HR, 71.63; P < .001) were associated with significant increases in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that mortality rates among patients with UE DVT are relatively high and that treatment with anticoagulation is associated with a decrease in mortality at 30 days. Mortality was also associated with multiple comorbid conditions and demographics and not necessarily venous thromboembolism.