Contemporary Use of the Femoropopliteal Vein in Vascular Reconstructions.

INTRODUCTION: Current practice patterns favor endovascular treatment, resulting in fewer open procedures. When needed, greater saphenous vein and/or prosthetic conduits are considered the first choice for open vascular bypass. However, there is a cohort of patients in which these conduits are either not available or not suitable to address the surgical requirements. One alternative is to use femoropopliteal vein (FPV), an often-overlooked conduit. We report on the contemporary use of FPV in a tertiary vascular institution. METHODS: All patients who underwent FPV harvest, as defined by CPT code 35572, between 2005 and 2019 were identified. Patient demographics (sex, age, baseline laboratory values, medical co-morbidities), indication for use of FPV, complications specific to vein harvest, operative details, post-operative course, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety patients had harvest of FPV for creation of 123 conduits. In this study, a conduit was defined as a segment of vein used to perfuse a distinctly separate vascular bed. We identified four cohorts in which FPV was used: aorto-iliac reconstruction in 38 patients for infected graft (19), occlusive disease (8), aortitis (5), mycotic aneurysm (5), and malignancy (1); peripheral artery revascularization in 26 patients for ilio-femoral reconstruction (15), femoropopliteal reconstruction (4), upper extremity/cerebrovascular reconstruction (6), and coronary bypass (1); mesenteric revascularization in 20 patients for acute or acute on chronic ischemia (12), chronic ischemia (7) or aneurysm (1); and dialysis access in 6 patients. There was a high incidence of pre-existing comorbid conditions in all groups, but most notably those patients who underwent aorto-iliac reconstruction. Harvest-related or conduit-related complications included compartment syndrome, graft-associated hemorrhage, surgical site infection, and lymphatic complications. Primary graft patency at 3 years was 83% ± 4% (aorto-iliac), 83% ± 6% (peripheral), 100% (mesenteric), and 23% ± 19% (dialysis access, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: While use of FPV has potential significant harvest-related, conduit-related, or systemic complications, FPV is useful for a variety of needs, almost universally available, and durable. In the current era where endovascular approach is the focus, FPV should not be forgotten as a potential conduit that can be used for a variety of vascular reconstruction indications.

Direct Retrograde Bypass is Preferable to Antegrade Bypass for Open Mesenteric Revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric bypass grafts can be constructed either antegrade or retrograde. There is debate regarding which is the optimal approach. We have modified the technique for retrograde mesenteric revascularization using a direct open retrograde revascularization (DORR) technique. This report is a retrospective single-institution study that describes the DORR technique and compares it with antegrade mesenteric bypass. METHODS: The medical records of patients undergoing open mesenteric bypass between January 2001 and December 2017 for mesenteric ischemia were reviewed. Patients who underwent mesenteric thromboembolectomy, retrograde stenting, or bypass for aneurysmal disease were excluded. Patient demographics, operative details, and follow-up data were recorded. Antegrade bypasses were constructed using a polyester, collagen-coated, knitted, (Maquet, Getinge Group)- bifurcated graft. The supraceliac aorta was exposed, and the Dacron graft limbs were tunneled to the celiac and/or superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The DORR was constructed by anastomosing a vein graft to an iliac artery. The vein was tunneled through the base of the small bowel mesentery to create a direct course to the SMA. When revascularization to both the SMA and celiac vessels was indicated, the vein was anastomosed to the SMA in a side-to-side fashion with the distal vein tunneled through the mesocolon and anastomosed in a end-to-side fashion to the hepatic artery. Statistical analysis was done using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's exact test, and log-rank test with a P ≤ 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-one patients underwent open mesenteric bypass: 16 antegrade and 25 retrograde. Patient age, gender, and body mass index were similar. Indication for operation was acute ischemia in a greater portion of patients undergoing retrograde bypass (P = 0.025). For antegrade bypasses, Dacron was used in 15 and saphenous vein in 1. The DORR bypass originated from an iliac artery (21), limb of an aortofemoral graft (2), or infrarenal aorta (2). All DORR were constructed using veins (19 femoral veins and 6 greater saphenous veins). In DORR configurations, the bypass was created to only the SMA in 23 cases (92%). By comparison, in antegrade bypasses, the bypass was constructed to both the SMA and celiac arteries in all but 1 case (P < 0.00001). Median operative time was significantly shorter for DORR compared with antegrade bypass (282 vs. 375 min; P < 0.05). Blood loss, need for second-look laparotomy, morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and discharge disposition were similar between groups. There was a shift in favor of the DORR technique in the second half of the study (4 of 15 [27%] DORR from 2001 to 2009 vs. 21 of 26 [81%] DORR from 2010 to 2017). In survivors, 57% of the antegrade cohort and 74% of the DORR cohort had documented follow-up (average, 47.5 ± 59.9 and 28.8 ± 31.3 months, respectively). No difference was noted in survival between groups. All grafts in both cohorts were patented at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Direct tunneling of the graft under the mesentery with the DORR technique avoids concern for kinking and has shorter operative time despite the need for vein harvest. No differences were noted in long-term survival between patient groups. The use of a venous conduit makes DORR adaptable for both chronic and acute mesenteric ischemia. These factors have resulted in the DORR technique to be our preferred method for open mesenteric revascularization.

Left innominate vein creation using left internal jugular vein tunneled to right internal jugular vein.

BACKGROUND: Left innominate vein occlusion is a known complication of pacemaker and central venous catheter placement. For dialysis-dependent patients with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), this can prevent successful hemodialysis and may require surgical intervention. CASE REPORT: An 8-month-old male was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome and became dialysis-dependent at 11 months of age. After multiple vascular access and peritoneal dialysis complications, the patient had construction of a brachiobasalic AVF in his left arm at 13 years old. While waiting for the AVF to mature, an attempt to remove a previously placed left subclavian vein port-a-cath was unsuccessful and a follow-up imaging revealed that the vessel had become occluded. The fistula remained patent, but due to arm swelling and venous obstruction, his fistula was not accessible. Multiple attempts to percutaneously cross the left innominate vein were unsuccessful and the patient was referred for surgical intervention. At 15 years old, the patient was taken to the operating room for transposition of the left internal jugular vein (LIJ) to the right internal jugular vein (RIJ). The LIJ was transected under the mandible and anastomosed to the RIJ. Subsequently the patient underwent VWING insertion rather than venous transposition for constant site dialysis. Although he has required frequent transcatheter dilation of the LIJ-RIJ anastomosis, the patient was successfully dialyzed using this fistula for 5 years. The patient received a cadaveric renal transplant at 5 years 20 days. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of left innominate vein stenosis, transposing the LIJ can create a new left innominate vein that can alleviate venous hypertension and preserve fistula function. This procedure avoids sternotomy and only requires one anastomosis.

Debate: Whether an endovascular-first strategy is the optimal approach for treating acute mesenteric ischemia.

Acute mesenteric ischemia continues to be a life-threatening insult in often-elderly patients with many comorbidities. Recognition and correct diagnosis can be an issue leading to delays in therapy that result in loss of bowel or life, or both. The basic surgical principals in treating acute mesenteric ischemia have long been early recognition, resuscitation, urgent revascularization, resection of necrotic bowel, and reassessment with second-look laparotomies. Endovascular techniques now offer a less invasive alternative, but whether an endovascular-first or open surgery-first approach is preferred in most patients is unclear. Our discussants will attempt to clarify these issues.

Abdominal compartment syndrome associated with endovascular and open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a known complication of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair and can occur with either endovascular (EVAR) or open repair. We hypothesize that the underlying mechanism for the development of ACS may differ for patients treated with EVAR or open operation. METHODS: All patients who presented with rAAA at a tertiary care medical center between January 2005 and December 2010 were included in the study. Demographic factors, type of repair (open vs EVAR), development of ACS, intraoperative and postoperative fluid requirements, estimated blood loss, length of stay, and morbidity and mortality were recorded. Student t-test and Fisher exact test were performed. A P value < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients, 62 men and 11 women with an average age of 70.5 years, were treated for rAAA. Forty-four (60%) underwent open repair; 29 (40%) had EVAR. Overall mortality was 42% (31 of 73), with mortality being 31% (9 of 29) in EVAR and 48% (21 of 44) in open repair. ACS developed in 21 patients (29%), more frequently in open repair than in EVAR (15 of 44 [34%] vs 6 of 29 [21%]; P = NS). Mortality was higher in patients who developed ACS compared with those without ACS (13 of 21 [62%] vs 17 of 52 [33%]; P = .022). This finding was especially pronounced in the EVAR group, in which mortality in patients with ACS was 83% (5 of 6) compared with 17% (4 of 23) without ACS (P = .005). Intraoperative fluid requirements were significantly higher in EVAR patients who developed ACS compared with those without ACS, including packed red blood cells (5600 mL vs 1100 mL; P < .0001), total blood products (9300 mL vs 1500 mL; P < .001), crystalloid (11,200 mL vs 4500 mL; P < .001), and estimated blood loss (5000 mL vs 660 mL; P = .006). In patients treated with open repair, there were no significant differences in intraoperative fluid requirements between those who developed ACS and those without ACS. However, patients who developed ACS after open repair required significantly more crystalloid on the first and second postoperative days (first postoperative day, 8300 mL vs 5600 mL [P = .01]; second postoperative day, 6500 mL vs 3800 mL [P = .004]). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the development of ACS after repair of rAAA is associated with increased mortality, especially in EVAR-treated patients. The higher intraoperative blood and blood product requirements associated with ACS in EVAR patients suggest that one potential cause of early ACS is continued hemorrhage from lumbar and inferior mesenteric vessels through the ruptured aneurysm sac. Hence, open ligation of such vessels should be considered in patients developing early ACS after EVAR for rAAA.

Diagnosis and treatment of arterial-ureteric fistula.

A 45-year-old woman presented with gross hematuria. She had previously undergone an aortobifemoral bypass that subsequently became infected. The infected graft was removed and replaced with homograft. An arterioureteric fistula was identified with angiography and the patient was treated with an iCast stent graft. Diagnosis of arterioureteric fistula should be suspected in patients with gross hematuria and associated risk factors. We would recommend angiography for diagnosis and simultaneous treatment with a stent graft, although the long-term durability and outcome is unknown.

Short-term outcomes for open revascularization of chronic mesenteric ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Surgical bypass as treatment for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is performed to alleviate symptoms of weight loss and postprandial pain and to prevent catastrophic intestinal necrosis. Among the studies that report outcomes for mesenteric bypass, few focus on the type of conduit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate contemporary short-term outcomes of patients who underwent aortomesenteric bypass for CMI, with specific attention given to the conduit used--prosthetic versus vein. METHODS: Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use File were analyzed for demographic and clinical risk variables, mortality, and 22 defined complications (morbidity) between 2005 and 2009 from more than 200 participating hospitals. The database was queried for patients undergoing aortomesenteric bypass with vein (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 35531) or nonvein (CPT 35631) whose preoperative diagnosis was CMI (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code 557.1). Outcomes and risk variables were compared using univariate analysis and independent sample t tests for continuous variables. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six patients underwent mesenteric revascularization--119 (76%) women and 37 (24%) men with an average age of 65 ± 13 years. The conduit used was vein in 44 (28%) and prosthetic graft in 112 (72%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in mean age, smoking history, recent weight loss, obesity (body mass index: >25) rates, length of operation, reoperation frequency, and early graft failure. More patients undergoing bypass with vein had an associated bowel resection and preoperative sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Additionally, patients with a vein graft had a higher percentage of a contaminated surgical site (30% vs. 7%, P = 0.001) and underwent emergent surgery more frequently (16% vs. 4%, P = 0.012). Mortality was higher in patients in whom a vein graft was used (16% vs. 5%, P = 0.039). There were no differences noted between the two groups in length of stay or postoperative complications, including infectious complications, renal insufficiency, myocardial infarction, and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-day mortality was higher in patients who underwent mesenteric bypass with vein. However, this group also had a higher incidence of emergent surgery, bowel resection, and contaminated operative field. This suggests that vein grafts were preferentially used when bowel infarction was suspected. The higher mortality is likely due to patient factors, such as the extent of bowel ischemia at the time of operation, rather than the type of conduit used. If expeditious revascularization is done before development of bowel infarction, vein or prosthetic conduit would be expected to function equally well.

The inside-out technique is safe and effective for thoracic central venous obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic central venous obstruction (TCVO) presents a challenging scenario for patients requiring central venous access. The inside-out technique for crossing occluded veins has been described; however, to date, case series have reported on a limited number of patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the indications for, efficacy of, and outcomes with the inside-out technique at a single tertiary academic center, with close attention to the severity of TCVO using the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) TCVO classification. METHODS: Patients who had undergone central venous access using the inside-out technique were identified from August 2007 to May 2021. The patient demographics, procedure indication, procedural details, SIR TCVO classification, outcomes, and procedure-related complications were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients (109 men [49.3%] and 112 women [50.6%]) had undergone 338 inside-out procedures. Of the 221 patients, 49 had undergone the procedure multiple times (25 two times, 11 three times, 13 more than three times). The average patient age was 54.7 ± 14.8 years. The indications (n = 362) for the procedure included dialysis access (n = 230; 63.5%), infusion of parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, chemotherapy, or other medication (n = 81; 22.3%), cardiac access (n = 39; 10.8%), and other (n = 12; 3.3%); more than one indication for 20 procedures. Type 1 SIR TCVO was found during 147 procedures (43.5%), followed by type 4 for 142 (42.0%), type 2 for 36 (10.7%), type 3 for 6 (1.8%), and unable to determine for 7 (2.0%). The access site was the right femoral vein for 322 procedures (95.3%), left femoral vein for 14 (4.1%), and transhepatically for 2 (0.6%). The exit site location was the right supraclavicular region for 274 (81.3%), right subclavicular for 52 (15.4%), left supraclavicular for 3 (0.9%), left subclavicular for 6 (1.8%), and not defined for 2 (0.6%). Types 3 and 4 were associated with longer fluoroscopy times and more contrast compared with types 1 and 2. The median follow-up and device duration was 56.0 days and 76.5 days, respectively. No differences were found in device duration between the SIR TCVO types. Removal of a catheter was documented for 166 patients. The indications for removal included infectious causes (non-catheter-related bacteremia, catheter-related infection or bacteremia) for 70 (42.1%), catheter malfunction for 34 (20.5%), new hemodialysis access for 19 (11.5%), no longer needed for 19 (11.5%), patient removal of the catheter by 13 (7.8%), and replacement of a temporary catheter with a tunneled device for 11 (6.6%). No procedural complications were associated with the inside-out technique or catheter removal. CONCLUSIONS: For a variety of indications, we have shown that the inside-out technique is safe and effective for establishing central venous access in patients with TCVO and can be performed repeatedly. More complex obstructive patterns were associated with longer fluoroscopy times and greater contrast administration. Durability was primarily limited by infectious complications.

Deglutition syncope: a manifestation of vagal hyperactivity following carotid endarterectomy.

A 61-year-old man with left amaurosis fugax and bilateral >80% internal carotid artery stenoses underwent a left carotid endarterectomy. On the first postoperative day, he developed hypotension, bradycardia, and chest pain with food ingestion. He was diagnosed as having deglutition syncope and was treated with oral anticholinergics. Similar symptoms occurred when he underwent a right carotid endarterectomy. Deglutition syncope is a neurally mediated situational syncope resulting from vagus nerve over-activity. This is the first report of deglutition syncope associated with carotid endarterectomy. It is important to recognize and differentiate these symptoms from other causes of postendarterectomy hemodynamic instability.

Thirty-day NSQIP database outcomes of open versus endoluminal repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) has decreased 3.5% per decade in the last 50 years to a current rate of 40%-50%. Reports have indicated that endovascular repair (EVAR) is feasible for rAAA and may offer potential benefits over open repair. We examined the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to compare 30-day multicenter outcomes for EVAR vs open rAAA repair. METHODS: Patients that underwent rAAA repair in the NSQIP database from 2005 to 2007 were identified through a combination of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnoses. Preoperative comorbidities, operative duration and transfusion, and 30 day outcomes were evaluated using t tests or Chi-squared tests depending on the variable. A separate multivariable regression was performed for each outcome adjusting for all independently predictive preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 427 patients were identified and 76.8% of patients underwent open repair. The open repair groups exhibited lower albumin levels and higher percentage of patients with preoperative hematocrit (Hct) <38% and need for preoperative ventilation. The requirement for preoperative blood transfusion was similar. Patients undergoing open repair had much higher intraoperative transfusion requirements (11.8 +/- 8.9 vs 4.2 +/- 6.0 red blood cell units, P < .001). After adjustment for preoperative mortality risk factors, the mortality risk was higher for open repair versus EVAR (odds ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-3.05, P = .096) but did not reach significance. After similar adjustment the composite morbidity odds ratio for open repair versus EVAR was 1.82 (95% CI 1.11-2.99, P = .018) and the pulmonary adverse events odds ratio was 1.99 (95% CI 1.22-3.25, P = .006). Risks for the other outcomes were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Composite 30-day morbidity risk is lower after EVAR vs open repair of rAAA. Open repair is associated with increased transfusion requirements. Performance of EVAR in rAAA patients with favorable anatomy could potentially result in improved outcome as compared with open repair.

Blood transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after lower extremity revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the significance of blood transfusion in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to examine the effect of intraoperative blood transfusion on the morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent lower extremity revascularization. METHODS: We analyzed data from the participant use data file containing vascular surgical cases submitted to the ACS NSQIP in 2005, 2006, and 2007 by 173 hospitals. Current procedural terminology codes were used to select lower extremity procedures that were grouped into venous graft, prosthetic graft, or thromboendarterectomy. Thirty-day outcomes analyzed were (1) mortality, (2) composite morbidity, (3) graft/prosthesis failure, (4) return to the operating room within 30 days, (5) wound occurrences, (6) sepsis or septic shock, (7) pulmonary occurrences, and (8) renal insufficiency or failure. Intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells was categorized as none, 1 to 2 units, and 3 or more units. Outcome rates were compared between the transfused and nontransfused groups using the chi(2) test and multivariable regression adjusting for transfusion propensity, comorbid and procedural risk. RESULTS: A total of 8799 patients underwent lower extremity revascularization between 2005 and 2007. Mean age was 66.8 +/- 12.0 years and 5569 (63.3%) were male. Transfusion rates ranged from 14.5% in thromboendarterectomy patients to 27.1% in prosthetic bypass patients (P < .05). After adjustment for transfusion propensity and patient and procedural risks, transfusion of 1 or 2 units remained significantly predictive of mortality, composite morbidity, sepsis/shock, pulmonary occurrences, and return to the operating room. The adjusted odds ratios for 30-day mortality ranged from 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-2.70) for 1 to 2 units to 2.48 (95% CI 1.55-3.98) for 3 or more units. CONCLUSION: In a large number of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization, we have found that there is a higher risk of postoperative mortality, pulmonary, and infectious complications after receiving intraoperative blood transfusion. Additional studies are necessary to better define transfusion triggers that balance the risk/benefit ratio for blood transfusion.

Variations in early outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair with alternate endograft configurations.

BACKGROUND: Most endovascular abdomincal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs (EVARs) performed in the United States utilize a bifurcated configuration. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of alternate graft configurations on early outcomes during EVAR. METHODS: Patients in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant use file who underwent elective EVAR for AAA from 2005 to 2007 were stratified by configuration using CPT codes. Bifurcated configurations (CPT 34802, 34803, 34804) were compared to straight configurations such as tube or aortouni-iliac grafts (CPT 34800, 34805). Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative variables, 30-day outcome measures, and length of stay were compared. Composite morbidity included patients experiencing one or more of 21 complications defined by NSQIP protocol. Student's t-test and analyses of variance were used to compare variables. RESULTS: There were 3,264 patients who underwent EVAR, including 2,864 bifurcated endografts and 400 straight endografts. Composite morbidity was greater in patients receiving straight endografts compared to those receiving bifurcated endografts (15.2% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001). Length of stay was greater in the "straight" cohort as well (4.9 + or - 6.9 vs. 3.3 + or - 5.6, p < 0.001). There was a trend toward increased mortality in the "straight" cohort, but it did not reach statistical significance (2% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.054). After controlling for the top 11 NSQIP predictors of mortality in vascular patients, graft configuration remained significant in the multivariable analysis for morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI[ 1.13-2.12, p = 0.006) and length of stay but not mortality (OR = 1.63, 95% CI 0.70-3.80, p = 0.263). CONCLUSION: EVAR using a tube or aortouni configuration is associated with increased complications and length of stay. These poorer outcomes may be related to factors that lead surgeons to choose these approaches.

The influence of body mass index obesity status on vascular surgery 30-day morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Mild obesity may have a protective effect against some diseases, termed an "obesity paradox." This study examined the effect of body mass index (Kg/m(2) BMI) on surgical 30-day morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing vascular surgical procedures. METHODS: As part of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), demographic and clinical risk variables, mortality, and 22 defined complications (morbidity) were obtained over three years from vascular services at 14 medical centers. At each medical center, patients from the operative schedule were prospectively and systematically enrolled according to NSQIP protocols. Outcomes and risk variables were compared across NIH-defined obesity classes (underweight [BMI40]) using analysis of variance and means comparisons. Logistic regression was used to control for other risk factors. RESULTS: Vascular procedures in 7,543 patients included lower extremity revascularization (24.6%), aneurysm repair (17.4%), cerebrovascular procedures (17.3%), amputations (9.4%), and "other" procedures (31.3%). In the entire cohort, there were 1,659 (22.0%) patients with complications and 295 (3.9%) deaths. Risk factors of hypertension and diabetes increased with BMI (analysis of variance [ANOVA] P < .05) as expected; smoking, disseminated cancer, and stroke decreased (ANOVA P < .01). Twenty other risk factors, as well as mortality and morbidity, had "U" or "J"-shaped distributions with the highest incidence in underweight and/or obese class III extremes but reduced minimums in overweight or obese I classes (ANOVA P < .05). After controlling for age, gender, and operation type, mortality risk remained lowest in obese class I patients (Odds ratio [OR] 0.63, P = .023) while morbidity risk was highest in obese class III patients (OR 1.70, P = .0003), due to wound infection, thromboembolism, and renal complications. CONCLUSION: Underweight patients have poorer outcomes and class III obesity is associated with increased morbidity. Mildly obese patients have reduced co-morbid illness, surprisingly even less than normal-class patients, with correspondingly reduced mortality. Mild obesity is not a risk factor for 30-day outcomes after vascular surgery and confers an advantage.

Gender and 30-day outcome in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): an analysis using the ACS NSQIP dataset.

PURPOSE: Prior studies have demonstrated higher in-hospital mortality in women undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The current study evaluates the relationship between gender and 30-day outcomes for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a multicenter, contemporary patient population. METHODS: Patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) participant use file that underwent EVAR of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) from 2005 to 2007 were identified by CPT codes. Outcomes analyzed were 30-day mortality, morbidity (one or more of 21 complications defined by the ACS NSQIP protocol), length of hospital stay, and six complication subgroups. Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative variables, and outcomes were compared across genders using chi(2) (binary and categorical variables) and t tests (continuous variables). The relationship of gender to outcomes was further evaluated using multivariate logistic regressions to adjust for pre- and intraoperative risk variables. RESULTS: In 3662 EVAR patients, 647 (17.7%) were women and 3015 (82.3%) men with mean ages of 75.1 +/- 9.0 and 73.7 +/- 8.5 years (P < .001). Tube graft (360, 9.8%); bifurcated, one docking limb (1624, 44.3%); bifurcated, two docking limbs (1294, 35.3%); unibody (218, 5.9%); and aorto-uni-iliac/femoral (166, 4.4%) repairs were performed. Tube and aorto-uni-iliac/femoral grafts were more common in women (21.4% vs 12.8%, P < .001) than men, as were femoral/femoral crossovers (3.9% vs 1.8%, P = .011) and iliac or brachial exposures (2.8% vs 1.0%, P = .009). Overall morbidity and mortality were 11.9% and 2.1%, respectively. Mortality in women was significantly higher (3.4% vs 2.1%, P = .014), as was morbidity (17.8% vs 10.6%, P < .001). Of thirteen independent preoperative risk factors for mortality or morbidity, women had a higher incidence in five: emergent operation, functional dependence, recent weight loss, underweight status or morbid obesity, and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After adjustment for these variables, the odds ratio (OR) for mortality in women vs men was 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-2.69, P = .157); OR for morbidity was 1.65 (95% CI 1.28-2.14, P < .001). Female gender was also found to be an independent risk factor for length of stay (Beta 0.7 days, 95% CI 0.2-1.2, P = .006), infectious complications (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.03, P = .011), wound complications (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.12-2.90, P = .015) and postoperative transfusion (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.39-6.13, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality and morbidity were higher in women than men undergoing EVAR. Multivariate analysis showed that the increased risk of mortality was related to women presenting more emergently, more debilitated (recent weight loss and functional dependence), and requiring iliac or brachial exposure. After adjustment for multiple preoperative and operative factors, women remained at significantly higher risk for the development of a broad range of complications and increased length of stay.

Meta-analysis of endovascular vs open repair for traumatic descending thoracic aortic rupture.

OBJECTIVES: Traumatic thoracic aortic injuries are associated with high mortality and morbidity. These patients often have multiple injuries, and delayed aortic repair is frequently used. Endoluminal grafts offer an alternative to open surgical repair. We performed a meta-analysis of comparative studies evaluating endovascular vs open repair of these injuries. METHODS: A systematic search of studies reporting treatment of traumatic aortic injury was performed using the following databases: Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Proquest, Up to Date, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Search terms were thoracic aortic trauma, traumatic thoracic aortic injury, traumatic aortic rupture, stent graft repair, and endovascular repair. Outcomes analyzed were procedure-related mortality, overall 30-day mortality, and paraplegia/paraparesis rate using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias was investigated using funnel plots. Assessment of homogeneity was performed using the Q test; statistical heterogeneity was considered present at P < .05. Weighted averages of age, interval to repair, and injury severity score were compared with the Welch t test; P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Seventeen retrospective cohort studies from 2003 to 2007 were included. All were nonrandomized; no prospective randomized trials were found. These studies reported on 589 patients; 369 were treated with open repair, and 220 underwent thoracic stent graft placement. There was no significant difference in age (mean 38.8 years for both) or interval to repair (mean 1.5 days for endoluminal repair; 1 day for open repair). Injury severity score was higher for patients undergoing endoluminal repair (mean, 42.4 vs 37.4 for open repair, P < .001). Procedure-related mortality was significantly lower with endoluminal repair (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.66; P = .002). Overall 30-day mortality was also lower after endoluminal repair (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.78; P = .005). Sixteen studies reported data for postoperative paraplegia; 215 patients were treated with endograft placement and 333 with open repair. The risk of postoperative paraplegia was significantly less with endoluminal repair (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.1-0.93; P = .037). The Q test did not indicate significant heterogeneity for the outcomes of interest; publication bias was limited. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies indicates that endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aortic trauma is an alternative to open repair and is associated with lower postoperative mortality and ischemic spinal cord complication rates.