Vascular Surgeon Involvement in Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams: Barriers, Challenges, Concerns and the Imperative for Integration.

BACKGROUND: The effective management of pulmonary embolism (PE) necessitates coordinated care among physicians from diverse specialties within a time-sensitive framework. Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERTs) have been developed as a strategic approach to optimize and expedite treatment by integrating and coordinating different specialties. The current survey audit aimed to understand the level of interest among vascular surgeons and the logistical considerations surrounding their participation within the PERT. METHODS: A deidentified Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) survey was disseminated to vascular surgeons, with collected data submitted to the Vascular Surgery Collaborative (VASC) database. RESULTS: A total of 139 vascular surgeons with an average of 10.6 years of practice experience responded to the VASC PERT audit. The majority (70.5%) practice in academic settings and only 24.5% currently perform PE interventions in their practice. While nearly half of respondents (52.5%) reported the existence of PERT in their institutions, only a fraction (23.3%) was actively involved in the PERT. Notably, a significant proportion in our cohort (38.1%) expressed dissatisfaction with the representation of vascular surgeons in multidisciplinary teams managing venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and PE. Vascular surgery (VS) representation in PERT was only 34.2%, with pulmonology (pulm) (60.3%), interventional radiology (IR) (57.5%), interventional cardiology (IC) (57.5%), and critical care (CC) (50.7%) being the most represented specialties. The primary barriers to VS participation in PERT were competing interests from other specialties and logistical scheduling challenges. CONCLUSIONS: The audit shows a global deficit in the integration of VS expertize within PERT frameworks. Primary barriers include exclusion due to competing interests from other specialties and challenges in the logistical coordination of PERT calls.

Contemporary outcomes after treatment of aberrant subclavian artery and Kommerell's diverticulum.

OBJECTIVE: Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) and Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) are rare vascular anomalies that may be associated with lifestyle-limiting and life-threatening complications. The aim of this study is to report contemporary outcomes after invasive treatment of ASA/KD using a large international dataset. METHODS: Patients who underwent treatment for ASA/KD (2000-2020) were identified through the Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium, a multi-institutional collaboration to investigate uncommon vascular disorders. We report the early and mid-term clinical outcomes including stroke and mortality, technical success, and other operative outcomes including reintervention rates, patency, and endoleak. RESULTS: Overall, 285 patients were identified during the study period. The mean patient age was 57 years; 47% were female and 68% presented with symptoms. A right-sided arch was present in 23%. The mean KD diameter was 47.4 mm (range, 13.0-108.0 mm). The most common indication for treatment was symptoms (59%), followed by aneurysm size (38%). The most common symptom reported was dysphagia (44%). A ruptured KD was treated in 4.2% of cases, with a mean diameter of 43.9 mm (range, 18.0-100.0 mm). An open procedure was performed in 101 cases (36%); the most common approach was ASA ligation with subclavian transposition. An endovascular or hybrid approach was performed in 184 patients (64%); the most common approach was thoracic endograft and carotid-subclavian bypass. A staged operative strategy was employed more often than single setting repair (55% vs 45%). Compared with endovascular or hybrid approach, those in the open procedure group were more likely to be younger (49 years vs 61 years; P < .0001), female (64% vs 36%; P < .0001), and symptomatic (85% vs 59%; P < .0001). Complete or partial symptomatic relief at 1 year after intervention was 82.6%. There was no association between modality of treatment and symptom relief (open 87.2% vs endovascular or hybrid approach 78.9%; P = .13). After the intervention, 11 subclavian occlusions (4.5%) occurred; 3 were successfully thrombectomized resulting in a primary and secondary patency of 95% and 96%, respectively, at a median follow-up of 39 months. Among the 33 reinterventions (12%), the majority were performed for endoleak (36%), and more reinterventions occurred in the endovascular or hybrid approach than open procedure group (15% vs 6%; P = .02). The overall survival rate was 87.3% at a median follow-up of 41 months. The 30-day stroke and death rates were 4.2% and 4.9%, respectively. Urgent or emergent presentation was independently associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 19.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-116.6), overall mortality (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.2-11.2) and intraoperative complications (OR, 8.3; 95% CI, 2.8-25.1). Females had a higher risk of reintervention (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.0-6.5). At an aneurysm size of 44.4 mm, receiver operator characteristic curve analysis suggested that 60% of patients would have symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ASA/KD can be performed safely with low rates of mortality, stroke and reintervention and high rates of symptomatic relief, regardless of the repair strategy. Symptomatic and urgent operations were associated with worse outcomes in general, and female gender was associated with a higher likelihood of reintervention. Given the worse overall outcomes when symptomatic and the inherent risk of rupture, consideration of repair at 40 mm is reasonable in most patients. ASA/KD can be repaired in asymptomatic patients with excellent outcomes and young healthy patients may be considered better candidates for open approaches versus endovascular or hybrid modalities, given the lower likelihood of reintervention and lower early mortality rate.

Inter-observer variability of expert-derived morphologic risk predictors in aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: Establishing the reproducibility of expert-derived measurements on CTA exams of aortic dissection is clinically important and paramount for ground-truth determination for machine learning. METHODS: Four independent observers retrospectively evaluated CTA exams of 72 patients with uncomplicated Stanford type B aortic dissection and assessed the reproducibility of a recently proposed combination of four morphologic risk predictors (maximum aortic diameter, false lumen circumferential angle, false lumen outflow, and intercostal arteries). For the first inter-observer variability assessment, 47 CTA scans from one aortic center were evaluated by expert-observer 1 in an unconstrained clinical assessment without a standardized workflow and compared to a composite of three expert-observers (observers 2-4) using a standardized workflow. A second inter-observer variability assessment on 30 out of the 47 CTA scans compared observers 3 and 4 with a constrained, standardized workflow. A third inter-observer variability assessment was done after specialized training and tested between observers 3 and 4 in an external population of 25 CTA scans. Inter-observer agreement was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Pre-training ICCs of the four morphologic features ranged from 0.04 (-0.05 to 0.13) to 0.68 (0.49-0.81) between observer 1 and observers 2-4 and from 0.50 (0.32-0.69) to 0.89 (0.78-0.95) between observers 3 and 4. ICCs improved after training ranging from 0.69 (0.52-0.87) to 0.97 (0.94-0.99), and Bland-Altman analysis showed decreased bias and limits of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Manual morphologic feature measurements on CTA images can be optimized resulting in improved inter-observer reliability. This is essential for robust ground-truth determination for machine learning models. KEY POINTS: • Clinical fashion manual measurements of aortic CTA imaging features showed poor inter-observer reproducibility. • A standardized workflow with standardized training resulted in substantial improvements with excellent inter-observer reproducibility. • Robust ground truth labels obtained manually with excellent inter-observer reproducibility are key to develop reliable machine learning models.

International Multi-Institutional Experience with Presentation and Management of Aortic Arch Laterality in Aberrant Subclavian Artery and Kommerell's Diverticulum.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) with or without Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) is a rare anatomic aortic arch anomaly that can cause dysphagia and/or life-threatening rupture. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes of ASA/KD repair in patients with a left versus right aortic arch. METHODS: Using the Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium methodology, a retrospective review was performed of patients ≥18 years old with surgical treatment of ASA/KD from 2000 to 2020 at 20 institutions. RESULTS: 288 patients with ASA with or without KD were identified; 222 left-sided aortic arch (LAA), and 66 right-sided aortic arch (RAA). Mean age at repair was younger in LAA 54 vs. 58 years (P = 0.06). Patients in RAA were more likely to undergo repair due to symptoms (72.7% vs. 55.9%, P = 0.01), and more likely to present with dysphagia (57.6% vs. 39.1%, P < 0.01). The hybrid open/endovascular approach was the most common repair type in both groups. Rates of intraoperative complications, death within 30 days, return to the operating room, symptom relief and endoleaks were not significantly different. For patients with symptom status follow-up data, in LAA, 61.7% had complete relief, 34.0% had partial relief and 4.3% had no change. In RAA, 60.7% had complete relief, 34.4% had partial relief and 4.9% had no change. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ASA/KD, RAA patients were less common than LAA, presented more frequently with dysphagia, had symptoms as an indication for intervention, and underwent treatment at a younger age. Open, endovascular and hybrid repair approaches appear equally effective, regardless of arch laterality.

Glossary of terms and concepts relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion to reflect on, debate, and raise awareness of: A report from the Society for Vascular Surgery Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

The presented glossary highlights the concepts and terminology related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Although this list should not be considered all-inclusive, it will provide our vascular surgical community with a common vocabulary to help propel change toward improved diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, practices, and culture. As these concepts and terminology find their place in our everyday lives, the Society for Vascular Surgery and its leadership believe that expanding the diversity, equity, and inclusion of vascular surgical professionals is a mission-critical step. This mission will help us improve patient experience through successfully delivering culturally sensitive care for our diverse community. Now is the time.

In-hospital outcomes and long-term survival of women of childbearing age with aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we defined the outcomes and effects of pregnancy in a cohort of women of childbearing age with acute aortic dissection (AAD). METHODS: We reviewed our database of AAD to identify all eligible female patients. Women aged <45 years were included. Data on pregnancy timing with respect to the occurrence of dissection, the demographic data, dissection extent, dissection treatment, dissection-related outcomes, overall maternal and fetal mortality, and genetic testing results were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 62 women aged <45 years had presented to us with AAD from 1999 to 2017. Of the 62 women, 37 (60%) had had a history of pregnancy at AAD. Of these 37 patients, 10 (27%) had had a peripartum aortic dissection, defined as dissection during pregnancy or within 12 months postpartum. Of the 10 AADs, 5 were type A and 5 were type B. Three patients had presented with AAD during pregnancy (one in the second and two in the third trimester). Five patients (50%) had developed AAD in the immediate postpartum period (within 3 months) and two (20%) in the late postpartum period. For the immediate postpartum AADs (<3 months), four of the five patients delivered via cesarean section. Of these 10 peripartum AADs, 3 (30%) had occurred in patients with known Marfan syndrome. In-hospital mortality for those with peripartum AAD was 10% (1 of 10). Fetal mortality was 20% (2 of 10). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of aortic dissection in women of childbearing age at our institution was low. However, pregnancy might increase the risk of those young women genetically predisposed to dissection events. From these data, this risk appears to be greatest in the immediate postpartum period, even for those who undergo cesarean section. Close clinical and radiographic surveillance is required for all women with suspected aortopathy, especially in the third trimester and early postpartum period.

Ulnar Artery Aneurysm as a Late Sequela of Marfan Syndrome.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations of the FBN1 gene encoding fibrillin-1, which leads to overexpression of transforming growth factor-ß, increased hyaluronan deposition, and matrix metalloproteinase activity in the media of the aorta and other muscular arteries. Marfan syndrome patients present with connective tissue laxity and aneurysmal changes to muscular arteries. Successful medical and surgical intervention has prolonged the life expectancy of MFS patients, which can allow atypical presentations of the syndrome to manifest. We present a case of a 49-year-old man with MFS who developed an ulnar artery aneurysm that was treated by excision and vein grafting.

Predictors of poor outcome in infrainguinal bypass for trauma.

BACKGROUND: Trauma remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vascular injuries are present in approximately 1% to 2% of trauma patients, with the majority of injuries occurring to the extremities. Trauma patients with vascular injuries have been shown to have increased morbidity and mortality as well as the need for increased resources compared with those without vascular injuries. This study aimed to determine predictors of poor outcomes in infrainguinal bypasses performed for traumatic arterial injury. METHODS: All patients admitted between September 1999 and July 2015 who underwent infrainguinal arterial bypass for trauma at a single level I trauma center were included for analysis. The primary outcome was a composite of thrombosis leading to graft abandonment, revision, amputation, or death. Data were analyzed by univariate descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses. Long-term data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: During the study period, 108 patients presented with and underwent infrainguinal arterial bypass for traumatic arterial injury. The cohort had a mean age of 35.8 years (16/108 female [15%]). The average Injury Severity Score was 15.2; admission glomerular filtration rate, 79.3 mL/min/1.73 m2; Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS), 6; and injury to operating room time, 5.1 hours. Of 108 patients, 37 (34%) had penetrating injury, 71 (66%) had blunt injury, 10 (9.3%) had diabetes mellitus, and 76 (70.4%) had a below-knee target for bypass. Univariate risk factors for poor outcome included age >40 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.27 [1.40-7.65]; P < .01), MESS ≥7 (OR, 5.19 [2.08-19.97]; P < .01), blunt mechanism (OR, 3.35 [1.24-9.07]; P = .02), popliteal artery injury (OR, 3.04 [1.22-7.6]; P = .02), and below-knee target vessel (OR, 4.32 [1.37-13.58]; P = .01). Concomitant orthopedic injuries (P = .08) were not associated with poor outcome. Baseline renal function, type of repair performed (end-to-side vs interposition bypass), injury to surgery time, surgeon's specialty, and associated venous injuries were not significantly predictive of poor outcome. MESS was strongly predictive of poor outcome, with probability rising as high as 95% when MESS reached 12. A score ≥7 (high MESS) was 73% sensitive and 70% specific to predict poor outcomes. Age (OR, 1.03/y; P < .05) and MESS ≥7 (OR, 3.6; P < .03) were persistent predictors of poor outcome in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Poor outcomes in infrainguinal bypass for trauma are significantly predicted by the MESS, with poor outcomes occurring >50% of the time when MESS is ≥9 and >75% of the time when MESS is ≥11. Whereas amputation vs revascularization is a decision that also depends on nerve and soft tissue damage and other comorbidities, the MESS helps frame the data for the clinician and can aid in decision-making. Patients and family should understand that poor outcomes are more likely when MESS is ≥9. For patients with MESS ≥11, primary amputation can be considered.

Grange syndrome due to homozygous YY1AP1 missense rare variants.

Grange syndrome (OMIM 602531) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by severe early onset vascular occlusive disease and variable penetrance of brachydactyly, syndactyly, bone fragility, and learning disabilities. Grange syndrome is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous loss-of-function variants in the YYA1P1 gene. We report on the case of a 53-year old female with novel homozygous missense variants in YYA1P1 (c.1079C>T, p.Pro360Leu), presenting with a history of brachysyndactyly, hypertension, and ischemic stroke. Imaging studies revealed stenosis of the bilateral internal carotid with extensive collateralization of cerebral vessels in a moyamoya-like pattern, along with stenosis in the splenic, common hepatic, celiac, left renal, and superior mesenteric arteries. Functional studies conducted with the patient's dermal fibroblasts suggest that the p.Pro360Leu variant decreases the stability of the YY1AP1 protein. This is the first report of a missense variant associated with Grange syndrome characterized by later onset of vascular disease and a lack of developmental delay and bone fragility.

New type A dissection after acute type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic dissection is a dynamic process that can progress both proximal and distal to the initial entry tear. We sought to determine associations for development of proximal progression or new type A aortic dissection (NTAD) after acute type B dissection (ATBD) and its effect on survival of the patient. METHODS: We reviewed all cases of acute aortic dissection that we managed from 1999 to 2014. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to identify correlates of NTAD. Multivariable regression and proportional hazards regression analysis was done to determine the effect of dissection progression on long-term survival. RESULTS: Among 477 cases of ATBD managed, 19 (4.0%) patients developed NTAD during a median follow-up of 4.1 (interquartile range, 1.4-7.7) years. Median time from diagnosis of ATBD to NTAD was 124 (interquartile range, 23-1201) days. Baseline predictors for development of NTAD at initial ATBD admission included bicuspid aortic valve (P = .006) and age <60 years (P = .012). Although not statistically significant, point estimates indicate that thoracic endovascular aortic repair was twice as frequent in NTAD cases as in non-NTAD cases. Overall 5-year survival was 70.2%. Patients who had repair of NTAD appear to have longer survival, although this effect is on the margin of statistical significance (P = .051). After risk factor and correlates of NTAD adjustment, this effect was no longer apparent (P = .089). CONCLUSIONS: The natural history of ATBD is such that there is a persistent risk of NTAD, with the highest risk in the first 6 months. Factors associated with NTAD include bicuspid aortic valve and young age. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair did not have a large effect on risk. Timely diagnosis and repair of NTAD are associated with good survival rates. Lifelong surveillance is warranted in all cases of descending thoracic aortic dissection regardless of initial treatment modality.

Outcomes of Patients With Acute Type B (DeBakey III) Aortic Dissection: A 13-Year, Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection remains the most common aortic catastrophe. In the endovascular era, the management of acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD) is undergoing dramatic changes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with ATBAD who were treated at our center over a 13-year period. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed patients with ATBAD between 2001 and 2014, analyzing variables based on status (complicated [c] versus uncomplicated [u]) and treatment modalities. We defined cATBAD as rupture, expansion of diameter on imaging during the admission, persistent pain, or clinical malperfusion leading to a deficit in cerebral, spinal, visceral, renal, or peripheral vascular territories at presentation or during initial hospitalization. Postoperative outcomes were defined as deficits not present before the intervention. Outcomes were compared between the groups by use of Kaplan-Meier and descriptive statistics. We treated 442 patients with ATBAD. Of those 442, 60.6% had uATBAD and were treated medically, and 39.4% had cATBAD, of whom 39.0% were treated medically to 30.0% with open repair, 21.3% with thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and 9.7% with other open peripheral procedures. Intervention-free survival at 1 and 5 years was 84.8% and 62.7% for uATBAD, 61.8% and 44.0% for cATBAD-medical, 69.2% and 47.2% for cATBAD-open, and 68.0% and 42.5% for cATBAD-thoracic endovascular aortic repair, respectively (P=0.001). Overall survival was significantly related primarily to complicated presentation. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, early and late outcomes of ATBAD were dependent on the presence of complications, with cATBAD faring worse. Although uATBAD was associated with favorable early survival, late complications still occurred, mandating radiographic surveillance and open or endovascular interventions. Prospective trials are required to better determine the optimal therapy for uATBAD.

A Quarter Century of Organ Protection in Open Thoracoabdominal Repair.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) remains a challenging problem. We sought to examine our experience with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repairs over a 24-year period. METHODS: Patient information was collected in a prospective database and analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariable analysis was performed. RESULTS: Between January 1991 and December 2014, we repaired 1896 descending thoracic (DTAA) or TAAA in 1795 patients. Mean age was 64.2 ±â€Š13.8, and 702 (37%) were women. Of 1896 operations, 646 (34.1%) were DTAA, 316 (16.7%) TAAA extent I, 310 (16.4%) TAAA extent II, 187 (9.9%) TAAA extent III, 348 (18.4%) TAAA extent IV, and 112 (5.9%) TAAA extent V. Adjunct [cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) + distal aortic perfusion (DAP)] was used in 78.4%. Mean preoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 75.1 ±â€Š14.9 mL/min/1.73 m. Renal dysfunction occurred in 461 (24.3%). Immediate neurodeficit (IND) occurred in 79 (4.2%) and delayed in 104 (5.5%). Of these, 47/104 (45%) recovered by discharge. Postoperative stroke was 95/1896 (5%). Early mortality was 302/1896 (15.9%). Mortality with GFR >95.3 was 28/457 (6.1%), and 131/432 (30.3%) was with GFR < 48.3 (P < 0.0001). Predictors of early mortality were age (P < 0.02), GFR (P < 0.0001), TAAA2 or 3 (P = 0.001), coronary artery disease (P = 0.001), and emergency (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Open DTAA and TAAA repair can be performed with acceptable early and late outcomes. This study provides important early- and long-term data on open repair, allowing for better risk stratification of patients with DTAA and TAAA. It is the high-risk subgroup that can now be targeted for endovascular techniques.

Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Mimicking as Left Subclavian Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor II Mutation.

We report successful endovascular repair of a left vertebral artery aneurysm in a patient with transforming growth factor beta receptor II mutation. The patient was initially diagnosed with a left subclavian artery aneurysm on computed tomography angiography. The patient consented to publication of this report.

Complicated type B aortic dissection causing ischemia in the celiac and inferior mesenteric artery distribution despite patent superior mesenteric artery bypass.

Mortality rates associated with acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) complicated by malperfusion remains significant. Optimal management of patients with ABAD is still debatable. We present a case report of a 50-year-old man who was admitted due to ABAD. He was treated medically with his pain resolved and he was discharged on oral antihypertensive medications. One month after initial diagnosis, he was readmitted with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. On imaging, an extension of the aortic dissection into the visceral arteries with occlusion of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries (SMA) was noted. He underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and bypass grafting to the SMA. Despite the intervention, the patient developed large bowel, liver, and gastric ischemia and underwent bowel resection. He died from multi-organ failure. In selected cases of uncomplicated ABAD, TEVAR should be considered and when TEVAR fails and visceral malperfusion develops, an aggressive revascularization of multiple visceral arteries should be attempted.

Repair of extensive aortic aneurysms: a single-center experience using the elephant trunk technique over 20 years.

OBJECTIVES: We report the early and late outcomes after repair of extensive aortic aneurysms using the 2-stage elephant trunk (ET) technique. BACKGROUND: Management of aneurysm involving the entire aorta is a significant challenge. Given the anatomical complexity, the staged ET procedure was devised. A paucity of long-term data of outcomes of this approach exists. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing repair for extensive aortic aneurysm was performed. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2013, we repaired 3012 aneurysms of the ascending or thoracoabdominal aorta. Of these, we performed 503 operations in 348 patients using the ET technique. Mean age was 62.4 ± 14.3 years, and 156/346 (45.1%) operations were in women; 288 patients underwent first-stage ET with 157 receiving a complete second-stage repair. Index repair early mortality was 29/317 (9.1%). Completion stage early mortality was 17/186 = 9.1%. Stroke after first-stage ET repair was 10/297 (3.4%) and immediate neurologic deficit after the second-stage ET repair was 6/206 (2.9%). In the 131 patients who did not receive a second-stage repair, 17.8% died in the interval between 31 and 45 days. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive aortic aneurysm is a complex problem, but it can be managed safely with a 2-stage open procedure. Those patients who could not complete the completion repair fared poorly. Better predictors for early outcome need to be determined. The use of ET technique remains a valuable approach for repair of extensive aortic aneurysm.

Navigating clinical appropriateness: A review of management strategies for type B aortic dissection.

Aortic dissection is a catastrophic, life-threatening event. Its management depends on the anatomic location of the intimal tear (type A v B) and the clinical presentation in type B aortic dissection. In this article, the current evidence supporting clinical practice, gaps in knowledge, and the need for more rigorous research and higher-quality studies are reviewed.

Open repair with latissimus muscle flap coverage for treatment of infected thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair.

A male patient, 70 years of age, was evaluated for an infected thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR). After presenting with persistent fever, a positron emission tomography scan found an infected aortic stent graft. The patient underwent open repair with explantation of the infected TEVAR, extensive periaortic debridement, graft replacement with a Dacron graft, and complete coverage with a latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Tissue culture revealed Clostridium spp. He was discharged home with long-term ampicillin and sulbactam. A postoperative computed tomography scan showed no recurrence of infection. Open surgery with latissimus muscle flap coverage is an achievable option for infected TEVAR.

Insights From the Histopathologic Analysis of Acquired and Genetic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to apply contemporary consensus criteria developed by the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology and the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology to the evaluation of aortic pathology, with the expectation that the additional pathologic information may enhance the understanding and management of aortic diseases. METHODS: A scoring system was applied to ascending aortic specimens from 42 patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease and known genetic variations and from 86 patients from a single year, including patients with known genetic variations (n = 12) and patients with sporadic disease (n = 74). RESULTS: The various types of lesions of medial degeneration and the overall severity of medial degeneration overlapped considerably between those patients with heritable disease and those with sporadic disease; however, patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease had significantly more overall medial degeneration (P = .004) and higher levels of elastic fiber fragmentation (P = .03) and mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation (P = .04) than patients with sporadic thoracic aortic disease. Heritable thoracic aortic disease with known genetic variation was more prevalent in women than in men (27.2% vs 9.8%; P = .04), and women had more severe medial degeneration than men (P = .04). Medial degeneration scores were significantly lower for patients with bicuspid aortic valves than for patients with tricuspid aortic valves (P = .03). CONCLUSION: The study's findings indicate considerable overlap in the pattern, extent, and severity of medial degeneration between sporadic and hereditary types of thoracic aortic disease. This finding suggests that histopathologic medial degeneration represents the final common outcome of diverse pathogenetic factors and mechanisms.

Routine intercostal artery reattachment strategy reduces delayed and permanent spinal cord injury after open descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: During open descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (DTAA/TAAA) repair, we used a routine T8-T12 intercostal artery (ICA) reattachment strategy from July 2004 to June 2009 and after 2017, we used a selective ICA reattachment strategy (reattaching T8-T12 ICAs only when neuromonitor signals were lost) from July 2009 to 2016. This study reviewed our nearly 2-decade experience to assess the impact of 2 ICA reattachment strategies on spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: All open DTAA/TAAA repairs performed from July 2004 to June 2022 were included, except for cases without intraoperative cerebral spinal fluid drainage. Perioperative data were reviewed. Univariable and multivariable analyses and propensity matching for risk-adjusted effects of 2 strategies for ICA reattachment on SCI were used. Results: In all, 375 patients were operated on with selective strategy and 584 with routine strategy. Age and prevalence of rupture and redo were similar in the 2 groups. The rate of operative mortality and immediate SCI was also similar (selective vs routine: mortality, 12.5% vs 12.3%; immediate SCI, 3.2% vs 2.2%). However, the incidence of delayed and permanent SCI was increased in the selective group (delayed, 10.4% vs 6.9%; permanent, 8.5% vs 5.3%). Multivariable analyses demonstrated selective strategy was a predictor of delayed and permanent SCI, along with TAAA extent II/III, and older age. Conclusions: Two strategies of ICA reattachment did not impact the incidence of immediate SCI, which was infrequent, but the selective strategy was associated with greater rates of delayed permanent SCI. Reattachment of the ICAs within T8-T12 should be performed during open DTAA/TAAA.