Patients with end-stage renal disease have poor outcomes after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Although endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has been demonstrated to have favorable outcomes, not all cohorts of patients with AAA fare equally well. Our goal was to investigate perioperative and 1-year outcomes in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis, who have traditionally fared worse after vascular interventions, to assess how ESRD affects outcomes in a large modern cohort of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) patients. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative database was queried for all patients undergoing EVAR from 2010 to 2017. ESRD patients were compared with patients not on dialysis. Propensity-matched scoring and multivariable analysis were used to isolate the effects of ESRD. RESULTS: Of 28,683 EVARs identified, there were 321 (1.12%) patients with ESRD on dialysis. Patients with ESRD had no difference in presenting AAA size (57.5 ± 12.7 mm vs 56.7 ± 17.2 mm; P = .44); however, they had more urgent/emergent repairs (20.6% vs 13.6%; P = .002) than those without ESRD. ESRD patients were more often younger, nonwhite, and nonobese and less likely to have commercial insurance (P < .05). ESRD patients more often had hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, previous lower extremity bypass, aneurysm repair, and carotid interventions (P < .05). There was no difference in the rate of concomitant procedures. Matching based on demographics, comorbidities, and operative details showed that ESRD patients had longer hospital length of stay (4.8 ± 9.4 days vs 4.1 ± 12.6 days; P = .026) and higher 30-day mortality (7% vs 2.4%; P < .001). There was no difference in cardiac, pulmonary, lower extremity, bowel, and stroke complications or return to the operating room. On multivariable analysis, ESRD was associated with 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 4.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-6.7; P < .001). Of the 24,750 elective EVARs, 1.04% had ESRD on dialysis. Matched data for elective EVAR show increased postoperative length of stay, hospital mortality, and 30-day mortality for ESRD patients on dialysis compared with those who are not. There was no association with postoperative myocardial infarction or pulmonary complications. At 1 year, patients with ESRD on dialysis had worse survival (78% vs 94%; P < .001), and ESRD was associated with higher mortality (hazard ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-4.2; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing EVAR, ESRD is independently associated with higher perioperative and 1-year mortality despite not being associated with higher postoperative complications. This should be taken into account during informed consent for EVAR and risk-benefit considerations in this high-risk population, particularly for elective repair.

Retrograde popliteal access to treat femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: Retrograde popliteal artery (RPA) access to treat superficial femoral artery and popliteal artery disease is an option when treatment through common femoral artery (CFA) access is not possible. Our goal was to compare the safety and efficacy of RPA access with CFA access for treatment of femoral and popliteal artery lesions. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for all patients undergoing RPA access from 2010 to 2016 for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. These were compared with standard CFA access. Patients with acute limb ischemia were excluded. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were analyzed. Perioperative and 6-month outcomes were analyzed. Multivariable analysis was used to assess the effect of RPA access on amputation or death, major adverse limb event (MALE) or death, patency, and death. RESULTS: There were 30,074 patients with isolated superficial femoral and popliteal artery disease treated, 148 of whom had RPA access. Indications overall included claudication (56.3%), rest pain (13.9%), and tissue loss (29.8%). RPA access had a significantly lower rate of technical success compared with CFA access (80.4% vs 93.8%; P < .001). RPA access and CFA access were similar for rates of arterial dissection (8.3% vs 6.3%; P = .333), distal embolization (0% vs 1.2%; P = .183), access site hematoma (3.4% vs 3.1%; P = .849), and 30-day mortality (1.4% vs 1.1%; P = .789). There were no differences between RPA access and CFA access for unadjusted 6-month amputation-free survival (94.8% vs 96%; P = .747) or survival (934.3% vs 95.6%; P = .845). MALE-free survival (74.5% vs 83.5%; P = .016) and patency (70.3% vs 83.1%; P < .001) were significantly lower in the RPA access group. Multivariable analysis showed no differences between patients who were successfully treated by RPA access and CFA access for amputation-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-3.32; P = .669), MALE-free survival (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.99-2.5; P = .057), and survival (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.43-1.73; P = .675). RPA access was independently associated with loss of primary patency (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.24-2.94; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: RPA access had lower technical success and primary patency compared with antegrade access at 6 months. There were no differences demonstrated between the two access techniques in perioperative morbidity and mortality or 6-month amputation, MALE, and survival. This technique should be considered when CFA access cannot be accomplished.

Biosynthesis of proresolving lipid mediators by vascular cells and tissues.

Recent evidence suggests that specialized proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs) generated from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can modulate the vascular injury response. However, cellular sources for these autacoids within the vessel wall remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether isolated vascular cells and tissues can produce SPMs and assessed expression and subcellular localization of the key SPM biosynthetic enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) in vascular cells. Intact human arteries incubated with DHA ex vivo produced 17-hydroxy DHA (17-HDHA) and D-series resolvins, as assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Addition of 17-HDHA to human arteries similarly increased resolvin production. Primary cultures of human saphenous vein endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) converted 17-HDHA to SPMs, including resolvin D1 (RvD1) and other D-series resolvins and protectins. This was accompanied by a rapid translocation of 5-LOX from nucleus to cytoplasm in both ECs and VSMCs, potentially facilitating SPM biosynthesis. Conditioned medium from cells exposed to 17-HDHA inhibited monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-stimulated EC monolayers. These downstream effects were partially reversed by antibodies against the RvD1 receptors ALX/FPR2 and GPR32. These results suggest that autocrine and/or paracrine signaling via locally generated SPMs in the vasculature may represent a novel homeostatic mechanism of relevance to vascular health and disease.-Chatterjee, A., Komshian, S., Sansbury, B. E., Wu, B., Mottola, G., Chen, M., Spite, M., Conte, M. S. Biosynthesis of proresolving lipid mediators by vascular cells and tissues.

Short- and long-term readmission rates after infrainguinal bypass in a safety net hospital are higher than expected.

OBJECTIVE: Readmission rates are expected to have an increasing effect on both the hospital bottom line and physician reimbursements. Safety net hospitals may be most vulnerable. We examined readmissions at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year in a large safety net hospital to determine the magnitude and effect of short- and long-term readmission rates after lower extremity infrainguinal bypass in this setting. METHODS: All nonemergent extremity infrainguinal bypass performed at a large safety net hospital between 2008 and 2016 were identified. Patient demographic, social, clinical, and procedural details were extracted from the electronic medical record. An analysis of patients readmitted at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year was completed to determine the details of the readmission. RESULTS: A total of 350 patients undergoing extremity infrainguinal bypass were identified. The most frequent indication was tissue loss (57%), followed by claudication (25.6%), and rest pain (17.4%). Patient insurance carriers included Medicare (61.7%), Medicaid (25.4%), and private (13%). The distal target was the popliteal and tibial artery in 52.6% and 47.4% cases, respectively. The majority of bypasses used autologous vein (73.1%). In-hospital complications included pulmonary complications (4.3%), urinary tract infection (3.1%), acute renal failure (2%), graft occlusion (2%), myocardial infarction (1.7%), bleeding (1.4%), surgical wound complications (1.1%), and stroke (0.9%). The 30-day readmission rate was 30% with the most common reasons for readmission being surgical wound complications, nonsurgical foot/leg wounds, nonextremity infectious causes, cardiac ischemia, and congestive heart failure. The 90-day readmission rate was 49.4% and the most common reasons for readmission from 31 to 90 days were nonsurgical foot/leg wounds, graft complications, surgical wound complications, cardiac ischemia, and contralateral leg morbidity. The readmission rate within 1 year was 72.2%. Readmission causes from 91 days to 1 year included graft complications, contralateral leg morbidity, nonextremity infectious, nonsurgical foot/leg wounds, cardiac ischemia, and congestive heart failure. A tibial bypass target was associated with 30-day (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.69; P = .029) and 90-day (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.14-2.74, P = .011) readmission. Nonprivate insurance (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.17-4.57, P = .016), and critical limb ischemia (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.14-2.74; P = .035) were associated with 1-year readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Short- and long-term readmission rates in a safety net setting are high. The 30-day rates in this study are higher than historically reported. This data sets baseline rates for 90-day and 1-year readmission for future analyses. Although the majority of short-term readmissions are related to the index procedure, long-term readmission rates are more frequently related to systemic comorbidities. Targeted patient interventions aimed at preventing the most common reasons for readmission may improve readmission rates, particularly among patients with nonprivate insurance. However, other risk factors, such as tibial target, may not be modifiable and a higher readmission rate may need to be accepted in this population.

Perioperative Infections after Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Lead to Increased Risk of Subsequent Complications.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair are at risk of perioperative infections that can lead to subsequent complications. Our goal was to understand how an initial infectious complication influences the risk of subsequent complications in this cohort of patients. METHODS: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database (2005-2012), we evaluated the relationship between 3 index infectious complications after open elective AAA repair (pneumonia, deep/organ surgical site infection [SSI], and urinary tract infection [UTI]) and subsequent complications. We used 5:1 propensity matching and calculated propensity score to experience to establish matching cohorts for each index complication. This score was based on preoperative variables and number of event-free days. RESULTS: There were 3,991 patients who were identified to have undergone elective open AAA repair in the ACS-NSQIP database. Postoperative index pneumonia was associated with increased risk of unplanned intubation (28.6% vs. 3.5%; odds ratio [OR], 10.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7-17.5; P < 0.001), prolonged ventilation (38.5% vs. 6.7%; OR, 8.7; 95% CI: 5.9-13.0; P < 0.001), sepsis (14.3% vs. 3.3%; OR, 4.8; 95% CI: 2.8-8.4; P < 0.001), acute renal failure (9.9% vs. 2.1%; OR, 5.1; 95% CI: 2.6-9.9; P < 0.001), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (3.8% vs. 1.4%; OR, 2.7; 95% CI: 1.1-7.0; P = 0.035), and mortality (7.1% vs. 3.0%; OR, 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-4.9; P = 0.009). Postoperative index UTI was associated with increased risk of sepsis (21.4% vs. 0%; OR, 49.2; 95% CI: 14.5-166.8; P < 0.001), pneumonia (10.7% vs. 2.9%; OR, 4.0; 95% CI: 1.8-8.6; P = 0.001), DVT (3.6% vs. 0.4%; OR, 10.0; 95% CI: 1.8-55.5; P = 0.008), and mortality (5.4% vs. 1.8%; OR, 3.0; 95% CI: 1.1-8.5; P = 0.02). Finally, postoperative index deep/organ SSI increased the risk of pneumonia (13.0% vs. 0.9%; OR, 16.7; 95% CI: 1.6-168.2; P = 0.017), prolonged ventilation (21.7% vs. 0.9%; OR, 30.8; 95% CI: 3.4-279.4; P = 0.002), and sepsis (13.0% vs. 0.9%; OR, 16.7; 95% CI: 1.6-168.2; P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: A postoperative nosocomial infection after open AAA repair is significantly more likely to lead to serious subsequent complications. Prevention and early identification of infectious index complications and subsequent complications could allow for interventions that could decrease morbidity and mortality.

Review of Pediatric Otolaryngology Clinical Trials: Past Trends and Future Opportunities.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Pediatric otolaryngologic conditions are highly prevalent in the United States. Although data gathered from clinical trials drive therapeutic strategies, the trends of research in pediatric otolaryngology remain unclear. The objective of this study was to characterize recent trials in pediatric otolaryngology to better understand current directions of study and to identify opportunities for future research. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of United States pediatric clinical trials in otolaryngology between 2001 and 2017 was conducted on ClinicalTrials.gov. Criteria for inclusion included otolaryngologic trials with at least one trial arm of participants <18 years of age, interventional design that was closed, and conducted in the United States. We assessed the information available to us on ClinicalTrials.gov to identify recent trends in pediatric otolaryngology interventional research. We used PubMed to examine publication rates and National Institutes of Health RePORTER to characterize funding patterns for these trials. RESULTS: Of the 122 trials analyzed, 25% investigated treatments for rhinitis, 25% for acute otitis media, and 50% for all other conditions. Drug studies comprised 72% of all trials. Overall, 65% had their results published in a peer-reviewed journal. Industry funding accounted for 73% of financial support. CONCLUSIONS: Continued focus on the development of pediatric otolaryngologic clinical trials allows an opportunity to better represent the wide spectrum of disease and therapy in the specialty. Increasing the rates of results publication and federal funding may spearhead a more balanced landscape of clinical trials and further advance the care of children with otolaryngologic disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 130:2719-2724, 2020.

Clinical scribes and their association with patient experience in the otolaryngology clinic.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Electronic health records have brought many advantages but also placed a documentation burden on the provider during and after the clinic visit. Some otolaryngologists have countered this challenge by employing clinical scribes. This project aimed to better understand the influence of scribes on patient experience in the otolaryngology clinic. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort survey study. METHODS: Patients presenting to the otolaryngology clinic for new and follow-up appointments were recruited to complete surveys about their experience. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients completed the survey, and 96 of those patients (62.7%) interacted with a scribe. Patient satisfaction was not significantly associated with participation of the scribe (P = .668). Similarly, patient rating of their physician on a scale of 1 to 10 was not associated with scribe involvement (P = .851). The patients who did interact with a scribe responded that the scribe positively impacted the visit 77.1% of the time. Participation of a resident, primary language other than English, and use of interpreter were associated with lower satisfaction (P = .004, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There are no published data on the effect of scribes on patient experience in the otolaryngology clinic. In other specialties, scribes have been demonstrated as having a positive effect on provider satisfaction, clinical productivity, and patient perception. These data demonstrate that patient satisfaction was neither impaired nor improved by the presence of the scribe in this clinic. In light of benefits demonstrated by prior studies, these findings support the conclusion that scribes are a useful adjunct in providing high-level otolaryngology care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:E134-E139, 2020.

Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: A Review of the Evolution of Management in Children.

BACKGROUND: Historically, there has been uncertainty in the treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in children. Although management always begins with medical therapy, the decision to offer surgery in resistant cases is becoming more widely practiced. In the pediatric population, turbinate reduction can be achieved with turbinectomy, electrocautery, lasers, submucous microdebridement, and radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RVTR). However, there remains a lack of consensus on the preferred approach to treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare how the efficacy, duration, and complications of different surgical methods has changed the management of inferior turbinate hypertrophy in children over time. METHODS: In March 2018, a comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed for all inferior turbinate hypertrophy management-related studies in children. Inclusion criteria included children (age, 1-17 years). Exclusion criteria included reviews and abstracts. RESULTS: Each technique has experienced a period of popularity over the last 30 years in parallel with the technology available at the time as well as evidence from studies in adults. The literature for ITH management in children has largely followed these trends, with a recent improvement in the quality of studies mirroring the overall increase in surgical practice. Of all methods currently used, RVTR and submucous microdebridement offer the least invasive and most efficacious relief of nasal obstruction. CONCLUSION: This review provides an overview of the evolution of ITH management in children and, based on historic and current evidence, proposes the following graduated recommendation to treatment: (1) a 3-month trial of medical management, (2) evaluation for adenoid hypertrophy for consideration of concurrent adenoidectomy, and (3) RVTR or submucous microdebridement as the first-line surgical approach.

Patient and Aneurysm Characteristics Predicting Prolonged Length of Stay After Elective Open AAA Repair in the Endovascular Era.

INTRODUCTION: Open aortic aneurysm repair (AAA) repair can be resource intensive and associated with a prolonged length of stay (LOS). We sought to examine patient and aneurysm predictors of prolonged LOS to better identify those at risk in the preoperative setting. METHODS: Patient data were obtained from the targeted AAA American College of Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2014 of patients undergoing open AAA repair. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of prolonged postoperative LOS defined as greater than 10 days (75th percentile). RESULTS: There were 1172 open AAA repairs identified. The majority (54%) of patients were older than 70 years and male (74%). Surgical approach was transperitoneal (70.9%) and retroperitoneal (29.1%). Aneurysms were 51.4% infrarenal, 33% juxtarenal, 5.7% pararenal, 7.4% suprarenal, and 2.5% type IV thoracoabdominal. Mean and median LOS were 9.1 ± 7.4 and 7 (0-72) days, respectively. Independently associated with extended LOS factors were visceral revascularization (odds ratio [OR]: 5.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.77-10.22, P < .001), type IV thoracoabdominal extent (OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.01-9.46, P = .048), suprarenal extent (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.07-3.34, P = .029) and juxtarenal (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01-2.02, P = .004), non-Caucasian race (OR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.77-4.41, P < .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.20-2.59, P = .004), not-from-home admission (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.13-3.24), and age greater than 70 (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08-2.05, P = .014). CONCLUSION: We identified patient and aneurysm characteristics independently associated with protracted LOS following open AAA repair. Prospective identification of high-risk patients may allow physicians and hospitals to engage in multidisciplinary collaborations preoperatively to try to improve LOS in this resource-intensive population.

Infrainguinal open reconstruction: a review of surgical considerations and expected outcomes.

Infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease can lead to potentially disabling and limb-threatening conditions. Revascularization may be indicated for claudication, rest pain, or tissue loss. Although endovascular interventions are becoming more prevalent, open surgeries such as endarterectomy and bypass are still needed and performed regularly. Open reconstruction has been associated with postoperative morbidity, both at the local and at the systemic levels. Local complications include surgical site infections (SSIs 0-5.3%), graft failure (12-60%), and amputation (5.7-27%), and more systemic issues include cardiac (2.6-18.4%), respiratory (2.5%), renal (4%), neurovascular (1.5%), and thromboembolic (0.2-1%) complications. While such outcomes present an additional challenge to the postoperative management of surgical patients, it may be possible to minimize their occurrence through careful risk stratification and preoperative assessment. Therefore, individualized selection of candidates for open repair requires weighing the need for intervention against the likelihood of adverse outcomes based on preoperative risk factors. This review provides an overview of open reconstruction, focusing on identifying the clinical indications for surgery and perioperative morbidity and mortality.