(1) Background: Several mortality risk scores have been developed to predict mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs), but none focused on intraoperative factors. The aim of this study is to identify intraoperative variables affecting in-hospital mortality after open repair and develop a novel prognostic risk score. (2) Methods: The analysis of a retrospectively maintained dataset identified patients who underwent open repair for rAAA from January 2007 to October 2023 in three Italian tertiary referral centers. Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate the association between intraoperative variables and perioperative mortality. Independent intraoperative factors were used to create a prognostic score. (3) Results: In total, 316 patients with a mean age of 77.3 (SD ± 8.5) were included. In-hospital mortality rate was 30.7%. Hemoperitoneum (p < 0.001), suprarenal clamping (p = 0.001), and operation times of >240 min (p = 0.008) were negative predictors of perioperative mortality, while the patency of at least one hypogastric artery had a protective role (p = 0.008). Numerical values were assigned to each variable based on the respective odds ratio to create a risk stratification for in-hospital mortality. (4) Conclusions: rAAA represents a major cause of mortality. Intraoperative variables are essential to estimate patients' risk in surgically treated patients. A prognostic risk score based on these factors alone may be useful to predict in-hospital mortality after open repair.
BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment is nowadays accepted as first-line treatment for most patients with aorto-iliac obstructive disease (AIOD), including those with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC-II) lesion types C and D. Aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Viabahn VBX (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA), in patients with chronic occlusive aorto-iliac disease (ChO). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergone elective endovascular repair with VBX (W. L. Gore and Associates) for ChO at five referral vascular institutions in Italy from 2018 to 2022 was conducted. Primary endpoints were technical success and the incidence of any early and midterm procedure-related reintervention. Secondary endpoints were clinical success, primary and secondary patency. RESULTS: Among 89 included patients, technical success was obtained in 87 patients (97.8%). Postoperative complication requiring early surgical reintervention was necessary in 5 (6%), all but one for arterial bleeding. Clinical improvement of at least 3 classes was observed in 49 (55%). After a mean follow-up of 24.1 months ±14.1, primary patency and freedom from any procedure-related reintervention at 12, 24 and 36 months was 83.0% and 94.8%, 80.0% and 91.5%, 77.9% and 89.3%, respectively. Secondary patency was 100%. TASC-II D lesion (OR=3.67, 95% CI: 1.1289-11.9823, P=0.03) and Grade III iliac calcification (OR=3.41, 95% CI: 1.0944-10.6428, P=0.03) were identified as independent predictors for procedure-related reintervention. CONCLUSIONS: Use of VBX (W. L. Gore and Associates) in ChO was safe and effective with low rate of stenosis/occlusion in the early and mid-term follow-up. TASC-II D and Grade III calcifications resulted as independent predictors for procedure-related reintervention.
BACKGROUND: In this study, the early and mid-term outcomes of Omniflow® II (LeMaitre Vascular, Inc., Burlington, MA, USA) biosynthetic graft in redo surgery in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) with no available autologous vein material were investigated with the aim to compare the outcomes obtained in "de novo" surgery versus redo surgery. METHODS: From January 2018 until December 2022, data of CLTI patients from 18 centers in Italy with no autologous vein material underwent infrainguinal bypass with Omniflow® II biosynthetic graft were collected. Thirty-day outcome measures including intraoperative technical success, major morbidity, mortality, and graft patency were assessed and compared. At two-year follow-up, estimated outcomes of survival, primary patency, primary assisted patency, secondary patency, freedom from reintervention, and amputation-free survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared between groups using the log-rank test. RESULTS: In the study period 119 CLTI patients had an infrainguinal bypass with Omniflow® II biosynthetic graft. Seventy-seven patients (64.7%) underwent bypass as "de novo" treatment (group de novo), whilst in the remaining 42 patients (35.3%) the procedure was performed as redo surgery due to occlusion and/or infection of a previous bypass graft (group redo). Two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic, clinical, and morphological data. In group redo explantation of an infected prosthetic graft was needed in 4 cases (9.5%). Intraoperative technical success was achieved in all cases in both groups. At 30 days, the overall patency rate did not differ between the two groups (69/77, 89.6%, group de novo vs. 35/42, 83.3%, group redo; P=0.24), whilst in group redo limb loss was higher with a statistically significant different 30-day major amputation rate between the two groups (11.9% group redo vs. 1.3% group de novo; P<0.001). Overall median duration of follow-up was eight months (IQR 6-13). At two-year follow-up there were no differences between the two groups in terms of survival (67.7% group de novo vs. 55.8% group redo, P=0.53), primary patency (34.4% group de novo vs. 26.8% group redo, P=0.25), primary assisted patency (43.6% group de novo vs. 28.8% group redo, P=0.12), freedom from reintervention (64.1% group de novo vs. 68.8% group redo, P=0.98), and amputation-free survival (67.8% group de novo vs. 60% group redo, P=0.12). Secondary patency was significantly higher in group de novo (53.7% vs. 32.3%, P=0.05). During the follow-up, the overall rates of graft infection and aneurysmal degeneration were 3.4%, and 0.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Nevertheless, poorer early outcomes in terms of limb salvage, Omniflow® II biosynthetic graft offers acceptable ywo-year outcomes in redo surgery in CLTI patients with no available autologous vein material. Further studies with larger population sizes are needed to validate these outcomes.
The percutaneous direct needle puncture of calcified plaque technique is a valuable method to allow for extreme revascularization of occluded below-the-ankle vessels. We report the case of an antegrade recanalization technique from the peroneal artery to medial plantar artery to achieve external "cracking" of a calcified plaque of the medial tarsal artery.
BACKGROUND: despite improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of elective AAAs, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs) continue to cause a substantial number of deaths. The choice between an open or endovascular approach remains a challenge, as does postoperative complications in survivors. The aim of this manuscript is to offer an overview of the contemporary management of RAAA patients, with a focus on preoperative and intraoperative factors that could help surgeons provide more appropriate treatment. METHODS: we performed a search on MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus from 1 January 1985 to 1 May 2023 and reviewed SVS and ESVS guidelines. A total of 278 articles were screened, but only those with data available on ruptured aneurysms' incidence and prevalence, preoperative scores, and mortality rates after emergency endovascular or open repair for ruptured AAA were included in the narrative synthesis. Articles were not restricted due to the designs of the studies. RESULTS: the centralization of RAAAs has improved outcomes after both surgical and endovascular repair. Preoperative mortality risk scores and knowledge of intraoperative factors influencing mortality could help surgeons with decision-making, although there is still no consensus about the best treatment. Complications continue to be an issue in patients surviving intervention. CONCLUSIONS: RAAA still represents a life-threatening condition, with high mortality rates. Effective screening and centralization matched with adequate preoperative risk-benefit assessment may improve outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) still represents the gold standard for anatomical arterial mapping and revascularization decision-making in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), although DUS (Doppler Ultrasound) remains a primary non-invasive examination tool. The Global Vascular Guidelines established the importance of preoperative arterial mapping to guarantee an adequate in-line flow to the foot. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of DUS in guiding therapeutic vascular treatments on the basis of Global Vascular Guidelines without the need of a second-level examination. METHODS: Between January 2022 and June 2022, all consecutive patients with CLTI to be revascularized underwent clinical examination and DUS without further diagnostic examinations. Primary outcomes assessed were technical success, and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were 1-year amputation free survival, and time between evaluation and revascularization. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with a mean age of 73.6 ± 8.5 years underwent lower limb revascularization. Technical success was 100%, and the 30-day mortality rate was 2.9%. Mean time between evaluation and revascularization was 29 ± 17 days. One-year amputation free survival was 97.1%. CONCLUSIONS: DUS without further diagnostic examinations can accurately assess the status of the vascular tree and foot runoff, providing enough information about target vessels to guide revascularization strategies.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the early and medium-term outcomes of bypass vs endovascular treatment of occluded femoro-popliteal stents in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (the OUT-STEPP multicentric registry). METHODS: Between January 2016 and December 2021, 317 patients in 14 centers underwent treatment for a symptomatic occlusion of femoro-popliteal stent/stents. One hundred sixty-one patients were included into the present study: 46 (28.6%) underwent open bypass surgery (Group OPEN), and 115 (71.4%) underwent endovascular revascularization (Group ENDO). Early (30 days) results were assessed and compared between the two groups. Estimated 5-year outcomes were evaluated and compared with the log rank test. RESULTS: At 30 days, no differences were found in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events, acute kidney injury, reinterventions, major amputation, and all-cause mortality between the two groups. The need for blood transfusions was higher for patients in Group OPEN (17; 36.9% vs 13; 11.3%; P < .001). The mean length of intensive care unit stay and the mean hospital stay were higher for patients in Group OPEN ([0.3 ± 0.9 vs 0 days; P < .001] and [9.7 ± 5.8 vs 3.3 ± 1.4 days; P < .001], respectively). The overall median duration of follow-up was 33.1 months (interquartile range, 14-49.5 months). At 5 years, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of survival (68.7% Group OPEN vs 68.8% Group ENDO; P = .27; log-rank, 1.21), primary patency (56.3% Group OPEN vs 67.8% Group ENDO; P = .39; log-rank, 0.75), secondary patency (59.1% Group OPEN vs 77.8% Group ENDO; P = .24; log-rank, 1.40), absence of target lesion restenosis (56.8% Group OPEN vs 62.7% Group ENDO; P = .42; log-rank, 0.65), and limb salvage (77.2% Group OPEN vs 90.4% Group ENDO; P = .17; log-rank, 1.87). CONCLUSIONS: Both bypass and endovascular treatment provided safe and effective restoration of patency for femoro-popliteal in-stent occlusion in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Open surgery was associated with longer stay in hospital and increased use of blood transfusions. At 5 years, no significant differences were found in the rates of overall patency or limb salvage between bypass and endovascular treatment.
PURPOSE: Zenith Alpha Abdominal (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) is one of the new-generation low-profile stent-grafts with demonstrated satisfactory early and midterm clinical outcomes for endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The aim was to evaluate early and midterm results of this device in the framework of a multicenter regional retrospective registry, with the analysis of morphological factors affecting outcomes, including different limb configurations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2016 and November 2021, 202 patients with AAA underwent elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with implantation of a Zenith Alpha Abdominal in 7 centers. Early (30 day) outcomes in terms of technical and clinical success were assessed. Estimated 5 year outcomes were evaluated in terms of survival, freedom from type I/III endoleak, freedom from surgical conversion, freedom from limb graft occlusion, freedom from any device-related reintervention, and graft infection evaluation by life-table analysis (Kaplan-Meier test). A comparative analysis between different limb configurations (Zenith Spiral Z AAA iliac legs, codes ZISL vs ZSLE) was performed in terms of limb graft occlusion. RESULTS: The 30 day technical and clinical success rates were 97.5% and 99.5%, respectively. Median follow-up period was 25.5 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 12-43.25). The 5 year survival rate was 73.6%. The estimated 5 year outcomes in terms of freedom from type I/III endoleak, freedom from surgical conversion, freedom from limb graft occlusion, freedom from any device-related reintervention, and freedom from graft infection were 88.6% (95% CI [confidence interval]: 83.4%-93.1%), 95.8% (95% CI: 92.7%-97.1%), 93.6% (95% CI: 90.2%-96.8%), 87% (95% CI: 83.3%-91.6%), and 97.7% (95% CI: 95.1%-98.9%), respectively. About limb configuration, no differences were found in terms of 5 year freedom from limb graft occlusion (ZSLE 93.4% [95% CI: 89.8%-95.5%] vs ZISL 94.3% [95% CI: 90.1%-95.9%], p=0.342; log-rank 0.903). CONCLUSION: Zenith Alpha Abdominal in elective EVAR offered satisfactory early and 5 year outcomes with low complication rates. Limb graft occlusion continued to be an issue. Limb configuration did not affect outcomes. CLINICAL IMPACT: The authors describe satisfactory early and 5 year outcomes of Zenith Alpha Abdominal in elective endovascular aortic repair in the framework of a multicenter regional retrospective registry. At 5 years freedom from type I endoleak was 88.6%, and rate of endograft infections and conversions to open repair were very low. in the present study. Hot topic about about Zenith stent-graft still remains the limb graft occlusion with a 30-day overall rate of 2%, and estimated 5-year freedom from limb graft occlusion of 93.6%. Limb graft configuration did not affect limb graft occlusion rate. A standardized protocol including iliac stenting should be adopted to reduce kimb graft occlusion.
Limb amputation is a consequence, and the leading complication, of diabetic foot ulcers. Prevention depends on prompt diagnosis and management. Patients should be managed by multidisciplinary teams and efforts should be focused on limb salvage ("time is tissue"). The diabetic foot service should be organized in a way to meet the patient's clinical needs, with the diabetic foot centers at the highest level of this structure. Surgical management should be multimodal and include not only revascularization, but also surgical and biological debridement, minor amputations, and advanced wound therapy. Medical treatment, including an adequate antimicrobial therapy, has a key role in the eradication of infection and should be guided by microbiologists and infection disease physicians with special interest in bone infection. Input from diabetologists, radiologists, orthopedic teams (foot and ankle), orthotists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, and prosthetics, as well as psychological counseling, is required to make the service comprehensive. After the acute phase, a well-structured, pragmatic follow-up program is necessary to adequately manage the patients with the aim to detect earlier potential failures of the revascularization or antimicrobial therapy. Considering the cost and societal impact of diabetic foot problems, health care providers should provide resources to manage the burden of diabetic foot problems in the modern era.
Anti-Infective Agents , Diabetes Mellitus , Diabetic Foot , Humans , Diabetic Foot/therapy , Diabetic Foot/surgery , Limb Salvage , Vascular Surgical Procedures , Debridement , Diabetes Mellitus/surgery
BACKGROUND: Several models and scores have been released to predict early mortality in patients undergoing surgery for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). These scores included above all preoperative factors and they could be useful to deny surgical repair. The aim of the study was to evaluate intraoperative predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing open surgical repair (OSR) for a rAAA. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2020, 265 patients were admitted at our tertiary referral hospital for a rAAA. Two-hundred-twenty-two patients underwent OSR. Intra-operative factors were analyzed by means of univariate analysis (step 1). Associations of procedure variables with in-hospital mortality rates were sought based on a multivariate Cox regression analysis (step 2). RESULTS: Overall, in-hospital mortality rate was 28.8% (64 cases). Multivariate Cox regression analysis reported that operation time >240 minutes (P=0.032, OR 2.155, CI 95% 1.068-4.349), and hemoperitoneum (P<0.001, OR 3.582, CI 95% 1.749-7.335) were negative predictive factors for in-hospital mortality. Patency of at least one hypogastric artery (P=0.010; OR 0.128, CI 95% 0.271-0.609), and infrarenal clamping (P=0.001; OR 0.157, CI 95% 0.052-0.483) had a protective role in reducing in-hospital mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Operation time >240 minutes, and hemoperitoneum affected in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing OSR for rAAA. Patency of at least one hypogastric artery, and infrarenal clamping had a protective role. Further studies are needed to validate these outcomes. A validated predictive model could be useful to help the physicians in communication with patients' relatives.
BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate preoperative factors affecting long-term mortality in patients survived to surgical repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs). METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2021, 444 patients have been treated for symptomatic or ruptured aortoiliac aneurysms in two tertiary referral centers. Only 405 with diagnosis of rAAA at computed tomography were included in the present study. Initial outcome measures were assessed during at 30 and 90 days post-treatment. Estimated 10-year survival of patients survived after 90 days from the index procedure was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier Test. Uni- and multivariate analyses of the preoperative factors affecting 10-year survival in survivor patients was performed by means of log-rank and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Among included patients, 94 (23.3%) underwent endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and 311 (76.8%) open surgical repair (OSR). Intraoperative death occurred in 29 patients (7.2%). At 30 days, overall death rate was 24.2% (98/405 cases). Hemorrhagic shock (HR 15.5, 95% CI 3.5 to 41.1, P<0.001) was an independent predictor for 30-day mortality. The overall rate of 90-day mortality was 32.6%. In survivors estimated survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 84.2%, 58.2%, and 33.3%, respectively. Type of treatment (OSR vs. EVAR) did not affect long-term freedom from AAA-related death (HR 0.6, P=0.42). In survivor patients, multivariate analysis confirmed the association between late mortality and female sex (HR 4.7, 95% CI 3.8 to 5.9, P=0.03), age >80 years (HR 28.5, 95% CI 25.1 to 32.3, P<0.001), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 5.2, 95% CI 4.3 to 6.3, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Late freedom from AAA-related death was not affected by the type of treatment (EVAR vs. OSR) in patients undergoing urgent repair for rAAA. In survivors, female gender, elderly age, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease negatively affected long-term survival.
BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) have been increasing in number over the years. They represent a high-risk population, especially in terms of major amputation and mortality. Despite multiple guidelines concerning their management, it continues to be challenging. Decision-making between surgical and endovascular procedures should be well established, but there is still a lack of consensus concerning the best treatment strategy. The aim of this manuscript is to offer an overview of the contemporary management of CLTI patients, with a focus on the concept that evidence-based revascularization (EBR) could help surgeons to provide more appropriate treatment, avoiding improper procedures, as well as too-high-risk ones. METHODS: We performed a search on MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2022 and reviewed Global and ESVS Guidelines. A total of 150 articles were screened, but only those of high quality were considered and included in a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Global Vascular Guidelines have improved and standardized the way to classify and manage CLTI patients with evidence-based revascularization (EBR). Nevertheless, considering that not all patients are suitable for revascularization, a key strategy could be to stratify unfit patients by considering both clinical and non-clinical risk factors, in accordance with the concept of individual residual risk for every patient. The recent BEST-CLI trial established the superiority of autologous vein bypass graft over endovascular therapy for the revascularization of CLTI patients. However, no-option CLTI patients still represent a critical issue. CONCLUSIONS: The surgeon's experience and skillfulness are the cornerstones of treatment and of a multidisciplinary approach. The recent BEST-CLI trial established that open surgical peripheral vascular surgery could guarantee better outcomes than the less invasive endovascular approach.
BACKGROUND: The Najuta stent-graft (Kawasumi Laboratories Inc., Tokyo, Japan) is usually easily advanced to the correct deployment position in the ascending aorta thanks to the pre-curved delivery J-sheath with all fenestrations automatically oriented towards the supra-aortic vessels. Aortic arch anatomy and delivery system stiffness could however represent limitations for proper endograft advancement, especially when the aortic arch bends sharply. The aim of this technical note is to report a series of bail-out procedures that could be useful to overcome the difficulties encountered during the Najuta stent-graft advancement up to the ascending aorta. MAIN BODY: The insertion, positioning and deployment of a Najuta stent-graft requires a through-and-through guidewire technique using a .035â³ 400 cm hydrophilic nitinol guidewire (Radifocus™ Guidewire M Non-Vascular, Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) with right brachial and both femoral accesses. When standard maneuver to put the endograft tip into the aortic arch, some bail-out procedures can be applied to obtain proper positioning. Five techniques are described into the text: positioning of a coaxial extra-stiff guidewire; positioning of a long introducer sheath down to the aortic root from the right brachial access; inflation of a balloon inside the ostia of the supra-aortic vessels; inflation of a balloon inside the aortic arch (coaxial to the device); and transapical access technique. This is a troubleshooting guide for allowing physicians to overcome various difficulties with the Najuta endograft as well as for other similar devices. SHORT CONCLUSION: Technical issues in advancing the delivery system of Najuta stent-graft could occur. Therefore, the rescue procedures described in this technical note could be useful to guarantee the correct positioning and deployment of the stent-graft.
BACKGROUND: In this study, the early and mid-term outcomes of the use of the Mills valvulotome in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) undergoing infrainguinal in-situ saphenous vein bypass were investigated. METHODS: From January 2018 until December 2019, 153 consecutive CLTI patients from 7 centers have been treated with infrainguinal in-situ saphenous vein bypass. In all patients the devalvulation of the great saphenous vein (GSV) was obtained with the use of the HYDRO LeMaitre® valvulotome (LeMaitre Vascular, Burlington, MA, USA). Eighty-six patients (56.2%) received the additional treatment of the LeMills valvulotome (LeMaitre Vascular) to disrupt the distal valves of the GSV (Group MV), whilst in the remaining 67 patients (43.8%) this adjunctive device was not used (Group no-MV). Initial outcome measures including intraoperative vein injuries were assessed and compared. At 2-year follow-up, estimated outcomes of primary patency, primary assisted patency, secondary patency, freedom from distal vein restenosis, and limb salvage were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared between groups using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Intraoperatively, the overall rate of vein injuries related to the devalvulation was 5.2% (8 cases) with four cases in both groups (4/86, 4.6%, Group MV vs. 4/67, 6%, Group no-MV; P=0.49). Overall, 4 lesions occurred in the distal portion of the GSV and were all reported in Group no-MV (0/86, 0%, Group MV vs. 4/67, 6%, Group no-MV; P=0.03). Median duration of follow-up was 12 months (IQR: 6-24). At 2-year follow-up there were no differences between the two groups in terms of primary patency (69.9% Group MV vs. 79.8% Group no-MV, P=0.08), primary assisted patency (85.4% Group MV vs. 90.5% Group no-MV, P=0.37), secondary patency (94.2% Group MV vs. 92.1% Group no-MV, P=0.61), and limb salvage (97.4% Group MV vs. 98.2% Group no-MV, P=0.74). Patients in Group MV had a higher rate of freedom from distal vein restenosis (92.2% Group MV vs. 76% Group no-MV, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive use of the Mills valvulotome (LeMaitre Vascular) reduces intraoperative distal vein injuries and improves the 2-year freedom from distal vein restenosis in patients undergoing infrainguinal in-situ saphenous vein bypass.
Saphenous Vein , Vascular Surgical Procedures , Humans , Saphenous Vein/surgery , Vascular Patency , Femoral Vein , Limb Salvage , Treatment Outcome , Retrospective Studies , Ischemia/surgery , Risk Factors
BACKGROUND: Secondary interventions strongly improves patency and limb salvage rates in patients undergoing infrainguinal vein bypass. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of secondary endovascular procedures performed during the follow-up on patency and limb salvage in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) undergoing in situ saphenous vein infragenicular bypass. METHODS: From January 2018 to December 2019 541 patients in 43 centers have been enrolled into the LIMBSAVE registry (treatment of critical Limb IschaeMia with infragenicular Bypass adopting in situ SAphenous VEin technique). In all patients a strict surveillance program with Duplex scan was established (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months). During the follow-up indications for endovascular procedures were anastomotic stenoses, improvement of run-in (iliac stenosis) or run-off (tibial vessels' stenoses or occlusions). Two-year estimated outcomes in terms of overall patency, and limb salvage were analyzed by life-table analysis (Kaplan-Meier test). Outcomes obtained in patients undergoing endovascular procedure (Group-endo) were compared by means of Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test with those obtained in patients with no secondary endovascular procedure during the follow-up (Group-no endo). RESULTS: Two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographics and intraprocedural details. Overall mean duration of follow-up was 12.1 months (range 1-24). During the follow-up period (>30 days) 55 endovascular procedures were performed in 49 patients (9.1%) (Group-endo). Most of endovascular procedures (37/55, 67.3%) was performed to treat stenoses at proximal or distal anastomosis. Secondary endovascular procedures (40/55, 72.7%) were predominantly performed within 6 months from the index procedure. Estimated 2-year overall patency (97.9% vs. 85.2%, P=0.05), and limb salvage (100% vs. 93.9%, P=0.05) rates were significantly better in Group-endo. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary endovascular procedures in patients with CLTI undergoing in situ saphenous infragenicular bypass significantly improve the rates of overall patency and limb salvage in the mid-term period.
Endovascular Procedures , Vascular Diseases , Humans , Limb Salvage/methods , Saphenous Vein , Vascular Patency , Constriction, Pathologic/surgery , Ischemia/diagnostic imaging , Ischemia/surgery , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Vascular Diseases/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
BACKGROUND: Bifurcated vein grafts have been described in reconstructive microsurgery. No comparative studies have been published in lower limb arterial revascularization. The aim of this study was to compare non-reversed bifurcated vs. single vein graft in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) undergoing lower limb distal bypass. METHODS: Between January 2015 and December 2021 193 CLTI patients have been treated at our center with vein bypass, and distal anastomosis on infrapopliteal vessels; 137 patients (71%) received a single graft (Group SIN), and 56 patients (29%) had a bifurcated bypass (Group BIF). Primary outcomes measures were time to healing, primary patency, primary assisted patency, secondary patency, and limb salvage. Two-year outcomes according to Kaplan-Meier curves were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Both groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic data, preoperative risk factors, and clinical presentation except for an elderly age in Group BIF (77.5 vs. 71.5 years; P<0.001). Intraoperative technical success was achieved in all patients. Overall median duration of follow-up was 19 months (interquartile range 9-36). Wound healing did not differ between the two groups (77.4% Group SIN vs. 73.2% Group BIF; P=0.33). Mean time to healing was faster in Group BIF (2.4 vs. 6.8 months; P<0.001). At 2-year follow-up there were no differences between the two groups in terms of primary patency (71.4% Group SIN vs. 54% Group BIF; P=0.10), primary assisted patency (81.7% Group SIN vs. 76.4% Group BIF; P=0.53), secondary patency (85.1% Group SIN vs. 80.9% Group BIF; P=0.79), and limb salvage (92.3% Group SIN vs. 87.2% Group BIF; P=0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Bifurcated graft improved time to healing in CLTI patients undergoing infrapopliteal non-reversed vein bypass. Two-year overall patencies and limb salvage did not differ accordingly to vein graft configuration (single vs. bifurcated).
Ischemia , Lower Extremity , Humans , Aged , Vascular Patency , Treatment Outcome , Lower Extremity/blood supply , Ischemia/diagnostic imaging , Ischemia/surgery , Limb Salvage , Risk Factors , Wound Healing , Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia , Retrospective Studies
The absence of an adequate ileo-femoral access is usually considered an absolute contraindication to fenestrated and branched aortic repairs. Alternative routes and dedicated stent-graft designs have been advocated. Hereby, we describe the case of a 73-year-old man with a recurrent type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and complete thrombotic pararenal aortic occlusion treated successfully with a tri-branch custom-made endograft deployed via a transaxillary access.
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic , Arterial Occlusive Diseases , Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation , Endovascular Procedures , Male , Humans , Aged , Blood Vessel Prosthesis , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/surgery , Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/surgery , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome , Stents , Prosthesis Design , Arterial Occlusive Diseases/surgery
BACKGROUND: The mid-term results after treatment of isolated popliteal lesions have been limited. The aim of the present study was to report the mid-term outcomes after endovascular treatment of isolated atherosclerotic popliteal artery lesions. METHODS: A multicenter (15 hospitals in five countries) retrospective cohort study was performed. Between June 2016 and June 2021, 651 consecutive patients who had been treated for isolated popliteal lesions using endovascular methods exclusively were included in the present study. Six techniques were identified, including plain balloon angioplasty (PTA; n = 286; 43.9%), drug-coated balloon angioplasty (n = 98; 15.1%), stenting with low-chronic outward force (COF) stents (n = 84; 12.9%), stenting with high-COF stents (n = 76; 11.7%), atherectomy alone (n = 17; 2.6%), and directional atherectomy with drug-coated balloons (n = 90; 13.8%). The primary outcomes measures were primary and secondary patency and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (F-CDTLR). RESULTS: The mean patient age was 74.5 years. Most of the patients (n = 409; 62.9%) had had chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Popliteal occlusion was found in 400 cases (61.4%). High-grade calcification was present in 36.7% of cases. Immediate technical success was 94.8%. The median follow-up was 26 months (range, 6-42 months). The actuarial rate for all patients at 26 months (per outcome measure) was as follows: primary patency, 73.9%; secondary patency, 88%; and F-CDTLR, 76.5%. When comparing PTA vs all other treatments in an adjusted regression analysis, the F-CDTLR was 75.2% for PTA vs 76.5% for all other treatment (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-1.48; P = .46, adjusted regression). The difference in secondary patency also was not statistically significant (85.7% for PTA vs 88%; P = .20). Adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the estimated primary patency was inferior for PTA in pairwise comparisons vs other treatments (P < .001 vs atherectomy; P = .002 vs directional atherectomy with drug-coated balloons; and P = .002 vs low-COF stenting). CONCLUSIONS: The results from our study have shown that endovascular treatment of isolated popliteal lesions is safe and associated with acceptable patency and F-CDTLR in the mid-term.
Angioplasty, Balloon , Atherosclerosis , Peripheral Arterial Disease , Humans , Aged , Popliteal Artery/diagnostic imaging , Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnostic imaging , Peripheral Arterial Disease/therapy , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Angioplasty, Balloon/adverse effects , Registries , Vascular Patency , Femoral Artery , Coated Materials, Biocompatible
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of positron emission tomography/computed tomography with [18F]-fludeoxyglucose (FDG-PET/CT) and radiomics analysis in detecting differences between the native aorta and the abdominal aortic allograft after the total eradication of infection in patients undergoing infected graft removal and in situ reconstruction with cryopreserved allografts. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2018, 56 vascular reconstructions with allografts have been performed at our department. The present series included 12 patients undergoing abdominal aortic in situ reconstruction with cryopreserved allografts. During the follow-up, all patients underwent a total-body [18F]FDG PET/CT with subsequent radiomics analysis. In all patients, a comparative analysis between the data extracted from native aorta and cryopreserved graft for each patient was performed. RESULTS: All patients were male with a mean age of 72.8 years (range 63-84). Mean duration of follow-up was 51.3 months (range 3-120). During the follow-up, 2 patients (16.7%) needed a redo allograft-related surgical intervention. Overall, the rate of allograft dilatation was 33.3%. No patient had a redo infection during the follow-up. Radiomics analysis showed a different signature of implanted allograft and native aorta. Comparative analysis between the native aortas and cryopreserved allografts (dilated or not) showed several statistical differences for many texture features. CONCLUSIONS: The higher metabolic activity of allografts could indicate a state of immune-mediated degeneration. This theory should be proven with prospective, multicentric studies with larger sample sizes.
