Determination of Treatment Efficacy after Revascularization of Intermittent Claudication Patients by Physical Function Assessment.

PURPOSE: There have been few reports examining changes in physical activity (PA) after revascularization of lower extremities from the perspective of physical function at discharge. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of physical function before discharge on the amount of PA after discharge in patients who underwent revascularization. METHODS: The subjects were 34 Fontaine class II patients admitted for elective surgical revascularization or endovascular treatment at two hospitals from September 2017 to October 2019. Triaxial accelerometers were used to measure changes in sedentary behavior (SB) before admission and 1 month after discharge. Multiple regression analysis was performed on the 6-min walking distance (6MWD) at the time of discharge and the change in SB 1 month after discharge; the cutoff value was calculated from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: SB 1 month after discharge significantly decreased in the decreased SB group compared to the increased SB group (575.5 [400-745.2] vs. 649.5 [453.8-809.2], p <0.01). ROC curve was plotted with SB increase/decrease as the dependent variable and 6MWD at discharge as the independent variable; the cutoff value was 357.5 m. CONCLUSION: 6MWD measurement at discharge may help predict changes in SB after discharge.

Validation of the Usefulness of the Diameter Reduction, Spiral Shape, Flow Impairment, or Adverse Morphology Classification System in Real-World Clinical Practice.

AIM: The accuracy of the DISFORM (diameter reduction, spiral shape, flow impairment, or adverse morphology) classification system has not been validated. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter observational study enrolled 288 consecutive patients with lower extremity artery disease who underwent endovascular therapy with drug-coated balloons for femoropopliteal lesions between January 2018 and December 2021. Patients were classified into DISFORM I-IV groups. Primary patency (PP) and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) at 12 months, and recurrence predictors at 12 months were investigated. RESULTS: In total, 183, 66, 11, and 28 patients were classified into DISFORM I, II, III, and IV groups, respectively. In the DISFORM I, II, III, and IV groups, the PP rates were 75.3%, 91.1%, 87.5%, and 50.0%, respectively, and freedom from CD-TLR rates were 86.0%, 91.6%, 88.9%, and 76.7%, respectively, at 12 months. In the DISFORM I-III and IV groups, the PP rates were 79.4% and 50.0%, respectively, and freedom from CD-TLR rates were 87.5% and 76.7%, respectively, at 12 months. Multivariate analysis showed that chronic limb-threatening ischemia, DISFORM IV, and Lutonix™ use were independent predictors of PP loss at 12 months. CONCLUSION: DISFORM IV had a lower PP rate than DISFORM I-III in midterm phase.

Long-Term Outcomes of Simple Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Based on the Initial Aortic Diameter.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the effects of initial abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter on aneurysmal sac expansion/shrinkage, endoleaks, and reintervention postelective simple endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Overall, 228 patients monitored for >1 year after EVAR were analyzed. Male and female participants with initial AAA diameters <55 mm and <50 mm, respectively, composed the small group (group S), while those with initial AAA diameters ≥55 mm (men) and ≥50 mm (women) composed the large group (group L). Aneurysmal sac expansion of 10 mm and/or reintervention during follow-up (composite event) and its related factors were evaluated. RESULTS: The 5-year freedom from composite event rate was significantly higher in group S (92.4 ± 2.8%) than that in group L (79.1 ± 4.9%; P <0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed AAA diameters before EVAR in group S (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.81; P = 0.01) and type II endoleak (T2EL) at discharge (hazard ratio, 2.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-6.20; P <0.01) as factors associated with the composite event. The freedom from composite event rate decreased to 51 ± 13% at 5 years in group L with T2EL. CONCLUSIONS: Group S had high freedom from composite event rate; in group L, the rate decreased to 51% at 5 years with T2EL at discharge.

Calf extra-Fascial compartment area affects calf muscle pumping action: an air plethysmography and computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to elucidate whether lower limb extra-fascial compartment and muscle areas affect the calf muscle pumping action on lower limbs. METHOD: This study included 90 patients (180 limbs) who underwent preoperative air plethysmography (APG) and preoperative non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the lower limbs for diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral primary varicose veins. A correlation between cross-sectional CT images and preoperative APG was confirmed. Cross-sectional CT was used to measure the extra-fascial compartment and muscle areas of the calf. The lower limbs were divided into two groups: those that were normal and those with primary varicose veins. RESULTS: The extra-fascial compartment area was significantly correlated with the ejection fraction in normal (r = 0.388, n = 53, p = 0.004) and varicose limbs (r = 0.232, n = 91, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In normal and varicose limbs, evaluation of ejection fraction, an indicator of muscle pumping, requires consideration of the extra-fascial compartment area.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Oral Tranexamic Acid Intervention for the Prevention of Type II Endoleak after Endovascular Abdominal Aneurysm Repair.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate tranexamic acid (TA) for the prevention of type II endoleak (EL2) at a high level of evidence by a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) between May 2017 and January 2020 were included. Patients in the TA group were given 750 mg of TA daily for a month after EVAR. The incidence of EL2, blood coagulation/fibrinolytic ability, and changes in aneurysm diameter were compared between two groups. RESULT: On the 7th day after EVAR, EL2 was found in 14 patients (34.1%) in the TA group and in 7 patients (15.9%) in the non-TA group. It was also found in 12 patients (29.3%) in the TA group and 6 patients (13.6%) in the non-TA group at 1 month after EVAR. There was no significant difference in the incidence of EL2 between the two groups (p = 0.051, 0.08). Blood tests revealed that fibrin degradation product and D-dimer were significantly suppressed in the TA group, there was no significant difference in the change of diameter regardless of the TA intake. CONCLUSION: This study proved anti-fibrinolytic effect of the TA, but it alone had not enough power to decrease EL2 after EVAR.

Site-specific mechanical properties of the human great saphenous vein: Cadaveric comparisons among the thigh, knee, and lower leg harvest sites.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine site-specific mechanical properties of the great saphenous vein (GSV) harvested from various sites in the same cadaver. METHODS: GSV samples were harvested from three sites: the thigh, knee, and lower leg. The thickness and diameter of the samples were measured, and the tensile test was performed to measure stiffness and Young's modulus. RESULTS: The stiffness of the GSV harvested from knees in the longitudinal direction was lower than those from other sites, whereas the stiffness of the GSV harvested from the lower leg in the circumferential direction was lower than that from the thigh. CONCLUSIONS: The GSV has site-specific mechanical properties. Thus, in addition to morphological evaluations such as echo and computed tomography in preoperative graft surgical evaluations, knowledge of the mechanical properties at each site can improve the patency rate and prevent aneurysmal expansion.

The PETTICOAT-Snowshoe Technique Prevents Distal Stent Graft-Induced New Entry in Patients with Aortic Dissection.

PURPOSE: Distal stent graft-induced new entry (SINE) is a serious complication of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD). The PETTICOAT-snowshoe technique was developed to prevent distal SINE for double-barrel TBAD. Initially, a proximal stent-graft (SG) is deployed, followed by the extension of a bare stent above the celiac artery and deployment of a second SG within the bare stent. This study examined whether the PETTICOAT-snowshoe technique prevents distal SINE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study comparing 2 groups that underwent conventional standard TEVAR between January 2013 and September 2018 and TEVAR using the PETTICOAT-snowshoe technique after October 2018 for double-barrel TBAD. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (74% male) underwent standard TEVAR (group A), while another 27 (78% male) underwent the PETTICOAT-snowshoe technique (group B). TEVAR was performed in the chronic phase on 15 patients (55.6%) in group A and on 16 (59.2%) in group B. Aorta-related mortality occurred in 1 patient in group A (3.7%). Oversizing ratios at the distal edge of the SG diameter to the major axis of the true lumen were 25% ± 26% and 25% ± 21% in groups A and B, respectively. During the follow-up period, 5 patients (18.5%) in group A and none in group B (P = 0.02) developed distal SINE. 3 of 5 patients with distal SINE in group A were treated with additional TEVAR, one with thoracoabdominal aortic replacement, and one with conservative observation. The freedom from distal SINE rate was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The PETTICOAT-snowshoe technique significantly prevented distal SINE during the mid-term period even with the same distal SG oversizing as conventional standard TEVAR.

A Case of Effective Balloon Fenestration for Localized Aortic Dissection Complicated with Acute Renal and Bilateral Limb Ischemia in a Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

An 85-year-old man visited our hospital with bilateral leg weakness. Blood tests revealed an abrupt deterioration of renal function. Computed tomography revealed a 53-mm aortic aneurysm at the level of the diaphragm with an aortic dissection after branching of the superior mesenteric artery. An emergency left axillary-left femoral artery bypass surgery was performed to secure blood flow to the kidneys and lower limbs. Five days later, a transcatheter balloon fenestration for the stenosis was performed, and the blood pressure of the infrarenal aorta was improved. Both the dorsal pedis and posterior tibial arteries became palpable, and renal function was improved.

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Pseudoaneurysms After Repair of Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysms that develop after surgical repair of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are more likely to rupture, but open surgery including a repeat thoracotomy would be highly invasive. We report 2 cases of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for such pseudoaneurysms. METHODS/RESULTS: A 59-year-old woman who underwent PDA surgical ligation at 13 years of age presented with sudden hemoptysis. She was diagnosed with a ruptured distorted pseudoaneurysm sized 26 mm; emergency TEVAR was performed. A 23-year-old woman with a history of Down syndrome, endocardial cushion defect, and PDA underwent 2 thoracotomy surgeries including PDA ligation. During a medical checkup, an abnormal shadow was detected on chest radiography. She was diagnosed with a 15-mm pseudoaneurysm after PDA surgical repair; TEVAR was performed. In both cases, the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of emergency TEVAR for ruptured pseudoaneurysms after PDA ligation. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is an important therapeutic option for such cases as it eliminates the need for repeat thoracotomy.

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome in Siblings.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare disease. We treated siblings with this disease. An 18-year-old male consulted our hospital for intermittent claudication of the left lower limb. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography led to a diagnosis of type II PAES. After transection of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, popliteal artery bypass was performed. His younger brother (6 years younger) was also diagnosed with type II PAES, and similar surgery was performed at the age of 19. These cases suggested the involvement of genetic factors in PAES in addition to embryological factors.

Spinal Subdural Hematoma owing to the Removal of Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage Tube During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage during the treatment of aortic disease is commonly performed to prevent spinal cord ischemia. Spinal subdural hematoma (SDH) has never been reported after CSF drainage during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). We present a case of concurrent intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and spinal SDH after CSF drainage tube removal in a patient with TEVAR. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 73-year-old man was hospitalized to undergo TEVAR. The day before the procedure, a lumbar CSF drainage tube was inserted. Continuous CSF drainage was performed only during the procedure, and the tube was removed the following day. The patient complained of mild back pain on postoperative day 2; headache, bilateral lower limb paresis, and bladder and rectal disturbances developed on postoperative day 5. Brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal subdural or subarachnoid hematoma and intracranial SAH. Lumbar laminectomies for spinal SDH removal were performed; lower limb strength improved immediately after surgery. At postoperative 2 years, the patient returned to his preoperative activity level; only mild right lower limb numbness persisted. CONCLUSIONS: We present a rare case of intracranial SAH and spinal SDH that developed after CSF drainage tube removal in a patient with TEVAR. CSF drainage should be carefully considered in patients undergoing aortic procedures, as SAH and spinal SDH may occur in addition to spinal cord ischemia.

Analysis of the positional relationship between the left brachiocephalic vein and its surrounding vessels via computed tomography scan: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the positional relationship between the left brachiocephalic vein and its surrounding vessels and to analyse the association between this positional relationship and ageing. METHOD: Chest contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed for 100 adults. The contact number between left brachiocephalic vein and surrounding vessels (aorta, brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery) was determined. The correlations of ageing with the cross-sectional areas of left brachiocephalic vein crossing brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery and peripheral end of left brachiocephalic vein were analysed. RESULTS: LBV was in contact with aorta in 19, brachiocephalic artery in 97, left common carotid artery in 90 and left subclavian artery in 21 patients. There were significant negative correlations of ageing with the cross-sectional areas of left brachiocephalic vein crossing brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery and peripheral end of left brachiocephalic vein. CONCLUSIONS: Brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery have easy contact with left brachiocephalic vein. There was a negative relationship between the cross-sectional area of left brachiocephalic vein and age.

Histological study on the left common iliac vein spur.

The spur occasionally seen in a left common iliac vein was investigated by anatomical and histological examination of cadavers so the occurrence mechanism could be discussed. Spurs were found in six cases of the 28 cadavers (21.4%) and they were classified into few different kinds of composition of endosporia, tunica media and adventitia. It is considered that there may be different formation mechanisms and stages even in cases of similar anatomical finding. (English translation of J Jpn Coll Angiol 2013; 53: 43-47).