Detection of Atherosclerosis by Small RNA-Sequencing Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle Enriched Serum Samples.

Atherosclerosis can occur throughout the arterial vascular system and lead to various diseases. Early diagnosis of atherosclerotic processes and of individual disease patterns would be more likely to be successful if targeted therapies were available. For this, it is important to find reliable biomarkers that are easily accessible and with little inconvenience for patients. There are many cell culture, animal model or tissue studies that found biomarkers at the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA level describing atherosclerotic processes. However, little is known about their potential as circulating and liquid biopsy markers in patients. In this study, we examined serum-derived miRNA - profiles from 129 patients and 28 volunteers to identify potential biomarkers. The patients had four different atherosclerotic manifestations: abdominal aneurysm (n = 35), coronary heart disease (n = 34), carotid artery stenosis (n = 24) and peripheral arterial disease (n = 36). The samples were processed with an extracellular vesicle enrichment protocol, total-RNA extraction and small RNA-sequencing were performed. A differential expression analysis was performed bioinformatically to find potentially regulated miRNA biomarkers. Resulting miRNA candidates served as a starting point for an overrepresentation analysis in which relevant target mRNAs were identified. The Gene Ontology database revealed relevant biological functions in relation to atherosclerotic processes. In patients, expression of specific miRNAs changed significantly compared to healthy volunteers; 27 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. We were able to detect a group-specific miRNA fingerprint: miR-122-5p, miR-2110 and miR-483-5p for abdominal aortic aneurysm, miR-370-3p and miR-409-3p for coronary heart disease, miR-335-3p, miR-381-3p, miR493-5p and miR654-3p for carotid artery stenosis, miR-199a-5p, miR-215-5p, miR-3168, miR-582-3p and miR-769-5p for peripheral arterial disease. The results of the study show that some of the identified miRNAs have already been associated with atherosclerosis in previous studies. Overrepresentation analysis on this data detected biological processes that are clearly relevant for atherosclerosis, its development and progression showing the potential of these miRNAs as biomarker candidates. In a next step, the relevance of these findings on the mRNA level is to be investigated and substantiated.

Type A aortic dissection model to improve endovascular research and technologies.

OBJECTIVE: Type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening disease requiring immediate surgical treatment. With emerging catheter-based technologies, endovascular stent-graft implantation to treat aneurysms and dissections has become a standardized procedure. However, endovascular treatment of the ascending aorta remains challenging. Thus we designed an ascending aortic dissection model to allow simulation of endovascular treatment. METHODS: Five formalin-fixed human aortas were prepared. The ascending aorta was opened semicircularly in the middle portion and the medial layer was separated from the intima. The intimal tube was readapted using running monofilament sutures. The preparations were assessed by 128-slice computed tomography. A bare-metal stent was implanted for thoracic endovascular aortic repair in 4 of the aortic dissection models. RESULTS: Separation of the intimal and medial layer of the aorta was considered to be sufficient because computed tomography showed a clear image of the dissection membrane in each aorta. The dissection was located 3.9 ± 1.4 cm proximally from the aortic annulus, with a length of 4.6 ± 0.9 cm. Before stent implantation, the mean distance from the intimal flap to the aortic wall was measured as 0.63 ± 0.163 cm in the ascending aorta. After stent implantation, this distance decreased to 0.26 ± 0.12 cm. CONCLUSION: This model of aortic dissection of the ascending human aorta was reproducible with a comparable pathological and morphological appearance. The technique and model can be used to evaluate new stent-graft technologies to treat type A dissection and facilitate training for surgeons.

Effect of endoleaks on changes in aortoiliac volume after endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in aortoiliac volume after endovascular repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with and without endoleaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 137 patients who underwent EVAR for AAA. We manually measured the aortoiliac volume on pre-procedural baseline CT angiograms (CTAs) and post-procedural follow-up CTAs. All post-procedural CTAs were evaluated for the presence of endoleaks. Follow-up examinations were grouped into five time points relative to the date of the EVAR procedure and mean aortoiliac volume changes from the baseline were calculated. RESULTS: In 51 patients (37.2%), endoleaks were detected during follow-up. In patients without any endoleaks, mean aortoiliac volume decreased by 21.1% from the pre-interventional baseline examination to the last follow-up examination. In patients with any endoleak during follow-up aortoiliac volume increased by 12.2% and in patients with only transient, post-procedural endoleaks (n = 18), aortoiliac volume decreased by 13.4% over the same time period. CONCLUSION: After EVAR for AAA, aortoiliac volume on CT angiography decreases by approximately 20% over time in the absence of endoleaks and increases in the presence of endoleaks. Transient post-procedural endoleaks, however, do not influence long-term volume regression.

A comparison between contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and multislice computed tomography in detecting and classifying endoleaks in the follow-up after endovascular aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: This study compared contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging and multislice computed tomography (MS-CT) angiography in detecting and classifying endoleaks in the follow-up of patients after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of 171 patients with CEUS imaging and MS-CT angiography follow-up examinations after EVAR. During follow-up, 489 CEUS and 421 MS-CT examinations were assessed. B-scan, color Doppler, and CEUS imaging were performed in all patients. MS-CT was performed with a 16-slice up to 128-slice scanner. RESULTS: From the 132 patients in our cohort, we obtained 200 contemporary imaging examination pairs. MS-CT was used as the preferred examination in determining the presence of an endoleak. The true-positive rate for the detection of endoleaks with CEUS imaging was 42% (84 of 200), the false-positive rate was 4% (8 of 200), the true-negative rate was 52% (105 of 200), and the false-negative rate was 2% (3 of 200). The sensitivity of CEUS imaging was therefore 97%, and the specificity was 93%. The McNemar test value was 0.227, and the κ coefficient was 0.889. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS imaging appears to be as good as MS-CT angiography in the detection of endoleaks in the follow-up after EVAR, with the added advantages of no radiation dose and no nephrotoxicity of the contrast agents. A switch of the preferred examination from MS-CT to CEUS imaging should be considered.

Prolonged overall survival after pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether overall survival (OS) in patients with primary breast cancer (BC) is prolonged by pulmonary metastasectomy and which prognostic criteria may facilitate the decision in favor of thoracic surgical intervention. METHODS: We assessed the median OS of 81 women after resection of pulmonary primary BC metastases by means of Kaplan-Meier estimators. Statistical interferences regarding prognostic factors were based on univariate log-rank tests and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression. Matched patients who had not undergone resection from the Munich Tumor Registry served as controls. RESULTS: Between 1982 and 2007, 81 patients were recruited prospectively. In 81.5% of the patients R0 resection was achieved, which was associated with significantly longer median OS than occurred after R1 or R2 resection (103.4 months versus 23.6 months versus 20.2 months, respectively; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed R0 resection, number (n≥2), size (≥3 cm), and estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positivity of metastases as independent prognostic factors for long-term survival. Presence of metastases in mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes correlated with decreased survival only in the univariate analysis (32.1 versus 103.4 months; p=0.095). Matched pair analysis confirmed that pulmonary metastasectomy significantly improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: OS in patients with isolated pulmonary primary BC metastasis is prolonged by metastasectomy. Patients with multiple pulmonary lesions or metastases with negative hormone receptor (HR) status are at greater risk of disease relapse and should be followed closely. Moreover, additive treatment tailored to the biological subtype defined by HR expression should be considered for this group.

Combined resection of colorectal hepatic-pulmonary metastases shows improved outcome over chemotherapy alone.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the survival of patients after resection of hepatic and pulmonary colorectal metastases to identify predictors of long-term survival. METHODS: Patients receiving chemotherapy alone were compared to patients receiving surgery and chemotherapy in a matched-pair analysis with the following criteria: UICC stage, grading, and date of initial primary tumor occurrence. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with liver and lung metastases of colorectal carcinoma underwent resection. In 20 cases, complete resection was achieved (median survival, 67 months). Incomplete resection and preoperatively elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are independent risk factors for reduced survival. Patients developing pulmonary metastases prior to hepatic metastases had the worst prognosis. Surgical resection significantly increased survival compared to chemotherapy alone in matched-pair analysis (65 vs. 30 months, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete resection and elevated CEA levels are predictors of poor outcome. Matched-paired analysis confirmed that surgical resection in combination with chemotherapy appears to be superior to chemotherapy alone.

CT fluoroscopy guided percutaneous gastrostomy or jejunostomy without (CT-PG/PJ) or with simultaneous endoscopy (CT-PEG/PEJ) in otherwise untreatable patients.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) are substantial for patients with swallowing disorders to maintain enteral nutrition or to decompress palliatively intractable small bowel obstruction. Endoscopic placement can be impossible due to previous (gastric) operation, obesity, hepato-splenomegaly, peritoneal carcinosis, inadequate transillumination, or obstructed passage. Computed tomography (CT)-fluoroscopic guidance with or without endoscopy can enable placement of CT-PG/CT-PJ or CT-PEG/CT-PEJ if endoscopically guided placement fails. In this retrospective study, we will evaluate the feasibility and safety of this method. METHODS: A total of 101 consecutive patients were referred to our department for feeding support (n = 87) or decompression (n = 14). Reasons were: ENT tumor (n = 51), esophageal cancer (n = 19), mediastinal mass (n = 2), neurological disorder (n = 15). Decompression tubes were placed because of cancer (n = 13) or Crohn's disease (n = 1). The following approaches were chosen: CT fluoroscopy and simultaneous gastroscopy (n = 61), inflation of the stomach via nasogastric tube (n = 29), and direct puncture under CT-fluoroscopic guidance (n = 11). RESULTS: CT fluoroscopy-guided gastrostomy was feasible in 89 of 101 patients. No procedure-related mortality was observed. One tube was misplaced into the colon in a patient with a history of gastrectomy. No complication was seen after removal. Minor complications: dislodgement (n = 17), peristomal leakage (n = 7), wound infection (n = 1), superficial skin infection (n = 6), tube obstruction (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: CT fluoroscopy-guided PG/PJ or PEG/PEJ is feasible and safe and provides adequate feeding support or decompression. It offers the benefits of minimally invasive therapy even in patients with contraindications to established endoscopic methods, combining the advantages of both techniques. Long-term complications-mainly tube-related problems-are easily treated.

Time-resolved CT angiography for the detection and classification of endoleaks.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and diagnostic performance of time-resolved computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the detection and classification of endoleaks after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in high-risk patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by our ethics committee. Written informed consent was obtained from all participating patients. Fifty-four patients (42 male and 12 female patients; mean age, 70.9 years ± 9.3 [standard deviation]) with either thoracic (n = 8) or abdominal (n = 46) aortic aneurysms treated with a stent-graft were prospectively included. The patients were examined with a time-resolved CT angiographic protocol consisting of 12 low-dose phases (80 kVp; 120 mAs [effective]; scan range, 27 cm), with 60 mL of iomeprol. Patients with abdominal aneurysm repair also underwent contrast material-enhanced (CE) ultrasonography (US). The time delay between contrast enhancement within the stent lumen and the endoleak was measured. Effective radiation dose was calculated from the scanner protocols. Measures of diagnostic performance for the detection of endoleaks were calculated for time-resolved CT angiography, with CE US serving as the reference standard. RESULTS: All time-resolved CT angiographic data sets were diagnostic. Mean effective radiation dose was 14.6 mSv. Four thoracic and 19 abdominal endoleaks were identified by using time-resolved CT angiography. Seventeen of 19 abdominal endoleaks were confirmed with CE US. This rate resulted in a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 89%, and a negative predictive value of 96% for time-resolved CT angiography after abdominal EVAR. Type I endoleaks showed significantly earlier mean peak contrast enhancement (0.28 second ± 0.83) compared with that for type II endoleaks (9.17 seconds ± 3.59, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Time-resolved CT angiography with 12 low-dose phases is feasible for patients after thoracic and abdominal EVAR. The protocol approximates the radiation dose of standard triphasic protocols. Its dynamic information differentiates types of endoleaks and shows high diagnostic performance.

Diagnostic accuracy of dynamic computed tomographic angiographic of the lower leg in patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic computed tomographic angiography (dyn-CTA) in patients with critical lower leg ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population of 29 patients with known peripheral arterial occlusive disease (Fontaine stage III or IV) was examined with a combined CTA protocol consisting of a standard CTA (s-CTA) of the lower leg runoff from the diaphragm to the toes and dyn-CTA of the calves (scan range, 48 cm; 8 phases; 3.5 seconds per phase, 100 kV; 120 mAs; contrast volume, 50 mL; flow rate, 5.0 mL/s). Digital subtraction angiography was performed on all patients and served as a reference standard. For each of seven lower leg artery segments, arterial contrast and diagnostic confidence for stenosis assessment (3-point scale) were tested for s-CTA and dyn-CTA. Similarly, stenoses of calf-segments were classified on a 3-point scale separately for s-CTA and dyn-CTA and were compared with digital subtraction angiography to assess diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Compared with s-CTA, dyn-CTA resulted in significantly higher arterial contrast enhancement (68% vs 46% optimal contrast; P < 0.01) and higher diagnostic confidence (64% vs 48% fully confident, respectively, P < 0.05). Dyn-CTA had a slightly higher sensitivity for the detection of significant stenosis (98.0% vs 96.6%), and for the detection of occlusion (95.4% vs 94.4%). Specificity for dyn-CTA was higher than for s-CTA, both for detection of stenosis (97.1% vs 92.2%) and especially for the detection of vessel occlusions (99.3% vs 94.4%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with s-CTA, dyn-CTA provides improved arterial contrast enhancement, higher diagnostic confidence, and increased diagnostic accuracy for the detection of stenoses and occlusions in peripheral arterial occlusive disease patients.

Management of thoracic aortic lesions--the future is endovascular.

Open surgical repair of lesions of the descending thoracic aorta, such as aneurysm, dissection and traumatic rupture, has been the "state-of-the-art" treatment for many decades. However, in specialized cardiovascular centers, thoracic endovascular aortic repair and hybrid aortic procedures have been implemented as novel treatment options. The current clinical results show that these procedures can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates. However, due to a lack of randomized trials, the level of reliability of these new treatment modalities remains a matter of discussion. Clinical decision-making is generally based on the experience of the vascular center as well as on individual factors, such as life expectancy, comorbidity, aneurysm aetiology, aortic diameter and morphology. This article will review and discuss recent publications of open surgical, hybrid thoracic aortic (in case of aortic arch involvement) and endovascular repair in complex pathologies of the descending thoracic aorta.

Time-resolved CT angiography in aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to assess feasibility and additional diagnostic value of time-resolved CT angiography of the entire aorta in patients with aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 consecutive patients with known or suspected aortic dissection (aged 60±9 years) referred for aortic CT angiography were scanned on a dual-source CT scanner (Somatom Definition Flash; Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) using a shuttle mode for multiphasic image acquisition (range 48 cm, time resolution 6s, 6 phases, 100 kV, 110 mAs/rot). Effective radiation doses were calculated from recorded dose length products. For all phases, CT densities were measured in the aortic lumen and renal parenchyma. From the multiphasic data, 3 phases corresponding to a triphasic standard CT protocol, served as a reference and were compared against findings from the time-resolved datasets. RESULTS: Mean effective radiation dose was 27.7±3.5 mSv. CT density of the true lumen peaked at 355±53 HU. Compared to the simulated triphasic protocol, time-resolved CT angiography added diagnostic information regarding a number of important findings: the enhancement delay between true and false lumen (n=14); the degree of membrane oscillation (n=14); the perfusion delay in arteries originating from the false lumen (n=9). Other additional information included true lumen collapse (n=4), quantitative assessment of renal perfusion asymmetry (n=2), and dynamic occlusion of aortic branches (n=2). In 3/14 patients (21%), these additional findings of the multiphasic protocol altered patient management. CONCLUSIONS: Multiphasic, time-resolved CT angiography covering the entire aorta is feasible at a reasonable effective radiation dose and adds significant diagnostic information with therapeutic consequences in patients with aortic dissection.

Endovascular versus open treatment of degenerative aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta: a single center experience.

Multiple reports could show a reduced risk for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) compared with open treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate our twelve-year TEVAR experience for thoracic aortic aneurysms and compare these results with open repair. All patients who had received either open or endovascular surgery for a degenerative aortic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in our center were evaluated retrospectively. N = 53 TEVAR patients (1997-2008) were included and their course was compared with an open-surgery group of n = 24 patients (1992-2002). The percentage of symptomatic patients was 43% (TEVAR) and 42% (open surgery). Endovascular treatment resulted in a significantly reduced 30-day (5.7% versus 25% P = 0.02) and one-year mortality (19% versus 42% P = 0.05) in the entire cohort. Symptomatic patients benefited the most from TEVAR (30-day mortality: 9% versus 40%, P = 0.06; one-year mortality: 27% versus 70%, P = 0.049) whereas the survival of our asymptomatic patients was not significantly different (30-day mortality: 3% versus 14%, P = 0.22; one-year mortality: 13% versus 21%, P = 0.65). Lastly, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly improved survival after TEVAR (P = 0.05) and in particular for the symptomatic patients (P = 0.003). In conclusion, endovascular treatment for patients with degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms has significant advantages over open surgery.

Anastomotic leakage after esophageal resection: new treatment options by endoluminal vacuum therapy.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy is an important determinant of early and late morbidity and mortality. Control of the septic focus is essential when treating patients with anastomotic leakages. Surgical and endoscopic treatment options are limited. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2009, we treated 6 patients who experienced an intrathoracic anastomotic leakage after esophageal resection. After all established therapeutic measures had failed, we explored the feasibility of an endoscopically assisted mediastinal vacuum therapy. RESULTS: We were able to heal intrathoracic esophageal leakages in all 6 patients without any local complications and without the need for reoperation. One patient died because of a progressive pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure of anastomotic leakages may help to overcome the limitations that are associated with intermittent endoscopic treatment and conventional drainage therapy. Our preliminary results suggest that this new concept may be suitable for those patients.

Diagnostic value of time-resolved CT angiography for the lower leg.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of time-resolved computed tomography angiography (TR-CTA) for use in the lower leg. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with suspected peripheral arterial occlusive disease were examined with a standard CTA (S-CTA) of the lower run-off and with an additional TR-CTA of the calves (12 phases; 2.5 s/phase, 80 kV, 120 mAs, volume of contrast medium 50 mL, flow rate 5.0 mL/s). For seven lower-leg artery segments, arterial contrast and the presence of venous overlay were tested for S-CTA and TR-CTA. Stenoses were classified on a three-point scale separately for S-CTA and TR-CTA, and diagnostic confidence for stenosis assessment was evaluated for both datasets. Contrast arrival times and HU values were evaluated in patients with asymmetric proximal stenoses. RESULTS: TR-CTA resulted in significantly higher contrast enhancement (P < 0.0001) and less venous overlay as compared to S-CTA (P < 0.05). Diagnostic confidence for stenosis rating was significantly higher in TR-CTA (P < 0.0001). Asymmetric proximal stenoses lead to significantly delayed and diminished contrast enhancement on the stenotic side. CONCLUSION: TR-CTA of the calves is feasible and provides higher enhancement and higher diagnostic confidence as compared to monophasic CTA of the lower legs.

First experience using intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound during endovascular aneurysm repair for infrarenal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become an additional treatment option for patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms and suitable aortic morphology. However, endoleaks are commonly encountered and represent a relevant risk for secondary treatment failure. In addition, impaired renal function or allergic reactions to intravascular iodine application might represent exclusion criteria for conventional infrarenal endovascular aortic repair using intraoperative angiography with iodine contrast media. Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with a low mechanical index (MI) is a promising method recently introduced for follow up after endovascular infrarenal aortic repair. METHODS: In this study, intraoperative CEUS using SonoVue as ultrasound contrast agent was evaluated in 17 patients for localization of the proximal infrarenal landing zone, the distal iliac fixation area, and identification of endoleaks in patients suitable for endovascular aortic repair with an infrarenal aortic neck > or =10 mm and non-aneurysmal common iliac arteries. For comparison, 20 patients were treated by conventional EVAR using intraoperative fluoroscopy and iodine contrast media. RESULTS: Intraoperative application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (iCEUS) for identification of the infrarenal landing zone and proximal stent graft release was achieved in 14 out of 17 patients (82.4%), as verified by intraoperative angiography or postinterventional imaging. Intraoperative CEUS-assisted visualization of the distal fixation area proximal to the level of the iliac bifurcation was achieved in 89.3% (25 out of 28 iliac arteries examined) in comparison to intraoperative angiography or postinterventional CEUS, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Three selected patients having contraindications for iodine-based contrast media were treated by iCEUS-assisted EVAR without the use of any iodine contrast during fluoroscopy. Time for exposure to intraoperative radiation, volume of contrast medium used, and the number of intraoperative angiographies and postinterventional CT or MR angiographies were significantly reduced in the iCEUS-assisted EVAR group in comparison to conventional endovascular aortic treatment (P < .002 or less for all parameters). Intraoperative application of CEUS detected more endoleaks than conventional EVAR (8/17 vs 4/20; P = .08) treated by proximal stent graft extension in one symptomatic patient with a type Ia endoleak. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative CEUS-assisted EVAR in patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms represents a new option for intraoperative visualization of aortoiliac segments required as proximal or distal fixation zones and identification of endoleaks, especially in those patients with contraindications for usage of iodine-containing contrast agents, in association with a reduction of iodine contrast media used and radiation exposure during fluoroscopy.

Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure of anastomotic leakage following anterior resection of the rectum: a new method.

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment of anastomotic leakage after anterior resection of the rectum seems to be possible in patients who have no occurrence of generalized peritonitis. This report describes a new method of endoscopic management of large anastomotic leakage in these patients. METHOD: The main feature of this new method is the endoscopically assisted placement of an open-cell sponge connected to a vacuum device into the abscess cavity via an introducer device. The sponge system is changed every 48-72 h. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients with an anastomotic leakage after anterior resection were treated with the endoscopic vacuum therapy. The total duration of endovac therapy was 34.4 +/- 19.4 days. The total number of endoscopic sessions per patient was 11.4 +/- 6.3. In 21 of the 29 patients, a protecting stoma was created at the primary operation. Four patients were treated successfully without the need of a secondary stoma. Definitive healing was achieved in 28 of the 29 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure is a new efficacious modality for treating anastomotic leakage following anterior resection due to an effective control of the septic focus. Further studies will show if it is possible to reduce the high mortality rate of patients with anastomotic leakage through the avoidance of surgical reinterventions while at the same time preserving the sphincter function.

Surgical and endovascular treatment of symptomatic aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria).

Right aberrant subclavian artery, also called arteria lusoria, is one of the most common intrathoracic arterial anomalies. Although mostly asymptomatic, the retroesophageal and retrotracheal course of the lusorian artery might result in unspecific thoracic pain, dysphagia, dyspnea, arterioesophageal or arteriotracheal fistulae with hematemesis or hemoptysis, and aneurysmal formation with relevant risk of rupture. The purpose was to present our experience with six patients with a symptomatic aberrant right subclavian artery, two patients with dysphagia or dyspnea caused by a nonaneurysmal lusorian artery, and four patients with arteria lusoria aneurysms. The operative procedures performed are described and discussed in view of the data reported in the literature. According to the classification of the lusorian artery pathology, a combined intervention with right subclavian artery transposition, distal or proximal lusorian artery ligation or proximal endovascular occlusion for nonaneurysmal disease, or endovascular thoracic aortic stent graft implantation for lusorian artery aneurysms seems to be an additional and minimally invasive approach with promising midterm results.

Strategies for prevention and operative treatment of aortic lesions related to spinal interventions.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of a case series was performed. OBJECTIVE: To give recommendations for the prevention and operative treatment of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic lesions in association with spinal interventions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Aortic lesions after spinal interventions for traumatic vertebral fractures, segmental spondylodiscitis, or vertebral metastasis are fortunately rare, but associated with a high perioperative mortality rate and absolute numbers are unknown. Therefore, preventive strategies to avoid perioperative major vessel injuries and recommendations for the operative treatment of aortic lesions related to spinal surgery are required. METHODS: The clinical course of 10 patients with an acute aortic hemorrhage or an increased intraoperative risk for aortic injuries in association with primary or secondary spinal interventions is reported. All patients were evaluated before surgery by orthopedic trauma surgeons, vascular surgeons, and diagnostic radiologists. RESULTS: Five patients had preventive vascular interventions to avoid major aortic injuries during spinal reinterventions, and 5 patients were treated as an emergency for acute intraoperative hemorrhage related to spinal interventions. The operative treatment was performed by direct aortic sutures (n = 3), segmental alloplastic reconstructions (n = 2), or endovascular stent graft implantations (n = 3). Prophylactic banding of the thoracic aorta during thoracotomy or a femoral access for possible aortic balloon blockade was performed in patients with an estimated lower risk for an aortic laceration caused by malpositioned pedicle screws. No perioperative mortality was observed in patients treated by this interdisciplinary concept, but 1 patient treated under emergency condition for spondylodiscitis with an initially unrecognized aortic lesion died. CONCLUSION: In patients with complex spinal trauma, spondylodiscitis or difficult vertebral reinterventions, and an increased risk of major vessel injury, a preoperative interdisciplinary evaluation is recommended, even under emergency conditions. Endovascular stent graft technique is an additional option for prevention and treatment of suspected or acute aortic injuries of thoracic and infrarenal aortic lesions, whereas injuries to the visceral aortic segment still require advanced vascular reconstructions.

Immediate endovascular treatment of an aortoiliac aneurysm ruptured into the inferior vena cava.

An aortocaval fistula is a severe complication of an aortoiliac aneurysm, usually associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality during open operative repair. We describe the successful endovascular treatment of a symptomatic infrarenal aortic aneurysm ruptured into the inferior vena cava with secondary interventional coiling of a persistent type II endoleak because of retrograde perfusion of the inferior mesenteric artery. Endovascular exclusion of ruptured abdominal aneurysms seems to be a valuable treatment option for selected patients even with complicated vascular conditions like an aortocaval fistula.