Smooth-Muscle-Cell-Specific Deletion of CD38 Protects Mice from AngII-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm through Inhibiting Vascular Remodeling.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a serious vascular disease which is associated with vascular remodeling. CD38 is a main NAD+-consuming enzyme in mammals, and our previous results showed that CD38 plays the important roles in many cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of CD38 in AAA has not been explored. Here, we report that smooth-muscle-cell-specific deletion of CD38 (CD38SKO) significantly reduced the morbidity of AngII-induced AAA in CD38SKOApoe-/- mice, which was accompanied with a increases in the aortic diameter, medial thickness, collagen deposition, and elastin degradation of aortas. In addition, CD38SKO significantly suppressed the AngII-induced decreases in α-SMA, SM22α, and MYH11 expression; the increase in Vimentin expression in VSMCs; and the increase in VCAM-1 expression in smooth muscle cells and macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the role of CD38SKO in attenuating AAA was associated with the activation of sirtuin signaling pathways. Therefore, we concluded that CD38 plays a pivotal role in AngII-induced AAA through promoting vascular remodeling, suggesting that CD38 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of AAA.

A Comparison of Surgical Techniques and Outcomes for Primary Infected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Primary infected abdominal aortic aneurysms (PIAAAs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Three repair approaches include open in-situ repair (OIR), extra-anatomic repair (EAR), and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study is one of the largest single-center case series comparing the outcomes of the different surgical approaches for PIAAA. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients treated surgically for PIAAA between 2000 and 2021. PIAAA diagnosis was defined as the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with evidence of infection on clinical presentation, laboratory markers, radiology, or surgically. Patients with prior aortic surgery were excluded from this study. Basic demographics were compared across the 3 surgical groups using standard statistical methods. Our primary outcomes included mortality at 1 and 5 years. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated and compared using log-rank testing. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were created to assess determinants of mortality. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were included in the full cohort. Patients undergoing EVAR more often had diabetes, end-stage renal disease, and coronary artery disease. EVAR was also more often done in patients with a saccular aneurysm rather than fusiform. (93% vs. 70% in EAR and 42% in OIR; P = 0.015). All-cause mortality rates at 1 year were not significantly different between the 3 groups. Survival at 5 years did show a significant benefit of OIR over EVAR and EAR: OIR had an 8% mortality rate with EAR having a 53% rate and EVAR having the highest (72%) mortality rate at 5 years (P = 0.03). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that EVAR (aHR 12.1, (95% CI 1.42 to 103.9), P = 0.02) and EAR (aHR 15.1, (95% CI 1.59 to 143.3), P = 0.0.02) had an increased 5-year mortality risk when compared to OIR. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of primary infected aortic aneurysm is associated with high complication and mortality rates regardless of the approach. In our studied sample, OIR offered an improved long-term survival without added benefits in terms of complication rates. In infected AAA, EVAR should be considered bridging stage between the urgent situation and eventual open repair.

One-year follow-up after active aortic aneurysm sac treatment with shape memory polymer devices during endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of treating abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sacs with polyurethane shape memory polymer (SMP) devices during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), using a technique to fully treat the target lumen after endograft placement (aortic flow volume minus the endograft volume). SMP devices self-expand in the sac to form a porous scaffold that supports thrombosis throughout its structure. METHODS: Two identical prospective, multicenter, single-arm studies were conducted in New Zealand and the Netherlands. The study population was adult candidates for elective EVAR of an infrarenal AAA (diameter of ≥55 mm in men and ≥50 mm in women). Key exclusion criteria were an inability to adequately seal a common iliac artery aneurysm, patent sac feeding vessels of >4 mm, and a target lumen volume of <20 mL or >135 mL. Target lumen volumes were estimated by subtracting endograft volumes from preprocedural imaging-based flow lumen volumes. SMP devices were delivered immediately after endograft deployment via a 6F sheath jailed in a bowed position in the sac. The primary efficacy end point was technical success, defined as filling the actual target lumen volume with fully expanded SMP at the completion of the procedure. Secondary efficacy outcome measures during follow-up were the change in sac volume and diameter, rate of type II endoleak and type I or III endoleaks, and the rate of open repair and related reinterventions, with data collection at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year (to date). Baseline sac volumes and diameters for change in sac size analyses were determined from 30-day imaging studies. Baseline and follow-up volumes were normalized by subtraction of the endograft volume. RESULTS: Of 34 patients treated with SMP devices and followed per protocol, 33 patients were evaluable at 1 year. Preprocedural aneurysm volume was 181.4 mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 150.7-212.1 mL) and preprocedural aneurysm diameter was 60.8 mm (95% CI, 57.8-63.9 mm). The target lumen volume was 56.3 mL (95% CI, 46.9-65.8 mL). Technical success was 100% and the ratio of SMP fully expanded volume to estimated target lumen volume was 1.4 ± 0.3. Baseline normalized sac volume and diameter were 140.7 mL (95% CI, 126.6-154.9 mL) and 61.0 mm (95% CI, 59.7-62.3 mm). The adjusted mean percentage change in normalized volume at 1 year was -28.8% (95% CI, -35.3 to -22.3%; P < .001). The adjusted mean change in sac diameter at 1 year was -5.9 mm (95% CI, -7.5 to -4.4 mm; P < .001). At 1 year, 81.8% of patients (95% CI, 64.5%-93.0%) achieved a ≥10% decrease in normalized volume and 57.6% of patients (95% CI, 39.2%-74.5%) achieved a ≥5 mm decrease in diameter. No device- or study procedure-related major adverse events occurred through 1 year after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of AAA sacs with SMP devices during EVAR resulted in significant sac volume and diameter regression at 1 year with an acceptable safety profile in this prospective study.

Management of Isolated Abdominal Aortic Dissection: Indications and Strategies for Treatment.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to report our experience in the management of isolated abdominal aortic dissection with endovascular aortic repair and conservative treatment. METHODS: A cohort of 22 consecutive patients with isolated abdominal aortic dissection was treated between January 2016 and December 2021. We reviewed the demographics, clinical features, therapeutic modalities and follow-up results. Retrospective data analysis from patient charts was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were enrolled in this study from 2 centers. The mean age was 66.2 ± 13.3 years. Hypertension was the primary risk factor. Seventeen (72.7%) patients were asymptomatic, and 18 patients were subrenal artery type (type II). A total of 12 patients had successful endovascular repair (EVAR), and 10 patients underwent conservative treatment. In the group receiving conservative treatment, no patients required EVAR during follow-up, and 4 patients died. However, none of them had aortic causes: 2 patients had cardiac causes, the other 2 had cancer, and the others remained symptom-free. The latest computed tomographic angiography images showed that abdominal aortic dissection still existed, and the extent of the false lumen did not increase significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Both conservative treatment and EVAR are effective treatment options. Appropriate treatment needs to be performed according to different patients' clinical manifestations and doctors' experience.

Surgical Outcomes of Infective Native Aortoiliac Aneurysms in a Chilean Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Infective native aortic aneurysms (INAAs), formerly called mycotic aneurysms, remain an uncommon disease with significant heterogeneity among cases; hence, there is lack of solid evidence to opt for the best treatment strategy. The present study aims to describe a 20-year experience at a single institution treating this uncommon condition. METHODS: Retrospective study of all patients treated for INAA at a single academic hospital in Santiago, Chile, between 2002 and 2022. Clinical characteristics are described, as well as operative outcomes per type of treatment. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed when appropriate, and results were reported as median and ranges. Survival at given timeframes was determined by a Kaplan-Meier curve, with analysis performed through a Cox regression model. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,798 patients underwent aortic procedures at our center, of which 35 (1.9%) were treated for INAA. Of them, 25 (71.4%) were male. One patient had 2 INAAs. Median age was 69.5 years (range: 34-89 years). Of the 36 INAAs, the most frequent location was the abdominal and thoracic aorta in 20 (55.5%) and 11 (30.5%) cases, respectively, followed by the iliac arteries in 4 (11.1%) cases. One (2.7%) patient presented a thoracoabdominal INAA. Overall, endovascular treatment associated with long-term antibiotics was used in 20 (57.1%) patients: 4 of them underwent hybrid treatment. Fifteen (42.8%) patients underwent direct aortic debridement followed by in situ or extra anatomic revascularization. There was a significant difference in age between both treatment strategies (a median of 76.5 years for endovascular versus a median of 57 years for open, P = 0.011). The median hospital stay was 15 days (range: 2-70 days). The early complications rate (<30 postoperative days) was 20% (n = 7). Early mortality rate (inhospital or before postoperative 30 days) was 14.2% (n = 5). Median follow-up was 33 months (range: 6-216 months). The overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 69.9% (standard error [SE] 8.0), 61.7% (SE 9.8), and 50.9% (SE 11.8), respectively. Five-year survival rate of patients undergoing endovascular treatment compared with open approach was 45.9% (SE 15.1) versus 80.0% (SE 17.8), respectively (P = 0.431). There were no significant differences in survival between open and endovascular treatment, hazard ratio 3.58 (confidence interval 95%: 0.185-1.968, SE ± 0.45 P = 0.454). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated by endovascular approach were older than patients treated by open approach. Even though, the open group had a higher 5-year survival rate than the endovascular group, not statically significance differences were found between treatments.

Intravascular Ultrasound in the Detection of Bridging Stent Graft Instability During Fenestrated and Branched Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Procedures: A Multicentre Study on 274 Target Vessels.

OBJECTIVE: The use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) reduces contrast medium use and radiation exposure during conventional endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IVUS in detecting bridging stent graft (bSG) instability during fenestrated and branched EVAR (F/B-EVAR). METHODS: This was a prospective observational multicentre study. The following outcomes were evaluated: (1) technical success of the IVUS in each bSG, (2) IVUS findings compared with intra-operative angiography, (3) incidence of post-operative computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings not detected with IVUS, and (4) absence of IVUS related adverse events. Target visceral vessel (TVV) instability was defined as any branch or fenestration issues requiring an additional manoeuvre or re-intervention. Any IVUS assessment that detected stenosis, kinking, or any geometric TVV issue was considered to be branch instability. All procedures were performed in ad hoc hybrid rooms. RESULTS: Eighty patients (69% males; median age 72 years; interquartile range 59, 77 years) from four aortic centres treated with F/B-EVAR between January 2019 and September 2021 were included: 70 BEVAR (21 off the shelf; 49 custom made), eight FEVAR (custom made), and two F/B-EVAR (custom made), for a total of 300 potential TVVs. Two TVVs (0.7%) were left unstented and excluded from the analysis. The TVVs could not be accessed with the IVUS catheter in seven cases (2.3%). Furthermore, 17 (5.7%) TVVs could not be examined due to a malfunction of the IVUS catheter. The technical success of the IVUS assessment was 91.9% (274/298), with no IVUS related adverse events. Seven TVVs (2.5%) showed signs of bSG instability by means of IVUS, leading to immediate revisions. The first post-operative CTA at least 30 days after the index procedure was available in 268 of the 274 TVVs originally assessed by IVUS. In seven of the 268 TVVs (2.6%) a re-intervention became necessary due to bSG instability. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that IVUS is a safe and potentially valuable adjunctive imaging technology for intra-operative detection of TVV instability. Further long term investigations on larger cohorts are required to validate these promising results and to compare IVUS with alternative technologies in terms of efficiency, radiation exposure, procedure time, and costs.

In-hospital imaging utilization after elective endovascular brain aneurysm treatment: a surrogate metric for the value of hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the adoption of same-day outpatient surgical procedures in some specialties, it remains common practice to admit patients for monitoring after elective endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms to monitor for complications. The necessity of such monitoring has not been fully characterized. Here, the authors reviewed the utilization of imaging during posttreatment hospitalization, a surrogate measure for workup of suspected complications requiring hospital resources, to infer the value of inpatient monitoring after endovascular aneurysm treatment. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data from eligible patients were retrospectively assessed for demographic characteristics, imaging indications, timing of imaging, and imaging findings. Patients were included if they underwent elective endovascular brain aneurysm treatment, and patients were excluded if significant intraprocedural complications occurred. The recorded imaging modalities included CT, MRI, catheter-based imaging, and ultrasound; plain radiographs were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of the need for posttreatment imaging. RESULTS: In total, 1229 elective endovascular procedures for brain aneurysm treatment were included. Patients underwent imaging before discharge in 13.4% (165/1229) of cases, with significant findings in 5.0% (61/1229) of cases. The median (interquartile range) time to first posttreatment imaging was 13.2 (4.2-22.8) hours. The need for imaging during posttreatment hospitalization was positively associated with larger aneurysm size (p < 0.05) and negatively associated with underlying cardiovascular disease (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More than 1 in 8 patients who underwent elective endovascular brain aneurysm treatment required imaging during posttreatment hospitalization, most within the first 24 hours, and 1 in 20 had significant findings. These results suggest the importance of short-term hospitalization after elective endovascular aneurysm treatment.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm healed with calcification in a female patient with Behçet's syndrome: A case report with a 2-decade follow-up.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are rare in Behçet syndrome (BS) but may result in life-threatening complications. AAA are generally treated with surgical intervention following aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. Healing with wall calcification and mural thrombus for AAA is scarcely reported in the literature. Herein, we present a female patient who developed a large saccular aneurysm in the infra-renal abdominal aorta 6 months after the diagnosis. Endovascular intervention was not found to be possible because of the dimensions of the aneurysm and the patient did not consent for open surgery. Therefore, she received only immunosuppressive treatment. By the second year of follow-up, we detected reduction in the size of AAA, along with circumferential wall calcification and mural thrombus. The patient was followed-up for 20 years without rupture and currently doing well. This case demonstrates that calcified large saccular AAA might not necessitate surgical intervention and be followed-up for many years without any complication.

A preoperative supervised exercise program potentially improves long-term survival after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: A preoperative supervised exercise program (SEP) improves cardiorespiratory fitness and perioperative outcomes for patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a preoperative SEP on long-term survival of these patients. A secondary aim was to consider long-term changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life. METHODS: Patients scheduled for open or endovascular AAA repair were previously randomized to either a 6-week preoperative SEP or standard management, and a significant improvement in a composite outcome of cardiac, pulmonary, and renal complications was seen following SEP. For the current analysis, patients were followed up to 5 years post-surgery. The primary outcome for this analysis was all-cause mortality. Data were analyzed on an intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) basis, with the latter meaning that patients randomized to SEP who did not attend any sessions were excluded. The PP analysis was further interrogated using a complier average causal effect (CACE) analysis on an all or nothing scale, which adjusts for compliance. Additionally, patients who agreed to follow-up attended the research center for cardiopulmonary exercise testing and/or provided quality of life measures. RESULTS: ITT analysis demonstrated that the primary endpoint occurred in 24 of the 124 participants at 5 years, with eight in the SEP group and 16 in the control group (P = .08). The PP analysis demonstrated a significant survival benefit associated with SEP attendance (4 vs 16 deaths; P = .01). CACE analysis confirmed a significant intervention effect (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.90; P = .02). There was no difference between groups for cardiorespiratory fitness measures and most quality of life measures. CONCLUSIONS: These novel findings suggest a long-term mortality benefit for patients attending a SEP prior to elective AAA repair. The underlying mechanism remains unknown, and this merits further investigation.

Effect of narrow paravisceral aorta on target vessel instability after fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of narrow paravisceral aorta (NPA) on target vessel instability (TVI) after fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study (2014-2023) of patients treated by fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) or pararenal aortic aneurysms. The paravisceral aorta was defined as the aortic segment limited by the diaphragmatic hiatus proximally and the emergence of lower renal artery distally, and was considered "narrow" in case of a minimum inner diameter of <25 mm. The minimum aortic diameter, location, longitudinal extension, angulation, calcification, and thrombus thickness of NPA were evaluated at the preoperative computed tomography angiogram. End points were 30-day technical success and freedom from TVI. RESULTS: There were 142 patients with JRAA/pararenal aortic aneurysm (n = 85 [59%]) and extent IV (n = 24 [17%]) or extent I-III (n = 33 [23%]) TAAA, with 513 target arteries successfully incorporated through a fenestration (n = 294 [57%]) or directional branch (n = 219 [43%]). A NPA was present in 95 patients (70%), 73 (86%) treated by fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) and 22 (39%) by branched endovascular aortic repair (BEVAR). The overall 30-day mortality was 2% and technical success was 99%, without differences between NPA and non-NPA (P = .99). Kaplan-Meier estimated freedom from TVI at 4 years was 82%, 81% (95% CI, 75-95) in patients with a NPA and 80% (95% CI, 68-94) and in those without NPA (P = .220). The result was maintained for both FEVAR (NPA: 81% [95% CI, 62-88]; non-NPA: 76% [95% CI, 60-99]; P = .870) and BEVAR (NPA: 77% [95% CI, 69-99]; non-NPA: 80% [95% confidence interval (CI) 66-99]; P = .100). After multivariate analysis, the concomitant presence of a NPA <20 mm and angulation of >30° was significantly associated with TVI in FEVAR (HR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.03-48.70; P = .036), being the result mostly driven by target vessel occlusion. In BEVAR, a NPA diameter of <25 mm was not associated with TVI (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 0.59-5.23; P = .948); after multivariate analysis, the use of outer branches in case of a NPA longitudinal extension of >25 mm (hazard ratio [HR], 3.02; 95% CI, 1.01-36.33; P = .040) and NPA severe calcification (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.00-22.42; P = .048) were associated with a higher chance for TVI. CONCLUSIONS: FEVAR and BEVAR are both feasible in cases of NPA and provide satisfactory target vessels durability. The use of outer branches should be avoided in cases with an inner aortic diameter of <25 mm with a longitudinal extension of >25 mm or moderate to severe NPA calcifications. In FEVAR, bridging stent patency may be negatively influenced by NPA of <20 mm in association with aortic angulation of >30°.

Development and Validation of a Novel Preoperative Risk Score to Identify Patients at Risk for Nonhome Discharge after Elective Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR).

BACKGROUND: Nonhome discharge (NHD) to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility after elective endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is uncommon. However, NHD after surgery has an important impact on patient quality of life and postdischarge outcomes. Understanding factors that put patients undergoing EVAR at high risk for NHD is essential to providing adequate preoperative counseling and shared decision making. This study aimed to identify independent predictors of NHD following elective EVAR and to create a clinically useful preoperative risk score. METHODS: Elective EVAR cases were queried from the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative 2014-2018. A risk score was created by splitting the data set into two-thirds for development and one-third for validation. A parsimonious stepwise hierarchical multivariable logistic regression controlling for hospital level variation was performed in the development dataset, and the beta-coefficients were used to assign points for a risk score. The score was then validated, and model performance assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 24,426 patients were included and 932 (3.8%) required NHD. Multivariable analysis in the development group identified independent predictors of NHD, which were used to create a 20-point risk score. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based upon their risk score: low risk (0-7 points; n = 16,699) with an NHD rate of 1.8%, moderate risk (8-13 points; n = 7,315) with an NHD rate of 7.3%, and high risk (≥14 points; n = 412) with an NHD rate of 21.8%. The risk score had good predictive ability with c-statistic = 0.75 for model development and c-statistic = 0.73 in the validation dataset. CONCLUSIONS: This novel risk score can predict NHD following EVAR using characteristics that can be identified preoperatively. Utilization of this score may allow for improved risk assessment, preoperative counseling, and shared decision making.

Association of polypharmacy scores with the long-term survival of patients with intact aortoiliac aneurysms and indication for repair.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Our study analyzed the relationship between two polypharmacy scores (addition of chronic prescribed drugs [ACPDs] and Rx-Risk Comorbidity Index) and survival in patients with an intact abdominal aortic and/or common iliac aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Consecutive retrospective, single-center cohort of patients attended for an intact AAA with indication for repair from 2008 to 2021. Demographic data, Charlson Comorbidity Index, AAA treatment, ACPD, and Rx-Risk polypharmacy scores were recorded at baseline. Main outcomes were the 5-year and long-term survival rates. The statistical analysis included Cox regression, area under the curve, and continuous net reclassification index. RESULTS: A total of 424 patients with AAA were evaluated (median age: 76 years; 92.2% male, median Charlson index 2), of whom 314 (74.1%) underwent intervention (80% endovascular and 20% open) and 110 (25.9%) did not. During follow-up (mean 4.6 years), 245 patients (57.8%) died, with 1-month, 1-year, and 5-year survival rates of 98.1%, 86.3%, and 52.7%, respectively. ACPD and Rx-Risk indices (median [interquartile range]: 6 [4-9] and 3 [0-5], respectively) were significantly and linearly associated (P < .001) with survival, with the best cutoff points at 5 and 0, respectively. An ACPD >5 (patients with >5 chronically prescribed drugs at baseline) and an Rx-Risk >0 were associated with a 45.2% (P = .038) and 102% (P = .002) increase in 5-year mortality, respectively, after adjustment for age, sex, Charlson index, and type of AAA treatment. Both polypharmacy indices improved significantly the discriminative power of the Charlson Comorbidity Index in predicting survival. CONCLUSIONS: Both ACPD and Rx-Risk polypharmacy scores are independently related to survival among patients with an intact AAA and indication for repair. Their behavior is similar, so the simple ACPD >5 appears to be sufficient to identify patients with lower survival rates.

Development of an Artificial Intelligence Tool for Intraoperative Guidance During Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Adverse events during surgery can occur in part due to errors in visual perception and judgment. Deep learning is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that has shown promise in providing real-time intraoperative guidance. This study aims to train and test the performance of a deep learning model that can identify inappropriate landing zones during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: A deep learning model was trained to identify a "No-Go" landing zone during EVAR, defined by coverage of the lowest renal artery by the stent graft. Fluoroscopic images from elective EVAR procedures performed at a single institution and from open-access sources were selected. Annotations of the "No-Go" zone were performed by trained annotators. A 10-fold cross-validation technique was used to evaluate the performance of the model against human annotations. Primary outcomes were intersection-over-union (IoU) and F1 score and secondary outcomes were pixel-wise accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: The AI model was trained using 369 images procured from 110 different patients/videos, including 18 patients/videos (44 images) from open-access sources. For the primary outcomes, IoU and F1 were 0.43 (standard deviation ± 0.29) and 0.53 (±0.32), respectively. For the secondary outcomes, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were 0.97 (±0.002), 0.51 (±0.34), 0.99 (±0.001). 0.99 (±0.002), and 0.62 (±0.34), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: AI can effectively identify suboptimal areas of stent deployment during EVAR. Further directions include validating the model on datasets from other institutions and assessing its ability to predict optimal stent graft placement and clinical outcomes.

Spatio-temporal correlation between admissions for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms and levels of atmospheric pollution in Italy.

AIMS: The aim of our study was to determine a correlation between rates and number of patients admitted with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) in Italian regions with different levels of atmospheric pollution. METHODS: We analyzed a possible correlation between the number and rate (ruptured versus not ruptured) of patients with rAAA admitted in eight Italian regions with different levels of atmospheric pollution. RESULTS: Number and rates of patients with rAAA were statistically correlated with levels of air pollution and low air temperature (RR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.42, 2.1.0) (p<0.01). Even if low temperatures amplified the correlation between admissions for rAAA and PMs exposure, also during Summer and Spring there were sudden increases of the number of admissions for rAAA patients in periods with higher air pollution. The regions with high levels of atmospheric pollution had higher rates of admissions of patients with rAAA in comparison with regions with low level of air pollution. However, there was no difference between regions with low and very low level of atmospheric pollution. Mean age, sex distribution, exposure to established risk factors were similar for the population of the eight analyzed Italian regions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight the potential to reduce AAA related mortality and burden by addressing the negative effects of exposure to high levels of atmospheric pollution. The possibility of a dose-dependent effect of atmospheric pollution on the cardiovascular system opens research initiatives and discussions about when and how to modulate interventions to reduce atmospheric pollutants.

Image Guidance Techniques and Treatment Approach Optimization in the Management of Type-II Endoleak After Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 3 decades endovascular aortic aneurysm repair emerged as the primary approach for abdominal aortic aneurysm management, however the occurrence of endoleak following endograft implantation imposes a high toll on patients and hospitals alike. The early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of endoleaks is associated with better outcomes, which calls for more advanced imaging and a standardized approach for endoleak diagnosis and management following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Although conventional strategy with non-targeted deployment of coils and embolic material in the aneurysm sac is considered to be the standard approach in many hospitals, it may not prove to be a viable option, given that it affects any further follow-up imaging in the event of sub-optimal therapy and consequent recurrence. METHODS: Based on our tertiary aortic referral center experience we summarize and describe strategies for optimal selection of various treatment approaches for Type-II Endoleak management including endovascular, percutaneous and laparoscopic approaches with particular focus on intraoperative image guidance techniques. RESULTS: After failed conventional endovascular embolization attempt we recommend specific complex type II endoleak management approaches based on the location of the endoleak within the aneurysm sac along the x, y and z axis. A transabdominal or laparoscopic approach enable treatment in endoleaks located in the anterior portion of the sac. Endoleaks in the posterior portion of the sac could be treated using the transcaval or the translumbar approach, depending on whether the endoleak is situated on the left or the right side. Alternative strategies should be considered if patient anatomy does not allow for either transcaval or translumbar approach. The transgraft technique is reserved for endoleaks located in the cranial portion of the sac, while the perigraft approach could present a means of treatment for endoleaks situated in the caudal portion of the aneurysm sac. CONCLUSION: We encourage establishing a patient specific treatment plan in accordance with individual anatomy based on cross sectional imaging modality (time resolved dynamic imaging in selected cases) and intraoperative image guidance to provide a safe and accurate endoleak localization and embolization for patients undergoing type II endoleak treatment.

Use of physician-modified inverted limb in conjunction with Zenith fenestrated stent graft to rescue failed previous endovascular and open repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes and performance of inverted limbs (ILs) when used in conjunction with Zenith fenestrated stent grafts (Zfens) to treat patients with short distance between the lowest renal artery (RA) and aortic or graft bifurcation (A/GB). METHODS: This study was a multicenter, retrospective review of prospectively maintained database of patients with complex aortic aneurysms, failed endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), or open surgical repair (OSR) with short distance between LRA and A/GB treated using a combination of Zfen and an IL between 2013 and 2023. Endpoints included technical success, aneurysm sac regression, long-term device integrity, and target vessel patency. We defined technical success as implantation of the device with no endoleak, conversion to an aorto-uni-iliac or OSR. RESULTS: During this time, 52 patients underwent endovascular rescue of failed repair. Twenty (38.5%) of them required relining of the failed repairs using IL due to lowest RA to A/GB length restrictions. Two patients had undergone rescue with a fenestrated cuff alone but developed type III endoleaks. One patient with no previous implant had a short distance between the lowest RA and aortic bifurcation to accommodate the bifurcated distal device, and two patients had failed OSR or anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. The majority (94%) were men with a mean age of 76.8 ± 6.1 years. The mean aortic neck diameter and aneurysm size were 32 ± 4 cm and 7.2 ± 1.3 cm, respectively. The median time laps between initial repair and failure was 36 months (interquartile range [IQR], 24-54 months). Sixteen patients (80%) were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists class III, whereas four were class IV. Seventy-eight vessels were targeted and successfully incorporated. Technical success was 100%, and median estimated blood loss was 100 mL (IQR, 100-200 mL). Mean fluoroscopy time and dose were 61 ± 18 minutes and 2754 ± 1062 mGy, respectively. Average hospital length of stay was 2.75 ± 2.15 days. Postoperative complication occurred in one patient who required lower extremity fasciotomy for compartment syndrome. At a median follow-up of 50 months (IQR, 18-58 months), there were no device migration, components separation, aneurysmal related mortality, and type I or type III endoleak. Aneurysm sac regression (95%) or stabilization (5%) was observed in all patients, including in four patients (25%) with type II endoleak. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IL in conjunction with Zfen to treat patients with short distance between the lowest RA and A/GB is safe, effective, and has excellent long-term results. The technique expands the indication of Zfen, especially in patients with failed previous EVAR.

Prospective evaluation of upper extremity access and total transfemoral approach during fenestrated and branched endovascular repair.

OBJECTIVE: Total transfemoral (TF) access has been increasingly used during fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR). However, it is unclear whether the potential decrease in the risk of cerebrovascular events is offset by increased procedural difficulties and other complications. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of FB-EVAR using a TF vs upper extremity (UE) approach for target artery incorporation. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical data of consecutive patients enrolled in a prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial in two centers to investigate the use of FB-EVAR for treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (CAAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) between 2013 and 2022. Patients were classified into TF or UE access group with a subset analysis of patients treated using designs with directional branches. End points were technical success, procedural metrics, 30-day cerebrovascular events defined as stroke or transient ischemic attack, and any major adverse events (MAEs). RESULTS: There were 541 patients (70% males; mean age, 74 ± 8 years) treated by FB-EVAR with 2107 renal-mesenteric TAs incorporated. TF was used in175 patients (32%) and UE in 366 patients (68%) including 146 (83%) TF and 314 (86%) UE access patients who had four or more TAs incorporated. The use of a TF approach increased from 8% between 2013 and 2017 to 31% between 2018 and 2020 and 96% between 2021 and 2022. Compared with UE access patients, TF access patients were more likely to have CAAAs (37% vs 24%; P = .002) as opposed to TAAAs. Technical success rate was 96% in both groups (P = .96). The use of the TF approach was associated with reduced fluoroscopy time and procedural time (each P < .05). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.6% for TF and 1.4% for UE (P = .67). There was no early cerebrovascular event in the TF group, but the incidence was 2.7% for UE patients (P = .035). The incidence of MAEs was also lower in the TF group (9% vs 18%; P = .006). Among 237 patients treated using devices with directional branches, there were no significant differences in outcomes except for a reduced procedural time for TF compared with UE access patients (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: TF access was associated with a decreased incidence of early cerebrovascular events and MAEs compared with UE access for target artery incorporation. Procedural time was decreased in TF access patients irrespective of the type of stent graft design.

[Inpatient rehabilitation for patients 65 years and older with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: Indications and long-term outcome]. / Stationäre Frührehabilitation nach endovaskulärer und offener Versorgung eines Bauchaortenaneurysmas bei über 65-Jährigen: Indikation und langfristiges Outcome.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, there is no data available on the frequency of inpatient rehabilitation (IR) after elective endovascular (EVAR) and open (OAR) abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. OBJECTIVE: To report for the first time on the outcome of patients 65 years and older and thus of retirement age with and without IR after AAA repair in a retrospective analysis of routine data from all eleven regional companies of the AOK health insurance fund (AOK-Gesundheit). METHODS: Anonymized data of 16,358 patients 65 years and older with intact abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with EVAR (n = 12,960) or OAR (n = 3,398) between 01/01/2010 and 12/31/2016 were analyzed. Patients with postoperative IR (n = 1,531) were compared to those without postoperative IR (n = 14,827) with respect to general patient characteristics, comorbidities, perioperative and postoperative outcomes, and survival. The average follow-up of patients with postoperative and without postoperative IR was 49.9 months and 51.8 months, respectively. RESULTS: 5.4% of EVAR patients, but 24.6% of OAR patients were referred to IR (p < 0.001). Patients with IR were sicker than those without IR. Parameters significantly influencing the use of IR included OAR vs EVAR (Odds Ratio [OR] 6.03), condition after cerebral infarction (OR 1.53), and women vs men (OR 1.49). Perioperative influencing parameters were cerebral infarction (OR 2.40), blood transfusions (OR 2.21) and complex critical care (OR 2.15). After nine years, the Kaplan-Meier estimated survival was 41.9% for patients with vs 43.4% for those without IR in the EVAR group (p = 0.178). For OAR, it was 50.2% for patients with IR vs 49.8% for patients without IR (p = 0.006). In multivariate regression analysis, postoperative IR had a significant effect on long-term survival in OAR but not in EVAR patients. CONCLUSION: There are no generally binding guidelines for the indication of IR after AAA repair. It should therefore be a requirement for the future that the fitness of each patient with elective AAA repair be determined with a score before and after the procedure in order to make indications for AHB more comparable. The score should be documented in the hospital discharge letter.

Transition from Open Repair to Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Rupture Aortic Aneurysms throughout a 16-Year Period of Time in a Single Tertiary Center.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is recommended as the first option for both elective and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) with suitable anatomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the gradual adoption of ruptured EVAR (rEVAR) as first option in the management of rAAAs in a reference tertiary center over a 16 year-period. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected clinical data was undertaken, including all patients that were treated for rAAA infrarenal or juxtarenal either with open surgical repair (OSR) or EVAR from 2006-2023. Three periods were identified and analyzed: Initial (2006-2011); intermediate (2012-2017); and current (2018-2023). The primary outcomes were the 30-day mortality rate in relation to the changing pattern of treatment. Secondary outcomes were re-intervention and mortality during the follow up period. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were treated for rAAA; 52% by endovascular means [EVAR (94), Ch-EVAR (9), and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (1)] and 48% by OSR (96). In the initial period, 61 patients were treated for rAAA (21% EVAR vs. 79% OSR), 68 in intermediate patients (47% EVAR vs. 53% OSR), and 71 in current period (83% EVAR vs. 17% OSR). Only in the current period juxta -renal rAAAs were treated by endovascular means (14%). The 30-day mortality rate was 46% in initial period (31% for EVAR vs. 50% for OSR), 64% in second period (46% in EVAR vs. 80% for OSR), and 35% in third period (25% for EVAR vs. 83% for OSR). The mean follow up did not differ between the groups, (EVAR 28.3 ± 2 months, vs. OSR 33.1 ± 3 months, P = 0.56). The survival rate did not differ between the groups; in rEVAR was 82% (SE 5%), 74% (SE 6%), 68% (SE 6.5%), and 63% (SE 7.7%) at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively, and in OSR was 76% (SE 7%), 66% (SE 8%), and 56% (SE 9.5%) at 6, 24, and 48 months, respectively (P = 0.544). CONCLUSIONS: Through a 16-year period, the implementation of EVAR as treatment of choice for rAAAs over OSR resulted in a noticeable reduction in the 30-day mortality. rEVAR was feasible in over 80% of rAAA patients.