Acute limb ischemia in nonagenarians: Characteristics and factors related to outcomes in a single-center consecutive series.

BACKGROUND: The increasing aging and frailty of the population make the management of acute limb ischemia (ALI) more difficult, with decision-making far from being guided by evidence. The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics and results of ALI treatment in nonagenarians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of nonagenarian patients with ALI attended at our institution between 2008 and 2021. The primary outcomes of the study were 1-year limb salvage and survival rates. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were included (mean age 92.38, 78.4% women). In 83 cases (81.4%) ALI was attributed to embolism, and 19 (18.6%) to acute arterial thrombosis. One-month overall survival was 70.6%. Fifteen patients (14.7%) were treated palliatively, including 8 (53.3%) irreversible ALI with associated malignancy/advanced dementia, 5 (33.3%) with associated cerebral/intestinal ischemia and 2 (13.3%) with aortic occlusion and poor medical condition. None of these patients survived after 10 days. The remaining 87 patients (85.3%) were treated with isolated anticoagulation (n = 8, 9.1%), primary major amputation (n = 1, 1.1%) or revascularization (n = 78, 89.6%), including 69 (67.6%) embolectomies, 6 (5.9%) bypass and 3 (2.9%) endovascular techniques. One-year limb salvage and survival rates were 96% and 48%, respectively. Predictive factors of lower survival included anemia (HR = 1.81, p = 0.014) and ALI severity (HR = 1.73, p = 0.032), but not cognitive or functional status. Patients surviving the ALI episode had a 1-year survival rate significantly below that of a similar matched population. CONCLUSION: Although nonagenarians with an ALI are often functionally and cognitively impaired and have a limited life expectancy, most patients need revascularization for limb salvage and this can be done successfully with a low invasive surgery.

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.

Critical Limb Ischemia in Nonagenarians: A Challenge of Our Times.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the increasing life expectancy of the western population, the number of older patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) seeking medical care is growing. Our objective was to describe the characteristics of a consecutive series of nonagenarian patients with CLTI and evaluate the outcomes of their management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of nonagenarian patients with CLTI attended at our institution between 2005 and 2019. Primary endpoints were 1-year limb salvage and survival rates. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were included (mean age 92.7, 51.5% women), of which in 59 (34.5%) primary major amputation (n = 10) or palliative care (n = 49) was indicated at presentation because of severe dementia (n = 30, 50.8%), knee retraction (n = 17, 28.8%), terminal condition (n = 13, 22%) or a non-salvageable foot (n = 28, 47.4%). In the remaining 112 (65.5%), the need for a revascularization was further assessed finally performing A) conservative treatment/minor amputation (n = 57, 50.9%), B) revascularization (n = 50, 44.6%) or C) direct major amputation (n = 5, 4.4%), with 1-year limb salvage and survival rates of 93.1 and 57.4%, respectively. Predictive factors for lower survival included age >92 years (HR = 1,59, p = 0.041), hemoglobin <10.5 mg/dL (HR 2,34, p < 0.001), congestive heart failure (HR = 1.65, p = 0.036), non-severe dementia (HR 3,11, p < 0.001) and current mobility with wheelchair (HR 1,74, p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Nearly one-third of nonagenarian patients with CLTI have a direct indication for amputation or palliative care at presentation. In the remaining, a judicious approach with conservative treatment, minor amputation or revascularization procedures yields excellent limb salvage rates. Survival is, however, the cornerstone of these patients. It can be predicted with certain clinical factors which may help decision-making.

Outcome of elective endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in octogenarians.

AIM: The need to adjust the indications of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair among patients with a limited life-span deserves a specific evaluation for octogenarians. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative results and the long-term survival after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic and/or iliac aneurysms (EVAR) in octogenarians compared with patients under 80 years of age. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 241 consecutive patients who underwent an elective EVAR between 2000 and 2017. EVAR was not considered among patients with clear life-limiting conditions. Patients receiving other than commercially standard infra-renal endoprostheses were excluded. RESULTS: Seventy patients (29.0%) were octogenarians. They had a lower rate of active smoking (10.0% vs. 30.4%, P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of previous cerebrovascular disease (21.4% vs. 11.7%, P = 0.055) than younger patients. Thirty-day/in-hospital complication and mortality rates were not significantly higher among octogenarians when compared with younger patients (24.3% vs. 16.9% and 2.9% vs. 2.4%, respectively). Octogenarians had a lower long-term survival at 1, 3 and 5 years (92.6% vs. 93.3%, 67.7% vs. 78.0% and 39.3% vs. 60.6%, P = 0.039) in the bivariate analysis. However, an age ≥ 80 years per se was not an independent predictor of survival after adjustment for confounding factors. CONCLUSION: An age above 80 years was not associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications or long-term mortality. Our results suggest that EVAR can be considered in elderly patients without a clear life-limiting condition and with a suitable aneurysm anatomy. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 392-397.

Angioplastia guiada mediante eco Doppler en el tratamiento de las estenosis de fístula arteriovenosa para hemodiálisis / Ultrasound-guided angioplasty in the treatment of arterio-venous fistula stenosi

INTRODUCCIÓN: las estenosis en el trayecto de fístulas arteriovenosas (FAV) para hemodiálisis son un problema muy prevalente y existe una larga experiencia en su tratamiento mediante angioplastia percutánea (ATP). Estos procedimientos, sin embargo, implican unas necesidades no despreciables de aparataje, exposición a radiación y contraste intravenoso que no son beneficiosas para el paciente y hacen más compleja su realización. Este estudio revisa nuestra experiencia inicial en la angioplastia guiada mediante ecografía Doppler. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: cohorte prospectiva de pacientes con disfunción de la FAV nativa por estenosis venosas significativas tratados mediante una ATP guiada mediante eco Doppler. La punción de la FAV, la cateterización de la lesión, la localización y el inflado del balón y la comprobación del resultado se hicieron de forma ecoguiada. Tan solo se realizaron una fistulografía comprobatoria previa y otra posterior a la dilatación. Como control, se recogieron también los casos realizados durante el mismo periodo por el método angiográfico habitual. RESULTADOS: entre febrero de 2015 y septiembre de 2018 se realizaron 51 ATP sobre FAV nativa, de las que 27 fueron de forma ecoguiada (edad media, 65,3 años; 63% varones). El éxito técnico fue del 96%. En el 26% de los casos se repitió la ATP por estenosis residual tras la imagen angiográfica. Hubo un 7,3% de complicaciones periprocedimiento. El 92% de las FAV fueron puncionadas a las 24 h. La permeabilidad primaria a 1 mes, 6 meses y 1 año fue del 100%, 64,8% y 43,6%, y la asistida del 100%, 87,2% y 74,8%. No hubo diferencias significativas en los resultados inmediatos o tardíos respecto a las angioplastias de FAV guiadas mediante angiografía. CONCLUSIONES: la ATP-FAV puede realizarse de manera segura y eficaz guiada mediante ecografía Doppler, lo que permite simplificar la logística necesaria para su realización, si bien debemos mejorar todavía la capacidad de comprobación precoz del resultado con esta técnica de imagen

BACKGROUND: stenoses in the arterio-venous fistulae (AVF) for hemodialysis are a very common problem and there is a long experience in its treatment by percutaneous angioplasty (PTA). These procedures, however, imply important needs for equipment, exposure to radiation and intravenous contrast that are not beneficial for the patient and make it more complex to perform. This study reviews our initial experience in ultrasound-guided angioplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: prospective cohort of patients with native AVF dysfunction due to significant venous stenosis, undergoing a PTA ultrasound-guided. Puncture of the AVF, catheterization of the lesion, localization and inflation of the balloon and verification of the result were ultrasound-guided, with only a fistulography performed before and after the dilation. As a control-cases, patients intervened by the usual angiographic method were also collected. RESULTS: of the 51 ATP performed on native AVF between February 2015 and September 2018, 27 were ultrasound-guided (mean age 65.3 years, 63% males). The technical success was 96%. In 26% of the cases, ATP was repeated due to residual stenosis after the angiographic image. There were 7.3% peri-procedural complications. 92% of the AVF were punctured at 24 h. Primary patency rates at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year was 100%, 64.8% and 43.6% and Assisted 100%, 87.2% and 74.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the immediate or late results with respect to angioplasty of AVF guided by angiography. CONCLUSIONS: ATP-FAV can be safe and effectively performed by Doppler ultrasound guidance. This method simplifies the logistics of the procedure although further improvements are needed to ensure that ultrasound is adequate to ensure the correct patency of the vessel

Endovascular treatment of malignant superior vena cava syndrome secondary to lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Superior Vena Cava obstruction results in severe oedema of the upper thorax. Endovascular treatment allows a rapid restoration of the blood flow with a rapid resolution of symptoms. We retrospectively report a single institution's experience in stent placement for malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS) caused by lung cancer. METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive patients (23 men, 10 women; median age, 57.6 years; range 34-71 years) who underwent endovascular SVCS palliative treatment were enrolled between August 2002 and June 2015. All patients presented SVCS secondary to lung cancer. Signs and symptoms of SVCS were scored. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed (100% technical success rate). Twenty-eight patients showed a progressive clinical improvement after endovascular treatment of SVCS (84.8% clinical success rate) within 48 hours, there were five clinical failures which improved progressively with posterior radiotherapy. During follow-up, three patients (9%) suffered intra or post-procedural complications (1 cardiac arrhythmia, 2 stent thrombosis). CONCLUSIONS: Stent placement in malignant SVCS seems to be an effective and rapid treatment for the relief of symptoms and quality of life improvement with a relatively low complications rate with a rapid resolution of symptoms. Therefore, it should be seriously considered as the first option in the SVC obstruction treatment.

Hybrid Repair of Aortic Arch Aneurysms with Endografting of the Ascending Aorta.

BACKGROUND: Different "hybrid" techniques that combine open debranching of the supra-aortic vessels with endografting of the aortic arch have emerged as alternatives to the open arch repair in high-risk patients. This study aims to review the early and mid-term results of single-stage hybrid arch repair with ascending aorta stent graft deployment for aortic arch aneurysms and dissections. METHODS: Between June 2006 and May 2015, five consecutive patients, with an age range of 54-78 years, with complex aortic arch diseases, were treated with a hybrid approach in which the endograft had a proximal landing zone in the ascending aorta. Indications included: acute and chronic type A aortic dissections and three arch aneurysms associated with distal aortic pathology. Length of postoperative clinical and imaging follow-up ranged from 10 to 121 months and was completed in all patients. RESULTS: Technical success of the endografting was achieved in all cases. There was one in-hospital mortality secondary to pulmonary embolism, one case of retrograde type A aortic dissection (RTAD) detected before discharge and one case of late type Ib endoleak that required an endografting procedure. No postoperative stroke or transient or permanent spinal cord ischemia occurred. CONCLUSION: Hybrid arch repair with endograft landing in zone 0 may decrease mortality and morbidity in high-risk patients. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12735 (J Card Surg 2016;31:341-347).