Lowest reported dose area product of 2.4 Gy∗cm2 for ultra-low-dose endovascular aortic aneurysm repair of a standard infrarenal aortic aneurysm.

This is a report of successful treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm via standard endovascular aortic repair with an ultra-low dose (ULD) of 2.4 Gy∗cm2 using the latest imaging software in a hybrid operating room. To the best of our knowledge, no case has yet been reported achieving a successful outcome with such ULD values to date. The key factors to achieving an ULD regarding the dose area product comprise the right technology, procedural standardization, and team education and training. This case highlights the potential for reducing the radiation dose routinely for patients and staff alike, especially for operating room staff with daily radiation exposure.

Co-prevalence of arterial aneurysm location - a correlation analysis based on a retrospective cross-sectional observational study.

Background: The aim of this retrospective single-centre cross-sectional observational study was to investigate co-prevalence of arterial aneurysm location systematically. Patients and methods: Patients with the diagnosis of any arterial aneurysm from January 2006 to January 2016 were investigated in a single centre. Patients with hereditary disorders of connective tissue, systemic inflammatory disease, or arterial pathologies other than true aneurysms were excluded. Aneurysm locations were assessed for every patient included. For patients with at least two co-existing aneurysms, co-prevalence of aneurysm location was investigated by calculating correlation coefficients and applying Fisher's exact test. This study report is prepared according to the STROBE statement. Results: Of 3107 identified patients with arterial aneurysms, 918 were excluded. Of the remaining 2189 patients, 951 patients with at least two aneurysms were included in the study. Bilateral aneurysm combinations of paired iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries showed the highest correlation (ϕ=0.35 to 0.67), followed by bilateral combinations of subclavian (ϕ=0.36) and internal carotid (ϕ=0.38) arteries. Abdominal aortic aneurysms in combination with visceral artery aneurysms (ϕ=-0.24 to -0.12), popliteal arteries (ϕ=-0.22) and the ascending aorta (ϕ=-0.19) showed the lowest correlation, followed by the descending aorta in combination with the common iliac arteries (ϕ=-0.12 to -0.13). Conclusions: In our study sample, aneurysm co-prevalence was highly non-random. This should be considered in the context of aneurysm screening programs.

Histopathological Characterization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms from Patients with Multiple Aneurysms Compared to Patients with a Single Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

The aim of this study was to investigate histopathological differences in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) between patients with multiple and single arterial aneurysms, as we suspect that there are different underlying mechanisms in aneurysm formation. Analysis was based on a previous retrospective study on patients with multiple arterial aneurysms (mult-AA; defined as at least four, n = 143) and a single AAA (sing-AAA, n = 972) who were admitted to our hospital for treatment between 2006 and 2016. Available paraffin-embedded AAA wall specimens were derived from the Vascular Biomaterial Bank Heidelberg (mult-AA, n = 12 vs. sing-AAA, n = 19). Sections were analyzed regarding structural damage of the fibrous connective tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration. Alterations to the collagen and elastin constitution were assessed by Masson-Goldner trichrome and Elastica van Gieson staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration, response and transformation were assessed by CD45 and IL-1ß immunohistochemistry and von Kossa staining. The extent of aneurysmal wall alterations was assessed by semiquantitative gradings and was compared between the groups using Fisher's exact test. IL-1ß was significantly more present in the tunica media in mult-AA compared to sing-AAA (p = 0.022). The increased expression of IL-1ß in mult-AA compared to sing-AAA indicates inflammatory processes play a role in aneurysm formation in patients with multiple arterial aneurysms.

Characteristics of patients with multiple arterial aneurysms.

Background: The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional observational study was to determine differences of patients with multiple arterial aneurysms to patients with single arterial aneurysms. Patients and methods: Patients with the diagnosis of an arterial aneurysm from January 2006 to January 2016 in the department of vascular surgery Heidelberg were investigated. Excluded were patients with hereditary disorders of connective tissue or systemic inflammatory disease, as well as other arterial pathologies than true aneurysms. Patients with multiple aneurysms (defined by at least four aneurysms) were compared to patients with single aneurysms concerning age at initial diagnosis, sex and affected arterial site. To verify the findings, a replication of the study was performed at a comparable institution. Results: Of 3107 patients with arterial aneurysms, 918 were excluded. Of the resulting 2189 patients, 1238 (56.6%) patients had a single, 808 (36.9%) two or three, and 143 (6.5%) at least four aneurysms (group mult-AA). Nine hundred seventy-two patients (44.4%) had a single abdominal aortic aneurysm (group sing-AAA). Age at initial diagnosis differed between mult-AA (66.7±9.5 y) and sing-AAA (69.1±8.6 y) (p=0.0338). Within mult-AA, 138 patients (96.5%) were male, compared with 865 patients (89.0%) in sing-AAA (p=0.0041). The most frequent aneurysm localization shifted from the abdominal aorta and its branches in patients with a single aneurysm (n=1029; 83.1%) to pelvic and leg arteries in patients with at least four aneurysms (n=318; 63.2%). The replication of the study at the department of vascular surgery Frankfurt confirmed the younger age at initial diagnosis in mult-AA (67.3±12.5 y) compared to sing-AAA (70.9±9.6 y) (p=0.0259) and the distribution shift toward the arteries below the aortic bifurcation in mult-AA. Conclusions: Patients with multiple aneurysms are younger at initial diagnosis and differ concerning aneurysm localization compared to patients with a single aneurysm.

Persisting Type 2 Endoleaks Following EVAR for AAA Are Associated With AAA Expansion.

PURPOSE: To determine the evolution of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter in the presence of persisting type 2 endoleaks (pEL2) following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center, case-control study. All patients with pEL2 (pEL2 group, persisting for > 12 months) between 2004 and 2018 were identified and compared with a 1:1 age- and gender-matched control with no endoleak (control group). Primary outcome measures were freedom from AAA expansion and freedom from AAA shrinkage over time. AAA diameter measurements were performed on computed tomography angiography (CTA). Secondary outcome measures were survival, AAA-related mortality, reinterventions for pEL2, incidence of secondary type 1 endoleaks (EL1), and infrarenal aortic branch vessel anatomy. RESULTS: A total of 773 patients were treated with EVAR for AAA between 2004 and 2018. Of them, 286 patients demonstrated type 2 endoleaks (EL2) in postoperative CTA or intraoperative angiography (37%). Forty-five of 286 EL2 (15.7%) were pEL2 (pEL2 group). Freedom from AAA expansion in the pEL2 group was 100%, 96.7%, 85.2%, and 54.3% after 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively, compared with 100% after 1, 2, 3, and 4 years in the control group (p<0.01). Freedom from AAA shrinkage in the pEL2 group after 1, 2, 3, and 4 years was 95.5%, 90.4%, 90.4%, and 79.1%, respectively, compared with 86.7%, 34.8%, 19.3%, and 19.3% in the control group (p<0.01). Overall survival at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years was 100%, 97.6%, 95.0% and 95.0% in the pEL2 group and 100% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years in the control group (p=0.17). There were no AAA-related deaths in either group. Patients with pEL2 had a significantly increased number of infrarenal aortic branches (p<0.05, respectively). Eighteen patients (40.0%) in the pEL2 group underwent 34 reinterventions for pEL2, with a median follow-up (FU) of 925 days (0-4173). Clinical success was achieved in 9 patients (50.0%). Four patients (8.9%) with pEL2 developed secondary EL1 after a median FU of 1278 days (662-2121). CONCLUSION: pEL2 are associated with AAA expansion during midterm FU. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the association of AAA expansion due to pEL2 with clinical outcomes to allow recommendations with regard to treatment indications.

Manual compression versus MANTA device for access management after impella removal on the ICU.

To compare the safety and efficacy of manual compression versus use of the MANTA closure device for access management after Impella removal on the intensive care unit (ICU). The number of patients treated with percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (pLVAD), namely Impella and ECMO, for complex cardiac procedures or shock, is growing. However, removal of pLVAD and large bore arteriotomy closure among such patients on the ICU remains challenging, since it is associated with a high risk for bleeding and vascular complications. Patients included in a prospective registry between 2017 and 2020 were analyzed. Bleeding and vascular access site complications were assessed and adjudicated according to VARC-2 criteria. We analyzed a cohort of 87 consecutive patients, who underwent access closure after Impella removal on ICU by using either the MANTA device or manual compression. The cohort´s mean age was 66.1 ± 10.7 years and 76 patients (87%) were recovering from CS. Mean support time was 40 h (interquartile range 24-69 h). MANTA was used in 31 patients (35.6%) and manual compression was applied in 56 patients (64.4%). Overall access related bleedings were significantly lower in the MANTA group (6.5% versus 39.3% (odds ratio (OR) 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.50; p = 0.001), and there was no significant difference in vascular complications between the two groups (p = 0.55). Our data suggests that the application of the MANTA device directly on the ICU is safe. In addition, it seems to reduce access related bleeding without increasing the risk of vascular complications.

Arterial Aneurysm Localization Is Sex-Dependent.

The aim of this study was to investigate sex-dependent aneurysm distributions. A total of 3107 patients with arterial aneurysms were diagnosed from 2006 to 2016. Patients with anything other than true aneurysms, hereditary connective tissue disorders or vasculitides (n = 918) were excluded. Affected arterial sites and age at first aneurysm diagnosis were compared between women and men by an unpaired two-tailed t-test and Fisher's exact test. The study sample consisted of 2189 patients, of whom 1873 were men (85.6%) and 316 women (14.4%) (ratio m:w = 5.9:1). Men had considerably more aneurysms in the abdominal aorta (83.4% vs. 71.1%; p < 0.001), common iliac artery (28.7% vs. 8.9%; p < 0.001), internal iliac artery (6.6% vs. 1.3%; p < 0.001) and popliteal artery (11.1% vs. 2.5%; p < 0.001). In contrast, women had a higher proportion of aneurysms in the ascending aorta (4.4% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.001), descending aorta (11.1% vs. 36.4%; p < 0.001), splenic artery (0.9% vs. 5.1%; p < 0.001) and renal artery (0.8% vs. 6.0%; p < 0.001). Age at disease onset and further aneurysm distribution showed no considerable difference. The infrarenal segment might be considered a natural border for aneurysm formation in men and women suspected to have distinct genetic, pathophysiologic and ontogenetic factors. Screening modalities for women at risk might need further adjustment, particularly thoracic cross-sectional imaging complementation.

Outcome Analysis and Risk Factors for Perioperative Myocardial Ischemia After Elective Aortic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative myocardial ischemia (PMI) after non-cardiac surgery remains a serious postoperative complication. This study analyzed the risk factors and outcomes of patients who suffered from PMI after elective aortic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 863 patients who underwent elective aortic surgery for aneurysms or Leriche syndrome were retrospectively analysed with regard to PMI. The diagnosis of PMI was based on a positive serum troponin diagnostic test. According to the clinical signs and symptoms, the patients with PMI were divided into two groups: symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Comorbidities, preoperative medication, intraoperative parameters, postoperative complications, mortality, length of intensive care stay and hospitalisation, as well as the long-term follow-up, were compared in a matched-pair analysis (1:3) with patients without PMI. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for PMI. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with PMI were identified. Cardiac comorbidities (previous myocardial ischemia, P = 0.0099; left ventricular systolic dysfunction, P = 0.0429), ASA score ≥III (P = 0.0114) and preoperative elevated creatinine (P = 0.0194) were more common in patients who suffered PMI. The regression analysis confirmed that peripheral artery disease and prolonged operative duration >180 min are significant predictors of PMI. Surgical complications (wound healing deficit, P = 0.0027; rate of secondary interventions during primary admission, P = 0.0057) and medical complications (pneumonia, P = 0.0002; renal dysfunction, P = 0.0041) were more common in patients with PMI compared to the control group. Patients who suffered PMI remained in intensive care for a significantly longer period (P = 0.0001) and were also hospitalized for longer (P = 0.0001) than the control group. The long-term survival of patients who suffered PMI after aortic surgery was significantly worse than the control group (P < 0.0001, median 53 vs. 84 months), independent of clinical ischemia-associated symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: PMI after aortic surgery not only affects long-term survival, but also correlates with worsening of surgical outcome. Thus, meticulous preoperative risk stratification is required for high-risk patients, together with routine postoperative monitoring of troponin levels after aortic surgery.

Cervical Artery Dissection and Sports.

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) occurring in the context of sports is a matter of concern for CeAD patients. They seek advice on the role of sports in CeAD and on the safety of resuming sports after CeAD. The scarcity of studies and guidelines addressing these issues poses a challenge. We aimed at summarizing the current knowledge about CeAD and sports in order to provide an informed, comprehensive opinion for counseling CeAD patients. We took into account pathophysiological considerations, observations of cases reports, series, and registries, and conclusions by analogy from aortic dissection or inherited connective tissue syndromes. In summary, practicing active sports as the cause of CeAD seems uncommon. It seems recommendable to refrain from any kind of sports activities for at least 1 month, which can be extended in case of an unfavorable clinical or neurovascular course. We recommend starting with sport activities at low intensity-preferably with types of endurance sports-and to gradually increase the pace in an individually tailored manner, taking into circumstances of the occurrences of the CeAD in the individual patient (particularly in relation to sports), the meaning of sports activities for the individual well-being, the presence or absence of comorbidities and of neurological sequela, neurovascular findings, and whether there are signs of an underlying connective tissue alteration. Major limitations and several forms of bias are acknowledged. Still, in the absence of any better data, the summarized observations and considerations might help clinicians in advising and counseling patients with CeAD in clinical practice.

The C57Bl/6J mouse strain is more susceptible to angiotensin II-induced aortic aneurysm formation than C57Bl/6N.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Genetic variations between C57Bl/6 mouse substrains are highly relevant to the investigation of cardiovascular disease. We here assessed whether these variations have an impact on the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in C57Bl/6J and 6 N mice. METHODS: AAA were induced by subcutaneous infusion of 1500 ng/kg*min Angiotensin-II for four weeks in six-month-old male CB57Bl/6J and 6N mice. Aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were isolated from untreated animals for in vitro analysis. RESULTS: C57Bl/6J mice are more susceptible to AAA formation (76.5% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.0002). C57Bl/6J VSMC expressed more pro-inflammatory molecules such as Nlrp3, Aim2 and NF-κB. Additionally, these cells presented significantly higher levels of NADP/NADPH and oxidative DNA modifications, as indicated by 8-OHdG-staining, compared to C57Bl/6N VSMC. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous reports, we present evidence that six-month-old C57BL/6J, but not C57BL/6N mice develop AAA. In accordance with the deficiency of nicotinamide-nucleotide-transhydrogenase (Nnt), C57BL/6J VSMC displayed increased oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage and a stronger inflammatory phenotype than C57BL/6N VSMC.

Deficiency in Aim2 affects viability and calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells from murine aortas and angiotensin-II induced aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells is a key element in vascular remodeling and aortic aneurysm growth. Previously, deletion of several inflammasome components decreased formation of aortic aneurysm (AA) in the Angiotensin II (AngII) -induced mouse model. We hypothesized that the inflammasome sensor Absent in melanoma 2 (Aim2) might affect the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), thereby reducing AA formation. METHODS: Aim2-/- mice and wild-type (WT) C57Bl/6 J mice were used as an animal model. VSMC were isolated from 6 months old mice and grown in vitro. Young (passage 3-5) and senescent (passage 7-12) cells were analyzed in vitro for calcification in mineralization medium by Alizarin Red S staining. Expression of calcification and inflammatory markers were studied by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting, release of cytokines was determined by ELISA. To induce AA, osmotic mini-pumps loaded with AngII (1500 ng/kg bodyweight/min) were implanted for 28 days in male mice at 6 months of age. RESULTS: Compared with VSMC from WT mice, VSMC isolated from Aim2-/- mice were larger, less viable, and underwent stronger calcification in mineralization medium, along with induction of Bmp4 and repression of Tnfsf11/Rankl gene expression. In addition, Aim2 deficiency was associated with reduced inflammasome gene expression and release of Interleukin-6. Using the mouse model of AngII induced AA, Aim2 deficiency reduced AA incidence to 48.4% (15/31) in Aim2-/- mice versus 76.5% (13/17) in WT mice. In contrast to Aim2-/- mice, AA from WT mice expressed significantly increased levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin/Acta2, indicating tissue remodeling. Reduced cell proliferation in Aim2-/- mice was indicated by significantly increased p16ink4a/Cdkn2a expression in untreated and AngII-infused aortas, and by significantly lower amounts of proliferating (Ki67 positive) VSMC in AngII-infused Aim2-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a role for Aim2 in regulating VSMC proliferation and transition to an osteoblast-like or osteoclast-like phenotype, thereby modulating the response of VSMC in aortic remodeling and AA formation.

[Colonic ischemia after open and endovascular aortic surgery : Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis And Therapy]. / Kolonischämie nach offener und endovaskulärer Aortenchirurgie : Epidemiologie, Risikofaktoren, Diagnostik und Therapie.

Despite the successful establishment of endovascular techniques, colonic ischemia continues to be a serious complication of aortic surgery.The risk factors for colonic ischemia include aortic aneurysm rupture, prolonged aortic clamping, perioperative hypotension, the need for catecholamine therapy, occlusion of the hypogastric arteries and renal insufficiency.The clinical presentation of postoperative colonic ischemia is often unspecific. Classic symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, peranal bleeding and rise of inflammatory parameters. A specific laboratory parameter for colonic ischemia does not exist. The diagnostic gold standard is endoscopy. Imaging methods such as sonography or computer tomography play only a supportive role. Transmural ischemia resulting in bowel wall necrosis is an indication for emergency surgery, predominantly colonic resection with creation of artificial anus.

Inflammasome activity in leucocytes decreases with abdominal aortic aneurysm progression.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are characterized by chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. The present extended immunohistochemistry study aimed to characterize inflammation in AAA and aortic control samples. In specific, the composition of the infiltrating immune cells and the expression of five inflammasome components in these immune cells were evaluated, in order to characterize their role in AAA development. A total of 104 biopsies from 48 AAA patients and 40 healthy specimens from organ donors were evaluated for their grade of inflammation. Infiltrating leukocytes were characterized by specific markers (CD3, CD20 and CD68), intramural localization and inflammasome protein expression [NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), apoptosis­associated speck­like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), Caspase­1 and Caspase­5]. Macrophages, B and T lymphocytes were detected to a similar extent in grade 1, 2 and 3 AAA specimens, whereas in control samples, B and T lymphocytes were rarely observed in grade 1 lesions. Expression frequencies of NLRP3, AIM2 and Caspase­5 were significantly higher in grade 1 lesions of AAA samples compared with grade 1 lesions in control samples. Finally, AIM2, ASC, and Caspase­5 displayed significantly lower expression frequencies in grade 3 compared with grade 2 AAA specimens, and all inflammasome components were less frequently detected in grade 3 than in grade 1 lesions of AAA. This indicates that inflammasome activities decrease with AAA progression in infiltrating leukocytes. No statistically significant association was found for grade 2 and grade 3 lesions and total leukocyte count, C­reactive protein levels, maximal aortic diameter, plasma cholesterol level or biomechanical parameters (derived from finite element analysis) of the respective patients. Overall, the aortic wall of AAA contained lymphocytes and macrophages with different states of activity. The present data suggested that therapeutic inhibition of specific inflammasome components might counteract AAA development and progression.

Vascular Biomaterial Banking in Academia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To establish a high-quality vascular biomaterial bank to serve vascular research teams and act as a basis for translational medicine. The aim was to collect and store material so that investigation into the pathogenesis of vascular disease would be possible employing methods based on histopathology and/or molecular biology. METHODS: The Vascular Biomaterialbank Heidelberg (VBBH) evolved as part of an established, partly accredited biobank complex at the University of Heidelberg (BioMaterialBank Heidelberg - BMBH). The BMBH provided infrastructure regarding legal and quality issues as well as safety, protocols for specimen collection, data management, and publication of results. Protocols were modified where necessary to accommodate specific needs of vascular tissue research. Correct identification of vascular biomaterial is controlled by certified vascular surgeons and pathologists at biobank entry and exit. Pseudonymized clinical data are attached to every specimen. RESULTS: The VBBH provides standardized operating procedures (SOP) regulating the request, processing, and delivery of material to researchers, as well as project tracking. Tissue samples for a research project are requested by filling out an online application form. Within 3-5 working days, a scientific board, including a member of the VBBH and a member of the BMBH, decide upon acceptance or rejection of the research project. Criteria determining acceptance include whether enough samples are available for the particular investigation and whether planned methods are judged adequate to successfully complete the research project. Through tracking of all ongoing studies involving specimens from the VBBH, methods for tissue conservation are continually being optimized. The VBBH platform has supported numerous high-ranking publications involving diverse medical departments and reflects a gain in translational medicine. CONCLUSIONS: SOPs and controls by certified specialists ensure the high quality of specimens obtained through the VBBH. Research performed by vascular surgeons can be facilitated by using the VBBH.

Necrotic cell debris induces a NF-κB-driven inflammasome response in vascular smooth muscle cells derived from abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA-SMC).

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a multi-factorial progressive vascular disease with life-threatening complications. Increasing evidence suggests that smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction and cell death contribute to dilatation and rupture of the aorta by inducing an inflammatory response. The exact mechanism of this response however, is incompletely understood. We here investigated in vitro the capacity of autologous necrotic cell debris (CD) to induce inflammasome components and inflammatory mediators in aortic SMC (AAA-SMC) isolated from patients with AAA undergoing surgical repair. AAA-SMCs were additionally primed with Interferon- γ (IFN-γ) before treatment with CD in order to mimic the proinflammatory status caused by higher IFN-γ concentrations that have been demonstrated in the wall of AAAs. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that CD significantly increased NLRP3 and IL1B mRNA expression in different SMC cultures within 6 h of exposure. Priming of the AAA-SMC with IFN-γ significantly increased expression of NLRP3, AIM2, IFI16 and CASP1 mRNAs, whereas IL1B mRNA was reduced. Additional exposure of IFN-γ-primed AAA-SMC to CD for 6-24 h, further augmented expression of AIM2, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 protein levels. Analysis of the SMC supernatants by ELISA revealed CD-induced release of the senescence-associated cytokines IL-6 and MCP-1 in native and IFN-γ-primed SMC, whereas no secretion of Interleukin-(IL) 1α and IL-1ß secretion were observed. Our results implicate a role of necrotic cell debris derived from dead neighboring cells in SMC dysfunction and in inflammatory response of AAA tissue.

AIM2 levels and DNA-triggered inflammasome response are increased in peripheral leukocytes of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is heavily infiltrated with leukocytes, expressing the DNA sensor absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) and other inflammasome components. METHODS: Using multicolour flow cytometry, we here compared the expression of the inflammasome components AIM2, NLRP3, and ASC in different peripheral immune cells derived from AAA patients with those from non-AAA patients in a case-control study. In parallel, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of AAA patients and controls were stimulated in vitro with poly-dA:dT or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to analyze inflammasome activation. RESULTS: AIM2 expression was significantly increased in peripheral granulocytes (P = 0.026), monocytes (P = 0.007), B lymphocytes (P < 0.0001), and T lymphocytes (P = 0.004) of AAA patients. Expression of other inflammasome components did not differ between the groups. Following in vitro stimulation with foreign DNA, PBMC derived from AAA patients released significantly more IL-1ß (P = 0.022) into the supernatant than PBMC from control patients. In contrast, IL-1ß release upon LPS stimulation did not differ between the PBMC groups. CONCLUSION: The data indicate the increased activation of an AIM2 inflammasome in peripheral immune cells of AAA patients and point to a systemic AIM2-associated immune response to AAA.

Effect of metformin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes with respect to glyoxalase 1 activity in atherosclerotic lesions.

BACKGROUND: The enzyme glyoxalase1 (GLO1) is the main opponent in the degradation of the reactive metabolite methylglyoxal (MG), which by glycation of macromolecules is involved in atherogenesis. Reduced GLO1-activity in atherosclerotic tissue is known to be associated with diabetes. It has been shown that treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes with metformin leads to increased GLO1-activity in peripheral-blood-cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether metformin treatment increases GLO1-activity in atherosclerotic lesions of patients with type 2 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes and carotid artery disease were included into the study prospectively. Type of diabetes-medication was documented upon admission along with demographic and clinical history. Using shock frozen endarterectomy-derived carotid artery plaques, GLO1-activity as well as protein expression was measured by a spectophotometric assay and western-blotting respectively. RESULTS: 33 patients (76 % male, mean age 71 years) were included into the study and were divided according to treatment with metformin or not (15 vs. 18 patients). GLO1-activity was increased by the factor 1.36 when treated with metformin - however, not significantly (0.86 vs. 0.63 U/mg, p = 0.056). Normalisation of GLO1-activity onto GLO1-expression level lead to a significant increase by more than twofold (8.48 vs. 3.85, p = 0.044) while GLO1-protein levels did not differ significantly. GLO1-activity correlated positively with increasing HbA1c, especially under metformin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with enhanced GLO1-activity in atherosclerotic lesions. Regarding the macro- and microvascular complications in these patients further studies are needed to gain more insight into the effect of metformin on the GLO/MG system.

How to overcome challenging iliac artery anatomy in endovascular repair for AAA.

Challenging iliac anatomy is a major limitation of endovascular repair for aortic aneurysms. Stenotic lesions, excessive calcification, tortuosity, and aneurysmal dilatation jeopardize technical success of device implantation and long-term success. This review addresses technical options in treating patients with stenotic or aneurysmatic iliac arteries. Endovascular solutions and hybrid procedures are included to demonstrate the wide scope of endovascular therapy that may be offered to patients with unfavorable iliac anatomy.

Gene Expression Profiling in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms After Finite Element Rupture Risk Assessment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between local biomechanical rupture risk calculations from finite element analysis (FEA) and whole-genome profiling of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall to determine if AAA wall regions with highest and lowest estimated rupture risk show different gene expression patterns. METHODS: Six patients (mean age 74 years; all men) scheduled for open surgery to treat asymptomatic AAAs (mean diameter 55.2±3.5 mm) were recruited for the study. Rupture risk profiles were estimated by FEA from preoperative computed tomography angiography data. During surgery, AAA wall samples of ~10 mm2 were extracted from the lowest and highest rupture risk locations identified by the FEA. Twelve samples were processed for RNA extraction and subsequent whole genome expression profiling. Expression of single genes and of predefined gene groups were compared between vessel wall areas with highest and lowest predicted rupture risk. RESULTS: Normalized datasets comprised 15,079 gene transcripts with expression above background. In biopsies with high rupture risk, upregulation of 18 and downregulation of 18 genes was detected when compared to the low-risk counterpart. Global analysis of predefined gene groups revealed expression differences in genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation (p<0.001), matrix metalloproteinase activity (p<0.001), and chemokine signaling (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased expression of genes involved in degrading ECM components was present in AAA wall regions with highest biomechanical stress, supporting the thesis of mechanotransduction. More experimental studies with cooperation of multicenter vascular biobanks are necessary to understand AAA etiologies and identify further parameters of FEA model complementation.

Reduced glyoxalase 1 activity in carotid artery plaques of nondiabetic patients with increased hemoglobin A1c level.

OBJECTIVE: Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) is ubiquitously expressed in the cytosol of the cell and is the major opponent against the reactive metabolite methylglyoxal, which is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Nondiabetic individuals with an increased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level are at higher risk for development of cardiovascular diseases. As such, this study investigated whether there was an association between reduced GLO1 activity in atherosclerotic lesions of nondiabetic patients with an increased HbA1c level. METHODS: HbA1c level was determined in venous blood of patients with carotid artery disease. Protein level of GLO1 was measured in endarterectomy-derived carotid artery plaques by Western blotting. Activity was measured by spectrophotometric assay in the plaques as well as in the erythrocytes; GLO1 activity in erythrocytes was compared with that in a cohort of healthy individuals (n = 15; 33% men; average age, 60 years). RESULTS: There were 36 patients with carotid artery disease (69% men; average age, 69 years) included in this study and divided into two equal groups: group I, HbA1c < 5.7% (<39 mmol/mol); and group II, 5.7% ≤ HbA1c < 6.5% (39 mmol/mol ≤ HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol). GLO1 activity in carotid plaques was reduced by 29% in group II compared with group I (P = .048), whereas protein expression was unchanged (P = .25). Analysis of GLO1 activity in erythrocytes revealed no difference between the groups (P = .36) or in comparison to healthy controls (P = .15). Examination of clinical parameters showed an increased amount of patients with concomitant peripheral arterial disease in group II (44% vs 10%; P = .020). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of GLO1 activity in atherosclerotic lesions of nondiabetic patients with increased HbA1c is associated with a functional involvement of this protective enzyme in atherogenesis. Systemic GLO1 activity seems to be independent of both HbA1c and localized atherosclerosis as it was unchanged between group I and group II as well as compared with healthy controls, respectively.