A Propensity-Matched Comparison of Ischemic Brain Lesions on Postprocedural MRI in Endovascular versus Open Carotid Artery Reconstruction.

(1) Study purpose: The aim of our prospective single-center, matched case-control study was to compare the number and volume of acute ischemic brain lesions following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) versus carotid artery stenting (CAS) using a propensity-matched design. (2) Methods: Carotid bifurcation plaques were analyzed by using VascuCAP software on CT angiography (CTA) images. The number and volume of acute and chronic ischemic brain lesions were assessed on MRI scans taken 12-48 h after the procedures. Propensity score-based matching was performed at a 1:1 ratio to compare the ischemic lesions on postinterventional MR. (3) Results: A total of 107 patients (CAS, N = 33; CEA, N = 74) were included in the study. There were significant differences in smoking (p = 0.003), total calcification plaque volume (p = 0.004), and lengths of the lesion (p = 0.045) between the CAS and CEA groups. Propensity score matching resulted in 21 matched pairs of patients. Acute ischemic brain lesions were detected in ten patients (47.6%) of the matched CAS group and in three patients (14.2%) in the matched CEA group (p = 0.02). The volume of acute ischemic brain lesions was significantly larger (p = 0.04) in the CAS group than in the CEA group. New ischemic brain lesions were not associated with neurological symptoms in either group. (4) Conclusions: Procedure-related new acute ischemic brain lesions occurred significantly more frequently in the propensity-matched CAS group.

Long-term prognostic value of left atrial longitudinal strain in an elderly community-based cohort.

Despite the well-known importance of left atrial (LA) mechanics in diastolic function, data are scarce regarding the prognostic power of LA longitudinal strain and its potential added value in the risk stratification of an elderly population. Accordingly, our aim was to determine the long-term prognostic importance of 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) in a community-based screening sample. Three hundred and fourteen volunteers were retrospectively identified from a population-based screening program (mean age 62 ± 11 years; 58% female) with a median follow-up of 9.5 years. All subjects who participated in the screening program underwent 2D echocardiography to measure left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), and PALS, as well as low-dose cardiac CT to determine the Agatston score. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Thirty-nine subjects (12.4%) met the primary endpoint. Subjects with adverse outcomes had significantly lower LV GLS (dead vs. alive; - 19.2 ± 4.3 vs. - 20.6 ± 3.5%, p < 0.05) and PALS (32.3 ± 12.0 vs. 41.8 ± 14.2%, p < 0.001), whereas LV EF did not show a difference between the two groups (51.1 ± 7.0 vs. 52.1 ± 6.2, %, p = NS). By multivariable Cox regression analysis, PALS was found to be a significant predictor of adverse outcomes independent of LV GLS, and Agatston and Framingham scores. In subjects with PALS values below the standard cut-off of 39%, the risk of all-cause mortality was almost 2.5 times higher (hazard ratio: 2.499 [95% confidence interval: 1.334-4.682], p < 0.05). Beyond the assessment of LV EF and LV GLS, PALS offers incremental value in cardiovascular risk stratification in a community-based elderly cohort. PALS was found to be a significant and independent predictor of long-term mortality among other classical cardiovascular risk estimators.

Amputation and mortality rates of patients undergoing upper or lower limb surgical embolectomy and their predictors.

PURPOSE: To provide information on the outcomes of upper and lower limb surgical embolectomies and the factors influencing amputation and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center analysis of 347 patients (female, N = 207; male, N = 140; median age, 76 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 63.2-82.6 years]) with acute upper or lower limb ischemia due to thromboembolism who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2019 was carried out. Patient demographics, comorbidities, medical history, the severity of acute limb ischemia (ALI), preoperative medication regimen, embolus/thrombus localization, procedural data, in-hospital complications/adverse events and their related interventions, and 30-day mortality were reviewed in electronic medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test; in addition, univariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted. RESULTS: The embolus/thrombus was localized to the upper limb in 134 patients (38.6%) and the lower limb in 213 patients (61.4%). The median length of hospital stay was 3.8 days (IQR, 2.1-6.6 days). The in-hospital major amputation rates for the upper limb, lower limb, and total patient population were 2.2%, 14.1%, and 9.5%, respectively, and the in-hospital plus 30-day mortality rates were 4.5%, 9.4%, and 7.5%, respectively. In patients with lower limb embolectomy, the predictor of in-hospital major amputation was the time between the onset of symptoms and embolectomy (OR, 1.78), while the predictor of in-hospital plus 30-day mortality was previous stroke (OR, 7.16). In the overall patient cohort, there were two predictors of in-hospital major amputation: 1) the time between the onset of symptoms and embolectomy (OR, 1.92) and 2) compartment syndrome (OR, 3.51). CONCLUSION: Amputation and mortality rates after surgical embolectomies in patients with ALI are high. Patients with prolonged admission time, compartment syndrome, and history of stroke are at increased risk of limb loss or death. To avoid amputation and death, patients with ALI should undergo surgical intervention as soon as possible and receive close monitoring in the peri- and postprocedural periods.

Short- and Mid-Term Outcomes of Stenting in Patients with Isolated Distal Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis or Post-Surgical Restenosis.

The aim was to evaluate the outcome of stenting in patients with isolated distal internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or post-surgical restenosis, as no data are currently available in the literature. Sixty-six patients (men, N = 53; median age: 66 [IQR, 61-73] years) with ≥50% distal ICA (re)stenosis were included in this single-center retrospective study. The narrowest part of the (re)stenosis was at least 20 mm from the bifurcation in all patients. Patients were divided into two etiological groups, atherosclerotic (AS, N = 40) and post-surgical restenotic (RES, N = 26). Postprocedural neurological events were observed in two patients (5%) in the AS group and in two patients (7.7%) in the RES group. The median follow-up time was 40 (IQR, 18-86) months. Three patients (7.5%) in the AS group had an in-stent restenosis (ISR) ≥ 50%, but none in the RES group. Three patients (7.5%) in the AS group and seven patients (26.9%) in the RES group died. None of the deaths in the RES group were directly related to stenting itself. The early neurological complication rate of stenting due to distal ICA (re)stenoses is acceptable. However, the mid-term mortality rate of stenting for distal ICA post-surgical restenoses is high, indicating the vulnerability of this subgroup.

Restenosis rates in patients with ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy and contralateral carotid artery stenting.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients who underwent both procedures on different sides. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study (2001-2019), 117 patients (men, N = 78; median age at CEA, 64.4 [interquartile range {IQR}, 57.8-72.2] years; median age at CAS, 68.8 [IQR, 61.0-76.0] years) with ≥50% internal carotid artery stenosis who had CEA on one side and CAS on the other side were included. The risk of restenosis was estimated by treatment adjusted for patient and lesion characteristics. RESULTS: Neurological symptoms were significantly more common (41.9% vs 16.2%, P<0.001) and patients had a significantly shorter mean duration of smoking (30.2 [standard deviation {SD}, 22.2] years vs 31.8 [SD, 23.4] years, P<0.001), hypertension (10.1 [SD, 9.8] years vs 13.4 [SD, 9.1] years, P<0.001), hyperlipidemia (3.6 [SD, 6.6] years vs 5.0 [SD, 7.3] years, P = 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (3.9 [SD, 6.9] years vs 5.7 [SD, 8.9] years, P<0.001) before CEA compared to those before CAS. While the prevalence of heavily calcified stenoses on the operated side (25.6% vs 6.8%, P<0.001), the incidence of predominantly echogenic/echogenic plaques (53.0% vs 70.1%, P = 0.011) and suprabulbar lesions (1.7% vs 22.2%, P<0.001) on the stented side was significantly higher. Restenosis rates were 10.4% at 1 year, 22.3% at 5 years, and 33.7% at the end of the follow-up (at 11 years) for CEA, while these were 11.4%, 14.7%, and 17.2%, respectively, for CAS. Cox regression analysis revealed a significantly higher risk of restenosis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-3.10; P = 0.030) for CEA compared to that for CAS. After adjusting for relevant confounding factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, calcification severity, plaque echogenicity, and lesion location), the estimate effect size materially did not change, although it did not remain statistically significant (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 0.95-3.60; P = 0.070). CONCLUSION: Intra-patient comparison of CEA and CAS in terms of restenosis tilts the balance toward CAS.

Long-term analysis of the results of aorto-bifemoral bypass surgery for diffuse aorto-biiliac occlusive disease / Az aortobiiliacalis occlusiv érbetegség miatt végzett aortobifemoralis bypass mutétek hosszú távú eredményeinek elemzése.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A diffúz aortobiiliacalis érszakasz occlusiv betegségének kezelésére alkalmazott aortobifemoralis bypass szerepe csökken az endovascularis mutétek térnyerése miatt. Célkituzés: A vizsgálat célja volt a modern invazív kezelés korszakában a perioperatív és a hosszú távú eredmények elemzése aortobiiliacalis bypass után, melyek összehasonlíthatók az endovascularis megoldások eredményeivel. Módszerek: A retrospektív, egycentrumú vizsgálat során a Semmelweis Egyetem Városmajori Szív- és Érgyógyászati Klinikájának Érsebészeti és Endovaszkuláris Tanszékén 2006. 01. 01. és 2017. 12. 31. között occlusiv aortoiliacalis atherosclerosis miatt primer aortobifemoralis bypass mutéten átesett 419 beteg (átlagéletkor: 62,2 év, SD: ± 8,22; 224 férfi, 53%) adatait elemeztük. Eredmények: A posztoperatív 30 napon belüli mortalitás 5,01%, a késoi mortalitás 10,98% és 29,59% volt 12, illetve 60 hónap után. A betegek 12,57%-ánál történt korai reoperáció, késoi reoperáció 32 (8%) betegnél vált szükségessé. A graft elsodleges nyitva maradása 88,65% és 81,15% volt 12, illetve 60 hónap után. 21 betegnél történt amputáció (6,29%); 57,14%-ban femoralis, 35,71%-ban cruralis szinten, 7,14%-ban a boka szintje alatt. Az amputációkra 35,71%-ban a bypasst követo 30 napon belül, további 35,71%-ban 2 éven belül került sor. Az esetek 35,63%-ában lépett fel egyéb szövodmény; a leggyakoribbak: mutétet igénylo posztoperatív hernia (6,89%), cardiovascularis szövodmény (4,19%), lágyéki nyirokcsorgás vagy sebgyógyulási zavar (4,79%). Következtetés: Eredményeink alapján e betegcsoportban az aortobifemoralis bypass elfogadható, de nem jelentéktelen perioperatív halálozással és magas morbiditással jár. A graft hosszú távú nyitva maradása jó, de az újabb érmutét mind rövid, mind hosszú távon relatíve gyakori. A kevésbé invazív technikák eredményeinek összehasonlítása indokolt a hosszú szakaszú (TASC C, D) elváltozások esetén. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(3): 99-105. INTRODUCTION: The role of aorto-bifemoral bypass in the treatment of diffuse aorto-biiliac occlusive disease decreases in the era of endovascular surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the early and long-term postoperative results of aorto-bifemoral bypass in a recent time period. These results may be used as a baseline to compare the results of endovascular procedures. METHODS: In a retrospective, single-center study, the data of 419 patients (mean age: 62.2 years, SD: ± 8.22; 224 men, 53%) who underwent primary aorto-bifemoral bypass due to occlusive aorto-iliac atherosclerosis from 01. 01. 2006 to 31. 12. 2017 at the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery of Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center were analysed. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality within 30 days was 5.01%, late mortality was 10.98% and 29.59% after 12 and 60 months, respectively. 12.57% of the patients needed early reoperation and late reoperation was required in 32 cases (8%). The primary graft patency was 88.65% and 81.15% after 12 and 60 months, respectively. 21 patients underwent amputation (6.29%); 57.14% at the femoral level, 35.71% at the crural level and 7.14% below the ankle level. Amputations were performed in 35.71% of the cases within 30 days after the bypass and an additional 35.71% within 2 years. Other complications occurred in 35.63% of the cases; the most common causes were postoperative hernia requiring surgery (6.89%), cardiovascular complication (4.19%) and inguinal wound healing disorders (4.79%). CONCLUSION: Based on our results, aorto-bifemoral bypass surgery is associated with acceptable but not insignificant perioperative mortality and high morbidity in this group of patients. The graft patency is favourable in the long term, however, additional vascular reintervention is common in short and long term as well. Short- and long-term results of percutaneous endovascular techniques in diffuse aorto-biiliac disease (TASC C and D lesions) are suggested to be compared to these recent results of open surgery. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(3): 99-105.

The incidence and risk factors of stent fracture in patients treated for proximal common carotid artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify the incidence of and predictors for common carotid artery (CCA) stent fractures (SFs) and to examine the effect of SFs on the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR). METHODS: Seventy patients (37 women; median age, 60.9 years) who were stented for significant (≥60%) proximal CCA stenosis from 2006 to 2016 and revisited us to determine SF using fluoroscopy in 2018 were evaluated. Seventy stents were deployed; among them 87.1% were balloon-expandable and 12.9% were self-expandable. SFs were classified as type I (fracture of one strut), type II (fracture of multiple struts without stent deformity), type III (fracture of multiple struts with stent deformity), type IV (complete fracture of the stent without a gap), and type V (complete fracture of the stent with a gap). Duplex ultrasound examination was used for monitoring stent patency. Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests, Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression analyses, and a log-rank test and a gamma correlation analysis were applied as statistical methods. RESULTS: The patients were followed for 75.5 months (range, 47-109 months). Significant (≥70%) ISR was observed in eight patients (11.4%). Reintervention was performed in four cases (5.7%). Twenty-seven SFs (38.6%; type I, 8; type II, 10; type III, 4; type IV, 2; and type V, 3) were found. Calcification was shown to be a significant predictor for SF (odds ratio, 13.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.9-45.1; P < .001). There was no significant difference between the fractured and the nonfractured group regarding the number of patients with ISR and reintervention (P = .701 and P = .636, respectively). Neither did the primary patency rates differ significantly (P = .372) in patients with and without SF. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures frequently occur in a wide variety of stent devices deployed in the proximal CCA, but SFs seem to have no effect on ISR and reintervention.

The presence of long and heavily calcified lesions predisposes for fracture in patients undergoing stenting of the first part of the subclavian artery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of subclavian artery stent fractures and to investigate their impact on in-stent restenosis development. METHODS: One hundred eight patients (65 females; median age, 58.3 years [interquartile range, 53.4-65.5 years]) with steno-occlusive disease of the first part of the subclavian artery who underwent stenting (N = 108 stents; balloon-expandable, 83.3%; self-expandable, 16.7%) between 2005 and 2015 and returned for a fluoroscopic examination of the implanted stents in 2017 were included in our study. Fractures were type I (single strut fracture), type II (multiple strut fractures without deformation), type III (multiple strut fractures with deformation), type IV (multiple strut fractures with acquired transection but without gap), or type V (multiple strut fractures with acquired transection with gap in the stent body). Stent patency was monitored by duplex ultrasound imaging. The Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests; Kaplan-Meier, receiver operating characteristic, and logistic regression analyses; as well as a log-rank test were used as statistical methods. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 73.8 months (interquartile range, 35.6-104.2 months). Thirty-eight fractures (35.2%) were detected; fractures were type I in 13, type II in 12, type III in 6, type IV in 4, and type V in 3 cases. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the presence of long (≥20 mm) lesions (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-8.4; P = .012) and heavy calcification (odds ratio, 4.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-12.7; P = .002) to be significant independent predictors of stent fracture. The primary patency rates were significantly worse (P = .035) in patients with stent fracture compared with those without stent fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Stent fractures frequently occur. Patients with long and/or heavily calcified lesions require closer follow-up.