Abdominal Aortic Neck Wrap for Refractory Type 1a Endoleak: A Case Series and a Novel Intraoperative Assessment Technique.

Objective: Refractory type 1a endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) can pose a significant challenge to surgeons and interventional radiologists. Continuous sac expansion results in aneurysm rupture and mortality. In such circumstances, an external infrarenal aortic wrap could serve as an essential and alternative solution. Methods: We assessed the application of an infrarenal aortic neck wrap for the treatment of refractory type 1a endoleak in n=6 consecutive patients along with the introduction of a novel assessment technique in order to assure their intraoperative success with no radiation exposure and contrast use. Results: The median sac expansion was 8.5 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 5-20 mm). The median neck diameter and length of the aortic neck were 23 mm (IQR, 18-25 mm) and 21 mm (IQR, 18-25 mm), respectively. The median length of follow-up post wrap is 24 months (IQR, 14-34 months). There was no associated mortality or morbidity and requirement for any further interventions. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that aortic wrapping for the treatment of refractory type 1a endoleak for any given neck diameter and length is safe, effective, and long lasting. The suggested novel intraoperative assessment technique contributes to the safety of the procedure by diminishing the need for intraoperative radiation exposure, contrast, and shorter operative time.

Prediction, pattern recognition and modelling of complications post-endovascular infra renal aneurysm repair by artificial intelligence.

OBJECTIVES: The study evaluates the plausibility and applicability of prediction, pattern recognition and modelling of complications post-endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) by artificial intelligence for more accurate surveillance in practice. METHODS: A single-centre prospective data collection on (n = 250) EVAR cases with n = 26 preoperative attributes (factors) on endpoint of endoleak (types I-VI), occlusion, migration and mortality over a 13-year period was conducted. In addition to the traditional statistical analysis, data was subjected to machine learning algorithm through artificial neural network. The predictive accuracy (specificity and -1 sensitivity) on each endpoint is presented with percentage and receiver operative curve. The pattern recognition and model classification were conducted using discriminate analysis, decision tree, logistic regression, naive Bayes and support vector machines, and the best fit model was deployed for pattern recognition and modelling. RESULTS: The accuracy of the training, validation and predictive ability of artificial neural network in detection of endoleak type I was 95, 96 and 94%, type II (94, 83, 90 and 82%) and type III was 96, 94 and 96%, respectively. Endpoints are associated with increase in weights through predictive modeling that were not detected through statistical analytics. The overall accuracy of the model was >86%. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the applicability, accuracy and reliability of artificial intelligence in the detection of adverse outcomes post-EVAR for an accurate surveillance stratification.

The Role of Carotid Stump Pressure in Carotid Endarterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This review evaluates the carotid stump pressure (CSP)'s role as a single parameter at any given pressure as an indicator for selective shunting, or vice versa, in carotid endarterectomy (CEA). A systematic review of literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library from 1969 to 2019 was conducted. The primary end point was set at 0 to 30-day mortality, ischemic stroke (IS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and a secondary point at recognition of an optimal CSP pressure. The data was subjected to meta-analytics. The odds ratio (OR) was reported at 95% confidence interval (CI). This study has been registered with PROSPERO: CRD42019119851. The pooled analysis on the primary endpoint of IS demonstrated higher incidence of stroke in shunted CEAs solely based on CSP measurement alone (OR, 0.14, 95%CI: 0.08-0.24, I 2=48%, p<0.001). Sub group analysis demonstrated similar patterns at 25 mmHg (OR, 0.06, 95%CI: 0.01-0.5, p<0.01), 30 mmHg (OR, 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01-0.63, p=0.02) and 40 mmHg (OR, 0.23, 95%CI: 0.09-0.57, p<0.01). This effect on end points of mortality and TIA demonstrated no benefit in either direction. CSP, as a single criterion, is not a reliable parameter in reduction of TIA, mortality, and IS at any given pressure range.

Novel Assessment (BlueDop) Device for Detection of Lower Limb Arterial Disease: A Prospective Comparative Study.

According to National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines, the ankle-brachial pressure index coupled with a full clinical evaluation has been the mainstay of detecting peripheral arterial disease on its suspicion. However, this technique is not free of its own limitations in calcified arteries, ulcerative and diabetic patients. We introduce a new, novel, and effective assessment device (BlueDop) with a minimal learning curve that could overcome such barriers and serve as a valid replacement in perihospital settings.

Nonunion of the tibial facture as a consequence of posterior tibial artery pseudoaneurysm.

Pseudoaneurysm of the posterior tibial artery (PTA) is uncommon, and they mainly occur following high-velocity trauma, open fractures and can be iatrogenic in nature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported and successfully treated case of PTA pseudoaneurysm identified as a consequence of tibia fracture nonunion in an otherwise healthy young individual 6 months following the original incident with a novel intraoperative technique.

Cryptogenic mycotic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery.

Visceral artery aneurysms as a result of arterial degenerative disease are rare (0.1-2%), and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) accounts for 3.2% of all reported series. However, mycotic SMA aneurysms (SMAAs) are even rarer, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cryptogenic mycotic aneurysm of SMA by Enterococcus faecalis (EF). We report a case of 77-year-old man with 6-week history of supra pubic/left iliac fossa pain, weight loss and fever. The computed tomography demonstrated an incidental finding of 4.4 × 3-cm SMAA with no primary foci. The subsequent serology and specimen confirmed EF. Aneurysmectomy without bypass grafting along with antimicrobial therapy resulted in full recovery of the patient.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of five predicts 30-day morbidity in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA): a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years the role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an independent predictor of mortality and morbidity has gained significant attention in colorectal, upper gastrointestinal and cancer surgery. To date, no study has examined this in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs). This study aims to assess the role of NLR as a prognostic marker of 30-day (30d) morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing repair of rAAAs. METHODS: Data from 80 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of rAAAs from November 2007 to June 2014 were included. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify the optimal value for NLR in relation to 30d mortality and morbidity. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the role of NLR after stratification by several clinical factors. RESULTS: 25 patients (31.2%) had a low NLR (LNLR) and 55 patients (68.8%) had a high NLR (HNLR). Elevated NLR was significantly associated with low Hemoglobin and it was not associated with gender, age, AAA Size, history of HTN, COPD, smoking and renal failure. Patients with HNLR had higher 30d morbidity compared with the LNLR group (35 vs. 6 p = 0.001) but no difference in intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital, ITU stay and 30d mortality. High NLR through multivariate analysis was an independent prognostic factor for 30d morbidity [OR = 4.28, 95% (1.27-14.42), p = 0.02]. CONCLUSION: A preoperative NLR >5 is an independent predictive marker of 30d morbidity in rAAAs. This appears to be in line with earlier literature demonstrating similar outcome in the elective group of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Catheter occlusion technique to facilitate distal anastomoses using vein grafts.

Several different modes of achieving a bloodless operating field by proximal and distal occlusion of blood vessels have been described. Vascular clamps, vessel loops, intraluminal occluding devices, and tourniquets have been used to control the tibial and pedal vessels but may cause injury or fail to control heavily calcified arteries. We describe an alternative way to control proximal and distal small arteries by using small, umbilical vein, feeding catheters. The catheters are introduced in the proximal and distal arterial lumen and in the vein graft lumen, achieving hemostasis, technically facilitating the suturing, and providing a means for the administration of vasodilator or thrombolytic agents as well as for a completion angiography.