Long-term clinical outcomes of arterial bypass, and the factors independently associated with the primary patency of arterial bypass in patients with suprainguinal arterial occlusion.

INTRODUCTION: Aortoiliac occlusive disease and iliofemoral occlusion are impact patient quality of life, cause limb loss and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of arterial bypass, and the factors associated with the outcomes. METHOD: This retrospective chart/image review included all types of arterial bypass procedures performed for suprainguinal arterial occlusion during January 2004 to December 2017. The primary outcome was the primary patency. The secondary outcomes were the secondary patency, amputation-free survival, overall survival and the factors associated with the outcomes. RESULT: A total of 135 patients (107 males) were included. The median age was 65 years. The 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year primary patency rates were 74.3%, 65.7%, and 55.6%, respectively, with independent predictors of poor outcomes being underlying cerebrovascular disease (p = 0.003) and postoperative graft infection (p = 0.016). Secondary patency rates at 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year intervals were 90.1%, 87.1%, and 77.8%, respectively, with independent predictors of poor outcomes being underlying cardiovascular disease (p = 0.013) and postoperative acute kidney injury (p = 0.010). Amputation-free survival rates at 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year intervals were 77.1%, 71.6%, and 66.0%, respectively, with the independent predictor of poor outcome being preoperative foot infection (p = 0.013). Overall survival rates at 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year intervals were 84.4%, 58.6%, and 35.3%, respectively, with independent predictors of poor outcomes being chronic kidney disease (p = 0.030) and postoperative myocardial infarction (p = 0.018). However, antiplatelet therapy emerged as an independent predictor of favorable overall survival outcomes (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Our results showed the primary patency rates of arterial bypass to be relatively low at our center; however, most grafts could be saved with high secondary patency. Both disease-associated factors and patient condition-associated factors were found to influence the outcomes of this fragile patient population.

Navigating Challenges in the Endovascular Treatment of Asymptomatic Aortoiliac Aneurysms: A 10-Year Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treating an abdominal aortoiliac aneurysm (AAIA) with endovascular methods can be challenging when the internal iliac artery (IIA) is involved. Embolizing the IIA and extending the limb to the external iliac artery (IIAE + EE) to prevent a type 2 endoleak may lead to pelvic ischemic complications. To avoid these complications, strategies that preserve the IIA, such as the bell-bottom technique (BBT) and the iliac branch device (IBD), have been proposed. This study aims to compare the outcomes of these three endovascular approaches for AAIA. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2019, 174 patients with asymptomatic AAIA were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. They were divided into two groups: 81 patients underwent non-IIAE procedures, and 93 patients underwent IIAE procedures. The iliac limb study group consisted of 106 limbs treated with the BBT, 113 limbs treated with the IIAE + EE, and 32 limbs treated with the IBD. The primary outcomes included the 30-day mortality rate and intraoperative limb complications. The secondary outcomes included postoperative pelvic ischemia, freedom from reintervention, and the overall 10-year survival rate. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the perioperative mortality rate between the non-IIAE group (0%) and the IIAE group (2.1%), p = 0.500. The intraoperative limb complications did not differ significantly between the BBT limbs (7.5%), the IIAE + EE limbs (3.5%), and the IBD limbs (3.1%) groups, p = 0.349. The incidence of buttock claudication was significantly greater in the bilateral IIAE + EE group compared to the unilateral IIAE + EE and non-IIAE groups (25%, 11%, and 2.5%, p-value < 0.004), and was similar to the incidence of buttock rest pain with skin necrosis (15%, 0%, and 0%, p < 0.001). During the 10-year follow-up, the BBT limbs group had a significantly lower rate of iliac limb reintervention free time than the IIAE + EE limbs and the IBD limbs groups (88.7%, 98.2%, and 93.8%, p = 0.016). There was no significant difference in the overall 10-year survival rate between the non-IIAE and IIAE groups (51.4% vs. 55.9%, p = 0.703). CONCLUSIONS: The early and late mortality rates were similar between the non-IIAE and IIAE groups. Preserving the IIA is recommended to avoid pelvic ischemic complications. Considering the higher rate of reintervention in the BBT group, the IBD strategy may be preferred for AAIA.

Popliteal sciatic nerve block for high-risk patients undergoing lower limb angioplasty: A prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To assess the rate of conversion to general anesthesia, sedative and analgesic drug-sparing effects, and complications of popliteal sciatic nerve block (PSNB) compared with a sham block during lower limb angioplasty. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) who receive PSNB with 0.25% levobupivacaine 20 mL compared with a sham block (control) during lower limb angioplasty. Pain scores, conversion rate to general anesthesia, amount of sedoanalgesia drug usage, complications, and satisfaction with the anesthesia technique by surgeons and patients were assessed. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled in this study. Two of 20 (10%) control group patients were converted to general anesthesia, while none of the patients in the intervention group required general anesthesia (P = .487). Pain scores before PSNB did not differ between the groups (P = .771). After the block, pain scores in the block group were lower than those in the control group: 0 (0, 1.5) (median, interquartile range) and 2.5 (0.5, 3.5), respectively (P = .024). The analgesic effect persisted until immediately after the surgery (P = .035). There was no difference in pain scores at the 24-hours follow-up visit (P = .270). The total propofol and fentanyl dosage requirements, a number of patients who required propofol and fentanyl, side effects, and satisfaction were not different between the groups. No major complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: PSNB provided effective pain relief during and immediately after lower limb angioplasty, but did not statistically affect the rate of conversion to general anesthesia, sedoanalgesia drug usage, or complications.

Prevalence and predictors of combined >50% iliocaval venous obstruction and superficial venous reflux in chronic venous insufficiency patients with healed or active venous leg ulcer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of combined >50% iliocaval venous obstruction (ICVO) and superficial venous reflux (SVR) in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) with a healed (C5) or an active (C6) venous leg ulcer (VLU). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from patients with CVI with CEAP (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology) class C5 (healed ulcer) or C6 (active ulcer) with SVR who had been treated at our institution from February 2017 to January 2018. The demographic, clinical, and surgical data and duplex ultrasound and computed tomography venography findings were collected. We used OsiriX MD, version 2.9, software (Pixmeo SARL, Bernex, Switzerland) to measure the vein diameter via multiplanar reconstruction. The prevalence of combined >50% ICVO and SVR was evaluated, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of >50% ICVO in patients with CVI and SVR. RESULTS: A total of 79 limbs from 67 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 59.82 ± 12.86 years, the mean body mass index was 28.68 ± 6.41 kg/m2, and 41.8% were men. The prevalence of >50% ICVO in the patients with SVR was 31.6%. Univariate analysis showed a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the affected leg (P = .001), a VLU in the left leg (P = .033), a history of a recurrent VLU (P = .038), and reversed flow in the superficial epigastric vein (P = .004) were significantly associated with >50% ICVO in patients with CVI and SVR. Multivariate analysis revealed a history of DVT in the affected leg (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29-30.19; P = .001), a VLU in the left leg (aOR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.18-13.19; P = .026), and a history of a recurrent VLU (aOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.02-9.32; P = .047) to be independently associated with combined >50% ICVO and SVR in patients with CVI. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of combined >50% ICVO and SVR in patients with CVI and CEAP C5 or C6 was 31.6%. The independent predictors of combined >50% ICVO and SVR in those with CVI were a history of DVT in the affected leg, a VLU in the left leg, and recurrent VLUs.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index predicts amputation after infrapopliteal angioplasty in critical limb ischemia patients.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the Critical Limb Ischemia Frailty Index (CLIFI), and to identify independent predictors of 2-year amputation-free survival after infrapopliteal endovascular treatment for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) in Thai patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted during the June 2014 to February 2017 study period. CLTI patients treated with infrapopliteal angioplasty were enrolled and analyzed. A patient was defined as CLIFI positive if two or more of the following criteria were present: Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) < 89.8, low skeletal muscle mass index (<6.87 kg/m2 in males, and <5.46 kg/m2 in females), and/or non-ambulatory status. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess 2-year amputation-free survival (AFS), and comparisons were performed using log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze for significant and independent association, respectively, between preoperative characteristics and AFS. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients and 286 limbs were included. Forty (15.0%) patients were CLIFI positive, and 226 (85.0%) patients were CLIFI negative. The 2-year amputation-free survival rate was 90.3% in the CLIFI positive group, and 86.6% in the CLIFI negative group (p = 0.59). Multivariate analysis revealed the GNRI to be an independent risk factor for amputation within two years after infrapopliteal revascularization (adjusted hazard ratio: 4.87, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-19.70; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The GNRI was found to independently predict 2-year amputation after infrapopliteal angioplasty in Thai CLTI patients; however, the CLIFI was not found to significantly predict 2-year amputation in this patient population.

Early and Late Outcomes of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Infected Abdominal Aortic and/or Iliac Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Infected abdominal aortic and/or iliac aneurysm (AAIA) is a rare condition with a high mortality rate when treated with open surgery. In the past decade, the condition has increasingly been treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, early and late outcomes, including the continued need for antibiotic treatments and predictors of persistent infection, are poorly understood. METHODS: We evaluated the outcomes of patients who underwent EVAR for infected AAIA from January 2010 to October 2017. We collected data including patient age, gender, clinical presentation, aneurysm location, culture results, intraoperative details, postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, persistent infection, reintervention, and survival. RESULTS: Among 792 patients diagnosed with AAIA, 64 were diagnosed with primary infected aneurysm, underwent EVAR, and were included in this study (81.3% male; median age, 72 years; range, 18-94 years). The most commonly isolated organisms were Salmonella species (34%), followed by Streptococcus (21%), and Staphylococcus species (21%). Aneurysms were intact in 48 patients (75%) and were ruptured in 16 (25%). The perioperative mortality was 4.7% (3 patients) of whom one was diagnosed with ruptured infected AAIA. Six (9.4%) patients died during hospitalization, 5 of severe sepsis with multiorgan failure and one of myocardial infarction. Among the 58 surviving patients, 34 (58.6%) had persistent infection, of whom 13 (22.4%) required early and late reintervention, including 2 with endograft infection, 8 with primary and secondary aortoenteric fistula, 2 with recurrent new aortic infection, and one with graft limb occlusion. The remaining 24 patients were able to discontinue antibiotics and had no recurrence or need for reintervention. Overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years in the antibiotic-discontinuation group were 91.7%, 87.5%, and 68.0%, respectively, and 82.4%, 52.6%, and 32.9%, respectively, in the persistent-infection group (P = 0.009). In multivariable analysis, primary aortoenteric fistula (Adjusted OR [aOR], 20.469; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.265-331.320; P = 0.034) and preoperative serum albumin level <3 g/dL (aOR, 7.399; 95% CI, 1.176-46.558; P = 0.033) were preoperative parameter that predicted persistent infection. A C-reactive protein level more than 5 mg/L (aOR, 34.378; 95% CI, 4.888-241.788; P < 0.001) was observed in patients with persistent infection. CONCLUSIONS: EVAR is a feasible treatment with acceptable perioperative mortality for infected AAIA. Patients able to discontinue antibiotics have better survival and lower reintervention rates than those with persistent infection. A preoperative albumin level below 3 g/dL and primary aortoenteric fistula predicted persistent infection in this population.

Thrombus extension after cyanoacrylate closure of incompetent saphenous veins.

BACKGROUND: Cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) is a minimally invasive surgery to treat incompetent saphenous veins. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, the risk factors for, and the management of thrombus extension after cyanoacrylate closure (TEACAC) of incompetent saphenous veins in patients with chronic venous disease. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients aged >18 years who were diagnosed with chronic venous disease with superficial venous reflux in the great saphenous vein, anterior accessory saphenous vein, or small saphenous vein, and who were treated with CAC at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) during January 2017 to December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 126 saphenous veins of 101 patients were included. TEACAC occurred in 5 of 101 (4.9%) patients, and in 5 of 126 (3.9%) treated saphenous veins. The mean follow-up time was 285±12 days. Based on Kabnick classification of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT), the following TEACAC grades were observed: grade I (N.=2), grade II (N.=1), grade III (N.=2), and grade IV (N.=0). No patient or procedural predictive factors for TEACAC were identified. In patients with TEACAC-1 or TEACAC-2, the thrombus spontaneously disappeared by the 2-week follow-up. Patients with TEACAC-3 received therapeutic rivaroxaban or dabigatran, which resolved the thrombus within 2-4 weeks. No deep vein thrombosis or symptomatic pulmonary embolism was found. CONCLUSIONS: TEACAC was found not to be a rare complication after CAC. All patients should be informed of the risk of TEACAC prior to treatment. Treatment of TEACAC class 1-3 following EHIT guideline seems to be both safe and effective.

Novel culture media enhances mononuclear cells from patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia to increase vasculogenesis and anti-inflammatory effect.

BACKGROUND: Quality and Quantity culture media (QQ culture media) was reported to enhance vasculogenesis and angiogenesis function of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from healthy volunteers. In this study, MNCs from chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients were cultured in QQ culture media, and then investigated for angiogenesis-related phenotype and function. METHODS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with CLTI caused by atherosclerosis of the lower extremities were prospectively recruited at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) during July 2017-December 2018. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were isolated from peripheral blood. PBMNCs were cultured in either QQ culture media or standard culture media. The number of CD34+CD133+ cells, CD206+ cells, CD4+CD25+CD127+ cells, colony formation assay, and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation assay in MNCs were compared between those cultured in QQ culture media and those cultured in standard culture media. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included with a mean age of 69 ± 11 years. Diabetes mellitus was found in 25 (64%) patients. The percentage of CD34+CD133+ progenitor cells in MNCs cultured in QQ culture media and in MNCs cultured in standard culture media was 4.91 ± 5.30% and 0.40 ± 0.46%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The percentage of CD206+ cells in MNCs cultured in QQ culture media and in MNCs cultured in standard culture media was 19.31 ± 11.42% and 4.40 ± 2.54%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The percentage of inactive population of T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+CD127+ cells) in MNCs cultured in standard culture media and in MNCs cultured in QQ culture media was 14.5 ± 10.68% and 1.84 ± 1.37%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The total number of colony-forming units from MNCs cultured in QQ culture media and in MNCs cultured in standard culture media was 8.86 ± 8.35 of 2 × 105 cells/dish, and 0.58 ± 1.05 of 2 × 105 cells/dish, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean intensity of Dil-Ac-LDL uptake that incorporated into the HUVEC forming tube was 1.37 ± 0.88 in MNCs cultured in QQ culture media, and 0.78 ± 0.41 in MNCs cultured in standard culture media. (p < 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: MNCs from CLTI patients that were cultured in QQ culture media had a significantly higher number of CD34+CD133+ cells and anti-inflammatory cells, and higher angiogenesis-related function compared to MNCs cultured in standard culture media.

Hypersensitivity reaction after cyanoacrylate closure of incompetent saphenous veins in patients with chronic venous disease: A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of, the risk factors for, the nature of the disease, and the management of hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) after cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) of incompetent saphenous veins in patients with chronic venous disease. METHODS: Data consisting of all incompetent saphenous veins, including great saphenous veins, anterior accessory saphenous veins, and small saphenous veins, treated with CAC at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 126 saphenous veins, including 106 great saphenous veins (84.1%), 7 anterior accessory saphenous veins (5.6%), and 13 small saphenous veins (10.3%) of 126 limbs from 101 patients were included. A HSR occurred in 16 of 101 patients (15.8%), in 19 of 126 limbs (15.0%), and in 19 of 126 treated saphenous veins (15.0%). HSR-related erythema, itching, swelling, and pain occurred in 100.0%, 95.0%, 68.4%, and 52.6%, of HSR patients, respectively. HSR occurred 1 week after CAC. All HSR symptoms were mild, could be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antihistamine, and were resolved within 1 week. The risk factors for HSR were suprafascial saphenous vein with a depth <1 cm from the skin, and saphenous vein diameter of ≥8 mm. CONCLUSIONS: A HSR occurred in 15.8% of patients and in 15.0% of limbs after CAC. Risk factors for HSR were a suprafascial saphenous vein located close to the skin and a large saphenous vein. All HSR symptoms were mild in severity, occurred at 1 week after CAC, and were resolved within 1 week after treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines. To prevent HSR, CAC should be avoided in suprafascial saphenous veins that are located close to the skin, and CAC in saphenous veins with a size of ≥8 mm should be performed with caution.

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection assay in comparison with real-time RT-PCR assay for laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the world. Hence, there is an urgent need for rapid, simple, and accurate tests to diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Performance characteristics of the rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection test should be evaluated and compared with the gold standard real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for diagnosis of COVID-19 cases. METHODS: The rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection test, Standard™ Q COVID-19 Ag kit (SD Biosensor®, Republic of Korea), was compared with the real-time RT-PCR test, Allplex™ 2019-nCoV Assay (Seegene®, Korea) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory specimens. Four hundred fifty-four respiratory samples (mainly nasopharyngeal and throat swabs) were obtained from COVID-19 suspected cases and contact individuals, including pre-operative patients at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand during March-May 2020. RESULTS: Of 454 respiratory samples, 60 (13.2%) were positive, and 394 (86.8%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by real-time RT-PCR assay. The duration from onset to laboratory test in COVID-19 suspected cases and contact individuals ranged from 0 to 14 days with a median of 3 days. The rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection test's sensitivity and specificity were 98.33% (95% CI, 91.06-99.96%) and 98.73% (95% CI, 97.06-99.59%), respectively. One false negative test result was from a sample with a high real-time RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct), while five false positive test results were from specimens of pre-operative patients. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid assay for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection showed comparable sensitivity and specificity with the real-time RT-PCR assay. Thus, there is a potential use of this rapid and simple SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection test as a screening assay.

Early and late outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm compared between severe and non-severe infrarenal neck angulation.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm with severe infrarenal neck angle (>60°) has long been thought to be an obstacle to endovascular aneurysm repair. However, some previous studies reported endovascular aneurysm repair to be safe and efficacious for treating abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients with severe neck angulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the early and late outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm compared between patients with severe and non-severe infrarenal neck angulation. METHODS: Fifty-four severe and 144 non-severe neck angulation patients who were treated at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) during January 2010-October 2013 were recruited. The primary endpoints were intraoperative neck complications (e.g., type 1A endoleak or proximal graft migration) and immediate adjunct aortic neck procedures. The secondary endpoints included perioperative mortality, overall survival, and the proportion of patients that were reintervention-free at five years compared between the severe and non-severe groups. RESULTS: Severe angulation patients were significantly older than non-severe angulation patients (77 ± 6.3 vs. 74 ± 7.9 years; p = 0.021). The median proximal angle was significantly greater in the severe group (82° vs. 13.5°; p < 0.001). Intraoperative proximal neck complications developed in 29.6% of patients in the severe angulation group compared with 9.0% in the non-severe group (p < 0.001). Significantly more patients in the severe group required intraoperative adjunct procedures (29.6% vs. 7.6%; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in perioperative mortality between groups. At the five-year follow-up, there was no significant difference between groups for overall survival or the proportion of patients that remained reintervention-free. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular aneurysm repair to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients with severe proximal neck angulation is technically feasible and safe Although the severe angulation group had a higher rate of intraoperative neck complications and immediate adjunct neck procedures than the non-severe group, there was no significant difference between groups for 30-day mortality, overall survival or the proportion of patients who remained reintervention-free at five years.

Outcomes of Open Repair, Fenestrated Stent Grafting, and Chimney Grafting in Juxtarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Is It Time for a Randomized Trial?

BACKGROUND: The well-established, gold standard treatment for juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (JAAAs) is open repair (OR). However, endovascular treatment with fenestrated or chimney grafts has been increasingly performed in the past decade. This study compared the outcomes of OR with 2 endovascular methods in JAAA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with JAAA who underwent OR (n = 32), repair with fenestrated stent grafts (fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair [FEVAR], n = 20), or chimney grafts (Ch-EVAR, n = 23) during the period from January 2011 to December 2016 at a single center. Our primary end point was perioperative mortality. Secondary end points included renal function impairment, new-onset dialysis, procedural details, and postoperative complications. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate freedom from late reintervention, primary patency of target vessel stent grafts, and overall survival. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in baseline characteristics. Perioperative mortality was similar in all the 3 groups (3.1% (1/32) in the OR group, 0% in the FEVAR group, and 4.3% (1/23) in the Ch-EVAR group. Mean follow-up duration was 36.7 months (range 1-75 months). There were no significant differences between groups regarding any of the secondary end points, except for blood loss (which was significantly greatest in the OR group), and there was no significant difference in overall survival. Estimated target vessel stent patency at 1 and 4 years was 93.8% and 93.8% in the FEVAR group, and 89.5% and 89.5% in the Ch-EVAR group. There was no significant difference between groups in estimated freedom from late reintervention (96.4% in the OR group, 77.2% in the FEVAR group, and 82.3% in the Ch-EVAR group). CONCLUSIONS: Open surgery is an acceptable and effective treatment for JAAA. However, FEVAR and Ch-EVAR also showed high technical success rates and low perioperative mortality, with acceptable reintervention rates during follow-up.

Incidence, Risk Factors, Progression, and Treatment of Endovenous Heat-Induced Thrombosis Class 2 or Greater After Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation.

BACKGROUND: Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) is a thrombus that extends from an ablated saphenous vein into the common femoral vein after endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, progression, treatment, and risk factors associated with EHIT-2 or greater after RFA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with symptomatic superficial venous incompetence that were treated by RFA of the great saphenous vein or anterior accessory saphenous vein during the July 2012 to December 2016 study period. Duplex ultrasound scanning was performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and every year after RFA to detect EHIT. RESULTS: A total of 317 legs from 274 patients were included. The incidence of EHIT-2 or greater was 7.0%, including 5.4% EHIT-2, 1.3% EHIT-3, and 0.3% EHIT-4. No symptomatic pulmonary embolism was found. The independent risk factors for EHIT-2 or greater were vein diameter (p = .027) and concomitant sclerotherapy (p = .037). CONCLUSION: The risk factors found to be independently associated with EHIT-2 or greater were large vein size and concomitant sclerotherapy. Screening for EHIT should be performed in patients with one or both of these risk factors within 1 week after RFA and in patients with postoperative symptoms suggestive of venous thromboembolism.

Customizing elastic pressure bandages for reuse to a predetermined, sub-bandage pressure: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective A randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the effectiveness of unmarked bandages and customized bandages with visual markers in reproducing the desired sub-bandage pressure during self-bandaging by patients. Method Ninety patients were randomly allocated to two groups ("customized bandages" and "unmarked bandages") and asked to perform self-bandaging three times. The achievement of a pressure between 35 and 45 mmHg in at least two of the three attempts was defined as adequate quality. Results Adequate quality was achieved by 33.0% when applying the unmarked bandages, and 60.0% when applying the customized bandages ( p = 0.02). Use of the customized bandage and previous experience of bandaging were independent predictors for the achievement of the predetermined sub-bandage pressure ( p = 0.005 and p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion Customized bandages may achieve predetermined sub-bandage pressures more closely than standard, unmarked, compression bandages. Clinical trials registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02729688). Effectiveness of a Pressure Indicator Guided and a Conventional Bandaging in Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcer. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02729688.

Use of customised pressure-guided elastic bandages to improve efficacy of compression bandaging for venous ulcers.

Compression bandaging is a major treatment of chronic venous ulcers. Its efficacy depends on the applied pressure, which is dependent on the skill of the individual applying the bandage. To improve the quality of bandaging by reducing the variability in compression bandage interface pressures, we changed elastic bandages into a customised version by marking them with circular ink stamps, applied when the stretch achieves an interface pressure between 35 and 45 mmHg. Repeated applications by 20 residents of the customised bandage and non-marked bandage to one smaller and one larger leg were evaluated by measuring the sub-bandage pressure. The results demonstrated that the target pressure range is more often attained with the customised bandage compared with the non-marked bandage. The customised bandage improved the efficacy of compression bandaging for venous ulcers, with optimal sub-bandage pressure.