Study Protocol of a Prospective, Monocentric, Single-Arm Study Investigating the Correlation of Endograft Properties with Aortic Stiffness in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Patients Subjected to Endovascular Aortic Repair.

The number of endovascular aortic repairs (EVARs) has surpassed the number of open surgical repairs of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) worldwide. The available commercial endoprostheses are composed of materials that are stiffer than the native aortic wall. As a consequence, the implantation of stent-graft endoprostheses during EVAR increases aortic rigidity and thus aortic stiffness, resulting in a decrease in abdominal aorta compliance. EVAR has been found to have a possibly harmful effect not only on heart functions but also on other vascular beds, including kidney function, due to the decrease in aortic compliance that it causes. Aortic stiffness is measured by various hemodynamic indices like the pulse wave velocity (PWV), the central aortic pressure (CAP), and the augmentation index (AIx). In the literature, there are increasing numbers of studies investigating the properties of endografts, which are strongly related to increases in aortic stiffness. However, there is a lack of data on whether there is a correlation between the length of various endografts implanted during EVAR and the increase in the PWV, CAP, and AIx postoperatively compared to the preoperative values. The aim of this prospective, observational, monocentric, single-arm study is to investigate the correlation between endograft length and the postoperative increase in the PWV, CAP, and AIx in patients subjected to EVAR. Additionally, this study intends to identify other endograft properties related to increases in the PWV, CAP, and AIx. Other endpoints to be studied are the existence of immediate postoperative myocardial and kidney injury after EVAR. The prediction of cardiovascular events caused by endograft-related increased aortic stiffness could contribute to the improvement of various endograft properties so that the impact of endografts on the native aortic wall can be minimized.

One-Year Outcomes of CGuard Double Mesh Stent in Carotid Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Prospective single and multicenter studies have shown improved outcomes of patients who underwent carotid artery stenting with the novel CGuard dual-layer mesh stent at 1 year. Objectives: The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published studies to assess 1-year efficacy and outcomes of CGuard in patients with carotid stenting. Methods: A systematic search was performed. All studies enrolling at least 20 patients were included in our analysis. The primary endpoints were death (all-cause, cardiovascular and ipsilateral stroke-related death) and stroke rate at 1 year. The secondary endpoint was in-stent restenosis at 1 year. Results: The final analysis included 1709 patients. The one-year all-cause mortality rate was 2.97% (39/1699, 95% CI: 1.26-6.86%, I2 = 67%, t2 = 0.3442, p < 0.01), cardiovascular-related death was 0.92% (10/1616, 95% CI: 0.35-2.39%, I2 = 34%, t2 = 0.2302, p = 0.18), and ipsilateral stroke-related death was 0.3% (1/1649, 95% CI: 0.1-0.87%, I2 = 0%, t2 = 0, p = 0.69). The one-year ipsilateral stroke rate was 1.21% (16/1649, 95% CI: 0.58-2.5%, I2 = 28%, t2 = 0.1433, p = 0.23), transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) rate was 1.78% (19/1149, 95% CI: 1.11-2.84%, I2 = 0%, t2 = 0, p = 0.69), and total composite 1-year stroke/TIA rate was 2.97% (32/1149, 95% CI: 1.84-4.77%, I2 = 0%, t2 = 0, p = 0.41). The in-stent restenosis rate at 1 year was 1.06% (13/1653, 95% CI: 0.48-2.34%, I2 = 28%, t2 = 0.2308, p = 0.22). Conclusions: This meta-analysis shows that CAS with CGuard is safe with minimal neurological adverse events and in-stent restenosis rate at 1 year.

12-Month Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting With CGuard MicroNET-Covered Stent: A Single-Center Study in 113 Patients.

Dual layer mesh stents constitute a novel treatment option for patients who undergo carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this prospective study is to report 12 month outcomes of patients who underwent CAS with CGuard (Inspire MD, Tel Aviv, Israel) microNET self-expanding stent with embolic protection system in a tertiary center from October 2018 to March 2022. Primary endpoints included in-stent restenosis >70% verified by ultrasound (DUS), ipsilateral transient ischemic attack (TIA), and stroke at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included cardiovascular-related mortality (stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure) and all-cause mortality during follow-up. One hundred thirteen patients were included in the study (male 72.5%), symptomatic 47.8%. Median follow-up was 25 months (2-48). By 12 months, there was one in-stent occlusion that manifested as stroke (1/113, 0.8%) but no other forms of in-stent restenosis. Two patients experienced contralateral TIA (1.7%). CVRM was 3.5% (4 MI) and all-cause mortality was 6% at follow-up. This prospective study shows that CAS with CGuard MicroNET-covered stent is safe with minimal neurological adverse events at 12 months follow-up. Larger, and longer-term studies are necessary to define CGuard long-term safety and protection against carotid-related stroke.

Endograft Anaconda in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Systematic Review of Literature and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGOUND: The number of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs (EVARs) has surpassed the number of open surgical repair of AAAs worldwide with a great variety of endografts being available. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of studies reporting patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) subjected to EVAR with the Anaconda endograft. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of multiple electronic databases for studies including patients with infrarenal AAA who were subjected to elective EVAR with Anaconda endograft exclusively. We conducted a proportional meta-analysis cumulating the results of the included studies. The endpoints were first month overall mortality, first and second-year survival after EVAR, AAA-related deaths, incidence of endoleaks, endograft migration, endograft occlusion, open conversion, and primary and secondary technical success. The mean value for each separate studied factor was calculated, and the respective percentage or incidence was extracted so that it can be compared to endograft outcome studies in the literature. We assessed the methodologic quality of studies by using the Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. RESULTS: Seven observational studies were found including 954 patients (males 91.9%, mean age 73.38 ± 6.97 years). The mean transverse diameter of AAAs was 56.83 ± 9.97 mm. The mean proximal aortic neck diameter and length were 23.06 ± 3.33 mm and 24.14 ± 12.16 mm, respectively. Increased aortic neck calcification and aortic neck thrombus were present in 12.5% of patients. The 30-day overall mortality post-EVAR was 1.3%, 1 and 2-year survival rates were 95.9% and 91.4%, respectively. The mean follow-up period in the studies was 46.59 ± 15.5 months. AAA-related mortality was 1.3%. Primary technical success was 97.9% and secondary success was 99.3%. Open conversion was required in 3.4% of all patients (0.6% during the primary operation [Prim. Op]). The most common endoleak was type II, reported in 17.4% of all patients. Early type Ia endoleak was reported in 1.5% of patients and late type Ia in 1.7%. Overall, 2 endoleaks type III and 1 type IV were reported. Endograft migration occurred in 1.7% of patients. Main body and/or one/both iliac legs thrombotic occlusion was found totally in 7.6% of patients (5 main body occlusions and 64 iliac leg occlusions). CONCLUSIONS: The use of Anaconda endograft in electively treated patients with infrarenal AAAs presented good results with high technical success and low postoperative and mid-term complications, except for an increased incidence of stent-graft thrombosis, which seems to be the "Achilles heel" of the device.

The effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants compared to conventional pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis in hip fracture patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended as a possible pharmacologic venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, current guidelines did not introduce recommendations for administration of DOACs as an option for pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery (HFS). The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of DOACs administered for pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing HFS to conventional pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis, as well as mortality between these thromboprophylaxis medications. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of multiple electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including patients who were subjected to HFS and prescribed either DOACs as pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis or a conventional VTE prophylaxis drug. We conducted a meta-analysis comparing effectiveness, safety and mortality of these agents between the patient groups studied. Three endpoints were studied. The first one regarding the effectiveness of the agents included clinical manifestations of VTE. The second one regarding the safety of the agents included clinical presentation of bleeding. The latter endpoint studied was mortality of patient groups studied. We generated forest plots to depict the relative risk of the above clinical manifestations between the two studied patient groups and to investigate if there is statistical significance for each patient group to present any of these clinical manifestations. Additionally, we calculated the inconsistency (I2) statistic and assessed the risk of bias of RCTs included in our meta-analysis by using the modified Cochrane collaboration tool. RESULTS: We selected 2 RCTs in this review including 279 patients totally. Patients of control groups in both eligible studies were administered enoxaparin, which is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The meta-analysis found no statistically significant difference between patients prescribed DOACs and patients prescribed LMWH for VTE (95% CI 0.19 to 1.13, RR=0.46, p=0.09), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (95% CI 0.21 to 1.32, RR=0.53, p=0.17) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (95% CI 0.03 to 3.12, RR=0.33, p=0.33), major bleeding events (95% CI 0.57 to 1.78, RR=1.01, p=0.97), minor bleeding events (95% CI 0.72 to 1.64, RR=1.09, p=0.69), all bleeding events (95% CI 0.79 to 1.38, RR=1.05, p=0.74) and mortality (95% CI 0.01 to 8.0, RR=0.33, p=0.5). The major risk of bias of the selected RCTs was the fact that either the researchers or the patients could have knowledge whether the latter were administered DOACs or LMWHs. DISCUSSION: DOACs are not inferior compared to LMWHs regarding their effectiveness, safety and mortality in patients subjected to HFS. Further studies with larger patient samples should be conducted in the future, so that safer results and conclusions could be reached.

Long-Term Effects of Acute Kidney Injury Following Endovascular Femoropopliteal Intervention: Insights From a Multicenter Trial.

PURPOSE: To examine the association between acute kidney injury (AKI) severity and duration with cardiovascular mortality, following endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal disease, and whether it is AKI in itself that confers an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data obtained between 2014 and 2019 from 3 vascular centers. Renal function was followed up for a minimum of 90 days. Electronic records were queried to establish a cause of death, where applicable. Patients were excluded if unable to provide written informed consent or if presenting with acute limb ischemia. Primary outcomes were the hazard ratios for cardiovascular death (AKI patients vs no AKI; no AKI vs stage 1 AKI vs stage 3 AKI; and no AKI vs transient AKI vs established AKI). Propensity score-matched analysis was used to establish whether developing AKI, in patients with similar demographics and procedural characteristics, is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death. RESULTS: Overall 239 patients developed AKI, and this was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (hazard risk [HR]: 4.3, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 2.1-6.8, pairwise comparison p value=0.006]. This was dependent on the severity of the AKI stage (HR 5.4, 95% CI: 2.4-7.3, pairwise comparison p value=0.01) and duration (HR 4.2, 95% CI: 2.3-6.2, pairwise comparison p value=0.04). The propensity score-matched analysis showed that even when patients are matched for comorbidity and procedural characteristics, AKI confers an increased risk of mortality (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Acute kidney injury is common after femoropopliteal endovascular therapy. It confers an increased risk of long-term cardiovascular mortality, which is still present when renal decline is transient, and highest for patients with established decline in renal function. CLINICAL IMPACT: This is the first study in the setting of peripheral arterial disease to show that acute kidney injury has an adverse effect on cardiovascular mortality, in the long-term, that is dependent on its severity, and present even when the AKI is transient. We have also shown that this difference in cardiovascular mortality becomes more pronounced from the medium-term, and thus closer follow-up of these patients is required.

One-year outcomes following primary stenting of infrapopliteal steno-occlusive arterial disease using a non-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent: Results from a prospective single-centre cohort study.

Background: Clinical outcomes using new generation drug-eluting stents designed specifically for infrapopliteal disease are not widely available, especially in comparison to paclitaxel-based therapies. This series reports 1-year outcomes in patients with diabetes and chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) undergoing angioplasty, with a sirolimus-eluting tibial stent (Cre8, Alvimedica, Turkey), evaluating the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this new device. Outcomes were compared to matched patients undergoing infrapopliteal angioplasty using a paclitaxel-coated balloon (DCB). Patients and Methods: Patients with diabetes and CLTI requiring infrapopliteal intervention were recruited prospectively to undergo angioplasty and primary stenting using the Cre8 sirolimus-eluting stent between January 2018 and October 2020 at a single high-volume vascular centre; outcomes were compared to a group of patients with diabetes and CLTI who had undergone infrapopliteal angioplasty using a DCB. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months using a uniform protocol with duplex ultrasound and examination. The primary outcome measure was target lesion patency (<50% restenosis). Clinically driven target lesion revascularisation (CD-TLR), amputations, Rutherford stage, and mortality were also recorded. Results: A total of 54 patients (61 target lesions; median age: 69 years, 74% male) were included [27 with the Cre8 device (main group) vs. 27 with a DCB (historical controls)]. Primary patency at 12 months was 81% in the Cre8 group vs. 71% in the control group (p = 0.498). Overall, four (15%) patients in the Cre8 group vs. three (11%) patients in the control group underwent a major amputation within 12 months (p = 1.0). CD-TLR (all endovascular) did not differ between groups at 12 months (4% Cre8 vs. 10% control group, p = 0.599). Rutherford stage improvement at 12 months was superior for the Cre8 group (52% vs. 15% improved by at least one stage, p = 0.039). One-year mortality was 15% in the Cre8 group vs. 22% in the control group, p = 0.726. Conclusions: Primary stenting with the Cre8 stent is feasible and safe in diabetic patients and CLTI. When compared to patients undergoing angioplasty with a DCB, there were no significant differences regarding primary patency, CD-TLR, major amputations, and mortality at 12 months. Those treated with a Cre8 stent were more likely to have an improvement in their Rutherford stage.

Obstructive Jaundice Caused by a Large Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice caused by abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an extremely rare clinical presentation. We present an 85-year-old male with a large intact AAA causing obstructive jaundice and review the relevant literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patient was referred to our hospital with jaundice and a palpable pulsatile abdominal mass. Computerized tomography (CT) angiogram and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed an infrarenal AAA with maximal diameter of 8.5 cm compressing the pancreatic head and common bile duct, causing obstructive jaundice with elevated levels of total, and direct bilirubin. The patient was subjected to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Blood bilirubin gradually decreased to normal levels. No complications were reported during the immediate postoperative and at 3-month follow up period. Literature review suggests that our case is one of the largest intact AAAs which have been reported to cause biliary obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: AAAs causing secondary obstructive jaundice is an uncommon clinical presentation requiring high clinical suspicion during differential diagnosis, so that patients can receive proper and early diagnosis and treatment.

Polymer Free Amphilimus Drug Eluting Stent for Infrapopliteal Arterial Disease in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia: A New Device in the Armamentarium.

Background and Objectives: Endovascular technologies have significantly improved the outcome of patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Drug eluting stents (DES) have documented their efficacy against percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and bare metal stents (BMS) in infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease. However, late in-stent neoatherosclerosis may lead to vascular lumen loss and eventually thrombosis. Polymer free DES constitute a new technology aiming to improve long term patency which their action is still under investigation. The purpose of this study is to report the mechanism of action and to provide a literature review of a novel polymer free amphilimus eluting stent (Cre8, Alvimedica, Instabul, Turkey) in infrapopliteal arterial disease. Methods: Publications listed in electronic databases, European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database, as well as scientific programmes of recent interventional vascular conferences were searched. Three studies were included. We analyzed primary and secondary patency, major amputation rate, freedom from CD-TLR, and mortality. Results: Cre8 was implanted in 79 patients with CLI. Most of the patients (n = 65) were Rutherford class 5-6 (82.3%), and diabetes mellitus (DM) was present in 66 patients (83.5%). Mean primary patency was 82.5% at 12 months. Mean lesion stented length was 20 mm and 35 mm in two studies. Mean limb salvage was 91.3% at 12 months. Freedom from CD-TLR was reported in two out of the three studies and was 96% and 83.8%. Mortality was 15% and 23.8% in the same studies, whilst it was not reported in one study. Conclusion: Stenting of infrapopliteal arteries with Cre8 is safe and feasible in patients with CLI and diabetes. All studies have shown very good primary patency and freedom from CD-TLR at 12 and 24 months. Larger observational prospective studies and randomized trials are necessary to establish long term effectiveness and clinical outcomes using the non-polymer Cre8 DES.

Position Paper on Young Vascular Surgeons Training of the Mediterranean Federation for the Advancing of Vascular Surgery (MeFAVS): State of the Art and Perspectives.

The Mediterranean Federation for the Advancing of Vascular Surgery (MeFAVS) was founded in 2018, with the aim to promote cooperation among vascular professionals within Mediterranean countries. Due to its prominent social and economic impact on national health systems, diabetic peripheral artery was selected as the very first topic to be investigated by the federation. In this second paper, different experiences from delegates of participating countries were shared to define common strategies to harmonize, standardize, and optimize education and training in the Vascular Surgery specialty.

Thirty-Day Results of the Novel CGuard-Covered Stent in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide early-term evaluation, safety, and efficacy of the novel CGuard (Inspire MD, Tel Aviv, Israel) micromesh self-expanding stent with embolic protection system (EPS) during carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent CAS with CGuard carotid stent system from January 2018 to September 2020 in a tertiary center were prospectively evaluated. Primary endpoints included technical success and perioperative neurological events (0-48 hours). Secondary endpoint was the rate of neurologic, cardiac events, and death (major adverse event or MAE) at 30 days. Patency of CGuard, peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were evaluated at 30 days with duplex ultrasound. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients underwent CAS procedure. Forty patients were symptomatic, and 63 patients were asymptomatic with stenosis greater than 70%. Technical success was 100%. Local anesthesia was applied in 94 patients (93%). Embolic protection devices were used in 6 patients (5.8%). Access site complications were 1.9%. Mean internal carotid artery stenosis diameter reduced from 79.47% to 14.68%. Two patients had transient ischemic attack (1.9%) and 1 patient experienced a cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) perioperatively. External carotid artery (ECA) occlusion occurred in 1.9%. Four patients experienced jaw claudication (3.8%) postoperatively. Mean time of operation was 41 minutes. Mean duration of hospitalization was 3.1 days. The 30-day rate of MAE was 0%. CGuard patency was 100%, mean internal carotid PSV was reduced from 251.57 to 77.29 cm/s, and mean internal carotid EDV was reduced from 154.62 to 24.63 cm/s at 30 days. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that CGuard stent with EPS is an effective and safe device for treatment of carotid artery stenosis with acceptable low perioperative neurologic events, even with low embolic protection device usage. Larger multicenter and randomized studies are necessary to confirm its long-term efficacy.

Outcomes of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Using the Anaconda Stent-Graft.

Purpose: To report outcomes of elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using the Anaconda stent-graft in a tertiary vascular center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 271 patients (mean age 71.5 years; 260 men) who underwent elective EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysm using the Anaconda stent-graft from January 2006 to January 2017. Median aneurysm diameter was 58 mm (range 50-90). All patients were anatomically suitable for EVAR according to the 2003 version of the instructions for use. Follow-up included computed tomography angiography at 1, 6, and 12 months and yearly thereafter for the first 4 years and then every 2 years. Primary outcomes included technical success and 30-day aneurysm-related mortality and complications; secondary outcomes were overall and aneurysm-related mortality and aneurysm-related morbidity in follow-up. Results: The Anaconda stent-graft was implanted successfully in all patients. Primary and secondary technical success rates were 99.6% and 100%, respectively. Three patients (1.1%) died within 30 days of causes unrelated to the aneurysm, while 15 patients (5.5%) suffered perioperative complications. Median follow-up was 72 months (range 14-141). The overall type I endoleak rate was 4.7% (11 proximal, 2 distal). Late aneurysm-related complications were observed in 48 patients (17.3%); aneurysm-related mortality was 1.4% (n=4). Non-aneurysm-related mortality was 21.0% (n=57). Freedom from reintervention was 95.2% at 1 year, 98% at 2 years, and 90% at 6 years. There was no significant difference in the overall limb graft occlusion rate between the second- and third-generation devices. Conclusion: Results in our cohort study demonstrate that the Anaconda stent-graft has satisfactory early and late results with low aneurysm-related mortality.

Hybrid Repair of Distal Aortic Arch Dissection Aneurysm With Dissected Kommerell Diverticulum.

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) with associated Kommerell diverticulum (KD) is a rare congenital aortic arch anomaly. Patients with KD have a high risk of rupture, dissection, compression of adjacent structures, as well as distal embolization symptoms. Several treatment options have been proposed (surgical, hybrid, endovascular), however, a consensus regarding optimal surgical management has not been established yet. We present a successful single-stage hybrid repair of distal aortic arch dissection aneurysm with dissecting KD and ARSA with debranching of innominate and left common carotid artery, bilateral carotid-subclavian bypass, and stent grafting.

Inferior gluteal artery surgical access for embolization of large internal iliac artery aneurysm in a hostile abdomen.

INTRODUCTION: Internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAA) are a rare entity compared with all aortoiliac aneurysms. Continuous expansion due to retrograde flow from runoff vessels can lead to rupture with devastating results. Exclusion of the aneurysm represents a challenging procedure especially if the access is limited and the patient has a history of reoperations in the pelvic region. CASE: A 78-year-old man with a history of endovascular aortic repair, coverage of internal iliac arteries and right hemicolectomy for adenocarcinoma of ascending colon presented with a rapidly expanding right IIAA (8.8 cm) due to type II endoleak. He successfully treated with coil embolization through inferior gluteal artery surgical access. CONCLUSION: Inferior gluteal artery surgical access for embolization of internal iliac aneurysms in patients with hostile abdomen or in cases where antegrade route has already been excluded, is a feasible technique.

Endovascular Stent-graft Repair of Combined Renal Artery Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Fistula.

Renal artery aneurysm with concomitant presence of arteriovenous fistula is an extremely rare entity. Few reports have been described in the literature. Nowadays, endovascular repair with covered stents or transarterial embolization with coils or glue has become the first line of treatment. We present the successful repair of a distal renal artery aneurysm combined with arteriovenous fistula with stent graft.

Aortic Arch Floating Thrombus Complicated by Distal Embolization in a Patient with Malignancy.

Free floating thrombus of aortic arch in a minimally atherosclerotic or nonaneurysmal aorta is a rare disease entity which carries a potential risk of distal embolization with catastrophic consequences. We present the case of a 52-years-old patient with ovarian cancer and aortic arch floating thrombus who initially managed with low molecular weight heparin and eventually undergone surgical thrombectomy of left external iliac and common femoral artery due to acute ischemia of left lower leg.

Endovascular Repair for a Ruptured AAA due to a Combined Type IIIb and Ia Endoleak.

We report a case of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) caused by a combined type IIIb and Ia endoleak. Also, we propose the mechanism that resulted in this combined endoleak. Specifically, a 71-year old-man, with a previous history of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for an AAA, was diagnosed with a contained rupture. CT scan depicted a type Ia endoleak and a migrated Talent endograft. A proximal aortic cuff sealed the endoleak, but intraoperative angiography revealed that a type IIIb endoleak coexisted due to fabric tear close to the Talent bifurcation. A second aortic cuff could not seal the fabric tear; so, in-lay parallel limbs were sequentially deployed as a "kissing endograft" technique inside the cuff. Simultaneous treatment of combined type IIIb and Ia endoleaks has not yet been described. Maybe the type IIIb endoleak is the primary entity causing sac enlargement, neck recontouring, proximal migration, and ultimately type Ia endoleak, which leads to huge enlargement and rupture. Placement of an aortic cuff to seal the proximal endoleak/migration and kissing endografts limbs for the fabric tear seems a safe option in such patients.

"Bailout" Endovascular Treatment of Acute Aortic Occlusion.

A 37-year-old man who had a recent history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 3 months ago presented to the emergency department with acute ischemia of lower limbs. A CT aortography was performed, where left ventricle thrombi and acute thromboembolic occlusion of aortoiliac bifurcation were depicted. He was urgently transferred to the operation theatre, where Fogarty embolectomy was initially unsuccessful. He was managed by primary deployment of balloon expandable (BE) covered stents in the aortic bifurcation followed by thrombectomy of the left ventricle (LV) under extracorporeal circulation by cardiothoracic surgeons 2 days after initial operation. He was discharged in good general condition after 20 days under warfarin and aspirin therapy.

Endovascular Repair of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Trauma: Is Postimplant Hypertension an Incidental Finding?

BACKGROUND: Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is the second most common cause of death in trauma patients. Nowadays, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become the treatment of choice because of lower rates of mortality, paraplegia, and stroke. However, concerns have been raised whether graft implantation is related to the development of hypertension in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to report short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing TEVAR for BTAIs at a tertiary hospital and to investigate postimplant hypertension. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2016, 23 patients with blunt thoracic aortic trauma underwent TEVAR. Median age was 44 years (range, 18-73). Among them, 14 (60.9%) patients were diagnosed with aortic rupture, whereas 9 (39.1%) with pseudoaneurysm. Α single thoracic stent graft was deployed in 21 patients, and the rest 2 patients received 2 stent grafts. RESULTS: Complete exclusion of the injury was feasible in all subjects (100% primary success). The left subclavian artery (SCA) was intentionally covered in 6 patients (26%). Intraoperative complications included one nonfatal stroke managed conservatively and one external iliac artery rupture treated with iliofemoral bypass. One patient (4.3%) died on the first postoperative day in the intensive care unit (ICU) because of hemorrhagic shock. The overall 30-day mortality and morbidity were 4.3% and 8.7%, respectively. New-onset postimplantation arterial hypertension was observed in 8 (34.8%) previously nonhypertensive patients. Younger age (P = 0.027) and SCA coverage (P = 0.01) were identified as potential risk factors for the development of postimplant hypertension, whereas the presence of concomitant injuries (P = 0.3) and intraoperative complications (P = 0.1) were not. After a median follow-up of 100 months (range, 18-120), 6 of them still remain on antihypertensive therapy, whereas the other 2 did not require permanent treatment. CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR is a safe approach in the treatment of BTAI associated with low short- and long-term morbidity and mortality rates. Lower age and SCA coverage may contribute to the development of postimplant hypertension. Further larger cohort studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of postimplant hypertension.

Prognostic Factors in Patients Treated with Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study is to report real-life experience on the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) with a specific drug-coated balloon (DCB), and to evaluate potential prognostic factors for outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study reporting outcomes in patients with PAD who were treated with the Lutonix DCB during a four-year period. Major outcomes included: all-cause mortality, amputation, clinical improvement, wound healing and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Mean follow-up was 24.2±2.3 months. RESULTS: Overall, 149 patients (mean age: 68.6±8.3 years; 113 males) were treated, either for intermittent claudication (IC) (n=86) or critical limb ischemia (CLI) (n=63). More than half the target lesions (n=206 in total) were located in the superficial femoral artery and 18.0% were below-the-knee lesions. CLI patients presented more frequently with infrapopliteal (P=0.002) or multilevel disease (P=0.0004). Overall, all-cause mortality during follow-up was 10.7%, amputation-free survival was 81.2% and TLR-free survival was 96.6%. CLI patients showed higher all-cause mortality (P=0.007) and total amputation (P=0.0001) rates as well as lower clinical improvement (P=0.0002), compared to IC patients. Coronary artery disease (CAD), gangrene and infrapopliteal disease were found to be predictors for death whereas CLI and gangrene were found to be predictors for amputation, during follow-up. CONCLUSION: PAD treatment with Lutonix DCBs seems to be an efficient and safe endovascular strategy yielding promising results. However, CAD, gangrene, CLI and infrapopliteal lesions were found to be independent predictors for adverse outcomes. Larger series are needed to identify additional prognostic factors.