[Recommendations for the specialist further training of nursing personnel on intensive care units in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: results of a modified Delphi procedure with experts]. / Empfehlungen zur Fachweiterbildung von Pflegefachpersonen der Intensivstation bei der Behandlung des Bauchaortenaneurysmas: Ergebnisse eines modifizierten Delphi-Verfahrens mit Expert:innen.

INTRODUCTION: The medical development in the previous 15 years and the changes in treatment reality of the comprehensive elective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms necessitate a re-evaluation of the quality assurance guidelines of the Federal Joint Committee in Germany (QBAA-RL). In the current version this requires a specialist further training quota for nursing personnel in intensive care wards of 50%. The quota was determined in 2008 based on expert opinions, although a direct empirical evidence base for this does not exist. METHODS: Representatives from the fields of patient representation, physicians, nursing personnel and other relevant interface areas were invited to participate in a modified Delphi procedure. Following a comprehensive narrative literature search, a survey and focus group discussions with national and international experts, a total of three anonymized online-based voting rounds were carried out for which previously determined key statements were assessed with a 4­point Likert scale (totally disagree up to totally agree). In addition, the expert panel had also defined a recommendation for a minimum quota for the specialist training of nursing personnel on intensive care wards in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms, whereby an a priori agreement of 80% of the participants was defined as the consensus limit. RESULTS: Overall, 37 experts participated in the discussions and three successive voting rounds (participation rate 89%). The panel confirmed the necessity of a re-evaluation of the guideline recommendations and recommended the introduction of a shift-related minimum quota of 30% of the full-time equivalent of nursing personnel on intensive care wards and the introduction of structured promotional programs for long-term elevation of the quota. CONCLUSION: In this national Delphi procedure with medical and nursing experts as well as representatives of patients, the fundamental benefits and needs of professional specialist qualifications in the field of intensive care medicine were confirmed. The corresponding minimum quota for specialist further training of intensive care nursing personnel should generally apply without limitations to specific groups. The expert panel stipulates a shift-related minimum quota for intensive care nursing personnel with specialist training of 30% of the nursing personnel on intensive care wards and the obligatory introduction of structured and transparent promotion programs for the long-term enhancement.

FORWARD Study of GORE VIABAHN Balloon-Expandable Endoprostheses and Bare Metal Stents in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand When Placed to Treat Complex Iliac Occlusive Disease: Protocol for a Randomized Superiority Trial.

BACKGROUND: The recommendations for the use of and selection of covered stent grafts in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease are limited. OBJECTIVE: The GORE VBX FORWARD clinical study aims to demonstrate the superiority of the GORE VIABAHN VBX Balloon Expandable Endoprosthesis (VBX device) for primary patency when compared to bare metal stenting (BMS) for the treatment of complex iliac artery occlusive disease. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, randomized control study in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand will enroll patients with symptomatic, complex iliac artery occlusive disease. In this study, iliac artery occlusive disease is defined as a unilateral or bilateral disease with single or multiple lesions (with >50% stenosis or chronic total occlusion) each between 4 and 11 cm in length. In an attempt to more closely match real-world practices, patients with minor tissue loss (Rutherford class 5) and patients requiring hemodialysis will be included. Baseline aortoiliac angiography will be performed to assess target lesion characteristics and determine final patient eligibility. Once the patient is confirmed and guidewires are in place across the target lesions, the patient will be randomized in a 1:1 format to treatment with either the VBX device or a BMS. The BMS can be balloon- or self-expanding and must be approved for the iliac artery occlusive disease indication. Patients, the independent core laboratory reviewers, and Clinical Events Committee members will be blinded from the assigned treatment. Dual antithrombotic medical therapy is required through a minimum of 3 months post procedure. The primary end point is 12­month primary patency and will be adjudicated by an independent imaging core laboratory and Clinical Events Committee. Key secondary end points will be tested for superiority and include technical, acute procedural, and clinical success; changes in Ankle-brachial index; patient quality of life; primary patency; freedom from restenosis; primary-assisted patency; secondary patency; freedom from target lesion revascularizations; cumulative reintervention rate; amputation-free survival; survival; and change in Rutherford category. Study follow-up will continue through 5 years. RESULTS: Outcomes will be reported following study completion. Enrollment is anticipated to start in October 2023. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will provide definitive, level 1 clinical evidence to clinicians on the optimal choice of stent device to use for the treatment of complex iliac artery occlusive disease. The FORWARD study is powered for superiority and includes only complex, unilateral, or bilateral lesions involving the common or external iliac arteries. This study is a multidisciplinary endeavor involving vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, and interventional radiology across multiple countries with a blinded core laboratory review of end points in hopes that the outcomes will be widely accepted and incorporated into practice guidelines for optimal treatment of patients with complex iliac artery occlusive disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05811364; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05811364. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/51480.

How German vascular surgeons and angiologists judge walking exercise for patients with PAD.

Background: To determine the physician's perspective and perception on walking exercise as well as barriers in guideline-directed best medical treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients and methods: All members of the German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine and of the German Society for Angiology - Society for Vascular Medicine with valid email address were invited to participate in an electronic survey on walking exercise for treatment of intermittent claudication that was developed by the authors. Results: Amongst 3910 invited participants, 743 (19%) provided valid responses (33% females, 84% vascular surgery, 15% angiology). Thereof, 65% were employed by non-university hospitals, 16% by university institutions, and 18% by outpatient facilities. A mean of 14 minutes were spent per patient to counsel and educate, while only 53% responded they had enough time in everyday clinical practice. While 98% were aware of the beneficial impact of structured exercise training (SET) on pain free walking distance and 90% advise their patients to adhere to SET, only 44% provided useful guidance to patients to find local SET programmes and merely 42% knew how to prescribe SET as service that can be reimbursed by medical insurances. Approximately 35% knew a local SET programme and appropriate contact person. Health-related quality of life was assessed in a structured way by only 11%. Forty-seven percent responded that medical insurances should be responsible to implement and maintain SET programmes, while only 4% held hospital physicians responsible to achieve this task. Conclusions: This nationwide survey study amongst vascular specialists illustrates the current insufficient utilisation of SET as an evidence-based therapeutic cornerstone in patients with lower extremity PAD in Germany. The study also identified several barriers and flaws from the physician's perspectives which should be addressed collectively by all health care providers aiming to increase the SET use and eventually its' impact on patients with PAD.

Outcomes of endovascular repair of infrarenal penetrating aortic ulcers.

Background: To report technical success as well as perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of penetrating abdominal aortic ulcers ≤35 mm in diameter (PAU). Patients and methods: The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) quality registry of the German institute for vascular research (DIGG) was used to identify patients with standard EVAR for infrarenal PAU ≤35 mm between 1/1/2019 and 12/31/2021. Infectious, traumatic, inflammatory PAUs, PAUs associated with connective tissue disease, PAUs following aortic dissection as well as true aneurysms were excluded. Demographics, cardiovascular comorbidity, technical success as well as perioperative morbidity and mortality were determined. Results: Amongst 11 537 patients who underwent EVAR during the study period, 405 with PAU ≤35 mm were eligible from 95 participating hospitals across Germany (22% women, 20.5% octogenarians). The median aortic diameter was 30 mm (Interquartile range 27-33). Cardiovascular comorbidities were frequent with coronary artery disease (34.8%), chronic heart failure (30.9%), history of myocardial infarction (19.8%), hypertension (76.8%), diabetes (21.7%), smoking (20.8%), history of stroke (9.4%), symptomatic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (20%), chronic kidney disease (10.4%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9.6%). Most patients were asymptomatic (89.9%). Among the symptomatic patients, 13 presented with distal embolization (3.2%) and 3 with contained ruptures (0.7%). Technical success of endovascular repair was 98.3%. Both, percutaneous (37.1%) or femoral cut-down access approaches (58.5%) were registered. Endoleaks of any type were present with type 1 (0.5%), type 2 (6.4%) and type 3 (0.3%) endoleaks. Overall mortality was 0.5%. Perioperative complications occurred in 12 patients (3.0%). Conclusions: According to this registry data, endovascular repair of PAU is technically feasible with acceptable perioperative outcomes, but further studies investigating mid- and long-term data are needed before invasive treatment of PAU disease in an elderly and comorbid patient population should be recommended.

[Perioperative lethality after endovascular and open repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: An analysis of administrative data of the AOK health insurance fund]. / Zur perioperativen Letalität des rupturierten Bauchaortenaneurysmas nach endovaskulärer und offener Versorgung: eine Analyse von Routinedaten der AOK Gesundheit.

OBJECTIVE: In this paper we will report the perioperative outcome after endovascular (EVAR) and open (OAR) repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) in Germany based on data of the AOK health insurance fund. METHODS: Anonymised data of all patients with rAAA (n = 3,227) who were treated from 01/01/2010 to 12/31/2016 were analysed, using SPSS 27 (IBM Deutschland GmbH, Ehningen, Germany). RESULTS: 41.9% (1,353/3,227) of the patients were treated with EVAR and 58.1% (1,874/3,227) with OAR. Patients ≥80 years made up 38.4% for EVAR and 32.9% for OAR (p = 0.002). The proportion of patients undergoing surgery within 24 hours after admission was significantly higher for OAR (87.8%) than for EVAR (73.0%) (p = 0.000). The perioperative lethality rate for OAR was 42.4%, and thus almost twice as high as for EVAR with 21.3% (p = 0.000). Women had higher perioperative lethality rates for both EVAR (perioperative lethality 24.6%) and OAR (perioperative lethality 51.7%) compared to men with 20.6% (EVAR) and 40.2% (OAR), respectively. With EVAR, 35.8% of the patients showed a complication-free postoperative course, with OAR it was 17.7% (p = 0.000). Blood transfusions (whole blood, red cell concentrates, and autotransfusions) were administered in 57.6% of the patients with EVAR, but in 92.3% with OAR (p = 0.000). The highest perioperative lethality was found in EVAR and OAR patients who received both surgery within 24 hours after admission and blood transfusions (perioperative lethality EVAR 36.0%, OAR 46.0%; p = 0.000). In contrast, patients who did not require blood transfusions and were treated later than 24 hours after admission had the lowest perioperative lethality with 3.2% for EVAR vs. 5.4% for OAR (p = 0.623). CONCLUSION: The data confirm the observation that the perioperative mortality of rAAA patients is lower with EVAR than with OAR. However, strict attention must be paid to the time of the intervention. The low perioperative lethality of patients who were treated later than 24 hours after hospital admission and who did not require blood transfusions indicates that cases of symptomatic AAA without rupture have also been recorded in this administrative database under the diagnosis rAAA. One point of criticism is that the decision not to adjust for the patient groups with EVAR and with OAR in order to be able to better analyse the properties of routine data includes a considerable risk of bias in the statements of this work due to confounding variables.

Impact of chronic kidney disease on the outcomes of infrapopliteal venous, and heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypass surgeries: A retrospective cohort study.

The aim of this study was to analyze the results of infrapopliteal venous and prosthetic bypass surgeries for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD). All consecutive patients undergoing infrapopliteal bypass surgeries at two academic vascular centers between March 2002 and November 2018 were included in this retrospective study. During this timeframe, infrapopliteal grafts were performed for 487 patients. Of these patients, 160 (32.9%; group 1) had normal renal function, 248 (50.9%; group 2) had moderate CKD, and 79 (16.2%; group 3) had severe CKD according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. After 5 years' follow-up, the primary patency rate was 46.0% and the secondary patency rate was 54.9% without statistical significance noted between the CKD groups. Limb salvage (65.3%, p = 0.024) and long-term survival (19.6%, p < 0.001) were considerably lower in patients with severe CKD. In subgroup analysis, vein grafts had significantly better long-term patency rates compared to prosthetic grafts, regardless of CKD group. However, in patients with severe CKD, patency rates of vein and heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (HePTFE) grafts were comparable at the 1-year mark. Our study shows that autologous vein grafts remain the first choice for infrapopliteal bypass surgeries in patients with CKD. HePTFE grafts showed good short-term results in patients with severe CKD. Given the short life expectancy of these high-risk patients, prosthetic HePTFE grafts may be reasonable in this population if a suitable vein is absent.

Midterm outcome of biosynthetic collagen prosthesis for treating aortic and peripheral prosthetic graft infections.

OBJECTIVES: To report the midterm outcomes of treating prosthetic peripheral and aortic graft infections using a biosynthetic collagen prosthesis in a tertiary vascular center. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients with prosthetic peripheral and aortic graft infections who underwent in situ reconstruction using a biosynthetic collagen prosthesis between March 2015 and November 2020 was conducted. Perioperative and midterm outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A biosynthetic collagen prosthesis was used in 19 patients (14 males, median age 66 years) to reconstruct the femoral artery (n = 6), iliac artery (n = 1), and infrarenal aorta (n = 12). All patients were treated for a prosthetic vascular graft infection. The median follow-up period was 26.6 months (range 1-66 months). The 30-day graft failure rate was 15.7% (n = 3), leading to a major amputation in one patient (5.3%). All grafts were occluded aortofemoral reconstructions in patients with occluded superficial femoral artery and were treated by immediate thrombectomy. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.3% (n = 1), and survival after 3 years was 63.2%. The reinfection rate was 5.3% (n = 1). At 13.6 months, the occlusion of a femoral graft was detected in 5.3% (n = 1) and was treated with a new interposition graft. We observed no graft rupture or degeneration during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although results of in situ repair with autologous vein seem to be superior with little or none reinfection and low number of occlusions, biosynthetic collagen prostheses show acceptable midterm outcomes in terms of graft occlusion and mortality after prosthetic peripheral and aortic graft infections. Similar to other xenogenous materials, the reinfection rate is low with this prosthesis. With regard to immediate availability and easy handling, the use of a biosynthetic collagen prosthesis might be favorable compared to other replacement materials while treating prosthetic graft infections.

Short and long-term outcome after common femoral artery hybrid procedure in patients with intermittent claudication and chronic limb threatening ischemia.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between the outcomes of patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) who underwent a hybrid procedure comprising common femoral artery endarterectomy and endovascular therapy. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective single-center study of all patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) who underwent the hybrid procedure between March 2007 and August 2018. The primary endpoint was primary patency after 7 years. The secondary endpoints were primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and survival. Results: During the follow-up period, 427 limbs in 409 patients were treated. A total of 267 and 160 patients presented with clinical signs of IC and CLTI, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 1.4% (IC: 0% vs. CLTI: 3.8%, p=0.001). The overall 30-day major amputation rate was 1.6% (IC: 0% vs. CLTI: 4.4, p=0.001). The rates of primary and secondary patency after 7 years were 63% and 94%, respectively, in the IC group and 57% and 88%, respectively, in the CLTI group; the difference was not significant. Limb salvage (94% vs. 82%, p=0.000) and survival (58% vs. 29%, p=0.000) were significantly higher in the IC group. In a multivariate analysis, CLTI was the only risk factor for major amputation. CLTI and single vessel run-off were risk factors for death. Statin therapy was a protective factor. Conclusions: The hybrid procedure provides excellent results as a treatment option for multilevel lesions in patients with PAD. However, patients with CLTI had a shorter long-term survival and lower limb salvage rate.

Long-Term Outcome of Common Femoral Artery Endarterectomy In Octogenarians and Non-Octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: Arteriosclerotic disease of the common femoral artery can be treated by surgical or endovascular intervention. Elderly patients are said to have a worse outcome if treated by surgical means; however, data to support this theory are missing. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent common femoral artery endarterectomy between March 2007 and July 2018 in our clinic. Group 1 included all patients <80 years and Group 2 included all patients ⩾80 years. Endpoints were patency rates, limb salvage, and overall survival. RESULTS: During this time period, 977 common femoral artery endarterectomies were performed. Indication was claudication in 61.5% and critical limb ischemia in 38.5%. Group 1 included 805 cases (82.4%) and Group 2 included 172 cases (17.6%). Thirty-day mortality was 2.7% (Group 1 = 1.6% versus Group 2 = 7.6%; p < 0.001) and 30-day major amputation was 1.1% (Group 1 = 0.7% versus Group 2 = 2.9%; p = .043). Primary patency and secondary patency were 84.2% and 96.8%, respectively, after 7 years. Limb salvage (93.7%, Group 1 = 94.1% versus Group 2 = 91.8%; p = .088) and overall survival (52.0%, Group 1 = 59.1% versus Group 2 = 15.7%; p = .006) were significantly different after the same time period. Multivariable analysis showed female gender to be a risk factor for loss of primary patency. Age ⩾ 80 years and ulcer or gangrene were risk factors for death. Statin use was beneficial to survival. CONCLUSIONS: Common femoral artery endarterectomy is a safe procedure with excellent long-term results. Octogenarians have an increased risk for perioperative mortality and major amputation.

Bypass Grafting vs Endovascular Therapy in Patients With Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CRITISCH Registry).

Purpose: To report the outcomes of bypass grafting (BG) vs endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Materials and Methods: The CRITISCH Registry is a prospective, national, interdisciplinary, multicenter registry evaluating the current practice of all available treatment options in 1200 consecutive CLTI patients. For the purposes of this analysis, only the 337 patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD treated by either BG (n=86; median 78 years, 48 men) or EVT (n=251; median age 80 years, 135 men) were analyzed. The primary composite outcome was amputation-free survival (AFS); secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and amputation-free time (AFT). All outcomes were evaluated in Cox proportional hazards models; the results are reported as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The Cox regression analysis revealed a significantly greater hazard of amputation or death after BG (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.03, p=0.028). The models for AFT and overall survival also suggested a higher hazard for BG, but the differences were not significant (AFT: HR 1.66, 95% CI 0.78 to 3.53, p=0.188; OS: HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.47, p=0.348). The absence of runoff vessels (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.60, p=0.008) was associated with a decreased AFS. The likelihood of amputation was higher in male patients (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.10 to 4.45, p=0.027) and was associated with a lack of runoff vessels (HR 1.95, 95% CI 0.96 to 3.95, p=0.065) and myocardial infarction (HR 3.74, 95% CI 1.23 to 11.35, p=0.020). Death was more likely in patients without runoff vessels (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.80, p=0.016) and those with a higher risk score (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.91, p=0.038). Conclusion: This analysis suggested that BG was associated with poorer AFS than EVT in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD and CLTI. Male sex, previous myocardial infarction, and the absence of runoff vessels were additionally identified as predictors of poorer outcomes.

Improved stability of steerable sheath access by femoro-femoral crossover wire in branched stent graft repair of complex thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe a technique to catheterize antegrade branches of a branched aortic endograft by using a steerable sheath stabilized by a through-and-through wire via a femoral access. TECHNIQUE: After implantation of a branched endovascular graft, a steerable 8.5 F sheath is advanced from the femoral access. After placing the sheath proximal to the branches, a 0.014″ through-and-through wire is established to the contralateral femoral access which is held under slight traction after the curved tip of the sheath is brought into the 180° position. Then catheterization, wire exchange and deployment of the bridging stent is done in standard fashion. CONCLUSION: The use of a through-and-through wire with a steerable sheath for retrograde femoral access adds stability and precision to this technique. It has the potential to reduce the risk of preoperative stroke in complex aortic endovascular repair by avoiding upper extremity access.

Treatment of Lymphatic Complications after Common Femoral Artery Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzes the outcome of lymphatic complications after a standard vascular procedure. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including patients who had a lymphatic complication after endarterectomy and patch of the common femoral artery in our clinic between March 2007 and June 2018. Therapy of choice was selected according to wound situation and amount of lymphatic liquid. If signs of a wound infection occurred, a surgical therapy was performed; in all other cases a nonsurgical treatment (conservative treatment, radiotherapy) was chosen. RESULTS: We performed 977 index operations, a lymphatic complication occurred in 112 cases (11.5%). In 69 cases the lymphatic complication presented as lymphatic fistula (Group 1), in 43 cases as lymphorrhea from the wound (Group 2). Nonsurgical treatment was done in 66 cases (Group 1: 76.8% vs. Group 2: 30.2%; P < 0.000), and a surgical treatment was necessary in 46 cases (Group 1: 23.2% vs. Group 2: 69.8%; P < 0.000). Indication for surgery was Szilagyi 1 infection in 25 cases, Szilagyi 2 infection in 11 cases, and Szilagyi 3 infection in 10 cases. Patients with Szilagyi 1 infections received negative wound pressure therapy (NWPT). A muscle flap in combination with an NWPT was performed in patients with Szilagyi 2 infections. In Szilagyi 3 infections, the patch was replaced; additionally, a muscle flap and an NWPT were performed. The median hospital stay was 13 days in the nonsurgical group and 22.5 days in the surgical group. We had no bleeding complications and no reinfection during follow-up. The median observation period was 23.0 months. Age ≥80 years was associated with an increased risk for lymphatic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The therapy of lymphatic complications should be done in accordance with clinical symptoms. A nonsurgical treatment is often sufficient. However, in cases of a wound infection different surgical treatments are necessary.

Results of hybrid procedures for treatment of aortoiliac Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II D lesions with self-expanding covered heparin-bonded stent grafts.

BACKGROUND: According to the guidelines aortoiliac TASC D lesions should be treated by bypass. The purpose of this study was to examine the results of hybrid procedures with the use of a self-expanding covered heparin-bonded stent graft (Viabahn) in patients with extensive aorto-iliac lesions who were not considered to be suitable for open aorto-iliac surgery. METHODS: All patients who received a hybrid procedure in combination with a Viabahn stent in our clinic to treat aortoiliac lesions between October 2011 and April 2017 were included in this retrospective analysis. Study endpoints were primary patency, amputation-free survival (AFS) and major adverse limb event (MALE) free survival after 2 years. RESULTS: We included 23 hybrid procedures (endarterectomy of the common femoral artery or cross over bypass and aortoiliac stent) in 20 patients (median age 59 years). Indication was critical limb ischemia in 70.0%. The reasons why patients were on high risk for alternative open aortoiliac revascularization were hostile abdomen in 35.0%, cardiopulmonary contraindications in 35%, cancer in 10.0%, age >80 years in 10.0% and alcoholic cirrhosis in 10.0%. The 30-day mortality was 15.0%, the major amputation rate was 4.3%. We had no early graft occlusion. After 2 years primary patency was 100%, AFS 58.2% and MALE free survival 95.7%. CONCLUSIONS: A hybrid procedure with the use of a Viabahn stent in severe aortoiliac pathologies showed good patency results in this selected patient group. Therefore, it should be considered a feasible alternative to aortoiliac bypass surgery in surgical high-risk patients.

Remote iliac artery endarterectomy with selective stent use at the proximal dissection zone in TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus C and D lesions.

BACKGROUND: Remote iliac artery endarterectomy (RIAE) is a challenging technique in the treatment of arterial occlusive disease. The impact of proximal transection zone stenting on patency rates is still unclear. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent RIAE in our hospital between March 2007 and October 2017. A stent was used in cases with a dissection flap or a stenosis at the proximal transection zone after RIAE. In all other cases, we did not use a stent. Study end points were patency rates, limb salvage, and survival after 5 years. RESULTS: There were 115 RIAEs performed in 108 patients. All lesions were TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus C (61.7%) or D (38.3%) lesions. The median follow-up time was 38.5 months (range, 0-117 months). The indications were claudication in 67.0% and critical limb ischemia in 33.0%. Group 1 (n = 56) included all patients without a stent; group 2 (n = 59) included all patients with stenting of the proximal dissection zone. Risk factors were similar between the groups. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates between the groups were not significantly different. The primary patency rate was 81.6% (group 1, 76.2%; group 2, 87.6%; P = .286), the primary assisted patency rate was 91.9% (group 1, 94.0%; group 2, 90.0%; P = .512), and the secondary patency rate was 93.8% (group 1, 94.0%; group 2, 91.6%; P = .435) after 5 years. Limb salvage (97.2%; group 1, 100%; group 2, 94.5%; P = .084) and survival time (57.1%; group 1, 66.7%; group 2, 43.5%; P = .170) were also not significantly different between the groups. A restenosis at the transection zone occurred in 14.3% in group 1 and 1.7% in group 2 (P = .013) during follow-up. A newly formed occlusion of the hypogastric artery was seen in 5.2% of patients after RIAE. CONCLUSIONS: RIAE is a safe procedure with excellent patency rates. However, the restenosis rate is higher in cases without stenting.

[Management of Endograft Infection After EVAR and TEVAR - a Case Series and Literature Review]. / Management von Stentprotheseninfektionen nach EVAR und TEVAR ­ Fallserie und Literaturübersicht.

Introduction Endograft infection after EVAR (Endovascular aortic repair) or TEVAR (Thoracic endovascular aortic repair) is a rare but severe complication with high mortality. As the number of patients with endovascular aneurysm repair has increased over the last decade, the number of patients with endograft infection might also have increased. However, no guideline defines the treatment of endograft infection. Diagnosis is difficult and depends on clinical symptoms, radiological imaging and blood cultures. Surgery with graft excision, debridement and revascularisation should be proposed. Several techniques and graft materials are used. Additionally long term antibiotic therapy under close control of inflammation markers is always required. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients treated for infected aortic endografts in our hospital between January 2008 and May 2017. Study endpoints were freedom from reinfection, survival and primary patency. An extensive electronic health database search was performed to identify articles reporting endograft infection after EVAR and TEVAR. Results We detected aortic endograft infection in three patients (100% male, median age 77 years). In all cases, infrarenal endovascular aortic aneurysm repair had been performed. The infected stent grafts were removed and anatomical revascularisation performed. One homograft and two xenografts were used as graft material. No patient was treated conservatively. A causative organism was found in 2 of the 3 cases. The patients received antibiotics for 12 weeks. Thirty day mortality was 0%. During follow-up, one patient died from bowel perforation after 2 months and another from lung cancer after 92 months. There were no reinfections. Primary patency of the reconstructions was 100%. Publications report high mortality after conservative therapy of endograft infection. There is evidence for lower mortality in patients who underwent surgery. Conclusions Removal of the infected graft, anatomical revascularisation and antibiotic therapy are important for long term survival after aortic endograft infection. Conservative therapy is only warranted in patients unsuitable for surgical treatment.

Outcomes After Endovascular Revascularization in Octogenarians and Non-Octogenarians With Critical Limb Ischemia.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcome and periprocedural risk of endovascular revascularization in octogenarians with critical limb ischemia (CLI) compared with their younger counterparts. METHODS: The multicenter, prospective registry for First-line Treatments in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia (CRITISCH) enrolled 642 patients treated with endovascular techniques ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01877252). The patients were dichotomized according to age <80 years (n=421; mean age 69 years, 292 men; group 1) or ≥80 years (n=221; mean age 85 years, 113 men; group 2). The groups had similar distributions in Rutherford categories 4 to 6, but group 1 had more men, smokers, diabetics, and patients on dialysis. The primary composite endpoint of the study was amputation and/or death. Key secondary endpoints were in-hospital mortality and major amputation, as well as major adverse limb events (MALE; any reintervention or major amputation involving the index limb) at 1 year. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality was 1% in group 1 and 2% in group 2 (p=0.204) and the major amputation rates were 4% and 2% (p=0.169), respectively. Amputation-free survival at 1 year was 75% in group 1 and 77% in group 2 (p=0.340), whereas freedom from MALE was significantly different between the groups [62% group 1 vs 72% group 2; hazard ratio (HR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09 to 1.93, p=0.016). Limb salvage was 90% in group 1 and 95% in group 2 (HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.27 to 3.69, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Octogenarians with CLI treated by endovascular means showed comparable early and 1-year amputation-free survival rates vs their younger counterparts, and limb salvage and freedom from MALE rates were even higher in octogenarians. APPENDIX: The CRITISCH collaborators are Farzin Adili, MD (Darmstadt), Kai Balzer, MD (Bonn), Arend Billing, MD (Offenbach), Dittmar Böckler, MD (Heidelberg), Daniel Brixner, MD (Offenbach), Sebastian E. Debus, MD (Hamburg), Hans-Henning Eckstein, MD (München), Hans-Joachim Florek, MD (Freital), Asimakis Gkremoutis, MD (Frankfurt), Reinhardt Grundmann, MD (Bad Krozingen), Thomas Hupp, MD (Stuttgart), Se-Won Hwang, MD (Muenster), Tobias Keck, MD (Lübeck), Wojciech, Klonek, MD (Cloppenburg), Werner Lang, MD (Erlangen), Björn May (Freital), Alexander Meyer, MD (Erlangen), Bernhard Mühling, MD (Biberach), Alexander Oberhuber, MD (Düsseldorf), Holger Reinecke, MD (Münster), Christian Reinhold, MD (Mönchengladbach), Ralf-Gerhard Ritter, MD (Bielefeld), Hubert Schelzig, MD (Düsseldorf), Christian Schlensack, MD (Tübingen), Thomas Schmitz-Rixen, MD (Frankfurt), Karl-Ludwig Schulte, MD (Berlin), Matthias Spohn, MD (Bamberg), Konstantinos Stavroulakis, MD (Münster), Martin Storck, MD (Karlsruhe), Matthias Trede, MD (Bremen), Barbara Weis-Müller, MD (Mönchengladbach), Heiner Wenk (Bremen), Thomas Zeller, MD (Bad Krozingen), Sven Zhorzel, MD (Munich), and Alexander Zimmermann, MD (Munich).