Six-Month Deep Vein Thrombosis Outcomes by Chronicity: Analysis of the Real-World ClotTriever Outcomes Registry.

PURPOSE: To analyze the first 250 patients from the prospective, multicenter, industry-sponsored ClotTriever Outcomes (CLOUT) registry, assessing the safety and effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy for acute, subacute, and chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real-world patients with lower extremity DVT were treated with the ClotTriever System (Inari Medical, Irvine, California). Adjuvant venoplasty, stent placement, or both were performed at the physician's discretion. Thrombus chronicity was determined by visual inspection of removed thrombus, categorizing patients into acute, subacute, and chronic subgroups. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were assessed through 30 days. Clinical and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes are reported through 6 months. RESULTS: Thrombus chronicity was designated for 244 of the 250 patients (acute, 32.8%; subacute, 34.8%; chronic, 32.4%) encompassing 254 treated limbs. Complete or near-complete (≥75%) thrombus removal was achieved in 90.8%, 81.9%, and 83.8% of the limbs with acute, subacute, and chronic thrombus, respectively. No fibrinolytics were administered, and 243 (99.6%) procedures were single sessions. One (0.4%) patient in the subacute group experienced a device-related SAE, a fatal pulmonary embolism. On comparing baseline and 6-month data, improvements were demonstrated in median Villalta scores (acute, from 10 to 1; subacute, from 9 to 1; chronic, from 10 to 3; for all, P < .0001) and mean EuroQol group 5-dimension (EQ-5D) self-report questionnaire scores (acute, 0.58 to 0.89; subacute, 0.65 to 0.87; chronic, 0.58 to 0.88; for all, P < .0001). There were no significant differences in outcomes across the subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical thrombectomy using the ClotTriever System with adjunctive venoplasty and stent placement is safe and similarly effective for acute, subacute, and chronic DVT.

Transcarotid Arterial Revascularization Adoption Should not Be Hindered by a Concern for a Long Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND: Transcarotid arterial revascularization (TCAR) offers a novel technique for carotid artery stenting (CAS) that provides flow reversal in the carotid artery and avoids aortic arch manipulation, thus, potentially lowering ipsilateral and contralateral periprocedural stroke rates. As a new technology, adoption may be limited by concern for learning a new technique. This study seeks to examine the number of cases needed for a surgeon to reach technical proficiency. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed using a prospectively collected database of all TCAR procedures performed in a tertiary health care system between 2016 and 2020. Patient demographics and anatomic characteristics were collected. Intraoperative variables and perioperative outcomes were examined. These variables were collated into groups for the first 4 procedures, procedures 5-8, and after 8. Independent Samples t test, 1-way ANOVA, and logarithmic regression were used to statistically analyze the data. RESULTS: One-hundred and eighty-seven TCARs were performed by 14 surgeons. One hundred and twenty-two (65%) were male, 59 (32%) were older than 75 years, and 83 (44%) were symptomatic. The most common indications were high-lesions in 87 patients (47%) and recurrent stenosis after CEA in 37 patients (20%). Significant differences were found between the first and second groups of 4 cases when comparing mean operative time (71 vs. 58 min; P = 0.001) and flow reversal time (10.8 vs. 7.9 min; P= 0.004). similar significant differences were found between the first and third groups of 4 cases but not between the second and third groups. There was a reduction in contrast usage and fluoroscopy time after the first 4 cases, however, this did not reach statistical significance. There was no ipsilateral perioperative strokes. One patient had a contralateral stroke on postoperative day 2 due to intracranial atherosclerosis, and there was one perioperative mortality that occurred on postoperative day 3 after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Procedural and flow reversal times significantly shorten after 4 TCAR procedures are performed. Other metrics, such as fluoroscopy time and contrast usage, are also decreased. Complications, in general, are minimal. Proficiency in TCAR, as measured by these metrics, is met after performing only 4 procedures.

Delayed referral of venous ulcers increases resource usage.

OBJECTIVE: Venous insufficiency is often not readily recognized as a contributing etiology to nonhealing wounds by nonvascular surgery specialists, potentially delaying appropriate treatment to achieve wound healing and increasing healthcare costs. The objective of the present study was to understand the time and resources used before the definitive treatment of venous ulcers. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective medical record review of C6 patients undergoing radiofrequency saphenous and perforator vein ablation from May 2016 to January 2018 identified 56 patients with 67 diseased limbs. The numbers of inpatient, emergency department, and wound care visits and the intervals to vein ablation from the initial evaluation of the ulceration by a healthcare provider were collected. The demographics, comorbidities, previous venous interventions, wound characteristics, duplex ultrasound imaging, and available wound healing follow-up through July 2018 were assessed for all patients. RESULTS: For the 67 limbs examined, 588 total healthcare visits were performed for wound assessment before a referral to a vascular surgeon, with 413 visits at a wound care center (70% of all visits). Other specialty visits included emergency medicine (17.9% of limbs) and rheumatology (22.4% of limbs). Six patients (nine limbs) were admitted to inpatient services for treatment of their ulceration. Overall, the patients were seen an average of 8.6 ± 9.7 times for their ulcer with the wound center before determination of a contributing venous etiology and subsequent treatment. These visits translated to a median of 230 days (interquartile range, 86.5-1088 days) between the first identification of the ulcer by healthcare providers and subsequent accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment of their venous disease with radiofrequency saphenous and perforator vein ablation. After intervention, 18.64% of the limbs had healed at 1 month, 33.92% had healed at 3 months, 50% had healed at 6 months, and 82.92% had healed by 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: An earlier and accurate diagnosis of the venous contribution to ulcers and subsequent appropriate treatment of venous etiologies in wound formation by a vascular venous specialist could significantly improve healing and minimize resource usage.

Optimization of factors for the prevention of spinal cord ischemia in thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord ischemia following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a devastating complication. This study seeks to demonstrate how a standardized protocol to prevent spinal cord ischemia affects incidence in patients undergoing TEVAR. METHODS: Using CPT codes 33880 and 33881, all TEVAR procedures performed at a single tertiary care center from January 2017 to December 2018 were examined. Patients who had concomitant ascending aortic repairs or a TEVAR for traumatic indications were excluded from analysis, leaving 130 TEVAR procedures. Comorbid conditions, procedural characteristics, extent of coverage, peri-procedural management strategies, and post-operative outcomes were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients undergoing TEVAR were examined for four perioperative variables: postoperative hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL, subclavian revascularization, preoperative spinal drain placement, and somatosensory evoked potential monitoring (SSEP). All conditions were met in 46.2% (60/130) of procedures; 37.8% (28/74) in emergent/urgent cases and 61.5% (32/52) in elective cases. Of patients who required subclavian coverage, 87.1% (54/62) underwent subclavian revascularization; 70.8% (92/130) of patients received spinal drains preoperatively; 68.5% (89/130) of patients had SSEP monitoring; 73.8% (93/130) of patients obtained a postoperative hemoglobin of >10 g/dL. Out of all patients, two (1.5%) developed spinal cord ischemia. CONCLUSION: Incidence of spinal cord ischemia in our cohort was low at 1.5% (2/130). Individual and bundled interventions for the prevention of spinal cord ischemia were unable to demonstrate a statistically significant effect given the low rate. Nonetheless, we advocate for a proactive approach for the prevention of spinal cord ischemia given our experience in this complex population.

The need for perforator treatment after VenaSeal and ClosureFast endovenous saphenous vein closure in CEAP 6 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The authors have previously demonstrated that VenaSeal (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, Minn) adhesive, compared with radiofrequency ablation (RFA, ClosureFast; Medtronic, Inc), in treatment of refluxing saphenous veins in CEAP 6 limbs, results in shorter healing times of venous ulcers. The authors hypothesize that the longer treated length possible with VenaSeal's nonthermal modality may affect the number of critical refluxing perforators contributing to the nonhealing wound. This follow-up study compares the need for follow-up treatment of perforator veins after saphenous vein treatment with either radiofrequency ablation (ClosureFast RFA) or adhesive closure (VenaSeal). METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective review of CEAP 6 patients who had closure of their saphenous veins from 2015 to 2020 was conducted. Patients who underwent follow-up treatment of perforator veins were grouped according to their method of initial management of their saphenous veins. The primary end point was incidence of a perforator procedure after ClosureFast or VenaSeal ablation. Secondary end points included sclerotherapy to facilitate wound healing. Bivariate analysis used the χ2 test, Fisher exact test, t-test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test. A P value of <.05 defined statistical significance. RESULTS: There were 119 CEAP 6 patients with saphenous closure: 51 limbs treated with VenaSeal and 68 with RFA. Median follow-up was 105 days (interquartile range: 44, 208). All limbs achieved wound healing during the study period. Mean time to wound healing post index procedure was shorter for VenaSeal than RFA (72 vs 293.8 days, P > .0009), as was median time (43 vs 104 days, P = .001). More limbs treated with RFA had previous known deep vein thrombosis (29% vs 10%, P = .009), deep venous insufficiency (82% vs 51%, P = .0003), and perforator reflux (57% vs 29%, P = .002). Limbs with identified follow-up perforator reflux treated with RFA had a higher prevalence of initially treated saphenous veins with RFA compared with those treated with VenaSeal (49% vs 27%, P = .003). There was no difference between the methods of vein closure and use of concurrent sclerotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: ClosureFast and VenaSeal are both effective and safe modalities of saphenous ablation, but VenaSeal treatment was associated with less perforator RFA intervention.

Results of Obturator Foramen Bypass in Patients with Groin Infection and Arterial Involvement.

BACKGROUND: Arterial bypass tunneling via the obturator foramen (OFB) can be performed to circumvent groin infections during lower extremity revascularization. The objective of this study is to report safety and efficacy outcomes of OFB in the setting of infected femoral pseudoaneurysms and infected prosthetic femoral bypass grafts. METHODS: A multihospital, single-entity healthcare system retrospective review was conducted for all patients who underwent OFB between January 2014 through June 2020. Any patient >18 years of age who underwent OFB in the setting of groin infection with a minimum of 30 days follow-up was included in the trial. Demographic, operative, and clinical characteristics of patients were gathered during chart review. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and R studio. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent OFB during the defined time-period. Demographic data are presented in the first table (Demographic Characteristics). Mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 3.25. Mean estimated blood loss was 500 mL. Mean operative time was 307 min. Mean follow-up time was 8.5 months (range 0-35 months). In total, 41.2% patients underwent fluoroscopic-guided tunneling, and, when compared to blind tunneling, showed no difference in intraoperative complications or operative time (P value 0.3). In total, 52.9% of patients required ICU admission resulting in a mean number of 0.8 ICU days. The overall mean length of stay was 16.8 days. Two major amputations were reported during follow-up. Patient mortality within 30 days was 0%. Primary patency within 30 days was 100%. Intravenous drug use was not associated with an increased number of subsequent groin wound procedures (P value 0.3). Intravenous drug use was not associated with concomitant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (P value 0.3). CONCLUSION: OFB is a safe and effective surgical option in patients who are unable to undergo anatomic tunneling during lower extremity bypass. OFB is associated with favorable rates of primary patency and amputation-free survival at midterm follow-up.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of endovascular interventions for Stanford type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The standard surgical approach to Stanford type A aortic dissection is open repair. However, up to one in four patients will be declined surgery because of prohibitive risk. Patients who are treated nonoperatively have an unacceptably high mortality. Endovascular repair of the ascending aorta is emerging as an alternative treatment for a select group of patients. The reported rates of technical success, mortality, stroke, and reintervention have varied. The objective of the study was to systematically report outcomes for acute type A dissections repaired using an endovascular approach. METHODS: The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. We performed online literature database searches through April 2020. The demographic and procedural characteristics of the individual studies were tabulated. Data on technical success, short-term mortality, stroke, and reintervention were extracted and underwent meta-analysis using a random effects model. RESULTS: Fourteen studies with 80 cases of aortic dissection (55 acute and 25 subacute) were included in the final analysis. A wide variation was found in technique and device design across the studies. The outcomes rates were estimated at 17% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10%-26%) for mortality, 15% (95% CI, 8%-23%) for technical failure, 11% (95% CI, 6%-19%) for stroke and 18% (95% CI, 9%-31%) for reintervention. The mean Downs and Black quality assessment score was 13.9 ± 3.2. CONCLUSIONS: The technique for endovascular repair of type A aortic dissection is feasible and reproducible. The results of our meta-analysis demonstrate an acceptable safety profile for inoperable patients who otherwise would have an extremely poor prognosis. Data from clinical trials are required before the technique can be introduced into routine clinical practice.

Parallel Grafting Should Be Considered as a Viable Alternative to Open Repair in High-Risk Patients With Paravisceral Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Parallel grafting presents a viable method for treating patients with complex aortic aneurysms. The current literature is limited to mostly pararenal configurations. We examined our results in patients with SMA and/or Celiac artery involvement. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for all patients undergoing parallel grafting during the period of 2014 to 2018 at a single institution. All patients had at least SMA with and/or without Celiac artery parallel grafting. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (65% male, median age 74) were treated with 208 parallel grafts. Median ASA score is 4. Forty-nine cases were elective, 22 urgent, and 8 emergent. Mean pre-operative aneurysm diameter was 7.1 cm (4.6-15 cm). Self-expanding covered stents were used for the renal arteries (mean 6.3mm), and balloon-expandable covered stents were used for the SMA and Celiac (mean SMA 8.6 mm, mean celiac 8.3 mm). Axillary exposure was the choice of access in 68 patients (86%). Technical success was achieved in all cases. We defined this as aneurysm sac exclusion with patent visceral stent grafts, and absent to mild gutter leaks. Mean aortic graft proximal seal achieved was 48mm. Coverage extended above the celiac artery in 75% (10% stented and 65% covered). Median contrast volume was 145ml, operative duration was 4 hours, fluoroscopy time was 56 min, and EBL was 250 ml. Perioperative mortality was 6.1%. 4.5%, and 25%, for the elective, urgent, and emergent groups, respectively. There was no incidence of spinal cord ischemia. Axillary access was complicated in 4 patients, requiring patch closure of the axillary artery. One patient developed postprocedural ESRD from a rupture and ATN despite patent renal stents. Of those patients with a patent GDA and celiac coverage, 2 required a cholecystectomy. Nine patients had a persistent gutter leak at the conclusion of the procedure. Median follow-up was 12 months. On follow-up imaging, all SMA and Celiac stents were patent. Six renal stents were occluded and 2 patients progressed to ESRD, both solitary renal periscope configurations at the index procedure. Only 4 patients had persistent gutter leaks with 2 requiring reintervention. Ninety-five percent of patients demonstrated sac regression or stabilization with a mean sac size of 6.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Parallel grafting presents a safe, efficacious and off the shelf alternative to conventional repair of complex aortic aneurysms involving the visceral aorta.

Stent Placement Across the Renal Vein Inflow in Patients Undergoing Venous Reconstruction Preserves Renal Function and Renal Vein Patency: Experience in 93 Patients.

PURPOSE: To determine if stent placement across the renal vein inflow affects kidney function and renal vein patency. METHODS: Between June 2008 and September 2016, 93 patients (mean age 39 years, range 15-70; 54 women) with iliocaval occlusion underwent venous stent placement and were retrospectively reviewed. For this analysis, the patients were separated into treatment and control groups: 51 (55%) patients had suprarenal and infrarenal iliocaval venous disease requiring inferior vena cava stent reconstruction across the renal vein inflow (treatment group) and 42 (45%) patients had iliac vein stenting sparing the renal veins (control group). Treatment group patients received Wallstents (n=15), Gianturco Z-stents (n=24), or suprarenal and infrarenal Wallstents such that the renal veins were bracketed with a "renal gap" (n=12). Stenting technical success, stent type, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and creatinine before and after stent placement were recorded, along with renal vein patency and complications. RESULTS: All procedures were technically successful. In the 51-patient treatment group, 15 (29%) patients received Wallstents and 24 (47%) received Gianturco Z-stents across the renal veins, while 12 (24%) were given a "renal gap" with no stent placement directly across the renal vein inflow. In the control group, 42 patients received iliac vein Wallstents only. Mean prestent GFR was 59±1.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 and mean prestent creatinine was 0.8±0.2 mg/dL for the entire cohort. Mean prestent GFR and creatinine values in the Wallstent, Gianturco Z-stent, and "renal gap" subgroups did not differ from the iliac vein stent group. Mean poststent GFR and creatinine values were 59±3.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 0.8±0.3 mg/dL, respectively. There were no differences between mean pre- and poststent GFR (p=0.32) or creatinine (p=0.41) values when considering all patients or when comparing the treatment subgroups and the control group. There were no differences in the poststent mean GFR or creatinine values between the Wallstent (p=0.21 and p=0.34, respectively) and Gianturco Z-stent (p=0.43 and p=0.41, respectively) groups and the "renal gap" group. One patient with a Wallstent across the renal veins developed right renal vein thrombosis 7 days after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Stent placement across the renal vein inflow did not compromise renal function. A very small risk of renal vein thrombosis was seen.

#VascularSurgery.

BACKGROUND: To characterize the vascular surgery Twitter network. METHODS: A total of 20,841 consecutive tweets by 8,282 unique Twitter accounts regarding vascular surgery from October 23, 2014 to January 15, 2018 were analyzed. Twitter analytics, including activity metrics, content analysis, user characteristics, engagement, and network analysis were performed using Symplur Signals, a health care social media analytics platform. RESULTS: Vascular surgery tweets, the number of users tweeting about vascular surgery, and vascular surgery tweet impressions have increased by an annual average of 77.8%, 55.3%, and 209.1% from 2015 to 2017, respectively. Twitter activity trend analysis showed consistent growth over the study period with an average of 25.7 ± 2.6 additional tweets per month (P < 0.001). As for tweet content, 2,220 tweets (10.7%) were pertaining to patients, and 2,198 tweets (10.5%) were regarding new or innovative topics. 15,422 tweets (74.0%) included links to journals or websites and 6,826 tweets (32.8%) contained at least 1 image. Deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, diabetes, endovascular interventions, trauma, and practice guidelines were among the most commonly discussed health topics. Physicians composed 5,618 tweets (27%), while patients submitted 2,447 tweets (11.7%). As for engagement, 8,886 tweets (42.6%) were retweets, 11,816 tweets (56.7%) mentioned at least 1 other user, and 786 tweets (3.8%) were replies. Network analysis revealed central hubs to be vascular surgery societies, academic institutions, academic journals, and physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Twitter to discuss vascular surgery is growing rapidly with increasing use by vascular surgeons and vascular medicine physicians. An effort to involve more patients in the vascular surgery Twitter social network may allow for more opportunities to educate, and garner interest and support for vascular surgery.

Open Surgical Management of Deep Venous Occlusive Disease.

Endovascular techniques have revolutionized the management of deep venous occlusive disease. Open surgery, however, is still required for cases that prove refractory to endovascular interventions. The surgical management of deep venous occlusive disease typically involves venous bypass. Preoperative planning before open venous surgery relies upon dynamic imaging to clarify the location and severity of venous obstruction, the assessment of infrainguinal reflux, and the delineation of bypass origination and target vessels. Adjunct arteriovenous fistulas and anticoagulation may improve patency rates of open surgical venous bypass. The timely recognition and management of complications improves secondary patency rates.

Endovascular Iliocaval Reconstruction for Chronic Iliocaval Thrombosis: The Data, Where We Are, and How It is Done.

Iliocaval thrombosis, or thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and iliac veins, is associated with significant morbidity in the form of limb-threatening compromise from phlegmasia cerulean dolens, development of post-thrombotic syndrome, and death secondary to pulmonary embolism. Endovascular iliocaval reconstruction is an effective treatment for iliocaval thrombosis with high levels of technical success, favorable clinical outcomes and stent patency rates, and few complications. It is often able to relieve the debilitating symptoms experienced by affected patients and is a viable option for patients who fail conservative management. This article presents an approach to endovascular iliocaval stent reconstruction in patients suffering from chronic iliocaval thrombosis that takes into consideration background, patient selection and indications, timing of intervention, procedural steps, technical considerations, postprocedural care, and outcomes, along with providing schematic illustrations that serve to outline iliocaval stent reconstruction and management of chronic venous occlusions.

Endovascular iliocaval reconstruction for the treatment of iliocaval thrombosis: From imaging to intervention.

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and iliac veins, known as iliocaval thrombosis, is a common cause of significant morbidity. Patients with chronic iliocaval obstruction often present with life-limiting occlusive symptoms secondary to recurrent lower extremity deep venous thrombosis, swelling, pain, venous stasis ulcers, or phlegmasia. Endovascular iliocaval reconstruction is a technically successful procedure that results in favorable clinical outcomes and stent patency rates with few complications and is often able to relieve debilitating symptoms in affected patients. This review presents an approach to endovascular iliocaval stent reconstruction in patients suffering from chronic iliocaval thrombosis, including background, patient selection, timing of intervention, procedural steps, technical considerations, patient follow-up, and a brief review of outcomes. Schematic illustrations and clinical cases outlining iliocaval stent reconstruction and crossing chronic venous occlusions have been provided.

Endovascular Iliocaval Stent Reconstruction for Iliocaval Thrombosis: A Multi-Institutional International Practice Pattern Survey.

BACKGROUND: Limited guidelines for the treatment and management of acute and chronic iliocaval thrombosis are published in the literature. The purpose of this report is to present global iliocaval stent reconstruction practices by interventionalists. METHODS: A 45-question survey focusing on iliocaval stent reconstruction evaluation was distributed through the Open Forum and Venous Disease Service Line of the Society of Interventional Radiology Connect website from June 20, 2017 until September 7, 2017 and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe electronic newsletter on August 11, 2017. RESULTS: One hundred seven complete responses were received from interventional radiologists in the United States, 2 from South America, and 2 from Central America. 92.5% performed iliocaval reconstruction, and 79.8% performed the procedure for both acute and chronic iliocaval thrombosis. 82.8% completed a standardized physician assessment tool, and 91.9% obtained computed tomography (CT) venography before the procedure. 64.6% used intravascular ultrasound to guide reconstruction. 41.4% found blunt recanalization successful for >75% of patients. 63.6% used sharp recanalization for <25% of patients. 97.0% and 90.9% used uncovered and self-expanding stents, respectively. Wallstents were used most commonly. Most common stent diameters were 24-mm in the inferior vena cava, 14-mm in the common iliac vein, and 12-mm in the external iliac vein. 48.5% and 21.2% prescribed 2 and 3 anticoagulants after stent placement, respectively. 62.6% found iliocaval reconstruction provided symptomatic clinical improvement for iliocaval thrombosis in >75% of patients. 72.7% estimated their 1-year primary stent patency to be >75%. CONCLUSIONS: Iliocaval reconstruction is performed by many interventionalists; however, there are global inconsistencies in practices, suggesting a need for further research and guideline development.

Radiographic Findings of Distressed Venous Stents and Inferior Vena Cava Filters: Clinical Implications.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe an association between the radiographic appearance of distressed intravascular implants and venous stenosis or occlusion and to determine the success of reparative endovascular procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with distressed stents or inferior vena cava (IVC) filters characterized by pursing (short-axis contracture), straightening, longitudinal contraction (long-axis contracture), or fracture were identified from retrospective review of a venous registry for the period from February 2004 to October 2016. Patients originally presented with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome (n = 25), arm swelling (n = 16), iliocaval thrombosis (n = 21), and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (n = 16), and stents were initially placed in 65 and filters in 13. Implants were located in the IVC (n = 24), subclavian vein (n = 16), brachiocephalic vein (n = 15), common iliac vein (n = 10), multiple veins (n = 4), axillary vein (n = 4), common femoral vein (n = 3), SVC (n = 1), and internal jugular vein (n = 1). Implants included Wallstents in 63 patients; Smart stents in two patients; and Celect Platinum, Denali, Greenfield, and Trapease IVC filters in two, three, two, and six patients, respectively. Venographic indication, distress type, time from initial normal placement to identification of distress, venographic finding (patent, mild stenosis, high-grade stenosis, or occlusion), treatment, revascularization outcome, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean time to distress was 23 months. Fifty-two (67%) patients underwent venography for symptoms and 26 (33%) for surveillance. Forty-five (58%) implants were pursed; 19 (24%), straightened; nine (12%), contracted; and five (6%), fractured. Venography depicted 48 (62%) high-grade stenoses, 19 (24%) complete occlusions, and six (8%) mild stenoses. Of the 73 patients who underwent an intervention, 29 (40%) underwent angioplasty, 15 (21%) underwent angioplasty and stenting, 15 (21%) underwent sharp recanalization, and five (7%) underwent thrombolysis. Revascularization was successful in 67 (92%). Three minor complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Distressed intravascular implants are associated with high-grade venous stenosis or occlusion. Reparative interventions are usually technically successful.

Endovascular Iliocaval Stent Reconstruction for Inferior Vena Cava Filter-Associated Iliocaval Thrombosis: Approach, Technical Success, Safety, and Two-Year Outcomes in 120 Patients.

PURPOSE: To report technical success, outcomes, and patency of iliocaval stent reconstruction for inferior vena cava (IVC) filter-bearing iliocaval thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients with 123 IVC filters and symptomatic iliocaval thrombosis underwent stent reconstruction. Mean patient age was 55 years (range, 19-88 y). Filters included 70 (57%) retrievable and 53 (43%) permanent filters. Symptoms included lower extremity swelling or pain (n = 93), ulcers (n = 8), phlegmasia (n = 7), back pain (n = 5), shortness of breath (n = 4), worsening renal function (n = 2), and stenosis identified during translumbar catheter placement (n = 1). Clinical success was defined as decrease in clinical, etiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology (CEAP) score of at least 1; resolution of presenting symptoms; or normalization of renal function in patients with juxtarenal or suprarenal thrombosis on presentation. Technical aspects of reconstruction, technical success, complications, 6-month clinical response, and 6-, 12-, and 24-month primary, primary-assisted, and secondary stent patency rates were recorded. RESULTS: Stent reconstruction was technically successful in all 120 patients, 63 of whom (53%) underwent thrombolysis. Thirty filters (24%) were retrieved, and 93 (76%) were excluded with stent placement across the indwelling filter. Six minor and 2 major complications occurred. Clinical success was achieved in 115 patients (96%) at 6 months. Six-, 12-, and 24-month primary iliocaval stent patency rates were 96.4%, 94.8%, and 87.2%, respectively. Twenty-four month primary-assisted and secondary patency rates were 90.3% and 94.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Iliocaval stent reconstruction is an effective treatment for filter-associated thrombosis with 100% technical success and 96% clinical success at 6 months. Technical and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent filter retrieval versus filter exclusion were similar.

Evaluating the venous experience in vascular surgery training.

OBJECTIVE: There is an increasing recognition and treatment of venous disease in the United States; results of the Society for Vascular Surgery 2014 membership survey showed that venous disease represents 18.8% of a vascular surgeon's current practice. Despite this, there are no operative objectives or case requirements specific to venous disease for vascular surgery trainees. The objective of this study was to examine the current venous surgical training experience of graduating vascular surgery trainees. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board waiver and Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery and Residency Review Committee approval, results of the 2014 Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery Educational Needs Assessment Survey pertinent to venous training as well as the Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination (VSITE) venous scores were summarized. Using the Residency Review Committee case log database, venous case logs of 0/5 resident and 5/2 fellow vascular surgery graduates from 2012 to 2015 differentiated by Current Procedural Technology code were summarized. Venous case logs of 0/5 vascular surgery residents were compared with those of 5/2 fellows using a Student t-test, with results considered statistically significant at P < .05. RESULTS: Of the recent vascular surgery graduates, 15% thought they encountered training gaps in venous procedures; 54% thought this was due to a gap in vascular surgery training, whereas 43% thought this was due to evolution in technology. Venous VSITE scores were similar between 0/5 residents and 5/2 fellows (69% vs 76% correct answers, respectively), as were overall VSITE scores (70% vs 74% correct answers, respectively). The 0/5 residents completed between 11 and 264 cases and 5/2 fellows completed between 1 and 188 cases during their training. The 0/5 residents' venous cases were 8.1% of overall cases and the 5/2 fellows' cases were 4.3% of overall cases during their training. CONCLUSIONS: Current vascular surgery trainee experience is highly variable and not consistent with future vascular surgery clinical practice. Vascular surgery trainee fund of knowledge does not appear affected. Program directors should consider developing a better-defined venous curriculum that includes venous case minimums in defined categories.

Hemodialysis Vascular Access: Rising Costs as a Surrogate Marker for Patency and Function of Arteriovenous Fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Establishment and maintenance of vascular access for hemodialysis is life-sustaining for patients needing renal-replacement therapy. Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the preferred type of access, but the costs associated with creation and maintenance are poorly characterized, especially with respect to patient characteristics. METHODS: A prospectively maintained registry has been established at The Mount Sinai Hospital for patients undergoing access procedures since 2007. We studied 163 patients undergoing successfully placed and cannulated AVFs as their first permanent ipsilateral access and for whom 3-year follow-up was available, including 18 patients with failed contralateral AVFs. Records were analyzed for institutional inpatient and outpatient procedures related to access maturation, imaging, catheter-related procedures, and revisions. We determined hospital costs for 3 AVF locations, assessing the contribution of various factors to variation in costs and patency. RESULTS: The median first-year cost of patent AVFs was $8,662, with $4,754 attributable to initial creation. For fistulas remaining patent for at least 3 years, median cumulative 36-month costs were $11,639, with $1,343 attributable to imaging and $10,478 to creation and interventions. Fistulas with patent lifetimes of 19-30 months (3.7%) had median cumulative costs of $26,035. Those with patent lifetimes of 6 months or shorter (6.7%) had median cumulative costs of $17,526. Right-sided fistulas were associated with 41% higher 1-year costs and 38% higher 3-year costs when compared with left-sided fistulas. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status and prior history of complex contralateral access were also associated with higher 1-year and 3-year costs. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis access maintenance contributes significantly to the healthcare burden of renal disease. Our data suggest that particular patient characteristics factor into patency and costs. Short-term mounting costs associated with AVF maintenance may portend poor long-term patency. Rising healthcare costs cannot be easily controlled without understanding the clinical factors driving them.

Inflow stenosis as a contributing factor in the etiology of AV access-induced ischemic steal.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how frequent inflow stenosis is a contributing factor in the etiology of arteriovenous access-induced steal (AVAIS). METHODS: A retrospective review of hemodialysis patients who underwent interventions from October 1998 to December 2011 for AVAIS was conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital. Patients with grade 3 AVAIS and complete arch and upper extremity vascular imaging were included. Demographics, access history, time to AVAIS, preoperative angiographic imaging and interventions performed were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were diagnosed with grade 3 (severe) AVAIS requiring intervention over the study period. Forty-seven percent of the patients were male, average age was 62 years, 47% were of African American race and 88% were diabetic. Seventeen consecutive patients, with imaging, were included in this study. The average time to presentation of steal symptoms was 147±228 days. All of the accesses were proximal, and 65.7% were autogenous. Imaging studies consisted of angiography (14) and computed tomography angiography (3). Five patients had imaging evidence of >50% luminal inflow stenosis (29.4%). The location of stenosis was the subclavian (3 cases) and brachial (2 cases) arteries. Patients underwent distal revascularization and interval ligation (3), ligation (1) and angioplasty/stenting (1). CONCLUSION: In our population, nearly one-third of the patients with severe AVAIS had a significant subclavian or brachial artery stenosis. The implications of this finding suggest the importance of complete preoperative imaging. The treatment of the inflow stenosis by itself may not be curative, but the correction may serve as an adjunct and contribute to the success of other therapeutic procedures.