Acute mesenteric ischemia as late complication of previous endovascular treatment in young woman. Case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) represents a severe complication of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) which is a disorder caused by severe stenosis or occlusion of mesenteric arterial supply. If untreated, patients could face mesenteric infarction and death. CASE REPORT: A 41-year-old female smoker and drug abuser, previously treated with angioplasty and stenting of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for CMI four years before, was admitted to our institution suffering from acute abdominal pain due to complete occlusion of the stent. After a few hours of thrombolytic therapy, she experienced sudden worsening of clinical conditions, including AMI, due to complete rethrombosis of the SMA. Thereafter, she underwent urgent thrombectomy and a subsequent retrograde 6 mm prosthetic aorto-mesenteric bypass graft. The patient reported complete relief of symptoms afterwards. A CT scan at 1-month follow-up showed primary patency of the bypass in the absence of clinical recurrence. DISCUSSION: In cases of CMI, treatment options include surgical, endovascular or hybrid approaches. Endovascular therapy, based on percutaneous angioplasty with or without stenting, seems to be effective, although it can have worse midterm and long-term results. CONCLUSION: In patients already treated with an endovascular revascularization of the SMA or celiac trunk (CT), open surgical repair through a single retrograde aorto-mesenteric prosthetic bypass in cases of acute mesenteric ischemia, seems to offer a valid and safe approach in order to prevent bowel infarction. KEY WORDS: Acute mesenteric ischemia Angioplasty, Bypass, stent,Thrombolysis.

Hybrid Laparoscopic and Endovascular Treatment for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a rare cause of chronic gastrointestinal ischemia caused by compression of median arcuate ligament on the celiac trunk. A 38-year-old male presented at our institution with unspecific crampy abdominal pain. After several diagnostic examinations, he firstly underwent arcuate ligament resection by laparoscopic approach and 2 months later, he underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting of the stenotic vessel. Postoperatory and follow-up controls showed regular patency of the artery with complete relief of abdominal symptoms. We propose a review of the literature on this uncommon condition, describing different surgical approaches.

Evaluation of hemodynamic impact of absorbable sutures in native arteriovenous fistulas: A retrospective study.

One of the major causes of arteriovenous fistula failure is the venous stenosis due to aggressive neointimal hyperplasia. The aim of the study was to assess the arteriovenous fistula maturation comparing absorbable sutures and non-absorbable ones in native vessels. Surgeries performed during a period of 24 months by a single team of expert surgeons were evaluated. Surgeries that met the inclusion criteria, namely, age ⩾ 18 years and radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula, were considered. According to type of suture, patients were classified as Max group (absorbable suture) and Prol group (non-absorbable). Data pertaining to 70 patients were collected; 51% were men and the mean age was 73 ± 12 years. In Max group, an increasing blood flow was observed during the first 4 weeks without post-operative complications. In Prol group, six patients had thrombosis that resulted in vascular access failure. After the first week, the duplex Doppler ultrasound of both groups showed a regular arteriovenous fistula maturation, with an increase of blood flow rate. Although pre-operative post-tourniquet mean vein diameters of Max group were not adequate, the mean vein diameter and mean blood flow rate increased after 4 weeks, respectively. On the contrary, in Prol group, mean vein diameters and blood flow rate decreased. The maturation of arteriovenous fistula and its functional performance were not altered by the type of suture (absorbable/non-absorbable). Absorbable sutures were associated with good results considering arteriovenous fistula maturation.

PTA and Stenting of Femoropopliteal Trunk With Cordis Smartflex Stent System: A Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to describe our experience in the treatment of femoropopliteal occlusive disease with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) followed by stenting with S.M.A.R.T. Flex vascular stent system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2014 to October 2018, 80 patients were treated at our Institution for intermittent claudication, critical, or acute limb ischemia due to total occlusion or long diffused lesions of the femoropopliteal segment. Main study end points are primary patency, target lesion revascularization, and stent fractures; secondary end points are major amputation rate, procedure-related bleeding, incidence of intrastent restenosis, and primary assisted patency after reintervention. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 21 months (range 2-48 months). Primary patency rate was 80% (64 patients of 80), with mean covered lesion length of 8.2 cm. The deployment of a single stent was obtained for 57 (89%) patients, with a mean stent length of 9.86 cm. Of 80 patients, 2 (2.5%) had early stent occlusion within first 48 hours after the procedure, while 4 (5%) of 80 patients experienced stent occlusion within first 6 months. Of 80 patients, 6 (7.5%) had an intrastent restenosis detected at duplex ultrasound with a primary-assisted patency after simple re-PTA procedures of 83.3% at 12 months. DISCUSSION: In the literature, primary patency after PTA and stenting of the femoropopliteal trunk seems to be related to several variables, such as number of stents used, specific stent length, diameters, type and length of lesions, type of pathology (if acute or chronic), and number of preoperatory patent below-the-knee vessels. In this study, we try to analyze each single factor in order to understand their role in predisposing specific stent restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: S.M.A.R.T. Flex vascular stent system has shown good results in terms of primary patency in the treatment of calcified lesions both at SFA and at popliteal level. However, in our experience, stent patency seems to be significantly poorer in patients presenting with acute limb ischemia associated with chronic atherosclerotic disease as well as for lesions located in the mid-distal part of the popliteal artery and both when number of stents increases or number of runoff vessel decreases.

Incidence and Predictors of Neurological Complications Following Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair in the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and predictors of early and mid term neurological complications following thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) in the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT). METHODS: The GREAT is a prospective observational multicentre registry on Gore aortic endografts that was initiated in 2010. Only isolated thoracic aortic pathologies were included (aortic arch and descending thoracic aneurysms, type B dissections, penetrating ulcers, intramural haematomas, pseudoaneurysms, and transections). Thoraco-abdominal aneurysms and concomitant abdominal aneurysms were excluded. Neurological complications were classified as cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and spinal cord injuries (SCI). Clinical, procedural, and technical data were evaluated for their association with early (30 day) and mid term CVAs and SCIs. RESULTS: In total, 833 patients were included: 28 with arch aneurysms (3.4%), 329 with descending thoracic aneurysms (39.5%), 273 with type B dissections (32.8%), and 203 (24.4%) with other thoracic pathologies. Altogether, 593 (71.2%) were elective procedures and 240 (28.8%) were urgent. Aortic coverage >20 cm was performed in 42.1% (n = 351); proximal landing zone 0-1-2 was adopted in 267 patients (32.1%) and of these 98 (36.7%) underwent left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularisation. There were 13 early CVAs (1.5%) and the four year freedom from CVA rate was 96.3%. On multivariable analysis, aortic arch aneurysm was the only independent predictor of early CVA (odds ratio 16.7, p = .001). LSA coverage (hazard ratio [HR] 3.31, p = .005) and hypercholesterolaemia (HR 2.96, p = .024) were independent predictors of mid term ischaemic CVAs. There were 15 (1.8%) early SCIs, and the four year freedom from SCI rate was 97.8%. No independent predictors of early SCI were identified, but length of coverage was an independent predictor of SCI at four years (HR 1.24; p = .044). CONCLUSIONS: In this real world registry, the overall rate of neurological complication after TEVAR for isolated thoracic aortic pathologies was low. Aortic arch aneurysms were associated with increased peri-operative CVA risk. Length of coverage was an independent predictor of mid term SCIs, as LSA coverage was associated with late CVAs.

Non-anastomotic aneurysmal degeneration of great saphenous vein graft A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: True aneurysmal degeneration of autogenous vein grafts is unusual, despite their widespread use as arterial substitutes. We report a case of acute lower leg ischemia due to thrombosis of a non-anastomotic venous aneurysm. CASE REPORT: A 71-year old man presented at Emergency Unit at our Institution with left lower limb acute ischemia. The patient had 9 years before undergone left below the knee femoro-popliteal bypass with in situ autologous great saphenous vein (GSV) graft. Doppler ultrasound exam revealed patency of the entire conduit, and subtotal acute thrombosis of a saccular aneurysm of the vein 2 cm before the distal anastomosis of the graft. Aneurysmectomy and distal thrombo- embolectomy with Fogarty catheter of below the knee popliteal artery and tibio-peroneal trunk was performed. Vein graft continuity was restored by a termino-terminal anastomosis. DISCUSSION: Arterialized autologous veins are at risk of degenerative changes because of histological differences with arteries, but the cause of true aneurysmal degeneration of these grafts is still unknown. The mean time from graft implantation to clinical manifestation of the aneurysm is 7 years and the management of venous graft aneurysms should be subjected to the same criteria as other aneurysms. The first choice in detecting vein graft aneurysms is Duplex ultrasonography and the type of surgical intervention depends on the cause, type and extension of aneurysmal dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysmal degeneration of deep lower extremity vein conduits implanted for vascular reconstruction has been rarely reported, but when detected they can lead to graft thrombosis, distal embolization, acute rupture, or skin ulceration. Therefore, Doppler ultrasound guided surveillance of GSV grafts should be mandatory and long time from vein graft creation to onset of aneurysms makes long-term graft surveillance even more imperative. KEY WORDS: Acute Leg Ischemia, Great Saphenous Vein, Graft; Aneurysm, Thrombosis.

Carotid Artery Stenting Without Embolic Protection Device: A Single-Center Experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of carotid artery stenting (CAS) performed without an embolic protection device (EPD) in a selected group of asymptomatic patients with primary internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2015 and May 2018, 77 patients (mean age 77 years; 60 men) underwent CAS without any embolic protection device. Forty-seven (61%) patients had primary ICA stenosis and were excluded from CEA because of high surgical risk; the other 30 (39%) patients had post-CEA restenosis (n=26) or a distal ICA flap after eversion CEA (n=4). The mean ICA stenosis was 82%. All procedures were performed from a femoral artery access. Pre- and/or postdilation were used in 64 patients. The primary outcome was the incidence of major complications (death, stroke, or myocardial infarction) during the procedure and within 30 days; the secondary outcome was the incidence of restenosis in follow-up. RESULTS: No relevant bradycardia was encountered during CAS. The combined rate of stroke, death, or myocardial infarction at 30 days was 1.3%. The single stroke patient recovered fully after 2 months. Over a follow-up that ranged to 3 years (mean 24±18 months), no further neurological events were recorded. One (1.3%) patient had a >70% restenosis after 6 months; the lesion was dilated, successfully restoring the lumen contour. CONCLUSION: In our series, endovascular treatment of carotid stenosis without the use of protection devices in patients with primary stenosis or postsurgical restenosis can achieve satisfactory safety and efficacy outcomes. The choice of performing CAS without using EPDs should follow a tailored approach based on the appropriate patient anatomy and specific clinical parameters to minimize neurological complications.

Definition of Type II Endoleak Risk Based on Preoperative Anatomical Characteristics.

PURPOSE: To define the risk for type II endoleak (EII) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) based on preoperative anatomical characteristics. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2015, 189 patients (mean age 78.4±7.6 years; 165 men) underwent standard EVAR. Mean aneurysm diameter was 5.7±0.7 cm and mean volume 125.2±45.8 cm3. Patients were assigned to the "at-risk" group (n=123, 65%) when at least one of the following criteria was present: patency of a >3-mm inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), patency of at least 3 pairs of lumbar arteries, or patency of 2 pairs of lumbar arteries and a sacral artery or accessory renal artery or any diameter patent IMA; otherwise, patients were entered in the "low-risk" group (n=66, 35%). EII rates and freedom from EII reintervention were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves. Preoperative clinical and anatomical characteristics were evaluated for their association with EII and EII reinterventions using multiple logistic regression analysis; results are presented as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Freedom from endoleak was lower in the at-risk group compared with the low-risk group at 36 months after EVAR (p=0.04). Freedom from EII-related reinterventions was significantly lower in the at-risk group (80% vs 100%, p=0.001) at 48 months. Based on the multiple regression analysis, the at-risk group had a higher likelihood of both EII (OR 9.91, 95% CI 2.92 to 33.72, p<0.001) and EII-related reinterventions (OR 9.11, 95% CI 1.06 to 78.44, p=0.04). These criteria had 89.4% (95% CI 83.9% to 93.2%) sensitivity and 48.0% (95% CI 40.7% to 55.3%) specificity for EII; sensitivity and specificity for EII reintervention were 100% (95% CI 93.8% to 100%) and 38.8% (95% CI 31.9% to 46.2%). Within the at-risk group, a sac thrombus volume <35% was an additional predictor for both EII (OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.75 to 15.47, p=0.003) and EII-related reinterventions (OR 8.33, 95% CI 2.20 to 31.51, p<0.002). CONCLUSION: The selection criteria effectively discriminated between low-risk patients and patients at risk for EII and associated reinterventions. A thrombus volume <35% was an additional predictor for EII and EII-related reintervention among patients at risk. These criteria may be useful for preemptively selecting patients who may benefit from EII prevention procedures or a more aggressive surveillance protocol.