Sex-Related Differences and Factors Associated with Peri-Procedural and 1 Year Mortality in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Patients from the CLIMATE Italian Registry.

BACKGROUND: Identifying sex-related differences/variables associated with 30 day/1 year mortality in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). METHODS: Multicenter/retrospective/observational study. A database was sent to all the Italian vascular surgeries to collect all the patients operated on for CLTI in 2019. Acute lower-limb ischemia and neuropathic-diabetic foot are not included. FOLLOW-UP: One year. Data on demographics/comorbidities, treatments/outcomes, and 30 day/1 year mortality were investigated. RESULTS: Information on 2399 cases (69.8% men) from 36/143 (25.2%) centers. Median (IQR) age: 73 (66-80) and 79 (71-85) years for men/women, respectively (p < 0.0001). Women were more likely to be over 75 (63.2% vs. 40.1%, p = 0.0001). More men smokers (73.7% vs. 42.2%, p < 0.0001), are on hemodialysis (10.1% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.006), affected by diabetes (61.9% vs. 52.8%, p < 0.0001), dyslipidemia (69.3% vs. 61.3%, p < 0.0001), hypertension (91.8% vs. 88.5%, p = 0.011), coronaropathy (43.9% vs. 29.4%, p < 0.0001), bronchopneumopathy (37.1% vs. 25.6%, p < 0.0001), underwent more open/hybrid surgeries (37.9% vs. 28.8%, p < 0.0001), and minor amputations (22% vs. 13.7%, p < 0.0001). More women underwent endovascular revascularizations (61.6% vs. 55.2%, p = 0.004), major amputations (9.6% vs. 6.9%, p = 0.024), and obtained limb-salvage if with limited gangrene (50.8% vs. 44.9%, p = 0.017). Age > 75 (HR = 3.63, p = 0.003) is associated with 30 day mortality. Age > 75 (HR = 2.14, p < 0.0001), nephropathy (HR = 1.54, p < 0.0001), coronaropathy (HR = 1.26, p = 0.036), and infection/necrosis of the foot (dry, HR = 1.42, p = 0.040; wet, HR = 2.04, p < 0.0001) are associated with 1 year mortality. No sex-linked difference in mortality statistics. CONCLUSION: Women exhibit fewer comorbidities but are struck by CLTI when over 75, a factor associated with short- and mid-term mortality, explaining why mortality does not statistically differ between the sexes.

Late Non-Anastomotic Rupture of a Bifurcated Dacron Aortic Graft Treated Using a Gore Excluder Limb Endoprosthesis.

Dacron vascular prostheses have been widely used in vascular surgery since the mid-1970s. They have been proven to be the most durable and reliable conduits for arterial replacement in aortic and peripheral surgeries for decades. However, an extremely rare complication, namely late non-anastomotic graft rupture, due to intrinsic structural prosthetic disruption can occur, resulting in acute hemorrhage or false aneurysm formation. We report a case of this rare complication due to non-anastomotic rupture of a bifurcated knitted Dacron aortic vascular graft in a patient who had undergone an aorto-bi-iliac bypass 6 years ago. The patient was successfully treated in an emergency setting with endovascular therapy using an iliac limb of an abdominal aortic endoprosthesis.

Carotid Bypass Using Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft for In-stent Restenosis after Carotid Stenting.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is the most common long-term complication following carotid artery stenting (CAS), affecting 3.5% to 21% of patients after a mean follow-up of 18 months in published reports. Until now, the optimal management for ISR after CAS is still not clear, and different endovascular treatments along with various surgical options have been proposed. Moreover, surgical treatment for ISR in a previously operated patient of ipsilateral endarterectomy is a technically demanding procedure. In this report, we describe a case of severe carotid recurrent ISR, which occurred after CAS for postendarterectomy restenosis, that was successfully treated, in a straightforward way, with a carotid bypass using a Gore® Hybrid Vascular Graft.

A true aneurysm of the zygomatic orbital artery: first case report in the literature.

A 33-year-old man presented with a pulsatile mass in the left temporal region; about 1 year before the current presentation, the swelling had arisen on the upper lateral border of the orbital arch and increased in recent months. His medical history was negative for accidental or iatrogenic head injury. Color echo Doppler and angio-computed tomography demonstrated a fusiform aneurysm of the zygomatic orbital artery, a branch of the superficial temporal artery. Blood tests were negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis B (HBV) markers. Aneurysmectomy under local anesthesia was performed. Histology of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of a true aneurysm measuring 8.4 × 5.7 mm, which showed no atherosclerotic degeneration of the vessel walls; the lumen was filled by a recent thrombus but without inflammatory cells. Surgical treatment is indicated for the prevention of rupture, the relief of pain when present, and the removal of facial defects. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case in the literature of a true aneurysm of the zygomatic orbital artery.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome in a young girl: case report of a rare finding.

The popliteal artery (PA) entrapment syndrome, a rare cause of arterial thrombosis, is most often encountered in young male athletes. Here, we report a very unusual case of PA entrapment syndrome in a 14-year-old girl who presented with a 1-month history of calf claudication to our observation facility. Diagnostic work-up revealed obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and an aberrant accessory slip of the medial head of gastrocnemius around the PA. Arterial echo color Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomographic angiography studies were performed. Surgical treatment involved revascularization with resection of the medial head of gastrocnemius, the cause of the arterial entrapment, and enlargement angioplasty using an autologous saphenous vein patch, in combination with antiplatelet therapy, resulting in restitution ad integrum of the affected limb and, finally, an improved quality of life of the patient. This case underscores the importance of clinical suspicion, diagnosis, and treatment of lower-limb claudication in very young patients presenting with unusual symptoms. If missed, the condition may evolve dramatically. Prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment are key to complete recovery and the prevention of irreversible complications that may result in limb loss.