Epidemiological analysis of lower limb revascularization for peripheral arterial disease over 12 years on the public healthcare system in Brazil.

Background: Worldwide, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a disorder with high morbidity, affecting more than 200 million people. Objectives: Our objective was to analyze surgical treatment for PAD provided on the Brazilian Public Healthcare System over 12 years using publicly available data. Methods: The study was conducted with analysis of data available on the Brazilian Health Ministry's database platform, assessing distributions of procedures and techniques over the years and their associated mortality and costs. Results: A total of 129,424 procedures were analyzed (performed either for claudication or critical ischemia, proportion unknown). The vast majority of procedures were endovascular (65.49%) and this disproportion exhibited a rising trend (p<0.001). There were 3,306 in-hospital deaths (mortality of 2.55%), with lower mortality in the endovascular group (1.2% vs. 5.0%, p=0.008). The overall governmental expenditure on these procedures was U$ 238,010,096.51, and endovascular procedures were on average significantly more expensive than open surgery (U$ 1,932.27 vs. U$ 1,517.32; p=0.016). Conclusions: Lower limb revascularizations were performed on the Brazilian Public Healthcare System with gradually increasing frequency from 2008 to 2019. Endovascular procedures were vastly more common and were associated with lower in-hospital mortality rates, but higher procedure costs.

Contexto: A doença arterial periférica (DAP) é uma doença com alta morbidade global, afetando mais de 200 milhões de pessoas. Objetivos: Neste estudo, analisamos o tratamento cirúrgico para DAP no sistema público de saúde do Brasil no período de 12 anos, com base em dados publicamente disponíveis. Métodos: O estudo foi conduzido a partir da análise de dados disponíveis na plataforma do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), do Ministério da Saúde, avaliando a distribuição da técnica cirúrgica utilizada, a mortalidade e o custo ao longo dos anos. Resultados: Um total de 129.424 procedimentos foram analisados (para claudicantes e isquemia crítica, em proporção desconhecida). A maiora dos procedimentos foi via endovascular (65,49%), com tendência de aumento nessa desproporção (p < 0,001). Houve 3.306 mortes intra-hospitalares (mortalidade de 2,55%) com menor mortalidade no grupo endovascular (1,2% vs. 5,0%; p = 0,008). O investimento governamental total para esses procedimentos foi de US$ 238.010.096,51, e os procedimentos endovasculares foram significativamente mais caros que a cirurgia aberta convencional (US$ 1.932,27 vs. US$ 1.517,32; p = 0,016). Conclusões: No sistema público de saúde brasileiro, as revascularizações de membros inferiores ocorreram com frequência crescente entre 2008 e 2019. Os procedimentos endovasculares foram mais comuns e relacionados a menor mortalidade intra-hospitalar, mas a maiores custos.

Epidemiology of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Brazil from 2008 to 2019 and Comprehensive Review of Nationwide Statistics Across the World.

INTRODUCTION: Studying epidemiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms repairs is essential to prevent related deaths. Although outcomes are influenced by socioeconomic factors, there are no nationwide studies on these statistics in low-and-middle income countries. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate abdominal aortic aneurysms repair rates, trends, costs, and in-hospital mortality in the Brazilian Public Health System, which exclusively insures over 160 million Brazilians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional population-based analysis of publicly available data referring to all abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs performed between 2008 and 2019 in Brazilian public hospitals. RESULTS: We observed a total of 13,506 abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs, of which 32% were emergency endovascular repairs, 20% emergency open repairs, 32% elective endovascular repairs and 16% elective open repairs. There has been a downward trend in total abdominal aortic aneurysms repairs and an increasing predominance of endovascular repair. Elective and endovascular repairs were significantly associated with lower in-hospital mortality. For ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, we observed mortality rates of 13.8% after endovascular repair and 52.1% after open repair. For intact abdominal aortic aneurysms, we observed mortalities of 3.8% after endovascular repair and 18.6% after open repair. Procedure and mortality rates varied significantly among the Brazilian regions. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a low and decreasing rate of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Most repairs were emergency and endovascular and there was an increasing predominance of endovascular repair. Endovascular and elective repairs were associated with lower mortality.

Epidemiological analysis of lower limb revascularization for peripheral arterial disease over 12 years on the public healthcare system in Brazil / Análise epidemiológica da revascularização de membros inferiores para doença arterial periférica em 12 anos no sistema público de saúde do Brasil

Abstract Background Worldwide, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a disorder with high morbidity, affecting more than 200 million people. Objectives Our objective was to analyze surgical treatment for PAD provided on the Brazilian Public Healthcare System over 12 years using publicly available data. Methods The study was conducted with analysis of data available on the Brazilian Health Ministry's database platform, assessing distributions of procedures and techniques over the years and their associated mortality and costs. Results A total of 129,424 procedures were analyzed (performed either for claudication or critical ischemia, proportion unknown). The vast majority of procedures were endovascular (65.49%) and this disproportion exhibited a rising trend (p<0.001). There were 3,306 in-hospital deaths (mortality of 2.55%), with lower mortality in the endovascular group (1.2% vs. 5.0%, p=0.008). The overall governmental expenditure on these procedures was U$ 238,010,096.51, and endovascular procedures were on average significantly more expensive than open surgery (U$ 1,932.27 vs. U$ 1,517.32; p=0.016). Conclusions Lower limb revascularizations were performed on the Brazilian Public Healthcare System with gradually increasing frequency from 2008 to 2019. Endovascular procedures were vastly more common and were associated with lower in-hospital mortality rates, but higher procedure costs.

Resumo Contexto A doença arterial periférica (DAP) é uma doença com alta morbidade global, afetando mais de 200 milhões de pessoas. Objetivos Neste estudo, analisamos o tratamento cirúrgico para DAP no sistema público de saúde do Brasil no período de 12 anos, com base em dados publicamente disponíveis. Métodos O estudo foi conduzido a partir da análise de dados disponíveis na plataforma do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), do Ministério da Saúde, avaliando a distribuição da técnica cirúrgica utilizada, a mortalidade e o custo ao longo dos anos. Resultados Um total de 129.424 procedimentos foram analisados (para claudicantes e isquemia crítica, em proporção desconhecida). A maiora dos procedimentos foi via endovascular (65,49%), com tendência de aumento nessa desproporção (p < 0,001). Houve 3.306 mortes intra-hospitalares (mortalidade de 2,55%) com menor mortalidade no grupo endovascular (1,2% vs. 5,0%; p = 0,008). O investimento governamental total para esses procedimentos foi de US$ 238.010.096,51, e os procedimentos endovasculares foram significativamente mais caros que a cirurgia aberta convencional (US$ 1.932,27 vs. US$ 1.517,32; p = 0,016). Conclusões No sistema público de saúde brasileiro, as revascularizações de membros inferiores ocorreram com frequência crescente entre 2008 e 2019. Os procedimentos endovasculares foram mais comuns e relacionados a menor mortalidade intra-hospitalar, mas a maiores custos.

Walking Training Improves Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability in Claudication. / Treinamento de Caminhada Melhora a Variabilidade da Pressão Arterial Ambulatorial em Claudicantes.

BACKGROUND: Walking training (WT) improves walking capacity and reduces clinic blood pressure (BP) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), but its effects on ambulatory BP remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 12 weeks of WT on ambulatory BP and its variability in patients with PAD. METHODS: Thirty-five male patients with PAD and claudication symptoms were randomly allocated into two groups: control (n = 16, 30 min of stretching) and WT (n = 19, 15 bouts of 2 min of walking at the heart rate of leg pain threshold interspersed by 2 min of upright rest). Before and after 12 weeks, 24-hour ambulatory BP was assessed. Ambulatory BP variability indices assessed at both time points included the 24-hour standard deviation (SD24), the awake and asleep weighted standard deviation (SDdn), and the 24-hour average real variability (ARV24). Data were analyzed by mixed two-way ANOVAs, considering P<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, neither group had significant changes in 24-hour, awake and sleep BPs. The WT decreased systolic and mean BP variabilities (Systolic BP - 13.3±2.8 vs 11.8±2.3, 12.1±2.84 vs 10.7±2.5 and 9.4±2.3 vs 8.8±2.2 mmHg); Mean BP - 11.0±1.7 vs 10.4±1.9, 10.1±1.6 vs 9.1±1.7 and 8.0.±1.7 vs 7.2±1.5 mmHg) for SD24, SDdn and ARV24, respectively). Neither group had significant changes in diastolic BP variabilities after 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The WT does not change ambulatory BP levels but decreases ambulatory BP variability in patients with PAD. This improvement may have a favorable impact on the cardiovascular risk of patients with symptomatic PAD. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):898-905).

FUNDAMENTO: O treinamento de caminhada (TC) melhora a capacidade de caminhar e reduz a pressão arterial (PA) clínica em pacientes com doença arterial periférica (DAP), mas seus efeitos na PA ambulatorial permanecem desconhecidos. OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito de 12 semanas de TC na PA ambulatorial e sua variabilidade em pacientes com DAP. MÉTODOS: Trinta e cinco pacientes do sexo masculino com DAP e sintomas de claudicação foram alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos: controle (n = 16, 30 min de alongamento) e TC (n = 19, 15 séries de 2 minutos de caminhada na frequência cardíaca em que ocorreu limiar de dor intercalados por 2 minutos de repouso em pé). Antes e depois de 12 semanas, a PA ambulatorial de 24 horas foi avaliada. Os índices de variabilidade da PA ambulatorial avaliados em ambos os momentos incluíram o desvio-padrão de 24 horas (DP24), o desvio-padrão ponderado de vigília e sono (DPvs) e a variabilidade real média de 24 horas (VRM24). Os dados foram analisados por ANOVAs mistas de dois fatores, considerando significativo P<0,05. RESULTADOS: Após 12 semanas, nenhum dos grupos apresentou alterações na PA de 24 horas, vigília e sono. O TC diminuiu as variabilidades da PA sistólica e média (PA sistólica ­ 13,3 ± 2,8 vs 11,8 ± 2,3; 12,1 ± 2,84 vs 10,7 ± 2,5; e 9,4 ± 2,3 vs 8,8 ± 2,2 mmHg; PA média ­ 11,0 ± 1,7 vs 10,4 ± 1,9; 10,1 ± 1,6 vs 9,1 ± 1,7; e 8,0 ± 1,7 vs 7,2 ± 1,5 mmHg para DP24, DPvs e VRM24, respectivamente). Nenhum dos grupos apresentou mudanças significantesnos índices de variabilidade da PA diastólica após 12 semanas. CONCLUSÕES: O TC não altera os níveis ambulatoriais da PA, mas diminui a sua variabilidade em pacientes com DAP. Essa melhora pode ter um impacto favorável no risco cardiovascular de pacientes com DAP sintomática. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):898-905).

Symptoms of anxiety and depression and their relationship with barriers to physical activity in patients with intermittent claudication.

OBJECTIVES: Although the practice of physical exercise in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) is often encouraged, adherence is low. The difficulty in performing physical training may be related to the psychological characteristics of patients with claudication. To verify the association between anxiety and depression symptoms and barriers to physical exercise and walking capacity in patients with IC. METHODS: One-hundred and thirteen patients with a clinical diagnosis of IC were included in the study. Patients underwent clinical evaluation by a vascular surgeon, answered the Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory tests were applied by the psychologist. The patients performed the 6-minute test and reported their barriers to physical activity practice in a questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients with signs of depression had a shorter pain-free walking distance (p=0.015) and total walking distance (p=0.035) compared to patients with no signs of depression. Pain-free walking distance (p=0.29) and total walking distance (p=0.07) were similar between patients with and without signs of anxiety. Patients with symptoms of moderate to severe depression reported more barriers to physical activity practice compared to patients without signs of depression. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). Depression symptoms are associated with personal barriers to exercise, while anxiety symptoms are not. The main barriers to physical activity among patients with IC are exercise-induced pain and the presence of other diseases.

Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Functional Capacity and Muscle Oxygen Saturation in Patients with Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Pilot Study of a Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

The aim of the study was to verify the effects of creatine (Cr) supplementation on functional capacity (walking capacity; primary outcome) and calf muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) (secondary outcome) in symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. Twenty-nine patients, of both sexes, were randomized (1:1) in a double-blind manner for administration of placebo (PLA, n = 15) or creatine monohydrate (Cr, n = 14). The supplementation protocol consisted of 20 g/day for 1 week divided into four equal doses (loading phase), followed by single daily doses of 5 g in the subsequent 7 weeks (maintenance phase). Functional capacity (total walking distance) was assessed by the 6 min walk test, and calf muscle StO2 was assessed through near infrared spectroscopy. The measurements were collected before and after loading and after the maintenance phase. The level of significance was p < 0.05. No significant differences were found for function capacity (total walking distance (PLA: pre 389 ± 123 m vs. post loading 413 ± 131 m vs. post maintenance 382 ± 99 m; Cr: pre 373 ± 149 m vs. post loading 390 ± 115 m vs. post maintenance 369 ± 115 m, p = 0.170) and the calf muscle StO2 parameters (p > 0.05). Short- and long-term Cr supplementation does not influence functional capacity and calf muscle StO2 parameters in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Comparative Analysis of Artery Anatomy Evaluated by Postmortem Tomography, CT Angiography, and Postmortem and Predeath CT Scans.

BACKGROUND: To date, no study has been performed analyzing changes in the vascular system comparing paired examinations of patients alive and after death with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and computed tomography (CT) angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to analyze in a large series (38 patients) the aorta and its branches by CT (without contrast) and CT angiography of patients still alive and after death comparing their diameters and length variations. RESULTS: The variation between in vivo tomography and virtopsy methods was greater in the evaluation of distances between vascular segments than in the diameters; less than 30% of the distances evaluated in the entire study had acceptable variation between methods, regardless of the use of contrast scans. We observed better repeatability rates in the comparison between in vivo and postmortem contrast-enhanced examinations. Comparing the examinations of the still alive individuals with the contrast-enhanced tomography after death, we observed a higher concordance rate. The best variations between the methods were observed in the evaluation of the diameters in the contrast-enhanced examination of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and thoracoabdominal transition. CONCLUSIONS: The measurements obtained in postmortem angiography images partially reflect the vascular anatomy of the main branches in the thoracoabdominal region in vivo. However, postmortem CT without contrast was not performed in the same comparison. We believe that adjustments to the contrast injection technique may eventually improve these results.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression and their relationship with barriers to physical activity in patients with intermittent claudication

OBJECTIVES: Although the practice of physical exercise in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) is often encouraged, adherence is low. The difficulty in performing physical training may be related to the psychological characteristics of patients with claudication. To verify the association between anxiety and depression symptoms and barriers to physical exercise and walking capacity in patients with IC. METHODS: One-hundred and thirteen patients with a clinical diagnosis of IC were included in the study. Patients underwent clinical evaluation by a vascular surgeon, answered the Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory tests were applied by the psychologist. The patients performed the 6-minute test and reported their barriers to physical activity practice in a questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients with signs of depression had a shorter pain-free walking distance (p=0.015) and total walking distance (p=0.035) compared to patients with no signs of depression. Pain-free walking distance (p=0.29) and total walking distance (p=0.07) were similar between patients with and without signs of anxiety. Patients with symptoms of moderate to severe depression reported more barriers to physical activity practice compared to patients without signs of depression. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). Depression symptoms are associated with personal barriers to exercise, while anxiety symptoms are not. The main barriers to physical activity among patients with IC are exercise-induced pain and the presence of other diseases.

Functional and Cardiovascular Measurements in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: COMPARISON BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.

PURPOSE: To compare functional and cardiovascular variables of men and women with peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study included 67 women and 144 men (age 66 ± 9 and 67 ± 10 yr, respectively) with PAD. Patients were submitted to a clinical evaluation, 6-min walk test (6MWT) and cardiovascular evaluation, including blood pressure, arterial stiffness variables, and heart rate variability. RESULTS: Women had lower claudication onset distance (P = .033) and 6MWT distance (P < .001), and similar percentage of the predicted 6MWT distance (P > .05). Women had higher pulse pressure (P = .002), augmentation index (P < .001), augmentation index corrected by 75 bpm (P < .001), and brachial and central systolic blood pressure (P = .041 and P = .029). Diastolic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, and heart rate variability were similar between sexes (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Although predicted 6MWT performance was similar between sexes, women had higher blood pressure and wave reflection variables compared with men. Interventions to reduce blood pressure and wave reflection should be emphasized in women with PAD.

Does Creatine Supplementation Affect Renal Function in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease? A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-controlled, Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Case studies and reviews have shown that creatine supplementation can affect kidney function. The objective of this study is to verify the effects of 8 weeks of creatine supplementation on renal function (creatinine clearance: primary outcome) in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients, of both genders, were randomized (1:1) in a double-blind manner for administration of Placebo (PLA; n = 15) or creatine monohydrate (Cr; n = 14). The supplementation protocol consisted of 20 g/day for 1 week divided into 4 equal doses (loading phase), followed by single daily doses of 5 g in the subsequent 7 weeks (maintenance phase). Before and after the supplementation period, markers of renal function, serum creatinine, creatinine excretion rate, and creatinine clearance were evaluated. The Generalized Estimation Equation Model was used for comparison between groups. The level of significance was P < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups before and after the intervention for serum creatinine (Cr: pre 1.00 ± 0.15 mL/dL vs. post 1.07 ± 0.16 mL/dL; PLA: pre 1.30 ± 0.53 mL/dL vs. post 1.36 ± 0.47 mL/dL, P = 0.590), creatinine excretion rate (Cr: pre 81.73 ± 43.80 mg/dL vs. post 102.92 ± 59.57 mg/dL; PLA: pre 74.37 ± 38.90 mg/dL vs. post 86.22 ± 39.94 mg/dL, P = 0.560), or creatinine clearance (Cr; pre 108 ± 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. post 117 ± 52 mL/min/1.73 m2; PLA: pre 88 ± 49 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. post 82 ± 47 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.366). CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of creatine supplementation is safe and does not compromise the renal function of patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Relationship between gait speed and physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between gait speed and measurements of physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine patients (age 66.6±9.4 years) with symptomatic PAD were recruited. Usual and fast gait speeds were assessed with a 4-meter walk test. Objective (balance, sit-to-stand, handrip strength, and six-minute walk test) and subjective (WIQ - Walking Impairment Questionnaire and WELCH - Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History) measurements of physical function were obtained. Crude and adjusted linear regression analyses were used to confirm significant associations. RESULTS: Usual and fast gait speeds were significantly correlated with all objective and subjective physical function variables examined (r<0.55, p<0.05). In the multivariate model, usual gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (ß=0.001, p<0.001), sit-to-stand test score (ß=-0.005, p=0.012), and WIQ stairs score (ß=0.002, p=0.006) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. Fast gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (ß=0.002, p<0.001), WIQ stairs score (ß=0.003, p=0.010), and WELCH total score (ß=0.004, p=0.026) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. CONCLUSION: Usual and fast gait speeds assessed with the 4-meter test were moderately associated with objective and subjective measurements of physical function in symptomatic PAD patients.

Cardiac Autonomic Modulation Is Associated with Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between cardiac autonomic modulation and arterial stiffness in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included one hundred fourteen patients with symptomatic PAD (67.5% men; 65 ± 7 years; body mass index: 26.8 ± 4.5 kg/m2). Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured within time (standard deviation of all RR intervals [beat to beat heart interval] [SDNN], root mean square of the successive differences between adjacent normal RR intervals [RMSSD], and the proportion of successive RR intervals that differed by more than 50 msec [pNN50]) and frequency (low frequency [LF] and high frequency [HF]) domains. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Crude and adjusted linear regression analyses examined the relationship between HRV and cfPWV. RESULTS: Nonsignificant crude associations were identified among cfPWV and RMSSD (P = 0.181), SDNN (P = 0.105), pNN50 (P = 0.087), LF (P = 0.376), HF (P = 0.175), and LF/HF ratio (P = 0.426). After adjustments for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, ankle-brachial index, and use of beta-blockers, significant associations were identified among cfPWV and RMSSD (P = 0.037), SDNN (P = 0.049), and pNN50 (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac autonomic modulation was significantly associated with arterial stiffness in patients with PAD after adjustment for confounding factors. This relationship may contribute to the enhanced cardiovascular disease risk for PAD patients and provides a target for strategies to improve patient clinical outcomes.

The Need for a Vena Cava Filter in Oncological Patients with Acute Venous Thrombosis: A Marker of a Worse Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Active cancer is found in approximately 20% of patients diagnosed with venous thromboembolism. This condition is more prevalent in patients with advanced and metastatic cancer and is the second largest cause of death among patients with active neoplasm. Many of them have contraindication for anticoagulation and needs an inferior vena cava filter to be implanted, but a large proportion of these patients have very low survival after filter implantation. Our aim was to verify whether the need for filter implantation represents an independent indicator of poor prognosis in oncological patients and to identify subgroups with a greater survival. METHODS: This study included a retrospective analysis of 247 oncologic patients with acute proximal venous thrombosis. We compared survival between 100 consecutive patients who needed vena cava filter (FILTER group) versus a control group of 147 patients in whom anticoagulation was possible (ANTICOAGULATION group). We verified survival, cause of death, filter's indications (clinical and surgical), and factors that might lead to worse prognosis. RESULTS: Risk of death was 8.83-fold higher in the FILTER group than that in the ANTICOAGULATION group, a greater risk than the presence of metastasis (OR: 2.47). Death was significantly more frequent in patients subjected to filter implantation because of clinical indications (93.2%) such as high risk of or recent bleeding and an adjusted risk of death of 2.24-fold higher in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The need to implant a vena cava filter in a patient with cancer is a marker that indicates patient's disease severity and worse prognosis. Survival was longer in the subgroup of patients who underwent filter implantation before oncologic surgery, probably because of a better status performance and less clinical complications.

Barriers and Levels of Physical Activity in Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease: Comparison Between Women and Men.

This cross-sectional study compared physical activity levels and barriers between 212 men and women with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Physical activity was objectively measured by an accelerometer. Barriers to physical activity were obtained using a validated questionnaire. Women reported higher amounts of light physical activity (p < .001) and lower moderate-vigorous physical activity (p < .001) than men. Women more often reported barriers such as "not having anyone to accompany" (p = .006), "lack of money" (p = .018), "fear of falling or worsening the disease" (p = .010), "lack of security" (p = .015), "not having places to sit when feeling leg pain" (p = .021), and "difficulty in getting to a place to practice physical activity" (p = .015). In conclusion, women with symptomatic peripheral artery disease presented with lower amounts of moderate-vigorous activity and more barriers to activity than men. Strategies to minimize the barriers, including group actives and nonpainful exercises, are recommended for women with peripheral artery disease.

Analysis of the Correlation Between Central Obesity and Abdominal Aortic Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have several similar risk factors but different pathogenesis. Inflammation of the arteries is common to both. Central obesity can act as an endocrine organ through the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and the perivascular fat has a local effect that could contribute to diseases of the abdominal aorta. Although the relation between central obesity and atherosclerosis occlusive arterial disease has been demonstrated, the correlation with AAA has conflicting results. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between central obesity and the presence of abdominal aortic diseases using computed tomography. METHODS: Six hundred thirty-nine consecutive patients classified into 3 groups (AAA, aortic atherosclerotic occlusive disease (AAOD), and without aortic disease [control group]) who underwent computed tomography had the aorta diameter, the visceral fat area (VFA), and the subcutaneous fat area (SFA) measured at the level of third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. RESULTS: VFA showed no difference between the groups. SFA was lower in atherosclerotic group (AAOD) than control (P < 0.01 in general and P < 0.04 in male). In AAA group, we found in men that the first tertile of aorta diameter had higher VFA than third tertile (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in VFA between patients in AAA, AAOD, and without aortic disease groups. In men with aneurysm, there was an inverse relationship between VFA and aortic diameter. In AAOD, visceral to subcutaneous ratio is higher due to lower SFA.

Relationship between gait speed and physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between gait speed and measurements of physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine patients (age 66.6±9.4 years) with symptomatic PAD were recruited. Usual and fast gait speeds were assessed with a 4-meter walk test. Objective (balance, sit-to-stand, handrip strength, and six-minute walk test) and subjective (WIQ - Walking Impairment Questionnaire and WELCH - Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History) measurements of physical function were obtained. Crude and adjusted linear regression analyses were used to confirm significant associations. RESULTS: Usual and fast gait speeds were significantly correlated with all objective and subjective physical function variables examined (r<0.55, p<0.05). In the multivariate model, usual gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (β=0.001, p<0.001), sit-to-stand test score (β=-0.005, p=0.012), and WIQ stairs score (β=0.002, p=0.006) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. Fast gait speed was associated with six-minute walking distance (β=0.002, p<0.001), WIQ stairs score (β=0.003, p=0.010), and WELCH total score (β=0.004, p=0.026) adjusted by age, ankle brachial index, body mass index, and gender. CONCLUSION: Usual and fast gait speeds assessed with the 4-meter test were moderately associated with objective and subjective measurements of physical function in symptomatic PAD patients.

Edoxaban for Venous Thromboembolism Treatment-The New Kid on The Block for Latin America. A Practical Guide.

Edoxaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor (FXa), is the fourth direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) approved for clinical use in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Latin America, following global approvals for this indication. Edoxaban features some particular characteristics when compared to the previously approved DOACs. This review summarizes the main properties of edoxaban, the outcomes results of its pivotal global clinical trials and the peculiar clinical features of this compound. This practical guide aims to help Latin America clinicians understand edoxaban, its proper indication and its use for the appropriate patients with VTE.

Prevalence of signs of celiac axis compression by the median arcuate ligament on computed tomography angiography in asymptomatic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The increasing use of computed tomography (CT) angiography has led to more frequent diagnoses of celiac artery compression (CAC) by the median arcuate ligament (MAL). The signs of CAC by the MAL have been described as stenosis and a hook or J appearance on sagittal views. The importance of the "hook signal," however, has not been documented by studies of the normal anatomy of the celiac axis. METHODS: CT angiography images of 344 completely asymptomatic, live kidney donors (without history of chronic abdominal pain or weight loss) were reviewed. The angle of emergence (AE) of the celiac axis from the aorta and the angle of upward or downward shifting of the celiac axis before its first branch (fold angle [FA]) were measured. Weight, height, and body mass index were obtained from our electronic database, and correlations with the angles measured were tested. The occurrence of stenosis >50% at the origins of the celiac axis was also determined in the sample. RESULTS: Measurements were possible in 321 cases. The celiac axis was found to leave the aorta at an angle of <90 degrees in all patients (AE range, 7-83 degrees) and <45 degrees in 292 (90%) patients. The FA ranged from 66 to 208 degrees. Before the first branch, the celiac trunk shifted upward in 306 (95%) patients, remained straight in just one of them, and shifted downward in 14 (4%). The AE was positively correlated with weight in women. The FA was negatively correlated with weight in men and women. Body mass index was positively correlated with AE and negatively correlated with FA in both men and women. In 11 cases (3.4%), stenosis >50% was found at the origin of the celiac axis. In only two patients, the celiac axis had an upward slope after the stenosis, which could be interpreted as a hook shape. CONCLUSIONS: The normal anatomy of the celiac axis, when seen on CT angiography images, demonstrates that it exits the aorta downward and then shifts upward. This hook or J shape should not be interpreted as resulting from external compression. CAC by the MAL occurs in 3.42% of the normal asymptomatic population; a hook or J shape is not visible in most cases in that subgroup.

En bloc vertebrectomy for the treatment of spinal lesions. Five years of experience in a single institution: a case series.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe the experience of a Brazilian public university hospital regarding the treatment of metastatic or benign spine lesions with en bloc vertebrectomy of the thoracic and lumbar spines. METHODS: This study was a retrospective case series and included all medical records of patients with benign aggressive, primary malignant, or metastatic spine lesions who underwent en bloc vertebrectomy from 2010 to 2015. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients were included in the analysis. Most of them (71%) were indicated for surgery based on an oncologic resection for localized disease cure. Overall, 10 of the 17 patients (59%) underwent vertebrectomy via an isolated posterior approach using the technique described by Roy-Camille et al. and Tomita et al., while 7 patients (41%) underwent double approach surgeries. Of the 17 patients who underwent the en bloc resection, 8 are still alive and in the outpatient follow-up (47%), and almost all patients with metastatic lesions (8/9) died. The average survival time following the surgical procedure was 23.8 months. Considering the cases of metastatic lesions and the cases of localized disease (malignant or benign aggressive disease) separately, we observed an average survival time of 15 months and 47.6 months respectively. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates and reinforces the reproducibility of the en bloc vertebrectomy technique described by Tomita et al.

Paraplegia of Lower Limbs Caused by a Segmental Thrombosis of the Descending Thoracic Aorta Reversed with Endovascular Treatment-A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Transient paraplegia of the lower limbs is a rare condition and, when has a vascular etiology, is usually associated with thromboembolic events, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysms, or as a complication of the surgical correction of those diseases. There is no case reported of acute paraplegia caused by a segmental thrombotic subocclusion of the descending thoracic aorta. CASE REPORT: We report a not yet described clinical situation of a young patient (51 years) admitted to the emergency care department for treatment of systemic arterial hypertension of difficult control with 4 antihypertensive medication classes. At the intensive care unit for treatment with intravenous antihypertensive medication, the patient evolved with acute paraplegia and a segmental thrombotic subocclusion of the descending thoracic aorta was diagnosed. He was submitted to endovascular treatment with total recovery of the deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The previously normal descending thoracic aorta may be a site of segmental thrombosis and may lead to paraplegia. Early endovascular treatment can reverse this type of situation.