The effect of supraceliac versus infraceliac landing zone on outcomes following fenestrated endovascular repair of juxta-/pararenal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: With increasing experience in fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) over time, devices designed to treat juxta-/pararenal aortic aneurysms have evolved in complexity to extend to more proximal landing zones and incorporate more target vessels. We assessed perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent juxta-/pararenal FEVAR with supraceliac vs infraceliac sealing in the Vascular Quality Initiative. METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent elective FEVAR (commercially available FEVAR and physician-modified endografts) for juxta-/pararenal aortic aneurysms in the Vascular Quality Initiative between 2014 and 2021. Supraceliac sealing was defined as proximal sealing in aortic zone 5, or zone 6 with a celiac scallop/fenestration/branch or celiac occlusion. Primary outcomes were perioperative and 3-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included completion endoleaks, in-hospital complications, and factors associated with 3-year mortality. We calculated propensity scores and used inverse probability-weighted Cox regression and logistic regression modeling to assess outcomes. RESULTS: Among 1486 patients identified, 1246 patients (84%) underwent infraceliac sealing, and 240 patients (16%) underwent supraceliac sealing. Of the supraceliac patients, 74 (31%) had a celiac scallop, 144 (60%) had a celiac fenestration/branch, and 22 (9.2%) had a celiac occlusion (intentional or unintentional). After risk-adjusted analyses, there were no differences in perioperative mortality following supraceliac sealing compared with infraceliac sealing (2.3% vs 2.5%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-1.8; P = .42), or 3-year mortality (12% vs 15%; HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.53-1.5; P = .67). Compared with infraceliac sealing, supraceliac sealing was associated with lower odds of type-IA completion endoleaks (odds ratio [OR], 0.24; 95% CI, 0.05-0.67), but higher odds of any complication (12% vs 6.9%; OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.01-2.5) including cardiac complications (5.5% vs 1.9%; OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.1), lower extremity ischemia (3.0% vs 0.9%; OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.02-9.5), and acute kidney injury (16% vs 11%; OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.05-2.3). Though non-significant, there was a trend towards higher risk of spinal cord ischemia following supraceliac sealing compared with infraceliac sealing (1.7% vs 0.8%; OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.70-6.4). There were no differences in bowel ischemia between groups (1.7% vs 1.5%; OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.24-1.23). A more proximal aneurysm disease extent was associated with higher 3-year mortality (HR zone 8 vs 9, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5), whereas procedural characteristics had no influence. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with sealing at an infraceliac level, supraceliac sealing was associated with lower risk of type IA endoleaks and similar mortality. However, clinicians should be aware that supraceliac sealing was associated with higher perioperative morbidity. Future studies with longer follow-up are needed to adequately assess durability differences to comprehensively weigh the risks and benefits of utilizing a higher sealing zone within the visceral aorta for juxta-/pararenal FEVAR.

Retroperitoneal versus Transperitoneal Approach for Open Repair of Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have demonstrated advantages of the retroperitoneal approach (RP) over the transperitoneal approach (TP) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the outcomes of a TP vs. RP surgical approach for open complex AAA (cAAA) repair and evaluated their relative use over time. METHODS: Patients undergoing open repair for intact cAAA (juxtarenal, suprarenal, or type IV thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms) between 2011 and 2019 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. The primary outcome was peri-operative death. Secondary outcomes included peri-operative complications and approach use over time. Multivariable adjustment was performed by creating propensity scores and using inverse probability weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 1 195 patients identified, 729 (61%) underwent cAAA repair via a TP approach and 466 (39%) via an RP approach. Compared with a TP approach, RP patients more frequently had a supracoeliac clamp position (32% vs. 20%, p < .001) and concomitant renal revascularisation (30% vs. 18%, p < .001). After adjustment, an RP approach was associated with lower odds of peri-operative death (4.0% vs. 7.2%; odds ratio [OR] 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32 - 0.91; p = .022). Furthermore, an RP approach was associated with lower odds of any major complication (24% vs. 30%; OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.56 - 0.94), cardiac complications (4.9% vs. 8.2%; OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.37 - 0.96), wound complications (2.1% vs. 6.0%; OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.17 - 0.64), and post-operative sepsis (0.8% vs. 2.4%; OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.12 - 0.99). The proportion of repairs using an RP approach decreased between 2011 - 2015 and 2016 - 2019 (42% vs. 35%, p = .020), particularly for suprarenal and type IV thoraco-abdominal aneurysms (49% vs. 37%, p = .023). CONCLUSION: In open cAAA repair, the RP approach may be associated with lower peri-operative mortality and morbidity rates compared with the TP approach. However, it was found that the relative use of the RP approach is decreasing over time, even in suprarenal/type IV thoraco-abdominal aneurysms, and repairs using a supracoeliac clamp. Increased use of the RP approach, when appropriate, may lead to improved outcomes following open cAAA repair.

True Costs of Uterine Artery Embolization: Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in Interventional Radiology Over a 3-Year Period.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to uncover potential areas for cost savings in uterine artery embolization (UAE) using time-driven activity-based costing, the most accurate costing methodology for direct health care system costs. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three patients who underwent outpatient UAE for fibroids or adenomyosis between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Utilization times were captured from electronic health record time stamps and staff interviews using validated techniques. Capacity cost rates were estimated using institutional data and manufacturer proxy prices. Costs were calculated using time-driven activity-based costing for personnel, equipment, and consumables. Differences in time utilization and costs between procedures by an interventional radiology attending physician only versus an interventional radiology attending physician and trainee were additionally performed. RESULTS: The mean total cost of UAE was $4,267 ± $1,770, the greatest contributor being consumables (51%; $2,162 ± $811), followed by personnel (33%; $1,388 ± $340) and equipment (7%; $309 ± $96). Embolic agents accounted for the greatest proportion of consumable costs, accounting for 51% ($1,273 ± $789), followed by vascular devices (15%; $630 ± $143). The cost of embolic agents was highly variable, driven mainly by the number of vials (range 1-19) of tris-acryl gelatin particles used. Interventional radiology attending physician only cases had significantly lower personnel costs ($1,091 versus $1,425, P = .007) and equipment costs ($268 versus $317, P = .007) compared with interventional radiology attending physician and trainee cases, although there was no significant difference in mean overall costs ($3,640 versus $4,386; P = .061). CONCLUSIONS: Consumables accounted for the majority of total cost of UAE, driven by the cost of embolic agents and vascular devices.

Racial and Gender Differences in Medical Student Burnout: A 2021 National Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To measure racial and gender differences in medical student burnout and identify possible contributing factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Electronic surveys were distributed to medical students at 9 US medical schools from December 27, 2020, through January 17, 2021. Questions covered demographic characteristics, stressors contributing to burnout, and the 2-item Maslach Burnout Inventory. RESULTS: Of 5500 invited students, 1178 (21%) responded (mean age, 25.3 years; 61% identified as female). Fifty-seven percent of respondents identified as White, 26% as Asian, and 5% as Black. Overall, 75.6% of students met the criteria for burnout. Women reported more burnout (78% vs 72%; P=.049). There were no differences in burnout prevalence by race. Students commonly reported that lack of sleep (42%), decreased engagement in hobbies or self-care (41%), stress about grades (37%), feeling socially disconnected (36%), and lack of exercise (35%) contributed to burnout. Compared with students of other races, Black students reported that their feelings of burnout were affected significantly more by lack of sleep and poor diet, and Asian students more by stress about grades, residency, and publishing pressure (all P<.05). Female students were more affected than male students by stress about grades, poor diet, and feelings of social disconnectedness and inadequacy (all P<.05). CONCLUSION: Burnout (75.6%) was higher than historical norms, and female students reported higher burnout than male students. There was no difference in burnout prevalence by race. There were racial and gender differences in self-identified contributors of burnout. Additional research is needed to confirm whether stressors were contributors to or consequences of burnout, as well as how to address them.