Carotid-Carotid Transposition for Zone 1 Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair.

OBJECTIVES: Carotid-carotid bypass is the standard technique for cervical aortic arch debranching to maintain left common carotid artery perfusion with zone I thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), while left-to-right carotid-carotid transposition (CCT) has been described as an autologous alternative. We report on our center's experience with CCT in the setting of zone I TEVAR. This is the only published series of this technique. METHODS: All patients who underwent CCT, defined by CPT code 35509, between 2017 and 2020 were identified at our tertiary care center. Patient demographics, indications for CCT, complications specific to CCT, operative details, post-operative course, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients underwent CCT prior to zone 1 TEVAR. The indications for intervention were thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections secondary to hypertension (n = 10), Marfan syndrome (n = 2), and Turner syndrome with aneurysmal degeneration of previous coarctation repair (n = 1). There was a high incidence of preexisting hypertension (92%), malnutrition (69%), and smoking (61%) in this cohort. Operative intervention was performed on both an elective (n = 7, 54%) and an urgent (n = 6, 46%) basis. Complications directly related to CCT included transient unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve deficit (n = 1, 7.7%). There were no cerebrovascular events, surgical site infections, or procedure-related mortalities. All transpositions with follow-up imaging were patent without stenosis or thrombosis (average 7.2 months, n = 10). There were no late complications related to CCT. CONCLUSIONS: CCT is a safe and autologous alternative to carotid-carotid bypass for left common carotid artery revascularization with zone I TEVAR.

Lateral Axillary Exposure for Antegrade Access during Endovascular Repair of Complex Abdominal Aortic and Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: During endovascular treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysms (PAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA), our antegrade vascular access of choice is a lateral axillary exposure (LAE). We directly access the axillary artery with multiple sheaths followed by primary closure of the axillary artery at case completion. The aim of this study is to describe our technique and to report our results with this approach. METHODS: This study is a single-institution, retrospective review of 53 patients who were treated with parallel grafts for endovascular repair of PAA and TAAA from 2006 to 2018. The aortic repairs requiring LAE included: 9 cases of endo-leaks from prior endovascular repair, 20 TAAAs, and 24 PAAs. The axillary artery was exposed with a vertical axillary skin incision followed by retraction of the lateral border of the pectoralis major to expose the axillary artery distal to the pectoralis minor. A 5-French (F) through 12F sheaths were used to directly access the axillary artery for delivery of endovascular devices. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty reno-visceral stents were delivered through 125 axillary sheaths in an antegrade fashion to 114 arteries without intraoperative complications or technical failures. Two postoperative complications included an access-site hematoma managed conservatively (1.9%) and a left brachial vein thrombosis treated with anticoagulation (1.9%). There were no cases of cerebrovascular or peripheral neurologic events, upper extremity ischemia, or reoperation related to LAE. CONCLUSIONS: LAE is a valid approach for upper extremity access during the endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms requiring simultaneous delivery of multiple reno-visceral devices. It does not require the use of a prosthetic conduit. There were no neurologic events or upper extremity ischemia in our series.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes in endovascular versus open repair for juxtarenal and pararenal aortic aneurysms: A propensity-matched analysis.

Objective Endoluminal aortic aneurysm repair is suitable within certain anatomic specifications. This study aims to compare 30-day outcomes of endovascular versus open repairs for juxtarenal and pararenal aortic aneurysms (JAA/PAAs). Methods The ACS-NSQIP database was queried from 2012 to 2015 for JAA/PAA repairs. Procedures characterized as emergent were included in the study; however, failed prior repairs and ruptured aneurysms were excluded. The preoperative and perioperative patient characteristics, operative techniques, and outcome variables were compared between the open aortic repair and the endovascular aortic repair groups. Propensity scoring was performed to clinically match open aortic repair and endovascular aortic repair groups on preoperative risk and select perioperative factors that differed significantly in the unmatched groups. Outcome comparisons were then performed between matched groups. Results A total of 1005 (789 JAAs and 216 PAAs) aneurysm repairs were included in the study. Of these, there were 395 endovascular aortic repairs and 610 open aortic repairs. Propensity scoring created a matched group of 263 endovascular aortic repair and 263 open aortic repair patients. There was no statistically significant difference in 30-day mortality rates between matched endovascular aortic repair and open aortic repair patients (2.7% vs. 5.7%). The endovascular aortic repair group had a shorter ICU length of stay and overall hospital stay. The 30-day morbidity significantly favored endovascular aortic repair over open aortic repair (16% vs. 35%, p < 0.001). The main drivers of morbidity for endovascular aortic repair versus open aortic repair included return to the OR (6.8% vs. 15%, p < 0.001), rate of cardiac or respiratory failure (7.6% vs. 21%, p = 0.001), rate of renal insufficiency or failure (3.8% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.009), and rate of pneumonia (1.5% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.004). Conclusions There is no difference in mortality rates between endovascular aortic repair versus open aortic repair when repairing JAAs/PAAs. There is a significant difference in overall morbidity, and ICU and hospital length of stay favoring endovascular aortic repair over open aortic repair. This supports the expanded applicability and efficacy of endovascular repair for complex aneurysms.

Lysis and covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation (LA CERAB) technique for chronic juxtarenal aortic occlusions.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review early experience with catheter directed thrombolysis in the setting of chronic juxtarenal aortic occlusion as an initial therapy to allow safe definitive management with placement of aorto-iliac endografts. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients with a diagnosis of chronic juxtarenal aortic occlusion treated by the author with initial catheter directed thrombolysis. In all, six patients (five males and one female, average age of 57 years) treated between 2019 and 2022 met criteria. Total duration of symptoms prior to thrombolysis ranged from 2 to 54 months (average 23 months.) Four patients (67%) had progressed to tissue loss 2 to 5 months prior to the initiation of thrombolysis (average 3.25 months). Radiographic confirmation of aortic occlusion on preoperative imaging was noted 7 to 846 days prior to the initiation of thrombolysis (average 190 days). RESULTS: Five of six patients (83%) had near complete resolution of aorto-iliac thrombus after 12 to 72 hours of thrombolysis to reveal underlying stenoses. The remaining patient's thrombolysis therapy was cut short at 48 hours due to behavioral issues, but had enough clearing of juxtarenal thrombus to undergo placement of aorto-iliac endografts. There were no perioperative deaths, myocardial infarctions, strokes or major complications. Temporary laboratory abnormalities (coagulopathy and/or increase in serum creatinine) were seen in four patients (67%), but all resolved by discharge without clinical sequelae. The primary patency is 100% at early follow-up of up to 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of chronic juxtarenal aortic occlusions, thrombolysis can provide effective clearing of the juxtarenal aortic thrombus to allow safe definitive therapy with aorto-iliac endografts. The approach deserves consideration in patients at high risk for open reconstruction.

The femoral-based endowedge technique to increase juxtarenal seal and correct graft tilt.

The endowedge technique refers to the use of balloons to align the scallops of the Gore Excluder endoprosthesis (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) to the renal artery to increase juxtarenal seal during endovascular repair of aneurysms with challenging anatomy. With the availability of a reconstrainable deployment system, this now can be performed without the use of brachial access. In addition, the femoral approach facilitates the use of the balloon as a fulcrum to correct unfavorable graft tilt.

Iliac artery recanalization of chronic occlusions to facilitate endovascular aneurysm repair.

INTRODUCTION: Concurrent iliac occlusion and abdominal aortic aneurysm is rare. Traditionally, the endovascular approach to these patients has consisted of aortouniiliac devices combined with femoral-femoral bypass. With improved facility of endovascular techniques, standard bifurcated endografts represent an alternative option in these patients. This study examined outcomes of patients undergoing iliac recanalization and traditional bifurcated endovascular aneurysm repair in the face of access vessel occlusion. METHODS: Outcomes of patients at three academic tertiary referral centers who underwent attempted iliac recanalization of chronic iliac occlusions and concurrent endovascular aneurysm repair of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with acute iliac thrombosis and those with severely stenotic (but patent) iliac vessels were excluded. RESULTS: During a 6-year period, 15 occluded iliac arteries were treated in 14 patients (13 men). Mean age was 67.8 years (range, 52-80 years). Primary indication for intervention was disabling claudication in four patients, size of abdominal aortic aneurysm in nine, and symptomatic aneurysm in one. Seven patients presented with a unilateral common iliac artery (CIA) occlusion, four with a unilateral external iliac artery (EIA) occlusion, three with a unilateral combined CIA and EIA occlusion, and one with bilateral CIA occlusions. Stents had been placed previously in two of the occluded CIAs and in one of the occluded EIAs. Average length of the occluded segment was 7.5 cm (range, 2-17 cm). The occluded CIAs and EIAs had mean diameters of 8.6 and 5.7 mm, respectively. Successful recanalization was achieved in 14 of the 15 vessels (93.3%). One EIA ruptured during recanalization but was easily controlled with a covered stent. A re-entry device was used in two cases. Overall, 13 bifurcated devices were successfully implanted. Bilateral iliac occlusions in one patient were recanalized. One Talent (Medtronic, Santa Rosa, Calif), eight Excluder (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz), and four Zenith (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) devices were used. Mean length of stay was 2.3 days (range, 1-6 days). No major perioperative complications or deaths occurred. During a mean follow-up of 28.2 months (range, 1-86 months), there was 100% primary patency of successfully recanalized iliac arteries. Aneurysm sac size decreased from a mean of 5.1 cm (range, 3.1-7.6 cm) preoperatively to 4.4 cm (range, 2.8-7.1 cm) at follow-up. No aneurysms grew or ruptured. Three type II endoleaks occurred, one of which required coiling at 15 months. Two late deaths occurred: one at 36 months secondary to complications from a coronary artery bypass graft/mitral valve replacement and one at 34 months from a myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bifurcated endovascular devices after recanalization of an occluded iliac system is technically feasible and durable at midterm follow-up. This technique re-establishes aortoiliac inflow to both lower extremities, obviates the need for extra-anatomic bypass, and may preserve hypogastric perfusion in some patients.

Treatment of a type IIIb endoleak in a Talent endograft using telescoping cuffs and two parallel upside-down excluder contralateral legs.

We describe a case of a type IIIb endoleak arising from the main body of a Talent endograft that was treated using two telescoping cuffs and two parallel upside-down inserted Excluder contralateral legs, thereby creating a new bifurcating endograft. First, a 23-mm cuff was deployed onto the flow divider of the Talent endograft, followed by a second 28-mm cuff below the renal arteries creating a tapering lumen. Two 20-mm Excluder contralateral limbs were then positioned upside-down in the 23-mm cuff and deployed simultaneously, creating a new bifurcated prosthesis. Control computed tomography (CT) scan at 6 weeks showed a good position of the endografts without signs of an endoleak. In conclusion, a type IIIb endoleak at the level of the flow divider may successfully be excluded using two telescoping cuffs and two parallel upside-down contralateral Excluder limbs. Due to the rarity of this complication, the treatment will always have to be tailor-made.

Hybrid Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection With Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysmal Degeneration in the Setting of Marfan Syndrome.

Aneurysmal degeneration of the thoracoabdominal aorta after aortic dissection is a well-documented sequela of Marfan syndrome (MFS). Hybrid technique (HT), an emerging treatment modality for complex aortic pathologies, decreases morbidity and mortality relative to open surgery. However, outcome data regarding HT in genetic aortopathies such as MFS is limited. We describe a case of a young male with hypertension and type B aortic dissection (AD) complicated by a symptomatic thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA). He underwent staged HT comprised of carotid-carotid transposition followed by zone 1 thoracic endovascular aortic repair and concurrent retrograde left subclavian stent graft placement. Genetic analysis was consistent with Marfan syndrome. Subsequent growth of his TAAA warranted open extent type IV TAAA repair with individual renovisceral and iliac bypasses. The patient recovered from the second surgery without further progression of disease or late complication.

Blood transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after lower extremity revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the significance of blood transfusion in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to examine the effect of intraoperative blood transfusion on the morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent lower extremity revascularization. METHODS: We analyzed data from the participant use data file containing vascular surgical cases submitted to the ACS NSQIP in 2005, 2006, and 2007 by 173 hospitals. Current procedural terminology codes were used to select lower extremity procedures that were grouped into venous graft, prosthetic graft, or thromboendarterectomy. Thirty-day outcomes analyzed were (1) mortality, (2) composite morbidity, (3) graft/prosthesis failure, (4) return to the operating room within 30 days, (5) wound occurrences, (6) sepsis or septic shock, (7) pulmonary occurrences, and (8) renal insufficiency or failure. Intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells was categorized as none, 1 to 2 units, and 3 or more units. Outcome rates were compared between the transfused and nontransfused groups using the chi(2) test and multivariable regression adjusting for transfusion propensity, comorbid and procedural risk. RESULTS: A total of 8799 patients underwent lower extremity revascularization between 2005 and 2007. Mean age was 66.8 +/- 12.0 years and 5569 (63.3%) were male. Transfusion rates ranged from 14.5% in thromboendarterectomy patients to 27.1% in prosthetic bypass patients (P < .05). After adjustment for transfusion propensity and patient and procedural risks, transfusion of 1 or 2 units remained significantly predictive of mortality, composite morbidity, sepsis/shock, pulmonary occurrences, and return to the operating room. The adjusted odds ratios for 30-day mortality ranged from 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-2.70) for 1 to 2 units to 2.48 (95% CI 1.55-3.98) for 3 or more units. CONCLUSION: In a large number of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization, we have found that there is a higher risk of postoperative mortality, pulmonary, and infectious complications after receiving intraoperative blood transfusion. Additional studies are necessary to better define transfusion triggers that balance the risk/benefit ratio for blood transfusion.

Thirty-day NSQIP database outcomes of open versus endoluminal repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) has decreased 3.5% per decade in the last 50 years to a current rate of 40%-50%. Reports have indicated that endovascular repair (EVAR) is feasible for rAAA and may offer potential benefits over open repair. We examined the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to compare 30-day multicenter outcomes for EVAR vs open rAAA repair. METHODS: Patients that underwent rAAA repair in the NSQIP database from 2005 to 2007 were identified through a combination of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnoses. Preoperative comorbidities, operative duration and transfusion, and 30 day outcomes were evaluated using t tests or Chi-squared tests depending on the variable. A separate multivariable regression was performed for each outcome adjusting for all independently predictive preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 427 patients were identified and 76.8% of patients underwent open repair. The open repair groups exhibited lower albumin levels and higher percentage of patients with preoperative hematocrit (Hct) <38% and need for preoperative ventilation. The requirement for preoperative blood transfusion was similar. Patients undergoing open repair had much higher intraoperative transfusion requirements (11.8 +/- 8.9 vs 4.2 +/- 6.0 red blood cell units, P < .001). After adjustment for preoperative mortality risk factors, the mortality risk was higher for open repair versus EVAR (odds ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-3.05, P = .096) but did not reach significance. After similar adjustment the composite morbidity odds ratio for open repair versus EVAR was 1.82 (95% CI 1.11-2.99, P = .018) and the pulmonary adverse events odds ratio was 1.99 (95% CI 1.22-3.25, P = .006). Risks for the other outcomes were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Composite 30-day morbidity risk is lower after EVAR vs open repair of rAAA. Open repair is associated with increased transfusion requirements. Performance of EVAR in rAAA patients with favorable anatomy could potentially result in improved outcome as compared with open repair.

Variations in early outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair with alternate endograft configurations.

BACKGROUND: Most endovascular abdomincal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs (EVARs) performed in the United States utilize a bifurcated configuration. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of alternate graft configurations on early outcomes during EVAR. METHODS: Patients in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant use file who underwent elective EVAR for AAA from 2005 to 2007 were stratified by configuration using CPT codes. Bifurcated configurations (CPT 34802, 34803, 34804) were compared to straight configurations such as tube or aortouni-iliac grafts (CPT 34800, 34805). Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative variables, 30-day outcome measures, and length of stay were compared. Composite morbidity included patients experiencing one or more of 21 complications defined by NSQIP protocol. Student's t-test and analyses of variance were used to compare variables. RESULTS: There were 3,264 patients who underwent EVAR, including 2,864 bifurcated endografts and 400 straight endografts. Composite morbidity was greater in patients receiving straight endografts compared to those receiving bifurcated endografts (15.2% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001). Length of stay was greater in the "straight" cohort as well (4.9 + or - 6.9 vs. 3.3 + or - 5.6, p < 0.001). There was a trend toward increased mortality in the "straight" cohort, but it did not reach statistical significance (2% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.054). After controlling for the top 11 NSQIP predictors of mortality in vascular patients, graft configuration remained significant in the multivariable analysis for morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI[ 1.13-2.12, p = 0.006) and length of stay but not mortality (OR = 1.63, 95% CI 0.70-3.80, p = 0.263). CONCLUSION: EVAR using a tube or aortouni configuration is associated with increased complications and length of stay. These poorer outcomes may be related to factors that lead surgeons to choose these approaches.

Gender and 30-day outcome in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): an analysis using the ACS NSQIP dataset.

PURPOSE: Prior studies have demonstrated higher in-hospital mortality in women undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The current study evaluates the relationship between gender and 30-day outcomes for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a multicenter, contemporary patient population. METHODS: Patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) participant use file that underwent EVAR of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) from 2005 to 2007 were identified by CPT codes. Outcomes analyzed were 30-day mortality, morbidity (one or more of 21 complications defined by the ACS NSQIP protocol), length of hospital stay, and six complication subgroups. Preoperative risk factors, intraoperative variables, and outcomes were compared across genders using chi(2) (binary and categorical variables) and t tests (continuous variables). The relationship of gender to outcomes was further evaluated using multivariate logistic regressions to adjust for pre- and intraoperative risk variables. RESULTS: In 3662 EVAR patients, 647 (17.7%) were women and 3015 (82.3%) men with mean ages of 75.1 +/- 9.0 and 73.7 +/- 8.5 years (P < .001). Tube graft (360, 9.8%); bifurcated, one docking limb (1624, 44.3%); bifurcated, two docking limbs (1294, 35.3%); unibody (218, 5.9%); and aorto-uni-iliac/femoral (166, 4.4%) repairs were performed. Tube and aorto-uni-iliac/femoral grafts were more common in women (21.4% vs 12.8%, P < .001) than men, as were femoral/femoral crossovers (3.9% vs 1.8%, P = .011) and iliac or brachial exposures (2.8% vs 1.0%, P = .009). Overall morbidity and mortality were 11.9% and 2.1%, respectively. Mortality in women was significantly higher (3.4% vs 2.1%, P = .014), as was morbidity (17.8% vs 10.6%, P < .001). Of thirteen independent preoperative risk factors for mortality or morbidity, women had a higher incidence in five: emergent operation, functional dependence, recent weight loss, underweight status or morbid obesity, and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After adjustment for these variables, the odds ratio (OR) for mortality in women vs men was 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-2.69, P = .157); OR for morbidity was 1.65 (95% CI 1.28-2.14, P < .001). Female gender was also found to be an independent risk factor for length of stay (Beta 0.7 days, 95% CI 0.2-1.2, P = .006), infectious complications (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.10-2.03, P = .011), wound complications (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.12-2.90, P = .015) and postoperative transfusion (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.39-6.13, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality and morbidity were higher in women than men undergoing EVAR. Multivariate analysis showed that the increased risk of mortality was related to women presenting more emergently, more debilitated (recent weight loss and functional dependence), and requiring iliac or brachial exposure. After adjustment for multiple preoperative and operative factors, women remained at significantly higher risk for the development of a broad range of complications and increased length of stay.

Meta-analysis of endovascular vs open repair for traumatic descending thoracic aortic rupture.

OBJECTIVES: Traumatic thoracic aortic injuries are associated with high mortality and morbidity. These patients often have multiple injuries, and delayed aortic repair is frequently used. Endoluminal grafts offer an alternative to open surgical repair. We performed a meta-analysis of comparative studies evaluating endovascular vs open repair of these injuries. METHODS: A systematic search of studies reporting treatment of traumatic aortic injury was performed using the following databases: Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Proquest, Up to Date, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Search terms were thoracic aortic trauma, traumatic thoracic aortic injury, traumatic aortic rupture, stent graft repair, and endovascular repair. Outcomes analyzed were procedure-related mortality, overall 30-day mortality, and paraplegia/paraparesis rate using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias was investigated using funnel plots. Assessment of homogeneity was performed using the Q test; statistical heterogeneity was considered present at P < .05. Weighted averages of age, interval to repair, and injury severity score were compared with the Welch t test; P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Seventeen retrospective cohort studies from 2003 to 2007 were included. All were nonrandomized; no prospective randomized trials were found. These studies reported on 589 patients; 369 were treated with open repair, and 220 underwent thoracic stent graft placement. There was no significant difference in age (mean 38.8 years for both) or interval to repair (mean 1.5 days for endoluminal repair; 1 day for open repair). Injury severity score was higher for patients undergoing endoluminal repair (mean, 42.4 vs 37.4 for open repair, P < .001). Procedure-related mortality was significantly lower with endoluminal repair (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.66; P = .002). Overall 30-day mortality was also lower after endoluminal repair (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.78; P = .005). Sixteen studies reported data for postoperative paraplegia; 215 patients were treated with endograft placement and 333 with open repair. The risk of postoperative paraplegia was significantly less with endoluminal repair (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.1-0.93; P = .037). The Q test did not indicate significant heterogeneity for the outcomes of interest; publication bias was limited. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies indicates that endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aortic trauma is an alternative to open repair and is associated with lower postoperative mortality and ischemic spinal cord complication rates.

Endovascular retrieval of an intraaortic greenfield vena cava filter.

Aberrant placement of vena cava filters has been documented. Only one case of intraaortic deployment, in which the filter was left at the aortic bifurcation with no adverse effects over a 4-year follow-up period, has been reported. We describe the endovascular retrieval of an intraaortic Greenfield filter using a snare and large sheath to protect the aortic intima from injury during removal of the device.

Cost analysis of iliac stenting performed in the operating room and the catheterization lab: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Iliac arterial stenting is performed both in the operating room (OR) and the catheterization lab (CL). To date, no analysis has compared resource utilization between these locations. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 105) treated at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. Patients included adults with chronic, symptomatic iliac artery stenosis with a minimum Rutherford classification (RC) of 3, treated with stents. Exclusion criteria were prior stenting, acute ischemia, or major concomitant procedures. Immediate and two-year outcomes were observed. Patient demographics, perioperative details, physician billings, and hospital costs were recorded. Multivariable regression was used to adjust costs by patient and perioperative cost drivers. RESULTS: Fifty-one procedures (49%) were performed in the OR and 54 (51%) in the CL. Mean age was 57, and 44% were female. Severe cases were more often performed in the OR (RC ≥ 4; 42% vs. 11%, P < 0.001) and were associated with increased total costs (P < 0.01). OR procedures more often utilized additional stents (stents ≥ 2; 61% vs. 46%, P = 0.214), thrombolysis (12% vs. 0%, P = 0.011), cut-down approach (8% vs. 0%, P = 0.052), and general anesthesia (80% vs. 0%, P < 0.001): these were all associated with increased costs (P < 0.05). After multivariable regression, location was not a predictor of procedure room or total costs but was associated with increased professional fees. Same-stay (5%) and post-discharge reintervention (33%) did not vary by location. CONCLUSIONS: The OR was associated with increased length of stay, more ICU admissions, and increased total costs. However, OR patients had more severe disease and therefore often required more aggressive intervention. After controlling for these differences, procedure venue per se was not associated with increased costs, but OR cases incurred increased professional fees due to dual-provider charges. Given the similar clinical results between venues, it seems reasonable to perform most stenting in the CL or utilize conscious sedation in the OR.

Are multiple objective measures of student performance necessary?

BACKGROUND: This study examines the effect of using multiple modalities to evaluate medical students. METHODS: Thirty-four students were evaluated by a complex model utilizing National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) shelf examination, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), Computer Patient Simulation (CPS), faculty and peer evaluation. Results were compared with a traditional model based on NBME and faculty evaluation alone. RESULTS: Reliability (coefficient alpha) of the complex and traditional models were 0.72 and 0.47, respectively. Item correlations suggested that NBME was most discriminating (r = 0.75), followed by OSCE (r = 0.52), peer evaluation (r = 0.43), CPS (r = 0.39), and faculty evaluation (r = 0.32). Rank order correlation (Spearman's rho) between scores calculated using each model was 0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Although the complex model has improved reliability, both models rank students similarly. However, neither model fully captures and reflects the information provided by each of the specific evaluation methods.

Access techniques for EVAR: percutaneous techniques and working with small arteries.

Access is a key component of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR.) The femoral artery is the most common site of access and is traditionally exposed via open cutdown. Percutaneous access is possible by placing suture-mediated closure devices before up-sizing to large-bore sheaths. Comparison of open cutdown (n = 2,802) with percutaneous femoral access (n = 1,781) in elective EVAR cases using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database shows that the main advantage of percutaneous access is decreased operative time (159 ± 63 min v 150 ± 68 min; P < .05.) However, 30-day serious morbidity is more common with percutaneous access (5.8% v 7.2%; P < .05), with a risk-adjusted odds ratio of 1.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.68). There was no significant difference in either the 30-day mortality rate or the mean length of stay for the femoral exposure cohort (0.8% and 2.9 days) compared with the percutaneous cohort (0.9% and 3.3 days). Iliac exposure was associated with increased morbidity, operative time, intraoperative transfusion, and length of stay, but not 30-day mortality. Therefore, iliac exposure might still be the most appropriate option in cases of inadequately sized external iliac vessels. Alternatively, internal conduits (or endoconduits) can have utility, but the published experience with this technique is limited. Severely stenotic, or even occluded, iliac arteries can often be safely treated with balloon angioplasty if otherwise of adequate caliber. However, with all access options, safeguards, and procedural protocols for promptly treating complications are essential to maintain good outcomes.