Autologous saphenous vein and heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene as graft materials for below-the-knee femoro-popliteal bypass in patients with critical limb ischemia: A propensity score-matched analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of heparin bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (HePTFE) and autologous saphenous vein (ASV) in patients undergoing below-knee (BK) femoro-popliteal bypass for critical limb ischemia (CLI). DESIGN: Retrospective single-centre matched case-control study. METHODS: From 2003 to 2019, 275 consecutive BK bypasses for CLI were performed, 109 with the ASV and 166 with a HePTFE graft. All the baseline characteristics that were reliably measured and were potentially relevant in the decision-making process were included as confounders in a logistic regression model and the factors that were significantly different between the two groups then used to perform a propensity matching analysis. Propensity score-based matching was performed in a 1:1 ratio to compare outcomes. Arterial hypertension, hyperlipemia, the need for tibial anastomosis at the distal level and the run-off status were the covariates included in the matching. Follow-up outcomes were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods and compared with log rank test. RESULTS: After propensity matching, 101 HePTFE bypasses were matched with 101 ASV bypasses. The median duration of follow-up was 37 months (range 1-192). The 5-year survival rate was 67.5% (standard error (SE) 0.05) in the HePTFe group and 64.5% (SE 0.06) in the ASV group (p = 0.8, log rank 0.04). Primary patency rates were 38% (SE 0.06) in the HePTFE group and 41% (SE 0.06) in the ASV group (p = 0.7, log rank 0.3). Also assisted primary patency and secondary patency rates did not differ in the two groups. Amputation-free survival was 53% (SE 0.05) in the HePTFE group and 58% (SE 0.06) in the ASF group (p = 0.6, log rank 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: HePTFE provided 5-year similar results to those obtained with use of the ASV in equivalent patients with CLI undergoing below-knee or tibial bypass.

Early and Intermediate Results of Elective Endovascular Treatment of True Visceral Artery Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: To retrospectively analyze early and follow-up results of endovascular management of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) in a single-center experience. METHODS: From 2007 to June 2013, 26 consecutive elective endovascular interventions for VAAs were performed in 26 patients; preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were prospectively collected in a dedicated database. Early (<30 days) and follow-up results were evaluated. RESULTS: The site of aneurysm was splenic artery in 17 patients, common hepatic artery in 3 patients, renal artery and pancreaticoduodenal artery in 2 cases each, and gastroduodenal artery and celiac trunk in one case each. All the lesions were asymptomatic, and the mean diameter was 22.8 mm. Interventions consisted in coiling in 19 cases; in 4 patients a covered stent was placed, whereas the remaining 3 patients had a multilayer stent. Technical success was 89%. There were no perioperative deaths; 1 patient with splenic artery aneurysm had coils migration with symptomatic splenic infarction and underwent successful redo coils packing. Median duration of follow-up was 18 months. During follow-up, 1 aneurysm-unrelated death occurred. One asymptomatic thrombosis of a treated vessel was recorded, with a 2-year estimated patency rate of 91%. Mean aneurysmal diameter at the latest follow-up was 20.2 mm (P = 0.001 in comparison with preoperative values; 95% confidence interval 1.9-5.2). Complete exclusion of the aneurysm occurred in all but 1 patient, who had a limited increasing in the diameter of its splenic aneurysmal sac after coiling. Another patient developed a more distal aneurysm of the splenic artery after 24 months. No reinterventions were required. Freedom from aneurysm-related complications at 2 years was 72.9% (Standard Error, 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, endovascular treatment of VAA, when feasible, provided excellent perioperative results with low rates of complications and reinterventions. Even if the risk of developing aneurysm-related complications during follow-up is substantial, most of them can be watched without the need for repeated interventions.

A 33-year experience with surgical management of popliteal artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: This study retrospectively analyzed our 33-year experience with surgical management of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs), with particular attention paid to early and long-term results. METHODS: From January 1981 to December 2013, 234 open surgical interventions for PAA were performed in 196 patients. Data concerning these interventions were collected in a dedicated database containing main preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative features. Early (intraoperative and <30 days) results were analyzed for mortality, thrombosis, reintervention, and amputation rates. The follow-up program consisted of clinical and duplex ultrasound examinations at 1 month and yearly thereafter. Patients who did not accomplish follow-up examinations were interviewed by telephone. Additional data regarding long-term survival and major clinical events were obtained from the Regional Health Care database. Follow-up results were analyzed for survival, primary and secondary patency, and amputations rates. RESULTS: Patients were predominantly males (186 [95%]), with a mean age of 68.5 ± 9.9 years. The PAA was asymptomatic in 97 limbs, intermittent claudication was present in 68, and limb-threatening ischemia was present in 62. Aneurysmal rupture occurred in six patients, and venous compression with leg swelling and pain was present in one patient. The intervention consisted of aneurysmal ligation and bypass grafting in 122 interventions, aneurysmectomy with graft interposition was used in 108, and four patients underwent aneurysmectomy with an end-to-end anastomosis. An autologous vein was used in 49 interventions, and a prosthetic graft was used in 181. In 71 interventions a posterior approach was used, and in the remaining 163, a medial approach was preferred. There were two perioperative deaths, with a cumulative mortality rate of 1%. Perioperative thrombosis occurred after 18 interventions (7.7%). A successful reintervention was performed in 10 of those patients, whereas surgical thrombectomy was ineffective in one patient and leg amputation was necessary. The remaining seven patients underwent major amputation without any new surgical attempt. An adjunctive major amputation was necessary in a patient with a patent bypass for irreversible foot ischemia. The cumulative rate of amputations at 30 days was 3.8% (9 of 234 limbs). Mean duration of follow-up was 62 months (range 1-312 months). During follow-up, 31 deaths, 45 thromboses, and 10 amputations were recorded. The estimated 13-year survival rate was 50.8% (standard error [SE], 0.07%); during the same interval, primary patency, secondary patency, and limb preservation rates were 55.1% (SE, 0.05%), 68% (SE, 0.05%), and 86% (SE, 0.04%). CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical repair of PAAs provided good results in our experience, with low rates of perioperative complications and an excellent durability in the very long-term setting, representing the benchmark for alternative techniques such as endovascular repair.

Early and midterm results of kissing stent technique in the management of aortoiliac obstructive disease.

BACKGROUND: To retrospectively analyze the early and the midterm results of endovascular management of aortoiliac obstructive disease with the kissing stent technique. METHODS: From January 2005 to September 2012, 229 consecutive endovascular interventions for aortoiliac obstructive disease were performed; data from all the interventions were prospectively collected in a dedicated database. In 41 patients, the kissing stent technique at the level of aortic bifurcation was performed (group 1), whereas in the remaining 188 it was not (group 2). Perioperative results were compared with chi-squared test. Follow-up results were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with log-rank test. RESULTS: Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II C and D lesions were present in 66% of patients in group 1 and in 28.5% in group 2 (P < 0.001), whereas iliac occlusion rather than stenosis was detected in 78% of patients in group 1 and in 50% in group 2 (P = 0.001). The mean number of placed stents was 2.5 in group 1 and 1.4 in group 2 (P < 0.001). Technical success was 100% in group 1 and 98% in group 2 (P = 0.3). The rate of perioperative complications was 7.3% in group 1 and 4.2% in group 2 (P = 0.4). At 30 days, neither deaths nor major cardiovascular complications occurred. There was no thrombosis or significant restenosis at the early postoperative follow-up visit. Mean duration of follow-up was 22 months. Primary patency rates at 4 years were 70.5% (standard error [SE], 0.09) in group 1 and 75.5% (SE, 0.06) in group 2 (P = 0.7). At the same interval, assisted primary and secondary patency and survival rates were also similar; reintervention rates were 15.5% in group 1 (SE, 0.1) and 19.5% in group 2 (SE, 0.06; P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The kissing stent technique provided satisfactory results in patients with obstructive aortoiliac diseases, without an increase in immediate and midterm complications, representing an effective solution in complex anatomies.

A 54-Year-Old Man Who Developed a Femoral Pathologic Fracture from a Giant Popliteal Artery Pseudoaneurysm 7 Years After Ligation and Bypass of a Popliteal Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND This case report describes a giant pseudoaneurysm that grew in size during the years following surgical treatment of a popliteal artery aneurysm, eventually causing a femoral fracture. Bone fractures secondary to vascular injuries are rarely described in the literature. CASE REPORT A 54-year-old man underwent surgical ligation and bypass for left popliteal artery aneurysm. Seven years later, he suffered a left distal femur pathologic fracture surrounded by a giant soft-tissue mass. The patient came to us with a diagnostic hypothesis of angiosarcoma from another hospital at imaging evaluation. After computed tomography angiography (CTA) and angio-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we made a diagnosis of femoral pathologic fracture caused by a giant pseudoaneurysm of a treated popliteal artery aneurysm refilled by an aberrant anterior tibial artery (IIA2, Kim classification). We performed excision of the mass and open reduction and internal fixation, with anatomic plate, of the fracture. Fracture healing and good functional outcome were observed at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A possible complication of surgical treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms is refilling of the excluded aneurysm due to collateral blood flow or, such as in the present case, aberrant vessels. Therefore, the knowledge of anatomical variants of the vessels is important in surgery. Follow-up evaluation after surgery is advisable and a growing mass should be further investigated with an angio-CT scan. In case of a non-pulsating soft-tissue mass causing pathologic bone fracture, a biopsy is mandatory to exclude malignancy.

An unexpected intraoperative finding of cystic adventitial degeneration of the common femoral artery.

Herein we present a rare case of cystic adventitial degeneration involving the common femoral artery (CFA) of a 71-year-old patient, an unusual site of presentation of the disease. The most commonly affected district is the popliteal artery, and only a few cases of CFA involvement are described in literature. The history and comorbidities of the patient oriented us initially towards the diagnosis of an atherosclerotic obstructive disease. It was only intraoperatively indeed that a diagnosis of cystic adventitial arterial degeneration was made, subsequently confirmed by microscopic examination. Our case shows how both clinical and instrumental diagnosis of cystic adventitial disease can be challenging, given its non-specific presentation and low incidence. Suspicion of cystic adventitial degeneration is recommended in patients with sudden appearance of symptoms and with an isolated lesion of the affected artery without other involvement of the vascular tree.

The role of infrainguinal bypass surgery in the endovascular era.

The current worldwide trend in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is towards an increase in endovascular procedures either in the aorto-iliac area or in the infrainguinal district. However, the role of the open repair with a femoro-popliteal bypass is still debated and in our opinion there still a room for traditional surgery in the presence of complex lesions involving the superficial femoral artery and the popliteal and tibial vessels. In this field, vein bypass provides better results than prosthetic grafts, but in selected cases and not only in the absence of a suitable vein, new modified grafts may be used with satisfactory results. The choice between the two options, open and endovascular, that in some cases can be associated in hybrid procedures, depends on several factors. Only if we are able to take into account all the different preoperative issues, we could choose the right procedure in the right patient.