Intravascular Ultrasound in the Detection of Bridging Stent Graft Instability During Fenestrated and Branched Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Procedures: A Multicentre Study on 274 Target Vessels.

OBJECTIVE: The use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) reduces contrast medium use and radiation exposure during conventional endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IVUS in detecting bridging stent graft (bSG) instability during fenestrated and branched EVAR (F/B-EVAR). METHODS: This was a prospective observational multicentre study. The following outcomes were evaluated: (1) technical success of the IVUS in each bSG, (2) IVUS findings compared with intra-operative angiography, (3) incidence of post-operative computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings not detected with IVUS, and (4) absence of IVUS related adverse events. Target visceral vessel (TVV) instability was defined as any branch or fenestration issues requiring an additional manoeuvre or re-intervention. Any IVUS assessment that detected stenosis, kinking, or any geometric TVV issue was considered to be branch instability. All procedures were performed in ad hoc hybrid rooms. RESULTS: Eighty patients (69% males; median age 72 years; interquartile range 59, 77 years) from four aortic centres treated with F/B-EVAR between January 2019 and September 2021 were included: 70 BEVAR (21 off the shelf; 49 custom made), eight FEVAR (custom made), and two F/B-EVAR (custom made), for a total of 300 potential TVVs. Two TVVs (0.7%) were left unstented and excluded from the analysis. The TVVs could not be accessed with the IVUS catheter in seven cases (2.3%). Furthermore, 17 (5.7%) TVVs could not be examined due to a malfunction of the IVUS catheter. The technical success of the IVUS assessment was 91.9% (274/298), with no IVUS related adverse events. Seven TVVs (2.5%) showed signs of bSG instability by means of IVUS, leading to immediate revisions. The first post-operative CTA at least 30 days after the index procedure was available in 268 of the 274 TVVs originally assessed by IVUS. In seven of the 268 TVVs (2.6%) a re-intervention became necessary due to bSG instability. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that IVUS is a safe and potentially valuable adjunctive imaging technology for intra-operative detection of TVV instability. Further long term investigations on larger cohorts are required to validate these promising results and to compare IVUS with alternative technologies in terms of efficiency, radiation exposure, procedure time, and costs.

An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-emptive aortic side branch embolization to prevent type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-emptive embolization of aortic side branches may be effective in preventing type II endoleaks (T2EL) based on a previous systematic review and meta-analysis by our group. Data up to 2019 was, however, only based on retrospective studies. The aim of the current study was to update the meta-analysis and evaluate the current evidence on this treatment strategy. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed with the same keywords and strategies used in the previous study. The complementary search included all articles published from January 1, 2019, through May 29, 2022. The incidence of aneurysm sac growth was the primary outcome of interest. RESULTS: Four new studies were identified, including one randomized controlled study and one nationwide registry-based retrospective study. Overall, the incidence of sac size enlargement was 4.3% in the embolization group compared with 6.8% in the control group (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.55), the incidence of T2EL was 19.7% vs 37.4% (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.30-0.47), and the incidence of reintervention for T2EL was 1.2% vs 11.2% (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.06-0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence confirms lower incidence of aneurysm sac growth, T2EL, and reinterventions when pre-emptive embolization of aortic side branches is performed in conjunction with endovascular aneurysm repair, compared with no embolization. However, a higher level of evidence is still required to support a broad change of practice, including data on cost-effectiveness and on the potential effect on rupture.

Bilateral Implantation of Double-Branched Iliac Branch Devices for Endovascular Repair of Aorto-Bi-Iliac Aneurysm With Concomitant Hypogastric Aneurysms: The Quadruple Branch.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to describe the use of a double-branched custom-made iliac branch device (IBD) for the endovascular repair of an aorto-bi-iliac aneurysm with concomitant bilateral hypogastric aneurysms. TECHNIQUE: A 61-year-old man on peritoneal dialysis underwent a computed tomography (CT) of the infrarenal aorta before planned kidney transplantation. The CT showed an asymptomatic aorto-bi-iliac aneurysm of 54 mm involving the hypogastric artery (HA) bilaterally (right HA 31 mm; left HA 40 mm). The treatment consisted of an endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and the bilateral implantation of custom-manufactured IBDs with double inner branches to preserve both superior and inferior gluteal arteries. At 1 year follow-up, the patient remains free of symptoms and the postoperative CT showed a successfully excluded aneurysm with patent bridging stent grafts to all HA branches. CONCLUSION: The bilateral implantation of double-branched IBDs is a feasible technique. Preservation of both hypogastric arteries and its branches can be achieved with this technique and therefore decrease the risk of buttock claudication and other ischemic complications.

Axillary artery aneurysms in pediatric patients: A narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: Axillary artery aneurysms in children are rare and multifactorial. The presenting clinical picture can range from an incidental discovery to threatening symptoms, including loss of extremity function. With the present study we aim to give a comprehensive review of the existing literature focusing on the etiology and management of this rare but threatening pathology. METHOD: A comprehensive review was made in a multi-staged manner. All identified studies have been categorized based on the type of lesions (true or false aneurysm) and their etiologies. RESULTS: The treatments differ from the extension of the lesions and from the etiology. CONCLUSIONS: Open surgery repair with great saphenous vein is still the best long-term approach, but even endovascular, embolization, or conservative management can be considered.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections Using Fascia Closure After EVAR-A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) in the groin after vascular surgery are common. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on SSI incidence when applied on closed inguinal incisions after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). Between November 2013 and December 2020, 377 incisions (336 bilateral and 41 unilateral) from elective EVAR procedures with the primary intent of fascia closure were randomized and included, receiving either NPWT or a standard dressing. In bilateral incisions, each incision randomly received the opposite dressing of the other side, thereby becoming each other's control. The primary endpoint was SSI incidence at 90 days postoperatively, analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Uni and bilaterally operated incisions were analyzed separately, and their respective p-values combined using Fisher's method for combining P-values. Study protocol (NCT01913132). RESULTS: The SSI incidence at 90 days postoperatively in bilateral incisions was 1.8% (n = 3/168) in the NPWT and 4.8% (n = 8/168) in the standard dressing group, and in unilateral incisions 13.3% (n = 2/15) and 11.5% (n = 3/26), respectively (combined p = 0.49). In all SSIs, bacteria were isolated from incisional wound cultures. No additional SSIs were diagnosed between 90 days and 1 year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence of difference in SSI incidence was seen in these low-risk inguinal incisions when comparing NPWT with standard dressings after EVAR with the primary intent of fascia closure. CLINICAL TRIALS: NCT01913132.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of negative pressure wound therapy dressings after open inguinal vascular surgery - The randomised INVIPS-Trial.

AIM: While the scientific evidence in favour of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressings on sutured incisions in the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) has increased, the cost-effectiveness after vascular surgery has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of NPWT compared to standard dressings for the prevention of SSIs after open inguinal vascular surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient data were retrieved from the randomised INVIPS-trial's open arm, which included patients randomised to either NPWT or standard dressings. The patients were surveyed for SSIs for 90 days postoperatively. The patients' individual cost data were included and analysed from a healthcare perspective. The patients' quality of life was measured using the Vascuqol-6 questionnaire pre- and 30 days postoperatively. Cost-effectiveness of NPWT was determined by decreased or equal total costs and a significant reduction in SSI incidence. RESULTS: The mean vascular procedure-related costs at 90 days were €16,621 for patients treated with NPWT (n = 59) and €16,285 for patients treated with standard dressings (n = 60), p = 0.85. The SSI incidence in patients treated with NPWT was 11.9% (n = 7/59) compared to 30.0% (n = 18/60) with standard dressings, p = 0.015. This corresponds to an increased mean cost of €1,853 per SSI avoided. The cost-effectiveness plane of incremental vascular procedure-related costs and difference in Vascuqol-6 score showed that 42% of estimates were in the quadrant where NPWT was dominant. CONCLUSION: NPWT is considered cost-effective over standard dressings in patients undergoing open inguinal vascular surgery due to reduced SSI incidence at no higher costs.

Sphingolipids Contribute to Human Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Lipids are central to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Specifically, which lipids are culprits remains controversial, and promising targets have failed in clinical studies. Sphingolipids are bioactive lipids present in atherosclerotic plaques, and they have been suggested to have both proatherogenic and antiatherogenic. However, the biological effects of these lipids remain unknown in the human atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this study was to assess plaque levels of sphingolipids and investigate their potential association with and contribution to plaque vulnerability. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide, ceramide, dihydroceramide, sphingomyelin, and sphingosine-1-phosphate were analyzed in homogenates from 200 human carotid plaques using mass spectrometry. Inflammatory activity was determined by analyzing plaque levels of cytokines and plaque histology. Caspase-3 was analyzed by ELISA technique. Expression of regulatory enzymes was analyzed with RNA sequencing. Human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were used to analyze the potential role of the 6 sphingolipids as inducers of plaque inflammation and cellular apoptosis in vitro. All sphingolipids were increased in plaques associated with symptoms and correlated with inflammatory cytokines. All sphingolipids, except sphingosine-1-phosphate, also correlated with histological markers of plaque instability. Lactosylceramide, ceramide, sphingomyelin, and sphingosine-1-phosphate correlated with caspase-3 activity. In vitro experiments revealed that glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide, and ceramide induced cellular apoptosis. All analyzed sphingolipids induced an inflammatory response in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows for the first time that sphingolipids and particularly glucosylceramide are associated with and are possible inducers of plaque inflammation and instability, pointing to sphingolipid metabolic pathways as possible novel therapeutic targets.

Subintimal Recanalization of an Occluded Common Iliac Stent: A Case Report.

The purpose of this report is to describe a minimally invasive alternative endovascular technique for the treatment of chronically occluded stents when it is not possible to cross them endoluminally. A 71-year-old patient with recurrent severe lower limb claudication due to occlusion of a stent placed in the common iliac artery 5 years earlier underwent subintimal recanalization of the stented segment and restenting after failed intraluminal approach. The postoperative computed tomography scan showed that the restented segment was patent with a flattening of the previous stent. Five years postoperatively the patient remains free from symptoms and the recanalized arteries are still patent at ultrasound.

Apolipoprotein B-100 Antibody Interaction With Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation and Repair Processes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment with IgG against the malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified apolipoprotein B-100 epitope p45 reduces atherosclerosis in experimental models. This study investigated the association between p45 IgG autoantibodies and plaque inflammation in subjects with advanced cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Native and MDA-p45 IgG levels were analyzed by ELISA in 349 carotid endarterectomy patients. In a subcohort of 195 subjects, endarterectomy samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA to determine plaque constituents and inflammation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from healthy donors. RESULTS: Patients with preoperative events of neurological ischemia had lower levels of native p45 IgG. Low levels of MDA-p45 IgG were associated with increased risk of postoperative cardiovascular death during a mean follow-up of 54 months. High plasma levels of native p45 IgG were associated with increased plaque content of collagen and smooth muscle cell growth factors, as well as with lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors to recombinant MDA-p45 IgG in presence of oxidized low-density lipoprotein reduced the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and stimulated release of smooth muscle cell growth factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms previous experimental findings of anti-inflammatory properties of apolipoprotein B-100 p45 antibodies and provides the first clinical evidence of associations between p45 IgG autoantibody levels and atherosclerotic plaque inflammation, plaque repair as well as prevalent and incident cardiovascular events in carotid endarterectomy patients. These findings suggest the possibility that treatment with anti-p45 antibodies may have beneficial effects in advanced cardiovascular disease.

Endarterectomy patients with elevated levels of circulating IL-16 have fewer cardiovascular events during follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Increased interleukin 16 (IL-16) levels in carotid plaques have been associated with reduced incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events during follow-up in patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In the present study we aimed to determine whether high circulating levels of IL-16 also are associated with a decreased risk of CV events after CEA. METHODS: Patients, who had their carotid plaques surgically removed (n=473), were followed for a mean follow-up time of 3.1years. Plasma levels of IL-16 the day before surgery were analyzed by proximity extension assay (PEA) and associated with the occurrence of CV events during follow-up (n=98). RESULTS: High levels of circulating IL-16 were independently associated with a decreased risk of CV events when comparing the highest versus the lowest IL-16 tertile (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47; 95% CI 0.27-0.81; P=0.007), as well as with CV deaths (HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.09-0.70; P=0.008). CONCLUSION: These present findings indicate an association between IL-16 and less clinical complications of atherosclerosis in a population with known advanced carotid disease.

High Plasma Levels of Galectin-3 Are Associated with Increased Risk for Stroke after Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has been suggested to have both pro- and anti-atherogenic properties. High plasma Gal-3 levels are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) death. However, it has so far not been investigated if plasma Gal-3 levels can predict the risk for future stroke in patients suffering from carotid atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Gal-3 could be used as a marker to predict postoperative cerebrovascular ischemic events among patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained from 558 CEA patients and Gal-3 levels were analyzed by the proximity extension assay technique. The Swedish national in-patient health register was used to identify postoperative cerebrovascular events during the follow-up period (42.6 ± 26.2 months). RESULTS: Plasma Gal-3 was increased in patients treated for a symptomatic carotid stenosis (p = 0.013). Patients with Gal-3 levels above the median value had an increased incidence of stroke as shown by Kaplan-Meier curves of event-free survival (p = 0.007). Gal-3 was a predictor of postoperative stroke among women (hazard ratio 15.1, 95% CI 1.3-172.2; p = 0.028) even after correction for traditional CV risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to show that increased plasma levels of Gal-3 can help in predicting the occurrence of postoperative strokes among female subjects who undergo CEA, independently of traditional risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. This finding suggests that Gal-3 could be used as a marker to identify patients in need of intensified postoperative medical care.

Human Carotid Plaques With High Levels of Interleukin-16 Are Associated With Reduced Risk for Cardiovascular Events.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Interleukin-16 (IL-16) functions as a regulator of T-cell growth and acts as an inducer of cell migration. The aim of this study was to determine whether IL-16 measured in human carotid plaques was associated with symptoms (eg, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or amaurosis fugax), markers of plaque stability, and postoperative cardiovascular events. METHODS: Plaques obtained from patients who had ≥1 cerebrovascular ischemic events within 1 month before endarterectomy (n=111) were compared with plaques from patients without symptoms (n=95). Neutral lipids, smooth muscle cell, and macrophage contents were evaluated histologically, and collagen, elastin, and caspase-3 activity were measured biochemically. IL-16, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases were measured in plaque homogenates using a multiplex immunoassay. IL-16, CD3, CD4, and FoxP3 mRNA expressions in carotid plaques were analyzed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Carotid plaques from asymptomatic patients had higher levels of IL-16 mRNA. High plaque IL-16 protein levels (above median) were associated with reduced incidence of postoperative cardiovascular events during a mean follow-up of 21 months (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.99; P=0.047). IL-16 levels correlated with the plaque-stabilizing components: elastin, collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 and FoxP3 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that high levels of IL-16 are associated with asymptomatic carotid plaques, expression of factors contributing to plaque stability, and decreased risk of new cardiovascular events during a 2-year period after surgery, suggesting that IL-16 might have a protective role in human atherosclerotic disease.

Treatment with betablockers is associated with higher grey-scale median in carotid plaques.

BACKGROUND: The presence of echolucent carotid plaques as defined by low ultrasound grey-scale median (GSM) is associated with a higher risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Betablockers have shown possible anti-atherosclerotic effects. The aim of the present study was to determine if there is an association between carotid plaque GSM and treatment with betablockers. METHODS: The GSM of the carotid plaques of 350 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for asymptomatic (n = 113) or symptomatic (n = 237) carotid disease was measured. Patients were divided in two groups based on the absence/presence of an on-going long-term (i.e. at least 6 months) oral treatment with betablockers at the time of CEA. RESULTS: The prevalence and type of preoperative neurological symptoms were similar in the two groups. Patients with betablockers had more frequently arterial hypertension (P < .0001), diabetes (P = .035) and a higher BMI (P = .0004), while patients without betablockers were most frequently smokers (P = .017). Patients with betablockers revealed to have higher GSM (37.79 ± 25 vs 32.61 ± 23.50 P = .036). Echogenic plaques (i.e. with GSM > 30) showed to be more frequent in patients with betablockers also after correction for age, gender, the occurrence of preoperative symptoms, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and statins use (P = .024). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the use of standardized ultrasound techniques as an important tool in evaluating the effect of anti-atherosclerotic medications and underline the need of.further prospective randomized studies on larger patient cohorts in order to confirm these results.

Assessment of Bridging Stents in In Situ Laser Fenestrations of Aortic Endografts With Intravascular Ultrasound.

Objective: Treatment of complex aortic aneurysms with the in situ laser fenestration (ISLF) technique involves implantation of a balloon expandable stent graft (bSG) in the created fenestration. Adequate expansion of this bSG is of importance both to achieve seal and to ensure target vessel stability. This experimental study assessed the expansion rate of different bSGs in the ISLF setting using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Methods: A commercially available aortic endograft was used to test the laser fenestration technique (Zenith Alpha, Cook Medical LLC, Bloomington, IN, USA). The ISLF was stented with the following bSGs: two Gore Viabahn VBX balloon expandable endoprostheses (WL Gore & Associates, Bloomington, IL, USA), three BeGraft Peripheral and three BeGraft Plus (Bentley InnoMed GmbH; Hechingen, Germany), and three Advanta V12 (Atrium, Hudson, NH, USA). The bSGs were expanded in three steps: (1) nominal, (2) rated burst pressure, and (3) dilation with a non-compliant balloon at 15 atmospheres. After each step, an IVUS assessment of the bSG minimum diameter and the area at the fenestration (FA) and in a fully expanded segment distal to the fenestration (SA) was performed. A mean of the three IVUS measurements was used as the value for comparison. An insufficient bSG expansion was defined as a mean of FA/SA of <0.8 (i.e., <80% expansion). Results: The VBX was the only bSG that could be expanded to its intended diameter (i.e., at least 80%) at nominal pressure. The BeGraft Peripheral and BeGraft Plus had the lowest degree of expansion after nominal and rated burst pressure. All bSGs that were tested reached a sufficient expansion degree after using a higher pressure balloon. Conclusion: In this ex vivo experiment, dilation up to nominal pressure showed satisfactory expansion only for the VBX. The consistency of the results when applied to the different types of stent grafts that were analysed reflects structural stent graft specific issues to consider when choosing the right device in cases of ISLF.

Catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy treatment of saphenous vein incompetence.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to report the short-term results of catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy (CDFS) in the treatment of axial saphenous vein incompetence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of all patients undergoing CDFS for symptomatic primary incompetence of the great or small saphenous vein were prospectively collected. Treatment results in terms of occlusion rate and patients' grade of satisfaction were analysed. All successfully treated patients underwent clinical and duplex follow-up examinations one year postoperatively. RESULTS: Between September 2006 and September 2010, 357 limbs (337 patients) were treated with CDFS at our institution. Based on the CEAP classification, 64 were allocated to clinical class C3 , 128 to class C4, 102 to class C5 and 63 to class C6. Of the 188 patients who completed the one year follow up examination, 67 % had a complete and 14 % a near complete obliteration of the treated vessel. An ulcer-healing rate of 54 % was detected. 92 % of the patients were satisfied with the results of treatment. We registered six cases of thrombophlebitis and two cases of venous thromboembolism, all requiring treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results of CDFS in patients with axial vein incompetence are acceptable in terms of occlusion and complications rates.

Early experience with the Bolton Relay Pro/Plus for physician-modified fenestrated TEVAR.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) can be challenging in cases involving the aortic arch and the visceral segment. We report our initial experience with fenestrated TEVAR (f-TEVAR) for thoracic aortic disease involving aortic branches using physician-modified stent grafts (PMSGs). METHODS: Between February 2019 and November 2020 nine patients were treated with a PMSG. Indication to treatment were a symptomatic acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) in three cases, a penetrating aortic ulcer in three cases (two in zone 3 and one in zone 6), one case of an endoleak type IA after TEVAR, a chronic TBAD after TEVAR in one case and one case of a contained rupture of a thoracoabdominal aneurysm in zone 3. Pre-, intra- and postoperative clinical data were recorded. RESULTS: The median patient age was 65 (IQR 60.5-71) years, and eight (89%) patients were men. Nine stent grafts (six Bolton Relay Plus and three Bolton Relay Pro, Terumo Aortic, Vascutek Ltd., Inchinnan, UK) were deployed. Small fenestrations (8 mm) were created on table, median duration for on table stent graft modifications was 20 minutes (range 13-22). The technical success rate was 100%. Median operative time was 188 (range 116-252) minutes. No major adverse events of any sort occurred during the first 30-day postoperatively. There were no type I or type III endoleaks at the end of the procedure, and no cases of spinal cord ischemia. Two access related complications occurred (22%). After a median of 12 (range 5-12) months all patients survived and all target vessels remained patent with one case of fenestration-related type I endoleak, which required open conversion. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our initial experience with f-TEVAR using PMSGs with the Bolton Relay stentgraft for the treatment of aortic diseases are acceptable. These results should be confirmed on larger patient cohorts.

Systematic review of atherectomy of inguinal arteries for atherosclerotic lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical endarterectomy represents the gold standard for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions of the groin vessels. Endovascular treatment such as atherectomy with or without drug coated angioplasty (DCA) of the so called no stenting zones, i.e. inguinal and popliteal vessels, is gaining growing acceptance as alternative option to open surgery. This systematic review aims to scrutiny the current clinical evidence regarding atherectomy and DCA for the common artery (CFA). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We conducted an exhaustive research in multiple platforms (Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Embase) on studies over atherectomy and angioplasty for inguinal atherosclerotic lesions published between 2000 and 2021. As search strategy we used a wide list of MeSH items, words, synonyms. Bibliographies of review articles were checked for further relating studies regarding atherectomy of CFA. A qualitative and quantitative data analysis was carried out. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative review. Not all studies were focused only on atherectomy of inguinal vessels, despite including such treatment. Hence, data regarding this treatment were not exhaustive. A fairly homogeneous data analysis was possible in 7 of 15 studies. The remaining 8 studies were qualitatively analyzed but not included in the statistical analysis. In all 7 included studies directional atherectomy and DCA under filter protection were carried out. In this subgroup, overall, 497 patients were treated with atherectomy. Sixty-eight percent of the patients were males. Rutherford class from 1-3 dominated against 4-6 (63% vs. 37%). Mean technical success rate was 96%, with a primary and secondary patency rate of 92% and 98% respectively at one year. Procedure related vascular complications ranged from 1% to 6%. CONCLUSIONS: Current literature about atherectomy for inguinal arteries is scant, data are inhomogeneous and so are treatment modalities. Nevertheless, the results of this systematic review suggest that this endovascular strategy is feasible with good short and midterm results. Prospective trials with larger patient cohorts are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.

Influence of TEVAR on blood pressure in subacute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) patients with refractory and non-refractory arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to compare the modifications of systemic blood pressure in patients with subacute type b aortic dissection (TBAD) and refractory (rHTN) and non-refractory arterial hypertension (N-rHTN) treated by thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups, rHTN defined as blood pressure >140/90 mmHg with ≥5 antihypertensive drugs and patients with N-rHTN. Primary endpoint was the variation of mean systolic, diastolic and overall pressure (MSP, MDP and MAP) before and after antihypertensive treatment or TEVAR. Secondary endpoints were the 30-days mortality. Fifty-seven patients were included in this study. RESULTS: Of the 44 Patients of the TEVAR group 21 were included in the N-rHTN group. The MSP before and after surgery for the N-rHTN group was 130 (±10 SD) and 111 (±22 SD) mmHg, P=0.01. In the rHTN group 164 (±17 SD) and 118 (±17 SD) mmHg (P=0.01). The reduction of MSP was greater in the rHTN group (P=0.01). The MAP before and after the TEVAR for the N-rHTN group was 90 (±10 SD) and 74 (±12 SD) mmHg (P=0.01), in the rHTN group 111 (±14 SD) and 70 (±9 SD) mmHg (P=0.01). The overall mortality rate group was 2.2% (1/44). CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR for TBAD appears to positively affect blood pressure in patients with rHTN and N-rHTN.

Post-implantation syndrome after frozen elephant trunk is associated with the volume of new-onset aortic thrombus.

BACKGROUND: Post-implantation syndrome (PIS) is defined as non-infectious continuous fever and a concomitant rise in inflammatory markers shortly after endovascular aortic repair. PIS occurrence after hybrid procedures, such as the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique, has not been adequately investigated. The current study aims to define the incidence of PIS after the FET and to identify possible risk factors associated with its occurrence. METHODS: The clinical charts of 59 patients undergoing the FET between February 2015 and April 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The occurrence of PIS was defined as the presence of fever (>38 °C lasting longer than one day during the hospitalisation) and leucocytosis (white blood cell count >12,000/µL). Patients with concomitant conditions possibly leading to fever and/or leucocytosis were excluded. Beside demographic and procedure-related data, serum/plasma inflammatory markers were evaluated before surgery and daily up to seven days postoperatively. Computed tomography scans (CT) were examined to calculate the volume of pre-existent and new-onset mural thrombus after the FET. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. The study cohort was divided into two groups based on the occurrence of PIS (17 cases; 44.7%). Patients with PIS were significantly younger than those without PIS (53.5±8.9 vs. 62.5±9.6 years; P=0.005). Female patients were less likely to develop PIS (5.2% vs. 26.3%, P=0.018). Patients with PIS had a higher volume of new-onset thrombus in the postoperative CT (P<0.001). Patients treated for post-dissection aneurysm had, postoperatively, significantly more thrombus material developed in a false lumen (P=0.02). Among the PIS markers, CRP (C-reactive protein) levels on the third postoperative day were independently associated with the volume of new-onset thrombus (P=0.011). After multivariate analysis, the volume of new-onset thrombus (P=0.028) and age (P=0.036) remained the variable associated with a statistically significant increased incidence of PIS. CONCLUSIONS: PIS can occur after the frozen elephant trunk procedure. The volume of new-onset thrombus seems to be associated with an increased incidence of PIS. These findings need to be confirmed in larger patient cohorts.