Patients' Radiation Exposure During Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: To investigate associations between patient characteristics, intraprocedural complexity factors, and radiation exposure to patients during endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Elective standard EVAR procedures between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics and intraprocedural data (i.e., type of device, endograft configuration, additional procedures, and contralateral gate cannulation time [CGCT]) were collected. Dose area product (DAP) and fluoroscopy time were considered as measurements of radiation exposure. Furthermore, effective dose (ED) and doses to internal organs were calculated using PCXMC 2.0 software. Descriptive statistics, univariable, and multivariable linear regression were applied to investigate predictors of increased radiation exposure. RESULTS: The 99 patients were mostly male (90.9%) with a mean age of 74 ± 7 years. EVAR indications were most frequently abdominal aortic aneurysm (93.9%), penetrating aortic ulceration (2.0%), focal dissection (2.0%), or subacute rupture of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (2.0%). Median fluoroscopy time was 19.6 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 14.1-29.4) and median DAP was 86,311 mGy cm2 (IQR, 60,160-130,385). Median ED was 23.2 mSv (IQR, 17.0-34.8) for 93 patients (93.9%). DAP and ED were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and CGCT. Kidneys, small intestine, active bone marrow, colon, and stomach were the organs that received the highest equivalent doses during EVAR. Higher DAP and ED values were observed using the Excluder endograft, other bi- and tri-modular endografts, and EVAR with ≥2 additional procedures. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that BMI, ≥2 additional procedures during EVAR, and CGCT were independent positive predictors of DAP and ED levels after accounting for endograft type. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-related and procedure-related factors such as BMI, ≥2 additional procedures during EVAR, and CGCT resulted predictors of radiation exposure for patients undergoing EVAR, as quantified by higher DAP and ED levels. The main intraprocedural factor that increased radiation exposure was CGCT. These data can be of importance for better managing radiation exposure during EVAR.

Thoracic Stent Graft Numerical Models To Virtually Simulate Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-procedural planning of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) may implement computational adjuncts to predict technical and clinical outcomes. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the currently available TEVAR procedure and stent graft modelling options. DATA SOURCES: PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched (English language, up to 9 December 2022) for studies presenting a virtual thoracic stent graft model or TEVAR simulation. REVIEW METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was followed. Qualitative and quantitative data were extracted, compared, grouped, and described. Quality assessment was performed using a 16 item rating rubric. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included. Among the currently available in silico simulations of TEVAR, severe heterogeneity exists in study characteristics, methodological details, and evaluated outcomes. Ten studies (71.4%) were published during the last five years. Eleven studies (78.6%) included heterogeneous clinical data to reconstruct patient specific aortic anatomy and disease (e.g., type B aortic dissection, thoracic aortic aneurysm) from computed tomography angiography imaging. Three studies (21.4%) constructed idealised aortic models with literature input. The applied numerical methods consisted of computational fluid dynamics analysing aortic haemodynamics in three studies (21.4%) and finite element analysis analysing structural mechanics in the others (78.6%), including or excluding aortic wall mechanical properties. The thoracic stent graft was modelled as two separate components (e.g., graft, nitinol) in 10 studies (71.4%), as a one component homogenised approximation (n = 3, 21.4%), or including nitinol rings only (n = 1, 7.1%). Other simulation components included the catheter for virtual TEVAR deployment and numerous outcomes (e.g., Von Mises stresses, stent graft apposition, drag forces) were evaluated. CONCLUSION: This scoping review identified 14 severely heterogeneous TEVAR simulation models, mostly of intermediate quality. The review concludes there is a need for continuous collaborative efforts to improve the homogeneity, credibility, and reliability of TEVAR simulations.

Editor's Choice - Comparison of the Reproducibility of Ultrasound Calliper Placement Methods in Abdominal Aortic Diameter Measurements: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess which ultrasound (US) method of maximum anteroposterior (AP) abdominal aortic diameter measurement can be considered most reproducible. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched (PROSPERO ID: 276694). Eligible studies reported intra- and or interobserver agreement according to Bland-Altman analysis (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) for abdominal aortic diameter AP US evaluations with an outer to outer (OTO), inner to inner (ITI), and or leading edge to leading edge (LELE) calliper placement. REVIEW METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies statement was followed. The QUADAS-2 tool and QUADAS-C extension were used for risk of bias assessment and the GRADE framework to rate the certainty of evidence. Pooled estimates (fixed effects meta-analysis, after a test of homogeneity of means) for each US method were compared with pairwise one sided t tests. Sensitivity analyses (for studies published in 2010 or later) and meta-regression were also performed. RESULTS: 21 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Twelve were eligible for quantitative analysis. Studies showed heterogeneity in the US model and transducer used, sex of participants, and observer professions, expertise, and training. Included studies shared a common mean for each US method (OTO: p = 1.0, ITI: p = 1.0, and LELE: p = 1.0). A pooled estimate of interobserver reproducibility for each US method was obtained, combining the mean ± SD (Bland-Altman analysis) from each study: OTO: 0.182 ± 0.440; ITI: 0.170 ± 0.554; and LELE: 0.437 ± 0.419. There were no statistically significant differences between the methods (OTO vs. ITI: p = .52, OTO vs. LELE: p = .069, ITI vs. LELE: p = .17). Considering studies published in 2010 and later, the pooled estimate for LELE was the smallest, without statistically significant differences between the methods. Despite the low risk of bias, the certainty of the evidence for both meta-analysed outcomes remained low. CONCLUSION: The interobserver reproducibility for OTO and ITI was 2.5 times smaller (indicating better reproducibility) than LELE; however, without statistically significant differences between the methods and low GRADE evidence certainty. Additional data are needed to validate these findings, while inherent differences between the methods need to be emphasised.

Vascular Access Challenges in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: This review aims to comprehensively summarize access challenges in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) by describing vascular access routes, associated risks, outcomes, and complications. METHODS: A literature search was conducted utilizing the PubMed (Medline), Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Qualitative and quantitative data from selected studies are extracted and discussed according to available standards for narrative reviews. RESULTS: In total, there were 109 eligible studies based on predefined inclusion- and exclusion criteria. There were 39 original articles or reviews and 57 case series or case reports. This article summarizes the evidence from these studies and discusses traditional retrograde access routes and techniques for TEVAR via a femoral or iliac route, with or without the use of conduits. Next, alternative antegrade access routes and techniques via a brachial, axillary, carotid, ascending aorta, transapical, transcaval, or another route are discussed. Vascular access complications are presented with specific attention to the importance of gender and alternative antegrade access routes. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple access routes and techniques are currently available to overcome access challenges associated with TEVAR, based on low grade evidence from heterogeneous studies. Future research that compares different access routes and techniques might help in the development of a tailored access protocol for specific patients with challenging TEVAR access.

Risk factors for short and long-term great saphenous vein recanalization in patients treated with endovenous radiofrequency ablation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective single-center study is to describe and analyze short-, mid-, and long-term risk factors for great saphenous vein (GSV) recanalization after endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with GSV incompetence and varicose veins underwent RFA were enrolled between 2009 and 2018. Data on demographic, pre- and postoperative color Doppler scan (CDUS) findings, perioperative complications, and follow-up were prospectively collected. Primary outcome was GSV recanalization rate at 1 week after RFA. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complication rate, as well as GSV recanalization rate at 1, 3, and 5 years after RFA. Risk factors for recanalization were also analyzed, for each follow-up assessment, identifying differences in recanalized (Rec) and non-recanalized (nRec) groups. RESULTS: During the study period, 1297 patients were treated. Among these, 1265 had at least 1 week of follow-up. Mean follow-up time was 3.0 ± 1.9 years. Recanalization rate at 1 week, 1, 3, and 5 years was 2.4%, 4.3%, 9.3%, and 17.5%, respectively. After multivariate analysis for each follow-up evaluation, CEAP classes C4 and 5, as well as preoperative GSV diameter >6 mm and history of smoking were found to be independent predictors of recanalization. Furthermore, age >61 years and postoperative complications such as pigmentation, edema, and paresthesia were found to be dependent risk factors. CONCLUSION: RFA remains a safe and durable technique to ablate incompetent GSV. Despite this, particular attention should be paid to patients with high CEAP classes to avoid short and long-term recanalization.

Role of risk scoring systems in predicting life expectancy after carotid endarterectomy in asymptomatic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare and to test the performance of all available risk scoring systems (RSSs) designed to predict long-term survival rate in asymptomatic candidate patients for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for significant carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: Data on asymptomatic patients who underwent CEA in three high-volume centers were prospectively recorded. Through literature research using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, six RSSs were identified for the intent of the study. Primary endpoints were 3- and 5-year survival rates after CEA. All items used as variables to compose multiple RSSs were applied to every patient in the study population. The 3- and 5-year mortality prediction rates for each score were assessed by sensitivity, specificity, and predictive negative and positive value calculation, as well as univariable Cox proportional hazard models with the Harrell C index. RESULTS: During the study period, 825 CEAs in 825 asymptomatic patients were analyzed. All items used in RSSs were available in the dataset, with some concerns regarding their definition and application among RSSs. The 3- and 5-year survival rates of the study cohort were 94.5% and 90.3%, respectively. Among the six RSSs analyzed, no RSS demonstrated optimal results in terms of mortality rate prediction accuracy, although some scores had good diagnostic and risk of death precision. CONCLUSIONS: RSSs, when used alone, fail to optimally detect postoperative life expectancy in asymptomatic CEA patient candidates. Further prospective controlled studies are needed to compose and validate RSSs with better calibration to predict outcomes.

Differences in Mid-Term Outcomes Between Patients Undergoing Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Aneurysm or Acute Aortic Syndromes: Report From the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment.

PURPOSE: To analyze differences in baseline characteristics, overall mortality, device-related mortality, and re-intervention rates in patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA) with atherosclerotic/degenerative cause or acute aortic syndrome (AAS), using the Global Registry For Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients submitted to TEVAR for AAS or DTAA, included in GREAT, were eligible for this analysis. Primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were 30-day aorta-related mortality and re-intervention rate, 1-year and 3-year all-cause mortality, aorta-related mortality and re-intervention rate. RESULTS: Five-hundred and seventy-five patients were analyzed (305 DTAA and 270 AAS). Thirty-day mortality rate was 1.3% and 1.8% for DTAA and AAS, respectively (p=0.741). One-year and 3-year mortality rates were 6.2% versus 9.3 and 17.3% versus 15.9% for DTAA and AAS, respectively (p=0.209 and p=0.655, respectively). Aorta-related mortality rates at 30 days, 1 year and 3 years were 1.3%, 1.3%, and 2.6% for DTAA, 1.8%, 4.2%, and 4.2% for AAS (p=ns). Re-intervention rates at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years were 1.3%, 4.3%, and 7.5% for DTAA, 3.3%, 8.1%, and 10.7% for AAS (p=ns). Furthermore, a specific analysis with similar outcomes was performed dividing follow-up in 3 periods (1-30 days, 31-365 days, 366-1096 days) and describing mutual differences between 2 groups and temporal trends in each group. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent TEVAR for DTAA or AAS experienced different mortality and re-intervention rates among years during mid-term follow-up. Although all-cause related deaths within 30 days were TEVAR-related, aorta-related deaths were more common for AAS patients within 1 year. A greater re-intervention rate was described for AAS patients, although only 1 year after TEVAR.

Cardiac and Aortic Modifications After Endovascular Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a devastating condition that commonly occurs in healthy and young patients. Endovascular treatment is the first choice; however, it has also been demonstrated to alter cardiovascular haemodynamics. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the cardiovascular modifications after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for BTAI. DATA SOURCES: PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched for eligible studies reporting on modifications in aortic stiffness, blood pressure, cardiac mass, and aortic size. REVIEW METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies reporting on 265 patients were included. Severe heterogeneity existed among the included studies with regard to demographics, BTAI grade, endograft specifications, reported outcomes, and the method of evaluation. Regarding aortic stiffness, two studies found a significant increase in pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients after TEVAR compared with a control group, while one did not find a significant increase in PWV and augmentation index after > 3 years of follow up. Five studies reported an increase in the incidence of post-TEVAR hypertension up to 55% (range 34.8% - 55.0%) vs. baseline. One study found a statistically significant increase in left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index during follow up. Nine studies report data regarding aortic dilatation or remodelling after TEVAR. One found a 2.4 fold faster growth rate in ascending aortic diameter vs. controls, while other studies described significant changes in aortic size at different locations along the aorta and endograft after TEVAR. CONCLUSION: This systematic review highlights adverse cardiac and aortic modifications after TEVAR for BTAI. The results stress the need for lifelong surveillance in these patients and the necessity of developing a more compliant endograft to prevent cardiovascular complications in the long term.

Modifications in Aortic Stiffness After Endovascular or Open Aortic Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Increased aortic stiffness (AoS) has been recognised as a risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of aortic repair on AoS. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched systematically for relevant studies evaluating the consequences of endovascular and open aortic repair on AoS. REVIEW METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement was followed to perform the research process. Papers containing data on AoS before and after both thoracic (TEVAR) and abdominal (EVAR) endovascular repair, as well as open surgical repair (OSR), were included for detailed evaluation. A fixed effects model was used to perform analysis. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was calculated for each included study. RESULTS: The first article cluster comprised 367 papers. After removal of duplicates and the adoption of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 14 articles remained, 13 of which were selected for meta-analysis. Ten studies analysed EVAR and three analysed TEVAR. Five of the selected papers were case control studies, with OSR adopted in four of these as the EVAR comparator. Several graft types were used in the endovascular group. AoS increased after TEVAR and EVAR, in terms of pulse wave velocity (PWV), even though several spatial levels and measurement modalities were adopted. No differences were described after OSR, although no pooled data could be analysed. CONCLUSION: EVAR and TEVAR both demonstrated a significant increase in AoS measurement (PWV). Although the heterogeneity and the low number of available studies limit the strength of the results, this review highlights the potential deleterious endograft role in the cardiovascular system although further studies are needed to achieve robust evidence. Further studies are needed to improve the mutual interaction between aorta and endograft, minimising their impact on the native aortic wall properties.

Drag Forces after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair. General Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Despite the great evolution of endograft devices for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), threatening related complication such as graft migration and endoleaks still occur during follow up. The Drag Forces (DF), that is the displacement forces that play a role in graft migration and endoleaks caused by the blood flow against the thoracic graft, can be studied by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). METHOD: A general review of papers found in current literature was performed. CFD studies available on the topic of thoracic aortic diseases and DF were analyzed. All anatomic, hemodynamics or graft related factors which could have an impact on DF were reported. RESULTS: Different factors deeply influence DF magnitude in the different site of the Ishimaru's zones classification: angulation, tortuosity and length of the landing zone, graft diameter, length and deployment position, blood pressure, pulse waveform, blood viscosity and patient heart rate have been related to the magnitude of DF. Moreover, also the three-dimensional orientation of DF is emerging as a fundamental issue from CFD studies. DF can be divided in sideways and upward components. The former, even of higher magnitude in zone 0, maintain always an orthogonal orientation and does not change in any type of aortic arch; the latter result strictly related to the anatomic complexity of the aortic arch with values up to four times higher in zone 3. CONCLUSION: Different DF magnitude and orientation could explain how TEVAR have higher rate of migration and endoleaks when we face with more complex aortic anatomies. All these aspects should be foreseen during the planning of TEVAR procedure. In this field, collaboration between physicians and engineers is crucial, as both parts have a primary role in understanding and describing hidden aspects involved in TEVAR procedures.

Concurrent Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair and Liver Transplant: Multidisciplinary Management of Multiple Posttraumatic Lesions.

Association of thoracic and abdominal injuries in patients with major trauma is common. Under emergency conditions, it is often difficult to promptly perform a certain diagnosis and identify treatment priorities of life-threatening lesions. We present the case of a young man with combined thoracic and abdominal injuries after a motorcycle accident. Primary evaluation through echography and X-ray showed fluid within the hepatorenal recess and an enlarged mediastinum. Volume load, blood transfusions, and vasoactive agents were initiated to sustain circulation. Despite hemodynamic instability, we decided to perform computed tomographic angiography (CTA) scan that revealed a high-grade traumatic aortic pseudoaneurysm, multiple and severe areas of liver contusion, and a small amount of hemoperitoneum, without active bleeding spots. The patient was successfully submitted to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Immediately after the end of the successful TEVAR, signs of massive abdominal bleeding revealed. Immediate explorative laparotomy was performed showing massive hepatic hemorrhage. After liver packing and Pringle's maneuver, control of bleeding was lastly obtained with hemostatic devices and selective cross-clamping of the right hepatic artery. The patient was then transferred to intensive care unit where, despite absence of further hemorrhage, hemodynamic instability, anuria, severe lactic acidosis together with liver necrosis indices appeared. A new CTA demonstrated massive parenchymal disruption within the right lobe of the liver and multiple hematomas in the left lobe. Considering the high-grade lesions of the hepatic vascular tree and liver failure, patient was listed for emergency liver transplantation (LT). LT occurred few hours later, and patient's clinical conditions rapidly improved even if the subsequent clinical course was characterized by a severe fungal infection because of immunosuppression. Evaluation of life-threatening lesions and treatment priorities, availability of different excellence skills, and multidisciplinary collaboration have a key role to achieve clinical success in such severe cases.

A Computational Fluid-Structure Interaction Study for Carotids With Different Atherosclerotic Plaques.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that leads to accumulation of deposits, known as atherosclerotic plaques, within the walls of the carotids. In particular, three types of plaque can be distinguished: soft, fibrous, and calcific. Most of the computational studies who investigated the interplay between the plaque and the blood flow on patient-specific geometries used nonstandard medical images to directly delineate and segment the plaque and its components. However, these techniques are not so widely available in the clinical practice. In this context, the aim of our work was twofold: (i) to propose a new geometric tool that allowed to reconstruct a plausible plaque in the carotids from standard images and (ii) to perform three-dimensional (3D) fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations where we compared some fluid-dynamic and structural quantities among 15 patients characterized by different typologies of plaque. Our results highlighted that both the morphology and the mechanical properties of different plaque components play a crucial role in determining the vulnerability of the plaque.

Is there a vascular side of the story? Vascular consequences during COVID-19 outbreak in Lombardy, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Lombardy, in the northern Italy, was one of the most affected region in the world by novel coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Due to the dramatic amount of confirmed positive cases and deaths, all clinical and surgical hospital departments changed their daily activities to face emergent pandemic situations. In particular, vascular surgery units reorganized their role and priorities for both elective and urgent patients requiring open or endovascular interventions. MATERIAL & METHODS: This brief review summarizes organization of vascular Lombardy centers network adopted during pandemic period and clinical evidences published so far by regional referral and nonreferral hospitals in terms of vascular surgery and medicine implications in COVID-19 positive or negative patients managements. RESULTS: Different patterns of disease were described during phase 1 COVID-19 outbreak in Lombardy region, with major attention in pheriperal artery disease and venous thrombosis. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection seems to be not only a pulmonary but also a vascular (arterial and venous) disease. Further study are necessary to described mid and long-term outcomes in COVID-19 vascular patients population.

Image-Based Displacements Analysis and Computational Blood Dynamics after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: To examine intraheartbeat displacements (IHD) and geometrical changes of endografts for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair over the course of years, defined as follow-up displacements (FUD), and to correlate them with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Despite the widespread use of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), we still know little about endograft behavior after deployment. METHODS: Two cases, treated with either expanded polytetrafluoroethylene on a nitinol stent frame (PI) or with woven polyester fabric sutured to a stainless-steel Z stent skeleton (PII), were submitted to dynamic computed tomography angiography at 1, 12, and 60 months after implantation. After segmentation, IHD were computed as displacements of the reconstructed surface with respect to the diastolic instant. Similarly, FUD were studied using imaging techniques that align temporal successive segmentations. In addition, numerical simulations for blood dynamics were performed to compute viscous forces, specifically wall shear stress and time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS). RESULTS: IHD analysis showed slight translations without deformation for the PI endograft with respect to the stiffer stainless-steel endograft behavior of PII. FUD showed in PI motion of the metallic struts mainly focused on the distal main body of the endograft and in the zone overlapping with iliac branches. In PII, we observed a huge FUD in the middle and inferior-anterior regions of the main body. CFD analysis revealed changes of velocity patterns associated with remodeling of the iliac zone for PI and of the main body region for PII, where flow impinges the lumen wall and progressively induces deformation of the endograft wires. Measurement of TAWSS demonstrated flow disturbances in the enlarged region correlated with displacement analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Image-based displacement analysis associated with CFD enabled very subtle evaluations of endograft behavior on different temporal scales. This kind of study could be helpful both for physicians, forecasting evolution during the life span of the endograft, and manufacturers, giving them useful information about endograft implant performance and design.

Operative Treatment and Clinical Outcomes in Peripheral Vascular Trauma: The Combined Experience of Two Centers in the Endovascular Era.

BACKGROUND: Arterial traumas of the extremities are quite rare in civilian records; nevertheless, patients with trauma of limbs are admitted daily in emergency departments worldwide. The up-to-date information about epidemiology and treatment (open vs. endovascular surgery) comes from war records and it is not always easy getting data on mortality and morbidity in these patients. The aim of this study is to analyze the approach (open or endovascular) and the outcome of patients with vascular trauma of upper limbs (from the subclavian artery) and/or lower limbs (distal to the inguinal ligament), in the greater Milan area. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data recorded by the emergency departments of two hospitals of the greater Milan between 2009 and 2017. We collected all patients with arterial injuries of the limbs in terms of demography, injury patterns, clinical status at admission, therapy (open or endovascular approach), and outcomes in terms of limb salvage and survival. RESULTS: We studied 52 patients with vascular trauma of extremities. The main mechanism of trauma was road accident (48.1%), followed by criminal acts (32.7%), self-endangering behavior (13.5%), work (3.8%), and sport accidents (1.9%). Associated lesions (orthopedic, neurological, and/or venous lesions of the limbs) were present in 39 patients (75%). All patients underwent emergency surgery, forty-six patients (88.5%) by open repair (polytetrafluoroethylene or greater saphenous vein bypass grafts, arterial suture or ligation), whereas endovascular approach was used only in 6 patients (11.5%), all treated with embolization. The overall postoperative mortality rate was 5.7% (3 patients). Among survivors, we report 5 major amputations of the lower limbs, 3 of them after bypass graft infection, and 2 after graft failure. The rate of limb salvage was 90.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated arterial trauma of the extremities are rare, usually they occur in the setting of multiple trauma patients. Despite progresses in surgical techniques, there are still controversies in diagnosis and treatment of these patients. We treated most cases with open surgery (n = 46), choosing endovascular approach (embolization performed mainly by interventional radiologists) in difficult anatomic districts. We believe that, during decision-making of the surgical strategy, it is important to consider the anatomical site of lesions and the general condition of the patients. Moreover, in case of multiple trauma, we suggest a multidisciplinary approach to provide the best medical care to the victims.

Caveat for Vascular Surgeons: Lesson Learned from Acute Onset of a Rare Aortic Paraganglioma in a Young Boy.

BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas (PGs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from the extra-adrenal autonomic paraganglia that are tiny organs formed by bundles of neuroendocrine cells derived from the embryonic neural crest and capable of catecholamines secretion. Diagnosis and treatment of aortic PGs could be a challenging issue when they present as an emergency setup (sudden abdominal pain and radiological images resembling a vascular emergency). CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of a 16-year-old man with a symptomatic and bleeding left para-aortic mass, treated in emergency with embolization, before a staged videolaparoscopic resection. Histology of the mass showed the presence of a large aortic PG. CONCLUSIONS: In case of active bleeding, in emergency, vascular consultants are always involved. Sometimes, circumstances are very atypical; therefore, it is essential to keep in mind rare pathologies. In such settings, multidisciplinary approach is primary to obtain a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Concomitant Renal Artery and Aortic Aneurysm: Is Endovascular Surgery the Correct Approach?

Our case illustrates the concomitant presence of a giant aneurysm of the left renal artery at the ostium and an abdominal aortic aneurysm, in presence of a complex aortic anatomy. Type of approach and timing of the treatment is still not well established for the rare coexistence of these 2 pathologies. In case of surgical high-risk patients, endovascular therapy is considered now the best choice to exclude arterial and aortic aneurysms although there are chances to do further interventions in the follow-up. For this reason, we simultaneously treated both the aneurysms through an embolization with plugs and coils of renal aneurysm and endovascular exclusion of aortic aneurysm; in the follow-up, renal function of the patient worsened until hemodialysis and we saw the reperfusion of renal aneurysm and the onset of endoleak I type A from above the aortic and renal aneurysm and B from iliac legs of the previous endograft. We performed a parallel graft technique on visceral vessels to exclude the refilling of both aneurysms and preserve visceral vascularization. Follow-up at 12 months showed the complete exclusion of the aneurysms and the patency of stents in celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery.

Successful Fat Grafting in a Patient With Thromboangiitis Obliterans.

Thromboangiitis obliterans, or Buerger disease, is a rare nonatherosclerotic segmental inflammatory vasculitis that generally affects young tobacco smokers. Although no surgical treatment is available, the most effective way to halt the disease's progress is smoking cessation. In this case report, a 29-year-old smoker showed up to emergency department with gangrene of his fifth left toe and extensive plantar ulceration. After investigative angiography, he was diagnosed with Buerger disease. On November 2017, he underwent fifth left toe amputation and hyperbaric therapy. Five months after amputation, the patient was rehospitalized because of surgical wound dehiscence, wide ulceration, and pain. He was treated with lipofilling using the Coleman technique. Two weeks after the fat grafting procedure, the patient suspended pain control medication, and after 2 months, the surgical wound was almost healed. Fat grafting (lipofilling) is mostly used in plastic surgery; it offers regenerative effects, with minimal discomfort for the patient. This case report demonstrates a successful alternative use of lipofilling for this unique condition and opens up new options for use of this technique in other fields.

Computational fluid dynamic comparison between patch-based and primary closure techniques after carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to provide, by means of computational fluid dynamics, a comparative analysis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) between patch graft (PG) and primary closure (PC) techniques performed in real carotid geometries to identify disturbed flow conditions potentially involved in the development of restenosis. METHODS: Eight carotid geometries in seven asymptomatic patients who underwent CEA were analyzed. In six cases (A-F), CEA was performed using PG closure; in two cases (G and H), PC was performed. Three-dimensional carotid geometries, derived from postoperative magnetic resonance angiography, were reconstructed, and a computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed. A virtual scenario with PC closure was designed in patients in whom PG was originally inserted and vice versa. This allowed us to compare for each patient hemodynamic effects in the PG and PC scenarios in terms of oscillatory shear index (OSI) and relative residence time (RRT), considered indicators of disturbed flow. RESULTS: For the six original PG cases, the mean averaged-in-space OSI was 0.07 ± 0.01 for PG and 0.03 ± 0.02 for virtual-PC (difference, 0.04 ± 0.01; P = .0016). The mean of the percentage of area (%A) with OSI >0.2 resulted in 10.08% ± 3.38% for PG and 3.80% ± 3.22% for virtual-PC (difference, 6.28 ± 1.91; P = .008). For the same cases, the mean of the averaged-in-space RRT resulted in 5.48 ± 3.40 1/Pa for PG and 2.62 ± 1.12 1/Pa for virtual-PC (difference, 2.87 ± 1.46; P = .097). The mean of %A RRT >4.0 1/Pa resulted in 26.53% ± 12.98% for PG and 9.95% ± 6.53% for virtual-PC (difference, 16.58 ± 5.93; P = .025). For the two original PC cases, the averaged-in-space OSIs were 0.02 and 0.04 for PC and 0.03 and 0.02 for virtual-PG; the %A OSIs >0.2 were 0.9% and 7.6% for PC and 3.0% and 2.2% for virtual-PG; the averaged-in-space RRTs were 1.8 and 2.0 1/Pa for PC and 2.9 and 1.9 1/Pa for virtual-PG; the %A RRTs >4.0 1/Pa were 6.8% and 9.8% for PC and 9.4% and 6.2% for virtual-PG. These results revealed generally higher disturbed flows in the PG configurations with respect to the PC ones. CONCLUSIONS: OSI and RRT values were generally higher in PG cases with respect to PC, especially for high carotids or when the arteriotomy is mainly at the bulb region. Thus, an elective use of patch should be considered to prevent disturbed flows.

A Rare Cause of Juvenile Stroke: Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysm with Venous Complete Reconstruction of the Carotid Bifurcation.

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAA) are a rare cause of embolic stroke. The underlying etiology is variable, with atherosclerosis being the most common entity in older subjects. Several treatments have been developed over the last 20 years, but the preferred method remains unknown. Notwithstanding the widespread use of endovascular techniques, surgical reconstruction by means of a bifurcated venous bypass graft should be applied in younger patients. In this way, it is possible to avoid major concerns about the development of long-term intrastent restenosis, and also to spare the external carotid artery which represents the main branch for the ipsilateral cerebral and facial perfusion. We propose ECAA resection and interposition of the inverted great saphenous vein to both the internal and external carotid artery by means the use of a tributary, i.e., the Giacomini vein.