A Novel Approach to Limb Salvage: Healing Transmetatarsal Amputations without a Viable Plantar Flap.

BACKGROUND: The lack of a viable plantar flap in patients undergoing transmetatarsal amputation has been considered an indication for below-knee amputation (BKA). In an effort to reduce limb loss in this patient population, we sought to review our experience with transmetatarsal amputation salvage in patients with an open, guillotine transmetatarsal amputation. We hypothesized that performing a transmetatarsal amputation without a viable flap would extend time of independent ambulation and improve limb salvage. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 27 consecutive patients who did not have a viable plantar flap and who underwent an open, guillotine transmetatarsal amputation. Patients presented with a nonviable plantar flap due to either extensive tissue loss on initial presentation, or secondary transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) flap necrosis. Patients initially underwent an open, guillotine TMA for control of infection and debridement of nonviable tissue. To achieve best results, during procedure, the metatarsals were resected to be as flush with soft tissue as possible. Once infection was resolved and all nonviable tissue debrided, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was applied to the open wound. NPWT was continued until a base of granulation tissue covered the previously exposed bone. Wound closure was obtained by either the application of a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) or through continued NPWT allowing the wound to heal by secondary intention. RESULTS: Between January 2016 and December 2018, there were 27 open TMAs performed in 27 patients. Two patients did not granulate sufficiently and underwent BKA. Fourteen patients underwent STSG for closure, whereas 11 patients continued with NPWT. In the STSG group, 12 (86%) of the patients are healed, with a median time to complete healing of 75 days (range 28-330 days); the remaining 2 are ambulatory and undergoing continued wound care. In the 11 patients who did not receive STSG, 7 (64%) are healed with a median time to heal of 165 days. Of the remaining 4 patients in this group, 3 are ambulatory and still undergoing wound care, one was lost to follow-up. Overall, 19 patients (70%) have completely healed with a median time to heal of 82 days. CONCLUSIONS: Limb salvage in patients with a nonviable plantar flap for TMA is possible and should be a considered procedure. This technique has the potential to improve functional outcomes and limb salvage in patients who might otherwise undergo BKA.

Outcomes of Local and Regional Anesthesia for Superficialization of Brachiobasilic Arteriovenous Fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Superficialization, the second stage of a two-stage brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula (BB-AVF), can be performed under local (LA), regional (RA), or general anesthesia (GA). Given the numerous comorbidities in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), our preference is to use RA or LA when feasible. Our goal was to review the success rate of RA and LA, need for conversion to GA, and cardiac morbidity and mortality for BB-AVF superficialization. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent BB-AVF creation with second-stage superficialization over a 4-year period. The primary outcome measures included need for conversion to GA, myocardial infarction (MI), and 30-day mortality. A secondary outcome was total operative time (time from preoperative briefing to the time the patient left the operating room). We analyzed the data using Fisher Exact test for categorical data and nonparametric analysis for continuous data. RESULTS: There were 42 patients who underwent BB-AVF superficialization. The median age was 56 years, with a mean body mass index of 29. Most patients were male (55%) and predominantly Hispanic/Latino (60%). RA was utilized in 35 patients (83%), LA in 5 (12%), and GA in 2 (5%). The conversion rate from RA to GA was 0% and was 20% (n = 1) from LA to GA. There were no postoperative MI or deaths. There was no significant difference in total operative time (219.6 min for RA, 234.5 min for LA, and 278 min for GA, (P = 0.37)). CONCLUSIONS: Local and/or regional anesthesia can be successfully used in the majority of patients undergoing BB-AVF superficialization. LA and RA are associated with negligible cardiac morbidity and mortality. Conversion from RA to GA is rare. Use of RA does not result in a longer total operative time.

Percutaneous Access of an Expanding Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm via a Direct Posterior Transgluteal Approach.

BACKGROUND: Internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs) are rare, comprising 0.3% of all aortoiliac aneurysms. Endovascular management is associated with lower morbidity and mortality than open repair. We present a 91-year-old female with a rapidly expanding 8.2-cm IIAA who previously underwent incomplete endovascular treatment, using endovascular aneurysm repair, to exclude the right internal iliac artery (IIA). Transarterial access to the IIAA was not possible secondary to the iliac limb of the endograft over the origin of the IIA. We recommended that the patient undergo embolization and coiling of the IIAA via a direct percutaneous transgluteal approach. METHODS: With the patient in a prone position, under fluoroscopic guidance, a 10-cm long, 18-gauge needle was placed through the gluteus muscle into the right IIAA. Needle location was confirmed by angiography and a 6-French sheath was advanced into the aneurysm. Selective catheterization of the native aorta was accomplished around the occluded limb of the previously placed endograft. Aortography confirmed robust filling of 2 large lumbar arteries with brisk runoff through branches of the IIA. Coil embolization was used to treat both the lumbar arteries causing aortic endoleak, as well as the outflow branches of the IIAA. RESULTS: Completion angiography revealed static flow in the aorta and aneurysm, with minimal flow through the inflow and outflow tracts. At a 1-month follow-up appointment, repeat computed tomography angiography revealed resolution of the endoleak and no blood flow within the aneurysm. There have only been a few case reports utilizing alternative access to an IIAA. Although computed tomography and ultrasound-guided techniques have been described in the literature, a percutaneous, fluoroscopy-guided, transgluteal approach to access the IIAA is a new and unique approach. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who are not candidates for open or standard endovascular repair with a large, inaccessible IIAA, a transgluteal approach to directly access the aneurysm sac may offer a less invasive and successful management strategy.

Effect of adjunct femoral endarterectomy in lower extremity bypass on perioperative and 1-year outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Isolated common femoral endarterectomy was recently reported to have a 30-day mortality of 3.4%. The effect of adjunctive femoral endarterectomy at the time of lower extremity bypass is not well described, and therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine its associated perioperative and long-term risk. METHODS: Vascular Study Group of New England registry data were used to identify patients undergoing initial lower extremity bypass from 2003 to 2015. After univariate analysis, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the independent association of endarterectomy with adverse perioperative events. Kaplan-Meier and Cox hazard models were used for the 1-year analysis. RESULTS: After exclusions, 4496 patients were identified as undergoing infrainguinal bypass (33% with endarterectomy). There was no difference in the proportion with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLI; 68% vs 67%; P = .24) or tissue loss of those with CLI (65% vs 63%; P = .34) between the adjunctive endarterectomy group and bypass alone, respectively. Patients undergoing adjunctive endarterectomy were older (mean 68 years vs 67 years; P = .02), more likely white (95% vs 93%; P = .02), smokers (91% vs 87%; P = .001), and more often had prior coronary artery bypass grafting/percutaneous coronary intervention (34% vs 31%; P = .02). The endarterectomy cohort had similar 30-day mortality (CLI: 2.6% vs 2.9%; P = .60; claudication: 0.2% vs 0.4%; P = 1.0) despite a longer operative time (median, 268 minutes vs 210 minutes; P < .001) and increased blood loss (median, 250 mL vs 180 mL; P < .001). Patients with CLI undergoing adjunctive endarterectomy had more in-hospital myocardial infarctions (MIs; 6.2% vs 3.8%; P = .003) and transfusions (11% vs 6.8%; P < .001). At 1-year, this group had a suggestion of improved freedom from major amputation (91% vs 87%; P = .049) and amputation-free survival (80% vs 76%; P = .03) that did not reach significance after adjustment. For patients with claudication and adjunctive endarterectomy, rates of MI (2.4% vs 0.9%; P = .02), renal dysfunction (3.6% vs 1.4%; P = .01), surgical site infection (SSI; 5.0% vs 2.6%; P = .02), and transfusion (4.6% vs 1.8%; P = .002) were higher. After adjustment, all patients undergoing adjunctive endarterectomy were at increased risk of MI (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.2), SSI (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0), and bleeding requiring transfusion (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4-2.3). There were no differences in 1-year survival for CLI or claudication groups and no difference in all 1-year end points for patients with claudication. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive femoral endarterectomy with bypass is safe, with no difference in perioperative or 1-year mortality compared with bypass. However, surgeons should be aware that adjunctive endarterectomy is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, SSI, and MI, likely from these patients' disease burden and presumed more extensive atherosclerosis.

Giant Bilobed Hepatic Artery Aneurysm with Occlusion of the Celiac Axis: Repair Using a Bifurcated Graft.

Hepatic artery aneurysms are uncommon, with fewer than 500 cases noted in the literature. Bilobed hepatic artery aneurysms are extremely rare, with no documented cases in the literature. Although often asymptomatic, these visceral aneurysms are at high risk of rupture. We present an interesting case report of a bilobed hepatic artery aneurysm with occlusion of the celiac axis in a 72-year-old woman. She was asymptomatic at the time of presentation, and diagnosis was made on computerized tomography scan. She was not a candidate for endovascular repair due to the anatomy of the aneurysm and a chronically occluded celiac artery origin. Surgical repair using a bifurcated graft with ligation of the gastroduodenal artery was performed.

A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of totally percutaneous access versus open femoral exposure for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (the PEVAR trial).

OBJECTIVE: The first multicenter randomized controlled trial was designed and conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of totally percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR) with use of a 21F endovascular stent graft system and either an 8 F or 10 F suture-mediated closure system (the PEVAR trial, NCT01070069). A noninferiority trial design was chosen to compare percutaneous access with standard open femoral exposure. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2012, 20 U.S. institutions participated in a prospective, Food and Drug Administration-approved randomized trial to evaluate percutaneous femoral artery access and closure by a "preclose" technique in conjunction with endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A total of 151 patients were allocated by a 2:1 design to percutaneous access/closure (n = 101) or open femoral exposure (n = 50 [FE]). PEVAR procedures were performed with either the 8 F Perclose ProGlide (n = 50 [PG]) or the 10 F Prostar XL (n = 51 [PS]) closure devices. All endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair procedures were performed with the Endologix 21 F profile (outer diameter) sheath-based system. Patients were screened by computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction and independent physician review for anatomic suitability and adequate femoral artery anatomy for percutaneous access. The primary trial end point (treatment success) was defined as procedural technical success and absence of major adverse events and vascular complications at 30 days. An independent access closure substudy evaluated major access-related complications. Clinical utility and procedural outcomes, ankle-brachial index, blood laboratory analyses, and quality of life were also evaluated with continuing follow-up to 6 months. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar among groups. Procedural technical success was 94% (PG), 88% (PS), and 98% (FE). One-month primary treatment success was 88% (PG), 78% (PS), and 78% (FE), demonstrating noninferiority vs FE for PG (P = .004) but not for PS (P = .102). Failure rates in the access closure substudy analyses demonstrated noninferiority of PG (6%; P = .005), but not of PS (12%; P = .100), vs FE (10%). Compared with FE, PG and PS yielded significantly shorter times to hemostasis and procedure completion and favorable trends in blood loss, groin pain, and overall quality of life. Initial noninferiority test results persist to 6 months, and no aneurysm rupture, conversion to open repair, device migration, or stent graft occlusion occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Among trained operators, PEVAR with an adjunctive preclose technique using the ProGlide closure device is safe and effective, with minimal access-related complications, and it is noninferior to standard open femoral exposure. Training, experience, and careful application of the preclose technique are of paramount importance in ensuring successful, sustainable outcomes.

Essentials of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair imaging: preprocedural assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the abdominal aortic aneurysm imaging characteristics that must be accurately described for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair treatment planning, including evaluation of the landing zones, aneurysm morphology, and vascular access.. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive understanding of preprocedural imaging is necessary to produce detailed and clinically useful imaging reports and assist the interventionalist in planning endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Essentials of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair imaging: postprocedure surveillance and complications.

OBJECTIVE: Lifelong postprocedural imaging surveillance is necessary after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) to assess for complications of endograft placement, as well as device failure and continued aneurysm growth. Refinement of the surveillance CT technique and development of ultrasound and MRI protocols are important to limit radiation exposure. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive understanding of EVAR surveillance is necessary to identify life-threatening complications and to aid in secondary treatment planning.

A Randomized Prospective Blinded Study Evaluating the Effect of Music on Novice Surgical Trainees' Ability to Perform a Simulated Surgical Task.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if playing music would affect novice surgical trainees' ability to perform a complex surgical task. BACKGROUND: The effect of music in the operating room (OR) is controversial. Some studies from the anesthesiology literature suggest that OR music is distracting and should be banned. Other nonblinded studies have indicated that music improves surgeons' efficiency with simple tasks. DESIGN/METHODS: A prospective, blinded, randomized trial of 19 novice surgical trainees was conducted using an in vitro model. Each trainee performed a baseline vascular anastomosis (VA) without music. Subsequently, they performed one VA with music (song validated to reduce anxiety) and one without, in random order and without prior knowledge of the study's purpose. The primary endpoint was a difference in differences from baseline with and without music with respect to time to completion, acceleration/deceleration (using a previously validated hand-tracking motion device), and video performance scoring (3 blinded experts using a validated scale). The participants completed a poststudy survey to gauge their opinions regarding music during tasks. RESULTS: Overall, 57 VAs by 19 trainees were evaluated. Average time to completion was 11.6 minutes. When compared to baseline, time to completion improved for both the music group (p = 0.01) and no-music group (p = 0.001). When comparing music to no music, there was no difference in time to completion (p = 0.7), acceleration/deceleration (p = 0.3), or video performance scorings (p = NS). Among participants, 89% responded that they enjoy listening to music while performing tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Using three outcome measures, relaxing music did not improve the performance of novice surgical trainees performing a complex surgical task, and the music did not make their performance worse. However, nearly all trainees reported enjoying listening to music while performing tasks.

Early ambulation after percutaneous femoral access with use of closure devices and hemostatic agents.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction after percutaneous endovascular procedures is significantly influenced by the amount of time to ambulation postprocedure. The purpose of this study was to assess the complication rates of early ambulation after use of closure devices or topical hemostatic agents for femoral access sites for endovascular procedures. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent an endovascular procedure from a femoral access site between January 2004 and March 2008. The access site was closed with an Angio-Seal, StarClose, or D-Stat Dry with pressure. Patients ambulated 2 hr postprocedure when a closure device was used and 4 hr postprocedure when a D-Stat pad was applied. Access-site bleeding complications were assessed. Sheath size, closure method, patient characteristics, and antiplatelet status were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients with a mean age of 70 years were identified. Of these, 154 (63%) patients were treated with a D-Stat pad with pressure, Angio-Seal was used on 83 (34%), and StarClose was used on eight (3%). The overall complication rate was 5.7%. Complications increased with increasing age (p = 0.003) and use of StarClose (p = 0.0001). The D-Stat pad was associated with a decreased complication rate (p = 0.03). Sheath size did not influence the incidence of bleeding. There was no significant increase in complications in patients taking an antiplatelet agent. CONCLUSION: With a protocol using closure devices and hemostatic agents, early ambulation after percutaneous femoral access can be achieved safely with an acceptable complication rate in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Management of vascular graft infections with soft tissue flap coverage: improving limb salvage rates--a veterans affairs experience.

Graft infections are one of the most challenging issues in surgery with an incidence of 0.7 to 7 per cent, with femoral site infections being the most common (13% incidence). The gold standard treatment has been graft removal, wide débridement, and extra-anatomical bypass. Routine excision of infected peripheral arterial grafts and vascular reconstruction with extraanatomic conduits are associated with mortality rates ranging from 10 to 30 per cent and amputation rates of up to 70 per cent. As a result of the high morbidity and mortality associated with this approach, selective graft preservation techniques have been developed. Newer treatment plans discuss preservation of the graft with débridement and coverage of the infected region. Better wound care, nutrition optimization, and robust flap coverage have led to significantly improved graft salvage, lower amputation rates, and improved outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Veterans Affairs (VA) experience with flap coverage for femoral vascular graft infections. A retrospective review was conducted of all VA data from 1997 to 2008 with inclusion criteria of patients with deep groin wound infections requiring flap coverage after femoral bypass surgery. Eleven such patients were identified with a mean age of 73 years and with multiple comorbidities (hypertension, malnutrition, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, chronic renal insufficiency). Patients presented with wound drainage, exposed graft, hematoma, perigraft fluid collection, and pseudoaneurysm. Treatment protocol included: 1) aggressive débridement of the wound bed; 2) early soft tissue (flap) coverage; 3) wound vacuum assisted closure device or frequent dressing changes; and 4) skin graft once the bed was prepared. Eighty-two per cent of wounds had positive cultures with equal numbers of patients with Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli (22%), and higher methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (33%), whereas in the literature Staphylococcus is the most common (greater than 50%). Average hospital length of stay was 94 days with average follow up at 10 months. Fifty-five per cent graft salvage (one Dacron [50%], two polytetrafluoroethylene [33%], two saphenous vein graft [100%], one cryovein [100%]) was achieved with 91 per cent limb salvage. Complications included graft blowout (two) requiring partial flap loss (one), retroperitoneal hematoma (one), limb loss (one), sepsis (one), and death (one). Infected vascular grafts remain a challenging problem requiring multidisciplinary care. Careful débridement and aggressive wound care followed by selective flap coverage appears to decrease morbidity and increase graft and limb salvage.

Complete femoral artery and vein avulsion from a hyperextension injury: a case report and literature review.

Blunt peripheral extremity vascular injuries are much less frequent than those of penetrating injuries, especially in the absence of significant musculoskeletal trauma. We present an unusual case of complete femoral artery and vein avulsion that resulted from a forced hip hyperextension and thigh abduction after slipping when a patient's foot became entrapped in a ladder. The patient presented with an acutely ischemic right lower extremity 8 hr postinjury, which necessitated immediate surgical exploration, temporary intravascular shunting, interposition grafting, and prophylactic fasciotomy. To our knowledge, this is the first such mechanism to be reported resulting in complete transection of both femoral artery and vein. We review the mechanism of injury and management.

Carotid baroreceptor stimulation blood pressure response mapped in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (C-Map study).

OBJECTIVE: Continuous stimulation of the carotid baroreceptors has been shown to evoke a sustained systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduction in hypertensive subjects. This study conducted a detailed mapping of the SBP and heart rate response to electrical stimulus at different locations in the carotid sinus region in patients undergoing a carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: The Carotid Sinus Autonomic Response Mapping (C-Map) Study is a multicenter, prospective, non-randomized, acute feasibility study conducted in 10 hypertensive subjects undergoing CEA. Electrode pairs were placed in multiple locations in the region of the carotid sinus for acute stimulation, and the tests were repeated after plaque removal and vessel repair. RESULTS: The configuration that elicited the largest pressure reduction in 8 of 10 patients was with the electrodes arranged longitudinally along the medial (in relation to the bifurcation) wall of the internal carotid artery (ICA) near the bifurcation (11.2±8.1mmHg, p<0.05). There was no difference in average maximum response pre vs. post plaque removal. Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity increased from 6.0±3.2ms/mmHg pre-CEA to 8.2±5.4ms/mmHg post-CEA (p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Endarterectomy surgery did not affect maximal acute stimulation response but improved baroreflex sensitivity acutely. Acute extravascular baroreceptor stimulation (BRS) mapping demonstrated that blood pressure reductions are dependent on electrode location and orientation. In most subjects, the largest SBP reductions were elicited in the region of the medial wall of the ICA. This area can be targeted for future BRS lead design and implant.

Hospital volume of thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair does not affect mortality in California.

OBJECTIVES: Open thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair (TAAR) is a rarely performed but a complicated and morbid procedure. This study compares the morbidity and mortality of open TAAR at high- versus low-volume hospitals. METHODS: Included patients from California Office of Statewide Health Policy and Development patient discharge database who underwent an open TAAR between 1995 and 2010. High volume was ≥ 9 cases per year. Outcomes included mortality and postoperative complications. Multivariate analyses compared patients at high- versus low-volume hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 122 hospitals were included, with 5 designated as high volume. Adjusted analysis found no difference in the odds ratio (OR) of mortality or morbidity at high-volume hospitals compared to low-volume hospitals (OR 0.37, P = .077; OR 0.94, P = .834, respectively). However, there was a decreased OR of mortality in high- versus low-volume hospitals when a high-volume hospital was defined as each year after meeting the initial threshold of 9 cases (OR 0.40, P = .040). CONCLUSION: We found no difference in mortality between low- and high-volume institutions in California, until high-volume hospitals were defined as each year after meeting initial threshold case volume. This may suggest that the benefits of high-volume hospitals on outcomes are maintained after reaching the requisite case volume.

Mineralization in calcified plaque is like that of cortical bone--further evidence from ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaque calcification and cortical bone.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate carotid plaque calcification (CPC) using two-dimensional (2D) and 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences and compare T1, T2*, water concentration, and bone mineral density (BMD) of CPC with those of cortical bone. METHODS: Twelve carotid plaque specimens and eight tibial cortical bone samples were imaged with UTE sequences. Adiabatic inversion recovery prepared UTE (IR-UTE) acquisitions were used for T2* measurement. Saturation recovery prepared UTE acquisitions were used for T1 measurement. Water concentration was measured by comparing signal from CPC and bone with that from a phantom. BMD was measured with µCT. Conventional gradient echo and fast spin echo images were also acquired for comparison. RESULTS: Our studies show that CPC and cortical bone have similar T1 and BMD values but different T2* and water concentration. For CPC T2*s ranged from 0.31 to 3.87 ms, T1s ranged from 114 to 332 ms, water concentrations ranged from 6.4% to 17.6%, and BMD ranged from 977 to 1319 mg/ml. For cortical bone T2*s ranged from 0.33 to 0.45 ms, T1s ranged from 198 to 254 ms, water concentrations ranged from 24.7% to 33.8%, and mineral densities ranged from 970 to 1287 mg/ml. On average CPC shows about 5% longer T1, 5% lower BMD, 440% longer T2*, and 130% lower water concentration when compared to human cortical bone. CONCLUSIONS: CPC bears remarkable similarities with cortical bone in terms of BMD and T1. CPC shows a higher mean T2* and a lower mean water concentration.

Case report and review of the literature total endovascular repair of acute ascending aortic rupture: a case report and review of the literature.

Thoracic aortic endografting has been successfully implemented to treat aneurysmal disease of the distal aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta. Although there are reports of ascending aortic endovascular interventions, the total endovascular repair of a ruptured ascending aorta secondary to a Type A dissection has not been described. We report the case of a 77-year-old patient who presented with a ruptured ascending aortic aneurysm secondary to degeneration of a Stanford type A aortic dissection. His surgical history was significant for orthotropic heart transplant 19 years prior. The dissection, aneurysm, and rupture occurred in the native aorta distal to the ascending aortic suture line. At presentation, he was hemodynamically unstable with a right hemothorax. We placed 3 Medtronic Talent Thoracic Stent Graft devices (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) across the suture line in the ascending aorta, excluding the rupture. The patient survived and has been followed to 25 months.

Hybrid repair of isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm.

Isolated aneurysms of the internal iliac artery (IIIAA) represent a rare pathology. The application of endovascular therapy has been shown to reduce both mortality and blood loss. We present a case of an isolated left internal iliac artery aneurysm treated with a hybrid approach. A 92-year-old male was found to have an asymptomatic 4.6-cm aneurysm of the left internal iliac artery. He underwent coil embolization of 3 branch outflow arteries of the aneurysm. With completion angiography confirming no distal flow, we performed open ligation of the left internal iliac artery at its origin with minimal blood loss. The patient experienced no pelvic ischemia symptoms following repair. Computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed aneurysm exclusion at 4-year follow-up. The hybrid approach to IIIAA in the nonagenarian population is a viable alternative and may confer significant improvements in outcomes and blood loss.

Right thyrocervical trunk bronchial artery collateral: source of type II Endoleak after endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm.

A patient with an enlarging thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) after endovascular repair showed a persistent endoleak on follow-up imaging at three and six months. He subsequently underwent angiography and transcatheter embolization of a right thyrocervical trunk bronchial collateral. Examination of potential anomalous or collateral thoracic pathways is mandatory when considering treatment of a Type II endoleak following endovascular TAA repair.

Endovascular repair of an aortopulmonary fistula via the axillary artery.

A 62-year-old man presented with several months of progressive hemoptysis. He has a history of aortobifemoral bypass and thoracofemoral bypass grafts, which were both removed due to infection. Evaluation with multiple imaging modalities revealed a descending thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm around the retained Dacrontrade mark graft with bronchiectatic changes and consolidation of the adjacent left lower lobe. No evidence of direct arterial communication between the aorta and the bronchioles was ever demonstrated, but an aortopulmonary fistula was suspected. Endovascular repair with several Excluder aortic cuffs stacked in the thoracic aorta was successfully performed via the axillary artery. Exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm with no evidence of endoleak was noted on computed tomography 2 months postoperatively, at which time the patient reported complete resolution of his hemoptysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of endovascular repair of an aortopulmonary fistula via the axillary artery.