[Influencing Factors of Diabetes Mellitus on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Diameter and Biochemical Parameters].

Objective To investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemic treatment on the diameter and biochemical parameters of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).Methods A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of AAA patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2015 to 2021.The AAA patients were classified into a group with diabetes mellitus (n=53) and a group without diabetes mellitus (n=104),and the biochemical parameters and aneurysm diameter were compared between the two groups.According to the aneurysm diameter,they were further classified into a small and medium abdominal aortic aneurysm group (SMAAA group,n=85) and a large abdominal aortic aneurysm group (LAAA group,n=72),and the biochemical parameters between the two groups were compared.Results Among the 157 cases with AAA,the incidence of hypertension in the group without diabetes mellitus was higher than that in the group with diabetes mellitus (χ2=8.147,P=0.004).The aneurysm diameter,homocysteine,and D-dimer in the group with diabetes mellitus were lower than those in the group without diabetes mellitus (t=-3.148,P=0.002;U=-1.503,P=0.013;U=-3.002,P=0.003).The aneurysm diameter and D-dimer in the SMAAA group were lower than those in the LAAA group (t=-14.406,P<0.001;U=-0.388,P<0.001).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus (OR=0.477,95%CI=0.238-0.955,P=0.037) and hypoglycemic treatment (OR=0.477,95%CI=0.238-0.955,P=0.037) did not increase the risk of AAA enlargement.Conclusion Diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemic therapy may affect the growth rate of AAA by lowering D-dimer and inflammatory indexes.

[Effects of Leptin and Leptin-associated Signaling Pathways on the Occurrence and Progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms].

Abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA) is a chronic dilated artery disease induced by atherosclerosis,infection,trauma and other related causes.The available studies about AAA mainly focus on the inflammatory response,senility,and microenvironmental changes,while the research on the metabolic changes such as glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism remains to be conducted.As a critical regulatory factor in endocrine,glucose,and lipid metabolisms,leptin is associated with a variety of signaling pathways such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase,Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription,and cytokine-cytokine receptor,as demonstrated by the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Moreover,these signaling pathways are generally involved in regulating the occurrence of AAA.In addition,leptin affects the occurrence of a variety of diseases such as obesity,diabetes,and hyperlipidemia,which contribute to the formation of AAA.Diabetes might be a protective factor for the formation of AAA,while the relationship of hyperlipidemia and obesity with the formation of AAA remains unclear.Therefore,leptin might play an essential role in the formation of AAA.Further studies about the effect of leptin on AAA may provide the potential research direction and facilitate the discovery of therapeutic targets.

Ablation and Inhibition of the Immunoproteasome Catalytic Subunit LMP7 Attenuate Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation in Mice.

Low-molecular mass protein 7 (LMP7) is a proteolytic subunit of the immunoproteasome that is involved in regulating inflammatory responses. However, the role of LMP7 in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unknown. In this study, ApoE knockout (KO) or LMP7/ApoE double KO (dKO) mice were infused with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1000 ng/kg per minute) for up to 28 d. We found that LMP7 expression was significantly upregulated in AAA tissues from ApoE KO mice and human patients. Moreover, Ang II infusion markedly increased the incidence and severity of AAA in ApoE KO mice, which was considerably reduced in LMP7/ApoE dKO mice. Histological alterations, including aortic wall thickening, collagen deposition, elastin fragmentation, and vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis in AAA tissue of ApoE KO mice, were also significantly attenuated in LMP7/ApoE dKO mice. Interestingly, LMP7/ApoE dKO mice showed a marked reduction of infiltration of CD3+ T cells, especially CD4+ T cells in AAA tissues compared with ApoE KO mice. Moreover, ablation of LMP7 substantially inhibited the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th1 and Th17 cells by reducing the activation of multiple transcriptional factors. We also investigated the effects of an LMP7-specific inhibitor PR-957 (also known as ONX 0914) on AAA formation in ApoE KO mice. PR-957 treatment could reduce the AAA incidence and severity. In conclusion, our results provide, to our knowledge, novel evidence that ablation or pharmacological inhibition of LMP7 attenuates Ang II-induced AAA formation, and LMP7 might be a novel therapeutic target for treating AAA in humans.

[Role of Vascular Aging in the Pathogenesis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Potential Therapeutic Targets].

Abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA)is a common aortic degenerative disease in the elderly,and its incidence is gradually increasing with the aging of the population.There are no specific drugs available to delay the expansion of AAA.Once the aneurysm ruptures,the mortality will exceed 90%,which seriously threatens the life of patients.Given the high incidence of AAA in the elderly,this review discusses the role of vascular aging in the pathogenesis of AAA,involving chronic inflammation,oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,protein homeostasis imbalance,increased apoptosis and necrosis,extracellular matrix remodeling,nutritional sensing disorders,epigenetic changes,and increased pro-aging factors.Meanwhile,several potential aging-related drug targets of AAA are listed.This review provides new ideas for basic and translational medical research of AAA.

[Sleeve Shaping Technique for Two Cases of Peripheral Artery Aneurysms Involving Important Branches].

Peripheral artery aneurysms,with low incidence and complex anatomic structure,often involve important branches.This paper introduces a new surgical technique-sleeve shaping on the basis of two cases.The basic data,including characteristics,imaging,operation and follow-up data of the cases,were collected.The data were then combined with the previous literature for explaining in detail that this technique can be used as a supplementary method of reconstruction following resection or endovascular repair.

[Clinical Analysis of the Treatment of Iliac Limb Occlusion Following Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair].

Objective To explore the cause and the treatment strategies of iliac limb occlusion after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair(EVAR). Methods The patients receiving EVAR in PUMC Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Sixteen(2.7%)cases of iliac limb occlusion were identified,among which 6,9,and 1 cases underwent surgical bypass,endovascular or hybrid procedure,and conservative treatment,respectively. Results Fifteen cases were successfully treated.During the 10.6-month follow-up,2 cases receiving hybrid treatment underwent femoral-femoral bypass due to re-occlusion of the iliac limb. Conclusions Iliac limb occlusion mostly occurs in the acute phase after EVAR,and endovascular or hybrid treatment can be the first choice for iliac limb occlusion.It is suggested to focus on the risk factors for prevention.

[Treatment of Concomitant Intra-abdominal Malignancy and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm].

Objective To explore the outcomes in patients who receive the endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair(EVAR)and have concomitant intra-abdominal malignancy.Methods Between January 2014 and December 2019,all the patients who underwent surgery for malignancy and/or EVAR were retrospectively reviewed.Results Twenty-eight abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA)patients with concomitant intra-abdominal malignancy were included.The patients were treated by two-stage operation and the priority was given for EVAR in 21 patients.There was no perioperative death or major complications.In the follow-up,one patient developed graft thrombosis and one had type Ⅱ endoleak.There was no AAA-associated death.Conclusions It is preferred that EVAR should come first followed by operation for malignancy.Details of treatment strategy still need further investigation.

[Risk Factors for Patients Using Intraoperative Vasopressor Infusions During Carotid Body Tumor Excision].

Objective To investigate the risk factors for patients using intraoperative vasopressor infusions during carotid body tumor(CBT)excision.Patients' mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)fluctuations as well as their requirements for vasoactive agents during surgery were assessed. Methods The patients receiving CBT excision in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from May 1,2013 to July 31,2017 were included for a retrospective cohort study.The potential factors of intraoperative requirement for vasopressor infusions were investigated using univariate analysis and Logistic multivariate analysis.Furthermore,the relationships of Shamblin types of CBT with intraoperative MAP/HR fluctuations and requirements for vasoactive agents were analyzed. Results A total of 108 patients with 116 CBTs were included.Univariate analysis revealed that maximum tumor diameter >4 cm,intraoperative internal carotid artery injury,internal carotid artery reconstruction,malignant pathology,advanced Shamblin types(type Ⅱ and Ⅲ),estimated blood loss ≥400 ml,and operation duration >4 hours were associated with intraoperative requirements for vasopressor infusions.Logistic analysis showed that Shamblin type Ⅲ(OR=2.286,95% CI=1.324-14.926,P=0.016)and operation duration >4 hours(OR=3.874,95% CI=1.020-14.623,P=0.046)were risk factors for intraoperative requirements for vasopressor infusions during CBT surgery.In addition,Shamblin type Ⅲ was associated with intraoperative abnormal HR elevation and requirements for vasopressors.Conclusions Shamblin type Ⅲ and operation duration>4 hours are risk factors for intraoperative requirements of patients for using vasopressor infusions during CBT surgery.Shamblin type Ⅲ is associated with intraoperative abnormal HR elevation and requirements for vasopressors.

[Differences of Gut Microbiota Diversity between Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Atherosclerosis].

Objective To investigate the differences of gut microbiota between patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis.Methods From December 2018 to June 2019,20 fresh stool samples were collected respectively from the patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis treated at the Department of Vascular Surgery,Peking Union Medical College Hospital.The 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was employed to compare the composition,abundance,and α and ß diversities of gut microbiota between the two disease groups,and further determine the significantly differential genera.Results The two groups had great similarities in the composition of gut microbiota.There was no statistical difference in α diversity.Although ß diversity did not have statistically significant difference,certain microbial taxa showed differences between the two groups.The LEfSe demonstrated that the abdominal aortic aneurysm group had higher relative abundance of Leuconostocaceae,Ruminococcaceae,Weissella,and Faecalibacterium while lower relative abundance of Firmicuteria,Selenomonadales,and Veillonellaceae.Conclusion The structure of gut microbiota has differences between patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis,and sample size should be enlarged to validate the results.

Transarterial Embolization versus Translumber Embolization for Type â ¡ Endoleak after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective Type Ⅱ endoleak is the most common subtype of endoleak as a complication after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The efficacy of transarterial (TA) embolization and translumber (TL) embolization in the management of type Ⅱ endoleak remains equipoise. The aim of this study is to compare the technical and clinical success between TA embolization and TL embolization for type Ⅱ endoleak after EVAR.Methods The protocol was registered (CRD 42018114453) and the electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were systematically searched till March 2019. The search terms included EVAR, type Ⅱ endoleak, and embolization. The articles were read and extracted by two authors independently to include randomized control trails and retrospective studies that compared TA embolization and TL embolization in patients who developed type Ⅱ endoleak after EVAR. The technical and clinical success rates were meta-analyzed with random effect model.Results A total of 6 articles with 268 patients and 290 type Ⅱ endoleaks were included. The pooled odds ratio (OR) of technical success rate for TA vs. TL was 0.56 (95% CI, 0.10-3.18; P=0.51) and the pooled OR of clinical success rate for TA vs. TL was 0.31(95% CI, 0.07-1.29; P=0.11). As a limitation, 6 articles were all retrospective studies which may lead to bias.Conclusion Both TA and TL could be effective procedure of embolizations to resolve the type Ⅱ endoleak. The meta-analysis result indicated that TA embolization was not inferior to TL embolization in technical success and clinical success.

[Methods for Creating Medium and Large Animal Models of Peripheral Atherosclerosis].

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis for the occurrence of many vascular diseases and has a strong association with metabolic syndrome. Peripheral arterial diseases caused by AS have high morbidities and mortalities but lack still effective treatment. AS animal models are highly valuable for research on peripheral arteriosclerotic diseases. While small and medium AS animal models based on high-fat feeding and balloon injuries have been successfully established,few literatures have described the creation of large animal models for AS treatment. This article elucidates the current methods for creating medium and large animal models of peripheral atherosclerotic disease,with an attempt to further promote the clinical translation of AS treatment research.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 blockade by SB265610 inhibited angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in Apo E-/- mice.

Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Chemokine receptor CXCR2 mediates inflammatory cell chemotaxis in several diseases. However, the role of CXCR2 in AAA and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we found that the CXCR2 expressions in AAA tissues from human and angiotensin II (Ang II)-infused apolipoprotein E knockout (Apo E-/-) mice were significantly increased. The pharmacological inhibition of CXCR2 (SB265610) markedly reduced Ang II-induced AAA formation. Furthermore, SB265610 treatment significantly reduced collagen deposition, elastin degradation, the metal matrix metalloprotease expression and accumulation of macrophage cells. In conclusion, these results showed CXCR2 plays a pathogenic role in AAA formation. Inhibition of CXCR2 pathway may represent a novel therapeutic approach to treat AAA.

Endovascular Repair of Complex Aortoiliac Aneurysm with the Sandwich Technique in Sixteen Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficiency of the sandwich technique in endovascular repair of complex aortoiliac aneurysm. METHODS: Sixteen patients (mean age 69.6 years, ranging from 58 to 78 years) with complex aortoiliac aneurysm were studied retrospectively from October 2013 to September 2017 in two vascular centers of teaching hospitals. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed to make individual therapy. They were all performed endovascular repair with sandwich technique, including one with the sandwich, chimney, and fenestrated techniques during the same procedure. All patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and yearly thereafter with X-ray, ultrasound, and/or CTA. RESULTS: The initial technical success was 81.25%, and the assisted technical success was 100%. At final angiography, little flow of a type I and a type III endoleak was found in two patients with observation. Two type II endoleaks were also detected. During the perioperative period, two patients suffered myocardial infarction. One pulmonary infection and one urinary infection happened. No death or cerebrovascular events occurred. During the follow-up (mean 18 months, ranging from 2 to 45 months), three stent occlusions were detected. One case got reintervened for his external iliac artery stent thrombosis in the first month postoperatively. The other two were under observation. A readmission happened to one man for his right brachial artery pseudoaneurysm in the third month postoperatively. One patient died of nonaneurysmal related reason in the eighth month. No aneurysmal related death, rupture, or new endoleak was found. No paralysis, claudication, or bowel ischemia was complained of. The primary patency of the preserved branches were 94.7%, 92.0%, 92.0%, 92.0%, 92.0% separately in first, sixth, 12th, 24th, and 36th month. CONCLUSIONS: For patients who are not candidates for open surgery or conventional endovascular repair with complex aortoiliac aneurysm, the sandwich technique is a feasible alternative to management.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the Great Saphenous Vein:Report of One Case and Meta-analysis].

Leiomyosarcoma(LMS)of the great saphenous vein(GSV)is a rare condition that is often misdiagnosed due to the lack of typical clinical manifestations.This article reported a GSV-LMS case diagnosed and treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Meta-analysis of the current case and 41 cases derived from CNKI,WANFANG DATA,and MEDLINE database was also conducted,which revealed that the male to female ratio of GSV-LMS was 11:10;the median age of disease onset was 59.5 years;the most commonly affected region was thigh.Due to lack of specific clinical features,42.9% of GSV-LMS patients were misdiagnosed at presentation.Radical resection is the most effective therapy,and the indications,effectiveness and protocols of adjuvant radiochemotherapy remain unclear.The 3-and 5-year overall survival rate was 86.1% and 77.5%,respectively.Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 31.0% of patients after surgery.

Renal Function Preservation in Surgical Resection of Primary Inferior Vena Cava Leiomyosarcoma Involving the Renal Veins.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to show the practice of preserving renal function during curative resection of inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma (IVCL) involving the renal veins at a single institution over a 7 year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2009 to February 2017, 10 patients (6 women; median age 49 years) with IVCL involving the renal veins were treated surgically at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. En bloc resections were performed in all patients, and the renal outflows were preserved in eight patients using a new method: venoplasty of the renal ostia (VRO). Data regarding patient details, pre-operative preparation, surgical procedures, post-operative recovery, and follow-up results were obtained and reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Computed tomography and intra-operative examinations revealed that renal vein confluences were involved but not invaded in all cases except Patient 4. All patients underwent curative en bloc tumour excision; a right nephrectomy was performed in only one patient (Patient 4) whose tumour invaded the right renal vein. The mean operation time was 358 min and the mean blood loss 1935 mL. At a median follow-up of 54.5 months, the 5 year local recurrence, distant metastasis, overall survival, and disease-free survival rates were 20%, 10%, 68.6%, and 38.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Venoplasty of the renal ostia is an effective method of preserving the renal veins and reconstructing renal outflow.

Role of Family with Sequence Similarity 3A in High Glucose-induced Oxidative Damage of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Objective To investigate the role of family with sequence similarity 3A(Fam3A) in high glucose-induced damage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods HUVECs were divided into control group and high glucose group, which were cultured in endothelial cell medium (ECM) containing 5.5 mmol/L of glucose and ECM containing 33.3 mmol/L of glucose, respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of Fam3A, whereas the protein expression of Fam3A was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVECs in control group and high glucose group were transfected with siNT and siFam3A, respectively, and the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS), ATP, mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate(OCR), and P-p38 protein were detected.Results After HUVECs had been cultured for 24h, the relative mRNA expression of Fam3A between high glucose group and control group was 2.52±0.19 (t=13.296,P=0.000). The Fam3A protein level was (173.82±33.28)pg/ml in the high glucose group, which was significantly higher than that [(39.45±33.78)pg/ml] in the control group (t=4.907,P=0.006). The intracellular ROS content in siNT-high glucose group was (8217±794)RFU, which was significantly higher than that [(3982±398)RFU] in siNT control group (t=15.109,P=0.002). The intracellular ROS content of siFam3A high glucose group was (11 910±1 001)RFU, significantly higher than that [(4171±402)RFU] of siFam3A control group (t=9.705,P=0.010) and than that of siNT high glucose group (t=4.026,P=0.048). The relative amounts of ATP synthesis in siNT high glucose group, siFam3A control group and siFam3A high glucose group were (61.2±5.6)%, (94.6±8.4)%, and (29.7±2.7)% of the siNT control group respectively; thus, it was significantly lower in siNT high glucose group than in siNT control group (t=12.001,P=0.007) and was also significantly lower in siFam3A high glucose group than in siFam3A control group (t=20.742,P=0.002) and in siNT high glucose group(t=18.814,P=0.003). The mitochondrial OCR was (0.57±0.05)pMO2/(µg protein·min) in siNT high glucose group, significantly lower than that [(1.12±0.09)pMO2/(µg protein·min)] of siNT control group (t=6.804,P=0.021). The mitochondrial OCR of siFam3A high glucose group was (0.31±0.03)pMO2/(µg protein·min), significantly lower than that [(1.01±0.09)pMO2/(µg protein·min)] of siFam3A control group (t=19.876,P=0.003), which was significantly lower than that of siNT high glucose group (t=21.444,P=0.002). The relative expression of P-p38 in siNT high glucose group, siFam3A control group, and siFam3A high glucose group was 2.239±0.353, 0.816±0.120, and 1.160±0.185, respectively; thus, it was significantly higher in the siNT high glucose group than in siNT control group (t=6.075,P=0.026); in addition, it was significantly higher in the siFam3A high glucose group than in siFam3A control group (t=6.242,P=0.024) and significantly lower than in siNT high glucose group (t=9.686,P=0.010). Conclusions High glucose can induce high expression of Fam3A in HUVECs. Knockdown of Fam3A gene expression can exacerbate the decrease of ATP synthesis and mitochondrial OCR caused by high glucose and promote the generation of ROS in high glucose. Fam3A may regulate high glucose-induced ROS production in HUVECs via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

[Interval-spaced Sessions of Partial Splenic Artery Embolization in Juvenile Patients with Hypersplenism].

Objective To determine whether interval-spaced sessions of partial splenic artery embolization(PSE) is a safe and effective alternative treatment for hypersplenism in juvenile patients. Methods Eight patients(3 males and 5 females) were included in this retrospective study.All patients were diagnosed as hypersplenism and underwent PSE in 2-3 sessions separated by 1-2 month intervals.Immediate,short,and long term follow-up were done.The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated.Results No major postoperative complication was noted.No patient developed septic shock,splenic abscess,or spleen rupture.Postoperative pain and fever were common and manageable;only two patients developed loculated pleural effusions,which were well alleviated after conservative treatment.All patients showed significant increase in thrombocytes and white blood cells count after the first session of embolization.The cell counts became remarkable after the last session and remained at normal levels during the follow-up period.Conclusions PSE using 2-3 interval-spaced sessions can effectively decrease spleen size and reverse hypersplenism in juvenile patients.Also,it may reduce the postoperative complications commonly seen in traditional PSE.

An association of spleen volume and aortic diameter in patients and in mice with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the potential mechanism of splenic enlargement in Ang II/APOE model and the associations between the spleen volume and the indices of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in human. METHODS: To investigate the changes of spleen volume on AAA formation, apolipoprotein E knockout (Apo E-/-) mice were treated with Ang II (1000 ng/kg/min) up to 28 days to generate AAA. We used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), liquid measurement, H&E and immunohistochemistry to analyze the morphological or pathological changes of spleen. To investigate the changes of spleen volume in human, a retrospective case-control study involving 30 male AAA patients and 25 male controls were performed. Spleen volume was measured on computed tomography images. Univariate analysis and multivariable sequential logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the association between spleen volume and maximal diameter (Dmax). RESULTS: In Ang II/APOE model, we found splenic enlargement in mice with AAA compared with the sham group. Histopathological investigations revealed hypertrophies of splenic follicles and increased populations of CD3+ T cells. In clinic cohort study, univariate analysis revealed higher values in large AAA (Dmax > 5.5 cm,n = 15) compared with the small (Dmax < 5.5 cm,n = 15) for spleen volume (230.6 ± 64.5 cm3 vs. 170.0 ± 32.8 cm3; P = 0.0030). Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant positive linear correlation of spleen volume and Dmax of AAA (r = 0.3611;P = 0.0423). CONCLUSIONS: Mimicking the splenic pathology observed in murine AAA model, there is a strong positive correlation between spleen volume and the Dmax in male AAA patients. As Dmax is a valuable predictor of AAA rupture, the spleen enlargement may be another indicator.

Endovascular Repair for Acute Type B Aortic Dissection.

Objective To report experience and result of endovascular repair for acute type B aortic dissection (ATBD). Methods Totally 125 ATBD patients receiving endovascular repair with stent-graft were enrolled in this study. Demographic data,operation details,perioperative findings,and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed. Results All the 125 patients were successfully implanted with 135 stent-grafts. Thirteen cases were covered left subclavian artery,16 cases underwent left subclavian artery revascularization,and 10 cases underwent visceral artery revascularization. No perioperative mortality occurred. Meanwhile,the perioerative major adverse events included renal infarction (n=1),renal artery bleeding (n=2),stroke (n=2),myocardial infarction (n=1),and renal dysfunction (n=2;one of them suffered from permanent dialysis),and incision complication (n=5). The mean cost during hospital stay was (112 657±58 921) Yuan;more specifically,the cost for complicated dissection cases was significantly higher than uncomplicated cases [(171 623±93 635)Yuan vs. (92 531±48 721) Yuan,P<0.001]. All the patients received regular follow-up for 3-120 months [mean (23.5±11.2) months],except that 14 cases (11.2%) lost to follow-up. During the follow-up,three deaths were reported,among whom one died due to rupture of distal dissection one year after primary operation. No re-intervention case was noted. Conclusions Endovascular repair for ATBD is safe and feasible. Emergency repair for complicated ATBD cases can get satisfactory results,although the medical cost is higher than uncomplicated cases.

[Change of Serum Angiopoietin-related Growth Factor in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Its Clinical Significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and value of plasma angiopoietin-related growth factor (AGF) in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: Serum AGF level was analyzed in 50 AAA patients and in 56 healthy subjects. AGF and adiponectin were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Routine testing of blood biochemistry and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were performed. RESULTS: The plasma AGF level was significantly higher in AAA patients than in the controls [(87.91±96.87) µg/L vs. (56.89±41.32) µg/L, P=0.040],while serum adiponectin level showed no significant difference between these two groups. The plasma AGF level in patients with an AAA>5 cm and those with AAA between 3 cm and 5 cm were (96.08±68.61) µg/L and (75.27±46.05) µg/L. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma AGF is highly expressed in AAA patients. Higher serum AGF level is associates with larger AAA. Thus, AGF may be a potential serum biomarker for AAA.