The Upside-Down Gore Excluder Limb and Double-Barrel Sandwich Technique for Penetrating Aortic Ulcer and Iliac Aneurysm Exclusion

Endovascular aneurysm repair has become the first-line treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms and iliac artery aneurysms in recent years. However, the diameter of the infrarenal aorta is larger than that of the aortic bifurcation, especially with small aortic diameters, for which a reversed tapered device is necessary. We describe the off-label use of the upside-down Gore Excluder limb and double-barrel sandwich technique for the treatment of a penetrating abdominal aortic ulcer with a large common iliac artery aneurysm. These techniques offer an easy endovascular approach for excluding an aneurysm in selected patients. However, this technique is outside the standard instructions for use, therefore careful planning and long-term follow-up are mandatory.

Thrombophilia in Korean patients with arterial or venous thromboembolisms

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of thrombophilia in Korean patients with an arterial thromboembolism (ATE) or a venous thromboembolism (VTE), and to evaluate the characteristic of VTE in patients with thrombophilia. METHODS: Hospital records of 294 patients (228 with VTE, 66 with ATE) including two foreign ones (mean age, 51.4 years) who underwent thrombophilia testing between August 2006 and March 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. In general, such screening was performed according to the guidelines of the international consensus statement for VTE. Thrombophilia testing included evaluations of the factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations, levels of proteins C and S and antithrombin, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS). RESULTS: A factor V Leiden mutation was not found in the 292 Korean patients. A prothrombin G21210A mutation was investigated in 33 patients but none was found. Among 226 Korean patients with VTE, 130 demonstrated no thrombophilia and 55 patients did after exclusion of 41 patients without confirmatory test. The most common form was protein S deficiency (31 of 55, 56%) followed by protein C deficiency, antithrombin deficiency, and APLS. When comparing patients with a VTE or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) according to the presence of thrombophilia, thrombophilia was associated with younger age (P = 0.001 for VTE; P < 0.001 for DVT) and a family history (P < 0.001 for VTE and DVT). CONCLUSION: We did not find any factor V Leiden mutation in Korean subjects at high risk for thrombophilia. Therefore, this testing is not warranted. Thrombophilia was associated with VTE in younger age and a family history.

Open Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The Suitability of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Does Not Influence Operative Mortality

PURPOSE: We analyze the outcomes of open repair (OR) in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) according to the anatomic suitability for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively all consecutive RAAA patients who underwent OR from January 2005 to March 2014. All suspected patients underwent preoperative computed tomography (CT). Outcomes were major morbidities and mortality. Multivariate analysis was performed by using logistic regression adjusted by controlled variables; gender, Hardman index, maximal aneurysmal diameter, rupture type, perioperative transfusion requirement, and perioperative urinary output. RESULTS: Among 54 consecutive patients with RAAA who underwent OR, 45 patients were included after exclusion of 9 patients (7, suprarenal; 1, infected; 1, inflammatory). Preoperative CT showed 27% (12/45) EVAR-suitable patients. Hostile neck anatomy was found in 88% (29/33) among unsuitable anatomy (UA) (n=33). The maximal aneurysmal diameter was statistically larger (83.1+/-21.0 mm vs. 68.8+/-12.3 mm, P=0.032) in the UA group. The 30-day mortality was 28.9% (13/45; 33% vs. 17% in UA group vs. suitable anatomy [SA] group, P=0.460; adjusted P=0.445). UA group had more patients with cardiac morbidity (55% vs. 25%, P=0.079; adjusted P=0.032; odds ratio, 12.914; 95% confidence interval, 1.238-134.675). There was no statistical difference in survival rate between SA and UA groups (74.1%, 74.1%, and 74.1% vs. 60.6%, 55.6%, and 32.4% at 1-, 3- and 5-year, respectively; P=0.145). CONCLUSION: In this study, relatively unfavorable outcomes were found in the EVAR-unsuitable group after OR in RAAA patients. However, unsuitable anatomy did not influence patient survival after OR by multivariate analysis.

Outcomes of retrievable inferior vena cava filters in patients with deep vein thrombosis and transient contraindication for anticoagulation

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of a retrievable inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) for patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and transient contraindication for anticoagulant therapy, and to analyze the risk factors for filter thrombus in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 70 patients who received a retrievable IVCF from January 2007 to June 2014 because of documented DVT and transient contraindication for anticoagulant therapy. The protocol for follow-up care generally consisted of anticoagulant therapy after high-risk periods, follow-up CT around 2 weeks after IVCF placement, and retrieval if possible. RESULTS: The 70 patients had a mean age of 61.8 years (range, 17-88 years), and 30 were male (43%). The indications for IVCF were recent trauma including surgery in 48 patients, recent hemorrhage in 14, and planned major surgery with DVT in 8 patients. Follow-up CT of 61 patients (87%) was performed. Aggravation or new development of pulmonary embolism (PE) was not found in any patient. Filter thrombus was detected in 23% of patients with follow-up CT (14/61). Filter thrombus was not detected in patients with isolated calf vein thrombosis (ICVT) (P = 0.079). The risk factor for filter thrombus was DVT progression on follow-up CT (P = 0.007) on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: For patients with DVT and transient contraindication for anticoagulant therapy, a retrievable IVCF could prevent the aggravation or new development of PE. DVT progression on follow-up CT was associated with filter thrombus and ICVT was not related to filter thrombus in the present study.