Direct health costs and clinical outcomes of open surgery in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm in Spain. The RECAPTA study.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic, progressive disease that often requires surgical repair. This study aimed to assess the healthcare costs and clinical outcomes of open AAA repair in Spain. METHOD: Observational, retrospective, multicenter study with a one-year follow-up. Healthcare resource use and costs related to the surgical procedure, hospital stay, and follow-up period were assessed. RESULTS: Ninety patients with asymptomatic AAA who underwent open repair were recruited between 2003 and 2009 at three Spanish hospitals. Four patients (4.44%) died in the first 30 postoperative days. Mean [standard deviation] procedure time was 292.83 [72.10] minutes and mean hospital length of stay was 11.44 days [5.42]. Thirty two patients (35.56%) presented in-hospital complications and three patients (3.45%) underwent re-intervention during follow-up. The mean overall cost per patient during the study period was €21,622.59, of which 42.40% (€9,168.19), 52.08% (€11,261.74), and 5.52% (€1,192.66) corresponded to the surgical procedure, the inpatient stay, and the study follow-up period, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Given the economic burden imposed by the treatment of patients admitted with AAA on the Spanish health system, additional efforts comparing the cost of open repair with endovascular treatments are needed to ensure greater efficiency.

Monitoring the practice of vascular surgery: findings from a national registry (1996-2011).

BACKGROUND: The goal of this article is to present for the first time to the international community the detailed findings and outcomes of the Spanish Vascular Registry (SVR) after 16 years of experience. METHODS: We examined the nationwide registry promoted by the Spanish Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (1996-2011). The changes in vascular surgical activity in Spain during the period of study were examined. We evaluated the number of services, medical specialists, consultations, admissions, and operations that occurred in Spain. We also assessed the trends in therapeutic activity and the medical and social impact of vascular pathology. RESULTS: A mean of 60 centers (range = 32-83) participated in the SVR (79.3 % of the total). In the last year of the study period, 94.3 % centers (100 % of teaching centers) participated. The mean number of activities per hospital per year was 5,298 consultations, 2,625 vascular explorations, 630 hospital admissions (61 % elective and 31 % emergency), and 742 surgical procedures. A total of 29,289 carotid stenosis procedures had been registered over 16 years. Both carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedures have increased in frequency over time. In 2011, CAS constituted 19.3 % of all carotid procedures. A total of 31,703 abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) operations were registered during the study period. Surgery for ruptured AAA remained stable over time. Since its appearance in the year 2000, endovascular treatment (EVAR) increased steadily over time. Currently, EVAR represents about half of all AAA surgery (50.2 %). The total rate of in-hospital operative deaths was 1.1 %, but in-hospital mortality for open arterial surgery was 4 %. Mortality has decreased of late. CONCLUSIONS: The SVR has enabled us to understand the development and implementation of vascular surgery throughout Spain and to note the increased healthcare activity and the better overall results obtained as a consequence.

Role of ultrasound arterial mapping in planning therapeutic options for critical ischemia of lower limbs in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: To assess the role of ultrasound arterial mapping in planning therapeutic options for critical limb ischemia (CLI) in diabetic patients. METHODS: This observational and comparative study included 244 patients with CLI. All participants (64% were diabetic) underwent ultrasound arterial mapping before planning surgical treatment. We established two groups: diabetic (n = 156) and nondiabetic (n = 88). Arterial mapping was divided into segments. We studied 2,021 individual segments and used arteriography when ultrasound arterial mapping was not conclusive. We compared the degree of pathology between the groups, agreement between the treatment decision made after ultrasound mapping and the final surgical decision in both groups, and agreement between ultrasound mapping and arteriography in patients who underwent both procedures. RESULTS: Diabetic patients had a significantly higher degree of pathology in all segments, except the common iliac artery. Decisions made after ultrasound mapping matched the final surgical decision 90% and 94% of the time in diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients, respectively. Decisions made on the basis of ultrasound arterial mapping matched decisions made on the basis of arteriography in 86.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound arterial mapping allowed for good therapeutic planning for CLI in diabetic patients, even though these patients had more severe arterial pathology.

[Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients with critical leg ischemia: ICEBERG Study]. / Características clínicas y evolución intrahospitalaria de los pacientes con isquemia crítica de miembros inferiores: estudio ICEBERG.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Critical leg ischemia (CLI) is a medical emergency with a high morbidity and mortality. Although its prognosis has improved during the last years, there are no data on its clinical characteristics, treatment and in-hospital prognosis in our country. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 671 patients (81% males, mean age 71.2 years) with atherosclerotic CLI, attended in 46 departments of vascular surgery were included in the study. RESULTS: Participants had a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (72% hypertensive, 27% current smokers, 59% diabetics) and comorbidity (25% coronary heart disease, 18% cerebrovascular disease). 71% had a previous diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease. Upon admission, 71% were referred for revascularization, 5% for direct amputation and 24% for conservative treatment. During hospitalization 22 patients died and 49 were discharged with a major amputation. On multivariate analysis, the only factor associated with the risk of amputation was gangrenous lesions (OR 2.45; IC95% 1.22-4.92). Factors associated with mortality were the presence of chronic renal failure (OR 3.38; IC95% 1.36-8.39) and previous CLI (OR 0.20; IC95% 0.05-0.89). At discharge, 59% received lipid lowering drugs, 70% blood-pressure lowering medications and 85% antiplatelet drugs. CONCLUSION: CLI patients attended in Spanish vascular surgery departments have a low amputation rate and a low hospital mortality. However, and due to their high cardiovascular risk, it is necessary to improve the prescription rate of evidence-based cardiovascular prevention therapies at discharge.

Giant cell arteritis presenting as dysarthria and mediastinal mass.

Giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, and Horton disease are rare, idiopathic diseases that cause chronic inflammation and obliteration of large arteries, mainly the aorta and its major branches. Histological examination reveals multinucleated giants cells and clinical presentation is characterized by general symptoms and/or symptoms related to stenosis or occlusion of vessels. A case of a 50-year-old woman with neurological symptoms, cervicothoracic tumour with severe stenosis of the right subclavian artery and complete occlusion of common carotid artery is presented.

The management of aortic stent-graft infection: endograft removal versus conservative treatment.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stent-graft infections (ASGIs) are associated with significant mortality. We report our experience of two cases of ASGI treated differently and successfully. METHODS: Two patients presented with constitutional symptoms some months after scheduled endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm (EVAR). Patient 1 had an abscess formation around the endograft in continuity with the right groin. Due to patient comorbidities, a conservative treatment was performed. Patient 2 had an abscess formation with air surrounding the stent graft. The patient was treated successfully by endograft removal. RESULTS: Computed tomographic scan follow-up at 6 months from surgery showed no evidence of recurrent infection. CONCLUSION: Despite the recommended treatment of ASGI being surgery, conservative treatment can be performed successfully in patients with high surgical risk, avoiding aortic clamping. We present the first reported case of ASGI due to Streptococcus haemolyticus, the second case due to a fungus, and the second reported case of spondylodiscitis after EVAR.

Nuevos anticoagulantes orales: una visión multidisciplinaria / No disponible

No disponible

Thigh and buttock exertional pain for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of both non-calf intermittent claudication (IC) and classic IC in patients with no known atherosclerotic disease, and their accuracy to detect peripheral arterial disease (PAD). DESIGN: Cross sectional, observational study conducted at 96 internal medicine services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1487 outpatients with no known atherosclerotic disease, and either diabetes or a SCORE risk estimation of at least 3% were enrolled. IC was assessed using the Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire and PAD was confirmed by an ankle-brachial index (ABI) <0.9. RESULTS: Overall, 7.2% met criteria of classic and 5.8% of non-calf IC. PAD was diagnosed in 393 cases (26.4%). In these PAD patients, 17.8% exhibited classic and 13.2% non-calf IC. Both calf and non-calf IC had similar overall accuracy for detecting PAD. Considering both categories as a whole, the sensitivity of IC to predict a low ABI was 31% and the specificity 93%. CONCLUSIONS: Non-calf IC is comparable to classic IC for the diagnosis of PAD in patients with no known arterial disease. The systematic implementation of Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire could be a valuable call-to-action to improve clinical evaluation of PAD, bearing in mind that PAD detected by either non-calf or classic IC must be confirmed by ABI testing.

[Cardiovascular complications at 1-year of follow-up in patients with atherothrombosis. On behalf of Spain's REACH Registry]. / Complicaciones cardiovasculares a un año de seguimiento en pacientes con aterotrombosis. Registro REACH España.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The REACH Registry is the largest worldwide designed to obtain information on cardiovascular risk factor control and preventive treatment in a population who have, or are at risk of having, symptoms of atherothrombosis. The objective of this study is to show the results of cardiovascular events obtained in a sample of the Spanish population at one year follow-up and intervention. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The REACH Spain registry is a prospective cohort study of subjects with vascular risk factors (ORF) for atherothrombosis or with symptomatic vascular disease (VD): coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD). The main outcome measures were rates of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, and the overall combined CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and CV hospitalization at one year follow-up. RESULTS: In Spain 2,516 patients were recruited and 2,252 completed one year follow-up, the mean age was 68,1 (73,8% men), 11,6% of subjects with ORF and 88,5% with VD, 55% with CAD, 33% with CVD and 17% with PAD. The annual rate of all-cause mortality in VD and ORF groups were 3,57% and 1,98% (NS) respectively, while for CV death they were 2,69% and 0,62% (P<.05) and for overall combined CV death myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and CV hospitalization they were 15,34% and 5,47% (P=.0001). The annual rate of CV death for CAD, CVD and PAD groups were 3,47%, 2,78% and 1,46% respectively, and for the overall combined CV death, myocardial infarction (MI) , or stroke and CV hospitalization they were 18,52%, 13,75% and 14,52%. These event rates increased with the number of symptomatic arterial disease locations from 0,1,2 or 3 for CV death (0,62%, 2,46%, 3,55% and 4,32%, respectively P<.05) and for overall combined CV death myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and CV hospitalization (5,50%, 4,18%, 20,59% y 19,40%, respectively P<.0001). At one year follow-up, 82,8% of the patients were with at least one antiplatelet drug and 86,2% were receiving lipid-lowering agents. CONCLUSIONS: The REACH Spain Registry at one year follow-up in patients with atherothrombotic disease or at risk of having symptoms of atherothrombosis shows a high rate of all-cause mortality and of overall combined major CV events, which is becoming higher as the number of symptomatic arterial disease locations increases.

Complicaciones cardiovasculares a un año de seguimiento en pacientes con aterotrombosis. Registro REACH España / Cardiovascular complications at 1-year of follow-up in patients with atherothrombosis. On behalf of Spain's REACH Registry

Fundamento y objetivo: REACH es el mayor registro mundial diseñado para obtener información sobre el control de factores de riesgo vascular y tratamiento preventivo en una población con aterotrombosis sintomática o de riesgo alto para desarrollarla. El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer la tasa de episodios cardiovasculares en la muestra de la población española incluida en el registro, tras un año de seguimiento e intervención. Material y método: El registro REACH España es un estudio de cohorte prospectivo de sujetos con sólo factores de riesgo vascular (SFR) para aterotrombosis o con enfermedad vascular (EV) sintomática: enfermedad coronaria (EC) y/o cerebrovascular (ECV) y/o arterial periférica (EAP). Las variables principales del estudio fueron la tasa de mortalidad global, cardiovascular y la del conjunto de mortalidad cardiovascular más infarto de miocardio (IM), más accidente cerebrovascular, más hospitalización cardiovascular al año de seguimiento. Resultados: España incluyó a 2.516 sujetos, de los cuales 2.252 completaron el año de seguimiento, con una edad media de 68,1 años (73,8% de varones). El 11,6% presentaban SFR y el 88,5% EV establecida, el 55% EC, el 33% ECV y el 17% EAP. La tasa anual en los grupos EV y SFR fue, respectivamente, para la mortalidad global del 3,57 y el 1,98% (p=NS), para la mortalidad cardiovascular del 2,69% y el 0,62% (p<0,05) y para el conjunto de mortalidad cardiovascular, más IM, más accidente cerebrovascular, más hospitalización cardiovascular del 15,34 y el 5,47% (p=0,0001). La tasa anual para los subgrupos EC, ECV y EAP fue, respectivamente, para la mortalidad cardiovascular del 3,47, el 2,78 y el 1,46%, y para el conjunto de mortalidad cardiovascular más IM, más accidente cerebrovascular, más hospitalización cardiovascular (...) (AU)

Background and objective: The REACH Registry is the largest worldwide designed to obtain information on cardiovascular risk factor control and preventive treatment in a population who have, or are at risk of having, symptoms of atherothrombosis. The objective of this study is to show the results of cardiovascular events obtained in a sample of the Spanish population at one year follow-up and intervention. Material and method: The REACH Spain registry is a prospective cohort study of subjects with vascular risk factors (ORF) for atherothrombosis or with symptomatic vascular disease (VD): coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD). The main outcome measures were rates of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, and the overall combined CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and CV hospitalization at one year follow-up. Results: In Spain 2,516 patients were recruited and 2,252 completed one year follow-up, the mean age was 68,1 (73,8% men), 11,6% of subjects with ORF and 88,5% with VD, 55% with CAD, 33% with CVD and 17% with PAD. The annual rate of all-cause mortality in VD and ORF groups were 3,57% and 1,98% (NS) respectively, while for CV death they were 2,69% and 0,62% (P<.05) and for overall combined CV death myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and CV hospitalization they were 15,34% and 5,47% (P=.0001). The annual rate of CV death for CAD, CVD and PAD groups were 3,47%, 2,78% and 1,46% respectively, and for the overall combined CV death, myocardial infarction (MI) , or stroke and CV hospitalization they were 18,52%, 13,75% and 14,52%. These event rates increased with the number of symptomatic arterial disease locations from 0,1,2 or 3 for CV death (0,62%, 2,46%, 3,55% and 4,32%, respectively P<.05) and for overall combined CV death myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and CV hospitalization (5,50%, 4,18%, 20,59% y 19,40%, respectively P<.0001). (...) (AU)

[Prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease detected by the ankle-brachial index in patients with cardiovascular disease. MERITO II study]. / Prevalencia de enfermedad arterial periférica asintomática, estimada mediante el índice tobillo-brazo, en pacientes con enfermedad vascular. Estudio MERITO II.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with polyvascular disease have an increased rate of cardiovascular events and death. Their identification would define a subgroup of the population at very high risk, who would be candidates to intensified preventive measures. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical peripheral artery disease in subjects with a previous diagnosis of vascular disease in other territories. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Subjects with a coronary or a cerebrovascular event between 3 months and 5 years, and who were attended at internal medicine outpatient clinics from Spain were included in the study. All patients had a clinical history, a physical examination, a blood and urine analysis, and a measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI). RESULTS: A total of 1203 patients (64% males; mean age: 74.3 years), were included in the study. A previous coronary event was reported in 55.4% of the participants, cerebrovascular disease in 38%, and a clinical history of disease in both territories in 6.7%. The prevalence of a low ABI (< 0,9) was 33.8%, 32.4% and 53.9% for each group, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, factors associated with a low ABI were age, smoking habit, diabetes, a reduced glomerular filtration rate, systolic blood pressure and the presence of clinical disease in both territories upon inclusion. The sensitivity of both, the Edinburgh questionnaire and pulse palpation for detecting and ABI below 0.9, were low. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of a low ABI is elevated in asymptomatic patients with coronary or cerebrovascular disease, particularly if there are clinical manifestations in both territories.

Education in vascular surgery: critical issues around the globe-training and qualification in vascular surgery in Europe.

In 1958, the Union Européene des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS), or European Union (EU) of Medical Specialists the European Union, was founded by the professional organizations of medical specialists in Europe. Among the objectives of the UEMS are to promote the highest level of patient care in the EU and to promote the harmonization of high-quality training programs within the various specialities throughout the EU. Within the 38 Specialist Sections of the UEMS are the European Boards, which are the working groups of the Specialist Sections. In 2005 Vascular Surgery was recognized as a separate and independent Section, a monospecialty, within the UEMS. The efforts of the UEMS are directed at facilitating the free exchange of training and work of trainees and medical specialists between EU countries. This situation, in combination with large differences in requirements and length of training in vascular surgery within the EU, stresses the importance of harmonization in training and certification in vascular surgery within the EU. For that reason, the European Board of Vascular Surgery has organized voluntary examinations yearly since 1996. The candidates who pass qualify as "Fellow of the European Board of Vascular Surgery" (FEBVS) since 2005. The first part of the examination evaluates the eligibility of the candidate (Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training, training center, logbook). The second part is a viva voce assessment that includes (1) case analyses, (2) a review of a scientific article, (3) an overall assessment, (4) a technical skills, and (5) an endovascular skills assessment. To pass the examination, the candidates must achieve a 67% success rate in each part of the examination. During the last 10 years, approximately 75% of the candidates have successfully taken the examination. In the near future the Section and Board, in close collaboration with the vascular societies in the EU, will develop a European vascular surgical syllabus and curriculum that will further harmonize and professionalize the training and certification of vascular surgery in Europe.

Prevalencia de enfermedad arterial periférica asintomática, estimada mediante el índice tobillo-brazo, en pacientes con enfermedad vascular. Estudio MERITO II / Prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease detected by the ankle-brachial index in patients with cardiovascular disease. MERITO II study

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Los pacientes con enfermedad arterial en varios territorios presentan unaelevada tasa de complicaciones vasculares y de mortalidad. Su identificación permitiría definir a unsubgrupo de la población de muy alto riesgo, candidatos a recibir medidas preventivas más enérgicas.El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido estimar la prevalencia de enfermedad arterial periféricasubclínica en personas con antecedentes de enfermedad vascular en otros territorios arteriales.PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se incluyó en el estudio a pacientes con historia de enfermedad coronaria y/ocerebrovascular entre los 3 meses y los 5 años previos, atendidos en consultas de medicina internarepartidas por toda la geografía nacional. Se les realizaron anamnesis, exploración física, analíticasanguínea y urinaria, y se les determinó el índice tobillo-brazo (ITB).RESULTADOS: Se estudió a 1.203 pacientes (64% varones), con una edad media de 74,3 años. El55,4% tenía antecedentes de enfermedad coronaria, un 38% de enfermedad cerebrovascular y un6,7% de afectación en ambos territorios. La prevalencia de ITB bajo (< 0,9) fue del 33,8, el 32,4y el 53,9% para cada grupo, respectivamente. En el análisis multivariante los factores que se asociaroncon un ITB bajo fueron la edad, el tabaquismo, la diabetes, una tasa reducida de filtradoglomerular, la presión arterial sistólica y el haber presentado afectación de ambos territorios vasculares.La sensibilidad del cuestionario de Edimburgo y de la palpación de pulsos para detectar lapresencia de un ITB inferior a 0,9 fue baja.CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de un ITB bajo es elevada en pacientes asintomáticos con enfermedadcoronaria o cerebrovascular, especialmente si presentan afectación conjunta de ambos territorios

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with polyvascular disease have an increased rate of cardiovascularevents and death. Their identification would define a subgroup of the population at very highrisk, who would be candidates to intensified preventive measures. The objective of the presentstudy was to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical peripheral artery disease in subjects with a previousdiagnosis of vascular disease in other territories.PATIENTS AND METHOD: Subjects with a coronary or a cerebrovascular event between 3 months and 5years, and who were attended at internal medicine outpatient clinics from Spain were included inthe study. All patients had a clinical history, a physical examination, a blood and urine analysis,and a measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI).RESULTS: A total of 1203 patients (64% males; mean age: 74.3 years), were included in the study. Aprevious coronary event was reported in 55.4% of the participants, cerebrovascular disease in 38%,and a clinical history of disease in both territories in 6.7%. The prevalence of a low ABI (< 0,9) was33.8%, 32.4% and 53.9% for each group, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, factors associatedwith a low ABI were age, smoking habit, diabetes, a reduced glomerular filtration rate, systolic bloodpressure and the presence of clinical disease in both territories upon inclusion. The sensitivity of both,the Edinburgh questionnaire and pulse palpation for detecting and ABI below 0.9, were low.CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of a low ABI is elevated in asymptomatic patients with coronary or cerebrovasculardisease, particularly if there are clinical manifestations in both territories

[Endovascular management of a left subclavian artery lesion following thoracoplasty for bronchopleural fistula and empyema secondary to aspergillus fumigatus]. / Manejo endovascular de lesión de arteria subclavia izquierda tras toracoplastia por fístula broncopleural y empiema secundario a Aspergillus fumigatus.

Massive and/or recurrent hemoptysis is a clear indication for surgical treatment of pleuropulmonary aspergilloma, despite the incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Thoracoplasty has been widely used for 20 years and is still indicated in these cases, following lobectomy, even though the procedure is not free of complications. We report the case of a patient who required thoracoplasty to treat a pleuropulmonary aspergilloma invading the chest wall. Subsequent placement of an aortic stent-graft was required due to tearing of the left subclavian artery.