In vitro analysis of carotid lesions using a preliminary microwave sensor to detect vulnerable plaques: Correlation with histology, Duplex ultrasound examination, and computed tomography scanner: The Imaging and Microwave Phenotyping Assessment of Carotid stenosis Threat (IMPACT) study.

Objective: Progress in best medical treatment have made identification of best candidates for carotid surgery more difficult. New diagnostic modalities could be helpful in this perspective. Microwaves (MWs) can quantify dielectric properties (complex relative permittivity) of biological tissues and MW technology has emerged as a promising field of research for distinguishing abnormal tissues from healthy ones. We here evaluated the ability of a dedicated MW sensor developed in our laboratory to identify vulnerable carotid lesions. Methods: We included 50 carotid lesions in this study. The plaques were analyzed and classified preoperatively by ultrasound (US) examination, computed tomography angiography and tested postoperatively using a MW sensor. Histopathological analysis was used as a gold standard to separate vulnerable plaques (VPs) from nonvulnerable plaques (NVPs). Results: VPs were more frequently types 2 or 3 plaques (on US examination), had a greater proportion of low (<60 Hounsfield unit) and moderate (60-130 Hounsfield unit) attenuation components (computed tomography angiography) and displayed higher dielectric constant values (MW) than NVPs, which had an opposite profile. NVPs were more frequently asymptomatic plaques compared with VPs (P = .035). Multivariate analysis showed that US examination and MW identified VPs with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 76% (cutoff value, -0.045; area under the curve, 0.848; P < .0001). Conclusions: We found that the presence of types 2 to 3 (on US examination) and high dielectric constant plaques in vitro was highly indicative of a VP based on histological analysis. Further studies are needed to determine the potential of MW to identify the most dangerous asymptomatic carotid lesions.

Mast cell activation and degranulation in acute artery injury: A target for post-operative therapy.

The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has led to a significant ongoing need to address this surgically through coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). From this, there continues to be a substantial burden of mortality and morbidity due to complications arising from endothelial damage, resulting in restenosis. Whilst mast cells (MC) have been shown to have a causative role in atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, including restenosis due to vein engraftment; here, we demonstrate their rapid response to arterial wire injury, recapitulating the endothelial damage seen in PCI procedures. Using wild-type mice, we demonstrate accumulation of MC in the femoral artery post-acute wire injury, with rapid activation and degranulation, resulting in neointimal hyperplasia, which was not observed in MC-deficient KitW-sh/W-sh mice. Furthermore, neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells were abundant in the wild-type mice area of injury but reduced in the KitW-sh/W-sh mice. Following bone-marrow-derived MC (BMMC) transplantation into KitW-sh/W-sh mice, not only was the neointimal hyperplasia induced, but the neutrophil, macrophage, and T-cell populations were also present in these transplanted mice. To demonstrate the utility of MC as a target for therapy, we administered the MC stabilizing drug, disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) immediately following arterial injury and were able to show a reduction in neointimal hyperplasia in wild-type mice. These studies suggest a critical role for MC in inducing the conditions and coordinating the detrimental inflammatory response seen post-endothelial injury in arteries undergoing revascularization procedures, and by targeting the rapid MC degranulation immediately post-surgery with DSCG, this restenosis may become a preventable clinical complication.

Thrombosis of Medium-Sized and Large Arteries During Covid-19 Infection: Results of the COVIVASC Study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection is associated not only with venous thromboses but also with arterial thromboses (COV-ATs) in relation with an endothelial dysfunction, a coagulopathy and rhythm disorders. The incidence, the topography, and the prognosis of COV-ATs remain poorly known. The objective of this study was to report the overall experience of the Greater Paris University Hospitals (Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, AP-HP) during the first pandemic wave of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: After approval by the ethics committee, a study using the AP-HP clinical data warehouse was carried out between March and May 2020. Overall, 124,609 patients had a polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19 in our hospitals, of which 25,345 were positive. From 20,710 exploitable stays, patients tested positive for COVID who presented an episode of acute COV-AT (except coronary and intracranial arteries) were selected on the basis of the French medical classification for clinical procedures codes. The data are presented as absolute values with percentages and/or means with standard deviation. RESULTS: Over the studied period, 60 patients (aged 71±14 years, 42 men) presented a COV-AT at the time of their hospitalization, an incidence of 0.2%. The arterial complication occurred 3±7 days after the COVID infection and was inaugural in 30% of the cases (n = 18). The sites of COV-AT were the lower extremities (n = 35%, 58%), the abdominal aorta (n = 10%, 17%), the thoracic aorta (n = 7%, 12%), the upper limbs (n = 7%, 12%), the cerebral arteries (n = 7%, 12%), the digestive arteries (n = 6%, 10%), the renal arteries (n = 2%, 3%), and the ophthalmic artery (n = 1%, 2%). Multiple COV-ATs were observed in 13 patients (22%). At the time of diagnosis, 20 (33%) patients were in intensive care, including six (10%) patients who were intubated. On computed tomography angiography, COVID lesions were classified as moderate and severe in 25 (42%) and 21 (35%) cases, respectively. Revascularization was attempted in 27 patients (45%), by open surgery in 16 cases, using endovascular techniques in 8 cases and with a hybrid approach in three cases. Six patients (22%) required reinterventions. The duration of hospitalization was 12±9 days. Early mortality (in-hospital or at 30 days) was 30% (n = 18). Nine (15%) patients presented severe nonlethal ischemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial involvement is rare during COVID-19 infection. The aorta and the arteries of the limbs are the privileged sites. The morbi-mortality of these patients is high. Future studies will have to determine if the systematization of anticoagulation therapy decreases the incidence and the severity of the condition.

Extra Anatomic Aorto-Iliac Revascularization Using Descending Thoracic Aorta to Bifemoral Bypass in Selected Cases.

BACKGROUND: When best medical treatment fails to relieve symptoms of aorto-iliac occlusive disease, endovascular treatment or conventional open surgery are the remaining options depending on lesions and patients' characteristics. However, in certain situations both endovascular tools and abdominal aorta to bifemoral bypass (TFB) are not an option and the use of the descending thoracic aorta may be considered as an inflow site for revascularization. METHODS: This work is a single-center retrospective study. Between 2008 and 2020, 27 patients were identified who were treated with descending thoracic aorta to TFB for severe aorto-iliac occlusive disease. Primary end point was 30-day postoperative mortality and major cardiovascular events. Secondary end points were primary patency, secondary patency, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 68 years and the majority (88.9%) presented with severe claudication. Eighteen patients underwent isolated TFB and 9 had TFB and concomitant visceral vessel revascularization. The mean length of stay was 14 days and there was no postoperative death. Complications, mainly pulmonary, occurred in 29.8% of the cases. After a mean of 26 months of follow-up, survival rate was 95% and primary and secondary patency rates were 92.6% and 96.3%, respectively. Mean Rutherford index shifted from 3.1 to 1.2 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TFB is an invasive procedure which provides high clinical improvement and patency rates. This procedure should remain part of the vascular surgeon portfolio.

Surgical Treatment of Femoral Artery Bifurcation Without Material: Technique and Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Complete eversion of the femoral tripod is interesting to reduce clinical consequences of wound infection, in particular for patients at a high risk (e.g., obese, diabetics, cancer). Experience and follow-up of this technique are scarce. The different technical possibilities and results are reported here. METHODS: A single-center prospective study including patients operated on for femoral occlusive lesions using eversion of the common femoral artery and its bifurcation. Clinical and imaging preoperative data, surgical technique, and follow-up are detailed. RESULTS: Thirty five patients (37 limbs) have been included between June 2014 and April 2016. The mean Rutherford index was 3.6 and 65% of the patients were claudicants. Lesions were limited to the common femoral artery in 14 (38%) of the cases and spread to the superficial femoral artery in 2 (7%) and to the 3 branches in 21 (57%) of the cases, respectively. Postoperatively, one death, one major amputation, and 3 reinterventions were noted, resulting in an 8% rate of major complications. The mean follow-up was 37 months. At this time, 11 major adverse cardiovascular events, 9 deaths, and no additional major amputation were noted. The mean Rutherford index was 1.7 (P < 0.001) and 3 reinterventions were necessary (one for septic occlusion at 3 months and 2 for restenosis at 12 and 42 months), translating into primary and secondary patency rates of 93.3% and 96.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This work further confirms that eversion of the femoral tripod is safe and effective. This experience adds to the existing body of the literature and describes alternative techniques of eversion. The technique should be considered when treating patients at a high risk of postoperative infection.

Single Stem Visceral Debranching for Complex Aortic Disease.

Objective: The treatment of complex aortic disease has been described with various retrograde visceral bypass techniques. An original technique with a single stem retrograde visceral graft (SSRVG) is presented. Methods: This was a single centre retrospective study including 16 patients between 2015 and 2019. Patients were treated for aortic dissection (AD; type A and acute or chronic type B), thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs), and visceral occlusive disease. Surgery consisted of visceral vessel debranching from the native infrarenal aorta or from an aortic graft. In the case of AD, surgical fenestration was performed. Additional thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) completed the treatment when indicated, during the same procedure or later. Patient outcomes and reconstruction patency were studied. Results: The mean patient age was 64 years (median 68 ± 12.6). Ten (62%) patients were treated for AD, three (19%) for TAAA, and three (19%) for occlusive disease. Sixty-nine target vessels were debranched with this SSRVG technique. Aortic surgical fenestration was performed in eight cases and TEVAR in four. During their hospital stay, three (19%) TAAA patients died, seven cases of renal insufficiency (44%), four cases of pneumonia (25%), and three colonic ischaemia cases (19%) were noted. After a mean follow up of 21 months, no other deaths occurred. All vessels (except two inferior mesenteric arteries) were patent and no endoleak was noted. Conclusion: The SSRVG technique can be offered in various complex aortic diseases. The use of a single graft is feasible and reduces the volume of multiple branch assembly in the retroperitoneal space. The observed patency rate is high.

Mycotic/Infective Native Aortic Aneurysms: Results After Preferential Use of Open Surgery and Arterial Allografts.

OBJECTIVE: Mycotic/infective native aortic aneurysms (INAA) are managed heterogeneously. In the context of disparate literature, this study aimed to assess the outcomes of INAA surgical management and provide comprehensive data in alignment with recent suggestions for reporting standards. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients presenting with INAA from September 2002 to March 2020 at two institutions was conducted. In hospital mortality, 90 day mortality, overall mortality, and infection related complications (IRCs) were the study endpoints. Overall survival and IRC free survival were estimated, and predictors of mortality tested using uni- and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Seventy patients (60 men [86%], median age 68 years [range 59 - 76 years]) were included. Twenty (29%) were ruptured at presentation. INAA location was thoracic in 11 (16%) cases, thoraco-abdominal in seven (10%), and abdominal in 50 (71%). Half of the abdominal INAAs were suprarenal. Two INAAs were concomitantly abdominal and thoracic. Pathogens were identified in 83%. The bacterial spectrum was scattered, with rare Salmonella species (n = 6; 9%). Open surgical repair was performed in 66 (94%) patients, including five conversions of initially attempted endovascular grafts (EVAR), three hybrid procedures, and one palliative EVAR. Vascular substitutes were cryopreserved arterial allografts (n = 67; 96%), prosthesis (n = 2), or femoral veins (n = 1). Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival at 30 and 90 days were 87% (95% confidence interval [CI] 76.6 - 93.0) and 71.7% (95% CI 59.2 - 80.9), respectively. The overall in hospital mortality rate was 27.9% (95% CI 1.8 - 66.5). IRCs occurred in seven (10%) patients. The median follow up period was 26.5 months (range 13.0-66.0 months). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was independently related to in hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 20.7, 95% CI 1.8 - 232.7). American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.1 - 33.9), 4 (OR 14.9, 95% CI 1.7 - 129.3), and CKD (OR 32.0, 95% CI 1.2 - 821.5) were related to 90 day mortality. CONCLUSION: Surgical INAA management has significant mortality and a low re-infection rate. EVAR necessitated secondary open repair, but its limited use in this report did not allow conclusions to be drawn.

Bilateral Aneurysms of the Axillary Arteries and Marfan's Syndrome.

Aneurysms of the arteries of the upper limbs represent a rare pathology. Apart from the risk of rupture and according to their localization, they can be responsible for nervous or venous compression, for embolism and for ischemia. Axillary localization is particularly rare apart from an iatrogenic context. Open surgery and more recently endovascular techniques can be proposed, but real guidelines are lacking. We report the case of a patient presenting a Marfan syndrome and bilateral axillary aneurysms, with symptoms on the right side due to a nervous compression responsible for paresthesia. Aneurysms were treated in 2 stages by open surgery, starting on the symptomatic side.

Short and Mid Term Outcomes of Cryopreserved Abdominal Aortic Allografts Used as a Substitute for Infected Prosthetic Grafts in 200 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of cryopreserved arterial allografts (CAA) as a substitute for infected infrarenal aortic prostheses, and its outcomes. METHODS: A single centre retrospective study of consecutive patients receiving an abdominal aortic CAA after removal of an infected graft was conducted between January 1997 and December 2013. The primary outcome was the rate of allograft related revision surgery. Secondary outcomes were the 30 day mortality rate, survival, primary patency, limb salvage, and infection recurrence. Allograft ruptures secondary to infection and risk factors for allograft failure were also investigated. RESULTS: Two hundred patients (mean age 64.2 ± 9.4 years) were included. In 56 (28%) cases, infection was related to an enteric fistula. The mean follow up duration was 4.1 years. The 30 day mortality rate was 11%. Early revision surgery was needed in 59 patients (29.5%). Among them, 15 (7.5%) were allograft related and led to the death of three patients (1.5%), corresponding to a 7.5% 30 day allograft related revision surgery rate. During the first six months, 17 (8.5%) patients experienced 21 events with complete or partial rupture (pseudo-aneurysm) of the allograft responsible for five (2.5%) deaths, corresponding to a re-infection rate of 8.5%. The multivariable analysis showed that diabetes and pseudo-aneurysm of the native aorta on presentation were predictive factors for short term allograft rupture. After six months, 25 (12.5%) patients experienced long term allograft complications (rupture, n = 2, 1%; pseudo-aneurysm, n = 6, 3%; aneurysm, n = 2, 1%; thrombosis, n = 11, 5.5%; stenosis, n = 4, 2%;) requiring revision surgery resulting in one death. The five year rates of survival, allograft related revision surgery, limb salvage, primary patency, and infection recurrence were 56%, 30%, 89%, 80%, and 12%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CAAs provide acceptable results to treat aortic graft infection with few early graft related fatal complications. Long term allograft related complications are quite common but are associated with low mortality and amputation rates.

Results of cryopreserved arterial allograft replacement for thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic infections.

BACKGROUND: Primary and secondary thoracic aortic infections are rare but associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is currently no consensus on their optimal treatment. Arterial allografts have been shown to be resistant to bacterial colonization. Complete excision of infected material, especially synthetic grafts, combined with in situ aortic repair is considered the best treatment of abdominal aortic infections. The aim of this study was to assess the management of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic infections using arterial allografts. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2017, all patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic native or graft infections underwent complete excision of infected material and in situ arterial allografting. The end points were the early mortality and morbidity rates and early and late rates of reinfection, graft degeneration, and graft-related morbidity. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with a mean age of 65.6 ± 9.2 years were included. Twenty-one (60%) cases experienced graft infections and 14 (40%) experienced native aortic infections. Eight (22.8%) patients had visceral fistulas: 5 (14.4%) prosthetic-esophageal, 1 (2.8%) prosthetic-bronchial, 1 (2.8%) prosthetic-duodenal, and 1 (2.8%) native aortobronchial. In 12 (34.3%) cases, only the descending thoracic aorta was involved; in 23 (65.7%) cases, the thoracoabdominal aorta was involved. Fifteen (42.8%) patients died during the first month or before discharge: 5 of hemorrhage, 4 of multiorgan failure, 3 of ischemic colitis, 2 of pneumonia, and 1 of anastomotic disruption. Eleven (31.5%) patients required early revision surgery: 6 (17.1%) for nongraft-related hemorrhage, 3 (8.6%) for colectomy, 1 (2.9%) for proximal anastomotic disruption, and 1 (2.9%) for tamponade. One (2.9%) patient who died before discharge experienced paraplegia. One (2.9%) patient experienced stroke. Six (17.1%) patients required postoperative dialysis. Among them, four died before discharge. The mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was 11 ± 10.5 days; the mean length of hospital stay was 32 ± 14 days. During a mean follow-up of 32.3 ± 23.7 months, three allograft-related complications occurred in survivors (15% of late survivors): one proximal and one distal false aneurysm with no evidence of reinfection and one allograft-enteric fistula. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 49.3% and 42.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, aortic infections are highly challenging. Surgical management includes complete excision of infected tissues or grafts. Allografts offer a promising solution to aortic graft infection because they appear to resist reinfection; however, the grafts must be observed indefinitely because of the risk of late graft complications.

Anterior cage migration during spine surgery: An unusual and severe complication.

We report the case of an anterior cage migration that was incarcerated between the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. Removal of the cage was favored over conservative treatment because of potential migration and vessel injury.

Circulating Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor kB Ligand and triglycerides are associated with progression of lower limb arterial calcification in type 2 diabetes: a prospective, observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb arterial calcification is a frequent, underestimated but serious complication of diabetes. The DIACART study is a prospective cohort study designed to evaluate the determinants of the progression of lower limb arterial calcification in 198 patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Lower limb arterial calcification scores were determined by computed tomography at baseline and after a mean follow up of 31.20 ± 3.86 months. Serum RANKL (Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor kB Ligand) and bone remodeling, inflammatory and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline. The predictive effect of these markers on calcification progression was analyzed by a multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS: At baseline, mean ± SD and median lower limb arterial calcification scores were, 2364 ± 5613 and 527 respectively and at the end of the study, 3739 ± 6886 and 1355 respectively. Using multivariate analysis, the progression of lower limb arterial log calcification score was found to be associated with (ß coefficient [slope], 95% CI, p-value) baseline log(calcification score) (1.02, 1.00-1.04, p < 0.001), triglycerides (0.11, 0.03-0.20, p = 0.007), log(RANKL) (0.07, 0.02-0.11, p = 0.016), previous ischemic cardiomyopathy (0.36, 0.15-0.57, p = 0.001), statin use (0.39, 0.06-0.72, p = 0.023) and duration of follow up (0.04, 0.01-0.06, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In patients with type 2 diabetes, lower limb arterial calcification is frequent and can progress rapidly. Circulating RANKL and triglycerides are independently associated with this progression. These results open new therapeutic perspectives in peripheral diabetic calcifying arteriopathy. Trial registration NCT02431234.

Factors influencing the recurrence of arterial involvement after surgical repair in Behçet disease.

OBJECTIVE: Arterial involvement in Behçet disease (BD) is rare, and its surgical management is a major concern because of its high recurrence rate. This study evaluated the influence of the surgical technique, device, and immunosuppressive treatment used on the postoperative recurrence in patients with non-pulmonary arterial BD. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted of 23 patients meeting the international criteria for BD who underwent surgery for arterial involvement between May 1996 and September 2015. Recurrence was defined as the occurrence of arterial aneurysm or thrombosis during follow-up. Perioperative medical treatment and surgical technique used were reported. RESULTS: There were 47 surgical procedures performed in 23 patients. Mean follow-up was 8.4 ± 7.5 years. Initial arterial lesions were aneurysms and thrombosis in 85% and 15% of cases, respectively. Arterial lesions were aortic and peripheral in 48% and 52% of cases. Recurrence rate was 51%. Recurrences developed within <1 year in 24% of cases and at the same anatomic site in 92% of cases. Among the 24 recurrences, 17 were false aneurysms, 6 were thrombosis, and 1 was a true aneurysm in a different arterial site. To treat the arterial lesion, direct anastomosis was performed in 6 cases; bypass using the saphenous vein, graft, or allograft was performed in 6, 27, and 5 cases, respectively; and stent graft was used in 3 cases. Vascular lesions involved the aorta in 19 cases and a peripheral artery in 28 cases. Preoperative medical treatments, including colchicine, steroids, and immunosuppressants, significantly decreased recurrence rate: 28% (7/25) vs 75% (15/20) in untreated patients (P = .002). The recurrence rate was 42.5% (17/40) in patients treated postoperatively vs 80% (4/5) in untreated patients. The nature of the device used (vein, prosthetic graft, allograft, stent graft, or direct anastomosis) did not change the risk of recurrence. When anastomoses were protected using the prosthetic sleeving technique, the recurrence rate was three times lower (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: Relapse is a main concern after surgical repair of arterial BD. This study suggests the need for targeted perioperative medical management to reduce the risk of arterial recurrence in BD patients. To this end, a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory. The use of sleeve anastomosis is associated with a numerically lower risk of recurrence. However, further studies are needed to confirm this efficacy.

Rapid glycemic regulation in poorly controlled patients living with diabetes, a new associated factor in the pathophysiology of Charcot's acute neuroarthropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Aggressive antidiabetic therapy and rapid glycemic control are associated with diabetic neuropathy. Here we investigated if this is also the case for Charcot neuroarthropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: HbA1c levels and other relevant data were extracted from medical databases of 44 cases of acute Charcot neuroarthropathy. RESULTS: HbA1c levels significantly declined from 8.25% (67mmol/mol) [7.1%-9.4%](54-79mmol/mol), at -6 months (M-6), to 7.40%(54mmol/mol) [6.70%-8.03%] (50-64 mmol/mol) during the six months preceding the diagnosis of Charcot neuroarthropathy (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c levels significantly declined during the six months preceding the onset of Charcot neuroarthropathy. This decline seems to be a associated factor with the appearance of an active phase of Charcot neuroarthropathy in poorly controlled patients with diabetic sensitive neuropathy.

Direct Distal Renal Artery Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of renal artery aneurysms (RAA) remains controversial. Endovascular treatment has increased for main trunk and for very distal aneurysms, whereas for lesions located at the bifurcation surgical treatment seems to be a valid option. The goal of this study was to describe the technique of direct reconstruction of RAA and to report on outcomes. METHODS: This study comprised single centre prospective collection of data with retrospective analysis (January 2015 to August 2018) of patients operated on for distal RAA using direct reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 24 RAA in 21 patients (seven men and 14 women, mean age 59 ± 13 years) was included. History of hypertension was found in 15 patients and renal insufficiency was present in one. Mean pre-operative systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 134 ± 21 mmHg and 74 ± 10 mmHg, and mean pre-operative rates of creatinine and glomerular filtration rate were 67 ± 13 µmol/L and 93 ± 49 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Indications for repair were a diameter >20 mm in seven cases (mean diameter = 25 ± 2 mm) or rapid growth in one case, symptomatic aneurysm in 12 cases (hypertension, haematuria, pain), and a concomitant lesion in four cases (splenic aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, occlusive visceral artery lesions). All lesions were distal, main artery bifurcation in 22 cases and hilar in two cases. The main aetiology was fibromuscular dysplasia (16 cases) followed by atherosclerosis (seven cases) and one case of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. In situ reconstruction was possible for 22 RAA, while two cases required kidney autotransplantation. The mean renal ischaemia time was 18 ± 5 min. At two years, the patency rate was 100%, and mean systolic blood pressure decreased (134 mmHg-122 mmHg, p = .047). Renal function was stable from 93 ± 49 pre-operatively to 95 ± 35 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the post-operative course (p = .56). CONCLUSION: Direct reconstruction appears to be efficient for most RAA. This technique is complementary to ex vivo autotransplantation and endovascular treatment.

Surgical repair of radiation-induced carotid stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting are both valid therapeutic options for the treatment of radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS). The second has the advantage of being less invasive, although it seems to result in more restenosis than the first. Meanwhile, progress in radiation therapy and head and neck surgery has significantly increased the survival of these patients. As a result, treatment of RICS should be considered from a long-term perspective. This works presents perioperative and follow-up outcomes of surgical treatment of RICS. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included all patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy for RICS from January 1998 to June 2017. Clinical and duplex ultrasound examination-based follow-up was performed postoperatively, at 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival plots based on a log-rank test. Any abnormal finding led to angio-computed tomography scan and specialized neurovascular examination. RESULTS: Between 1998 and 2017, 128 patients (162 lesions) were treated. The median interval between radiation therapy and surgery was 16 years. Forty-five patients (35%) were symptomatic. The eversion technique was performed in 79 cases (49%), and the patch was favored in 24 cases (15%), prosthetic bypass graft in 51 cases (31%), and a venous bypass graft in 8 cases (5%). Two postoperative deaths (1.5%) (one secondary to massive stroke) were noted. The primary end point of early postoperative cerebrovascular event was 2.5%. Two cervical hematomas (1.2%) required surgical revision and seven cases of permanent cranial nerve injury were recorded. The median follow-up was 29 months (range, 2-199 months). There were no additional strokes. The 3-year primary patency rate was 96% and the 3-year freedom from neurologic event was 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical treatment of RICS lesions is a safe and durable option. Our results suggest that the outcomes of such treatment are good and in particular that rates of cerebrovascular event and restenosis are low and that cranial nerve injury should not be a concern. As a result, we consider that open surgery for RICS lesions should be offered as a first-line treatment. However, comparative data are mandated to address this issue.

Endarterectomy for Isolated Atherosclerotic Lesions of the Popliteal Artery.

BACKGROUND: In the endovascular era, angioplasty has grown a large place in the treatment of peripheral artery disease. Few studies have been focused in short atherosclerotic lesions of the popliteal artery itself, which remain for many surgeons a critical zone for the technical approach decision. We herein describe simple techniques of popliteal endarterectomy for the treatment of short popliteal occlusive disease. METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2019, patients with isolated popliteal artery atherosclerotic lesions were included in this retrospective study. Indication for intervention was either disabling lower limb claudication or critical limb ischemia. We performed either endarterectomy by eversion of the popliteal artery or a simple endarterectomy with a patch angioplasty. We then studied the procedural data, the thirty-day outcomes, and the mid-term follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients were included in the study, and 18 limbs were revascularized with the endarterectomy technique. Total duration of the procedure was 100 ± 46 min. Overall technical success was 100%. Median hospital stay was 4 days. Complete clinical success, that is, freedom from claudication or rest pain, was achieved in all cases. No early additional procedure was needed. After a mean follow-up of 34 ± 32 months with no patient lost to follow-up, all patients were alive, and a 100% primary patency and limb salvage was observed. CONCLUSIONS: At 3 years' follow-up, endarterectomy of the popliteal artery appears to be a valid option for isolated and short atherosclerotic lesions.