Multicentre Experience with the Chimney Technique for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in French University Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: The chimney technique (ChEVAR) allows for proximal landing zone extension for endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms. The aim of the present study was to assess ChEVAR national outcomes in French university hospital centres. METHODS: All centres were contacted and entered data into a computerised online database on a voluntary basis. Clinical and radiological data were collected on all consecutive ChEVAR patients operated on in 14 centres between 2008 and 2016. Patients were deemed unfit for open repair. Factors associated with early (30 day or in hospital) mortality and type 1 endoleak (Type I EL) were calculated using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: In total, 201 patients with 343 target vessels were treated. There were 94 juxtarenal (46.8%), 67 pararenal (33.3%), 10 Crawford type IV thoraco-abdominal (5%) aneurysms, and 30 (15.1%) proximal failures of prior repairs. The pre-operative diameter was 66.8 ± 16.7 mm and 28 (13.9%) ChEVAR were performed as an emergency, including six (2.9%) ruptures. There were 23 (11.7%) unplanned intra-operative procedures, mainly related to access issues. The rate of early deaths was 11.4% (n = 23). The elective mortality rate was 9.8% (n = 17). Nine patients (4.5%) presented with a stroke. The rate of early proximal Type I EL was 11.9%. Survival was 84.6%, 79.4%, 73.9%, 71.1% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. The primary patency of chimney stents was 97.4%, 96.7%, 95.2%, and 93.3% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Performing unplanned intra-operative procedures (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.3-10.9) was identified as the only independent predictor of post-operative death. A ChEVAR for juxtarenal aneurysm was independently associated with fewer post-operative Type I ELs (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05-0.58). CONCLUSION: In this large national ChEVAR series, early results were concerning. The reasons may lie in heterogeneous practices between centres and ChEVAR use outside of current recommendations regarding oversizing rates, endograft types, and sealing zones. Future research should focus on improvements in pre-operative planning and intra-operative technical aspects.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis in acute popliteal artery occlusion is a safe and effective technique reducing the rate of open surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute popliteal artery occlusion is a frequent clinical entity with a risk of major amputation. Several attitudes are possible and treatment is not standardized. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate safety and effectiveness of intra-arterial thrombolysis in acute popliteal artery occlusion. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of patients treated by intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute lower-limb ischemia due to popliteal artery occlusion between 2001 and 2014.The primary endpoint was technical and clinical success. Etiologies and etiologic treatment, amputation-free survival, in-hospital mortality and bleeding complications rates were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients, with a mean 6-day-old ischemic time before thrombolysis, were analyzed. Technical and clinical success was 90% and 87% respectively. Etiology was embolic in 33 patients (cardiac N.=14, aortic=6, unknown=13) and thrombotic in 38 (atheromatous N.=19, entrapment N.= 4, popliteal aneurysm N.=11, Buerger N.=2, thrombophilia N.=1, hyperhomocysteinemia N.=1). Survival and amputation-free survival at 30 days were 97% and 94% respectively. There were no major bleeding complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-arterial thrombolysis of acute popliteal artery occlusion is an effective technique which reduces the rate of open surgery. The risk of bleeding complications is very low.

Autologous immuno magnetically selected CD133+ stem cells in the treatment of no-option critical limb ischemia: clinical and contrast enhanced ultrasound assessed results in eight patients.

OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of highly purified CD133+ autologous stem cells in critical limb ischemia (CLI). DESIGN: Prospective single-center not randomized. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01595776 METHODS: Eight patients with a history of stable CLI were enrolled in a period of 2 years. After bone marrow stimulation and single leukapheresis collection, CD133+ immunomagnetic cell selection was performed. CD133+ cells in buffer phosphate suspension was administered intramuscularly. Muscular and arterial contrast enhanced ultra sound (CEUS), lesion evolution and pain management were assessed preoperatively and 3, 6 and 12 months after the implant. RESULTS: No patient had early or late complications related to the procedure. Two patients (25 %) didn't get any relief from the treatment and underwent major amputation. Six patients (75 %) had a complete healing of the wounds, rest pain cessation and walking recovery. An increase in CEUS values was shown in all eight patients at 6 months and in the six clinical healed patients at 12 months and had statistical relevance. CONCLUSIONS: Highly purified autologous CD133+ cells can stimulate neo-angiogenesis, as based on clinical and CEUS data.

Massive vertebral destruction associated with chronic rupture of infrarenal aortic aneurysm: case report and systematic review of the literature in the English language.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of literature. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the specific features of a rare, life-threatening, clinical picture. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Vertebral erosion (VE) is rarely associated with contained rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The involvement of radicular nerves can mimic a discus hernia syndrome; eventually vertebral erosion induces isolated lower back pain. These features often lead to a delayed or wrong diagnosis of a life-threatening condition. Forty-two complete similar case reports have been published in the English literature since 1962. The most prevalent symptoms are low back pain and neurological signs due to compression of radicular nerves. METHODS: A 73-year-old man presented to Vascular Surgery department complaining of continuous pain in the lumbar region during the previous 6 months. The duplex examination revealed a huge infrarenal aortic aneurysm with an undefined posterior wall. Spiral CT and MR scan confirmed the aneurysm and a scalloping of the second and third lumbar vertebral bodies. RESULTS: A double-team intervention, vascular and orthopedic, consisted in aneurysm graft replacement; vertebral bodies excision and anterior and posterior spinal stabilization. Postoperatively the patient experienced reversible respiratory and renal failure and was discharged home in good health after 30 days. CONCLUSION: The presence of aortic abdominal aneurysm is always to be considered in the evaluation of an elderly patient complaining lower back pain or lower limb neuropathy of recent onset, especially in the presence of a degenerative process of the spine.