Management of Spontaneous Isolated Celiac Artery Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection (SICAD) is uncommon, with very few series reported in the literature. The present study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with SICAD treated at a single Chilean institution over 20 years. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients from a single academic hospital with SICAD diagnosed between January 2003 and March 2023 was performed. Conservative treatment included antiplatelets, anticoagulation, or both. The normal size of a celiac artery in our population was 7.9 ± 0.79 mm in females and 8.3 ± 1.08 mm in males. We defined a celiac artery with a diameter equal to or more than 12.5 mm as an aneurysmal celiac artery. RESULTS: The cohort included 27 patients; 77.8% (n = 21) were males. The median age was 51.0 years (range: 38-84 years). Fourteen (51.8%) patients presented with aneurysmal dilatation. Fourteen (51.8%) patients were treated with antiplatelets, 6 (22.2%) patients with anticoagulation, and 7 (25.9%) with anticoagulation and antiplatelets. One patient was treated with endovascular therapy due to a pseudoaneurysm of the celiac artery detected 10 days after conservative treatment with antiplatelets. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days (range: 2-14 days). Complete remodeling was seen in 6 (22.2%) patients, partial remodeling in 10 (37.0%) patients, and no change was seen in 8 (26.9%) patients. Three (11.5%) patients were lost to follow-up. There were no significant differences between treatments and remodeling outcomes (P = 0.729). The median celiac artery diameter of patients with aneurysmal dilatation was 13.5 mm (range: 12.5-20.5 mm). Systemic arterial hypertension was found more commonly in patients who presented with aneurysmal dilatation than in patients without (87.5% vs. 12.5%, respectively, P = 0.016). Mean follow-up was 41.5 months and median follow-up was 16 months (range: 6-204 months). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with SICAD can be treated conservatively with excellent outcomes. Hypertension was more commonly found in patients with SICAD and aneurysmal dilatation.

Surgical Outcomes of Infective Native Aortoiliac Aneurysms in a Chilean Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Infective native aortic aneurysms (INAAs), formerly called mycotic aneurysms, remain an uncommon disease with significant heterogeneity among cases; hence, there is lack of solid evidence to opt for the best treatment strategy. The present study aims to describe a 20-year experience at a single institution treating this uncommon condition. METHODS: Retrospective study of all patients treated for INAA at a single academic hospital in Santiago, Chile, between 2002 and 2022. Clinical characteristics are described, as well as operative outcomes per type of treatment. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed when appropriate, and results were reported as median and ranges. Survival at given timeframes was determined by a Kaplan-Meier curve, with analysis performed through a Cox regression model. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,798 patients underwent aortic procedures at our center, of which 35 (1.9%) were treated for INAA. Of them, 25 (71.4%) were male. One patient had 2 INAAs. Median age was 69.5 years (range: 34-89 years). Of the 36 INAAs, the most frequent location was the abdominal and thoracic aorta in 20 (55.5%) and 11 (30.5%) cases, respectively, followed by the iliac arteries in 4 (11.1%) cases. One (2.7%) patient presented a thoracoabdominal INAA. Overall, endovascular treatment associated with long-term antibiotics was used in 20 (57.1%) patients: 4 of them underwent hybrid treatment. Fifteen (42.8%) patients underwent direct aortic debridement followed by in situ or extra anatomic revascularization. There was a significant difference in age between both treatment strategies (a median of 76.5 years for endovascular versus a median of 57 years for open, P = 0.011). The median hospital stay was 15 days (range: 2-70 days). The early complications rate (<30 postoperative days) was 20% (n = 7). Early mortality rate (inhospital or before postoperative 30 days) was 14.2% (n = 5). Median follow-up was 33 months (range: 6-216 months). The overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 69.9% (standard error [SE] 8.0), 61.7% (SE 9.8), and 50.9% (SE 11.8), respectively. Five-year survival rate of patients undergoing endovascular treatment compared with open approach was 45.9% (SE 15.1) versus 80.0% (SE 17.8), respectively (P = 0.431). There were no significant differences in survival between open and endovascular treatment, hazard ratio 3.58 (confidence interval 95%: 0.185-1.968, SE ± 0.45 P = 0.454). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated by endovascular approach were older than patients treated by open approach. Even though, the open group had a higher 5-year survival rate than the endovascular group, not statically significance differences were found between treatments.

Extrinsic venous compression secondary to spine osteophytes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to report two cases of symptomatic extrinsic compression of the inferior vena cava and left iliac vein caused by vertebral osteophytes. METHODS: We present two case reports of extrinsic venous compression by vertebral osteophytes. Both cases were endovascularly treated, with a successful outcome. A review of the literature of this unusual condition is also presented. RESULTS: The first patient is an 80-year-old woman who presented to the vascular surgery clinic with bilateral lower extremity edema and pain. A computed-tomography angiography (CTA) revealed extrinsic compression of the inferior vena cava from enlarged osteophytes. Venography and intravascular ultrasound were performed, confirming the diagnosis. A self-expanding venous stent was successfully deployed in the inferior vena cava relieving the extrinsic compression. The edema resolved the following day and was discharged without complications. The second patient is a 61-year-old male that presented to the emergency department with a left iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis. CTA showed left iliac vein compression by a lumbar osteophyte. Percutaneous thrombectomy was successfully achieved and an expanding stent was deployed covering the entire lesion. One month after the procedure the patient died from COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Osteophytes must be considered when dealing with extrinsic venous compression, especially in elderly people.

Concentración de la cirugía de aneurisma de aorta abdominal roto en centros especializados calificados / Concentrating ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in specialized centers

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is an arterial emergency with an overall mortality of 80%-90% secondary to massive hemorrhage. If a patient with RAAA presents in a primary hospital without resolution capacity, survival will depend on early transfer to a center with adequately trained specialists. This article reviews the evidence supporting the centralization of AAAR treatment in qualified centers, specifying the criteria used for the selection of referral centers and the role of a coordinating unit. Our current referral system, which is based primarily on costs, is also described. Patients with AAAR who consult in non-resolving centers should be rapidly transferred to a qualified referral center, following a transfer protocol, and guided by a coordinating unit acting according to technical and established criteria based on results, quality, and costs. Qualified referral centers should have an accredited vascular surgeon and a high institutional aortic surgery volume, adequate infrastructure, endovascular resolution capacity, support services (intensive care, hemodialysis, etc.) and specialized personnel permanently available.

True Idiopathic Brachial Artery Aneurysm Treated With a Saphenous Vein Graft.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to report a case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with pallor and pain of her left arm secondary to a true arterial brachial aneurysm, which was successfully treated with saphenous vein bypass and embolization of the aneurysm sac. A review of the literature is also presented. Case report: A 65-year-old woman presented with an acute onset of pallor and pain of her left forearm, and hand. On physical examination, there was a pulsatile mass at the forearm. A doppler ultrasound showed a fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of the brachial artery of 23 mm of diameter. A dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI angiogram confirmed a fusiform dilation of the distal brachial artery. The patient was scheduled for open repair. A fusiform 20 x 60 mm aneurysm of the distal brachial artery extending to the cubital fossa was found and a brachial artery to radial and ulnar arteries bypass with interposed reverse right saphenous vein was created. Embolization of the aneurysm sac was performed using Gelita-spon ® (Gelita Medical, Eberbach, Germany). A final angiogram showed an adequate perfusion through the bypass to the hand, and no contrast in the aneurysmal sac. Postoperative course was uneventful with discharge on the fourth postoperative day. Conclusion: Revascularization with autologous saphenous vein graft and exclusion of the aneurysm with local embolization is a good treatment alternative in a patient with symptomatic brachial aneurysm with distal embolization.

[Concentrating ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery in specialized centers]. / Concentración de la cirugía de aneurisma de aorta abdominal roto en centros especializados calificados.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is an arterial emergency with an overall mortality of 80%-90% secondary to massive hemorrhage. If a patient with RAAA presents in a primary hospital without resolution capacity, survival will depend on early transfer to a center with adequately trained specialists. This article reviews the evidence supporting the centralization of AAAR treatment in qualified centers, specifying the criteria used for the selection of referral centers and the role of a coordinating unit. Our current referral system, which is based primarily on costs, is also described. Patients with AAAR who consult in non-resolving centers should be rapidly transferred to a qualified referral center, following a transfer protocol, and guided by a coordinating unit acting according to technical and established criteria based on results, quality, and costs. Qualified referral centers should have an accredited vascular surgeon and a high institutional aortic surgery volume, adequate infrastructure, endovascular resolution capacity, support services (intensive care, hemodialysis, etc.) and specialized personnel permanently available.

Endovascular Management of a Ruptured Iliac Aneurysm With an Inferior Vena Cava Fistula.

Aortocaval fistula is uncommon and often associated with a ruptured iliac or abdominal aortic aneurysm. It has a high mortality secondary to the aneurysmal rupture but also to a high output heart failure. Open surgery has been the standard; however, endovascular management has emerged with lower mortality. We present a patient with a ruptured iliac aneurysm and an inferior vena cava fistula successfully treated with an endograft with embolization of the right hypogastric artery. The patient arrested on induction and was resuscitated with aortic balloon inflation. Endovascular therapy can be safely used in the management of iliac/aortocaval fistula.

Correlación de valores de TTPa con anti factor Xa para establecer rango terapéutico en tratamiento anticoagulante con heparina sódica / Correlation between aPTT and antifactor Xa to determine therapeutic ranges for unfractionated heparin

Background: The therapeutic range (TR) of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) for unfractionated heparin (UFH) dosing was established in the 1970 decade. Since then aPTT determination has changed. Current TR may be sub or supra-therapeutic depending on the reagents of the test, and therefore, responsible for complications of therapy. Aim: To establish the TR for UFH dosing in our institution using antifactor Xa analysis as reference standard. Material and Methods: After obtaining an informed consent, 43 blood samples were obtained for aPTT determination and antifactor Xa assay in 23 patients treated with intravenous UFH. Samples were processed at Emergency and Hemostasis Labs. We excluded patients receiving other anticoagulants, with thrombophilia, pregnancy or liver disease. Results: Mean aPTT values in the Hemostasis and Emergency labs ​​were 57.1 ± 18.9 and 56.6 ± 18.3 seconds, respectively (p = 0.77). The squared correlation coefficients between aPTT and antifactor Xa at hemostasis and emergency labs were R2 0.5 and 0.45 respectively, p < 0.001. Using a linear regression analysis, therapeutic aPTT range values ​​in our laboratory were established between 50 and 80 seconds, corresponding to antifactor Xa values of 0.3 to 0.7 IU/mL. Conclusions: According to current recommendations, validation of aPTT determination with reference techniques should be done in every institution.

[Correlation between aPTT and antifactor Xa to determine therapeutic ranges for unfractionated heparin]. / Correlación de valores de TTPa con anti factor Xa para establecer rango terapéutico en tratamiento anticoagulante con heparina sódica.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic range (TR) of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) for unfractionated heparin (UFH) dosing was established in the 1970 decade. Since then aPTT determination has changed. Current TR may be sub or supra-therapeutic depending on the reagents of the test, and therefore, responsible for complications of therapy. AIM: To establish the TR for UFH dosing in our institution using antifactor Xa analysis as reference standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After obtaining an informed consent, 43 blood samples were obtained for aPTT determination and antifactor Xa assay in 23 patients treated with intravenous UFH. Samples were processed at Emergency and Hemostasis Labs. We excluded patients receiving other anticoagulants, with thrombophilia, pregnancy or liver disease. RESULTS: Mean aPTT values in the Hemostasis and Emergency labs ​​were 57.1 ± 18.9 and 56.6 ± 18.3 seconds, respectively (p = 0.77). The squared correlation coefficients between aPTT and antifactor Xa at hemostasis and emergency labs were R2 0.5 and 0.45 respectively, p < 0.001. Using a linear regression analysis, therapeutic aPTT range values ​​in our laboratory were established between 50 and 80 seconds, corresponding to antifactor Xa values of 0.3 to 0.7 IU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: According to current recommendations, validation of aPTT determination with reference techniques should be done in every institution.