Brazilian Society for Angiology and Vascular Surgery guidelines on abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, through the Guidelines Project, presents new Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Guidelines, on the subject of care for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients. Its development prioritized descriptive guidelines, using the EMBASE, LILACS, and PubMed databases. References include randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and cohort studies. Quality of evidence was evaluated by a pair of coordinators, aided by the RoB 2 Cochrane tool and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale forms. The subjects include juxtarenal aneurysms, infected aneurysms, and new therapeutic techniques, especially endovascular procedures. The current version of the guidelines include important recommendations for the primary topics involving diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients, providing an objective guide for medical practice, based on scientific evidence and widely available throughout Brazil.

A Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, por meio do projeto Diretrizes, apresenta as novas Diretrizes de Aorta Abdominal, referentes aos cuidados de pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Para sua elaboração, foram priorizadas diretrizes descritivas, utilizando as bases EMBASE, LILACS e PubMed. As referências incluem ensaios clínicos randomizados, revisões sistemáticas, metanálises e estudos de coorte. A qualidade das evidências foi examinada por uma dupla de coordenadores, com auxílio da ferramenta RoB 2 da Colaboração Cochrane e dos formulários da Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Aneurismas justarrenais, infectados e novas técnicas terapêuticas, principalmente no âmbito endovascular, estão entre os temas estudados. A versão atual das Diretrizes apresenta importantes recomendações para os principais itens que envolvem o diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento de pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal, oferecendo um guia objetivo para prática médica, construído a partir de evidências científicas e amplamente acessível em todo o território nacional.

Brazilian Society for Angiology and Vascular Surgery guidelines on abdominal aortic aneurysm / Projeto Diretrizes, Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular: aneurisma da aorta abdominal

Abstract The Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, through the Guidelines Project, presents new Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Guidelines, on the subject of care for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients. Its development prioritized descriptive guidelines, using the EMBASE, LILACS, and PubMed databases. References include randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and cohort studies. Quality of evidence was evaluated by a pair of coordinators, aided by the RoB 2 Cochrane tool and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale forms. The subjects include juxtarenal aneurysms, infected aneurysms, and new therapeutic techniques, especially endovascular procedures. The current version of the guidelines include important recommendations for the primary topics involving diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients, providing an objective guide for medical practice, based on scientific evidence and widely available throughout Brazil.

Resumo A Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, por meio do projeto Diretrizes, apresenta as novas Diretrizes de Aorta Abdominal, referentes aos cuidados de pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Para sua elaboração, foram priorizadas diretrizes descritivas, utilizando as bases EMBASE, LILACS e PubMed. As referências incluem ensaios clínicos randomizados, revisões sistemáticas, metanálises e estudos de coorte. A qualidade das evidências foi examinada por uma dupla de coordenadores, com auxílio da ferramenta RoB 2 da Colaboração Cochrane e dos formulários da Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Aneurismas justarrenais, infectados e novas técnicas terapêuticas, principalmente no âmbito endovascular, estão entre os temas estudados. A versão atual das Diretrizes apresenta importantes recomendações para os principais itens que envolvem o diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento de pacientes com aneurisma de aorta abdominal, oferecendo um guia objetivo para prática médica, construído a partir de evidências científicas e amplamente acessível em todo o território nacional.

Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Setting of Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Case Report

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic syndrome which typically presents with neurological manifestations. Some of the patients may also present with vasculopathies, among which arterial aneurysms and stenosis are the most common. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has rarely been described, and, to the best of our knowledge, the present is the first report of DVT due to venous compression by a neurofibroma in the setting of NF1. This is the case of a 23-year-old male with NF1 who experienced DVT due to compression of the left posterior tibial veins by a large tumor arising from the tibial nerve. The DVT was acutely treated with enoxaparin and then with rivaroxaban. Two months after the diagnosis, Doppler ultrasonography showed partial recanalization and persistence of the DVT. The patient was then referred to neurosurgery for surgical resection of the tumor. There were no complications during the procedure, and the patient did not present postoperative neurological deficits. The final histopathological diagnosis was of a benign neurofibroma. After one year of follow-up with vascular surgery, the patient presented no more episodes of DVT. In case there is a tumor compressing the deep vessels of the leg and promoting DVT, surgical resection with microsurgical techniques may be curative.

Outcomes of bell-bottom technique compared to standard endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: The bell-bottom technique is a widely used technique to treat aortoiliac aneurysms with preservation of the hypogastric arteries. The published data are scarce with conflicting results regarding the evolution. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients submitted to endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with standard technique (S-EVAR) versus bell-bottom technique. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared the outcomes of standard endovascular aneurysm repair (<16 mm iliac limbs) and bell-bottom technique (≥16 mm iliac limbs) in a tertiary vascular center between 2010 and 2015. The end points of this study were type IB endoleak, reintervention and 30-day mortality. The follow-up protocol included CT scans within 30 days of implantation and 12 months. Duplex ultrasound was performed yearly thereafter. RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients were treated with bell-bottom technique (n = 84, mean age 72.2 ± 8.9) and S-EVAR (n = 119, mean age 72.7 ± 8.4). The overall 30-day mortality was 1.9%, with no significant difference between groups. There was higher prevalence of coronary heart disease in the bell-bottom technique group compared to the S-EVAR group (41.6% vs. 18.4%, p < 0.01). One patient in the S-EVAR group (0.85%) and four patients in the bell-bottom technique (4.6%) developed type IB endoleak. The mean follow-up period was 35.2 ± 30.4 months. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, freedom from type IB endoleak in 80 months was 85.2% in the bell-bottom technique group and 98.7% in the S-EVAR group (p = 0.05). The freedom from reintervention in 80 months was 74.0% in the bell-bottom technique group and 94.1% in the S-EVAR group (p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows lower freedom from type IB endoleak in the bell-bottom group compared to the standard repair group. There is no significant difference in reoperation rate and 30-day mortality.

O impacto da tecnologia no tratamento do trauma vascular iatrogênico cervicotorácico: estudo de dois casos com intervalo de três décadas e revisão da literatura / he impact of technology on treatment of iatrogenic cervicothoracic vascular traumas: a study of two cases three decades apart and a review of the literature

Complicações relacionadas ao acesso venoso cervicotorácico, como os pseudoaneurismas (PAs), podem ser devastadoras. Neste artigo, apresentamos dois casos semelhantes em que o avanço tecnológico impactou no diagnóstico, tratamento e resultados. Ambos pacientes apresentaram volumoso PA após a tentativa de punção venosa profunda. O primeiro caso, em 1993, diagnosticado por duplex scan , revelou grande PA oriundo da artéria subclávia direita. A artéria foi abordada por esternotomia mediana com extensão supraclavicular. O PA originava-se do tronco tireocervical, tratado com simples ligadura. No segundo caso, em 2017, angiotomografia revelou um PA originário da artéria vertebral, que foi tratado com técnica endovascular, mantendo a perviedade do vaso. Ambos evoluíram satisfatoriamente, apesar de abordagens bastante diferentes. A lesão vascular cervicotorácica representa um desafio propedêutico e terapêutico, com alto risco de ruptura. Os avanços tecnológicos diminuem os riscos de lesões vasculares com acesso cirúrgico difícil e devem estar entre as opções do cirurgião vascular

Complications such as pseudoaneurysms (PA) related to cervicothoracic venous access can be devastating. In this article, we present two similar cases in which technological advances impacted diagnosis, treatment, and results. Both patients developed massive PA after deep venous puncture attempts. The first case occurred in 1993 and was diagnosed by a duplex scan that revealed a large PA originating from the right subclavian artery. The artery was approached by median sternotomy with supraclavicular extension. The PA originated from the thyrocervical trunk and was treated with simple ligation. The second case was in 2017. Angiotomography revealed a PA originating in the vertebral artery, which was treated with endovascular techniques, maintaining vessel patency. Both patients progressed satisfactorily, despite quite different approaches. Cervicothoracic vascular lesions represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, where the risk of rupture is high. Technological advances have reduced the risks involved in management of vascular injuries with difficult surgical access

The impact of technology on treatment of iatrogenic cervicothoracic vascular traumas: a study of two cases three decades apart and a review of the literature.

Complications such as pseudoaneurysms (PA) related to cervicothoracic venous access can be devastating. In this article, we present two similar cases in which technological advances impacted diagnosis, treatment, and results. Both patients developed massive PA after deep venous puncture attempts. The first case occurred in 1993 and was diagnosed by a duplex scan that revealed a large PA originating from the right subclavian artery. The artery was approached by median sternotomy with supraclavicular extension. The PA originated from the thyrocervical trunk and was treated with simple ligation. The second case was in 2017. Angiotomography revealed a PA originating in the vertebral artery, which was treated with endovascular techniques, maintaining vessel patency. Both patients progressed satisfactorily, despite quite different approaches. Cervicothoracic vascular lesions represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, where the risk of rupture is high. Technological advances have reduced the risks involved in management of vascular injuries with difficult surgical access.

Trombose venosa profunda e vírus chicungunha / Deep venous thrombosis and chikungunya virus

Resumo Algumas infecções virais sistêmicas podem estar relacionadas ao desenvolvimento de trombose venosa profunda e/ou embolia pulmonar. Essa associação já está bem descrita em pacientes com infeções pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV), hepatite C ou influenza. Recentemente introduzido no continente americano, o vírus chicungunha, agente etiológico da febre de chicungunha, ainda não tem essa relação bem sedimentada, mas com o aumento progressivo de sua incidência e pelo fato dessa infecção causar, muitas vezes, uma restrição severa da locomoção por poliartralgia e uma possível lesão endotelial direta, casos de tromboembolismo venoso podem começar a ser descritos. Neste relato de caso, descrevemos um paciente que desenvolveu trombose de veia poplítea direita durante internação para tratamento de febre por infecção por vírus chicungunha e poliartralgia severa.

Abstract Some systemic viral infections can be linked to development of deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. This association has already been well described in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C, and influenza. The chikungunya virus is the etiologic agent of chikungunya fever and it has recently been introduced to the American continent. As yet, there is no firm foundation for a relationship between chikungunya and thromboembolism, but the progressive increase in its incidence, the fact that this infection very often causes severe locomotion restrictions due to polyathralgia, and the possibility of direct endothelial injury suggest that cases of venous thromboembolism may begin to be described. In this case report, we describe a patient who developed thrombosis of the right popliteal vein after being admitted for treatment of severe polyathralgia and fever caused by chikungunya virus infection.

Endovascular therapeutic options for the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms / Opções terapêuticas endovasculares para o tratamento dos aneurismas aortoilíacos

ABSTRACT About 20% of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have associated iliac aneurysms. Distal sealing during the endovascular treatment of aortic-iliac aneurysms is a challenge that has led to the emergence of several technical options to achieve this goal over the years. Internal iliac artery embolization is associated with the risk of ischemic complications, such as gluteal necrosis, lower limb neurological deficit, colonic ischemia, impotence and gluteal claudication. This article summarizes the technical options for endovascular treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms with different approaches to preserving the patency of internal iliac arteries.

RESUMO Cerca de 20% dos pacientes com aneurismas de aorta abdominal apresentam aneurismas ilíacos associados. A obtenção do selamento distal, durante o tratamento endovascular dos aneurismas aortoilíacos, constitui-se em um desafio que suscitou, ao longo dos anos, o surgimento de diversas opções técnicas para alcançar esse objetivo. A embolização da artéria ilíaca interna é associada ao risco de desenvolvimento de complicações isquêmicas, tais como: necrose glútea, déficit neurológico dos membros inferiores, isquemia colônica, impotência e claudicação glútea. Esse artigo resume as opções técnicas de tratamento endovascular dos aneurismas aortoilíacos com diferentes formas de abordagem de preservação da perviedade das artérias ilíacas internas.

Ten-Year Experience with Management of Aortoiliac Aneurysms Using Retrograde Endovascular Internal Iliac Artery Preservation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the use of retrograde endovascular internal iliac artery preservation (REIIAP) technique for treating aortoiliac aneurysms. METHODS: We reviewed our database for all patients with aortoiliac aneurysms who underwent REIIAP technique between April 2004 and April 2014. Patients underwent implantation of an Apollo aortomonoiliac (Nano Endoluminal, Florianópolis, Brazil), contralateral implantation of a Viabahn stent graft (Gore Medical, Flagstaff, AZ) positioned from the external iliac artery into the internal iliac arteries as a bridging stent and femorofemoral bypass. The outcomes that we evaluated included technical success, operative mortality and morbidity, endoleak, aneurysm diameter, bridging stent occlusion, and reintervention during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients (19 men, mean age 73 ± 2.3 years) were identified. Technical success was achieved in all cases, and none of the patients died during the follow-up (mean follow-up 52 ± 38.5 months). Type IB endoleak was diagnosed in 2 patients, bridging stent occlusion was diagnosed in 1 patient, and reintervention was required for 2 patients. Diameter regression was observed in the aorta (P = 0.15), left common iliac artery (P = 0.37), and right common iliac artery (P = 1.22). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of the REIIAP technique presenting high success rate and similar complication rates compared with other therapeutic options during follow-up. These results demonstrated that it is a useful option for selected patients with aortoiliac aneurysms unfit for other techniques.

Endovascular therapeutic options for the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms.

About 20% of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have associated iliac aneurysms. Distal sealing during the endovascular treatment of aortic-iliac aneurysms is a challenge that has led to the emergence of several technical options to achieve this goal over the years. Internal iliac artery embolization is associated with the risk of ischemic complications, such as gluteal necrosis, lower limb neurological deficit, colonic ischemia, impotence and gluteal claudication. This article summarizes the technical options for endovascular treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms with different approaches to preserving the patency of internal iliac arteries.

Management of aortoiliac aneurysms by retrograde endovascular hypogastric artery preservation.

We evaluated the outcome of the retrograde endovascular hypogastric artery preservation (REHAP) technique for the treatment of complex aortoiliac aneurysms (AIAs). Perioperative and long-term outcomes were assessed for 12 patients (mean age 77 years, range 64-86 years) who underwent elective endovascular AIA repair via aortouniiliac endografting and REHAP between January 2004 and January 2011. Preoperative images obtained by computed tomography were used for planning. Postoperative images were obtained one and six months after surgery, and once a year thereafter. Technical success was achieved in all cases. No patients exhibited endoleak related to the endoprosthesis, occlusion of implanted components, hip and/or buttock claudication, or colon or spinal cord ischemia during follow-up. This hybrid procedure illustrates the potential of REHAP in the treatment of AIA cases.

Predictive factors for the development of type II endoleaks.

PURPOSE: To define predictive factors for endoleak type II (EL-II) based on quantifiable factors in the imaging studies of patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: The data on 208 consecutive patients (137 men; mean age 75.2 years, range 62-84) who underwent EVAR between the years 2003 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter ranged from 4.8 to 12.8 cm. Data were collected on the type of AAA; the type of stent-graft (aortomonoiliac versus bifurcated); the performance of hypogastric artery embolization; the presence, number, diameter, and patency of aortoiliac branches identified on the pre and post-EVAR imaging studies; and the presence and type of EL-II (transient vs. persistent) with the goal of identifying any imaging-based predictive factors for the development of EL-II. RESULTS: Among the 208 cases, 11 patients had endoleaks other than type II and were excluded, leaving 195 patients for analysis. In all, 28 (13.4%) patients were diagnosed with EL-II. All had ≥4 patent lumbar arteries (mean diameter >2.3 mm). Ten patients with a transient EL-II had a mean of 4.3 patent lumbar arteries, which had diameters <2 mm (mean 1.5 mm). In the 18 patients with persistent EL-II, the mean diameter of the 4 lumbar arteries was 2.7 mm; at least 1 of the lumbar arteries was >2 mm. The presence of at least 4 patent lumbar arteries (p<0.001) and at least 1 patent hypogastric artery (p<0.001) were predictive factors for EL-II. At least 1 lumbar artery >2 mm in diameter was a positive predictive factor for the development of persistent EL-II (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patent hypogastric and lumbar arteries are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing EL-II. Larger diameter lumbar arteries tend to be associated with persistent EL-IIs, while lumbar arteries <2 mm would more likely be seen with a transient EL-II. If substantiated in larger studies, these angiographic criteria may guide early treatment of EL-II to avoid aneurysm sac expansion and potential rupture.

Prevalência de marcadores de trombofilia em pacientes portadores da síndrome de May-Thurner e trombose de veia ilíaca comum esquerda / Prevalence of thrombophilia factors in patients with May-Thurner syndrome and left common iliac vein thrombosis

CONTEXTO: A relação entre trombose venosa profunda e trombofilia tem sido pouco estudada em indivíduos portadores de compressão da veia ilíaca comum esquerda, conhecida clinicamente como síndrome de May-Thurner. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de marcadores de trombofilia nos pacientes portadores de síndrome de May-Thurner e trombose de veia ilíaca comum esquerda. MÉTODOS: Entre março de 1999 e dezembro de 2008, 20 pacientes com síndrome de May-Thurner e trombose de veia ilíaca comum esquerda foram avaliados retrospectivamente quanto à presença de marcadores de trombofilia. RESULTADOS: Foi detectada a associação entre síndrome de May-Thurner e marcadores de trombofilia em 8 pacientes (40 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: A presença de marcadores de trombofilia em pacientes com trombose de veia ilíaca comum esquerda e síndrome de May-Thurner é frequente, porém não difere da prevalência encontrada em pacientes portadores de trombose venosa profunda sem a síndrome associada.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between deep venous thrombosis and thrombophilia has been little studied in patients with left common iliac vein compression, clinically known as May-Thurner syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of thrombophilia markers in patients with May-Thurner syndrome and left common iliac vein thrombosis. METHODS: From March 1999 to December 2008, 20 patients with May-Thurner syndrome and left common iliac vein thrombosis were retrospectively investigated for the presence of thrombophilia markers. RESULTS: The association between May-Thurner syndrome and thrombophilia markers was found in 8 patients (40 percent). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of thrombophilia markers in patients with May-Thurner syndrome and left common iliac vein thrombosis. The prevalence, however, is not different from that found in patients with deep venous thrombosis without May-Thurner syndrome.

Internal iliac artery branch stent grafting for aortoiliac aneurysms using the Apollo branched device.

The association of aortic and common iliac artery aneurysms requires a special strategy to achieve distal seal during the endovascular exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Coil embolization of the internal iliac artery before the placement of a bifurcated endograft limb into the external iliac artery is a usual option. Such procedures are usually well tolerated but may result in buttock claudication, postprocedural sexual dysfunction, and colonic ischemia. We report on an alternative repair to preserve internal iliac artery patency using the Apollo iliac branched device.

Closure of carotid artery puncture site with a percutaneous device.

The surgical treatment of traumatic neck injuries in patients with hostile anatomy is associated with higher risk of complications, due to the technical challenge and associated clinical conditions. The use of a percutaneous closure device for removal of a 7.5 Fr sheath, nonintentionally implanted into the carotid artery, is reported. The right common carotid sheath was removed after introducing a 0.035-inch guidewire; the Angioseal 8 Fr device was then introduced over the wire, successfully sealing the puncture site. Duplex scan control showed patency of the carotids, sealing of the puncture, and adequate flow in the jugular vein and carotid arteries. This maneuver allowed the safe placement of a percutaneous arterial device (Angioseal) to close the puncture site.