Mid-term results of "off-label" use of the Endurant stentgraft in patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVES: EVAR is the preferred treatment modality for patients with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with suitable anatomy. Each manufacturer of aortic stentgrafts has specific anatomic requirements. In some patients, it is not possible to adhere to the instructions for use, but alternative treatment is also not possible. In these patients, EVAR can be performed outside instructions for use. METHODS: In this study, all consecutive patients in whom an Endurant II or IIS stentgraft was used between 1 January and 31 December were reviewed. We compared the two patient groups in whom this stentgrafts was used outside and inside instructions for use. Patients with planned adjuvant therapy, for example, chimney procedure or iliac side branches, were excluded. RESULTS: In 74 of 178 (41.6%) patients, the instructions for use were not adhered. The main reason was pathology of the aortic neck. There were more patients with type IA endoleak, this difference was borderline significant (p = .06). There were more patients with limb occlusion in the early postoperative period, but at the end of the follow-up period, the incidence was comparable. Aneurysm-related mortality and all-cause mortality were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, real-life experience with the Endurant II and IIS stentgraft is described. Non-adherence with instructions for use was associated with a higher risk of endoleak type IA (p = .06). In the early postoperative period, there were more patients with limb occlusion; this finding was not observed anymore at the end of the follow-up period.

Predictors of Crossing Failure in Femoropopliteal Lesions: The Importance of Length of the Lesion and Calcification.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy is nowadays the first choice for most patients with peripheral artery disease. The most important cause of technical failure is failure to cross the lesion with a wire. In this retrospective study, we explore possible risk factors of crossing failure. METHODS: We included all consecutive patients in whom the lesion could not be crossed in the period of the January 1, 2017-January 1, 2022. The lesions of these patients were compared with patients in whom the lesion could be crossed (2:1). The following potential anatomical risk factors were compared: location of the lesion, occlusion length, lesion length, Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring Scale, Peripheral Academic Research Consortium, circumferential characterization classification, and the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II classification. RESULTS: In 71 patients, the lesion could not be crossed; these patients were compared with 142 patients. There were significantly more patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia in the group with crossing failure. The following factors were risk factors for crossing failure: occlusion length, lesion length, Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring Scale, Peripheral Academic Research Consortium, and circumferential characterization classification. CONCLUSIONS: Although conclusions should be carefully drawn from this retrospective study, calcification and length of the lesion are associated with crossing failure in the femoropopliteal segment. The Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II classification was the best predictor of crossing failure.

Cephalic Vein Cutdown Is Superior to Subclavian Puncture as Venous Access for Patients with Cardiac Implantable Devices after Long-Term Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Cephalic vein cutdown (CVC) and subclavian vein puncture (SVP) are the most commonly used access sites for transvenous lead placement of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Limited knowledge exists about the long-term patency of the vascular lumen housing the leads. METHODS: Among the 2703 patients who underwent CIED procedures between 2005 and 2013, we evaluated the phlebographies of 162 patients scheduled for an elective CIED replacement (median of 6.4 years after the first operation). The phlebographies were divided into four stenosis types: Type I = 0%, Type II = 1-69%, Type III = 70-99%, and Type IV = occlusion. Due to the fact that no standardized stenosis categorization exists, experienced physicians in consensus with the involved team made the applied distribution. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of stenosis Type III or IV in the CVC group and in the SVP group. RESULTS: In total, 162 patients with venography were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of high-degree stenosis was significantly lower in the CVC group (7/89, 7.8%) than in the SVP group (15/73, 20.5%, p = 0.023). In the CVC group, venographies showed a lower median stenosis (33%) than in the SVP group (median 42%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the long-term patency of the subclavian vein is higher after CVC than after SVP for venous access in patients with CIED.

Sex-Related Differences in Proximal Neck Anatomy and Their Consequences in Patients after EVAR: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Studies comparing male and female patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms have shown that female patients are generally older and more often experience postoperative complications after endovascular and open repair. There are also indications that female patients have more extensive neck pathologies and that they more often have postoperative complications related to proximal neck pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study describes all consecutive female patients who underwent EVAR between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2021. Propensity-score matching was used to obtain a matched control male cohort. Propensity scores were generated with the following anatomic parameters: infrarenal and suprarenal angulation, proximal and distal neck diameter and neck length. 1 Female patient was matched with 3 male patients. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were included, namely 120 male patients and 40 female patients. Due to matching, there were no significant differences regarding infrarenal and suprarenal angulation and proximal and distal neck diameter and length. All-cause and aneurysm-related mortality were comparable (p = 0.19 and p = 0.98). The necessity of neck-related secondary procedures was significantly higher in female patients (p = 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, the female sex was a significant predictor of endoleak type IA within 30 days. However, there was no significant association between intraoperative endoleak type IA and endoleak type IA at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there was a higher initial incidence of endoleak type IA in female patients, despite thematched preoperative anatomic parameter. Due to the relatively low number of included female patients, conclusions should be drawn carefully.

Factors Influencing Compliance to Follow-Up After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVES: Regular follow-up after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm is necessary to detect endoleak and/or migration of the stentgraft. However, absence or incomplete compliance to follow-up is common in this patient population. In this study we will analyse the frequency of non-compliance to post-EVAR follow-up and explore the underlying reasons. METHODS: All patients undergoing EVAR for infrarenal aortic aneurysm between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Absence of compliance to FU was defined as not showing up at the out-patient clinic; incomplete FU was defined as a surveillance gap of >18 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Non-compliance to follow-up was 35.9% (175 patients). In the multivariate analysis the patients who came with a ruptured aneurysm and patients who needed secondary therapy in the first 30 days more often did not comply with the FU protocol (P = .03 and P < .01). Other studies have confirmed the low attendance to follow-up after EVAR.

Postinterventional microembolism signals detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasound after carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of early post-procedural complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS) can be attributed to embolization of thrombus or plaque particles released from the stented segment. Vascular emboli can be non-invasively detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasound as microembolic signals (MES). We performed this study to discover factors predicting MES detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD)-monitoring within the early post-interventional phase. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 134 consecutive patients undergoing CAS, transcranial Doppler monitoring of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery was performed for MES detection during the first post-interventional hour. To identify clinical, morphologic, and procedure-related parameters likely to predict the occurrence of post-interventional MES a logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: In 134 patients (111 male, mean age 69.7 years) relevant MES were detected in 51 patients (38 %) with a median of 4 MES/h and a maximum of 62 MES/h. Three factors were observed to be associated with increased post-interventional MES-counts. These included symptomatic lesion (p < 0.05), elevated total cholesterol (p < 0.05), and aspirin monotherapy (p < 0.0005). In a binary logistic regression model, dual antiplatelet therapy (OR 5.6, p < 0.0005) and asymptomatic lesions (OR 2.6, p < 0.05) were revealed as independent predictors for the absence of post-interventional MES. CONCLUSIONS: Post-interventional MES were most likely in symptomatic lesions and patients with elevated cholesterol. The absence of an effective dual antiplatelet therapy and symptomatic lesions were revealed as independent predictors for post-interventional MES. An effective pre-interventional dual antiplatelet and lipid lowering therapy might improve the safety of CAS.

Late open conversion after endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: Endovascular treatment of the infrarenal abdominal aorta (endovascular repair, EVAR) has emerged as an alternative to open surgery. However, a small subset of patients exists who undergo conversion either in the first 30 postoperative days or later during the course of postoperative surveillance. In the present study, we review our experience with late conversion operations. METHODS: Between December 2004 and August 2012, 411 EVARs were performed. During the same time interval, nine patients (males) with a mean age of 71 years (range, 59-79 years) required late open conversion. The median interval between EVAR and the conversion operation was 34 months (range 14-60 months). RESULTS: The indications for late conversion included persistent proximal type I endoleak (n = 2), type II endoleak with sac enlargement (n = 1), aneurysm rupture (n = 1), endotension (n = 2), stent-graft thrombosis (n = 1) and stent-graft infection (n = 2). Complete stent-graft explantation was performed in five patients. Eight patients underwent elective conversion. One patient presenting with rupture had an emergency operation. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Late open conversion after EVAR can be performed safely and successfully. Complete stent-graft explantation may be our preferred treatment option, but it is not always necessary, except in cases presenting with graft infection.

Endovascular treatment for nontraumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta: long-term results.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the long-term results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of nontraumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta. METHODS: This was a retrospective and observational single-center study. During the 10-year study period, 21 patients (6 males) with an average age of 66.1 ± 12.4 (range 31-81) years underwent emergency TEVAR for nontraumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta. The underlying aortic pathologies causing the rupture were degenerative aneurysms in 11 patients, complicated type B dissection in nine, and erosion hemorrhage due to neoplasia in one patient. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was 9.5% (2/21). Two patients died postoperatively: one from a repeat aortic rupture and the other from pneumonia. Two patients underwent early endovascular reintervention. After a median follow-up of 65.6 ± 50.4 (range 1.5-44) months, 10 patients died, resulting in a late mortality of 52.6% (10/19). Six patients (31.5%) developed major complications requiring late reintervention. There was no mortality with reintervention. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of the descending thoracic aorta in patients with nontraumatic rupture is a promising treatment option in an emergency setting with a relatively low mortality rate. Despite encouraging early results, TEVAR is associated with a high reintervention rate and poor survival due to nonaortic or procedure-related mortality in the long term.

Secondary interventions after endovascular thoracic aortic repair.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent grafting of the descending thoracic aorta has evolved rapidly and is now the standard of care for certain patient subsets. However, the durability of this technique is limited by the development of technique-specific complications at mid-term follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, techniques, and outcomes of secondary intervention for complications after stent grafting of the descending thoracic aorta. METHODS: Between March 2001 and November 2011, 152 patients underwent endovascular thoracic aortic repair (TEVAR). We identified 19 (12.5%) patients from this cohort who required secondary interventions. RESULTS: The indications for TEVAR were type B aortic dissection in 12 patients, thoracic aortic aneurysm in six patients, and intramural hematoma in one patient. The mean time between TEVAR and secondary intervention was 20.49 ± 24.90 months (range, 1.2-83 months). A secondary endovascular intervention was required in eleven patient, six patients required secondary surgical therapy, and hybrid procedures were performed in two patients. Endoleaks were the most common indication for a secondary intervention. The 30-day mortality rate was 10.5% (2/19). Two perioperative deaths were observed following surgical therapy. During the mean follow-up of 78.06 ± 37.37 months (range, 23-142 months) after TEVAR, four unrelated deaths occurred, two patients were lost to follow-up, and four patients required a further intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary intervention after endovascular stent grafting of the descending thoracic aorta was not infrequently required and can be performed with acceptable risks. However, serial, systematic follow-up is essential to detect late complications and to perform secondary procedures, preferably under elective circumstances.

Anatomic variables contributing to a higher periprocedural incidence of stroke and TIA in carotid artery stenting: single center experience of 833 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to identify patient-related variables that are associated with a higher rate of neurological adverse events during carotid artery stenting (CAS). BACKGROUND: CAS is considered as an alternative treatment for patients with carotid artery stenosis. Despite technical advancements and increase of operator experience, periprocedural neurologic complications cannot completely be prevented. Case selection based on anatomical criteria and other patient characteristics could improve the outcome after CAS. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2009, 833 CAS procedures were performed in 751 consecutive patients under cerebral protection. The influence of patient characteristics, procedural details, and the anatomy of the supraaortic vessels on the incidence of major in-hospital adverse events was assessed. RESULTS: Successful CAS was performed in 99.2% of the procedures. The in-hospital death and stroke rate was 2.0% (1 major stroke, 10 minor strokes, and 7 deaths). Octogenarians had a fourfold higher death and stroke rate than patients younger than 80 years old. There was an increased risk of stroke and death in patients with critical aortic stenosis. Presence of a bovine arch, tortous common carotid artery (CCA) and angulated distal internal carotid artery were associated with a higher risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack. A recently developed scoring system for anatomic suitability correlates well with the periprocedural neurological outcome in this case series. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical conditions and octogenarian age were associated with an increased rate of neurologic adverse events during CAS. Our findings support a newly proposed scoring system for anatomic suitability to identify patients at high risk for CAS.

Sirolimus-eluting stents for the treatment of infrapopliteal arteries in chronic limb ischemia: long-term clinical and angiographic follow-up.

PURPOSE: To present the 5-year angiographic and clinical results of a retrospective registry assessing the performance of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in the treatment of infrapopliteal atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: From 2004 to 2009, 158 patients (95 men; mean age 71.9 years) with chronic lower limb ischemia (Rutherford categories 3-6) underwent primary SES placement in focal infrapopliteal lesions. The angiographic endpoint was patency, defined as freedom from in-stent stenosis (ISS) >50%. Clinical endpoints were death, amputation, and bypass surgery. Results were correlated with patient and lesion characteristics and cumulative outcomes were assessed with Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all cases. The primary patency rates were 97.0% after 6 months, 87.0% after 12 months, and 83.8% at 60 months. In-stent stenosis was predominantly observed in the first year after stent placement. Female gender was associated with a higher rate of ISS. During clinical follow-up of 144 (91%) patients over a mean 31.1±20.3 months, there were 27 (18.8%) deaths, 4 (2.8%) amputations, and no bypass surgery. Clinical status improved in 92% of the patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and 77% of the patients suffering from claudication (p=0.022). CONCLUSION: Treatment of focal infrapopliteal lesions with SES showed encouraging long-term angiographic results in this registry. Clinical improvement was evident, but more pronounced in CLI patients than in patients suffering from claudication. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential clinical benefit of SES as compared to balloon angioplasty or bare metal stents in the treatment of infrapopliteal lesions.

Retrograde recanalization technique for use after failed antegrade angioplasty in chronic femoral artery occlusions.

PURPOSE: To describe a technique to approach chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) after failed antegrade recanalization as an alternative to a conventional transpopliteal approach. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 50 patients (37 men; mean age 71 years) who underwent retrograde recanalization via a distal SFA access after failed antegrade recanalization of SFA CTOs that were not beyond the adductor canal. Antegrade recanalization failed due to flush SFA occlusion, occluded stents, wire perforation, and re-entry failure. Retrograde SFA access required introduction of a 7- to 15-cm, 21-G needle distal to the occlusion. A 0.018-inch guidewire was inserted through the needle followed by a 4- or 6-F, 10-cm sheath or dedicated support catheter only. All retrograde SFA punctures were performed with the patient in the supine position. Once retrograde passage of the occlusion was successful, oftentimes requiring a "double-balloon" technique to disrupt the dissection membrane with abutting balloons delivered from both access sites, balloon angioplasty and/or stenting could be performed from either direction. RESULTS: Retrograde puncture of the distal SFA was successful in all cases. Retrograde recanalization involved insertion of a 6-F sheath in 3 (6%) cases, a 4-F sheath in 32 (64%), and a sheathless approach in 15 (30%). The "double-balloon" technique was necessary to achieve guidewire passage in 12 cases. Recanalization was successful in 48 (96%) cases. Hemostasis time at the distal puncture site was 9.2 minutes (range 3-30). Perioperative complications included 4 pseudoaneurysms (2 groins, 2 distal), 1 peripheral embolization, and 1 small arteriovenous fistula at the distal puncture site. CONCLUSION: For failure of antegrade recanalization of SFA occlusions, the retrograde SFA puncture distal to the adductor canal with the patient remaining supine is a safe and successful technique that represents a convenient alternative to the conventional transpopliteal approach.

First experience with drug-eluting balloons in infrapopliteal arteries: restenosis rate and clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) in the treatment of long infrapopliteal lesions with regard to the short-term restenosis rate and midterm clinical result. BACKGROUND: Restenosis rates of long-segment tibial artery disease are very high. Recently, a restenosis rate of 69% at 3 months after standard balloon angioplasty was demonstrated. METHODS: Infrapopliteal angioplasty was performed with a paclitaxel-eluting balloon (In.Pact Amphirion, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). Clinical and angiographic follow-up was performed at 3 months to detect binary restenosis, and further clinical assessment was performed over a 12-month period thereafter. RESULTS: In 104 patients, 109 limbs were treated for critical limb ischemia (82.6%) or severe claudication (17.4%). Mean lesion length of the arteries treated was 176 ± 88 mm. Angiography studied in 84 treated arteries at 3 months showed a restenosis in 27.4% (19.1% had restenosis of more than 50%, and 8.3% were totally occluded) and usually occurred focally. Only in 9.5% of all angiographically followed up arteries was the entire treated segment restenosed or reoccluded. During a follow-up period of 378 ± 65 days, 1 patient was lost and 17 died. Of the 91 limbs remaining in the analysis, clinical improvement was present in 83 (91.2%). Complete wound healing occurred in 74.2%, whereas major amputation occurred in 4 patients, resulting in limb salvage of 95.6% for patients with critical limb ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: The early restenosis rate of long-segment infrapopliteal disease is significantly lower after treatment with DEBs compared with historical data using uncoated balloons. Randomized trials are required to show whether this difference will lead to improvement in clinical outcomes.

Outback catheter for femoropopliteal occlusions: immediate and long-term results.

PURPOSE: To report a retrospective, single-center study that evaluates technical and clinical outcomes from subintimal recanalization of femoropopliteal chronic total occlusions (CTO) facilitated by the Outback re-entry catheter. METHODS: The Outback catheter was required to complete recanalization of femoropopliteal CTOs (mean lesion length 195 ± 91 mm) in 118 limbs of 113 patients (77 men; mean age 70 ± 10 years). In 80/118 (67.8%) limbs, treatment was performed for claudication and in the remaining 38 (32.2%) for critical limb ischemia (CLI). Technical and procedural success, clinical outcome, and cumulative patency rates in follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Re-entry was accomplished in 108/118 limbs (91.5%) with recanalization completed in 107/118 (90.7%). Of these, only 61/107 (57%) arteries were left with a residual stenosis <30%. Complications included minor bleeding of the target vessel (5/118, 4.2%) and minor hematoma/pseudoaneurysm at the access site (6/118, 5.1%). Acute reocclusion developed in 2/118 cases (1.7%) without major complication. After 12 months, primary patency was 56.7%, assisted primary patency 83.1%, and secondary patency 89.1%. Primary patency was significantly reduced in limbs with residual stenosis. Over a median 15-month follow-up (range 2-32), 4 major and 2 minor amputations were performed in patients with CLI. CONCLUSION: The Outback catheter is a reliable tool to recanalize challenging chronic femoropopliteal occlusions after failed guidewire re-entry. Restenosis rates are high, which may be due to the severity and extent of disease in these patients, who are particularly challenging.

Angiographic patency and clinical outcome after balloon-angioplasty for extensive infrapopliteal arterial disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Restenosis-rate after balloon-angioplasty of long segment tibial arterial disease is largely unknown. We investigated the restenosis-rates angiographically in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) due to extensive infrapopliteal lesions. METHODS: Angioplasty for infrapopliteal lesions exclusively ≥80 mm in length was performed using dedicated 80-120 mm long low-profile balloons. Follow-up included angiography at 3 months and clinical assessment at 3 and 15 months. RESULTS: Angioplasty was performed in 77 infrapopliteal arteries of 62 limbs of 58 CLI patients with a Rutherford class 4 in 16 (25.8%) limbs and Rutherford class 5 in 46 limbs (74.2%). Average lesion length was 18.4 cm. Treated arteries were stenosed in 35.1% and occluded in 64.9%. After 3 months, a clinical improvement (marked reduction of ulcer-size or restpain) was seen in 47 (75.8%) limbs, 14 (22.6%) limbs were clinically unchanged and 1 (1.6%) limb showed a clinical deterioration. Angiography at 3 months showed no significant restenosis in 24 of 77 (31.2%) treated arteries, a restenosis ≥50% in 24 (31.2%) arteries and a reocclusion in 29 of 77 (37.6%). At 15 months death rate was 10.5%. After repeat angioplasty in case of restenosis cumulative clinical results at 15 months were minor amputations in 8.1%, no major amputations resulting in a limb-salvage rate of 100% with no patient requiring bypass surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Restenosis-rate after angioplasty of extensive infrapopliteal arterial disease is high and occurs early after treatment. Despite this the clinical results are excellent, especially given the length of the arterial segments diseased.

Drug-eluting stents for the treatment of vertebral artery origin stenosis.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with symptomatic vertebral artery ostium stenosis (VAOS). METHODS: Between 2003 and 2008, 28 consecutive patients (17 men; mean age 66 years) with symptomatic extracranial vertebral artery stenosis were treated with a paclitaxel-eluting stent. All patients were prospectively scheduled for serial clinical, duplex, and angiographic follow-up to identify restenosis. RESULTS: After stent implantation, the mean stenosis was reduced from 68% to 9%. There were no periprocedural neurological complications. After a mean follow-up of 16 months (range 5-41), no strokes, worsening of symptoms, or deaths occurred. Angiographic restenosis >50% was seen in 6 (21.4%) patients. Restenosis occurred significantly more often in patients with an ipsilateral subclavian artery stenosis (p = 0.01). Radiography during follow-up angiography revealed stent fracture in 1 patient and stent compression/kinking in 11 (39%) of the patients. Stent compression and recoil, not intimal hyperplasia, were the major contributing factors to restenosis. CONCLUSION: Compared to the restenosis rate of bare metal stents reported in the literature, DES seems to be superior for the treatment of VAOS. However, stent compression and recoil are relevant problems contributing to restenosis. Further improvement of the materials for the interventional treatment of VAOS seems necessary.

Patch angioplasty for isolated ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: Conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is recognized as the treatment of choice for left main coronary artery stenosis (LMCA) with excellent results. Patch angioplasty is an alternative method in selected cases for ostial stenosis of the LMCA. However, the long-term outcome data of this surgical technique are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients treated by patch angioplasty using saphenous vein for ostial stenosis of the LMCA. METHODS: Nineteen patients underwent vein patch angioplasty for ostial LMCA stenosis between 1995 and 2005 at our institution. On three of them simultaneous aortic valve replacement was carried out and on one patient concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting of the right coronary artery was performed. Patients were followed up clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 5.11 +/- 3.34 years (range 0.6-10 years). RESULTS: The early postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. There were no in-hospital deaths. In the late course, three patients died from unrelated causes three and a half, four, and six years after surgery. Importantly, at the time of follow-up the MRI revealed no restenosis or aneurysmatic coronary formation. All patients were in excellent clinical condition at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical patch angioplasty with saphenous vein for isolated ostial LMCA stenosis is a safe operative technique with good long-term results. MRI is able to adequately depict the operative result of left main coronary ostium reconstruction.

Retrograde approach for complex popliteal and tibioperoneal occlusions.

PURPOSE: To describe the technical aspects of the retrograde approach for endovascular treatment of complex popliteal and/or tibioperoneal occlusions and determine its efficacy in minimizing failure rates. METHODS: An observational registry of retrograde revascularizations was maintained at our institution over 14 months (September 2006 to December 2007). During this time frame, antegrade revascularization failed in 62 (17.8%) of 343 limbs with complex total occlusions of the popliteal and/or infrapopliteal vascular territory. Of these antegrade failures, 51 (82.2%) limbs in 51 patients (32 men; mean age 72+/-8 years) were suitable for a retrograde attempt. From this subgroup, 45 (88.2%) were treated via a percutaneous transpedal access site and 6 (11.8%) via a transcollateral intra-arterial technique. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 86.3% (44/51); adjunctive stenting was needed in 21 (41.1%) to optimize results. Only 1 (1.9%) major complication (a pedal access site occlusion) and 4 (7.8%) minor sequelae (arterial perforation in 3 and a pedal hematoma without consequence) were documented. CONCLUSION: In complex popliteal to infrapopliteal occlusions, an antegrade recanalization attempt can fail in up to 20% of the cases. The additional use of a retrograde approach seems feasible and safe and can favorably modify this failure rate. This technique could be valuable for patients with critical limb ischemia due to popliteal and infrapopliteal occlusions once larger studies with follow-up confirm safety, efficacy, and clinical benefit.

Risk of stroke for carotid endarterectomy patients with contralateral carotid occlusion.

The role of a contralateral carotid occlusion in the appearance of neurological complications after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) operations is a matter of some debate. In the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial, the risk of perioperative stroke was found to be higher in patients with a contralateral carotid occlusion. In a literature survey in 2004, however, a significantly increased risk of perioperative stroke was found in only one out of 17 studies on contralateral carotid occlusion patients. We therefore examined the frequency of stroke in patients with contralateral carotid occlusion at our own institution and performed a meta-analysis based on 19 representative studies, including the data from our own institution. Out of 1,960 CEAs at the authors' institute, a significantly higher frequency of 5.6% compared to 2.1% (p = 0.012) for perioperative stroke risk was seen in patients with contralateral carotid occlusion compared to those without. The meta-analysis, based on 19 studies, also showed in 13,438 CEA operations a significantly higher perioperative stroke rate of 3.7% compared to 2.4% (p = 0.002) in the presence of a contralateral carotid occlusion. Nevertheless, due to the extremely poor outcomes of medically treated symptomatic patients, a surgical or endovascular procedure should be sought for these patients. Since the superiority of angioplasty/stent procedures has not yet been verified compared to surgical procedures in these patients, special indication for an endovascular procedure should also be taken into consideration.