Evaluation of factors associated with limb thrombus formation after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Limb thrombus formation is a complication that can occur after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), and its clinical significance has continued to be debated. Our objective was to report the incidence of limb thrombus after EVAR and determine the association of specific demographic, anatomic, and/or graft variables. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of EVAR patients at a single tertiary center between January 2010 and December 2018 was performed to determine the limb thrombus rate. Demographic, graft, and anatomic variables were analyzed for an association with limb thrombus. RESULTS: A total of 301 patients were included. The average follow-up was 27.6 ± 4.9 months. The mean age was 76.5 ± 0.5 years, and 85% were men. Limb thrombus occurred in 22 patients (7.3%). Of these 22 patients, 11 (50.0%) had had occlusive limb thrombus, 14 (63.6%) were symptomatic, and 17 (77.3%) had required intervention. The patients with limb thrombus were younger (69.8 ± 1.3 years vs 77.1 ± 0.5 years; P < .0001) and more likely to be smokers (10.2% vs 5.2%; P = .10). The incidence of limb thrombus with the Alpha graft (10.7%; Cook Medical Inc, Bloomington, IN) was compared with that with non-Cook grafts (4.0%; P = .07). The average common iliac artery diameter for patients with and without limb thrombus was 14.1 mm and 16.1 mm, respectively (P < .01). Right-sided limb thrombus was more likely in smaller right iliac arteries (14.7 ± 0.9 cm vs 17.0 ± 0.6 cm; P < .05), with a similar finding on the left (13.6 ± 0.9 cm vs 15.2 ± 0.4 cm; P = .13). Unilateral limb thrombus was almost twice as likely on the main body side than on the contralateral side (11 vs 6). Limb thrombus was not associated with aortoiliac disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-4.62), limb extension (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.06-3.62), or nonmatching limb heights (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.54-3.43). Limb thrombus was also not associated with increased 30-day mortality (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Limb thrombus formation is a complication that can occur after EVAR (7.3%). In our study, limb thrombus was seen more frequently in younger patients and those who smoked. Cook Alpha grafts had a thrombus formation rate of 10.7%, which was not significantly higher than that with other brands. Limb thrombus was more likely in smaller iliac arteries and on the main body side.

Gonadal vein as a bypass conduit for arterial reconstruction during an aortic debranching repair of a paravisceral aortic aneurysm.

We report a case of a hybrid aortic debranching procedure for repair of a paravisceral inflammatory aortic aneurysm. Vein grafts were chosen over prosthetics because of concern for infection as a possible etiology. The gonadal vein was successfully used as a vein graft between the right common iliac artery and the right renal artery before aortic endograft placement.

Thalamic stroke in a patient with aberrant right vertebral artery arising from an atherosclerotic carotid bulb.

Aberrant vertebral artery (VA) origins are uncommon, and those arising from the carotid bulb are exceedingly rare. We report a 79-year-old man with a right thalamic stroke and subsequent amaurosis fugax that was found to have severe right carotid bulb and internal carotid artery stenoses, as well as an aberrant VA arising from the bulb. He underwent carotid endarterectomy including eversion endarterectomy of the VA and had no recurrence of amaurosis fugax or posterior circulation symptoms at the 1-year follow-up. We also present a comprehensive review of the literature, focusing on symptomatic cases and those arising from the carotid bulb.

Evaluation of Aortic Zone 2 Proximal Landing Accuracy During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Following Carotid-Subclavian Revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Adequate seal for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) commonly requires landing in zone 2, but can prove to be challenging due to the tortuous and angulated anatomy of the region. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine the proximal landing accuracy of zone 2-targeted TEVARs following carotid-subclavian revascularization (CSR) and its impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients that underwent CSR for zone 2 endograft delivery at a tertiary institute between January 2008 and March 2018 was conducted. Technical outcomes were assessed by examining the incidence of intraoperative corrective maneuvers, 1a endoleaks and reinterventions. Distance to target and incidence of LSA stump filling were examined as radiographic markers of landing accuracy. RESULTS: Zone 2-targeted TEVAR with CSR was performed in 53 patients for treatment of dissections (49%), aneurysms (30%) or trauma (21%). Nine (17%) cases required intraoperative corrective procedures: 5 (9%) proximal cuffs due to type 1a endoleak and 4 (8%) left common carotid artery (LCCA) stenting due to inadvertent coverage. Cases performed using higher resolution hybrid fluoroscopy machine compared to mobile C-arm were associated with increased proximal cuff use (OR 8.8; 95% CI 1.2-62.4). Average distance between the proximal edge of the covered graft to LCCA was 8 ± 1 mm and larger distances were not associated with higher rates of 1a endoleak. Twenty-eight (53%) cases of antegrade LSA stump filling were noted on follow-up imaging, but were not associated with higher rates of reinterventions (OR 0.8, 95% CI [0.2-4.6]). Three (6%) patients had a stroke within 30 days and 4 (8%) patients expired within 1 month. Intraoperative corrective maneuvers, post-operative 1a endoleak and reinterventions were not associated with higher rates of stroke or mortality. CONCLUSION: Using current endografts and imaging modalities, zone 2-targeted TEVARs have suboptimal technical accuracy.

Dysphagia aortica secondary to thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm resolved after endograft placement.

Dysphagia aortica is a rare entity defined as difficulty in swallowing due to external compression by the aorta. Aneurysmal dysphagia aortica successfully treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is exceedingly rare. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with known thoracoabdominal aneurysm who presented with acute shortness of breath and 3-month history of dysphagia. Computed tomography angiography revealed aneurysmal growth and massive esophageal dilation. She underwent TEVAR and visceral debranching, which led to complete symptom resolution correlated with sac regression. We also present a comprehensive review of the literature with a focus on cases of aneurysmal dysphagia aortica treated with TEVAR.

Key barriers to gout care: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.

OBJECTIVES: Gout care remains highly suboptimal, contributing to an increased global disease burden. To understand barriers to gout care, our aim was to provide a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies worldwide reporting provider and patient perspectives and experiences with management. METHODS: We conducted a mapped search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Social Sciences Citation Index databases and selected qualitative studies of provider and patient perspectives on gout management. We used thematic synthesis to combine the included studies and identify key themes across studies. RESULTS: We included 20 studies that reported the experiences and perspectives of 480 gout patients and 120 providers spanning five different countries across three continents. We identified three predominant provider themes: knowledge gaps and management approaches; perceptions and beliefs about gout patients; and system barriers to optimal gout care (e.g. time constraints and a lack of incentives). We also identified four predominant themes among gout patients: limited gout knowledge; interactions with health-care providers; attitudes towards and experiences with taking medication; and practical barriers to long-term medication use. CONCLUSION: Our systematic review of worldwide literature consistently identified gaps in gout knowledge among providers, which is likely to contribute to patients' lack of appropriate education about the fundamental causes of and essential treatment approaches for gout. Furthermore, system barriers among providers and day-to-day challenges of taking long-term medications among patients are considerable. These factors provide key targets to improve the widespread suboptimal gout care.

The clinical and genetic spectrum of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: findings from an international multicentre registry.

Aims: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an ion channelopathy characterized by ventricular arrhythmia during exertion or stress. Mutations in RYR2-coded Ryanodine Receptor-2 (RyR2) and CASQ2-coded Calsequestrin-2 (CASQ2) genes underlie CPVT1 and CPVT2, respectively. However, prognostic markers are scarce. We sought to better characterize the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of CPVT, and utilize molecular modelling to help account for clinical phenotypes. Methods and results: This is a Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society multicentre, retrospective cohort study of CPVT patients diagnosed at <19 years of age and their first-degree relatives. Genetic testing was undertaken in 194 of 236 subjects (82%) during 3.5 (1.4-5.3) years of follow-up. The majority (60%) had RyR2-associated CPVT1. Variant locations were predicted based on a 3D structural model of RyR2. Specific residues appear to have key structural importance, supported by an association between cardiac arrest and mutations in the intersubunit interface of the N-terminus, and the S4-S5 linker and helices S5 and S6 of the RyR2 C-terminus. In approximately one quarter of symptomatic patients, cardiac events were precipitated by only normal wakeful activities. Conclusion: This large, multicentre study identifies contemporary challenges related to the diagnosis and prognostication of CPVT patients. Structural modelling of RyR2 can improve our understanding severe CPVT phenotypes. Wakeful rest, rather than exertion, often precipitated life-threatening cardiac events.