Pathological Study on the Expression of Vasohibins in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Vasohibin-2 (VASH2) is a gene that promotes local angiogenesis. The tubulin carboxypeptidase activity of vasohibin causes detyrosination of alpha-tubulin and may play an important role in the regulation of various phenomena. Pathological and therapeutic angiogenesis are involved in atherosclerotic lesions. This study aimed to investigate whether the expression of VASH2 is associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in relation to angiogenesis, tubulin detyrosination, and severity of atherosclerotic lesions. An analysis of femoral and tibial arteries obtained from 86 patients with PAD or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was performed. The expressions of cluster of differentiation 31, VASH1, VASH2, and detyrosinated alpha-tubulin (DT-tubulin) were examined by immunohistochemistry, and their association with PAD was analyzed. The counts of VASH2 in the tunica media and adventitia in the tibial artery were significantly higher than those in the femoral artery in the PAD (P = 0.005 and P = 0.008, respectively) and AAA (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively) groups. In the tunica media and adventitia, VASH2 was significantly correlated with DT-tubulin. There was no significant difference in the expression of VASH2 and DT-tubulin in medial smooth muscle cells (McNemar test, P > 0.999). This study revealed the possible involvements of VASH2 in atherosclerosis by two methods-one maybe related to the progression of atherosclerosis by inducing angiogenesis and the second may be related to the decrease in arterial elasticity by increasing DT-tubulin in medial smooth muscle cells.

Prediction Models for Two Year Overall Survival and Amputation Free Survival After Revascularisation for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to create prediction models for two year overall survival (OS) and amputation free survival (AFS) after revascularisation in patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicentre registry data (JAPAN Critical Limb Ischaemia Database; JCLIMB). Data from 3 505 unique patients with CLTI who had undergone revascularisation from 2013 to 2017 were extracted from the JCLIMB for the analysis. The cohort was randomly divided into development (2 861 patients) and validation cohorts (644 patients). In the development cohort, multivariable risk models were constructed to predict two year OS and AFS using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. These models were applied to the validation cohort and their performances were evaluated using Harrell's C index and calibration plots. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier estimates of two year OS and AFS post-revascularisation in the whole cohort were 69% and 62%, respectively. Strong predictors for OS consisted of age, activity, malignant neoplasm, chronic kidney disease (CKD), congestive heart failure (CHF), geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and sex. Strong predictors for AFS included age, activity, malignant neoplasm, CKD, CHF, GNRI, body temperature, white blood cells, urgent revascularisation procedure, and sex. Prediction models for two year OS and AFS showed good discrimination with Harrell's C indexes of 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69 - 0.77) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.68 - 0.76), respectively CONCLUSION: Prediction models for two year OS and AFS post-revascularisation in patients with CLTI were created. They can assist in determining treatment strategies and serve as risk adjustment modalities for quality benchmarking for revascularisation in patients with CLTI at each facility.

Effect of Home-based Exercise Therapy for Peripheral Arterial Disease Patients Underwent Endovascular Treatment: A Clinical Controlled Design.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the effect of home-based exercise therapy on physical activity in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients after EVT. METHODS: Study design was controlled clinical design. The subjects were 30 patients (76.6% men) who underwent EVT in the Sakakibara Heart Institute of Okayama. Patients with EVT meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups, intervention group (Home-based exercise) and control group. Patients' basic characteristics, the number of steps walked and QOL questionnaire (WIQ, SEPA, Vascu QOL) were assessed before surgery and, at the 3 month after discharge. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare number of steps walked and QOL questionnaire. RESULTS: Interaction effect were observed in the number of steps walked (F (1,28) =13.89, p<0.01). A multiple comparison test confirmed a significant increase between results of before surgery and at three months after surgery in the intervention group (p<0.01). An interaction between the presence and absence of intervention was found for the WIQ pain score (F(1,28) = 5.86, p=0.01), speed score (F(1,28) = 3.80, p=0.04) and SEPA (F(1,28) = 4.99, p=0.03). In a multiple comparison study, there was a significant increase in WIQ pain and speed scores in both groups before and 3 months after discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Home-based exercise therapy using physical activity indices has the potential to improve number of steps and quality of life in patients with PAD after EVT.

Total Debranching Plus Antegrade Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair without Side Clamping in a Patient with Arch Aneurysm and Ascending Aorta Calcification.

A high-risk patient with aortic arch aneurysm, associated with severe calcification of the ascending aorta and iliac arteries, was treated with total debranching and antegrade thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) via the ascending aorta. Proximal anastomosis for a triple-branched graft to the ascending aorta was performed without side clamping using the "real chimney technique." After bypassing the supra-aortic branches, a TEVAR was performed in an antegrade fashion through the ascending aorta. This case suggests that the approaches mentioned above should be considered in patients with arch aneurysms and severe calcified degeneration.

Rehabilitation progress after lower-extremity bypass surgery in patients with peripheral arterial disease with different occlusive lesions.

[Purpose] To examine the differences in rehabilitation progress after lower-extremity bypass surgery for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) depending on the occlusive lesions. [Participants and Methods] This was a retrospective study. We included 50 patients (61 limbs; 38 males and 12 females; mean age, 73 years) who underwent lower-extremity bypass surgery for Fontaine stage 2-3 PAD. The patients were assigned to the aortoiliac (A-I) group (n=23), femoropopliteal (F-P) group (n=18), and below-knee group (n=9). We evaluated the postoperative rehabilitation progress and length of hospital stay of these groups. [Results] The postoperative ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) of the A-I group was significantly lower than that of the F-P group, although there were no differences before surgery. The progress of rehabilitation and the length of hospitalization showed no significant differences among the three groups. The postoperative date of independent walking was significantly later in the presence of complications than in the absence of complications. [Conclusion] The progress of rehabilitation after lower-extremity bypass surgery did not differ depending on the occlusive lesions, and patients may acquire independent walking ability in approximately 5 days in the absence of postoperative complications.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis for perioperative water management in adult cardiovascular valve disease surgery.

PURPOSE: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been used recently to measure the body water of patients with acute heart failure. We used BIA in this study to better understand, and possibly identify a predictive marker for, perioperative water behavior in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: We measured body water and studied its behavior in 44 patients undergoing surgery for cardiac valvular disease at our hospital. Measurements included the levels of extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), and total body water, the edema index (EI), and the ratio of ECW to total body water. The first measured EI was defined as the "preoperative EI" and the maximum as the "peak EI". RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between the preoperative EI and the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (R = 0.644, p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between the peak EI and the ICU stay (R = 0.625, p < 0.001), the peak EI and the ventilation time (R = 0.366, p < 0.01), and the preoperative EI and the ICU stay (R = 0.464, p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The EI is possibly a predictive marker for perioperative water management in cardiac surgery.

Balloon-expandable stent graft for coral reef aorta.

Coral reef aorta (CRA) is a rare aortic occlusive disease with calcified intraluminal lesions. We report the case of a patient with CRA who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT). A 78-year-old woman presented with intermittent claudication. A computed tomography scan showed a preocclusive calcified lesion in the infrarenal aorta. EVT with a balloon-expandable stent graft was successfully performed, and her intermittent claudication improved. Compared with the conventional surgical treatments for CRA, EVT with a balloon-expandable stent graft is less invasive. This procedure is an effective option for the treatment of CRA.

Down-regulation of vascular GLP-1 receptor expression in human subjects with obesity.

It has been thought that incretin signaling prevents arteriosclerosis, and very recently anti-arteriosclerotic effects through GLP-1 receptor were finally demonstrated in clinical human study. The purpose of this study was to investigate how vascular GLP-1 receptor expression is influenced in human subjects. First, we evaluated GLP-1 receptor expression in human arteries in immunostaining. Next, we separated the artery into the intima and media, and evaluated gene expression levels of various factors. We divided the subjects into obesity and non-obesity group and compared their expression levels between them. Finally, we evaluated which factors determine vascular GLP-1 receptor expression. GLP-1 receptor expression in intima and media was lower in obesity group compared to non-obesity group which was correlated with the alteration of TCF7L2 expression. Multiple regression analyses showed that BMI was an independent determining factor for GLP-1 receptor expression in the intima and media. Furthermore, using small interfering RNA method and TCF7L2-EGFP adenovirus, we showed that TCF7L2 was involved in GLP-1 receptor expression in human vascular cells. Taken together, vascular GLP-1 receptor and TCF7L2 expression was significantly down-regulated in human subjects with obesity. In addition, it is likely that TCF7L2 functions as a modulator of vascular GLP-1 receptor expression.

Feasibility of three-dimensional fusion imaging with multimodality roadmap system during endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular procedures for aortic aneurysm repair have become widely accepted as safe and effective surgical options. We investigated the efficacy of the multimodality roadmap (MMR) system with biplane fluoroscopy to attempt to reduce the use of contrast medium and exposure to radiation during surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 263 consecutive cases with elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Patients were categorized into two groups, with and without introduction of the MMR system, which was applied in 164 patients (62.4%). The MMR- group included 62 EVAR and 37 TEVAR cases, and the MMR+ group consisted of 81 EVAR and 83 TEVAR cases. Radiation dose, contrast medium use, and complications were compared between the MMR- and MMR+ groups in the respective EVAR and TEVAR groups. RESULTS: There was a significantly lower amount of contrast medium use in the MMR+ group compared with the MMR- group in EVAR (32.9 ± 10.6 g and 28.2 ± 10.2 g; P = .009) and TEVAR (31.7 ± 11.5 g and 26.9 ± 7.8 g; P = .009). In addition, significantly lower radiation exposure was observed in the MMR+ group of TEVAR (872 ± 623 mGy vs 638 ± 463 mGy; P = .033). The operative time of the MMR+ group was significantly shorter for patients with TEVAR compared with the MMR- group (96.4 ± 27.0 minutes vs 86.2 ± 23.9 minutes; P = .023). The incidence of access injury and other complications was similar in both EVAR and TEVAR groups. CONCLUSIONS: The MMR system with three-dimensional fusion imaging can reduce the contrast medium dose in EVAR and the exposure to contrast medium and radiation in TEVAR.

Modified predictive score based on frailty for mid-term outcomes in open total aortic arch surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to seek a new predictor of mid-term survival of surgical total aortic arch replacement (SAR) by evaluating indices relevant to frailty. METHODS: Between October 2012 and March 2017, 113 consecutive patients underwent elective surgical total aortic arch replacement with antegrade cerebral perfusion under circulatory arrest at a single cardiovascular institute. In addition to common parameters, Katz index of activities of daily living, nutritional status, skeletal muscle mass volume, swallowing and motor functions were used to evaluate patients' frailty. RESULTS: The associated variables with mid-term all-cause death include the following: age ≥79 years was assigned 4 points; 68 years ≤age <79 years, 1 point; age <68 years, 0 point; Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) scale ≥4, 1 point; serum albumin level <3.7 g/dl, 2 points; 3.7 g/dl ≤ serum albumin level <4.25 g/dl, 1 point; serum albumin level ≥4.25 g/dl, 0 point or Katz index of activities of daily living index <6, 2 points each, according to the hazard ratio. The total score was reclassified into the low-risk (0-5) (n = 96) and high-risk (6-9) (n = 17) groups. Percentage of complicated patients was as follows: aided walking (11.5% and 47.1%; P = 0.001), dysphagia (13.5% and 41.2%; P = 0.012) and no discharge to home (13.5% and 47.1%; P = 0.003) in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve revealed a significant decrease of 3-year survival according to the risk grades (96.2% and 33.9%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Risk stratification for mid-term mortality of elective surgical total aortic arch replacement was achieved by simple score relevant to frailty. The risk classification was correlated with postoperative waning of physical functions.

Objective analysis of midterm outcomes of conventional and hybrid aortic arch repair by propensity-score matching.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the objective outcomes of conventional total aortic arch repair (CTAR) and hybrid arch repair by using propensity-score matching to reduce selection bias. METHODS: Between January 2006 and April 2016, 470 consecutive patients underwent isolated aortic arch repair (excluding hemiarch or partial arch reconstruction, and cases with concomitant cardiac surgeries) at a single cardiovascular institute. We categorized 337 total aortic arch repair with antegrade cerebral perfusion under circulatory arrest as the CTAR group and 58 hybrid aortic arch repair (HAR) with thoracic endovascular aortic repair as the HAR group. Seventy-five patients with scheduled and staged thoracic endovascular aortic repair after total aortic arch repair with elephant trunk were excluded. Then, we compared early and midterm outcomes between the propensity-matched group (43 CTAR vs HAR pairs). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in 30-day and operative deaths between the CTAR and HAR groups (4.7% [2/43] vs 7.0% [3/43]; P = .4142 and 11.6% [5/43] vs 16.3% [7/43]; P = .5637). Although there were no significant differences in the incidences of other major complications, permanent stroke was observed more frequently in the HAR group (0% [0/43] vs 11.6% [5/43]; P = .0064) compared with the CTAR group. Matching analysis, however, revealed an equivalent 5-year survival rate between the CTAR and HAR groups (80.5% vs 59.9%; P = .1300). CONCLUSIONS: Matching analysis revealed a significantly greater incidence of stroke in the HAR group but equivalent midterm outcomes in the hybrid group compared with the CTAR group.

Preoperative Coil Embolization of Side Branches and Postoperative Antifibrinolytic Therapy in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Propensity Score Analysis.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate feasibility and efficacy of preoperative coil embolization of side branches and postoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) therapy for management of type II endoleak and aneurysmal sac regression after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 284 patients who underwent EVAR between 2007 and 2014. In 133 patients (group A), since March 2012, preoperative coil embolization of side branches and postoperative TXA therapy had been introduced as a modified strategy after EVAR, including combined coil embolization and TXA therapy (n = 41), coil embolization only (n = 17), and TXA therapy only (n = 75). The remaining 151 patients (group B) underwent EVAR with no coil embolization and TXA therapy. After propensity score matching, postoperative results were retrospectively compared between 92 matched pairs (group A vs group B). RESULTS: Matched comparison revealed no significant difference in incidence rate of type II endoleak at 6 months after EVAR between group A and group B (19.6% [18/92] vs 29.4% [27/92]; P = .1172). A significantly greater shrinkage of sac size at 6 months after EVAR (-8.5% ± 11.6 vs -3.6% ± 8.4; P = .0011) and significantly more rapid pace of sac shrinkage (change of size per year; -4.2 mm/y ± 7.6 vs -1.9 mm/y ± 6.1; P = .0301) were observed in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Combined preoperative coil embolization of side branches and postoperative TXA therapy were associated with significantly more rapid aneurysmal sac regression after EVAR.

Clinical importance of change in physical activity after endovascular treatment combined with exercise training in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

We aimed to investigate the characteristics of changes in amount of physical activity of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) before/after endovascular treatment (EVT) combined with exercise training. Twenty-two patients with peripheral arterial disease at stage-II of the Fontaine classification who received EVT combined with exercise training were included in this study. A tri-axial accelerometer was used to record physical activity every day from the day before surgery to 3 months after discharge from hospital. The mean number of walking steps before surgery was 2664 steps (611 steps-5404 steps), whereas those after surgery was 3393 (567 steps-7578 steps). Ankle Brachial Index (from 0.69 to 1.03; p < 0.001), maximum walking distance (from 728.2 to 1271.8 m; p < 0.05) and Vascu-QOL (from 98.9 to 137.9; p < 0.01) showed improvement between before and after surgery. Physical activity of patients with PAD was still low at 3 months after surgery even though walking ability, QOL, and self-efficacy were improved after EVT combined with exercise training. Among the 22 patients, the number of walking steps increased in 17 of them and decreased in 5 of them. Compared with the patients in the increased-steps group, those in the decreased-steps group were significantly older (p < 0.05), and had a significantly higher cardiovascular event rate within the first 3 months after surgery (p < 0.05). These results suggested that, not only the improvement of walking ability, but increase in physical activity after EVT combined with exercise training is also important for short-term prognosis.

A Left Ventricular Thrombus in a Patient With Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome Removed Under Thoracoscopic Support.

The antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular thrombosis. Left ventricular thrombus with antiphospholipid syndrome is rare, and there are few reports regarding surgical resection of such cases. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who had been diagnosed as having primary antiphospholipid syndrome and was admitted to our hospital for treatment of left ventricular thrombus detected by an echocardiography. The thrombus was completely removed using video-assisted thoracoscopy through a right minithoracotomy. Left ventricular thrombectomy through a right minithoracotomy in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome has not been previously reported. This approach is less invasive and more effective in such coagulation system disorders.

Impact of Age and Intraluminal Thrombus Volume on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Sac Enlargement after Endovascular Repair.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aneurysmal sac enlargement after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is a critical issue. However, the predictors have not yet been fully determined. Although unrecognized, intraluminal thrombus volume (ITV) is an important index. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the correlation among preoperative ITV, residual type II endoleak, and sac enlargement after EVAR, based on the long-term follow-up. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2011, 151 consecutive patients underwent EVAR at a single cardiovascular institute. Emergency surgery was performed on 7 patients (4.7%). Of 148 patients excluding 3 patients with residual type I endoleak, sac enlargement (≥5 mm progression) after EVAR was observed in 24 patients (16.2%) and 8 patients required reintervention. The mean follow-up period was 2.4 ± 1.4 years. The outer volume and enhanced luminal volume were calculated from enhanced 1-mm slice computed tomography, and the difference was defined as ITV. RESULTS: Age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.20, P = 0.0007), outer volume (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, P = 0.0118), percentage of ITV (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84-0.96, P = .0027), and type II endoleak (HR 10.15, 95% CI 3.55-31.10, P < 0.0001) were isolated as predictors of sac enlargement by multivariate analysis. Also, patent inferior mesenteric artery (odds ratio [OR] 4.45, 95% CI 1.38-20.07, P = 0.0105) and percentage of ITV < 30.1% (OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.32-10.30, P = 0.0112) were detected as independent risk factors for residual type II endoleaks. Additionally, in patients without endoleak, patient age (≥83 years) was an independent risk factor for sac enlargement after EVAR (P = 0.0056). CONCLUSION: Age and ITV percentage had significantly great impact on sac enlargement and type II endoleak after EVAR.

Effect of in-hospital physical activity on cardiovascular prognosis in lower extremity bypass for claudication.

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in-hospital physical activity on patient prognosis after lower extremity bypass surgery for peripheral arterial disease. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 13 patients (16 limbs; 11 males and 2 females; mean age [standard deviation], 72.8 [5.9] years) who underwent lower extremity bypass surgery for Fontaine stage 2 peripheral arterial disease were included in this study and assigned to either an active group (n = 6) to perform increased physical activity after surgery or an inactive group (n = 7) to perform decreased physical activity after surgery. Daily in-hospital physical activity levels were measured continuously with a triaxial accelerometer. The occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events within a 2 year follow-up period was compared between groups. [Results] At discharge, the patients in the active group were able to walk more steps daily than those in the inactive group. The incidence of adverse events was 16.7% in the active group and 71.4% in the inactive group. [Conclusion] A higher in-hospital physical activity level was associated with a better long-term prognosis after lower extremity bypass surgery in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Influencing Factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Sac Shrinkage and Enlargement after EVAR: Clinical Reviews before Introduction of Preoperative Coil Embolization.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported effectiveness of coil embolization (CE) to aortic branched vessels before endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) because of significant shrinkage of aneurysmal sac. In this study, we investigated EVAR cases to clarify influential factors of aneurysmal shrinkage and enlargement. METHODS: 148 consecutive cases before the introduction of CE were retrospectively reviewed based on the presence of PT2EL (persistent type 2 endoleak) and change in sac diameter after EVAR by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: (A) PT2EL risk factors were patent inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and thinner mural thrombus inside aneurysmal sac. (B) Sac enlargement risk factors were antiplatelet intake, PT2EL, and female gender. (C) Sac shrinkage predictive factors were the absences of thoracic aortic aneurysm, antiplatelet intake, PT2EL, and coronary artery disease. CONCLUSION: CE to IMA was considered to be effective because patent IMA and antiplatelet intake were significant risk factors for sac enlargement. So, more meticulous therapeutic strategy, including treatment priority (AAA first or CAD first) and choice of treatment (EVAR vs. AAA) based on anatomical features of AAA was required to improve late outcomes.

Open Reintervention for Aneurysmal Sac Enlargement after EVAR.

We performed a late open reintervention for aneurysmal sac enlargement due to persistent type 2 endoleak (PT2EL) after EVAR for 8 of 286 patients. Surgical techniques are as follows: (1) The entire aneurysmal body was exposed. (2) All the aortic branched vessels were ligated. (3) The aneurysmal sac was opened followed by the performance of complete hemostasis. (4) An equine pericardium was wrapped and sutured to the aneurysmal sac to for reinforcement. This method is considered to be one of the feasible options for the treatment of aneurysmal sac re-enlargement after EVAR.

Spontaneous intercostal arterial rupture restrained by conservative management.

A spontaneous intercostal arterial rupture in patients without associated illness or trauma is extremely rare. We present a 58-year-old man with an idiopathic and spontaneous arterial rupture restrained by conservative management. He was admitted to our institute with an intermittent back pain lasting for 3 days. His past history included no notable diseases and chest trauma. An enhanced computed tomography revealed an effusion of blood around the descending aorta and hematoma from right 10th intercostal artery. Management of blood pressure and administration of tranexamic acid were performed and he was uneventfully discharged at 11 days after onset.