Dataset of the vascular e-Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic (EL-COVID) survey.

This dataset supports the findings of the vascular e-Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic survey (the EL-COVID survey). The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union was taken into consideration in all steps of data handling. The survey was approved by the institutional ethics committee of the Primary Investigator and an online English survey consisting of 18 questions was developed ad-hoc. A bilingual English-Mandarin version of the questionnaire was developed according to the instructions of the Chinese Medical Association in order to be used in mainland People's Republic of China. Differences between the two questionnaires were minor and did affect the process of data collection. Both questionnaires were hosted online. The EL-COVID survey was advertised through major social media. All national and regional contributors contacted their respective colleagues through direct messaging on social media or by email. Eight national societies or groups supported the dissemination of the EL-COVID survey. The data provided demographics information of the EL-COVID participants and an insight on the level of difficulty in accessing or citing previously attended online activities and whether participants were keen on citing these activities in their Curricula Vitae. A categorization of additional comments made by the participants are also based on the data. The survey responses were filtered, anonymized and submitted to descriptive analysis of percentage.

Vascular e-Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The EL-COVID Survey.

BACKGROUND: The corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has radically changed the possibilities for vascular surgeons and trainees to exchange knowledge and experience. The aim of the present survey is to inventorize the e-learning needs of vascular surgeons and trainees as well as the strengths and weaknesses of vascular e-Learning. METHODS: An online survey consisting of 18 questions was created in English, with a separate bilingual English-Mandarin version. The survey was dispersed to vascular surgeons and trainees worldwide through social media and via direct messaging from June 15, 2020 to October 15, 2020. RESULTS: Eight hundred and fifty-six records from 84 different countries could be included. Most participants attended several online activities (>4: n = 461, 54%; 2-4: n = 300, 35%; 1: n = 95, 11%) and evaluated online activities as positive or very positive (84.7%). In deciding upon participation, the topic of the activity was most important (n = 440, 51.4%), followed by the reputation of the presenter or the panel (n = 178, 20.8%), but not necessarily receiving accreditation or certification (n = 52, 6.1%). The survey identified several shortcomings in vascular e-Learning during the pandemic: limited possibility to attend due to lack of time and increased workload (n = 432, 50.5%), no protected/allocated time (n = 488, 57%) and no accreditation or certification, while technical shortcomings were only a minor problem (n = 25, 2.9%). CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic vascular e-Learning has been used frequently and was appreciated by vascular professionals from around the globe. The survey identified strengths and weaknesses in current e-Learning that can be used to further improve online learning in vascular surgery.

Endovascular therapy: is it effective in the diabetic limb?

Reducing the risk of lower extremity amputation in diabetics is a top priority. To make progress in this area, we must bring all options to bear in the treatment of diabetic peripheral vascular disease. The "endovascular promise" of lower morbidity, while attaining the primary clinical goal (in this case, limb salvage), was late to arrive in the treatment of the ischemic diabetic lower extremity. This is due to complex and severe lesion morphologies requiring treatment, as well as the complexity of the vascular disease and the clinical scenario in diabetic critical limb ischemia. Although not without remaining challenges, significant strides have been made in the last 5 years that have increased the role of endovascular therapy in this setting.

Urgent endovascular treatment of a ruptured tibioperoneal pseudoaneurysm in Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Behçet's disease is an autoimmune, systemic vasculitis disease that is characterized by oral aphthous and genital ulcerations and ocular lesions. Vascular manifestations in the form of aneurysms are the main predictors of mortality and morbidity in such cases. Normally, these aneurysms are located in the pulmonary arteries, the aorta, carotid, subclavia, and the femoropopliteal sector. Open surgery presents a maximum complication rate of 50%, principally in the form of anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. METHODS: We report the case of a 41-year-old man who was diagnosed with Behçet's disease 3 years before, and attended the emergency department after a 10-day history of pain and an infragenicular swelling edema in the right limb, without any previous record of trauma. RESULTS: An initial vascular exploration revealed a pusatile mass in the infrapopliteal region and absence of the posterior tibial pulse in the right limb. The rest of the exploration did not reveal any alterations. A Doppler ultrasound scan showed a ruptured infrapopliteal pseudoaneurysm. An emergency, selective arteriography of the popliteal artery was performed by using a contralateral femoral access approach, and a ruptured tibioperoneal pseudoaneurysm was embolized with three 5-mm metallic coils (Cook). The patient was discharged after 4 days and in the 2 years since then has remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysms of the distal vessels in Behçet's disease are very infrequent and each case should be evaluated on an individual basis. Endovascular treatment is a good therapeutic alternative.