Impact of Multidisciplinary Team Meetings on Decision Making in Vascular Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: This cohort study aimed to prospectively determine the impact of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) on treatment plans in vascular patients. METHODS: The weekly MDT at the institution consisted of a structured discussion of vascular cases in the presence of at least one representative of each specialty from vascular surgery, angiology, and interventional radiology. Participants were asked to examine the cases entered on the digital MDT platform and to fill in forms with a detailed open text treatment recommendation for each patient. Individual recommendations were compared with the final MDT decision, which was based on a shared decision after discussion of clinical and radiological data. The primary endpoint was the agreement rate. The rate of decision implementation was determined to verify the adherence to MDT recommendations. RESULTS: Four hundred consecutive case discussions in 367 patients between November 2019 and March 2021 were included, excluding patients needing urgent treatment, yielding MDT discussion in 88.5% of carotid artery cases, 83% of aorto-iliac cases, and 51.7% of peripheral arterial cases, which included 56.9% of the chronic limb threatening ischaemia cases. The overall average agreement rate was 71% ± 41%. Analysis according to the specialty of the attending physician showed agreement rates of 82% ± 30% for senior vascular surgeons, 62% ± 44% for junior vascular surgeons, 71% ± 43% for interventional radiologists, 58% ± 50% for angiologists (p < .001), and 75% ± 38% considering only senior practitioners. The inter-rater agreement, resulted in kappa coefficients of 0.60 - 0.68 for senior vascular surgeons, 0.29 - 0.31 for junior vascular surgeons, 0.39 - 0.52 for interventional radiologists, and 0.25 for angiologists. The MDT treatment decision was implemented in 353 (96.2%) cases. CONCLUSION: The impact of MDT discussion on treatment recommendations and the adherence to MDT recommendations were significant and in line with results reported from other specialties.

Guidelines on the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms: updates from the Italian Society of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (SICVE).

The objective of these Guidelines was to revise and update the previous 2016 Italian Guidelines on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Disease, in accordance with the National Guidelines System (SNLG), to guide every practitioner toward the most correct management pathway for this pathology. The methodology applied in this update was the GRADE-SIGN version methodology, following the instructions of the AGREE quality of reporting checklist as well. The first methodological step was the formulation of clinical questions structured according to the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) model according to which the Recommendations were issued. Then, systematic reviews of the Literature were carried out for each PICO question or for homogeneous groups of questions, followed by the selection of the articles and the assessment of the methodological quality for each of them using qualitative checklists. Finally, a Considered Judgment form was filled in for each clinical question, in which the features of the evidence as a whole are assessed to establish the transition from the level of evidence to the direction and strength of the recommendations. These guidelines outline the correct management of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm in terms of screening and surveillance. Medical management and indication for surgery are discussed, as well as preoperative assessment regarding patients' background and surgical risk evaluation. Once the indication for surgery has been established, the options for traditional open and endovascular surgery are described and compared, focusing specifically on patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms as well. Finally, indications for early and late postoperative follow-up are explained. The most recent evidence in the Literature has been able to confirm and possibly modify the previous recommendations updating them, likewise to propose new recommendations on prospectively relevant topics.

EVAR Solution For Acutely Thrombosed Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Patient with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Acute thrombosis of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (ATAAA) represents an uncommon but catastrophic pathology, which can lead to life threatening complications. This is a report of the infrequent use of an endovascular solution to successfully treat ATAAA in a patient with COVID-19 viral pneumonia and ischaemia induced lower extremity neurological deficits. REPORT: An 89 year old white male, with a history of cardiovascular comorbidities was admitted to the emergency room with dyspnoea associated with the sudden onset of abdominal and back pain followed by partial motor and sensory deficits in both legs. The CT scan showed both an 8 cm infrarenal AAA with middle (inferior mesenteric artery patent) and distal thrombotic occlusion of the sac and non-aneurysmal but thrombosed common iliac arteries. An additional finding was imaging features typical of interstitial pneumonia. After the molecular test detected active COVID-19 infection, the patient was treated as an emergency with an aorto-uni-iliac stent graft and femorofemoral crossover graft. The post-operative course was uneventful with AAA exclusion and disappearance of ischaemic symptoms. There were no vascular complications. At three month follow up the patient remained asymptomatic and was looking after himself. DISCUSSION: This case supports the feasibility and safety of a minimally invasive endovascular procedure to treat ATAAA in selected patients with favourable anatomy and high risk of respiratory complications in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atherosclerotic saccular aneurysm of the extracranial internal carotid artery: Surgical repair.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Extracranial carotid aneurysms (ECCAs) are relatively uncommon. Most of these lesions are due to atherosclerosis, trauma, infection, radiotherapy, previous surgery or iatrogenic event. Severe complications include rupture, dysphagia, respiratory symptoms and brain embolization. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a large saccular aneurysm of the extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) in a 83-year old asymptomatic woman without any apparent causative history. The patient underwent a successful repair of the aneurysm by aneurysmectomy and primary end-to-end anastomosis between the proximal and distal portion of the remaining vessel with continuity restored without tension. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: ECCAs are rare with few cases reported in the most recent literature. There is little knowledge of their natural history and management. Both surgical and endovascular as well as medical treatments have been recommended depending on disease-location and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Although treatment should be individualized time by time by evaluating patient's characteristics, the surgical repair could be a safe and effective solution to treat distal EICAs, especially for symptomatic and true growing lesions. The presentation, the diagnostic evaluation, and the successful surgical treatment are discussed.

Endovascular Bail Out for a Failed Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in High Surgical Risk Patient.

The endovascular treatment for acute type A dissection (ATAD) represents an alternative and emerging option in selected high surgical risk patients. We report a successful total endovascular ATAD repair occurred intraoperatively during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) placement in 82 years old female, not fit for surgery in emergency setting. The presentation, the diagnostic evaluation, and the technique are discussed. This case would support the feasibility and efficacy of the stent graft technology to treat ATADs after evaluation of clinical, anatomical, and radiological parameters.

Giant saccular aneurysm of the innominate artery.

We report a rare case of a saccular aneurysm of innominate artery without any apparent causative history. Although the treatment choice remains debatable, due to the poor condition of the patient, the lesion was excluded by using a balloon-expandable covered stent with a satisfactory early-term outcome.

Synchronous Carotid Bifurcation Endarterectomy and Retrograde Kissing Stenting of the Innominate and Left Common Carotid Artery in a Patient with a Bovine Aortic Arch.

Management of the symptomatic multiple stenosis of supra-aortic vessels (MSSVs) in a "bovine" aortic arch (BAA) configuration is infrequently reported. The optimal treatment choice remains debatable. A successful hybrid treatment for a proximal critical stenosis of the innominate and left common carotid artery was performed in a high-risk patient with a tandem symptomatic lesion in the right carotid bifurcation and a concentric vulnerable plaque in the bovine trunk. This case supports the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a combined carotid bifurcation endarterectomy and retrograde kissing stenting of common carotid arteries with cerebral protection after evaluation of radiological, anatomical, and clinical parameters.

Persistent Buttock Claudication after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

We describe the successful surgical treatment of a 71-year-old man affected by right buttock claudication after a right internal iliac artery (IIA) coil embolization as an adjunct to endovascular iliac artery aneurysm repair. Computed tomography angiography revealed extensive aortoiliac calcifications and thrombus in the vessel walls. Despite patency of the contralateral IIA and preservation of right distal collateral flow through ipsilateral hypogastric branches, the symptom was persistent and disabling. The high-risk patient underwent an "open" repair of the infrarenal abdominal aneurysm with removal of the entire stent-graft and concomitant revascularization of the right IIA. Post-operative recovery was uneventful, and the patient remained asymptomatic during a 30-month follow-up. This case underscores the importance of considering all potential solutions, including open surgery, to preserve pelvic inflow after aortoiliac stent grafting, particularly for high-risk patients with vulnerable plaque and higher risk of thrombus embolization.

Giant splenic artery aneurysm rupture.

Little exists on treatment for SAAs rupture which may require a fast bleeding control because of the hemodynamic instability and a large perisplenic/peritoneal hematoma. This case shows the use of endovascular clamping and midline laparotomy to perform the splenectomy because of the severe hypotension and the dimension of the lesion.

Acute ascending thrombosis of abdominal and suprarenal aorta.

We report the diagnostic and successful therapeutic images of an acute occlusion of the abdominal and suprarenal aorta. This lesion is a rare but catastrophic pathology which can cause severe ischemic manifestations, depending on the site of obstruction, with high rate of mortality even after treatment. In the majority of cases it represents a surgical emergency. Although the mechanism of the thrombosis has not been delineated, the proposed etiologies include propagation of thrombus from distal artery occlusion, cardiac thromboembolism, dislodgment of a mural thrombus, or coagulation disorders. Frequent risk factors include advanced atherosclerosis combined with a low flow state because of poor cardiac performance. The management of this condition includes immediate intervention with systemic heparinization, improvement of the cardiac condition, and surgical revascularization based on the clinical and anatomical presentation. In this case the authors highlight the importance of an early detection and early intervention to enhance survival rates and reduce morbidity.

Divergent systemic and local inflammatory response to hind limb demand ischemia in wild-type and ApoE-/- mice.

BACKGROUND: We designed studies to determine whether the ApoE-/- phenotype modulates the local skeletal muscle and systemic inflammatory (plasma) responses to lower extremity demand ischemia. The ApoE-/- phenotype is an experimental model for atherosclerosis in humans. METHODS: Aged female ApoE-/- and C57BL6 mice underwent femoral artery ligation, then were divided into sedentary and demand ischemia (exercise) groups on day 14. We assessed baseline and postexercise limb perfusion and hind limb function. On day 14, animals in the demand ischemia group underwent daily treadmill exercise through day 28. Sedentary mice were not exercised. On day 28, we harvested plasma and skeletal muscle from ischemic limbs from sedentary and exercised mice. We assayed muscle for angiogenic and proinflammatory proteins, markers of skeletal muscle regeneration, and evidence of skeletal muscle fiber maturation. RESULTS: Hind limb ischemia was similar in ApoE-/- and C57 mice before the onset of exercise. Under sedentary conditions, plasma vascular endothelial cell growth factor and interleukin-6, but not keratinocyte chemoattractant factor (KC) or macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), were higher in ApoE (P < 0.0001). After exercise, plasma levels of vascular endothelial cell growth factor, KC, and MIP-2, but not IL-6, were lower in ApoE (P < 0.004). The cytokines KC and MIP-2 in muscle were greater in exercised ApoE-/- mice compared with C57BL6 mice (P = 0.01). Increased poly-ADP-ribose activity and mature muscle regeneration were associated with demand ischemia in the C57BL6 mice, compared with the ApoE-/- mice (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Demand limb ischemia in the ApoE-/- phenotype exacerbated the expression of select systemic cytokines in plasma and blunted indices of muscle regeneration.

Bilateral true giant aneurysm of the profunda femoral artery: case report and review of the literature.

We report a rare case of a bilateral true giant aneurysm of the profunda femoral artery aneurysms (PFAAs) in a 80-year-old man with a previous history of "open" abdominal aortic surgery and small bilateral popliteal artery aneurysm. In the English Literature only seven previously cases of true bilateral PFAAs are reported. Due to its location, this lesion may require surgical intervention and removal. The presentation, the diagnostic evaluation, and the surgical management of the aneurysm are discussed.

True giant posterior tibial artery aneurysm.

We report an unusual case of true atherosclerotic posterior tibial artery (PTA) aneurysm without any apparent causative history. To our knowledge, in the English Literature only seven previously cases of true PTA aneurysms are reported. Due to its location, this lesion may require surgical intervention and removal. The presentation, the diagnostic evaluation, and the surgical management of the aneurysm are discussed.

Symptomatic aneurysm of a perforating peroneal artery after a blunt trauma.

A 48-year-old woman was referred to us for a pulsatile and painful mass on the right leg after a trauma occurred 2 months earlier. The duplex scan revealed the presence of an aneurysm of the perforating peroneal artery. The patient underwent an endovascular coil embolization of the aneurysm. The duplex-scan follow-up showed the patency of the peroneal vessel and the complete aneurysm thrombosis. The patient was discharged in good condition without pain. In literature, only four cases of aneurysm of perforating peroneal artery aneurysm, all with a clear traumatic etiology, are reported. In this case, the endovascular treatment was safe and effective.

Is total debranching a safe procedure for extensive aortic-arch disease? A single experience of 27 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic, arch, and proximal descending thoracic aorta diseases are still considered an enormous challenge. The hybrid approach developed in recent years (supra-aortic trunks debranching and thoracic endovascular repair aortic repair; TEVAR) may improve the morbidity and mortality of the population at risk. The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively our experience in the hybrid treatment of aortic-arch aneurysms and dissections. METHOD: We carried out a retrospective review of 27 patients who required a surgical debranching of the supra-aortic trunks and a TEVAR in the management of the aortic arch and proximal descending thoracic aortic disease. The aortic lesions included 18 degenerative arch-aortic aneurysms, four complicated aortic dissections, two subclavian artery aneurysms, and three penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers. Technical success was achieved in all patients. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was 11.1% (3/27). Mean follow-up was 16.7 months (range, 1-56), and the survival rate was 77.8%. The endoleaks' rate was 3.7% (1/27), due to a stent-graft migration. CONCLUSION: Hybrid approaches may represent an alternative option in the treatment of complex aortic lesions involving the arch and the proximal descending thoracic aorta in high-risk patients and emergency cases. However, the promising early results need to be confirmed by longer follow-up and larger comparative series.

A novel model of accelerated intimal hyperplasia in the pig iliac artery.

There is no good animal model of large artery injury-induced intimal hyperplasia (IH). Those available are reproducible, providing only a few layers of proliferating cells or have the disadvantage of the presence of a metallic stent that complicates histology evaluation. This study was designed to develop a new, simple model of accelerated IH based on balloon injury in conjunction with disruption of the Internal Elastic Lamina (IEL) in pig external iliac arteries. Iliac artery injury (n = 24) was performed in 12 Yorkshire pigs divided in two groups: Group I (n = 10), overdistention injury induced by an oversized non-compliant balloon; Group II (n = 14), arterial wall disruption by pulling back an isometric cutting balloon (CB) followed by stretching with a compliant Fogarty Balloon (FB). At two weeks, arteries were processed for morphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for smooth muscle cells (SMC) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). When comparing the two groups, at 2 weeks, arteries of group II had a higher incidence of IH (100%vs. 50%, P = 0.0059), increased intimal areas (2.54 ± 0.33 mm(2) vs. 0.93 ± 0.36 mm(2) , P = 0.004), increased intimal area/Media area ratios (0.95 ± 0.1 vs. 0.28 ± 0.05; P < 0.0001) and decreased lumen areas (6.24 ± 0.44 vs. 9.48 ± 1.56, P = 0.026). No thrombosis was noticed in Group II. Neointima was composed by proliferating SMC located with the highest concentration in the area of IEL disruption (IHC). Arterial injury by pulling back CB and FB induces significant IH in pig iliac arteries by two weeks without thrombosis. This model is superior to the classical overdistention non-compliant model and should be useful and cost-effective for preclinical testing of procedures designed to inhibit IH in large peripheral arteries.

Visceral artery aneurysms, an experience on 32 cases in a single center: treatment from surgery to multilayer stent.

Between 2000 and 2010, 32 patients (17 males; mean age: 64.7 [range: 18-85] years) with visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) were treated in our center. The site of aneurysmal disease was: splenic artery (18), hepatic artery (5), superior mesenteric artery (3), pancreaticoduodenal artery (3), celiac axis (2), and gastroduodenal (1). Six patients (18.75%) presented with an aneurysm rupture. Nine cases received an endovascular treatment. Primary technical success was achieved in six patients. Failures included one case of immediate stent occlusion, one stent migration, and one failed attempt of embolization. In 24 cases, the surgical treatment was performed successfully. The total survival rate was 90.6% (in urgency: 75%; in election: 95.8%). A follow-up period of 34.7 months (range: 2-117 months) showed good results. Because of the potential risk of rupture, VAAs should be treated. A new endovascular technology based on a multilayer stent could provide us with a new alternative to VAA treatment, guaranteeing both aneurysmatic sac thrombosis and the correct perfusion of the organs. However, this new technology is not suitable for all aneurysms and requires a specific training and learning curve. In subjects with a low surgical risk, surgery guarantees a definitive and long-lasting repair with a good organ perfusion.

Endovascular treatment of a symptomatic mycotic aneurysm of the peroneal artery.

A 69-year-old man was referred to our facility owing to the sudden onset of a compression-like pain in the right leg, without limb-threatening acute ischemia. The duplex scan examination, followed by a selective leg angiography, showed the presence of a peroneal artery aneurysm. A diagnosis of mycotic aneurysm was made on the basis of the patient's clinical condition, positive blood cultures, and the unusual location of the lesion. Endovascular repair was performed by using a coil embolization and covered stent release. The patient was discharged in good general condition with complete pain relief. In previously published data, only four cases of peroneal artery aneurysm with a mycotic etiology have been reported. In this case, the endovascular treatment was safe and resolutive.