National Diagnostic Reference Levels for Standard Descending Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair and Optimisation Strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The International Commission on Radiological Protection has highlighted the large number of medical specialties that use fluoroscopy outside diagnostic imaging departments without radiation protection programmes for patients and staff. Vascular surgery is one of these specialties. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a complicated procedure requiring radiation protection guidance and optimisation. The recent EU Basic Safety Standards Directive requires the use and periodic updating of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for interventional procedures. The aim of this study was to determine doses for patients undergoing TEVAR with mobile Xray systems and hybrid rooms (fixed Xray systems) to obtain national DRLs and to suggest optimisation actions. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross sectional study. The Spanish Chapter of Endovascular Surgery conducted a national survey in 11 autonomous communities representing around 77.6% of the Spanish population (47.33 million inhabitants). A total of 266 TEVAR procedures from 17 Spanish centres were analysed, of which 53.0% were performed in hybrid operating rooms. National DRLs were obtained and defined as the third quartile of the median values from the different participating centres. RESULTS: The proposed national DRLs are: for kerma area product (KAP), 113.81 Gy·cm2 for mobile Xray systems and 282.59 Gy·cm2 for hybrid rooms; and for cumulative air kerma (CAK) at the patient entry reference point, 228.38 mGy for mobile systems and 910.64 mGy for hybrid rooms. CONCLUSION: Based on the requirement to know radiation doses for standard endovascular procedures, this study of TEVARs demonstrated that there is an increased factor of 2.48 in DRLs for KAP when the procedure is performed in a hybrid room compared with mobile C-arm systems, and an increased factor of 3.98 in DRLs for CAK when the procedure is performed with hybrid equipment. These results will help to optimise strategies to reduce radiation doses during TEVAR procedures.

Optimizing Venous Stenting: Consensus Recommendations for Enhanced Management of Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) poses a complex challenge and often leads to postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), a debilitating complication. The emergence of venous stents offers a potential preventive avenue against this complication. This study aimed to provide consensus recommendations on the use of venous stent for DVT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June to July 2023, 20 internal medicine, angiology and vascular surgery, and vascular and interventional radiology experts were involved in the Delphi process. Thirty-one recommendations, categorized into three thematic areas, were rigorously evaluated: indications for stent use, stent selection and placement, and monitoring and prevention of complications. Agreement was evaluated using a Likert scale, with consensus defined as agreement by two-thirds of the participants. RESULTS: Consensus was reached for 23 (74.2%) of 31 recommendations. The agreement was centered on considerations, such as stent placement in specific acute DVT scenarios, emphasizing pivotal stent characteristics. However, there were divergences in the recommended stent length to prevent migration and stent characteristics based on iliocaval bifurcation morphology. Notably, there was no consensus on whether patients with DVT caused by a major transient risk factor need more than 3 months of anticoagulation therapy or whether aspirin should be added to anticoagulant treatment after venous stenting. CONCLUSIONS: These consensus recommendations offer practical insights into optimizing venous stent use to prevent PTS in DVT patients. Addressing the critical aspects of stent selection, placement, and postprocedural care, these recommendations contribute to clinical decision-making. The identified divergences underscore the importance of consensus and thus indicate the need for further investigation.

International Union of Angiology consensus document on vascular compression syndromes.

Vascular compression syndromes (VCS) are rare diseases, but they may cause significant symptoms interfering with the quality of life (QoL) of patients who are often in their younger age. Given their infrequent occurrence, multiform clinical and anatomical presentation, and absence of dedicated guidelines from scientific societies, further knowledge of these conditions is required to investigate and treat them using modern imaging and surgical (open or endovascular) techniques. This consensus document will focus on known VCS, affecting the arterial and venous system. The position paper, written by members of International Union of Angiology (IUA) Youth Committee and senior experts, will show an overview of pathophysiology, diagnostic, and therapeutical approaches for patients with VCS. Furthermore, this document will provide also unresolved issues that require more research that need to be addressed in the future.

Guía de la exploración venosa de los miembros inferiores del capítulo de diagnóstico vascular de la SEACV / Guidelines on lower limb venous system vascular assessment from SEACV vascular diagnosis chapte

Las guías de práctica clínica se han posicionado como una herramienta extremadamente útil, accesible y necesaria para llevar a cabo de forma adecuada el trabajo diario. El Capítulo de Diagnóstico Vascular de la Sociedad Española de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular viene desarrollando este instrumento de difusión, consolidación y homogenización del saber en la vertiente del diagnóstico vascular, que es la que le incumbe. La insuficiencia venosa de las extremidades inferiores es uno de los campos de estudio y diagnóstico clásicos más ricos y defendidos desde el Capítulo de Diagnóstico Vascular. Esta entidad ya ha publicado dos excelentes guías sobre este tema. Aunque a un ritmo menor y con una filosofía diferente a otro tipo de guías clínicas, las guías de diagnóstico también deben actualizarse para incorporar nuevas áreas de saber, cambiar puntos de vista o, simplemente, explicar los mismos hechos desde otras perspectivas. Con este ánimo presentamos esta nueva actualización de la Guía de la exploración venosa de los miembros inferiores, teniendo muy claro que no tratamos, ni mucho menos, de sustituir las ya publicadas, sino de complementarlas y sumarles conocimientos. Desde esta perspectiva, hemos plasmado los hallazgos ecográficos que podemos constar en un estudio venoso, hemos incluido un capítulo sobre la anatomía ecográfica “normal” de las venas de las extremidades inferiores, actualizando su nomenclátor, hemos pormenorizado con todo lujo de detalles lo que sería una exploración ecográfica venosa de miembros inferiores, hemos reservado un espacio para recordar y actualizar protocolos de estudio ecográfico de la trombosis venosa y, finalmente, y como tema estrella, hemos desarrollado todo un capítulo innovador sobre el estudio de la insuficiencia venosa pélvica.(AU)

Clinical practice guidelines have positioned themselves as an extremely useful, accessible, and necessary tool to properly carry out daily work. The Capítulo de Diagnóstico Vascular of Sociedad Española de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular has been developing this instrument of dissemination, consolidation and homogenization of knowledge in the aspect of vascular diagnosis, which is the one that concerns it. Venous insufficiency of the lower limbs is one of the richest and most defended fields of study and diagnosis since the Chapter on Vascular Diagnosis. This entity has already published two excellent guides on this subject. Although at a lower rate and with a different philosophy than other kind of clinical guidelines, diagnostic guidelines must also be updated, incorporating new areas of knowledge, changing points of view, or simply, explaining the same facts from other perspectives. With this spirit we present this new update of the "Guide to the venous exploration of the lower limbs", being very clear that we are not trying, far from it, to replace those already published, but to complement them and add knowledge. From this perspective, we have captured the ultrasound findings that we can record in a venous study; we have included a chapter on the "normal" ultrasound anatomy of the veins of the lower extremities, updating its gazetteer; we have detailed in great detail what would be a venous ultrasound examination of the lower limbs; we have reserved a space to remember and update ultrasound study protocols of venous thrombosis; and, finally, and as a star theme, we have developed an innovative chapter on the study of pelvic venous insufficiency.(AU)

Endovascular Technique for Ascending Aorta Repair Based on TEVAR and TAVI Procedures.

PURPOSE: Ascending aorta (AAo) acute pathology still has an open-surgery indication with a high mortality rate associated to cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest. In these cases, the endovascular aortic approach could be an excellent option. The aim of the present study is to detail an optimized technique for the endovascular treatment of AAo diseases, based on thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures. TECHNIQUE: The procedure implies the usual preparation for TEVAR and TAVI implants. A transient pacemaker lead is necessary to deliver the prosthesis under "rapid pacing." As in the TAVI technique, a final high-support guidewire is placed at the left ventricle. The proximal landing zone is the sinotubular junction (zone 0B). Transesophageal echocardiography is essential to ensure aortic valve function and patency in coronary arteries during the delivery. To assess a potential occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery, a guidewire is positioned in the descending aorta from the axillary artery. Finally, a noncovered stent is implanted to stabilize the AAo prosthesis. CONCLUSION: The technique presented here can standardize a safe and reproducible procedure to endovascular repair of AAo diseases. However, new devices specifically designed for the AAo could facilitate the transcatheter approach. CLINICAL IMPACT: Ascending aorta acute pathology still has an open-surgery indication with high mortality rate associated to cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest. Moreover, near 30% of patients are not considered suitable for surgery because of age, critical situation or the presence of severe comorbidities. The present study provides a detailed and optimized technique for the endovascular treatment of ascending aorta disease, based on TEVAR and TAVI procedures.

Trombectomía mecánica reolítica en urgencia oncológica / Rheolytic mechanical thrombectomy in an oncological emergency

Introducción: la trombosis de las venas hepáticas y de la vena cava inferior puede aparecer hasta en un 10 % de pacientes con tumores intrahepáticos. El fenómeno de tromboembolismo venoso por compresión maligna con o sin sobreinfección presenta mal pronóstico a corto plazo.Caso clínico:paciente de 66 años con historia de colangiocarcinoma tratado mediante resección y nuevo rescate quirúrgico años después por recaída hepática tumoral. En el posoperatorio tuvo un síndrome de Budd-Chiari y una fístula biliar, que se manejaron de forma conservadora. Posteriormente sufrió shock séptico que precisó su ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Se realizó angiotomografía computarizada que evidenció un defecto de repleción parcial de la vena cava inferior infra- y supradiafragmática. Se realizó trombectomía mecánica reolítica con dispositivo AngioJet™. Hubo resolución completa de la trombosis sin complicaciones derivadas de la intervención y con remisión tumoral a siete meses del seguimiento.Discusión:la trombectomía reolítica de la vena cava inferior puede ser una alternativa de baja invasividad y segura en pacientes con trombosis de cava de estadio IIIa.(AU)

Introduction: suprahepatic veins and inferior vena cava thrombosis can occur in up to 10 % of patients with intrahepatic tumours. The phenomenon of malignant compression venous thromboembolism with or without added superinfection has a short-term poor prognosis. although there is no gold standard in its management, it has been suggested that thrombectomy can prevent death and major complications.Case report:66-year-old patient with a history of cholangiocarcinoma, treated by resection and a new surgical rescue with chemotherapy and neoadjuvant radiotherapy due to liver tumour relapse. a postoperative complica- tion was registered, due to Budd-Chiari syndrome and a biliary fi stula that were managed conservatively. Weeks later, a septic shock was diagnosed which required admission into Intensive Care Unit. a computed tomography angiography was performed, which showed an almost complete fi lling defect of the infra and supradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava. a rheolytic mechanical thrombectomy with an AngioJet™ device was performed. Complete resolution of the thrombosis without complications derived from the intervention and with tumour remission at six months of subsequent follow-up.Discussion:rheolytic thrombectomy of the inferior vena cava can be a safe and low-invasive alternative in patients with stage IIIa thrombosis.(AU)

Controversias en el síndrome de congestión pélvica. Una perspectiva hemodinámica / Controversies in pelvic congestion syndrome. A hemodynamic perspective

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Los puntos oscuros de la insuficiencia venosa pélvica / The dark spots of pelvic venous insufficiency

La insuficiencia venosa pélvica es un tema de mucho debate en congresos de nuestro ámbito profesional. Sin embargo, cuanto más se reconoce y se trata esta patología en nuestro medio, más casos encontramos en los que, aplicando un tratamiento estándar de embolización venosa o stenting, se obtiene un resultado desfavorable. Para evitar este patrón de resultados, debemos estudiar con detenimiento la circulación venosa abdominopélvica estableciendo paralelismos con la circulación venosa infrainguinal y, además, aplicar tecnología IVUS en los casos de duda. Con estas dos medidas, podemos afrontar esta patología en su conjunto con unos resultados muy positivos para nuestros pacientes

Pelvic Venous Insufficiency is a topic of much debate in Congresses of our professional field. However, the more this pathology is recognized and treated in our setting, the more cases we find in which applying a standard venous embolization or stenting, treatment results in an unfavorable result. To avoid this type of results, we must carefully study the abdomino-pelvic venous circulation, establishing parallels with the infrainguinal venous circulation, and also apply IVUS technology in cases of doubt. With these two measures, we can face this pathology as a whole with very positive results for our patients

Skin and Arterial Wall Deposits of 18F-NaF and Severity of Disease in Patients with Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a genetic disease characterized by the calcification of elastin fibers. Our aim was to quantify vascular calcification in the arteries and the deposition of 18F-sodium-fluoride (18F-NaF) in the skin and vessel walls with positron emission tomography/computed tomography. This was an observational study including 18 patients with PXE. Vascular calcification was measured in Agatston units, and deposition in the skin and vessel walls was shown using target-to-background ratio (TBR). Severity of the disease was scored by Phenodex. We found higher vascular calcification in the popliteal, femoral, and aortic arch vessels compared to other vascular regions; however, the uptake of radiotracer was the highest in the aorta and femoral arteries. In the skin, the highest uptake was observed in the neck and the axillae. There was no significant association between 18F-NaF deposition in the arteries or skin and the global Phenodex score. In contrast, the Phenodex score was significantly associated in univariate analyses with the averaged vascular calcium score (p < 0.01). In the neck, patients with higher skin Phenodex scores exhibited higher radiotracer uptake. As a conclusion, because vascular calcification is physiological, our data suggested that the detection of cutaneous (neck) 18F-NaF deposits might serve to monitor the calcification process in the short-term for patients with PXE.

A Rare Case of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury After Mesenteric Revascularization.

Endovascular treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia is currently the treatment of choice, regardless of the number of involved vessels. Unlike other anatomic areas, the hyperperfusion produced by revascularization and the consecutive reperfusion syndrome is only described in cases of acute bowel ischemia, which is usually resolved with traditional surgery. We present a case of severe hyperperfusion syndrome secondary to endovascular correction with stents of a critical ischemia affecting the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery.

Endovascular treatment of posterior nutcracker syndrome with a new autoexpandable stent.

The endovascular treatment of nutcracker syndrome is currently considered by some to be the preferred treatment option in this pathologic process despite its risks. However, currently, there are few data about the pure endovascular approach in the posterior nutcracker syndrome related to evolution in the midterm. We present two successful cases of a complete endovascular approach in this disease, with follow-up of 9 months and 17 months without complications.

Endovascular Treatment of Complex Carotid-Jugular Fistula.

Inadvertent complications of jugular vein catheterization are not uncommon, however, a persistent symptomatic carotid-jugular fistula has been rarely reported. A 72-year-old male with infected surgical wound after coxofemoral disarticulation for sarcoma presented with symptoms of acute right heart failure. A fistula between the right common carotid artery (CCA) and the internal jugular vein was demonstrated on Doppler ultrasound and confirmed on computed tomography angiogram. Catheterization of the right CCA seemed not possible using a conventional femoral approach due to the tortuosity and elongation of the brachiocephalic artery. A small incision in the right temporal area was used to access the superficial temporal artery and a wire was advanced retrograde into the aorta where it was snared from below, allowing for successful treatment of the fistula with a covered stent. This alternative technique may facilitate safe and stable carotid artery stenting even in patients with a severely tortuous access route due to atherosclerotic disease.

Dolor abdominal crónico recurrente, a consecuencia del síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio / Chronic recurrent abdominal pain as a result of arcuate ligament syndrome

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Cell viability evaluation of transdifferentiated endothelial-like cells by quantitative electron-probe X-ray microanalysis for tissue engineering.

Development of an efficient vascular substitute by tissue engineering is strongly dependent on endothelial cell viability. The aim of this study was to evaluate cell viability of transdifferentiated endothelial-like cells (Tr-ELC) by using for the first time electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA), not only to accurately analyze cell viability by quantifying the intracellular ionic concentrations, but also to establish their possible use in vascular tissue engineering protocols. Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly stem cells (HWJSC) and endothelial cells from the human umbilical vein (HUVEC) were isolated and cultured. Transdifferentiation from HWJSC to the endothelial phenotype was induced. EPXMA was carried out to analyze HUVEC, HWJSC and Tr-ELC cells by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an EDAX DX-4 microanalytical system and a solid-state backscattered electron detector. To determine total ion content, the peak-to-local-background (P/B) ratio method was used with reference to standards composed of dextran containing known amounts of inorganic salts. Our results revealed a high K/Na ratio in Tr-ELC (9.41), in association with the maintenance of the intracellular levels of chlorine, phosphorous and magnesium and an increase of calcium (p=0.031) and sulfur (p=0.022) as compared to HWJSC. Calcium levels were similar for HUVEC and Tr-ELC. These results ensure that transdifferentiated cells are highly viable and resemble the phenotypic and microanalytical profile of endothelial cells. Tr-ELC induced from HWJSC may fulfill the requirements for use in tissue engineering protocols applied to the vascular system at the viability and microanalytical levels.

Endovascular treatment of a symptomatic vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm.

A 35-year-old patient was brought to the emergency department referring dysarthria, left ear tinnitus for 5 min, and short-lasting blindness, with headache in the 45 min before the clinical presentation. In the magnetic resonance imaging, an acute-subacute lesion in the cerebellum right-anterior lobe (in the territory of the cerebellum anterior artery) and a dilatation near the ostium of the right vertebral artery were seen. For a better assessment, an Angio-CT was done, showing a 9-mm saccular pseudoaneurysm of the right vertebral artery close to the origin of the vessel, without being able to determine if it had been caused because of a dissection. The rest of the study (cerebral vessels and supra-aortic vessels) showed no disorders. He was operated under local anesthesia and sedation a week after the onset of the symptoms. Through a 0.014 wire, a Biotronik PK Papyrus balloon-expandable covered cobalt-chromium stent was deployed covering the hole in the artery. Antiplatelet drugs were prescribed, and the patient was discharged 24 hr after surgery. He has remained symptom free since then.

Análisis preliminar de la relación de la enfermedad arterial periférica y otros marcadores de la arteriosclerosis con la nefropatía diabética / Preliminary analysis of the relationship between peripheral arterial disease and other atherosclerosis markers and diabetic nephropathy

Objetivos Determinar los niveles séricos de lípidos, lipoproteínas y otros marcadores relacionados con la nefropatía y la enfermedad vascular periférica en una población de pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 estratificados según su nivel de afectación renal. Métodos Estudio transversal en 72 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 en seguimiento en consultas externas. Los pacientes fueron divididos en 4 grupos en función de su índice de filtración glomerular estimado (eGFR, ml/min) y cociente albúmina/creatinina (ACR, mg/g) (eGFR > 60 y ACR < 30 [n = 23], eGFR > 60 y ACR > 30 [n = 12], eGRF30-60 [n = 23] y eGFR < 30 [n = 14]). En todos ellos se recogieron variables clínicas y antropométricas y se cuantificaron los niveles séricos en ayunas de lípidos y apolipoproteínas, así como parámetros de función renal y hematimétricos. Se realizó un estudio de regresión logística por pasos hacia delante para determinar variables asociadas independientemente a la presencia de disfunción renal. Resultados En el análisis univariante encontramos que a mayor deterioro de la función renal mayor prevalencia de hipertensión, hábito de fumar y triglicéridos y menores de hemoglobina (p < 0,05). En el estudio multivariante solo los niveles de triglicéridos (OR: 1,019, IC 95%: 1,004-1,034) y hemoglobina (OR: 0,516, IC 95%: 0,292-0,914) se asociaron independientemente (p < 0,05) a la presencia de disfunción renal (eGFR< 60 ml/min). La introducción de la enfermedad arterial periférica en el modelo de regresión no modificó estas asociaciones. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados confirman la relación entre triglicéridos y nefropatía diabética, independientemente de la presencia de enfermedad arterial periférica

Objetives: To determine lipid serum levels, lipoproteins and other markers related to nephropathy and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a type 2 diabetes population stratified according to their level of renal dysfunction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 72 type 2 diabetic patients followed-up in outpatient clinics. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min) and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR, mg/g) (eGFR > 60 and ACR < 30 [n = 23], eGFR > 60 and ACR > 30 [n = 12], eGFR30-60 [n = 23] and eGFR < 30 [n = 14]). Clinical and anthropometric characteristic of all patients were recorded. Fasting lipids and apolipoproteins, as well as renal and hematology parameters were measured. Finally, a multivariate Wald stepwise logistic regression statistic analysis was performed to determine variables independently associated with the presence of renal dysfunction. Results: The univariate statistical analysis showed that the higher renal dysfunction, the higher the prevalence of hypertension, smoking habit and triglycerides levels, and the lower hemoglobin levels (P < .05). The multivariate statistical analysis showed that only triglycerides levels (OR: 1.019, 95% CI: 1.004-1.034) and hemoglobin levels (OR: 0.516 95% CI: 0.292-0.914) were independently associated to he presence of renal dysfunction (eGFR < 60 mL/min.). The further inclusion of the presence of PAD in the statistical model did not modify those associations. Conclusion The results confirm the relationship between triglycerides levels and diabetic nephropathy, independently of the presence of PAD

[Preliminary analysis of the relationship between peripheral arterial disease and other atherosclerosis markers and diabetic nephropathy]. / Análisis preliminar de la relación de la enfermedad arterial periférica y otros marcadores de la arteriosclerosis con la nefropatía diabética.

OBJECTIVES: To determine lipid serum levels, lipoproteins and other markers related to nephropathy and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a type 2 diabetes population stratified according to their level of renal dysfunction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 72 type 2 diabetic patients followed-up in outpatient clinics. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min) and albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR, mg/g) (eGFR > 60 and ACR < 30 [n = 23], eGFR > 60 and ACR > 30 [n = 12], eGFR30-60 [n = 23] and eGFR < 30 [n = 14]). Clinical and anthropometric characteristic of all patients were recorded. Fasting lipids and apolipoproteins, as well as renal and hematology parameters were measured. Finally, a multivariate Wald stepwise logistic regression statistic analysis was performed to determine variables independently associated with the presence of renal dysfunction. RESULTS: The univariate statistical analysis showed that the higher renal dysfunction, the higher the prevalence of hypertension, smoking habit and triglycerides levels, and the lower hemoglobin levels (P < .05). The multivariate statistical analysis showed that only triglycerides levels (OR: 1.019, 95% CI: 1.004-1.034) and hemoglobin levels (OR: 0.516 95% CI: 0.292-0.914) were independently associated to the presence of renal dysfunction (eGFR < 60 mL/min.). The further inclusion of the presence of PAD in the statistical model did not modify those associations. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the relationship between triglycerides levels and diabetic nephropathy, independently of the presence of PAD.

Femoro-saphenous arteriovenous access-related lower limb ischemia treated by distal arteries percutaneous angioplasty.

This is the first reported case of transposed femoro-saphenous angio-access complicated after four years by distal ischemia, which was successfully treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the distal femoral and popliteal artery. Endovascular recanalization and angioplasty of the distal vessels offers a minimally invasive approach with preservation of the angio-access in these patients with high comorbidities.