The Presence of Gas in Aneurysm Sac during Early Postoperative Period Is Associated to the Type of Endograft and Perfused Lumen's Size.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine the frequency of gas within the aneurysm sac following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) on early postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, to measure its volume, record the location, and analyze anatomical and procedural risk factors of its presence. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients undergoing standard, fenestrated, or branched EVAR between January 2013 and December 2015 was undertaken. The presence, position, and size of gas in the postoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) (within 10 days) was examined, classified as (1) gas near aortic wall; (2) between aortic wall and endograft; and (3) near endograft and further analyzed in terms of anatomical and procedural risk factors associated with its presence. RESULTS: From a total of 241 (85% males, 204/241 and 15% females, 37/241) patients who were treated with EVAR, CTA within 10 days was available in 211 patients with mean age of 73 ± 8.3 years. Gas was present on postoperative CT scan in 83 of 211 (39%) patients; 59/83 (71%) standard, 19/83 (23%) fenestrated, and 5/83 (6%) branched EVAR. The location of the gas was more frequently near the aortic wall (a) (46/83; 55.4%), with the mean gas volume to be 0.41 mL (range 0.01-2.74). Endoleak type II was diagnosed in 31.2% (66/211) of the cases and was not associated with the presence of gas (20/83; presence vs. 46/128; absence of gas; P = 0.069). The presence of gas was associated with larger preoperative diameter of the aortic perfused lumen (P = 0.013). The type of graft was correlated to the presence of gas on postoperative CTA (more frequent in standard EVAR [odds ratio 8; 95% confidence interval {CI} 2.01-31.25] and fenestrated [odds ratio 5.81; 95% CI 1.41-23.81]). In standard EVAR patients, the presence of gas was more frequently identified in early CTA (<5 days) than in later one (6-10 days) (P = 0.000). During the first month follow-up, no patient demonstrated any signs of infection in clinical and radiological assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of gas in the aneurysm sac after EVAR is a frequent finding on postoperative CTA and not related to infection or endoleak. Type of stent graft and size of the perfused lumen is associated with the presence of gas.

Renal Function Impairment in Patients Undergoing Elective EVAR vs. Elective Open Repair During Follow up Period: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular (EVAR) or open surgical (OSR) repair are current treatment options for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). OBJECTIVE: To produce a systematic review comparing the impact of these 2 treatment options on renal function during mid- and long term follow up. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases and key references were searched. RESULTS: Six studies were included from 2000 to 2016, (4 retrospective and 2 RCT studies) reporting on 2,102 patients (54%; 1096 EVAR, 46%; 1006 OSR). The mean age in EVAR group ranged from 69.4 to 73.8 years (91% males), and in OSR group from 68 to 73.6 years (91% males). The data were too heterogeneous to perform a meta-analysis. All studies used GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) or estimated GFR (eGFR) to record renal function. The commonest risk factors were the presence of hypertension (77.5%), hyperlipidaemia (48.3%), coronary artery disease (42%) and smoking (37.8%). During follow up, new events of renal impairment (increase >20% in GFR) in EVAR patients and in OSR patients were 58 (5.3%) and 52 (5.2%), respectively. The mean GFR was decreased during follow up period in both types of the procedure. CONCLUSION: There is lack of definitive evidence to prove the superiority of OSR over EVAR regarding renal function in the post-operative follow up period. It appears that renal impairment may occur after both interventions. Further prospective research is needed to clarify the issue.

Hybrid procedures for chronic lower limb ischemia: what determines the outcome?

BACKGROUND: To report the long term outcome of hybrid (combined open and endovascular) procedures for the management of multisegmental chronic peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis from a single center during the period 2009-2013. Patency rates, survival and limb salvage were the primary outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association with various factors. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients (116 males) with mean age of 69±1.4 years, were treated. The technical and hemodynamic success rates were 94% and 97.7% respectively. The primary and assisted primary patency rates in 36 months were 69.7% and 94.7%, respectively. The Hazard Ratio for primary and assisted primary patency failure was 1.94 (95% CI: 1.07-3.51, P=0.029) and 5.55 (95% CI: 1.15-26.79, P=0.033) times higher in diabetic patients, respectively. Limb salvage rate in 36 months was 87.9%. Rutherford category (P=0.046) and previous ipsilateral reconstruction (P=0.011) were the only factors associated with limb loss. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid procedures are associated with good long term outcomes in the treatment of multisegmental chronic peripheral arterial disease. Diabetes mellitus remains a determinant of worse outcome, while the severity of the disease and previous ipsilateral revascularization are associated with poorer limb salvage.

Factors Associated With Ulcer Healing and Quality of Life in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

A prospective nonrandomized cohort study on consecutive diabetic patients with foot ulcer was undertaken to assess the factors associated with the healing process or limb salvage and evaluate the impact of their treatment on their quality of life. Quality of life was evaluated using Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form (DFS-SF) questionnaire before and after treatment. A total of 103 diabetic patients with ulcer (mean age 69.7 ± 9.6 years, 77% male) were treated and followed up for 12 months. Ulcer healing, minor amputation, and major amputation rates were 41%, 41%, and 18%, respectively, while the mortality rate was 18%. Ulcer healing was associated with University of Texas wound grade 1 and the Study of Infections in Diabetic feet comparing Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Ertapenem versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam trial's diabetic foot infection wound score. Limb loss was associated with nonpalpable popliteal artery, longer in-hospital stay, and delay until referral. Quality of life was improved in all domains of DFS-SF ( P < .0001) throughout the cohort of our patients regardless of their outcome, and no outcome (healing, minor amputation, or major amputation) was superior to other. Significant improvement was observed in all domains of hygiene self-management after consultation during the follow-up period.

Transition from Open Surgery to Endovascular Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture.

BACKGROUND: To review the outcome before and after the implementation of protocol-based strategy for endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture (rAAA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a tertiary center during the period 2006-2011. Demographics, comorbidities, blood examinations, perioperative patients' status, and mortality rates were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the association of the type of the procedure with various factors. RESULTS: A total of 58 (46 open surgical repair [OSR] and 12 EVAR) patients with mean age of 74 ± 17 years (91% males) were treated for rAAA. However, 39 (11 EVAR and 28 OSR) were operated with protocol-based strategy available. Total mortality rate was 52.6% (10 of 19) initially and 38.5% (15 of 39) after the implementation of a protocol-based strategy. During protocol-based treatment, the survival rate did not differ between the 2 procedures (7 of 11 EVAR and 17 of 28 OSR; P, ns). A 30-day mortality rate was associated with preoperative number of platelets (unadjusted P values, P = 0.013), age (odds ratio [OR] 0.796; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.685-0.925; P = 0.003), and diastolic blood pressure (OR, 1.053; 95% CI, 1.016-1.093; P = 0.005). After mean follow-up of 48 ± 11 months, EVAR patients presented better outcome regarding mortality rate (36% OSR vs. 0% EVAR; P = 0.0464). CONCLUSIONS: After the adoption of an available rEVAR protocol-based strategy, EVAR and OSR were equally effective during postoperative 30 days. The role of hypotension and age is important on poor outcomes during this period. However, after midterm follow-up, EVAR demonstrates better survival rates than OSR.

New developments in the treatment of ruptured AAA.

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (rAAA) represent the most common abdominal aortic emergency with an incidence of 6.3 per 100,000 inhabitants whereas the incidence of rAAA in the population over 65 years was 35.5/100.000 inhabitants. Early suspicion and diagnosis of rAAA is essential for good outcomes and over the past decades a great variety of perioperative management concepts, techniques and materials have been implemented to further improve the outcomes of this acute and life-threatening disease. Corner-stones for the improvement of outcomes include the introduction of management protocols for rAAA, the principle of hypotensive hemostasis and the introduction of endovascular techniques as well as the improved anesthesia and postoperative intensive care therapy with early identification and management of devastating complications such as the abdominal compartment syndrome. While the role of endovascular aortic repair in rAAA is not yet answered, it appears to be very promising especially in the presence of new techniques that could resolve a number of the problems restricting success of EVAR in rAAAs.

The association of simple renal cysts with abdominal aortic aneurysms and their impact on renal function after endovascular aneurysm repair.

We validated the association of simple renal cysts with abdominal aortic aneurysm and other cardiovascular factors and assessed simple renal cysts' impact on renal function before and after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted. Computed tomography angiograms of 100 consecutive male patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm who underwent endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (Group 1) were reviewed and compared with 100 computed tomography angiogram of aged-matched male patients without abdominal aortic aneurysm (Group 2). Patients' demographic data, risk factors, abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter, the presence of simple renal cyst and laboratory tests were recorded. No difference was observed between the two groups in respect to other cardiovascular risk factors except hyperlipidemia with higher prevalence in Group 1 (p < 0.05). Presence of simple renal cysts was independently associated with age (p < 0.05) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (p = 0.0157). There was no correlation between simple renal cysts and abdominal aortic aneurysm size or pre-operative creatinine and urea levels. No difference was observed in post-operative creatinine and urea levels either immediately after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or in 12-month follow-up. In male patients, the presence of simple renal cysts is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm and is increasing with age. However, their presence is neither associated with impaired renal function pre-endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and post-endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair nor after 12-month follow-up.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of migration after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

AIM: To identify patients who are under higher threat for migration because of an old generation stent graft application. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was undertaken to identify all studies which included older generation endografts and data reporting on graft migration after EVAR. Outcome data were pooled and combined, and were calculated using fixed or random effects models. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2014, 22 retrospective studies were identified reporting on stent- graft migration after EVAR (8.6%). From those patients, 39% received re-intervention with the mean time of identification ranging from 12 to 36 months. Six of these retrospective nonrandomized studies were eligible for meta-analysis. AAA diameter (AAA diameter: 0.719 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00065-1.4384 mm; p = 0.00497) and neck length (neck length: 4.36 mm; 95% CI: 1.3277-7.394; p = 0.0048) were the only significant factors associated with stent- graft migration. Neck diameter and neck angulation did not have any important influence on stent-graft migration. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with large AAA and short necks who were treated with older generation stent grafts such as AneurX and Talent are in higher risk for endograft migration than others. Stent- graft migration consists of an insidious and underestimated threat.

Combined coronary artery bypass grafting and open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is a reasonable treatment approach: a systematic review.

We reviewed the literature for studies investigating the outcomes of combined 1-stage coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) open repair (OR) procedures. An electronic search of the English literature was conducted using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Age, coronary heart disease severity, AAA size, mean duration from CABG to AAA OR procedures, details of each procedure, mortality, and morbidity rates were analyzed. Between 1994 and 2012, 12 studies (256 patients) with 1-stage treatment fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. There were 20 early (30 days) deaths, accounting for a 30-day mortality rate of 7.8%. The early morbidity was 53% (136 of 256). One-stage treatment when necessary can be undertaken with acceptable mortality and reasonable morbidity rates considering the complexity of both the operations. Nowadays, endovascular AAA repair is preferred over OR. The outcomes of combined cardiac surgery and endovascular AAA repair have not been extensively evaluated.

Peripheral arterial disease is prevalent but underdiagnosed and undertreated in the primary care setting in central Greece.

We investigated the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Primary Care Health Centers (n = 14) in Thessaly (central Greece) recruited 436 participants, mean age 71 (50-79) years. Peripheral arterial disease was considered present if the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was <0.9 or >1.4 in at least 1 leg. Asymptomatic PAD was defined as an abnormal ABI and no symptoms or history of limb revascularization. The prevalence of PAD was 13% (mostly asymptomatic, 11.7%). Only 5 (8.77%) of 57 patients with PAD were aware of their disease and only in these patients were the physicians aware of the presence of PAD. The risk factors associated with PAD were age, smoking, and the combination of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. All symptomatic patients were on antiplatelet therapy but 33% did not take statins. For asymptomatic patients, 74.5% were not on antiplatelet therapy and 57% did not receive statins. In the primary health care setting, PAD is underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Intrapleural instillation of autologous blood for persistent air leak in spontaneous pneumothorax- is it as effective as it is safe?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous blood pleurodesis in the management of persistent air leak in spontaneous pneumothorax. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A number of 15 patients (10 male and 5 female) were included in this prospective study between March 2005 and December 2009. The duration of the air leak exceeded 7 days in all patients. The application of blood pleurodesis was used as the last preoperative conservative method of treatment in 12 patients. One patient refused surgery and two were ineligible for operation due to their comorbidities. A blood sample of 50 ml was obtained from the patient's femoral vein and immediately introduced into the chest tube. RESULTS: A success rate of 27% was observed having the air leak sealed in 4 patients in less than 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Despite our disappointingly poor outcome, the authors believe that the procedure's safety, convenience and low cost establish it as a worth trying method of conservative treatment for patients with the aforementioned pathology for whom no other alternative than surgery would be a choice.