Modifying the "Eye of the Tiger" Technique: Preserving Gluteal Artery Perfusion in the Treatment of an Aneurysm of the Hypogastric Artery.

PURPOSE: In endovascular aneurysm repair, parallel stent graft deployment is sometimes utilized to preserve the distal branch perfusion. However, there will be some gutter space around 2 stent grafts, which may cause endoleak. The "eye of the tiger" technique was invented to minimize this leak when deploying a small side-branch stent graft in conjunction with a large aortic endograft. The purpose of this case report is to describe our modified technique for 2 small endografts deployed in double D-shape in order to prevent gutter leak, which we applied in endovascular treatment for a hypogastric artery aneurysm. CASE REPORT: A 79-year-old male patient presented with a right hypogastric artery aneurysm measuring 44 mm. The patient refused the open surgical repair option and hoped for an endovascular treatment. Therefore, endovascular treatment to exclude the hypogastric artery aneurysm as well as preserve the gluteal arteries was planned. An Internal Iliac Component (IIC)(W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) was utilized for the proximal sealing and 2 Viabahn stent grafts (W. L. Gore & Associates) were deployed in the superior and inferior gluteal arteries for distal sealing. Then, 2 VBX stent grafts (W. L. Gore & Associates) were added in the IIC as bridging stents to connect the IIC and both Viabahn stent grafts. Next, over-dilatation of VBX stent grafts was performed alternately with an 8 mm balloon catheter and subsequent kissing balloon dilation with 5 mm balloon catheters, which allowed the VBX stents to be set in double D-shape. A follow-up CT scan performed 1 week after the procedure revealed no endoleak and a favorable shape to the VBX stent grafts. CONCLUSION: The modified method of dilating the VBX stent grafts allowed the double D-shape deployment, minimizing the risk of gutter leak and preserving distal branch perfusion.

Implications of Renal Disease in Patients Undergoing Peripheral Arterial Interventions.

Since the first peripheral endovascular intervention (PVI) in 1964, the procedure's technical aspects and indications have advanced significantly. Today, endovascular procedures span the spectrum of presentations from acute limb ischemia to critical limb ischemia and symptomatic limiting claudication. Goals of PVI remain restoring limb perfusion, minimizing rates of amputation and mortality, and sparing the need for the high-risk bypass surgery. Unfortunately, there are no large randomized controlled trials that address the optimal approach to peripheral arterial disease revascularization in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Underutilization of Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Support Strategies Despite High Smoking Addiction Burden in Peripheral Artery Disease Specialty Care: Insights from the International PORTRAIT Registry.

Background Smoking is the most important risk factor for peripheral artery disease ( PAD ). Smoking cessation is key in PAD management. We aimed to examine smoking rates and smoking cessation interventions offered to patients with PAD consulting a vascular specialty clinic; and assess changes in smoking behavior over the year following initial visit. Methods and Results A total of 1272 patients with PAD and new or worsening claudication were enrolled at 16 vascular specialty clinics (2011-2015, PORTRAIT (Patient-Centered Outcomes Related to Treatment Practices in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Investigating Trajectories) registry). Interviews collected smoking status and cessation interventions at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Among smokers, transition state models analyzed smoking transitions at each time point and identified factors associated with quitting and relapse. On presentation, 474 (37.3%) patients were active, 660 (51.9%) former, and 138 (10.8%) never smokers. Among active smokers, only 16% were referred to cessation counseling and 11% were prescribed pharmacologic treatment. At 3 months, the probability of quitting smoking was 21%; among those continuing to smoke at 3 months, the probability of quitting during the next 9 months varied between 11% and 12% ( P<0.001). The probability of relapse among initial quitters was 36%. At 12 months, 72% of all smokers continued to smoke. Conclusions More than one third of patients with claudication consulting a PAD provider are active smokers and few received evidence-based cessation interventions. Patients appear to be most likely to quit early in their treatment course, but many quickly relapse and 72% of all patients smoking at baseline are still smoking at 12 months. Better strategies are needed to provide continuous cessation support. Clinical Trial Registration URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 01419080.

Effectiveness of risk minimization measures for the use of cilostazol in United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, and Germany.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of risk minimization measures-labeling changes and communication to health care professionals-recommended by the European Medicines Agency for use of cilostazol for the treatment of intermittent claudication in Europe. METHODS: Observational study of cilostazol in The Health Improvement Network (United Kingdom), EpiChron Cohort (Spain), SIDIAP (Spain), Swedish National Databases, and GePaRD (Germany). Among new users of cilostazol, we compared the prevalence of conditions targeted by the risk minimization measures in the periods before (2002-2012) and after (2014) implementation. Conditions evaluated were prevalence of smoking, cardiovascular conditions, concurrent use of ≥2 antiplatelet agents, concurrent use of potent CYP3A4/CYP2C19 inhibitors and high-dose cilostazol, early monitoring of all users, and continuous monitoring of users at high cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: We included 22 593 and 1821 new users of cilostazol before and after implementation of risk minimization measures, respectively. After implementation, the frequency of several conditions related to the labeling changes improved in all the study populations: prevalence of use decreased between 13% (EpiChron) and 57% (SIDIAP), frequency of cardiovascular contraindications decreased between 8% (GePaRD) and 84% (EpiChron), and concurrent use of high-dose cilostazol and potent CYP3A4/CYP2C19 inhibitors decreased between 6% (Sweden) and 100% (EpiChron). The frequency of other conditions improved in most study populations, except smoking, which decreased only in EpiChron (48% reduction). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the risk minimization measures implemented by the EMA for the use of cilostazol have been effective in all European countries studied, except for smoking cessation before initiating cilostazol, which remains an area of improvement.

Surgical internal iliac artery preservation associated with endovascular repair of infrarenal aortoiliac aneurysms to avoid buttock claudication and distal type I endoleaks.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess outcomes of a hybrid technique for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) associated with iliac aneurysm without distal neck by combining an AAA endovascular repair approach with open surgery for preservation of the internal iliac artery (IIA). METHODS: The files of 51 patients operated on between 1998 and 2017 in a single vascular surgery department were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria were patients with AAA associated with uni-iliac or bi-iliac aneurysm without suitable distal sealing zone. Surgery consisted of deployment of an aortouni-iliac stent graft combined with an extra-anatomic crossover prosthetic bypass. With use of a limited retroperitoneal approach, the contralateral proximal common iliac aneurysm was surgically excluded and the IIA revascularized by direct ilioiliac anastomosis or terminal common iliac suture, preserving the iliac bifurcation. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 74 years (58-88 years), and 92% were men. The mean follow-up was 5.8 years (0.1-18 years). Twenty-nine patients (57%) had one or more high-risk criteria for open surgery. Nineteen patients (37.3%) had aortouni-iliac aneurysms, 19 (37.3%) aortobi-iliac aneurysms, 5 (10%) isolated iliac aneurysms, and 8 (15.7%) bi-iliac aneurysms without aortic location. Four patients (7.8%) also had IIA aneurysms. Surgery was successful in all cases. Two patients (4%) died during the 30 days after surgery. One surgically preserved IIA occluded within the first month, resulting in buttock claudication. The 5-year IIA primary patency rate was 96%. Type I proximal endoleaks occurred in two patients, requiring additional surgery 3 years and 13 years after the initial surgery, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This hybrid technique, consisting of AAA endovascular exclusion combined with open IIA revascularization, is safe and effective for preservation of pelvic vascularization. It is associated with long-term patency and low morbidity rates. We have been using this technique since before the advent of branched dedicated devices, allowing preservation of the IIA with good results. This technique should continue to be proposed, especially in patients not eligible for endovascular iliac branch repair because of anatomic contraindications, to avoid pelvic ischemia if the IIA has to be sacrificed.

A comparative study of 2-year follow-up outcomes in lumbar spinal stenosis patients treated with physical therapy alone and those with surgical intervention after less successful physical therapy.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of physical therapy for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has been reported only for the short term, and few reports have compared outcomes of surgical treatment with nonsurgical treatment after physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess 2-year outcomes of LSS patients treated with surgery or under follow-up observation after physical therapy for 6 weeks. METHODS: Patients presenting with neurogenic claudication, radiologically-confirmed central LSS affecting both legs and refractory symptoms to pharmacotherapy of more than 3 months were enrolled. Patients were treated with manual therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and body weight-supported treadmill walking once a week for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), visual analog scale of low back pain, leg pain, and numbness, the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire and the SF-36. Two years after physical therapy, patients were classified into the observation group (Group I) or the surgery group (Group II), whose patients failed to respond to physical therapy and wanted to undergo surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled; 28 had complete data at 2 years: 21 and 7 in Groups I and II, respectively. Group II had a higher body mass index (BMI) than Group I. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes at baseline. Six weeks after physical therapy, Group I had significantly better outcomes for symptom severity and physical function on the ZCQ subscales, physical functioning and bodily pain on the SF-36 subscales. These outcomes in Group I were maintained or improved and did not differ significantly between groups at 2-years. However, the physical function on the ZCQ subscales was improved in Group II more than those in Group I (mean difference -0.6; 95% CI: -1.2 to -0.03, P < 0.05) at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: At 2 years, the outcomes except for the change in physical function score in the ZCQ subscale did not differ significantly between patients who had undergone surgery and those who avoided surgery.

Rehabilitation Therapy in Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the result of atherosclerosis in the lower limb arteries, which can give rise to intermittent claudication (IC), limb ulceration, infections, and, in some circumstances, amputation. As a result of PAD, patients are frequently limited in both walking duration and speed. These ambulatory deficits impact both functional capacity and quality of life. The prevalence of PAD is increasing, and patients with this diagnosis have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A comprehensive approach is required to improve outcomes in patients with PAD and include tobacco cessation, pharmacologic management of metabolic fitness, risk-factor modification, and exercise training. Supervised exercise programs significantly improve functional capacity and quality of life in addition to reducing IC. These programs reduce morbidity and mortality and are cost-effective; yet they are uncommonly prescribed. Supervised exercise training is an accepted intervention in the PAD population and has been included in both Canadian and American guidelines for PAD management. This review describes (1) key background information related to PAD, (2) the initial approach to PAD diagnosis, (3) pharmacologic management options, (4) risk-factor modification, and (5) the currently accepted approach to exercise training. Key recommendations for enhancing PAD care in a Canadian context are also discussed.

Perfil epidemiológico y prevención secundaria en la primera visita del paciente claudicante a la consulta de angiología y cirugía vascular: estudio ESCUTEPAC / Risk profile and secondary prevention in the first visit of intermittent claudication patients to a vascular surgery clinic: ESCUTEPAC study

INTRODUCCIÓN: El control de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y la prevención secundaria son esenciales para los pacientes con enfermedad arterial periférica (EAP) en sus estadios más precoces. Presentamos un estudio encaminado a conocer el perfil de los pacientes claudicantes y el tratamiento que reciben en la primera visita a un servicio de angiología y cirugía vascular. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal y multicéntrico sobre 240 pacientes con EAP estadio II de Fontaine, procedentes de 24 servicios de la red pública española. Se recogieron variables sobre perfil de riesgo cardiovascular, clínica, exploración, tratamientos en curso y asociados en la consulta y decisión terapéutica. Análisis estadístico descriptivo y de asociación univariante (test «t» de Student y Chi cuadrado de Pearson). RESULTADOS: El 85,4% fueron varones, con edad media de 66,3 ± 10 años; 67,5% hipertensos, 35,3% diabéticos y 55,0% dislipidémicos; 39,6% fumadores activos y 47,9% exfumadores; 23,3% con antecedentes coronarios, el 64,6% en grado IIA, con índice tobillo-brazo medio de 0,74 ± 0,2. El 56,2% estaban previamente antiagregados y el 55,4% recibiendo estatinas. Tras la consulta el 91,7% recibían antiagregante (76,2% ácido acetilsalicílico, 9,2% clopidogrel), y se incrementó la tasa de tratamiento con estatinas al 74,6%, aunque solo fue correcto según el perfil de riesgo en el 26,4%. Solo 17 pacientes fueron derivados a unidades de tabaquismo. Se indicó un procedimiento quirúrgico en 9 casos (3,7%). CONCLUSIÓN: El paciente claudicante confirma su alto perfil de riesgo cardiovascular y está claramente infratratado respecto a las recomendaciones de las guías clínicas, especialmente en el manejo del hábito tabáquico y el tratamiento hipolipidemiante

INTRODUCTION: Both risk factor control and secondary pharmacological prevention are essential for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) at early stages. A study is present that attempts to confirm the risk profile of patients with intermittent claudication, and to assess the correction of the associated treatment in their first visit to a Vascular Surgery clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 patients with PAD with Fontaine stage II stage, from 24 outpatient Vascular Surgery clinics of the Spanish national health system. Variables recorded included, cardiovascular risk profile, symptoms, physical examination, current treatments, and associatednew ones, as well as the therapeutic decision. Descriptive statistics and associations were tested using Student t test and the Pearson Chi2 test. RESULTS: The study included 85.4% males, and patients had a mean age of 66.3 ± 10 years. They included 67.5% with hypertension, 35.3% with diabetes, and 55.0% with dyslipidaemia. There were 39.6% active smokers and 47.9% ex-smokers. There was confirmed coronary disease in 23.3%, and 64.6% were in Fontaine stage IIA. The mean ankle-brachial index was .74 ± .2. More than half (56.2%) of the patients already received antiplatelet therapy, and 55.4% were on statins. After the visit, 91.7% received antiplatelet therapy (76.2% Aspirin, 9.2% clopidogrel), and the statin treatment rate increased to 74.6%, although it was correct in only 26.4% of cases according to the risk profile. Only 17 patients were referred to a smoking cessation unit. A surgical procedure was indicated in 9 cases (3.7%). CONCLUSION: Patients with intermittent claudication have a high cardiovascular risk and receive a suboptimal treatment according to clinical practice guidelines, especially concerning smoking cessation and serum cholesterol management

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Treatment of Aortoiliac Aneurysms: Can Iliac Branched Devices Prevent Gluteal Claudication?

PURPOSE: To compare the risk of gluteal claudication after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of aortoiliac aneurysms by interventional exclusion of the internal iliac artery (IIA) with plugs or coils versus a branch iliac device to maintain pelvic blood supply and to identify risk factors for postoperative gluteal claudication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data set included patients with aortoiliac aneurysms treated with EVAR from January 2007 to December 2013 at a tertiary referral vascular unit. Descriptive and procedural data were obtained from a database of prospectively enrolled patients. Medical records of 112 consecutive patients treated with EVAR were scrutinized for graft-related adverse events and pelvic ischemia. The occurrence of gluteal claudication was determined from medical records. RESULTS: Iliac occlusion was performed in 115 limbs, and a branch iliac device was placed in 25 limbs. Gluteal claudication developed in 38% of limbs treated with IIA exclusion but in none of the limbs treated with branch iliac devices (P < .001). Procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and use of iodine contrast material did not differ between the two groups. The incidence of gluteal claudication was higher when coils rather than plugs were used for embolization of the IIA before EVAR (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the use of a branch iliac device significantly reduces the risk of gluteal claudication after EVAR of aortoiliac aneurysm.

Midterm Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes after Percutaneous Interspinous Spacer Treatment for Neurogenic Intermittent Claudication.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the midterm clinical and radiologic outcome of percutaneous interspinous process spacer (IPS) treatment for neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) in patients who fail conservative treatment. METHODS: Consecutive patients with NIC, lumbar spinal stenosis confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging, failure of conservative management for at least 6 months, and treatment with percutaneous IPS were included. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were recorded at baseline, 1 month, 1 year and 3 years after treatment. Spinal canal and foraminal cross-sectional areas were calculated from multidetector computed tomography at baseline and 1 year. RESULTS: There were 80 patients treated with 94 IPS devices; 83% of patients received a single IPS; 78% of IPS devices were placed at L4-L5. An IPS dislocation was the single periprocedural major complication. VAS score of 8.1 ± 2 before treatment was reduced to 4.4 ± 2 at 1 month after treatment (P = .0001); ODI score of 23.3 ± 10 before treatment was reduced to 11.7 ± 8.5 at 1 month after treatment (P = .0001). These significant reductions were durable at 1-year and 3-year follow-up evaluations (P < .01). Spinal canal and foraminal cross-sectional area increased by 15% at 1 year (P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NIC who failed conservative treatment and were treated with percutaneous IPS achieved significant gains in pain relief and reduced disability that remained durable at 3-year clinical follow-up evaluation. This outcome was accompanied by significant increases in spinal canal and foraminal cross-sectional areas at the treated level.

Covered stent in the superior gluteal artery in a hybrid approach to treat internal iliac artery aneurysm: a technical note.

This brief report describes a hybrid endovascular and open procedure to treat internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysms and preserve pelvic blood flow. A covered stent was deployed before surgery in the superior gluteal artery, extending across the IIA aneurysm, with the proximal end in the common iliac artery lumen. During open aortoiliac aneurysm repair, the stent graft was anastomosed in an end-to-side manner to the surgical graft. Four aneurysms were treated in 3 patients. Technical success was achieved in all cases. There were no complications or repeat interventions. Stents were all patent at imaging follow-up (range, 6-25 mo). Patients were free from buttock claudication.

Hybrid vascular surgery approaches for multilevel arterial occlusive disease.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of multilevel vascular occlusive disease is increased with patient age. Multilevel arterial occlusive disease cases are some of the hardest in the vascular surgical realm because of the comorbidities. In these high-risk patients inflow constrictions may limit the success of distal bypasses. At the same time the constrictions in the outflow may necessitate long bypass circuits that have less long-term patency rates. METHODS: Our study included 38 patients with multilevel arterial occlusive disease to whom hybrid vascular approaches were applied between January 2005 and December 2011 in Sisli Florence Nightingale Hospital. The patient group had a mean age of 68.1 (48-98) and included 29 male (89%) and 9 female (11%) patients. Complaints were claudication under 100 meters of walking in 19 patients (50%), resting pain in 14 patients (36%), and disturbed tissue integrity in 5 patients (14%). Mean in-hospital stay was calculated to be 6.4 days (4-15). In one patient (2.6%), a second procedure was necessary due to graft thrombosis and this case resulted in amputation under the level of the knee. Minor toe amputations in a second session were applied to 5 patients (14%) with symptoms of foot sores. Wound infections occurred in two patients (5%) and were treated with antibiotherapy and wound care. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up time, extremity survival was found to be 94.1%. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of multilevel peripheral arterial occlusive disease, a hybrid approach is a treatment option which is less invasive and sufficient.

Epidemiology of peripheral artery disease.

New data on the epidemiology of peripheral artery disease (PAD) are available, and they should be integrated with previous data. We provide an updated, integrated overview of the epidemiology of PAD, a focused literature review was conducted on the epidemiology of PAD. The PAD results were grouped into symptoms, diagnosis, prevalence, and incidence both in the United States and globally, risk factors, progression, coprevalence with other atherosclerotic disease, and association with incident cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The most common symptom of PAD is intermittent claudication, but noninvasive measures, such as the ankle-brachial index, show that asymptomatic PAD is several times more common in the population than intermittent claudication. PAD prevalence and incidence are both sharply age-related, rising >10% among patients in their 60s and 70s. With aging of the global population, it seems likely that PAD will be increasingly common in the future. Prevalence seems to be higher among men than women for more severe or symptomatic disease. The major risk factors for PAD are similar to those for coronary and cerebrovascular disease, with some differences in the relative importance of factors. Smoking is a particularly strong risk factor for PAD, as is diabetes mellitus, and several newer risk markers have shown independent associations with PAD. PAD is strongly associated with concomitant coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. After adjustment for known cardiovascular disease risk factors, PAD is associated with an increased risk of incident coronary and cerebrovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

Contemporary medical management of peripheral arterial disease: a focus on risk reduction and symptom relief for intermittent claudication.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is primarily caused by progressive systemic atherosclerosis manifesting in the lower extremities. This review addresses the epidemiology, clinical presentation and evaluation, and medical management of PAD, with a focus on intermittent claudication. Key advances in the recognition of cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic individuals with mildly abnormal ankle-brachial index, newer reflections on exercise therapy, and a review of established and investigational agents for the treatment of symptomatic PAD, such as cilostazol, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, are highlighted.

Statin therapy and long-term adverse limb outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease: insights from the REACH registry.

AIMS: Due to a high burden of systemic cardiovascular events, current guidelines recommend the use of statins in all patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We sought to study the impact of statin use on limb prognosis in patients with symptomatic PAD enrolled in the international REACH registry. METHODS: Statin use was assessed at study enrolment, as well as a time-varying covariate. Rates of the primary adverse limb outcome (worsening claudication/new episode of critical limb ischaemia, new percutaneous/surgical revascularization, or amputation) at 4 years and the composite of cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction/stroke were compared among statin users vs. non-users. RESULTS: A total of 5861 patients with symptomatic PAD were included. Statin use at baseline was 62.2%. Patients who were on statins had a significantly lower risk of the primary adverse limb outcome at 4 years when compared with those who were not taking statins [22.0 vs. 26.2%; hazard ratio (HR), 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.92; P = 0.0013]. Results were similar when statin use was considered as a time-dependent variable (P = 0.018) and on propensity analysis (P < 0.0001). The composite of cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction/stroke was similarly reduced (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.96; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Among patients with PAD in the REACH registry, statin use was associated with an ∼18% lower rate of adverse limb outcomes, including worsening symptoms, peripheral revascularization, and ischaemic amputations. These findings suggest that statin therapy not only reduces the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, but also favourably affects limb prognosis in patients with PAD.

[Effectiveness of pentoxifylline and of bio-electromagnetic therapy in lower limb obliterative arterial disease]. / A pentoxifillin és a bioelektromágnes-regulációs kezelés hatása alsó végtagi obliteratív veroérbetegségben.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited therapeutic options to improve microcirculation. AIM: The question of the study was to investigate any potential beneficial effect of bio-electro-magnetic-regulation therapy on microcirculation in patients suffering from obliterative peripheral arterial disease including the circulation of lower extremities, as well as intermittent claudication. METHOD: Thirty patients suffering from obliterative peripheral arterial disease (Fontaine IIa and IIb) were recruited. The first step of the study was to determine the pain free and maximal walking distance with a treadmill unit. After the placebo period patients received 8 and 20 minutes bio-electro-magnetic-regulation treatment 16 times. After the treatment the pain free and maximal walking distance were measured again. In the second stage of the study the patients were treated by pentoxifylline infusions. RESULTS: Bio-electro-magnetic-regulation treatment increased the pain free period by 57.4% (p = 0.005) and the maximal walking distance by 36.6% (p = 0.042). The two forms of therapy together increased the pain free and maximal walking distance by 81.9% and by 84.0%, respectively. The combined therapy was very effective in contrast to placebo and bio-electro-magnetic-regulation treatment (p = 0.000373 and p = 0.00741, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The bio-electro-magnetic-regulation therapy mainly affected the microvessels and pentoxifylline therapy rather had beneficial effects on hemorheology. The clinical effectiveness of combined therapy was good or excellent in 70% of patients.

Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of claudication.

Lower extremity chronic ischemia due to atherosclerosis represents the continuum of peripheral arterial disease, encompassing intermittent claudication, rest pain, and tissue loss. Traditionally, the indication for invasive intervention has been critical limb ischemia as a means to prevent amputation. This article highlights claudication and reviews its diagnosis, available treatment modalities, and preventative measures.

Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms involving iliac bifurcation: role of iliac branch graft device in prevention of buttock claudication.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe our early experience with the use of iliac branch grafts (IBGs) in aortoiliac aneurysm repair at our institution and to evaluate the technical feasibility, short-term patency rate, and potential clinical benefits, with special focus on prevention of buttock claudication. METHODS: From March 2009 to November 2010, 9 consecutive patients (all men), mean age 71.1 years (range 62-80 years), underwent IBG implantation at our institution. Indications were abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with common iliac artery (CIA) involvement (n = 7), bilateral CIA aneurysm (n = 1), and AAA with bilateral CIA and unilateral IIA involvement (n = 1). Postoperative endoleaks and patency rate were determined with computed tomography (CT) within 1 month of implantation and 1 year thereafter, with concurrent clinical evaluation for pelvic ischemia. Mean follow-up period was 14.7 (range 9-29) months. RESULTS: Technical success rate, as defined by successful implantation of the iliac branch graft (IBG) with no intraprocedural type I or type III endoleak, was 100%. The mean hospitalization duration was 4 days (range 3-6 days), with 0% mortality at 30 days. There were 3 cases of type II endoleak detected perioperatively, which were treated conservatively. Two endoleaks sealed spontaneously on the 1-month CT scan and 1 persists without aneurysm sac expansion. All stent-implanted aortic and iliac aneurysms remained stable in size during follow-up, with no aneurysm rupture or death recorded. All stent-implanted iliac branches remained patent on follow-up and all patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Iliac branch graft placement is a feasible technique with excellent short-term results in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms involving the iliac bifurcation. This technique can efficiently prevent buttock claudication.

Decision-making and techniques in hypogastric artery revascularization.

The aim of this article was to describe and discuss the currently available endovascular and open surgical techniques to preserve or occlude the hypogastric artery during aortoiliac aneurysm repair and thus support the process of decision-making in hypogastric artery revascularization.