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Background/purpose: Data about volumetric remodeling of the provisional extension to induce complete attachment (PETTICOAT) technique on DeBakey type IIIb aortic dissection in acute and subacute phases were scarce. The proper timing to perform this technique to promote false lumen reduction was also unknown.Methods: Patients with DeBakey type IIIb aortic dissection who underwent the PETTICOAT technique between December 2005 and March 2017 were reviewed and divided into acute (treatment occurred ≦14 days after symptom onset) and subacute (15-90 days) groups. Remodeling parameters of the true and false lumens were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to deduce the timing of this technique.Results: In the 2-year follow-up, the acute group (N = 20) demonstrated significant true lumen expansion and false lumen regression in the thoracic, abdominal, and total aorta. However, the subacute group (N = 20) only showed significant shrinkage in the false lumen of the thoracic and total aorta. Using PETTICOAT technique within 36 days after the aortic event may result in better total false lumen reduction.Conclusion: For DeBakey type IIIb aortic dissection, more prominent true lumen expansion and false lumen reduction were noted when using the PETTICOAT technique in the acute phase. When performed within 36 days after symptoms onset, the PETTICOAT technique may potentiate better total false lumen regression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to examine the role of the provisional extension to induce complete attachment (PETTICOAT) aortic dissection repair technique with bare metal stents (BMSs) in abdominal remodeling of residual DeBakey type I aortic dissection. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with chronic aneurysm formation and residual DeBakey type I aortic dissection (ie, original acute aortic dissection DeBakey type I after primary surgical open repair) who underwent arch reoperation with frozen elephant trunk replacement or endovascular debranching with or without an abdominal BMS between December 2006 and December 2016. We analyzed diameters and volumes in 3 dimensions for the true and false lumens of the thoracic and abdominal aorta as well as the thrombosis percentage of the false lumen between the non-BMS (non-PETTICOAT) and BMS (PETTICOAT) groups. Forty-seven patients who had completed at least 1 year of follow-up were included. The non-BMS (without abdominal BMS) and BMS groups had significant differences in abdominal true lumen diameter and volumetric change at the first postoperative examination and at the examination 1 year after surgery (26.8 mL, median [19.4-34.1 mL, interquartile range (IQR)]) in non-BMS vs 42.5 mL, median [31.1-57.9 mL, IQR]) in BMS (postoperative survey [ F test, 33.775; P =.000]) and (30.1 mL, median [20.5-34.1 mL, IQR] in non-BMS vs 46.6 mL, median [31.3-57.4 mL, IQR]) in BMS (12-month survey [ F test, 14.001; P =.001]). The abdominal false lumen thrombosis percentage was higher in the BMS group than in the non-BMS group (25.6%, median [16.4%-58.9%, IQR] in non-BMS vs 54.0%, median [36.7%-65.3%, IQR] in the BMS group (F test, 6.318; P =.016). Following reintervention for chronic residual DeBakey type I aortic dissection, PETTICOAT abdominal dissection BMS effectively expanded the thoracic and abdominal true lumen and augmented false lumen thrombosis percentage during the first postoperative year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of renal stent-graft placement on kidney function and size alternation in chronic aortic dissection.Materials and Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients with chronic aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair who underwent renal stent-graft placement between January 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-three patients with chronic aortic dissection who received thoracic endovascular aortic repair in the same period were reviewed as a control group for kidney volume comparison.Results: Twenty-five stent-grafts were deployed over 25 renal arteries. Overall renal function was assessed by the slope of the regression line constructed from the plots of creatinine clearance versus time within 2 years after the procedure (-0.2810 vs -0.3146 mL/min-1/mo-1, P = .868), kidney volume at 12 months (129.4 ± 40.9 vs 137.0 ± 44.2 cm2, P = .193) and effective renal plasma flow at 6 months (106.3 ± 46.9 vs 124.4 ± 55.5 mL/min, P = .050) and was not significantly deteriorated. Seven treated patients (87.5%) with a renal artery supplied by a false lumen had a decrease in kidney volume, as did 14 patients (56%) in the control group (P = .206). Three patients with a dissected renal artery (75%) in the stent-graft group had an increase in kidney volume compared with 1 patient (11.1%) in the control group (P = .052).Conclusions: Occlusion of the re-entry tear by a stent-graft in the renal artery remains a safe strategy to promote false lumen thrombosis. The stent-graft poses a potential risk of reducing the kidney volume in kidneys supplied by the false lumen but may provide a positive effect in kidney volume with a concomitant dissected renal artery in chronic aortic dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective Common femoral artery (CFA) occlusive disease remains a debatable site for endovascular therapy, and the outcome of drug-eluting balloon (DEB) angioplasty in treating CFA occlusive disease is largely unknown. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and short-term patency rate of DEB angioplasty and femoral endarterectomy for treatment of CFA occlusive disease. Methods From March 2013 to June 2016, there were 100 patients with symptomatic CFA occlusive disease who were retrospectively reviewed. Forty patients were treated with DEB angioplasty and 60 were treated with femoral endarterectomy. Each patient received regular follow-up. Patency rate, ankle-brachial index, target lesion revascularization, and adverse events were assessed. Results Technical success was 100% in all patients. The DEB group had a lower 1-year primary patency rate (75.0% vs 96.7%; P =.003), but the secondary patency rate was similar between the two groups (97.5% vs 98.3%; P = 1.000). At 2-year follow-up, the primary patency was lower in the DEB group (57.1%) than in the endarterectomy group (94.1%; P =.001), whereas the secondary patency rate had no significant difference (90.5% vs 97.1%; P = 1.000). Both groups had significant improvement in ankle-brachial index. Freedom from target lesion revascularization was lower in the DEB group both at 1 year (75.0% vs 96.7%; P =.003) and at 2 years (57.1% vs 94.1%; P =.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications and adverse events. Conclusions Femoral endarterectomy has a better primary patency rate compared with DEB angioplasty in treating CFA occlusive disease without significant increase in complications. In patients not suitable for endarterectomy, DEB angioplasty provides a similar secondary patency rate and could be considered an alternative treatment. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In chronic type B aortic dissection, late distal stent graft–induced new entry (SINE) has a possible negative role in long-term aortic remodeling. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SINE occurrence on survival by evaluating true and false lumen remodeling in thoracic and abdominal segments at midterm surveillance. Methods This study enrolled 65 patients with chronic type B aortic dissection (DeBakey type IIIb), who had received hybrid thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and had completed surveillance for at least 3 years. The 3-year survival rate was 84.7%. The patients were classified into non-SINE (n = 47) and SINE (n = 18) groups. Serial computed tomography scans were used to analyze volumetric change, true and false lumens, and thrombus volume from arch to aortic bifurcation level. Results The SINE event occurred at a median of 22.5 months. In the SINE group, there was a significant interruption of the abdominal true lumen expansion in the second year (median 0.01 [interquartile range (IQR), –0.03 to 0.12] in the non-SINE group versus median –0.04 [IQR, –0.12 to 0.04] in the SINE group; p = 0.014). There was a significantly worse thoracic false lumen remodeling in the SINE group compared with the non-SINE group in the third year after the SINE event occurred (median 0 [IQR, –0.09 to 0.05] in the non-SINE group versus median 0.06 [IQR, 0 to 0.13] in the SINE group; p = 0.038). Conclusions For chronic aortic dissection, late occurrence of distal SINE could influence abdominal true lumen expansion and thoracic false lumen shrinkage. Early reintervention for distal SINE could improve aortic remodeling in chronic aortic dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aggressive and early thrombus removal strategy has been widely used as a treatment for iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We compared the long-tem venous outcome, including postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), in patients undergoing catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT). Methods From January 2009 to December 2013, 61 patients with acute proximal DVT were enrolled in this prospective study. Thirty-one patients underwent CDT and 30 patients underwent PMT, and each patient was followed for at least 2 years after treatment. Observations included venous outflow resistance, venous insufficiency, thrombus score (TS), severity of PTS, and surgical complications. Results Venous outflow obstruction was similar in the CDT and PMT groups (32.3% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.695), and venous insufficiency of each group was 38.7% and 30.0% ( p = 0.774), respectively. The TS at 24 months of each group showed no significant difference (0.90 vs. 0.70, p = 0.526). The mean Villalta scale scores of the CDT and PMT groups were 3.13 and 1.87, respectively ( p = 0.042). Patients without PTS had significantly lower TS since 1 week postoperatively (1.59 vs. 4.60, p < 0.001). The severity of PTS was highly correlated with the TS, rate of thrombolysis, and severity of obstruction, and was moderately correlated with the venous registry index and reflux severity. Conclusion CDT and PMT have similar venous outcomes in patients with acute iliofemoral DVT, although PTS is less severe following PMT than after CDT. We propose that early and thorough removal of thrombus, using either CDT or PMT, is beneficial to prevent PTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study investigated predisposing factors of distal stent graft-induced new entry (SINE). Methods Data from November 2006 to May 2012 were abstracted retrospectively from the records of 73 patients with complicated type B aortic dissection who had received stent graft treatment in our institution. Diameters of the true and false lumen, area and circumference of the true lumen, prestent and poststent oversize, taper, and mismatch ratio were recorded and analyzed to see if there were any significant differences between the SINE (n = 19) and non-SINE (n = 54) population and between those in whom the initial endograft was inserted from the proximal thoracic aorta (n = 49) or the distal thoracic aorta (n = 24). Results A distal-first sequence of stent graft deployment produced significantly fewer instances of distal SINE. The area oversizing ratio of the distal end of the stent graft was greater in the SINE vs non-SINE groups (3.76 ± 1.7 vs 2.63 ± 2.57; P = .002) and in the proximal-first vs distal-first deployment sequence groups (3.67 ± 2.57 vs 1.39 ± 0.90; P < .001). Conclusions Minimizing the preprocedure distal oversizing ratio with a distal small graft-first procedure could reduce the risk of late distal SINE for Stanford type B aortic dissection. Furthermore, the area ratio is a potentially more sensitive modality for size assessment and prediction of distal SINE occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Stent graft-induced new entry (SINE) has been increasingly observed after thoracic endovascular aortic repair of aortic dissection. We illustrate the possible mechanism by exploring predictive factors of late distal SINE after hybrid arch elephant trunk repair for aortic dissection. Methods: From November 2006, to May 2011, 20 of 99 patients underwent hybrid arch repair using the elephant trunk graft as the proximal landing zone. After a mean follow-up period of 27.9 ± 12.0 months, 12 patients had late distal SINE events and the others were free of events. False lumen remodeling level was observed and maximal longitudinal diameter, average of longitudinal and transverse maximal diameter, circumference, and area of true lumen were analyzed for precise size selection of stent graft before and after the procedure. Taper ratio, true lumen:aorta ratio, prestent grafting oversizing ratio, poststent grafting oversizing ratio, and expansion mismatch ratio of distal true lumen were proposed and calculated for further evaluation of the mechanism of late distal SINE. Results: Only the area oversizing ratio between true lumen and the distal selected stent graft at the presumed distal end of stent grafting was found as a significant predictive factor of SINE before procedure (4.00 ± 2.96 vs 1.98 ± 0.66 for SINE vs non-SINE, respectively; P = .031). The significant difference of the expansion mismatch ratio of true lumen between the 2 groups was found not only in the size measurement of mean diameter (1.48 ± 0.29 vs 1.22 ± 0.15; P = .039), but also in the area (2.39 ± 0.85 vs 1.58 ± 0.42; P = .031) and circumference (1.43 ± 0.27 vs 1.18 ± 0.14; P = .016) after stent grafting. Conclusions: We found that taper ratio is not an optimal criteria for stent graft size selection and distal oversizing calculated by true-lumen area is a significant factor causing delayed distal SINE. Use of the prestenting area oversizing ratio should be limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare pathology manifested by pain or hematuria in males and females alike. It can be easily overlooked, and should be considered in young men or women with symptoms of extended duration. We present a case of a 54-year-old female with chronic lower abdominal pain radiating to the left thigh of 4 years in duration. Computed tomography (CT) eventually revealed engorged left renal, gonadal, and uterine veins due to compression between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the abdominal aorta, consistent with NCS. After a successful endovascular stenting and a 6-month period of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy, the patient returned to stable health. NCS, while rare, should be suspected in patients of both sexes with persistent pain or hematuria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Stent graft-induced new entry (SINE) has been increasingly observed after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic dissection. We investigated the mechanism of late distal SINE, prevention strategies, proper size selection of the stent graft, and implantation sequence. Methods: From November 2006 to May 2011, 99 patients with aortic dissection underwent TEVAR with Zenith TX2 stent grafts (Cook, Bloomington, Ind) at our center. Among them, 27 distal SINEs were recognized. Eight of these patients with complicated distal SINE required intervention with new distal endografts, and all were enrolled for further analysis. Results: Eight of the 27 patients with distal SINE underwent a secondary endograft procedure from February 2011 to July 2011. All were successfully treated without any complications or deaths. A high taper ratio (35% ± 11%) and excessive oversizing of the true lumen area at the distal stent level (293% ± 76%) were noted among these patients. Conclusions: The incidence of distal SINE seemed to be high; however, there were also low rates of death and complications after TEVAR for aortic dissection using stainless steel-based stent grafts. Complicated distal SINE can successfully be resolved by distal endograft implantation. Excessive oversizing of the distal stent graft, as measured by the true lumen area, may be a significant factor causing delayed distal SINE. Precise size selection is crucial for the distal end of the stent, especially for high taper ratio dissection pathology in which the implantation sequence of a distal small-sized stent graft first might be considered to prevent future distal SINE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Circulatory assist devices are applied to support patients with end-stage heart failure or circulatory collapse. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist device (VAD) are the two devices that are commonly used in these situations. However, in patients undergoing ECMO, complications occur more frequently and are more severe than in those with VAD, especially in patients with coagulopathy. The cause of coagulopathy is seldom reported; therefore, the current prospective study was designed to compare the coagulation status between patients who received ECMO and bridged VAD thereafter. Methods: The cases for our study were collected between December 2005 and January 2010. A total of 21 patients with VAD were enrolled. Seven patients received initial ECMO support and were subsequently shifted to VAD. Use of blood transfusion products by patients was recorded during application of ECMO and VAD. Thrombelastography (TEG) was performed pre-ECMO and pre-VAD, and thereafter to 1 week post-VAD implantation. The relevant parameters that were examined included coagulation time (R: resting, K: kinetics, seconds), angle (α, degrees), maximal amplitude (MA, mm), clot strength (G, dynes/cm2), and estimated percent lysis in 30 minutes (LY30, %). Coagulation status and average unit per day of blood transfusion at pre-VAD and post-VAD status were recorded. TEGs of pre-VAD and post-VAD implantation were compared in order to determine the frequency of bleeding. Results: Average results from seven cases were incorporated into the current analysis. The patient transfusion requirement was reduced after implantation of the VAD. The TEG of post-VAD implantation was improved from the earlier pre-VAD results (ECMO status). Ultimately, TEG resulted in significant differences in R, K, angle, MA, and G, postoperatively. Conclusion: Coagulopathy of patients with VAD improved after bridging from ECMO, which can be attributed to improved coagulation factor and platelet function. Thus, bleeding complications are reduced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The presentations of cardiac myxoma are diverse, from asymptomatic to a variety of symptoms due to embolization. Occlusion of abdominal aortic bifurcation by straddled myxoma is not common; however, obstructive level above renal artery is very rare. We present a patient with cardiac myxoma who presented with acute onset of paraplegia. The aorta was occluded from the level of the liver dome to the renal arteries, and catastrophic outcome (ischemia/reperfusion) following its removal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carotid-esophageal fistula (CEF) could be a serious complication of esophageal cancer in a patient receiving radiotherapy. We reported a 47-year-old male patient with advanced cervical esophageal cancer under radiotherapy who developed CEF with the presentations of unstable vital signs and disturbances of consciousness. Carotid-esophageal fistula-associated life-threatening conditions of carotid blowout syndrome and cerebral gas embolism were diagnosed after presentation. Subsequently, intramural dissection of esophageal and gastric walls, profound hemoperitoneum, and hypovolemic shock occurred. When a patient who had an underlying cervical esophageal cancer treated by radiotherapy develops unstable vital signs and neurological symptoms, CEF should be kept in mind in the differential diagnoses. Physicians must be alert of the associated complications of carotid blowout syndrome and cerebral gas embolism and perform timely management including decompression, fluid resuscitation, and aggressive endovascular procedure when indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the most dramatic and fatal complication, left ventricular free-wall rupture (LVFWR) used to present in approximately 3% of patients with acute myocardial infarction. After the introduction of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the incidence of LVFWR decreased but remained approximately 1.7%. Left ventricular free-wall rupture occurs in patients with transmural myocardial infarction, which is almost exclusively ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This condition carries a high mortality as a result of hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade. Left ventricular free-wall rupture rarely occurs in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, but the risk of it cannot be ignored. This case describes early development LVFWR after non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction to evoke high vigilance of clinicians to this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]