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• AAA epidemiology has some unclear aspects. • The role of age in Post EVAR shrinking remains debatable. • Variables associated with shrinking and endoleaks require multivariate analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal aortic graft infections (AGIs) occur in 1–5% of aortic prosthetic placements. It can result in limb amputation, pseudo-aneurysm formation, septic emboli, aorto-enteric fistulae, septic shock and death. The most frequently involved pathogens are methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus , methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, followed by Enterobacteriaceae and uncommon bacteria. In case of gut involvement the presence of fungi has to be considered. Computed tomography angiography is actually the gold standard diagnostic imaging but magnetic resonance is a valid alternative. Nuclear medicine imaging is commonly used to improve sensitivity and specificity. Signs and symptoms are often aspecific and blood cultures can be negative, requiring alternative ways to detect the microorganism responsible for infection, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing and molecular rapid diagnostic tests. Curative surgical intervention is the first choice approach, with in-situ reconstruction providing by far the best outcome and xenopericardial bovine patch as a promising option. For patients unable to undergo major surgery, the outcome of conservative approach remains uncertain but usually provides for life-long suppressive therapy. However, in selected cases an attempt of stopping antibiotic treatment after 3–6 months can be done. Given the difficulty in their management, we performed a review of AGIs, in order to raise awareness on clinical presentation, current available diagnostic tools, prophylaxis, surgical and anti-infective treatment of AGIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim IgG4-related disease is a systemic disease that involves organs and vascular structures, in particular, the aorta. This is the first case that showed the carotid artery involvement with dissection evolution. Methods and Results In a 67-year-old man with speech impairment and right-hand clumsiness, a brain computed tomography revealed signs of acute ischemia in the left frontal lobe while an echo-color Doppler sonography of the cervical vessels showed a tight stenosis of left internal carotid artery with a large pseudoaneurysm. Histological findings performed on the surgical specimen disclosed IgG4-related disease. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first manifestation of IgG4-related disease with carotid artery dissection complicated by pseudoaneurysm. Even though unsuccessful since the patients died within 48 h, this case highlights the diverse facets of the IgG4-related disease representing a new complication with important clinical implications of such a diagnosis targeting immunosuppressive therapy particularly B-cell depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]