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Objective: Endovascular aneurysm repair is well established as the gold standard in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. Generally, endovascular repair is performed using a bi or trimodular stent graft, requiring placement of a contralateral iliac limb. Deployment of the contralateral iliac limb requires retrograde gate cannulation of the endograft main body contralateral limb. This step represents the crucial point of a standard endovascular repair procedure and can become challenging, especially in the case of high iliac tortuosity. This study compares the procedural times between the retrograde gate cannulation and the contralateral snare cannulation to demonstrate the possibility of directly performing the contralateral snare cannulation in the case of a complex iliac anatomy assessed by the iliac tortuosity index. Methods: One hundred and forty-eight patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair from 2017 to 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Cannulation times between retrograde gate cannulation and contralateral snare cannulation were compared for each degree of iliac tortuosity. The degree of iliac tortuosity was assessed through the iliac tortuosity index. Cannulation times were detected from inserting the wire into the introducer to passing through the radio-opaque gate markers. Results: The cannulation times were 2.94 min for the retrograde gate cannulation group and 3.15 min for the contralateral snare cannulation group, respectively, with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.33). Overall cannulation times were 2.98 min. For the iliac tortuosity index grade 0, the cannulation times were 2.71 min for the retrograde gate cannulation group and 3.85 min for the contralateral snare cannulation group, respectively, with a significant difference in favor of the retrograde gate cannulation group (p < 0.0001). For the iliac tortuosity index grade 1, the cannulation times were 2.74 min for the retrograde gate cannulation group and 2.8 min for the contralateral snare cannulation group, respectively, with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.63). Regarding the iliac tortuosity index grades 2 and 3, the cannulation times were 3.01 and 4.93 min for the retrograde gate cannulation group and 2.71 and 3.28 min for the contralateral snare cannulation group, respectively. The first group's times were significantly higher than the second group's (p = 0.01 and p = 0.0001). Conclusions: In patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms undergoing endovascular aortic repair, the gate cannulation times were significantly shorter for the contralateral snare cannulation method than the retrograde gate cannulation method in the iliac tortuosity index grades 2 and 3. Therefore, performing the contralateral snare cannulation method would be appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polypropylene carbonate) (PPC) were found to display a peculiar crystallization kinetics. The two biodegradable polymers were blended by melt mixing, to obtain binary blends at various compositions. Temperature-modulated calorimetry and dynamic-mechanical analysis indicated that the blend components are partially miscible, and display two separate glass transitions, at temperatures intermediate to those of the plain polymers. Electron microscopy analysis disclosed the morphology of PLA/PPC blends, made of PPC-rich particles finely dispersed within the PLA-rich matrix. The possible establishment of interactions between the functional groups of the two polymers upon melt mixing has been hypothesized as the reason for partial miscibility and compatibility of the two biodegradable polymers. The PLA/PPC blends display good mechanical properties, with enhanced performance at rupture compared with plain PLA. Most importantly, the addition of PPC affects also the crystallization kinetics of PLA, since the more mobile PPC chains favor diffusion of the stiffer PLA chain segments towards the growing crystals, which fastens the spherulite growth rate of PLA. Such positive influence of an amorphous polymer on crystal growth rate has been demonstrated here for the first time in blends that display phase-separation in the melt., INTRODUCTION The crystallization kinetics of binary polymer blends is largely determined by miscibility of the components [1]. When the polymer pair is miscible, the crystal growth rate of the crystallizable [...]

Introduction: An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for placed for hemodialysis may be burdened by one particular complication-the formation of a venous aneurysm. It has been shown that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) could represent markers of disease in both venous and arterial vessels.

An altered balance between metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitor tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may influence the healing process of a minor amputation following a successful vein graft. To speed up this process, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and advanced moist wound dressing have been proposed. We determined the systemic and local release of MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐9, TIMP‐1, and TIMP‐2 by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and their influences in the healing process in 26 patients who underwent minor amputation after a successful revascularisation procedure. Twelve patients (group 1) were medicated with NPWT and 14 (group 2) with advanced moist wound dressing. Plasma samples were collected on the morning of surgery and thereafter at 1, 3, and 5 months; exudates were collected 3 days after surgery when amputation was performed and thereafter at 1, 3, and 5 months. Fifteen age‐matched healthy male volunteers served as controls. All wounds healed in 5 ± 0.5 months. Follow‐up plasma and local release of MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and ‐9 were overall significantly lower when compared with the preoperative levels, while those of TIMP‐1 and ‐2 were significantly higher with no differences among the groups. Despite no differences in the healing process being observed among the two types of medications, at 1 month the local release of MMP‐2 and ‐9 was significantly lower (P =.013 and.047, respectively) and that of TIMP‐1 was significantly higher (P =.042) in group 1 as compared to group 2. A correct and aggressive local approach to the wound is able to promote the healing of the lesion stimulating the extracellular matrix turnover with local MMP/TIMP adequate balance and favouring the creation of granulation tissue. However, a successful restoration of an adequate blood flow remains the key point of a durable and rapid wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI) is the most advanced form of chronic venous disease ( CVD), and is often associated with skin changes such as hyperpigmentation, eczema, lipodermatosclerosis and venous skin ulceration that cause discomfort, pain, sleep disturbances, absenteeism in the workplace, disability and deteriorated quality of life ( QoL). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of CVI and skin changes in patients who turn to Continuous Assistance Services due to the presence of disturbing symptoms of their condition. Data were evaluated by consulting the medical records, during a 16-month period, available with three Continuous Assistance Services of the Italian territory. The overall population of the referring centres consisted of 1186 patients [739 females (62·31%) and 447 males (37·69%)]. Seventy-nine patients (6·66%) consulted the emergency unit for venous symptoms related to CVD. Patients with more severe disease ( CVI, categories C4-C6) represented the majority accounting for 60·75%, while patients with moderate disease ( C3) accounted for 35·44% and patients with mild disease ( C1-C2 stages) accounted for 3·79%. The main finding of this study is that despite CVI not being a disease that commonly requires medical emergency/urgency intervention, patients with CVI, especially in advanced stage with skin changes, may turn to Continuous Assistance Service for treating bothersome symptoms related to their condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Transapical (TA) aortic valve implantation using the Edwards SAPIEN™ bioprosthesis was commercially introduced in Europe in January 2008. Limited data on the mid-term results are available. METHODS Using data from the SOURCE-Registry (largest consecutive cohort treated using Edwards SAPIEN™ bioprosthesis in Europe), we report on the mid-term results (≥30 days–2 years) of TA patients. RESULTS Between November 2007 and December 2009, a total of 1387 patients from 38 European centres underwent TA aortic valve implantation. The mean follow-up is 14.9 months, with 1004 patients who completed 1 year and 464 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up. The mean age of patients was 80.6 ± 7.1 years with a logistic-EuroSCORE of 27.6%. The main co-morbidities were coronary artery disease (55.8%), previous bypass grafting (25.5%), porcelain aorta (10.2%), previous stroke (6.5%) and peripheral vascular disease (26.4%). A total of 840 patients (60.6%) received a 26 mm and 535 (38.6%) a 23 mm Edwards SAPIEN™ bioprosthesis. Survivals at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years were 88.7, 73.8 and 65.1%, respectively. Causes of the 276 deaths observed between >30 days and 2-year follow-up were cardiac in 86 patients (31.2%), non-cardiac in 142 (51.4%) and unknown in 48 (17.4%). Cardiac causes of death included heart failure (33.7%), sudden cardiac death (33.7%), myocardial infarct (8.1%), endocarditis (5.8%) and others (18.6%). Non-cardiac deaths were related to pulmonary disease (21.1%), cancer (12.7%), renal failure (11.3%), stroke (10.6%), gastrointestinal disease (7.7%) and others (36.6%). Using univariable and multivariable analyses, logistic EuroSCORE, renal insufficiency and liver diseases were identified as independent predictors of 2-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that in elderly patients with severe co-morbidities, TA aortic valve implantation results in excellent mid-term results. Causes of death during the mid-term follow-up are mainly non-cardiac and related to co-morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Redo cardiac surgery has an increased risk of morbidity and mortality when compared with the initial operation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of previous cardiac operations on patients undergoing transapical aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI). METHODS We analysed data from 566 patients included in the Italian Registry of Transapical Aortic Valve Implantation who underwent TA-TAVI implantation with the Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) from April 2008 through May 2011. Of these, 110 patients (19.4%) had already undergone at least one previous cardiac operation with opening of the pericardium (group R) while for 456 patients (80.6%) TA-TAVI was the first cardiac procedure (group F). Data were prospectively collected at each of the 20 participating centres and then sent to a central database for storage and analysis. RESULTS Preoperative logistic EuroSCORE was higher in group R (35 ± 18.6 vs. 23.5 ± 11.9%; P < 0.001). Hospital mortality occurred in eight (7.2%) and 36 (7.9%) patients in groups R and F, respectively (P = 0.8). Mean follow-up was 10.4 ± 7.9 months (range: 1–34). Overall 2-year Kaplan–Meier survival was 64.2 ± 9.8 and 75.4 ± 3.5% in groups R and F, respectively (P = 0.69). Incidence of operative complications, postoperative bleeding, pacemaker implantation, myocardial infarction and stroke did not show statistically significant differences between groups. The univariate analysis showed that arterial hypertension, logistic EuroSCORE, porcelain aorta, left ventricular ejection fraction and previous percutaneous coronary interventions were significantly associated with 30-day mortality in group R. CONCLUSIONS According to our data, patients undergoing TAVI with previous cardiac operations have a higher preoperative risk profile but have similar outcomes when compared with patients undergoing a first operation. In these subset of patients, TAVI is a promising therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the relative benefits of using different stent types for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with coronary bifurcation lesions submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients who underwent PCI for coronary bifurcations of a major epicardial vessel stenosis between March 2002 and December 2005 were enrolled. It suggests that the use of DES in DM patients was associated with improved outcomes in terms of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), cardiac death and repeat revascularization at long-term follow up.