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Background: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated similar outcomes in terms of ischemic stroke incidence after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) in asymptomatic carotid disease, while CEA seems to be the first option for symptomatic carotid disease. The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the incidence of silent cerebral microembolization detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following these procedures., Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, including comparative studies involving symptomatic or asymptomatic patients undergoing either CEA or CAS and reporting on new cerebral ischemic lesions in postoperative MRI. The primary outcome was the newly detected cerebral ischemic lesions. Pooled effect estimates for all outcomes were calculated using the random-effects model. Prespecified random effects metaregression and subgroup analysis were conducted to examine the impact of moderator variables on the presence of new cerebral ischemic lesions., Results: 25 studies reporting on a total of 1827 CEA and 1500 CAS interventions fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The incidence of new cerebral ischemic lesions was significantly lower after CEA compared to CAS, regardless of the time of MRI assessment (first 24 hours; OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17-0.64, P < 0.001), (the first 72 hours, OR: 0.25, 95% CI 0.18-0.36, P < 0.001), (generally within a week after the operation; OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.17-0.34, P < 0.001). Also, the rate of stroke (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23-0.63, P < 0.001) and the presence of contralateral new cerebral ischemic lesions (OR: 0.16, 95% CI 0.08-0.32, P < 0.001) were less frequent after CEA. Subgroup analysis based on the study design and the use of embolic protection device during CAS showed consistently lower rates of new lesions after CEA., Conclusions: CEA demonstrates significant lower rates of new silent cerebral microembolization, as detected by MRI in postoperative period compared with CAS., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fenestrated (FEVAR) and chimney (ChEVAR) endovascular aortic repair have been applied in anatomically suitable complex aortic aneurysms. However, local hemodynamic changes may occur after repair. This study aimed to compare FEVAR's and ChEVAR's hemodynamic properties, focusing on visceral arteries., Methods: Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography angiographies have been used to reconstruct patient-based models. Data of 3 patients, for each modality, were analyzed. Following geometric reconstruction, computational fluid dynamics simulations were used to extract near-wall and intravascular hemodynamic indicators, such as pressure drops, velocity, wall shear stress, time averaged wall shear stress, oscillatory shear index, relative residence time, and local normalized helicity., Results: An overall improvement in hemodynamics was detected after repair, with either technique. Preoperatively, a disturbed prothrombotic wall shear stress profile was recorded in several zones of the sac. The local normalized helicity results showed a better organization of the helical structures at postoperative setting, decreasing thrombus formation, with both modalities. Similarly, time averaged wall shear stress increased and oscillatory shear index decreased postoperatively, signaling nondisturbed blood flow. The relative residence time was locally reduced. The flow in visceral arteries tended to be more streamlined in ChEVAR, compared to evident recirculation regions at renal and superior mesenteric artery fenestrations (P = 0.06)., Conclusions: ChEVAR and FEVAR seem to improve hemodynamics toward normal values with a reduction of recirculation zones in the main graft and aortic branches. Visceral artery flow comparison revealed that ChEVAR tended to present lower recirculation regions at parallel grafts' entries while FEVAR showed less intense flow regurgitation in visceral stents., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is recommended as the first option for both elective and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) with suitable anatomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the gradual adoption of ruptured EVAR (rEVAR) as first option in the management of rAAAs in a reference tertiary center over a 16 year-period., Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected clinical data was undertaken, including all patients that were treated for rAAA infrarenal or juxtarenal either with open surgical repair (OSR) or EVAR from 2006-2023. Three periods were identified and analyzed: Initial (2006-2011); intermediate (2012-2017); and current (2018-2023). The primary outcomes were the 30-day mortality rate in relation to the changing pattern of treatment. Secondary outcomes were re-intervention and mortality during the follow up period., Results: Two hundred patients were treated for rAAA; 52% by endovascular means [EVAR (94), Ch-EVAR (9), and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (1)] and 48% by OSR (96). In the initial period, 61 patients were treated for rAAA (21% EVAR vs. 79% OSR), 68 in intermediate patients (47% EVAR vs. 53% OSR), and 71 in current period (83% EVAR vs. 17% OSR). Only in the current period juxta -renal rAAAs were treated by endovascular means (14%). The 30-day mortality rate was 46% in initial period (31% for EVAR vs. 50% for OSR), 64% in second period (46% in EVAR vs. 80% for OSR), and 35% in third period (25% for EVAR vs. 83% for OSR). The mean follow up did not differ between the groups, (EVAR 28.3 ± 2 months, vs. OSR 33.1 ± 3 months, P = 0.56). The survival rate did not differ between the groups; in rEVAR was 82% (SE 5%), 74% (SE 6%), 68% (SE 6.5%), and 63% (SE 7.7%) at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively, and in OSR was 76% (SE 7%), 66% (SE 8%), and 56% (SE 9.5%) at 6, 24, and 48 months, respectively (P = 0.544)., Conclusions: Through a 16-year period, the implementation of EVAR as treatment of choice for rAAAs over OSR resulted in a noticeable reduction in the 30-day mortality. rEVAR was feasible in over 80% of rAAA patients., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Female sex is a risk factor of post-operative mortality and morbidity after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the sex-specific early mortality following both elective and urgent AAA repair., Evidence Acquisition: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines were followed. Observational studies (2000-2022), of the English medical literature, focusing on early mortality after AAA repair in females under elective or urgent setting were eligible. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases, was conducted (November 30 th , 2022). The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality in relevant strata. A proportional metanalysis was used to assess the estimates., Evidence Synthesis: Seventeen retrospective studies and 83,738 females were included. Thereof 68.7% underwent elective repair while the remaining were managed urgently. Endovascular repair (EVAR) was applied in 37.3% of patients (15.4% urgent) vs. 62.7% with OSR (23.5% urgent). In the total cohort, the perioperative mortality was estimated at 11% (OR, 95% CI: 5-17%, P<0.01, I 2 99.92%) while 3% (OR, 95% CI: 0.02-0.03, P<0.01, I 2 93.42%) deceased after elective repair (2% OR, 95% CI 0.01-0.02, P<0.01, I 2 83.08%, after EVAR and 5% (OR, 95% CI: 0.05-0.06, P<0.01, I 2 77.36%, after OSR) and 36% (OR, 95% CI: 0.28-0.44, P<0.01, I 2 99.51%) after urgent repair (25% OR, 95% CI: 0.16-0.34, P<0.01, I 2 98.45%, after EVAR and 40% (OR, 95% CI: 0.34-0.46, P<0.01, I 2 95.96%, after OSR)., Conclusions: AAA repair in females appears to be associated with considerable postoperative mortality. Despite the rapid development of innovative techniques and intensive care of severely ill patients, perioperative mortality after ruptured AAA remains devastatingly high.

Background: A proximal seal extension, after previously failed standard endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), has been described using various endovascular techniques. The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the technical success, 30-day mortality, and mortality and reintervention rates during the available follow-up for patients managed with endovascular methods after failed endovascular repair., Methods: The present systematic review followed the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) statement and was preregistered at PROSPERO (no. CRD42022350436). A search of the English literature, via Ovid, using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases, until June 15, 2022, was performed. Observational studies (2000-2022) and case series with at least five patients who had undergone fenestrated/branched EVAR (F/BEVAR) after failed EVAR were considered eligible. Technical success and mortality at 30 days and the mortality and reintervention rates during available follow-up had to have been reported. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias. The primary outcome was technical success and mortality at 30 days., Results: The initial search yielded 2558 reports. Ten studies were considered eligible, two of which were prospective. A total of 423 patients had undergone F/BEVAR after failed EVAR. The indication for reintervention was the presence of a type Ia endoleak in 44.9%. Technical success was reported in seven studies, and 319 of 336 interventions were considered successful (94.9%), according to each study's criteria. Of the 423 patients, 10 had died within 30 days (2.4%). Seven patients had presented with spinal cord ischemia (2.4%). Twenty-three acute kidney injury events were reported (6.8%). The mean follow-up was 18 months (range, 1-77 months). During follow-up, 47 deaths were reported (14.8%). Finally, 50 reinterventions of 303 procedures (16.5%) had been performed., Conclusions: According to the available literature, F/BEVAR after failed EVAR can be performed with high technical success and low mortality during the perioperative period. The midterm mortality and reintervention rates were acceptable. However, further data are needed to provide firm conclusions regarding the safety and durability of F/BEVAR after failed EVAR., (Copyright © 2022 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Currently there is no robust evidence which type of bridging stent graft provides better outcomes after branched endovascular aortic repair (BEVAR). Self-expanding (SESG) and balloon-expandable (BESG) stent grafts are both commonly used to connect branches to their respective target vessels (TV). The aim of the current review was to evaluate the impact of the type of bridging stent grafts on TV outcomes during the mid-term follow-up after BEVAR., Materials and Methods: The study protocol was registered to the PROSPERO (CRD42021274766). A search of the English literature was conducted, using PubMed and EMBASE databases via Ovid and Cochrane database via CENTRAL, from inception to June 30, 2021, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Only comparative studies on BEVAR reporting TV outcomes related to BESG vs SESG were considered eligible. Individual studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment , Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. The primary outcomes were primary patency, freedom from endoleak, TV instability, and re-intervention between BESG and SESG, used as bridging stents in branches. The outcomes were summarized as odds ratio along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI), through a paired meta-analysis., Results: Five out of 609 articles published from 2016 to 2020 were included in the analysis. In total, 1406 TV were revascularized, 547 (38.9 %) with BESGs and 859 with SESGs. The overall pooled primary patency (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-1.09; p=.256, I 2 =4.24%) and freedom from branch-related endoleak (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.17-1.48; p<.122, I 2 =0.18%) did not differ between the stent types during the available follow-up (17 months, range = 12-35 months). In 4 studies (619 TV), SESG required fewer secondary interventions (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.23-1.83; p=.009, I 2 =0%) and TV instability rate was lower (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.33-1.65; p=.003, I 2 =0%) compared with BESG during the available follow-up., Conclusion: BESG and SESG seem to perform similarly in terms of primary patency and branch-related endoleak during the mid-term follow-up. Current data from retrospective studies suggest that overall TV instability and re-intervention rates are favorable for SESG as bridging stent grafts in BEVAR.

Background: Conical neck may affect endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) outcomes. The aim of this study was to present EVAR neck adverse events [endoleak type Ia (ET Ia) and graft migration], in patients with conical neck morphology compared to patients with non-conical necks. An additional analysis of the factors that may affect neck adverse events in patients with conical necks, during the first postoperative year, was executed., Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospective data was conducted, including patients that underwent elective EVAR, between 2017 and 2019. All patients completed the clinical and imaging follow-up of the initial 12 months. Regarding imaging, all cases underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA), preoperatively, at the 1st and 12th month of follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative aneurysm anatomic characteristics (supra-renal and infra-renal aortic diameters, aneurysm diameter, neck angle, thrombus, and calcification) were recorded. Proximal neck was defined as the infrarenal aortic segment, with a diameter less than 30 mm. Conical neck was any neck with a diameter increase ≥2 mm per cm of length (from outer-to-outer aortic wall). The proximal 15 mm of the neck length were considered the zone of endograft sealing. Migration was any ≥10 mm caudal movement of the endograft, relative to its position detected at the CTA of the first month. Neck adverse events were defined as the composite event of ET Ia and migration., Results: The cohort included 150 patients; 66 (44%) presented conical neck morphology. No significant difference was detected regarding the preoperative anatomic characteristics between the conical and non-conical groups. Only distal (15 mm) neck diameter was wider in the conical group (P < 0.001). Supra-renal active fixation was used in 63.3% of the total cohort; 59.5% in patients with non-conical necks and 68.2% in patients with conical morphology (P = 0.275). Graft oversizing was 18.2% and 18.7% in the non-conical and conical group, respectively (P = 0.248). Oversizing >20% was equal between groups [37.8% vs. 33.3%% (P = 0.608) while oversizing ≥30% was more common among patients with conical necks (3.5% vs. 10.6%, P < 0.001, 3.2 odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.79, 12.91). Regarding ET Ia and migration, no difference was recorded between the groups. In a subanalysis among patients with conical necks, a lower graft migration rate was detected among patients with higher oversizing rate (P = 0.037)., Conclusions: EVAR may offer similarly good midterm outcomes in patients with conical and non-conical neck anatomy. An oversizing to the higher suggested rate may be preventive of graft migration during the first postoperative year in necks with conical morphology. Aggressive oversizing (>20%) do not offer any benefit regarding the prevention of adverse events among patients with conical necks., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aortocaval fistula (ACF) secondary to an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a rare complication, inadvertently caused by a rupture into the inferior vena cava. Different treatment modalities have been applied toward the repair of such lesions, including open surgical and endovascular repair. The aim of this study was to report on ACF treatment and to analyze its early and mid-term outcomes., Methods: A systematic search of the English medical literature published between 2000 and 2022 was undertaken, using PubMed, SCOPUS, and CENTRAL databases as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines. A study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022329058). Studies reporting on primary ACF outcomes following open surgical or endovascular repair were included. The ROBINS-I tool was applied for risk of bias assessment. Outcomes included technical success, 30-day and mid-term survival, endoleak following endovascular repair, and reintervention rates., Results: In total, 110 case studies, incorporating 196 patients (mean age; 66.2 years, males 96%) were included. Open surgical repair was applied in 78% (153/196). From the available data, technical success rate for each modality was 99% (152/153) and 100% (43/43), respectively. Open and endovascular repair demonstrated 87.5% (126/144) and 97.6% (42/43) 30-day survival, respectively, while mid-term survival was 86% (74/86) and 95.2% (20/21), respectively (medial follow-up: 14 months [1-54 months]). Endoleaks were reported in 19 endovascular cases (39.5%). Type II endoleak was the most frequent with a rate at 32.5% (14/43). Reintervention rates were 2.5% (4/151) and 35.7% (15/42) for open and endovascular repair, respectively., Conclusions: Only few case studies were published on the treatment of this rare condition, while almost all invasive procedures were performed in males. Management of ACF repair with both open and endovascular approach was associated with excellent technical success rate and acceptable early and mid-term survival outcomes. Reintervention remained an issue for patients who were managed endovascularly., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Proximal sealing zone has been the main interest in endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), although the distal landing zone remodeling may also affect EVAR durability. The aim of this study was to assess iliac anatomy and its potential impact on distal landing zone adverse events after EVAR during the 12-month follow-up., Methods: A prospective data collection of patients treated with standard bifurcated EVAR devices for abdominal aortic aneurysm was undertaken between 2017 and 2019. Patients that received extension to the external iliac artery were excluded. Follow-up included computed tomography angiography (CTA) at the 1st and 12th month postoperatively. The common iliac artery (CIA) diameter was assessed in three levels: origin (just below the aortic bifurcation), distally (just above the iliac bifurcation) and the middle of the distance between these two landmarks. Iliac angle, tortuosity indexes, relining and oversizing were also analyzed. Distal landing zone-related adverse events were any limb related re-intervention, endoleak type Ib, graft migration, limb stenosis, or occlusion., Results: In total, 268 iliac limbs (134 patients) were included. In all three levels, the mean iliac artery diameters increased at 12-month follow-up. At the origin of the CIA, the diameter increased from 18.7 ± 10.5 mm to 19.9 ± 9.4 mm (P = 0.04), at the middle portion of the CIA, the diameter changed significantly from 15.5 ± 5.1 mm to 17.4 ± 5.4 mm (P < 0.001) and at the distal CIA, from 14.6 ± 3.3 mm to 15.1 ± 3.9 mm (P = 0.03). The iliac angle remained stable (P = 0.14) while the CIA index decreased significantly from 1.17 ± 0.13 to 1.11 ± 0.09 (P < 0.001). The mean value of oversizing was 21.5 ± 14.5% and affected distal iliac diameter increase (P < 0.001). The composite outcome of distal landing zone adverse events was not associated to diameter changes at any level. In 57 cases, a distal iliac diameter ≥18 mm was recorded. The estimated oversizing was lower (16.3 ± 11.8%) compared to <18 mm arteries (22.5 ± 14.9%, P = 0.01). At 12-month follow-up, iliac diameters remained stable in the ≥18 mm group. Endoleak type Ib was more common in iliac arteries ≥18 mm [3 (5.3%) vs. 1 (0.5%) (P = 0.04)] at 12-months., Conclusions: Post-EVAR iliac artery dilation does not seem to have an impact on distal landing zone adverse events during the 12-month follow-up. Aggressive oversizing may be related to iliac dilation. EVAR patients with iliac arteries ≥18 mm are at higher risk for ET Ib., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aortic remodeling and its effect on adverse events after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) remain under investigation. This study aimed to assess aortic diameter alterations after EVAR, related risk factors and consequences to proximal sealing at 12 months., Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive EVAR patients was undertaken. All patients underwent computed tomography angiography, preoperatively, at 1 st and 12 th month. The infrarenal diameter was measured just below the inferior renal artery, at 7 mm and 15 mm while the suprarenal, just above the superior renal artery (SRA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and just below the celiac trunk. Neck-related adverse events included migration and endoleak Ia., Results: A hundred fifty patients were included. At 1 st month, no significant diameter alteration was recorded at any level. At 12 th month, all infra-renal diameters increased (P<0.001) and diameters at SRA and SMA also augmented (P=0.024 and P=0.007, respectively). Neck diameter >29 mm, supra-renal fixation and oversizing >20% were associated to dilation at 12 th month. Neck adverse events were related to diameter alterations below the inferior renal artery (P=0.017), SRA (P=0.007) and SMA (P=0.05)., Conclusions: During the 12-month follow-up, aortic dilation may be detected from the supra-renal aorta to the total neck length. Neck dilation may be attributed to large neck diameter, supra-renal fixation, and aggressive oversizing. Neck-related adverse events are more common in patients with aortic dilation at 12 months.

Purpose of Review: Type A intramural hematoma (TAIMH) is an acute aortic disease characterized by the presence of hematoma in the aortic media and involving the ascending aorta. Open repair seems to be the first treatment approach, although recent evidence highlights that the best management of TAIMH is controversial. This review will focus on the current concept for TAIMH management and factors affecting the decision making., Recent Findings: Recent studies have evaluated the role of open and endovascular repair, as well as conservative management in patients with TAIMH. More specific imaging findings seem to affect decision making for urgent repair., Summary: Despite TAIMH's acute nature, conservative management seems to represent a valid option for urgent approach, presenting similar mortality to open and endovascular repair. Comparative data are limited, however, in experienced centers, any approach may be applied with encouraging results. Endovascular management, which is mainly applied to manage retrograde TAIMH, is related to lower mortality and morbidity compared to open repair in this group of patients while aortic remodeling seems beneficial with this approach. Imaging findings, as ulcer-like lesions, hematoma thickness, concomitant dissection and aortic diameter, related to higher complication rate, set the indication for interventional management. Further research, including prospective data and registries, and ideally, randomized data may further clarify the best approach and factors indicating urgent repair., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Ascending aorta and aortic arch diseases have an increasing interest among cardiovascular specialists regarding diagnosis and management. Innovations in endovascular surgery and evolution of open surgery have extended the indications for treatment in patients previously considered unfit for surgery. The aim of this systematic review of the literature was to present and analyze current cardiovascular guidelines for overlap and differences in their recommendations regarding ascending aorta and aortic arch diseases and the assessment of evidence., Methods: The English medical literature was searched using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from January 2009 to December 2020. Recommendations on selected topics were analyzed, including issues from definitions and diagnosis (imaging and biomarkers) and indications for treatment to management, including surgical techniques, of the most important ascending aorta and aortic arch diseases., Results: The initial search identified 2414 articles. After exclusion of duplicate or inappropriate articles, the final analysis included 5 articles from multidisciplinary, cardiovascular societies published between 2010 and 2019. The definition of non-A-non-B aortic dissection is lacking from most of the guidelines. There is a disagreement regarding the class of recommendation and level of evidence for the diameter of ascending aorta as an indication. The indication for treatment of aortic disease may be individualized in specific cases while the growth rate may also affect the decision making. The role of endovascular techniques has not been established in current guidelines except by 1 society. Supportive evidence level in the management of aortic arch diseases remains limited., Conclusion: In current recommendations of cardiovascular societies, the ascending aorta and aortic arch remain a domain of open surgery despite the introduction of endovascular techniques. Recommendations of the included societies are mostly based on expert opinion, and the role of endovascular techniques has been highlighted only from 1 society. The chronological heterogeneity apparent among guidelines and the inconsistency in evidence level should be also acknowledged. More data are needed to develop more solid recommendations for the ascending aorta and aortic arch diseases.

Purpose: The post-endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) inflammatory response, which is very often associated with fever, has been ascribed to a wide range of proinflammatory mediators and operative events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of such factors in the development of fever of noninfectious origin after elective EVAR., Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients treated with standard elective EVAR between February 2017 and December 2020 was undertaken. The database included patients' demographics and comorbidities, as well as laboratory inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, neutrophils, and C-reactive protein [CRP]) and anatomical characteristics (sac diameter, inferior mesenteric artery [IMA] patency and diameter, number of patent lumbar arteries, internal iliac artery [IIA] patency or occlusion). Intraoperative details, such as type of stent graft material and IIA overstenting, were also analyzed. Patients with infectious postoperative complications or previously receiving systemic anti-inflammatory medication were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 22.0 for Windows software (IBM Corp, Armonk, New York)., Results: From 332 patients treated with elective EVAR between 2017 and 2020, 268 patients (all men) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 72.1±7.5 years and the mean aneurysm diameter was 59.1±12.1 mm. Seventeen patients were excluded due to a known infection site. From the study cohort, 114 (42.5%) patients presented with fever. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that the occlusion of IMA ≥5 mm (p<0.008) and higher CRP (p<0.001) were independent factors associated with postoperative fever. A subanalysis was performed only on patients with patent IMA before EVAR. In the multivariate regression analysis of this subgroup, IMA ≥5 mm (p=0.008), presence of dyslipidemia (p=0.037), and higher CRP (p<0.001) were related to fever., Conclusion: Occlusion of an existing wide (≥5 mm) and patent IMA prior to EVAR may contribute to the development of post-EVAR pyrexia. The CRP is a reliable marker for post-EVAR fever. Further prospective studies are needed to corroborate these findings.

Background: A persistent endoleak type II (ET II) after endovascular repair for aortic aneurysms is not always a benign condition and has been associated to sac expansion, rupture, and reintervention. A variety of different endovascular approaches are available for ET II treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the currently available literature on transcaval embolization for ET II treatment after standard or complex endovascular aortic aneurysm repair., Methods: This systematic review protocol was registered to the PROSPERO (CRD42021289686). The PRISMA guidelines and patient, intervention, comparison, outcome (P.I.C.O.) model was followed. A data search of the literature was conducted, using PubMed, EMBASE via Ovid, and CENTRAL databases, until September 30, 2021. Only studies reporting on ET II embolization using the transcaval approach after endovascular aneurysm repair were included. Studies reporting on different type of endoleak treatment or any other embolization approach were excluded. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Primary outcomes were technical success and freedom from ET II persistence during follow-up; secondary outcomes were any postoperative complication associated with the transcaval embolization and need for reintervention., Results: The search yielded 2861 articles in total. Eight articles were included, reporting on 117 patients and 128 transcaval embolizations. The indication for treatment was ET II presence with sac expansion of more than 5 mm; in two studies, the presence of persistent endoleak has set the indication to intervene. The technical success was 91.4% (117/128); a variety of embolic materials were used, including coils, thrombin, and glue. Three cases of deep vein thrombosis were recorded and the remaining morbidity and mortality were null. Follow-up was ranging between 0 and 25 months. Out of 8 studies, persistent ET II rate was 12.8% and 18 reinterventions were performed (14.1%,), including 10 transcaval coil embolizations (56%). Sac expansion was reported in 11 cases, out of 3 studies (17%). Only one case of death, not associated with transcaval embolization, was recorded., Conclusions: Transcaval embolization for ET II treatment presents a high technical success and low mortality in the early and mid-term period. ET II persistence rate is low during the available 12-month follow-up., (Copyright © 2022 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength. It manifests as decreased core muscle area in axial abdominal computed tomography scans. The predictive value of sarcopenia in outcome research has been widely discussed. A systematic review was conducted to assess sarcopenia as a biomarker in patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and its association with long-term survival., Methods: A systematic search of the English medical literature, published from 1991 to 2021, was conducted, using PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL, as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA, 2020) guidelines. The study protocol was registered to the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD 42021260192). Observational studies reporting on sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients undergoing EVAR were included. The Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) risk of bias evaluation tool was used for the quality assessment. The outcomes were summarized as odds ratio (OR) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI), through a paired meta-analysis. The primary outcome was 5-year survival following EVAR., Results: Eleven observational studies, including 2,385 patients (89.6% males) treated with EVAR, between 1999 and 2018, were included in the qualitative synthesis. The mean age was 72.9 years (range 70-76.4 years). Nine of the studies reported on a negative prognostic value of sarcopenia on survival during a long-term follow-up. Six studies stratified their cohorts in sarcopenic versus nonsarcopenic patients (40.3% sarcopenic). The cutoff values (mm 2 or mm 2 /m 2 ) for defining sarcopenic patients were heterogeneous while ranging from 451 to 4,820 mm 2 /m 2 and 1,207 to 11,400 mm 2 . Eight studies reported data on the mean follow-up duration, ranging from 27 to 101 months. Six studies reported on outcomes in terms of 5-year survival rates after EVAR, favoring nonsarcopenic over sarcopenic patients, with survival rates ranging from 58 to 93% and 24 to 60%, respectively. After a meta-analysis including 3 eligible studies, sarcopenia was associated with worse 5-year survival after EVAR (OR 0.77, 95% CI [0.58, 0.97], P < 0.001)., Conclusions: The available data derived from observational studies suggest an association between sarcopenia and worse long-term survival in patients treated with EVAR. There is a lack of a universally accepted definition for sarcopenia and future reporting standards should address this issue. Prospective studies are necessary to establish this negative prognostic value of sarcopenia on long-term survival., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Females represent a group of patients with higher mortality after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), endovascular (EVAR), or open surgical (OSR), repair. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the 30-day mortality after AAA repair in females, comparing both EVAR and OSR, in elective and urgent settings., Methods: The protocol of the review was registered to the PROSPERO database (CRD42021242686). A search of the English literature was conducted, using PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases, from inception to March 5, 2021, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines (PRISMA). Only studies reporting on 30-day mortality of AAA repair, in urgent and elective settings, comparing EVAR and OSR, in the female population were eligible. Patients were stratified according to the need for elective or urgent repair. Symptomatic and ruptured cases were included into the urgent group. Individual studies were assessed for risk of bias using the (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies - of Interventions) ROBINS-I tool. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality after AAA repair in the female population, comparing EVAR and OSR. The outcomes were summarized as odds ratio, along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), through a paired meta-analysis., Results: Eight studies reported data on 30-day mortality following AAA repair. A total of 56,982 females (22,995 EVAR vs 33,987 OSR) were included. A significantly reduced total 30-day mortality rate was recorded among females that underwent EVAR compared with OSR (odds ratio [OR], 0.25; 95% CI, 0.23-0.27; P < .001; Ι 2  = 86%). In addition, a reduced 30-day mortality was found in females that underwent elective EVAR compared with OSR (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.33-0.41; P < .001; Ι 2  = 48%). Despite the fact that OSR was more frequently offered in the urgent setting (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.19-0.23; P < .001; Ι 2  = 84%), EVAR was associated with a reduced 30-day mortality (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.40-0.57; P < .001; Ι 2  = 0%)., Conclusions: In females, EVAR is associated with lower 30-day mortality in both elective and urgent AAA repair, although it appears as less likely to be offered in the setting of urgent AAA repair., (Copyright © 2021 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of accessory renal artery (ARA) coverage on renal function in terms of acute kidney injury (AKI), renal infarction, chronic renal failure (CRF), and mortality in patients undergoing standard endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) or endovascular repair of complex aneurysms., Methods: An electronic search of the English language medical literature from 2000 to September 2020 was conducted using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) method for studies reporting on ARA management in patients undergoing endovascular repair of aneurysms in the abdominal and thoracoabdominal aorta. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1, patients with ARA coverage; and group 2, patients without an ARA or without coverage of the ARA. Each group included two arms, one of patients who had undergone standard EVAR and one of patients who had undergone endovascular treatment of a complex aortic aneurysm. The GRADE (grading of recommendations assessment, development, evaluation) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence and summary of the findings. The primary outcomes included the incidence of AKI, renal infarction, CRF, and mortality., Results: Ten retrospective, nonrandomized, control studies were included in the systematic review reporting on 1014 patients (302 with a covered ARA vs 712 without an ARA or without ARA coverage). In six studies, the mean diameter of the covered ARA was <4 mm (range, 2.7-3.4 mm). The mean follow-up was 22.74 months (range, 1-42 months). In the standard EVAR subgroup, the risk of AKI (odds ratio [OR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-2.51; I 2 = 0%] in the early period, and CRF (OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 0.46-42.61; I 2 = 87%) and death (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.36-2.31; I 2 = 0%) during follow-up were similar between groups 1 and 2. Only the risk of renal infarction was greater in group 1 than in group 2 (OR, 93.3; 95% CI, 1.48-5869; I 2 = 92%). In the complex aneurysm repair subgroup, the risk of AKI (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 0.61-5.64; I 2 = 42%) in early period and CRF (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.88-3.07; I 2 = not applicable) and death (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 0.14-96.29; I 2 = 56%) during follow-up were similar between groups 1 and 2. Only the risk of renal infarction was greater for group 1 compared with group 2 (OR, 8.58; 95% CI, 4.59-16.04; I 2 = 0%)., Conclusions: ARA (<4 mm) coverage in patients undergoing standard EVAR or endovascular repair of complex aneurysms is associated with an increased risk of renal infarction. However, we found no clinical effects of ARA coverage on renal function or mortality in early postoperative and follow-up period. Preservation of an ARA >4 mm should be considered., (Copyright © 2021 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the treatment of choice for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), demonstrating excellent early outcomes. However, EVAR durability has been questioned in the long-term period. The aim of this study was to assess EVAR outcomes in terms of survival and freedom from re-intervention during a long-term period., Methods: All consecutive patients being treated, with elective standard EVAR, in a single tertiary center, were included between 2008 and 2018. Outcomes were defined as survival and freedom from re-intervention and were reported using Kaplan-Meyer lifetables. In subgroup analyses, sex, age (threshold at 65 and 80 years), neck diameter>28mm and type of fixation were also analyzed. Type of re-intervention and endoleak type I (ETIa) were also reported., Results: Five hundred and eight patients (94% males, mean age 72±7.3, mean AAA diameter 59±9mm) were included. The median follow-up was 3 years (range 0-10 years). The survival rate was 92.8% (SE 1.5%), 76.5% (SE 3.1%) and 41.6% (SE 6%), at 2, 5 and 10 years of follow-up, respectively. In total, 78 patients died; 8 deaths (8/75, 10%) were aneurysm related. In multivariate regression analysis, age (CI. 1.02-1.14; p=0.006) and ever tobacco use (CI. 1.02-6.12, P=0.045) were associated with the long-term mortality. Freedom from re-intervention was 96% (SE 1.1%), 93% (SE 1.8%), 85.5% (SE 5%) at 2, 5 and 9 years of follow-up. Limb occlusion was a common complication (n/n; 30% of re-intervention), particularly within the first 2 postoperative years. Six patients presented with rupture and were treated with open conversion. EVAR cases with supra-renal fixation graft presented lower rates of ETIa (CI. 76-87.27, P<0.001)., Conclusions: Elective standard EVAR is associated with good long-term survival showing low aneurysm-related mortality. Common risk factors such as advanced age and smoking are associated to higher mortality. The procedure presents low re-intervention rates, while limb occlusion is a complication presented within the first 2 postoperative years.

Cardiovascular societies have developed recommendations regarding the management of thoracic aortic diseases. While improvements in treatment have been observed during the past decade in regard to patient selection, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and associated techniques, and high-volume centralization, the broad expansion of TEVAR has raised considerations about its indications, appropriateness, limitations, and application. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the similarities and differences among current cardiovascular societies' guidelines for the management of thoracic aortic diseases. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 2009 to May 2020. The initial search identified 990 articles. After exclusion of duplicate or inappropriate articles, the final analysis included 5 articles from cardiovascular societies published between 2010 and 2020. Selected controversial topics were analyzed, including diagnosis, imaging, spinal cord ischemia prevention, and management of the most important thoracic aortic pathologies. The analysis included data concerning the therapeutic approach in acute and chronic type B aortic dissection, penetrating aortic ulcer, intramural hematoma, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and traumatic aortic injury, as well a discussion of inflammatory aneurysms, aortitis, and genetic syndromes. The review presents consistent and controversial recommendations, as well as "gray zone" issues that need further investigation. There was significant overlap and agreement among the 5 societies regarding the management of thoracic aortic diseases. Especially in dissection and aneurysm management, TEVAR has established its role as the treatment of choice. However, robust evidence is still needed in many aspects of the management of thoracic aortic pathologies.

Objectives: Durability after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is considered an ongoing topic of investigation and was always a point of concern with smaller profile devices. Recently released five-year clinical trial results using the Incraft® ultralow profile device are encouraging. However, additional real-life experience will need to assist these initial findings. Herein, we investigated the outcomes after EVAR, in real world practice using the Incraft® endograft (EG)., Material and Methods: Seventy-seven patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) ≥50 mm in diameter treated with the Incraft® device in three vascular centers were enrolled from November 2015 to July 2018. Follow-up was completed in August 2020. Selection of EVAR using the Incraft® device was individualized according to aorto-iliac morphologic features, comorbidities, history of previous abdominal surgery and preference of the patient. At the early phase of the study, we specifically opted for preferential use of this low profile EG mainly in cases of small and tortuous iliac vessels (more challenging access routes). At later stages, it was used according to surgeon preference and not specifically in complex anatomies (real-world conditions). End-points included technical success, perioperative complications, 30-day survival, endoleg patency, presence of endoleaks, sac enlargement >5 mm and clinical success., Results: The primary technical success rate was 97.4% before the addition of an aortic cuff and iliac extension for a type Ia and type Ib endoleak respectively, and the repair of a maldeployment iliac component (primary-assisted and secondary technical success, 100%). Intraoperative small type II endoleaks (visible in final angiogram) were noted in 19 patients (24.7%). There were no intraoperative deaths from AAA rupture, primary conversions or conversions to aortounilateral grafts. Two complications occurred, necessitating hybrid techniques for repair (replaced of a dislodged endoleg and distal external iliac artery hemostasis). No deaths were reported within 30 days. Occlusion of an endoleg, was observed in two patients, 6 and 14 months respectively after implantation (2.6%), and were treated by femoral-femoral PTFE bypass after unsuccessful endovascular recanalization. The latter required open conversion, 3 mo later, to repair compromised flow to the inflow iliac axis. Three patients (3.9%) experienced sac enlargement >5 mm in diameter compared with the 1-month CT scan. All of these had type II endoleaks and two received embolization procedures. Eleven patients died from causes unrelated to AAA repair. Clinical success was 97.3%, 92.8% and 89.4% through 1, 2 and 3 years respectively., Conclusions: EVAR with the Incraft® device might be considered a reliable option in real-world conditions and not specifically only in complex iliac anatomies., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The widespread use of endovascular repair in thoracic aorta (TEVAR) pathologies has ameliorated postoperative outcomes. This meta-analysis was designed to investigate the intra-operative use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) compared to angiography in patients undergoing TEVAR., Evidence Acquisition: The meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement (PRISMA) guidelines. A data search of the English literature was conducted, using PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases, until November 30, 2019. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence and the summary of findings for each of the included outcomes., Evidence Synthesis: The final analysis included 7 articles (183 patients). All patients underwent TEVAR using intra-operative TEE and angiography. The sensitivity and specificity rates of entry points were 0.624 (95% CI: 0.145-0.97) and 0.377 (95% CI: 0.029-0.856), respectively. Regarding the detection of adequate guidewire advancement, the sensitivity was 0.778 (95% CI: 0.288-939) and specifity 0.346 (95% CI: 0.019-0.844). TEE could detect endograft incomplete deployment within acceptable rates of sensitivity and specifity, estimated at 0.616 (95% CI: 0.141-0.971) and 0.365 (95% CI: 0.028-0.845), respectively. The intra-operative detection of endoleaks presented a sensitivity estimated at 0.875 (0.51-0.998) and specificity at 0.698 (95% CI: 0.284-0.904)., Conclusions: Despite the limitations of this analysis, TEE may be evaluated in the current endovascular era, as a useful tool, providing adequate information, on graft deployment and early endoleaks.

The development of endovascular techniques has improved abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) management over the past 2 decades. Different cardiovascular societies worldwide have recommended the endovascular approach as the standard of care in their currently available guidelines. While endovascular treatment has established its role in daily clinical practice, a new debate has arisen regarding the indications, appropriateness, limitations, and role of open surgery. To inform this debate, the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from 2010 to May 2020; the systematic search identified 5 articles published between 2011 and 2020 by 4 cardiovascular societies and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Four debatable domains were assessed and analyzed: diagnostic methods and screening, preoperative management, indications and treatment modalities, and postoperative follow-up and endoleak management. The review addresses controversial proposals as well as widely accepted recommendations and "gray zone" issues that need to be further investigated and analyzed, such as screening in women, medical management, and follow-up imaging. While the recommendations for AAA management have significant overlap and agreement among international cardiovascular societies, the NICE guidelines diverge regarding the role of open repair in aortic disease, recommending conventional surgery in most elective cases.

Introduction: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) via a transcarotid revascularization (TCAR) approach has emerged as an alternative when carotid endarterectomy or conventional CAS is contraindicated. The present study was conducted to assess the feasibility and safety of TCAR in patients with carotid artery stenosis., Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review of the literature was performed, according to PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses), using PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases. The primary outcomes included technical success, perioperative neurological event, myocardial ischemic events, death and their composite. Operational duration, flow reversal time and any local procedure related complication (carotid dissection and cranial nerve injury) were also recorded., Evidence Synthesis: Twenty-three studies were included, reporting on 3130 patients, undergoing TCAR. Thirty-five per cent of them were symptomatic. Technical success was 98% (95% CI: 0.97-0.99; P=0.11, I 2 =32%). Early (30-day) new neurological event rate was estimated at 2% (95% CI: 0.01-0.02; P=1.0, I 2 =0%, respectively) while early death rate was 1% (95% CI: 0.00-0.01; P=1.0, I 2 =0%). Myocardial ischemic (MI) event rate was 1% (95% CI, 0.00-0.01, P=0.97, I 2 =6.6%). The composite outcome of neurological event/MI/death at 30-day follow-up was 2% (95% CI: 0.01-0.02, P=0.79, I 2 =14%). Carotid dissection rate during the intervention was 2% (95% CI: 0.01-0.03, P=0.58, I 2 =2.9%) while the post-operatively detected cranial nerve injury rate was 1% (95% CI, 0.00-0.01, P=1.0, I 2 =0%). Regarding the technical aspects of the procedures, operational and flow reversal time were at 73.8 min and 13.7 min, respectively (95% CI: 68.2-79.3, P=0.18, I 2 =37.6% and 95% CI: 11.3-16.1, P=0.48, I 2 =0%, respectively)., Conclusions: TCAR is feasible with high technical success rate. The procedure presents low incidence of local complications, neurological events, myocardial complications and mortality during the early postoperative period and should be considered an acceptable alternative for patients treated for carotid artery stenosis.

Introduction: The repair of long-term complications of open abdominal aortic repair such as para-anastomotic aneurysm (PAA) and pseudoaneurysm (PSA) is very challenging. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of endovascular repair of PAA/PSA after previous open aortic surgery for aneurismal or occlusive disease., Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review was undertaken; a search was performed (PRISMA) in MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Cochrane databases and key references of all studies of endovascular treatment of PAA/PSA after open aortic surgery., Evidence Synthesis: Eighteen studies included totally 433 patients (86.3% males) with mean age of 71±2.5 years were identified. Most of the patients were asymptomatic (76%) and diagnosed with PAA (60.5%), while 81.6% had history of open aortic reconstruction for aneurismal disease. The mean diameter of para-anastomotic aneurysms was 59.7 mm (from 23 mm to 110 mm) and the mean duration until their diagnosis was 10±2 years. Standard bifurcated (23.7%), fenestrated (23.4%) and aorto-uni-iliac stent-grafts (16.3%) were mostly used. The technical success rate was 97.8% (391/400) with 1.4% (6/433) 30 day-mortality rate and mean hospital stay of 6±3 days. The mean 1- and 2- year survival rate was 87.8% and 78.8%, respectively. The follow-up ranged from 9 to 43 months, with presenting complications such as endoleak type I (24/378; 6.3%), type II (15/354; 4.3%), type III (3/378;0.8%), migration (4/378; 1%) and limb occlusion (5/310;1.6%). Additionally, 5.7% (19/332) of the patients underwent open conversion, while the total re-intervention rate was 11.4% (39/340; time of reintervention ranged from 7 to 30 months). In cases in which a stent was used for splanchnic vessels (renal artery: 188, superior mesenteric artery: 98, celiac artery: 64), the primary patency rate was 97.4% (341/350)., Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of PAAs and PSAs after previous open aortic surgery is a feasible and efficient option with high technical success rate, low 30-day mortality and good mid-term outcomes.

Background: To assess the relation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter with the proximal neck anatomy (PNA) hostility and to evaluate its impact on the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) outcomes with the use of newer generation endografts., Methods: Retrospective analysis of single institution's recorded data from February 2009 to April 2016. Patients' characteristics, comorbidities, aortic morphology, perioperative characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. In relation to AAA diameter 2 groups were identified: group A (50-55 mm) and group B (>55 mm). Hostile PNA was defined based on: neck diameter >28 mm, length <15 mm, angulation >60o, and circumferential thrombus and/or calcification >50%. The aortic neck scoring system was calculated. Multiple logistic regression analysis with a forward likelihood ratio method adjusted for age and gender was undertaken., Results: Three hundred seventeen patients (96% males, mean age 72.4±9 years, 80% elective) were follow-up for a mean of 23.4 months (range, 3-86 months). No differences were observed in demographics and co-morbidities between the two groups (group A: 134, 42% vs. group B: 183, 58%). Hostile PNA was present in 147/317 (46%) patients and significantly more likely to be present in group B (P<0.001). In group B the aortic neck score was higher (P<0.001), the likelihood for having hostile PNA increased for neck diameter by 2.2-fold (OR 2.2, P=0.013, 95% CI: 1.18-4.03), length by 2.3-fold (OR 2.3, P=0.012, 95% CI: 1.20-4.51), angle by 4.8-fold (OR 4.8, P=0.002, 95% CI: 1.79-13.24) and presence of thrombus by 1.5-fold (OR 1.5, P=0.037, 95% CI: 1.45-10.34). No association existed for neck calcification (P=0.071). Technical success, adjunctive procedures, perioperative characteristics and outcomes were comparable in friendly and hostile PNAs., Conclusions: PNA hostility is more likely in AAA with diameter >55 mm but with the use of newer generation endografts this did not influence the short- and mid-term EVAR outcomes. Longer follow-up is needed for a more definite conclusion.

Objective: The natural history of endoleak type II (ET II) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is still debatable. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of preoperative and postoperative factors associated with persistence of ET II during the initial 12-month follow-up period., Methods: A two-center retrospective study including patients subjected to EVAR from 2006 to 2017 was undertaken. Patients with ET II at 1-month computed tomography angiography (CTA) were categorized into two groups, resolution (group 1) vs persistence (group 2) of ET II at 12-month CTA. Preoperative demographics, comorbidities, aneurysm anatomic details, and pelvic artery index were assessed. Intraoperative details were also recorded., Results: Of 825 patients, 140 (17%) patients (mean age, 71.7 ± 8.5 years; 94% male) presented with ET II at 1-month CTA. Group 1 included 58 patients (41%) and group 2, 82 patients (59%). The anatomic characteristics of the inferior mesenteric artery and lumbar arteries and the pelvic artery indices were not associated with ET II persistence. All patients in group 1 had presence of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) on preoperative CTA (group 1, 100%; group 2, 67%; P = .001), and the circular pattern of ILT was more common in group 1 (group 1, 44%; group 2, 24%; P = .01). At 12-month CTA, the mean sac regression was higher in group 1 (group 1, -3 ± 4 mm; group 2, 0.55 ± 3 mm; P = .000). After multivariate analysis, persistence of ET II was directly associated only with intraoperative internal iliac occlusion (odds ratio [OR], 0.232; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.86; P = .03) and inversely with statin therapy (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.01- 6.8; P = .047) and sac regression (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.11-1.39; P = .001)., Conclusions: Induced occlusion of the internal iliac artery during EVAR was the only factor associated with persistence of ET II during the first year after EVAR. The presence and pattern of ILT may play a role in ET II persistence, whereas the number of patent infrarenal aortic branches and their diameter as well as the pelvic artery indices were not associated with ET II. The use of statins may have a positive effect on ET II resolution during the first postoperative year. Sac diameter is more likely to regress in patients with ET II resolution., (Copyright © 2019 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Remodeling of suprarenal aorta after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in relation to different endograft designs has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the anatomical configuration of the suprarenal aorta after using endografts with different proximal fixation during the first post-EVAR year., Methods: A retrospective study including EVAR patients using 3 types of endografts with different proximal fixation systems according to Instructions for Use was undertaken (50: Ovation, Endologix, Irvin, CA; 25: Endurant IIs, Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA; 25: Excluder C3, W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). Comorbidities were recorded. Anatomic variables of the supra-aortic anatomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) maximum diameter, and neck angulation were analyzed. Computed tomography angiography was obtained preoperatively at 1 and 12 months post-EVAR, while a duplex scan was undertaken at 6 months., Results: Comorbidities were not different across the 3 groups. Presence and amount of neck calcification (P = 0.139) and thrombus (P = 0.116) was similar among groups. Maximum aortic diameter showed significant reduction from preoperative measurements to 12-month postoperative ones, for all groups. (Ovation: 56.5 to 53 mm, P < 0.001; Endurant: 57 to 51 mm, P < 0.001; Excluder: 55 to 50 mm, P < 0.001). Suprarenal angulation was decreased significantly in the Ovation (P < 0.001) and Excluder groups (P = 0.05), while the infrarenal angulation was decreased in all groups. Among endografts, the decrease in AAA maximum diameter was similar (P = 0.99), while the suprarenal aortic diameter was significantly increased in Ovation patients in comparison to the other 2 endografts at the level of 5 mm (P = 0.02) and 25 mm (P = 0.01). Suprarenal angulation reduction was similar (P = 0.7), while infrarenal angulation was significantly more decreased in Ovation endograft than the other 2 systems (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Proximal endograft configuration appears to have different impact on supra-aortic anatomy. Longer follow-up is needed to clarify future remodeling and clinical impact of these observations., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of proximal aortic diameter on outcome after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs)., Methods: This is a case-control (1:1) retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 732 AAA patients treated with EVAR in 2 university centers. Patients with an infrarenal neck diameter of 29-32 mm (wide neck, WN group) were compared with patients with a neck diameter of 26-28.9 mm (control group) matched for age, gender, and maximum aneurysmal sac diameter. Any patients treated outside the instructions for use of each endograft or with no adequate follow-up were excluded. The primary end point was any neck-related adverse event (a composite of type Ia endoleak, neck-related secondary intervention, and endograft migration) during follow-up., Results: Sixty-four patients with a proximal neck diameter of 29-32 mm (WN group) were compared with a matched control group of 64 patients with a neck diameter of 26-28.9 mm (control group). Oversizing was significantly higher in the study group (17.9% vs. 15.5%, P = 0.001). Overall median available follow-up was 24 months (range 12-84) (WN group 24 months vs. control group 18.5 months, P = 0.943). Primary end point was recorded in 8 patients (12.5%) of the WN group and in 1 patient (1.6%) of the control group. Freedom from the primary end point at 36 months (standard error <10%) was 87.3% for the study versus 98.4% for the control group (log rank = 4.66, P = 0.03). On multiple regression analysis, the presence of a proximal aortic neck >29 mm was the only independent risk factor for neck-related adverse events (odds ratio 7.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2-47.1)., Conclusions: EVAR in the presence of a wide proximal aortic neck is likely to be associated with higher adverse neck-related event rates and thus, in such cases closer follow-up may be required., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The implication of haemodynamics in the occurrence of complications after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been raised in the literature. Different aortic stent graft configurations may lead to different haemodynamic properties. The current study deals with the post-operative haemodynamic variability between four stent graft systems with different structure, material, and type of fixation., Methods: Computed tomography data of 32 patients were used, equally distributed among the four endograft groups, namely the AFX, Endurant, Excluder, and Nellix. Velocity, wall shear stress (WSS), and helicity statistics were calculated, in regions around the flow division where disturbances are expected. The haemodynamic data were compared between and within the groups., Results: The morphology of AAAs pre-operatively did not vary significantly among the four groups. Before the flow division, lowest velocity was observed in Endurant cases and highest in Nellix cases. Endurant induced the lowest peak WSS and Nellix the highest (p = .03). The helicity levels were low in AFX and Nellix cases and high in Endurant and Excluder cases. After the flow division, the trend in the results was preserved. Nellix induced the highest velocity and WSS, followed closely by Excluder and AFX. There was a significant increase of helicity before and after flow division in AFX (p <0.001, R 2 = 0.09) and Nellix (p <0.001) cases., Conclusions: It has been shown that different types of endografts induce variable haemodynamic conditions around the flow division. The parallel limb structure, featured by Nellix, seems to induce favourable flow conditions in terms of velocity and WSS, while helical flow before the flow division is suppressed. High WSS is generally considered to be a desirable flow characteristic in endovascular devices, whereas helicity extremes (very low or high) are potentially a negative sign. Endurant, with the stiffer material and the short neck structure, was associated with the lowest blood velocity and WSS values but preserved high helicity levels. The AFX and Excluder, which include the same material, induced similar haemodynamic conditions., (Copyright © 2019 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim was to investigate the impact of wide proximal aortic diameter on outcome after standard endovascular repair (sEVAR) of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms., Evidence Acquisition: A systematic search of the literature was undertaken using the PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for articles comparing outcome after sEVAR in patients with large versus small diameter aortic neck. The prognostic factor of interest was large diameter proximal aortic neck and the results were reported as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A time-to-event data meta-analysis for late outcomes was performed using the inverse-variance method and reported the results as summary hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI., Evidence Synthesis: We identified 6 observational studies reporting on a total of 6602 patients (1616 with large and 4986 with small diameter neck). Patients with large proximal aortic neck were older (MD 0.87, 95% CI: 0.35-1.39; P=0.001). The prevalence of male gender (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.34-1.98; P<0.001), coronary artery disease (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.06-1.36; P=0.004), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.36; P=0.02) and chronic kidney disease (OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.23-1.66; P<0.001) was higher in the wide neck group. Patients with large diameter proximal neck had shorter proximal neck (MD=-1.91, 95% CI: -2.04 to -1.77; P<0.001) and a larger aneurysm diameter compared to those with small diameter neck (MD=3.40, 95% CI: 2.71-4.10; P<0.001). Patients with small diameter proximal neck had significantly higher freedom from aneurysm-related reintervention (HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.23-3.45; P=0.006), freedom from type Ia endoleak (HR=6.69, 95% CI: 4.39-10.20; P<0.001), freedom from sac expansion (HR=10.07, 95% CI: 1.80-56.53; P=0.009), freedom from aneurysm rupture (HR 5.10, 95% CI: 1.40-18.58; P=0.01), and survival (HR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.08-2.24; P=0.02)., Conclusions: Patients with a wide proximal aortic neck undergoing standard EVAR were found to have worse outcome, as indicated by a lower freedom from aneurysm-related reintervention, type Ia endoleak, sac expansion and aneurysm rupture, and a higher overall survival. This anatomic characteristic should be considered in decision making. In such patients, closer imaging surveillance after EVAR in the long term may be required to identify early and treat timely the complications.

Objectives: Iliac branch devices (IBD) have become a widespread option to preserve antegrade internal iliac artery (IIA) flow during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Reported experience with bilateral implantation of IBDs is limited. This study aimed to describe the indications, technical options, and outcomes with the use of bilateral IBDs., Methods: All patients undergoing elective implantation of bilateral Cook Zenith IBD between January 2010 and September 2017 in a single centre were included. Bilateral IBD was indicated in physically active, anatomically suitable patients and those with previous or concomitant surgery for a thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm or impaired collateral circulation to the IIA. Data were collected prospectively., Results: Twenty-nine patients (29 male, mean age 64.1 ± 10 years) were included. Of the 58 IBDs, 48 (83%) were implanted in one procedure and 10 (17%) in two procedures (mean time between procedures 30.4 ± 9 months). Nineteen patients (65%) had a previous or simultaneous EVAR and the remaining 10 (35%) a previous or simultaneous complex aortic repair. Mean CIA diameter was 35.2 ± 8 mm. Technical success was achieved in 55 of the 58 IBDs (95%) with no mortality. Axillary artery access was used in 13 (38%) procedures. During follow up, four (7%) IIA branches occluded (1 bilateral occlusion and 2 unilateral). Estimated IIA branch patency at one and three years was 97.8% ± 2% and 88.5% ± 7%, respectively. All patients with late IIA occlusion remained asymptomatic. Re-intervention was needed in four patients (14%): two bridging stent graft extensions for type Ib endoleak, one relining of the external iliac artery because of mural in-stent thrombus and one femoro-femoral crossover bypass to treat an external iliac limb occlusion., Conclusions: Bilateral implantation of IBDs is a safe and effective technique to preserve IIA flow in selected patients with suitable anatomy, showing similar technical success and mid-term outcomes to the unilateral use of the device., (Copyright © 2018 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: The effect of endovascular aneurysm repair in patients treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm has not been clearly defined. The objective of the present article was to provide a contemporary literature review and perform an analysis to determine the effect of EVAR on renal function in the early post-operative period and during follow-up., Methods: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify all studies reporting the effect of EVAR on renal function. Outcome data were pooled and combined overall effect sizes were calculated using fixed or random-effects models., Results: Thirty-two studies reporting on 24846 patients were included. Acute renal failure after EVAR occurred with an estimated frequency of 9% (95%CI: 5-16%; I2=97%). Median follow-up period was 19.5 months (range 1-60 months). The estimated frequency of chronic renal failure during follow-up was 7% (95%CI: 3-17%; I2=98%). Hemodialysis was required in 2% (1-3%; I2=97%) of the cases., Conclusion: High-level evidence demonstrating the effect of EVAR on the incidence of acute and chronic renal failure is lacking. Based on the current available data, nearly 10% of patients undergoing EVAR for AAA have an increased risk for renal dysfunction after the procedure. Whether this deterioration may lead to a worse outcome has not been adequately proved., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse the flow conditions in the AFX and Nellix endografts (EGs) accounting for their postimplantation configuration in patients with an endovascular aneurysm repair-treated abdominal aortic aneurysm., Methods: We reconstructed post-endovascular aneurysm repair computed tomography scans of patients treated with an AFX or Nellix EG creating post-implantation EG models. We examined 16 patients, 8 in each group. The blood flow properties were obtained by computational fluid dynamics simulations and were subsequently compared with physiological infrarenal blood flow properties measured in 5 healthy subjects. Specifically, pressure drop, maximum velocity and wall shear stress were measured at peak systole and mean helicity at mid-diastole., Results: Our statistical analyses showed that the haemodynamic properties in both control regions did not vary statistically after the implantation of either the AFX or the Nellix EG, except for helicity that was significantly lower in the abdominal part of the Nellix EG compared with the expected physiological measurement. Regardless of the overall blood flow restoration, it is important to note that low pressure drop was detected along the limbs of the AFX and suppressed blood helical motion was detected at the entrance of the Nellix device., Conclusions: It is observed from the results that the AFX EG has achieved absolute restoration of blood flow after endovascular aneurysm repair, although the development of secondary flow in the upper part of the EG and the low pressure drop in its limbs should be acknowledged. The Nellix EG also seems to be haemodynamically efficient. However, the suppression of helical flow before blood enters the device might raise concerns about its clinical application.

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of carotid artery stenting for the treatment of severe carotid artery disease in our department and to investigate the effect of increasing operator experience on perioperative and procedure-related characteristics. Methods From January 2007 to February 2015 200 patients underwent 207 endovascular procedures for carotid artery stenosis. Of all, 113 arteries (56.5%) were symptomatic. Significant changes across time were calculated with the use of Change Point analysis using bootstrap and mean squared error estimates. Results The technical success was 98.6% (204/207 cases). Thirty-day neurological events included stroke in four patients (2%) and transient ischemic attack in two (1%). None of the patients died during the first 30 days. The most significant change of radiation duration occurred after the 33rd patient with a decrease from 25.31 min to 12.31 min, while for the total operative time that change occurred between the 31st and 33rd patient where mean operation time decreased from 88.89 min to 49.22 min. The most significant change of contrast media used occurred at the 40th patient with a decrease from 91.58 ml to 62 ml. During a mean follow-up period of 42 ± 20.02 months none of the patients experienced any cerebrovascular event. There was one case of significant recurrent stenosis, which was successfully treated by endovascular means. Conclusions Endovascular treatment of carotid artery stenosis performed in a single center with the use of a cerebral protection device seems to consist a safe therapeutic choice with acceptable results, within the referenced benchmarks proposed in the latest guidelines. Certain perioperative parameters such as the amount of contrast media used, the fluoroscopy and operation time, seem to decline overtime indicating increasing operator's experience. A number of performed cases above 40 was related to the significant decrease of those parameters and may represent the learning curve of the procedure.

Our goal was to evaluate the use of an AFX main body combined with an Endurant proximal aortic cuff to treat selected patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) associated with anatomical challenges, such as a small distal aortic diameter and a hostile aortic neck. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 2 vascular institutions identified 14 elective patients with an AAA (all men, 73.5 ± 5.1 years) treated with the AFX main body combined with an Endurant proximal aortic cuff. Patients had a small distal aortic diameter (median 19 mm) and a short or angulated proximal aortic neck (median length 20 mm, range 9-26 mm, median angulation 41.5°, range 23-80°). Six patients (42.9%) had an aortic neck that did not meet the indications for use of the AFX proximal aortic cuff. Primary technical success was achieved in all patients with no 30-day device-related complications or deaths. During a median follow-up period of 13 months (range 6-28 months), no re-intervention was needed. The diameter of the aneurysmal sac decreased from 57.6 ± 5.6 mm preoperatively to 50.4 ± 4.9 mm (P < 0.001) postoperatively. There were no aneurysm-related deaths or ruptures. No migration, disconnection or type I or III endoleak was observed. In 5 of the 6 patients, the initial type II endoleak spontaneously resolved during follow-up, whereas that in the remaining patient persisted without any change in the diameter of the aneurysmal sac. In patients with complex AAA anatomical configurations combining a hostile aortic neck and a narrow aortic bifurcation, the use of an AFX main body combined with an Endurant proximal aortic cuff seems to be feasible with favourable mid-term results., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study compared outcomes of standard fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (St-FEVAR) with renal artery fenestrations only with more complex FEVAR (Co-FEVAR) with additional fenestrations for the superior mesenteric artery or the celiac trunk, or both., Methods: All consecutive patients treated with FEVAR for short-necked, juxtarenal, or suprarenal aortic aneurysms between January 2010 and July 2016 were included. Patients with stent grafts with a combination of fenestrations and branches were excluded. Data were collected prospectively. All stent grafts used were customized based on the Zenith system (William A. Cook Australia, Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)., Results: A total of 384 patients (345 men; mean age, 72.7 ± 7.8 years) were treated. St-FEVAR was used in 199 patients (51.8%) and Co-FEVAR in 185 (48.2%), including 30 patients with a quadruple FEVAR. Overall technical success was 373 of 384 (97.1%), and the difference between the St-FEVAR group (195 of 199 [98%]) and the Co-FEVAR group (178 of 185 [96.2%]) was not statistically significant (P = .37). Mean operative time was 135 ± 46 minutes for St-FEVAR and 176 ± 53 minutes for Co-FEVAR (P < .001). Mean fluoroscopy time was 45 ± 17 minutes for St-FEVAR and 57 ± 21 minutes for Co-FEVAR (P < .001). Overall 30-day mortality was two of 384 (0.5%), and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (St-FEVAR: 1 of 199 [0.5%] vs Co-FEVAR: 1 of 185 [0.5%]; P = 1.0). Major perioperative complications between St-FEVAR group (22 of 199 [11.1%]) and Co-FEVAR group (24 of 185 [13%]) were similar (P = .64). Mean follow-up was 20 ± 17.1 months. Estimated survival at 1 and 3 years was 95% ± 1.7% and 83.4% ± 3.6% for St-FEVAR vs 94% ± 2.4% and 89.4% ± 3.5%, respectively, for Co-FEVAR (P = .96). Estimated freedom from reintervention at 1 and 3 years was 97.9% ± 1.2% and 90.5% ± 3.1% for St-FEVAR vs 95.4% ± 2.0% and 89.1% ± 4.2%, respectively, for Co-FEVAR (P = .5). Estimated target vessel patency at 1 and 3 years was 99.2% ± 0.4% and 98.6.0% ± 0.6% for St-FEVAR vs 98.6% ± 0.6% and 97.9% ± 0.9%, respectively, for Co-FEVAR (P = .48)., Conclusions: Co-FEVAR is not associated with an increase in perioperative mortality and morbidity compared with St-FEVAR. Co-FEVAR requires longer procedure and fluoroscopy duration, but technical success rates are as high as in St-FEVAR. A liberal use of Co-FEVAR is therefore justified whenever a longer and higher proximal sealing zone is needed., (Copyright © 2016 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is one of the most challenging diagnostic and therapeutic entities in vascular surgery. AEF can occur either primarily involving the aorta and the gastrointestinal tract or, more commonly, secondary to previous aortic reconstructive surgery. Traditionally, the treatment of AEF includes graft excision and extra-anatomic bypass surgery or in situ graft replacement. However, recently endovascular repair has emerged as an alternative therapeutic option. In this article, we present published and current evidence for endovascular repair of primary and secondary AEF. When endovascular treatment is applied where appropriate, early outcomes seem to be superior compared to open surgery. This benefit may be lost during long-term follow-up, implying that a staged approach with early conversion to in situ grafting may realize the best patient survival and morbidity. Lifelong administration of antibiotics is associated with a reduction in re-infection. An endovascular approach used as a bridging procedure in unstable patients is recommended, followed by definitive open therapy, if feasible, in patients with good life expectancy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms results in redirection of blood through the deployed endograft (EG). Even though EVAR is clinically effective, the absolute flow restoration is not warranted. Our purpose was to compare the physiological with the post-EVAR infrarenal flow conditions. We developed patient-specific models based on computed tomography data of five healthy volunteers and ten patients treated with the Endurant ® stent-graft system. Wall shear stress (WSS), helicity, pressure and velocity fields were calculated using computational fluid dynamics. The results showed a decrease of peak WSS on the part of the EG that resides in the iliac arteries, compared to the physiological value (p = 0.01). At the abdominal part, the average helicity seems to increase after EVAR, while at the iliac arteries part, the intensity of helical flow seems physiological. Pressure drop and peak velocity in the iliac arteries part are lower than the physiological values (p = 0.04). The comparison revealed that most hemodynamic properties converge to normal levels at the abdominal part whereas statistically significant variations were observed in the iliac arteries part. The delineation of the differences between physiological and postoperative flow data could pave the way for the improvement of EG designs.

Purpose: To provide an updated systematic literature review and summarize current evidence on proximal aortic neck dilatation (AND) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)., Methods: A review of the English-language medical literature from 1991 to 2015 was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify studies reporting AND after EVAR. Studies considered for inclusion and full-text review fulfilled the following criteria: (1) reported AND after EVAR, (2) included at least 5 patients, and (3) provided data on AND quantification. The search identified 26 articles published between 1998 and 2015 that encompassed 9721 patients (median age 71.8 years; 9439 men)., Results: AND occurred in 24.6% of patients (95% CI 18.6% to 31.8%) over a period ranging from 15 months to 9 years after EVAR. No significant dilatation of the suprarenal part of the aorta was reported by most studies. The incidence of combined clinical events (endoleak type I, migration, reintervention during follow-up) was higher in the AND group (26%) when compared with 2% in the group without AND (OR 28.7, 95% CI 5.43 to 151.67, p<0.001)., Conclusion: AND affects a considerable proportion of EVAR patients and was related to worse clinical outcome, as indicated by increased rates of type I endoleak, migration, and reinterventions. Future studies should focus on a better understanding of the pathophysiology, predictors, and risk factors of AND, which could identify patients who may warrant a different EVAR strategy and/or a closer post-EVAR surveillance strategy.

Study Objective: To examine the association between preoperative white blood cell (WBC) count within the reference range and major adverse events (MAEs) following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)., Design: Prospective observational study., Setting: Vascular surgery clinic in a tertiary university hospital., Patients: One hundred fifty-three consecutive patients., Intervention: Endovascular repair of AAA., Measurements: All patients had normal preoperative WBC count (3.5-10.3 K/μL). Postoperative MAE was defined as death, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The prognostic value of preoperative WBC was determined by receiver operating characteristic curves, whereas χ 2 test and Cochran-Armitage trend test were used to assess the association between MAE and different values of WBC., Main Results: A preoperative WBC cutoff value of 7.3 Κ/μL could predict MAE with 62% sensitivity and 62% specificity (area under the curve, 0.62). Patients with higher preoperative WBC experienced more events compared with patients with lower values (P=.027). A linear relationship was observed between an increasing preoperative WBC count within the reference range and the risk of postoperative events (P=.004). Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative normal WBC count was an independent predictor of MAE and revealed that for every 1-K/μL increase, patients had a 32.8% increase in their relative odds of developing postoperative MAE (P=.035)., Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates a linear correlation between an increasing preoperative WBC count within the reference range and an increased risk for postoperative MAEs following endovascular repair for AAA. Identification of high-risk patients at an early stage by using WBC count could prove useful in implementing measures to improve their clinical outcome., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) represent a technically demanding subset of lesions, which in most cases require special endovascular methods, advanced operator skills, and utilization of sophisticated assisting devices for successful treatment. CTO crossing devices offer an additional option to interventionists in the treatment of challenging lower extremity peripheral arterial occlusions. These devices may improve crossing rates, allowing delivery of therapeutic devices to the target lesion. Initial technical results seem quite promising, although adequate data on patient and device selection are lacking. Until long-term clinical data verify the durability of those techniques, these devices must be used in a stepwise fashion in selected patients with CLI.

Aim: To investigate the effect of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) on platelet (PLT) function and reveal possible associated factors., Methods: Fifty consecutive patients were included. PLT count and activation (CD62P-CD36), white blood cell (WBC) count, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured preoperatively, at the first and third postoperative day., Results: EVAR elicited a significant reduction in PLT count from baseline to first day after EVAR (p < 0.001), while no significant difference was noted between the first and third day. Furthermore, CD62P expression was markedly elevated at the first day after EVAR (median % positive PLTs from 13.7 at baseline to 22.1, p = 0.05), but returned to baseline levels by the third day. Maximum abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter was the only factor that significantly affected the CD62P values (p = 0.005). Postoperative CD36 values were significantly correlated with total aneurysm volume (p = 0.05) and were higher in endografts made from polyester (p = 0.01). There were no correlation between PLT activation and hs-CRP, WBC, maximum temperature, and 30-day morbidity., Conclusion: EVAR has elucidated a significant reduction in PLT count and increase in PLT activation at the immediate postoperative period. The type of the endograft material and the aneurysm maximum diameter and volume appear to play an important role in PLT activation., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Objective: This study prospectively investigated the association of postimplantation syndrome (PIS) with the clinical outcome during the first year after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm and assessed the evolution of the inflammatory response as outlined from specific inflammatory markers., Methods: The study prospectively included 182 consecutive patients treated electively by EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysm from January 2010 to January 2013. PIS was defined according to systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. Patients were monitored for 1 year. Adverse events included any major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute renal failure, readmission, and death from any cause., Results: PIS was diagnosed in 65 patients (35.7%). White blood cell count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 were significantly higher in the PIS group during the postoperative period (P < .001). At the 1-year follow-up, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = .99) and interleukin 6 (P = .17) were attenuated toward the values of the non-PIS group. The white blood cell count (P = .02) remained higher in the PIS group, although within the normal reference range. During the follow-up period, MACE and adverse events occurred, respectively, in 17.2% and in 18.8% of patients in the PIS group and in 4.3% and 5.1% of the non-PIS group. The occurrence of PIS was the only independent predictor of a MACE (P = .007) or an adverse event (P = .005) during the follow-up period., Conclusions: The inflammatory response after EVAR is attenuated after the first postoperative month, as shown by the kinetics of several inflammatory biomarkers. However, PIS seems to correlate with the presence of a cardiovascular or any other adverse event during the first year after EVAR. Further studies should focus on whether a change in care is needed to ameliorate the higher cardiovascular risk of PIS patients., (Copyright © 2016 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)