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Purpose: Ruptured descending thoracic aorta (rDTA) is an harmful condition requiring emergent treatment. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is replacing the traditional open repair in the majority of descending thoracic aortic disease. An unanimous agreement regarding the optimal approach to treat rDTA has not been reached yet due to the lack of evidences supporting the improvement of long-term survival. The present meta-analysis of observational cohort studies aims to estimate the outcome of endovascular (TEVAR) versus surgical (OR) approach in the treatment of rDTA. Methods: Prisma Statement for performing and reporting meta-analysis has been used. MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library databases were searched. A meta-analysis of observational cohort studies that examined the outcomes after OR and TEVAR for the management of rDTA was performed. Results: A total of 10,466 patients with rDTA were screened. Endovascular therapy was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality compared with open repair (Risk Ratio[RR] 0.63; 95% CI0.57–0.70). The risk of stroke rate was not statistically different between endovascular versus open approach (RR0.86; 95% CI0.62–1.19). Endovascular treatment had benefits on paraplegia (RR0.70; 95% CI0.55–0.91) and other neurological complications (RR0.24; 95% CI0.10–0.56). TEVAR was associated with lower renal failure, cardiac complications and vascular injuries. Late mortality (Hazard Ratio[HR] 0.84; 95% CI0.63–1.13) and re-intervention rate (RR1.48; 95% CI0.80–2.74) were not significantly different between TEVAR and OR. Conclusions: TEVAR seems to offer advantages in terms of early mortality and complications rate. Moreover, data on late mortality and re-intervention are encouraging to consider endovascular treatment comparable to open repair for acute thoracic aorta emergency on long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited data concerning procedure-related complications of endovascular thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion strokes. Aims: We evaluated the cumulative incidence, the clinical relevance in terms of increased disability and mortality, and risk factors for complications. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2017, 4799 patients were enrolled by 36 centers in the Italian Registry of Endovascular Stroke Treatment. Data on demographic and procedural characteristics, complications, and clinical outcome at three months were prospectively collected. Results: The complications cumulative incidence was 201 per 1000 patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. Ongoing antiplatelet therapy (p < 0.01; OR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.21–2.73) and large vessel occlusion site (carotid-T, p < 0.03; OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.13–8.19; M2-segment-MCA, p < 0.01; OR 4.54, 95% CI: 1.66–12.44) were associated with a higher risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage/arterial perforation. Thrombectomy alone (p < 0.01; OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31–0.83) and younger age (p < 0.04; OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99) revealed a lower risk of developing dissection. M2-segment-MCA occlusion (p < 0.01; OR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19–0.64) and hypertension (p < 0.04; OR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.6–0.98) were less related to clot embolization. Higher NIHSS at onset (p < 0.01; OR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.06), longer groin-to-reperfusion time (p < 0.01; OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07), diabetes (p < 0.01; OR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.25–2.23), and LVO site (carotid-T, p < 0.01; OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.26–3.05; M2-segment-MCA, p < 0.02; OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.08–2.42) were associated with a higher risk of developing symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage compared to no/asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. The subgroup of patients treated with thrombectomy alone presented a lower risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (p < 0.01; OR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.55–0.90). Subarachnoid hemorrhage/arterial perforation and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage after endovascular thrombectomy worsen both functional independence and mortality at three-month follow-up (p < 0.01). Distal embolization is associated with neurological deterioration (p < 0.01), while arterial dissection did not affect clinical outcome at follow-up. Conclusions: Complications globally considered are not uncommon and may result in poor clinical outcome. Early recognition of risk factors might help to prevent complications and manage them appropriately in order to maximize endovascular thrombectomy benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of vertebral pathology providing early vertebral stabilization and pain relief. In cases of vertebral pathology complicated by spinal cord compression with associated neurological deficits, VP alone cannot be performed free of risks. We describe a combined approach in which decompressive laminectomy and intra-operative vertebroplasty (IVP) are performed during a single session. Among the 252 VP performed in our centre in the past three years, 12 patients (12 vertebral levels) with different pathologies (six symptomatic haemangiomas, two metastatic fractures, four osteoporotic fractures) were treated with an open procedure combined with surgery. All cases were treated with decompressive laminectomy and IVP (mono/bipeduncular or median-posterior trans-somatic access). Five patients with symptomatic haemangiomas were treated with endovascular embolization prior to the combined approach. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied to assess pain intensity before and after surgery. The neurological deficits were evaluated with an ASIA impairment scale. In all cases benefit from pain and neurological deficits was observed. The mean VAS score decreased from 7.8 to 2.5 after surgery. The ASIA score improved in all cases (five cases from D to E and five cases from C to D). No clinical complications were observed. In one case a CT scan performed after the procedure showed a foraminal accumulation of PMMA, but the patient referred no symptoms. IVP can be successfully applied in different pathologies affecting the vertebrae. In our limited series this approach proved safe and efficient to provide decompression of spinal cord and dural sac and vertebral body stabilization in a single session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]