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Objective: This study aimed to investigate variation of blood flow to renal arteries in custom-made and pivot branch (p-branch) fenestrated endografting, using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique., Methods: Idealised models of custom-made and p-branch fenestrated grafting were constructed on a basis of a 26 mm stent graft. The custom-made fenestration was designed with a 6 mm diameter, while the 5 mm depth renal p-branch was created with a 6 mm inner and 15 mm outer fenestration. Two configurations (option A and option B) were constructed with different locations of p-branches. Option A had both renal p-branches at the same level, whereas option B contained two staggered p-branches at lower positions. The longitudinal stent orientation in both custom-made and p-branch models was represented by a takeoff angle (ToA) between the renal stent and distal stent graft centreline, varying from 55° to 125°. Computational simulations were performed with realistic boundary conditions governing the blood flow., Results: In both custom-made and p-branch fenestrated models, the flow rate and wall shear stress (WSS) were generally higher and recirculation zones were smaller when the renal stent faced caudally. In custom-made models, the highest flow rate (0.390 L/min) was detected at 70° ToA and maximum WSS on vessel segment (16.8 Pa) was attained at 55° ToA. In p-branch models, option A and option B displayed no haemodynamic differences when having the same ToA. The highest flow rate (0.378 L/min) and maximum WSS on vessel segment (16.7 Pa) were both calculated at 55° ToA. The largest and smallest recirculation zones occurred at 90° and 55° ToA respectively in both custom-made and p-branch models. Custom-made fenestrated models exhibited consistently higher flow rate and shear stress and smaller recirculation zones in renal arteries than p-branch models at the same ToA., Conclusions: Navigating the renal stents towards caudal orientation can achieve better haemodynamic outcomes in both fenestrated devices. Custom-made fenestrated stent grafts are the preferred choice for elective patients. Further clinical evidence is required to validate the computational simulations., (Copyright © 2016 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Despite technically successful thoracic endovascular stent graft repair (TEVAR) in patients with Stanford Type B aortic dissection (TBAD), long-term follow up studies have shown that the false lumen may continue to dilate. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible mechanisms leading to such changes from a hemodynamic perspective., Methods: Twenty-eight ex vivo fresh porcine TBAD models (Mo A: 10; Model B: 12; Model C: 6) were established to simulate three clinical situations: Model A with patent false lumen (pre-TEVAR); Model B with distal re-entry only (post-TEVAR), and Model C with thrombus filling in the false lumen and a distal re-entry (chronic stage of post-TEVAR). Synchronous pressure waveforms were taken from both the true and the false lumen. True lumen and false lumen pressure differences were calculated for each model as four indices: systolic index (SI), diastolic index (DI), mean pressure index (MPI) and area under curve index (AUCI). These indices were compared between the three models., Results: False lumen pressure and corresponding pressure-accumulating effects were significantly higher in Model A than in Model C: SI (99.9% vs. 189.4%; p < .001); MPI and AUCI (99.5% vs. 128.2%; 99.5% vs. 128%; p < .001). The SI, MPI, and AUCI were significantly higher in Model B compared with Model C. The differences between the four indices were not significant between Model A and B. The false lumen area under curve (AUC) in Model C was merely lowered by 20% compared with its true lumen (67.5 mmHg vs. 85.2 mmHg)., Conclusion: The false lumen pressure remained unchanged in the non-thrombosed segment with patent blood flow after the primary entry tear sealed. Intraluminal pressure reduction in the thrombosed false lumen was significant. However, nearly 80% of the pressure remained in the thrombosed false lumen. If this high intra-thrombus pressure persists, it may contribute to delayed aneurysmal formation after endovascular treatment., (Copyright © 2016 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Extracranial carotid stenosis is a known complication of external irradiation to the head and neck region. We report on a patient with previous carotid endarterectomy for irradiation-associated carotid stenosis. This patient developed symptomatic carotid stenosis over the ipsilateral common carotid artery proximal to the previous endarterectomy site 3 years later, and was successfully treated with carotid angioplasty and stenting. This case illustrates the importance of Duplex scan surveillance after carotid endarterectomy for patients with irradiation-associated carotid stenosis. The complimentary role of carotid endarterectomy and carotid angioplasty for managing such a patient is highlighted.

The management of a 79-year-old man presenting with a ruptured common iliac aneurysm is described. The patient had multiple medical problems including hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation, as well as a left hemispheric stroke 5 years previously. Traditional open surgery was judged unsuitable in this case because of the predicted poor outcome. The patient was subsequently treated successfully with endoluminal stent grafting.