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Surgical management of coexisting cardiac disease and extra-cranial carotid artery disease is a controversial area of debate. Thus, in this challenging scenario, risk stratification may play a key role in surgical decision making.To report the results of single-stage coronary/valve surgery (CVS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and to identify predictive factors associated with 30-day mortality.This was a multicenter, retrospective study of prospectively maintained data from three academic tertiary referral hospitals. For this study, only patients treated with single-stage CVS, meaning coronary artery bypass surgery or valve surgery, and CEA between March 1, 2000 and March 30, 2020, were included. Primary outcome measure of interest was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were neurologic events rate, and a composite endpoint of postoperative stroke/death rate.During the study period, there were 386 patients who underwent the following procedures: CEA with isolated coronary artery bypass graft in 243 (63%) cases, with isolated valve surgery in 40 (10.4%), and combination of coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgery in 103 (26.7%). Postoperative neurologic event rate was 2.6% (n = 10) which includes 5 (1.3%) transient ischemic attacks and 5 (1.3%) strokes (major n = 3, minor n = 2). The 30-day mortality rate was 3.9% (n = 15). Predictors of 30-day mortality included preoperative left heart insufficiency (odds ratio [OR]: 5.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-18.17, p = .006), and postoperative stroke (OR: 197.11, 95% CI: 18.28-2124.93, p .001). No predictor for postoperative stroke and for composite endpoint was identified.Considering that postoperative stroke rate and mortality was acceptably low, single-stage approach is an effective option in such selected high-risk patients.

The utilization of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) programmes in patients with Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (LEPAD) is generally poor, with limited evidence of current policies for referral. The aim of the study was to evaluate, within a cohesive network of CR and vascular surgery facilities with facilitated referral process, the clinical characteristic of LEPAD patients referred to CR and related outcomes, as compared to patients not referred. The present is an observational prospective study of consecutive patients recruited at vascular surgery facilities. Out of 329 patients observed, the average referral rate to CR was 34% (28% and 39% in patients with and without recent peripheral revascularization, p

Objectives Our goal was to confirm whether the Modified Arch Landing Areas Nomenclature (MALAN) for thoracic endovascular aortic repair, in which each landing area is described by indicating both the proximal landing zone (PLZ) and the type of arch (e.g. 0/I), identifies unfavourable landing zones for endograft deployment in diseased aortas. Methods Preoperative computed tomography angiography scans of 10 patients scheduled for thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aneurysm or penetrating ulcer of the arch and with a potential hostile PLZ were reviewed. Five had proximal deployment planned in MALAN area 3/III and 5, in MALAN area 2/III. The angulation of each PLZ was calculated. Computational fluid dynamics modelling was used to compute magnitude and orientation of pulsatile displacement forces in each PLZ. Normalized values based on PLZ areas (i.e. equivalent surface traction) were calculated. Results were compared to those obtained in healthy controls stratified by the MALAN. Results Angulation was severe (>60°) in MALAN areas 3/III and 2/III, which was consistent with the findings obtained in healthy controls. Increased magnitude (P = 0.021) and unfavourable orientation (i.e. orthogonal to the longitudinal aortic axis) of equivalent surface traction (P = 0.011) was also found in these areas compared to the adjacent ones, following the same pattern seen in the controls. Adverse events related to proximal endograft performance were reported in 3/10 cases. Conclusions This study confirms in diseased aortas initial proof-of-concept findings on the predictive value of the MALAN to identify landing areas with a geometric and haemodynamic environment hostile for thoracic endovascular aortic repair. These adverse biomechanical features may entail an increased risk of dismal endograft performance.

OBJECTIVES Our goal was to assess the value of the Modified Arch Landing Areas Nomenclature (MALAN) for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), in which each landing area (LA) is identified by a proximal landing zone and the type of arch (e.g. 0/I), as predictors of postoperative proximal endograft performance. METHODS A multicentre retrospective analysis was performed of patients treated with arch TEVAR (i.e. proximal landing zone 0–3) for various indications between 2007 and 2017. Patients were stratified by the MALAN classification into hostile LAs (i.e. 2/III and 3/III) and favourable LAs (i.e. 0/I–III, 1/I–III, 2/I–II and 3/I–II). Outcome criteria included composite proximal endograft failure (including type Ia endoleak, persistent false lumen perfusion at the level of the most proximal communication between the lumina in aortic dissections, endograft migration and retrograde dissection) and deaths from all causes. Competing risk analyses were performed. RESULTS A total of 359 patients (hostile LAs 133; favourable LAs 226) were identified. The median age was 71.0 (62.0–77.0); 78.3% were men. Proximal endograft failure occurred in 28/133 patients (21.1%) in the hostile LA group and in 12/226 (5.3%) in the favourable LA group. On multivariate analysis, hostile LAs were independently associated with proximal endograft failure (P CONCLUSIONS The MALAN classification identifies hostile proximal landing zones for TEVAR, namely 2/III and 3/III LAs, which are associated with dismal proximal endograft performance. The MALAN appears to be an intuitive and valuable tool to improve the preoperative decision-making process.

SummaryBackgroundIf carotid artery narrowing remains asymptomatic (ie, has caused no recent stroke or other neurological symptoms), successful carotid endarterectomy (CEA) reduces stroke incidence for some years. We assessed the long-term effects of successful CEA.MethodsBetween 1993 and 2003, 3120 asymptomatic patients from 126 centres in 30 countries were allocated equally, by blinded minimised randomisation, to immediate CEA (median delay 1 month, IQR 0·3–2·5) or to indefinite deferral of any carotid procedure, and were followed up until death or for a median among survivors of 9 years (IQR 6–11). The primary outcomes were perioperative mortality and morbidity (death or stroke within 30 days) and non-perioperative stroke. Kaplan-Meier percentages and logrank p values are from intention-to-treat analyses. This study is registered, number ISRCTN26156392.Findings1560 patients were allocated immediate CEA versus 1560 allocated deferral of any carotid procedure. The proportions operated on while still asymptomatic were 89·7% versus 4·8% at 1 year (and 92·1% vs 16·5% at 5 years). Perioperative risk of stroke or death within 30 days was 3·0% (95% CI 2·4–3·9; 26 non-disabling strokes plus 34 disabling or fatal perioperative events in 1979 CEAs). Excluding perioperative events and non-stroke mortality, stroke risks (immediate vs deferred CEA) were 4·1% versus 10·0% at 5 years (gain 5·9%, 95% CI 4·0–7·8) and 10·8% versus 16·9% at 10 years (gain 6·1%, 2·7–9·4); ratio of stroke incidence rates 0·54, 95% CI 0·43–0·68, p

We recently developed a method for the isolation and purification of tumour-derived endothelium. In this study the phenotypic and functional properties of human tumour-derived microvascular endothelial cells (TdMEC) were examined. Endothelium obtained from human adrenal gland specimens (HAMEC) was used as a reference microvascular endothelial cell population. TdMEC formed a confluent monolayer with the typical morphological appearance of endothelium and were positive for endothelial markers such as Ulex-1 lectin, CD31 antigen, von Willebrand Factor and VE-cadherin. The addition of acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF), basic FGF (bFGF) or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) substantially improved proliferation of TdMEC; and kidney carcinoma derived endothelial cells were more responsive to FGFs, whereas glioblastoma derived endothelial cells greatly responded to VEGF. TdMEC expressed high levels of the VEGF receptors, KDR/flk-1 and Flt-1, as shown by northern blot analysis. TdMEC expressed the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin that could be further increased by exposing TdMEC culture to interleukin-1. All the TdMEC expressed interleukin-8 mRNA. These findings show that TdMEC in vitro maintain several of the features described for microvasculature. Thus, TdMEC represent a useful tool to study markers for tumor vasculature

Artery stenosis in the transplanted kidney is the most frequent vascular complication; hypertension onset or worsening may be associated and, at an end stage, also renal insufficiency. The diagnosis must be early and accurate and provide guidelines for medical, interventional or surgical therapy. To assess the diagnostic reliability or MRA, 27 patients were examined. On the basis of clinical, biochemical, pharmacological (Captopril test) and instrumental (color-Doppler US) examinations, the artery of the transplanted kidney was considered normal in 6 patients and stenotic in 21. In the control group, MRA results were in agreement with color-Doppler findings. On the contrary, in 8 of 21 abnormal conditions, the two techniques were in disagreement. Digital angiography, considered as the gold standard, was performed in any questionable case, confirming a slight overestimation of the stenoses by MRA (3 cases) and 2 false positives by color-Doppler US. The authors believe color-Doppler US to be a reliable technique for screening stenosed arteries in the transplanted kidney. MRA is proposed as a complementary investigation useful to define stenosis type and to provide guidelines for treatment.

The discrepancy in the literature about the immediate results after carotid endarterectomy in the presence of occluded or seriously stenotic contralateral carotid artery, has encouraged a retrospective study on 230 patients subjected to 255 carotid endarterectomies. 63 operations (group 1) were carried out in the presence of occluded contralateral carotid artery (40 operations) or of seriously stenotic contralateral carotid artery (23 operations). In the remaining 192 operations (group 2) the contralateral carotid artery was normal or not significantly stenotic (less than 60% of diameter reduction). The indication for surgery and age and sex distribution were similar in the two groups. No operations were performed during acute stroke. Patients with previous stroke underwent surgery only after at least 1 month from the onset of symptoms, in stable neurological conditions. All the patients were operated on under general anesthesia and with systemic heparinization; the indication for intraluminal shunt was made on the basis of clinical evaluation, of back pressure value and, in 106 operated cases of somatosensory cortical evoked potentials. At the end of every operation, ultrasonographic and/or angiographic instrumental controls were carried out. No statistically significant difference was evidenced in the incidence in groups 1 and 2 of postoperative transitory neurological insufficiency (both 3.2%, P greater than 0.8), of permanent neurological insufficiency (0% and 1%, P greater than 0.9), of mortality because of neurological (3.2% and 1%, P greater than 0.5) and non neurological causes (1.6% and 0%, P greater than 0.1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Objectives: Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (AAT) is one of the major plasmatic protease inhibitors. In the last decade, an association between Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) has been hypothesized. Multiple factors may be involved in AAA's etiopathogenesis, and an underlying structural defect of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is always present. AATD could be a reasonable risk factor for AAA because it is related to protease/antiprotease imbalance and enhanced ECM degradation of the vessel wall. Methods: We performed genotyping of 138 patients hospitalized in the Vascular Surgery Division of the ASST-Spedali Civili di Brescia, Italy, for non-traumatic rupture of AAA. The second purpose was to observe the distribution of main non-genetic risk factors for AAA between patients with and without AATD. Results: Out of 138 patients, 22 were found with AATD: 16 MS, 1 SS, 3 MZ, and 2 with a new rare AAT variant. When compared to the general Italian population, our cohort's frequency of deficient S allele was significantly higher (7.8 vs 2.2% respectively, P0.05). Although we found no differences in age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, and smoke habits between AAA patients with and without AATD, hyperlipidemia was significantly less frequent in patients with AATD (46.4 vs 12.5% respectively, P

Objective: The characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing vascular surgery hospitalised and managed in Lombardy are described with a comparison of patients tested positive for COVID-19 (CV19-pos) vs. those tested negative (CV19-neg). Methods: This was a multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study which involved all vascular surgery services in Lombardy, Northern Italy. Data were retrospectively merged into a combined dataset covering the nine weeks of the Italian COVID-19 pandemic phase 1 (8 March 2020 to 3 May 2020). The primary outcome was freedom from in hospital death, secondary outcomes were re-thrombosis rate after peripheral revascularisation, and freedom from post-operative complication. Results: Among 674 patients managed during the outbreak, 659 (97.8%) were included in the final analysis: 121 (18.4%) were CV19-pos. CV19-pos status was associated with a higher rate of complications (OR 4.5; p < .001, 95% CI 2.64 – 7.84), and a higher rate of re-thrombosis after peripheral arterial revascularisation (OR 2.2; p = .004, 95% CI 1.29 – 3.88). In hospital mortality was higher in CV19-pos patients (24.8% vs. 5.6%; OR 5.4, p < .001;95% CI 2.86 – 8.92). Binary logistic regression analysis identified CV19-pos status (OR 7.6; p < .001, 95% CI 3.75 – 15.28) and age > 80 years (OR 3.2; p = .001, 95% CI 1.61 – 6.57) to be predictors of in hospital death. Conclusion: In this experience of the vascular surgery group of Lombardy, COVID-19 infection was a marker of poor outcomes in terms of mortality and post-operative complications for patients undergoing vascular surgery treatments.

Objectives: The aim was to report indications, technical aspects, and outcomes of a multicentre experience of late open conversions (LOCs) after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR), in order to identify risk factors which may influence early morbidity and mortality rates, and long term survival. Methods: Ten vascular centres retrospectively reviewed all patients requiring LOC (≥30 days from initial EVAR, undergoing total or partial endograft explantation) from 1996 to 2017. Baseline characteristics, endograft data, indications, procedural details, post-operative outcomes, and follow up data were reviewed and analysed. Results: Included patients totalled 232 (90.1% males, mean age 74.3 ± 7.9 years). The number of LOC per year significantly increased during the study period, reaching 22 in 2017 (correlation r = 0.867, p

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess immediate and midterm outcomes for urgent/emergent and elective patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) treated with the first commercially available “off-the-shelf“ multibranched endograft for endovascular aneurysm repair, with a single-step or a staged surgical approach. Methods: A multicenter, nonrandomized, retrospective study was conducted of TAAA patients grouped by urgent/emergent and elective treatment with multibranched endograft for endovascular aneurysm repair at 13 Italian centers from November 2012 to August 2016. Urgent/emergent repair was classified as rupture in 16%, impending rupture in 9%, pain in 53%, or a maximum TAAA diameter ≥80 mm in 22%. Study end points were technical success, mortality, spinal cord ischemia, target visceral vessel (TVV) patency, and procedure-related reinterventions at 30 days and at follow-up. Results: Seventy-three patients (274 TVVs) were enrolled. Treatment was performed in elective (n = 41 [56%]) or urgent/emergent (n = 32 [44%]) settings, according to a single-step (n = 30 [41%]) or staged (n = 43 [59%]) approach. Technical success was 92%. Mortality within 30 days was 4% (n = 3 urgent/emergent patients) due to myocardial infarction. Spinal cord ischemia was recorded in two patients (3%; elective group). The primary patency of TVVs was 99% (three renal branch occlusions). Procedure-related reinterventions were required in five cases (7%). At least one adverse event from any cause ≤30 days was registered in 42% (n = 31). At a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 1-43 months), eight (11%) deaths (elective vs urgent/emergent, 2% vs 22%; P = .018), three (1%) cases of branch occlusion or stenosis, and five (7%) reinterventions were recorded. A survival of 88% (standard error [SE], 4%), 86% (SE, 4%), and 82% (SE, 5%) was evidenced at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Urgent/emergent repair and female gender were identified as independent risk factors for all-cause mortality (P < .001 and P = .015, respectively), and the staged approach was identified as protective (P = .026). Freedom from reintervention was 86% (SE, 4%) and 83% (SE, 5%) at 12 and 24 months. Conclusions: The first off-the-shelf multibranched endograft seems safe in both urgent/emergent and elective settings. The staged surgical approach appears to positively influence overall survival. This unique device and its operators will usher in a new treatment paradigm for TAAA repair.

Objective: This study investigated the frequency, clinical features, therapeutic options, and results of aortoenteric fistulas (AEFs) developing after endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR). Methods: Eight Italian centers with an EVAR program participated in this retrospective multicenter study and collected data on AEFs that developed after a previous EVAR. Results: A total of 3932 patients underwent EVAR between 1997 and 2013 at the participating centers. During the same period, 32 patients presented with an AEF during EVAR follow-up, 21 with original EVAR performed for atherosclerotic aneurysmal disease (ATS group) and 11 with the original EVAR performed for a postsurgical pseudoaneurysm (PSA group). The incidence of AEF development after EVAR was 0.46% in the ATS group and 3.9% in the PSA group. Anastomotic PSA as the indication to EVAR (P < .0001) and urgent/emergency EVAR (P = .01) were significantly associated with AEF development. Median time between EVAR and the AEF diagnosis was 32 months (interquartile range, 11-75 months) for the ATS group and 14 months (interquartile range, 10.5-21.5 months) for the PSA group. Among five AEF patients treated conservatively, two (40%) died, at 7 and 15 months, and the remaining three were alive at a median follow-up of 12 months. The AEF was treated surgically in 27 patients, including aortic stent graft explantation in all cases, in situ aortic reconstruction in 14 (52%), and extra-anatomic bypass in 13 (48%). Perioperative mortality was 37% (10 of 27). No additional aortic-related death was recorded in operated-on patients at a median follow-up of 28 months. Conclusions: Late AEFs rarely occur during EVAR follow-up, but the risk is significantly increased when EVAR is performed for PSA after previous aortic surgery and EVAR is performed as an emergency. Conservative and surgical treatment of post-EVAR AEF are both associated with high mortality. However, beyond the perioperative period, surgical correction of AEFs appears to be durable at midterm follow-up. Objective This study investigated the frequency, clinical features, therapeutic options, and results of aortoenteric fistulas (AEFs) developing after endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR). Methods Eight Italian centers with an EVAR program participated in this retrospective multicenter study and collected data on AEFs that developed after a previous EVAR. Results A total of 3932 patients underwent EVAR between 1997 and 2013 at the participating centers. During the same period, 32 patients presented with an AEF during EVAR follow-up, 21 with original EVAR performed for atherosclerotic aneurysmal disease (ATS group) and 11 with the original EVAR performed for a postsurgical pseudoaneurysm (PSA group). The incidence of AEF development after EVAR was 0.46% in the ATS group and 3.9% in the PSA group. Anastomotic PSA as the indication to EVAR (PÂ&nbsp

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271469.]., (Copyright: © 2024 Boldock et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)