Identifying risk factors for postoperative ileus following open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication following major abdominal surgery. The majority of the data available regarding POI after abdominal surgery is from the gastrointestinal and urological literature. These data have been extrapolated to vascular surgery, especially with regard to enhanced recovery programs for open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery.

Outcomes Following in Situ Reconstruction for Aortic Infection with the Neo-Aortoiliac System and Aortic Homograft.

Background: In situ reconstruction is one of the primary surgical options for primary aortic and graft and endograft infections. One institution's outcomes following aortic reconstruction with femoro-popliteal vein (i.e.

The effect of supraceliac versus infraceliac landing zone on outcomes following fenestrated endovascular repair of juxta-/pararenal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: With increasing experience in fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) over time, devices designed to treat juxta-/pararenal aortic aneurysms have evolved in complexity to extend to more proximal landing zones and incorporate more target vessels. We assessed perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent juxta-/pararenal FEVAR with supraceliac vs infraceliac sealing in the Vascular Quality Initiative.

Methods: We identified all patients who underwent elective FEVAR (commercially available FEVAR and physician-modified endografts) for juxta-/pararenal aortic aneurysms in the Vascular Quality Initiative between 2014 and 2021.

In-hospital outcomes after upper extremity versus transfemoral and transcarotid access for carotid stenting in the Vascular Quality Initiative.

Objective: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is frequently used for patients at high risk for carotid endarterectomy. However, there are limited data comparing transradial or transbrachial (tr/tbCAS) access with more established CAS approaches. Therefore, we examined the effect of a tr/tbCAS approach versus a transfemoral (tfCAS) or transcarotid (TCAR) approach on outcomes after CAS.

Racial and ethnic disparities in 3-year outcomes following infrainguinal bypass for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Objective: Black and Hispanic patients have had higher rates of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and experienced worse perioperative outcomes after lower extremity bypass compared with White patients. The underlying reasons for these disparities have remained unclear, and data on 3-year outcomes are limited. Therefore, we examined the differences in 3-year outcomes after open infrainguinal bypass for CLTI stratified by race/ethnicity and explored the potential factors contributing to these differences.

Disparities in 5-year outcomes and imaging surveillance following elective endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm by sex, race, and ethnicity.

Objectives: Sex, racial, and ethnic disparities in postoperative outcomes following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair have been described, but differences in long-term outcomes are poorly understood. Our aim was to identify differences in 5-year outcomes and imaging surveillance after elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) by sex, race, and ethnicity and to explore potential mechanisms underlying these differences.

Methods: We identified patients undergoing elective EVAR in the Vascular Quality Initiative from 2003 to 2017 with linkage to Medicare claims through 2018 for long-term outcomes.

Underutilization of Guideline-based Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening in an Academic Health System.

Objectives: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends a 1 time screening for AAA with ultrasonography in men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked. Our objectives were to identify the AAA screening rates in a large academic health system and assess factors associated with receipt of screening.

Methods: Data were extracted from electronic health records from the Duke University Health System and the US Census Bureau.

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Demonstrated a Need for Increased Leadership Education in Medicine.

The healthcare system in the United States has been taxed in various ways throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing healthcare facilities to their breaking point. This has forced decision-makers in healthcare to make difficult choices, highlighting the need for effective leadership. However, there are little intentional leadership development curricula in medical education.

Engaging African ancestry participants in SLE clinical trials.

SLE is a complex autoimmune disease with genetic and clinical differences between patients that appear to reside along ancestral lines. Over the last 20 years, a preponderance of evidence has shown that SLE is more common and severe in minority populations, particularly in African ancestry (AA) women. However, in clinical trials for new therapies of SLE, AA is often under-represented.