Varicose Vein Education and Informed coNsent (VVEIN) Study: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Feasibility Study.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of introducing a digital health education tool (dHET) for varicose vein surgery.

Methods: This randomized, feasibility study allocated 40 patients, into dHET (n = 20) or standard consent (SC) (n = 20) groups. Primary outcomes were related to feasibility.

Varicose Vein Education and Informed coNsent (VVEIN) study: a randomised controlled pilot feasibility study.

Introduction: Doctors have a legal requirement and duty of care to ensure patients are enabled to make an informed decision about their treatment, including discussion of the benefits, risks and alternatives to a procedure. A patient-centred approach to consent has been firmly established in Ireland, and fundamental to this is the ability to engage in a dialogue that offers comprehensible information to patients. Telemedicine has revolutionised the way we can deliver care to patients in the modern era of computers, tablets, and smartphones, and its use has been rapidly expanded.

A modified Delphi process to form an expert consensus in Ireland on the essential information to be included in shared decision making for varicose vein surgery.

Objective: To reach consensus on a core set of essential information for inclusion in the informed consent process to standardize consent for VV surgery.

Methods: Using a modified electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) method, a panel of experts in Ireland, were asked to rate statements of essential information to include in the informed consent process with patients. Statements were rated using a 5-point Likert scale.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of concomitant truncal and perforator surgery.

Objective: Incompetent perforator veins are encountered frequently during ultrasound assessment of the venous system in chronic venous disease. Some studies have shown that concomitant treatment of truncal and perforator incompetence improves ulcer healing, yet a Cochrane review was unable to determine the potential benefits of perforator surgery in venous ulcer management due to poor quality evidence. This study aims to establish the exact role of concomitant treatment in patients with chronic venous disease.

Digital technology in informed consent for surgery: systematic review.

Background: Informed consent is an ethical and legal requirement in healthcare and supports patient autonomy to make informed choices about their own care. This review explores the impact of digital technology for informed consent in surgery.

Methods: A systematic search of EBSCOhost (MEDLINE/CINAHL), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science was performed in November 2021.

Vascular Surgery Workforce: Evaluation and Estimation of Future Demand in the United Kingdom.

Background: Vascular disease is a common cause of death and disability in our growing elderly population and the demand for vascular procedures is increasing worldwide. Workforce planning is essential to meet future demand and provide safe vascular services. Our aim was to evaluate the current workforce in the United Kingdom and estimate future demand for vascular surgeons.

Vascular Surgeon Burnout and Resilience in the United Kingdom: A Report from the Vascular Society Workforce Committee.

Background: Occupational burnout is a growing concern in frontline roles such as vascular surgery, and is associated with medical errors and shortened careers. Our aim is to measure burnout, resilience, and associated risk factors among vascular surgeons (VS) in the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods: We carried out an electronic survey of active VS in the UK using validated self-report questionnaires, including the following: Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and information on job characteristics, health, and well-being.

Rescue of Failed Aortic Repair with Fenestrated Endovascular Device.

Introduction: The incidence of failed endovascular (EVAR) and open repair (OR) is increasing. Redo aortic repair is required in 10% of patients. Extension of the proximal sealing zone above the visceral arteries to adequate, healthier thoracic aorta using a fenestrated graft (FEVAR) can rescue a failing repair.

Trans-cervical carotid artery stenting associated with open surgical repair of carotid artery pseudoaneurysm.

Pseudoaneurysm post carotid artery endarterectomy is uncommon but with employment of a combined technique of trans-cervical carotid artery stenting with open repair can lead to a successful outcome.

Mortality rates of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy in an Irish university teaching hospital.

Introduction: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is a commonly performed operation with increased morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is a lack of published outcomes following emergency laparotomy within an Irish population. The aim of this study was to assess our outcomes and compare these to predefined outcomes from NELA.

Compartmentalization regulates the interaction between the platelet integrin alpha IIb beta 3 and ICln.

The volume-regulating protein, ICln, interacts with the conserved KxGFFKR alpha-integrin signature motif. ICln is an abundant protein (4455 +/- 650 molecules/platelet) found exclusively in the soluble cytosolic fraction of unactivated platelets. In contrast, its binding partner, the platelet integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3), is present in detergent-insoluble fractions associated with membrane and cytoskeleton subcellular localizations.

Bioinformatic discovery of novel bioactive peptides.

Short synthetic oligopeptides based on regions of human proteins that encompass functional motifs are versatile reagents for understanding protein signaling and interactions. They can either mimic or inhibit the parent protein's activity and have been used in drug development. Peptide studies typically either derive peptides from a single identified protein or (at the other extreme) screen random combinatorial peptides, often without knowledge of the signaling pathways targeted.

Bacitracin reveals a role for multiple thiol isomerases in platelet function.

The platelet-specific integrin alphaIIb beta3 has endogenous thiol isomerase activity associated with the CXXC motifs within the beta subunit. Using a highly purified form of bacitracin, a thiol isomerase inhibitor, we now provide further evidence of the functional significance of this enzymatic activity in integrin activation. In addition, we demonstrate a role for multiple thiol isomerases in platelet function.