Novel methods for the mechanical characterization of patches used in carotid artery repair.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is one of the approaches available for the treatment of carotid artery disease, with carotid patch angioplasty the pertinent technique mostly preferred by vascular surgeons. This technique entails an arteriotomy succeeded by closure with a textile, polymer or biological tissue patch. In this work, we propose microbuckling and microindentation as novel methodologies for acquiring the mechanical properties of patches used in carotid artery repair.

Hostility of proximal aortic neck anatomy in relation to abdominal aortic aneurysm size and its impact on the outcome of endovascular repair with the new generation endografts.

Background: To assess the relation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter with the proximal neck anatomy (PNA) hostility and to evaluate its impact on the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) outcomes with the use of newer generation endografts.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of single institution's recorded data from February 2009 to April 2016. Patients' characteristics, comorbidities, aortic morphology, perioperative characteristics and outcomes were analyzed.

Double fixation for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair using AFX body and Endurant proximal aortic cuff: mid-term results.

Our goal was to evaluate the use of an AFX main body combined with an Endurant proximal aortic cuff to treat selected patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) associated with anatomical challenges, such as a small distal aortic diameter and a hostile aortic neck. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 2 vascular institutions identified 14 elective patients with an AAA (all men, 73.5 ± 5.

Systematic review of follow-up compliance after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Introduction: Lifelong surveillance after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is recommended to monitor the effectiveness and durability of the treatment. The aim of this study was to assess patients' compliance with the follow-up imaging protocol, the presence of any factors associated with compliance and the potential influence of imaging-protocol adherence on outcomes.

Evidence Acquisition: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central databases and key references were searched.

Renal Function Impairment in Patients Undergoing Elective EVAR vs. Elective Open Repair During Follow up Period: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Endovascular (EVAR) or open surgical (OSR) repair are current treatment options for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Objective: To produce a systematic review comparing the impact of these 2 treatment options on renal function during mid- and long term follow up.

Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases and key references were searched.

Factors Associated With Ulcer Healing and Quality of Life in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

A prospective nonrandomized cohort study on consecutive diabetic patients with foot ulcer was undertaken to assess the factors associated with the healing process or limb salvage and evaluate the impact of their treatment on their quality of life. Quality of life was evaluated using Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form (DFS-SF) questionnaire before and after treatment. A total of 103 diabetic patients with ulcer (mean age 69.

Hybrid procedures for chronic lower limb ischemia: what determines the outcome?

Background: To report the long term outcome of hybrid (combined open and endovascular) procedures for the management of multisegmental chronic peripheral arterial disease.

Methods: A retrospective analysis from a single center during the period 2009-2013. Patency rates, survival and limb salvage were the primary outcomes.

Patterns in the management of superficial vein thrombosis.

Objective To highlight current practice patterns in management of superficial vein thrombosis. Methods An electronic survey was conducted using the mailing lists of the Mediterranean League of Angiology and Vascular Surgery and European Venous Forum regarding superficial vein thrombosis diagnosis, investigation, and treatment. Results The response rate was 41% (175/430) and the majority of the participants were vascular surgeons practicing in a hospital.

Acute limb ischemia and anticoagulation in patients with history of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest source of arterial embolization causing acute limb ischemia (ALI). The aim of this study was to assess the adherence of anticoagulation in AF patients and the treatment of underdiagnosed AF patients, presenting with ALI in our service and to evaluate the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was carried out from 115 limbs of 112 consecutive patients presenting with ALI of AF origin from 2008 until 2012 to a tertiary vascular service.

The association of simple renal cysts with abdominal aortic aneurysms and their impact on renal function after endovascular aneurysm repair.

We validated the association of simple renal cysts with abdominal aortic aneurysm and other cardiovascular factors and assessed simple renal cysts' impact on renal function before and after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted. Computed tomography angiograms of 100 consecutive male patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm who underwent endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (Group 1) were reviewed and compared with 100 computed tomography angiogram of aged-matched male patients without abdominal aortic aneurysm (Group 2).

Effectiveness of intravenous ilomedin infusion and smoking cessation in the treatment of acutely symptomatic Buerger disease.

We assessed the effectiveness of iloprost treatment in the management of symptomatic Buerger disease (BD) and assessed smoking cessation compliance, based on a single-center experience. Thirteen patients with BD were treated with sessions of intravenous (IV) Ilomedin infusion. At 1-year follow-up, pain status alteration, number of analgesics required, ankle-brachial index (ABI) change, compliance with supervised smoking cessation, and amputation-free rate were recorded.

Combined coronary artery bypass grafting and open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is a reasonable treatment approach: a systematic review.

We reviewed the literature for studies investigating the outcomes of combined 1-stage coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) open repair (OR) procedures. An electronic search of the English literature was conducted using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Age, coronary heart disease severity, AAA size, mean duration from CABG to AAA OR procedures, details of each procedure, mortality, and morbidity rates were analyzed.