RSAD2 is abundant in atherosclerotic plaques and promotes interferon-induced CXCR3-chemokines in human smooth muscle cells.

In atherosclerotic lesions, monocyte-derived macrophages are major source of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a pleotropic cytokine known to regulate the expression of numerous genes, including the antiviral gene RSAD2. While RSAD2 was reported to be expressed in endothelial cells of human carotid lesions, its significance for the development of atherosclerosis remains utterly unknown. Here, we harnessed publicly available human carotid atherosclerotic data to explore RSAD2 in lesions and employed siRNA-mediated gene-knockdown to investigate its function in IFN-γ-stimulated human aortic smooth muscle cells (hAoSMCs).

Semi-Conservative Treatment Versus Radical Surgery in Abdominal Aortic Graft and Endograft Infections.

Objective: Abdominal aortic graft and endograft infections (AGIs) are rare complications following aortic surgery. Radical surgery (RS) with resection of the infected graft and reconstruction with extra-anatomical bypass or in situ reconstruction is the preferred therapy. For patients unfit for RS, a semi-conservative (SC), graft preserving strategy is possible.

Editor's Choice - Outcome of Radical Surgical Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Graft and Endograft Infections Comparing Extra-anatomic Bypass with In Situ Reconstruction: A Nationwide Multicentre Study.

Objective: Abdominal aortic graft and endograft infection (AGI) is primarily treated by resection of the infected graft and restoration of distal perfusion through extra-anatomic bypass (EAB) or in situ reconstruction/repair (ISR). The aim of this study was to compare these surgical strategies in a nationwide multicentre retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The Swedish Vascular Registry (Swedvasc) was used to identify surgically treated abdominal AGIs in Sweden between January 1995 and May 2017.

Mortality with Paclitaxel-Coated Devices in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: The results of a recent meta-analysis aroused concern about an increased risk of death associated with the use of paclitaxel-coated angioplasty balloons and stents in lower-limb endovascular interventions for symptomatic peripheral artery disease.

Methods: We conducted an unplanned interim analysis of data from a multicenter, randomized, open-label, registry-based clinical trial. At the time of the analysis, 2289 patients had been randomly assigned to treatment with drug-coated devices (the drug-coated-device group, 1149 patients) or treatment with uncoated devices (the uncoated-device group, 1140 patients).

Risk factors in 50-year-old men predicting development of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially lethal condition associated with several well-known risk factors including age, smoking, and male sex. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors predicting future development of AAA, which could influence future prevention strategies.

Methods: This study collected the data sets of the Westmannia Cardiovascular Risk Factors Study (WICTORY) from 1990 to 1999 and combined them with cases of individuals who have undergone ultrasound examination of the infrarenal aortic diameter as part of the Västmanland County's ongoing AAA screening program that commenced in 2007 or for other purposes.

Low Walking Impairment Questionnaire score after a recent myocardial infarction identifies patients with polyvascular disease.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the Walking Impairment Questionnaire score could identify patients with polyvascular disease in a population with recent myocardial infarction and their association with cardiovascular events during two-year follow-up.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Setting: Patients admitted to the acute coronary care unit, the Department of Cardiology, Uppsala University Hospital.

Editor's Choice - Impact of Comorbidity, Medication, and Gender on Amputation Rate Following Revascularisation for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia.

Objective/background: Chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) has a high risk of amputation and mortality. Increased knowledge on how sex, comorbidities, and medication influence these outcomes after revascularisation may help optimise results and patient selection.

Methods: This population based observational cohort study included all individuals revascularised for CLTI in Sweden during a five year period (10,617 patients in total).

Editor's Choice - Effect of More Expedited Carotid Intervention on Recurrent Ischaemic Event Rate: A National Audit.

Background: The benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting (CAS) for symptomatic stenosis depends on the timing in relation to the presenting event. As the risk of recurrent events is highest in the early phase, guidelines recommend a short delay. The purpose of this national audit was to study the effects of more expedient carotid intervention on the risk of recurrent ischaemic events.

Long-term cardiovascular outcome, use of resources, and healthcare costs in patients with peripheral artery disease: results from a nationwide Swedish study.

Aims: Data on long-term healthcare costs of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is limited, and the aim of this study was to investigate healthcare costs for PAD patients at a nationwide level.

Methods And Results: A cohort study including all incident patients diagnosed with PAD in the Swedish National Patient Register between 2006-2014, and linked to cause of death- and prescribed drug registers. Mean per-patient annual healthcare costs (2015 Euros [€]) (hospitalisations and out-patient visits) were divided into cardiovascular (CV), lower limb and non-CV related cost.

Carotid Endarterectomy Induces the Release of Inflammatory Markers and the Activation of Coagulation as Measured in the Jugular Bulb.

Background And Purpose: Transient cerebral hypoxia may induce neuronal injury through an ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) response, with a subsequent activation of inflammation and coagulation-fibrinolysis. During carotid endarterectomy (CEA), the artery is clamped, which might impair the regional cerebral perfusion and initiate a local I/R response. Data suggest that the CD40-CD40 ligand dyad acts as a modulator in the induced activation.

Cardiovascular outcomes in patients with peripheral arterial disease as an initial or subsequent manifestation of atherosclerotic disease: Results from a Swedish nationwide study.

Objective: Long-term progression of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as initial manifestation of atherosclerotic arterial disease is not well described. Cardiovascular (CV) risk was examined in different PAD populations diagnosed in a hospital setting in Sweden.

Methods: Data for this retrospective cohort study were retrieved by linking data on morbidity, medication use, and mortality from Swedish national registries.

Simplified ultrasound protocol for the exclusion of clinically significant carotid artery stenosis.

Objectives: To evaluate a simplified ultrasound protocol for the exclusion of clinically significant carotid artery stenosis for screening purposes.

Material And Methods: A total of 9,493 carotid arteries in 4,748 persons underwent carotid ultrasound examination. Most subjects were 65-year-old men attending screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Contemporary cardiovascular risk and secondary preventive drug treatment patterns in peripheral artery disease patients undergoing revascularization.

Objective: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is common worldwide, and PAD patients are increasingly offered lower limb revascularization procedures. The aim of this population-based study was to describe the current risk for cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality and also to elucidate the current pharmacologic treatment patterns in revascularized lower limb PAD patients.

Methods: This observational, retrospective cohort study analyzed prospectively collected linked data retrieved from mandatory Swedish national health care registries.

Ankle brachial index most important to identify polyvascular disease in patients with non-ST elevation or ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease. In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) the extent of polyvascular disease (PvD) is largely unknown. In this study we investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics predictive of PvD in patients with non-ST-elevation (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation (STEMI) MI.

Management and outcome of pediatric vascular injuries.

Background: Vascular injuries in children are relatively uncommon. The objective of this population-based study was to investigate the epidemiology, management, and early outcomes of pediatric vascular injuries.

Methods: A nationwide survey of prospectively collected data on pediatric vascular injuries in children 15 years or younger between 1987 and 2013 was conducted.

Urgent carotid surgery and stenting may be safe after systemic thrombolysis for stroke.

Background And Purpose: Early carotid surgery or stenting after thrombolytic treatment for stroke has become more common during recent years. It is unclear whether this carries an increased risk of postoperative complications and death. The aim of this nationwide population-based study was, therefore, to investigate the safety of urgently performed carotid procedures in patients treated with thrombolysis for stroke.

EndoVAC, a novel hybrid technique to treat infected vascular reconstructions with an endograft and vacuum-assisted wound closure.

Purpose: To report an initial experience and midterm results of a novel hybrid technique (EndoVAC) combining stent-grafts, surgical revision, and vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC).

Methods: All 10 patients (5 men; mean age 62 years) treated with the EndoVAC technique for infected vascular reconstructions (5 carotid, 4 femoral) or access sites (1 femoral and 1 brachial artery) between November 2007 and June 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up included laboratory investigations, duplex ultrasonography, and imaging.

Long-term survival after carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic stenosis.

Background And Purpose: Large randomized trials have demonstrated a net benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis compared with best medical treatment. However, it takes years to overcome the perioperative risk and gain the reduction in stroke or death risk. Long-term survival after CEA for asymptomatic stenosis may be an important consideration in deciding on this prophylactic procedure, but is not well documented.

Outcomes of carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic stenosis in Sweden are improving: Results from a population-based registry.

Objective: In large randomized trials, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for asymptomatic stenosis has shown a net benefit compared with best medical treatment. To justify an increased number of procedures for this indication, the perioperative risk of stroke or death must not exceed that of the trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome in routine clinical practice in Sweden in a population-based study.