Hybrid endografts in 'wide neck' abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients unfit for open surgery: The Funnel Technique - Case report and review of the literature.

Objectives: Abdominal aortic aneurysms with a wide proximal neck (>32 mm) are a contraindication for the use of conventional abdominal endovascular stent grafts because of their limited maximum proximal diameter (36 mm). In these cases, it is customary to resort to sophisticated techniques such as parallel or fenestrated grafts. In very selected cases, such as symptomatic wide neck aneurysm or patient with limited life expectancy, Funnel Technique may find an indication.

Treatment with aromatase inhibitors and markers of cardiovascular disease.

Purpose: The cardiovascular effects of estrogen deprivation induced by aromatase inhibitors are unknown. We carried out a cross-sectional study to evaluate the effect of estrogen deprivation induced by aromatase inhibitors on markers of cardiovascular risk.

Methods: We enrolled 410 postmenopausal women: 200 consecutive breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors for a median of 53 months (range 23-122) and 210 volunteer controls.

In Vitro Evaluation of Upstream and Downstream Influences on Blood Pressure of the Hybrid Treatment of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Background: The aim of our study was to assess, by means of an experimental model, whether different geometries in retrograde bypass and stent-graft deployment may affect upstream and downstream blood pressure in hybrid treatment.

Methods: An in vitro model of the arterial circulation has been prepared, which consists of a peristaltic pump, silicon tubes with geometrical and mechanical properties close to realistic arteries, a terminal reservoir kept at constant pressure, and a sequence of pressure transducers. The system allows us to study the pressure wave propagation in physiological conditions and simulate the patient's conditions as a result of debranching in 2 different configurations.

Early evaluation of precise deployment with the new low-profile Zenith Alpha Thoracic Endoprosthesis in thoracic aortic disease.

Background: Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease currently allows to treat high-risk patients with better results than open repair. It represents the first option for treatment according to the most recent guidelines. The aim of the study is to evaluate the early results of the low-profile Zenith Alpha Thoracic Endoprosthesis (ZATE).

A true giant aneurysm of the anterior tibial artery.

Aneurysms of the anterior tibial artery are rare. We will describe a case of a woman with an asymptomatic true aneurysm of the anterior tibial artery. The patient presented with a pulsatile mass in the lateral face of the distal portion of the left leg, and both ultrasound examination and computed tomography angiography scan showed a giant aneurysm of the anterior tibial artery.

A retrospective study on short-term results with straight graft vs. bifurcated graft in abdominal aortic aneurysms: a single center experience.

Background: The aim of this paper was to compare in a retrospective study the outcome of aortoaortic graft (straight graft) versus aortoiliac graft (bifurcated graft) with regards to periprocedural and 30-day after surgery complications.

Methods: From January 2004 to December 2009 377 patients underwent elective open surgery for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Data were collected in a dedicated database.