Critical Review of Guidelines for Type B Aortic Dissection.

The management of type B aortic dissection is one of the most challenging and debated topics in contemporary cardiovascular surgery practice. Patients with acute or chronic dissection-related complications, face high morbidity and mortality if not treated promptly. For most patients requiring intervention, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is considered the gold standard.

Machine learning validation of the AVAS classification compared to ultrasound mapping in a multicentre study.

The Arteriovenous Access Stage (AVAS) classification simplifies information about suitability of vessels for vascular access (VA). It's been previously validated in a clinical study. Here, AVAS performance was tested against multiple ultrasound mapping measurements using machine learning.

Biomarkers in Ataxia-Telangiectasia: a Systematic Review.

Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) is a very rare multisystem disease of DNA repair, associated with progressive disabling neurological symptoms, respiratory failure, immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition, leading to premature death. There are no curative treatments available for A-T but clinical trials have begun. A major limiting factor in effectively evaluating therapies for A-T is the lack of suitable outcome measures and biomarkers.

Expert-Based Narrative Review on Compression UltraSonography (CUS) for Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT).

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a pathological condition that develops when a thrombus forms within the deep venous system. Typically, it involves the lower limbs and, less frequently, the upper extremities or other unusual districts such as cerebral or splanchnic veins. While leg DVT itself is rarely fatal and occasionally can lead to limb-threatening implications, its most fearsome complication, namely pulmonary embolism, is potentially fatal and significantly contributes to increased healthcare costs and impaired quality of life in affected patients and caregivers.

Intraoperative rescue of a dislodged renal stent during fenestrated endovascular aortic repair for treatment of type 1A endoleak.

In the past 15 years, fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (F-BEVAR) has progressively become the first-line option for management of most complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs); with increasing experience, as well as persistent technological refinements, F-BEVAR indications have been expanded to include rescue of failures after prior EVAR. Despite the feasibility and effectiveness, F-BEVAR procedures in the presence of prior infrarenal endografts may come with higher technical complexity that should be properly anticipated, and several anatomical challenges can be expected. Among these, presence of suprarenal bare stents from prior EVAR device are certainly a frequent scenario and may sometimes make target vessel cannulation more difficult because of encroachment on the target vessel origins.

Utilization and Outcomes Associated With Intravascular Ultrasound During Abdominal and Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Interventions in the United States in the Contemporary Era (2016-2023).

Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) use in aortic endovascular interventions, including thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), may have similar benefits to those seen in coronary and peripheral interventions, but limited utilization and outcome data exist.

Methods: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claims data were used to identify patients undergoing TEVAR and EVAR from 2016 to 2023. Utilization trends were stratified by region, urbanicity, distressed communities index, community versus academic center, Medicare versus dual enrollment status, indication, urgency, and presence of dissection with malperfusion.

Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: A European Multicentre Cross-Sectional Evaluation.

Background: A multicentre European randomized control trial - European Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Repair (EU-TBAR) is being developed to compare pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with custom-made devices versus conventional optimal medical therapy. The pretrial set-up is confluent on different pillars, including evaluation of 1) European activity, trends, and governance; 2) outcome reporting; and 3) cost evaluation. This article aimed to demonstrate the observational cross-sectional survey results from participating centers and highlight the risk assessment, activity, practices, and governance of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD).

Perioperative and mid-term results of trans-graft embolization of the hypogastric artery for treatment of type II endoleaks after endovascular aortic repair with off-label use of re-entry catheters.

Type II endoleaks after endovascular aortic repair are a common scenario that, although infrequently, may sometimes require secondary interventions when leading to significant enlargement of the aneurysm sac. Herein, we present the perioperative and mid-term results of one of our endovascular aortic repair cases with type II endoleak from the hypogastric artery, whose ostium was covered by the prior stent graft limbs and that were successfully treated with a novel technique employing re-entry catheters in an off-label fashion. This technique may represent a valid alternative solution when conventional access between artery and prosthesis is laborious or impossible to achieve.

Diagnostic Performance of Clinical and Routine Laboratory Data in Acute Mesenteric Arterial Occlusion-An International Multicenter Study.

Background: There are no clinical or laboratory markers that can diagnose acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) accurately. This study aimed to find differences in clinical and laboratory markers between arterial occlusive AMI and other acute abdominal diseases where AMI was initially suspected.

Methods: This was a post hoc study of an international prospective multicenter study where data on patients with suspected AMI were collected.

Entry into the lytic cycle exposes EBV-infected cells to NK cell killing via upregulation of the MICB ligand for NKG2D and activation of the CD56 and NKG2AKIRCD56 subsets.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is usually acquired during infancy as an asymptomatic infection and persists throughout life in a latent state under the control of the host immune system. However, EBV is associated with various malignant diseases that preferentially develop in immunodeficient individuals. Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for NK cells, though the mechanisms by which EBV evades or triggers NK cell responses are poorly understood.

Vascular Graft Impregnation with a Fosfomycin/Oritavancin Combination to Prevent Early Infection.

Vascular graft infections (VGIs) represent a life-threatening complication, occurring in 0.2-6% of patients following aortic prosthetic placements. Historically, the primary focus for reducing VGIs has been on prevention.

Transatlantic Delphi Consensus on the Common Iliac Artery Sealing Zone in Endovascular Aorto-Iliac Aneurysm Repair (the DECIDE Study).

Objective: Knowledge of hostile factors and their influence on long-term seal in the iliac landing zone is limited. Currently endorsed clinical practice guidelines lack structural evidence on how the iliac landing zone should be assessed in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative phases. The goal of this study was to obtain an international, expert-based consensus on the definition of a hostile iliac landing zone, on how to size and plan stent-grafts to optimize sustainable distal seal, and on the postprocedural follow-up protocol.

Prognostic Impact of Anemia and Blood Transfusions on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Vascular Surgery: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Prior studies suggest an association of anemia and blood transfusion with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the impact of perioperative anemia and blood transfusion on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing major vascular surgery has been poorly defined yet. The primary objectives of this scoping review were to determine the extent of the evidence base that links anemia and blood transfusions to mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing major vascular surgery, and identify recurring themes or gaps in the literature to guide future research.

Internal mammary artery perforator-based plug flap.

Introduction: Various oncoplastic techniques have emerged over the years to preserve breast cosmesis and symmetry without compromising the principles of tumor excision. One of the newer techniques for breast volume replacement to achieve symmetry and cosmesis is the use of fascio-cutaneous pedicled chest wall perforator flaps or local perforator flaps (CWPF).

Case Presentation: We present a case of reconstruction with internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP)-based plug flap to fill the infero-medial defect caused by a tumor close to skin, with visible retraction.

Treatment of acute pharyngitis in children: an Italian intersociety consensus (SIPPS-SIP-SITIP-FIMP-SIAIP-SIMRI-FIMMG).

Sore throat represents one of the main causes of antibiotic overprescription in children. Its management is still a matter of debate, with countries considering streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis a benign and self-limiting condition and others advocating for its antibiotic treatment to prevent suppurative complications and acute rheumatic fever. Italian paediatricians frequently prescribe antibiotics on a clinical basis regardless of microbiological results.

Mid-Term Outcomes of the Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis with Standardized Combinations of Bridging Stent-Grafts for Endovascular Treatment of Aortoiliac Disease with or Without Co-existing Hypogastric Aneurysms (The HYPROTECT Study).

Purpose: To evaluate retrospectively the 2-year outcomes of the Gore Excluder Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE) in patients with and without coexisting hypogastric artery (HA) aneurysms in a large contemporary multicentric European experience using dedicated bridging devices.

Methods: The study included all consecutive patients treated at participating institutions with the Gore Excluder IBE device who received a covered stent (i.e.

Nailfold Video-Capillaroscopy in Sarcoidosis: New Perspectives and Challenges.

Introduction: Nailfold video-capillaroscopy (NVC) is a non-invasive cost-effective technique involving the microscopic examination of small blood vessels of the distal nailfold with a magnification device. It provides valuable information regarding the microcirculation including anomalies such as tortuous or dilated capillaries, hemorrhages, and avascular areas, which can characterize connective tissue diseases. The utility of NVC in the diagnosis and monitoring of systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been investigated in numerous studies allowing the distinction of the specific microvascular pattern of scleroderma from different conditions other than scleroderma (non-scleroderma pattern).

Simultaneous versus staged approach in transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe stenosis and endovascular aortic repair for thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objectives: Thoracic/abdominal aortic aneurysms and aortic stenosis may be concomitant diseases requiring both transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and endovascular aneurysm repair (T/EVAR) in high-risk patients for surgical approaches, but temporal management is not clearly defined yet. The aim of the study was to analyse outcomes of simultaneous versus staged TAVI and T/EVAR.

Methods: Retrospective observational multicentre study was performed on patients requiring TAVI and T/EVAR from 2016 to 2022.

Treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia in previously healthy children: an Italian intersociety consensus (SIPPS-SIP-SITIP-FIMP-SIAIP-SIMRI-FIMMG-SIMG).

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an acute infection of the lung parenchyma acquired outside the hospital or other healthcare settings, typically affecting previously healthy individuals. This intersociety consensus aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for the antibiotic treatment of mild to moderate CAP in previously healthy children in Italy.A systematic review was conducted to identify the most recent and relevant evidence.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic biomarker in patients with peripheral artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple and routinely obtained parameter reflecting systemic inflammation, including in peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: This systematic review aimed to assess the role of NLR as a prognostic biomarker in patients with PAD. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, EBSCO, and Cochrane.

Metabolism and disposition of zamicastat in rats.

The metabolism and disposition of zamicastat, a reversible dopamine β-hydroxylase (DβH) inhibitor, developed for treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), were investigated in rats after oral and intravenous administration of [C]-zamicastat.Zamicastat was rapidly absorbed and widely distributed to peripheral tissues, with total radioactivity almost completely recovered 168 h post-dose. Its main route of excretion was via faeces, whilst urine and expired air had minor roles.

Open E-survey on the Use and Perception of Chatbots in Vascular Surgery.

Objective: Large language models and artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbots have brought new insights in healthcare, but they also raise major concerns. Their applications in vascular surgery have scarcely been investigated to date. This international survey aimed to evaluate the perceptions and feedback from vascular surgeons on the use of AI chatbots in vascular surgery.

Validation of arteriovenous access stage (AVAS) classification: a prospective, international multicentre study.

Background: The arteriovenous access stage (AVAS) classification provides evaluation of upper extremity vessels for vascular access (VA) suitability. It divides patients into classes within three main groups: suitable for native fistula (AVAS1) or prosthetic graft (AVAS2), and patients not suitable for conventional native or prosthetic VA (AVAS3). We validated this system on a prospective dataset.