The Use of Frailty Scores for Screening the Surgical Risk Benefits: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Objective: Our study aims to examine the role of multi-disciplinary surgical pause committees (MDSPC) in perioperative planning to reduce adverse postoperative events and mortality rates.

Summary Background Data: Frail patients could benefit from preoperative MDSPCs when utilizing risk-benefit ratios for the proposed surgical plan. We examined whether MDSPCs improved clinical outcomes by developing individualized care plans and stratifying patients based on their level of frailty and ability to overcome external stressors.

Editor's Choice - Reduction of Major Amputations after Surgery versus Endovascular Intervention: The BEST-CLI Randomised Trial.

Objective: BEST-CLI, an international randomised trial, compared an initial strategy of bypass surgery with endovascular treatment in chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI). In this substudy, overall amputation rates and risk of major amputation as an initial or subsequent outcome were evaluated.

Methods: A total of 1 830 patients were randomised to receive surgical or endovascular treatment in two parallel cohorts: patients with adequate single segment great saphenous vein (SSGSV) (n = 1 434) were assigned to cohort 1; and patients without adequate SSGSV (n = 396) were assigned to cohort 2.

Longitudinal assessment of health-related quality of life and clinical outcomes with at home advanced pneumatic compression treatment of lower extremity lymphedema.

Objective: This prospective, longitudinal, pragmatic study describes at home treatment with a proprietary advanced pneumatic compression device (APCD) for patients with lower extremity lymphedema (LED).

Methods: Following institutiona review board approval, four participating Veterans Affairs centers enrolled LED patients from 2016 to 2022. The primary outcome measures were health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) questionnaires (lymphedema quality of life-leg and the generic SF-36v2) obtained at baseline and 12, 24, and 52 weeks.

Comparison of success and cost after retrieval of two inferior vena cava filters.

Objective: The objective of this study was to help guide inferior vena cava (IVC) filter choices by better understanding the retrieval characteristics, complications, and total costs between two commonly used IVC filters.

Methods: All patients who underwent retrieval or attempted retrieval of Denali (Bard Peripheral Vascular) or Option (Argon Medical Devices) IVC filters were identified between March 2016 and October 2021 at a single tertiary care center. Those with imaging studies that permitted evaluation of filter placement, presence or degree of tilt, and/or hooking of the filter into the IVC wall were included in the present study.

Optimal medical management in patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions for chronic limb-threatening ischemia is associated with improved outcomes.

Objective: Optimizing medical management and risk factor modification are underused strategies in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), despite evidence of improved outcomes. The Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry is a tool to improve quality of vascular care. In this study, we used the VQI to evaluate trends in medical management in patients with CLTI undergoing peripheral vascular interventions (PVI), and the impact of changes in management on overall survival (OS), amputation-free survival (AFS), and limb salvage (LS).

Transfusion trigger after operations in high cardiac risk patients (TOP) trial protocol. Protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled transfusion strategy trial.

Background: There is substantial uncertainty regarding the effects of restrictive postoperative transfusion among patients who have underlying cardiovascular disease. The TOP Trial's objective is to compare adverse outcomes between liberal and restrictive transfusion strategies in patients undergoing vascular and general surgery operations, and with a high risk of postoperative cardiac events.

Methods: A two-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled superiority trial will be used across 15 Veterans Affairs hospitals with expected enrollment of 1520 participants.

Impact of Statins on Survival and Limb Salvage in Patients Undergoing Peripheral Endovascular Intervention for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Background: Statin therapy is recommended in all patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Its impact on reduction in mortality has been well-documented, yet effect on limb-specific outcomes has been less conclusive. Differences among PAD subgroups or variability of statin use may contribute to the inconsistent findings.

Comparison of outcomes for balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting in the treatment of infrapopliteal disease for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Objective: We evaluated limb salvage (LS), amputation-free survival (AFS), and target extremity reintervention (TER) after plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA), stenting, and atherectomy for treatment of infrapopliteal disease (IPD) with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Methods: All index peripheral vascular interventions for IPD and CLTI were identified from the Vascular Quality Initiative registry. Of the multilevel procedures, the peripheral vascular intervention type was indexed to the infrapopliteal segment.

Effect of a Decision Aid on Agreement Between Patient Preferences and Repair Type for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can choose open repair or endovascular repair (EVAR). While EVAR is less invasive, it requires lifelong surveillance and more frequent aneurysm-related reinterventions than open repair. A decision aid may help patients receive their preferred type of AAA repair.

Factors associated with preference of choice of aortic aneurysm repair in the PReference for Open Versus Endovascular repair of AAA (PROVE-AAA) study.

Objective: Patients can choose between open repair and endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the factors associated with patient preference for one repair type over another are not well-characterized. Here we assess the factors associated with preference of choice for open or endovascular AAA repair among veterans exposed to a decision aid to help with choosing surgical treatment.

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy is associated with superior outcomes as compared with aspirin monotherapy in chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Objective: Antiplatelet therapy is recommended in patients with peripheral arterial disease to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve outcomes. However, issues including the drug of choice and use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) vs monotherapy remain unclear. This study aims to compare the impact of aspirin (ASA) monotherapy, P2Y12 monotherapy, and DAPT on limb salvage (LS), amputation-free survival (AFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing lower extremity peripheral endovascular intervention (PVI) for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

National survey of vascular surgery residents and fellows on radiation exposure and safety practices.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate radiation safety practices, radiation training, and radiation exposure among senior vascular residents and fellows in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs across the United States.

Methods: Anonymous surveys were sent to all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education program directors to be distributed to postgraduate year 4 to 7 vascular trainees for completion. The survey questions focused on program type (single vs multiple hospital site), familiarity with their radiation officer, formal radiation training, frequency of radiation feedback, use of safety equipment, and adherence to as low as reasonably achievable principles.

Need for Routine Preoperative Insertion of Indwelling Urinary Catheter Prior to Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: Evaluate outcomes following urinary catheter (UC) versus no urinary catheter (NUC) insertion in elective endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods: Retrospective record review of all elective EVAR at a university affiliated medical center over a 5-year period. Statistical analysis included Chi Sq, Independent Student t Test.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in an 11-year-old with multiple peripheral artery aneurysms.

Pediatric abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are rarely encountered in clinical practice. The combination of a pediatric AAA in a patient with multiple peripheral artery aneurysms is even more rare. We report the management of an 11-year-old boy who presented with a ruptured AAA who also had multiple peripheral arterial aneurysms.

The selection of patients for ambulatory endovascular aneurysm repair of elective asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objectives: To identify candidates undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of asymptomatic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm who are eligible for early (≤6 hours) hospital discharge or to have EVAR performed in free-standing ambulatory surgery centers.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review of all elective EVAR performed at a university medical center over 5 years was undertaken. Potential candidates for early discharge or to have EVAR performed in a free-standing ambulatory surgery setting were defined as those who used routine monitoring services only or had self-limited minor adverse events (AE) that were identified, treated, and resolved within 6 hours of surgery.

Improved survival with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Objective: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral artery disease. However, their effect on limb-specific outcomes is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ACE inhibitors/ARBs on limb salvage (LS) and survival in patients undergoing peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

A simplified method of pre-emptive perigraft aortic sac embolization to prevent type II endoleak using the Excluder endograft.

Pre-emptive, nonselective perigraft embolization of abdominal aortic aneurysm sac to reduce the risk of type II endoleak has been previously reported with a percutaneous technique using contralateral access with resheathing for coiling. The approach has been modified to simplify the procedure and to eliminate unnecessary sheath exchanges.

Successful treatment of a ruptured profunda femoris artery aneurysm in association with fibromuscular dysplasia.

Fibromuscular dysplasia is rarely reported in the infra-inguinal arteries. We report a case of an 86-year-old woman who presented with a ruptured profunda femoris artery aneurysm who was found to have angiographic findings of fibromuscular dysplasia in the bilateral deep femoral arteries and bilateral renal arteries. The rupture was treated successfully with a balloon-expandable covered stent.

High plateletcrit is associated with early loss of patency after open and endovascular interventions for chronic limb ischemia.

Objective: Plateletcrit (PCT) reflects the total platelet mass in blood and can be calculated from a complete blood count. We examined the effect of PCT on outcomes of endovascular and open interventions for chronic limb ischemia.

Methods: Patients who underwent revascularization for chronic limb ischemia (Rutherford categories 3-6) between June 2001 and December 2014 were retrospectively identified.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ACEI/ARB) are Associated with Improved Limb Salvage after Infrapopliteal Interventions for Critical Limb Ischemia.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ACEI/ARB) reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, their effect on limb-specific outcomes is unclear. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of ACEI/ARB on patency and limb salvage in patients undergoing interventions for critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Comparison of Autologous Vein and Bovine Carotid Artery Graft as a Bypass Conduit in Arterial Trauma.

Background: Surgical revascularization is the mainstay treatment in treating most traumatic arterial injuries, and autologous great saphenous vein is widely regarded as the conduit of choice. However, the use of the great saphenous vein may be limited by many factors, and there are little data to guide management in this setting. Bovine carotid artery graft (Artegraft, Inc.