Duplex Ultrasound Surveillance After Femoropopliteal Endovascular Treatment for Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.

Background: To review the current literature and establish a consensual recommendation on duplex ultrasound (DUS) surveillance after endovascular treatment of the femoropopliteal tract.

Methods: This systematic review conducted literature searches on DUS surveillance after endovascular treatment of the femoropopliteal tract, and event rates. The primary end point was primary assisted patency.

Treatment of clinically uninfected diabetic foot ulcers, with and without antibiotics.

Objective: Current guidelines do not recommend the use of antibiotics to treat clinically uninfected ulcers. However, physicians continue to prescribe antibiotics for clinically uninfected ulcers with the rationale 'better to be safe than sorry'. Yet, antibiotic resistance is increasing, side-effects are common and treatment costs are rising.

Endovascular and Surgical Venous Arterialization for No-Option Patients With Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is known for its high rates of major amputation and mortality. Conventional revascularization techniques often fail in CLTI patients due to the heavily diseased arteries. Foot vein arterialization (FVA) has been proposed as an alternative technique to provide arterial blood to the foot by using the disease-free venous bed.

Postprocedural Management in Patients After Percutaneous Deep Venous Arterialization: An Expert Opinion.

After percutaneous deep venous arterialization (pDVA), the created arteriovenous circuit needs time to develop. Postprocedural care in patients after pDVA is essential in order to create optimal conditions for maturation of the circuit, and thus save the limb. However, current literature mainly focusses on the procedure itself, making postprocedural care an underexposed topic.

Validation of an ex vivo Flow Model Including Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Study the Effects of Endovascular Treatments on the Arterial Wall.

Endovascular revascularization is the preferred treatment for peripheral arterial disease. Restenosis often occurs as a response to procedure-induced arterial damage. Reducing vascular injury during endovascular revascularization may improve its success rate.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment modalities for anterior accessory saphenous vein insufficiency.

Objective: To investigate and compare the outcomes of the available treatment modalities for anterior accessory saphenous vein (AASV) incompetence.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies reporting the outcomes of patients who were treated for primary AASV incompetence were included.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of mechanochemical endovenous ablation using Flebogrif for varicose veins.

Objective: In the present study, we reviewed and analyzed the currently available data on the Flebogrif device (Balton, Warsaw, Poland) to define its role in the global varicose vein treatment devices market.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies were eligible if they had included patients treated using the Flebogrif for saphenous vein incompetence, had been reported in English, and had the full text available.

Development of a Prediction Model for the Occurrence of Stenosis or Occlusion after Percutaneous Deep Venous Arterialization.

Percutaneous deep venous arterialization (pDVA) is a promising treatment option in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Stenosis and occlusions, which are the Achilles' heel of every revascularization procedure, can be treated when detected early. However, frequent monitoring after pDVA is required because when stenosis or occlusions develop is unknown.

Outcomes of the paclitaxel-eluting Eluvia stent for long femoropopliteal lesions in Asian patients with predominantly chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

The fluoropolymer-coated, paclitaxel-eluting Eluvia stent has shown promising results for the endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal artery lesions in patients with claudication. The aim of the current study was to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes of the Eluvia stent for the treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions in Asian patients. This is a single-center, retrospective study.

Mid-term outcomes of an everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold in patients with below-the-knee arterial disease: A pooled analysis of individual patient data.

Previous studies on everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) have shown promising 1-year primary patency rates in infrapopliteal arteries. Literature from large cohorts on long-term outcomes with the infrapopliteal Absorb BVS (Abbott Vascular) is lacking. The aim of this study is to pool published and unpublished data to provide a more precise estimate of the 24-month outcomes of Absorb BVS for the treatment of infrapopliteal disease.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds for below-the-knee arterial disease.

Introduction: Different types of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) have been developed and used in below-the-knee (BTK) arterial diseases. This is the first study reviewing and analyzing the literature on BVS treatment for BTK arterial disease.

Evidence Acquisition: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for studies published until October 21, 2019.

Volume Flow and Peak Systolic Velocity of the Arteriovenous Circuit in Patients after Percutaneous Deep Venous Arterialization.

Percutaneous deep venous arterialization (pDVA) is a developing technique for limb salvage in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia by creating an arteriovenous (AV) circuit. After pDVA, patency of the AV circuit is evaluated using duplex ultrasound (DUS) imaging. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and volume flow (VF) values for maintaining a patent AV circuit are undefined; therefore, guidance about when a reintervention should be performed is lacking.

The direct extravascular calcium interruption arterial procedure technique for heavily calcified vessels.

Severely calcified lesions continue to plague endovascular interventions by negatively affecting the acute and long-term results. A new technique was developed to allow balloon crossing or to treat persistent recoil. In the direct extravascular calcium interruption arterial procedure technique, an artery forceps is percutaneously introduced to modify the plaque after conventional techniques have failed.

Midterm Outcomes of Percutaneous Deep Venous Arterialization With a Dedicated System for Patients With No-Option Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: The ALPS Multicenter Study.

To evaluate the midterm results of patients suffering from no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) treated with a dedicated system for percutaneous deep venous arterialization (pDVA). Thirty-two consecutive CLTI patients (mean age 67±14 years; 20 men) treated with pDVA using the Limflow device at 4 centers between 11 July 2014 and 11 June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Of all patients, 21 (66%) had diabetes, 8 (25%) were on immunosuppression, 4 (16%) had dialysis-dependent renal failure, 9 (28%) had Rutherford category 6 ischemia, and 25 (78%) were deemed at high risk of amputation.

High-pressure, non compliant balloon angioplasty for long and calcified infrapopliteal and inframalleolar lesions is feasible.

Background: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of high-pressure, noncompliant balloon angioplasty in the management of long infrapopliteal calcified lesions.

Methods: Consecutive patients, presenting with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and long (>100 mm) calcified infrapopliteal lesions who were treated with a high pressure, noncompliant balloon (JADE, OrbusNeich, Hong Kong) between January 2016 and July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Angioplasty was performed by inflating the balloon to a pressure of 22 to 24 atm for 90 seconds.

Editor's Choice - Drug Coated Balloon Angioplasty vs. Standard Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in Below the Knee Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The aim was to review and analyse the literature on clinical outcomes of drug coated balloon (DCB) vs. standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the treatment of infrapopliteal arterial disease.

Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The effect of a multidisciplinary outpatient team approach on outcomes in diabetic foot care: a single center study.

Background: Recent studies showed no reduction in major amputation rates after introduction of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer. The efficacy of MDTs in the current standard of care is being questioned. This retrospective single-center study evaluated the efficacy of an outpatient MDT approach on limb salvage and ulcer healing in treating diabetic foot ulcers.

Below-the-Ankle Angioplasty in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of below-the-ankle (BTA) angioplasty and to assess whether additional BTA angioplasty after below-the-knee (BTK) angioplasty would improve clinical outcomes in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Materials And Methods: Two authors independently performed the search, study selection, assessment of methodological quality, and data extraction for this systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched.

A systematic review of patch angioplasty versus primary closure for carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Guidelines recommend routine patching after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on the basis of a lower restenosis rate and presumed lower procedural stroke rate than with primary repair. Underlying evidence is based on studies performed decades ago with perioperative care that significantly differed from current standards. Recent studies raise doubt about routine patching and have suggested that a more selective approach to patch closure (PAC) might be noninferior for procedural safety and long-term stroke prevention.

Patch Angioplasty or Primary Closure Following Carotid Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis.

 Guidelines recommend routine patching to prevent restenosis following carotid endarterectomy, mainly based on studies performed many years ago with different perioperative care and medical treatment compared with current standards. Aim of the present study was to compare primary closure (PRC) versus patch closure (PAC) in a contemporary cohort of patients.  Consecutive patients treated by carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic stenosis between January 2006 and April 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.

Percutaneous deep venous arterialization in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Background: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the presentation of end stage peripheral arterial disease and typically presents with rest pain, ulceration and gangrene. The outcome of conservative treatment is poor and often leads to amputations. Arterial revascularization plays an important role in amputation prevention.

Minimal starting time of data reconstruction for qualitative myocardial perfusion rubidium-82 positron emission tomography imaging.

Objective: Qualitative positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) scans are reconstructed with a delay after an injection of rubidium-82 (Rb) to ensure blood pool clearance and sufficient left ventricle to myocardium contrast. Our aim was to derive the minimal starting time of data reconstruction (STDR) after an injection of Rb for which the diagnostic value and image quality remained unaffected.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively included 23 patients who underwent rest-stress Rb PET MPI using 740 MBq.

Minimizing rubidium-82 tracer activity for relative PET myocardial perfusion imaging.

Objectives: Recommended rubidium-82 activities for relative myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using present-generation PET scanners may be unnecessarily high. Our aim was to derive the minimum activity for a reliable relative PET MPI assessment.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 140 scans from 28 consecutive patients who underwent rest-stress MPI-PET (Ingenuity TF).