Sex disparities in hemodialysis access outcomes: A systematic review.

The goal of this systematic review was to collate and summarize the current literature on hemodialysis access outcomes in females, identify differences between females and men, and provide a foundation for future research. A systematic review of the English-language literature was conducted by searching PubMed and Google Scholar for the following terms: "sex," "hemodialysis access," "arteriovenous fistula," "arteriovenous graft," and "dialysis catheter." Reference lists from the resulting articles were also evaluated to ensure that any and all relevant primary sources were identified.

High Thoracic Tortuosity Is Associated With CT-Markers of Degeneration of the Descending Thoracic Aortic Wall.

Objective/introduction: Increased vascular tortuosity may be an independent marker of generalized aortic pathology. This study investigates the association between descending thoracic aortic tortuosity, aneurysm pathophysiology, and outcomes following EVAR in AAA patients.

Methods: Patients who underwent elective EVAR between 2004 and 2018 were reviewed.

Intraoperative vascular mapping improves patient eligibility for arteriovenous fistula creation.

Background: We assessed the utility of intraoperative vein mapping performed by the operating surgeon for evaluating vessel suitability for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation.

Methods: In a retrospective review of 222 AVFs, vein diameter measurements were compared between intraoperative and preoperative mapping in the same anatomical location. AVF creation was based on intraoperative vein diameter ≥2 mm, using a distal to proximal and superficial veins first approach.

Analysis of Twitter Engagement in a Progressively More Competitive Urology Match: A Mixed Methods Study.

Objective: To analyze Twitter engagement in response to the urology match during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Tweets containing the hashtags "#uromatch" or "#AUAmatch" during the 2021 and 2022 Match Week were reviewed. Date, author type and number of followers, general content, and engagement with each Tweet was collected.

The mental health impact of aortic dissection.

Although the topics of surgical techniques and medical therapies have been widely studied in aortic dissection (AD), studies examining the short- and long-term impact of this event on mental health are largely lacking. Many of the studies have used the 36-Item Short Form Survey at variable time points after the event. However, AD as medical trauma has a complex impact on a person's identity.

Whole genome sequencing identifies loci specifically associated with thoracic aortic wall defects and abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with European ancestry.

Objective: The objective of this study was to better understand the pathophysiology and underlying genetic mechanisms behind two abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) subtypes using computed tomographic imaging in combination with whole genome sequencing.

Methods: Patients with a known AAA and European ancestry were included in this investigation and underwent genetic and image analysis. Patients with AAAs and indications of descending thoracic aortic pathology (aortic dissection, penetrating aortic ulcers, intramural hematoma, atheromas, ulcerative plaque, and intramural ulceration, and intimal flaps/tears) were classified as having thoracic aortic disease, grouped together, and compared with patients with an AAA and a normal descending thoracic aorta.

Decreased Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Size Following EVAR in Patients With CT Evidence of Subclinical Thoracic Aortic Dissection.

Background: Aneurysm sac regression following endovascular repair (EVAR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an established indicator of surgical success. However, even with a completely excluded aneurysm, the degree of aortic sac regression may vary. This study evaluates the relationship between aneurysm sac regression after EVAR and the presence of morphological features in the thoracic aorta that can be associated with a subclinical aortic dissection, termed dissection morphology in this study.