Biomechanical and histological analyses of a multilayer stent in a swine model of suprarenal aortic aneurysm.

Objectives: To analyze and compare, in an animal model, the treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms with multilayer stents and its hemodynamic effects through the biomechanical and histological analysis of the aortic wall in contact with the stent.

Methods: Large White pigs were randomized into two groups: Stent (n=6) and Control (n=5, non-stent). All animals were subjected to the creation of a suprarenal aneurysm with a bovine pericardial patch.

Cysteine and glycine-rich protein 3 (Crp3) as a critical regulator of elastolysis, inflammation, and smooth muscle cell apoptosis in abdominal aortic aneurysm development.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease for which surgical or endovascular repair are the only currently available therapeutic strategies. The development of AAA involves the breakdown of elastic fibers (elastolysis), infiltration of inflammatory cells, and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). However, the specific regulators governing these responses remain unknown.

The Distensibility of the Human Vena Cava and Its Importance to In Vitro Studies of Venous Compression Syndromes: A Search for a Suitable Polymer for 3-Dimensional Printing.

Background: Venous compression syndromes are clinical conditions in which the large veins are compressed by other anatomical structures. Laboratory simulations may help us better understand the hemodynamics in venous compressions by creating situations similar to those seen in vivo. The aim of this study is to produce a model of the caval bifurcation using a polymer with distensibility similar to the human vena cava.

Plasma advanced glycation end products and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products as indicators of sterol content in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are independently related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and favor cholesterol and oxysterol accumulation in macrophage foam cells. Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) impairs cellular AGE signaling alleviating the deleterious effects of AGE in atherogenesis. The association between plasma AGEs and sRAGE with the content of cholesterol, markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption, and oxysterols in atherosclerotic plaques was evaluated in subjects undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Biomechanical Analysis of Cadaveric Thoracic Aorta Zones: The Isthmus is the Weakest Region.

Background: The thoracic aorta is a site of multiple pathological processes, such as aneurysms and dissections. When considering the development of endovascular devices, this vessel has been extensively manipulated because of aortic diseases, as well as to serve as a route for procedures involving the head and neck vessels. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to obtain biomechanical experimental information about the strength and deformability of this vessel.

Removal of Intravascular Foreign Bodies With a Simple Low-Cost Method: A Report of 5 Cases.

Purpose: Intravascular embolization of hemodialysis and central venous catheters is a rare but potentially serious complication. With the increasing use of catheters in medical practice, we are often faced with this type of complication. Novel, simple, and low-cost techniques are needed for foreign body extraction in order to reduce cardiovascular risks.

Biomechanical and histological data from abdominal aortas harvested in autopsy.

This data article describes biomechanical and histological information of abdominal aortas harvested in autopsy. Eight abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAA) and 30 normal diameter abdominal aortas were collected and submitted to an inflation test up to their rupture. This inflation procedure was part of the research entitled "Experimental study of rupture pressure and elasticity of abdominal aortic aneurysms found at autopsy", submitted to Annals of Vascular Surgery.

Biomechanical Properties of the Periaortic Abdominal Tissue: It is Not as Fragile as It Seems.

Background: The perivascular adipose tissue has been studied as a critical element that could influence physiological and disease processes of the vessel covered by it. In terms of anatomy, during the abdominal aorta's dissection, it is possible to identify the periaortic adipose tissue and the periaortic parietal peritoneum lying over it, sealing the retroperitoneal space. They seem to be fragile layers, with apparently no biomechanical role in the abdomen.

Biomechanics data of human supra-aortic trunks and abdominal visceral arteries harvested during autopsy.

The present dataset describes the biomechanical properties of the supra-aortic trunks (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery) and some of the visceral branches of the abdominal aorta (celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries). The specimens have been harvested from 27 adult donors during the autopsy procedure. The vessels were submitted to uniaxial biomechanical tensile tests, and values of failure stress, failure tension, and failure strain were obtained.

A randomized clinical trial of the effects of saphenous and perforating veins radiofrequency ablation on venous ulcer healing (VUERT trial).

Objectives: To investigate whether radiofrequency endovenous ablation (RFA) of saphenous and perforating veins increases venous leg ulcer (VLU) healing rates and prevents ulcer recurrence.

Method: This prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled, single-center trial recruited 56 patients with VLU divided into: compression alone (CR, N = 29) and RFA plus compression (RF, N = 27). Primary endpoints were ulcer recurrence rate at 12 months; and ulcer healing rates at 6, 12, and 24 weeks.

Percutaneous endovascular delivery of calcium chloride to the intact porcine carotid artery: A novel animal model of arterial calcification.

Objective: The present study evaluated the effect of endovascular administration of calcium chloride to the carotid artery of swines, to create a model of arterial calcification.

Methods: Fifteen Large White pigs were used for the study. Via endovascular treatment, carotid arteries were exposed during 9 min to either calcium chloride (experimental artery) or saline (control artery) with the use of the TAPAS catheter.

Study of the Biomechanical and Histological Properties of the Abdominal Aorta of Diabetic Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke.

Introduction: In spite of the great relevance of abdominal aortic aneurysm, its etiopathogenesis is not fully understood. The biomechanical and histological study of the aortic wall may contribute to this elucidation.

Methods: Seventy-five male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control (CG), smoker (SG), diabetic (DG), and diabetic + smoker (DSG).

Development of a Puncture Technique for Implanting Temporary Vascular Shunts in a Porcine Model.

Background: Temporary vascular shunts (TVSs) are an effective tool for rapidly restoring blood flow to a limb or organ that has experienced vascular injury and ischemia and for which revascularization is not an immediate option. Usually, through an opening in the skin, the TVS is positioned within the proximal and distal stumps of the injured vessel, restoring perfusion and stopping the ischemia. The aim of this study is to compare standard TVS technique and a developed puncture technique for implanting TVS and to evaluate the utility and feasibility of this protocol after arterial lesions, in pigs.

Investigation of the observed rupture lines in abdominal aortic aneurysms using crack propagation simulations.

Objective: To use crack propagation simulation to study the rupture site characteristics in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

Methods: Rupture lines were precisely documented in four ruptured AAA harvested whole from cadavers. Wall thickness and material parameters were experimentally determined.

Characterization and Natural History of Patients with Internal Carotid Occlusion: A Comparative Study.

Background: To characterize patients with internal carotid occlusion (ICO) with respect to demographic data, associated diseases, medical management, and risk factors and to compare these patients with those with nonsignificant stenosis (NSS; less than 50% stenosis). Secondary end points were new neurologic events, progression of contralateral degree of stenosis, cardiovascular symptoms, and death during follow-up.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed using data collected from clinical records and added to a prospective database.

Medical Therapy for Asymptomatic Patients and Stent Placement for Symptomatic Patients Presenting with Carotid Artery Near-Occlusion with Full Collapse.

Purpose: To report long-term results of stent placement and medical therapy for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively, with carotid artery near-occlusion with full collapse.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2010, 204 carotid arteries diagnosed by duplex scanning as exhibiting complete occlusion were re-examined with CT angiography; 46 arteries in 46 patients were patent with threadlike lumens and were reclassified as exhibiting near-occlusion with full collapse. Asymptomatic patients (n = 22) received best medical therapy (BMT) alone, and symptomatic patients (n = 24) were referred for carotid artery stent (CAS) placement plus BMT.

Does elevated wall tension cause aortic aneurysm rupture? Investigation using a subject-specific heterogeneous model.

Objective: To investigate whether peak wall tension in abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs at the site of rupture to test for a causative relationship.

Methods: Four ruptured and nine unruptured AAA were harvested whole from cadavers, followed by regional measurements of wall thickness, elastic parameters and failure tension. Finite element models were developed with subject-specific load-free AAA morphology and heterogeneous properties interpolated using a geodesic distance weighted approach from the measurements.

Endovascular Treatment of Penetrating Injury to the Vertebral Artery by a Stab Wound: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: We describe a unique case of a patient with penetration of the cervical region by a stab wound, who required emergency care for the controlled removal of the knife and for vertebral artery trauma (VAT) treatment. Although rare, VAT causes high morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A patient admitted for emergency care was diagnosed with traumatic complete section of the vertebral artery by a knife and underwent removal of the knife under radioscopic supervision and vertebral artery embolization with coils.

Carotid Plaque Morphology in Asymptomatic Patients with and without Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the morphology of carotid plaques, as evaluated using duplex ultrasound (DUS) with computer-assisted analysis.

Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, we analyzed 148 carotid artery plaques in asymptomatic patients. Data were obtained via clinical and laboratory examinations, and DUS was performed by a single operator.

Common Carotid Artery Occlusion: A Single-Center Experience in 40 Cases.

The incidence of common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) is approximately 3% in patients who undergo angiography for symptomatic cerebrovascular disease; however, few studies have reported on management of this condition. The objective of this article was to analyze risk factors, therapeutic options, and clinical benefits of surgical treatment at a hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected from medical records of 40 patients with CCAO who were treated from June 2002 to October 2013.

Volumetry and biomechanical parameters detected by 3D and 2D ultrasound in patients with and without an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The objective was to demonstrate the ability of ultrasound (US) with 3D properties to evaluate volumetry and biomechanical parameters of the aorta in patients with and without abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Thirty-one patients with normal aortas (group 1), 46 patients with AAA measuring 3.0-5.

Biomechanical Properties and Microstructural Analysis of the Human Nonaneurysmal Aorta as a Function of Age, Gender and Location: An Autopsy Study.

Introduction: The biomechanical failure properties and histological composition of the human nonaneurysmal aorta were studied.

Methods: Twenty-six human aortas were harvested from fresh cadavers at autopsy. A total of 153 circumferentially oriented strips were obtained from the aortas for biomechanical and histological studies.

Developing a new endograft for the treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms: definition and experimentation.

Objectives: To analyze angiotomographic parameters of juxtarenal aneurysms to assess the applicability of an endograft model to patients and to create in vitro and in vivo models to assess the new endograft.

Methods: A total of 49 patients with juxtarenal aneurysms were submitted to angiotomographic evaluation, and parameters such as the aortic diameter, the length of the neck, and the angulations of the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries; the distances between them; and anatomic variations were analyzed. Based on these parameters, an endograft model was developed and tested in a newly created in vitro model of juxtarenal aneurysm.