Duplex Ultrasound-Only Surveillance after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair is Associated with Favorable Long-Term Outcomes.

Background: Long-term data surrounding the impact of different endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) surveillance strategies are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize postoperative imaging patterns, as well as to evaluate the association of duplex ultrasound surveillance after the first postoperative year with 5-year EVAR outcomes.

Methods: EVAR patients (2003-2016), who survived at least 1 year without aneurysm rupture, conversion to open repair, and reintervention in the Vascular Implant Surveillance and Interventional Outcomes Network were examined to provide all subjects ≥3 years of follow-up time.

In-situ bypass is associated with superior infection-free survival compared with extra-anatomic bypass for the management of secondary aortic graft infections without enteric involvement.

Objective: The optimal revascularization modality following complete resection of aortic graft infection (AGI) without enteric involvement remains unclear. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the revascularization approach associated with the lowest morbidity and mortality using real-world data in patients undergoing complete excision of AGI.

Methods: A retrospective, multi-institutional study of AGI from 2002 to 2014 was performed using a standardized database.

Contemporary Outcomes After Partial Resection of Infected Aortic Grafts.

Introduction: Aortic graft infection remains a considerable clinical challenge, and it is unclear which variables are associated with adverse outcomes among patients undergoing partial resection.

Methods: A retrospective, multi-institutional study of patients who underwent partial resection of infected aortic grafts from 2002 to 2014 was performed using a standard database. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, operative, and postoperative variables were recorded.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on vascular registries and clinical trials.

Quality improvement programs and clinical trial research experienced disruption due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Vascular registries showed an immediate impact with significant declines in second-quarter vascular procedure volumes witnessed across Europe and the United States. To better understand the magnitude and impact of the pandemic, organizations and study groups sent grass roots surveys to vascular specialists for needs assessment.

Effects of coronavirus disease 2019 on the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative arterial procedure registry.

In the present report, we have described the abrupt pivot of Vascular Quality Initiative physician members away from standard clinical practice to a restrictive phase of emergent and urgent vascular procedures in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization queried both data managers and physicians in May 2020 to discern the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately three fourths of physicians (74%) had adopted a restrictive operating policy for urgent and emergent cases only.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative Venous Procedure Registries (varicose vein and inferior vena cava filter).

In response to the pandemic, an abrupt pivot of Vascular Quality Initiative physician members away from standard clinical practice to a restrictive phase of emergent and urgent vascular procedures occurred. The Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization queried both data managers and physicians in May 2020. Approximately three-fourths (74%) of physicians adopted restrictive operating policies for urgent and emergent cases only, whereas one-half proceeded with "time sensitive" elective cases as urgent.

In situ bypass and extra-anatomic bypass procedures result in similar survival in patients with secondary aortoenteric fistulas.

Objective: The optimal revascularization modality in secondary aortoenteric fistula (SAEF) remains unclear in the literature. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the revascularization approach associated with the lowest morbidity and mortality using real-world data in patients with SAEF.

Methods: A retrospective, multi-institutional study of SAEF from 2002 to 2014 was performed using a standardized database.

Procedural Complexity of TransCarotid Artery Revascularization Is Not Increased in Irradiated and Reoperative Necks.

Background: TransCarotid Revascularization (TCAR) with dynamic flow reversal using the ENROUTE Neuroprotection System (ENPS) is a Food and Drug Administration-approved alternative carotid revascularization modality. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether TCAR in a hostile (fibrotic) surgical field increases procedural complexity and postoperative complications.

Methods: Perioperative variables for all institutional TCARs performed between December 2015 and April 2019 were prospectively captured.

Diagnosis and relining techniques for delayed type IIIB endoleaks with the second-generation AFX endograft.

Type IIIB endoleaks resulting from endograft fabric tear are an uncommon but serious late complication of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. The Strata fabric used in the earlier generation AFX endograft (updated to Duraply in October 2014) has been associated with an increased frequency of these events. Herein we report on two patients exhibiting delayed type IIIB endoleaks after AFX device insertion to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm and discuss optimal relining techniques.

Aggressive Surveillance Is Needed to Detect Endoleaks and Junctional Separation between Device Components after Zenith Fenestrated Aortic Reconstruction.

Background: Junctional separation and resulting type IIIa endoleak is a well-known problem after EVAR (endovascular aneurysm repair). This complication results in sac pressurization, enlargement, and eventual rupture. In this manuscript, we review the incidence of this late finding in our experience with the Cook Zenith fenestrated endoprosthesis (ZFEN, Bloomington, IN).

Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair-induced acute kidney injury does not result in chronic renal dysfunction.

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common physiologic complication after fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR). This investigation was initiated to determine the unknown impact of post-FEVAR AKI on long-term renal function after index hospital discharge.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of an institutional FEVAR database capturing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables related to the implantation of consecutive Zenith Fenestrated endografts (ZFEN; Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) between October 2012 and April 2018.

Outcomes associated with a transcarotid artery revascularization-centered protocol in high-risk carotid revascularizations using the ENROUTE neuroprotection system.

Objective: This investigation describes the perioperative and early follow-up results associated with transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) in patients not participating in the Safety and Efficacy Study for Reverse Flow Used During Carotid Artery Stenting Procedure II (ROADSTER-2) registry using the ENROUTE neuroprotection system (ENPS; Silk Road Medical, Sunnyvale, Calif).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed capturing all TCAR/ENPS procedures in patients deemed to be at high risk for complications after traditional carotid endarterectomy. All patients enrolled in the ROADSTER-2 registry were excluded, leaving only those treated outside trial regulations for analysis.

Long-term outcomes after pediatric peripheral revascularization secondary to trauma at an urban level I center.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine our limb-related contemporary pediatric revascularization perioperative and follow-up outcomes after major blunt and penetrating trauma.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained pediatric trauma database spanning January 2010 to December 2017 to capture all level I trauma activations that resulted in a peripheral arterial revascularization procedure. All preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative continuous variables are reported as a mean ± standard deviation; categorical variables are reported as a percentage of the population of interest.

Use of the Zenith Fenestrated platform to rescue failing endovascular and open aortic reconstructions is safe and technically feasible.

Objective: Proximal neck dilation is a serious long-term complication directly causing the failure of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, the implantation of a fenestrated device presents the opportunity for proximal extension of the aortic reconstruction into a healthy segment while maintaining patency of the visceral vessels. The objective of this investigation was to report perioperative and follow-up outcomes using the Zenith Fenestrated (ZFEN; Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) aortic stent system in salvaging previous aortic repairs undergoing type IA endoleak or aneurysmal degeneration of the proximal neck.

Perioperative Outcomes are Adversely Affected by Poor Pretransfer Adherence to Acute Limb Ischemia Practice Guidelines.

Background: The accepted treatment for acute limb ischemia (ALI) is immediate systemic anticoagulation and timely reperfusion to restore blood flow. In this study, we describe the retrospective assessment of pretransfer management decisions by referring hospitals to an academic tertiary care facility and its impact on perioperative adverse events.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of ALI patients transferred to us via our Level I Vascular Emergency Program from 2010 to 2013 was performed.

Cryopreserved Homografts in Infected Infrainguinal Fields Are Associated with Frequent Reinterventions and Poor Amputation-Free Survival.

Background: Single-length saphenous vein continues to be the conduit of choice in infected-field critical limb ischemia. However, half of these individuals have inadequate vein secondary to previous use or chronic venous disease. We reviewed our outcomes of infected-field infrainguinal bypasses performed with cryopreserved homografts (CHs), a widely accepted alternative to autogenous vein in this setting.

Institutional experience with the Zenith Fenestrated aortic stent graft.

Objective: The Zenith Fenestrated (ZFEN; Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) aortic stent graft system was approved for commercial use by the Food and Drug Administration in April 2012. We report our single-center experience of 100 consecutive patients treated with the ZFEN platform from October 2012 to March 2017.

Methods: A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) database at a tertiary care academic institution located in the Midwest United States was performed for descriptive analysis.

Staged endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm adjacent to a chronic high-flow iliocaval traumatic arteriovenous fistula.

Large-vessel chronic traumatic arteriovenous fistulas are a rare complication after trauma. Delayed presentation can consist of one or more features of high-output cardiac failure, pulsatile abdominal mass, bruit, limb ischemia, and venous congestion. We describe a patient with a complex iliocaval fistula secondary to a remote gunshot wound associated with a large 8.

Results of nonoperative management of acute limb ischemia in infants.

Objective: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) in infants poses a challenge to the clinician secondary to poor operative outcomes, limb loss risk, and lifelong morbidity. This retrospective study reviewed a 10-year institutional experience with the nonoperative management of ALI in infants.

Methods: Infants (aged ≤12 months) diagnosed with ALI by duplex ultrasound and treated with initial nonoperative management at a tertiary care children's hospital were identified through vascular laboratory arterial duplex ultrasound records and International Classification of Diseases and Current Procedural Terminology codes associated with ALI.

Cryopreserved venous allograft is an acceptable conduit in patients with current or prior angioaccess graft infection.

Objective: The durability of cryopreserved allograft has been previously demonstrated in the setting of infection. The objective of this study was to examine the safety, efficacy, patency, and cost per day of graft patency associated with using cryopreserved allograft (vein and artery) for hemodialysis access in patients with no autogenous tissue for native fistula creation and with arteriovenous graft infection or in patients at high risk for infection.

Methods: Patients implanted with cryopreserved allograft for hemodialysis access between January 2004 and January 2014 were reviewed using a standardized, multi-institutional database that evaluated demographic, comorbidity, procedural, and outcomes data.

Variation in hospital costs and reimbursement for endovascular aneurysm repair: A Vascular Quality Initiative pilot project.

Objective: Comparing costs between centers is difficult because of the heterogeneity of vascular procedures contained in broad diagnosis-related group (DRG) billing categories. The purpose of this pilot project was to develop a mechanism to merge Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) clinical data with hospital billing data to allow more accurate cost and reimbursement comparison for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedures across centers.

Methods: Eighteen VQI centers volunteered to submit UB04 billing data for 782 primary, elective infrarenal EVAR procedures performed by 108 surgeons in 2014.