Abdominal aortic aneurysm patients remain at risk for delirium on the surgical ward after intensive care unit dismissal.

Background: The incidence of delirium following open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery is significant, with incidence rates ranging from 12% to 33%. However, it remains unclear on what level of care a delirium develops in AAA patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of delirium in the ICU and on the surgical ward after AAA surgery.

Important differences between quality of life and health status in elderly patients suffering from critical limb ischemia.

Introduction: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients are often of advanced age with reduced health status (HS) and quality of life (QoL) at baseline. Physical health is considered as the most affected domain due to reduced mobility and ischemic pain. QoL and HS are often used interchangeably in the current literature.

Is amputation in the elderly patient with critical limb ischemia acceptable in the long term?

Purpose: Despite high amputation rates, data on patient-reported outcomes is scarce in the elderly population with critical limb ischemia. The aim of this study was to provide mortality rates and long-term changes of the following patient-reported outcomes in elderly critical limb ischemia amputees: quality of life (QoL), health status (HS), and symptoms of depression.

Patients And Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, amputated critical limb ischemia patients ≥70 years were included.

Post-EVAR aneurysm sac shrinkage is prognostically favorable, but does not justify withholding follow-up.

Background: One of the main drawbacks of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) compared to open aortic surgery is the possibility of developing endoleaks and secondary aneurysm rupture, requiring frequent imaging follow-up. This study aims to identify prognostic factors that could be incorporated in follow-up protocols, which might lead to better personalized, lower cost and safe EVAR follow-up.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed including all patients who underwent elective EVAR from January 2000 to December 2015.

Mortality after major amputation in elderly patients with critical limb ischemia.

Background: Owing to the aging population, the number of elderly patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) has increased. The consequence of amputation is immense. However, at the moment, information about the mortality after amputation in the elderly vascular patients is unknown.

Conservative Treatment in Selected Patients with Severe Critical Limb Ischemia.

Objective: To assess the outcome of conservative treatment of severe critical limb ischemia (CLI) classified as Rutherford 5/6.

Background: The preferred therapy for CLI is either endovascular revascularization or bypass surgery. With a growing aged population with more serious comorbidities, these therapies are not always a viable option.

Outcome of elective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in elderly patients.

Introduction: Optimal management of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the elderly is not straightforward. We evaluated treatment results of elderly patients with asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm that met the treatment criteria in our clinic.

Methods: Hospital charts between January 2005-December 2012 were reviewed of all patients 70 years and older diagnosed with AAA with a diameter that met the treatment criteria.

Treatment of surgical site infections (SSI) IN patients with peripheral arterial disease: an observational study.

Introduction: The management of surgical site infections (SSI's) in vascular surgery has been challenging over the years. To assess the outcomes associated with the various strategies, we performed a review of all SSI's after elective vascular procedures in patients with moderate to severe peripheral arterial disease in a single centre hospital.

Methods: All patients with a SSI after peripheral vascular surgery were retrieved from a database on Surgical site infections (SSI)-surveillance after vascular surgery between March 2009 and January 2012.

Adverse events after treatment of patients with acute limb ischemia.

Background: To assess the outcome and the occurrence and consequences of adverse events (AEs) after treatment of acute limb ischemia (ALI).

Methods: Retrospective analysis on intra-arterial thrombolysis (group I) and thromboembolectomy (group II). Outcome measures were primary patency and limb salvage rates.

The current position of precuffed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypass grafts in peripheral vascular surgery.

Objective: Long-term results of precuffed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts used for peripheral bypass surgery are lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain the long-term outcomes of precuffed ePTFE grafts compared with autologous saphenous vein (ASV) grafts used in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods: A single-institution retrospective study of precuffed ePTFE and ASV graft performances in patients with PAD was undertaken between January 2004 and December 2012.

First experience of a novel femorocrural expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypass graft.

Background: This study aims to evaluate early results of a precuffed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) Distaflo® Mini-Cuff Bypass Graft versus autologous saphenous vein (ASV) grafting in patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD).

Methods: This retrospective single-center study analyzed 42 patients who received a femorocrural bypass graft because of PAOD using an ASV graft (n = 28) or Distaflo Mini-Cuff graft (n = 14).

Results: Primary patency rates in the ASV and Distaflo Mini-Cuff groups were 81% and 69%, respectively, after 6 months.

Vascular access outcome in the elderly dialysis patient in combination with the quality of life.

Purpose: We performed a retrospective study on hemodialysis fistulae in patients aged 75 years and older.

Methods: Dialysis records of 2 hospitals were searched for patients of 75 years and older who had primary autologous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (RCAVFs) and brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (BCAVFs). Outcome measures were primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates.

Treatment for critical lower limb ischemia in elderly patients.

Background: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) has a poor outcome when left untreated. The benefits of revascularization in the very elderly might be limited because of co-morbidities and short life expectancy. Therefore, optimal management of CLI in the elderly is not straightforward.

Prospective randomized controlled trial to analyze the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression on edema following autologous femoropopliteal bypass surgery.

Background: Patients who undergo autologous femoropopliteal bypass surgery develop postoperative edema in the revascularized leg. The effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) to treat and to prevent postreconstructive edema were examined in this study.

Methods: In a prospective randomized trial, patients were assigned to one of two groups.

The outcome of the axillofemoral bypass: a retrospective analysis of 45 patients.

Purpose: This study was designed to retrospectively analyze outcomes of axillofemoral bypass (AxFB) operations performed in patients with severe comorbidities.

Methods: All patients (n = 45) who received an AxFB between 1990 and 2005 for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD, n = 35) or infectious aortic disease (IAD, n = 10) were included. Information on patency of the bypass and mortality was retrieved from patient records.