The Effect of Transfusion of Two Units of Fresh Frozen Plasma on the Perioperative Fibrinogen Levels and the Outcome of Patients Undergoing Elective Endovascular Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: We aimed to investigate whether the transfusion of 2 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) immediately post aneurysm exclusion has any effect on the perioperative fibrinogen levels and the outcome of patients undergoing elective endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods: Consecutive infrarenal AAA patients undergoing elective EVAR with the bifurcated Endurant-II stent-graft (Medtronic) were recruited from 2 vascular units. The first unit has a routine policy of administering 2 units of FFP immediately upon aneurysm exclusion (FFP group), whereas the second unit has no such policy (control group).

Association Between Perioperative Fibrinogen Levels and the Midterm Outcome in Patients Undergoing Elective Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Background: We investigated the potential association between perioperative fibrinogen levels and outcome in patients undergoing elective endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Methods: Consecutive patients with an intact AAA undergoing elective EVAR with a specific bifurcated endograft (Endurant, Medtronic) were recruited between December 2012 and October 2016. Preoperative and 24-hr postoperative fibrinogen levels were recorded, and potential associations with outcome were tested.

Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma Masquerading as an Impending Rupture of Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: We present a unique case scenario of a periaortic liposarcoma masquerading as an impending rupture of an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods And Results: A 57-year-old man was referred to our unit for an emergency endovascular repair of "an inflammatory AAA with computed tomography (CT) features of impending rupture." He underwent an uneventful endovascular repair with a bifurcated endograft (C3; Gore, Flagstaff, AZ).

Endovascular Management of a Distally Migrated Bifurcated Endograft with a New Bifurcated Endograft.

A 75-year-old man presented with abdominal and lumbar pain 6 years after previous endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. At the time of the initial operation, the aneurysm measured 6.0 cm in maximum diameter and a bifurcated Anaconda (Vascutek) endograft had been implanted.

Management of Postfasciotomy Wounds and Skin Defects Following Complex Vascular Trauma to the Extremities Using the External Tissue Extender System.

Management of large postfasciotomy wounds and/or skin and soft tissue defects after major vascular trauma to the extremities can be challenging. The External Tissue Extender (Blomqvist; ETE), a skin-stretching device, which consists of silicone tapes and plastic stoppers, approximates wound margins and facilitates delayed primary closure. We describe our experience with the use of ETE in 5 patients (4 males) with a total of 8 wounds (7 postfasciotomy, 1 soft tissue defect) over the past 12 years.

Traumatic Knee Dislocation and Popliteal Artery Injury: A Case Series.

Popliteal artery injury is a potentially limb-threatening complication of traumatic knee dislocation. We describe 2 such cases that had been treated in our unit over the last decade. The first one was a 23-year-old woman who injured her right knee during a long jump competition, and the second was a 27-year-old man who had a motorbike accident.

Rupture after Previous Endovascular Aneurysm Repair due to Type IA Endoleak: Complete Endograft Preservation Is Feasible with Proximal Suturing, Aortic Neck Banding, and Sac Plication.

Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) after previous endovascular repair (EVAR) may require endograft explantation and replacement with a prosthetic surgical graft. Recent reports have suggested that total endograft removal during late surgical conversion in the nonruptured setting may not be necessary and that preserving functional parts of the endograft may improve results. Similar techniques may be used for ruptured cases diminishing the magnitude of an already difficult and complex procedure.

The Profile of Circulating Matrix Metalloproteinases in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Endovascular Interventions for Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a significant role in the development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular disease. We aimed to document the profile of circulating MMPs in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients undergoing lower limb endovascular revascularization.

Methods: A total of 46 patients (37 male; mean age 66 ± 11 years) undergoing elective lower limb percutaneous revascularization (angioplasty/stent) for symptomatic PAD were recruited from 2 vascular centers.

Outcome after Endovascular Repair of Subacute Type B Aortic Dissection: A Combined Series from Two Greek Centers.

Background: The aim of this study is to document the outcome following endovascular treatment of subacute type B aortic dissection (AD).

Methods: Between October 2000 and June 2014, 40 patients (33 men, mean age 65 [range 35-87] years) with type B AD underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) during the subacute phase (defined as 15-90 days from the onset of symptoms). Indications for intervention were acute aortic enlargement, resistant hypertension, and/or intractable pain.

Use of Endurant Stent-Graft Aortic Extensions for the Treatment of Focal Aortic Pathology.

Background: To describe our experience with the endovascular treatment of focal abdominal aortic pathology with an adequate distal neck length using Endurant (Medtronic) aortic extension cuffs.

Methods: From July 2010 to May 2015, 16 patients (14 male), with a mean age of 73.6 years (range, 59-88), were treated for focal abdominal aortic pathology using only Endurant (Medtronic) aortic cuff extensions.

The Impact of Aortic Occlusion Balloon on Mortality After Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression Analysis.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate whether the use of aortic occlusion balloon (AOB) has an impact on mortality of patients undergoing endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs).

Methods: A meta-analysis of the English-language literature was undertaken through February 2013. Articles reporting data on outcome after endovascular repair of RAAAs were identified and information regarding the use of AOB was sought.

Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with the Anaconda™ Stent Graft: Mid-term Results from a Single Center.

Introduction: We aimed to report our experience with the Anaconda™ stent graft (Vascutek, Terumo, Inchinnan, Scotland, UK) for the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Methods: The vascular unit database was interrogated to identify all AAA patients who underwent endovascular repair with the Anaconda™ device between March 2007 and June 2014. The peri-operative, short-term, and mid-term outcome was recorded focusing on complications and re-interventions.

Ruptured mycotic common femoral artery pseudoaneurysm: fatal pulmonary embolism after emergency stent-grafting in a drug abuser.

The rupture of a mycotic femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in an intravenous drug abuser is a limb- and life-threatening condition that necessitates emergency intervention. Emergency stent-grafting appears to be a viable, minimally invasive alternative, or a bridge, to subsequent open surgery. Caution is required in cases of suspected concomitant deep vein thrombosis in order to minimize the possibility of massive pulmonary embolism during stent-grafting, perhaps by omitting stent-graft postdilation or by inserting an inferior vena cava filter first.

Endovascular management of lap belt-related abdominal aortic injury in a 9-year-old child.

Blunt abdominal aortic trauma is a rare occurrence in children with only a few patients having been reported in the literature. Most such cases have been described in the context of lap belt injuries. We report a 9-year-old boy who suffered lap belt trauma to the abdomen during a high-speed road traffic accident resulting to the well-recognized pattern of blunt abdominal injury, that is, the triad of intestinal perforation, fractures of the lumbar spine, and abdominal aortic injury.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of abdominal compartment syndrome after endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Limited data exist regarding the development of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) after endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs). We aimed to record the incidence, management, and outcome of this complication.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the English language literature was undertaken through June 2012.

Spontaneous rupture of the visceral abdominal aorta: endovascular management using the periscope graft technique.

Purpose: To describe the endovascular management of a spontaneous rupture of the visceral abdominal aorta.

Case Report: A 69-year-old man presented as an emergency with a ruptured non-aneurysmal visceral abdominal aorta that extended from just below the celiac trunk to the right renal artery; the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) appeared to be occluded. The rupture was presumed to be due to a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer.