Open and endovascular treatment of the common femoral artery in a tertiary care center.

Objectives: Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease involving the common femoral artery (CFA) remains controversial. This study compares the perioperative and long-term outcomes of open and endovascular lower extremity revascularization (LER) involving the CFA.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing LER for peripheral arterial disease in a tertiary care center was performed.

The Use and Impact of Cilostazol on Patients Undergoing Endovascular Peripheral Interventions.

Background: Cilostazol is used for the treatment of intermittent claudication. The impact of cilostazol on the outcomes of peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) remains controversial. This study assesses the use and impact of cilostazol on patients undergoing PVI for peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Association of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitor Usage Patterns with Midterm Amputation-Free Survival after Lower Extremity Bypass for Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: Different renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASI) usage patterns exist among patients undergoing lower extremity bypass (LEB) for peripheral arterial disease. We studied the association of RAASI usage patterns with LEB outcomes to determine which pattern is associated with improved survival after LEB.

Methods: We evaluated peripheral arterial disease patients who underwent LEB between January 2014 and December 2018 in the Vascular Quality Initiative-Medicare matched database.

Contemporary outcomes of concomitant suprainguinal bypass with infrainguinal revascularization procedures in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Objective: Combined suprainguinal and infrainguinal revascularization is sometimes necessary in the treatment of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). However, data on outcomes of concomitant revascularization procedures are lacking. We studied the outcomes of patients with CLTI who underwent suprainguinal bypass (SIB) alone, SIB with concomitant infrainguinal bypass (IIB), and SIB with concomitant infrainguinal peripheral endovascular intervention (IIPVI).

Age-based outcomes of autogenous fistulas for hemodialysis access.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) dependence and autogenous fistula use for HD span the spectrum of age. This study examines age-related outcomes of autogenous fistulas for HD access in a large population-based cohort of patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all patients who initiated HD in the United States Renal Database System (2007-2014).

Impact of impaired ambulatory capacity on the outcomes of peripheral vascular interventions among patients with chronic limb-threating ischemia.

Objective: Despite prior literature recommending against limb salvage in patients with poor functional status such as nonambulatory patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), peripheral endovascular interventions continue to be carried out in this group of patients. Clinical outcomes following these interventions are, however, not well-characterized.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on all patients treated for CLTI in the Vascular Quality Initiative from September 2016 to December 2019.

Arteriovenous Access superficialization: A New Technique and Review of Options.

Background: Up to 30% of autogenous cephalic vein arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are too deep for reliable cannulation. Techniques to superficialize these AVFs have been described previously. This study describes a new surgical technique for AVF superficialization and provides a review of the alternative techniques.

Safety of carotid artery revascularization procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a major contributor to cerebrovascular events. Coexisting carotid artery disease is not uncommon in Afib patients, yet they have been excluded from major randomized clinical trials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in Afib patients.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Outcomes of Autogenous Fistulas for Hemodialysis Access.

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in the United States. The treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) via hemodialysis spans the spectrum of body mass index (BMI). This study examines the impact of BMI on outcomes of autogenous fistulas for hemodialysis access in a large population-based cohort of patients.

Outcomes of autogenous fistulas and prosthetic grafts for hemodialysis access in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Background: This study evaluated the effect of diabetes on outcomes of autogenous fistulas and prosthetic grafts for hemodialysis access in a large population-based cohort of patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients who initiated hemodialysis in the United States Renal Database System (2007-2014). The χ test, Student t-test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, and multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses were employed to evaluate maturation, interventions, patency, infection, and mortality.

Racial differences in utilization and outcomes of hemodialysis access in the Unites States.

Objective: To evaluate patterns of use and outcomes of arteriovenous fistulas and prosthetic grafts within racial categories in a large population based cohort of hemodialysis (HD) patients in the United States.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of white, black, and Hispanic patients in the prospectively maintained United States Renal Database System who had an autogenous fistula or prosthetic graft placed for HD access between January 2007 and December 2014 was performed. Analysis of variance, χ, t-tests, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank tests, multivariable logistic, and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate maturation, patency, infection, and mortality.

Hemodynamic events during carotid stenting are associated with significant periprocedural stroke and adverse events.

Background: There are limited data on the impact of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS)-related changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and preprocedural medications on periprocedural stroke in contemporary, real-world practice. This study evaluates the risk attributable to the CAS-related hemodynamic events and the impact preprocedural medications have on mitigating this risk in a large, population-based cohort.

Methods: We studied all patients in the Vascular Quality Initiative who underwent CAS between January 2006 and December 2016.

Age-related outcomes of arteriovenous grafts for hemodialysis access.

Background: The prevalence of end-stage renal disease spans the spectrum of age. Arteriovenous grafts are viable alternatives for hemodialysis access in patients whose anatomy precludes placement of an arteriovenous fistula. This report describes the age-related outcomes after arteriovenous graft placement in a population-based cohort.

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis access related outcomes in the pediatric and adolescent population.

Background: There is paucity of comparative data on the objective performance of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), grafts (AVG), hemodialysis (HD) catheter and peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter in the pediatric population.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients <21 years in the United States Renal Database System who had an AVF, AVG, HD catheter or PD catheter placed for dialysis access between 1/2007 and 12/2014 was performed. Multivariable cox regression was used to evaluate mortality, patency (primary, primary-assisted and secondary), maturation and catheter survival.

Gender-Based Utilization and Outcomes of Autogenous Fistulas and Prosthetic Grafts for Hemodialysis Access.

Background: To evaluate gender-based patterns of utilization and outcomes of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and grafts (AVGs) in a population-based cohort of hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients in the United States Renal Data System who had an AVF or AVG placed for HD access (January 2007 to December 2014). Outcomes were access maturation, conduit patency, infection, and mortality.

Survival after major lower extremity amputation in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Objective: This study evaluates survival of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after major lower extremity amputation (MLEA), given the burden of peripheral arterial disease in patients with ESRD, the hindrance posed by cardiovascular disease on their survival, and the national investment in ESRD-related care.

Methods: A retrospective review of all hemodialysis patients (HD) and renal transplant (RT) recipients who underwent MLEA between January 2007 and December 2011 in the United States Renal Data System was performed. Univariable, Kaplan-Meier, multivariable logistic, and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate patient survival among HD patients and RT recipients overall; and within strata of amputation level, gender, and race.

Outcomes of Infrainguinal Lower Extremity Bypass Are Superior in Kidney Transplant Recipients Than Patients with Dialysis.

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) whether on dialysis therapy (DT) or who received a kidney transplant (KT) have previously shown unfavorable surgical outcomes. Little is known about the comparative efficacy and durability of lower extremity bypass (LEB) in those patients. The Vascular Quality Initiative database was explored to identify DT or KT recipients (2003-2016) who had LEB.

Vascular access for hemodialysis in the elderly.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) in a large population-based cohort of elderly patients in the United States.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients ≥75 years old in the prospectively maintained United States Renal Database System who had an AVF or AVG placed for hemodialysis (HD) access between January 2007 and December 2011. Outcomes were mortality, conduit patency, maturation, time to catheter-free dialysis, and infection.

Infrainguinal bypass surgery outcomes are worse in hemodialysis patients compared with patients with renal transplants.

Objective: Studies of infrainguinal bypass surgery (IBS) in patients with end-stage renal disease have focused on hemodialysis (HD) patients. Little is known of the applicability of their outcomes to patients with renal transplants (RTs). In this study, we sought to compare perioperative and long-term outcomes of IBS in a large population-based cohort of HD and RT patients.

Outcomes of lower extremity bypass surgery in patients with renal transplants.

Objective: Outcomes of infrainguinal bypass surgery (IBS) in patients with renal transplants are largely undescribed. This study evaluated perioperative and long-term outcomes of IBS using autogenous and prosthetic conduits in a large population-based cohort of renal transplantation patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of all renal transplantation patients who underwent IBS between January 2007 and December 2011 in the United States Renal Data System was performed.

Utilization, patency, and complications associated with vascular access for hemodialysis in the United States.

Background: This study examines the utilization and outcomes of vascular access for long-term hemodialysis in the United States and describes the impact of temporizing catheter use on outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, patency, and associated patient survival for pre-emptively placed autogenous fistulas and prosthetic grafts; for autogenous fistulas and prosthetic grafts placed after a temporizing catheter; and for hemodialysis catheters that remained in use.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all patients who initiated hemodialysis in the United States during a 5-year period (2007-2011).

Comparing the efficacy of shunting approaches and cerebral monitoring during carotid endarterectomy using a national database.

Objective: Carotid endarterectomy practice patterns, including the use of shunts and cerebral monitoring techniques, are typically surgeon-dependent and differ greatly on a national level. Prior literature evaluating these techniques is often underpowered for detecting variations in low-frequency outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate current carotid endarterectomy practice patterns and to allow comparison across surgical approaches using a large national database.

A prospective randomized study of bovine carotid artery biologic graft and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for permanent hemodialysis access.

Objective: Arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) remain reliable substitutes for permanent hemodialysis access in scenarios that preclude the placement of native arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). The majority of AVGs are constructed of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), which is relatively inexpensive and readily available, but synthetic AVGs have poor patency rates. On the other hand, biologic grafts confer an advantage by virtue of their inherent similarity to the native human vasculature.