Closure technique after carotid endarterectomy influences local hemodynamics.

Background: Meta-analysis supports patch angioplasty after carotid endarterectomy (CEA); however, studies indicate considerable variation in practice. The hemodynamic effect of a patch is unclear and this study attempted to elucidate this and guide patch width selection.

Methods: Four groups were selected: healthy volunteers and patients undergoing CEA with primary closure, trimmed patch (5 mm), or 8-mm patch angioplasty.

Migration of fenestrated aortic stent grafts.

Objective: This article reports the incidence, timing, and related sequelae for proximal and distal migration of the Zenith Fenestrated AAA Endovascular Graft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Method: A prospectively maintained database at a tertiary referral hospital was used to identify 83 patients who underwent endovascular repair using the Zenith fenestrated stent graft. Inclusion criteria included a postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan within 6 weeks of implantation and at least one additional follow-up CT scan (>5 months) available electronically at our institution.

Comparison of fenestrated endovascular and open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms not suitable for standard endovascular repair.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysms that are unsuitable for a standard endovascular repair (EVAR) could be considered for fenestrated endovascular repair (f-EVAR). The aim of this study was to conduct a risk-adjusted retrospective concurrent cohort comparison of f-EVAR and open repair for such aneurysms.

Methods: All patients who underwent repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm that was unsuitable for a standard EVAR due to inadequate neck within one institution between January 2006 and December 2010 were identified.

Guidewire stiffness: what's in a name?

Purpose: To measure the stiffness of commonly used "stiff" guidewires in terms of their flexural modulus, an engineering parameter related to bending stiffness.

Methods: Eleven different intact stiff guidewires were selected to undergo a 3-point bending test performed using a tensile testing machine. Testing was performed on 3 new and intact specimens of each guidewire at 10 locations along the wire's length, excluding the floppy tip.