Race-based outcomes of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections in the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment.

Objective: This study characterizes racial differences in presentation, as well as short- and long-term outcomes after endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and type B aortic dissection (TBAD).

Methods: We queried the Gore Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment for thoracic endovascular aortic repairs (TEVARs) performed between 2010 and 2016 and followed through 2022. Pathologies represented were descending TAA, complicated TBAD, and uncomplicated TBAD.

Primary aortoenteric fistula after intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for bladder cancer.

Objective: Primary aortoenteric fistulas (PAEFs) are a rare entity with high morbidity, and their relationship with Bacillus Instillation of Calmette-Guérin is anecdotal.

Methods/results: We present a 68-year-old male with a primary aortoenteric fistula after instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for a non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Diagnosis was made by CT angiography, subsequently confirmed by intraoperative findings and results of anatomopathological studies of aortic wall samples.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Early Outcomes of Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background: This study compares the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), based on their weight status as defined by their body mass index (BMI).

Methods: Patients with primary EVAR for ruptured and intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2016-2019). Patients were categorized by weight status (underweight: BMI < 18.

Insecticide Resistance Status of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations from Cuba.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is one of the major vectors for arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Originally from Southeast Asia, this species has spread to Africa, Europe, and the Americas, including Cuba. This spread has been favored by its great adaptability to variable temperatures and to the resistance of its eggs to desiccation.

Utility of Closed Suction Drains in Groin Incisions after Femoral Artery Exposure.

Background: Surgical groin wounds are at risk of delayed healing and infection, leading to costly and prolonged postoperative recoveries. This study assesses the use of closed suction drains (CSDs) as a wound care adjunct in groin incisions to prevent surgical site infections (SSI).

Methods: A single-center retrospective review was performed on 210 consecutive patients after vascular surgery with common femoral artery exposure from 2016 to 2021.

Brachial artery thrombosis secondary to fixation screw pullout: Case report.

The vascular supply of the shoulder and forearm are principal derivates of the ipsilateral subclavian artery. The trajectory of this arterial supply predisposes it to concomitant injuries in the shoulder and clavicular fractures proximally and elbow dislocation distally. Distal bicep tendon tears often occur most commonly in middle-aged men due to trauma to the elbow, typically in weight-bearing situations [1].

Characterization of Insecticide Resistance in Aedes aegypti from the Zoological Garden of Havana, Cuba.

Chemical control of Aedes aegypti continues to be an indispensable alternative to preventing dengue, Zika, and chikungunya outbreaks. The Havana Zoological Garden requires constant vigilance because its special characteristics help in the spread of the causal agents of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, which put the health of visitors at risk. The goals of this study were to determine the level of susceptibility and insecticide resistance mechanisms in the Ae.

Outcomes and role of shunting during carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic patients.

Objective: Shunt placement during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has often been advocated to protect the ischemic penumbra in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. In the present study, we assessed the effect of shunt placement during CEA on postoperative stroke risk in symptomatic patients.

Methods: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2016-2019) for CEA cases with complete CEA procedure-targeted data available.

Racial disparities in presentation and outcomes for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: In the present study, we used a national database to identify racial differences in the presentation and outcomes for patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (EVAR) and identified areas for improving their care.

Methods: We queried the EVAR-targeted National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2016-2019) to identify patients who had undergone EVAR for both ruptured and nonruptured AAAs. The patients were categorized according to race (White, Black, and Asian).

COVID-19-related thrombotic complications experience before and during delta wave.

Objective: Hypercoagulability and thrombotic complications seen in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as the associated pathophysiology, have been reported extensively. However, there is limited information regarding the factors related to this phenomenon and its association with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Delta variant.

Methods: A retrospective review including patients admitted to a tertiary center with a COVID-19 positive test and at least one acute thrombotic event confirmed by imaging between June 2020 and August 2021 was performed.

Large mediastinal schwannoma with great vessel encroachment requiring vascular reconstruction: a case report.

The most common posterior mediastinal masses are neurogenic tumors such as peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST). Schwannomas, a subtype of PNST, are most often benign, well encapsulated tumors of neural crest cell origin, and are frequently incidentally found, ranging in size from small asymptomatic mediastinal tumors to large masses. Rarely, large schwannomas are discovered when symptoms develop due to compression or involvement of nearby structures leading to an array of possible sequela which can include, but not limited to, persistent cough, hemoptysis, and dysphagia.

Traumatic Lower Extremity Vascular Injuries and Limb Salvage in a Civilian Urban Trauma Center.

Background: Data on management of traumatic lower extreity arterial injuries comes largely from military experience and involves few civilian centers. This study reports on the experience of an urban trauma center and factors associated with limb loss.

Methods: A retrospective review of lower extremity arterial injuries between 2013 and 2020 at an academic urban level 1 trauma center was completed.

Establishing and maintaining a remote vascular surgery aortic program: A single-center 5-year experience at the Veterans Affairs.

Objective: We sought to detail the process of establishing a surgical aortic telehealth program and report the outcomes of a 5-year experience.

Methods: A telehealth program was established between two regional Veterans Affairs hospitals, one of which was without a comprehensive aortic surgical program, until such a program was established at the referring institution. A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent aortic surgery from 2014 to 2019.

Percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with monitored anesthesia care decreases operative time but not pulmonary complications.

Objectives: To report our experience and compare the results of percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR) performed under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) to PEVAR under general anesthesia (GA).

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent non-emergency endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) was completed. Patients were excluded if they had a complex repair, including fenestrated, branched, or parallel endografting.

Leukocyte telomere length is associated with iron overload in male adults with hereditary hemochromatosis.

Background: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a primary iron overload (IO) condition. Absolute telomere length (ATL) is a marker of cellular aging and DNA damage associated with chronic diseases and mortality.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between ATL and IO in patients with HH.

Acute upper limb ischemia as the first manifestation in a patient with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) first emerged in December 2019 in China and rapidly spread worldwide. Although various studies have reported that COVID-19 is associated with a hypercoagulable state and thrombotic complications in critically ill patients, there are few case reports on thrombotic events as one of the presenting symptoms. We report a case of acute upper extremity ischemia as the initial clinical presentation of a patient with COVID-19.

Off-label use of Proglide percutaneous closure device in iatrogenic arterial catheterizations: Our experience.

Introduction: Incidental arterial puncture is one of the main complications associated with central venous catheter placement. Manual compression to achieve hemostasis in subclavian and carotid artery punctures is often ineffective because of the anatomical arterial position. Accidental cannulation has traditionally been treated with open surgery or endovascular treatment, but such procedures are not exempt from complications.

Staged Treatment for an Unusual Case of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome Caused by Compression of the Celiac and Superior Mesenteric Arteries.

We report the unusual presentation of a patient with median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) and compression of both the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). He underwent a staged treatment. First, a laparoscopic release of the median arcuate ligament was performed.

Primary selection of a pedicled rectus femoris flap for protection of aortic graft.

The rectus femoris pedicled muscle flap is a widely used option for coverage of infected vascular grafts in groin reconstruction as well as in reconstruction of abdominal wall defects. Here we present the case of primary placement of a pedicled rectus femoris flap to provide well-vascularized tissue interposed between an aortic Dacron interposition graft and bowel. This previously undescribed use of the rectus femoris proves to be an indispensable method when the more common alternatives, such as omental and rectus abdominis flaps, are not available.

Phone Speech Recognition Improvement in Noisy Environment: Use of a Bluetooth Accessory.

Objective: To evaluate speech understanding in noise and patient satisfaction using the new Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip device.

Material And Methods: Twenty-nine experienced cochlear implant (CI) users (>6 months usage) were situated in a soundproof room where a 65 dB SPL Spanish cocktail noise was generated continuously from 4 loudspeakers. Lists of disyllabic words were presented through the clinic landline telephone to the patients.

Left subclavian to descending aorta bypass: A less invasive extra-anatomical solution for a type A interrupted aortic arch.

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is defined as a discontinuity of the aortic lumen from the aortic arch to the descending aorta. The incidence of this congenital malformation is three per million live births. It represents about 1.

The role of heparin in endovascular repair of blunt thoracic aortic injury.

Objective: Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve survival of patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI). Often, aortic surgical intervention may be delayed because of increased risk of bleeding with heparin, particularly in polytrauma victims. We believe that surgical delay may be remedied by proceeding without heparinization.