Publications by authors named "Karelis A"

Objective: Emergent complex abdominal aortic diseases are challenging to treat. During in situ laser fenestration (ISLF), aortic branches are covered and flow is restored with in situ fenestration of the stent graft, with promising midterm results. This study aimed to expand on the limited body of knowledge of midterm outcomes of ISLF in renovisceral aortic pathology in a multicentre setting.

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  • Direct percutaneous access to the carotid artery (diPerCa) during endovascular aortic arch repair (EVAAR) shows promise as a minimally invasive method, potentially reducing local complications compared to traditional surgical approaches.* -
  • A review of 13 patients using diPerCa reported a 92.3% technical success rate, with few complications such as one case of carotid pseudoaneurysm and minor issues like nerve palsy and dizziness.* -
  • The study concluded that diPerCa is a feasible option with low neurological and local complication rates, but highlights the need for further research to validate long-term outcomes.*
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  • * Among 418 patients treated, the 30-day mortality rate was found to be low at 2.2%, with fenestrated endovascular repairs having a slightly better rate than open repairs (1.7% vs. 2.6%), though not statistically significant.
  • * Perioperative complications were more common in open surgical repairs (19.3% vs. 7.4%), and overall results indicate that while both procedures are viable, their complications and patient profiles differ significantly.
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  • Hematidrosis is a rare condition characterized by sweating blood, often linked to psychological distress and skin pathology.
  • A historical review of literature from ancient Greece to modern times showed 70 cases from the Renaissance to 1900 and 44 cases from 2007 to 2022, with a notable difference in gender representation.
  • Common affected areas included the scalp, face, and limbs historically, while modern cases also frequently involved the eyes and ears, with various triggers such as stress and faith contributing to its occurrence.
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Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the use of carbon dioxide (CO) angiography decreases the intraoperative use of iodine contrast medium (ICM), thereby decreasing the risk of developing postoperative renal damage in patients undergoing iliac branch device (IBD) implantation.

Methods: Patients undergoing IBD implantation at a single tertiary center between May 2013 and August 2019 were screened for inclusion in the study. A cohort of patients in whom an intraoperative imaging protocol using predominantly CO was compared with a control group in whom ICM was used (CO and ICM groups).

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Aim: This study aims to determine the effect of physical activity on cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in individuals with a psychotic disorder.

Methods: Twenty-seven participants with a psychotic disorder (55% male; mean age: 30 ± 7.5 years; Caucasian: 66.

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Objective: To analyze the incidence of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after complex endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) after the introduction of a dedicated SCI preventive protocol.

Methods: Retrospective review of all consecutive patients undergoing complex EVAR with branched (BEVAR) and/or fenestrated grafts (FEVAR) during a 6-year period starting January 1st, 2015. The preventive protocol consisted of staging extensive aortic repairs, maintaining a mean arterial pressure (MAP) >80 mm Hg, Hb level >110 g/L, early lower limb reperfusion and neurological control per hour during the post-operative stay in the intensive care unit (36-72 h).

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  • The Delphi consensus aimed to clarify management practices for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) due to conflicting data in previous literature.
  • A group of 44 experts anonymously discussed six key topics over three rounds, achieving a 100% response rate.
  • Key findings included the agreement on minimum case volume for AAA repairs, the effectiveness of screening programs, lifelong surveillance after repair, and the consideration of screening for women smokers at 65, but no consensus on certain repair thresholds or thrombosis prevention was reached.
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  • This study examined delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in young, healthy women on vegan vs. omnivore diets after intensive resistance training.
  • A total of 54 participants, split evenly between the two diet groups, underwent the same eccentric exercise session and had various muscle health measurements taken before and 48 hours after.
  • Results indicated that vegans showed better muscle sensitivity and strength recovery compared to omnivores, suggesting they may recover from exercise-induced muscle soreness more effectively.
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Purpose: To describe a novel technique for optimal orientation and accurate deployment of aortic endografts during complex endovascular aortic repair (cEVAR).

Technique: After establishing the femoral access in the standard fashion, a long large-bore dilator is inserted before the cEVAR delivery system. The dilator is advanced beyond the renovisceral segment noticing the degree of axial rotation.

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Objective: To compare and evaluate early and midterm outcomes of a novel no cross approach with short tip vs. standard tip introducer systems for all distal components to prevent target vessel bridging stent kink or collapse during fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients who underwent FEVAR at a tertiary referral centre between October 2016 and July 2022.

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Objectives: To evaluate if ileo-psoas muscle size and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) can predict long-term survival after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: Patients who underwent EVAR between 2004 and 2012 in a single centre were included. Total psoas muscle area (TPA), abdominal VAT area, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and total adipose tissue were measured on the preoperative CT.

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Purpose: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and short-term outcomes of different manufactured proximal and distal stent graft components during fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR).

Materials And Methods: A multicenter retrospective review was conducted at 3 aortic centers, involving all consecutive patients who underwent FEVAR utilizing a customized Dacron-based tubular proximal and a distal bifurcated polytetrafluoreten (PTFE)-based commercially available stent grafts. Primary outcomes were 30 day mortality, major adverse events, and technical and clinical success.

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Objective: This study aimed to report the initial experience with a novel bidirectional double cuff inner branch design for incorporation of renal and mesenteric arteries in patients undergoing fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic repair (F/BEVAR).

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of the experience of F/BEVAR with grafts integrating at least one bidirectional double cuffed inner branch implanted at three tertiary aortic centres between March 2022 and June 2023. All consecutive patients were included.

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Despite some reported benefits, there is a low quality of evidence for resistance training (RT) improving metabolic health of individuals with overweight or obesity. We evaluated the impact of RT on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical performance, lipid-lipoprotein profile, inflammation, and glucose-insulin homeostasis in 51 postmenopausal women versus 29 controls matched for age, obesity, and physical activity. Exercised women were further subdivided for comparison of RT effects into those presenting metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and those with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) classified according to Karelis and Rabasa-Lhoret or an approach based on adipose tissue secretory dysfunction using the plasma adiponectin(A)/leptin (L) ratio.

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Aim: This study aimed to assess the health profile of patient-attendees visiting primary healthcare (PHC) practice settings in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the relationships between multiple behavioral risk factors (MBRFs) and consultation-driven health information. Multiple behavioral risk factors involve a variety of unhealthy behaviors that are associated with an increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Subjects And Methods: The study design was based on a dataset analysis, afterward exploring the feasibility and diagnostic capacity of respiratory morbidity aspects from a study previously conducted.

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Purpose: To examine the perspectives of wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (WU) regarding their participation in a 16-week walking program using a wearable robotic exoskeleton (WRE); and explore concerns and expectations regarding potential use of this device and intervention in the context of a home or community-based adapted physical activity program.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a narrative research, 3 weeks post-intervention. Thematic analysis resulted in 6 themes and 21 subthemes.

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Objective: To analyze the outcomes of urgent/emergent endovascular aortic repair of patients with free/contained ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (rTAAA).

Background: Endovascular repair of rTAAA has been scarcely described in emergent setting.

Methods: An international multicenter retrospective observational study (ClinicalTrials.

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  • A study examined the effects of a 16-week exoskeleton-assisted walking program on bone health in individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries who rely on wheelchairs.
  • Ten participants underwent individualized sessions, focusing on improving lower-extremity weight-bearing activities to counteract osteoporosis and fracture risk.
  • Results indicated significant increases in bone strength markers for the femur and tibia after the program, though no changes were observed in bone remodeling biomarkers.
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Purpose: To illustrate the technique of antegrade in situ laser fenestration (ISLF) on a predesign custom-manufactured stent-graft with single reinforced fenestration for use in emergency endovascular repair of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Technique: A short custom-made device (CMD) fenestrated graft was predesigned with a single preloaded 8 mm strut-free fenestration at 12 o'clock position. A modified preloaded system was used to allow unilateral access from the distal port if necessary.

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Objective: To describe outcomes after elective and non-elective fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs).

Background: FB-EVAR has been increasingly utilized to treat TAAAs; however, outcomes after non-elective versus elective repair are not well described.

Methods: Clinical data of consecutive patients undergoing FB-EVAR for TAAAs at 24 centers (2006-2021) were reviewed.

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Background: In Primary Health Care (PHC) many interstitial lung disease (ILD) cases may remain at diagnostic delay, due to their challenging presentation and the limited experience of general practitioners (GPs) in recognizing their early symptoms.

Objective: We have designed a feasibility study to investigate early ILD case-finding competency between PHC and tertiary care.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective case-finding study was launched at two private health care centers of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, during nine months (2021-2022).

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We report the case of a 63-year-old man who presented with a 2-week complaint of lower extremity pain, swelling, and low-grade fever after an episode of septic arthritis in the ipsilateral knee. The investigation showed a rapidly expanding popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA). The rare clinical entity of an infective PAA was suspected and was confirmed by the cultures obtained at the right femoropopliteal bypass with an autologous vein graft and subtotal resection of the aneurysm sac.

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A 61-year-old male patient presented with rest pain and ulceration in his left leg 1 week after a hybrid procedure with bilateral external iliac stenting, common femoral artery thromboendarterectomy, and left-sided femoral popliteal bypass with an in situ saphenous vein. The bypass had been stented intraoperatively but had again become occluded directly after surgery. In the present report, we demonstrate the usefulness of direct percutaneous access to the mid-superficial femoral artery that had been intraoperatively recanalized via brachial artery access during the same procedure.

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