Increased anti-thrombotic therapy is associated with decreased major adverse limb events in patients with low wound and foot infection scores.

Introduction: The optimal anti-thrombotic management of patients after lower extremity bypass has yet to be fully elucidated, in part due to significant heterogeneity in patient presentation and practice patterns. The Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) score is a validated scoring system to assist in the management of patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI). We hypothesized that performing a restriction analysis based on WIFI scores would assist in the postoperative anti-thrombotic management of patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass.

Routine Completion Angiography for Infrainguinal Bypasses Using Prosthetic Conduit: No Effect on Postoperative Patency.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated increased postoperative patency with the use of routine completion angiography for bypass using venous conduit. Compared to vein conduits, however, prosthetic conduits are less plagued by technical issues such as unlysed valves or arteriovenous fistulae. The effect of routine completion angiography on bypass patency in prosthetic bypasses has yet to be compared to the more traditional selective use of completion imaging.

Interview experience, post-interview communication, and gender-based differences in the integrated vascular surgery residency match.

Objective: Integrated vascular surgery residency (IVSR) applicant perspective about the match process has been rarely studied, yet this has important implications on trainee recruitment. We sought to better understand the nature of the interview process and post-interview communication and its impact on students' ranking choices.

Methods: A voluntary and anonymous survey was sent to students who matched to IVSR in 2020, inquiring about interviews, post-interview communications, and factors influencing students' rank lists.

Factors influencing medical student choices in the integrated vascular surgery match: Implications for future post-pandemic residency matches.

Objective: Integrated vascular surgery residency is among the most competitive specialties, but little is known about the applicant perspective. The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak impacted the 2021 integrated vascular surgery residency match because of travel restrictions. We sought to better understand pre-pandemic applicant recruitment strategies, logistics of away rotations, and the residency interview process to identify areas for improvement in the application process.

Computer-based video training is effective in teaching basic surgical skills to novices without faculty involvement using a self-directed, sequential and incremental program.

Introduction: Computer-based video training (CBVT) of surgical skills overcomes limitations of 1:1 instruction. We hypothesized that a self-directed CBVT program could teach novices by dividing basic surgical skills into sequential, easily-mastered steps.

Methods: We developed a 12 video program teaching basic knot tying and suturing skills introduced in discrete, incremental steps.

Factors predicting failure of retrieval of inferior vena cava filters.

Objective: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have been commonly used to prevent pulmonary embolism in patients with deep vein thrombosis. However, IVC filters have been associated with risks, including IVC perforation, filter migration, fracture, and thrombosis. Filter retrieval has not always been successful.

Clinical Outcomes Associated With Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusions in Spinal Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: The objectives of this systematic review were to report the available clinical evidence on patient outcomes associated with perioperative allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in adult patients undergoing spinal surgery and to determine whether there is any evidence to support an association between transfusion timing and clinical outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify all articles examining outcomes of adult spinal surgery patients who received perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusions.

Comparison of patient-specific factors and outcomes for one- and two-stage basilic vein transposition fistulas.

Objective: The decision to perform a one- or two-stage basilic vein transposition (BVT) arteriovenous fistula often depends on factors such as the vessel's diameter, the patient's disposition, and the surgeon's preference. This study's aim was to analyze patency by BVT staging technique and to identify patient-specific characteristics associated with outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent one- or two-stage BVT at our institution between 2008 and 2013 was performed.

Characterizing tissue perfusion after lower extremity intervention using two-dimensional color-coded digital subtraction angiography.

Objective: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the peripheral arterial vasculature provides lumenographic information but only a qualitative assessment of blood flow. The ability to quantify adequate tissue perfusion of the lower extremities would enable real-time perfusion assessment during DSA of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In this study, we used a novel real-time imaging software to delineate tissue perfusion parameters in the foot in PAD patients.

Carotid occlusion is associated with more frequent neurovascular events than moderately severe carotid stenosis.

Objective: Asymptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion (CO) presents a clinical dilemma, and presently, the natural history, stroke risk, and optimal management remain ill defined. This study compared outcomes, including neurovascular events (NVEs) and health care costs, between patients with CO and patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CS).

Methods: A prospectively maintained database was queried to identify patients with CO and CS with at least >50% carotid stenosis by duplex.

Increased risk of renal dysfunction with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy compared with catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Objective: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) is regularly used in the treatment of both venous and arterial thrombosis. Although there has been no formal report, PMT has been linked to cases of reversible postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk of renal dysfunction in patients undergoing PMT vs catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of an acute thrombus.