Mobile applications in peripheral arterial disease (PAD): a review and introduction of a new innovative telemonitoring application: JBZetje.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an occlusive vascular disease of the lower extremities with increasing incidence and prevalence numbers and therefore rising health care costs. Mobile applications have great potential to improve health system efficiency and can assist in overcoming the increasing health care costs. In this review all available mobile applications developed for PAD are summarized and a new innovative application is introduced.

Long-term serological follow-up after primary Coxiella burnetii infection in patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever.

We evaluated the long-term serological follow-up of patients with vascular risk factors for chronic Q fever that were previously Coxiella burnetii seropositive. C. burnetii phase I IgG titers were reevaluated in patients that gave informed consent or retrospectively collected in patients already deceased or lost to follow-up.

Editor's Choice - Nationwide Analysis of Patients Undergoing Iliac Artery Aneurysm Repair in the Netherlands.

Objective: The new 2019 guideline of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) recommends consideration for elective iliac artery aneurysm (eIAA) repair when the iliac diameter exceeds 3.5 cm, as opposed to 3.0 cm previously.

Midterm Outcomes of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in Femoropopliteal Lesions in a Daily Practice Cohort.

Background: Most previous drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty studies used strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and therefore might not be representative for daily practice. This study was performed to evaluate the midterm outcomes of DCB angioplasty in femoropopliteal artery disease and to identify risk factors for restenosis.

Materials And Methods: All patients treated with DCB angioplasty between January 2015 and September 2016 were included.

Applicability of Transcutaneous Oxygen Tension Measurement in the Assessment of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Transcutaneous oxygen tension measurement (TcPO) is widely applied for the evaluation of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Nevertheless, studies that focused on the clinical value of TcPO have shown varying results. We identified factors that potentially play a role in TcPO measurement variation such as probe placement, probe temperature, and the use of a reference probe.

Short-term outcome and mid-term access site complications of the percutaneous approach to endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR) after introduction in a vascular teaching hospital.

The objective is to evaluate our center's experience with the safety and efficacy of the percutaneous approach to endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (PEVAR) with use of the Perclose Proglide device, in the first period after introduction in our center in 2014. We retrospectively identified all patients that underwent PEVAR or endograft extension with percutaneous approach in our center in the urgent and elective setting. Included were all procedures performed between the introduction of the technique in January 2014 and February 2016 when PEVAR had become the predominant technique in our center.

Inadequate Health Literacy in Patients with Arterial Vascular Disease.

Objective: The aim was to identify the prevalence of inadequate health literacy in patients with arterial vascular disease. This was a cross sectional study.

Methods: Patients with arterial vascular disease visiting the outpatient clinic between January 5, 2015 and December 28, 2016, were randomly included and screened for inadequate health literacy with the Newest Vital Sign-Dutch (NVS-D), a validated health literacy assessment measure.

Primary and secondary arterial fistulas during chronic Q fever.

Objective: After primary infection with Coxiella burnetii, patients may develop acute Q fever, which is a relatively mild disease. A small proportion of patients (1%-5%) develop chronic Q fever, which is accompanied by high mortality and can be manifested as infected arterial or aortic aneurysms or infected vascular prostheses. The disease can be complicated by arterial fistulas, which are often fatal if they are left untreated.

Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing chronic Q fever in patients with central vascular disease.

Background: The aim of this study is to describe the value of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in diagnosing chronic Q fever in patients with central vascular disease and the added value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnostic combination strategy as described in the Dutch consensus guideline for diagnosing chronic Q fever.

Methods: 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or aorto-iliac reconstruction and chronic Q fever, diagnosed by serology and positive PCR for Coxiella burnetii DNA in blood and/or tissue (PCR-positive study group). Patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or aorto-iliac reconstruction without clinical and serological findings indicating Q fever infection served as a control group.

Activation of the vitamin D receptor selectively interferes with calcineurin-mediated inflammation: a clinical evaluation in the abdominal aortic aneurysm.

In vitro and in vivo studies attribute potent immune regulatory properties to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Yet, it is unclear to what extend these observations translate to the clinical context of (vascular) inflammation. This clinical study evaluates the potential of a VDR agonist to quench vascular inflammation.

Vascular complications and surgical interventions after world's largest Q fever outbreak.

Objective: Since chronic Q fever often develops insidiously, and symptoms are not always recognized at an early stage, complications are often present at the time of diagnosis. We describe complications associated with vascular chronic Q fever as found in the largest cohort of chronic Q fever patients so far.

Methods: Patients with proven or probable chronic Q fever with a focus of infection in an aortic aneurysm or vascular graft were included in this study, using the Dutch national chronic Q fever database.

Significant Radiation Dose Reduction in the Hybrid Operating Room Using a Novel X-ray Imaging Technology.

Objective/background: To prospectively quantify radiation dose change in aortoiliac endovascular procedures in the hybrid operating room (OR) for patients and medical staff with a novel X-ray imaging technology (ClarityIQ technology), and to assess whether procedure or fluoroscopy time or dose of iodinated contrast was affected.

Methods: A prospective study including 138 patients was performed to compare radiation dose before and after installation of a novel X-ray imaging technology. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed in 37 patients and an endovascular procedure for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) in 101.

Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

A 19-year-old woman, Academy of Sport student, noticed a progressive bluish discoloration, swelling and pain of the right hand and axilla during abduction. The symptoms had been progressive for 6 months. During physical examination there was a normal sensibility and motor function, and normal pulsations of the radial and ulnar artery.

Endovenous laser ablation of insufficient perforating veins: Energy is key to success.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and anatomical success of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent perforating veins (IPV).

Methods: All 135 consecutive patients with IPV treated with ELVA (intention-to-treat) from January 2008 to December 2013 were included. Up to the end of 2011, an 810-nm laserset (14 W) was used, and afterwards, a 1470-nm laserset (6 W) was introduced.

Dysregulation of serum gamma interferon levels in vascular chronic Q Fever patients provides insights into disease pathogenesis.

A large community outbreak of Q fever occurred in the Netherlands in the period 2007 to 2010. Some of the infected patients developed chronic Q fever, which typically includes pathogen dissemination to predisposed cardiovascular sites, with potentially fatal consequences. To identify the immune mechanisms responsible for ineffective clearance of Coxiella burnetii in patients who developed chronic Q fever, we compared serum concentrations of 47 inflammation-associated markers among patients with acute Q fever, vascular chronic Q fever, and past resolved Q fever.

Vascular chronic Q fever: quality of life.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life in patients with vascular chronic Q fever at time of diagnosis and during follow-up. Based upon the SF-36 questionnaire, the mean physical and mental health of each patient were assessed at 3-month intervals for up to 18 months. A total of 26 patients were included in the study.

Histological characteristics of the abdominal aortic wall in patients with vascular chronic Q fever.

The aim of this study was to describe specific histological findings of the Coxiella burnetii-infected aneurysmal abdominal aortic wall. Tissue samples of the aneurysmal abdominal aortic wall from seven patients with chronic Q fever and 15 patients without evidence of Q fever infection were analysed and compared. Chronic Q fever was diagnosed using serology and tissue PCR analysis.

Estimated prevalence of chronic Q fever among Coxiella burnetii seropositive patients with an abdominal aortic/iliac aneurysm or aorto-iliac reconstruction after a large Dutch Q fever outbreak.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Q fever and prevalence of chronic Q fever in patients with abdominal aortic and/or iliac disease after the Q fever outbreak of 2007-2010 in the Netherlands.

Methods: In November 2009, an ongoing screening program for Q fever was initiated. Patients with abdominal aortic and/or iliac disease were screened for presence of IgM and IgG antibodies to phase I and II antigens of Coxiella burnetii using immunofluorescence assay and presence of C.

Serological follow-up in patients with aorto-iliac disease and evidence of Q fever infection.

The aim of this study was to provide data on the risk of developing chronic Q fever in patients with aorto-iliac disease and evidence of previous Q fever infection. Patients with an aortic and/or iliac aneurysm or aorto-iliac reconstruction (aorto-iliac disease) and evidence of previous Q fever infection were included. The presence of phase I and II Coxiella burnetii IgG antibodies was assessed periodically using immunofluorescence assay.

Two cases with acute abdominal aneurysm and evidence of acute Q fever infection.

We report 2 patients with symptomatic aortic aneurysm and serologic evidence of acute Q fever with positive Coxiella burnetii PCR in blood/tissue. This suggests a role for acute Q fever in aneurysm progression. Diagnostic testing for Q fever infection in patients with symptomatic aneurysms in Q fever areas is recommended.

Screening for Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence in chronic Q fever high-risk groups reveals the magnitude of the Dutch Q fever outbreak.

The Netherlands experienced an unprecedented outbreak of Q fever between 2007 and 2010. The Jeroen Bosch Hospital (JBH) in 's-Hertogenbosch is located in the centre of the epidemic area. Based on Q fever screening programmes, seroprevalence of IgG phase II antibodies to Coxiella burnetii in the JBH catchment area was 10·7% [785 tested, 84 seropositive, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8·5-12·9].

Influence of aneurysm wall stiffness and the presence of intraluminal thrombus on the wall movement of an aneurysm - an in vitro study.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of aneurysm wall stiffness and of the presence of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) on aneurysm wall movement. Three latex aneurysms were used with different wall stiffness. The aneurysms, equipped with 20 tantalum markers, were attached to an in vitro circulation model.

Delirium after emergency/elective open and endovascular aortoiliac surgery at a surgical ward with a high-standard delirium care protocol.

Delirium is a common problem in elderly patients undergoing surgery. Standard delirium care is not available at all surgical wards. We determined the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of postoperative delirium among patients undergoing elective/emergency aortoiliac surgery at a surgical ward with high-standard delirium care.

[Screening for chronic Q fever in symptomatic patients with an aortic aneurysm or prosthesis].

A 76-year-old man was referred to the Emergency Department because of collapse, epigastric pain and nausea. The patient had been diagnosed with an infrarenal aneurysm of the abdominal aorta nine years earlier. His symptoms were attributed to an aortic-duodenal fistula originating from the aneurysm.

Fluoroscopic Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (FRSA) to study three-dimensional stent graft dynamics.

We report the clinical feasibility of fluoroscopic Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (FRSA), a validated method to quantify real time three-dimensional (3D) dynamic motion of stent grafts and the first clinical results after abdominal and thoracic endovascular repair (EVAR). Stent graft motion was measured at 30 (stereo) frames per second, during the cardiac cycle and in the patient after abdominal EVAR, due to respiratory action. Translational motions of the center of mass, diameter change, and rotational and axial motion could be measured.