Association Between 18-FDG Positron Emission Tomography and MRI Biomarkers of Plaque Vulnerability in Patients With Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis.

Pathologic studies suggest that unstable plaque morphology and inflammation are associated with cerebrovascular events. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a validated technique for non-invasive imaging of inflammation-related plaque metabolism, and MRI can identify morphologic features of plaque instability. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of selected imaging characteristics of plaque vulnerability measured with MRI and PET in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis.

Eversion Endarterectomy - An Alternative Approach to Occlusive External Iliac Artery disease.

Objectives: While endovascular intervention is the recommended first option for management of common iliac artery (CIA) lesions, it lacks durable patency for Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC)-II C and D lesions involving the external iliac artery (EIA). Aorto-femoral bypass is a durable option but is unsuitable in patients with significant co-morbidities. Eversion endarterectomy provides an alternative to both endovascular and extensive open aortoiliac reconstruction for occlusive EIA disease.

Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism following superficial endovenous treatment: A UK and Republic of Ireland consensus study.

Objectives: Venous thromboembolism is a potentially fatal complication of superficial endovenous treatment. Proper risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis could mitigate this hazard; however, there are currently no evidence-based or consensus guidelines. This study surveyed UK and Republic of Ireland vascular consultants to determine areas of consensus.

Carotid Plaque Inflammation Imaged by F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography and Risk of Early Recurrent Stroke.

Background and Purpose- Plaque inflammation contributes to stroke and coronary events. F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) identifies plaque inflammation-related metabolism. Almost no prospective data exist on the relationship of carotid F-FDG uptake and early recurrent stroke.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating long-term outcomes of endovenous management of lower extremity varicose veins.

Background: Early studies have demonstrated that endovenous therapy for varicose veins is associated with a faster recovery and lower complication rates compared with conventional therapy. More than one million procedures have been performed worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine long-term efficacy of currently available endovenous therapy methods for varicose veins compared with conventional surgery (saphenofemoral ligation and stripping of great saphenous vein [GSV] with or without multiple avulsions) in management of GSV-related varicose veins.

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Increases Aortic Arterial Stiffness When Compared to Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Objectives: The initial survival advantage seen with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) over open repair does not persist in the long term. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of arterial stiffness, and increased PWV is an independent risk factor for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This prospective comparative pilot study examined the effect of implantation of an aortic graft on PWV in patients undergoing open or endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

The implications of different criteria for grading carotid artery stenosis by duplex ultrasound.

Purpose: Duplex ultrasound is the first-line mode of investigation for carotid stenosis, whose severity could be graded according to NASCET or St. Mary's ratio criteria. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods and review the literature.

Screening for Peripheral Arterial Disease and Carotid Artery Disease in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Screening for concomitant atherosclerotic disease is important in cardiovascular risk reduction. This study assessed the prevalence of carotid artery disease (CAD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with known abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). All patients with AAA attending the vascular laboratory between the January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009, were eligible for a carotid ultrasound and measurement of ankle brachial indices.

Bilateral prevascular herniae - A rare complication of aorto-uniiliac endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and femoro-femoral bypass.

A case of a 78-year-old female with bilateral groin prevascular herniae following an emergency aorto-uniiliac EVAR and femoro-femoral bypass for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is presented. Primary repair of the herniae was achieved using a preperitoneal approach. The case emphasises a safe approach to dealing with this rare complication.

Serum lipids associated with inflammation-related PET-FDG uptake in symptomatic carotid plaque.

Objective: We hypothesized that serum lipids, which experimental data suggest may be key initiators of carotid plaque inflammation, would be associated with plaque inflammation on (18)fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET in patients with acutely symptomatic carotid stenosis.

Methods: In this cohort study, consecutive patients with acute symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (≥50%) underwent carotid PET-CT. We quantified plaque FDG uptake as follows: (1) average maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) across 10 regions of interest (ROI); (2) highest single ROI SUV measure (SUVROImax); (3) averaged mean SUV across 10 ROIs (SUVmean).

Statins promote residual aneurysm sac regression following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: Regression of the residual sac is indicative of successful endovascular aortic aneurysm (EVAR) repair. Using color duplex ultrasound (CDU), we monitored the residual aneurysm sac following EVAR and correlated sac behavior with perioperative risk factors.

Methods: Of 145 patients with EVAR, 106 (73.

Importance of strict patient selection criteria for combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Management of patients with severe concomitant carotid and coronary disease remains controversial. We report our experience of combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) over a fifteen year period using strict patient selection criteria.

Methods: From 1st January 1995 to December 31st 2009 165 patients underwent combined CABG/CEA procedures at the Mater Hospital.

Carotid plaque inflammation on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography predicts early stroke recurrence.

Objective: Symptomatic carotid stenosis is associated with a 3-fold risk of early stroke recurrence compared to other stroke subtypes. Current carotid imaging techniques rely on estimating plaque-related lumen narrowing but do not evaluate intraplaque inflammation, a key mediator of plaque rupture and thromboembolism. Using combined (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography, we investigated the relation between inflammation-related FDG uptake and stroke recurrence.

The management of mycotic femoral pseudoaneurysms in intravenous drug abusers.

Mycotic femoral pseudoaneurysms, particularly in the drug-abusing population, pose a difficult problem to the vascular surgeon. Management ranges from ligation with debridement to extra-anatomical bypass. This study reviewed the management of mycotic femoral pseudoaneurysms presenting in intravenous drug abusers to an inner city tertiary referral center.

Linezolid lock prophylaxis of central venous catheter infection.

Central venous catheter (CVC)-related infections are a major problem for patients requiring long-term venous access and may result in frequent hospital admissions and difficulties in maintaining central venous access. CVC-related blood stream infections are associated with increased duration of inpatient stay and cost approximately Euro 13,585 per patient [Blot, S. I.