Advancing Digital Education Technologies by Empowering Nurses With Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Bedside ultrasonography, also known as point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS), is a promising technological tool that enhances clinical assessment, enriching diagnostic capabilities and clinical reasoning. Its use in nursing spans various patient populations and health care settings, providing nurses with a valuable health assessment tool to improve care quality and patient safety. Despite its growing integration into clinical practice, PoCUS training has mainly focused on physicians, leaving a gap for trained nurses who demonstrate similar proficiency in conducting scans and interpreting images.

Role of Preservation Solution in Human Aneurysmatic Aorta Harvest and Transport: A Comparative Analysis of Different Solutions for Tissue Injury Protection.

Introduction: Human aortic tissues in vitro are tools to clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms of the cardiovascular system, cell culture, and transplants. Therefore, this study aims to analyze and compare the preservation of human aneurysmatic aortic tissues in three different solutions.

Methods: Six human abdominal aortic aneurysms were obtained from patients after surgical ablation.

Adequacy of venous thromboembolism risk stratification and prophylaxis in a tertiary university hospital.

Background: Venous thromboembolism is the third most common cardiovascular disease and the main cause of preventable death in hospitalized patients. Prophylaxis is still underused, despite well-established guidelines in the literature. Studies show a worldwide prophylaxis adequacy rate close to 50%.

Isolation and primary culture of human abdominal aorta smooth muscle cells from brain-dead donors: an experimental model for vascular diseases.

Primary cell cultures are essential tools for elucidating the physiopathological mechanisms of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, a primary culture growth protocol of cardiovascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) obtained from human abdominal aortas was standardized. Ten abdominal aorta samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with brain death who were organ and tissue donors with family consent.

Short-Term Outcomes of Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting and Carotid Endarterectomy in Symptomatic Patients: Data from a Multicentric Prospective Registry in Brazil.

Background: Transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TF-CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are alternative strategies for stroke prevention in patients with atherosclerotic carotid disease. Because their main objective is to prevent future ischemic events, regular reassessment of the outcomes is mandatory for providing the best therapy. The purpose of this study was to describe the practice and the outcomes of TF-CAS and CEA in symptomatic patients in public university hospitals in Brazil, using data from a prospective multicentric registry.

Inpatient consultations with the vascular and endovascular surgery team at an academic tertiary hospital.

Background: Inpatient consultations are a fundamental component of practice in tertiary care centers. However, such consultations demand resources, generating a significant workload.

Objectives: To investigate the profile of inpatient consultations requested by other specialties and provided by the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery team at an academic tertiary hospital.

Rivaroxaban versus no anticoagulation for post-discharge thromboprophylaxis after hospitalisation for COVID-19 (MICHELLE): an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 are at risk for thrombotic events after discharge; the role of extended thromboprophylaxis in this population is unknown.

Methods: In this open-label, multicentre, randomised trial conducted at 14 centres in Brazil, patients hospitalised with COVID-19 at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism [IMPROVE] venous thromboembolism [VTE] score of ≥4 or 2-3 with a D-dimer >500 ng/mL) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive, at hospital discharge, rivaroxaban 10 mg/day or no anticoagulation for 35 days. The primary efficacy outcome in an intention-to-treat analysis was a composite of symptomatic or fatal venous thromboembolism, asymptomatic venous thromboembolism on bilateral lower-limb venous ultrasound and CT pulmonary angiogram, symptomatic arterial thromboembolism, and cardiovascular death at day 35.

Expression of MicroRNA-1281, C-Reactive Protein, and Renal Function in Individuals with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and their Clinical Correlation after Endovascular Repair.

Introduction: The treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms has changed in the last three decades. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the primary treatment option in anatomically suitable patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms. However, there is no serum biomarker to be used in EVAR follow-up.

Endovascular treatment of left internal thoracic artery aneurysm.

Aneurysm of the internal thoracic artery is a rare entity, with variable presentation and a potential risk of fatal rupture. Angiotomography is the diagnostic test of choice and is useful for planning treatment. Considering the morbidity of thoracic access for a direct approach and the unpredictable risk of rupture, an endovascular procedure is the treatment modality of choice for this type of aneurysm.

Surgical treatment of cervical rib-associated arterial thoracic outlet syndrome.

The arterial form of thoracic outlet syndrome is rare and is associated with anatomic anomalies, generally a cervical rib. It has a varied range of manifestations. The aim of this article is to describe two cases with different clinical presentations: microembolization and aneurysm.

Contemporary Management of Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Background: Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome (aTOS) is characterized by compression of the subclavian artery as it exits the thoracic girdle. Chronic and repetitive compression leads to several degrees of arterial wall damage. The treatment is varied and depends on the presentation severity.

Endovascular repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular aneurysm repair due type IB endoleak associated with a late fistula between the abdominal aorta and a retroaortic left renal vein.

A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular aneurysm repair with an arteriovenous fistula between the aneurysm sac and a retroaortic left renal vein is an extremely rare complication. This case describes an 81-year-old man who developed an aorto-left renal vein fistula owing to a type IB endoleak 2 years after endovascular aneurysm exclusion. The leak was repaired with a left endograft limb extension.

Transcervical Access for Endograft Exclusion of a Postendarterectomy Carotid Pseudoaneurysm in a Patient With Type III Aortic Arch.

Postendarterectomy carotid pseudoaneurysms are infrequent. The endovascular treatment is less invasive, with a minor risk of complications. However, the presence of a highly angulated aortic arch (type III) is a challenge, since the navigation of endovascular devices is not favorable.

Carbon-Coated Stent and the Role of the Kallikrein-Kinin System in Peripheral Angioplasty.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical evolution of patients treated with carbon-coated stent, as well as its patency and the inflammatory response triggered by this process through the quantification of serum elements of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS).

Methods: This was a single-center prospective study with 27 patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who required percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting of the iliacofemoropopliteal segment using carbon-coated stent grafts (carbostents). The blood concentrations of the total and kininogen fractions were evaluated using immunoenzymatic methods.

Expression in Whole Blood Samples of miRNA-191 and miRNA-455-3p in Patients with AAA and Their Relationship to Clinical Outcomes after Endovascular Repair.

Background: The purpose of this study was to quantify and evaluate the expression response of miRNA-191 and miRNA-455-3p endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) based in whole blood samples.

Methods: This report describes a prospective study of a single center of 30 patients with AAA who underwent endovascular repair. Blood samples were collected preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

The Role of Interleukins and Inflammatory Markers in the Early Restenosis of Covered Stents in the Femoropopliteal Arterial Segment.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between inflammatory markers, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and highly sensitive C-reactive protein, and the development of arterial restenosis 6 months after femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with covered stent implantation.

Methods: We recruited 27 patients of a tertiary hospital in Brazil who were treated with covered stents for atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease. Serum samples were collected before stent implantation, then 24 hr later, and 6 months after the procedure.

MicroRNAs and Current Concepts on the Pathogenesis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Currently, the only way to prevent rupture and death related to abdominal aortic aneurysms is through surgical intervention. Endovascular treatment is associated with less morbidity than conventional treatment.

Effects of Postconditioning on Skeletal Muscle Injury and Apoptosis Induced by Partial Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rats.

Background: Analyze the effects of ischemic postconditioning on skeletal muscle injury and apoptosis produced by partial ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

Materials And Methods: An experimental study was designed using 70 Wistar rats divided in 3 groups: Sham; Control-submitted to ischemia and reperfusion; and Postconditioning-submitted to ischemia and reperfusion with ischemic postconditioning. Subgroups (n = 10) were divided by duration of ischemia (4, 5, or 6 hr).

The clinical importance of air plethysmography in the assessment of chronic venous disease.

Air plethysmography is a non-invasive test that can quantify venous reflux and obstruction by measuring volume changes in the leg. Its findings correlate with clinical and hemodynamic measures. It can quantitatively assess several components of venous hemodynamics: valvular reflux, calf muscle pump function, and venous obstruction.

Endovascular Approach to Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis.

Background: The endovascular approach has shown high initial technical success rates, good patency rates, and minimal complications in treating transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). The objective of this study was to describe our experience with an endovascular approach to TRAS.

Material And Methods: We performed a retrospective single-institutional review of all kidney transplant procedures performed at our institution from September 2009 to September 2014.

Aortogastric Fistula Due to a Penetrating Atherosclerotic Aortic Ulcer.

Penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) is an atherosclerotic lesion with ulceration that penetrates the internal elastic lamina of the aortic wall. PAUs are classified as a category of acute aortic syndrome and have a reported rupture rate of up to 38%. To our knowledge, there is no prior published report of a PAU causing an aortogastric fistula.

Interleukins and inflammatory markers in in-stent restenosis after femoral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background: Inflammatory activity may influence results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between (1) proinflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and highly sensitive C-reactive protein [CRP]); (2) type 1 T helper cell marker (IL-12); and (3) Type 2 T helper cell marker (transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β]) and in-stent restenosis, 6 months after femoral PTA with stent implantation.

Methods: We performed a single-center prospective study with 26 patients with peripheral artery disease requiring PTA and stenting.

Endovascular treatment for acute aortic syndrome.

Background: The term "acute aortic syndrome" (AAS) includes conditions of high mortality, such as ruptured aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm and, aortic dissection. Open surgery for these cases has demonstrated unsatisfactory results, and endovascular treatment has become an excellent alternative.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with AAS who underwent endovascular treatment in our emergency department from July 2009 to February 2011.