Pulmonary embolism response teams. A description of the first 36-month Australian experience.

Background: High/intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) confers increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. International guidelines recommend the formation of a PE response team (PERT) for PE management because of the complexity of risk stratification and emerging treatment options. However, there are currently no available Australian data regarding outcomes of PE managed through a PERT.

Outcomes of endovascular, open surgical and autotransplantation techniques for renal artery aneurysm repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Renal artery aneurysms (RAA) can be repaired with endovascular exclusion (EVR), open repair (OR), or ex-vivo repair with renal autotransplantation (ERAT). This systematic review compares repair indications, aneurysm characteristics, and complications following these interventions.

Methods: A systematic review of databases including MEDLINE, PUBMED, and EMBASE by two independent reviewers for studies from January 2000-November 2022.

The identification and management of the profunda femoris artery as a rare source of a late type II endoleak.

Internal iliac artery aneurysms are found in 20% of abdominal aortic aneurysm cases, with a high mortality rate in the event of rupture. Type II endoleaks are a common complication after endovascular intervention. Transarterial or direct sac puncture techniques have superseded open surgical repair due to the challenging nature open surgery presents in accessing the feeding vessel(s).

Infrarenal aortic reconstruction using autologous femoral vein for a mycotic aneurysm caused by .

A common source of infection in equine, , is an uncommon pathogen in humans, rarely identified as the cause for mycotic aortic aneurysms. Typically associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk or contact with horses, can result in severe bacteremia, endocarditis and meningitis. We describe the presentation and successful management of a 69-year-old retired equestrian who underwent infrarenal aortic resection and reconstruction using autologous right femoral vein for a mycotic aneurysm.

Vascular tracheobronchial compression syndrome secondary to contained ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Vascular tracheobronchial compression syndrome is the compression of the trachea or pulmonary bronchus by a vascular structure. It is primarily a diagnosis in children and secondary to congenital vascular anomalies. In adults, vascular tracheobronchial compression syndrome can be either congenital or required with a vast majority of congenital conditions found incidentally on imaging.

Vitamin C improves healing of foot ulcers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Chronic foot ulcers are associated with a high risk of osteomyelitis, poor quality of life, amputations and disability. Few strategies improve their healing, and amputation rates in high-risk foot services are usually over 30 %. We conducted a randomised, inactive-placebo controlled, double-blind trial of 500 mg of slow-release vitamin C in sixteen people with foot ulcers in the Foot Wound Clinic at Westmead Hospital.

A 'Speed-Dating' Model of Wound Care? Rapid, High-Volume Assessment of Patients With Diabetes in a Multidisciplinary Foot Wound Clinic.

Background: Diabetes is a major risk factor for foot ulceration and leg amputation, but the effect of intensive glycaemic control on wound healing is unknown. While an interdisciplinary approach has been shown to be important in the management of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), there is no standardised definition of such an interdisciplinary team.

Objective: To investigate the role of an opportunistic, rapid-access, inter-disciplinary model of diabetes care at a foot wound clinic.

Endovascular treatment of a large iatrogenic popliteal arteriovenous fistula.

A 40-year-old man presented with years of progressive leg swelling and venous varicosities. Lower limb computed tomography angiography and subsequent digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a large popliteal arteriovenous fistula (AVF). This was treated successfully by endovascular technique with a Viabahn stent (W.

Endovascular Management of Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm After Pancreas Transplantation: Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Mycotic pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of pancreas transplantation. Successful management relies on early diagnosis and expedient treatment comprising surgery and antibiotics. While the standard of care in recipients of pancreatic transplants is open repair of pseudoaneurysm with or without excision of the allograft, endovascular management has been reported.

Managing diabetic foot infections: a survey of Australasian infectious diseases clinicians.

Background: Diabetic foot infections (DFI) present a major morbidity, mortality and economic challenge for the tertiary health sector. However, lack of high quality evidence for specific treatment regimens for patients with DFIs may result in inconsistent management. This study aimed to identify DFI caseload proportion and patterns of clinical practice of Infectious Diseases (ID) Physicians and Trainees within Australia and New Zealand.

A longitudinal study of the diabetic skin and wound microbiome.

Background: Type II diabetes is a chronic health condition which is associated with skin conditions including chronic foot ulcers and an increased incidence of skin infections. The skin microbiome is thought to play important roles in skin defence and immune functioning. Diabetes affects the skin environment, and this may perturb skin microbiome with possible implications for skin infections and wound healing.

Migratory large vessel vasculitis preceding acute myeloid leukemia: a case report.

Background: Large vessel vasculitis is a rare disorder usually occurring in the context of the autoimmune conditions of giant cell arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis. Case reports have described large vessel vasculitis occurring in individuals with myelodysplastic syndrome, preceding transformation to acute myeloid leukemia.

Case Presentation: A 56-year-old Afghanistan-born woman presented with fever, a tender left carotid artery, and raised inflammatory markers.

Aspirin in venous leg ulcer study (ASPiVLU): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Venous leg ulceration is a common and costly problem that is expected to worsen as the population ages. Current treatment is compression therapy; however, up to 50 % of ulcers remain unhealed after 2 years, and ulcer recurrence is common. New treatments are needed to address those wounds that are more challenging to heal.

Human classical monocytes display unbalanced M1/M2 phenotype with increased atherosclerotic risk and presence of disease.

Background: Specific monocyte and macrophage subsets have been implicated in atherosclerosis, with intermediate monocytes proportionally elevated in cardiovascular disease and M1 macrophages abundant in unstable atherosclerotic plaques. While several studies have shown altered proportions of these subsets in atherosclerosis, studies examining functional and phenotypic subset alterations remain scarce.

Methods: We used whole blood flow cytometry to investigate the expression of M1 (CD86) and M2 (CD163) markers on monocyte subsets of atherosclerotic patients and controls.

Characteristics of non-diabetic foot ulcers in Western Sydney, Australia.

Background: There are few studies investigating the characteristics, risk factors and socioeconomic status of patients with non-diabetic foot ulcers. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of non-diabetic foot ulcers in a large tertiary referral outpatient hospital setting in Western Sydney, Australia.

Methods: From 2011 to 2013, data from 202 patients with non-diabetic foot ulcers during their initial visit were retrospectively extracted for analysis from Westmead Hospital's Foot Wound Clinic Registry.

Total contact cast wall load in patients with a plantar forefoot ulcer and diabetes.

Background: The total contact cast (TCC) is an effective intervention to reduce plantar pressure in patients with diabetes and a plantar forefoot ulcer. The walls of the TCC have been indirectly shown to bear approximately 30 % of the plantar load. A new direct method to measure inside the TCC walls with capacitance sensors has shown that the anterodistal and posterolateral-distal regions of the lower leg bear the highest load.

Characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in Western Sydney, Australia.

Background: Australia is ranked ninth of 39 countries in the Western Pacific region most affected by diabetes. Patients with diabetes are at high risk of developing foot ulcerations that can develop into non-healing wounds. Recent studies suggest that the lifetime risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer is as high as 25%.

A novel approach to mapping load transfer from the plantar surface of the foot to the walls of the total contact cast: a proof of concept study.

Background: Total contact casting is regarded as the gold standard treatment for plantar foot ulcers. Load transfer from the plantar surface of the foot to the walls of the total contact cast has previously been assessed indirectly. The aim of this proof of concept study was to determine the feasibility of a new method to directly measure the load between the cast wall and the lower leg interface using capacitance sensors.

Fatal mycotic aneurysms due to Scedosporium and Pseudallescheria infection.

Angioinvasive complications of Scedosporium infections are rare. We report two cases of mycotic aneurysm, following apparent localized infection, due to Scedosporium apiospermum and Pseudallescheria boydii. The thoracoabdominal aorta was affected in one patient, and cerebral vessels were affected in the other.