Management of thoracic outlet syndrome in patients with hemodialysis access.

Patients with threatened arteriovenous access are often found to have central venous stenoses at the ipsilateral costoclavicular junction, which may be resistant to endovascular intervention. Stenoses in this location may not resolve unless surgical decompression of thoracic outlet is performed to relieve the extrinsic compression on the subclavian vein. The authors reviewed the management of dialysis patients with central venous lesions at the thoracic outlet, as well as the role of surgical decompression with first-rib resection or claviculectomy for salvage of threatened, ipsilateral dialysis access.

Association between heart failure and arteriovenous access patency in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

Background: Heart disease and chronic kidney disease are often comorbid conditions owing to shared risk factors, including diabetes and hypertension. However, the effect of congestive heart failure (CHF) on arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and AV graft (AVG) patency rates is poorly understood. We hypothesize preexisting HF may diminish blood flow to the developing AVF and worsen patency.

Impact of Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Training Pathway and Professional Development Time on Career Choice and Research Productivity.

Objective: The limited availability of academic surgery positions has led to increased competition for these jobs. Integrated vascular surgery residency (IVSR) allows for earlier specialization, with some programs providing professional development time (PDT). We hypothesized that IVSR and PDT lead to academic employment and increased research productivity.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of endovascular vs surgical arteriovenous fistula creation in the United States.

Objective: In the United States, an estimated $2.8 billion annually is spent on vascular access and its complications. Endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) creation is a novel, minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical AV fistula (sAVF) creation in ≤60% of patients.

Individual and Program-Related Predictors of Academic Vascular Surgery Practice.

Background: Several studies have explored factors affecting academic employment in surgical subspecialties; however, vascular surgery has not yet been investigated. We examined which elements of surgical training predict future academic productivity and studied characteristics of NIH-funded vascular surgery attendings.

Methods: With approval from the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery (APDVS), the database of recent vascular surgery fellowship (VSF) and integrated vascular surgery residency (IVSR) graduates was obtained, and public resources (Doximity, Scopus, PubMed, NIH, etc.

Early findings and strategies for successful implementation of SIMPL workplace-based assessments within vascular surgery residency and fellowship programs.

Objective: As medical education systems increasingly move toward competency-based training, it is important to understand the tools available to assess competency and how these tools are utilized. The Society for Improving Medical Professional Learning (SIMPL) offers a smart phone-based assessment system that supports workplace-based assessment of residents' and fellows' operative autonomy, performance, and case complexity. The purpose of this study was to characterize implementation of the SIMPL app within vascular surgery integrated residency (0+5) and fellowship (5+2) training programs.

Utilizing remote access for electronic medical records reduces overall electronic medical record time for vascular surgery residents.

Objective: Survey data suggests that surgical residents spend 20% to 30% of training time using the electronic medical record (EMR), raising concerns about burnout and insufficient operative experience. We characterize trainee EMR activity in the vascular surgery service of a quaternary care center to identify modifiable factors associated with high EMR use.

Methods: Resident activity while on the vascular surgery service was queried from the EMR.

Trends in annual open abdominal aortic surgical volumes for vascular trainees compared with annual national volumes in the endovascular era.

Objective: A prior analysis predicted a shortfall in open abdominal aortic repair (OAR) experience for vascular trainees resulting from the rapid adoption, and increased anatomic suitability, of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) technology. We explored how EVAR has transformed contemporary open aortic surgical education for vascular trainees.

Methods: We examined the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case volumes of open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and reconstruction for aortoiliac occlusive disease via aortoiliac or femoral bypass (AFB) from integrated vascular surgery residents (VSRs) and fellows (VSFs) graduating from 2006 to 2017 and compared them to the national estimates of total OAR (open AAA repair plus AFB) in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Inpatient Sample using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th revision, procedural codes.

Validity Evidence for Vascular Skills Assessment: The Feasibility of Fundamentals of Vascular Surgery in General Surgery Residency.

Objective: As the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) and Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) have been used for general surgery assessment, the Fundamentals of Vascular Surgery (FVS) has recently been developed to evaluate core operative skills for vascular trainees. This study examines the 3 year implementation of FVS for general surgery residents and it gathers validity evidence using Messick's framework. We hypothesized that the curriculum and assessment tool enhance general surgery resident training and assessment.

Perception and confidence of medical students in informed consent: A core EPA.

Background: Informed consent discussions have been identified as a core entrustable professional activity for medical students by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Medical students, however, rarely receive formal instruction on how to appropriately conduct informed consent discussions before residency, resulting in inconsistent levels of experience and deficiencies in performance. This study explores medical students' understanding of the elements of informed consent discussions and their readiness to perform a comprehensive informed consent discussion.

Early Real-World Experience with EndoAnchors by Indication.

Background: The Heli-FX EndoAnchor (EA) system is a transmural aortic fixation device with Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treatment of endoleaks, endograft migration, or high-risk seal zones. Published data are primarily from industry-sponsored registries highlighting safety and efficacy. Our objective is to evaluate real-world outcomes of EA usage after FDA approval across a variety of stent grafts and indications at a single institution.

Secondary interventions in patients with implantable cardiac devices and ipsilateral arteriovenous access.

Objective: The number of patients with end-stage renal disease who require implantable cardiac devices is increasing. Rates of secondary interventions or fistula failure are not well studied in patients who have arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access placed on the ipsilateral side as a pacemaker. This study aimed to compare central vein-related interventions and failure rates of arteriovenous access in patients with pacemakers placed on the ipsilateral vs contralateral side.

Utilization of regional versus general anesthesia and its impact on lower extremity bypass outcomes.

Objective: Previous studies evaluating general anesthesia (GA) vs regional (epidural/spinal) anesthesia (RA) for infrainguinal bypass have produced conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors associated with contemporary use of RA and to determine whether it is associated with improved outcomes after infrainguinal bypass in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Methods: Using the Vascular Quality Initiative infrainguinal database, a retrospective review identified all critical limb ischemia patients who received an infrainguinal bypass from 2011 through 2016.

Infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair with large device (34- to 36-mm) diameters is associated with higher risk of proximal fixation failure.

Objective: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the standard of care for infrarenal aneurysms. Endografts are commercially available in proximal diameters up to 36 mm, allowing proximal seal in necks up to 32 mm. We sought to further investigate clinical outcomes after standard EVAR in patients requiring large main body devices.

Arteriovenous Fistula and Graft Construction in Patients with Implantable Cardiac Devices: Does Side Matter?

Background: Limited reports have documented the effect cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have on arteriovenous (AV) access patency. Current recommendations suggest placing the access on the contralateral side of the CIEDs, as there is concern for increased central venous stenosis and access failure. The goal of this study is to review our single-center AV access patency rates for dialysis patients with an ipsilateral or contralateral side CIED.

Complex endovascular aneurysm repair is associated with higher perioperative mortality but not late mortality compared with infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair among octogenarians.

Objective: As our collective experience with complex endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has grown, an increasing number of older patients are being offered endovascular repair of juxtarenal aneurysms. Outcomes after complex EVAR in this older subpopulation are not well-described. We sought to specifically evaluate clinical outcomes after complex EVAR compared with infrarenal EVAR in a cohort of octogenarians.

Outcomes of open and endovascular lower extremity revascularization in active smokers with advanced peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Concern over perioperative and long-term durability of lower extremity revascularizations among active smokers is a frequent deterrent for vascular surgeons to perform elective lower extremity revascularization. In this study, we examined perioperative outcomes of lower extremity endovascular (LEE) revascularization and open lower extremity bypass (LEB) in active smokers with intermittent claudication (IC) and critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Methods: Active smokers undergoing LEE or LEB from 2011 to 2014 were identified in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) targeted vascular data set.

Influence of gender and use of regional anesthesia on carotid endarterectomy outcomes.

Objective: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure to reduce the risk of stroke. The operation may be performed under general anesthesia (GA) or regional anesthesia (RA). We used a national database to determine how postoperative outcomes were influenced by gender and type of anesthesia used.

Risk factors and outcomes of postoperative ischemic colitis in contemporary open and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Postoperative ischemic colitis (IC) can be a serious complication following infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. We sought to identify risk factors and outcomes in patients developing IC after open AAA repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to examine clinical data of patients undergoing AAA repair from 2011 to 2012 who developed postoperative IC.

Less Than Total Excision of Infected Prosthetic PTFE Graft Does Not Increase the Risk of Reinfection.

Background: Traditional treatment of infected polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts consist of removal of the entire prosthesis. Closure of the native vessels may compromise vascular patency. We examined the outcomes for patients in whom a PTFE remnant of an infected graft was retained on the vessel.

Experience matters more than specialty for carotid stenting outcomes.

Objective: The introduction of carotid stenting has led to a rapid rise in the number of vascular specialists performing this procedure. The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs Stenting Trial (CREST) has shown that carotid stenting can be performed with an equivalent major event rate compared with carotid endarterectomy. However, there is still controversy about the appropriate training and experience required to safely perform this procedure.

Vascular reconstruction plays an important role in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objective: Previous studies have proved the feasibility of performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple operation) in patients with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein and hepatic artery invasion. We report our institutional experience with the use of a variety of vascular reconstructive methods during pancreatic resections for adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed identifying all patients undergoing a Whipple operation or total pancreatectomy procedure from January 2003 to December 2013.

Complex hybrid suprarenal inferior vena cava filter retrieval.

The exponential rise in inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement is associated with increased complications both during implantation and retrieval. In this report, a 64-year-old man was transferred from an outside hospital with cardiac tamponade secondary to a snare eroding into the right atrium. This complication occurred after attempted suprarenal IVC filter removal.

Geometric changes of the inferior vena cava in trauma patients subjected to volume resuscitation.

Objective: Dynamic changes in anatomic geometry of the inferior vena cava from changes in intravascular volume may cause passive stresses on inferior vena cava filters. In this study, we aim to quantify variability in inferior vena cava dimensions and anatomic orientation to determine how intravascular volume changes may impact complications of inferior vena cava filter placement, such as migration, tilting, perforation, and thrombosis.

Methods: Retrospective computed tomography measurements of major axis, minor axis, and horizontal diameters of the inferior vena cava at 1 and 5 cm below the lowest renal vein in 58 adult trauma patients in pre-resuscitative (hypovolemic) and post-resuscitative (euvolemic) states were assessed in a blinded fashion by two independent readers.

Endovascular management of thrombosed axillary artery to right atrium hemodialysis graft.

Purpose: To describe the salvage of a left axillary artery to right atrium hemodialysis graft using endovascular techniques.

Case Report: A 54-year-old man with multiple arteriovenous graft failures presented with a thrombosed left axillary artery to right atrium Gore-tex hemodialysis graft. The graft was salvaged using rheolytic catheter thrombectomy, mechanical thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty, and stenting.