Endovenous thermal ablation mid-term outcomes for the treatment of large diameter incompetent great saphenous veins.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) in treating large diameter, ≥12 mm, incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) in comparison to smaller ones.

Methods: A retrospective comparative study was undertaken including 196 patients (205 limbs) undergoing EVTA. According to maximum GSV diameter patients were divided into two groups (group A <12 mm, group B ≥12 mm).

Prevalence of Hemorrhagic Complications in Hospitalized Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: The prevalence of anticoagulant therapy-associated hemorrhagic complications in hospitalized patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) has been scarcely investigated.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of hemorrhages in hospitalized PE patients.

Methods: The Information System "ASKLIPIOS™ HOSPITAL" implemented in the Respiratory Medicine Department, University of Thessaly, was used to collect demographic, clinical and outcome data from January 2013 to April 2021.

Efficacy of rivaroxaban in prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been recommended for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, the benefits are uncertain for the prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of reported studies to assess the efficacy of DOACs vs vitamin K antagonists for the risk reduction of PTS in patients with DVT.

Baseline cerebral oximetry values in cardiac and vascular surgery patients: a prospective observational study.

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate baseline INVOS values and identify factors influencing preoperative baseline INVOS values in carotid endarterectomy and cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study on 157 patients (100 cardiac surgery patients, 57 carotid endarterectomy patients). Data were collected on factors potentially related to baseline INVOS values.

Endovascular management of an arteriovenous malformation using an occluder stent graft.

A 58-year-old woman presented with gangrene of the left upper arm stump caused by an arteriovenous malformation originating from the subclavian artery. She had been treated unsuccessfully in the past with repeated attempts of coil embolization and débridement, but finally she underwent arm amputation. A 14 mm diameter occlusion self-expandable stent was placed in the left subclavian artery via ipsilateral brachial artery access, with immediate and complete interruption of arterial supply to the vascular malformation.

Hybrid management of a false aneurysm complicating an arteriovenous graft in a patient with critical limb ischemia.

End-stage renal diabetic patients undergoing dialysis through an arteriovenous graft (AVG) often present with multiple graft complications which demand a combined therapeutic approach. We report a case of a male suffering from a pseudoaneurysm and venous outflow stenosis of his thigh AVG, as well as from critical limb ischemia caused by multiple significant stenoses of the femoropopliteal arterial segment. The patient was managed in a single session with a combination of classic open surgical and endovascular techniques in order to treat his aneurysm, salvage the AVG and to revascularize his leg.

Abdominal aortic endograft proximal collapse: Successful repair by endovascular means.

Infolding of an aortic endograft, usually characterized as endograft collapse, is a quite rare complication reported to occur mainly in thoracic aortic grafts. This report presents a case of an early proximal collapse of an endoprosthesis in an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The complication was diagnosed during the first month of follow-up and was not associated with any endoleak.

Radiation burden of patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Introduction: Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) requires the patient's extended exposure to x-rays, before, during, and after the intervention. The aim of this study was to determine the radiation exposure of patients undergoing EVAR and to assess the probability for the induction of both late and early radiation-related effects.

Methods: During the period of May 2006 to December 2007 EVAR was carried out in 62 patients using a mobile C-arm unit.

Modified staged surgical approach to coexisting severe coronary artery disease and large abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Surgical management of coexisting severe coronary artery disease and large or symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm may be required in patients who are unsuitable candidates for minimally invasive interventions. Although several options have been proposed, the optimal timing to deal with both entities, in order to achieve the best outcome, is still debatable. This report presents a modified approach based on a two-stage treatment in a single anesthetic session.

Pancreatic injury after thoracoabdominal aortic occlusion in a porcine model.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate pancreatic injury after 45 min of thoracoabdominal aortic occlusion in a porcine model.

Methods: Twenty-four pigs were used. Six pigs underwent sham operation and 18 intravascular balloon thoracoabdominal aortic occlusions for 45 min.

Endovascular repair for thoracic aortic disease: tertiary single-center experience in northwestern Greece.

The purpose of this article is to report the initial experience with endovascular repair of thoracic aortic disease in a single tertiary vascular unit in northwestern Greece. Between 2003 and 2005, 16 patients were treated with endovascular techniques for various pathologies of the descending thoracic aorta. Twelve patients were treated electively and four emergently.

Carotid endarterectomy with bovine pericardium patch angioplasty: mid-term results.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of bovine pericardium (BP) as a patch material in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in terms of peri- and postoperative complications and the incidence of recurrent stenosis. During a 4-year period, 148 CEAs were performed in 138 consecutive patients. The study group included elective, emergency, and combined with cardiac operation CEAs in both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery disease patients.

Endovascular stent-graft repair as a late secondary procedure after previous aortic grafts.

Thoracic and abdominal aortic endovascular procedures as alternatives to aortic reoperations were studied in three different cases. An anastomotic aneurysm after previous thoracic aortic graft for coarctation, a second-stage elephant trunk repair (descending thoracic aortic aneurysm), and a secondary aneurysm proximal to a previous abdominal aortic graft were successfully treated with endovascular stent-grafts. During the follow-up period no lethal events or major aortic or graft-related complications were observed, except a type II endoleak in the anastomotic aortic aneurysm case.

Evolution of spinal cord injury in a porcine model of prolonged aortic occlusion.

Background: Spinal cord injury and subsequent paraplegia remains an unpredictable and devastating complication of thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate spinal cord injury due to prolonged thoracoabdominal aortic occlusion.

Materials And Methods: We used a highly reproducible porcine model of 45-min thoracoabdominal aortic occlusion, which was accomplished by two balloon occlusion catheters.

Meta-analysis: test performance of ultrasonography for giant-cell arteritis.

Background: Giant-cell arteritis is a diagnostic challenge.

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography for giant-cell arteritis.

Data Sources: Studies published up to April 2004 in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases; reference lists; and direct contact with investigators.

Superiority of early relative to late ischemic preconditioning in spinal cord protection after descending thoracic aortic occlusion.

Objective: We previously showed that ischemic preconditioning significantly reduced spinal cord injury caused by 35-minute aortic occlusion. In this study we investigated the effect of ischemic preconditioning on spinal cord injury after 45-minute aortic occlusion.

Methods: Thirty-two pigs were divided as follows: group 1 (n = 6) underwent sham operation, group 2 (n = 6) underwent 20 minutes of aortic occlusion, group 3 (n = 6) underwent 45 minutes of occlusion, group 4 (n = 6) underwent 20 minutes of occlusion and 48 hours later underwent an additional 45 minutes, and group 5 (n = 8) underwent 20 minutes of occlusion and 80 minutes later underwent an additional 45 minutes.

Aortobipopliteal bypass grafting for in situ replacement of infected aortobifemoral prosthesis.

Conventional treatment of an infected aortobifemoral graft includes total graft excision and ex situ bypass grafting, but has been associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the presence of infection in the groin makes limb revascularization problematic. There is increasing evidence that in situ replacement of an infected graft can achieve promising results in selected patients.

The effect of clopidogrel, aspirin and both antiplatelet drugs on platelet function in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with platelet hyperactivity. Aspirin and clopidogrel, two platelet inhibitors, act by different mechanisms. Aspirin inhibits thromboxane A2 synthesis and clopidogrel acts on the P2Y12 platelet ADP receptor.

Clinical outcome following infra-inguinal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for critical limb ischemia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and durability of infra-inguinal PTA in patients with CLI, in terms of clinical outcome.

Design: Retrospective study of 50 consecutive patients with CLI that were exclusively treated by infra-inguinal PTA.

Methods: The indications for intervention were rest pain in seven (14%) patients, non-healing ulcers in 27 (54%), and gangrenous lesions in 16 (32%).

Validation of the new venous severity scoring system in varicose vein surgery.

Objectives: We performed this observational study to validate the three components of a new venous severity scoring (VSS) system, ie, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), venous segmental disease score (VSDS), and venous disability score (VDS), and to evaluate VCSS, VDS, and CEAP clinical class and score in quantifying outcome of varicose vein surgery. Patients and methods The study included 45 patients who underwent superficial venous surgery in 48 legs with primary varicose veins. Venous color duplex scanning, clinical examination, and a questionnaire were used preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively to assign VSS and CEAP clinical class and score.

The effect of a loading dose (300 mg) of clopidogrel on platelet function in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Clopidogrel acts on the P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) purinergic receptors on human platelets. The aim of this study was to establish if a loading dose of clopidogrel inhibits platelet activation in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Two indices of platelet activation were considered: platelet shape change (PSC) and aggregation.