Correlation between increased flushing intervals and malfunction and infectious complications in fully implantable catheters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of malfunction and colonization rates of fully implantable long-term catheters left unflushed during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate the average cost of transporting each patient to the hospital for flushing.

Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients reduced the number of hospital visits and stopped flushing their catheters periodically with saline solution. After the pandemic stabilized in 2022, patients who completed chemotherapy treatment had their long-term catheters removed.

Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery 2023 guidelines on the diabetic foot.

The diabetic foot interacts with anatomical, vascular, and neurological factors that challenge clinical practice. This study aimed to compile the primary scientific evidence based on a review of the main guidelines, in addition to articles published on the Embase, Lilacs, and PubMed platforms. The European Society of Cardiology system was used to develop recommendation classes and levels of evidence.

Brazilian Society for Angiology and Vascular Surgery guidelines on abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, through the Guidelines Project, presents new Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Guidelines, on the subject of care for abdominal aortic aneurysm patients. Its development prioritized descriptive guidelines, using the EMBASE, LILACS, and PubMed databases. References include randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and cohort studies.

Endovascular repair of ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm post-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation during pulmonary transplant.

We demonstrated an endovascular technique excluding an ascending aorta pseudoaneurysm using an aortic extension. A 32-year-old woman, 3 years after lung transplantation with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation presented with an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm. Vascular surgery was consulted after open repair was deemed high risk.

Editor's Choice - In Hospital and Long Term Outcomes After Repair of Subclavian and Axillary Artery Injuries.

Objective: To evaluate the in hospital and long term outcomes after open or endovascular repair of subclavian and axillary artery injuries.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single centre study. Data were reviewed from patients with subclavian and or axillary injuries who presented to the authors' centre between January 2009 and December 2022.

The Distensibility of the Human Vena Cava and Its Importance to In Vitro Studies of Venous Compression Syndromes: A Search for a Suitable Polymer for 3-Dimensional Printing.

Background: Venous compression syndromes are clinical conditions in which the large veins are compressed by other anatomical structures. Laboratory simulations may help us better understand the hemodynamics in venous compressions by creating situations similar to those seen in vivo. The aim of this study is to produce a model of the caval bifurcation using a polymer with distensibility similar to the human vena cava.

Impact of the period of the day on all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular complications after arterial vascular surgeries.

Background: Conflicting results are reported about daytime variation on mortality and cardiac outcomes after non-cardiac surgeries. In this cohort study, we evaluate whether the period of the day in which surgeries are performed may influence all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing non-cardiac arterial vascular procedures.

Methods: 1,267 patients who underwent non-cardiac arterial vascular surgeries between 2012 and 2018 were prospectively included in our cohort and categorized into two groups: morning (7 a.

Hemodynamic depression after carotid surgery: Incidence, risk factors and outcomes.

Introduction: Hemodynamic Depression (HD) characterized by hypotension and bradycardia is a complication of carotid surgery due to direct autonomic stimulation in the carotid sinus. The authors believe the incidence of HD is high and possibly related to major cardiac complications.

Methods: Analysis of patient records during admissions for carotid surgery between January 2014 and December 2018 in two hospitals.

Imaging Signs of May-Thurner Syndrome in Asymptomatic Patients: Computed Tomography Angiography Analysis of Kidney Donors.

Background: The current study aimed to evaluate the distance between the right common iliac artery (RCIA) and lumbar vertebra in asymptomatic patients in order to determine whether such distance was statistically correlated with the left common iliac vein (LCIV) diameter (LCIVD) and to investigate if both measures were related to demographic characteristics and anthropometric data, such as sex, age, height, and body mass index (BMI).

Methods: In this descriptive and uncontrolled anatomic study, data from high-definition computed tomography (CT) angiography images of living kidney donors without a medical history of chronic venous insufficiency or past deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were analyzed. The RCIA crossed over the LCIV in 311 individuals, who were then included in this study.

The Use of a Low-Fidelity Simulator to Improve Vascular Anastomosis Skills of Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: To evaluate a workshop using a low-fidelity simulator for training vascular surgery residents in vascular anastomosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Prospective, controlled, single-center.

Methods: Vascular surgery residents at the São Paulo University Medical School were enrolled in the COVID Group (five post graduation year 3 residents) or Control Group (five PGY-4 residents).

The End of Wire Wrapping: A Technique to Avoid Intertwining Preloaded Guidewires for Endovascular Aortic Arch Repair.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present a new technique for endovascular aortic arch repair for 1, 2, or 3 vessels using preloaded wires and precannulated target vessels without wire wrapping.

Technique: This technique uses a prototype catheter with 2 parallel lumens to position through-and-through guidewires in the supra-aortic branches and an extra-stiff guidewire in the ascending aorta with no wrapping. This allows the introduction and advancement of the device with the already precannulated target vessels.

Vascular surgery in the most populous state in the Amazon: socio-professional profile and aspirations of the specialty.

Background: There is a dearth of studies conducted to understand the socio-professional profile of the vascular surgery specialty and the population demands of specific regions, which are needed to support creation of care policies and direct infrastructure improvements in healthcare.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the socio-professional profile of vascular surgeons in the state of Pará, Brazil, to guide creation of tools for professional improvement.

Methods: A cross-sectional, self-report survey was conducted in Pará using a questionnaire comprising 30 questions covering six main topics.

Differences in procedural metrics and clinical outcomes among patients treated by fenestrated-branched endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms using infrarenal aortic versus iliac sealing zones.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the outcomes of fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) using infrarenal aortic vs iliac sealing zones.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of 430 consecutive patients enrolled in a prospective nonrandomized study to evaluate FB-EVAR from 2013 to 2020. The outcomes were analyzed for patients with extent I to IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms who had undergone FB-EVAR with distal implantation in the native infrarenal aorta.

Removal of Intravascular Foreign Bodies With a Simple Low-Cost Method: A Report of 5 Cases.

Purpose: Intravascular embolization of hemodialysis and central venous catheters is a rare but potentially serious complication. With the increasing use of catheters in medical practice, we are often faced with this type of complication. Novel, simple, and low-cost techniques are needed for foreign body extraction in order to reduce cardiovascular risks.

Experimental comparative study of arterial implants made of silicone reinforced with polyester fabric and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in rabbits aorta.

Objectives: the aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of a new silicone vascular prostheses with PTFE vascular prostheses, on a rabbit experimental model.

Methods: forty rabbits underwent infra-renal aorta replacement with 4 mm diameter prostheses, twenty animals with PDMS and twenty animals with PTFE (control group). Retrograde aortic angiography was performed to assess patency.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression and their relationship with barriers to physical activity in patients with intermittent claudication.

Objectives: Although the practice of physical exercise in patients with intermittent claudication (IC) is often encouraged, adherence is low. The difficulty in performing physical training may be related to the psychological characteristics of patients with claudication. To verify the association between anxiety and depression symptoms and barriers to physical exercise and walking capacity in patients with IC.

Natural History of Splanchnic Artery Aneurysms.

Introduction: Splanchnic artery aneurysms (SAAs) represent a rare and potential life-threatening disease with a documented incidence of 0.1-2.0%.

A randomized clinical trial of the effects of saphenous and perforating veins radiofrequency ablation on venous ulcer healing (VUERT trial).

Objectives: To investigate whether radiofrequency endovenous ablation (RFA) of saphenous and perforating veins increases venous leg ulcer (VLU) healing rates and prevents ulcer recurrence.

Method: This prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled, single-center trial recruited 56 patients with VLU divided into: compression alone (CR, N = 29) and RFA plus compression (RF, N = 27). Primary endpoints were ulcer recurrence rate at 12 months; and ulcer healing rates at 6, 12, and 24 weeks.

Successful endovascular correction of common carotid pseudoaneurysm secondary to Behçet's disease: case report and review of the literature.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystemic, inflammatory disease characterised by recurrent mucocutaneous, ocular, musculoskeletal, central nervous system, gastrointestinal and vascular manifestations, which may affect blood vessels of any size (1). Venous involvement is more common, but arterial involvement accounts for the major cause of mortality (2, 3). Choosing the adequate technique and timing for correcting aneurysms in BD is still challenging.

Endovascular Therapy Provides Similar Results of Bypass Graft Surgery in the Treatment of Infrainguinal Multilevel Arterial Disease in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia in All GLASS Stages.

Background: Extensive infrainguinal arterial disease still pose a challenge for technical and clinical success of percutaneous angioplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of concomitant femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal percutaneous angioplasty/stenting (PTA/S) with distal bypass graft surgery (BGS) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Method: In a single-center retrospective investigation between 2011 and 2017, 668 revascularization procedures for CLTI were reviewed.

Combined Angioplasty Technique of the Carotid Territory and Supra-Aortic Trunk by Double Access (Cervical and Limbs) for Tandem Lesions.

Background: The carotid stent angioplasty (CAS) has been the main option for patients with high cardiovascular risk and carotid stenosis. The common femoral artery is still the most used access site; however, the aortic arch manipulation is a critical moment for cerebral embolization. Carotid transcervical access should be considered as a good alternative access route for CAS.

Prevalence of left renal vein compression (nutcracker phenomenon) signs on computed tomography angiography of healthy individuals.

Objective: We evaluated the frequency of significant left renal vein (LRV) compression, also called the nutcracker phenomenon (NCP), in a normal asymptomatic population.

Methods: The present retrospective descriptive anatomic study analyzed the data from high-definition renal computed tomography (CT) angiography of living kidney donors. A total of 324 CT examinations were evaluated for signs of LRV compression, including the beak sign, aortomesenteric angle <41°, LRV diameter ratio ≥4.

Long-term Results of Endovascular Treatment of Chronic Type B Aortic Dissection by Closure of the Primary Tear.

Background: The role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the treatment of chronic type B aortic dissection is controversial. Some advocate open surgery, based on the premise that all tears must be treated, and others prefer branched endografts with the same premise. However, TEVAR, with closure of the primary tear in the thorax, has shown good results in some centers.