Histological evaluation of the aortic wall response following endovascular aneurysm repair and endovascular aneurysm sealing.

Objective: The Nellix endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) system was developed as an alternative to conventional endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) to minimize endoleaks. A significantly higher failure rate of EVAS may be related to an interaction between the filled endobags and the AAA wall. In general, biological information on aortic remodeling after traditional EVAR is scarce.

The association of depression with mortality and major adverse limb event outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is highly prevalent and associated with poor outcomes. Depression is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Despite evidence showing that depression is common in patients with PAD, less is known about its association with adverse prognostic outcomes.

Association of depression and anxiety disorders with outcomes after revascularization in chronic limb-threatening ischemia hospitalizations nationwide.

Objective: Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), the end stage of peripheral artery disease, often present with comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. The prevalence of these comorbidities in the inpatient context over time, and their association with outcomes after revascularization and resource usage is unknown.

Methods: Using the 2011 to 2017 National Inpatient Sample, two cohorts were created-CLTI hospitalizations with endovascular revascularization and CLTI hospitalizations with surgical revascularization.

A histopathological classification scheme for abdominal aortic aneurysm disease.

Objective: Two consensus histopathological classifications for thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and inflammatory aortic diseases have been issued to facilitate clinical decision-making and inter-study comparison. However, these consensus classifications do not specifically encompass abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Given its high prevalence and the existing profound pathophysiologic knowledge gaps, extension of the consensus classification scheme to AAAs would be highly instrumental.

Protocol for a prospective, longitudinal cohort study on the effect of arterial disease level on the outcomes of supervised exercise in intermittent claudication: the ELECT Registry.

Introduction: Despite guideline recommendations advocating conservative management before invasive treatment in intermittent claudication, early revascularisation remains widespread in patients with favourable anatomy. The aim of the Effect of Disease Level on Outcomes of Supervised Exercise in Intermittent Claudication Registry is to determine the effect of the location of stenosis on the outcomes of supervised exercise in patients with intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease.

Methods And Analysis: This multicentre prospective cohort study aims to enrol 320 patients in 10 vascular centres across the Netherlands.

Evolution of Computed Tomography Imaging the First Year after Endovascular Sealing of Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysms Using the Nellix Device.

Background: The Nellix endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) system is an alternative endovascular treatment option for infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), with a unique appearance on computed tomography angiography (CTA). Normal evolution of post-EVAS CTA appearance follow-up is still largely unknown and important to timely detect eventual complications. The objective is to assess the normal appearance of CTA images 30 days and 1 year after EVAS in 50 consecutive patients.

Long-Term Prognostic Risk in Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease as a Function of the Number of Peripheral Arterial Lesions.

Background: Although patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are known to have an increased risk of adverse prognosis, simple techniques to further risk-stratify PAD patients would be clinically useful. A plausible but unexplored factor to predict such risk would be greater disease burden, manifested as multiple lower extremity lesions. The aim of this study was to examine the association between having multiple versus isolated lower extremity PAD lesions and long-term prognosis.

Validation of pre-procedural aortic aneurysm volume calculations to estimate procedural fill volume of endobags in endovascular aortic sealing.

Background: Endovascular aortic sealing (EVAS) with a sac anchoring endoprosthesis excludes abdominal aortic aneurysms based on polymer filling of endobags. Primary objective was to assess the reliability of pre-procedural computed tomography (CT) scans based calculations of required endobag volume in relation to intraoperative volume of the endobags.

Methods: Forty elective EVAS patients were included.

Gender differences in health status and adverse outcomes among patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Background: Few studies have examined gender differences in health status and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). This study assessed (1) self-reported health status at PAD diagnosis and 12-months later, and explored (2) whether outcomes in women with PAD differ with regard to long-term major adverse events.

Methods And Results: A total of 816 patients (285 women) with PAD were enrolled from 2 vascular clinics in the Netherlands.

Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of venous aneurysms.

Venous aneurysms have been reported in most major veins and are often asymptomatic but can cause serious complications. Three patients with symptomatic venous aneurysms of the internal jugular vein, portal vein, and popliteal vein are presented, and their treatment and outcomes are discussed. Furthermore, presentation and management of the most frequent venous aneurysms, based on available literature, are evaluated.

Determinants of invasive treatment in lower extremity peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Since it is unknown what factors are weighed in a clinician's decision to refer patients with symptomatic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) for invasive treatment, we examined the relationship between health status, lesion location, and site variations and invasive treatment referral ≤1 year following diagnosis in patients with PAD.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study on ambulatory patients that presented themselves at two vascular surgery outpatient clinics. A total of 970 patients with new symptoms of PAD or with an exacerbation of existing PAD symptoms that required clinical evaluation and treatment (Rutherford Grade I) were eligible, 884 consented and were included between March 2006 and November 2010.

Vascular access outcome in the elderly dialysis patient in combination with the quality of life.

Purpose: We performed a retrospective study on hemodialysis fistulae in patients aged 75 years and older.

Methods: Dialysis records of 2 hospitals were searched for patients of 75 years and older who had primary autologous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (RCAVFs) and brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (BCAVFs). Outcome measures were primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates.

A shift toward endovascular repair for vascular complications in lumbar disc surgery during the last decade.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate 2 patients who underwent endovascular repair directly after acute life-threatening vascular injury complicating lumbar disc surgery, and to update an overview of the literature from 2002 to gain insights into characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of this rare, life-threatening complication.

Methods: PubMed was searched for English language studies on vascular injury (lacerations, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysms) complicating lumbar disc surgery by a posterior approach published from 2002. Two cases from the authors' institute were added to the review.

Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial for anterior inguinal hernia repair: transrectus sheath preperitoneal mesh repair compared to transinguinal preperitoneal procedure.

Background: Anterior open treatment of the inguinal hernia with a tension-free mesh has reduced the incidence of hernia recurrence. The Lichtenstein procedure is the current reference technique for inguinal hernia treatment. Chronic pain has become the main postoperative complication after surgical inguinal hernia repair, especially following Lichtenstein.

A clinical evaluation of statin pleiotropy: statins selectively and dose-dependently reduce vascular inflammation.

Statins are thought to reduce vascular inflammation through lipid independent mechanisms. Evaluation of such an effect in atherosclerotic disease is complicated by simultaneous effects on lipid metabolism. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are part of the atherosclerotic spectrum of diseases.

Report of two in situ reconstructions with a saphenous spiral vein graft of Coxiella burnetii-infected aneurysms of the abdominal aorta.

Coxiella burnetii is a rare cause of vascular infections. Yet, Q fever is endemic in the southern part of The Netherlands. This report describes two patients--from the southern part of The Netherlands--with infected aneurysms of the abdominal aorta caused by Coxiella burnetii.

Infected abdominal aneurysm due to Salmonella sepsis: report of a unique case treated using the superficial femoral vein.

We describe a 61-year-old patient with an infected aneurysm of the abdominal aorta due to Salmonella sepsis. Treatment was successful and included aneurysm resection, extensive debridement, and reconstruction of the abdominal aorta using the superficial femoral vein, combined with long-term antibiotic therapy.

Anterior preperitoneal repair of extremely large inguinal hernias: An alternative technique.

Introduction: Standard open anterior inguinal hernia repair is nowadays performed using a soft mesh to prevent recurrence and to minimalize postoperative chronic pain. To further reduce postoperative chronic pain, the use of a preperitoneal placed mesh has been suggested. In extremely large hernias, the lateral side of the mesh can be insufficient to fully embrace the hernial sac.

Self-reported symptoms on questionnaires and anatomic lesions on duplex ultrasound examinations in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Whether a typical patient and symptom profile is associated with proximal or distal lesions in lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is unknown. Knowing which patient characteristics, exertional leg symptoms, and cardiovascular risk profile accompany the anatomic lesion location may facilitate a more tailor-made management of PAD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 701 patients from two vascular surgery outpatient clinics with new-onset symptoms of PAD (Fontaine 2) who underwent duplex ultrasound (DUS) examinations from March 2006 to March 2011.

Younger women with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease are at increased risk of depressive symptoms.

Objectives: Gender disparities, particularly among young women with cardiovascular disease, are a growing cause for concern. Depression is a prevalent and prognostically important comorbidity in peripheral arterial disease (PAD), but its prevalence has not been described as a function of gender and age. Therefore, we compared depressive symptoms at the time of PAD diagnosis and 6 months later by gender and age in PAD patients.

The Tilburg double blind randomised controlled trial comparing inguinal hernia repair according to Lichtenstein and the transinguinal preperitoneal technique.

Background: Anterior open treatment of the inguinal hernia with a tension free mesh has reduced the incidence of recurrence and direct postoperative pain. The Lichtenstein procedure rules nowadays as reference technique for hernia treatment. Not recurrences but chronic pain is the main postoperative complication in inguinal hernia repair after Lichtenstein's technique.

Type D personality and mortality in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study.

Background: Type D personality refers to the tendency to experience negative emotions and to inhibit self-expression in social interaction and has been shown to be an independent predictor of mortality in cardiac disease. Information about the effects of psychological traits on prognosis is lacking in cases of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Objective: To examine whether type D personality predicts all-cause mortality in PAD.

Computed tomography severity index is an early prognostic tool for acute pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a severe disease with unpredictable course and outcomes. It is especially hard to identify early those patients who will have a fulminant course. In a prospective observational study, we tested the hypothesis that the CT Severity Index (CTSI), established within 48hours after admission, is prognostic for morbidity and mortality and can predict the necessity for admission to an ICU.