Editor's Choice - A Systemic Evaluation of the Costs of Elective EVAR and Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Implies Cost Equivalence.

Objective: The suggested high costs of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) hamper the choice of insurance companies and financial regulators for EVAR as the primary option for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. However, arguments used in this debate are impeded by time related aspects such as effect modification and the introduction of confounding by indication, and by asymmetric evaluation of outcomes. Therefore, a re-evaluation minimising the impact of these interferences was considered.

Editor's Choice - Nationwide Analysis of Patients Undergoing Iliac Artery Aneurysm Repair in the Netherlands.

Objective: The new 2019 guideline of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) recommends consideration for elective iliac artery aneurysm (eIAA) repair when the iliac diameter exceeds 3.5 cm, as opposed to 3.0 cm previously.

An association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm beyond smoking: results from a case-control study.

Objectives: It is currently unclear whether the parallels between abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are explained by common risk factors alone, such as cigarette smoking, or by a predetermined cause. Given the persistent controversy with regard to the association between AAA and COPD, we studied this association in depth.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study comparing patients with a small AAA (maximum infrarenal diameter 35-50 mm, n = 221) with controls diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD, n = 87).

A comparison of the Doppler-derived maximal systolic acceleration versus the ankle-brachial pressure index or detecting and quantifying peripheral arterial occlusive disease in diabetic patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Doppler derived maximal systolic acceleration (ACCmax) as a novel technique for evaluating peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) in patients with diabetes mellitus, who are known for a falsely elevated ankle-brachial index (ABI).

Methods: In this retrospective analysis ACCmax was measured at ankle level in a series of 163 consecutive patients referred to the vascular laboratory for initial assessment of PAOD. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of diabetes.

Limited value of digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of cell-based therapy in patients with limb ischemia.

Cell-based therapy has been proposed as a novel strategy for patients with severe peripheral arterial disease by stimulating vascular growth. In clinical studies of this therapy, the emphasis has been on demonstrating recovery of clinical parameters, rather than on evaluation of blood flow recovery. Angiography is still the gold standard for the assessment of lower leg arteries.