Are abdominal aortic aneurysms with hostile neck really unsuitable for EVAR? Our experience.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms with hostile neck, comparing the results with those of patients with ideal anatomical conditions.

Materials And Methods: From January 2005 to December 2013, 300 patients were treated with EVAR at our institution. Patients with a prior Angio-CT scan were included in the study and they were then retrospectively divided into two groups: patients with suitable anatomy that were treated within guidelines of the manufacturers (wIFU: 94 patients, four treated in emergency) and those with unsuitable anatomy that were treated outside of said guidelines (oIFU: 70 patients, 16 treated in emergency).

Quantitative assessment of atrial conduit function: a new index of diastolic dysfunction.

Background: Heart failure (HF) epidemic has increased need for accurate diastolic dysfunction (DD) quantitation. Cardiac MRI can elucidate left atrial (LA) phasic function, and accurately quantify its conduit contribution to left ventricular (LV) filling, but has limited availability. We hypothesized that the percentage of LV stroke volume due to atrial conduit volume (LACV), as assessed using 3D-echocardiography, can differentiate among progressive degrees of DD in HF patients.

Cumulative radiation dose and radiation risk from medical imaging in patients subjected to endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to quantify the cumulative effective dose (CED) of radiation and the dose to relevant organs in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) patients, to assess radiation risks and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) follow-up.

Materials And Methods: The radiation exposures were obtained from 71 consecutive EVAR patients with a follow-up duration ≥1 year. Dose calculations were performed on an individual basis and expressed as effective doses and organ doses.

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms: a single-centre experience.

Purpose: This paper reviews our experience in endovascular treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs) with a large number of patients.

Materials And Methods: From May 2005 to September 2013, 45 patients (43 men and two women; mean age, 74 ± 10 years) with a total of 59 IIAAs underwent endovascular treatment at our institute. We evaluated technical success, long-term patency, early and late complications and overall mortality.

Management of postbiopsy arteriovenous fistulas in transplanted kidneys and effectiveness of endovascular treatment: a single-center experience.

Background: We sought to evaluate the best therapeutic management of postbiopsy arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in transplanted kidneys.

Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2011, we observed 17 cases of postbiopsy AVF in transplanted kidneys (9 asymptomatic; 8 symptomatic). Asymptomatic cases were managed conservatively, while patients with symptomatic AVF underwent endovascular treatment.