Rates of Stroke in Patients With Different Presentations of Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Objective: Carotid artery stenosis may present without the classical symptoms of transient ischaemic attack or stroke but the rates of stroke for these presentations is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the rates of stroke in patients with different presentations of carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted across three Australian vascular centres with low rates of surgical treatment of patients without transient ischaemic attack or stroke.

Immunosuppressive drugs for nontransplant comorbidities are not associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm growth.

Background: In the present study, we examined the association of immunosuppressant drug prescriptions with the growth of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Methods: Participants with an AAA measuring between 30 and 50 mm were recruited from four Australian centers. AAA growth was monitored by ultrasound.

The predictive value of four serum biomarkers for major adverse events in patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to test which of a group of four inflammation and thrombosis biomarkers were independently predictive of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods: A total of 471 participants with a 30- to 54-mm AAA had serum C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and homocysteine measured. The primary outcome was MACE, which was defined as the first occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death.

Cohort Study Examining the Prevalence and Relationship with Outcome of Standard Modifiable Risk Factors in Patients with Peripheral Artery Occlusive and Aneurysmal Disease.

Objective: The aim was to examine the presentation and outcome of patients with peripheral artery occlusive and aneurysmal disease (POAD) in relation to standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs; i.e., hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and smoking).

Urgent Repair of a 17.3 cm Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

We describe a case of delayed presentation of a very large infra-renal inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. This case highlights the importance of early detection and surveillance of aneurysms in rural communities. Definitive management of symptomatic aneurysms is time critical, and any delay such as for the transfer of patients from a rural site can impact patient survival.

Editor's Choice - Cohort Study Examining the Association Between Abdominal Aortic Size and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Aortic and Peripheral Occlusive and Aneurysmal Disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether there were independent associations between abdominal aortic diameter, size index, and height index and the risk of major adverse events in patients referred for treatment of various types of aortic and peripheral occlusive and aneurysmal disease (APOAD).

Methods: In total, 1 752 participants with a variety of APOADs were prospectively recruited between 2002 and 2020 and had a maximum abdominal aortic diameter, aortic size index (aortic diameter relative to body surface area), and aortic height index (aortic diameter relative to height) measured by ultrasound at recruitment. Participants were followed for a median of 4.

Association of Diagnosis of Depression and Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth.

Background: Depression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events but its association with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression is unknown. This study examined if a diagnosis of depression was association with more rapid AAA growth.

Methods: Patients with small AAA measuring between 30 and 50 mm were recruited from surveillance programs at 4 Australian centres.

The Potential Benefits and Costs of an Intensified Approach to Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Lowering in People with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of major vascular events (MVE) and peripheral vascular events (PVE) in people with a small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and model the theoretical benefits and costs of an intensified low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering programme.

Methods: A total of 583 participants with AAAs measuring 30 - 54 mm were included in this study. The control of LDL-C and prescription of lipid lowering drugs were assessed by dividing participants into approximately equal tertiles depending on their year of recruitment into the study.

Association of chronic venous disease with major adverse cardiovascular events.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine whether severe chronic venous disease (CVD) is associated with a greater risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared with mild CVD.

Methods: Participants with CVD were prospectively recruited from outpatient vascular departments at two hospitals in North Queensland, Australia. CVD severity was ascertained by vascular specialists using the CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) classification.

Cohort study examining the relationship between remoteness and requirement for surgery to treat peripheral artery disease at a tertiary hospital in North Queensland.

Objective: To assess whether outcomes of peripheral artery disease (PAD) were related to remoteness from the treating tertiary vascular centre.

Setting And Participants: Participants with a variety of types of occlusive and aneurysmal diseases were recruited from a tertiary hospital in North Queensland, Australia. Remoteness was assessed by residence outside Townsville and estimated distance to the vascular centre.

Control of modifiable risk factors and major adverse cardiovascular events in people with peripheral artery disease and diabetes.

Background: People with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) have a high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Prior research suggests that medical therapies aimed to control modifiable risk factors are poorly implemented in patients with PAD.

Aim: To examine the association between the control of modifiable risk factors, estimated by the novel PAD-medical score, and the incidence of MACE in people with PAD and diabetes.

Outcomes and Costs of Open and Endovascular Revascularisation for Chronic Limb Ischaemia in an Australian Cohort.

Objective: The costs of open and endovascular revascularisation to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) have not been fully established. This study examined the costs of both the index admission and any readmissions to hospital within 30 days of discharge for people having revascularisation at a single centre in Australia.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Survival following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in North Queensland is not associated with remoteness of place of residence.

Objective: To assess whether survival and clinical events following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair were associated with remoteness of residence in North Queensland, Australia.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included participants undergoing elective AAA repair between February 2002 and April 2020 at two hospitals in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia. Outcomes were all-cause survival and AAA-related events, defined as requirement for repeat AAA repair or AAA-related mortality.

Association of Serum Lipoprotein (a) With the Requirement for a Peripheral Artery Operation and the Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in People With Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) concentration and the requirement for peripheral artery disease (PAD) operations or incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Methods and Results A total of 1472 people with PAD presenting with intermittent claudication (n=355), abdominal aortic aneurysm (n=989) or critical limb ischemia (n=128) were prospectively recruited from 4 outpatient clinics in Australia. Lp(a) was measured in serum samples collected at recruitment using an immunoassay.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing the Effect of 24-Week Fenofibrate Therapy on Circulating Markers of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Outcomes From the FAME -2 Trial.

Background There is no drug therapy for abdominal aortic aneurysm ( AAA ). FAME-2 (Fenofibrate in the Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 2) was a placebo-controlled randomized trial designed to assess whether administration of 145 mg of fenofibrate/d for 24 weeks favorably modified circulating markers of AAA. Methods and Results Patients with AAA s measuring 35 to 49 mm and no contraindication were randomized to fenofibrate or identical placebo.

Inositol in the MAnaGemENt of abdominal aortic aneurysm (IMAGEN): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a focal dilation of the abdominal aorta and is associated with a risk of fatal rupture. Experimental studies suggest that myo-inositol may exert beneficial effects on AAAs through favourable changes to biological pathways implicated in AAA pathology. The aim of the Inositol in the MAnaGemENt of abdominal aortic aneurysm (IMAGEN) trial is to assess if myo-inositol will reduce AAA growth.

Circulating biomarkers are not associated with endoleaks after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Endoleak is a common complication of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) but can be detected only through prolonged follow-up with repeated aortic imaging. This study examined the potential for circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), osteoprotegerin (OPG), D-dimer, homocysteine (HCY), and C-reactive protein (CRP) to act as diagnostic markers for endoleak in AAA patients undergoing elective EVAR.

Methods: Linear mixed-effects models were constructed to assess differences in AAA diameter after EVAR between groups of patients who did and did not develop endoleak during follow-up, adjusting for potential confounders.

Paclitaxel-coated balloon reduces target lesion revascularization compared with standard balloon angioplasty.

Objective: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a highly prevalent condition that contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. PAD creates a significant economic burden on health care systems around the world. We reviewed all available literature to provide a meta-analysis assessing the outcome of patients treated with drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) compared with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) through measuring the rate of target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Serum homocysteine is associated with the severity of primary chronic venous disease.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess whether serum homocysteine concentration was associated with the severity of primary chronic venous disease.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 282 primary chronic venous disease patients were enrolled from outpatient vascular services.

Association of impaired fasting glucose, diabetes and their management with the presentation and outcome of peripheral artery disease: a cohort study.

Background: Pre-diabetes and untreated diabetes are common in patients with peripheral artery disease however their impact on outcome has not been evaluated. We examined the association of impaired fasting glucose, diabetes and their treatment with the presentation, mortality and requirement for intervention in peripheral artery disease patients.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 1637 patients with peripheral artery disease, measured fasting glucose, recorded medications for diabetes and categorised them by diabetes status.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm calcification and thrombus volume are not associated with outcome following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objectives: Aortic calcification and thrombus have been postulated to worsen outcome following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). The purpose of this study was to assess the association of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) calcification and thrombus volume with outcome following EVAR using a reproducible, quantifiable computed tomography (CT) assessment protocol.

Methods: Patients with elective EVAR performed between January 2002 and 2012 at the Townsville Hospital, Mater Private Hospital (Townsville) and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) were included if preoperative CTAs were available for analysis.