Editor's Choice - Sex Specific Differences in the Management of Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To assess sex specific differences in 30 day mortality, length of hospital stay, and adverse neurological events following repair of intact degenerative descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), by either thoracic endovascular (TEVAR) or open repair.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched from 2005 to 2019, using ProQuest Dialog. The reviews were registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017020026) and performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Randomized controlled comparison of cross-sectional survey approaches to optimize follow-up completeness in clinical studies.

Introduction: In outcome research, incomplete follow-up is a major, yet potentially correctable source of bias. Cross-sectional surveys may theoretically increase completeness of follow-up, but low response rates are reported typically. We investigated whether a pre-notification letter improved patient availability for follow-up phone interviews and thereby improved cross-sectional survey yield.

A prospective study on an innovative online forum for peer reviewing of surgical science.

Background: Peer review is important to the scientific process. However, the present system has been criticised and accused of bias, lack of transparency, failure to detect significant breakthrough and error. At the British Journal of Surgery (BJS), after surveying authors' and reviewers' opinions on peer review, we piloted an open online forum with the aim of improving the peer review process.

Morphological suitability for endovascular repair, non-intervention rates, and operative mortality in women and men assessed for intact abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: systematic reviews with meta-analysis.

Background: Prognosis for women with abdominal aortic aneurysm might be worse than the prognosis for men. We aimed to systematically quantify the differences in outcomes between men and women being assessed for repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysm using data from study periods after the year 2000.

Methods: In these systematic reviews and meta-analysis, we identified studies (randomised, cohort, or cross-sectional) by searching MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and grey literature published between Jan 1, 2005, and Sept 2, 2016, for two systematic reviews and Jan 1, 2009, and Sept 2, 2016, for one systematic review.

Management of floating thrombus in the aortic arch.

Objective: Floating aortic thrombus is an underrecognized source of systemic emboli and carries a life-threatening risk of stroke when located in the aortic arch. Optimal treatment is not established in available guidelines. We report our experience in managing floating thrombi in the aortic arch.

Lesion Pattern in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction of Suspected Arterial Origin: An Angiographic Study.

Purpose: To determine the specific lesion pattern of supplying arteries in patients with cardiovascular risk factors suffering from treatment-refractory erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: From May 2012 to August 2013, 26 men (median age 55 years) poorly responsive to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy were evaluated for a possible vascular cause for their ED. The men were examined with penile duplex sonography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

Completeness of Follow-Up Determines Validity of Study Findings: Results of a Prospective Repeated Measures Cohort Study.

Background: Current reporting guidelines do not call for standardised declaration of follow-up completeness, although study validity depends on the representativeness of measured outcomes. The Follow-Up Index (FUI) describes follow-up completeness at a given study end date as ratio between the investigated and the potential follow-up period. The association between FUI and the accuracy of survival-estimates was investigated.

Transcarotid aortic valve-in-valve implantation for degenerated stentless aortic root conduits with severe regurgitation: a case series.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is routinely performed via the transfemoral and the transapical route. Subclavian and direct aortic access are described alternatives for TAVI. Recently, the transcarotid approach has been shown to be feasible among patients with limited vascular access and severe native aortic valve stenosis.

Electrical carotid baroreceptor stimulation.

The Barostim neo ™ system is a novel implantable device that activates the carotid baroreflex. It decreases the sympathetic activity and inhibits the renin system, which results in reduced blood pressure and heart rate. In patients with resistant hypertension, electrically activation of the baroreflex leads to an average decrease in systolic blood pressure of 38, 36, 40 and 53 mmHg at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively.

The role of diameter versus volume as the best prognostic measurement of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Accurate measurement of abdominal aortic aneurysms is necessary to predict rupture risk and, more recently, to follow aneurysm sac behavior following endovascular repair. Up until this point, aneurysm diameter has been the most common measurement utilized for these purposes. Although aneurysm diameter is predictive of rupture, accurate measurement is hindered by such factors as aortic tortuosity and interobserver variability, and it does not account for variations in morphology such as saccular aneurysms.

Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair - Patient Selection and Long-term Outcome Expectations - Current Challenges in 2013.

Endografts for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm were first reported in the late 1980s and commercially available grafts were developed rapidly during the 1990s. This prompted a head-to-head comparison of the new, less invasive, endovascular technology with the existing gold standard of open repair. The first and largest randomised trial of open versus endovascular repair for large aneurysms started in the UK in 1999.

Delayed volume resuscitation during initial management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: In acute traumatic bleeding, permissive arterial hypotension with delayed volume resuscitation is an established lifesaving concept as abridge to surgical control. This study investigated whether preoperatively administered volume also correlated inversely with survival after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA).

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed prospectively collected and validated data of a consecutive cohort of patients with rAAAs (January 2001 to December 2010).

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair as emergency therapy despite suspected aortic infection.

Objectives: To evaluate thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as emergency therapy despite suspected aortic infection.

Methods: Within a 5-year period, we treated 6 patients with a strategy of primary TEVAR despite suspected aortic infection in patients with symptomatic or already ruptured thoracic aortic pathology.

Results: In-hospital mortality was 16.

Self-made pericardial tube graft: a new surgical concept for treatment of graft infections after thoracic and abdominal aortic procedures.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new surgical concept for the treatment of graft infections after operation or endovascular treatment of thoracic, thoracoabdominal, and abdominal aortic diseases.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2011, 15 patients (mean age 72 ± 10 years, 87% men) with prosthetic graft or endovascular graft infection were treated with complete removal of the infected prosthetic material, extensive debridement of the surrounding tissues, and orthotopic vascular reconstruction with self-made xenopericardial tube grafts constructed from a patch. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were evaluated.