A Multicenter Evaluation of Clopidogrel Resistance and Its Role in Predicting Stent Thrombosis in Transcarotid Artery Revascularization.

Background: Clopidogrel resistance testing is not routine prior to transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) and resistance rates are not well described in this setting despite frequent use of periprocedural clopidogrel. We compared 2 resistance testing modalities to determine the relationship between resistance and stent outcomes.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing TCAR at 3 institutions were retrospectively identified.

Improved long-term functional outcomes and mortality of patients with vascular-related amputations utilizing the lower extremity amputation pathway.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery pathways lead to improve perioperative outcomes for patients with vascular-related amputations; however, long-term data and functional outcomes are lacking. This study evaluated patients treated by the lower extremity amputation pathway (LEAP) and identified predictors of ambulation.

Methods: A retrospective review of LEAP patients who underwent major amputation from 2016 to 2022 for Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection stage V disease was performed.

Community-wide feasibility of the Lower Extremity Amputation Protocol amongst vascular amputees.

Background: The Lower Extremity Amputation Protocol (LEAP) is a multidisciplinary enhanced recovery after surgery pathway for vascular amputees. The objective of this study was to examine feasibility and outcomes of community-wide implementation of LEAP.

Methods: LEAP was implemented at three safety net hospitals for patients with peripheral artery disease or diabetes requiring major lower extremity amputation.

International Multi-Institutional Experience with Presentation and Management of Aortic Arch Laterality in Aberrant Subclavian Artery and Kommerell's Diverticulum.

Background: Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) with or without Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) is a rare anatomic aortic arch anomaly that can cause dysphagia and/or life-threatening rupture. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes of ASA/KD repair in patients with a left versus right aortic arch.

Methods: Using the Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium methodology, a retrospective review was performed of patients ≥18 years old with surgical treatment of ASA/KD from 2000 to 2020 at 20 institutions.

Contemporary outcomes after treatment of aberrant subclavian artery and Kommerell's diverticulum.

Objective: Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) and Kommerell's diverticulum (KD) are rare vascular anomalies that may be associated with lifestyle-limiting and life-threatening complications. The aim of this study is to report contemporary outcomes after invasive treatment of ASA/KD using a large international dataset.

Methods: Patients who underwent treatment for ASA/KD (2000-2020) were identified through the Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium, a multi-institutional collaboration to investigate uncommon vascular disorders.

Lower extremity amputation protocol: a pilot enhanced recovery pathway for vascular amputees.

Vascular patients, an inherently older, frail population, account for >80% of major lower extremity amputations (transtibial or transfemoral) in the United States. Retrospective data have shown that early physical therapy and discharge to an acute rehabilitation facility decreases the postoperative length of stay (LOS) and expedites ambulation. In the present study, we sought to determine whether patients treated with the lower extremity amputation protocol (LEAP) will have improved outcomes.

Endovascular treatment of axillosubclavian arterial injuries is a safe alternative to open repair.

Background: Injuries to the axillosubclavian arteries are rare, comprising 5% of all extremity trauma. This study aims to examine contemporary outcomes of traumatic axillosubclavian injuries.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on patients admitted with innominate, subclavian, and/or axillary artery injuries to a level 1 trauma center from 2011 to 2021.

Primary arterial closure after carotid endarterectomy is a safe and expeditious technique in appropriately selected patients.

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) remains a safe and durable operation for both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis, however conflicting evidence exists on the benefit of patch angioplasty and its effects on post-operative outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing CEA from 2011 to 2018 was performed.

Results: Of 851 patients, primary closure was performed in 277 (33%).

Carotid endarterectomy is safe for octogenarians.

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has demonstrated superior results in stroke risk reduction for patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis. However, this benefit has long been questioned for the elderly and high-risk populations. In the present study, we aimed to provide high-volume, single-institution data with long-term follow-up examining the risk factors for postoperative stroke and stroke-free survival stratified by age for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients undergoing CEA.

Thrombotic complications after radiofrequency and cyanoacrylate endovenous ablation: Outcomes of a multicenter real-world experience.

Objective: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) affects >40% of the U.S. population; thus, intervention for symptomatic venous disease comprises a large portion of many vascular practices.

High Rates of Recurrent Revascularization in Acute Limb Ischemia - A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Study.

Background: We queried the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database to review outcomes of acute limb ischemia (ALI) patients following open surgical intervention for ALI.

Methods: A previously validated tool was used to identify ALI patients in NSQIP undergoing open surgical revascularization from 2012 to 2017. Multivariable analysis was performed for the primary outcome of reoperation and secondary outcome of readmission and infection.

Iliac Artery Endoconduits Should be the Preferred Adjunctive Access Procedure to Facilitate Complex Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Iliac artery anatomy can have a dramatic impact on the success of endovascular complex aortic aneurysm (CAA) procedures as endograft delivery systems need to be advanced and manipulated through these access vessels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of iliac artery conduits with emphasizes on open vs endovascular conduits performed to facilitate CAA endovascular repair.

Methods: All patients who had open or endovascular iliac conduits prior to endovascular CAA repair to treat thoracoabdominal, juxtarenal, or suprarenal aneurysms at the University of Colorado Hospital from January 2009 through January 2019 were included.

Risk factors for stroke in penetrating carotid trauma-An analysis from the PROOVIT Registry.

Background: Penetrating carotid injuries are associated with an up to 20% risk of stroke. This study evaluated patients in the American Association for Surgery of Trauma PROspective Observational Vascular Injury Trial, with the aim of determining factors associated with stroke and stroke or death.

Methods: Penetrating extracranial carotid injuries in the American Association for Surgery of Trauma PROspective Observational Vascular Injury Trial registry from 2012 to 2020 were queried.

Critical appraisal of the contemporary use of atherectomy to treat femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease.

Objective: Atherectomy has become increasingly used as an endovascular treatment of lower extremity atherosclerotic disease in the United States. However, concerns and controversies about its indications and outcomes exist. The goal of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the outcomes and complications related to atherectomy to treat femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease.

Contemporary outcomes of traumatic popliteal artery injury repair from the popliteal scoring assessment for vascular extremity injury in trauma study.

Objective: Traumatic popliteal artery injuries are associated with the greatest risk of limb loss of all peripheral vascular injuries, with amputation rates of 10% to 15%. The purpose of the present study was to examine the outcomes of patients who had undergone operative repair for traumatic popliteal arterial injuries and identify the factors independently associated with limb loss.

Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective review of all patients with traumatic popliteal artery injuries from 2007 to 2018 was performed.

Iliac Conduits for Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Pathologies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: The treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm has largely shifted to endovascular techniques. However, severe iliofemoral arterial disease often presents a challenge during these interventions. As a result, iliac conduits have been introduced to facilitate aortic endovascular therapy.

Thrombotic complications of superficial endovenous ablation: a contemporary review of thermal and non-thermal techniques.

Endovenous ablation has become the preferred means to treat superficial venous insufficiency. Ablative technologies have evolved to include a variety of both thermal and non-thermal techniques. The reported thrombotic complications of endovenous heat induced thrombosis (EHIT) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) associated with thermal techniques are low (<2% overall).

Popliteal scoring assessment for vascular extremity injuries in trauma study.

Objective: Traumatic popliteal vascular injuries are associated with the highest risk of limb loss of all peripheral vascular injuries. A method to evaluate the predictors of amputation is needed because previous scores could not be validated. In the present study, we aimed to provide a simplified scoring system (POPSAVEIT [popliteal scoring assessment for vascular extremity injuries in trauma]) that could be used preoperatively to risk stratify patients with traumatic popliteal vascular injuries for amputation.

Massive Pulmonary Embolism with Cardiac Arrest during Routine Tibial Bypass Surgery.

We report the case of a massive pulmonary embolism with intraoperative cardiac arrest in a 48-year-old male during routine surgical tibial bypass successfully managed by catheter-based interventions. Our experience supports the trending shift in pulmonary embolism therapy guidelines to include endovascular approaches and emphasizes the need for vascular surgeons to adapt their training protocols.

The utilization of intravascular lithotripsy to facilitate transcarotid artery revascularization.

Carotid artery disease and stroke account for the second cause of mortality in worldwide. Recently, transcarotid artery stenting (TCAR) has emerged as a treatment modality that carries a very low stroke rate. However, there are limitations to TCAR, such as heavily calcified plaques that might preclude optimal stent expansion.

A systematic review of diagnosis and treatment of acute limb ischemia during pregnancy and postpartum period.

Background: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) carries significant overall morbidity and mortality. Pregnant and postpartum women are physiologically hypercoagulable, but little is known about the impact of ALI in this cohort of patients. The goal of this systematic review was to gather available data on diagnosis and treatment of ALI during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Percutaneous Endovascular Repair of a Ruptured Extent III Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Bilateral Large Common Iliac Aneurysms and Aortocaval Fistula.

Ruptured thoracoabdominal aneurysms (rTAAAs) are rare and carry a significant rate of morbidity and mortality. Aortocaval fistula secondary to rTAAA is even more infrequent. We describe an urgent and staged endovascular treatment of a ruptured extent III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with an aortocaval fistula by performing vena cava stenting to treat aortocaval fistula as a damage control maneuver prior to transfer and subsequent TAAA repair with a physician-modified endograft at a quaternary level hospital.

A predictive grading scale for acute cholecystitis.

Background: Acute cholecystitis presents in a spectrum of severity, where acute disease may be complicated by severe inflammation, gangrene, and perforation. The goal of this study is to outline an evidence-based grading scale that predicts patient outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with a preoperative diagnosis of acute cholecystitis who underwent LC from August 2011 until June 2015 at a tertiary-level hospital was performed.