Publications by authors named "Sara Speziali"
Objective: The aim of this prospective monocentric cohort study was to analyze the risk of otolaryngologist-assessed cranial nerve injuries (CNIs) following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in our academic center during a 15-year period, and to identify possible risk factors for CNI development.
Methods: From January 2007 to December 2022, 3749 consecutive CEAs were performed and their data prospectively recorded in a dedicated database. CNIs were assessed and defined according to a standardized protocol.
Objective: Complex endovascular procedures are now recognized as the gold standard treatments for extensive aortic diseases. Bridging stents (covered stents used to couple the aortic graft to the visceral vessels) play a pivotal role, yet there is currently no dedicated device available on the market. The aim of the study was to evaluate the midterm performance of the Gore Viabahn balloon-expandable (VBX) stent graft as a bridging stent for target visceral vessels (TVVs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: To assess the presence, quality and impact of gender-related discrepancies in academic vascular surgery at a national level.
Methods: This was an anonymous national structured nonvalidated cross-sectional survey on gender disparity perceptions, named "I love it when you call me Señorita", distributed to 645 participants from academic Italian vascular centers. Endpoints were related to job-related characteristics, satisfaction, and sexual harassment.
Background: The aim of the present study was to assess early and long-term results of open surgical interventions for popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) with the use of heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluorethylene (HePTFE) in a single center, retrospective, non-comparative cohort study.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained dataset, including 207 open interventions for PAAs between 2002 and 2022, was performed and 170 procedures carried on with the use of a HePTFE graft were found. Perioperative results were analyzed in terms of mortality, graft thrombosis and amputation rates.
Objective: To assess branch vessel outcomes after endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms analyzing possible factors influencing early and long-term results.
Methods: The Italian Multicentre Fenestrated and Branched registry enrolled 596 consecutive patients treated with fenestrated and branched endografts for complex aortic disease from January 2008 to December 2019 by four Italian academic centers. The primary end points of the study were technical success (defined as target visceral vessel [TVV] patency and absence of bridging device-related endoleak at final intraoperative control), and freedom from TVV instability (defined as the combined results of type IC/IIIC endoleaks and patency loss) during follow-up.
Objective: This single-center retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the early and long-term results of endovascular treatment for true visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs). Moreover, a comparison with the results of our previously published historical series of open surgical procedures was performed.
Methods: From January 2008 to December 2021, 78 consecutive patients were treated at our institution for true VAAs.
Background: To retrospectively evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the endovascular treatment of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and chronic kidney disease (CKD) without the need for using iodinated contrast media throughout the diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up pathway.
Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data concerning 251 consecutive patients presenting an abdominal aortic or aorto-iliac aneurysm who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) from January 2019 to November 2022 at our academic institution was performed in order to identify patients with feasible anatomy with respect to manufacturer's instructions for use and with CKD. Patients whose preoperative workout included duplex ultrasound and plain computed tomography for preprocedural planning were extracted from a dedicated EVAR database.
Background: Surgical management of coexisting cardiac disease and extra-cranial carotid artery disease is a controversial area of debate. Thus, in this challenging scenario, risk stratification may play a key role in surgical decision making.
Aim: To report the results of single-stage coronary/valve surgery (CVS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and to identify predictive factors associated with 30-day mortality.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to report an Italian multicenter experience analyzing the incidence and the risk factors associated with spinal cord ischemia (SCI) in a large cohort of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) treated by fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F-/B-EVAR).
Materials And Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing F-/B-EVAR in 4 Italian university centers between 2008 and 2019 were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Spinal cord ischemia, 30 day/in-hospital adverse events, and mortality were assessed as early outcomes.
Background: Evaluation of the impact of aneurysm sac behavior in terms of either stability or shrinkage after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) on long-term clinical outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1483 consecutive patients who underwent EVAR from 1999 to 2021 at our institution. 1037 patients met inclusion criteria (1037/1483, 69.
Purpose: To report a rare case of giant aortic coarctation (CoA)-related descending thoracic aneurysmal degeneration, complicated by an acute aortic dissection.
Case Report: A 57-year-old man referred with acute chest pain to the emergency department. A computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a CoA with a giant post-stenotic descending thoracic aneurysm (14 cm) and a concomitant left subclavian artery (LSA) aneurysm, complicated by an acute type B aortic dissection.
Hybrid operating room represents nowadays an important tool in the management of a constantly increasing number of complex surgical procedures which necessitate appropriate settings in order to be performed safely. We herein present the peculiarities and applications of such a versatile operating environment which is capable of guaranteeing the best performances in terms of equipment and imaging tools respecting the standards of asepsis that a simple angiographic room could not offer. In particular, we focus on its relevance in the field of complex vascular pathology, and on the importance of setting an appropriate management process in order to make the most of its potentialities without sacrificing the not negligible costs connected to it.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To compare results of open and endovascular management of post-carotid endarterectomy (CEA) restenosis.
Methods: This was a retrospective single centre matched case control study. From 2005 to 2015, 148 consecutive interventions for post-CEA restenosis were performed: 80 cases received carotid artery stenting (CAS) and 68 cases received redo CEA.