Gastrointestinal complications and visceral circulation changes after intentional celiac artery embolization during complex endovascular aortic repair.

Objective: Intentional celiac artery embolization (CAE) is an oft-used strategy to extend proximal or distal seal during complex endovascular aortic repair. Prior reports document a wide range of gastointestinal-related complications. However, associated changes in collateral circulation are poorly defined.

Propensity score-matched comparison of EndoSuture vs fenestrated aortic aneurysm repair in treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms with unfavorable neck anatomy.

Background: Hostile aortic neck anatomy is associated with loss of proximal seal and increased late reinterventions. Although both EndoSuture aneurysm repair (ESAR) and fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) are commercially available options for treatment of short neck aneurysms, branch vessel patency is a potential tradeoff for improved seal with FEVAR owing to the incorporation of renovisceral vessels. This study compares the performance of ESAR vs FEVAR in hostile aortic necks.

Sex Related Differences in Perioperative Outcomes after Complex Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Prior studies suggest female sex is associated with worse outcomes after complex endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) due to anatomic differences. Therefore, we aimed to compare 30-day perioperative and long-term outcomes after complex EVAR by sex.

Methods: A single-center retrospective review of consecutive elective and emergent complex EVAR with company-manufactured devices, laser fenestration, snorkel/periscope, or octopus technique was performed from 2012-2023.

Preoperative proteinuria is independently associated with mortality after fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair.

Objective: Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) has become a mainstay in treating complex aortic aneurysms, though baseline patient factors predicting long-term outcomes remain poorly understood. Proteinuria is an early marker for chronic kidney disease and associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but its utility in patients with aortic aneurysms is unknown. We aimed to determine whether preoperative proteinuria impacts long-term survival after FEVAR.

Artificial intelligence in clinical workflow processes in vascular surgery and beyond.

In the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications have exploded in health care. In cardiovascular disease, and vascular surgery specifically, AI tools such as machine learning, natural language processing, and deep neural networks have been applied to automatically detect underdiagnosed diseases, such as peripheral artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In addition to disease detection and risk stratification, AI has been used to identify guideline-concordant statin therapy use and reasons for nonuse, which has important implications for population-based cardiovascular disease health.

Association of Baseline Chronic Kidney Disease Stage With Short- and Long-Term Outcomes After Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) is a well-established treatment approach for juxtarenal and short-neck infrarenal aortic aneurysms. Recommendations and clinical outcomes are lacking for offering FEVAR in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to compare short- and long-term outcomes for patients with none-to-mild versus moderate-to-severe CKD undergoing FEVAR.

Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in amputation risk for patients with peripheral artery disease and diabetes.

Peripheral artery disease and diabetes are highly prevalent diseases and the leading cause of limb loss. Despite advances in medical and surgical techniques, there are stark differences in delivery and outcomes of lower extremity amputation among populations when stratified by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. We reviewed studies from the last 2 decades (1999-2022) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current impact of disparities on the risk for, and management of, lower extremity amputation and offer action items that can optimize health outcomes.

Validity of the Global Vascular Guidelines in Predicting Outcomes Based on First-Time Revascularization Strategy.

Background: The Global Vascular Guidelines (GVG) recommend selecting an endovascular versus open-surgical approach to revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), based on the Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) and wound, ischemia, and foot infection (WIfI) classification systems. We assessed the utility of GVG-recommended strategies in predicting clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective review of first-time lower-extremity revascularizations within a comprehensive limb-preservation program from 2010 to 2018.

Midterm Outcomes in Type A Aortic Dissection Repair With and Without Malperfusion in a Hybrid Operating Room.

Treatment approach to type A aortic dissection with malperfusion, immediate open aortic repair vs upfront endovascular treatment, remains controversial. From January 2017 to July 2021, 301 consecutive type A repairs were evaluated at our institution. Starting in 2019, all type A aortic dissections were performed in a fixed-fluoroscopy, hybrid operating room.

Large Fenestrations Versus Scallops for the Superior Mesenteric Artery during Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Does it Matter?

Background: Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair is an established customized treatment for aortic aneurysms with 3 current commercially available configurations for the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)-a single-wide scallop, large fenestration, or small fenestration, with the scallop or large fenestration most utilized. Outcomes comparing SMA single-wide scallops to large fenestrations with the Zenith fenestrated (ZFEN) device are scarce. As large fenestrations have the benefit of extending the proximal seal zone compared to scalloped configurations, we sought to determine the differences in seal zone and sac regression outcomes between the 2 SMA configurations.

Reintervention does not affect long-term survival after fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair.

Objective: Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) is increasingly used in the treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms and short-neck infrarenal aneurysms. Reinterventions (REIs) occur frequently, contributing to patient morbidity and resource utilization. We sought to determine whether REI affects long-term survival after FEVAR.

Anatomic Factors Contributing to External Iliac Artery Endofibrosis in High-Performance Athletes.

Background: External iliac artery endofibrosis (EIAE) classically presents in cyclists with intimal thickening of the affected arteries. We investigated possible anatomical predisposing factors including psoas muscle hypertrophy, arterial tortuosity, inguinal ligament compression, and arterial kinking via a case-control comparison of symptomatic and contralateral limbs.

Methods: All patients with unilateral EIAE treated surgically at our institution were reviewed.

Bicycle exercise ankle brachial index recovery time as a novel metric for evaluating the hemodynamic significance of external iliac endofibrosis in competitive cyclists.

Subtle radiographic findings can increase the challenge of diagnosing external iliac artery endofibrosis. We evaluated a new metric, the bicycle exercise ankle brachial index recovery time (BART), in a cohort of cyclists with symptomatic external iliac artery endofibrosis. BART was defined as the time required in minutes for the ankle brachial index to return to 0.

Epidemiology of atherosclerotic carotid artery disease.

Atherosclerotic carotid artery disease is a significant cause of stroke in the United States and globally. Its prevalence increases with age and it is more prevalent in men and White and Native-American populations. However, the outcomes related to carotid disease are worse in women and Black patients.

A national post-Match webinar panel improves knowledge and preparedness of medical students interested in vascular surgery training.

Background: The current shortage of vascular surgeons is projected to worsen. Compared with other surgical residency programs, integrated vascular surgery residency (IVSR) offers fewer training positions and attracts fewer applicants. As a result, only a few medical students from each school match into the specialty, and conventional resources like Match panels are not available to students interested in vascular surgery.

Impact of acute kidney injury on long-term outcomes after fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been identified as a common complication after fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/BEVAR), occurring in 5% to 29% of patients. Predictors of AKI and its impact on long-term outcomes remain unknown. We sought to identify independent predictors of AKI and its effect on long-term survival after F/BEVAR.

Fenestrated/Branched Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Using a Supraceliac Aortic Proximal Seal Zone Versus an Infraceliac Aortic Proximal Seal Zone.

Background: Fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/B-EVAR) achieves more extensive proximal seal than conventional infrarenal devices, thereby increasing aneurysm exclusion durability. Optimal seal zone length remains undefined. We assessed relative risks and benefits of extending the proximal seal above the celiac artery.

The Use and Relevance of the Hippocratic Oath in 2015-a Survey of US Medical Schools.

Introduction: We determined the extent and context in which the Hippocratic or other oaths are administered at accredited medical schools in the United States.

Methods: An online survey was used to gather data about oath ceremonies at every allopathic medical school in the US.

Results: Sixty-seven of 141 contacted medical schools (48%) had medical students recite an oath.

Reinterventions after fenestrated or branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Reinterventions after fenestrated or branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/B-EVAR) are sometimes necessary to maintain aneurysm exclusion or endograft and target artery patency. These reinterventions are nontrivial, potentially associated with morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization. Whereas rates, types, and outcomes of reintervention after infrarenal EVAR have been well described, they have not been well described for F/B-EVAR.

Fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using physician-modified endovascular grafts versus company-manufactured devices.

Objective: Fenestrated endografts are customized, patient-specific endovascular devices with potential to reduce morbidity and mortality of complex aortic aneurysm repair. With approval from the U.S.