Increased body mass index and vein diameter are associated with incomplete target vein closure following microfoam ablation of incompetent saphenous veins.

Objective: Patient characteristics and risk factors for incomplete or non-closure following thermal saphenous vein ablation have been reported. However, similar findings have not been clearly described following commercially manufactured polidocanol microfoam ablation (MFA). The objective of our study is to identify predictive factors and outcomes associated with non-closure following MFA of symptomatic, refluxing saphenous veins.

Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging quantifies tissue perfusion around foot ulcers.

Objective: Tools that quantify tissue perfusion of the foot are deficient, contributing to the uncertainty in predicting ulcer healing potential. This pilot study aims to quantify peri-wound foot perfusion at various tissue depths using a novel application of pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Ten diabetic patients with neuropathic wounds and 20 healthy volunteers without wounds were recruited.

Preoperative thrombolysis is associated with improved vein patency and functional outcomes after first rib resection in acute Paget-Schroetter syndrome.

Introduction: Most patients with acute Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) present in one of two manners: (1) thrombosis managed initially with thrombolysis and anticoagulation and then referred for surgery, and (2) initial treatment with anticoagulation only and later referral for surgery. Definitive benefits of thrombolysis in the acute period (the first 2 weeks after thrombosis) over anticoagulation alone have not been well reported. Our goal was to compare patients managed with early thrombolysis and anticoagulation followed by first rib resection (FRR) and later postoperative venography with venoplasty (PTA) with those managed with anticoagulation alone followed by FRR and PTA using vein patency assessed with venography and standardized outcome measures.

Endovenous microfoam ablation of below knee superficial truncal veins is safe and effective in patients with prior saphenous treatment across a wide range of CEAP classes.

Objective: Patients requiring thermal or chemical ablation of below knee (BK) truncal veins often have their proximal saphenous veins treated initially and comprise a study population with multilevel, refractory chronic venous insufficiency. The study objective was to assess the outcomes after microfoam ablation of BK truncal and tributary veins in patients with a history of proximal great saphenous vein (GSV) ablation or stripping.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed.

Deep Venous Stenting Improves Healing of Lower Extremity Venous Ulcers.

Background: Long standing, recalcitrant venous ulcers fail to heal despite standard compression therapy and wound care. Stenting of central veins has been reported to assist in venous ulcer healing. This study reports outcomes of deep venous stenting for central venous obstruction in patients with recalcitrant venous ulcers at a single comprehensive wound care center.

Elective Resection of Symptomatic Arteriovenous Fistulae and Grafts in Patients with Functioning Renal Allografts at A High Volume Transplant Hospital.

Objective: Patients with functioning renal allografts may need ligation of pre-existing hemodialysis conduits. Chronic immunosuppression for renal allografts may adversely affect wound healing and perioperative complications following these procedures. We sought to analyze outcomes following elective ligation and resection of symptomatic arteriovenous (AV) access in immunosuppressed patients with renal allografts no longer requiring dialysis at a high-volume renal transplant hospital.

Adjunctive techniques to minimize thrombotic complications following microfoam sclerotherapy of saphenous trunks and tributaries.

Objective: Thrombus extension into the deep venous system following superficial vein chemical ablation with Varithena polidocanol microfoam has been reported. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of intraoperative improved techniques during treatment for patients with symptomatic varicose veins and their impact on extension of thrombus into deep veins.

Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed.

Paneled Saphenous Vein Grafts Compared to Internal Jugular Vein Grafts in Venous Reconstruction after Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: Venous resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy for the excision of pancreatic cancer allows for a more complete resection with negative margins, which increases survival. When the resected vein is greater than 3 cm, reconstruction with an interposition graft is recommended. However, consensus regarding the optimal venous conduit has not been reached.

Contemporary outcomes of elective iliocaval and infrainguinal venous intervention for post-thrombotic chronic venous occlusive disease.

Background: Patients with iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis are at risk for development of post-thrombotic syndrome. Iliac vein stenting has been shown to significantly improve clinical outcomes in patients with venous outflow obstruction, although many studies include a heterogeneous population with several different venous pathologic processes. Our objective was to evaluate the results of iliocaval and infrainguinal venous intervention for venous outflow obstruction due to post-thrombotic chronic venous occlusive disease.

Contemporary outcomes after venography-guided treatment of patients with May-Thurner syndrome.

Objective: Patients with May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) present with a spectrum of findings ranging from mild left leg edema to extensive iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Whereas asymptomatic left common iliac vein (LCIV) compression can be seen in a high proportion of normal individuals on axial imaging, the percentage of these persons with symptomatic compression is small, and debate exists about the optimal clinical and diagnostic criteria to treat these lesions in patients with symptomatic venous disease. We evaluated our approach to venography-guided therapy for individuals with symptomatic LCIV compression and report the outcomes.

Bovine carotid artery (Artegraft) as a hemodialysis access conduit in patients who are poor candidates for native arteriovenous fistulae.

Our experience with bovine carotid artery graft (BCAG) for hemodialysis access (Artegraft, North Brunswick, New Jersey) is presented. A review of all patients who underwent placement of BCAG for hemodialysis access at our institution was performed. Between January 2012 and June 2013, 17 BCAGs were placed in 17 patients.

Management of endovenous heat-induced thrombus using a classification system and treatment algorithm following segmental thermal ablation of the small saphenous vein.

Objective: We evaluated our experience with segmental radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the small saphenous vein (SSV), a less common procedure than great saphenous vein ablation, and developed a classification system and algorithm for endovenous heat-induced thrombus (EHIT), based on modifications of our prior algorithm of EHIT following great saphenous ablation.

Methods: Endovenous ablation was performed on symptomatic patients with incompetent SSVs following a minimum of 3 months of compression therapy. Demographic data, risk factors, CEAP classification, procedure details, and follow-up data were recorded.

A retrospective review of Palmaz stenting of the aortic neck for endovascular aneurysm repair.

Background: To review the aortic neck characteristics, graft types, and technical results of Palmaz stent placement as an adjunct to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: A retrospective review of 110 consecutive EVAR cases identified 18 cases in which Palmaz stents were placed as an adjunct to EVAR. Graft types, hostile aortic neck features (neck diameter: >26 mm, length: <15 mm, angulation: >60°, reverse taper necks), and treatment success were identified.

Optical tissue window: a novel model for optimizing engraftment of intestinal stem cell organoids.

Background: Intestinal malabsorption disorders and short bowel syndrome lead to significant morbidity. We recently demonstrated that grafting of intestinal organoids can grow a bioengineered intestinal neomucosa and cure bile acid malabsorption in rats. Now we have developed a novel system that permits direct observation of intestinal organoids in vivo to optimize conditions for engraftment.

Menin localizes to chromatin through an ATR-CHK1 mediated pathway after UV-induced DNA damage.

Background: Menin is the tumor suppressor protein product of the gene identified in MEN1 syndrome. Evidence suggests menin binds DNA and interacts with proteins implicated in DNA damage pathways. The canonical cellular response to UV-induced DNA damage involves activation of the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase pathway.