Doppler ultrasound surveillance of recently formed haemodialysis arteriovenous fistula: the SONAR observational cohort study.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas are considered the best option for haemodialysis provision, but as many as 30% fail to mature or suffer early failure.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of performing a randomised controlled trial that examines whether, by informing early and effective salvage intervention of fistulas that would otherwise fail, Doppler ultrasound surveillance of developing arteriovenous fistulas improves longer-term arteriovenous fistula patency.

Design: A prospective multicentre observational cohort study (the 'SONAR' study).

Early Ultrasound Surveillance of Newly-Created Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula.

Introduction: We assess if ultrasound surveillance of newly-created arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) can predict nonmaturation sufficiently reliably to justify randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation of ultrasound-directed salvage intervention.

Methods: Consenting adults underwent blinded fortnightly ultrasound scanning of their AVF after creation, with scan characteristics that predicted AVF nonmaturation identified by logistic regression modeling.

Results: Of 333 AVFs created, 65.

Coaching with audiovisual technology in acute-care hospital settings: systematic review.

Background: Surgical coaching programmes are a means of improving surgeon performance. Embedded audiovisual technology has the potential to further enhance participant benefit and scalability of coaching. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate how audiovisual technology has augmented coaching in the acute-care hospital setting and to characterize its impact on outcomes.

Aortic sodium [F]fluoride uptake following endovascular aneurysm repair.

Objective: In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, sodium [F]fluoride positron emission tomography identifies aortic microcalcification and disease activity. Increased uptake is associated with aneurysm expansion and adverse clinical events. The effect of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) on aortic disease activity and sodium [F]fluoride uptake is unknown.

Formalizing the Hidden Curriculum of Performance Enhancing Errors.

Despite its inevitability, error remains an uncomfortable topic for discussion amongst surgeons. There are a range of reasons cited for this; significantly, there is an inextricable link between a surgeon's actions and their patient's outcomes. Attempts to reflect on error are often unstructured and without a defined end point, and modern surgical curricula lack content to guide residents' learning on recognizing and reflecting on sentinel events.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Peripheral and Non-Aortocaval Vascular Trauma in Scotland 2011 - 2018.

Objective: This population based study aimed to examine the demographics, mechanisms, and outcomes of patients in Scotland suffering peripheral and non-aortocaval vascular trauma between 2011 and 2018.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using prospectively collected data derived from the Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG) from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2018. Peripheral and non-aortocaval vascular trauma patients were identified using Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) codes.

F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography in Acute Aortic Syndrome.

Background: Acute aortic syndrome is associated with aortic medial degeneration. F-sodium fluoride (F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) detects microscopic tissue calcification as a marker of disease activity.

Objectives: In a proof-of-concept study, this investigation aimed to establish whether F-NaF PET combined with computed tomography (CT) angiography could identify aortic medial disease activity in patients with acute aortic syndrome.

Open extent IV thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair: 22-year experience of the Scottish National Service.

Background: Since 1999, the Scottish National Service for Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms has offered repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAAs) to a population of 5.5 million people. The open operation most commonly performed by the service is the extent IV TAAA repair.

F-NaF PET/MRI for Detection of Carotid Atheroma in Acute Neurovascular Syndrome.

Background MRI and fluorine 18-labeled sodium fluoride (F-NaF) PET can be used to identify features of plaque instability, rupture, and disease activity, but large studies have not been performed. Purpose To evaluate the association between F-NaF activity and culprit carotid plaque in acute neurovascular syndrome. Materials and Methods In this prospective observational cohort study (October 2017 to January 2020), participants underwent F-NaF PET/MRI.

Endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Management of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been the subject of rigorous scientific scrutiny. Prevalence studies have directed the formation of screening programmes, and observational studies and randomised controlled trials have defined aneurysm growth and treatment thresholds. Pre-emptive intervention with traditional open surgical repair has been the bedrock of improving long-term outcome and survival in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms but it is associated with a significant procedural morbidity and mortality.

Surveillance arterioveNous fistulAs using ultRasound (SONAR) trial in haemodialysis patients: a study protocol for a multicentre observational study.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are considered the best and safest modality for providing haemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease. Only 20% of UK centres achieve the recommended 80% target for achieving dialysis of the prevalent dialysis population via permanent access (as opposed to a central venous catheter). This is partly due to the relatively poor maturation rate of newly created fistulas, with as many as 50% of fistulas failing to mature.

F-Sodium Fluoride Uptake in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: The SoFIA Study.

Background: Fluorine-18-sodium fluoride (F-NaF) uptake is a marker of active vascular calcification associated with high-risk atherosclerotic plaque.

Objectives: In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), the authors assessed whether F-NaF positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) predicts AAA growth and clinical outcomes.

Methods: In prospective case-control (n = 20 per group) and longitudinal cohort (n = 72) studies, patients with AAA (aortic diameter >40 mm) and control subjects (aortic diameter <30 mm) underwent abdominal ultrasound, F-NaF PET-CT, CT angiography, and calcium scoring.

Evidence for Ethylene-Vinyl-Alcohol-Copolymer Liquid Embolic Agent as a Monotherapy in Treatment of Endoleaks.

Objective: Endoleak remains the Achilles heel of endovascular aneurysm repair and the exclusion of Type II endoleaks, in particular, remains challenging. This systematic review presents the evidence for ethylene-vinyl-alcohol-copolymer liquid embolic agent as a monotherapy in the treatment of endoleaks.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for all studies reporting the use of liquid embolic agent as a sole agent in the treatment of endoleaks.

Systematic review of chimney and periscope grafts for endovascular aneurysm repair.

Background: Conventional endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) needs a proximal aortic seal zone that is free from aortic branch vessels. The modified application of conventional EVAR devices using adjuvant chimney or periscope grafts is described as a pragmatic alternative to custom-made fenestrated and branched endografts. This systematic review examined the application and outcomes of chimney or periscope grafts for aortic aneurysm.