A Patient with Dysphagia.

We report a case of an uncommon type of dysphagia, due to esophagus compression by an aberrant right subclavian artery. This condition, known as dysphagia lusoria, was first recorded in 1787 by London physician David Bayford.

Management of Peripheral and Truncal Venous Injuries.

Civilian injuries are increasing according to the World Health Organization, and this is attributed mainly to road traffic accidents and urban interpersonal violence. Vascular injuries are common in these scenarios and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Associated peripheral venous trauma is less likely to lead to death and controversy remains whether ligation or repair should be the primary approach.

Rupture after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a multicenter study.

A total of 22 patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) after previous endovascular aortic repair (EVAR; rAAAevar) were presented to 7 referral hospitals in Greece, between January 2006 and April 2012. Type Ia endoleak and endograft migration were identified in 72.7% and 50%, respectively.

Volume of new-onset thrombus is associated with the development of postimplantation syndrome after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of contrast medium volume, inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) patency, and pre-existing as well as new-onset thrombus on the inflammatory response after elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: The study included 87 patients undergoing elective endovascular repair of asymptomatic infrarenal aneurysms between January 2011 and November 2011. The patency of the IMA was determined by preoperative computed tomography angiography; the volume of the contrast medium used during the procedure was measured, and the volumes of chronic mural as well as new-onset thrombus were calculated from the preoperative and postoperative computed tomography angiograms with dedicated imaging software.

Predictors affecting in-hospital mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: a Greek multicenter study.

Background: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is being used with increasing frequency for the treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs), although conflicting results have been reported concerning perioperative mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate potential difference in mortality rates between EVAR and open surgical repair (OSR) and identify independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in rAAAs. This study also aimed to evaluate the Glasgow Aneurysm Score (GAS) in predicting in-hospital mortality.

Association between carotid artery occlusion and ultrasonographic plaque type.

Background: Internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion is associated with acute stroke and carries significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine whether ultrasonographic carotid plaque type may be associated with ICA occlusion.

Methods: Two hundred eleven patients (85% men, mean age 66.

Statins influence long term restenosis and cardiovascular events following carotid endarterectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of statins on carotid restenosis (CR) >50% and future cardiovascular events (CVE), in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Methods: 570 consecutive patients (656 CEAs) operated between 1990 and 2009, were included in this retrospective study. The study cohort was followed for an average of 82 months (median 80, range 12- 180 months).

The impact of endograft type on inflammatory response after endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of endograft type on the inflammatory response after elective endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Methods: From January 2011 to November 2011, we included 100 consecutive patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic aneurysm endovascular repair. Thirteen patients were excluded from the analysis: four with cancer, three with autoimmune disease, two because of recent infection, two who were receiving long-term anti-inflammatory medication, and two because of recent surgery.

Retrograde transpopliteal approach of iliofemoral lesions.

Purpose: Aim of this study is to present our initial experience with the use of the retrograde popliteal artery access in patients with certain anatomic lesions.

Methods: Between September 2008 and September 2010, 24 patients underwent a transpopliteal retrograde subintimal recanalization. Instead of its usage when antegrade recanalization failed, the "facedown" technique was preferred as a first choice in patients with common femoral artery stenosis or occlusion, proximal lesions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) with no stump, severe obesity, tandem iliac, and SFA lesions.

Advances in assessment and management of carotid body tumors.

Evolving technology has the potential to alter the overall management of carotid body tumors (CBTs). We review our 35-year experience emphasizing on novel modalities available in the evaluation and treatment of CBTs. Medical records of 27 CBT patients between 1975 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.

Current role of biomarkers in carotid disease: a systematic review.

Background And Purpose: Accumulating evidence suggests that carotid plaque vulnerability can be used as a determinant of ischemic stroke risk stratification and carotid intervention. Novel markers of high-risk carotid plaque in patients are needed.

Summary Of Review: Advances in cellular and molecular pathophysiology, the demand for accurately predicting carotid risk, and choosing the optimal prevention strategy are stimulating great interest in the development of novel surrogate markers.

Abdominal aortic endograft proximal collapse resulting in aortic aneurysm rupture.

An 82-year-old man was transferred to our emergency department due to acute abdominal pain. He had undergone an endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) six years ago. An intravenous contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed the rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with a large retroperitoneal hematoma.

Conversion to open repair after endografting for abdominal aortic aneurysm: a review of causes, incidence, results, and surgical techniques of reconstruction.

Purpose: To review the incidence, causes, and mortality rates of early and late conversion to open surgery after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods: A systematic search of the English-language literature from 2002 to 2009 was performed by interrogation of the PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases. Studies were included if they: (1) had >100 patients treated with EVAR and (2) provided adequate data to calculate incidence and associated mortality rates.

Acute brucellosis as a cause of infective colitis.

Gastroenterological manifestations of human brucellosis are relatively uncommon. A case of Brucella melitensis infection in a 39-year-old man accompanied by lesions of the colon, observed by colonoscopic and histopathologic examinations, and a brief review of the relevant literature are reported.

Effects of 12 months treatment with L-selenomethionine on serum anti-TPO Levels in Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Objective: We studied the effects of selenium (Se) treatment on serum anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) levels in Greek patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).

Design: We prospectively studied 80 women with HT, median age 37 (range 24-52) years, for 1 year. All patients received 200 microg Se in the form of l-selenomethionine orally for 6 months.