One stage carotid artery stenting and open heart surgery: a novel approach.

Aim: The optimal management of the patients requiring cardiac surgery with simultaneous severe carotid disease remains controversial. The traditional approach involves staged or combined carotid endarterectomy and cardiac surgery. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of carotid stenoses combined with cardiac operations in order to reduce the risk of perioperative stroke.

Synchronous carotid artery stenting and open heart surgery.

Background: The optimal management of the patients requiring cardiac surgery with concomitant severe carotid disease remains a controversy. The traditional approach involves staged or combined carotid endarterectomy and cardiac surgery. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of carotid stenoses concomitantly to cardiac operations to reduce the risk of perioperative stroke.

Endovascular repair of an internal mammary artery to pulmonary artery acquired fistula.

We report on a rare occurrence of an acquired fistula between the left internal mammary artery and the pulmonary artery following coronary artery bypass grafting. Endovascular repair was employed using two polytetrafluoroethylene graft stents for sealing the communication sites, with good results after two years of follow-up.

Preoperative screening and management of carotid artery disease in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is a well-known risk factor for perioperative stroke in cardiac surgery. It is unclear whether preoperative carotid screening should be applied to all patients. Carotid intervention concomitantly with cardiac operations is also controversial.

Stenting of central venous stenoses and occlusions to maintain hemodialysis vascular access.

Background/aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of stenting for the treatment of central arm vein obstructions in hemodialysis patients in order to maintain hemodialysis from the affected side.

Methods: Fifteen self-expanding (8) and balloon expandable (7) stainless steel stents were implanted in 10 hemodialysis patients for the treatment of symptomatic central arm vein obstructions. Thirteen lesions were treated: 6 subclavian, 4 innominate and 3 restenoses.

Management of cervical paragangliomas: review of a 15-year experience.

Background And Aims: Cervical paragangliomas are highly vascular neoplasms and should be considered in the evaluation of all lateral neck masses. The aim of this study is to review an institutional experience in the management of these tumors.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen patients with 14 paragangliomas were treated in our institution during a period of 15 years.

ProCol vascular bioprosthesis for vascular access: midterm results.

Background/aims: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the ProCol vascular bioprostheses as vascular access (VA) material, especially in patients with a history of prior failed access.

Methods: During a 20-month period, 25 arteriovenous (AV) bovine vein grafts were placed in 24 hemodialysis (HD) patients for VA. All patients presented with failed autologous access sites.