Hybrid repair of type A aortic dissection after infrarenal endovascular aortic repair and bilateral iliac branched grafts.

Type A dissection is infrequently reported after infrarenal endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Here, we present a case of an EVAR with iliac branch endoprosthesis complicated by type A dissection requiring ascending arch repair. After hemiarch repair, the patient was noted to have residual type B dissection, malperfusion of the left renal artery, and compression of the EVAR with left external iliac limb occlusion.

Early survival benefit of a low-profile endograft in blunt traumatic aortic injury.

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a low-profile thoracic endograft (19-23 French) in subjects with blunt traumatic aortic injury.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter study assessed the RelayPro thoracic endograft for the treatment of traumatic aortic injury. Fifty patients were enrolled at 16 centers in the United States between 2017 and 2021.

Ascending aorta thoracic endovascular aortic repair for infected pseudoaneurysm.

A 70-year-old woman with a bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement for aortic valve endocarditis complicated by recurrent endocarditis and requiring homograft aortic root replacement 10 years earlier had presented at 1 month after her admission for pseudomonal bacteremia with right-sided chest pain. An aortic pseudoaneurysm, identified on computed tomography, was treated with an ascending aorta thoracic endovascular aortic repair using two overlapping abdominal aortic stent grafts in the ascending aorta. Postoperative and follow-up imaging demonstrated exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm with stable positioning of the stent grafts.

Endovascular repair of traumatic axillosubclavian artery injuries.

Gun violence reached a 20-year peak in 2020, with the first-line treatment of axillosubclavian vascular injuries (SAVIs) remaining unknown. Traditional open exposure is difficult and exposes patients to iatrogenic venous and brachial plexus injury. The practice of endovascular treatment has been increasing.

Retrograde Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenting in Case of SMA Shuttering.

This case describes a patient who underwent endovascular repair for an extent V thoracoabdominal aneurysm with planned coverage of the celiac artery. Following deployment of the stent graft, the superior mesenteric artery was shuttered, and the patient subsequently developed signs and symptoms of bowel ischemia. The patient underwent successful retrograde open superior mesenteric artery stenting with resolution of her symptoms.

The Hyperattenuating Crescent Sign Is Not Necessarily a Sign of Impending Aortic Aneurysm Rupture.

Background: The "crescent sign" is a hyperattenuating crescent-shaped region on CT within the mural thrombus or wall of an aortic aneurysm. Although it has previously been associated with aneurysm instability or impending rupture, the literature is largely based on retrospective analyses of urgently repaired aneurysms. We strove to more rigorously assess the association between an isolated "crescent sign" and risk of impending aortic rupture.

Symptomatic duodenal perforation by a Bird's Nest vena cava filter.

This case describes a patient with a permanent Bird's Nest inferior vena cava filter in the setting of spinal cord injury and paraplegia who presented with epigastric pain resulting from duodenal perforation of his filter. After confirming that the patient was stable hemodynamically with normal laboratory values, he underwent open exploration with trimming of the extraluminal struts and wires, leaving the intact filter in place, with resolution of his pain. Although percutaneous removal of inferior vena cava filters is preferred for retrievable filters, this case demonstrates the safety and efficacy of open surgical management for permanent filters, not designed for retrieval.

Unique characteristics of the type B aortic dissection patients with malperfusion in the Vascular Quality Initiative.

Objective: Type B aortic dissection (TBAD) complicated by malperfusion carries high morbidity and mortality. The present study was undertaken to compare the characteristics of malperfusion and uncomplicated cohorts and to evaluate the long-term differences in survival using a granular, national registry.

Methods: Patients with TBAD entered into the thoracic endovascular aortic repair/complex endovascular aortic repair module of the Vascular Quality Initiative from 2010 to 2019 were included.

Effects of dual antiplatelet therapy on graft patency after lower extremity bypass.

Objective: Current guidelines recommend single-agent antiplatelet therapy for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease and consideration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after surgical revascularization. The objective of this study was both to explore prescribing patterns of single antiplatelet therapy vs DAPT after lower extremity bypass surgery and to investigate the effects of antiplatelet therapy on bypass graft patency.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected nonemergent infrainguinal lower extremity bypass operations entered in the national Vascular Quality Initiative (2003-2018) with captured long-term follow-up was performed.

The evolution of open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair at a tertiary care center.

Background: The characteristics of and indications for open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair have evolved over time. We evaluated these trends through the experience at a tertiary care academic center.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for patients undergoing open AAA repair (inclusive of type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms) from 2005 to 2018 at an academic institution.

The use of intravascular ultrasound in the treatment of type B aortic dissection with thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair is associated with improved long-term survival.

Objective: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination is an integral technique used for treating type B aortic dissection (TBAD) because it verifies true lumen access. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of IVUS, to determine factors associated with IVUS use, and to investigate the potential survival benefit associated with IVUS in the treatment of TBAD.

Methods: A retrospective review of TEVARs performed for TBAD in the national Vascular Quality Initiative was performed from January 2010 to August 2018.

Natural History of Nonoperative Management of Grade II Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury.

Background: The morbidity and mortality of thoracic blunt aortic injury (BAI) has been both diminished and revolutionized by the advent of endovascular repair. Nevertheless, the question remains as to what severity of injury requires endovascular repair. We therefore conducted a retrospective analysis of our experience with nonoperative grade II BAI of the thoracic aorta.

Endovascular Therapy of Vascular Trauma-Current Options and Review of the Literature.

Objective: To review the current use of endovascular techniques in trauma.

Summary Background Data: Multiple studies have demonstrated that, despite current guidelines, endovascular therapies are used in instances of arterial trauma.

Methods: The existing literature concerning arterial trauma was reviewed.

Trends in inferior vena cava filter placement and retrieval at a tertiary care institution.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine practice patterns of inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion and retrieval at a tertiary care institution.

Methods: A retrospective review of all IVC filter procedures performed at the University of Pennsylvania and entered into the Penn cohort of the Vascular Quality Initiative registry between January 2013 and September 2017 was performed. Data collected included demographics, venous thromboembolism risk factors, indications for filter placement, and presence and timing of retrieval.

Length of Stay after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Depends on Indication and Acuity.

Background: Length of stay (LOS) is a commonly used metric to optimize value in medical care. Although pathways have been developed for some procedures in vascular surgery to reduce LOS, they do not yet exist for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The purpose of this study is to identify and define the risk factors for prolonged LOS in patients undergoing TEVAR to facilitate pathway development.

Characterization and outcomes of reinterventions in Food and Drug Administration-approved versus trial endovascular aneurysm repair devices.

Objective: Published rates of reintervention after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) range from 10% to 30%. We evaluated a single university center's experience with reinterventions in the context of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and trial devices.

Methods: Retrospective data collection was performed for patients who underwent infrarenal EVAR and required reintervention from 2000 to 2016.

Treating Peripheral Artery Disease in the Wake of Rising Costs and Protracted Length of Stay.

Background: There has been growing scrutiny in the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease due to the utilization of resources to manage this complex patient population. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS > 7 days) following lower extremity bypass using data from the Vascular Quality Initiative as well as to define the additional costs incurred due to prolonged LOS in our health system.

Methods: Summary statistics were performed of patients undergoing lower extremity bypass from 2010 to 2015.

A Case of Acute Ischemic Monomelic Neuropathy and Review of the Literature.

Ischemia monomelic neuropathy is rare and underrecognized complication of hemodialysis access (HA), characterized by diffuse multiple mononeuropathies in the absence of significant clinical ischemia. It is important to diagnose this syndrome early because ligation of the HA is the most accepted treatment to prevent or at least halt irreversible neural dysfunction and therefore, chronic pain and disability. Literature describing this fistulae-related pathology is rare, and we attempt to increase its awareness.

Bilateral reperfusion injury after carotid endarterectomy with contralateral carotid occlusion.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome represents a clinical spectrum characterized by severe unilateral headache, acute changes in mental status, vomiting, seizures, focal neurologic deficits, and, in its most severe form, intracranial hemorrhage. With the exception of one early case report, reperfusion injury to the brain following carotid endarterectomy has been reported only ipsilateral to the side of surgery. We report the unique case of a patient with symptomatic severe right internal carotid artery stenosis and contralateral carotid occlusion who underwent carotid endarterectomy complicated by cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome and associated bilateral intracranial hemorrhage.

Metastatic endometrial sarcoma with inferior vena caval and cardiac involvement: a combined surgical approach.

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with intracaval and intracardiac extension represents a complex and often lethal condition. A case of a 40-year-old woman, who underwent hysterectomy for endometrial stromal sarcoma 4 years previously and developed recurrence with intracaval and intracardiac metastases, is presented. Operative management of resection of the intracaval and intracardiac tumor is described.

Staging the neoaortoiliac system: feasibility and short-term outcomes.

Background: The neoaortoiliac system (NAIS) has gained popularity as a durable procedure for treating aortic graft infections. However, one of the disadvantages has been a long operation that can take up to 10 hours. The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of staging the NAIS procedure with deep vein harvest a day before the aortofemoral bypass and evaluate if staging had any effect on graft patency or morbidity and mortality, or both.

Definitive test to diagnose median arcuate ligament syndrome: injection of vasodilator during angiography.

The diagnosis of median arcuate ligament (MAL) syndrome and its correlation with symptoms has been controversial since the disease entity was described. The authors describe a technique that will identify patients who will benefit from intervention. Eight patients with isolated celiac artery compression from MAL were identified by the authors.

Pseudoaneurysm: a review.

Pseudoaneurysms may arise from any artery in the human body. Most commonly found to involve the femoral artery after angiography, the presentation may vary from being clinically silent to a life-threatening emergency scenario. Recognition of this condition and treatment largely depend on the hemodynamic stability and anatomy of the pseudoaneurysm.