Predicting Short-Term Mortality after Endovascular Aortic Repair Using Machine Learning-Based Decision Tree Analysis.

Background: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms by offering a less invasive alternative to open surgery. Understanding the factors that influence patient outcomes, particularly for high-risk patients, is crucial. The aim of this study was to determine whether machine learning (ML)-based decision tree analysis (DTA), a subset of artificial intelligence, could predict patient outcomes by identifying complex patterns in data.

Reduced Muscle Mass and Muscle Quality in Patients with Intermittent Claudication due to Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with reduced muscle mass and quality, but the effects of leg ischemia caused by PAD on muscle quality remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate leg muscle mass and muscle quality in patients with intermittent claudication due to PAD using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Methods: One hundred forty-one patients with intermittent claudication due to PAD who visited Tokyo Medical University Hospital from April 2019 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Influence of Lower Limb Ischemia on Skeletal Muscle Mass Depletion in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the change in skeletal muscle mass over time by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: Patients with symptomatic PAD visiting Tokyo Medical University Hospital between January 2018 and October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. PAD was diagnosed based on ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) < 0.

Association of lower limb ischemia with loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Purpose: The influence of lower limb ischemia on the loss of skeletal muscle mass, which is a prerequisite for sarcopenia, remains poorly studied in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We determined whether or not lower limb ischemia correlates with a loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with PAD.

Methods: The data of 101 patients (202 legs) with PAD were retrospectively analyzed.

Time Course of Leg Edema after Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation for Saphenous Varicose Veins.

Background: The objectives of the study were to quantitatively evaluate leg edema in patients undergoing endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for saphenous varicose veins using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and to elucidate the time course of leg edema after RFA.

Methods: The data of 87 patients with 128 limbs undergoing RFA for saphenous varicose veins in Eniwa Midorino Clinic from April 2018 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Saphenous vein reflux was evaluated by duplex scan.

Relationship Between Serum Eicosapentaenoic Acid to Arachidonic Acid Ratio and Atherosclerotic Risk Factors in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: The eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid ratio (EPA/AA) is attracting attention as a risk factor for peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, there have been few studies investigating the relationship between the EPA/AA ratio and atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with PAD. The purpose of the present study was to analyze atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with PAD to identify those factors associated with a low EPA/AA ratio.

Influence of Superficial Venous Ablation on Deep Venous Dilation and Reflux in Patients With Saphenous Varicose Veins.

Background: To investigate the influence of superficial venous ablation on deep venous dilation and reflux in patients with saphenous varicose veins, and to elucidate the association between superficial venous reflux and deep venous morphology and hemodynamics.

Methods: The data of 154 patients with 223 limbs, who underwent endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the great saphenous vein for primary varicose veins between September 2014 and March 2016 in Eniwa Midorino Clinic, were retrospectively analyzed. Overall venous hemodynamics of the leg, including functional venous volume (VV) and venous filling index (VFI), was assessed using air-plethysmography.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis of leg edema and its association with venous functions in patients with saphenous varicose veins.

Background: To quantitatively evaluate edema of the lower legs in patients with saphenous varicose veins, and to determine the association between leg edema and venous hemodynamics of the lower legs.

Methods: The data of 140 patients with saphenous varicose veins in Eniwa Midorino Clinic from April 2018 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Body composition values, including Body Mass Index, extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) ratio of each leg, and skeletal muscle mass of each leg, were measured by segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer.

Venous hemodynamic improvement after endovenous radiofrequency ablation of saphenous varicose veins.

Background: Endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been a viable treatment option for patients with saphenous varicose veins. The purpose of our study was to assess venous hemodynamic change before and after RFA by using air plethysmography (APG).

Methods: We prospectively analyzed the data of consecutive 91 patients with 124 limbs who underwent RFA for primary varicose veins.

Endovascular Therapy for Femoropopliteal Artery Disease and Association of Risk Factors With Primary Patency: The Implication of Critical Limb Ischemia and TASC II C/D Disease.

The treatment of femoropopliteal artery disease remains controversial, without clear guidelines specifying the indications for endovascular therapy (EVT). Accordingly, we retrospectively examined our experience of using EVT to treat femoropopliteal artery disease. A total of 91 limbs in 82 patients underwent EVT for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery disease.

The Role of Common Femoral Artery Endarterectomy in the Endovascular Era.

Background: The purpose of this study was to review our experiences treating peripheral artery disease (PAD) by common femoral artery endarterectomy (CFE) with and without endovascular therapy (EVT), and to describe the role of CFE in the endovascular era.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a contemporary series of 38 limbs from January 2010 to September 2014. Clinical outcomes of primary patency, assisted primary patency, limb salvage, and survival were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method.

Primary stent placement for iliac artery chronic total occlusions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical and mid-term results of primary stent placement for chronic total occlusions (CTO) of the iliac artery, in comparison to stent placement for iliac artery stenosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 114 consecutive limbs with 24 CTOs and 90 stenoses of the iliac artery that underwent primary stent placement. Primary, assisted primary patency, and limb salvage rates were determined in accordance with the Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines.

Stent placement in the superficial femoral artery for patients on chronic hemodialysis with peripheral artery disease.

Aim: Chronic hemodialysis is associated with a high prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD), and patients on chronic hemodialysis with PAD have an increased risk of critical limb ischemia. The present study assessed the hemodynamic and clinical outcomes of stent placement in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) for patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Methods: Between February 2005 to August 2008, 43 consecutive lower limbs in 42 patients with SFA lesions that were successfully treated by primary stent placement were included in this study.

Fate of varicose veins after great saphenous vein stripping alone.

Aim: The aim of this study was to observe prospectively the clinical sequelae of varicose veins after great saphenous vein (GSV) stripping alone, and to examine whether spontaneous varicose vein regression or disappearance continued for a long period (>3 years).

Methods: Thirty-nine consecutive patients (20 males and 19 females; mean age 57.2), who underwent GSV stripping in Fujita Health University (55 limbs) between November 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003 were enrolled.

Acute submassive pulmonary embolism following varicose vein surgery in a patient receiving hormonal replacement therapy.

Acute pulmonary embolism following varicose vein surgery is reported in a patient receiving hormonal replacement therapy. A 45-year-old woman underwent partial stripping of the greater saphenous vein of her bilateral legs and division of the lesser saphenous vein of her left legs under spinal anesthesia. On the first postoperative day, she complained of severe chest discomfort and collapsed suddenly while walking to the toilet.