The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Intermacs Database Risk Model for Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Background: Statistical risk models for durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation inform candidate selection, quality improvement, and evaluation of provider performance. We developed a 90-day mortality risk model utilizing The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Intermacs Database (STS Intermacs).

Methods: STS Intermacs was queried for primary durable LVAD implants from 1/ 2019 - 9/2023.

Transcatheter vs Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Medicare Beneficiaries with Aortic Stenosis and Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: As percutaneous therapeutic options expand, the optimal management of severe aortic stenosis (AS) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) is being questioned between coronary artery bypass grafting and surgical aortic valve replacement (CABG+SAVR) versus percutaneous coronary intervention and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (PCI+TAVR). We sought to compare perioperative and longitudinal risk-adjusted outcomes between patients undergoing CABG+SAVR versus PCI+TAVR.

Methods: Using the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inpatient claims database, we evaluated all patient age 65 and older with AS and CAD undergoing CABG+SAVR or PCI+TAVR (2018-2022).

Light chain Split Luciferase assay implicates pathological NOTCH3 thiol reactivity in inherited cerebral small vessel disease.

Stereotyped mutations in NOTCH3 drive CADASIL, the leading inherited cause of stroke and vascular dementia. The vast majority of these mutations result in alterations in the number of cysteines in the gene product. However, non-cysteine altering pathogenic mutations have also been identified, making it challenging to discriminate pathogenic from benign NOTCH3 sequence variants.

Lung cancer screening program quality indicators - review & recommendations - An International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Delphi process study.

Introduction: Lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose-computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality in high-risk individuals. Evaluating and monitoring LCS programs are important to ensure and improve quality, efficiency and participant outcomes. There is no agreement on LCS quality indicators (QIs).

Covered Versus Bare Metal Stents in Chronic Mesenteric Ischaemia Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: The main treatment for Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia (CMI) is revascularization, typically achieved through stent angioplasty of the superior mesenteric artery, and in certain cases, the celiac trunk. However, long-term outcomes using bare-metal stents have been less than satisfactory. Therefore, we aimed to compare the performance of covered stents (CS) versus bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients treated for CMI.

Incidence and comparison of postoperative explained and unexplained fever in open aortic repair.

Objective: Fever is a classic symptom in postoperative period, but to our knowledge no study shows exclusively the occurrence of fever after open aortic repair (OAR) and explores the difference between explained and unexplained fever.

Methods: Patients who underwent an OAR between March 2018 to April 2023 in Reims University Hospital were enrolled retrospectively. The primary endpoint was the rate of fever after OAR, which was classed in explained fever group (eFG) or unexplained fever group (uFG).

Comparison of treatment outcomes between graft replacement and aneurysmorrhaphy with graft preservation for type 2 endoleaks after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes between graft replacement and aneurysmorrhaphy with ligation of the aortic side branches for type 2 endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed multicenter data of patients who underwent open surgical conversion, including graft replacement or aneurysmorrhaphy with ligation of the aortic side branches (graft preservation) for the treatment of type 2 endoleaks between 2007 and 2022. The endpoints were postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, overall survival, and reintervention or sac expansion after open surgical conversion.

Vascular research of pig knee from the perspective of comparative medicine.

Objective: Pigs have long been employed as an animal model for knee-related diseases. However, vascular anatomy around the pig knee is rare. The objective of this study was to explore the vascular anatomy around the pig knee from the perspective of comparative medicine.

Benefits of Duplex Ultrasound Surveillance of infra-inguinal bypass grafts and institutional costs of graft failure: a retrospective single-centre study.

Objective: The Achilles' heel of infrainguinal bypass grafts (IIBG) is restenosis. Duplex ultrasound (DUS) surveillance is commonly undertaken to identify restenosis allowing intervention for graft salvage. We report the impact of DUS surveillance on patient outcomes alongside healthcare-associated costs.

Association of Chronic Limb Ischemia Rutherford Classification with Clinical Outcomes Following Lower Extremity Revascularization.

Introduction: The Rutherford Classification for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is used to categorize peripheral artery disease severity through history and physical examination. This study investigated whether higher Rutherford Classification correlates with worse clinical outcomes and could serve as a predictive tool.

Methods: In this prospective single-center study , 252 patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization were followed for three years (2020-2023).

Outcomes of Acute Limb Ischemia at a Large Public Hospital in Brazil: insights before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: This study compared outcomes of patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, hypothesizing that poor outcomes observed during the pandemic have not yet been resolved.

Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center study analyzed ALI patients from 2019 to 2023.

Results: Over five years, 298 patients underwent surgery for ALI at our hospital: 35 had COVID-19 (COVID Group), 132 tested negative (Non-COVID Group), 71 were treated before the pandemic (Pre-COVID Group), and 60 after (Post-COVID Group).

Three-Year Results of Combining Debulking Devices with Drug-coated Balloons for the Treatment of De Novo Femoropopliteal Arteriosclerosis Obliterans.

Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of debulking devices, including directional atherectomy (DA) and excimer laser atherectomy (ELA), when combined with drug-coated balloons (DCB) for treating de novo femoropopliteal atherosclerotic obliterans (ASO). Additionally, to evaluate the long-term outcomes and application status of these different debulking devices.

Methods: Clinical data were collected from patients with femoropopliteal ASO who underwent combined debulking and DCBs at the Vascular Surgery Department of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, China, between January 2018 and January 2023.

The acute management of penetrating carotid artery injuries-A systematic review.

Background: Penetrating carotid artery injuries (CAI) are rare with high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to perform a systematic review of the published literature to evaluate the workup and management of penetrating CAI.

Methods: Studies of acute management of adult trauma patients with penetrating common or internal carotid artery injuries on MEDLINE or EMBASE from 1946 through July 2024 were included following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement methodology.

Pre-induction and post-discharge venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis should be considered in patients after major vascular open abdominal procedures.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant morbidity following major open abdominal surgery. While there are clear recommendations for perioperative and post-discharge VTE chemoprophylaxis in general surgery, guidance for vascular patients is unclear. We compared the incidence of VTE in vascular versus general surgery cases and then investigated the timing of VTE in vascular patients.

Two-Year Outcomes of Excimer Laser Ablation Combined with Drug-Coated Balloon for Treating De novo Lesions and In-Stent Restenosis in Femoropopliteal Artery of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Patients.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of excimer laser ablation (ELA) combined with drug-coated balloon(DCB)in the treatment of Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients with de novo and in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions in the femoropopliteal artery.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center analysis was performed on data collected between January 2017 and December 2021. The study included CLTI patients who underwent treatment with ELA combined with DCB for de novo and ISR lesions in the femoropopliteal artery.

Prescription Stimulant Dispensing to US Children: 2017-2023.

Objective: To evaluate changes in prescription stimulant dispensing to children aged 5 to 17 years associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortage of immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall), which was announced in October 2022.

Methods: We analyzed the 2017 to 2023 IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription Database, which captures 92% of US prescriptions. Using an interrupted time series design, we evaluated level and slope changes in the monthly stimulant-dispensing rate (number of children with stimulant dispensing per 100 000 children) in March 2020 and October 2022.

Family functioning in adolescents and young adults with differences of sex development.

Objective: Family functioning influences various psychosocial outcomes for individuals with pediatric chronic health conditions (e.g., Leeman, J.

Trajectories and predictors of maternal eating behaviors across the first year postpartum: The role of women's childhood trauma in emotional, external and restraint eating.

The first year postpartum is a sensitive time for maternal eating behaviors including emotional, external and restrained eating, which have all been associated with negative health outcomes. Furthermore, among women with a history of trauma, the stress of the postpartum period and early parenting may replicate feelings of helplessness and overwhelm experienced during childhood trauma, which may further contribute to these eating behaviors. Although evidence has shown how mothers eat during this time has long-term implications for infants' eating and health, limited research has characterized eating trajectories and associations with women's history of childhood trauma exposure during this critical period.

Ethanol and the Limitations of the Osmol Gap.

Study Objective: The osmol gap can help detect and manage those with toxic alcohol exposure, and it is altered by all alcohols including ethanol. The optimal correction for ethanol that would allow accurate detection of an alternative alcohol is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess baseline variations in osmol gap, and then to assess the validity of 2 commonly used coefficients (correction factors) for ethanol.

Mechanical Wear of Degraded Articular Cartilage.

Purpose: To evaluate the mechanical wear of cartilage with different types of degradation.

Methods: Bovine osteochondral explants were treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to mimic inflammatory conditions, with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to specifically remove glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), or with collagenase to degrade the collagen network during 5 days of culture. Viscoelastic properties of cartilage were characterized via indentation.

Measurement and Assessment of Head-to-Helmet Contact Forces.

Purpose: To evaluate the population variation in head-to-helmet contact forces in helmet users.

Methods: Four different size Kevlar composite helmets were instrumented with contact pressure sensors and chinstrap tension meters. A total number of 89 volunteers (25 female and 64 male volunteers) participated in the study.