Background: Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple studies have reported on a significantly higher incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in these patients. Data regarding arterial lesions due to COVID-19 infection are sparse. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of acute arterial ischemic events in hospitalized patients with COVID-19-pneumonia in comparison to patients with non-COVID-19-pneumonia.

Background Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) is associated with degeneration of the ascending aortic media and, opposed to aortic stenosis (AS), associates with ascending aortic aneurysm (AscAA). AscAA is characterized by immune cell infiltration and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular signature of AR-associated degenerative changes and identify possible molecular queues to its association with AscAA development.

Introduction: Within the established method of endovascular aneurysm repair long-term results and device durability are problematic in some devices, with FDA warnings issued for AAA treatment using specific devices.

Background: Despite lack of evidence, guidelines recommend beta-blockers (BB) as first-choice antihypertensive treatment in patients with aortic dissection (AD) type A and B. In this observational study, we estimated the risk of onset of AD in long-term BB users and the mortality in AD survivors between patients treated with and without BB.

Background: The risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) rupture is associated with aneurysm size and growth rate. There is substantial variation in growth rates between individuals. The present study aims to provide a global description of growth rates per intervals of AAA diameter size for individuals in the Spanish population, to understand possible causes of growth rate variability, and to assess practitioners on safe follow-up visits for AAA patients.

We propose the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to locally reduce the expression of endogenous fibrillin-1, as part of a potential gene therapy strategy to slow down ascending aorta aneurysm growth in Marfan syndrome patients. We have overcome the challenges associated with siRNA delivery using oligopeptide end-modified poly(β-amino ester)s polymers (pBAE) as gene carriers. We have found that these cationic polymers electrostatically bound to siRNA can form nanometric and monodisperse polyplexes, suitable for intravenous administration, while exhibiting a high encapsulation efficiency. The resulting positive surface charge of the nanoparticles is necessary for ensuring stability of the complexes and binding to cell surfaces. We have proven the biocompatibility of these polyplexes in vitro, across the different cell types of the aortic wall involved in the fibrillin-1 production. In addition, siRNA nanoparticles specifically decreased the expression of both fibrillin-1 protein and mRNA in vitro, proving to be a valid therapeutic approach for silencing endogenous dysfunctional fibrillin-1 in Marfan syndrome patients. Therefore, we demonstrate that the pBAE polymers can serve as gene delivery vectors to deliver siRNA in vitro to suppress fibrillin-1 expression. This novel therapy is promising as a generic approach in treating aortic aneurysms in patients with Marfan syndrome, in combination with an external source of the functional fibrillin-1 counterpart.

Background: Scarce data is available on the characteristics of the small share of AAAs that do not develop an ILT.

INTRODUCTION: The descending thoracic aorta (DTA) has been used as inflow mostly as a secondary option for revascularization after either graft failure/infection or other intra-abdominal pathologies contraindicating a standard abdominal aortic approach. The objective of this review is to summarize current evidence on the use of this inflow site for revascularization procedures. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic literature search was performed, using PubMed and Embase databases. All literature published in English in the last 30 years was considered. The main goal was to assess the feasibility and practicality of implementing this approach in cases of severe and complex aortoiliac lesions. RESULTS: Our review comprised 11 articles. DTA has been used predominately as a secondary option. The 30-day mortality rate was 4% (9/222). Secondary graft patency at 5-years was generally high across all studies. The use of DTA as inflow has been shown to be a safe and effective option for aorto-iliac reconstruction. CONCLUSION: DTA can be used safely as an inflow for lower-limb revascularization and it remains an important tool in the vascular surgeon's armamentarium.

Introduction: Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a chronic local dilatation of the abdominal aorta, and it is responsible of numerous deaths annually in elderly males, when the aneurysm ruptures. There is no medical treatment to prevent AAA progression. The pathogenesis of AAA is not well characterized. One of the main drivers of the disease is chronic vascular inflammation.