Centralization Of Vascular Services Research Articles

Impact of Vascular Service Centralization on the Carotid Endarterectomy Pathway: A Study at the Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Vascular Network.

Introduction Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the gold standard intervention for patients experiencing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or embolic strokes with >50% internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis supplying index hemispheric territory. The recommended period for CEA is 14 days post-index event; this period carries a heightened risk for second ischemic events. However, implementation of this stringent timeline often encounters delays stemming from multifaceted factors. The centralization of vascular services, designed to enhance patient care, introduces a paradigm shift. Centralization's efficacy in improving patient outcomes, particularly in the CEA pathway, is a subject of ongoing investigation. Our study aims to discern the impact of centralized services on the timeliness of CEA for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, shedding light on this complex interplay of factors. Methods This retrospective study analyzed CEA data at the Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Vascular Network between January 2021 and June 2023. Eligible patients exhibited symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, with asymptomatic cases; those unfit for surgery or receiving best medical therapy only were excluded. Patients were categorized by their primary referral location: Hub, Spoke-1, or Spoke-2. Demographic and referral data were collected, and timelines from symptom onset to surgery were recorded. Continuous variables were expressed as means and standard deviations, and categorical variables as counts and percentages. Box plots illustrated the relationship between referral origin and surgery timing, and the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) assessed second events. Statistical significance was determined using Fisher's exact and chi-square tests, with p<0.05 indicating significance. Results A total of 148 patients underwent CEA after implementing exclusion criteria. 35.5% (n=53)of patients were referred from the Hub, while 45.6% (n=67)and 18.8% (n=28)were from Spoke-1 and Spoke-2, respectively. 40% (n=59) received CEA within the recommended timeframe, and 15.4% (n=23) experienced a second ischemic event pre-surgery. Time from TIA clinic review to referral was 5.5±8 days and 16.4±20 days from vascular referral to surgery. Patterns of delays were observed, with Spoke-2 exhibiting the most significant delays. Notably, amaurosis fugax and embolic stroke correlated with recurrent ischemic events, emphasizing the importance of timely care in CEA. Conclusion Our study underscores the significant benefits and challenges of the Hub and Spoke model in vascular surgery. The growing referral delays from Spoke sites are concerning, emphasizing the need for a multi-disciplinary team approach within Spoke sites to ensure efficient and standardized care delivery.

Restructuring of the UK Vascular Services: does the hub versus spoke model affect patient mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms?

Background: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are a frequently fatal vascular condition. The centralisation of vascular services in the UK was driven by the positive volume–outcome relationship witnessed within vascular surgery and other major surgical specialities. In 2018, The Get It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme officially recommended the restructuring of vascular services in England to a hub and spoke model where AAA repairs should be performed in higher volume centres, the hub sites. This study aims to assess the mortality rates in patients presenting at hub versus spoke sites in the Merseyside region. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020, identifying 110 patients with a ruptured AAA presenting to hub and spoke sites. We determined if there was any association between mortality and the presenting site. Results: Forty-one patients presented to the hub site (Royal Liverpool University Hospital) and 69 patients to the spoke sites. 81% underwent operative intervention and 19% died in Accident and Emergency or were palliated. 57% of those who underwent an intervention survived. The overall mortality rate in hospital was 53% (58 patients). There was no association between mortality and transfer from a spoke site (p=0.585). Conclusion: This study is concordant with further published data supporting the centralisation of services for ruptured AAA.

Five-Year Management of Vascular Injuries of the Extremities in the “Real-World” Setting in Northeastern Greece: The Role of Iatrogenic Traumas

Vascular trauma comprises a diagnostic and surgical challenge. Aim of this study was to present the vascular traumas treated in our Tertiary Hospital during the last 5 years. We retrospectively reviewed the surgical records of our vascular department and documented the site and type of vascular injuries of the extremities along with the concurrence of musculoskeletal injuries. The type and outcome of surgical interventions were also recorded. Fifty-eight cases of vascular trauma were recorded (39 in the upper and 19 in the lower extremities). Overall, iatrogenic traumas accounted for 41.3% of cases. The arterial injuries of the upper limb were blunt and penetrating in 27% and 67%, respectively. The most affected artery in the upper limb was the radial artery (37.8%), followed by the ulnar artery (27%) and the brachial artery (24.3%). Orthopedic injuries were recorded in 19% of patients. Management involved simple revascularization, bypass operations, patch arterioplasty and endovascular management in 48.7%, 33.3%, 5.1%, and 5.1%, respectively. The most affected site in the lower extremity was the common femoral artery (36.8%) followed by the popliteal artery (21%). Bone fractures were reported in 5 cases (26.3%). The surgical management involved bypass, simple revascularization, patch arterioplasty in 42.1%, 26.3%, and 21%, respectively. Endovascular management was performed in 10.5%. A considerable percentage of iatrogenic vascular injuries was recorded, affecting both the upper and lower limbs. Despite the trend toward centralization of vascular services, a basic service of vascular surgery should be available in most sites to ensure that patients with vascular injuries receive fast and appropriate care.

Immediate Impact of Centralization on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Outcomes for a Vascular Network in the South West of England: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Our aim was to assess the short-term impact of centralization on the outcomes of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a vascular network in the South West of England. The centralization of vascular services has been implemented nationally across the National Health Service to improve patient outcomes. The full impact of these major changes has not yet been fully analyzed. A retrospective cohort study examining outcomes of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, based on prospectively entered National Vascular Registry data, pre and post centralization in the South West of England. The primary outcome was mortality at 30 days. Secondary measures included 30-day morbidity, length of hospital stay, and length of intensive care unit stay. The 30-day mortality was unchanged pre and post-centralization (11% vs 12%, P = 0.84). The 30-day morbidity rate was also unchanged (24% vs 25%, P = 0.83), as was length of intensive care unit stay (3 vs 3 days, P = 0.74). Overall length of stay was not significantly different (8 vs 6 days, P = 0.76). Subgroup analysis of patients with elective, ruptured, and symptomatic aneurysm repair demonstrated no differences in 30-day mortality. There was a significantly shorter stay post-centralization for patients with symptomatic aneurysms (6 vs 12 days pre-centralization, P = 0.012). The process of centralization of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a vascular network was safe for patients and had no immediate impact on outcomes. Longer-term outcome measures and financial data will be required to further assess the benefit of centralization.

The effect of surgeon specialization on outcomes after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Although mortality after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair has steadily declined, operative mortality for a ruptured AAA (rAAA) remains high. Repair of rAAA at hospitals with a higher elective aneurysm workload has been associated with lower mortality rates irrespective of the mode of treatment. This study sought to determine the association between surgeon specialization and outcomes after rAAA repair. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database from 2005 to 2010 was used to examine the 30-day mortality and morbidity outcomes of patients undergoing rAAA repair by vascular and general surgeons. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed for each death and morbidity, adjusting for all independently predictive preoperative risk factors. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. We identified 1893 repairs of rAAAs, of which 1767 (96.1%) were performed by vascular surgeons and 72 (3.9%) were performed by general surgeons. There were no significant differences between patients operated on by general vs vascular surgeons in preoperative risk factors or method of repair. Overall 30-day mortality was 34.3% (649 of 1893). After risk adjustment, mortality was significantly lower in the vascular surgery group compared with the general surgery group (odds ratio [OR], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.86; P = .011). The risk of returning to the operating room (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35-0.97; P = .038), renal failure (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.95; P = .034), and a cardiac complication (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28-0.99; P = .047) were all significantly less in the vascular surgery group. Despite similar preoperative risk factors profiles, patients who were operated on by vascular surgeons had lower mortality, less frequent returns to the operating room, and decreased incidences of postoperative renal failure and cardiac events. These data add weight to the case for further centralization of vascular services.

Improving the outcomes from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: interdisciplinary best practice guidelines

Improving the outcomes from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: interdisciplinary best practice guidelines

P.2.008 Remission of positive symptomatology of a schizophrenic psychosis after the discontinuation of lamotrigine

Although mortality after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair has steadily declined, operative mortality for a ruptured AAA (rAAA) remains high. Repair of rAAA at hospitals with a higher elective aneurysm workload has been associated with lower mortality rates irrespective of the mode of treatment. This study sought to determine the association between surgeon specialization and outcomes after rAAA repair.The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database from 2005 to 2010 was used to examine the 30-day mortality and morbidity outcomes of patients undergoing rAAA repair by vascular and general surgeons. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed for each death and morbidity, adjusting for all independently predictive preoperative risk factors. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test.We identified 1893 repairs of rAAAs, of which 1767 (96.1%) were performed by vascular surgeons and 72 (3.9%) were performed by general surgeons. There were no significant differences between patients operated on by general vs vascular surgeons in preoperative risk factors or method of repair. Overall 30-day mortality was 34.3% (649 of 1893). After risk adjustment, mortality was significantly lower in the vascular surgery group compared with the general surgery group (odds ratio [OR], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.86; P = .011). The risk of returning to the operating room (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35-0.97; P = .038), renal failure (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.95; P = .034), and a cardiac complication (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28-0.99; P = .047) were all significantly less in the vascular surgery group.Despite similar preoperative risk factors profiles, patients who were operated on by vascular surgeons had lower mortality, less frequent returns to the operating room, and decreased incidences of postoperative renal failure and cardiac events. These data add weight to the case for further centralization of vascular services.

Implications of ITU bed non-availability and the centralisation of vascular services in the treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Current U.K. practice

Mortality from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) correlates with time to aortic clamping. Intervention is often delayed by the need to transfer the patient to a tertiary centre due to the nonavailability of a vascular surgeon or, increasingly, the lack of an intensive therapy unit (ITU) bed at the receiving centre. We have used a postal survey to investigate current practice in the management of RAAA in the U.K. in these circumstances.