Distal Superficial Femoral Artery Research Articles

Spontaneous superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare case report

Spontaneous femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA) is a rare disease and there are few reported cases. We report a case of a 45 year-old male with painless, non-pulsatile swelling in the medial aspect of left lower thigh, which is gradually increasing in size for a period of 2 months. He had no history of trauma or surgery. CT Angiography confirmed a large pseudoaneurysm of the left distal superficial femoral artery (SFA). Then patient had sudden rupture of the pseudoaneurysm and it was treated surgically by ligation of SFA proximal and distal to pseudoaneurysm with excision of large surrounding hematoma.

Rendezvous-PIERCE technique: establishing a channel through severe calcification in infrainguinal arterial lesions using needle rendezvous

BackgroundSevere calcification often prevents device passage and balloon expansion in cases of lower extremity artery disease. To address this limitation, we introduced a novel calcium modification technique called Rendezvous-PIERCE (R-PIERCE).MethodsA needle was inserted in a retrograde manner and advanced to touch the tip of an antegrade guidewire within the lesion. Then, the guidewire was advanced into the lumen of the needle to achieve partial guidewire externalization, also known as needle rendezvous. The needle was then introduced over the externalized guidewire under wire tension and repeatedly rotated and advanced across the lesion to modify calcified intimal plaques. Notably, this technique can be applied in the opposite direction.ResultsCase 1 involved a 68-year-old male with a calcified occlusion of the anterior tibial artery. An antegrade guidewire reached the midpoint of the occlusion; however, microcatheters and balloons could not pass through the proximal calcification. Therefore, R-PIERCE was used to modify uncrossable lesions. An antegrade 2.5-mm balloon crossed and dilated the lesion, achieving hemostasis at the needle insertion site. The antegrade guidewire successfully crossed the entire lesion and was dilated by the 2.5-mm balloon. Final angiography demonstrated successful flow. In Case 2, an 80-year-old male had a calcified femoropopliteal occlusion. An antegrade guidewire was advanced into the distal superficial femoral artery (SFA); however, no device could follow it. R-PIERCE was performed to modify the calcification from the distal to the medial SFA. The antegrade balloon successfully crossed and dilated obstructed lesions. Furthermore, the antegrade guidewire crossed the entire lesion, and the antegrade balloon was dilated. Final angiography revealed a successful flow without complications.ConclusionsR-PIERCE is useful for modifying complex calcified lesions during the wiring of occlusive lesions.

Superficial Femoral Artery Atherosclerosis Masquerading as Sciatica: Diagnosis and Conservative Management – A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Often misdiagnosed as sciatica, vascular disorders such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can lead to a decreased quality of life. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 44-year-old female referred to physical therapy with diagnosis of right-sided sciatica and L5-S1 degenerative disc disease, reporting right hip pain radiating into the thigh and foot, and worsening calf cramping. Based on inconsistent exam findings with lumbar spine imaging, patient comorbidities, and medication review, there was suspicion of PAD. The patient was referred to vascular surgery with recommendation of arterial ultrasound evaluation per American College of Radiology imaging guidelines. OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP: Arterial duplex revealed moderate arterial insufficiency with right distal superficial femoral artery occlusion. Patient underwent a 12-week supervised exercise program using the Gardner-Skinner Protocol for conservative management. DISCUSSION: Recognizing clinical presentation of arterial pathology, knowledge of imaging guidelines, and interdisciplinary care are essential for optimal management of PAD, particularly in cases with atypical risk factors. JOSPT Cases 2024;4(1):22-29. Epub 8 January 2024. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2024.12102

Technique and early results of percutaneous femoropopliteal bypass with stent graft

ObjectiveWe describe the technique and early results of lower extremity revascularization with total percutaneous bypass using extravascular placement of a stent graft (percutaneous prosthetic bypass). MethodsPatients with severe chronic limb threatening ischemia for whom open or endoluminal repair was either not feasible and or had failed were selected for a pilot study using percutaneous prosthetic bypass. The procedure requires placement of three introducer sheaths in the contralateral common femoral artery, and the ipsilateral proximal and distal superficial femoral arteries (SFAs). A guidewire is placed from the contralateral sheath to the ipsilateral popliteal artery via the two ipsilateral sheaths. Two self-expanding polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents are then placed from the proximal SFA to the distal SFA. ResultsA total of 30 bypasses were performed in 28 patients aged 71 ± 3 years. Of the 28 patients, 16 had severe claudication (Rutherford class 3; 53%) and 14 had critical ischemia (Rutherford class 4-6; 47%). The early results were excellent, with no deaths and one occlusion successfully treated with thrombolysis. No other complications requiring reintervention occurred. The mean follow-up was 25.4 months (range, 3-36 months). The 12- and 36-month Kaplan-Meier survival curve was 100% and 81%, respectively. The primary patency, secondary patency, and freedom from amputation rates were 75% and 75%, 78% and 75%, and 100% and 91%, respectively. ConclusionsFor patients with long lesions and/or failed endovascular treatment, the described technique offers the advantage of a total percutaneous procedure with acceptable early results. If these favorable outcomes are confirmed in larger series with longer follow-up, percutaneous extravascular bypass of the SFA will represent a complementary tool for infrainguinal arterial repair.

The ViaHole technique: a novel approach for recanalizing major side branch occluded by Viabahn stent-graft

IntroductionIn managing arterial rupture, stent-graft implantation may cause limb ischemia by crossing a major branch for hemostasis. The ViaHole technique could circumvent a major branch occlusion.Materials and methodsThe process involved advancing retrograde devices into an occluded major branch by the stent-graft implantation to reach the outer surface of the stent-graft, puncturing the stent-graft with a 20-gauge needle to touch the retrograde device, manipulating the guidewire through the needle hole and externalizing it, advancing the microcatheter into the proximal lumen, catching the microcatheter using an antegrade 4-Fr catheter, inserting an antegrade guidewire into the retrograde microcatheter to cross the stent-graft hole, dilating the lesion and stent-graft hole using a 3.0-mm balloon, and ensuring hemostasis at the puncture site.ResultsA 72-year-old male with a history of stent-grafted treatment for right popliteal aneurysm presented with acute limb ischemia (ALI). The occlusion spanned distal superficial femoral artery to the below-the-knee arteries. Hemostasis was achieved after an unintentional rupture of the proximal posterior tibial artery during surgical thrombectomy by implanting endoluminal stent-grafts instead of surgical bypass due to no distal anastomosis site. However, recurrent ALI occurred three months later. Surgical bypass was again deemed unfeasible due to no run-off. Unsuccessful recanalization attempts of the bilateral tibial arteries led us to perform the ViaHole technique to recanalize the peroneal artery occlusion. Finally. successful revascularization was achieved, and 1-year patency was confirmed.ConclusionsThe ViaHole technique may be valuable for revascularizing a major side branch occluded by stent-graft implantation.

Abstract 11126: Longitudinal MRI-Based Superficial Femoral Artery Velocity Measurements in Peripheral Artery Disease: An Analysis of the Effect of Lipid Modification on Peripheral Artery Disease After Endovascular Intervention Trial (ELIMIT)

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) causes lower extremity dysfunction and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We analyzed longitudinal associations of non-invasive 2-dimensional-phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D-PC-MRI) velocity markers of the distal superficial femoral artery (SFA) with characteristics of PAD. Hypothesis: Longitudinal changes in MRI-based measures of SFA velocity are associated with changes in SFA lumen volumes in PAD. Methods: A total of 33 (11 diabetic, 22 non-diabetic) PAD patients, who completed baseline and 2-year follow-up MRI were included in this secondary analysis of ELIMIT. Electrocardiographically-gated 2D-PC-MRI was performed at a proximal and a distal imaging location of the distal SFA territory. SFA lumen, wall, and total vessel volumes were averaged over all distal SFA MRI slices. Results: Baseline characteristics did not differ between diabetic and non-diabetic PAD patients (Table). Proximal and distal SFA velocity measures did not differ between baseline and 2-years (41.98: IQR (23.58, 72.6) cm/s; vs. 40.31: IQR (26.69, 61.29) cm/s; p=0.30, for maximum SFA velocity). The velocity amplitude (defined as the difference between the SFA minimum and maximum velocity) was significantly lower in the distal compared to the proximal SFA location at both baseline and at the 2-year visit (p=0.003, p<0.001). In a pooled analysis of all 33 PAD patients, the 2-year change of the average SFA velocity was significantly associated with the 2-year change in the averaged SFA lumen volume (beta: 0.00011, r 2 : 0.175, p=0.017). In a subgroup analysis, a similar pattern was observed in diabetic patients (beta: 0.00006, r 2 : 0.714, p=0.001), but not in non-diabetics (beta: -0.000019, r 2 : 0.0095, p=0.68). Conclusion: Longitudinal 2D-PC-MRI SFA velocity changes are associated with 2-year SFA lumen changes. 2D-PC-MRI velocity measures may be of interest in assessing PAD.

Endovascular treatment of Buerger's disease in patients with critical limb ischaemia.

Thromboangitis obliteransis (TAO) is a nonatherosclerotic, inflammatory, occlusive arteritis that affects small and medium-sized arteries, veins and nerves. A large proportion of patients with TAO suffer from claudication, and the ultimate condition is gangrene and limb loss if there is no treatment or the cessation of smoking. Endovascular revascularisations are performed frequently and provide acceptable results in patients who are not suitable for surgery. In this study, we aimed to show our clinical experience in patients with TAO who were treated with endovascular revascularisation. Between January 2014 and March 2020, 18 patients with lower-extremity critical limb ischaemia (CLI) underwent endovascular treatment (ET). Technical details and clinical success at follow up were documented. This study included 18 patients with lower-extremity TAO who presented with CLI and were treated with ET. The mean age of the patients was 38.8 ± 7.3 years. Fifty per cent of patients had pain at rest, 33.7% had minor tissue loss and non-healing ulcers, and 16.7% had major tissue loss on admission. The majority of lesions were located in the peroneal and tibial arteries (n = 13, 72.27percnt;). Two (11.1%) patients had distal superficial femoral artery occlusion concomitant with popliteal artery (PA) lesions, and three (16.7%) had PA occlusion concomitant with peroneal and tibial artery lesions. Re-establishment of antegrade flow in at least one vessel was achieved in 15 (83.3%) patients. Balloon angioplasty was performed in all patients. Plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) was used in nine (60%) patients and drug-eluting balloon (DEB) angioplasty in six (40%). The mean duration of follow up in 15 patient who had undergone successful ET was 21.5 ± 8.1 months. The primary CLI-free rate at 12 and 24 months was 80% (66.7% in all patients). Secondary CLI-free rates at six, 12 and 24 months were 100, 93.3 and 53.3%, respectively. Patients who were active smokers during their follow up had a higher frequency of out-patient clinic consultations (p = 0.03). Controversy has continued on the role of ET in the treatment of TAO. This study shows that ET of TAO had promising primary and secondary patency rates with high technical success and limb-salvage rates.

Delayed presentation of superficial femoral artery (SFA) pseudo aneurysm three month following trauma

This case report describes a rare delayed presentation of posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of superficial femoral artery (SFA). A 22-year-old man presented with a painful expanding mass over the anteromedial aspect of the distal thigh three months after a motor traffic crash. The lump was tender and pulsatile on examination. CT angiogram revealed a pseudoaneurysm of distal SFA. Open surgical repair was done and the recovery was uneventful. It is to emphasize that absence of physical signs of vascular injury on immediate assessment following trauma does not exclude vascular injury and it can manifest as pseudoaneurysms even after months.

Comparison of Longitudinal Skeletal Thigh Muscle Findings With Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease With–Versus–Without Diabetes Mellitus

The aim of this secondary analysis of ELIMIT (The Effect of Lipid Modification on Peripheral Artery Disease after Endovascular Intervention Trial) was to determine longitudinal changes over 24months in skeletal thigh muscle volumes and individual muscle compartments in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) with and without diabetes. A total of 48 patients with available magnetic resonance imaging of the distal superficial femoral artery at baseline and 2years were included in this analysis. Muscle volumes and superficial femoral artery wall, lumen, and total vessel volumes were quantified. Intrareader reproducibility of muscle tracings was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient using a 2-way model. Baseline characteristics were similar between patients with PAD with and without diabetes, except for smoking history (p=0.049), cholesterol levels (p <0.050), and calf walking pain (p=0.049). Interobserver reproducibility of the muscle volume tracings was excellent for all muscle groups (all intraclass correlation coefficients >0.86, confidence interval 0.69 to 0.94). Total muscle and total leg volumes increased significantly between baseline and 24months among patients with PAD without diabetes (31 ± 6.4cm3 vs 32 ± 7.0cm3, p <0.001; 18 ± 4.4cm3 vs 19 ± 4.8cm3, p=0.045), whereas there was no change in patients with PAD and diabetes. Total muscle volume was inversely associated with age and body mass index in patients with PAD both with and without diabetes (p <0.05). In conclusion, magnetic resonance imaging-quantified thigh muscle volumes are highly reproducible and may be of interest in assessing PAD patients with and without diabetes.

Magnetic resonance imaging based superficial femoral artery velocity measurements in peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) causes lower extremity dysfunction and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In this study, we analyzed how non-invasive 2-dimensional-phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D-PC-MRI) measured velocity markers of the distal superficial femoral artery (SFA) are associated with clinical and functional characteristics of PAD. A total of 70 (27 diabetic and 43 non-diabetic) PAD patients were included in this secondary analysis of data collected from the Effect of Lipid Modification on Peripheral Artery Disease after Endovascular Intervention Trial (ELIMIT). Electrocardiographically (ECG)-gated 2D-PC-MRI was performed at a proximal and a distal imaging location of the distal SFA. Baseline characteristics did not differ between diabetic and non-diabetic PAD patients. Claudication onset time (COT) was shorter in diabetic PAD patients compared to non-diabetics (0.56 (inter quartile range (IQR): 0.3, 2.04) minutes vs. 1.30 (IQR: 1.13, 2.15) minutes, p = 0.025). In a pooled analysis of all 70 PAD patients, maximum velocity was significantly higher in the proximal compared with the distal SFA segment (43.97 (interquartile range (IQR): 20.4, 65.2) cm/s; vs. 34.9 (IQR: 16.87, 51.71) cm/s; p < 0.001). The maximum velocities in both the proximal and distal SFA segments were significantly higher in diabetic PAD patients compared with non-diabetics (proximal: 53.6 (IQR: 38.73, 89.43) cm/s vs. 41.49 (IQR: 60.75, 15.9) cm/s, p = 0.033; distal: 40.8 (IQR: 23.7, 71.90) cm/s vs. 27.4 (IQR: 41.67, 12.54) cm/s, p = 0.012). Intra-observer variability, as assessed by intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis, was excellent for SFA mean and maximum velocities (0.996 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.996, 0.997); 0.999 (CI: 0.999, 0.999)). In conclusion, 2D-PC-MRI SFA velocity measures are reproducible and may be of interest in assessing diabetic and non-diabetic PAD patients.

An Unorthodox Vascular Surgical Approach to Save a Limb

A 33 year old male intravenous drug user was referred urgently with right groin haemorrhage and acute limb threatening ischaemia after superficial femoral artery (SFA) puncture. A ruptured SFA pseudoaneurysm was detected by colour duplex ultrasonography. Young age, synchronous presence of abscess (Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates), extensive tissue damage, and lack of appropriate venous conduit favoured an end to end anastomosis (A and B, asterisk) of the profunda femoral artery (PFA) to the distal SFA stump. Meropenem was administered for 21 days and a vacuum assisted closure device helped with wound healing. Using this provocative technique, successful revascularisation and lower limb salvage were achieved.Image 1

Bioartificial pulsatile cuffs fabricated from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes using a pre-vascularization technique

There is great interest in the development of techniques to bioengineer pulsatile myocardial tissue as a next-generation regenerative therapy for severe heart failure. However, creation of thick myocardial grafts for regenerative medicine requires the incorporation of blood vessels. In this study, we describe a new method of constructing a vascular network in vivo that allows the construction of thick human myocardial tissue from multi-layered cell sheets. A gelatin sheet pre-loaded with growth factors was transplanted onto the superficial femoral artery and vein of the rat. These structures were encapsulated together within an ethylene vinyl alcohol membrane and incubated in vivo for 3 weeks (with distal superficial femoral artery ligation after 2 weeks to promote blood flow to the vascular bed). Subsequently, six cardiomyocyte sheets were transplanted onto the vascular bed in two stages (three sheets, two times). Incubation of this construct for a further week generated vascularized human myocardial tissue with an independent circulation supplied by an artery and vein suitable for anastomosis to host vessels. Notably, laminating six cell sheets on the vascular bed in two stages rather than one allowed the creation of thicker myocardial tissue while suppressing tissue remodeling and fibrosis. Finally, the pulsatile myocardial tissue was shown to generate auxiliary pressure when wrapped around the common iliac artery of a rat. Further development of this technique might facilitate the generation of circulatory assist devices for patients with heart failure.

A Novel Clinically Based Classification System for the Profunda Femoris Artery and the Circumflex Femoral Arteries

The profunda femoris artery (PFA) supplies important collateral branches to both the ipsilateral internal iliac artery and the distal superficial femoral artery (SFA). The size and patency of these collateral pathways can determine the risk of pelvic malperfusion, spinal cord ischemia, and lower extremity limb loss following vascular interventions. Despite its importance, the anatomy of the PFA is rarely characterized in clinical studies involving the pelvic or lower extremity circulation. This discussion may be limited by the lack of a comprehensive classification system. Our objective was to describe the most common PFA anatomic variants and present a classification system based on its branching patterns. We dissected 155 fixed and nonfixed femoral artery systems from 88 cadavers. Seventy-seven female and 78 male femoral exposures were performed. Vessel diameters, branch configurations, and relative distances between the inguinal ligament, PFA, lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), and medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) were recorded. The mean diameters of the common femoral artery, SFA, and PFA were 10.3mm, 8.0mm, and 6.9mm in males and 8.9mm, 6.9mm, and 6.1mm in females, respectively (P<0.05). The mean distances from the inguinal ligament for PFA, MCFA, and LCFA were 41mm, 41.7mm, and 52.5mm, respectively. No significant differences were noted relative to laterality or fixation. We developed a clinically applicable classification system based on the orientation of the PFA, LCFA, and MCFA. Six PFA, 5 LCFA, and 5 MCFA variations were identified and ranked by frequency. The 5 most common combinations accounted for 56.1% of our cadaver series. The anatomic orientation of the PFA and its branches is highly variable. We propose a novel classification system of this rich collateral system to facilitate consistent communication in academic and clinical vascular surgery.

Primary lower-limb arterial stent infection managed with resection and In situ bovine pericardial revascularization

Peripheral arterial stent infection is a rare but morbid condition. We present the case of a patient with primary stent infection of his superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery, managed with surgical explant and in situ reconstruction using rifampicin-soaked bovine pericardial tube graft. A 69-year-old man presented with a 3-day history of left groin pain. He had had stents placed into his SFA and popliteal artery in 6 months prior. Duplex ultrasound demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm of the common femoral artery (CFA), with ying-yang flow. A computed tomography angiogram confirmed this pseudoaneurysm, which had a thick rind of nonenhancing soft tissue. Blood cultures were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was taken to the operating theater, and the CFA, profunda femoris artery, and SFA were exposed. After heparinization and clamp control, the pseudoaneurysm was incised, which revealed that the proximal SFA had been completely eroded. All infected tissues were resected. In situ arterial reconstruction was undertaken using a rifampicin-soaked bovine pericardium tube graft. A subsequent positron emission tomography scan revealed high fluorodeoxyglucose uptake around the patients remaining distal SFA and popliteal artery stents. These were explanted in the same manner described above. There is limited evidence regarding the prevention of infection when placing peripheral arterial stents. The Society of Interventional Radiology does not recommend routine prophylactic antibiotics when placing peripheral stents. In situ reconstruction using bovine pericardium is a well-described technique in the management of aortic graft infections, but there is limited experience in its use in a peripheral setting.

Impact of chronic outward force on arterial responses of proximal and distal of long superficial femoral artery stent

BackgroundSelf-expanding nitinol stent (SENS) implantation is commonly oversized in the superficial femoral artery (SFA), and leads to chronic outward force (COF) and in-stent restenosis (ISR). This study aimed to investigate the impact of COF of oversizing SENS on ISR of SFA.MethodsIn patients with implanted SENS in SFA, intimal hyperplasia especially between proximal segment and distal segment was evaluated by quantitative angiography, and the impact of COF on mid-term angiographic outcomes was investigated. In addition, porcine model with implanted SENS was used to evaluate the impact of COF on angiographic and histopathologic outcomes at 1 month. Excised stented arteries were evaluated by histopathologic analysis.ResultsWe analyzed 65 SENS in 61 patients with follow-up angiography at 6 months to 1 year. The baseline diameter was 6.8 ± 0.71 mm and length were 97.0 ± 33.8 mm for the SENS. The ratio of the diameter of the stent to the reference vessel was 1.3 ± 0.24 at the proximal portion and 1.53 ± 0.27 at the distal portion (P < 0.001). In the long SFA stent, stent-to-vessel ratio was significantly higher in the distal stent than in the proximal stent (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.55 ± 0.25, P = 0.001). ISR incidence was higher at the distal stent (37.3% vs 52.6%, P = 0.029). All 11 pigs survived for 4 weeks after SENS implantation. The vessel diameter was 4.04 ± 0.40 mm (control group) vs 4.45 ± 0.63 mm (oversized group), and the implanted stent diameter was 5.27 ± 0.46 mm vs. 7.18 ± 0.4 mm (P = 0.001). The stent-to-vessel diameter ratio was 1.31 ± 0.12 versus 1.63 ± 0.20 (P < 0.001). After 4 weeks, restenosis % was 29.5 ± 12.9% versus 46.8 ± 21.5% (P = 0.016). The neointimal area was 5.37 ± 1.15 mm2 vs. 8.53 ± 5.18 mm2 (P = 0.05). The restenosis % was 39.34 ± 8.53% versus 63.97 ± 17.1% (P = 0.001).ConclusionsCOF is an important cause of restenosis in the distal portion of the SFA stent. Optimal sizing of the SFA stent is important to reduce the incidence of restenosis. Therefore, COF was an important factor of restenosis following distal SFA stenting.

Calcification patterns in femoral and carotid atheromatous plaques: A comparative morphometric study.

This comparative study was designed to focus on the mineral patterns in human atherosclerotic plaques based on quantitative measurements of calcium deposits through the morphometric method. A total of 101 atherosclerotic plaques were harvested by conventional transluminal angioplasty from the carotid artery (CA) and different segments of the femoral-popliteal axis (FPA), fixed in formalin and sent for histological processing. The histological grade of the atherosclerotic plaque and the calcification pattern were evaluated, followed by a morphometric analysis of the mineral deposits. Regarding the localization, the advanced plaques (VII and VIII types) developed predominantly at the level of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) compared to the CA (P<0.001). This significant difference was maintained even if they were divided into low grade (IV and V) and high grade categories (VI, VII and VIII) (P<0.05). Compared with that in the carotid plaques, in the FPA plaques the mineralized surface increased in parallel with the narrowing of the vascular lumen diameter. The image analysis of the total pathological calcification score (pCS) showed a significant difference between the CA plaques and distal SFA (dSFA) plaques (P=0.038) and between the proximal SFA (pSFA) and dSFA plaques (P=0.013). In the case of the simple nodular pattern, calcification occupied significantly larger areas in the plaques developed in the dSFA and popliteal artery (PA) in comparison with the CA plaques (P=0.0007 and P=0.0009). pCSs calculated in plaques with extensive calcification pattern showed a lower value in the CA vs. the pSFA plaques (P=0.004). A less pronounced, but significant difference was observed between the pCS of pSFA and dSFA plaques (P=0.017). Femoral and carotid plaques exhibited different morphology and tendency for calcification. In parallel with the narrowing of the vascular lumen diameter, the mineralized surface increased at the level of different FPA segments. These results suggest that the mechanism is site-specific, and wall structure-dependent.

Prognostic risk factors for loss of patency after femoropopliteal bailout stenting with dual-component stent: results from the TIGRIS Italian Multicenter Registry.

To identify the risk factors associated with patency loss after bailout stenting with third-generation hybrid heparin-bonded nitinol stent of the femoropopliteal segment. Prospective, multicenter, single-arm registry including 156patients (50females, mean age 72 ± 11years) subjected, from February 2017 to December 2018, to provisional stenting with Gore Tigris vascular stent of the distal superficial femoral artery, with or without involvement of the popliteal artery, in 9 different centers. The 194 lesions, with Rutherford score ≥ 3, were stented in case of recoil, dissection or residual stenosis not responding to percutaneous trans-luminal angioplasty (PTA). The follow-up (FU) was performed with clinical evaluation and duplex ultrasound (DUS) at 1, 6 and 12months. The primary patency rate was 99(95%CI 98-100)% at 1 month, 86(80-92)% at 6 months and 81(74-88)% at-12months. After patency loss, 13/23 (56.5%) patients were re-treated, yielding a primary assisted patency of 91(86-96)% at 6 months and 88(82-94)% at 12 months and a secondary patency of 94(90-98)% at 6 months and 90(84-95)% at 12 months. Rutherford score ≥ 4 (p = 0.03) and previous severe treatments (p = 0.01) were identified as risk factors for early patency loss during FU. The involvement of the popliteal artery was not an independent risk factor for loss of patency. The bailout stenting of the femoropopliteal segment with third-generation nitinol stents is a safe and effective option in case of recoil, dissection or residual stenosis not responding to PTA. Critical limb ischemia and history of previous major treatment at the same level are significant prognostic factors for patency loss during FU.

Limb Preservation with Balloon Angioplasty in Critical Limb Threatening Ischemia: A Case Report

Introduction: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a syndrome that represents the end-stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD) that increased the risk of major amputation and cardiovascular events. The initial treatment for CLTI may significantly impact the risk of major amputation or death. Objective: This case report aims to describe limb preservation with balloon angioplasty in a Critical Limb Ischemia patient. Case Presentation: A hypertensive 72-years old female complained of left leg pain followed by a wound on her left toe four months ago. Her toe was amputated, but the wound persists. On physical examination, the pulsation was diminished in her left foot. Duplex ultrasound showed monophasic spectral doppler from left popliteal artery to distal left anterior tibial artery (ATA) and distal posterior tibial artery (PTA). CT-Angiography showed short total occlusion (2cm) at the distal left Superficial Femoral artery (SFA), multiple stenoses with maximal 90% stenosis at the left ATA, and chronic total occlusion at the proximal-mid left posterior tibial artery (PTA). She was diagnosed with CLTI left inferior extremity Fontaine IV Rutherford 5. The angiography result was similar to the CT-angiography result. The patient was successfully treated with plain balloon angioplasty from distal left SFA to distal left ATA and drug-coated balloon angioplasty from the distal left SFA to the popliteal artery. Her wound was also consulted to the surgical department. Conclusion: Appropriate revascularization is fundamental to limb preservation. We successfully perform endovas- cular strategy with TIMI flow 3 from left SFA to distal left ATA and distal PTA in our patient, but we still need further holistic CLTI management.

Arterial and venous injuries: the combined injury conundrum

A 35-year-old man presented to the trauma center with two gunshot wounds to the left thigh that were reportedly from a handgun. Prehospital transport time was about 15 minutes and...

Long-term outcomes of transposed femoral vein arteriovenous fistula for abandoned upper extremity dialysis access

BackgroundThe number and longevity of patients with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis access have continued to increase, leading to challenging situations, including exhausted upper extremity access and severe central venous stenosis. This has led to an increase in the use of alternative access sites, including the lower extremities. The transposed femoral vein arteriovenous fistula for dialysis access is a previously described alternative, although limited data are available on its long-term patency. MethodsPatients treated with a transposed femoral vein fistula were retrospectively reviewed. A transposed femoral vein fistula was created by harvesting the femoral vein and transposing it to the distal superficial femoral artery at the level of the adductor canal. The demographic information, perioperative characteristics, complications, and long-term outcomes were recorded and analyzed. ResultsA total of 21 patients had undergone transposed femoral vein fistula for dialysis access after an average of 5.3 ± 2.8 failed dialysis access procedures and a duration of 6.1 ± 4.9 years from the initiation of dialysis. The average age at the procedure was 53.5 ± 12.8 years. Ten patients (47.6%) had a history of diabetes mellitus and nine (42.9%) had a history of coronary artery disease. Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases, and 16 patients (76.2%) were discharged with anticoagulation therapy. The primary patency at 1, 3, and 5 years was 93%, 74%, and 74%, respectively. The secondary patency at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100%, 89%, and 89%, respectively. Two patients had compartment syndrome requiring fasciotomy, and six patients experienced wound complications. ConclusionsTransposed femoral vein fistula for dialysis access is a viable alternative for patients with an exhausted upper extremity access, with good long-term patency.