Endovascular Group Research Articles

Ten-Year Experience with Repair of Visceral Artery Aneurysms

The aim of this study is to evaluate midterm Results obtained with surgical and endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) and to describe the open and endovascular techniques used to repair these aneurysms. A retrospective review of patients undergoing VAA repair at a single academic tertiary medical center was performed from 2008 to 2017. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, surgical management, and patient outcomes were evaluated. Twenty-seven patients (13 males, 14 females) with a median age of 61 ± 12.9 years underwent a total of 28 surgical or endovascular repairs of VAAs. The pathology of VAAs included 11 splenic artery aneurysms (39.3%), 6 renal artery aneurysms (21.4%), 5 hepatic artery aneurysms (17.9%), as well as 2 aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal artery, celiac artery, and superior mesenteric artery, respectively (7.1%). Four patients (14.8%) presented with symptoms of back pain or abdominal pain, while the majority aneurysms were incidentally found (85.2%). Seventeen aneurysms were repaired by open surgical techniques with ligation, primary repair, or bypass, while 11 aneurysms were treated with endovascular techniques with stent grafts and coiling. All aneurysms were intact at the time of repair with a median size of 2.3 ± 2.2 cm. One-year survival was 100% for patients undergoing open or endovascular repair. Only one patient among the endovascular repair group required reintervention for aneurysmal growth noted on surveillance imaging. The surgical and endovascular techniques used are described. Excellent midterm survival is feasible with open or endovascular repair of VAAs. Due to the potential need for reintervention, long term follow-up imaging is suggested.

Treatment of Extracranial Carotid Artery Aneurysm: Fifteen Years’ Experience at a Single Institution

The purpose of this study is to record our institution's experience in the management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECCAs) over the past 15years. A retrospective chart review was performed on consecutive patients with ECCAs from April 2003 to December 2017. Outpatient and inpatient clinic charts were reviewed. All the patients were treated by open surgery between 2003 and 2008. For other patients, the treatment methods included open surgery, endovascular surgery, and hybrid operations which were dependent on the aneurysm anatomy, as well as conservative management. In open series, a carotid shunt was applied and transcranial color Doppler was selectively used for intraoperative monitoring of cerebral blood flow. The resected aneurysm sacs were tested with hematoxylin and eosin stains. Each case was reexamined one month after the patients were discharged from the hospital. A questionnaire survey, a clinical examination, and duplex ultrasonography or computed tomography angiography imaging were carried out. The patients were then reexamined three and six months after surgery and then annually. Thirty ECCAs were treated in 30 patients-14 men and 16 women, with a mean age of 54±13years. Four types of carotid aneurysms were identified: type I, II, III, and V, with 17, 3, 1, and 9 patients, respectively. From 2003 to 2008, there were eight patients (type I: seven; type II: one), and all were treated by open surgery and one suffered transient cranial nerve palsy. From 2009 to 2017, two patients were treated with conservative management, ten were treated with open surgery, nine were treated with endovascular surgery, and one was treated with hybrid operation. Among the patients who were treated with open surgery, two suffered neck hematoma. All patients recovered well without complications in the endovascular surgery group. Twenty-seven patients presented for follow-up and without contralateral aneurysms or other complications. The optimal treatment of ECCAs is dependent on the morphology of the carotid artery and properties of aneurysms. Open surgical repair is a suitable and safe procedure for type I ECCAs when the aneurysms are concomitant with kinking in the internal carotid artery. Endovascular treatment is an effective alternative to open surgery for false ECCA repair.

Long-term outcomes of conservative treatment and endovascular treatment in patients with symptomatic spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection: a single-center experience

BackgroundSpontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) is a rare vascular disorder, and the treatment strategies remain controversial. This study aimed to compare outcomes of conservative and endovascular treatments in symptomatic patients with SISMAD.MethodsForty-two consecutive SISMAD patients who were admitted to a single center between October 2009 and May 2018 were enrolled in this study. Based on their symptoms, 15 had conservative treatment, and 27 had endovascular treatment. The baseline characteristics, treatments, and follow-up results of the conservative group and endovascular group were analysed.ResultsThe rates of symptom relief were 93.3% in the conservative group and 96.3% in the endovascular group. The procedure-related complications in the endovascular group included one case of pseudoaneurysm formation in the left brachial artery. During the follow-up period (median 28.5 months), a higher proportion of patients in the conservative group had symptom recurrence (42.9% in the conservative group versus 4.8% in the endovascular group, p < 0.001). Four patients in the conservative group and one patient in the endovascular group had additional endovascular intervention during follow-up. Compared with the conservative group, patients in the endovascular group had statistically significantly longer symptom-free survival (p = 0.014) and a higher rate of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) remodeling (p < 0.001).ConclusionsFor symptomatic SISMAD, endovascularly treated patients had a lower rate of symptom recurrence and a higher rate of SMA remodeling in the long term. Prospective, multi-center studies are needed to confirm the long-term outcomes of both treatments.

The Reintervention Index: A New Outcome Measure for Comparative Effectiveness of Lower Extremity Revascularization

Reinterventions after lower extremity revascularization (LER) are common. Current outcome measures assessing durability of revascularization rely on freedom from reintervention but do not account for the frequency of repeated LER. The aim of this study is to compare the reintervention index, defined as the mean number of repeat LER, after open and endovascular revascularization. We hypothesized that endovascular procedures have reduced durability and increased frequency of reinterventions. A retrospective review of the charts of consecutive patients undergoing LER for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in 2013-2014 by multiple specialties in a tertiary care center was performed. Patients were divided into open and endovascular groups based on the first LER procedure performed during the study period. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariable regression was performed to determine factors associated with reintervention. There were 367 patients (Endo=316, Open=51). A total of 211 patients underwent 497 reinterventions (reintervention rate=57.5%, reintervention index=2.35±2.02 procedures [range 1-11]). Patients in the open group were more likely to be smokers (P=0.018) and to have prior open LER (P=0.003), while patients in the endovascular group were older (P<0.001) and more likely to have cardiovascular comorbidities. On follow-up, there was no difference in overall or ipsilateral reintervention rates or reintervention indices between endovascular and open LER. Major amputation was significantly higher after open LER (19.61% vs. 8.54%, P=0.013) but there was no difference in survival (P=0.448). Multivariable analysis did not show a significant relationship between type of procedure and reintervention. The reintervention index provides a measure to assess the frequency of repeat LER. Patients with PAD, in this study, are afflicted with similar extent of reinterventions after open and endovascular LER.

Underutilization of Nonopioid Pain Medication in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

With increased focus on the opioid crisis, it was our goal to describe rates and risk factors for postoperative use of opioids in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair as well as identify pain modalities that are underutilized. We retrospectively analyzed perioperative analgesic prescriptions for endovascular (EVAR) and open AAA repair between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2018. Patients' baseline opioid use, demographics, and medical comorbidities were obtained. The EVAR group was further subdivided into percutaneous (pEVAR) and cutdown (cEVAR) groups. Primary outcomes were postoperative and discharge pain medication prescriptions. Relative rates of opioid prescribing were obtained through the electronic medical record and normalized into morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs). Of the 128 patients analyzed in the entire cohort, 21.8% (n=28) underwent open repair and 78.12% (n=100) underwent EVAR (46 pEVAR, 54 cEVAR). As expected, open repair had increased postoperative pain reported compared to EVAR (2.67±0.75 vs. 0.96±0.19, P<0.01). Adjunctive epidural reduced postoperative pain for open repair (0.77±0.48 vs. 3.50±0.96, P<0.01). EVAR had less postoperative opioid prescriptions compared to open repair (35.0% vs. 77.3%, P<0.01). In the endovascular group, there was no difference between postoperative opioid prescription based on access, pEVAR versus cEVAR (65.8% vs. 80.1%, P=0.11). When stratifying patients by number of cutdowns, patients with bilateral cutdown as opposed to a single cutdown received more opioid prescriptions than pEVAR patients (84.44% vs. 65.8%, P=0.036). Of those receiving opioids, the average MME for open repair was 320.94mg compared to 28.82mg for EVAR (P<0.01). Those undergoing percutaneous repair had significantly less MME use during hospitalization compared to femoral cutdown (17±3.52 vs. 31.90±5.43mg, P<0.01). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and ketorolac, were rarely used in the postoperative period for open or EVAR (8.3% vs 1.1%). Percutaneous EVAR patients reported less pain at discharge compared to cEVAR patients (0.18±0.12 vs. 0.88±0.29, P=0.036). Open and EVAR had comparable low rates of NSAID and acetaminophen prescriptions at discharge. Open patients had longer postoperative length of stay compared to EVAR patients (9.82±1.27 vs. 3.86±0.47, P<0.01). pEVAR had a shorter length of postoperative course compared to cEVAR (3.2±0.26 vs. 4.12±0.30, P<0.01). Patients undergoing EVAR with use of pain medications amounting to <20 MME had a significantly shorter length of stay. This single institutional retrospective study evaluated pain prescription patterns for patients undergoing AAA repair. AAA patients are predominantly treated with opioid pain medications with few adjunctive therapies. Intraoperative epidural and pEVAR may aid in decreasing the total MME used; however, the total number of opioids prescribed is similar for pEVAR and cEVAR despite the difference in approach. Clinicians must consider alternative nonopioid based pain management strategies.

Contemporary Management of Acute Lower Limb Ischemia: Determinants of Treatment Choice.

The role of endovascular procedures in the treatment of acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) is expanding. For treatment, the choice between surgical or endovascular is still debated. The aim of this study was to identify factors that determine the selection of treatment. This study included 307 ALI patients (209 with thrombosis). Patient details, factors affecting the procedure choice, and outcomes were analyzed. The majority of patients were operated on (52.4%). Surgery was more frequent in embolic patients with embolus (odds ratio (OR) 33.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.22–184.19, p < 0.0001), severe ischemia (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.2–2.66, p = 0.0041), and active cancer (OR 4.99; 95% CI 1.26–19.72, p = 0.02). Tibial arteries involvement was negatively related to surgery (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.06–0.95, p = 0.04). The complications and amputation rates were comparable. Reinterventions were more common in the endovascular group (19 (20.2%) vs. 17 (8.9%), p = 0.007). The six-month mortality was higher in the operated patients (12.6% vs. 3.2%, respectively, p = 0.001). The determinants of the treatment path are ischemia severity, concurrent cancer, embolus, and peripheral lesion location. Modification of the Rutherford acute lower limb ischemia classification is required to improve the decision-making in patients with profound ischemia.

Does endovascular therapy change outcomes in nonagenarians with acute ischemic stroke?

Background: Ischemic strokes can be devastating for elderly patients, and randomized control trials of mechanical thrombectomy have shown encouraging results. We present the first analysis of clinical outcomes in nonagenarians with acute ischemic stroke treated with best medical therapy compared to endovascular revascularization therapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 42 patients 90 years or older who were treated for acute ischemic stroke. Modified Rankin scores were calculated immediately post-injury, at discharge, and at 30 days and 90 days following discharge. Student’s t-test and Wald tests were performed to evaluate whether endovascular treatment was associated with modified Rankin Score improvement at discharge, 30 days, or 90 days after discharge. Results: Follow-up data were available for 32/42 (76%) and 20/42 (48%) patients at 30 and 90 days after discharge, respectively. 8/9 (89%) patients who underwent endovascular treatment reached Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale 2b or better with no procedural complications. 12/42 (29%) patients, including four who underwent endovascular treatment, were discharged to hospice or deceased. No significant differences in modified Rankin Score improvement were observed between the endovascular and medical management groups at discharge (p = 0.96), at 30 days (p = 0.63), or at 90 days (p = 0.96). Conclusions: Our analysis shows that revascularization therapy is a safe treatment, but it was not associated with improved functional status in nonagenarians with acute ischemic stroke. Endovascular therapy shows promise, and larger prospective studies are necessary to assess the benefits of revascularization therapy in the elderly population.

Endovascular versus open repair for popliteal aneurysm: a review on limb salvage and reintervention rates

Open repair remains the gold standard technique for popliteal aneurysm repair. However, the endovascular approach has gained increased popularity. Comparison between these techniques remain crucial to aid the physician choice, yet, data on mid-term outcomes lack in the literature. The present review aims to compare the limb salvage and reintervention rates in these different approaches. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify publications on endovascular treatment or open repair of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs). Primary endpoints were reintervention and limb salvage. Twenty-seven studies were selected for analysis describing a total of 5425 patients: 1651 PAAs underwent endovascular repair and 4166 PAAs were treated with open surgery. The technical success rates varied between 83.3% to 100% in the endovascular group and 79% to 100% in the open repair. For endovascular repair, the limb salvage at 1 year ranged between 84.2% and 100%, at 3 years between 88.9% and 100%; and at 5 years between 64.7% and 100%. The reintervention rate at 1 year ranged between 3.7% and 21%, at 3 years between 18.9% and 28%, and at 5 years between 34.5% and 38%. For open repair, the limb salvage varied between 94.3% and 100% at 1 year, 94.5% and 99% at 3 years, and 86.4% to 97% at 5 years. Regarding the reintervention rate, at 1 year was 12.8% and 13%, at 3 years 3.6% and 12%, and at 5 years varied between 15.7% and 30%. Both endovascular and open repair of popliteal aneurysms represent safe options for popliteal aneurysm repair. Yet, on mid-term, open repair is associated with greater limb salvage and fewer reintervention rates. Still, further studies are needed to access the long-term durability of this technique and its suitability in emergency settings.

Microsurgical versus endovascular treatment of spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas with intradural venous drainage: a multicenter study of 81 patients.

Spinal arteriovenous shunts are rare vascular lesions and are classified into 4 types (types I-IV). Due to rapid advances in neuroimaging, spinal epidural AVFs (edAVFs), which are similar to type I spinal dural AVFs (dAVFs), have recently been increasingly reported. These 2 entities have several important differences that influence the treatment strategy selected. The purposes of the present study were to compare angiographic and clinical differences between edAVFs and dAVFs and to provide treatment strategies for edAVFs based on a multicenter cohort. A total of 280 consecutive patients with thoracic and lumbosacral spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) and edAVFs with intradural venous drainage were collected from 19 centers. After angiographic and clinical comparisons, the treatment failure rate by procedure, risk factors for treatment failure, and neurological outcomes were statistically analyzed in edAVF cases. Final diagnoses after an angiographic review included 199 dAVFs and 81 edAVFs. At individual centers, 29 patients (36%) with edAVFs were misdiagnosed with dAVFs. Spinal edAVFs were commonly fed by multiple feeding arteries (54%) shunted into a single or multiple intradural vein(s) (91% and 9%) through a dilated epidural venous plexus. Preoperative modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Aminoff-Logue gait and micturition grades were worse in patients with edAVFs than in those with dAVFs. Among the microsurgical (n = 42), endovascular (n = 36), and combined (n = 3) treatment groups of edAVFs, the treatment failure rate was significantly higher in the index endovascular treatment group (7.5%, 31%, and 0%, respectively). Endovascular treatment was found to be associated with significantly higher odds of initial treatment failure (OR 5.72, 95% CI 1.45-22.6). In edAVFs, the independent risk factor for treatment failure after microsurgery was the number of intradural draining veins (OR 17.9, 95% CI 1.56-207), while that for treatment failure after the endovascular treatment was the number of feeders (OR 4.11, 95% CI 1.23-13.8). Postoperatively, mRS score and Aminoff-Logue gait and micturition grades significantly improved in edAVFs with a median follow-up of 31 months. Spinal epidural AVFs with intradural venous drainage are a distinct entity and may be classified as type V spinal vascular malformations. Based on the largest multicenter cohort, this study showed that primary microsurgery was superior to endovascular treatment for initial treatment success in patients with spinal edAVFs.

Amputation-free survival, limb symptom alleviation, and reintervention rates after open and endovascular revascularization of femoropopliteal lesions in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia

BackgroundThe optimal strategy for revascularization in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is not yet completely known and is still under debate. Endovascular treatment methods predominate despite limited evidence for their advantage. In this concurrent, prospective observational cohort study, we investigated outcomes after open and endovascular revascularization in the femoropopliteal segment for CLTI. MethodsBetween March 2011 and January 2015, there were 190 patients presenting with CLTI with the principal target lesion in the superficial femoral or popliteal segment who underwent endovascular intervention (n = 117) or bypass surgery (n = 73) and were observed prospectively. The choice of revascularization technique was based on international and local guidelines. All patients were observed for 2 years. The primary end point was amputation-free survival (AFS) assessed with Kaplan-Meier estimates; secondary end points included CLTI symptom alleviation rates and reintervention rates. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to investigate risk factors for amputation and death. ResultsAFS at 2 years was 59% in the endovascular group and 76% in the bypass group (P = .020). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed a significant difference in AFS, with mortality rate as the main driver for the observed intergroup AFS difference. In sequential multivariable regression analysis, the observed difference in AFS between the groups favored bypass surgery and remained significant after controlling for covariates of known prognostic importance (hazard ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.96). At 2 years, a higher proportion of patients subjected to bypass surgery remained free from ischemic rest pain, wounds, and gangrene (65% vs 45%; P = .009). The proportions of patients who underwent reintervention within 2 years were similar in the two groups (38% vs 39%; P = .90), but repeated reinterventions were more frequent in the bypass group. ConclusionsAt 2 years, bypass surgery was associated with higher AFS than endovascular intervention, a finding that could not be explained only by differences in case mix. More patients who had bypass surgery were free from CLTI symptoms at both 1 year and 2 years after revascularization. Reinterventions to maintain patency were equally common after bypass and endovascular intervention.

Fusiform aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar complex: a single-center series.

Fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms (FVBAs) may exhibit a disastrous clinical course. Due to their rare occurrence, evidence concerning optimal management is lackluster. To describe the epidemiology, clinical features and treatment outcomes of a consecutive series of patients admitted to our institution. We retrospectively evaluated patient charts with respect to clinical presentation, treatment procedures, and the outcomes of all patients diagnosed with an FVBA, which were seen at our institution between March 2006 and February 2017. Forty-five consecutive patients were analyzed. Follow-up was available for 39 patients (86.7%) with a median duration of 28.8months. Seventeen patients (37.7%) were asymptomatic, 14 patients (31.1%) presented with brainstem ischemia, 8 patients (17.8%) with supratentorial ischemia, and 3 (6.7%) patients with brain stem compression. Aneurysm rupture occurred in 3 patients upon presentation (6.7%). Initially, 19 patients (42.2%) were significantly disabled with Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores ≥ 3. Twelve patients (26.7%) underwent invasive treatment: endovascular therapy in 9 cases and surgical treatment in 3 cases. Thirty-three patients received conservative treatment. During follow-up, 6 events (66.7%) of severe disability or death (mRS 4-6) occurred in the endovascular group versus 1 event (33%) in the surgical group versus 19 events (63.3%) among conservatively treated aneurysms. Deterioration was significantly more frequent in patients with symptomatic aneurysms (p = 0.030). Patients harboring an FVBA frequently present with disabling symptoms caused by various pathomechanisms. The natural history is aggressive, mostly for initially symptomatic aneurysms, and periprocedural morbidity of surgical or endovascular treatment remains substantial.

Clipping versus coiling in unruptured anterior cerebral circulation aneurysms.

Background:Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are not uncommon, especially in Japan. Treatment strategy for UIAs has evolved in the past decades in Western countries with the increased use of endovascular treatment as the primary option, but in Japan, clipping still has the upper hand.Methods:This study retrospectively included 200 patients treated by clipping or coiling for UIAs located in the anterior cerebral circulation. Postoperative angiographic and clinical outcomes were evaluated.Results:Of 200 UIAs, 147 and 53 were treated by surgery and coiling, respectively. The average follow-up duration was 30.2 ± 18.8 months for clipping and 29.3 ± 17.6 months for coiling. Complete occlusion was greater in the surgery group (78.9%) than the endovascular group (18.8%). Regrowth occurred in 1.4% of the clipping group and 13.2% of the coiling group. Ischemic events were encountered in both groups; asymptomatic ones were higher in the coiling group (24.5%) than in the clipping group (2%), while symptomatic ischemic complications were equal (7.5%) in both groups. The deterioration of modified Rankin scale was detected totally in 13 UIAs (6.5%) with no statistical difference between groups. Postoperative hospital period was longer in clipping (P = 0.01).Conclusion:Clipping and coiling were both safe and feasible in the treatment of unruptured aneurysms. The clipping was advantageous in durability, while the rate of morbidity was lower, and hospitalization period was shorter in the coiling group. The clipping and coiling should coexist while complementing each other by understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Risk factors and outcomes of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy utilization amongst pediatrics acute ischemic stroke.

Pediatric stroke is a debilitating disease. There are several risk factors predisposing children to this life-threatening disease. Although, published literature estimates a relatively high incidence of pediatric stroke, treatment guidelines on intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy utilization remain a dilemma. There is a lack of large population-based studies and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety outcomes associated with these treatments in this unique population. We sought to determine the prevalence of risk factors, concurrent utilization of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy, and associated outcomes in pediatric stroke hospitalizations. We performed a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample data (2003-2014) in pediatric (1-21 years of age) acute ischemic stroke hospitalizations using ICD-9-CM codes. The multivariable survey logistic regression model was weighted to account for sampling strategy, evaluate predictors of hemorrhagic conversion, and treatment outcomes (mortality, morbidity, and discharge disposition) amongst pediatric stroke hospitalizations. In this analysis, 9109 patients between 1 and 21 years of age were admitted during 2003-2014 for acute ischemic stroke. Of these 9109 patients, 119 (1.30%) received endovascular thrombectomy alone, 256 (2.82%) intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, and 69 (0.75%) both endovascular thrombectomy and intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. We found overall high prevalence of conditions like epilepsy (19.59%), atrial septal defect (11.76%), sickle cell disease (8.63%), and moyamoya disease (5.41%) in pediatric acute ischemic stroke patients. Unadjusted analysis showed high prevalence of all-cause in-hospital mortality in combined endovascular thrombectomy and intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator utilization group, and higher prevalence of hemorrhagic conversion and morbidity in endovascular thrombectomy utilization group compared to other groups (p < 0.0001). Multivariate adjusted analysis showed that children with endovascular thrombectomy utilization (aOR: 19.19; 95% CI: 2.50-147.29, p = 0.005), intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator utilization (aOR: 8.85; 95% CI: 1.92-40.76, p = 0.005), and both (endovascular thrombectomy and intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) utilization (aOR: 7.55; 95% CI: 1.16-49.31, p = 0.035) had higher odds of hemorrhagic conversion compared to no-treatment group. We found various risk factors associated with pediatric stroke. The early identification can be useful to formulate preventive strategies and influence the incidence of pediatric stroke. Our study results showed that use of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy increase risk of mortality and hemorrhagic conversion, but we suggest to have more clinical studies to evaluate the idea candidates for utilization of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular thrombectomy based on risk: benefit ratio.

Treatment of Carotid Restenoses after Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Monocentric Study

To compare the different techniques for the treatment of carotid restenosis after carotid artery endarterectomy (CAE). Among 1,218 carotid surgeries carried out in our center between January 2010 and November 2017, 45 procedures were performed for carotid restenosis after CAE, including 11 by iterative conventional surgery and 34 with endovascular techniques (7 transluminal angioplasties alone [TLA], 9 carotid artery stenting [CAS], and 18 angioplasties with active balloons [drug-coated balloon {DCB}]). Perioperative data (cumulated rate of morbimortality [CRMM], duration of hospitalization) and postoperative results (survival, symptomatic restenoses>50% or asymptomatic stenoses>70% on ultrasound, reinterventions) were collected retrospectively and analyzed with Fisher's exact test. The long-term results were estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier estimator and were compared with the log rank test (P<0.05 was regarded as significant). There was one secondary death due to a massive postoperative stroke in the endovascular (ENDO) group. No significant difference regarding CRMM (2.9%, P=0.756) between the iterative conventional surgery (open surgery; OS) and the ENDO groups of was observed. Three hematomas were found in the OS group versus one in the ENDO group (P=0.04). The length of hospital stay was shorter in the ENDO group (P<0.001). No difference was found between the ENDO group and the OS group regarding the two-year survival or the survival without recurrent restenosis (86 vs. 100%, log rank=0.804, and log rank=0.114). There were 5 restenoses >70% and two reinterventions in the ENDO group (P>0.05). The comparison of the different endovascular techniques did not show significant differences regarding the CRMM, the one-year overall survival, the survival without recurrent restenosis, or the survival without reintervention (89% in the DCB and CAS groups vs. 100% in the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA] group, log rank=0.286; 87% in the DCB group vs. 100% in the PTA and CAS groups, log rank=0.137; and 94% in the DCB group vs. 100% in the PTA and CAS groups, log rank=0.585, respectively). In our experience, endovascular procedures are equivalent to iterative conventional surgery for the treatment of carotid restenoses in terms of major complications, news restenoses, or survival with less hematoma and a shorter duration of hospitalization. We however could not identify the best endovascular strategy in this indication, and a controlled study comparing the various endovascular strategies is proposed.

Comparison of outcome of various modalities in trans-atlantic inter-society consensus d femoropopliteal disease

Background: This study aimed to assess the role of various modalities of treatment for trans-atlantic inter-society consensus document (TASC D) femoropopliteal disease. Methods: This was a retrospective and prospective study from January 2015 to December 2018; 153 patients who were admitted at Army Hospital Research and Referral with TASC D femoropopliteal disease and underwent hybrid procedure, endovascular or open surgery were included in the study. Results: 58.8% (90/153) patients underwent femoropopliteal bypass. 27.4% (42/153) patients underwent the hybrid procedure and 13.72% (21/153) patients underwent endovascular procedure. The primary patency rate of open surgery at 1 year is 85.6%, hybrid procedure (iliac stenting and fem-pop bypass is 78.9%, transfemoral thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty is 91.2%), endovascular procedure (primary superficial femoral artery drug-eluting balloon angioplasty is 94.4%, atherectomy is 70.3%). Secondary patency rate of open surgery and hybrid procedure was 94.6%, endovascular surgery was 50%. There was no significant difference in limb salvage rate in all three groups. Acute coronary syndrome occurred in 4% of patients in open femoro-popliteal bypass group, 5% patients in the endovascular group, 3.8% in the hybrid group. Cerebro-vascular accident (CVA) in 1.5% patients open fem-pop group and 1.5% patients in the endovascular group in follow-up period. Conclusion: Although open revascularization remains the treatment of choice for advanced atherosclerotic diseases involving femoropopliteal segment (TASC D), endovascular and hybrid procedures are not inferior to open surgery. There is a role for hybrid procedures as they augment the technical success rate of pure endovascular interventions for complex TASC D femoropopliteal lesion. Hybrid procedures can be an alternative in patients with multiple comorbidities giving equal short-term results and decreased morbidity.

Thromboangiitis obliterans: Aggressive angioplasty provides a potential solution (randomized pilot study).

Background:Thromboangiitis obliterans is an inflammatory disease affecting both medium- and small-sized vessels. Vasodilators, antiplatelets were proposed for treatment but the effect was minimal.Objective:This study was conducted to investigate the effect of balloon angioplasty on patients with Buerger’s disease compared to medical treatment.Methods:Between January 2006 and December 2016, 82 patients with Buerger’s disease were enrolled in the study, of whom 52 were randomized to the aggressive endovascular intervention and 30 were randomized medically by cilostazol and aspirin as a control group. In all, 23% of the patients presented with severe claudication, 50% with ischemic rest pain and 27% with ischemic ulcers. Randomization was done using the opaque envelope method. Allocation concealment was maintained to ensure no selection bias. Patient groups were compared for the duration of ulcer healing, ankle–brachial index, peak systolic velocity changes and transcutaneous oximetry (TcPO2) level for 30 months.Results:No major procedural complications occurred in the endovascular group. Angiographic success was achieved in 100% of supragenicular lesions but in 90% of infrapopliteal lesions. The endovascular group showed a statistically significant improvement in the ulcer healing size and duration at 6 months after the procedure with a mean time of 3 ± 0.9 months compared to 5.8 ± 1.69 months for the medical treatment group (p < 0.001), the mean TcPO2 from 27.23 ± 16.75 mm Hg (range: 0–56 mm Hg) before the procedure to 71.32 ± 12.94 mm Hg (range: 52–92 mm Hg) following revascularization (p < 0.01). The mean ankle–brachial index significantly improved from 0.54 ± 0.14 preoperatively to 0.82 ± 0.08 at final follow-up (p < 0.01).Conclusion:The endovascular therapy should be considered as an effective, safe, minimally invasive method in the light of the promising results after a modification of the standard technique.

Health-related quality of life after vascular surgery and endovascular treatment in subjects with critical limb ischemia.

Background & Objective:Revascularization of the target vessel and restoration of distal flow is critical not only to reduce mortality and morbidity but also improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with critical limb ischemia. However, data concerning the impact of surgical bypass and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) on HRQoL is limited. This study aimed to compare the impact of surgical bypass and PTA on HRQoL in subjects undergoing superficial femoral artery (SFA) or popliteal artery revascularization.Methods:Seventy-one subjects who underwent successful revascularization of the SFA or popliteal artery either with surgical revascularization or PTA were enrolled in this study. Three months after revascularization, all subjects underwent ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement, 6-minute walking test and completed the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaire. The NHP score differences (measured at the post-procedural 3rd month) between subjects undergoing surgical or endovascular (PTA) revascularization subjects was the primary outcome measure of the study.Results:Both groups experienced significant improvements in ABI and 6-minute walking distance at post-procedure three months. NHP total scores of Part I and Part II at post-procedural six months were similar in the two groups. However, social isolation [77.98 (0 - 85) vs. 22.53 (0 - 100), p=0.002] and physical abilities [78.7 (30.31 - 87.7) vs. 54.47 (0 - 100), P=0.014] domain scores of the surgical revascularization group were significantly higher than that of the endovascular treatment group.Conclusion:This study shows that total scores obtained from the NHP questionnaire applied three months after revascularization of SFA stenosis are similar in subjects undergoing surgical revascularization or PTA. However, the social isolation and physical abilities domains of the NHP are significantly higher in subjects receiving surgical revascularization compared to those receiving PTA.

Endovascular versus open repair of asymptomatic popliteal artery aneurysm.

Popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) is a focal dilatation and weakening of the popliteal artery. If left untreated, the aneurysm may thrombose, rupture or the clot within the aneurysm may embolise causing severe morbidity. PAA may be treated surgically by performing a bypass from the arterial segment proximal to the aneurysm to the arterial segment below the aneurysm, which excludes the aneurysm from the circulation. It may also be treated by a stent graft that is inserted percutaneously or through a small cut in the groin. The success of the procedure is gauged by the ability of the graft to stay patent over an extended duration. While surgical treatment is usually preferred in an emergency, the evidence on first line treatment in a non-emergency setting is unclear. This is an update of a review first published in 2014. To assess the effectiveness of an endovascular stent graft versus conventional open surgery for the treatment of asymptomatic popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA) on primary and assisted patency rates, hospital stay, length of the procedure and local complications. The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL databases and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registers to 29 January 2019. We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing endovascular stent grafting versus conventional open surgical repair in patients undergoing unilateral or bilateral prophylactic repair of asymptomatic PAAs. We collected data on primary and assisted primary patency rates (primary endpoints) as well as operating time, the length of hospital stay, limb salvage and local wound complications (secondary endpoints). We presented results as risk ratio or mean difference with 95% confidence intervals and assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. No new studies were identified for this update. A single RCT with a total of 30 PAAs met the inclusion criteria. There was a low risk of selection bias and detection bias. However, the risks of performance bias, attrition bias and reporting bias were unclear from the study. Despite being an RCT, the certainty of the evidence was downgraded to moderate due to the small sample size, resulting in wide confidence intervals (CIs); only 30 PAAs were randomised over a period of five years (15 PAAs each in the groups receiving endovascular stent graft and undergoing conventional open surgery). The primary patency rate at one year was 93.3% in the endovascular group and 100% in the surgery group (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.12; moderate-certainty evidence). The assisted patency rate at one year was similar in both groups (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.13; moderate-certainty evidence). There was no clear evidence of a difference between the two groups in the primary or assisted patency rates at four years (13 grafts were patent from 15 PAA treatments in each group; RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.32; moderate-certainty evidence); the effects were imprecise and compatible with the benefit of either endovascular stent graft or surgery or no difference. Mean hospital stay was shorter in the endovascular group (4.3 days for the endovascular group versus 7.7 days for the surgical group; mean difference (MD) -3.40 days, 95% CI -4.42 to -2.38; P < 0.001; moderate-certainty evidence). Mean operating time was also reduced in the endovascular group (75.4 minutes in the endovascular group versus 195.3 minutes in the surgical group; MD -119.90 minutes, 95% CI -137.71 to -102.09; P < 0.001; moderate-certainty evidence). Limb salvage was 100% in both groups. Data on local wound complications were not published in the trial report. Evidence to determine the effectiveness of endovascular stent graft versus conventional open surgery for the treatment of asymptomatic PAAs is limited to data from one small study. At one year there is moderate-certainty evidence that primary patency may be improved in the surgery group but assisted primary patency rates were similar between groups. At four years there was no clear benefit from either endovascular stent graft or surgery to primary or assisted primary patency (moderate-certainty evidence). As both operating time and hospital stay were reduced in the endovascular group (moderate-certainty evidence), it may represent a viable alternative to open repair of PAA. A large multicenter RCT may provide more information in the future. However, difficulties in recruiting enough patients are likely, unless it is an international collaboration including a number of high volume vascular centres.

Variability of Clinical and Angiographic Results Based on the Treatment Preference (Endovascular or Surgical) of Centers Participating in the Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Database of the Working Group of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery

Since the introduction of endovascular treatment for cerebral aneurysms, hospitals in which subarachnoid hemorrhage is treated show different availability and/or preferences towards both treatment modalities. The main aim is to evaluate the clinical and angiographic results according to the hospital's treatment preferences applied. This study was conducted based on use of the subarachnoid hemorrhage database of the Vascular Pathology Group of the Spanish Neurosurgery Society. Centers were classified into 3 subtypes according to an index in the relationship between endovascular and surgical treatment as: endovascular preference, high endovascular preference, and elevated surgical preference. The clinical results and angiographic results were evaluated among the 3 treatment strategies. From November 2004 to December 2017, 4282 subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were selected for the study: 630 (14.7%) patients from centers with surgical preference, 2766 (64.6%) from centers with endovascular preference, and 886 (20.7%) from centers with high endovascular preference. The surgical preference group obtained the best angiographic results associated with a greater complete exclusion (odds ratio: 1.359; 95% confidence interval: 1.025-1.801; P= 0.033). The surgical preference subgroup obtained the best outcome at discharge (65.45%), followed by the high endovascular preference group (61.5%) and the endovascular preference group (57.8%) (odds ratio: 1.359; 95% confidence interval: 1.025-1.801; P= 0.033). In Spain, there is significant variability in aneurysm exclusion treatment in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Surgical centers offer better results for both surgical and endovascular patients. A multidisciplinary approach and the maintenance of an elevated quality of surgical competence could be responsible for these results.

Treatment of Popliteal Aneuryms; A Case-Controlled Study of Endovascular and Open Repair in a National Cohort Favours Open Surgery

Introduction: Comparisons between open surgical (OSR) and endovascular (ER) repair of popliteal aneurysm (PA) is difficult since indications differ between the groups. The aim is to evaluate results of treatment in comparable cohorts of patients. Methods: A national cohort of 592 legs treated for PA (2008-2012) was the basis for a nested case-control study. The 77 legs treated by ER were matched, by indication, with 154 legs treated with OSR. Medical records were collected from 29 hospitals, and images were examined in a core-lab. The popliteal vessels were evaluated for elongation and angulations. Results: The ER group was older (73 vs 68 years, p=0.001), and had lung disease more often (p=0.012). Patients in the ER group were postoperatively more often treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) or anticoagulants (p< 0.001). In an adjusted cox regression analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) for occlusion (loss of primary patency) was 2.69 (95% CI 1.60-4.55), p< 0.001 for ER, when poor outflow 3.03 (1.26-7.27), p=0.013. For permanent occlusion, HR after ER was 2.47 (1.35-4.50), p=0.003, when poor outflow 4.68 (1.89-11.62), p< 0.001. In a sub-group analysis after ER, univariable risk factors for primary and permanent occlusion were acute ischaemia HR 2.94 (1.45-5.97), p=0.003, and 4.16 (1.79-9.67), p=0.001, and poor outflow HR 14.39 (3.46-59.92), p< 0.001, and 53.18 (7.92-356.91), p< 0.001. Larger stent graft diameter reduced the risks: HR 0.71 (0.54-0.93), p=0.014, and 0.66 (0.48-0.91), p=0.011. To explore data in the sub-group of ER, a multivariable analysis, adjusted for indication, stent graft diameter and elongation was performed. In this adjusted analysis, elongation (measured as maximum angle) had a HR of 1.020 per degree (1.002-1.033, p=0.030) for occlusion. PAs treated for acute ischaemia had a median stent graft diameter of 6.5 mm, elective procedures 8 mm, p< 0.001. Conclusion: In comparable groups of patients, ER had an almost 3-fold risk for any occlusion, and 2.4 times risk for permanent occlusion, despite increased medical therapy. Risk factors for occlusion in ER were poor outflow, smaller stentgraft diameter, acute ischaemia and elongation. A correlation between acute ischaemia and small stentgraft diameter was identified.Figure 2Secondary patency after endovascular and open surgical repair.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Disclosure: Nothing to disclose