•Thromboembolic events are frequent in COVID-19 patients•The patient had no comorbidities and developed a sudden thrombosis of the aorta and consequent occlusion of tibial arteries•The patient had ...moderate increase of D-dimer and Fibrinogen values.
Acute thromboembolic events appear to be frequent in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We report a case of an intubated patient, who developed a threatening lower limb ischemia. Intra-arterial fibrinolysis and intravenous heparin infusion did not lead to complete recanalization of the tibial arteries, which were successfully treated by surgical embolectomy.
Abstract Objective The aim of this paper was to report early and midterm results of endovascular repair of urgent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) by the off-the-shelf multibranched Zenith ...t-Branch endograft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind). Methods Between January 2014 and April 2016, all patients with urgent TAAAs (asymptomatic with diameter >8 cm, symptomatic, or ruptured TAAAs) and aortoiliac anatomic feasibility underwent endovascular repair by t-Branch and were prospectively enrolled. Clinical, morphologic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were recorded. Follow-up was performed by duplex ultrasound, contrast-enhanced duplex ultrasound, and computed tomography angiography. Early end points were technical success (absence of type I or type III endoleak, loss of target visceral vessels TVVs, conversion to open repair, or 24-hour mortality), spinal cord ischemia, and 30-day mortality. Follow-up end points were survival, TVV patency, type I or type III endoleaks, and freedom from reintervention. Results Seventeen patients (male, 71%; age, 73 ± 6 years; American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3/4, 60%/40%) affected by type II (47%), III (29%), and IV (24%) TAAAs were enrolled. The indications for t-Branch were as follows: contained TAAA rupture, four (24%); symptomatic TAAA (pain or peripheral embolism), four (24%); and TAAA diameter ≥8 cm, nine (52%). The mean TAAA diameter was 80 ± 19 mm, with 63 TVVs. Fifteen patients (87%) needed adjunctive intraoperative procedures: 14 proximal thoracic endografts (thoracic endovascular aortic repair), 1 left carotid-subclavian bypass, 2 endovascular hypogastric branches, and 2 surgical iliac conduits. In four cases (24%), a significant malorientation (≥60 degrees) of the main body occurred during t-Branch deployment. Technical success was achieved in 14 cases (82%), with technical failures consisting of the loss of three renal arteries (TVV patency, 95%). Spinal cord ischemia occurred in one case (6%) with temporary paraparesis. The 30-day mortality was 6% (one patient with ruptured type II TAAA died on postoperative day 7 of respiratory failure). Renal function worsening occurred in four patients (25%), with one case requiring permanent hemodialysis. The mean follow-up was 11 ± 9 months. Survival at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months was 94%, 82%, 82%, respectively. No TAAA-related mortality and TVV occlusion occurred in the follow-up. One type III endoleak was detected at 3 months and successfully treated. Freedom from reintervention at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months was 88%, 82%, and 82%, respectively. Conclusions The off-the-shelf multibranched endograft is a safe and effective therapeutic option for urgent total endovascular TAAA repair for which a custom-made endograft is not obtainable in due time. However, the complex anatomy of these aneurysms needs a number of adjunctive and complex intraoperative procedures to achieve a durable repair.
Arterial calcification is an actively regulated process, with different morphological manifestations. Micro-RNAs emerged as potential regulators of vascular calcification; they may become novel ...diagnostic tools and be used for a finest staging of the carotid plaque progression. The present study aimed at characterizing the different miRNA-mRNA axes in carotid plaques according to their histological patterns of calcification. Histopathological analysis was performed on 124 retrospective carotid plaques, with clinical data and preoperatory angio-CT. miRNA analysis was carried out with microfluidic cards. Real-time PCR was performed for selected miRNAs validation and for RUNX-2 and SOX-9 mRNA levels. CD31, CD68, SMA, and SOX-9 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. miRNA levels on HUVEC cells were analyzed for confirming results under in vitro osteogenic conditions. Histopathological analysis revealed two main calcification subtypes of plaques: calcific cores (CC) and protruding nodules (PN). miRNA array and PCR validation of miR-1275, miR-30a-5p, and miR-30d indicated a significant upregulation of miR-30a-5p and miR-30d in the PN plaques. Likewise, the miRNA targets RUNX-2 and SOX-9 resulted poorly expressed in PN plaques. The inverse correlation between miRNA and RUNX-2 levels was confirmed on osteogenic-differentiated HUVEC. miR-30a-5p and miR-30d directly correlated with calcification extension and thickness at angio-CT imaging. Our study demonstrated the presence of two distinct morphological subtypes of calcification in carotid atheromatous plaques, supported by different miRNA signatures, and by different angio-CT features. These results shed the light on the use of miRNA as novel diagnostic markers, suggestive of plaque evolution.
Abstract
Background
Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) need urgent treatment in case of acute thrombosis, distal embolization, or rupture. Few data are available in the literature about the treatment ...results in these scenarios. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an 11-year multicenter experience in the urgent treatment of PAAs.
Methods
All symptomatic PAAs surgically treated in two vascular centers between 2010 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. In the postoperative period periodical clinical and Duplex-Ultrasound evaluation were performed. The evaluated endpoint was the outcome of urgent PAAs treatment according to their clinical presentation. Statistical analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier log-rank evaluation and multivariable Cox regression tests.
Results
Sixty-six PAAs needed an urgent repair. Twelve (18%) patients had a PAA rupture and 54 (82%) had an acute limb ischemia (ALI) due to either distal embolization or acute thrombosis. Patients with ALI underwent bypass surgery in 51 (95%) cases, which was associated with preoperative thrombolysis in 18 (31%) cases. A primary major amputation was performed in 3 (5%) cases. The mean follow-up was 52 ± 21 months with an overall 5-year limb salvage of 83 ± 6%. Limb salvage was influenced only by the number of patent tibial arteries (pTA) 5-years limb salvage 0%, 86 ± 10%, 92 ± 8% and 100% in case of 0, 1, 2 or 3 pTA, respectively (
P
= .001). An independent association of number of pTA and limb loss was found hazard ratio (HR): 0.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03–0.6),
P
= .001. Overall 5-year survival was 71 ± 7%. Ruptured PAAs were associated with lower 5-year survival compared with the ALI group (48 ± 2% vs. 79 ± 7%,
P
= .001). The number of pTA (33 ± 20%, 65 ± 10%, 84 ± 10% and 80 ± 10% for 0, 1, 2 and 3 pTA, respectively,
P
= .001) and the thrombolysis (94 ± 6% vs. 62 ± 10%,
P
= .03) were associated with higher survival in patients with ALI. There was an independent association of number of pTA and long-term survival HR 0.15 (95% CI 0.03–0.8),
P
= .03.
Conclusions
PAA rupture is the cause of urgent PAA treatment in almost one fifth of cases, and it is associated with lower long-term survival. ALI can benefit from thrombolysis, and long-term limb salvage and survival are associated with the number of pTA.
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using a standard suprarenal fixation endograft in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with ...infrarenal neck length ≤10 mm (short-neck AAA SN-AAA). Methods From 2005 to 2010, data of high-risk patients with SN-AAA, unfit for open repair (OR) and fenestrated EVAR, were prospectively collected. Follow-up was performed by duplex ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound or computed tomography angiography at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months and yearly thereafter. The primary end point was AAA-related mortality. Secondary end points were proximal type I endoleak, freedom from reintervention, and AAA shrinkage (>5 mm). Results Sixty patients (mean age, 74.9 ± 6.2 years; American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 85% and class 4 15%) were enrolled. The mean aneurysm diameter and neck length and diameter were 60.4 ± 12.2 mm, 8.4 ± 1.6 mm, and 23.5 ± 3 mm, respectively. Four (7%) patients were symptomatic and 15 (25%) had rapid AAA enlargement (>5 mm/6 months). Cook Zenith Flex (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) endografts (32) and Medtronic Endurant (Medtronic, Santa Rosa, Calif) endografts (28) were implanted. The mean follow-up was 51 ± 18 months. Survival at 5 years was 70%. There were three (5%) type I endoleaks. One was sealed by endovascular reintervention, and two (3%) underwent conversion to OR for AAA rupture at 8 and 36 months. Both patients died (2/60; 3% AAA-related mortality). Reinterventions were necessary for another five (8%) patients, and they were not proximal neck related. Freedom from reintervention at 5 years was 90%. In 49 (82%) cases, there was AAA shrinkage; the AAA diameter remained stable in nine (15%) and increased in two (3%) cases. Severe proximal angle (α neck angle ≥60 degrees) was associated with type I endoleak ( P = .010) and reinterventions ( P = .010). The neck length <7 mm ( P = .030) was associated with reinterventions ( P = .017). Conclusions Suprarenal fixation EVAR in SN-AAA with a straight, not wide neck and 7- to 10-mm aortic neck length can be considered safe and effective in patients who are unfit for OR and fenestrated EVAR. For these cases, long-term data showed acceptable results in preventing aneurysm rupture and related mortality.
Carotid plaques with a high degree of calcification are usually considered at low embolic risk. However, since a precise evaluation of the extent of calcification is not possible preoperatively ...through duplex ultrasound and postoperatively by conventional histological examination due to the decalcification process, the relationship between the amount of calcium involvement and plaque vulnerability has not been evaluated yet. This study aims to correlate the extent of carotid plaque calcification with clinical, radiological, and histological complications.
Symptomatic and asymptomatic consecutive patients submitted to carotid endarterectomy between January to December 2014 were included in the study. The amount of carotid calcification was assessed at preoperative computed tomography (CT) through measurement of thickness and circumferential calcium extension and graded from 1 to 8 accordingly (Babiarz classification). Patients were then categorized into 2 groups (low-level group: grade 1-5; high-level group: grade 6-8) and correlated with clinical characteristics and ipsilateral cerebral ischemic lesions at CT. Vulnerability of the plaque was assessed histologically according with American Heart Association (AHA) Classification. Results were overall blindly correlated.
One hundred five patients (81% male; age: 73 ± 8 years) were enrolled in the study. Forty (38%) were symptomatic and 43 (40%) had an ipsilateral focal lesion at preoperative cerebral CT. Thirty-six (38%) patients had high-level carotid calcification degree at CT scan. At histological analysis, 56 (56%) plaques were considered complicated (AHA type VI). Patients with high-level and low-level carotid calcification had similar epidemiological risk factors, preoperative neurological symptoms, and histological complications (17% vs. 15%, P = 0.76 and 50% vs. 55%, P = 0.62, respectively). The high-level calcification group showed a significantly higher incidence of ipsilateral cerebral lesions at preoperative CT (56% vs. 32%, P = 0.01).
A high level of calcification of the carotid plaque is not necessarily associated with lower vulnerability: the incidence of preoperative neurological symptoms and histological complications is similar in patients with and without extensive carotid plaque calcification. Cerebral ischemic lesions may be even more frequent in the presence of highly calcified plaques.
Background Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the prevention of upcoming vascular and cerebral events is necessary in patients with high-grade stenosis (≥70%). In the framework of the Italian National ...project Age.It, a pilot study was proposed aiming at the discovery of a molecular signature with predictive potential of carotid stenosis comparing 65+ asymptomatic and symptomatic inpatients. Methods A total of 42 inpatients have been enrolled, including 26 men and 16 women, with a mean age of 74 ± 6 years. Sixteen symptomatic and 26 asymptomatic inpatients with ≥70% carotid stenosis underwent CEA, according to the recommendations of the European Society for Vascular Surgery and the Society for Vascular Surgeons. Plaque biopsies and peripheral blood samples from the same individuals were obtained. Hematobiochemical analyses were conducted on all inpatients, and plasma cytokines/molecules, such as microRNAs (miRs), IL-6, sIL-6Ralpha, sgp130, myostatin (GDF8), follistatin, activin A, CXCL9, FGF21, and fibronectin, were measured using the ELISA standard technique. MiR profiles were obtained in the discovery phase including four symptomatic and four asymptomatic inpatients (both plasma and plaque samples), testing 734 miRs. MiRs emerging from the profiling comparison were validated through RT-qPCR analysis in the total cohort. Results and conclusion The two groups of inpatients differ in the expression levels of blood c-miRs-126–5p and -1271–5p (but not in their plaques), which are more expressed in symptomatic subjects. Three cytokines were significant between the two groups: IL-6, GDF8, and CXCL9. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with a machine learning-based approach, the most significant blood molecular signature encompasses albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), the percentage of monocytes, and CXCL9, allowing for the distinction of the two groups (AUC = 0.83, 95% c.i. 0.85, 0.81, p = 0.0028). The potential of the molecular signature will be tested in a second cohort of monitored patients, allowing the application of a predictive model and the final evaluation of cost/benefit for an assessable screening test.
Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate early and late results of the Anaconda aortic endograft (Vascutek, Terumo, Inchinnan, Scotland) in a single-center experience. Methods From ...September 2005 to March 2012, patients underwent endovascular aortic repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with Anaconda endograft were prospectively enrolled in a dedicated database. Demographic and aortoiliac morphological data were considered. Preoperative planning was based on thoracoabdominal and pelvic computed tomography angiography. Follow-up included duplex ultrasound or computed tomography angiography at 1, 6, and 12 months and yearly thereafter. Primary end points were technical success, early and late primary and primary assisted clinical success (CS), overall and AAA-related survival and freedom from reinterventions. Secondary end points were endoleaks (ELs), steno-obstructive iliac leg complications, and AAA shrinkage. Results An Anaconda endograft was implanted in 177 patients (male 94%; mean age, 73.3 ± 7.4 years; American Society of Anesthesiologists class III-IV, 85% and 9%, respectively). The mean AAA diameter, neck length, and diameter were 55 ± 9.7 mm, 26.7 ± 10 mm, and 23 ± 2.3 mm, respectively. There was an aortic neck angle >60° in 44 (25%) patients. Iliac angles >90° were observed in 152 (43%) iliac axes. Technical success was 98.9%. Early CS was 96%. Mean follow-up was 33 ± 23.3 months. Late assisted CS was 97.7%. Survival at 12, 24, and 36 months was 96.4%, 89%, and 86.2%, respectively. There was only one case of late AAA-related mortality. Freedom from reintervention was 94%, 92%, and 85% at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Three (1.7%) conversions occurred during follow-up. There were 14.1% ELs at the completion angiography (EL Ia, 1.1%; EL II, 13%). Late ELs were 20.2% (EL Ia, 1.1%; EL Ib, 2.2%; EL II, 16.9%). Iliac leg complications occurred in 5.6% of the cases. An AAA shrinkage >5 mm was observed in 130 (73.4%) patients. In 7 (4%) cases there was an AAA enlargement >5 mm. Conclusions Data in our series demonstrate that the Anaconda endograft has good early and late results in the treatment of AAAs.
Abstract Background The influence of acute cerebral ischemic lesions (CILs) on the revascularization outcome of symptomatic carotid stenosis has been scarcely investigated in the literature. This ...study evaluated the effect of CILs and their volume on the results of carotid revascularization in symptomatic patients. Methods All patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) between 2005 and 2014 were considered. CILs ipsilateral to the stenosis were identified in the preoperative cerebral computed tomography. The volume was quantified in mm3 and correlated with 30-day rates of stroke and stroke/death by χ2 , multivariate analysis, Pearson correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curves. Results A total of 489 symptomatic patients were treated by CEA (327 67%) or CAS (162 33%), 186 (38%) ≤2 weeks and 303 (62%) >2 weeks from symptom onset. CEA and CAS patients had statistically similar rates of stroke (3.3% vs 5.5%; P = .27) and stroke/death (3.8% vs 5.9%; P = .22). CILs were identified in 251 patients (53%) and were associated with similar stroke and stroke/death rate compared with patients without CIL (12 4.8% vs 8 3.5%, P = .46; and 14 5.6% vs 8 3.5%; P = .26, respectively). The median CIL volume was 1000 mm3 (interquartile range IQR, 7000 mm3 ). Patients with postoperative stroke and stroke/death had a significantly higher preoperative CIL volume of 5100 mm3 (IQR, 31,000 mm3 ) vs 1000 mm3 (IQR, 7000 mm3 ; P = .01) and 4500 mm3 (IQR, 17,450 mm3 ) vs 1000 mm3 (IQR, 7000 mm3 ; P = .03), respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a volume of 4000 mm3 was predictive of postoperative stroke with 75% sensitivity and 63% specificity. A CIL volume ≥4000 mm3 was an independent risk factor for postoperative stroke, with a stroke rate of 9.3% (n = 9) vs 1.9% (n = 3) for a CIL volume of <4000 mm3 (odds ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-19.1; P = .03). Conclusions CIL volume in symptomatic carotid stenosis seems to influence the 30-day outcome independently from the timing of carotid revascularization. A CIL volume of ≥4000 mm3 could be considered a significant predictor for postoperative stroke after carotid revascularization.
Background Silent cerebral infarctions (SCIs) can be identified by preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with severe carotid stenosis being considered for carotid endarterectomy ...(CEA). It is unknown whether this finding has any effect on perioperative complications or long-term outcome. This study investigates the influence of SCI on early and late complications in asymptomatic patients undergoing CEA. Methods All consecutive CEAs undertaken for asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis from 2005 to 2013 were retrospectively evaluated for clinical and anatomic characteristics. SCI was defined as cerebral embolic infarcts in the anterior or middle cerebral artery territory, ipsilateral to the target carotid stenosis, identified on preoperative CT. The end points of the study were to compare the 30-day and long-term stroke and death rate after CEA in patients with and without SCI. All patients were followed yearly through duplex ultrasonography and clinical assessment. Statistical methods used were Cox regression (hazard ratio) and Kaplan-Meier for life-table analysis. Results A total of 743 CEAs were performed in asymptomatic patients during the study period of which all had CT scans, and 97 (13.1%) demonstrated SCI. All patient stroke and death outcomes at 30 days were 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Patients with SCI had a significantly higher 30-day stroke outcome (3.1% vs 0.2%; P = .001; odds ratio, 16.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-201.4; P = .02) but not death or stroke/death outcome (0% vs 0.8%; P = .19 and 3.1% vs 0.9%, P = .06, respectively) compared with those without SCI. In addition, at a mean follow-up of 44.3 ± 23.9 months, the patients with SCI had a significantly worse 5-year ipsilateral stroke or any stroke-/death-free survival compared with patients without SCI (86.7% vs 99.0%; P = .001; and 76.9% vs 87.7%; P = .004). SCI was confirmed as an independent predictor of late any stroke/death by Cox regression (hazard ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-4.67; P = .006). Conclusions Patients who have SCI in the presence of severe carotid stenosis and undergo CEA have significantly worse perioperative stroke and long-term stroke/death outcomes. This data would suggest that asymptomatic patients undergoing CEA who have CT scan evidence of a cerebral infarct have worse prognosis than those with normal CT scans.
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