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Background Proximal aortic control by endovascular balloon occlusion (EBO) is an alternative to conventional aortic cross-clamping (CAC) in hemodynamically unstable patients presenting with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential clinical benefit of EBO over CAC. Methods Data from 72 patients with rAAA treated at our institution from 2001 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were hemodynamically unstable (mean arterial blood pressure at admission <65 mm Hg or associated unconsciousness, cardiac arrest, or emergency endotracheal intubation). Clinical end points of hemodynamic restoration, mortality rate, and major postoperative complications were assessed for CAC (group 1) and EBO (group 2). Results At admission, 72 patients were unstable. CAC was performed in 40 and EBO in 32. Intraoperative mortality was 43% in group 1 vs 19% in group 2 ( P = .031). In group 1, the approach for CAC (thoracotomy [n = 23] vs laparotomy [n = 17]) did not influence intraoperative mortality (43% vs 41%). There was no significant difference in 30-day (75% vs 62%) and in-hospital (77% vs 69%) mortality rates between groups. After EBO, the treatment—open vs endovascular repair—did not influence the intraoperative mortality rate (31% vs 43%; P = .5). Eight surgical complications were secondary to CAC (1 vena cava injury, 3 left renal vein injuries, 1 left renal artery injury, 1 pancreaticoduodenal vein injury, and 2 splenectomies), but no EBO-related complication was noted ( P = .04). Differences in colon ischemia (15% vs 28%) and renal failure (12% vs 9%) were not statistically significant. Abdominal compartment syndrome occurred in four patients in group 2 and in no patients in group 1. Conclusions Compared with CAC, EBO is a feasible and valuable strategy and is associated with reduced intraoperative mortality of unstable rAAA patients, but not in-hospital mortality, in this retrospective study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The benefit of fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (FEVAR) compared with open surgical repair (OSR) of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (CAAAs) is unknown. This study compares 30-day outcomes of these procedures from two high-volume centers where FEVAR was undertaken for high-risk patients. Methods Patients undergoing FEVAR with commercially available devices and OSR of CAAAs (total suprarenal/supravisceral clamp position) were propensity matched by demographic, clinical, and anatomic criteria to identify similar patient cohorts. Perioperative outcomes were evaluated using univariate and multivariate methods. Results From July 2001 to August 2012, 59 FEVAR and 324 OSR patients were identified. After 1:4 propensity matching for age, gender, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, diabetes, preoperative creatinine, and anticipated/actual aortic clamp site, the study cohort consisted of 42 FEVARs and 147 OSRs. The most frequent FEVAR construct was two renal fenestrations, with or without a single mesenteric scallop, in 50% of cases. An average of 2.9 vessels were treated per patient. Univariate analysis demonstrated FEVAR had higher rates of 30-day mortality (9.5% vs 2%; P = .05), any complication (41% vs 23%; P = .01), procedural complications (24% vs 7%; P < .01), and graft complications (30% vs 2%; P < .01). Multivariable analysis showed FEVAR was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-24; P = .04), any complication (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.9; P = .01), and graft complications (OR, 24; 95% CI, 4.8-66; P < .01). Conclusions FEVAR, in this two-center study, was associated with a significantly higher risk of perioperative mortality and morbidity compared with OSR for management of CAAAs. These data suggest that extension of the paradigm shift comparing EVAR with OSR for routine AAAs to patients with CAAAs is not appropriate. Further study to establish proper patient selection for FEVAR instead of OSR is warranted before widespread use should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Fenestrated and branched endovascular devices are increasingly used for complex aortic diseases, and despite the challenging nature of these procedures, early experiences from pioneering centers have been encouraging. The objectives of this retrospective study were to report our experience of intraoperative adverse events (IOAEs) during fenestrated and branched stent grafting and to analyze the impact on clinical outcomes. Methods Consecutive patients treated with fenestrated and branched stent grafting in a tertiary vascular center between February 2006 and October 2013 were evaluated. A prospectively maintained computerized database was scrutinized and updated retrospectively. Intraoperative angiograms were reviewed to identify IOAEs, and adverse events were categorized into three types: target vessel cannulation, positioning of graft components, and intraoperative access. Clinical consequences of IOAEs were analyzed to ascertain whether they were responsible for death or moderate to severe postoperative complications. Results During the study period, 113 consecutive elective patients underwent fenestrated or branched stent grafting. Indications for treatment were asymptomatic complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (CAAAs, n = 89) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs, n = 24). Stent grafts included fenestrated (n = 79) and branched (n = 17) Cook stent grafts (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind), Ventana (Endologix, Irvine, Calif) stent grafts (n = 9), and fenestrated Anaconda (Vascutek Terumo, Scotland, UK) stent grafts (n = 8). In-hospital mortality rates for the CAAA and TAAA groups were 6.7% (6 of 89) and 12.5% (3 of 24), respectively. Twenty-eight moderate to severe complications occurred in 21 patients (18.6%). Spinal cord ischemia was recorded in six patients, three of which resolved completely. A total of 37 IOAEs were recorded in 34 (30.1%) patients (22 CAAAs and 12 TAAAs). Of 37 IOAEs, 15 (40.5%) resulted in no clinical consequence in 15 patients; 17 (45.9%) were responsible for moderate to severe complications in 16 patients, and five (13.5%) led to death in four patients. The composite end point death/nonfatal moderate to severe complication occurred more frequently in patients with IOAEs compared with patients without IOAEs (20 of 34 vs 12 of 79; P < .0001). Conclusions In this contemporary series, IOAEs were relatively frequent during branched or fenestrated stenting procedures and were often responsible for significant complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in imaging technology allow the projection of volumetric imaging data from the preacquired computed tomography angiography over live fluoroscopy during interventions. This “fusion” technology is currently underused, although its application carries distinct advantages. We introduce a case in which fusion technology was used for the placement of two thoracic and one branched abdominal aortic endograft and to treat late dislocation of its side branch using a hybrid technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Hybrid interventions combining debranching of supra-aortic branch vessels with stent grafting of the aortic arch have become an attractive alternative to open repair for aortic arch pathologies. However, results in patients with dissections of the aortic arch remain unclear. We present our experience with hybrid aortic arch repair for acute and chronic type B aortic dissections (TBAD) involving the distal part of the arch and aortic dissections distal to previous repair of the ascending aorta. Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2011, hybrid arch repair with supra-aortic branch revascularization involving at least one carotid artery bypass and simultaneous or staged thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed in 17 patients with a dissection involving the arch. Indications for hybrid repair were complicated acute TBAD in five patients (three impending ruptures, two malperfusion syndromes), chronic aneurysmal degeneration of a TBAD involving the aortic arch in eight, and chronic aneurysmal degeneration of a dissection distal to previous repair of the ascending aorta in four. Total arch debranching was performed in seven patients and cervical debranching in 10. Median follow-up was 13 months (range, 3-69 months). Results: Overall 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality rates were 29% (5 of 17 patients). In-hospital death occurred in three of five patients (60%) with a complicated acute TBAD vs in two of 12 patients (17%) with chronic dissection (P = .12) and in one of seven (14%) with total arch debranching vs four of 10 patients (40%) with cervical debranching (P = .34). Two (12%) fatal strokes and four (24%) retrograde aortic dissections occurred. Retrograde aortic dissections tended to be more prevalent in patients with acute TBAD than in those with chronic dissection (3 of 5 vs 1 of 12; P = .053). No spinal cord ischemia was recorded. Two other patients died, at 8 and 26 months, after the operation of causes not related to the aortic dissection. Persistent perfusion in the aortic false lumen of the graft exclusion segment was identified in six patients, due to type III endoleak (n = 2) requiring additional endovascular intervention, type II endoleak (n = 3), or retrograde perfusion from distal fenestrations (n = 2). No proximal type I endoleak was identified. During follow-up, the dissected aorta distal to the stent graft remained stable in all surviving patients. Conclusions: In this series, mortality rates and incidence of retrograde aortic dissection were significant after hybrid repair of aortic arch dissections, especially in acute cases. These results are in contrast with previously published series including other aortic arch pathologies. They suggest that dissections of the aortic arch may represent a less favorable patient cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JAA) can be successfully treated by fenestrated/branched endografts (FBE), but with significant cost and a long manufacturing process. “Chimney” grafts (CG) have been advocated as a cheaper and immediately available alternative. Because scant data are available, the aim of this study was to report our early experience with CG to treat JAA. Methods: From 2000 to 2010, data were prospectively collected for 975 consecutive endovascular aortic repairs (EVAR). Among them, 57 patients undergoing EVAR for JAA were retrospectively reviewed, and those undergoing planned CG were analyzed further. All CG patients were thought to be at high risk for open surgery and were usually unsuitable for FBE. Results: The series included 16 patients with CGs for JAA, and 14 (88%) were men. Median age was 73 years old (range, 22-91 years). Median aneurysm diameter was 62 mm (range, 30-100 mm). Indications for CG were an anatomic condition precluding FBE in four patients (including three with iliac occlusion), emergent repair of painful or ruptured aneurysm in four, a large-diameter aneurysm whose treatment could not wait for the manufacturing delay of an FBE in three, type Ia endoleak in three patients previously treated by infrarenal EVAR, and elective in two. Treatment involved 26 target vessels (6 superior mesenteric arteries, 20 renal arteries). Intraoperative technical success was 94% (1 type Ia endoleak). Postoperatively, one patient died of a retroperitoneal hemorrhage and one patient died of mesenteric ischemia after leaving the hospital against medical advice. One patient had a stroke, and four presented with local vascular complications (iliac dissection, hematoma). The postoperative computed tomography scan showed two patients (12.5%) had a type Ia endoleak. With a median follow-up of 10.5 months (range, 2-19 months), two more patients died (not aneurysm-related). No rupture occurred. All target vessels were patent (primary patency rate, 96%), and one type Ia endoleak persisted. Conclusion: CG is feasible and efficient to treat JAA in patients unsuitable for FBE. However, in this preliminary experience, complications of devices insertion and type I endoleaks were not rare. Until the anatomic applicability of FBE is extended and off-the-shelf FBE devices are available, CG remains a feasible endovascular option for high-risk JAA patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Aneurysmal involvement of the iliac bifurcation increases the level of difficulty during surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, potentially increasing the risk of early postoperative complications. Three previous randomized trials comparing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open repair (OR) for AAAs showed that EVAR is associated with a lower early mortality rate. However, whether these results are valid for AAA involving the iliac bifurcation (AAAIB) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate early and late results after OR and EVAR for patients with AAA involving the iliac bifurcation. Methods: Of 1116 patients treated for elective AAA repair between January 1998 and January 2008, 131 presented with AAAIB as detected by computed tomography (CT) scan. Sixty-eight patients were treated by EVAR and 63 by OR. Clinical and anatomic data, operative intervention, and outcomes were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The median duration of follow-up was 38 months for both groups. Results: Patients in the EVAR group (72 ± 10 years) were older than those in the OR group (64 ± 8 years; P < .0001), but there were no differences in cardiac, renal, or pulmonary comorbidities between the two groups. Inhospital mortality rates were 2.9% vs 6.3% for EVAR and OR groups, respectively (P = .43). Systemic postoperative complications occurred in 7.4% vs 9.5% (P = .76) and postoperative colonic ischemia in 0% vs 6.3% (P = .051) of patients with EVAR and OR, respectively. Survival rates by Kaplan-Meier analysis were 91 ± 7% for patients with EVAR and 90 ± 8% for patients with OR at 2 years, and 61% ± 15 for EVAR and 79% ± 13 for OR at 5 years. All-cause reoperation rates were 25% with EVAR and 22% with OR (P = .83). Patients with EVAR were more likely to develop buttock claudication (33.3% vs 3.6%; P < .0001), whereas patients with OR were more prone to develop abdominal wall complications (19.6% vs 0%; P < .001). Conclusion: In this series, the postoperative mortality and systemic complication rates after either EVAR or OR for AAAIB were not statistically different. In the OR group, there were more abdominal wall complications and a trend toward a higher rate of colonic ischemia. In the EVAR group, buttock claudication was more frequent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) treatment for ruptured aortoiliac aneurysms (rAIA) avoids the additional surgical insult to physiology that comes with laparotomy and open repair (OR). In systematic reviews, the pooled mortality rate from rAIA after EVAR is around 20% and morbidity around 40%. The proportion of patients with rAIA treated by EVAR is steadily increasing, as most centers are adopting an EVAR as a first line therapy. However, two trials, one randomized (n = 32) and one nonrandomized, failed to demonstrate any benefit of EVAR to OR. The multicentric randomized study named ECAR (for Endosvasculaire vs Chirurgie dans les Anévrysmes Rompus) was setup on 160 patients to compare the EVAR vs OR in rAIA. The primary outcome is mortality at 1 month. The study started in January 2008 and is still in progress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Endovascular repair of injured thoracic aorta offers a new minimal invasive therapeutic option that could be beneficial in the urgent management of polytrauma patients. The aim of this study was to assess our multicenter experience of immediate endovascular repair for acute traumatic injuries of the thoracic aorta. Methods: Between April 2002 and October 2007, all patients treated for an acute traumatic injury of the thoracic aorta, in a less than 12-hour delay, by endovascular repair, were reviewed retrospectively in three Parisian trauma centers. Collected data included age, sex, associated comorbidities, and traumatic lesions to determine the Traumatic Injury Severity Score (TRISS), the type of aortic lesion assessed by computed tomography (CT)-scan and transesophageal ultrasonography, technical aspects of endovascular repair, length of hospital stay, and postoperative mortality. Patients were regularly followed by clinical examination, chest radiographs, and thoracic CT-scan. Results: Twenty-eight patients (20 males, mean age 45 ± 18.8 years) were treated in a median delay of 5 hours (range 2 to 10 hours) after initial trauma. They all experienced severe traumatic injuries with a mean predictive mortality of 55.6% ± 33.1% according to TRISS. Aortic lesions were associated with aortic parietal hematoma (71%), hemomediastinum (86%), and hemothorax (68%). All endovascular procedures were technically successful through femoral (n = 24) or iliac access (n = 4), in a mean operating time of 94 ± 35.8 minutes. Proximal sealing of the endografts required the coverage of the origin of the left subclavian artery in 13 cases and of the left common carotid in one case. The median of hospital stay was 27 days (range 9 to 127 days), with an overall hospital mortality of 17.9% (n = 5). All deaths were unrelated to the aortic rupture or the stent placement, and no intervention-related morbidity or mortality was recorded during a median follow-up of 24 months (range 5 to 73 months). Conclusion: Endovascular stent grafting allows an immediate efficient repair for acute traumatic injuries of the thoracic aorta. This early management is, however, associated with a high in-hospital mortality, related to the severe concomitant injuries of such unselected multitrauma patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mycotic aneurysm secondary to tuberculous infection of the aorta is a rare and life-threatening disease. We report a single-center experience of three patients treated with a combination of surgical aortic replacement and prolonged antituberculosis therapy. The first case is a 34-year-old woman with a suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, the second case is a 77-year-old man with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and a right psoas abscess, the third case is a 37-year-old woman with an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. All patients had a favorable outcome with a mean follow-up of 6.2 years (range, 6 months-10 years). Early diagnosis and a combination of surgical intervention (aortic reconstruction and extensive excision of the infected field) and prolonged antituberculous drug therapy provide long-term survival without evidence of recurrence after tuberculous aortic involvement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Few reports of aortoiliac aneurysms infected by Campylobacter fetus are available. We report five cases and review previous reports, with a view to describing the clinical pattern, treatment options, and outcome of this infection. Methods: During a 10-year period, 21 patients were diagnosed with C fetus infection in the Department of Clinical Microbiology, five of whom had an infected arterial aneurysm. We retrospectively reviewed their medical charts. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical presentation, computed tomography scan, perioperative findings, and identification of C fetus in at least one blood culture or culture from an aneurysm specimen. Late outcome of surviving patients was assessed by telephone interview. Results: We identified four aortic aneurysms and one hypogastric aneurysm. All patients were seen in an emergency setting. Five had fever and abdominal pain, and three had contained rupture. Campylobacter fetus was found in blood cultures of four patients and in the aneurysm specimen of one patient. Three patients were treated by open repair and two by endovascular repair. One patient treated endovascularly died from septic shock due to C fetus at 2 weeks. One patient treated by open surgery underwent reoperation for persistent infection. The remaining patients were cured, but one died at 5 months of an unrelated cause. All surviving patients received long-term antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: Campylobacter fetus infection of aortoiliac aneurysms is a serious condition with a high rate of rupture. However, long-term success can be obtained with prompt surgical treatment and an appropriate antibiotic regimen. The benefits of stent grafts remain debatable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To determine the impact on late postoperative renal function of suprarenal and infrarenal fixation of endografts used to treat infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 277 patients treated from 2000 to 2003 with three different endografts at two clinical centers. Five patients on dialysis for preoperative chronic renal failure were excluded. Group IF of 135 patients treated with an infrarenal device (Medtronic AneuRx) was compared with group SF of 137 patients treated with a suprarenal device (106 Cook Zenith and 31 Medtronic Talent). Renal function was evaluated by calculating preoperative and latest postoperative creatinine clearance (CrCl) using the Cockcroft formula. Patients who developed a >20% decrease in CrCl were considered to have significantly impaired renal function. Results: There were no significant differences in patient age, sex, aneurysm size, preoperative risk factors, dose of intra- and postoperative contrast, or baseline CrCl (IF: 69.3 mL/min, SF: 71.7 mL/min, P = .4). Follow-up time of 12.2 months was the same in both groups. CrCl decreased significantly during the follow-up period in both groups (IF: 69.3 mL/min to 61.7 mL/min, P < .01; SF: 71.7 mL/min to 64.9 mL/min, P < .03). Postoperative CrCl (IF: 61.7 mL/min, SF: 64.9 mL/min, P = .3), and the rate of CrCl decrease during the follow-up period (IF: −10.9%, SF: −9.5%, P = .2) was not different between the two groups. The number of patients with a >20% decrease in CrCl was not different between the two groups (IF: n = 35 [25.9%], SF: n = 41 [29.9%], P = .46). However, the magnitude of decrease in CrCl in patients with renal impairment was greater in patients treated with suprarenal fixation endografts (SF: −39%) compared with those treated with infrarenal endografts (IF: −31%, P = .005). This greater degree of renal impairment was not due to identifiable differences in preoperative risk factors, age, or baseline CrCl. No patients in these series required dialysis. Conclusions: Regardless the type of endograft used, there is a 10% decrease in CrCl in the first year after endovascular aneurysm repair. Suprarenal fixation does not seem to increase the likelihood of postoperative renal impairment. Decline in renal function over time after endovascular aortic repair is probably due to multiple factors, and measures known to be effective in protecting kidneys should be considered for these patients. Long-term follow-up with measurement of CrCl, along with renal imaging and regular blood pressure measurements, should be performed to detect possible late renal dysfunction. Prospective studies comparing suprarenal versus infrarenal fixation are needed to confirm those results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thoracic aortic stent grafts have been widely used. We report two cases of proximal misaligned deployment of the Valiant Captivia stent graft after hybrid treatment of thoracic aneurysms. This complication has, to our knowledge, never been previously reported in the literature with this stent graft. We discuss the various factors that may explain this complication. We also describe the bailout technique that was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physician-modified fenestrated stent grafts (PMSGs) are a useful option for urgent or semiurgent treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (CAAAs). The aim of this study was to describe in-hospital outcomes of custom-made fenestrated stent grafts (CMSGs) and PMSGs for the treatment of CAAAs and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). In this single-center, retrospective study, all consecutives patients with CAAAs or TAAAs undergoing endovascular repair using Zenith CMSGs (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) or PMSGs between January 2012 and November 2017 were included. End points were intraoperative adverse events, in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, reinterventions, target vessel patency, and endoleaks. Ninety-seven patients were included (CMSGs, n = 69; PMSGs, n = 28). The PMSG group included more patients assigned to American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 (n = 14 [50%] vs n = 16 [23%]; P =.006) and more TAAAs (n = 17 [61%] vs n = 10 [15%]; P <.0001). Intraoperative adverse events were recorded in eight (11%) patients in the CMSG group vs six (21%) patients in the PMSG group. No intraoperative death or open conversion occurred. In-hospital mortality rates were of 4% (n = 3) in the CMSG group and 14% in the PMSG group (n = 4). Chronic renal failure was an independent preoperative risk factor of postoperative death or complications (odds ratio, 4.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.65-14.43; P =.004). Rates of postoperative complications were 22% (n = 15) and 25% (n = 7) in the CMSG and PMSG groups. Spinal cord ischemia rates were 4% (n = 3) and 7% (n = 2) in the CMSG and PMSG groups. Reintervention rates were 16% (n = 11) in the CMSG group and 32% (n = 9) in the PMSG group. At discharge, target vessel patency rate in CMSGs was 98% (n = 207/210). All target vessels (n = 98) were patent in the PMSG group. Endoleaks at discharge were observed in 24% of the CMSG group (n = 16) vs 8% of the PMSG group (n = 2). Our study showed clinically relevant differences of several important in-hospital outcomes in the CMSG and PMSG groups. Larger cohorts and longer follow-up are needed to allow direct comparison. PMSGs may offer acceptable in-hospital results in patients requiring urgent interventions when CMSGs are not available or possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies, including three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), have shown that endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) offered better early results than open surgical repair (OSR) but a similar medium-term to long-term mortality and a higher incidence of reinterventions. Thus, the role of EVAR, most notably in low-risk patients, remains debated., Methods: The ACE (Anevrysme de l'aorte abdominale: Chirurgie versus Endoprothese) trial compared mortality and major adverse events after EVAR and OSR in patients with AAA anatomically suitable for EVAR and at low-risk or intermediate-risk for open surgery. A total of 316 patients with >5 cm aneurysms were randomized in institutions with proven expertise for both treatments: 299 patients were available for analysis, and 149 were assigned to OSR and 150 to EVAR. Patients were monitored for 5 years after treatment. Statistical analysis was by intention to treat., Results: With a median follow-up of 3 years (range, 0-4.8 years), there was no difference in the cumulative survival free of death or major events rates between OSR and EVAR: 95.9% ± 1.6% vs 93.2% ± 2.1% at 1 year and 85.1% ± 4.5% vs 82.4% ± 3.7% at 3 years, respectively (P = .09). In-hospital mortality (0.6% vs 1.3%; P = 1.0), survival, and the percentage of minor complications were not statistically different. In the EVAR group, however, the crude percentage of reintervention was higher (2.4% vs 16%, P < .0001), with a trend toward a higher aneurysm-related mortality (0.7% vs 4%; P = .12)., Conclusions: In patients with low to intermediate risk factors, open repair of AAA is as safe as EVAR and remains a more durable option., (Copyright © 2011 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)