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Purpose To describe the early results and mid-term patency rates of external iliac artery (EIA) stenting using self-expanding covered stents. Methods We conducted a multicenter retrospective study (2015–2021), including patients receiving primary endovascular treatment of external iliac artery occlusive disease with self-expanding covered stents. All patients were treated with the Viabahn (W.L Gore & Associates, Inc., Flagstaff, AZ–USA) stent. Patency and limb salvage rates were estimated with Kaplan–Meier curves. Results Ninety-three patients (mean age, 69 ± 9 years; 81% males) were treated for disabling claudication in 44%, rest pain in 28%, and tissue loss in 28%. TASC C/D lesions were present in 72% and iliac complete occlusion in 30%. Mean lesion length was 6.9 ± 2.4 cm; 30% had moderate/severe EIA calcifications; and the mean iliac tortuosity index was 1.17 ± 0.13. Technical success was 100%. There was one perioperative death (1.4%) and procedural complication rate was 6.5%. At 42 months (mean, 25 months), primary patency was 89.8% (95%CI 83–98); the presence of EIA tortuosity (tortuosity index > 1.25, 87.7 ± 11% vs 89.9 ± 8%; P = .6) or severe calcifications (87.6 ± 9% vs 96.0 ± 8%; P = .400) had no significant impact. After univariate analysis, the use of a stent with diameter P Conclusions The use of self-expanding covered stents provided excellent early and mid-term results in the treatment of obstructive disease of the EIA, also in cases of high EIA tortuosity and high grade of calcifications. The use of a

Background. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of two post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI) stages according to the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of function, End-stage (RIFLE) criteria in patients undergoing fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) for complex aortic aneurysms. Furthermore, we analyzed predictors of post-operative AKI and mid-term renal function deterioration and mortality. Methods. We included all patients who underwent elective FEVAR for abdominal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms between January 2014 and September 2021, independently from their preoperative renal function. We registered cases of post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI) both at risk (R-AKI) and injury stage (I-AKI) according to the RIFLE criteria. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was noted preoperatively, at the 48th post-operative hour, at the maximum post-operative peak, at discharge, and then during follow-up approximately every six months. Predictors of AKI were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Predictors of mid-term chronic kidney disease (CKD) (stage ≥ 3) onset and mortality were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Results. Forty-five patients were included in the present study. Mean age was 73.9 ± 6.1 years and 91% of patients were males. Thirteen patients (29%) presented with a preoperative CKD (stage ≥ 3). Post-operative I-AKI was detected in five patients (11.1%). The aneurysm diameter, thoracoabdominal aneurysms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were identified as predictors of AKI in univariate analysis (OR 1.05, 95% CI [1.005–1.20], p = 0.030; OR 6.25, 95% CI [1.03–43.97], p = 0.046; OR 7.43, 95% CI [1.20–53.36], p = 0.031; respectively), yet none of these factors were significative on multivariate analysis. Predictors of CKD onset (stage ≥3) during follow-up on multivariate analysis were age (HR 1.16, 95% CI [1.02–1.34], p = 0.023), post-operative I-AKI (HR 26.82, 95% CI [4.18–218.10], p < 0.001) and renal artery occlusion (HR 29.87, 95% CI [2.33–309.05], p = 0.013), while aortic-related reinterventions where not significantly associated with this outcome in univariate analysis (HR 0.66, 95% CI [0.07–2.77], p = 0.615). Mortality was influenced by preoperative CKD (stage ≥3) (HR 5.68, 95% CI [1.63–21.80], p = 0.006) and post-operative AKI (HR 11.60, 95% CI [1.70–97.51], p = 0.012). R-AKI did not represent a risk factor for CKD (stage ≥ 3) onset (HR 1.35, 95% CI [0.45–3.84], p = 0.569) or for mortality (HR 1.60, 95% CI [0.59–4.19], p = 0.339) during follow-up. Conclusions. In-hospital post-operative I-AKI represented the main major adverse event in our cohort, influencing CKD (≥ stage 3) onset and mortality during follow-up, which were not influenced by post-operative R-AKI and aortic-related reinterventions.

The aim of this study was to describe a single center preliminary experience with the use of a specific balloon expandable stent-graft for the treatment of innominate artery (IA) obstructive lesions.We report our experience with four male patients treated with Gore Viabahn balloon (Gore Medical, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) expandable stent-graft for different types of IA stenosis: three patients were symptomatic for vertebrobasilar insufficiency, while one patient was asymptomatic for cerebrovascular symptoms. The stent grafts were deployed using retrograde (N.=2) or antegrade approach (N.=2), aiming to cover the entire lesions length and to slightly protrude into the aortic arch. Post-dilatation was performed with a compliant balloon. One patient presented a tandem lesion (IA and right internal carotid artery) and after the stenting of the IA he was treated also with a carotid artery stenting during the same procedure.Technical success was achieved in all patients. No perioperative or postoperative complications had been reported and the neurological disorders disappeared for the three symptomatic patients. After a mean clinical and radiological follow-up of 24±5 months, all the stents were patent and perfectly adapted to the vessels.This preliminary clinical experience shows that the use of the Gore Viabahn balloon (Gore Medical) expandable stent-graft seems safe and feasible for the treatment of the IA obstructive lesions, also in presence of irregular plaques and hostile anatomies for an endovascular treatment. Larger experiences and long-term data are mandatory.

To describe prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with asymptomatic bilateral carotid stenosis.We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study on consecutive patients referred for bilateral carotid stenosis70% (2014-2021). All patients underwent systematic coronary angiography. Depending on anatomic and clinical characteristics, patients were addressed to combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA)+coronary artery bypass grafting, coronary percutaneous intervention followed by CEA or stenting (CAS), or staged bilateral CEA under cardiac best medical therapy. Cumulative 30-days stroke/myocardial infarction (MI) rate after cardiac and bilateral carotid interventions and long-term survival and freedom from cardiovascular mortality were assessed.One-hundred-sixty-seven patients with bilateral carotid stenosis70% received preoperative coronary angiography, identifying a severe CAD in 108 cases (65.1%). Echocardiography abnormalities (OR 2.07, 95%CI 1.03-5.78; P=.04) or prior coronary intervention (OR 11.94, 95%CI 2.99-63.81; P=.001) were significantly associated with severe CAD. CAD was treatable in 91 patients (84%) and untreatable in 17 (16%). The cumulative MI rate was 4.8%; 5.6% in patients with severe CAD and 1.7% in those without severe CAD (P=.262). The cumulative stroke rate was 1.8%, 1.8% in cases with severe CAD and 1.7% in cases without severe CAD (P=1.00). The overall stroke/MI rate was 6.6%; 8.3% for those with severe CAD and 3.3% in patients without severe CAD (P=.33). Patients with severe CAD deemed untreatable for coronary bypass or percutaneous intervention were at higher risk of perioperative stroke/MI (OR 1.24, 95%CI 1.00-2.83; P=.04). At 10 years, overall survival was 67.1% (95%CI 57-79) and freedom from cardiovascular mortality was 78.5% (95%CI 69-89). Patients with untreatable CAD maintained a higher risk of 10-years mortality (HR 5.5, 95%CI 1.6-19.9; P.01).The prevalence of CAD in patients with bilateral carotid stenosis is high, especially in those with abnormal echocardiography findings. CAD is potentially treatable in 80% of cases, and a staged or simultaneous CAD treatment was performed with an acceptable stroke/MI complication rate in these patients. The presence of an untreatable CAD was associated with worsened early and long-term outcomes, questioning the benefit of carotid interventions in this subset of patients.

To assess outcomes of fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) of Extent I-III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) without prophylactic cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD).Prophylactic CSFD has been routinely used during endovascular TAAA repair, but concerns about major drain-related complications gave led to revising this paradigm.We reviewed a multicenter cohort of 541 patients treated for Extent I-III TAAAs by FB-EVAR without prophylactic CSFD. Spinal cord injury (SCI) was graded as ambulatory (paraparesis) or non-ambulatory (paraplegia). Endpoints were any SCI, permanent paraplegia, response to rescue treatment, major drain-related complications, mortality, and patient survival.There were 22 Extent I, 240 Extent II and 279 Extent III TAAAs. Thirty-day mortality was 3%. SCI occurred in 45 patients (8%), paraparesis occurring in 23 (4%) and paraplegia in 22 patients (4%). SCI was more common in patients with Extent I-II compared to Extent III TAAAs (12% vs. 5%, P=0.01). Rescue treatment included permissive hypertension in all patients, with CSFD in 22 (4%). Symptom improvement was noted in 73%. Twelve patients (2%) had permanent paraplegia. Two patients (0.4%) had major drain-related complications. Independent predictors for SCI by multivariate logistic regression were sustained peri-operative hypotension (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.7-11.1), patent collateral network (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.6), and total length of aortic coverage (OR 1.05, CI 95% 1.01-1.10). Patient survival at 3-years was 72±3%.FB-EVAR of Extent I-III TAAAs without CSFD has low mortality and low rates of permanent paraplegia (2%). SCI occurred in 8% of patients, and rescue treatment improved symptoms in 73% of them.

We aimed to investigate predictors of intervention of acute type B aortic penetrating ulcer (PAU) and intramural hematoma (IMH). We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted for acute type B PAU or IMH in a tertiary referral hospital. Indications to intervention were "complicated" (rupture, impending rupture, malperfusion) or "high risk for unfavorable outcome" (refractory hypertension and/or pain despite best medical treatment, morphologic aortic evolution, transition to a new aortic syndrome, or increase in IMH/PAU depth5 mm) during the acute/subacute phase. The primary outcomes were overall mortality, aortic-related mortality, and freedom from intervention. Time-dependent outcomes were estimated with Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of intervention and mortality. There were 54 acute aortic syndromes, 37 PAUs and 17 IMHs. Mean age was 69 ± 14 years and 33 patients (62.2%) were male. Six (11.5%) patients had complicated aortic syndromes and underwent urgent repair. Two (3.7%) additional patients developed an impending rupture during the acute phase. Eleven (21.1%) patients were classified as at "high risk" during the initial hospitalization. Overall, 22 (40.7%) patients required an aortic intervention during the initial admission (n = 16, 72.7% during the acute phase; n = 6, 27.3% during the subacute phase). In-hospital mortality was 5.5% (1 PAU and 2 IMH), and was aorta-related in all cases. For IMH, disease extension in3 aortic zones (HR 1.94, 95%CI 1.17-32.6; p = 0.038) and presence of ulcer-like projections (ULPs) (HR 1.23, 95%CI 1.02-9.41; p = 0.042) were associated with the need for intervention. There were no aortic-related deaths or intervention during the chronic phase. PAU width20 mm (HR 1.68, 95%CI 1.07-16.08; p = 0.014), PAU depth15 mm (HR 6.74, 95%CI 1.31-34.18; p = 021), PAU depth/total aortic diameter0.3 (HR 4.31, 95%CI 1.17-20.32; p = 0.043), and location at the level of the paravisceral aorta (HR 2.24, 95%CI 1.23-4.70; p = 0.035) were significantly associated with need for intervention. Six additional (16.2%) PAUs required intervention during the chronic phase owing to PAU growth. Maximum aortic diameter35 mm was significantly associated with intervention (HR 1.45, 95%CI 1.00-2.32; p = 0.037). Acute symptomatic type B IMHs and PAUs are characterized by a high risk of complications during the first month from presentation. Morphologic features associated with intervention were IMH with ULPs or extension in more than 3 aortic zones, as well as PAUs with depth15 mm, width20 mm, or depth/aortic diameter ratio0.3. A strict follow-up protocol or consideration for early intervention within 30 days from presentation should be taken into account for these high-risk patients. During the chronic phase imaging follow-up is particularly important for PAUs in order to identify progression to saccular aneurysms.

To assess the prevalence of atherosclerotic carotid artery disease (ACAD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and postoperative cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) and evaluate its prognostic impact on postoperative CVAs.A retrospective review of all consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis (AVS) who underwent TAVI was conducted at a single tertiary university hospital (January 2008-December 2018). Patients with AVS scheduled for TAVI and concomitant carotid stenosis were evaluated for prophylactic carotid revascularization (carotid endarterectomy [CEA] or carotid artery stenting [CAS]).Seven hundred and seventy one consecutive patients (mean age: 80 years, 52% males) were treated by TAVI procedures. Carotid stenosis70% was detected in 69 patients (9%); it was unilateral in 47 (68%) and bilateral in 22 (32%) patients. Prophylactic carotid revascularization was performed before TAVI in 45 patients (31%): in 63.1% of patients (30/47) with unilateral carotid stenosis70% and in 68.1% (15/22) with bilateral carotid stenosis70%. Postoperative CVA following TAVI procedures were recorded in 25 patients (3.2%): 22 cases of stroke (2.8%) and 3 cases of transient ischemic attack (0.4%). At a multiple logistic regression, only bilateral carotid stenosis70% (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.03-1.31; P = 0.0009) was found as independent predictors of periprocedural CVA.In patients with severe symptomatic AVS undergoing TAVI, carotid stenosis was frequently observed. Unilateral carotid stenosis70% did not show a significant association with early CVA following TAVI. However, in the cohort of patients with bilateral carotid stenosis70%, a significant association with postoperative CVA was observed.

Background: We aimed to identify predictors of long-term aortic diameter change and disease progression in a population cohort of patients with newly diagnosed aortic dissection (AD), intramural hematoma (IMH), or penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU). Methods: We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project record linkage system to identify all Olmsted County, MN-USA, residents diagnosed with AD, IMH, and PAU (1995–2015). The endpoints were aortic diameter change, freedom from clinical disease progression (any related intervention, aortic aneurysm, new aortic syndrome, rupture or death) and disease resolution (complete spontaneous radiological disappear). Linear regression was used to assess aortic growth rate; predictors of disease progression were identified with Cox proportional hazards. Results: Of 133 incident cases, 46 ADs, 12 IMHs, and 28 PAUs with sufficient imaging data were included. Overall median follow-up was 8.1 years. Aortic diameter increase occurred in 40 ADs (87%, median 1.0 mm/year), 5 IMHs (42%, median 0.2 mm/year) and 14 PAUs (50%, median 0.4 mm/year). Symptomatic presentation (P = 0.045), connective tissue disorders (P = 0.005), and initial aortic diameter >42 mm (P = 0.013) were associated with AD growth rate. PAU depth >9 mm (P = 0.047) and female sex (P = 0.013) were associated with aortic growth rate in PAUs and IMHs. At 10 years, freedom from disease progression was 22% (95% CI 12–41) for ADs, 44% (95% CI 22–92) for IMHs, and 46% (95% CI 27–78) for PAUs. DeBakey I/IIIB AD (HR 3.09; P = 0.038), initial IMH aortic diameter (HR 1.4; P = 0.037) and PAU depth >10 mm (HR 3.92; P = 0.018) were associated with disease progression. No AD spontaneously resolved; resolution rate at 10 years was 22% (95% CI 0–45) for IMHs and 11% (95% CI 0–23) for PAUs. Conclusions: Aortic growth and clinical disease progression are observed in most patients with aortic syndromes, while spontaneous resolution is uncommon. Predictors of aortic growth and disease progression may be used to tailor appropriate follow-up and eventual early intervention.

Background: We aimed to assess the effect of surgeons’ shunting practice and shunt use on the early outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in recently symptomatic patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study based on a multicenter national prospective database. The Vascular Quality Initiative database (2010–2019) was queried for CEAs performed within 14 days after an ipsilateral stroke or transient ischemic attack. Surgeons were gauged as routine shunters if they shunted in >95% of CEAs, otherwise were classified as selective shunters. In-hospital stroke and death rates were compared between routine and selective shunters, stratifying by type of index event (transient ischemic attack versus stroke) and timing of CEA (≤2 versus >2 days). Results: Thirteen thousand four hundred sixty-nine CEAs were performed after a transient ischemic attack (43%) or stroke (57%), 3186 (24%) by routine shunters, and 10 283 (76%) by selective shunters. Comparing routine and selective shunters, in-hospital stroke (1.9% versus 2.4%; P =0.09) and death (0.4% versus 0.5%; P =0.73) rates were similar. A lower stroke rate (1.5% versus 4.2%; P =0.02) was achieved by routine shunters for CEA performed P P P =0.57). Awake anesthesia was adopted in 7.8% of cases by selective shunters and in 0.8% by routine shunters, without impact on the perioperative stroke rate (1.8% versus 2.3%; P =0.349). Conclusions: In this large national cohort, the overall outcomes of CEA were similar between routine and selective shunters. A lower postoperative stroke rate was achieved by routine shunters in CEA performed

Objective To report the early and mid-term outcomes following open surgical conversion (OSC) after failed endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) using data from a multicentric registry. Methods A retrospective study was carried out on consecutive patients undergoing OSC after failed EVAR at eight tertiary vascular units from the same geographic area in the North-East of Italy, from April 2005 to November 2019. Study endpoints included early and follow-up outcomes. Results A total of 144 consecutive patients were included in the study. Endoleaks were the most common indication for OSC (50.7%), with endograft infection (24.6%) and occlusion (21.9%) being the second most prevalent causes. The overall rate of 30-day all-cause mortality was 13.9% (n = 20); 32 patients (22.2%) experienced at least one major complication. Mean length of stay was 13 ± 12.7 days. On multivariate logistic regression, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1-19; P = .02), renal clamping time (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13; P = .01), and suprarenal/celiac clamping (OR, 6.66; 95% CI, 1.81-27.1; P = .005) were identified as independent predictors of perioperative major complications. Age was the only factor associated with perioperative mortality at 30 days. Renal clamping time >25 minutes had sensitivity of 65% and specificity of 70% in predicting the occurring of major adverse events (area under the curve, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.61-0.82). At 5 years, estimated survival was significantly lower for patients treated due to aortic rupture/dissection (28%; 95% CI, 13%-61%), compared with patients in whom the indication for treatment was endoleak (54%; 95% CI, 40%-73%), infection (53%; 95% CI, 30%-94%), or thrombosis (82%; 95% CI, 62%-100%; P = .0019). Five-year survival rates were significantly lower in patients who received emergent treatment (28%; 95% CI, 14%-55%) as compared with those who were treated in an urgent (67%; 95% CI, 48%-93%) or elective setting (57%; 95% CI, 43%-76%; P = .00026). Subjects who received suprarenal/celiac (54%; 95% CI, 36%-82%) or suprarenal (46%; 95% CI, 34%-62%) aortic cross-clamping had lower survival rates at 5 years than those whose aortic-cross clamp site was infrarenal (76%; 95% CI, 59%-97%; P = .041). Using multivariate Cox proportional hazard, older age and emergency setting were independently associated with higher risk for overall 5-year mortality. Conclusions OSC after failed EVAR was associated with relatively high rates of early morbidity and mortality, particularly for emergency setting surgery. Endoleaks with secondary sac expansion were the main indication for OSC, and suprarenal aortic cross-clamping was frequently required. Endograft infection and emergent treatment remained associated with poorer short- and long-term survival.