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Objective: To assess the complex management of arterial anomalies in Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS). Methods: We report the case of a 34-year-old male, diagnosed with vEDS, who presented with acute intraperitoneal hemorrhage caused by the rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm, treated in emergency with coil embolization and splenectomy. Computed Tomography (CT) scan showed the concomitant presence of right renal artery (RRA) and common hepatic artery (CHA) aneurysms. Results: Both aneurysms were conservatively managed and the patient went through serial CT imaging. After 3 months, rapid regression of the vascular abnormalities led to complete disappearing of RRA and CHA aneurysms, confirmed at 24-month imaging follow-up. In the same time span, two pseudoaneurysms developed in other sites used for transarterial access, requiring two secondary interventions. The present case emphasizes the unpredictability of disease's evolution and arterial complications in vEDS. Conservative management of complex lesions such as visceral artery aneurysms, which in this case resulted to be the best strategy, avoided the risks associated with surgical intervention in such fragile tissues. The reported complications underline that operative indications should be carefully weighed in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The complexity of the peripheral recanalization comes from the difficulty to cross the lesion or get into the subintimal space and its re-entry afterward, with a high risk of complications like artery dissection and/or rupture, which are life-threatening complications. To our knowledge, we report the first case of the use of a homemade steerable sheath for the successful revascularization of a heavy chronic total occlusion in a patient with unsuitable upper vascular access. Technique: By contralateral vascular access and the use of a 6Fr 55-cm Cook Flexor sheath and a pre-looped 0.014" choice guidewire, a steerable homemade sheath was used to achieve the support, pushability, and steer needed to access the subintimal space at the origin of a heavy occluded common iliac artery, thus giving us the ability to cross the lesion. Conclusions: The homemade steerable sheath is feasible, quick, cheap, and easy to use, sparing the use of re-entry systems and catheters for the attempts of subintimal navigation. In addition, this technique gives the advantage to steer the catheters and wires as needed, avoiding non-desired re-entry points with secondary collaterals lumen compromise or extensive dissections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report the results of a single-centre in the treatment of extensive aorto-iliac occlusive disease (AIOD) by the covered endovascular reconstruction of aortic bifurcation (CERAB) technique. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data obtained from the review of medical charts of all consecutive patients treated with CERAB technique for AIOD between January 2016 and December 2019 in San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital (Rome, Italy). Clinical examination, duplex ultrasound with ankle-brachial index measurement and contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography were performed preoperatively. A clinical and ultrasound follow-up was carried out at one month and then half yearly after the intervention to evaluate patients' clinical status, limb salvage, target lesion revascularization rate, primary and secondary patency rate. Results: During the study period, 24 patients (14 men, 58.3%; 10 women, 41.7%; median age 59 years, range 37–79 years) underwent CERAB for AIOD (TASC II C 29.2%, TASC II D 70.8%). Indications for treatment were: intermittent claudication in 18 patients (75%) and critical limb ischemia in 6 (25%). Technical success was achieved in all cases. Perioperative minor complications occurred in three cases (12.5%). One patient reported an intraoperative iliac rupture requiring adjunctive covered stenting. Median hospital length of stay was two days (range 1–9). No patient died perioperatively nor at the last follow-up. At a median follow-up of 18 months (range 6–48 months), mean ankle-brachial index increased significantly (from 0.62 ± 0.15 before the procedure to 0.84 ± 0.18) (P < 0.001) and target lesion revascularization rate was 12.5%. At two years, the limb salvage rate was 100%, and primary and secondary patency rates were 87.5% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: CERAB technique demonstrated to be effective at the mid-term follow-up with low rate of complications and short length of stay. Long-term results and more robust data are needed to affirm this technique as the first-line treatment for extensive AIOD. However, it could become the preferred option especially in fragile patients and during contemporary COVID-19 pandemic due to the current limitations in vascular and critical care bed capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present a single-centre experience with EndoAnchors in patients who underwent endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms with challenging proximal neck, both in the prevention and treatment of endograft migration and type Ia endoleaks. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 17 consecutive patients treated with EndoAnchors between June 2015 and May 2018 at our institution. EndoAnchors were applied during the initial endovascular aneurysm repair procedure (primary implant) to prevent proximal neck complications in difficult anatomies (nine patients), and in the follow-up after aneurysm exclusion (secondary implant) to correct type Ia endoleak and/or stent-graft migration (eight patients). Results: Mean time for anchors implant was 23 min (range 12-41), with a mean of 5 EndoAnchors deployed per patient. Six patients in the secondary implant group required a proximal cuff due to stent-graft migration ≤10 mm. Technical success was achieved in all cases, with no complications related to deployment of the anchors. At a median follow-up of 13 months (range 4-39, interquartile range 9-20), there were no aneurysm-related deaths or aneurysm ruptures, and all patients were free from reinterventions. CT-scan surveillance showed no evidence of type Ia endoleak, anchors dislodgement or stent-graft migration, with a mean reduction of aneurysm diameter of 0.4mm (range 0-19); there was no sac growth or aortic neck enlargement in any case. Conclusions: EndoAnchors can be safely used in the prevention and treatment of type Ia endoleaks in patients with challenging aortic necks, with good results in terms of sac exclusion and diameter reduction in the mid-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]