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Objective: Endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) is a prevalent treatment option for patients with severe venous disease. However, the decision to intervene for patients with less severe disease (CEAP [clinical, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology] C2 and C3) is less clear and becomes further complicated for patients with obesity, a pathology known to increase venous disease symptom severity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative database to evaluate outcomes after EVTA in obese patients with CEAP C2 and C3 venous insufficiency., Methods: Using the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative database, we retrospectively analyzed the initial procedure of all patients with a CEAP clinical class of C2 or C3 who underwent EVTA from January 2015 to December 2021. Patients were grouped by obesity, defined as a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m 2 . The primary outcome was the change in venous clinical severity score (VCSS) from the procedure to the patient's initial follow-up. The secondary outcomes included the change in patient-reported outcomes at follow-up via the HASTI (heaviness, achiness, swelling, throbbing, itching) score, incidence of follow-up complications, and recanalization of treated veins. The change in the VCSS and HASTI score were analyzed using Student t tests, and complications and recanalization were assessed using the Fisher exact test. Significant outcomes were confirmed by multiple variable logistic regression. The remaining significant variables were then analyzed, with obesity categorized using the World Health Organization classification system to analyze how increasing obesity levels affect outcomes., Results: There were 8146 limbs that met the inclusion criteria, of which 5183 (63.6%) were classified as nonobese and 2963 (36.4%) as obese. Obesity showed no impact on improvement in the VCSS (-3.29 vs -3.35; P = .408). Obesity was found to be associated with a larger improvement in overall symptoms, as evidence by a greater improvement in the HASTI score (-7.24 vs -6.62; P < .001). Obese limbs showed a higher incidence of superficial phlebitis (1.5% vs 0.7%; P = .001), but no difference was found in recanalization or any other complication., Conclusions: These data suggest that obese patients with CEAP clinical class C2 or C3 experience greater improvement in their perceived symptoms after EVTA with little difference in clinical improvement and complications compared with nonobese patients. Although obesity has been associated with increased severity of venous disease symptoms, obese patients are able to derive significant relief after treatment during the short term and may experience greater relief of symptoms than nonobese patients when treated at more mild disease presentations., Competing Interests: Disclosures None., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Antiplatelet therapies with thromboxane inhibitors and adenosine 5'-diphosphate antagonists have been widely used following carotid artery stenting (CAS). However, these therapies may not apply to patients who are intolerant or present acutely. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) are a proposed alternative therapy in these patients; however, their use has been limited due to concerns of increased risk for intracranial bleeding. Thus, this study aims to assess the safety profile of GPI in patients undergoing CAS., Methods: All patients undergoing CAS in the Society of Vascular Surgery - Vascular Quality Initiative database from 2012 to 2021 was included and grouped into GPI versus non-GPI therapy (control). The primary outcome was in-hospital stroke or death, and secondary outcomes included in-hospital stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), death, myocardial infarction, and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)/seizure. Patients were stratified by surgical approach (Transcarotid artery revascularization using flow reversal (TCAR) and transfemoral carotid artery stenting), and stepwise backward logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate major primary and secondary outcomes., Results: A total of 50,628 patients underwent carotid revascularization. Of these, 4.4% of the patients received GPI. Mean age was similar between control versus GPI (71.35(9.67) vs. 71.36(10.20) years). Compared to the control group, patients who receive GPI are less likely to be on optimal medical therapy, including aspirin (83.0% vs. 88.1%), P2Y12 inhibitor (73.0% vs. 82.7%), and statin (82.3% vs. 86.0%) (All P < 0.05). In addition, patients in the GPI group were more likely to undergo TCAR for carotid revascularization (52.2% vs. 48.4%) for emergent/urgent (29.4% vs. 16.8%) and symptomatic indications (55.5% vs. 49.7%) (All P < 0.001). After stratifying by surgical approach, if patients underwent TFCAS and received a GPI, they were at increased odds of developing stroke/death (1.77(1.25-2.51)), death (odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 1.67(1.07-2.61)), stroke/TIA (OR (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.65(1.09-2.51)), and ICH/seizure (OR (95% CI): 2.13(1.23-3.68)) (All P < 0.05). No difference was seen in outcomes between the 2 groups if undergoing TCAR., Conclusions: Patients who receive GPI were more likely to be symptomatic at presentation and less likely to be medically optimized before their carotid revascularization. Transfemoral access in patients receiving GPI was associated with increased odds of morbidity and mortality. However, this was not observed if undergoing TCAR. TCAR can be considered for its overall favorable results in high-risk patients who are not medically optimized., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) can be performed via local anesthetics and/or regional (epidural or spinal) anesthesia (locoregional [LR]), versus general anesthesia (GA), conferring reduced intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays. Current analyses fail to account for temporal changes in vascular practice. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm reductions in ICU and hospital stays among LR patients while accounting for changes in practice patterns., Materials and Methods: Using the Society for Vascular Surgery's Vascular Quality Initiative, elective EVARs from August 2003 to June 2021 were grouped into LR or GA. Outcomes included ICU admission and prolonged hospital stay (>2 d). Procedures were stratified into groups of 2 y periods, and outcomes were analyzed within each time period. Univariable and multivariate analyses were used to assess outcomes., Results: LR was associated with reduced ICU admissions (22.3% versus 32.1%, P < 0.001) and prolonged hospital stays (14.3% versus 7.9%, P < 0.001) overall. When stratified by year, LR maintained its association with reduced ICU admissions in 2014-2015 (21.8% versus 34.0%, P < 0.001), 2016-2017 (23.6% versus 31.6%, P < 0.001), 2018-2019 (18.5% versus 30.2%, P < 0.001), and 2020-2021 (15.8% versus 28.8%, P < 0.001), although this was highly facility dependent. LR was associated with fewer prolonged hospital stays in 2014-2015 (15.6% versus 20.4%, P = 0.001) and 2016-2017 (13.3% versus 16.6%, P = 0.006) but not after 2017., Conclusions: GA and LR have similar rates of prolonged hospital stays after 2017, while LR anesthesia was associated with reduced rates of ICU admissions, although this is facility-dependent, providing a potential avenue for resource preservation in patients suitable for LR., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Based on data supporting a volume-outcome relationship in elective aortic aneurysm repair, the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) guidelines recommend that endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) be localized to centers that perform ≥10 operations annually and have a perioperative mortality and conversion-to-open rate of ≤2% and that open aortic repair (OAR) be localized to centers that perform ≥10 open aortic operations annually and have a perioperative mortality ≤5%. However, the number and distribution of centers meeting the SVS criteria remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the temporal trends and geographic distribution of Centers Meeting the SVS Aortic Guidelines (CMAG) in the United States., Methods: The SVS Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for all OAR, aortic bypasses, and EVAR from 2011 to 2019. Annual OAR and EVAR volume, 30-day elective operative mortality for OAR or EVAR, and EVAR conversion-to-open rate for all centers were calculated. The SVS guidelines for OAR and EVAR, individually and combined, were applied to each institution leading to a CMAG designation. The proportion of CMAGs by region (West, Midwest, South, and Northeast) were compared by year using a χ 2 test. Temporal trends were estimated using a multivariable logistic regression for CMAG, adjusting by region., Results: Overall, 67,865 patients (49,264 EVAR; 11,010 OAR; 7591 aortic bypasses) at 336 institutions were examined. The proportion of EVAR CMAGs increased nationally by 1.7% annually from 51.6% (n = 33/64) in 2011 to 67.1% (n = 190/283) in 2019 (β = .05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.09; P = .02). The proportion of EVAR CMAGs across regions ranged from 27.3% to 66.7% in 2011 to 63.9% to 72.9% in 2019. In contrast, the proportion of OAR CMAGs has decreased nationally by 1.8% annually from 32.8% (n = 21/64) in 2011 to 16.3% (n = 46/283) in 2019 (β = -.14; 95% CI, -0.19 to -0.10; P < .01). Combined EVAR and OAR CMAGs were even less frequent and decreased by 1.5% annually from 26.6% (n = 17/64) in 2011 to 13.1% (n = 37/283) in 2019 (β = -.12; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.07; P < .01). In 2019, there was no significant difference in regional variation of the proportion of combined EVAR and OAR CMAGs (P = .82)., Conclusions: Although an increasing proportion of institutions nationally meet the SVS guidelines for EVAR, a smaller proportion meet them for OAR, with a concerning downward trend. These data question whether we can safely offer OAR at most institutions, have important implications about sufficient OAR exposure for trainees, and support regionalization of OAR., Competing Interests: Disclosures None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: Guidelines recommend open revascularization (OR) over endovascular revascularization (ER) for the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) for younger, healthier patients. However, little is known about the long-term costs of these recommendations with respect to patients' overall life expectancy. This study investigated whether 5-year value differs between these treatment modalities., Methods: Patient data were extracted from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, the New York statewide all-payor database containing demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and charges. The database was queried for patients with an International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, code for CMI, with the specific exclusion of acute ischemia cases. A propensity score match was performed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index, age, sex, race, renal status, and pulmonary disease for the final cohort of patients. Multiple linear regression and mixed effects linear regression were used to determine factors associated with 5-year value, calculated as life-years/$100k in charges. Charges were gathered from the index admission and subsequent admissions for acute or CMI, mesenteric angiography, or follow-up reintervention. Kaplan-Meier estimation was performed for survival and reintervention-free survival., Results: From 2000 to 2014, 875 patients underwent intervention for CMI. Of those meeting inclusion criteria, 209 (28.1%) underwent OR and 535 (71.9%) ER. After propensity score matching (n = 209 in each group), the ER group showed higher value at 5 years after the procedure (8.04 ± 11.42 life-years/$100k charges vs 4.89 ± 5.28 life-years/$100k charges; P < .01). More patients underwent reintervention in the ER group (37 patients vs 17 patients; P < .01), with 55 reinterventions in the ER group and 19 in the OR group (P < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, congestive heart failure, dysrhythmia, cancer, and days spent in the intensive care unit were negatively associated with value at 5 years, whereas ER was positively associated. Survival was 59.6 ± 3.76% vs 62.3% ± 3.49% at 5 years (P = .91), and reintervention-free survival was 43.7 ± 3.86% vs 58.1 ± 3.53% (P = .04), for ER and OR respectively., Conclusions: Despite increased reinterventions and lower reintervention-free survival, the value for patients with CMI was higher in those who underwent ER in the largest propensity score-matched cohort to date looking at long-term value. Factors negatively associated with value were OR, age, days in intensive care, congestive heart failure, dysrhythmia, and cancer. In patients with amenable anatomy, ER is validated as the first-choice treatment for CMI based on the superior procedural value., Competing Interests: Disclosures None., (Copyright © 2023 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: There are limited analyses of survival and postoperative outcomes in chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) using data from large cohorts. Current guidelines recommend open repair (OR) for younger, healthier patients when long-term benefits outweigh increased perioperative risks or for poor endovascular repair (ER) candidates. This study investigates whether long-term survival, reintervention, and value differ between these treatment modalities., Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on data extracted from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, the New York statewide all-payer database containing demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and charges. Patients were selected for CMI and subsequent ER or OR using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Patients with peripheral arterial disease were excluded to account for ambiguity in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision procedure code for angioplasty of noncoronary vessels, which includes angioplasty of upper and lower extremity vessels. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare 1-year and 5-year survival and reintervention between treatment modalities using a propensity-matched cohort. Cox proportional hazards testing was performed to find factors associated with 1-year and 5-year survival and reintervention. Analysis of procedural value was performed using linear regression., Results: From 2000 to 2014, 744 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 209 (28.1%) underwent OR and 535 (71.9%) ER. No difference between propensity-matched groups was found in 1-year (P = 0.46) or 5-year (P = 0.91) survival. Congestive heart failure (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-4.4; P < 0.01), cancer (HR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3-5.8; P < 0.01), and dysrhythmia (HR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-2.8; P = 0.02) correlated with 1-year mortality. Cancer (HR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.6-5.5; P < 0.01), congestive heart failure (HR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.5-3.2; P < 0.01), chronic pulmonary disease (HR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-2.0; P = 0.04), and age (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05; P < 0.01) correlated with 5-year mortality. Treatment modality was not associated with reintervention at 1 year on Kaplan-Meier analysis (P = 0.29). However, ER showed increased instances of reintervention at 5 years (P < 0.01). Additionally, ER was associated with an increased 5-year value (0.7 ± 0.9 vs. 0.5 ± 0.5 life years/charges at index admission [$10k], P < 0.01; b coefficient: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.4, P < 0.01)., Conclusions: This is the largest retrospective propensity-matched single-study cohort to analyze long-term survival outcomes after intervention for CMI. Long-term mortality was independent of treatment modality and rather was associated with patient comorbidities. Therefore, treatment selection should depend on anatomic considerations and long-term value. ER should be considered over OR in patients with amenable anatomy based on the superior procedural value., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We sought to quantify the percent calcification within carotid artery plaques and assess its impact on percent residual stenosis and rate of restenosis in patients undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization for symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis., Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected institutional Vascular Quality Initiative data was performed to identify all patients undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization from December 2015 to June 2021 (n = 210). Patient and lesion characteristics were extracted. Using a semiautomated workflow, preoperative computed tomography head and neck angiograms were analyzed to determine the calcified plaque volume in distal common carotid artery and internal carotid artery plaques. Intraoperative digital subtraction angiograms were reviewed to calculate the percent residual stenosis post-intervention according to North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria. Peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity were extracted from outpatient carotid duplex ultrasound examinations. Univariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship of calcium volume percent and Vascular Quality Initiative lesion calcification to percent residual stenosis in completion angiograms. Kaplan-Meier analysis examined the relationship between calcium volume percent and in-stent stenosis over 36 months., Results: One hundred ninety-seven carotid arteries were preliminarily examined. Predilation was performed in 87.4% of cases with a mean balloon diameter of 5.1 ± 0.7 mm and a mean stent diameter was 8.8 ± 1.1 mm. The mean calcium volume percent was 11.9 ± 12.4% and the mean percent residual stenosis was 16.1 ± 15.6%. Univariate logistic regression demonstrated a statistically significant difference between calcium volume percent and percent residual stenosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.324; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.005-1.746; P = .046). Stratified by quartile, only the top 25% of calcified plaques (>18.7% calcification) demonstrated a statistically significant association with higher percent residual stenosis (OR, 2.532; 95% CI, 1.049-6.115; P =.039). There was no statistical significance with lesion calcification (OR, 1.298; 95% C,: 0.980-1.718; P = .069). A Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the rate of in-stent stenosis during a 36-month follow-up for lesions containing >8.2% calcium volume (P = .0069)., Conclusions: A calcium volume percent of >18.7% was associated with a higher percent residual stenosis, and a calcium volume percent of >8.2% was associated with higher in-stent stenosis at 36 months. There was one clinically diagnosed stroke during the follow-up period, demonstrating the overall safety of the procedure., (Copyright © 2023 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Anatomic severity grade (ASG) score is utilized to assess preoperative abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and provide a quantitative data on its anatomic complexity. The aim of this study is to determine the anatomical differences and long-term survival between male and female patients undergoing elective AAA repair., Methods: All patients undergoing intact AAA repair from 2007 to 2014 were included. ASG scores were calculated based on preoperative anatomical characteristics including aortic neck, aneurysm, and iliac artery. Standard univariate analysis was used to evaluate patient and anatomical characteristics. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to evaluate long-term survival at 1 and 5 years., Results: A total of 379 patients were identified, of which, majority of them were males (80%). Females were on average 3 years older (mean [SD]: 74.32 [8.63] vs. 71.92 [8.64] years) and were more likely to undergo open repair (29.7% vs. 17.5%) (both P < 0.05). Both groups had similar comorbidities. The mean long-term follow-up (S.D.) was 6.21 (3.81) years. No significant difference was seen between males versus females in long-term survival at both 1 year (86.3% vs. 92.8, P = 0.06) and 5 year (68.5% vs. 72.7%, P = 0.38). In regard to the anatomical characteristics, females had shorter aortic neck length (mean in mm [S.D.]: 17.67 [1.41] vs. 27.20 [15.76]), increased tortuosity index [mean (S.D.): 1.11 (0.07) vs. 1.09 (0.07)]) and higher calcification [mean % (S.D.): 17.12 (21.17) vs. 10.59 (16.82)] (All P < 0.05). In contrast, males had larger aortic neck (mean in mm (S.D.): 23.81 (4.17) vs. 22.41 (4.16)] and iliac artery [mean in mm (S.D.): 7.70 (1.91) vs. 6.28 (1.67)] diameter (both P < 0.05). The mean total ASG score was significantly higher among females versus males [mean (S.D.): 17.23 (4.01) vs. 15.67 (3.96), P = 0.003]. After stratifying by ASG score ≥15, females had significantly lower survival at 1 year compared to males (82.6% vs. 92.1%, P = 0.04). However, this difference disappeared at 5 years., Conclusions: The data demonstrate that females present at an older age with more complex AAA anatomy than males. Based on anatomical complexities, females were more likely to undergo open repair, with a corresponding increase in 1-year mortality, but not at 5 year. The data suggest that care processes for optimization of aortic surgery in females are needed to improve 1-year survival., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: It has been shown local or regional anesthetic techniques are a feasible alternative to general anesthesia for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, studies to date have shown controversial findings with respect to the benefit of locoregional anesthesia (LR) in the elective setting. The objective of this study is to compare postoperative outcomes between LR and general anesthesia (GA) in the setting of elective EVAR, using a large, multicenter database., Methods: Using the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative database, we retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent elective EVAR from August 2003 to June 2021. Patients were grouped by anesthetic type based on the level of consciousness afforded by the anesthetic: local or regional anesthesia (LR) vs GA. Primary outcomes were total postoperative hospital length-of-stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS. Propensity score matching was used for risk adjustment and to analyze the primary outcomes with confirmatory analysis using logistic or linear regression, as appropriate, in single and multilevel models. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, postoperative outcomes, operative time, fluoroscopy time, and reoperation rate. These were analyzed following propensity score matching as well as using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression in single and multilevel models, as appropriate., Results: A total of 50,809 patients underwent elective EVAR from 2003 to 2021. Of these, 4302 repairs used LR (8.5%) and 46,507 (91.5%) were performed under GA. After employing propensity score matching, two groups of 3027 patients were produced. These showed no significant difference in 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 1.22; P = .53), 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.06; P = .62), or any postoperative outcomes. LR was found to be significantly associated with shorter hospital stays (≤2 days) (12.5% vs 14.8%; P = .01), decreased ICU utilization (19.3% vs 30.6%; P < .001), decreased operative time (110.8 vs 117.3 minutes; P < .001), decreased fluoroscopy time (21.0 vs 22.7 minutes; P < .001), and a slight reduction in reoperation rate (1.2% vs 1.9%; P = .02), which all remained significant following single-level and multilevel multivariate analyses accounting for hospital and physician random effects., Conclusions: These data suggest that LR anesthesia is safe and may offer advantages in reducing resource utilization for patients undergoing elective EVAR, primarily based on associations with reduced ICU care and reduced hospital stay. Given these findings, LR may prove an advantageous technique in appropriately selected patient populations., (Copyright © 2022 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta (TEVAR) outcomes have been studied with an interest in complications related to left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage in patients with atherosclerotic pathologies; however, specific data on the management of the LSA in a trauma population are lacking. The objective of this study is to evaluate outcomes following TEVAR for traumatic aortic injury based on LSA coverage., Methods: The Vascular Quality Initiative thoracic endovascular aortic repair module (2010-2017) was analyzed. Patients were included if they had a traumatic aortic injury requiring TEVAR. Patients were placed in 2 groups based on coverage of the LSA. Patients were propensity score matched and the primary outcomes were cerebrovascular symptoms and spinal cord ischemia. Additional clinical and resource utilization outcomes were analyzed., Results: Four hundred and fifty one patients were included in the analysis. There were 268 patients in the LSA not-covered group and 183 patients in the LSA covered group. The mean aortic injury grade was 2.88 ± 0.056 vs. 2.88 ± 0.049 in the covered versus not-covered group (P = 0.957). Glasgow coma scale and injury severity score were not different between the groups. There was no difference between groups for cerebrovascular symptoms or spinal cord ischemia, 1.4% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.684 and 0% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.247, after propensity score matching. Significant differences in access site complications and resource utilization were identified between groups., Conclusions: This is the largest series to evaluate complications based on LSA coverage following TEVAR in trauma patients. Our data demonstrate that coverage of the LSA during TEVAR following blunt trauma is associated with no difference in central nervous system outcomes. As such, LSA revascularization strategies, while possible, are not directly supported by these data and should be individualized based on each patient's specific clinical scenario., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Within the context of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), the role of anticoagulation therapy on endoleak development and subsequent reintervention is unclear with conflicting data in the literature. The hypothesis of this study is that long-term anticoagulation is associated with persistent type II endoleaks and failure of sac regression in patients undergoing endoluminal repair of intact infrarenal aortic aneurysm., Methods: Retrospective cohort abstracted from the Vascular Quality Initiative index hospitalization and long-term follow-up datasets for EVAR (2003-2017) were included in the analysis. Patients not taking aspirin preoperatively and postoperatively were excluded. Patients taking anticoagulation and aspirin concomitantly (treatment) after the index procedure were compared against patients taking aspirin alone (control). Anticoagulation included warfarin and novel oral anticoagulants, including factor Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin inhibitors. One-to-one greedy matching using propensity scores was implemented to match patients. The primary end points were failure of aneurysm sac regression, sac expansion, risk of endoleak, and reintervention rate for endoleak at follow-up. Sac regression was defined as a decrease of at least 5 mm and sac expansion was defined as an increase of at least 5 mm., Results: There were 9004 patients who received ASA alone and 332 patients who received ASA and anticoagulation. Propensity scores were used to create 301 matching pairs to account for differences in baseline characteristics and comorbidities, including but not limited to age, sex, smoking, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease between the treatment and control groups. After adjusting for covariables anticoagulation use was independently associated with a significantly decreased abdominal aortic aneurysm sac regression (41.59% vs 58.41%; P = .001), but no statistically significant difference in sac expansion with long-term anticoagulation use (9.7% vs 4.9%; P = .056). There was increased risk of type II endoleaks (11.96% vs 6.31%; P = .023; relative risk, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.23; P = .016), but no significant differences in type I, III, or indeterminate endoleaks. There was no statistical difference in 2-year reintervention rates (4.32% vs 2.66%; hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-3.77; P = .461). There were no differences in any primary outcome between warfarin and novel oral anticoagulants., Conclusions: These data demonstrate that long-term aspirin plus anticoagulation use is associated with a lack of aortic sac reduction and persistent type II endoleak, but not an increased risk for subsequent reintervention. Because prior studies have demonstrated that sac regression is a correlate of survival, these findings associating regression failure suggest a potential therapeutic failure for patients undergoing EVAR who also require long-term anticoagulation therapy. Although not a contraindication, long-term anticoagulation should be considered when counseling patients with a surgical indication aortic aneurysm., (Copyright © 2022 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: There has been a dramatic rise in opioid-related deaths over the past decade. Most of the reduction strategies have focused on outpatient use; however, recent studies have demonstrated an association between inpatient opioid use and consumption following discharge across a variety of surgical procedures. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of inpatient use of opioids as well as the consumption of opioids after discharge following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR)., Methods: A prospectively maintained database was reviewed for cases between 2015 and 2018. Patients were included in the study if they underwent an elective EVAR, had an intensive care unit stay less than 1 day and total length of stay less than 3 days. Patients were contacted to participate in a survey of opioid use if they received a prescription at discharge. The primary outcome was percent of prescribed opioids consumed following discharge. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of receiving an opioid prescription., Results: One hundred seventy-one patients were included in the analysis; 95% patients were white and 85% male. 59% of patients responded to the survey. Seventy-one (42%) received an opioid prescription at discharge. Patients that received a discharge prescription tended to be younger (71 vs. 75 years, P = 0.005) and more likely to have received opioids while in the hospital (79% vs. 45%, P < 0.001). Additionally, patients who received opioids at discharge received a significantly greater amount of milligram oral morphine equivalents (OME) while in the hospital (27.76 ± 38.91 vs. 10.05 ±29.43, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated age, estimated blood loss (EBL), and OME per day to be significant inpatient predictors of requiring an outpatient opioid prescription. Open femoral access (27%) was not a predictor of opioid prescription at discharge. A total of 1185 pills were prescribed (29.6 ± 2.06 per patient), but only 208 pills consumed (5.2 ± 1.27 per patient). Around 82% of total pills prescribed were not consumed., Conclusions: This study evaluates inpatient opioid use and postdischarge consumption following EVAR. These data identify key factors associated with receiving an opioid prescription at discharge and demonstrate that patients consume far fewer opioids than prescribed. These findings provide insight as to which patients may not require an outpatient prescription following EVAR, leading to potential practice-changing opioid reduction strategies., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Access site complications are among the most common complications following peripheral vascular interventions. Previous studies have demonstrated a reduced rate of complications with ultrasound-guided vascular access (UGVA). The objective of this study is to evaluate the regional use of UGVA within the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI)., Methods: The VQI peripheral intervention module between 2010 and 2018 was evaluated. Regional ID was used to compare distribution of ultrasound usage. Regions were grouped into terciles based on the rate of ultrasound use. Patients were categorized based on type of access. Primary outcome was use of ultrasound across regions. Secondary outcomes were access site complications., Results: Over 43,000 cases across the 18 VQI regions were evaluated. The average rate of ultrasound usage was 71% across the regions with a wide variation (range 38-97%). There is a significant difference in utilization among the top third (87%), middle third (79%), and bottom third (58%) (P < 0.001). Average sheath size was similar across all 3 groups. A higher use of ultrasound-guided access was associated with significantly fewer access site complications (top third 1.96% vs. bottom third 3.04%, P < 0.001), the most significant of which was a decreased rate of access site hematoma (top third 1.37% vs. bottom third 2.35%, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate ultrasound-guided access across VQI regions. Our results demonstrate that despite strong evidence supporting the utilization of UGVA, there remains a wide variation in ultrasound usage across VQI regions. This is also the first study to show that the prevalence of ultrasound use in peripheral vascular interventions (PVI) is inversely related to access site complications. Given all of the data supporting the usage of UGVA across numerous specialties, our findings encourage the consideration of an ultrasound-first approach for vascular access in PVI and the implementation of targeted strategies and evidence-based guidelines to enhance UGVA utilization in PVI., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Anatomic severity grade (ASG) can be used to assess abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) anatomic complexity. High ASG is associated with complications following endovascular repair of AAAs and we have demonstrated that ASG correlates with resource utilization. The hypothesis of this study is that ASG is directly related to midterm mortality in patients undergoing AAA repair., Methods: Patients who underwent infrarenal AAA repairs between July 2007 and August 2014 were retrospectively reviewed and ASG scores were calculated using 3-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions. Perioperative mortalities (≤30 days) were excluded. The ASG value of 15 was chosen based on previous receiver-operator curve analysis, which showed that an ASG of 15 was predictive of postoperative complications and resource utilization. The 5-year survivors and mortalities were compared utilizing comorbidities, pharmacologic variables, and anatomic variables at or above the defined threshold., Results: A total of 402 patients (80% male and 96% Caucasian) with complete anatomic and survival data were included in the analysis. Mean ASG and age at the time of repair were 16 ± 0.15 and 73 ± 0.43 years old, respectively. The 5-year mortality was significantly associated with ASG >15 (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.504, confidence interval [CI]: 1.077-2.100, P < .017), hyperlipidemia (HR: 1.987, CI: 1.341-2.946, P < .001), coronary artery disease (HR: 1.432, CI: 1.037-1.978, P < .029), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR: 1.412, CI: 1.027-1.943, P < .034). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated improved survival in the low score ASG ≤15 group at 1, 3, and 5 years (96% vs 93%, 81% vs 69%, and 53% vs 41%; P = .0182; Figure 1)., Conclusions: Increasing aortic anatomic complexity as characterized by ASG >15 is an independent predictor of midterm mortality following elective infrarenal AAA repair. Therefore, it may be a useful tool for appropriate patient selection and risk stratification prior to elective infrarenal AAA repair.

Background: An anatomic severity grade (ASG) score to categorize and to define anatomic factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair was proposed. Other studies have previously reported that aortic anatomic complexity is a marker of survival and resource utilization after repair, although it remains unclear whether individual components of the ASG score independently contribute to survival. This study analyzed and validated an aortic and iliac artery calcium scoring system that can potentially predict survival after AAA repair., Methods: Patients who underwent infrarenal AAA repairs from July 2007 to May 2012 were analyzed using complete 5-year records. Those who died ≤30 days of surgery were excluded. Calcium score (CS) was defined using the ASG scoring system for its basis by preoperative imaging <6 months before surgery. A CS for any patient was 0 to 5 points, the sum of the points assigned to aortic neck (2 points total) and iliac artery (3 points total) calcification. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine a CS threshold for mortality. The 5-year survivors and deaths were compared in regard to comorbidities, pharmacology, and CS at or above the defined threshold. Each variable with a P value <.1 between the groups was then placed into a Cox proportional hazards model, with statistical significance of P < .05., Results: There were 356 patients who underwent AAA repair with complete 5-year follow-up data; 26% died within 5 years of surgery. Of these, 13% had CS of 0 with 15% mortality, 28% had CS of 1 with 21% mortality, 24% had CS of 2 with 24% mortality, 23% had CS of 3 with 35% mortality, 10% had CS of 4 with 40% mortality, and 2% had CS of 5 with 17% mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated an appropriate threshold of CS 3. Of these patients, 65% had a CS <3, whereas 35% had a CS ≥3. Patients with a CS ≥3 had a lower 5-year survival probability (P = .003). Comparing 5-year survivors and deaths in a Cox proportional hazards analysis, CS ≥3 was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.579 (95% confidence interval, 1.038-2.402; P = .0328)., Conclusions: A CS ≥3 is linked to a lower 5-year survival after AAA repair in our population. This system potentially can be another measure for risk stratification and serve as a means to predict midterm mortality in AAA repairs. Future study will be needed for further validation to predict midterm mortality and to better guide surgical decision-making., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a predictor of poor outcomes for patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Anatomic severity grade (ASG) represents a quantitative mechanism for assessing anatomical suitability for endovascular aortic repair. Anatomic severity grade has been correlated with repair outcomes and resource utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify a novel renal perfusion metric as a way to assist ASG with predicting EVAR outcomes., Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair cases. Anatomic grading was undertaken by independent reviewers. Using volumetric software, kidney volume, and a novel measure of kidney functional volume, the volumetric nephrogram (VN) was recorded. Systematic evaluation of the relationship of kidney volume and VN to CKD and ASG was undertaken using linear regression and receiver-operator statistical tools., Results: A total of 386 cases with patient and anatomic data were identified and graded. Mean age was 72.9 ± 0.4 years. Renal volume <281 mL correlated with CKD (area under the curve [AUC] = .708; P ≤ .0001). Volumetric nephrogram <22.5 HU·L correlated with CKD (AUC = 0.764; P ≤ .0001). High (≥15) ASG scores correlated with both renal volume (AUC = .628; P ≤ .0001) and VN (AUC = .628; P ≤ .0001). Regression analysis demonstrated a strong, inverse relationship between ASG and VN ( R 2 = .95)., Conclusion: These data demonstrate that VN is a strong predictor of CKD in a large database of patients undergoing elective aneurysm repair. We demonstrate an inverse relationship between renal function and ASG that has not been previously described in the literature. Additionally, we have shown that VN complements ASG as a model of overall cardiovascular health and atherosclerotic burden. Outcomes in patients with poor renal function may be related to anatomical issues in addition to well-described systemic ramifications.

Objective: To determine whether rehearsal using patient-specific information loaded onto an endovascular simulator prior to carotid stenting improves procedural efficiency and outcomes., Methods: Patients scheduled for carotid artery stenting who had adequate preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging were considered for enrollment. After obtaining informed consent, patients were randomized to control versus rehearsal groups. Those in the rehearsal group had their CT scans loaded into an endovascular simulator (Angio Mentor) followed by case rehearsal by the attending on the simulator within 24 hours prior to the procedure; control patients underwent routine carotid stenting without rehearsal. Contrast usage, fluoroscopy time, and timing of procedural steps were recorded by a blinded observer during the actual case to determine benefit., Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled, with 6 patients randomized to the rehearsal group and 9 to the control. All measures showed improvement in the rehearsal group: Mean contrast volume (59.2 vs 76.9 mL), fluoroscopy time (11.4 vs 19.4 minutes), overall operative time (31.9 vs 42.5 minutes), time to common carotid sheath placement (17.0 vs 23.3 minutes), and total carotid sheath dwell time (14.9 vs 19.2 minutes) were all lower (more favorable) in the rehearsal group. The study was terminated early due to the lack of simulator access, and all P values were thus greater than .05 due to the lack of power. No strokes or other adverse events occurred in either group., Conclusion: Case-specific simulator rehearsal using patient-specific imaging prior to carotid stenting is associated with numerically less contrast usage, operative time, and radiation exposure, although this study was underpowered.

Background: Conflicting literature exists regarding resource utilization for cardiovascular care when stratified by provider volume. This study investigates the differences in value of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair by high- and low-volume providers. The hypothesis of this study is that high-volume providers will provide superior value AAA repairs when compared to low-volume providers., Methods: Using the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database and its linked death database, patients undergoing intact open and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) were identified over a 10-year period. Charge data were normalized to year 2016 dollars and the data stratified by repair modality and annual surgeon volume. Univariate technique was used to compare the 2 groups over a 3-year follow-up period., Results: Nine hundred eleven surgeons performed open AAA repairs and 615 performed EVAR. For both repair modalities, and despite a patient population with more vascular risk factors, the cumulative adjusted charge for all aneurysm-related care was significantly less for high-volume providers than low-volume providers. The calculated 3-year value-patient life years per cumulative charge-was also superior for high-volume providers compared to low-volume providers. This difference in charge and value persisted after propensity score matching for race, sex, insurance status, and common vascular comorbidities including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a history of smoking., Conclusions: High-volume surgeons performing repair of aortic aneurysms provide superior value when compared to low-volume providers. The improved value margin is driven by both lower charge and improved survival, despite an increased incidence of cardiovascular comorbidities. This study adds support for the regionalization of care for patients with aortic aneurysm., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Potential cost effectiveness of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) compared with open aortic repair (OAR) is offset by the use of intraoperative adjuncts (components) or late reinterventions. Anatomic severity grade (ASG) can be used preoperatively to assess abdominal aortic aneurysms, and provide a quantitative measure of anatomic complexity. The hypothesis of this study is that ASG is directly related to the use of intraoperative adjuncts and cost of aortic repair., Methods: Patients who undergo elective OAR and EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysms were identified over a consecutive 3-year period. ASG scores were calculated manually using three-dimensional reconstruction software by two blinded reviewers. Statistical analysis of cost data was performed using a log transformation. Regression analyses, with a continuous or dichotomous outcome, used a generalized estimating equations approach with the sandwich estimator, being robust with respect to deviations from model assumptions., Results: One hundred forty patients were identified for analysis, n = 33 OAR and n = 107 EVAR. The mean total cost (± standard deviation) for OAR was per thousand (k) $38.3 ± 49.3, length of stay (LOS) 13.5 ± 14.2 days, ASG score 18.13 ± 3.78; for EVAR, mean total cost was k $24.7 ± 13.0 (P = .016), LOS 3.0 ± 4.4 days (P = .012), ASG score 15.9 ± 4.13 (P = .010). In patients who underwent EVAR, 25.2% required intraoperative adjuncts, and analysis of this group revealed a mean total cost of k $31.5 ± 15.9, ASG score 18.48 ± 3.72, and LOS 3.9 ± 4.5, which were significantly greater compared with cases without adjunctive procedures. An ASG score of ≥15 correlated with an increased propensity for requirement of intraoperative adjuncts; odds ratio, 5.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.82-18.19). ASG >15 was also associated with chronic kidney disease, end stage renal disease, hypertension, female sex, increased cost, and use of adjunctive procedures., Conclusions: Complex aneurysm anatomy correlates with increased total cost and need for adjunctive procedures during EVAR. Preoperative assessment with ASG scores can delineate patients at greater risk for increased resource use. Patient comorbid factors are associated with anatomic complexity defined according to ASG. A critical examination of the relationship between anatomic complexity and finances is required within the context of aggressive endovascular treatment strategies and shifts toward value-based reimbursement., (Copyright © 2016 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Prior reports of conventional open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the setting of a horseshoe kidney have been challenging and complicated by renal infarction, neuralgia, and collecting system disruption. We aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of an alternative repair method consisting of visceral debranching followed by endovascular aneurysm repair., (Copyright © 2013 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)