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The respiratory syndrome COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on health, economy, and social life worldwide. The healthcare system of industrialised countries has been at times submerged by the pandemic, leading to some of the most challenging choices in health resource distribution experienced by this generation. During local COVID-19 prevalence surges, access to operating theatres and intensive care facilities for all but the most urgent surgery has been severely restricted. The workforce and intensive care have been redeployed to deal with the flood of COVID-19 cases. Associated with this limited access to elective theatre, disease specific case prioritisation has been required. Society and healthcare providers tend to be very aware of the need to perform early surgery for cancer diagnoses, and the associated high morbidity and mortality of vascular patients is less well recognised. The high mortality of vascular patients infected with COVID-19 and particularly the risk of pulmonary complications was not widely understood at the start of the pandemic; moreover, there was a high geographical variability in the severity of the COVID-19 distribution, and a standardisation of the hospital strategies was not possible.1, 2, 3, 4

To co-register conventional computed tomography angiography (CTA), with ex vivo micro-computed tomography (microCT) and histology of popliteal atherosclerotic plaques. Improving the non-invasive imaging capabilities may be valuable to advance patient care with peripheral arterial obstructive disease towards lesion and individual based treatment.In this prospective observational study, 12 popliteal arteries from 11 symptomatic patients who had undergone transfemoral amputations for chronic limb threatening ischaemia and who had pre-operative CTA, were analysed ex vivo by microCT and histology. A total of 353 histological cross sections were co-registered with microCT and CTA, and classified as: lipid rich (LP, n = 26), fibrous (FP, n = 80), or calcific (CP, n = 247) plaques. CTA and microCT plaque density was calculated in 791 regions of interest as Hounsfield units (HU).CTA and microCT could identify plaque components that were confirmed by histology such as fibrous tissue (FP), lipid pool/core (LP), and calcification (CP). MicroCT densities were 77.8 HU for FP (IQR 52.8, 129.5 HU), -28.4 HU for LP (IQR -87.1, 13.2 HU), and 3826.0 HU for CP (IQR 2989.0, 4501.0 HU). CTA densities of the three components of the plaque were: 78.0 HU for FP (IQR 59.5, 119.8 HU), 32.5 HU for LP (IQR 15.0, 42 HU), and 641.5 HU for CP (IQR 425.8, 1135 HU). The differences were statistically significant between the HU densitometric characteristics among the three groups (p .0001) for both imaging modalities. Overall, microCT performed better diagnostically than conventional CTA for the three types of plaques: areas under the receiving operator characteristics curve were greater for microCT than CTA for FP (0.97 vs. 0.90), for LP (0.88 vs. 0.67), and for CP (0.97 vs. 0.90).CTA and microCT can be used to identify histological atherosclerotic plaque components, with better diagnostic performance for microCT. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using microCT to assess plaque morphology lesions in a manner that approaches histology thus becoming a useful tool for ex vivo assessment of atherosclerosis and towards lesion based treatment.

European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2021 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Venous Thrombosis

Introduction Intravascular lobular capillary haemangioma is a rare benign intravascular tumour, especially in large vessels. This is the report of a case and associated literature review. Report and literature review This is the report of the first case of an intravenous lobular capillary haemangioma (ILCH) of the superior vena cava (SVC). A 30 year old female presented with a collateral thoraco-abdominal venous circulation. Chest computed tomography angiography, thoracic magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography revealed an intraluminal SVC tumour extending from the left brachiocephalic venous trunk to the distal third of the SVC. No pre-operative biopsy was indicated. An en bloc tumour excision was performed, followed by reconstruction of the SVC with an L shaped, ringed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prosthesis. Histopathology revealed the presence of an ILCH with free margins. A review of the literature identified 64 cases of ILCH to date, all of which underwent total resection. When reported, no recurrences were found during follow up. Discussion In this case, the ePTFE reconstruction of the SVC must be checked regularly for any adverse events. Although ILCH is a benign tumour with no risk of recurrence, regular surveillance is advised., Highlights • Report of the first case of intraluminal capillary haemangioma involving the superior vena cava. • Literature review of intraluminal capillary haemangioma. • Successful en bloc tumour excision followed by an L shaped prosthetic repair.

International audience; Objective: Compliance is considered to be a major property influencing the long term performances of synthetic vascular substitutes that could play a role in anastomotic false aneurysm and intimal hyperplasia stenosis onset. Over the last decades, manufacturers have tried to develop substitutes that mechanically mimic arterial properties and avoid a compliance mismatch at the anastomoses in particular. However, data are missing about how initial compliance properties could change with time. The goal of this study was to evaluate how the compliance of vascular grafts evolves under cyclic loading conditions in vitro.Methods: The compliance of three different models of commercially available textile polyethylene terephthalate (PET) grafts was evaluated. Tests were performed with and without their original coating. Compliance was assessed with a specific device dedicated to measure the deformations undergone by a graft under cyclic pressure loading conditions, using image analysis software. In each experiment, image analysis was performed under 60 and 140 mmHg pressure loading conditions at loading start (H0) and after three, six, and 24 h (H3, H6, H24) loading time. Average radial, longitudinal, and volumetric compliance was calculated from the obtained images.Results: Twenty-four samples were tested. Results demonstrate that all values decreased significantly within only a few hours. On average, the loss of compliance after 3 h of cyclic loading ranged on average from 35% for longitudinal compliance to 39% for radial compliance and 37% (p < .050) for volume compliance. After 24 h, the loss of radial, longitudinal and volume compliance was respectively 63 ± 3%, 60.5 ± 2% and 61 ± 7%.Conclusion: In this in vitro model, PET graft compliance has already decreased significantly within 3 h. The rapid loss of compliance identified in this experimental study helps explain the mismatch mentioned in clinical observations.

Objective Occupational exposure is a growing concern among the endovascular specialist community. Several types of imaging equipment are available, such as mobile C arms or hybrid rooms, and some have been shown to deliver higher levels of radiation. A literature review was conducted to identify studies reporting dose data during standard (EVAR) and complex abdominal aortic endovascular repair (fenestrated/branched EVAR [F/BEVAR]). Methods A search of the MEDLINE and the Cochrane databases was performed by two independent investigators using the medical subject heading terms “aortic aneurysms”, “radiation”, and “humans” over a search period of 10 years. Studies with full text available in English and reporting radiation data independently from the imaging equipment type were included. Experimental studies were excluded. Results The lowest dose–area product levels during EVAR and F/BEVAR were identified in hybrid rooms, while the highest were with fixed systems. When adherence to the as low as reasonably achievable principles was stipulated by the authors, dose reports tended to be among the lowest. Several studies, especially of F/BEVAR, report concerning levels of radiation for both patients and staff. Conclusion Modern imaging equipment type, team involvement with radiation management, and the support of recent imaging technologies such as fusion help to reduce the dose delivered during standard and complex EVAR. Investment in modern imaging technology should be considered in every centre providing endovascular management of aortic aneurysms.

ObjectiveA significant decrease in aneurysm related survival is observed at long term follow up after infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) compared with open repair. Therefore, longer term results with new generation endografts are essential. The aim of this post-approval French multicentre prospective observational study (EPI-ANA-01) was to evaluate the technical success and five year mortality and secondary intervention rates of the third generation AnacondaTM endograft.MethodsFrom June 2012 to October 2013, 176 consecutive unruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms were included (160 male patients, mean age 75.3 ± 8.4 years). Survival, freedom from type Ia endoleak, limb events, and re-interventions were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Anatomical and clinical characteristics were compared according to the occurrence of migration, conversion, adverse limb events, endoleak, and sac enlargement.ResultsThe primary technical and clinical success rates were 98.3% and 94.9%, respectively. A hostile neck was identified in 33.9% of patients and 10.7% were treated outside instructions for use (IFU). An early post-operative (≤30 days) mortality rate of 1.7% was observed. At one and five years, respectively, the overall survival rate was 94.9% and 65.9% (aneurysm related in four patients [2.3%]) and the clinical success rate was 90.9% and 70.6%. Secondary interventions were performed in 35 of 176 patients (19.9%). The overall limb occlusion rate was 7.9% and the aneurysm sac diameter decreased significantly (pre-operative diameter 53.9 ± 8.6 mm vs. 42.3 ± 14.7 mm at five years; p < .001). Patients treated outside the instructions for use (IFU) had significantly higher rates of migration, surgical conversion, and aneurysm sac expansion (p = .03).ConclusionThe Anaconda endograft provides high technical success and satisfactory five year aneurysm exclusion and clinical success rates. However, implantation outside the IFU should be avoided, as it leads to significantly worse outcomes, and caution over the risk of limb occlusion and distal embolisation should be observed.

Purpose: To report the 36-month outcomes from the prospective, multicenter, single-arm IN.PACT Global Study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01609296) evaluating the performance of the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB) in real-world patients with femoropopliteal occlusive disease. Materials and Methods: The IN.PACT Global Study was conducted at 64 international sites and enrolled 1535 patients with complex lesions, which included bilateral disease, multiple lesions, de novo in-stent restenosis, long lesions, and chronic total occlusions. The predefined full clinical cohort included 1406 patients (mean age 68.6 years; 67.8% men) with claudication or rest pain treated with the study DCB. Mean lesion length was 12.09±9.54 cm; 18.0% had in-stent restenosis, 35.5% were totally occluded, and 68.7% were calcified. Freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) was evaluated through 36 months. The safety composite endpoint was freedom from device- and procedure-related death through 30 days and freedom from major target limb amputation and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization within 36 months. All safety and revascularization events were reviewed by an independent clinical events committee. Results: The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months was 76.9%. The composite safety endpoint was achieved in 75.6% of patients. The 36-month all-cause mortality rate was 11.6%, and the major target limb amputation rate was 1.0%. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months was significantly lower in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) compared with claudicants (67.6% vs 78.0%; p=0.003). Lesions affecting both the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery had lower Kaplan-Meier freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months (69.2%) than either isolated SFA (79.7%) or popliteal artery lesions (76.5%; log- rank p

Introduction Common femoral artery aneurysm is a rare condition and can be treated by open or endovascular surgery. There is a general understanding that open surgery is the recommended option because of the anatomical location and the biomechanical constraints posed by hip flexion. Report The case of a 66 year old man treated with an endograft for an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm followed by the implantation of a nitinol covered stent graft (Fluency™, Bard Peripheral Vascular, Temple, AZ) for a 25 mm diameter left common femoral artery aneurysm is reported. Two years later, follow up revealed a rupture of the nitinol covered stent graft, requiring an open iliofemoral reconstruction. Discussion Systematic analysis with protocolised cleaning, and macroscopic and microscopic evaluation (Keyence VHX-600 digital microscope) of the explanted nitinol covered stent graft showed membrane perforation at the level of an acute angle formed by the struts.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of polycystic kidney embolization, performed to reduce kidney volume before heterotopic kidney transplantation, as this technique could be an alternative to pretransplant nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: All patients who underwent pretransplant embolization of polycystic kidneys were included in a prospective register from June 2014 to February 2020. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan with volumetric reconstruction (OsiriX, Bernex, Switzerland) before embolization and were then followed up at 3 and 6 months after embolization. Primary outcome was percentage of kidney volume reduction. Secondary outcomes were 30 day mortality and morbidity. Results: Thirty-one embolizations performed on 29 patients (medium age = 55.6; 62.1% male) were included between June 2014 and February 2020. All patients were under dialysis before embolization (9 peritoneal dialysis and 20 hemodialysis). Technical success was observed in 96.8% of cases. Mean procedural time was 65 minutes (range = 35–106 minutes) and mean length of in-hospital stay was 3.8 days (range = 3–6 days). A volume reduction allowing a kidney transplant was obtained for 28 patients (96.5%). The mean volume reduction was 39.9% (range = 6.01–68.2). The main observed complication was postembolization pain in 10 cases (32.2%). One patient needed complementary nephrectomy due to insufficient volume reduction. Twenty-three patients (79.3%) received renal transplant during follow-up with a mean delay of 19.5 month (range = 4–54). Conclusion: Polycystic kidney embolization is an effective and safe minimally invasive technique. It can be proposed as the first-choice technique for kidney transplant recipients as an alternative to pretransplantation nephrectomy.

There are only few studies on the stiffness of guidewires used to deliver devices during endovascular procedures, particularly abdominal/thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair. In certain situations, tensioned pullthrough wires are also used, but no studies have examined their effective/functional stiffness. The objective of this study was to assess the radial stiffness characteristics of pullthrough wires compared with standard stiff wires.Two types of stiff guidewires (Lunderquist Extra-Stiff and Amplatz Super Stiff; 0.035″ × 260 cm), were compared with a floppy guidewire (Radifocus Stiff M; 0.035″ × 260 cm) in two configurations: standard (non-tensioned) and pullthrough (tensioned). Radial stiffness was defined as the peak deformation force (PDF; newtons [N]) needed to deform the wires on an electromechanical dynamometer; data were logged on proprietary dynamometric software and peak load values assessed per wire. Three experimental runs were performed on three fresh sets of each wire per configuration. PDFs from straight configuration to midwire deformation at 15 mm were translated into Microsoft Excel for statistical analysis in Minitab 19 for Windows.Mean ± SD PDFs were 7.83 ± 0.23 N for the Lunderquist and 9.87 ± 0.92 N for the Amplatz. This was 7.84 ± 0.52 N for the Radifocus wire in standard configuration, which increased to 15.48 ± 0.33 N when the Radifocus wire was in pullthrough configuration. This was significantly higher than both the Lunderquist and Amplatz Super Stiff wires (This study affirmed that a pullthrough wire becomes functionally more rigid than typical stiff wires used for endovascular procedures, and it is this stiffness that allows device delivery.

Objective Pullthrough/body floss wires are used to track endovascular devices across tortuous aorto-iliac anatomy encountered during endovascular repair of abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysms. The tension imparted on such wires is arbitrary and has never been quantified. This pilot study attempted to quantify the tension used to stiffen the floppy hydrophilic wires typically used in such a scenario. Methods Two linked experiments were undertaken, the first by tasking 13 blinded vascular surgeons (eight male, five female; mean age 36 ± 11 years, including nine trainees) with pulling a long floppy hydrophilic wire (Radifocus Guidewire M Stiff, Terumo UK, Bagshot, Surrey, UK) attached at the other end to a horizontally configured industrial scale (HDN-N Hanging Scale, Kern & Sohn GmbH, Balingen, Germany), to simulate what they individually felt was an “appropriate” tension; the second by using the derived average tensioning force to set up a pullthrough wire within a rigid life like aorto-iliac model to assess whether a test device (16F Sentrant Introducer Sheath, Medtronic Limited, Watford, UK) could be delivered over such a tensioned wire in both brachiofemoral and femorofemoral configurations. Results The mean tension exerted by the group on the wire was 38.3 ± 14.8 N (equivalent to 3.9 kgf). Pullthrough wire tensioning was undertaken by fixing one end and applying a 3.9 kg weight at the other. The test device was successfully deployed into the infrarenal aortic position and also across the aortic bifurcation, via brachiofemoral and femorofemoral pullthrough configurations, respectively. Conclusion Successful test device deliveries suggest that a minimum tension equivalent to almost 4 kgf applied to a floppy wire can provide “stiffeningˮ to allow device tracking across tortuous aorto-iliac anatomy. More studies are needed to ascertain whether lower tensions can be applied; these results may help provide a platform for other such studies depending on configuration, aortic geometry, and device or wire/tension characteristics., Highlights • Pullthrough wires are used at EVAR/TEVAR when tortuous anatomy is encountered • The tension on such pullthrough wires has not been quantified • Typically floppy hydrophilic wires are used to traverse such tortuous anatomy • Floppy wires become the functional equivalent of stiff wires when tensioned • This study for the first time quantifies the tension forces on pullthrough wires

Introduction The detection of acquired arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) is mostly incidental. However, the modification of haemodynamic conditions secondary to AVFs can lead to dramatic systemic complications, including cardiac complications. In this report, two unusual cases of congestive heart failure secondary to acquired AVF are presented. Report A 40 year old man with past history of gunshot wound of the right flank complained of severe right limb swelling and shortness of breath. An AVF between the right external iliac artery and external iliac vein responsible for the cardiac failure was diagnosed. A 40 year old woman with past history of spinal surgery complained of breathlessness and lower limb oedema. She presented with recurrent episodes of ascites and dyspnoea. An AVF between the right common iliac artery and the common iliac vein responsible for high output cardiac failure was diagnosed. Open surgery was performed in both patients and treatment of the AVFs led to the resolution of all symptoms. Follow up at four and three years, respectively, was uneventful in both cases. Discussion Although rare, heart failure secondary to an AVF can be encountered. These rare cases highlight the significance of careful inquiry into the patient's medical history and meticulous follow up physical examinations for patients with injuries in close proximity to vessels., Highlights • The diagnosis of iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is usually delayed. • Heart failure due to iatrogenis AVF is rare. • Routine physical examination can allow correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

INTRODUCTION Radiation-induced arteriopathy (RIA) is a rare complication but may become more common due to the increased use of radiotherapy and the prolonged survival of patients. There is still a lack of evidence concerning treatment options. The aim of this study is to review reported cases of lower-limb RIA in order to provide guidelines for management. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We reported 4 cases treated for lower limb RIA and performed a systematic literature review without time limitation in the Medline database using the MeSh tems "iliac artery/radiation effects" OR "femoral artery/radiation effects." Main outcomes of interest were radiation dose, time before symptoms, symptoms, involved vessels, treatment and outcome. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Twenty-five studies were included, reporting a total of 43 patients. Median time between irradiation and symptoms was 12 years (range: 9 days-49 years), with a median irradiation dose of 40Gy. Clinical presentation was claudication in 18 patients (52%), critical limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) in 4 patients (11%), acute limb ischemia (ALI) in 3 patients (9%) and hemorrhage in 6 patients (17%), the remaining 4 patients were asymptomatic (11%). Vessels involved were iliac arteries in 65% of the cases, femoropopliteal arteries in 28% of cases and concomitant supra and infrainguinal vessels in 7% of the cases. Claudication was mostly treated by open surgery (62%). Treatment of CLTI included primary amputation (50%), open surgery (25%) or endovascular surgery (25%). ALI was treated medically (33%), by open surgery (33%) or in situ thrombolysis (33%). Hemorrhagic cases or pulsatile masses were mostly treated by open surgery (66%). Follow-up was reported in 26 patients (67%), with mean follow-up of 12 months (range: 2 weeks - 5 years). During follow-up, 16% of these patients presented a recurrence of symptoms, and 8% required a reintervention. CONCLUSIONS There seems to be no evidence for open versus endovascular treatment, but close and long-term follow-up is needed in these patients due to the possible late presentation and recurrence of symptoms after treatment.

Objective: Internal iliac artery (IIA) preservation is associated with improved outcomes after both open and endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair. Total robotic laparoscopic repair of aortoiliac aneurysms has been reported in the past, but not in combination with sutureless anastomosis applied to the IIAs. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of the total robotic laparoscopic technique including a method of deploying the Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft (GHVG; W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) using robotic instruments. Methods: Between June 2015 and December 2016, four patients underwent total robotic laparoscopic repair of isolated common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysms. Two patients had unilateral aneurysms and two had bilateral aneurysms. Unilateral CIA aneurysms were treated with a graft from the proximal CIA to the proximal external iliac artery, and bilateral CIA aneurysms were treated with a bifurcated graft between the distal aorta and both proximal external iliac arteries. The nitinol reinforced section of the GHVG was then inserted and deployed into the corresponding IIA, and the nonreinforced segment was sewn in an end-to-side fashion to the iliac graft. Results: The median age of patients was 55.5 years (range, 48-64 years); median body mass index was 24.9 kg/m2 (range, 23-26.4 kg/m2). All four cases were technically successful. Operative times were 325 and 332 minutes for unilateral cases and 491 and 385 minutes for bilateral cases. For the entire series, median proximal clamping time was 143 minutes (range, 110-163 minutes), and the median time to deploy the GHVG was 15 minutes (range, 8-27 minutes). The median estimated blood loss was 1800 mL (range, 800-2100 mL). Intraoperative cell salvage was used in all cases. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. No patient required blood transfusion. All patients tolerated a regular diet on postoperative day 2 and were discharged on postoperative day 4. Patients returned to work and full physical activity within 6 weeks (range, 2-6 weeks). At 6-month follow-up, computed tomography angiography demonstrated 100% patency of iliac artery grafts as well as of the GHVGs. Conclusions: Total robotic laparoscopic CIA aneurysm repair is feasible in both unilateral and bilateral cases in carefully selected patients. The GHVG can be successfully deployed using robotic technique for IIA preservation during total robotic CIA aneurysm repair. Keywords: Robotic vascular surgery, Hybrid graft, Iliac aneurysm, Laparoscopic

Introduction Injury to the popliteal vessels during total knee replacement is rare but can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Report An 81 year old female presented with Rutherford IIb acute left limb ischaemia (ALI) 13 years after total knee replacement. The polyethylene insert in the knee implant had dislocated from the other components and had moved into the popliteal fossa, leading to popliteal artery compression. She underwent emergency multidisciplinary surgery including removal of the polyethylene component, thrombectomy, and popliteal artery stenting, but major amputation was required. The popliteal artery and the stent were removed and submitted to histological analysis. The stent was well expanded but focal malapposition was observed. Conclusion Regular follow up is mandatory in order to anticipate malfunction of the prosthesis and avoid long term complications., Highlights • This is the first case describing total occlusion of the popliteal artery due to polyethylene insert dislocation 13 years after total knee replacement. • This case highlights that regular follow-up is mandatory in order to anticipate implant malfunction and avoid long-term complications. • This is the first report describing peripheral stent histopathology in the setting of acute limb ischaemia.

Objective Type B acute aortic syndrome (AAS) encompasses aortic dissection (AD) and intramural haematoma (IMH), the diagnosis, evolution, and treatment of which are subject to controversies. The aim of this pilot investigation was to assess the ability of specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria to differentiate AD from IMH and predict optimal aortic remodeling following AAS. Methods In this retrospective study, all patients presenting between 2008 and 2015 with type B AAS, who had diagnostic MRI following admission, were included. Three MRI criteria were proposed to identify IMH: (i) no visualised entry tear; (ii) no contrast uptake in the aortic lesion on the first pass angiographic run; (iii) no contrast uptake in the aortic lesion on the equilibrium phase T1 sequence. On each patient's diagnostic and follow up imaging studies, the volume of (i) false lumen/IMH, (ii) total aorta, and (iii) true lumen were calculated. Using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, the evolution of these volumes according to the presence or absence of the aforementioned criteria were compared. Results Of 39 patients, in seven all MRI criteria were positive (group IMH) and 32 had one or more negative criteria (group AD). Patients with IMH and AD were similar with respect to sex, age, and delay between onset of symptoms and diagnostic and follow up imaging studies. Eighteen patients had a follow up imaging study after a mean period of 11.2 months: six in the IMH group and 12 in the AD group. Lesion volume decrease and relative true lumen volume increase were statistically significant in group IMH (p = .046 and p = .046, respectively), whereas there was a statistically significant increase of lesion volume (p = .008) in the AD group. Conclusion This pilot study proposed three simple MRI criteria to differentiate between AD and IMH. Once prospectively and clinically validated, this could have substantial therapeutic benefits as IMH are likely to heal spontaneously.

Posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) aneurysm is a rare condition. It mostly affects young professional sports player and might be career threatening. This is the report of the case of a 28 year old volleyball player presenting with symptoms of right digital ischaemia caused by a PCHA aneurysm. Surgical treatment by resection of the aneurysm without revascularisation was performed. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient returned to professional competition one month after surgery. A literature review is also presented in an attempt to provide recommendations for PCHA aneurysm diagnosis and management., Highlights • Posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) aneurysm is a rare condition. • A 28 year old athlete had symptoms of right digital ischaemia from a PCHA aneurysm. • A systematic literature review identified 52 cases of PCHA aneurysm. • Recommendations are provided concerning diagnosis and management.

Objective The aim of this paper was to provide recommendations for diagnosis and management in the setting of infection following open or endovascular reconstructions of the supra-aortic trunks. Methods A review of the Medline database was performed from 1997 to 2017 by a combined strategy of MeSh terms. Results The literature search identified 49 publications: 36 studies addressing prosthetic material infections and 13 studies addressing stent infections. A total of 140 cases of prosthetic material infections were reported, mostly involving carotid patches. Surgical treatment was mostly based on complete removal of the infected material followed by in situ arterial reconstruction (86 cases, 62.3%). Peri-operative complications included cranial nerve injury in 17 cases (12.5%), stroke in eight (6.7%), bleeding in four (2.9%), re-infection in five (3.6%), and cardiac failure in three cases (2.2%). Stent infections were reported in 12 patients: eight carotid stents, three subclavian stents and one tandem brachiocephalic subclavian stent. Treatment was not described for one case, was conservative in one case, consisted of stent removal with venous reconstruction in six cases, stent removal without reconstruction because of carotid thrombosis in two cases, and carotid embolisation in two cases. Complications included intra-operative death in one case (9.1%), stroke in two (18.2%), reinfection in one (9.1%), bleeding in one (9.1%), and cardiac failure in one case (9.1%). Conclusion Appropriate pre-operative imaging is mandatory and treatment modality should be determined by patient condition. Complete removal of the infected material, followed by in situ arterial reconstruction with venous material seems advisable, despite high morbidity. However, alternative strategies may be considered for fragile and high risk patients. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to ensure optimum results.

Objective/background The aim of this study was to investigate whether antioxidant therapy might decrease oxidative stress related deleterious effects in the setting of critical limb ischaemia (CLI). Methods Twenty Swiss mice were submitted to sequential right femoral and iliac ligatures; the left limb served as control. The mice were assigned to two groups: in the first group (no-treatment group, n = 10) no treatment was administered; in the second group (N-acetyl cysteine [NAC] group, n = 10) NAC was administered by dissolution in drinking water for 4 weeks, starting on day 7, when CLI was effective. Clinical and functional scores were assessed by two blinded investigators. Mice were killed on day 40 and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activities, calcium retention capacity, oxidative stress, and histological analysis were analysed. Results Ischaemic muscles in the no-treatment group showed significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration and calcium retention capacity, with increased production of reactive oxygen species; but no statistical difference was noticed when comparing ischaemic muscles in the NAC group (n = 10) to contralateral muscles (n = 10) and to control muscles in the no-treatment group (n = 10). Ischaemic muscles in the no-treatment group exhibited myopathic features such as wider range in fibre size, rounded shape, centrally located nuclei, and smaller cross sectional areas, but none of these features were observed in contralateral muscles or in NAC-group muscles (ischaemic or controls). Conclusion Targeting inhibition of oxidative stress may be a potential therapeutic strategy for muscle protection in CLI and might be considered as potential adjunctive therapy to revascularisation procedures.

International audience; Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the mechanical characteristics of current commercially available fenestrated endografts (FE). The performance of the fenestrations according to the design were compared as the relationship between a bridging covered stent graft (CSG) and the fenestration. Methods: A total of 21 Zenith (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) and 17 Anaconda (Terumo Company, Inchinnan, UK) fenestrations were studied. Radial extension tests were performed, inserting two half cylinders spaced up to 2 mm in a 7 mm diameter fenestration from each device. Branch pull out force was measured to test the stability of the assembly with a calibrated 8 mm branch and two CSGs: Advanta V12 (Atrium Medical; Hudson, NH, USA) and BeGraft Peripheral Stent Graft (Bentley InnoMed GmbH, Hechingen, Germany). A branch was inserted in both the 7 mm diameter fenestrations and in a control 7 mm fenestration. Fatigue tests were performed on the devices to assess long term outcomes of the endograft. Results: Over a 2 mm vertical displacement, the resulting loading curves look similar for both devices. The force value level was 33.4 ± 6.9 N for the Cook fenestration and 54.45 ± 18 N for the Anaconda fenestration (p = .001). With respect to an 8 mm calibrated branch, the required extraction strength from the fenestration was statistically significantly greater with the Anaconda device (9.5 ± 4.7 N vs. 4.49 ± 0.28 N; p = .001). The required strength to extract the V12 CSG from a control cylindered shape was statistically significantly higher than for the BeGraft CSG (6.75 ± 2.86 N vs. 1.83 ± 0.67 N; p = .003). The surface area of the fenestration of the Cook device was increased with cycling (7 200 cycles) compared with the Anaconda device (15.5% vs. 6.5% hole surface area increase). Conclusion: The mechanical performance of the fenestration can be fine tuned by considering its design. A CSG optimising the performance of the fenestration and the CGS–fenestration interface could reduce the risk of leakage in clinical practice.

Objectives: Aim of this work was to investigate precision of deployment and conformability of a new generation GORE EXCLUDER Conformable Endoprosthesis with active control system (CEXC Device, W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) by analyzing aortic neck coverage and curvature. Methods: All consecutive elective patients affected by abdominal aortic aneurysm or aortoiliac aneurysm treated at our institution between November 2018 and June 2019 with the new CEXC Device were enrolled. Validated software was adopted to determine the available apposition surface area into the aortic neck, apposition of the endograft to the aortic wall, shortest apposition length (SAL), shortest distance between the endograft fabric and the lowest renal arteries (SFD) and between the endograft fabric and the contralateral renal artery (CFD). Pointwise centerline curvature was also computed. Results: Twelve patients (10 men, median age 78 years (71.75, 81.0)) with available pre- and postoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) were included. Technical success was obtained in all the cases. Preoperative median length of the proximal aortic neck was 16.1 mm (10.7, 21.7) and suprarenal (α) and infrarenal (β) neck angulation were, respectively, 28.9° (15.7°, 47.5°) and 75.0° (66.9°, 81.4°). Postoperative median apposition surface coverage was 79% (69.25%, 90.75%) of the available apposition surface. SFD and CFD were 1.5 mm (0.75, 5.25) and 7 mm (4.5, 21.5), respectively. Average curvature over the infrarenal aorta decreased from 25 m−1 (21.75, 29.0) to 22.5 m−1 (18.75, 24.5) postoperatively (p=0.02). Maximum curvature did not decrease significantly from 64.5 m−1 (54.25, 92.0) to 62 m−1 (41.75, 71.5) (p=0.1). Conclusions: Our early experience showed that deployment of the CEXC Device is safe and effective for patients with challenging proximal aortic necks. Absence of significant changes between pre- and postoperative proximal aortic neck angulations and curvature confirms the high conformability of this endograft.

Objective In the 1990s, the concept of “homemade” endografts (EGs) using commercially available materials was proposed in clinical practice for endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR). The aim of this study was to analyse the ageing phenomena of these EGs in light of explant analyses. Methods The study focused on five explanted homemade EGs collected from 2012 to 2014. The explants were assessed in accordance with the ISO 9001/13485 certified standard protocol, which included naked eye evaluation, organic remnant cleaning, and microscopic and endoscopic examinations and analysis (magnification range from 20% to 200%). The observations report followed a classification based on 12 features assessing the fabric cover, the stitch filament, and the stents. Results The reasons for explantation were type 1 endoleak in three cases and aneurysm sac growth in two. The implantation duration ranged from 56 to 202 months. Sixty three per cent of the fabric surface lesions (holes and tears) were related to abrasion between the fabric and the stents. Up to 33% of the knots used to connect adjacent stents were broken on one EG. Other defects including running suture rupture and stent corrosion were also observed. The overall hole cumulated surface ranged from 0.377 mm2 (56 month of implantation) up to 3.21 mm2 (78 month of implantation). Conclusion In this study, various ageing phenomena on homemade textile EGs were identified and classified. The main damaging mechanisms were related to abrasion stress leading to tears and holes in the fabric, stitch ruptures, and detachment of stent segments responsible for serious EG deformations and further degradation., Highlights • Main homemade endografts damaging mechanisms are related to abrasion stress (friction wear). • Abrasion stent–metal, knot ruptures, and kinking phenomena were associated. • Some damaging mechanisms were related to the creation technique (one piece stent skeleton).

International audience; Objective: Physician modified stent grafts (PMSGs) present satisfactory results in selected cases of complex aortic pathologies. However, the technique lacks standardisation and depends on the surgeon and aortic segment. The aim of this article is to review comprehensively the technical details and clinical results of PMSGs related to patients with pathology in all aortic locations. Methods: A MEDLINE search (last search 20 April 2020) identified 20 relevant papers in the English language published over the last 20 years evaluating clinical outcomes after a PMSG and specifying the technical details to design it. Results: Seven hundred and eleven patients were included in the analyses, with 59% being operated on as an emergency. Ninety-two per cent of abdominal aortic segment PMSGs (A-PMSGs) were performed either as an emergency or before 2012. The main indications were available in 670 cases; 435 were degenerative aneurysms (64.9%) and 171 were aortic dissections (25.5%). Most of the endografts used were composed of polyethylene terephthalate, except for the Ankura (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene [Lifetech Scientific, Shenzhen, China]; n = 50, 7.5%). The Valiant (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) represented 65% (n = 169) of aortic arch PMSGs (aa-PMSGs) and the Zenith platform (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) 51% (n = 139) of A-PMSGs. A snare was used to reinforce the fenestration in 458 PMSGs (66%) and a cautery device cut the fenestration in 484 (75%) PMSGs. No bridging stent was used in 47 (7.0%) PMSGs (these aa-PMSGs had large fenestrations). Technical success ranged from 87.5% to 100% and 30 day mortality from 0% to 8%. Primary branch patency ranged from 96.3% to 100% at 12 month follow up. Zero to 14% of patients experienced type 3 or type 1 endoleak at 14.8 month follow up. Conclusion: PMSG is a useful technique, particularly when validated treatments are not available. However, it is a non-standardised technique and the long term consequences of modifications remain unknown.

This study aimed at developing scores predicting surgical complications in obese transplant recipients, based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) parameters. All consecutive patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 who underwent kidney transplantation between 2012 and 2019 were included. The preoperative CT parameters were assessed: total fatty surface (TFS), subcutaneous fatty surface (SFS), iliac vessel to skin distance (VSD), and abdominal perimeter (AP). Per- and postoperative complications (vascular, urinary, parietal, and digestive complications) within 30 days were listed. Predictive models of surgical complications were generated based on the results of the logistic regression. Among the 163 patients included, 53 (32.5%) experienced surgical complications. The AP was a risk factor for complications in multivariate analysis (OR: 1.050; 95% CI: 1.016-1.087; p = 0.03). Two predictive models of complications were created based on the statistical analysis: a one-variable model based on AP (sensitivity 86.8%, specificity 41.8%, area under the curve (AUC) 65.3, with a cutoff value of 107 cm) and a five-variable model based on BMI, TFS, SFS, VSD, and AP (sensitivity 73.6%, specificity 57.3%, AUC 66.2). These models, based on patient morphometric measurements, could allow predicting the occurrence of surgical complications in obese candidates for kidney transplantation.

Endovascular treatment has become widespread to treat aneurysmal disease, especially located in the aorta. The modern era of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair started between 1986 and 1991, and in the last 30 years, Endovascular Treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms evolved both due to the development of new materials and devices and the increasing appeal and effectiveness of the endovascular therapy itself. Vascular surgeons are using nowadays different solutions of Endovascular Treatment to treat all the expressions of aortic pathology (aneurysms, dissections and trauma) both in the acute and elective setting. Despite its use in every location of the aorta (the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, the thoracic aorta, thoraco-abdominal aorta, pararenal, iuxtarenal and infrarenal aortic aneurysms and iliac aneurysms), its safety and efficiency, endovascular treatment for aortic aneurysms presents some drawbacks: despite a lower short-term morbi-mortality, reinterventions and long-term patency are higher compared to open repair. In this review, we detail the most used types of endografts according to location, their performances and durability for each device. We conclude by discussing options to overcome ET limitations. Therefore, an obvious question arises: what we need in the future? What can the technological progress gives to physicians to further improve this new way of treating aorta?.

In the last decades, the main evolution in the field of vascular surgery was correlated to the development and introduction of vascular substitutes. Currently, two types of synthetic vascular substitutes have been widely adopted: polyethylene terephthalate and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Ideally, they should demonstrate a behavior as close as possible as that of human arteries in terms of mechanical and biological properties. However, no vascular substitute has been found to compare with the patency rates of gold-standard autologous conduits, and major drawbacks of current vascular substitutes remain both thrombogenicity and infectability.

Objective To review the existing literature on large animal models of central venous thrombosis (CVT) and to evaluate its relevance in regard to the development and testing of dedicated therapeutics applicable to humans. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase. Articles describing an in vivo experimental protocol of CVT in large animals, involving the iliac vein and/or the vena cava and/or the brachiocephalic vein, were included. The primary aim of the study, animal characteristics, experimental protocol, and thrombus evaluation were recorded. Results Thirty-eight papers describing more than 30 different protocols were included. Animals used were pigs (53%), dogs (21%), monkeys (24%), and cattle (3%). The median number of animals per study was 12. Animal sex, strain, and weight were missing in 18 studies (47%), seven studies (18%), and eight studies (21%), respectively. CVT was always induced by venous stasis: solely (55%), or in addition to hypercoagulability (37%) or endothelial damage (10%). The size of the vessel used for thrombus creation was measured in four studies (10%). Unexpected animal death occurred in nine studies (24%), ranging from 3% to 37% of the animals. Twenty-two studies (58%) in the acute phase and 31 studies in the chronic phase (82%) evaluated the presence or absence of the thrombus created, and its occlusive characteristic was reported, respectively, in five and 17 studies. Histological examination was performed in 24 studies (63%) with comparison to human thrombus in one study. Conclusion This review showed advantages and weaknesses of the existing large animal models of CVT. Future models should insist on more rigour and consistency in reporting animal characteristics, as well as evaluating and comparing the thrombus created to human thrombus.

Objective The chimney technique (ChEVAR) allows for proximal landing zone extension for endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms. The aim of the present study was to assess ChEVAR national outcomes in French university hospital centres. Methods All centres were contacted and entered data into a computerised online database on a voluntary basis. Clinical and radiological data were collected on all consecutive ChEVAR patients operated on in 14 centres between 2008 and 2016. Patients were deemed unfit for open repair. Factors associated with early (30 day or in hospital) mortality and type 1 endoleak (Type I EL) were calculated using multivariable analysis. Results In total, 201 patients with 343 target vessels were treated. There were 94 juxtarenal (46.8%), 67 pararenal (33.3%), 10 Crawford type IV thoraco-abdominal (5%) aneurysms, and 30 (15.1%) proximal failures of prior repairs. The pre-operative diameter was 66.8 ± 16.7 mm and 28 (13.9%) ChEVAR were performed as an emergency, including six (2.9%) ruptures. There were 23 (11.7%) unplanned intra-operative procedures, mainly related to access issues. The rate of early deaths was 11.4% (n = 23). The elective mortality rate was 9.8% (n = 17). Nine patients (4.5%) presented with a stroke. The rate of early proximal Type I EL was 11.9%. Survival was 84.6%, 79.4%, 73.9%, 71.1% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. The primary patency of chimney stents was 97.4%, 96.7%, 95.2%, and 93.3% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Performing unplanned intra-operative procedures (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.3–10.9) was identified as the only independent predictor of post-operative death. A ChEVAR for juxtarenal aneurysm was independently associated with fewer post-operative Type I ELs (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05–0.58). Conclusion In this large national ChEVAR series, early results were concerning. The reasons may lie in heterogeneous practices between centres and ChEVAR use outside of current recommendations regarding oversizing rates, endograft types, and sealing zones. Future research should focus on improvements in pre-operative planning and intra-operative technical aspects.