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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. 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. 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. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic Te(IV) compounds are important cysteine protease inhibitors and antimicrobial agents; AS-101 [ammonium trichloro (dioxoethylene-O,O′)tellurate] is the first compound of a family with formula NH 4 [C 2 H 4 Cl 3 O 2 Te], where a Te(IV) centre is bound to a chelate ethylene glycol, and showed several protective therapeutic applications. This compound is lacking in stability performance and is subjected to hydrolysis reaction with displacement of the diol ligand. In this paper, we report the stability trend of a series of analogues complexes of AS-101 with generic formula NH 4 [(RC 2 H 3 O 2)Cl 3 Te], where R is an alkyl group with different chain length and different electronic properties, in order to find a correlation between structure and stability in aqueous-physiological conditions. The stability was studied in solution via multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 125Te) and computationally at the Density Functional Theory level with an explicit micro solvation model. The combined experimental and theoretical work highlights the essential role of the solvating environment and provides mechanistic insights into the complex decomposition reaction. Antimicrobial activity of the compounds was assessed against different bacterial strains. A combined approach of characterization in solution and computational modelling is used to investigate how longer alkyl chains improve the physiological stability of antimicrobial Te(IV) compounds. Unlabelled Image • Syntheses and antimicrobial properties of Te(IV) compounds • Multinuclear NMR investigation • Computational and experimental stability studies in physiological conditions • Mechanistic insights [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. 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. LR was associated with reduced ICU admissions (22.3% v er s us 32.1%, P < 0.001) and prolonged hospital stays (14.3% v er s us 7.9%, P < 0.001) overall. When stratified by year, LR maintained its association with reduced ICU admissions in 2014-2015 (21.8% v er s us 34.0%, P < 0.001), 2016-2017 (23.6% v er s us 31.6%, P < 0.001), 2018-2019 (18.5% v er s us 30.2%, P < 0.001), and 2020-2021 (15.8% v er s us 28.8%, P < 0.001), although this was highly facility dependent. LR was associated with fewer prolonged hospital stays in 2014-2015 (15.6% v er s us 20.4%, P = 0.001) and 2016-2017 (13.3% v er s us 16.6%, P = 0.006) but not after 2017. 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. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • The dropout rate is lower for patients listed for liver transplantation with a potential live donor. • The waiting time is shorter for patients listed for liver transplantation with a potential live donor. • These 2 advantages of live donation result in a survival benefit for patients with HCC listed with a potential live donor. Background & Aims There are conflicting reports on the outcomes after live donor liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare the survival of patients with HCC, with a potential live donor (pLDLT) at listing vs. no potential donor (pDDLT), on an intention-to-treat basis. Methods All patients with HCC listed for liver transplantation between 2000–2015 were included. The pLDLT group was comprised of recipients with a potential live donor identified at listing. Patients without a live donor were included in the pDDLT group. Survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Cox regression was applied to identify potential predictors of mortality. Results A total of 219 patients were included in the pLDLT group and 632 patients in the pDDLT group. In the pLDLT group, 57 patients (26%) were beyond the UCSF criteria whereas 119 patients (19%) in the pDDLT group were beyond (p = 0.02). Time on the waiting list was shorter for the pLDLT than the pDDLT group (4.8 [2.9–8.5] months vs. 6.2 [3.0–12.0] months, respectively, p = 0.02). The dropout rate was 32/219 (14.6%) in the pLDLT and 174/632 (27.5%) in the pDDLT group, p <0.001. The 1-, 3- and 5-year intention-to-treat survival rates were 86%, 72% and 68% in the pLDLT vs. 82%, 63% and 57% in the pDDLT group, p = 0.02. Having a potential live donor was a protective factor for death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.67; 95% CI 0.53–0.86). Waiting times of 9–12 months (HR 1.53; 95% CI 1.02–2.31) and ≥12 months (HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.23–2.32) were predictors of death. Conclusion Having a potential live donor at listing was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of death in patients with HCC in this intention-to-treat analysis. This benefit is related to a lower dropout rate and a shorter waiting period. Lay summary Liver transplantation (LT) offers the best chance of survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and can be performed using grafts from deceased donors or live donors. In this work, we aimed to assess the differences in survival after live donor LT when compared to deceased donor LT. We studied 219 patients listed for live donor LT and 632 patients listed for deceased donor LT. Patients who had a potential live donor at the time of listing had a higher survival rate. Therefore, being listed for a live donor LT was a protective factor against death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether and when recovery beyond the need for transplant may occur in patients listed for decompensation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients delisted following recompensation. Seventy-seven patients who were listed between 2005 and 2015 for decompensation, but later delisted following recompensation were included. Alcohol-related liver disease ( ALD) was the underlying etiology in the majority ( n = 47, 61%). Listing characteristics of these patients were compared with those of decompensated ALD patients who either underwent deceased donor liver transplantation or died on the waiting list. The model for end-stage liver disease ( MELD) score <20 and serum albumin ≥32 g/l at listing were the only independent predictors of recompensation/delisting in ALD. The probability of recompensation was 70% when both factors were present at listing. Interestingly, about a tenth of decompensated ALD patients who died on the waiting list (median duration on waiting list 11 months) and a quarter of decompensated ALD patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (median duration on waiting list 2 months) also had both factors at listing. In conclusion, ALD seems to be the most favorable etiology for recompensation beyond the need for transplantation. Both MELD and serum albumin at listing independently predict recompensation/delisting in ALD. It seems advisable to implement a period of observation for ALD patients with both favorable factors, before embarking on living donor liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the use of prophylactic intravenous hydration (IV prophylaxis) and carbon dioxide (CO2) angiography in reducing contrast associated-acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and determine the overall incidence and risk factors of CA-AKI in high-risk patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions (PVI). Method: Only patients undergoing elective PVI from 2017 to 2021 with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5 in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database were included. Patients were grouped into IV prophylaxis vs no prophylaxis. The study's primary outcome was CA-AKI, defined as a rise in creatinine (>.5 mg/dL) or new dialysis within 48 hours following contrast administration. Standard univariate and multivariable (logistic regression) analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 4497 patients were identified. Of these, 65% received IV prophylaxis. The overall incidence of CA-AKI was.93%. No significant difference was seen in overall contrast volume (mean (SD): 66.89(49.54) vs 65.94(51.97) milliliters, P >.05) between the 2 groups. After adjusting for significant covariates, the use of IV prophylaxis (OR (95% CI): 1.54(.77-3.18), P =.25) and CO2 angiography (OR (95%CI):.95(.44-2.08), P =.90) was not associated with a significant reduction in CA-AKI compared to the patients with no prophylaxis. The severity of CKD and diabetes were the only predictor of CA-AKI. Compared to patients with no CA-AKI, patients with CA-AKI were at risk of higher 30-day mortality (OR (95% CI): 11.09 (4.25-28.93)) and cardiopulmonary complications (OR (95% CI): 19.03 (8.74-41.39) following PVI (Both P <.001). Conclusion : Using a large national vascular database, our study demonstrates that prophylactic use of IV hydration and CO2 angiography in high-risk CKD patients is not associated with a reduction in renal injury following PVI. Reduced kidney function and history of diabetes is an independent predictor of CA-AKI and patients that develop post-procedural AKI are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As blood transitions from steady laminar flow (S-flow) in healthy arteries to disturbed flow (D-flow) in aneurysmal arteries, platelets are subjected to external forces. Biomechanical platelet activation is incompletely understood and is a potential mechanism behind antiplatelet medication resistance. Although it has been demonstrated that antiplatelet drugs suppress the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in patients, we found that a certain degree of platelet reactivity persisted in spite of aspirin therapy, urging us to consider additional antiplatelet therapeutic targets. Transcriptomic profiling of platelets from patients with AAA revealed upregulation of a signal transduction pathway common to olfactory receptors, and this was explored as a mediator of AAA progression. Healthy platelets subjected to D-flow ex vivo, platelets from patients with AAA, and platelets in murine models of AAA demonstrated increased membrane olfactory receptor 2L13 (OR2L13) expression. A drug screen identified a molecule activating platelet OR2L13, which limited both biochemical and biomechanical platelet activation as well as AAA growth. This observation was further supported by selective deletion of the OR2L13 ortholog in a murine model of AAA that accelerated aortic aneurysm growth and rupture. These studies revealed that olfactory receptors regulate platelet activation in AAA and aneurysmal progression through platelet-derived mediators of aortic remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is the most frequently detected treatable cause of ischemic stroke. However, there are no recommendations to screen asymptomatic patients. The atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score estimates individuals' 10-year risk for developing cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study is to identify a relationship between the ASCVD risk score and moderate/severe CAS based on ultrasound findings. We performed a single-institution retrospective review of patients who underwent a surveillance ultrasound for CAS between 2015 and 2018. We used Strandness velocity criteria to separate patients into two cohorts: none to mild CAS (<50%) and moderate/severe CAS (≥50%). We performed Student's t -test, multivariate analysis, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine a relationship between the ASCVD risk score and degree of CAS. We evaluated a new risk score model based on stepwise logistic regression of significant variables on univariate analysis. Two thousand eight hundred and fifty-six patients with carotid ultrasounds (1623 with none to mild, 1161 with moderate, and 72 with severe disease) were included in the study. The ASCVD risk score significantly predicted moderate/severe CAS in an adjusted multivariate analysis. Each 10% increase in the ASCVD risk score corresponded to an additional 11% likelihood of moderate/severe stenosis (OR: 1.11 [1.04-1.20], P = 0.004). The ROC area under the curve for predicting moderate/severe CAS based on the ASCVD risk score was 0.59 (Youden index (J) = 0.14); the optimized ASCVD cutoff point was 28.4%. Our new atherosclerotic disease model demonstrated increased odds of moderate/severe CAS with scores greater than zero (ROC area under the curve = 0.57). This is the first study to demonstrate an association between atherosclerotic disease risk factors as measured by the ASCVD risk score and moderate/severe CAS. However, this tool is not sensitive or specific for using the ASCVD risk score as a screening mechanism for moderate/severe CAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Vascular surgeons have one of the highest rates of burnout among surgical specialties, often attributed to high patient acuity and clinical workload. Acute Care Surgery models are a potential solution used among general and trauma surgeons., Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education survey results from faculty and residents before and after implementation of a vascular Acute Care Surgery (VACS) model. The VACS model assigns a weekly rotation of an attending surgeon with no elective cases or clinic responsibilities and a monthly rotating resident team. Residents and attendings are in-house to cover all urgent and emergent vascular daytime consultations and procedures, whereas nights and weekend coverage remain a typical rotating schedule. Survey question results were binned into domains consistent with the Maslach Burnout Inventory., Results: Both residents and faculty reported an increase in median scores in Maslach Burnout Inventory domains of emotional exhaustion (Faculty: 2.9 vs 3.4; P < .001; Residents: 3.1 vs 3.6; P < .001) and faculty reported higher personal accomplishment scores (Faculty: 3.3 vs 3.8; P = .005) after the VACS model implementation., Conclusions: A VACS model is a tangible practice change that can address a major problem for current vascular surgeons, as it is associated with decreased burnout for faculty and residents through improvement in both emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. Improved longitudinal assessment of resident and faculty burnout is needed and future work should identify specific practice patterns related to decreased burnout., Competing Interests: Disclosures The divisions has received an educational grant from Gore Medical., (Copyright © 2024 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)