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At the time of colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis, approximately 25% of patients present with liver metastases, and 70% develop them during follow-up. This is the primary cause of therapeutic failure and most associated deaths, making it imperative to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in this process and the biological components involved. In the process of anaerobic glycolysis occurring in these cells, to maintain cellular homeostasis, excess lactate is removed via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). This study aimed to characterize monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), human glucose transporter protein isoform 1(GLUT1), cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), and the acidic cell surface adhesion protein (CD44) in various cellular and histological compartments of liver metastases from CRC in 45 patients diagnosed with metastatic CRC. The characterization revealed significant correlations between the compartmentalization of these markers and the patients’ clinicopathological data. The findings for MCT4, GLUT1, CD147, and CD44 obtained in this study are very promising in relation to considering these markers as therapeutic targets in further investigations.

AimsInvestigate whether a Home-based Exercise Therapy (HBET) program for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Intermittent Claudication (IC) with a behavior change intervention, supported by a smartphone application, is effective in improving walking distances and performance, and quality of life (QoL) over 6 months.Methods and resultsThis was a single-center, prospective, two-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial including 73 patients with PAD and IC, and three assessment moments: baseline, 3, and 6 months. Participants were randomized to receive a walking exercise prescription, with the support (n = 38) or without the support (n = 35) of the WalkingPad app, between January 2021 and July 2022. Both groups received two face-to-face behavior change sessions and 12 structured and targeted reinforcement phone calls over 6 months. Primary outcomes were between-group differences in pain-free walking distance (PFWD), functional walking distance (FWD), maximal walking distance (MWD), and 6-min walk distance (6 MWD) at 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were QoL and walking impairment. Seventy-three patients (mean age 64 ± 7.2 years, 88% men) participated in this study, 60 of whom completed the three assessment moments. The whole sample significantly improved all primary outcomes in the first 3 months; that is, the average PFWD (151.1 m), FWD (175.2 m), MWD (171.1 m), and 6 MWD (30.8 m) increased from T1 to T2. Only MWD exhibited a significant average increase (35.0 m). Secondary outcomes also increased from baseline to 3 and 6 months. There were no between-group differences, except for MWD, which showed a greater increase at 6 months in the group that used the app, excluding patients with weak walking ability and extreme anxiety symptoms at baseline.ConclusionThe intervention improved distances and walking skills as well as the physical, mental, and disease-related quality of life among adults with PAD and IC. The group that used the WalkingPad app improved their MWD in 6 months compared to the control group, except for patients with poor walking ability and extreme anxiety symptoms, which suggests the effectiveness of the WalkingPad app for patients with high walking ability and no severe anxiety symptoms. More research is needed to determine the durability of these findings and to explore what app functionality might promote the other outcomes. Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04749732).

Abstract Background Physical exercise is a first-line treatment for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and intermittent claudication (IC) reducing pain and increasing the distances walked. Home-based exercise therapy (HBET) has the advantage of reaching a higher number of patients and increasing adherence to physical exercise as it is performed in the patient’s residential area and does not have the time, cost, and access restrictions of supervised exercise therapy (SET) implemented in a clinical setting. Even so, rates of adherence to physical exercise are relatively low, and therefore, m-health tools are promising in increasing motivation to behavior change and adherence to physical exercise. A built-in virtual assistant is a patient-focused tool available in a mobile interface, providing a variety of functions including health education, motivation, and implementation of behavior change techniques. Methods This is a single-center, prospective, three-arm, single-blind, randomized, controlled, superior clinical trial with stratified and blocked random allocation. Three hundred participants with PAD and IC will be recruited from an Angiology and Vascular Surgery Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Porto (CHUPorto), Porto, Portugal. All patients will receive the same medical care recommended by current guidelines. Participants in all three groups will receive a personalized prescription for an HBET program and a behavioral change and motivational intervention. Participants in experimental groups 1 and 2 will receive a smartphone with the WalkingPad app to monitor exercise sessions. Experimental group 2 WalkingPad app will have a built-in virtual assistant that will promote behavioral change and provide motivational support. Participants allocated to the active control group will not receive the m-health tool, but a practice diary to encourage monitoring. The program will last for 6 months with three evaluation moments (baseline, 3, and 6 months). The primary outcome will be the change in distances walked (maximal and pain-free) from baseline to 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes will be changes in quality of life, patients’ perception of resistance, and walking speed. Discussion This study will allow measuring the effectiveness of an m-health tool in increasing motivation for behavior change and adherence to an HBET program in patients with PAD. The superiority of experimental group 2 in the primary and secondary outcomes will indicate that the virtual assistant is effective for motivating behavioral change and encouraging the practice and adherence to physical exercise. The use of m-health tools and virtual health assistants can potentially fill a gap in the access and quality of health services and information, reducing the burden on the health system and promoting self-management and self-care in chronic illness. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04749732 . Registered on 10 February 2021

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous endovenous treatment is the first-line therapy for chronic nonmalignant iliocaval venous obstruction (ICVO) due to low morbidity and suitable medium and long-term results. Open surgical procedures are only used as a last resort therapy. However, there is a lack of updated data regarding surgical techniques and outcomes. We present two cases of surgical venous reconstructions to treat ICVO using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts and discuss the evidence regarding technical aspects to improve long-term patency. CASE REPORTS: The first case concerns a 69-year-old male with chronic edema and venous ulceration associated with ICVO secondary to iliocaval stent thrombosis. After an unsuccessful endovascular treatment attempt, we performed a surgical iliocaval bypass using a 10mm ringed ePTFE graft. After three months, complete ulcer healing was observed. The other patient was a 63-year-old female with disabling chronic edema of the right lower limb and venous claudication consequent to the ligation of the right common femoral vein to correct an iatrogenic vascular injury during orthopedic surgery. The patient underwent venous bypass between the deep femoral vein and the ipsilateral common iliac vein using a 12mm ringed ePTFE graft. A marked improvement in clinical symptoms was observed after treatment. A venous stent was used later to treat an anastomotic stenosis. CONCLUSION: Our experience supports open venous reconstruction as a viable option for patients with benign ICVO and debilitating symptoms not amenable to endovascular treatment. Important technical aspects such as adequate inflow vein, the choice of the prosthetic graft, long-term anticoagulation, and the creation of a distal arteriovenous fistula should be considered to improve patency.

INTRODUCTION: Light induced amaurosis refers to a transient monocular or binocular vision loss triggered by bright lights. Like amaurosis fugax, light induced amaurosis is associated with carotid artery stenosis but they differ from each other in presentation and pathophysiology. It is thought to be an impairment in the regeneration of retinal visual pigments caused by the inability of carotid circulation to sustain the increased metabolic activity occurring when the retina is exposed to bright lights. With this report we aim to present a case of light induced amaurosis and its management. CASE REPORT: We describe a 74-year-old man with the isolated complaint of monocular visual loss from his left eye when exposed to bright lights. These episodes were self-limited and lasted for several minutes. His vision was reportedly good between episodes. He also complained of headache and dizziness. There were no other focal neurological deficits present. The patient had a history of peripheral artery disease, chronic heart failure, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, permanent atrial fibrillation and had a history of heavy smoking in the past. Chronic medical therapy included anticoagulation with rivaroxaban, antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and atorvastatin. Imaging studies (doppler ultrasonography and Computed tomography angiography) revealed a significant morphologic stenosis of the left common carotid artery, left internal carotid artery with sub occlusive disease and right internal carotid artery with 70-75% stenosis (North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial - NASCET). The vertebral arteries study did not reveal significant morphologic disease. The patient was submitted to left common and internal carotid artery endarterectomy and Dacron patch angioplasty. The visual symptoms progressively improved after surgical treatment. The dizziness and headache were completely gone. CONCLUSION: Light induced amaurosis is a rare and less known symptom associated with severe carotid artery stenosis. Its timely recognition is important to not deprive patients of timely treatment.

INTRODUÇÃO: O fenómeno de nutcracker refere-se à compressão da veia renal esquerda (VRE), habitualmente entre a aorta e a artéria mesentérica superior. Quando sintomático, designa-se síndrome de nutcracker. Os sintomas/sinais estão relacionados com o desenvolvimento de hipertensão venosa renal e o diagnostico depende da conjugação da clínica e alterações laboratoriais na presença de critérios imagiológicos. Habitualmente a indicação terapêutica depende da severidade dos sintomas. Existem várias opções terapêuticas: transposição/ pontagem da VRE para uma implantação mais distal na veia cava inferior, transposição da veia gonadal, auto- transplante renal, e tratamento endovascular. CASO CLÍNICO: Doente de 40 anos, sexo feminino, observada em consulta de cirurgia vascular por varizes pélvicas e vulvares recidivadas. Por suspeita de síndrome de congestão pélvica, realizou estudo complementar com venoTAC que revelou fenómeno de nutcracker com dilatação importante da veia ovárica (VO) e varizes pélvicas. O exame sumário de urina revelou hematúria. Foram ponderadas várias opções de tratamento, tendo sido decidido fazer uma transposição da VO para a veia ilíaca comum (VIC). Através de uma pequena incisão paramediana esquerda (com cerca de 5cm) foi realizada uma abordagem retroperitoneal dos vasos. Procedeu-se à identificação e isolamento da VO (sinalizada com fio guia colocado pela veia femoral comum direita no início do procedimento). Localizada posteriormente à VO, isolou-se a VIC. Procedeu-se à secção transversal da VO e anastomose em termino-lateral da VO à VIC. O tratamento foi complementado com esclerose com espuma de varizes vulvares por via endovascular. A doente teve alta no primeiro dia de pós-operatório. Ao 6o mês de pós- operatório mantem-se sem recidiva das varizes e sem hematúria. DISCUSSÃO: O Síndrome de nutcracker pode implicar uma morbilidade importante, com risco de trombose da VRE e perda da função renal. O melhor tratamento ainda não está definido e a seleção da melhor opção é dificultada pelo reduzido número de casos, ausência de estudos prospetivos randomizados, e pela ausência de follow-up a longo prazo de algumas das opções terapêuticas. A transposição da VRE é o procedimento mais habitual, seguido pelo auto-transplante renal. O nosso serviço tem vasta experiência na transplantação renal e o auto-transplante tem tido bons resultados; no entanto, não deixa de ser uma intervenção complexa, com riscos potenciais não desprezíveis, com uma convalescença prolongada e um impacto estético importante, sobretudo se aferido à idade jovem dos doentes. Corroborado pelo resultado do caso clínico apresentado, os autores consideram que a transposição da VO é uma alternativa terapêutica menos invasiva a ser considerada.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic kidneys with concomitant aortoiliac aneurysmal disease have been previously reported in the literature, however its exact prevalence is unknown. The objective of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the treatment this special group of patients. METHODS: A non-systematic literature research was performed on the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysmal disease in patients with ectopic kidneys. RESULTS: Literature on the management of patients with aorto-iliac aneurysms and concomitant ectopic kidneys is limited to case reports and very small series. Treatment modalities which include open, endovascular or hybrid techniques, should preserve the variable vasculature of the ectopic kidney. Several different surgical solutions have been proposed, highlighting the uncertainty on the optimal management strategy. However, a growing number of reports suggest safety and efficacy with adapted endovascular techniques. CONCLUSION: In parallel to the general trend in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is expected that a growing number of patients will concomitant aorto-iliac aneurysm and ectopic kidneys will be treated with endovascular techniques.

Robotic handling of objects is not always a trivial assignment, even in teleoperation where, in most cases, this might lead to stressful labor for operators. To reduce the task difficulty, supervised motions could be performed in safe scenarios to reduce the workload in these non-critical steps by using machine learning and computer vision techniques. This paper describes a novel grasping strategy based on a groundbreaking geometrical analysis which extracts diametrically opposite points taking into account surface smoothing (even those target objects that might conform highly complex shapes) to guarantee the uniformity of the grasping. It uses a monocular camera, as we are often facing space restrictions that generate the need to use laparoscopic cameras integrated in the tools, to recognize and isolate targets from the background, estimating their spatial coordinates and providing the best possible stable grasping points for both feature and featureless objects. It copes with reflections and shadows produced by light sources (which require extra effort to extract their geometrical properties) in unstructured facilities such as nuclear power plants or particle accelerators on scientific equipment. Based on the experimental results, utilizing a specialized dataset improved the detection of metallic objects in low-contrast environments, resulting in the successful application of the algorithm with error rates in the scale of millimeters in the majority of repeatability and accuracy tests.

Introduction: Renal artery aneurysms are rare clinical entities whose treatment criteria are not fully established. Endovascular treatment has gained acceptance in the case of renal artery trunk aneurysms. However, in the case of aneurysms of the renal artery branches, such procedures are often impossible due to high morbidity, so the question remains about the best treatment modality. We present a clinical case of multiple bilateral aneurysms of the renal artery branches in a young patient adequately treated with ex-vivo reconstruction and renal autotransplantation. Case-presentation: A 35-year-old woman was diagnosed with bilateral renal artery aneurysms during an investigation of secondary arterial hypertension (AHT). The patient underwent surgical treatment with renal autotransplantation, and the right kidney was initially treated. Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed. She underwent ex vivo repair of aneurysms, on the bench, with aneurysmectomy and aneurysmorrhaphy. The graft was implanted in the right iliac fossa with anastomoses to the external iliac artery and vein. After three months, an identical procedure was performed on the left. Upon inspection, a large aneurysm was observed in the renal artery bifurcation and another small aneurysm in one of the branches; both corrected with aneurysmec- tomy and aneurysmorrhaphy. Ex-vivo angiographic control ensured the preservation of graft arteries patency without evidence of residual aneurysms. The kidney was implanted in the left external iliac vessels uneventfully. A study with renal scintigraphy confirmed the adequate function of both kidneys. The patient is asymptomatic at nine months of follow-up with serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate within normal values. Conclusion: Renal autotransplantation with ex vivo arterial repair seems to be a good solution in treating aneurysms of the renal artery, particularly in complex cases with multiple aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: In situ lesser saphenous vein (LSV) graft has been advocated in cases of lower limb revascularization where target arteries are confined to the lower leg and the greater saphenous vein (GSV) is neither available nor suitable. This often occurs in diabetic or end-stage renal diseased patients, whose occlusive disease pattern typically affects the tibioperoneal vessels, sparing the femoropopliteal segment. In situ technique offers the potential advantages of decreased surgical trauma to the vein, better size-matching and improved hemodynamics. The posterior approach simplifies the surgical procedure; it achieves similar graft patency and limb salvage rates compared to standard procedures. CASE REPORT: We report a case of an 89 years-old male diabetic patient with previous attempts of endovascular revascularization of the posterior tibial and peroneal arteries; he presents with a nonhealing ulcer of the first toe of the right foot. Ultrasonographic vein mapping revealed varicose GSV in both limbs and a linear, ~3mm diameter, LSV in the right leg. The patient underwent right limb retrogeniculate popliteal to distal posterior tibial artery bypass with in situ LSV through a posterior approach. Post-operative bypass thrombosis occurred after seven days; it was resolved with surgical thrombectomy, vein angioplasty and arteriovenous shunt ligation. During follow-up at the outpatient clinic, the bypass remains patent and skin lesions healing without complications. CONCLUSION: In situ LSV is a safe and viable option conduit for popliteal to distal arteries bypasses. Vascular surgeons should be aware of the posterior approach, which simplifies and comfortably exposes the anatomic structures required for this surgery.

Introduction: The development of aneurysms in iliac arteries excluded from high-pressure direct flow from the aorta is very uncommon. We report a case of successful treatment of bilateral metachronous iliac artery aneurysms (MIA), found 10 years after an aortobifemoral bypass, with perfusion only by retrograde flow from the common femoral arteries (CFA). Case Report: A 76-year-old man came for consultation after incidental finding of bilateral MIAs, 10-years after aorto- bifemoral bypass for treatment of an aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a right internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm of 43-mm diameter and a left common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysm of 45-mm diameter that were not present 10-years before. Exclusion of the left CIA aneurysm was achieved with a left IIA to external iliac artery (EIA) endograft using two covered stents (“banana” technique). The right IIA aneurysm was excluded with embolization of the distal internal iliac branches and aneurysm sac with coils and occlusion of the proximal EIA with an occluder. There were no postoperative complications. A CTA two months after surgery showed total exclusion of the left CIA aneurysm and normal filling of the left IIA, as well as complete occlusion of the right IIA aneurysm. Conclusion: This case highlights that aneurysmal degeneration of iliac arteries can be generated by retrograde blood flow after treatment of AAAs with aortobifemoral grafts. An endovascular approach using the “banana” technique proved to be effective in treating MIAs while maintaining patency of one IIA.

In this work we perform a numerical study on the flow around the hulls of competition kayaks with the aim of predicting accurate drag forces. The numerical simulations were first performed using the Wigley hull geometry, a typical validation case for flows around marine vessels. The total drag force and wave profiles of the hull were determined for different Froude numbers and compared with experimental measurements. After validation and verification of the numerical method, the flow around two competition sprint kayaks was investigated. The drag force was calculated and compared with experimental and numerical data

Introdução: O kinking da artéria renal pós-transplante é uma complicação rara, geralmente associada à disfunção precoce do enxerto. Métodos: Apresentamos um caso clínico de um kinking da artéria renal pós-transplante com uma apresentação clínica incomum. Foi realizada uma revisão dos registos clínicos com o consentimento do doente. Resultados: Homem de 52 anos com doença renal terminal secundária a nefropatia por IgA foi submetido a transplante renal de doador cadavérico. O doente apresentou boa função renal no pós-operatório, no entanto, após três meses iniciou uma redução gradual da diurese e agravamento da função renal a necessitar de permanecer em "posição de cócoras" 5 horas por dia para manter um débito urinário adequado. Foi realizada uma pontagem entre a artéria ilíaca externa esquerda e a artéria renal do enxerto com veia grande safena autóloga para correção de um kinking da artéria renal com recuperação da função do enxerto. Conclusão: A torção da artéria renal comumente manifestada como disfunção do enxerto renal pode-se apresentar de forma singular. A intervenção precoce é essencial para preservar a viabilidade do enxerto.

Introduction: Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia (CMI) resulting from an impaired blood flow of the splanchnic organs is characterized by an insidious clinical course and is often an underestimated and undertreated disease. The natural history is progressive, caused by atherosclerosis progression in a polymorbidity and aging society. Due to collateralization, diffuse stenotic lesions can remain asymptomatic for a long time and usually manifests when an acute medical or surgical event occurs. In those cases, the clinical suspicion is crucial to reach the diagnosis promptly, allowing to preserve the patients’ quality of life and, above all, the patients’ life. Clinical case 1: A 48-year-old woman with a history of smoking goes to the emergency department for hypogastric abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A study was performed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) that demonstrated occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and significant stenosis of the celiac trunk associated with thickening of small bowel suggestive of ischemia. A thrombectomy of the superior mesenteric artery and retrograde stenting of the artery ostium was performed, followed by extensive enterectomy on 24-hour laparotomy. After hospital discharge, the patient had new abdominal complaints, and stent occlusion was documented in the SMA. She underwent an iliohepatic bypass with good results. Clinical case 2: A 76-year-old man previously submitted to a right axillofemoral and femoropopliteal sequential bypass to treat chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), went to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation. The diagnosis of a subocclusive intestinal syndrome was made, having performed a computed tomography (CT) scan where it was observed the Ileum adhered to the cecum, which was thickened; the celiac trunk and SMA had subocclusive stenosis. The patient underwent primary celiac trunk stenting with a balloon-expandable stent. After celiac artery revascularization, a right colectomy was performed with two segmental enterectomies. Conclusion: Mesenteric ischemia is a severe condition that is often underdiagnosed due to the lack of awareness of most physicians and nonspecific symptoms. The vascular intervention aims to prevent intestinal necrosis, which can lead to the patient’s death. Timely diagnosis is therefore essential, and revascularization must be performed before or at the same time as intestinal surgery. The close collaboration between the general and vascular surgery teams is essential to the success of these cases.

Background: The surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal and the implemented public health measures were accompanied with a noticeable decrease in patients’ attendance to the Emergency Department (ED). Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Vascular Surgery ED admissions, by comparing clinical and demographic characteristics of patients visiting the ED during the pandemic and the homologous period of 2019. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from patients admitted to the ED of a Portuguese tertiary hospital centre between March 4th and April 1st, 2020 — two weeks before and two weeks after the governmental implementation of the state of emergency in our country due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and the homologous period of 2019. Individual medical records were revised to obtain patients demographics and characteristics, clinical severity under the Manchester Triage System (MTS), final diagnosis, need for hospitalization or emergent/urgent surgery, in-hospital length of stay and mortality within 30 days of hospital discharge. Results: A total of 119 and 210 patients visited the Vascular Surgery ED during the pandemic and the homologous period of 2019, respectively. Males comprised the majority of patients in both years and the proportion of women visiting the ED was lower in 2020 compared to 2019 (P=0.015). The MTS attributed a lower number of high-priority levels (yellow and orange) to patients visiting the ED in 2020 (P=0.048). A higher proportion of patients required in-hospital treatment or emergent/ urgent surgery (P

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Chronic periaortitis and retroperitoneal fibrosis are related entities that develop with periaortic inflammation and deposition of fibroinflammatory tissue in the retroperitoneal space. This pathological fibroinflammatory process may be associated with endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) as well as the treatment of aortoiliac arterial occlusive disease with stent/stent-graft implantation. We performed a systematic review of the literature in the MEDLINE database of original articles that documented the development of periaortitis after endovascular aortoiliac treatment for occlusive and aneurysmatic arterial disease. We included a total of 12 articles describing 14 cases of this complication. Most of the reported cases are related to the development of periaortitis after EVAR in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The majority of patients are male, with ages ranging from 45 to 78 years. This complication was verified with the use of different devices that included nitinol or stainless-steel stents. In the case of stent-grafts this complication occurred with both polyester and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coverings. The severity of the clinical picture was also highly variable, with some cases presenting with hydronephrosis resulting from urethral obstruction. Treatment with corticotherapy, tamoxifen, or a combination of the two was effective in all cases. Periaortitis is an extremely rare complication of aortoiliac endovascular treatment. Similar to idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, corticosteroid therapy appears to be highly effective and early treatment seems to be essential to avoid complications.

The Analogue Ensemble (AnEn) method enables the reconstruction of meteorological observations or deterministic predictions for a certain variable and station by using data from the same station or from other nearby stations. However, depending on the dimension and granularity of the historical datasets used for the reconstruction, this method may be computationally very demanding even if parallelization is used. In this work, the classical AnEn method is modified so that analogues are determined using K-means clustering. The proposed combined approach allows the use of several predictors in a dependent or independent way. As a result of the flexibility and adaptability of this new approach, it is necessary to define several parameters and algorithmic options. The effects of the critical parameters and main options were tested on a large dataset from real-world meteorological stations. The results show that adequate monitoring and tuning of the new method allows for a considerable improvement of the computational performance of the reconstruction task while keeping the accuracy of the results. Compared to the classical AnEn method, the proposed variant is at least 15-times faster when processing is serial. Both approaches benefit from parallel processing, with the K-means variant also being always faster than the classic method under that execution regime (albeit its performance advantage diminishes as more CPU threads are used).

Introdução: A técnica criss-cross combina acesso vascular anterógrado e retrógrado da veia poplítea, de modo a obter recanalização venosa em doentes com trombose venosa profunda (TVP) ileofemoral associada a trombose das veias poplítea e gemelares. Caso clínico: Doente do sexo feminino de 57 anos, com antecedentes de histerectomia radical e linfadenectomia de nódulos linfáticos pélvicos em 2013, devido a neoplasia uterina, com consequente linfedema crónico do membro inferior direito. Admitida na urgência por edema grave do membro inferior direito, com 7 dias de evolução. À observação, a paciente apresentava edema da coxa e perna, cianose da perna, dor gemelar, extremidades quentes e pulsos distais palpáveis. Estudo com ecodoppler a objetivar trombose dos eixos venosos do membro inferior direito. Estudo com TC contrastado excluiu extensão proximal do trombo para a veia ilíaca comum direita ou veia cava; excluiu tromboembolismo pulmonar e evidenciou clips cirúrgicos em proximidade com a veia ilíaca externa direita, causando uma respetiva redução luminal superior a 50%. A doente foi submetida a trombectomia e fibrinólise dirigida por cateter. Obteve-se acesso vascular através de punção ecoguiada da veia poplítea. Após colocação de introdutores em sentido retrógrado e anterógrado, realizou-se trombectomia das veias gemelares até à veia femoral comum, com recurso a aspiração por cateter. Instituiu-se perfusão de alteplase e heparina não fracionada por via periférica, mantidas durante 72 horas, com controlo angiográfico a cada 24h. Após recanalização satisfatória, realizou-se angioplastia com balão 14x40mm, seguida de stent 14x80mm na veia ilíaca externa. Não ocorreram complicações hemorrágicas major. O tratamento invasivo foi complementado com drenagem postural e meia elástica compressiva, permitindo melhoria clínica imediata e progressiva. Após dois dias, a doente recebeu alta medicada com heparina de baixo peso molecular. Em consulta de follow-up após um mês, constatou-se melhoria clínica progressiva e alterada hipocoagulação para rivaroxabano ad aeternum. Conclusão: A técnica de criss-cross permite recanalização do inflow e outflow, restaurando patência venosa e mantendo a função valvular, aspetos com eventual papel crítico nos resultados após TVP ileofemoral extensa.

Introduction: Subclavian arterial puncture is a relatively frequent complication of attempted placement of central venous catheters (CVC). The placement of a CVC in the artery is rarer, but with potential serious complications especially in its withdrawal. Anticipating these complications, control of potential bleeding in catheter withdrawal is usually performed by surgical or endovascular approach with endoprosthesis release. Our goal is to present the treatment with a percutaneous arterial closure device. Materials / Methods: Presentation of a clinical case of a CVC placed in the subclavian artery treated with a percutaneous arterial closure device. Results: A 51-year-old man hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction. On the first day of hospitalization, the introduction of a CVC into the right subclavian vein was attempted. In view of the suspected intraarterial position, CT angiography scan demonstrated that the CVC had been introduced into the subclavian artery with a point of entry proximal to the passage under the clavicle and with a path to the brachiocephalic trunk. Hypocoagulation with UFH was initiated given the risk of pericateter thrombosis and embolization. The use of percutaneous closure device ProGlide® was planned using the CVC pathway. As predictable difficulties for this option was the long CVC path to the arterial entry point, raising questions about the extent of the suture mechanism of the device and the progression of nodes in this path. Under fluoroscopic control, an angioplasty balloon was progressed until the CVC point of entrance for temporary bleeding control in case of ProGlide® failure; in which case the procedure would be completed with a covered endoprosthesis; the subclavian artery had a diameter of 12 mm and was ipsilateral to a brachiocephalic fistula. It was decided to retrograde puncture the fistula and progress the balloon to the subclavian artery. The rigid guide wire was then placed through the CVC and the CVC removed. Two Proglide® closure devices (positioned at 10 p.m. and 2 p.m.) were released. The complete resolution of clinical and imaging hemorrhage was verified. Discussion/Conclusions: Placement of CVC in the subclavian artery is a potentially serious complication since its removal can be complicated with severe haemorrhage. Depending on the point of entry, there may be additional complexities due to the proximity of the vertebral and carotid arteries. In this case we left open several hypotheses (endovascular and ultimately surgical), but our preference was ad initium the percutaneous introduction of closure device given the feasibility, simplicity, less aggressiveness, non-interference with the vertebral ostium, and lower cost compared to a covered endoprosthesis.

Introdução: O diagnóstico de aneurismas venosos viscerais é tipicamente incidental. Apesar do uso disseminado de métodos de imagem precisos a identificação destas lesões continua a ser extremamente rara. Dentro destes, os aneurismas da veia renal são o subgrupo menos frequente correspondendo a uma pequena percentagem. Métodos: Apresentamos um caso-clínico de uma doente de 52 anos com um aneurisma gigante da veia do transplante renal associado a uma fístula arteriovenosa. Adicionalmente foi realizada uma revisão da literatura na base de dados MEDLINE. Resultados: Doente de sexo feminino com antecedentes de transplante renal de dador vivo com o enxerto localizado na fossa ilíaca esquerda, recorre ao serviço de urgência com dor no local do enxerto renal e febre. À observação do enxerto com ecografia observa-se uma lesão de grandes dimensões no bacinete com fluxo identificado ao Doppler. Realizou angiotomografia computadorizada que revelou presença de uma fístula arteriovenosa entre artéria e a veia renal, com um volumoso aneurisma da veia renal a ocupar praticamente todo o seio renal, de aproximadamente 5.6cm de maior diâmetro. Numa primeira fase foi realizada embolização da fístula arteriovenosa renal com coils. Pela manutenção do quadro sético com disfunção do enxerto foi posteriormente submetida a nefrectomia do enxerto. Conclusão: Os aneurismas da veia renal são lesões extremamente raras com apenas alguns casos publicados na literatura. Estes aneurismas são passíveis de tratamento por via endovascular ou cirúrgica, no entanto, tendo em conta a escassez de dados publicados desconhecem-se os resultados a longo prazo.

Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a rare cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. There are two types of AEF: primary and secondary. Primary AEF usually occurs in association with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Secondary AEF are associated to aortic grafts, normally in relation to graft infection, and represent the most common type. A high level of suspicion is essential to a prompt diagnosis. If not promptly diagnosed and treated the associated mortality is very high. The role of endovascular treatment is not yet defined. Our aim is to perform a non-systematic review of the available literature concerning etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of AEF.

Introdução: O linfedema dos membros inferiores é uma patologia relativamente comum que condiciona um marcado impacto na qualidade de vida do doente. Pode ocorrer primariamente ou ser secundário a um fator externo. O seu tratamento na maioria dos casos é conservador através de massagem de drenagem linfática e medidas de compressão externa. No entanto, a cirurgia reconstrutiva do sistema linfático tem vindo a ganhar popularidade. Adicionalmente, nos casos mais graves pode ser necessário a realização de procedimentos cirúrgicos de redução de membro na correção de dismorfias associadas ao linfedema crónico. Métodos: Foi feita a revisão de um caso clínico grave de linfedema do membro inferior que foi tratado com recurso a um procedimento cirúrgico de redução de membro. Posteriormente procedeu-se a uma revisão da literatura utilizando a base de dados MEDLINE. Resultados : Doente de 46 anos com antecedentes de obesidade mórbida seguido por linfedema precoce do membro inferior direito que surgiu na segunda década de vida. O doente foi observado em consulta de cirurgia vascular com queixas de linforragia tendo sido instituído tratamento conservador com terapia compressiva. Apesar da melhoria inicial o linfedema progrediu com agravamento das queixas e recidiva de linforragia na coxa. Foi submetido a cirurgia de redução de membro com evolução favorável e marcada melhoria clínica no pós-operatório. Conclusão: O linfedema dos membros inferiores é uma entidade pouco reconhecida que condiciona um marcado impacto na qualidade de vida dos doentes. Atualmente não existe tratamento curativo e os resultados do tratamento conservador são limitados. O tratamento cirúrgico, nomeadamente com cirurgia de redução do membro visa solucionar os casos mais graves nomeadamente complicações associadas à cronicidade do linfedema.

Resumo A fibrose retroperitoneal (FR) é uma doença rara, caracterizada por inflamação e fibrose na periferia da aorta abdominal com disseminação ao longo do espaço retroperitoneal, invadindo estruturas contiguas. Em cerca de dois terços dos casos esta condição é idiopática apresentando uma causa secundária nos restantes. Mais frequentemente as formas secundárias estão associadas a fármacos e neoplasias, no entanto outras situações podem levar ao desenvolvimento da doença. Na última década tem surgido alguma evidência de que a FR está associada à angioplastia, stenting ou implantação de endoprótese nos eixos aortoilíacos, no entanto a literatura publicada é muito escassa. Apresentamos a nossa experiência com dois doentes com arteriopatia grau IIb, um com estenose pré-oclusiva da artéria ilíaca comum esquerda tendo sido submetido angioplastia e stenting da lesão, outro com estenose morfologicamente significativa da aorta abdominal infrarrenal tendo sido submetido a angioplastia e colocação de duas endopróteses cobertas aortoilíacos sob a forma de kissing stent. Ambos os doentes desenvolveram dor lombar marcada tendo sido visualizado em angio-TC um processo inflamatório periaórtico sugestivo de fibrose retroperitoneal que posteriormente evoluiu para aneurisma da aorta abdominal inflamatório. O mecanismo fisiopatológico desta alteração não se encontra descrito, no entanto, poderemos supor que a angioplastia e stenting poderá levar a rotura da integridade da placa aterosclerótica com exposição de antigénios contidos no seu interior desencadeando uma resposta inflamatória local. Por outro lado, poderá existir uma reação imunológica diretamente contra o stent. É importante pensar nesta possível complicação, uma vez que existe uma notável resposta à corticoterapia e pela possibilidade de desenvolvimento de aneurisma da aorta inflamatório.

Introduction/Objectives: Type A aortic dissection (AD) usually requires urgent surgical treatment and aortic segment replacement remains the gold standard. However, it is a very aggressive procedure and some patients are considered too frail for this treatment. Nowadays, endovascular repair represents an alternative treatment but still without precise indications. Our objective is to present a case of hybrid treatment of a type A AD with resource a transapical cardiac access. Material/Methods: Clinical case and literature review. Results: A 65-year-old man with history of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, atrial fibrillation and hypertension came to the emergency department with abdominal pain. He underwent angio-CT that revealed type A AD with an PAU in the ascending aorta (AA). After evaluation by cardiac surgery, he was considered too frail for conventional surgery. Angio-CT was repeated after two weeks of medical treatment and revealed false aneurysm growth, with imminent risk of rupture. We thought about endovascular treatment and different options were considered, the final decision was to propose the patient for an hybrid treatment. The procedure was started with a femoro-rigth axilar bypass and embolization of the brachyocephalic trunk. Then an endoprosthesis (Valiant®) was delivered below the left subclavian artery and two periscopes (Viabahn®) were progressed form left carotid and axillar arteries and the second endoprosthesis (Valiant®) was released into the aorta, inside the first, with coverage of the left common carotid and subclavian, and the Viabahn® were released. After multiple attempts, it was not possible to progress the third endoprosthesis AA because of lack of support and hemodynamic instability whenever the guidewire was progressed for the left ventricle and the procedure was interrupted. Subsequently performed angio-CT revealed permeable AA dissection and untreated false aneurysm. We discussed other options and an anterograde (transapical) approach was considered to progress a guidewire on through-and-through to achieve the support we need to progress the endoprothesis. With the support of the cardiac surgery the cardiac apex was punctured and using the through-and-through technique the guide wire was progressed to femoral artery which allowed advancement of the endoprosthesis (Valiant®) through the retrograde pathway and release under rapid-pacing in the AA with good final result. Discussion/Conclusions: Endovascular treatment is an alternative in patients of high clinical risk and adequate anatomical characteristics, yet technically challenging. When the retrograde progression of the endoprosthesis is not achieved, the transapical cardiac approach is an alternative to be considered.

Homem de 65 anos observado em consulta externa de cirurgia vascular por apresentar edema assimétrico do membro inferior esquerdo após acidente de trabalho que lhe terá condicionado imobilização prolongada. Pela suspeita de trombose venosa profunda, o doente realizou ecodoppler venoso dos membros inferiores que con!rmou ao diagnóstico de trombose venosa profunda iliofemoral tendo concomitantemente sido identi!cada a presença de "uxos arterializados na veia poplítea, levantando a suspeita de uma fístula arteriovenosa de localização infra-poplítea. Procedeu-se à realização de angiografia que revelou a presença de uma fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) entre a artéria tibial posterior e veia homónima. Após 6 meses de anticoagulação, o doente foi proposto para tratamento endovascular da FAV tendo realizado a implantação de um stent recoberto de ePTFE GraftMaster® 3.5×26mm (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) com resolução imagiológica da FAV (!gura 3). À data de alta, o ecodoppler de controlo revelou total permeabilidade luminal do stent colocado na artéria tibial posterior esquerda, na qual se detetaram "uxos de morfologia trifásica, sem evidência de "uxos arterializados na veia poplítea. Com um ano de seguimento o doente mantém a artéira tibial posterior permeável.

Introduction: Between 14–20% of patients with critical lower-limb ischemia (CLI) are not candidates for revascularization due to extensive occlusions in crural/pedal vessels. Frequently these patients are young and functionally active. In these cases, the concept of shunting blood through veins to get this reversed flow to reach the nutritive tissue capillary bed becomes attractive. Our aim is to report our very recent experience in venous arterialization. Material/Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of venous arterialization performed in our institution between April 2018–2019. Results: Four patients were treated: 3 males/1 female with mean age of 58.5 years. All patients had PAD stage 4. All patients were studied with arteriography and ultrasound and were considerate no revascularizable (2 of them after an attempt of endovascular/surgical treatment). In one patient a trial with endovenous prostaglandin was performed, without clinical response. In all cases, the patients were facing a major amputation. Arterialization was performed as a last attempt to save the limb. Regarding the surgical procedures, the donor inflow artery was the infragenicular popliteal artery in 2 cases, distal femoral artery in 1 case and anterior tibial artery in 1 case. In 3 cases the bypass used the great saphenous vein (GSV) in situ to arterialize the medial marginal vein; in 1 case was used an inverted GSV bypass with the distal anastomosis at the posterior tibial vein. The venous valves were destroyed by combination of Fogarty catheter (proximally) and angioplasty balloon (distally). Collaterals were ligated to focalize the blood flow. In all patients marked improvement in foot perfusion was achieved. Two of them had excellent evolution in the postoperative period and healed foot lesions. One patient was amputated with permeable bypass. One patient presented good initial evolution but later had bypass thrombosis (presum- ably due to inadequate arterial inflow from the anterior tibial artery) and undergone major amputation. Discussion/Conclusions: Despite advances in surgical and endovascular techniques, an important number of patients with CLI are not candidates to arterial revascularization and most patients with inoperable CLI will face a major amputation. In that setting, venous arterialization should be considered but not all patients are candidates to this procedure and a careful preoperative evaluation is required. Our preliminary experience is encouraging: the procedure was relatively straightforward, the resulting improve in foot perfusion was surprisingly good, the patency rate and limb salvage rate was 75 and 50%. In our opinion the major issues are selection of inflow artery and outflow vein and the learning curve in interpretation of the angiographic result to guide optimal focalization of the blood flow.

The number of patients treated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) increased considerably in the last decades. Even though open surgery remains the gold standard for AAA treatment, endovascular techniques like Chimney grafts (CGs) showed to be reliable to treat patients with contraindications for conventional surgery and hostile neck aneurysms. CGs are off-the-shelf stents which are accessible and useful for urgent/emergent cases. This work reports a case of a 67 years-old caucasian male with a symptomatic infrarenal aortic aneurysm having a 2.5mm short neck and a maximum diameter of 67 mm. Due to patient comorbidities and after ruling out other causes for the pain, he was treated in urgency with chimney technique to prevent rupture.

Superficial femoral artery (SFA) aneurysms are rare clinical disorders, with few case reports and small series published concerning atherosclerotic aneurysms. We report a clinical case a giant aneurysm of the SFA, in a patient previously submitted to extensive SFA endarterectomy and vein angioplasty. A 73-year-old man presented at a routine vascular surgery consultation. The patient had been submitted to a right SFA endartectomy and vein patch angioplasty, sixteen years ago, for intermittent claudication. Physical examination demon- strated a large pulsatile mass of the right thigh. His right pedal pulse was palpable. Ultrasound and computed tomography scan confirmed a 78x71x240mm aneurysm of the right superficial femoral artery. He was proposed to aneurysmectomy and femoro-popliteal bypass. During operative intervention, proximal and distal control was obtained and the aneurysm opened. A large amount of thrombus was removed and a femoro-popliteal bypass was performed using the ipsilateral great saphenous vein. The postoperative period was uneventful, as was the patient recovery. In our report, the aneurysmal area matched precisely to the endarterectomised area and no other aneurysms were found. So we are facing an uncommon case of a SFA degeneration into a giant aneurysm after extensive endarterectomy and vein angioplasty.

Introdução: O stress ergonómico associado à execução procedimentos endovasculares leva o cirurgião vascular a assumir frequentemente um conjunto de posturas e movimentos para controlo imagiológico do procedimento. Isto condiciona um aumento do risco a longo termo de desenvolvimento de patologia músculo-esquelética. A utilização de smart glasses (óculos inteligentes) poderá ter um papel na redução deste risco, permitindo ao profissional controlar o procedimento sem necessidade de reposicionamento constante. Através da aplicação do questionário Quick Exposure Check (QEC), compa- ramos o risco ergonómico durante a realização de procedimentos endovasculares com e sem a utilização de smart glasses. Métodos: O QEC foi aplicado por um observador externo durante a realização de procedimentos endovasculares com e sem a utilização de smart glasses Epson Moverio BT-35E®. Os dois grupos de procedimentos foram comparados relativamente ao score total no QEC e aos scores parciais que avaliam o risco relativo a diferentes segmentos anatómicos (coluna cervical, coluna lombar, ombro/braço e punho/mão). Os scores parciais de auto-percepção de stress e de ritmo de trabalho, avaliados pelo profissional, foram também comparados. Resultados: O QEC foi aplicado a um total de 12 procedimentos. Os procedimentos com utilização de smart glasses (n=6) obtiveram um score total médio significativamente mais baixo no QEC (83.7 – risco ergonómico baixo), comparativamente aos procedimentos sem utilização de smart glasses (108.3 – risco ergonómico moderado; p=0.009). Os scores parciais médios relativos à coluna cervical e lombar foram também significativamente mais baixos neste grupo (lombar: 11.3 vs 18; p=0.002) (cervical: 18 vs 26.7; p=0.002). Não se encontraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os scores parciais médios relativos ao ombro/braço e punho/mão, nem para os scores parciais médios de auto-percepção de stress e de ritmo de trabalho. Conclusão: A utilização de smart glasses durante a cirurgia endovascular mostrou reduzir o risco ergonómico, avaliado pela escala QEC, de moderado para baixo. Esta redução traduz-se principalmente numa diminuição do risco de patologia músculo-esquelética a nível da coluna e do pescoço.

Introduction: A number of guidelines for the management of carotid disease are available to help clinicians in therapeutic decision and provide useful guidance for the best care of the patients. They stated that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has some benefit in symptomatic patients with carotid stenosis of 50-69% and is highly beneficial in stenosis of 70-99%, with mortality/ stroke rate less than 6%. The maximum benefit is observed when surgery is performed within two weeks after the cerebrovascular event. CEA in asymptomatic patients should be offered to patients with life expectancy higher than 5 years, stenosis of >70%, and perioperative complications should be less than 3%. The aim of this study is to analyse our clinical practice, review treated patients and referral times and compare the outcomes of our institutional practice with published guidelines. Material and methods: Retrospective study of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy at Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto between 2010 and 2015. Results: Between 2010 and 2015, 404 patients underwent CEA, 76% men, and mean age 69 years for both sexes. The degree of stenosis was usually evaluated by ultrasound. The use of complementary study with angio-CT was required in 20% and angiography in 2.2% of the cases. The majority of patients (54.2%) were symptomatic (stroke/ TIA

Introduction: Above-knee stump ischemia is a serious condition. If left untreated usually courses with progression to irreversible ischemia. Without treatment the path from here usually leads to hip disarticulation and death. Our aim is to present our most recent experience in stump revascularization. Material/Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with above-knee stump ischemia treated in our institution between July 2018 to March 2019. Results: We present four clinical cases treated in our institution in the last nine months. Two of them presented with non-acute stump ischemia with pain and skin lesions developed after minor trauma several months after surgery and stump healing. In both cases the computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed occlusion of the common femoral artery (CFA) and was inconclusive regarding the status and quality of the deep femoral artery (DFA). Despite this, ischemia severity deemed obligatory an attempt to revascularization, DFA was surgically exposed and proved to be an adequate target run off to a bypass. In the other two, the ischemia of the stump was acute. In one patient it was after surgical treatment of an ipsilateral false aneurism of the CFA (with ligation of the EIA) treated with a bypass from the EIA to both the superficial and DFA. The other was a patient admitted with aortic bifurcation occlusion and irreversible right leg ischemia that was submitted to primary above-knee amputation. In the next postoperative days, the patient developed severe stump ischemia. An axillo femoral bypass and proximal re-amputation was performed. Three patients resolved the stump ischemia and fared well, the last one died in the postoperative period. Discussion/Conclusions: Above-knee stump ischemia usually leads to progressive stump degradation/necrosis/infection, eventually leading to death. When the common/deep femoral arteries are occluded, re-amputation is usually insufficient and progression of ischemia can dictate the need for a hip disarticulation, a very aggressive and mutilating procedure with high rate of morbidity and mortality that do not prevent progression to pelvic ischemia and death. Revascularization of above-knee amputation stump, based on DFA or hypogastric revascularization, is the best therapeutic alternative and should be attempted even in frail patients. We believe that our small series reinforces the idea that stump revascularization is possible and can save both: stump and life.

A hemorragia major é uma complicação conhecida da biópsia renal percutânea, com uma taxa aproximada de 2,2%. A embolização arterial selectiva é um procedimento seguro, eficaz e pouco invasivo, com aplicação importante na gestão de hemorragias ativas, como por exemplo nas lesões iatrogénicas após biópsia renal. Caso clínico de doente do sexo feminino, 52 anos. No contexto do diagnóstico imagiológico de neoplasia renal metastizada, submetida a biopsia renal percutânea. Admitida na sala de emergência, 3 horas após a biópsia renal, por choque hemorrágico, com angio-TC a evidenciar volumoso hematoma retroperitoneal com sinais de hemorragia ativa na dependência da neoplasia renal. Por ausência de condições para intervenção cirúrgica, foi realizada angiografia com intenção de controlo da hemorragia. Procedeu-se a embolização selectiva do foco hemorrágico com micropartículas PVA (álcool polivinílico). Após realização do procedimento, a doente evoluiu favoravelmente do ponto de vista hemodinâmico, com resolução do choque hemorrágico.

Introdução: Os resultados a longo prazo do EVAR dependem da fixação proximal da endoprótese de forma a evitar migração da mesma e o desenvolvimento de endoleak tipo Ia. As características anatómicas do colo aneurismático, nomeadamente a presença de trombo, podem influenciar os resultados do EVAR. Objetivos: Estudar a relação entre o trombo do colo aneurismático e o tipo de endoprótese utilizada e o desenvolvimento de endoleak Ia. Materiais/Métodos: Análise retrospetiva da base de dados de doentes com AAA tratados por EVAR na nossa instituição entre dezembro 2001-2013. Procedemos à revisão de todos os angioTACs pré-operatórios disponíveis (total de 164) e dividimos os doentes em dois grupos: com trombo significativo no colo aneurismático (>25% da circunferência do colo) versus sem trombo significativo. Estudamos ainda o tipo de endoprótese (fixação supra versus infra-renal) utilizada. Posteriormente, avaliamos o follow-up e o desenvolvimento de endoleak tipo Ia. Resultados: Dos 164 doentes, 38 doentes apresentavam trombo > 25% da circunferência aórtica (versus 126 com trombo

Cognition can influence choices by modulation of decision-making processes. This cognitive regulation is defined as processing information, applying knowledge, and changing preferences to consciously modulate decisions. While cognitive regulation of emotions has been extensively studied in psychiatry, few works have detailed cognitive regulation of decision-making. Stress may influence emotional behavior, cognition, and decision-making. In addition, the brain regions responsible for decision-making are sensitive to stress-induced changes. Thus, we hypothesize that chronic stress may disrupt the ability to regulate choices. Herein, we used a functional magnetic resonance imaging task where fourteen control and fifteen chronically stressed students had to cognitively upregulate or downregulate their craving before placing a bid to obtain food. We found that stressed participants placed lower bids to get the reward and chose less frequently higher bid values for food. Nevertheless, we did not find neural and behavioral differences during cognitive regulation of craving. Our outcomes revealed that chronic stress impacts decision-making after cognitive regulation of craving by reducing the valuation of food rewards but not cognitive modulation itself. Importantly, our results need further validation with larger sample sizes.

Mechatronics and robotics appeared particularly effective in students’ education, allowing them to create non-traditional solutions in STEM disciplines, which have a direct impact and interaction with the world surrounding them. This paper presents the current state of the MiniCERNBot Educational Robotic platform for high-school and university students. The robot provides a comprehensive educative system with tutorials and tasks tuned for different ages on 3D design, mechanical assembly, control, programming, planning, and operation. The system is inspired to existing robotic systems and typical robotic interventions performed at CERN, and includes an education mock-up that follows the example of a previous real operation performed in CERN’s Antimatter Factory. The paper describes the learning paths where the MiniCERNBot platform can be used by students, at different ages and disciplines. In addition, it describes the software and hardware architecture, presenting results on modularity and network performance during education exercises. In summary, the objective of the study is improving the way STEM educational and dissemination activities at CERN Robotics Lab are performed, as well as their possible synergies with other education institutions, such as High-Schools and Universities, improving the learning collaborative process and inspiring students interested in technical studies. To this end, a new educational robotic platform has been designed, inspired on real scientific operations, which allows the students practice multidisciplinary STEM skills in a collaborative problem-solving way, while increasing their motivation and comprehension of the research activities.

The use of remote robotic systems for inspection and maintenance in hazardous environments is a priority for all tasks potentially dangerous for humans. However, currently available robotic systems lack that level of usability which would allow inexperienced operators to accomplish complex tasks. Moreover, the task’s complexity increases drastically when a single operator is required to control multiple remote agents (for example, when picking up and transporting big objects). In this paper, a system allowing an operator to prepare and configure cooperative behaviours for multiple remote agents is presented. The system is part of a human–robot interface that was designed at CERN, the European Center for Nuclear Research, to perform remote interventions in its particle accelerator complex, as part of the CERNTAURO project. In this paper, the modalities of interaction with the remote robots are presented in detail. The multimodal user interface enables the user to activate assisted cooperative behaviours according to a mission plan. The multi-robot interface has been validated at CERN in its Large Hadron Collider (LHC) mockup using a team of two mobile robotic platforms, each one equipped with a robotic manipulator. Moreover, great similarities were identified between the CERNTAURO and the TWINBOT projects, which aim to create usable robotic systems for underwater manipulations. Therefore, the cooperative behaviours were validated within a multi-robot pipe transport scenario in a simulated underwater environment, experimenting more advanced vision techniques. The cooperative teleoperation can be coupled with additional assisted tools such as vision-based tracking and grasping determination of metallic objects, and communication protocols design. The results show that the cooperative behaviours enable a single user to face a robotic intervention with more than one robot in a safer way.

Introdução: Após revascularização cirúrgica do membro inferior é habitualmente prescrito antiagregantes plaquetários e a anticoagulação é considerada em casos de risco aumentado de trombose. Realizamos uma revisão sistemática da literatura da evidência existente sobre o uso prolongado de anticoagulantes no pós-operatório de pontagens do membro inferior. Material e métodos: Revisão sistemática da literatura disponível na base de dados Pubmed. Resultados: Os estudos selecionados para a revisão final consistiam em: 6 estudos aleatorizados controlados (e 4 análises post-hoc), 1 estudo prospectivo com controlos históricos e 3 estudos retrospectivos. Conclusão: A eficácia da hipocoagulação depende do conducto utilizado e factores intrínsecos da pontagem. Existe benefício de hipocoagulação nas pontagens com o conduto venoso autólogo mas o nível de INR e os factores de risco para trombose poderão influenciar os resultados. Nas pontagens poderá haver benefício naquelas com calibre diminuído e baixa velocidade média. A incidência de hemorragia major é significativa, sendo essencial a cuidadosa avaliação do risco beneficio na prescrição de hipocoagulação crónica.

Introdução: As características do colo aneurismático, em particular a presença de trombo, podem limitar o tratamento por EVAR. Objetivos: Estudar se a presença de trombo no colo aneurismático e o tipo de endoprótese utilizada (fixação supra ou infra-renal) têm impacto na função renal dos doentes tratados por EVAR na nossa instituição. Materiais/Métodos: Análise retrospectiva da base de dados de doentes com AAA tratados por EVAR na nossa instituição entre dezembro/2001 e dezembro/2013. Para cada doente avaliamos o valor de creatinina e clearence nos pré e pós-operatório. Dos doentes com agravamento da função renal, selecionamos aqueles que tiveram lesão renal aguda (LRA) pelos critérios de RIFLE modificados, e estudamos a relação entre LRA e trombo do colo aneurismático e tipo de endoprótese utilizado. Da base de dados de 241 doentes foram excluídos os doentes IRC em hemodiálise à data do procedimento e aqueles em que não dispúnhamos de análises com função renal no pré e pós-operatório. Relativamente ao estudo da relação endoprótese utilizada e função renal: 127 foram tratados com endopróteses de fixação supra-renal, 74 com endoproteses de fixação infra-renal e 27 foram excluídos da análise por terem sido tratados com endopróteses torácicas ou não dispormos dessa informação. Relativamente ao estudo do trombo do colo aneurismático, conseguimos esse dado para 190 doentes. Resultados: relativamente ao impacto do trombo do colo aneurismático na função renal verificamos que dos 190 doentes estudados, 21 (11%) desenvolveram LRA no pós-operatório e a presença de trombo no colo em >25% e >50% da circunferência do colo, apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa com o desenvolvimento de LRA (p=0,045 e p=0,010, respetivamente). Relativamente ao estudo das endopróteses utilizadas, 14.2% dos doentes tratados com endopróteses de fixação supra-renal e 5.4% dos tratados com endopróteses de fixação infra-renal desenvolveram LRA no pos-operatório, no entanto esta diferença não se mostrou estatisticamente significativa (p=0,052). Discussão/conclusões: Na nossa experiência a presença de trombo do colo aneurismático teve relação com o desenvolvimento de LRA no pós-operatório imediato mas não parece ter impacto na função renal aos 6 e 12 meses. Os doentes tratados com endopróteses de fixação supra-renal desenvolveram mais LRA no pós-operatório mas esta diferença não se mostrou estatisticamente significativa.

Introduction/Aims: Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a renal malformation that results from the kidney's fusion in midline. It is an unusual entity that rarely coexists with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Because of the anatomical characteristics (intimate relationship between kidney and aorta, variability in the renal arteries, veins and collecting systems emergency) conventional surgery can be technically difficult. Endovascular treatment has emerged as a therapeutic alternative in some cases of congenital renal malformations. We report a case of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a patient with coexistent AAA and HSK. Material / Methods: We review a case of a patient with coexistent AAA and HSK treated by EVAR in our institution with description of diagnosis, treatment, outcome and complications. Results: A 74-year-old man was referred to our center with an assymptomatic AAA. He had medical history of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure and smoking. CT angiography revealed an infrarenal AAA, with 57mm diameter and HSK. After studying anatomical features, the patient was proposed for EVAR. Under general anesthesia both femoral arteries were exposed. An Endurant® II endoprosthesis was deployed immediately distal to an accessory renal artery and two iliac extenders were deployed in the left and one in the right side. Control angiography found an image compatible with endoleak type1 so a new dilatation of the proximal colon with Reliant® balloon was performed. In the final control angiography there was still some reflux into the aneurysmal sac which was interpreted as probable endoleak type 2. Postoperatively angioCT revealed endoleak type 1 which led to reintervention with implantation of an aortic extender Endurant®, with good result. In control angioCT there was no evidence of endoleak and all renal arteries were patent. Conclusions: EVAR has clear advantages in cases of coexistent AAA and HSK, anatomically complex for conventional surgery. Although renal vasculature in these patients is very variable, sometimes with accessory arteries responsible for vascularization of considerable percentages of parenchyma. Thus, preoperative planning is essential to assess the need to exclude accessory renal arteries and consider, individually, the risk / benefit ratio.

A calcificação vascular está associada a um agravamento das categorias de isquemia nos doentes com doença arterial periférica de forma independente e representa um enorme desafio quer no tratamento endovascular quer na cirurgia de revascularização. Apresentamos um caso clínico de um doente com múltiplos fatores de risco cardiovasculares e com fatores de risco para calcificação (diabetes e a doença renal crónica), com isquemia crítica, adequadamente tratada com um bypass poplíteo-pedioso.

A fibrose retroperitoneal (FR) é uma doença rara, caracterizada por inflamação e fibrose na periferia da aorta abdominal com disseminação ao longo do espaço retroperitoneal, invadindo estruturas contíguas. Em cerca de dois terços dos casos esta condição é idiopática havendo uma etiologia definida nos restantes. Mais frequentemente as formas secundárias estão associadas a fármacos e neoplasias, no entanto outras situações podem levar ao desenvolvimento da doença. Na última década tem surgido alguma evidência de que a FR está associada à angioplastia, stenting ou implantação de endoprótese nos eixos aortoilíacos, no entanto a literatura publicada é muito escassa. Apresentamos a nossa experiência com dois doentes com isquemia grau IIb, um com estenose pré-oclusiva da artéria ilíaca comum esquerda tendo sido submetido angioplastia e stenting da lesão, outro com estenose morfologicamente significativa da aorta abdominal infrarrenal tendo sido submetido a angioplastia e colocação de dois stents cobertas aortoilíacos sob a forma de kissing stent. Ambos os doentes desenvolveram dor lombar marcada tendo sido visualizado em angio-TC um processo inflamatório periaórtico sugestivo de fibrose retroperitoneal que posteriormente evoluiu para aneurisma inflamatório da aorta abdominal. O mecanismo fisiopatológico desta alteração não se encontra descrito, no entanto, poderemos supor que a angioplastia e stenting poderá levar a rotura da integridade da placa aterosclerótica com exposição de antigénios contidos no seu interior desencadeando uma resposta inflamatória local. Por outro lado, poderá existir uma reação imunológica diretamente contra o stent. É importante pensar nesta possível complicação, uma vez que existe uma notável resposta à corticoterapia e pela possibilidade de desenvolvimento de aneurisma da aorta inflamatório.

Introdução/Objetivos: A dissecção aórtica tipo A (AD) geralmente requer tratamento cirúrgico urgente e a substituição do segmento aórtico continua o gold standard. No entanto, é um procedimento muito agressivo e alguns doentes são excluídos do tratamento pelas suas comorbilidades. Atualmente, o tratamento endovascular representa uma alternativa, ainda sem indicações precisas. O nosso objetivo é apresentar um caso de tratamento híbrido de uma AD tipo A com recurso a um acesso vascular cardíaco transapical. Material/Métodos: revisão de um caso clínico e literatura. Resultados: Homem de 65 anos com antecedentes de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica, fibrilação auricular e hipertensão arterial; recorreu ao serviço de urgência por dor abdominal. Realizou angio-TAC que revelou uma AD tipo A e uma úlcera (PAU) na aorta ascendente (AA). Após a avaliação por cirurgia cardíaca, foi considerado não candidato para cirurgia convencional. A angio-TAC foi repetida após duas semanas de tratamento médico e revelou crescimento do falso aneurisma, com risco iminente de rutura. Ponderamos o tratamento endovascular e diferentes opções foram consideradas, a decisão final foi propor um tratamento híbrido. O procedimento foi iniciado com um bypass femoro-axilar direito e embolização do tronco braquiocefálico. Em seguida, uma endoprótese (Valiant®) foi libertada abaixo da artéria subclávia esquerda e dois periscópios (Viabahn®) foram progredidos das artérias axilar e carótida esquerdas e a segunda endoprótese (Valiant®) foi libertada, dentro da primeira, com cobertura da carótida e subclávia esquerdas. Após várias tentativas, não foi possível progredir a terceira endoprótese para a Aorta Ascendente por falta de suporte e instabilidade hemodinâmica e o procedimento foi interrompido. Posteriormente, a angio-TAC foi repetida e revelou dissecção da AA permeável e o falso aneurisma não tratado. Foram discutidas outras opções e foi ponderado um acesso vascular anterógrado (transapical) com o objetivo de conseguir o suporte para progredir a endoprótese. Com o apoio de um cirurgião cardíaco, o ápice cardíaco foi abordado e puncionado e um fio guia rígido foi avançado, criando um throught-and-through, do apéx cardíaco até à artéria femoral, o que permitiu o avanço da endoprótese (Valiant®) por via retrógrada e a sua libertação em rapid pacing sem intercorrências e com bom resultado final. Discussão/Conclusões: o tratamento endovascular AD tipo A é uma alternativa em doentes de alto risco clínico e características anatómicas adequadas, ainda que tecnicamente possa ser desafiante. Quando a progressão da endoprótese por acesso vascular retrógrado não é conseguida, a abordagem cardíaca transapical é uma alternativa a ser considerada.

Robotic interventions in hazardous scenarios need to pay special attention to safety, as in most cases it is necessary to have an expert operator in the loop. Moreover, the use of a multi-modal Human-Robot Interface allows the user to interact with the robot using manual control in critical steps, as well as semi-autonomous behaviours in more secure scenarios, by using, for example, object tracking and recognition techniques. This paper describes a novel vision system to track and estimate the depth of metallic targets for robotic interventions. The system has been designed for on-hand monocular cameras, focusing on solving lack of visibility and partial occlusions. This solution has been validated during real interventions at the Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) accelerator facilities, achieving 95% success in autonomous mode and 100% in a supervised manner. The system increases the safety and efficiency of the robotic operations, reducing the cognitive fatigue of the operator during non-critical mission phases. The integration of such an assistance system is especially important when facing complex (or repetitive) tasks, in order to reduce the work load and accumulated stress of the operator, enhancing the performance and safety of the mission.

NiO nanoparticles with an average size of 15 nm were prepared by a simple, reproducible and low-cost controlled method, using nickel nitrate hexahydrate (Ni(NO3)2·6H2O). These nanoparticles were added to an agar-based polymer electrolyte formula, resulting, after reflux and solution casting, in a proton conducting membrane. The highest ionic conductivity values of 5.19x10-5 S cm-1 at room temperature and 3.32x10-4 S cm-1 at 80 ºC, were obtained for the sample with 50 wt. % of acetic acid and 0.25 g of NiO. Moreover, the samples showed 75 % of transparency in the visible region, a homogeneous surface and mainly amorphous structure. All the obtained results suggest that agar-based polymer electrolyte with NiO nanoparticles are promising candidates for electrochemical devices application.