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Introduction: The anatomical location of the popliteal artery is one of the greatest challenges for percutaneous interventions. The biomechanical attributes of the vessel lead to higher rates of restenosis, stent fracture, and occlusion. Some surgeons consider the popliteal artery as a no stenting zone. Many specialists favor percutaneous transluminal angioplasty to be the first line of endovascular treatment in the popliteal artery with bail-out stent implantation if the results are suboptimal. The Supera peripheral stent system is a novel stent that has been manufactured with a high degree of flexibility and supposedly might be appropriate for implantation in the popliteal artery. Aim: Evaluation of the performance of Supera stent in isolated popliteal artery disease in comparison to other methods of treatment. Methods: As many as 92 articles were found in the databases and after full-text review, 4 studies matched the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. Results: Primary patency rates of Supera implantation in an isolated popliteal artery at 12 months ranged from 68% to 90%. In all four studies, no stent fractures were observed. Only one study provided longer follow-up than 12 months and evaluated the performance of the Supera stent 36 months after implantation. Conclusion: In conclusion, mentioned studies show promising and superior to other stent patency rates of the Supera stent regarding popliteal artery lesions. What is more, no stent fracture is promising regarding longer follow-up. However, more studies with longer follow-ups and direct comparison to other methods are required to fully evaluate Supera's performance in the popliteal artery.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) pandemic has presently stunted the growth of the airline industry. Despite the setbacks, pre-COVID-19 passenger numbers are forecasted to return by as early as 2024. As the industry recovers, the number of long-distance flights will surely continue to increase like it did before the pandemic. The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following air travel is also likely to increase. Although not common, the unique environment of air travel exposes individuals with particular health conditions to an elevated risk of acquiring VTEs. Numerous factors increasing the risk of developing VTE related to air travel have been identified, including inherited and acquired flight-related aspects. Non-pharmacological approaches to reduce air travel-related VTEs involve simple foot movements, compression socks and stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices, a novel modified airline seat, and foot exercisers. Pharmacological methods include heparins and direct oral anticoagulants. More than 30 reliable articles were evaluated to present the current knowledge regarding air travel-related VTEs, their risk factors, and prophylactic methods. Issues in research methodologies found in the literature were identified and discussed. Further research involving international collaboration projects is recommended. The authors’ perspectives regarding long flights in previously infected COVID-19 individuals are also included.

This dataset supports the findings of the vascular e-Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic survey (the EL-COVID survey). The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union was taken into consideration in all steps of data handling. The survey was approved by the institutional ethics committee of the Primary Investigator and an online English survey consisting of 18 questions was developed ad-hoc. A bilingual English-Mandarin version of the questionnaire was developed according to the instructions of the Chinese Medical Association in order to be used in mainland People's Republic of China. Differences between the two questionnaires were minor and did affect the process of data collection. Both questionnaires were hosted online. The EL-COVID survey was advertised through major social media. All national and regional contributors contacted their respective colleagues through direct messaging on social media or by email. Eight national societies or groups supported the dissemination of the EL-COVID survey. The data provided demographics information of the EL-COVID participants and an insight on the level of difficulty in accessing or citing previously attended online activities and whether participants were keen on citing these activities in their Curricula Vitae. A categorization of additional comments made by the participants are also based on the data. The survey responses were filtered, anonymized and submitted to descriptive analysis of percentage.

Background The corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has radically changed the possibilities for vascular surgeons and trainees to exchange knowledge and experience. The aim of the present survey is to inventorize the e-learning needs of vascular surgeons and trainees as well as the strengths and weaknesses of vascular e-Learning. Methods An online survey consisting of 18 questions was created in English, with a separate bilingual English-Mandarin version. The survey was dispersed to vascular surgeons and trainees worldwide through social media and via direct messaging from June 15, 2020 to October 15, 2020. Results Eight hundred and fifty-six records from 84 different countries could be included. Most participants attended several online activities (>4: n = 461, 54%; 2–4: n = 300, 35%; 1: n = 95, 11%) and evaluated online activities as positive or very positive (84.7%). In deciding upon participation, the topic of the activity was most important (n = 440, 51.4%), followed by the reputation of the presenter or the panel (n = 178, 20.8%), but not necessarily receiving accreditation or certification (n = 52, 6.1%). The survey identified several shortcomings in vascular e-Learning during the pandemic: limited possibility to attend due to lack of time and increased workload (n = 432, 50.5%), no protected/allocated time (n = 488, 57%) and no accreditation or certification, while technical shortcomings were only a minor problem (n = 25, 2.9%). Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic vascular e-Learning has been used frequently and was appreciated by vascular professionals from around the globe. The survey identified strengths and weaknesses in current e-Learning that can be used to further improve online learning in vascular surgery.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are the drug of choice for the treatment of atrial fibrillation-associated systemic embolism and reducing the risk of strokes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. DOACs have fewer drug-to-drug interactions as well as fewer side effects, compared to warfarin. This article compiled up-to-date research on the use of DOACs in CKD patients, taking the AHA 2019 guidelines into consideration. The aim of this article was to compare the efficacy and safety of DOACs with warfarin and to assess whether DOACs are a better alternative to warfarin. Among DOACs, apixaban has been shown to have the best outcome compared to other DOACs. As a result, the AHA 2019 updated guidelines have recommended warfarin and apixaban to be the first line agents for CKD patients. This review concluded that DOACs are better option in patients with mild to moderate CKD and excluding apixaban other DOACs are not indicated in patients with CrCl < 25 ml/min.

The currently used criterion of maximum transverse diameter for the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm treatment has some limitations. Attempts to create individualized, therapeutic strategies are being conducted, including biomechanical assessment of rupture risk of an aneurysm based on the Finite Element Analysis of the geometric models. The usual approach is to use the results of the computed tomography imaging to build a three-dimensional model of the aneurysm. The FEA is then performed and the resulting stress is analysed to estimate the risk of rupture. Although such an approach brings significant improvements over the traditional maximum diameter method, it is difficult to ensure the validity of the assumptions made. This paper presents a method to evaluate the correctness of such an approach. The emergence of gated Magnetic Resonance Imaging allows registering aneurysm in both the systolic and diastolic phase of cardiac cycle. The corresponding geometric models are built and the results of the FEA applied to the diastolic model are compared with the actual deformation of the aneurysm observed in the patient's body. Thus, it is possible to verify whether the individualized diagnostic approach applied to a specific patient was correct. The geometry of the reference and the analysed models were compared using the Differential Surface Area Method. The average geometry error equals 1.65%. In the best case the error amounts to 1.04%, in the worst to 3.00%. The obtained results provide evidence that the Finite Element Analysis is a reliable method and can be potentially used for individualized diagnostics and treatment.

The abdominal aortic aneurysm is tenth most common cause of death in Western countries. Since maximal transverse diameter as indication for surgical interventions is often criticized, biomechanics of the aneurysm has been studied to develop new criteria for a treatment. The Finite Element Method is being utilized to predict vessel stability. Computer simulations are proven to have high accuracy of rupture risk assessment, although the impact of all incorporated factors is still not fully known. The objective of this paper is to review the most commonly used biomechanical components of computer analysis, including geometry of the vessel, mechanical properties of the wall, thrombus and calcification, their impact on rupture risk, and methods of modelling blood pressure. Comprehension and precise assessment of biomechanics of aneurysm in terms of Finite Element Analysis have high potential in clinical management of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aim: Under the supervision of the Department of General and Vascular Surgery of Poznan University of Medical Sciences, a questionnaire was distributed online or as a paper version to medical students (MSs) in order to better understand the attitudes towards surgery as a specialty and to determine the reasons why students do and do not choose vascular surgery as their career path. Materials and methods: The questionnaire was distributed online or as a paper version to MSs in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th year of the PUMS 6-year M.D. program. It provided the data on the year of study, grade point average (GPA), sex, age, respondent’s specialty choice, 33 questions with responses on a 1-5 Likert scale (1 was the least important reason and 5 was the most important reason), and 2 questions with socres between 0 and 4. A total of 136 Polish MSs of PUMS completed the survey. Results: For MSs who choose vascular surgery as their career path, “endovascular capabilities of vascular surgery” and “higher income possibilities than a general surgeon” were the most important reasons. The “poor availability of work in other places than the vascular surgery department of your choice, few such clinics in the region” was the most important reason not to choose vascular surgery. A role of gender was also noted - 13% of male MSs classified gender as an “important factor”, in contrast to 60% of female MSs. Conclusions: The findings of this study might help to develop better strategies to attract future trainees to surgical specialties, particularly vascular surgery, and improve work environment.

Traditional surgical repair and endovascular repair (EVAR) are the treatment options for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. EVAR as less invasive becomes a significant and widely accepted way of treatment aortic aneurysms with expanding number of procedures. This technique has a lover short-term mortality and a shorter hospital stay but is not free from complications. The most common complication after EVAR are endoleaks. For the first time summarised and assessed in 1997. Although it is often asymptomatic but may cause aneurysm expanding and rupture. Endoleak is defined as persistent blood flow into the aneurysm sac. It can be revealed intra-operatively or during the follow up – CT; arteriography, angio-MRI enables endoleak diagnosis. Usage of duplex sonography is questionable. In this mini-review we summarise endolek diagnostic, classification and treatment options.