Search

Primary tumors originating within the wall of the arteries are rare and they frequently manifest late, making effective treatment a challenge. We describe here a case of Abdominal Aorta AngioSarcoma masqueraded as an infected EndoVascular Aortic Repair. The knowledge of this pathology from vascular surgeons and radiologist is crucial, because a prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis.

Introduction The Lombardy region (Italy) suffered severe problems during the acute phase of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy (March-April 2020) with 16,000 diagnosed COVID-19 related deaths (49% of the total COVID-19 related deaths in Italy). In the area surrounding Pavia during the critical stage of the outbreak (March-April), 1,225 of the documented 4,200 deaths were related to COVID-19 infection, with a mortality rate of 181/100,000 inhabitants and an increase in deaths of 138% compared to the same period in previous years. Aim Our aim was to report the experience of the Department of Vascular Surgery of Pavia (Lombardy), including the lessons learned and future perspectives regarding the management of COVID-19 patients who developed severe acute ischemia with impending lower limb loss or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Materials and Methods We carried out a retrospective data collection of COVID-19 patients with severe acute ischemia of the lower limbs or DVT observed in our Department during the period March 1st to April 30th 2020. Primary outcomes of the analysis were postoperative mortality for all patients and amputation rates only in those COVID-19 patients suffering from acute lower limb ischemia. Secondary outcomes were the prevalence of the disease among admitted COVID-19 patients, and any possible correlation between inflammatory parameters, thrombolytic status, and the presence of acute ischemia or DVT. Results We observed 38 patients (28 male) with severe COVID-19 infection (6 with lower limb arterial thrombosis and 32 with DVT). The median age was 64 years (range 30-94 years). In the arterial group, 3 had thrombosis on plaque and 3 on healthy arteries ("simple" arterial thrombosis). All underwent operative or hybrid (open/endo) revascularization; 1 patient died from major organ failure (MOF) and one patient underwent major amputation. In the DVT group, 9 (28%) patients died from MOF, despite aggressive medical therapy. In patients with "simple" arterial thrombosis and those with DVT, we observed a decrease in inflammatory parameters (CRP) and in D-dimer and fibrinogen after aggressive therapy (p, Highlights TOC Statement- 20201240 Our study confirms that critically ill, COVID-19 patients who develop arterial and deep vein thrombosis are at high risk of mortality, but if treated properly, there is an improvement in overall survival rate, especially in patients sixty years of age or younger.

Background Observational studies have shown a reduced short-term mortality and increased long-term survival of EVAR over OR in the treatment of ruptured Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (IAAA). Until now, none of the RCT has gained the result to demonstrate this superiority. Moreover, contemporary reports about results of OR of rIAAA are poor. Methods The study is observational and retrospective according to STROBE statement. The patients, unselected and strictly consecutive, were operated in urgency/emergency between 2007 and 2012. All had a preoperative CT angiography. Patients' characteristics, presentation, intraoperative and postoperative details were analyzed to identify factors that can affect the outcome. Considering the small number of events and the exploratory nature of the analyses, only univariate models were fit. Results One hundred five patients were treated in urgency/emergency setting because of symptomatic. The patients have been divided into two subgroups, based on lesion findings: 75 patients had ruptured IAAA (group A) and 30 patients had unruptured symptomatic IAAA, with CT findings of impending rupture (group B). Intraoperative, perioperative, and in-hospital mortality was respectively 0.9%, 8.6%, and 15.2%, with no difference between the groups. Unique predictors of 30-day mortality were transfusions, major and minor complications. Cumulative follow-up time was 455 person-years. Overall survival was not different between the groups. Predictors of late mortality were: age, creatinine at presentation, adjunctive procedures, length of in-hospital stay, any intraoperative complications, any perioperative complications, any major complication, and postoperative AKI. Conclusions An experienced vascular team can achieve very good results in OR of ruptured IAAA, entirely comparable to EVAR. We are still far from a scientifically robust demonstration of the superiority of EVAR over OR in the treatment of ruptured IAAA.

The 10-30% of iliac aneurysms involve the internal iliac arteries (IIAs), and their repair still remains a challenge. The endovascular techniques have become the treatment of choice in relation to the improvement of materials, techniques, and less morbidity/mortality compared with open surgery. Regardless of the use of open or endovascular surgery, the preservation of hypogastric blood flow is strongly recommended in the case of occlusion of the contralateral. We describe a case of the use over the instructions for use (IFU), of the GORE Excluder iliac extension for the total successful endovascular exclusion of a voluminous IIA aneurysm in chronic contralateral occlusion. This use over the IFU is applicable and effective in selected patients.