RCAAP Repository

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.

Introduction: Endograft limb kinking remains one of the major causes of secondary interventions and rehospitalisation after Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, the importance of improving limb patency has received little focus. Endograft limb kinking also remains ill-defined, with considerable variability in the literature concerning its clinical presentation and natural history. The purpose of this paper is to search for an appropriate definition for limb graft kinking as well as intra-operative and follow-up approaches for a timely diagnosis. Methods: A literature review was performed in the MEDLINE database. Results: Several imaging methods have been reviewed, and they all present advantages and drawbacks. Completion Angiography (CA) is routinely performed after removal of stiff guidewires, but it is considered an inadequate means of determining high-risk limb grafts. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has been shown to be feasible both in EVAR planning and as completion imaging to detect complications missed by CA. Duplex Ultrasound, pressure measurement and intravascular ultrasound have also been proposed as adjuncts for intraoperative evaluation of limb grafts. Discussion: Standardizing criteria for hemodynamically significant kinking diagnosis is necessary in order to define patients that may benefit from re-interventions to reduce the risk of limb occlusion. Further studies are necessary in order to raise awareness for this complication which can lead to limb graft thrombosis and limb loss and in order to establish an appropriate diagnosis and follow up protocol.

Introduction: Diagnosis of chronic iliac venous outflow obstruction is challenging, and no ideal imaging method has yet been defined. Even with imaging with superb detail, common iliac vein disappearance as occurs in Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS) may be missed even by the most experienced radiologist. This scanning error occurs due to psychophysiological factors of human visual perception. The purpose of this paper is to report on the “obturator hook sign”, evidencing obturator vein engorgement as a collateral pathway and hence a marker for hemodynamically significant chronic iliac venous outflow lesion, supporting this diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective review of Indirect and Direct Computed Tomography Venography (CTV) and Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV) imaging of the obturator hook sign and comprehensive literature review regarding iliac vein outflow obstruction diagnosis focusing on collateral vein development. Results : The obturator hook sign is identified in Direct CTV, Indirect CTV and MRV of patients with chronic iliac venous outflow obstruction. The sign was never identified in imaging studies with no chronic iliac obstruction, suggesting high specificity. Discussion: Venous collateralization is poorly understood, but it has been shown that when the main venous path is stenosed or occluded and the venous pressure rises, flow is side-tracked through alternative pathways. When the main venous path lesion is stented, flow once again takes the lower resistance pathway and the collaterals withdraw. The obturator hook sign can be easily recognisable in CTV and MRV due to its peculiar anatomy and immediately points us towards hemodynamically significant chronic iliac venous outflow obstruction.

Introduction: EVAR represents the preferred modality for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) repair. However, a comprehension regarding its limits is paramount to avoid future complications. AAA sac diameter has been described as a relevant risk factor for late complications. The purpose of this study is to summarize relevant findings regarding the association between AAA diameter and AAA-related complications. Methods: MEDLINE databases were searched to identify data addressing specific information on the relation between AAA sac diameter and incidence of AAA-related complications. Only articles in English language between 2003 and 2019 was included. Primary endpoint was freedom from aneurysm-related complications. Results: Five studies were included in our report, including 8443 patients. In two of the included studies patients with larger AAA sacs were at increased risk for aneurysm-related complications after EVAR (HR 1.02 per mm increase CI95% 1.01–1.04 and HR 1.8 95% CI, 1.20–2.72; P = .005). Two studies reported a higher risk of post implant ruptures (HR: 7.7 CI95% 3.1–18.7;) and late conversions (HR 1.6 CI 95% 1.1–2.3) in patients with AAA diameters over 6 and 6.5 cm, respectively. Finally, one study reported a higher rate of neck-related events in patients with AAA diameter > 65mm [HR: 6.4 (2.3–17.7)]. Conclusion: AAA diameter is a relevant risk factor for late complications. However, research is needed to clarify is these are attributable to the challenging associated anatomy or to the space free of thrombus within the sac. Judicious technique choice along with tailored follow-up strategies are advised in this subgroup of patients.

Introduction: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has expanded into progressively more challenging anatomies. Proximal neck-morphology represents the major determinant of EVAR durability. Neck-diameter constitutes one of the most important anatomical neck features and influence proximal sealing over time.The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of wide proximal necks on outcome after standard EVAR. Methods: MEDLINE databases were searched to identify publications addressing the relation between aortic neck diameter and incidence of AAA-related complications. Results: Six studies were included in our review, addressing 6602 patients: 1616 with large necks and 4986 with small necks. Five studies, including 6446 patients, reported higher rates of type 1A endoleak in patients with large necks with hazard/ odds ratios ranging between 2.3–4.1. One study found a higher risk of post-implant rupture in patients with necks>30mm (HR: 5.1; 95% CI, 1.4–19.2). Four studies reported on the influence of wide necks on AAA-related mortality without finding any association. Reduced overall survival was seen in patients with large necks in 4 studies (long term survival ranged between 61.6 and 68% for wide neck patients and 75–90 % for small neck patients), mostly attributable to cardiovascular causes. Conclusions: Patients with wide proximal necks are at greater risk for type 1A endoleak, post-implant rupture and overall-mor- tality. This subgroup of patients may be considered for more complex proximal seal strategies with fenestrated/branched devices or open repair, although there is no evidence of superiority of alternative strategies to standard EVAR in large necks.This subgroup should be offered more stringent imaging follow-up and aggressive treatment of medical comorbidities.

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.

Introduction: Endovascular techniques have been revolutionizing the revascularization of patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI), showing consistently high limb salvage rates. However, endovascular recanalization of infrapopliteal occlusive disease can be technically demanding and the failure rate for these types of lesions is about 20%. In that case, an alternative vascular access may be required. We report our experience concerning CLTI patients who underwent retrograde access and recanalization of chronic occlusions after failure of anterograde attempts. Methods: Retrospective institutional review of consecutive patients requiring retrograde punctures to obtain endovascular revascularization (2013–2018) – 51 limbs in 50 patients. The primary outcome was to evaluate the technical success and the limb salvage - major-amputation free survival. The secondary outcomes were the rate of major and minor amputation, the global survival of this population and the characterization of the population and the endovascular procedures performed. Results and conclusion: The technical success was achieved in 76,5% of the procedures. The major amputation free-survival rate was 81,4% at 6 months. The femoro-popliteal and distal territories were concomitantly treated in 63,3% of the procedures and isolated distal territory was treated in 32,7%. Femoral approach was always initially performed (90,2% anterograde). Direct revascularization according to the angiosome concept was obtained in 64,6% of the cases. Anterior tibial artery was punctured in 33,3% of cases followed by pedal artery (27,5%), peroneal artery (19,6%), common plantar artery (7,8%), posterial tibial artery above the ankle (3,9%), supra-articular popliteal artery (3,9%), lateral plantar artery (2%) and metatarsal artery (2%). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed in 69,4% of the procedures (2% with Drug Elluting Balloons) and PTA and stenting in 28,6%. During follow-up 19,4% of patients were submitted to major amputation and 29,4% to minor amputation. The rate of healing at 6 months was 43,3%. The results of the retrograde access and recanalization of chronic occlusions are comparable to data reported in the literature, confirming it as a valuable alternative. As so, the retrograde access approach for revascularization of CLTI patients appears to be a safe and effective alternative that expands revascularization options after the failure of a conventional endovascular anterograde approach, allowing the salvaging a greater number of limbs, particularly in patients with significant co-morbidities.

Introduction and methods: The approach of patients with fistulas of the aorta remains a challenge in Vascular Surgery. The objective of this paper is to review the surgical outcomes of patients with fistulas arising from the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta through consultation of the patient’s clinical file during 16 years in a Vascular Surgery Department. Results: From a total of twenty-two cases, twenty patients were identified (two patients with consecutive primary and secondary fistulas) with a mean age of 66,6 years. Eighteen patients were male and 50% of the cases correspond to primary fistulas. The location of the fistula was aortocaval in five, aortoduodenal in fourteen, aortoesophageal in three and aortojejunal in two cases. Abdominal primary fistulas were mostly associated with an aortic abdominal aneurysm. Regarding secondary fistulas, the previous surgical intervention was aortobifemoral bypass in four and aortic grafts in seven cases. The time between intervention and fistula diagnosis ranged from 2 months to 19 years. The most common clinical presentation was hematemesis in 59% and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in 32%, with hypovolemic shock in 41% of the cases. All patients were submitted to conventional surgery except for the three aortoesophageal cases that were treated by endovascular surgery. In aortoenteric fistula the third portion of duodenum was the most affected and intestinal surgery was performed in 72,7% of the cases. In patients with secondary fistulas, removal of the conduit was performed in eight cases, however a lower limb revascularization procedure was only attempted in five. The most common complication in the post-operative period was lower limb gangrene, corresponding to an amputation rate of 25%. Eight patients required a second surgical procedure as thrombectomy or lower limb major amputation, endovascular exclusion of a persistent fistula and Hartmann’s procedure. Mortality was 50%, corresponding to four cases of primary fistulas and seven cases of secondary. The median time of hospital stay was 22,4 days. The patient’s survival ranged from two months to sixteen years and among the known mortality cases are secondary fistula after primary fistula, bowel ischemia, fistula persistency despite correction, pneumonia or prothesis infection. Conclusion: Fistulas arising from the aorta are a medical entity with a high surgical mortality rate. The presented results meet those previously published in the literature.

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.

Introduction: Type B aortic intramural hematoma (B-IMH) has a complex and variable natural history: it can remain stable and resolve spontaneously or progress to dissection, aneurysm, ulcer or even rupture. The possibility of disease progression, frequently with mild or no symptomatology, poses a significant treatment dilemma. Clinical Case: We report a case of a 60 year-old-female diagnosed with an acute B-IMH, initially treated medically. However, 1-month control CTA revealed disease progression (increased B-IMH thickness and evolution to an ulcer-like-projection with 20 mm diameter and 11 mm depth). She was submitted to a left carotid-subclavian bypass followed by TEVAR and left-subclavian ostial embolization. During follow-up (5 months) patient remain asymptomatic, demonstrating favorable aortic remodeling. Conclusion: Type B-IMH is a dynamic pathology. From presentation to late follow-up, patients remain at high risk for abrupt catastrophic complications. As reported, TEVAR seems to be a safe and effective approach in the event of unfavorable evolution.

Treatment of aortic pathologies involving the aortic arch represents a great challenge for vascular surgeons. Endografting techniques, comparing to open surgery, are less invasive approaches. However, an adequate proximal landing zone remains a challenge and, regarding this issue, parallel graft techniques represent a viable endovascular treatment option in patients with challenging aortic arch pathology by extending the proximal landing zone while maintaining aortic side branches perfusion. Parallel graft techniques required a thorough planning and the clinical and imagiological follow-up are mandatory. They appear to be a safe and minimally invasive alternative techniques in selected fragile patients. The authors report three clinical cases that required the use for parallel grafts to treat complex pathology of aortic arch.

Introduction: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) remain a therapeutic challenge for vascular surgeons. We report a Crawford extent type III TAAA managed with the “simplified technique”1 to approach TAAA associated to endograft implantation in the proximal aortic anastomosis to minimize the risk of blowout of the aortic stump. Case Report: A 43-year-old female patient was evacuated from Mozambique with a history of TAAA and admitted in our emergency department with recent chest and abdominal pain. She had history of HIV infection and pulmonary tuberculosis. The physical examination revealed a painful, pulsatile abdominal mass and the computed tomographic angiography (CTA) an 8cm type III TAAA without signs of rupture. The aneurysm morphology was not adequate for endovascular treatment and, due to the immediate unavailability of the usual adjuncts for Crawford technique (ECC and selective visceral perfusion), this symptomatic patient was submitted to a thoraco-phreno-laparotomy with left medial visceral rotation. A bifurcated Dacron 18x9mm graft was distally anastomosed in an end-to-side fashion to both external iliac arteries and proximally to a 22mm polyester four branched graft (Jotec®). This later graft was proximally anastomosed to the descending thoracic aorta (end-to-side) with no visceral or renal ischemia. The aorta distal to the anastomosis was then cross-clamped as well as the infra-renal segment, the aneurysm opened, and no patent intercostal arteries were visible. The lower limb perfusion was maintained by the lateral shunt. Both kidneys were cooled with lactated Ringer’s solution through Pruitt catheters and the visceral arteries were temporarily occluded with Fogarty catheters. The four anastomoses were sequentially performed to the right renal artery, superior mesenteric artery, celiac trunk and left renal artery. After completing all the reconstructions, a Zenith Alpha® 32x155mm endograft was implanted from the descending thoracic aorta to the pre-branch segment of the lateral shunt. The operation was uneventful, and the patient remained hemodynamically stable. The postoperative period was complicated by pulmonary infection and the postoperative CTA revealed the occlusion of the left renal artery graft (without clinical or laboratory repercussion). The patient was discharged 50 days after the operation due to social reasons. Conclusion: The adjunct of an endograft to the “simplified technique” was previously described2 and allows to overcome the risk of aortic stump blowout which is one of the major limitations of this technique. This strategy was a successful alternative to manage a TAAA since organ-protection adjuncts to the Crawford technique were not available.

Introduction: Aortic graft infection (AGI) is a life-threatening condition and a therapeutic challenge for vascular surgeons. We report a case of a complex AGI managed by a hybrid and staged strategy.Methods: Data related to the present case report were collected from hospital medical records.Results: A 51-year-old male patient, submitted 5 years ago to prosthetic aorto-bifemoral and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) bypass to treat aorto-iliac and visceral occlusive disease and a recent history of a right femoral anastomotic pseudoaneurysm managed by open surgery, was admitted to our emergency room with a left femoral anastomotic pseudoaneurysm and inflammatory signs on the right groin. The diagnostic workup (angio-CT and PET-Scan) strongly suggested infection of the aorto-bifemoral graft. A three-stage hybrid approach was then planned. In the first step, a left axillofemoral PTFE bypass was performed avoiding the infected area with ligation of the infected limb graft of the aorto-bifemoral bypass. Two weeks later, the patient was submitted to a successful endovascular recanalization of the SMA with implantation of a self-expandable bare metal stent, followed by a right axillofemoral PTFE bypass and ligation of the infected limb graft. One week later, the final stage included the exclusion of the proximal anastomosis of the visceral bypass with a covered stent in the SMA and a laparotomy for complete excision of the intrabdominal infected grafts with subsequent aortic ligation. The patient was discharged on the next three weeks on oral antimicrobial therapy. The post-op CT scan confirmed the patency of the SMA recanalization, both renal arteries, as well as the extra-anatomic bypasses to the lower limbs, with apparent resolution of the abdominal infection.Conclusion: The reported case is very unusual and represents a challenge due to the presence of a SMA bypass associated to the AGI. Endovascular recanalization of the SMA occlusion made possible the total excision of the infected abdominal grafts.

Introduction: Carotid body tumors (CBT) are rare (1–2/100.000) slow-growing, hipervascular neuroendocrine tumors, originate from the neural crest. Their exact cause is unknown. Most are sporadic, but a subset (25%) are associated with hereditary paraganglioma syndrome. Complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice for all CBTs. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with CBT, who were treated at our institution between 2012 and 2018 and a literature review. Results: Over the last 6 years, 13 patients were treated for CBTs in our center (7 female, 6 male), who were aged 46 years (range 14–72 years). Three (23%) of the tumors were Shamblin I, eight (61,5%) Shamblin II and two (15,5%) Shamblin III. The median tumor diameter was 3,6 cm (range from 2,5 to 6,6cm). We performed preoperative embolization with micro coils in 5 patients (39%), 2 days before surgery.Two patients (40%) presented with Shamblin's III tumors (one with cranial extension) and 3 (60%) had tumor >5cm, Shamblin II. There were no postembolization strokes, TIAs or access site hematomas. All 13 CBTs tumors (including large tumors, extended cranially and Shamblin's III) were treated with resection alone (100%), without need for arterial resection or reconstruction. Average blood loss was 130 mL (range from 100 to 180 mL). In this study the overall rate of complications was 7% (1 patient) who had permanent hoarseness due to vagus nerve resection (vagus sacrificed due to tumor involvement), there were no cases of stroke, TIA or hematoma . There were no mortalities in the perioperative period or during follow-up. Conclusion: CBTs are rare and surgical excision can be very demanding and laborious. From our experience, pre-operative embolization is safe and may be of value in large and Shamblin III tumors.

Introduction: Over the past decade, endovascular treatment (EVT) is taking over visceral arterial aneurysms treatment considering its effectiveness, safety and minimal invasiveness. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated our department experience in visceral arterial aneurysms endovascular approach from 2009 to 2019. Results: From 2009 to 2019, nineteen visceral artery aneurysms were submitted to EVT (mean age 62,5 years, 53% women). The addressed arterial segments were: the splenic artery (52%, n=10) followed by the renal artery (21%, n = 4), the hepatic artery (11%, n = 2), the superior mesenteric artery (11%, n = 2) and the celiac arrtery (5%, n = 1). Average diameter was 26,9 ± 5,4 mm [range 21–39 mm]. The majority were asymptomatic incidental findings (74%). Concomitant aneurysms were found in 3 patients (15,8%). EVT included: stent-graft exclusion (n = 9), aneurysm-sac coil embolization (n = 6), stent-assisted coil embolization (n=2) and segmental artery exclusion (n=2). Median radiological follow-up was 46,8 months [range 1,1–128 months]. Early SMA occlusion was reported in one case after stent-assisted coil embolization, however without ischemic symptoms. End-organ loss was reported in one case (renal artery coil embolization, without overall renal function worsening). Conclusion: Nowadays, endovascular approach is the first-line intervention for most visceral arterial aneurysms. Although still limited, the reported results are favourable and are in line with the current literature.

Introduction: The ergonomic stress associated with performing endovascular procedures leads vascular surgeons to frequently assume a set of postures and movements for image control. This results in an increased long-term risk of devel- oping musculoskeletal pathology. The use of smart glasses may play a role in reducing this risk, allowing the professional to control the procedure without the need for constant repositioning. Through the application of the Quick Exposure Check (QEC) questionnaire, we compared the ergonomic risk during endovascular procedures with and without the use of smart glasses. Methods: The QEC was applied by an external observer during endovascular procedures with and without the use of a pair of Epson Moverio BT-35E® smart glasses. The two groups of procedures were compared in relation to total QEC score and partial scores that assessed the risk for different anatomic segments (cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder / arm and wrist/hand). The partial self-perceived stress and work rhythm scores, evaluated by the professional, were also compared. Results: The QEC was applied to a total of 12 procedures. The procedures with the use of smart glasses (n=6) obtained a significantly lower average total score in the QEC (83.7 — low ergonomic risk) compared to the procedures without using smart glasses (108.3 — moderate ergonomic risk; p = 0.009). The average partial scores for cervical and lumbar spine were also significantly lower in this group (lumbar: 11.3 vs 18; p = 0.002) (cervical: 18 vs 26.7; p = 0.002). No statistically significant differences were found in the average partial scores for the shoulder/arm and wrist/hand, nor for the partial scores of self-perceived stress and work rhythm. Conclusion: The use of smart glasses during endovascular surgery was shown to reduce the ergonomic risk, assessed by the QEC scale, from moderate to low. This reduction is mainly due to a reduction in the risk of musculoskeletal disorders at the level of the spine and neck.

Introduction: Anemia is associated with increased adverse outcomes during the early postoperative period because of high physiologic stress and increased cardiac demand. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between pre-operative anemia and morbi-mortality outcomes in patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy (CEA), open aortic repair (OAR) or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and infrainguinal bypass surgery in chronic limb-threatening ischemia.  Methods: Retrospective analysis of all elective patients between 2016-2018, who underwent: CEA, OAR, EVAR and infrainguinal bypass surgery in chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Emergency procedures and transfusion of more than 4 units of red blood cells (RBC) were excluded. Hemoglobin levels were categorized according to the WHO definition for anemia: severe (< 8 g/dL), moderate (8-10.9 g/dL), mild (11-11.9 g/dL in women and 11-12.9 g/dL in men) and no anemia (≥12 g/dL in women and ≥13 g/dL in men).  Results: Our study population comprised 257 patients, of which 74 (28%) underwent EVAR, 26 (10.1%) OAR, 67 (26.1%) CEA and 90 (35%) infrainguinal bypass. Pre-operative anemia was identified in 37.4% (n = 96) of the patients. Of those, 67.7% (n = 65) had mild anemia and 32.3% (n = 31) had moderate-severe anemia. Anemic patients have longer length of stay when compared with non-anemic patients (16.61±16.5; 7.68±4.92, respectively) (p = 0.022) and also longer stay in the post-operative care unite in comparison with patients with hemoglobin within the normal range (average 2.08 days ± 1.12; 1.77 days ± 1.01, respectively) (p<0.001). Pre-operative anemia was associated with the need of peri-operative transfusions (p < 0.001), as expected. In-hospital adverse events were influenced by the presence of anemia (p<0.001), namely surgical site infection (p = 0.002) and re-intervention (p<0.007). Patients who received blood transfusion peri-operatively were more prone to adverse outcomes (p<0.001), such as renal disfunction (p = 0.006), respiratory infections (p =0.015), surgical site infection (p = 0.001) and re-intervention (p = 0.001).  Conclusion: Pre-operative anemia evaluation should be incorporated into the preoperative risk assessment. Iron deficiency anemia is the most frequent type of anemia. In these cases, oral or IV iron supplementation pre-operatively is the preferential treatment, and might decrease the need of blood transfusions. Patients with iron deficiency without anemia also have indication to take oral iron supplementation. This situation urges the application of a well-structured protocol to optimize pre-operative hemoglobin, reduce intra-operative blood loss and improve anemic patients’ status in an effort to reach better outcomes. 

Introduction: There is no standard anatomic or clinical criteria guiding treatment modalities of iliac aneurysms. The main endovascular options are hypogastric artery endovascular exclusion or hypogastric preservation with iliac branch devices (IBD) or iliac branch endoprosthesis (IBE). However, outcomes of each technique are not clear yet. Methods: An observational retrospective study was designed. Patients who underwent EVAR + IBD/IBE (Group 1) or EVAR + hypogastric artery embolization (Group 2) on a tertiary hospital, from January 2016 to April 2019, were included. Data were collected from medical records. Primary endpoint was procedure-related complications (intra-operative complications; type 1 and 3 endoleaks; EVAR limb occlusions; pelvic, intestinal and spinal cord ischemia; gluteal claudication; procedure-related mortality). Secondary endpoints were hospitalization duration, type 2 endoleaks, freedom from reintervention and global survival. Results: 30 patients were included. 19 underwent elective IBD/IBE due to asymptomatic aneurysm; 11 underwent hypogastric artery embolization, 5 of them in emergency. Mean age was lower in Group 1 (69,79 ±8,30 years vs. 75,73±6,15 years in Group 2; p=0,049). Technical success was 100%. There was no significant difference in procedure-related complications (Group 1: 21%; Group 2: 36%; p=0,417); we found similar rates of mortality and EVAR limb occlusions. The difference in incidence of gluteal claudication was non-significant (30% in Group 2 vs. 7% in Group 1; p=0,267). Freedom from reintervention was similar in both groups (Group 1: 84%, Group 2: 83%; p=0,827). Global survival at two years was similar (Group 1: 89,5±0,7%; Group 2: 87,5±1,2%; p=0,935). Conclusion: Both procedures are safe and effective and, nowadays, its individualized selection is mostly determined by procedure cost and urgency.

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.

Introduction: The criss cross technique combines antegrade and retrograde vascular access to the popliteal vein in order to achieve venous recanalization in patients with acute iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with concomitant popliteal and calf vein thrombosis. Case report: We report a 57-year-old female, with a background of radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy in 2013 due to uterine tumour, resulting in right lower limb chronic lymphedema. Admitted in the emergency service due to severe right lower limb oedema, beginning 7 days before. Upon observation the patient presented severe leg and thigh oedema, leg cyanosis, swollen and painful calf, warm extremities and palpable peripheral pulses. Venous ultrasound exposed thrombosis of the lower limb veins. Contrast CT confirmed the ultrasound findings, excluded proximal extension of the thrombus to the right common iliac vein or the vena cava, excluded pulmonary thromboembolism and exposed surgical staples in close relation with the right external iliac vein causing a >50% luminal reduction. The patient underwent thrombectomy and catheter directed thrombolysis. Venous access was obtained with ultrasound-guided popliteal vein puncture. After anterograde and retrograde sheaths placed in the popliteal vein, thrombectomy using catheter aspiration was performed in the calf veins and up to the common femoral vein. Thrombolytic infusion with alteplase and peripheral unfractionated heparin infusion was initiated and maintained for 72 hours with a control phlebography performed every 24 hours. We achieved satisfactory recanalization and performed an angioplasty with a 14x40mm balloon followed by a 14x80mm stent deployment on the external iliac vein. There were no major haemorrhagic complications. The invasive treatment was complemented with postural drainage and compressive stockings, leading to an immediate and progressive clinical improvement. Two days later the patient was discharged and prescribed a low molecular weight heparin. A month later, on a scheduled appointment, progressive clinical improvement was reported and life-long rivaroxaban prescribed.  Conclusion: The criss-cross technique allows for inflow and outflow thrombus removal, restoring venous patency and maintenance of valve function which may play a critical part on the outcome after iliofemoral DVT.