Experimental pre-assessing entanglement in Gaussian states mixing

We suggest and demonstrate a method to assess entanglement generation schemes based on mixing of Gaussian states at a beam splitter (BS). Our method is based on the fidelity criterion and represents a tool to analyze the effect of losses and noise before the BS in both symmetric and asymmetric channels with and without thermal effects. More generally, our scheme allows one to pre-assess entanglement resources and to optimize the design of BS-based schemes for the generation of continuous variable entanglement.Comment: 10 pages, 15 figure

Carotid artery stenting with contralateral carotid occlusion in a rare aortic arch configuration

We present the case of a 47-year-old man admitted to our department with an episode of aphasia. Duplex scan showed an occluded right internal carotid artery and severe left internal carotid artery stenosis. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography demonstrated a common trunk for both common carotid arteries anterior to the trachea and aberrant right subclavian artery posterior to the esophagus. The patient was considered to be a high risk for carotid endarterectomy and, consequently, we performed stenting of the left carotid artery. To our knowledge, this is the first case reporting the combination of these two aortic arch anomalies and the concomitant endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic carotid stenosis

Clinical outcomes of endurant II stent-graft for infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair: Comparison of on-label versus off-label use

PURPOSE We aimed to compare the outcomes of the Endurant II (Medtronic) stent-graft used under instructions for use versus off-label in high-risk patients considered unfit for conventional surgery. METHODS Data from patients treated with the Endurant II stent-graft between December 2012 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-four patients were included. Patients were assigned to group A if treated under instructions for use (n=34, 53%) and to group B if treated off-label (n=30, 47%). Outcome measures included perioperative mortality and morbidity, survival, freedom from reintervention, endoleak incidence, in-hospital length of stay, and mean stent-graft component used. Mean follow-up was 22.61±12 months (median, 21.06 months; range, 0–43 months). RESULTS One perioperative mortality (1.6%) and one perioperative complication (1.6%) occurred in group B. At two months follow-up, one iliac limb occlusion (1.6%) occurred in group A. No type I/III endoleaks were recorded. A type II endoleak was identified in three cases (4.7%). Overall survival at three years was 89% (97% for group A, 82% for group B; P = 0.428). Reintervention-free survival at three years was 97% for both groups (P = 0.991). A longer in-hospital stay was observed in group B (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION The Endurant II (Medtronic) new generation device was safe in off-label setting at mid-term follow-up. The off-label use of the Endurant II (Medtronic) is justified in patients considered unfit for conventional surgery. Larger studies are required in this subgroup of patients

Type 1A endoleak detachable coil embolization after endovascular aneurysm sealing: Case report

Introduction: Endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) with the Nellix system was introduced to reduce endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) perioperative complications, especially endoleaks. Herein we report a case of successful type 1A endoleak managed with detachable coils embolization after EVAS. Presentation of case: A 77-year-old male was referred for abdominal pain. The angio-CT scan confirmed the previous EVAS procedure and showed a type Is2 endoleak below the right renal artery resulting in a 2.5 cm aortic blister with contrast medium filling the space between the aortic wall and the endobags. The patient was considered unfit for conventional open surgery and an endovascular approach with coil embolization Concerto Helix Detachable Coil System was chosen under local anesthesia. After intervention, a complete abdominal pain regression was registered. The 12- month CT follow-up showed endoleak sealing and Nellix system stability. Discussion: EVAS has been associated to a high endoleaks and complications incidence when compared to EVAR. The EVAS different device concept led to a different endoleak classification and management. Endoleak management main options include the Nellix system explantation or the Nellix in Nellix application, however these are nearly always not applicable, respectively, due to the high surgical risk condition and the Nellix system availability, especially in emergent setting. Despite the use of coil embolization is controversial, this tool is off-the-shelf and leads to a disease resolution in most of patients without other surgical options. Conclusion: Proximal type Is2 embolization after EVAS is feasible with limited invasiveness

Late Complication after Superficial Femoral Artery (SFA) Aneurysm: Stent-graft Expulsion Outside the Skin

A 78-year-old man presented with a 7-cm aneurysm in the left superficial femoral artery, which was considered unfit and anatomically unsuitable for conven- tional open surgery for multiple comorbidities. The patient was treated with stent-graft [Viabhan stent-graft (WL Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ)]. Two years from stent-graft implantation, the patient presented a purulent secretion and a spontaneous external expulsion through a fistulous channel. No claudication symptoms or hemorrhagic signs were present. The pus and device cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus sensitive to piperacillin/tazobac- tam. Patient management consisted of fistula drainage, systemic antibiotic therapy, and daily wound dressing. At 1-month follow-up, the wound was closed. To our knowl- edge, this is the first case of this type of stent-graft com- plication presenting with external expulsion

Multilevel diabetic foot revascularization in COVID 19 patient: Case report

Introduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with endothelial dysfunction. This hypercoagulable state coming from the endothelial injury pones COVID-19 patients to a higher risk for thrombosis. COVID 19 diabetic patients are more exposed to peripheral vascular disease progression. Multilevel peripheral arterial disease is the main cause of critical limb ischemia. Vascular interventions are required to increase distal blood flow and reduce the risk of amputation. Presentation of case: We report a case of complex revascularization in a diabetic patient with aggressive right foot lesions evolution after COVID-19 infection. The patient presenting a Peripheral arterial ischemic involving the infrarenal aorta, iliac, femoral. The simultaneous intervention consisted of an endovascular aortic stent-graft placement and angioplasty of femoral artery. Discussion: Diabetes is a risk factor of severity and deaths in patients infected with pulmonary viruses. In our experience, COVID 19 virus can accelerate the ulcers generation and progression in diabetic patient. Hybrid interventions can be performed simultaneously or staged with benefit given by the complementary role of endovascular and surgical treatments. In the reported case, a complex simultaneous treatment in a patient presenting Multilevel peripheral arterial disease in association to COVID 19 infection was feasible in the same operation. Conclusion: Hybrid procedures are safe with high degree of efficacy in terms of revascularization, reduced morbidity and shorter intensive care. In our experience, the use of a hybrid procedure is technically feasible and allowed the treatment of complicated diabetic COVID-19 patient with a good outcome

When orofacial pain needs a heart repair

Objectives: The association of chronic orofacial pain (COFP) and congenital heart disease has never previously been reported. We report the first case of COFP secondary to a right-to-left shunt (RLS) due to asymptomatic patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a patient with prothrombotic states. Materials and methods: A 48-year-old female patient presented with a 10-month history of left-sided facial pain who was initially diagnosed with persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) on account of its similar characteristics. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed gliosis and carotid siphon tortuosity; in addition, hyperhomocysteinaemia due to the homozygosis mutation for 5,10 MethyleneTetraHydroFolate Reductase was identified. Transcranial doppler ultrasonography was requested from a neurology consultant which revealed a high degree of RLS. Subsequently, a cardiological evaluation was performed; the specialist requested a transesophageal echocardiography that detected an interatrial septum aneurysm with PFO. Results: Based on the analysis of the patient's high degree of RLS, prothrombotic state and gliosis in relation to age, the cardiological consultant chose to perform a percutaneous closure of the PFO to avoid the risk of a cryptogenic stroke. After PFO closure, a complete remission of the pain was obtained. Conclusions: The disappearance of the pain supports the possible association between RLS and COFP. PFO with RLS has been suggested as a risk factor for cryptogenic stroke, especially in association with other thromboembolic risk factors. Therefore, the early detection, in this case, could be considered a possible lifesaver. Communication between different care providers is essential when the patient presents symptoms of facial pain which are of an atypical nature

Classification of Chimney EVAR-Related Endoleaks: Insights from the PERICLES Registry

Juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JAAs) pose significant challenges for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). A short or absent infrarenal neck typically excludes standard EVAR as a viable or reasonable treatment option. In this context, the use of chimney grafts (chEVAR) is gaining in popularity and applicability. These grafts are designed to course in the aortic lumen outside the main stent-graft to maintain normal perfusion to the involved target branches. As such, they may represent a promising and less resource-intensive option for management of JAAs. However, this technical strategy is not without challenges of its own, particularly the inevitable creation of \u201cgutters\u201d that result from the interaction of the chimney graft with the main aortic stent-graft. These gutters can become a conduit for type Ia endoleak formation, hence they represent the Achilles\u2019 heel of chEVAR. Current reports point to a relatively wide-ranging incidence (0%\u201313%) of type Ia endoleaks related to chEVAR. The PERICLES Registry collected the global transatlantic experience of 13 European and US vascular centers reporting 517 patients with complex aneurysms treated with EVAR and chimney parallel grafts. Overall, 6% of PERICLES chEVAR patients had a type Ia endoleak at completion angiography, but the rate of persistent endoleaks was only 2.9% at a mean 17.1 months of follow-up. Close review of the postoperative computed tomography angiograms of these persistent endoleak patients revealed distinct types and patterns of chEVAR-related type Ia endoleaks and form the basis of a new classification proposed herein. It is hoped that these observations will lead to development of new treatment algorithms for effective management of chimney-related endoleaks and, in some cases, to prevent them from occurring in the first place

Endograft connector technique to treat popliteal artery aneurysm in a morbid obese patient.

Surgical repair of popliteal artery aneurysm in morbid obese patients poses additional challenges. We report a morbid obese patient who had a 59mm right popliteal artery aneurysm which was successfully treated with the endograft connector technique. This technique was used to perform the distal anastomosis of the below-knee femoro-popliteal bypass. A 10mm Dacron graft was used as a main graft bypass and an 11 mm/10 cm stentgraft as endograft connector. Following the respective tunnel of the Dacron graft, an end-to-side proximal anastomosis was performed at distal femoral artery. The aneurysm exclusion was obtained through a proximal and a distal ligation. Postoperative duplex showed adequate bypass patency. Knee x-rays demonstrated no signs of stent kinking/fractures. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged home on fourth day post operative. The six-month computed tomography scan and the 12-month duplex control showed a patent bypass with no signs of stenosis