Five gaps Eliashberg model for KCa2Fe4As4F2: relevance of the electronic band

Experimental data from the recently discovered iron-based superconductor (IBS) KCaFeAsF is analyzed within a realistic five-band Eliashberg model with coupling provided by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations. Fundamental parameters are deduced from available angle resolved photoemission spectoscopy (ARPES) and ab-initio density functional theory (DFT) data, and several physical properties are calculated: critical temperature, upper critical field, gap values, resistivity and superfluid density. This procedure, usually extremely successful in IBSs, highlights the peculiar behavior of this new compound in which s and d -wave character might coexist and where the electron band is close to vanish

Durability of the Endurant stent graft in patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

ObjectiveSeveral studies have confirmed the excellent early performance of the Endurant (Medtronic Endovascular, Santa Rosa, Calif) endoprosthesis to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, data about the long-term durability of the device are still lacking. We conducted this prospective two-center single-arm study to assess the late outcomes of the endograft in patients undergoing AAA repair.MethodsAn intention-to-treat analysis was performed for all comers with AAAs who were implanted with an Endurant endograft between November 2007 and December 2010. Clinical and radiologic data were prospectively collected and analyzed. The primary end point was any AAA-related reintervention. Secondary end points were overall mortality, aneurysm shrinkage, all types of endoleak, and device-related complications.ResultsDuring the study period, 273 patients underwent implantation of the Endurant stent graft. The median follow-up time for the primary end point was 42 months (interquartile range, 30.7-50.7). AAA-related reinterventions were required in 26 patients (10%), resulting in a reintervention-free probability of 93%, 90%, and 87% at 3, 4, and 5 years, respectively. The leading cause for reintervention was iliac limb occlusion (n = 10). Only one AAA-related death (0.3%) was reported within an overall mortality of 29% (n = 78). The median aneurysm shrinkage was 9 mm (interquartile range, 3-15). Five type I (2%) and one type III (0.4%) endoleaks were identified. No proximal and two distal limb migrations (1%) were observed.ConclusionsOur study confirms late durability of the Endurant endoprosthesis for AAA repair, with very encouraging freedom from reintervention rates and overall outcomes

Endovascular treatment as first line approach for infrarenal aortic occlusive disease

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Risk Factor Analysis for Crossing Failure in Primary Antegrade Wire-Catheter Approach for Femoropopliteal Chronic Total Occlusions

Introduction: Antegrade wire-catheter crossing remains the primary approach for femoropopliteal interventions. Nonetheless, data reporting on crossing failure are limited. Aim of this study is to identify risk factors for antegrade crossing failure in patients with femoropopliteal chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective analysis. Patients with femoropopliteal CTOs treated between May 2018 and February 2020 were included into this study. Primary endpoint of this analysis was primary crossing success defined as successful antegrade crossing without the use of retrograde access, crossing or re-entry devices. The assisted crossing success was additionally analyzed. A logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for failed primary antegrade crossing. Results: Data from 300 patients were analyzed. The majority (n=183, 61%) presented with lifestyle limiting claudication. The mean lesion length was 180 mm [interquartile range (IQR) 100–260 mm], whereas the median CTO length was 100 mm (IQR=50–210 mm). A chronic total occlusion crossing approach based on plaque morphology (CTOP) type I configuration was observed in 9% (n=26) of the lesions, type II in 61% (n=183), type III in 8% (n=25), and type IV in 66 CTOs (n= 66, 22%). Severe calcification based on the Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring Scale (PACSS), Peripheral Academic Research Consortium (PARC), and 360° grading systems was identified in 17%, 24%, and 28% of the lesions, respectively. A contralateral femoral access was used in 278 cases (93%). The primary crossing success amounted to 70% (n=210). The use of a re-entry device in 28 patients (9%) or of a combined antegrade–retrograde approach in 11% (n=34) of the cases increased the assisted crossing success to 89% (n=267). The presence of calcification (odds ratio [OR]=4.2, 95% CI=1.7–10.2) or of circumferential calcium (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.3–4.9), a CTOP class ΙΙΙ or ΙV (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.4–2.6), a proximal superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusion (OR=3.5, 95% CI=1.7–7.4) and a CTO at P3 (OR=4.1, 95% CI=1.5–10.8) were associated with an increased risk for antegrade crossing failure. Conclusions: In this study, chronic total occlusions (CTO) morphology, calcification burden, and lesion’s location were identified as independent risk factors for failed antegrade crossing. Nonetheless, the use of alternative crossing strategies significantly increased the overall crossing success

Insights and Clinical Implications from the pELVIS Registry for the Treatment of Aneurysms Involving the Iliac Bifurcation

The pErformance of iLiac branch deVIces for aneurysmS (pELVIS) Registry is the largest retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on the use of iliac branch devices (IBD) for the treatment of iliac and aortoiliac aneurysms. It shows the feasibility of the technique with good short- and mid-term results. The most common anatomical challenge for IBD use is the presence of aneurysmal deterioration of the internal iliac arteries (IIA). Experience acquired in the registry treating concomitant aneurysmal lesions of the IIA provides significant information on the performance of IBDs for this specific clinical presentation. Treatment of isolated aneurysms in the common iliac artery without extension to the infrarenal aorta showed favourable results with lower costs, and lower use of irradiation and contrast media. Overall, the relatively low procedure-related complications and repeat interventions show broad applicability of the technique. Further analysis is required to evaluate the longstanding performance of IBD

Nodal multigap superconductivity in the anisotropic iron-based compound RbCa2Fe4As4F2

The 12442 compounds are a recently discovered family of iron-based superconductors, that share several features with the cuprates due to their strongly anisotropic structure, but are so far poorly understood. Here, we report on the gap structure and anisotropy of RbCa2(Fe1−xNix)4As4F2 single crystals, investigated by a combination of directional point-contact Andreev-reflection spectroscopy and coplanar waveguide resonator measurements. Two gaps were identified, with clear signatures of d-wave-like nodal structures which persist upon Ni doping, well described by a two-band d − d state with symmetry-imposed nodes. A large London penetration depth anisotropy was revealed, weakly dependent on temperature and fully compatible with the d − d model

Three-Year Sustained Clinical Efficacy of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in a Real-World Femoropopliteal Cohort

Purpose:To report the 36-month outcomes from the prospective, multicenter, single-arm IN.PACT Global Study (ClinicalTrials.govidentifier NCT01609296) evaluating the performance of the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB) in real-world patients with femoropopliteal occlusive disease.Materials and Methods:The IN.PACT Global Study was conducted at 64 international sites and enrolled 1535 patients with complex lesions, which included bilateral disease, multiple lesions, de novo in-stent restenosis, long lesions, and chronic total occlusions. The predefined full clinical cohort included 1406 patients (mean age 68.6 years; 67.8% men) with claudication or rest pain treated with the study DCB. Mean lesion length was 12.09 +/- 9.54 cm; 18.0% had in-stent restenosis, 35.5% were totally occluded, and 68.7% were calcified. Freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) was evaluated through 36 months. The safety composite endpoint was freedom from device- and procedure-related death through 30 days and freedom from major target limb amputation and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization within 36 months. All safety and revascularization events were reviewed by an independent clinical events committee.Results:The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months was 76.9%. The composite safety endpoint was achieved in 75.6% of patients. The 36-month all-cause mortality rate was 11.6%, and the major target limb amputation rate was 1.0%. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months was significantly lower in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) compared with claudicants (67.6% vs 78.0%; p=0.003). Lesions affecting both the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery had lower Kaplan-Meier freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months (69.2%) than either isolated SFA (79.7%) or popliteal artery lesions (76.5%; log- rank pPeer reviewe