Techniques for aortic arch endovascular repair.

This article reviews endovascular strategies for aortic arch repair. Open repair remains the gold standard particularly for good risk patients. Endovascular treatment potentially offers a less invasive repair. Principles, technical considerations, devices and outcomes of each technique are discussed and summarized. Hybrid repair combines less invasive revascularization options, instead of arch replacement while extending stent graft into the arch. Outcomes vary with regard to extent of repair and aortic arch pathologies treated. Results of arch chimney and other parallel graft techniques perhaps make it a less preferable choice for elective cases. However, they are very appealing options for urgent or bailout situations. Fenestrated stent grafting is subjected to many technical challenges in aortic arch due to difficulties in stent graft orientation and fenestration positioning. In situ fenestration techniques emerge to avoid these problems, but durability of stent grafts after fenestration and ischemic consequences of temporary carotid arteries coverage raises some concern total arch repair using this technique. Arch branched graft is a new technology. Early outcomes did not meet the expectation; however the results have been improving after its learning curve period. Refining stent graft technologies and implantation techniques positively impact outcomes of endovascular approaches

Debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention combined with direct intra-articular antibiotic infusion in patients with acute hematogenous periprosthetic joint infection of the knee

Abstract Background Debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is the recommended treatment for acute hematogenous periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, DAIR is associated with a high percentage of unsuccessful outcomes. Since 2007, direct intra-articular antibiotic infusion, which can provide a high concentration of intra-articular antibiotic, has been used in combination with DAIR to improve treatment outcomes among patients in our institution. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of DAIR combined with direct intra-articular antibiotic infusion in patients who presented with acute hematogenous PJI after TKA. Methods We reviewed the data of all patients diagnosed with acute hematogenous PJI after primary TKA (from 2008 to 2015) who received DAIR combined with direct intra-articular antibiotic infusion. Results In total, 15 knees in 12 patients were semi-urgently treated with this method. The mean follow-up time was 93.3 (minimum: 56) months, and the longest follow-up time was 11 years. Two patients (n = 3 knees) had a well-functioning, non-infected prosthesis 6 and 10 years after the procedure. Two patients (n = 2 knees) had re-infection 2 and 5 years after surgery, and they required two-stage revision. None of the patients were lost to follow-up. Finally, 13 (86.6%) of 15 infected knees were successfully treated with this method. Conclusions DAIR combined with direct intra-articular antibiotic infusion is an effective treatment for acute hematogenous PJI after TKA

Outcomes of Autogenous Snuffbox Radiocephalic Arteriovenous Fistula-First Strategy for Hemodialysis Access

Objective: An autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has been recommended as the first-line hemodialysis access option. A distal radiocephalic (snuffbox) arteriovenous fistula (SBAVF), the most distally located AVF, provides an extended vascular access area, allows future AVF correction in the proximal part, and offers relatively easy surgical access. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who had SBAVFs as their first option for dialysis access. Methods: The medical-record electronic database of Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, was retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the outcomes of patients receiving SBAVFs July 2013-December 2016 with over 12 months of follow-up. Results: Of 39 patients, SBAVFs were successfully created in 33 patients (84.6%). Early thrombosis was observed in 1 patient. Steal syndrome, distal thrombosis, and complications of high-venous flow were not detected. The primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates at 12 months were 60.6%, 81.8%, and 100%, respectively, and at 24 months were 51.5%, 72.7%, and 97.0%, respectively. Diabetes showed a significant correlation with failed AVF maturation, and venous diameters under 2.5 mm significantly reduced the 1-year primary patency. SBAVFs were successfully created in 9/12 patients who had a borderline venous size (< 2.5 mm), resulting in the AVF creation rate improving from 66.7% to 89.7%. Conclusion: Autogenous distal radiocephalic (snuffbox) arteriovenous fistula is a feasible first-line option, especially for young, non-diabetic patients who are not in urgent need of hemodialysis. This strategy could also enhance the possibility of autogenous AVF creation in patients with a borderline venous size

The Correlation of Aortic Neck Angle and Length in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Severe Neck Angulation for Prediction of Intraoperative Neck Complications and Postoperative Outcomes after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Objectives: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a hostile neck has been associated with adverse outcomes. We aimed to determine the association of infrarenal aortic neck angle and length and establish an optimal cutoff value to predict intraoperative neck complications and postoperative outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients with an intact infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with severe neck angulation (>60 degrees) who underwent EVAR from October 2010 to October 2018. Demographic data, aneurysm morphology, and operative details were collected. The ratio of neck angle and length was calculated as the optimal cutoff value of the aortic neck angle-length index. The patients were categorized into two distinct groups using latent profile analysis, a statistical technique employed to identify concealed subgroups within a larger population by examining a predetermined set of variables. Intraoperative neck complications, adjunct neck procedures, and early and late outcomes were compared. Results: 115 patients were included. Group 1 (G1) had 95 patients with an aortic neck angle-length index ≤ 4.8, and Group 2 (G2) had 20 patients with an aortic neck angle-length index > 4.8. Demographic data and aneurysm morphology were not significantly different between groups except for neck length (p p = 0.005). Adjunctive neck procedures were more common in G2 (18.9% vs. 60%, p p = 0.785). The 5-year overall survival rate was not statistically different (59.9% G1 vs. 69.2% G2, p = 0.891). Conclusions: Patients with an aortic neck angle-length index > 4.8 are at greater risk of intraoperative neck complications and adjunctive neck procedures than patients with an aortic neck angle-length index ≤ 4.8. The 5-year proximal neck re-intervention-free rate and the 5-year survival rate were not statistically different. Based on our findings, this study suggests that the aortic neck angle-length index is a reliable predictor of intraoperative neck complications during EVAR in AAA with severe neck angulation

Validation of a New Method for 2D Fusion Imaging Registration in a System Prepared Only for 3D

Purpose: To validate a new 2D-3D registration method of fusion imaging during aortic repair in a system prepared only for 3D-3D registration and to compare radiation doses and accuracy. Materials and Methods: The study involved 189 patients, including 94 patients (median age 70 years; 85 men) who underwent abdominal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with 2D-3D fusion on an Artis zee imaging system and 95 EVAR patients (median age 70 years; 81 men) from a prior study who had 3D-3D registration done using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). For the 2D-3D registration, an offline CBCT of the empty operating table was imported into the intraoperative dataset and superimposed on the preoperative computed tomography angiogram (CTA). Then 2 intraoperative single-frame 2D images of the skeleton were aligned with the patient’s skeleton on the preoperative CTA to complete the registration process. A digital subtraction angiogram was done to correct any misalignment of the aortic CTA volume. Values are given as the median [interquartile range (IQR) Q1, Q3]. Results: The 2D-3D registration had an accuracy of 4.0 mm (IQR 3.0, 5.0) after bone matching compared with the final correction with DSA (78% within 5 mm). By applying the 2D-3D protocol the radiation exposure (dose area product) from the registration of the fusion image was significantly reduced compared with the 3D-3D registration [1.12 Gy∙cm2 (IQR 0.41, 2.14) vs 43.4 Gy∙cm2 (IQR 37.1, 49.0), respectively; p<0.001). Conclusion: The new 2D-3D registration protocol based on 2 single-frame images avoids an intraoperative CBCT and can be used for fusion imaging registration in a system originally designed for 3D-3D only. This 2D-3D registration protocol is accurate and leads to a significant reduction in radiation exposure