A multidetector tomography protocol for follow-up of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to improve the use of 64-channel multidetector computed tomography using lower doses of ionizing radiation during follow-up procedures in a series of patients with endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. METHODS: Thirty patients receiving 5 to 29 months of follow-up after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair were analyzed using a 64-channel multidetector computed tomography device by an exam that included pre-and postcontrast with both arterial and venous phases. Leak presence and type were classified based on the exam phase. RESULTS: Endoleaks were identified in 8/30 of cases; the endoleaks in 3/8 of these cases were not visible in the arterial phases of the exams. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that multidetector computed tomography with pre-contrast and venous phases should be a part of the ongoing follow-up of patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. The arterial phase can be excluded when the aneurism is stable or regresses. These findings permit a lower radiation dose without jeopardizing the correct diagnosis of an endoleak

Carotid stenosis: what is the high-risk population?

OBJECTIVE: Prevention is the best treatment for cerebrovascular disease, which is why early diagnosis and the immediate treatment of carotid stenosis contribute significantly to reducing the incidence of stroke. Given its silent nature, 80% of stroke cases occur in asymptomatic individuals, emphasizing the importance of screening individuals with carotid stenosis and identifying high-risk groups for the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the most frequent risk factors for carotid stenosis. METHODS: A transversal study was conducted in the form of a stroke prevention campaign held on three nonconsecutive Saturdays. During the sessions, carotid stenosis diagnostic procedures were performed for 500 individuals aged 60 years or older who had systemic arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus and/or coronary heart disease and/or a family history of stroke. RESULTS: The prevalence of carotid stenosis in the population studied was 7.4%, and the most frequent risk factors identified were mean age of 70 years, carotid bruit, peripheral obstructive arterial disease, coronary insufficiency and smoking. Independent predictive factors of carotid stenosis include the presence of carotid bruit or peripheral obstructive heart disease and/or coronary insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The population with peripheral obstructive heart disease and carotid bruit should undergo routine screening for carotid stenosis

Lesões graves em vítimas de queda da própria altura

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características das vítimas de queda da própria altura, principalmente a respeito da frequência de lesões graves, seu diagnóstico e tratamento. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo dos protocolos de trauma (coletados prospectivamente) de 10/06/2008 a 10/03/2009, incluindo as vítimas de trauma fechado com idade igual ou superior a 13 anos admitidas na sala de emergência. Consideraremos como "graves" as lesões com escore de AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale) maior ou igual a três. As variáveis foram comparadas entre o grupo de vítimas de quedas da própria altura (Grupo I) e as demais vítimas de trauma fechado (Grupo II). Empregamos os testes T de Student, Qui quadrado e Fisher para a comparação entre os grupos, considerando o valor de p3) foram mais frequentemente observadas em segmento cefálico (8,9%), seguidas pelas lesões em extremidades (4,9%). A craniotomia foi necessária em 2,3% das vítimas de quedas de própria altura. Observamos que, em comparação às vítimas de outros mecanismos de trauma fechado, as vítimas de quedas da própria altura apresentavam, significantemente (pOBJECTIVE: Assess characteristics of trauma patients who sustained falls from their own height, more specifically focusing on presence of severe injuries, diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study including all adult blunt trauma patients admitted in the emergency room in a period of 9 months. Lesions with AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale)>3 were considered "severe". Variables were compared between victims of fall from their own height (group I) and other blunt trauma mechanisms (group II). Student's t, chi square and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis, considering p3) were more frequent in the head (8.9%), followed by extremities (4,9%). In group I, craniotomies were needed in 2.3%. By comparing groups, we observed that victims of falls from their own height had significantly higher mean age, higher mean systolic blood pressure, and higher head AIS mean, as well as lower ISS mean, thorax AIS mean, abdomen AIS mean and extremities AIS mean. CONCLUSION: Importance of the trauma mechanism in victims of falls from own height should be emphasized due to a considerable possibility of occult severe injuries, mainly in the cephalic segment

Indication of endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection -Literature review Indicação do tratamento endovascular na dissecção de aorta do tipo B -Revisão da literatura

Indication of endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection -Literature review Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular/Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, vol. 29, núm. 3, julio-septiembre, 2014, pp. 396-401 Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular São José do Rio Preto, Brasil REVIEW ARTICLE Abstract Aortic dissection is a cardiovascular event of high mortality if not early diagnosed and properly treated. In Stanford type A aortic dissection, there is the involvement of the ascending aorta, whereas in type B the ascending aorta is not affected. The treatment of type A aortic dissection is mainly surgical. The hospital mortality of type B aortic dissection surgical treatment is approximately 20%, while medical therapy is 10%. However, half the patients who are discharged from hospital after medical treatment, progress to aortic complications in the following years, and the mortality in three to five years may reach 25-50%. In addition, the surgical treatment of aortic complications after medical treatment, has also a significant mortality. This way, the endovascular treatment comes up as an interesting alternative of a less invasive treatment for this disease. They presented a mortality rate lower than 10% with more than 80% success rate of occlusion and thrombosis of the false lumen. The INSTEAD TRIAL, which randomized patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection for optimal medical therapy and endovascular treatment in addition to optimal medical therapy, showed that after three years of follow up, patients who underwent endovascular treatment had lower mortality and aorta-related complications. Therefore, there is a current tendency to recommend the endovascular treatment as a standard for the treatment of type B aortic dissection for false lumen thrombosis. Nienaber et al. [8

Mortality within the endovascular treatment in Stanford type B aortic dissections

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent-graft repair of aortic dissections is a relatively new procedure, and although apparently less invasive, the efficacy and safety of this technique have not been fully established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mortality in patients with complicated Stanford type B aortic dissections submitted to endovascular treatment. METHODS: Clinical, anatomical, imaging and autopsy data of 23 patients with complicated type B aortic dissections were reviewed from November 2004 to October 2007. The main indications for transluminal thoracic stent-grafting included: persistent pain in spite of medical therapy, signs of distal limb ischemia, signs of aortic rupture, progression of aneurismal dilation of the descending aorta during follow-up (defined as a diameter &gt; 50 mm) and the diameter of descending thoracic aorta of 40mm or larger at the onset of aortic dissection. Data were analyzed statistically; all p-values were two-tailed and differences < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Continuous variables were expressed as mean (± SD), and medians were compared by the Student's t test. Differences in categorical variables between the groups were analyzed by the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The procedure presented primary technical success in 82.6% of patients. Four patients (17.4%) had an incomplete proximal entry seal. Three patients (13%) died within 30 days of the procedure and eight patients (34.8%) died after 30 days. CONCLUSION: Endovascular correction of complicated Stanford type B aortic dissections is a feasible and effective treatment option

Indication of endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection - Literature Review

Aortic dissection is a cardiovascular event of high mortality if not early diagnosed and properly treated. In Stanford type A aortic dissection, there is the involvement of the ascending aorta, whereas in type B the ascending aorta is not affected. The treatment of type A aortic dissection is mainly surgical. The hospital mortality of type B aortic dissection surgical treatment is approximately 20%, while medical therapy is 10%. However, half the patients who are discharged from hospital after medical treatment, progress to aortic complications in the following years, and the mortality in three to five years may reach 25-50%. In addition, the surgical treatment of aortic complications after medical treatment, has also a significant mortality. This way, the endovascular treatment comes up as an interesting alternative of a less invasive treatment for this disease. They presented a mortality rate lower than 10% with more than 80% success rate of occlusion and thrombosis of the false lumen. The INSTEAD TRIAL, which randomized patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection for optimal medical therapy and endovascular treatment in addition to optimal medical therapy, showed that after three years of follow up, patients who underwent endovascular treatment had lower mortality and aorta-related complications. Therefore, there is a current tendency to recommend the endovascular treatment as a standard for the treatment of type B aortic dissectio