RR5. Surgical Treatment of Popliteal Aneurysms Using a Posterior Approach: Thirteen Years' Follow-up

OBJECTIVES : Long-term results of posterior approach (PA) for the treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms are lacking in the literature. We compared our results with this access with those from a standard medial approach over a 13-years\u2019 period. METHODS: Clinical data of all patients treated for a popliteal aneurysm between 2/1998 and 10/2011 were retrospectively reviewed and outcomes analyzed: Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank, chi2 and Wilcoxon test were employed for analysis. RESULTS : A total of 78 aneurysms were treated in 66 patients (65 men). Mean age was 68 years (range 48-96 years). Thirty-six aneurysms were asymptomatic (46%). Mean sac diameter was 2.9\ub11 cm. A PA was used in 43 cases (55%) and a medial approach (MA) in 35. All PA consisted in aneurysmectomy with an interposition graft with end to end anastomoses; among MA 25 interposition grafts and 10 bypass were performed. A PTFE graft was used mostly (57 cases). The two groups differed for age only (median 65.4 for PA vs. 72.9 for MA p=0.01). Five patients had an early thrombosis and required a Fogarty thrombectomy (2 PA and 3 MA, all PTFE grafts). Mortality rate at 30 days was 0%. One patient suffered a peroneal nerve lesion (permanent) and another one a major wound necrosis with tissue loss (both PA). There were no early amputations. Median follow-up was 58.8 months (range 5 days-166.7 months). Nine patients died during follow-up for unrelated causes. The 5-year primary and secondary patency rates were 58.9%\ub18,7% and 96.4%\ub13.5% respectively for PA, and 67.4%\ub110,4% and 81.3%\ub18,9% respectively for MA (p=0.41 for primary patency rate and 0.28 for secondary patency rate). Limb salvage was 100% and 93.3%\ub16.4% at 5 and 10 years respectively for PA and 91.5%\ub15.6% at both time points for MA (p=0.3). CONCLUSIONS : PA in our experience was burdened by a few more early complications compared to MA. However in the long term it provided results which compare favorably to MA. AUTHOR DISCLOSURES: I. Barbetta, Nothing to disclose; M. Carmo, Nothing to disclose; R. Dallatana, Nothing to disclose; G. Grava, Nothing to disclose; D. Mazzaccaro, Nothing to disclose; A. M. Settembrini, Nothing to disclose; P. Settembrini, Nothing to disclose

In-vivo evaluation of silk fibroin small-diameter vascular grafts: state of art of preclinical studies and animal models

Autologous vein and artery remains the first choice for vascular grafting procedures in small-diameter vessels such as coronary and lower limb districts. Unfortunately, these vessels are often found to be unsuitable in atherosclerotic patients due to the presence of calcifications or to insufficient size. Synthetic grafts composed of materials such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) are frequently employed as second choice, because of their widespread availability and success in the reconstruction of larger arteries. However, ePTFE grafts with small diameter are plagued by poor patency rates due to surface thrombogenicity and intimal hyperplasia, caused by the bioinertness of the synthetic material and aggravated by low flow conditions. Several bioresorbable and biodegradable polymers have been developed and tested to exploit such issues for their potential stimulation to endothelialization and cell infiltration. Among these, silk fibroin (SF) has shown promising pre-clinical results as material for small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs) because of its favorable mechanical and biological properties. A putative advantage in graft infection in comparison with synthetic materials is plausible, although it remains to be demonstrated. Our literature review will focus on the performance of SF-SDVGs in vivo, as evaluated by studies performing vascular anastomosis and interposition procedures, within small and large animal models and different arterial districts. Efficiency under conditions that more accurately mime the human body will provide encouraging evidence towards future clinical application

The web of clinical data, bioengineering, augmented reality and robotic in vascular surgery

The new protocol for information distribution amongst scientists within the CERN, once slightly refined and publicly announced as the Worldwide Web in the August of 1991, has led to impressive achievements beyond the starting plan

Clinical and anatomical variables associated in the literature to limb graft occlusion after endovascular aneurysm repair compared to the experience of a tertiary referral center

Introduction: Limb graft occlusion (LGO) is the third reason for hospital readmission after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm. We reviewed the clinical features, incidence, anatomical and devices related predictive factors for LGO after EVAR, and compared them with our experience. Evidence acquisition: EVAR between 2010-2017 were included. Patients with LGO (LGO group) were matched for age and type of endograft with the rest of the entire cohort without LGO (control group). Clinical, anatomical, operative, outcome, and follow-up data were collected. Evidence synthesis: Two hundred seventy-six EVAR, (30 aorto-uniliac), 276 patients. The incidence of LGO was 2.5% (seven limbs, seven patients) at 27±24.6 days. Symptomatic patients were successfully treated. No mortality, limb loss, critical limb ischemia or residual claudication due to LGO was observed. Fifty patients resulted from the matching. Among the predictive factors of LGO between the two groups, significant differences were observed in graft limb oversizing ≥15% (57.1% vs. 8%, P=0.005), or kinking (42.9% vs. 2%, P=0.01), and diameter of the aortic bifurcation <20 mm (71.4% vs. 20%, P=0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that these three variables increased the risk of LGO (P=0.003, P=0.006, and P=0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The strongest predictive factors of LGO issued from our review were: extension in the external iliac artery, or small diameter; tortuous, angled, and calcific iliac axis; excessive oversizing of the limb graft, or kinking; use of old generation devices; EVAR performed outside the instructions for use. Limb graft oversizing >15%, or kinking, and aortic bifurcation <20 mm appear to be independent predictive factors of LGO

Acute Lower Limb Ischaemia as a Presenting Sign of Atrial Myxoma: Case Report and Scoping Review of the Literature

Objective: Cardiac myxomas (CMs) are the most common primary cardiac tumour in adults. They are a rare cause of peripheral embolisation and may present as acute lower limb ischaemia (ALI). A scoping review was undertaken and a case of ALI due to CM embolisation is presented in this paper. Methods: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase were systematically searched for studies reporting data on ALI as a presentation of CM embolisation. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was followed. Results: A healthy 26 year old female presented to the emergency department with bilateral ALI. Urgent bilateral aorto-iliac embolectomy and distal embolectomy of the left femoropopliteal axis were performed. The retrieved embolic material exhibited a yellowish appearance and jelly like consistency, and histological analysis provided a diagnosis of a myxomatous embolus. Transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed the left atrial origin of a myxomatous tumour, but the residual mass was considered too small for further excision. At a two year clinical follow up, the patient was alive and well without recurrence. Between 1989 and 2023, 59 patients with ALI due to CM embolisation were identified in the literature. An in hospital mortality rate of 12.1% (n = 7) was reported, while the in hospital complication and re-intervention rates were 34.5% (n = 20) and 27.6% (n = 16), respectively. No post-discharge deaths, complications, or re-interventions were reported; fasciotomies were the most reported (n = 10). Post-discharge follow up was reported in 22 (37.3%) patients. Mean follow up was 18.0 ± 18.8 months (range 1–120), and 86.4% of patients (n = 19) were alive and well at last follow up. Conclusion: This review and the associated case report underline that CM embolisation should be considered in healthy young patients presenting with cryptogenic ALI. Early transoesophageal echocardiography and histological analysis of the retrieved embolus are recommended to minimise misdiagnosis in these populations

MicroRNAs in the progression of atherosclerosis: rise and fall of the atherosclerotic plaque

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of mortality globally, being at the basis of most cardiovascular diseases. It is a multifactorial disease, arising from complex interactions comprising changes in lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. These factors contribute to endothelial damage and dysfunction, the accumulation of immune cells and smooth muscle cells in the intima, ultimately leading to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which restricts blood flow through the vessels. Much progress has been made in the last decades in debunking the underlying mechanisms of atherosclerosis development, especially concerning the evaluation and prediction of plaque stability and the understanding of the roles played by each of the involved cell types. As yet, mechanisms that drive plaque development toward specific ‘vulnerable’ phenotypes remain undiscovered. Based on recent advancements in RNA therapeutics, this review aims to illustrate a comprehensive overview of miRNAs relevant to various aspects of atherosclerosis and emphasizes their theranostic potential, highlighting their dual role as both drug targets and biomarkers

How the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Patients’ Hospital Admission and Care in the Vascular Surgery Divisions of the Southern Regions of the Italian Peninsula

Background: To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the vasculopathic population. Methods: The Divisions of Vascular Surgery of the southern Italian peninsula joined this multicenter retrospective study. Each received a 13-point questionnaire investigating the hospitalization rate of vascular patients in the first 11 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the preceding 11 months. Results: 27 out of 29 Centers were enrolled. April-December 2020 (7092 patients) vs. 2019 (9161 patients): post-EVAR surveillance, hospitalization for Rutherford category 3 peripheral arterial disease, and asymptomatic carotid stenosis revascularization significantly decreased (1484 (16.2%) vs. 1014 (14.3%), p = 0.0009; 1401 (15.29%) vs. 959 (13.52%), p = 0.0006; and 1558 (17.01%) vs. 934 (13.17%), p < 0.0001, respectively), while admissions for revascularization or major amputations for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and urgent revascularization for symptomatic carotid stenosis significantly increased (1204 (16.98%) vs. 1245 (13.59%), p < 0.0001; 355 (5.01%) vs. 358 (3.91%), p = 0.0007; and 153 (2.16%) vs. 140 (1.53%), p = 0.0009, respectively). Conclusions: The suspension of elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant reduction in post-EVAR surveillance, and in the hospitalization of asymptomatic carotid stenosis revascularization and Rutherford 3 peripheral arterial disease. Consequentially, we observed a significant increase in admissions for urgent revascularization for symptomatic carotid stenosis, as well as for revascularization or major amputations for chronic limb-threatening ischemia

Clinical Features, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and Therapeutic Trajectories of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Candidate for Oral Semaglutide Therapy in the Italian Specialist Care

Introduction: This study aimed to address therapeutic inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by investigating the potential of early treatment with oral semaglutide. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022 among specialists treating individuals with T2D. A scientific committee designed a data collection form covering demographics, cardiovascular risk, glucose control metrics, ongoing therapies, and physician judgments on treatment appropriateness. Participants completed anonymous patient questionnaires reflecting routine clinical encounters. The preferred therapeutic regimen for each patient was also identified. Results: The analysis was conducted on 4449 patients initiating oral semaglutide. The population had a relatively short disease duration (42%  60% of patients, and more often than sitagliptin or empagliflozin. Conclusion: The study supports the potential of early implementation of oral semaglutide as a strategy to overcome therapeutic inertia and enhance T2D management