An International Expert-Based CONsensus on Indications and Techniques for aoRtic balloOn occLusion in the Management of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (CONTROL-RAAA)

Objective: To report on the recommendations of an expert-based consensus on the indications, timing, and techniques of aortic balloon occlusion (ABO) in the management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA). Methods: Eleven facilitators created appropriate statements regarding the study issues that were voted on using a 4-point Likert scale with open-comment fields, by a selected panel of international experts (vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists) using a 3-round modified Delphi consensus procedure (study period: January-April 2023). Based on the experts’ responses, only the statements reaching grade A (full agreement ≥75%) or B (overall agreement ≥80% and full disagreement <5%) were included in the final study report. The consistency of each round’s answers was also graded using Cohen’s kappa, the intraclass correlation coefficient, and, in case of double resubmission, Fleiss kappa. Results: Sixty-three experts were included in the final analysis and voted on 25 statements related to indication and timing (n=6), and techniques (n=19) of ABO in the setting of rAAA. Femoral sheath or ABO should be preferably placed in the operating room, via a percutaneous transfemoral access, on a stiff wire (grade B, consistency I), ABO placement should be suprarenal and last less than 30 minutes (grade B, consistency II), postoperative peripheral vascular status (grade A, consistency II) and laboratory testing every 6 to 12 hours (grade B, consistency) should be assessed to detect complications. Formal training for ABO should be implemented (grade B, consistency I). Most of the statements in this international expert-based Delphi consensus study might guide current choices for indications, timing, and techniques of ABO in the management of rAAA. Clinical practice guidelines should incorporate dedicated statements that can guide clinicians in decision-making. Conclusions: At arrival and during both open or endovascular procedures for rAAA, selective use of intra-aortic balloon occlusion is recommended, and it should be performed preferably by the treating physician in aortic pathology. Clinical Impact This is the first consensus study of international vascular experts aimed at defining the indications, timing, and techniques of optimal use of ABO in the clinical setting of rAAA. Aortic occlusion by endovascular means (or ABO) is a quick procedure in properly trained hands that may play an important role as a temporizing measure until the definitive aortic repair is achieved, whether by endovascular or open means. Since data on its use in hemodynamically unstable patients are limited in the literature, owing to practical challenges in the performance of well-conducted prospective studies, understanding real-world use by experts is of importance in addressing critical issues and identifying main gaps in knowledge

Management of innominate artery true aneurysms: A single centre experience

Introduction: True aneurysms of the innominate artery are rare and continued controversy exists in literature regarding the best management of these aneurysms. Patients and Methods: The present study reviewed a 5-year experience of managing IA true aneurysms between 2010 and 2015. There were two patients aged 63 and 77 years who were treated successfully by a selective open debranching technique for the exclusion of the aneurysms. The mean follow-up was 2 years. Preoperative information was derived from spiral computed tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, and color Doppler imaging (CDI). Results: One male and one female were treated successfully. The most common indication for intervention was transient ischemic attack (100%). The 30-day surgical mortality was zero. Graft patency at 6 months as confirmed by CDI was 100%. One patient had graft-related complication at 6 months and subsequently at 24 months which was revised successfully. Conclusion: Exclusion bypass is a satisfactory treatment of these proximal aneurysms and durable. The proximity to the aortic arch makes endovascular treatment challenging and would depend on the dimensions of the arch and ascending aorta. De-branching simplifies the treatment pathway. The natural history of these isolated aneurysms is unknown

Bridging stent repair of type III endoleak causing aortocaval fistula after branched aortic endovascular repair

A 62-year-old man presented to our department with abdominal pain and diarrhea for 3 weeks on a background of previous branched endovascular repair for a thoracoabdominal aneurysm. A triple-phase computed tomography scan of his abdomen and pelvis showed a large aortocaval fistula caused by a type III endoleak from a dislodged superior mesenteric artery stent. He was successfully treated with a BeGraft (Bentley Innomed, Hechingen, Germany) by using an endovascular technique

RIvaroxaban and VAscular Surgery (RIVAS): insights from a multicenter, worldwide web-based survey

no abstract availabl

Documenting the Recovery of Vascular Services in European Centres Following the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Peak: Results from a Multicentre Collaborative Study

Objective: To document the recovery of vascular services in Europe following the first COVID-19 pandemic peak. Methods: An online structured vascular service survey with repeated data entry between 23 March and 9 August 2020 was carried out. Unit level data were collected using repeated questionnaires addressing modifications to vascular services during the first peak (March - May 2020, "period 1"), and then again between May and June ("period 2") and June and July 2020 ("period 3"). The duration of each period was similar. From 2 June, as reductions in cases began to be reported, centres were first asked if they were in a region still affected by rising cases, or if they had passed the peak of the first wave. These centres were asked additional questions about adaptations made to their standard pathways to permit elective surgery to resume. Results: The impact of the pandemic continued to be felt well after countries' first peak was thought to have passed in 2020. Aneurysm screening had not returned to normal in 21.7% of centres. Carotid surgery was still offered on a case by case basis in 33.8% of centres, and only 52.9% of centres had returned to their normal aneurysm threshold for surgery. Half of centres (49.4%) believed their management of lower limb ischaemia continued to be negatively affected by the pandemic. Reduced operating theatre capacity continued in 45.5% of centres. Twenty per cent of responding centres documented a backlog of at least 20 aortic repairs. At least one negative swab and 14 days of isolation were the most common strategies used for permitting safe elective surgery to recommence. Conclusion: Centres reported a broad return of services approaching pre-pandemic "normal" by July 2020. Many introduced protocols to manage peri-operative COVID-19 risk. Backlogs in cases were reported for all major vascular surgeries