Ruptured Persistent Sciatic Artery Aneurysm Managed by Endovascular Embolization

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare vascular anomaly present in 0.025% to 0.05% of the population. They are particularly prone to aneurysmal degeneration, potentially leading to distal ischemia, sciatic neuropathy, or rarely rupture. Here, we describe a case of a ruptured PSA aneurysm managed by endovascular embolization. A 70-year-old man initially presented with acute left lower extremity ischemia. He was found to have a popliteal embolus originating from a complete persistent sciatic artery aneurysm. He underwent thrombolysis followed by a femoropopliteal bypass and ligation of the proximal popliteal artery to exclude the PSA. Four weeks later he re-presented with severe pain, a pulsatile buttock mass, and anemia in the setting of hemodynamic instability. A ruptured PSA aneurysm was confirmed by computed tomography angiography (CTA). This was managed emergently by endovascular exclusion of the inflow and outflow vessels using Amplatzer vascular plugs. His postoperative course was complicated by both a foot drop, likely secondary to sciatic nerve ischemia, and a buttock abscess. To our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the endovascular management of a ruptured PSA aneurysm. The etiology, management, and complications associated with the treatment of this rare vascular entity are discussed

Successful off-label use of the GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis to preserve gluteal perfusion during staged endovascular repair of bilateral isolated hypogastric aneurysms

Endovascular repair of iliac artery aneurysms has emerged as an alternative to traditional open surgical repair. Although there is little consensus on indications to preserve hypogastric blood flow during aneurysm repair, it is well understood that complications from bilateral hypogastric occlusion may be significant. The GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) received United States Food and Drug Administration approval in March 2016 for treatment of common iliac artery and aortoiliac aneurysms. This case report discusses an off-label use of GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis to maintain pelvic perfusion during treatment of bilateral internal iliac artery aneurysms without surrounding aortoiliac pathology

Biophysical induction of vascular smooth muscle cell podosomes.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and matrix degradation occurs with intimal hyperplasia associated with atherosclerosis, vascular injury, and restenosis. One proposed mechanism by which VSMCs degrade matrix is through the use of podosomes, transient actin-based structures that are thought to play a role in extracellular matrix degradation by creating localized sites of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretion. To date, podosomes in VSMCs have largely been studied by stimulating cells with phorbol esters, such as phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), however little is known about the physiological cues that drive podosome formation. We present the first evidence that physiological, physical stimuli mimicking cues present within the microenvironment of diseased arteries can induce podosome formation in VSMCs. Both microtopographical cues and imposed pressure mimicking stage II hypertension induce podosome formation in A7R5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Moreover, wounding using a scratch assay induces podosomes at the leading edge of VSMCs. Notably the effect of each of these biophysical stimuli on podosome stimulation can be inhibited using a Src inhibitor. Together, these data indicate that physical cues can induce podosome formation in VSMCs

Hypertensive pressure induces podosome formation.

<p>(A) Representative images of A7R5 cells cultured without pressure (control) or with 200 mmHg (mimicking hypertension). Scale bar, 50 μm. Merge includes DAPI. (B) Percentage of cells exhibiting podosomes as a function of pressure. Data are mean ± S.D. * P < 0.05 (Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance with Dunn’s multiple comparison test).</p