Annals of vascular diseases最新文献

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming vascular surgery by enabling precise risk stratification, individualized treatment planning, and improved prognostic prediction. In abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) management, ML algorithms integrate complex clinical and imaging data to estimate survival, guide procedural decisions, and identify key factors influencing aneurysm remodeling. These models outperform traditional statistical approaches by capturing nonlinear interactions among variables such as nutritional status, immune function, and anatomical features. Despite these advances, challenges remain. Many studies rely on single-center datasets, raising concerns about overfitting and limited generalizability. The use of black-box models can hinder clinical trust due to limited interpretability. However, recent developments in multicenter data collection and explainable AI techniques are improving model robustness and transparency. As these tools continue to evolve, ML is poised to contribute meaningfully to precision vascular care. By supporting more individualized and data-informed decision-making, ML has the potential to enhance long-term outcomes and guide the future of AAA management after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Tracheoinnominate artery fistula is a rare but potentially fatal complication of tracheostomy. We report the case of a 22-year-old male at high risk for tracheoinnominate artery fistula due to severe thoracic deformity. To mitigate the risk, a prophylactic transection of the innominate artery was successfully performed using a combined suprasternal and intercostal approach, thereby avoiding limb perfusion. The patient was discharged without complications. This case highlights the effectiveness of the combined approach for safe innominate artery transection in anatomically challenging cases.

Objectives: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) accelerates systemic atherosclerosis and worsens prognosis from youth. While present in 5%-10% of premature coronary artery disease (pCAD) cases, its prevalence and impact in lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) remain unclear. This study investigated FH prevalence and prognostic impact in premature LEAD (pLEAD).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed LEAD patients aged ≤70 years undergoing first revascularization. FH was diagnosed according to the 2022 Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines, based on dyslipidemia and Achilles tendon thickness. Primary outcomes were survival, amputation-free rate, and secondary intervention-free rate.

Results: Among 66 pLEAD patients (median age 66 years, 76% male), 10 (15%) met the FH criteria. Compared with non-FH patients, FH patients more frequently presented with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) (90% vs. 36%, p = 0.001), bilateral lesions (100% vs. 36%, p <0.001), and dialysis dependence (90% vs. 25%, p <0.001). Three-year survival (28% vs. 90%, p <0.001), amputation-free rate (64% vs. 89%, p = 0.028), and secondary intervention-free rate (38% vs. 63%, p = 0.031) were significantly lower in FH patients. In the CLTI subgroup, survival was markedly reduced in FH (17% vs. 71%, p = 0.011).

Conclusions: FH was present in 15% of pLEAD patients and associated with poor outcomes. Routine FH screening, including pCAD history and Achilles tendon evaluation, may improve prognosis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of endovascular therapy (EVT) with common femoral artery (CFA) endarterectomy site access for lower extremity artery disease (LEAD).

Methods: Records were reviewed retrospectively for patients who underwent EVT with CFA endarterectomy site access from 2014 to 2023 at 7 hospitals.

Results: A total of 74 EVT procedures with CFA endarterectomy site access were performed in 65 patients with LEAD. The median [interquartile range] interval between CFA endarterectomy and the first EVT access was 435 [237-1153] days. Technical success of EVT was achieved in 72 procedures (97%). Technical success of the puncture was achieved in all 74 procedures (100%). The median [interquartile range] puncture time and hemostasis time were 4 [2-6] and 13 [10-20] min, respectively. Two cases (3%) had access site hematoma, which was cured with conservative treatment.

Conclusions: The CFA after endarterectomy may be a safe and suitable access site for EVT.

Objectives: Femoral endarterectomy often requires patch angioplasty, and saphenous vein patch (SVP) was the standard. However, bovine pericardial patch (BPP) provides potential advantages, including no requirement for vein harvest, use of the access site for concomitant endovascular procedures, and favorable handling characteristics. We compared the short- and mid-term outcomes of BPP and SVP in femoral endarterectomy.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 42 patients (49 limbs) who underwent elective femoral endarterectomy with patch closure between September 2016 and January 2025. The patients were grouped by patch type as follows: 28 limbs with BPP and 21 limbs with SVP. Primary endpoints included patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization at the endarterectomy site. Secondary endpoints included perioperative complications, limb salvage, and intraoperative arterial clamp time.

Results: No patch-site restenosis or re-intervention occurred in either group. There were no patch infections, and the perioperative complications were similar. Limb salvage at 40 months was 87.5% with BPP vs. 95.0% with SVP (p = 0.42). Intraoperative arterial clamp time was significantly shorter in the BPP group (55.0 vs. 69.5 min, p = 0.01).

Conclusions: BPP represents a safe and valuable alternative option for femoral endarterectomy.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the adhesive strength and flexibility of 3 surgical sealants-synthetic (Hydrofit; Sanyo Chemical Industries, Kyoto, Japan), albumin-based (BioGlue; Artivion, Kennesaw, GA, USA), and fibrin-based (Beriplast; CSL Behring, Tokyo, Japan)-which are commonly used in cardiovascular surgery but unexplored under identical experimental conditions.

Methods: Adhesive strength was evaluated using a tensile adhesion test on collagen, polyester, and polytetrafluoroethylene substrates. Flexibility was assessed by measuring the maximum stress and elongation at failure in Hydrofit and BioGlue film samples. Beriplast was excluded as it failed to form films.

Results: Hydrofit and BioGlue showed similar collagen-collagen adhesion strengths (p = 0.11), while Beriplast was significantly weaker (p <0.01). Hydrofit outperformed both BioGlue and Beriplast (p <0.01) in collagen-polyester and collagen-expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) adhesions. Hydrofit also demonstrated a significantly higher elongation rate, strength, and maximum stress before rupture than BioGlue.

Conclusions: These surgical sealants possess distinct adhesive and mechanical characteristics. Hydrofit showed stable adhesion across various substrates, with notable flexibility. BioGlue displayed adequate adhesion on collagen surfaces but had restricted flexibility. Beriplast demonstrated reduced adhesion. Although only adhesive strength and flexibility were evaluated, such properties may offer valuable insights into sealant traits contextually. These potentially aid in the selection of appropriate sealants for cardiovascular procedures that require both durable adhesion and tissue compliance. Further in vivo validation is warranted.

This case report presents a case of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with severe calcified lesions extending from the external iliac artery to the bifurcation of the superficial femoral artery, involving the groin region. Owing to the complexity and risk of complications, such as infections and delayed wound healing, revascularization was performed with extensive endarterectomy. The inguinal-lifting technique (ILT) was used to provide safe surgical access and minimize complications. The procedure resulted in successful revascularization with no major wound-related issues. The ILT proved to be an effective approach for safe, extensive endarterectomy in complex PAD cases.

Objectives: This is an annual report indicating the number and early clinical results of annual vascular treatment performed by vascular surgeons in Japan in 2019, as analyzed by database management committee (DBC) members of the JSVS. Materials and Methods: To survey the current status of vascular treatments performed by vascular surgeons in Japan, the DBC members of the JSVS analyzed the vascular treatment data provided by the National Clinical Database (NCD), including the number of treatments and early results such as operative and hospital mortality. Results: In total 154,460 vascular treatments were registered by 1,082 institutions in 2019. This database is composed of 7 fields including treatment of aneurysms, chronic arterial occlusive disease, acute arterial occlusive disease, vascular injury, complication of previous vascular reconstruction, venous diseases, and other vascular treatments. The number of vascular treatments in each field was 23,826, 17,100, 4,947, 2,369, 674, 54,023, and 51,521, respectively. In the field of aneurysm treatment, 20,369 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) including common iliac aneurysm were registered, and 63.3% were treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Among AAA cases, 1,739 (8.5%) cases were registered as ruptured AAA. The operative mortality rates of ruptured and un-ruptured AAA were 15.0%, and 0.6%, respectively. 43.8% of ruptured AAA were treated by EVAR, and the EVAR ratio was gradually increasing, but the operative mortality rates of open repair and EVAR for ruptured AAA were 12.6%, and 15.4%, respectively. Regarding chronic arterial occlusive disease, open repair was performed in 8,026 cases, including 1,250 distal bypasses to the crural or pedal artery, whereas endovascular treatment (EVT) was performed in 8,879 cases. The EVT ratio was gradually increased at 51.9%. Varicose vein treatment was decreased in 42,313 cases (1.9% less than in 2018), and 79.8% of the cases were treated by endovenous thermal ablation (ETA) including endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radio-frequency ablation (RFA). Regarding other vascular operations, 47,605 cases of vascular access operations and 1,703 lower limb amputation surgeries were included. Conclusions: The number of vascular treatments increased since 2011, and the proportion of endovascular procedures increased in almost all fields of vascular diseases, especially EVAR for AAA, EVT for chronic arterial occlusive disease, and ETA for varicose veins. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2024; 33: 307-335.).

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is an exceptionally rare vascular condition that occurs in approximately 0.025%-0.04% of the general population. We describe the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with acute left lower limb pain and high fever. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 and isolated, and conservative treatment was performed for toe pain, resulting in left toe necrosis. Computed tomography revealed PSA occlusion in the left lower extremity. We diagnosed the patient with acute occlusion of the PSA due to COVID-19. The complicated disease was successfully treated using distal artery bypass.

Iatrogenic type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of coronary angiography. We report a case of iatrogenic retrograde TAAD originating from the right subclavian artery. Endovascular entry closure using a stent graft led to resolution of the false lumen and favorable aortic remodeling. The patient remained free from cardiovascular events over a 4-year follow-up. This case highlights the potential efficacy of endovascular treatment, even in retrograde TAAD with its entry located in the subclavian artery.