The aim of this study was to evaluate the early results of the CE-marked standardized device combination consisting of Endurant and the Radiant chimney graft (En-ChEVAR) for the treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms.
To analyze the overall performance of flexible nitinol stents used to line chimney grafts (CGs) during chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (chEVAR) of pararenal pathologies.A retrospective review was conducted of all 116 elective patients (mean age 74.3±7.2 years; 103 men) who underwent chEVAR with balloon-expandable Advanta V12/iCAST CGs in combination with the Endurant stent-graft between January 2009 and December 2017 at a single center. CG lining with a nitinol stent was electively performed in 43 target vessels of 32 patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the primary outcomes of CG patency and freedom from reintervention (FFR) at the patient level and according to the use of a stent to line the CG. Estimates are reported with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to identify any confounding effect between the presence/absence of a stent lining or according to the number of CGs.The mean radiological follow-up was 27.3 months (range 22.1-32.6). During this time, 8 CGs (4.7%) became occluded, 6 of them were lined with stents. Restoration of patency was possible in 3 of the 4 occluded stents that were associated with symptoms. First-year primary patency estimates were 96.9% (95% CI 92.5% to 100%) for the unlined group vs 77.1% (95% CI 58% to 95.3%; p=0.001) for the lined group, while FFR was 87.6% (95% CI 79.9% to 95.2%) vs 83.4% (95% CI 68.1% to 98.6%; p=0.82), respectively. Lining represented an independent risk factor for CG occlusion (OR 9.9, p=0.006).CG lining performed mainly in angulated renal arteries during chEVAR was significantly associated with CG occlusion. These findings highlight the importance of not having the distal part of the CG impinge on the angulated segment of the target vessel.
To report methodology and first-year results of a new educational project called Televascular Games," which took place during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.Complex aneurysmal aortic disease was discussed during a 2-hour competition webinar, according to three modalities. (1) Planning case competition (PCC): Two to four preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans of an already performed selected case were submitted for the competition. CTA scans were uploaded anonymously, without any reference to the center or the surgeon who performed the case. The competitor had to prepare a presentation of how he or she would have diagnosed, sized, planned, treated, and followed up the case, of the medical therapy and of the bail-out maneuvers. (2) Challenging case competition (CCC): The competitor elaborates a presentation of an already treated case concerning an aortic topic and discusses sizing, planning, treatment, possible bail-out maneuvers and obtained results. For the CCC and PCC, the competitors with the best score were preselected to present and discuss their plan during the webinars. (3) Quiz competition: Two to six CTA scans of already performed selected aortic cases were submitted for the competition. A quiz with multiple choice questions was answered by the competitors. The top four competitors were selected for the webinars and then they discussed the cases during the webinar. Finally, at the end of the case discussion, the effective case resolution and follow-up were shown. A final winner was voted via televoting, based on six preestablished criteria. The project was endorsed by different national and international societies.Between October 2020 and December 2021, there were 12 Italian and 1 international webinars with 1695 participants overall (mean, 130; range, 86-177). Competitors were 54 years of age (mean, 27 years; range, 22-38 years). Two editions were CCCs, two quiz competitions, and nine PCCs. The reliability of the interobserver sizing of competitors was κ = 0.43 and κ = 0.62 for the proximal and distal sealing measurements respectively and very good (κ = 0.88-0.95) in the evaluation of orientation of the vessels, presence of angulations, calcifications, and thrombus. The sizing discrepancy resulted in a significant variability of the planning (κ = 0.45). The project ranked 9.6 on a 10-point rating scale by all the participants and competitors.The formula of gaming and collegial discussion of aortic cases herein reported has proved valid and attractive during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic period. The variability of the results on sizing and planning suggested to confer with a second opinion, especially for less experienced surgeons.
Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS) with Wallstents in a single-center experience. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2013, 1000 carotid artery lesions were treated with Carotid Wallstents under cerebral protection in 877 patients (mean age 71.7±8 years; 621 men). Indications for treatment were de novo lesions (>70% asymptomatic and >60% symptomatic); stenoses following carotid endarterectomy, radiation, or neck surgery; contralateral laryngeal nerve palsy; and high surgical risk. All the patients underwent duplex ultrasound and clinical evaluation during follow-up; radiography was performed when fracture or stent migration was suggested by ultrasound. Results: Procedure success was achieved in 99.3% of patients. Major and minor 30-day adverse events occurred in 2.1% of patients, including stroke (1.8%: 1.3% minor, 0.5% major), myocardial infarction (0.1%), and death (0.2%). Plaque morphology, nature of stenosis, and symptomatic status were significantly associated with the risk of postoperative neurologic events. Restenosis occurred in 3.2% at a mean 45.5-month follow-up and was significantly associated with diabetes, smoking, symptomatic stenosis, de novo stenosis, and calcification (plaque III/IV). No fracture or migration was registered during follow-up. Conclusion: CAS is a valid method for treating carotid artery disease, with very low rates of major adverse events and neurologic complications. The Carotid Wallstent seems to have excellent results, even with complex plaque morphology, and a low incidence of restenosis at follow-up.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical feasibility of current available fenestrated endografts (FEVAR) and on-label chimney technique (EnChEVAR) in patients with complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (C-AAA).
