Rachel Bell

Endovascular or open repair strategy for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: 30 day outcomes from IMPROVE randomised trial.

Objective To assess whether a strategy of endovascular repair (if aortic morphology is suitable, open repair if not) versus open repair reduces early mortality for patients with suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting 30 vascular centres (29 UK, 1 Canadian), 2009-13. Participants 613 eligible patients (480 men) with a clinical diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm. Interventions 316 patients were randomised to the endovascular strategy (275 confirmed ruptures, 174 anatomically suitable for endovascular repair) and 297 to open repair (261 confirmed ruptures). Main outcome measures 30 day mortality, with 24 hour and in-hospital mortality, costs, and time and place of discharge as secondary outcomes. Results 30 day mortality was 35.4% (112/316) in the endovascular strategy group and 37.4% (111/297) in the open repair group: odds ratio 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 1.28; P=0.62); odds ratio after adjustment for age, sex, and Hardman index 0.94 (0.67 to 1.33). Women may benefit more than men (interaction test P=0.02) from the endovascular strategy: odds ratio 0.44 (0.22 to 0.91) versus 1.18 (0.80 to 1.75). 30 day mortality for patients with confirmed rupture was 36.4% (100/275) in the endovascular strategy group and 40.6% (106/261) in the open repair group (P=0.31). More patients in the endovascular strategy than in the open repair group were discharged directly to home (189/201 (94%) v 141/183 (77%); P<0.001). Average 30 day costs were similar between the randomised groups, with an incremental cost saving for the endovascular strategy versus open repair of £1186 (€1420;

Analysis of the phenotypic abnormalities in lymphoedema-distichiasis syndrome in 74 patients with FOXC2 mutations or linkage to 16q24

1939) (95% confidence interval −£625 to £2997). Conclusions A strategy of endovascular repair was not associated with significant reduction in either 30 day mortality or cost. Longer term cost effectiveness evaluations are needed to assess the full effects of the endovascular strategy in both men and women. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48334791.OBJECTIVE To assess whether a strategy of endovascular repair (if aortic morphology is suitable, open repair if not) versus open repair reduces early mortality for patients with suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. DESIGN Randomised controlled trial. SETTING 30 vascular centres (29 UK, 1 Canadian), 2009-13. PARTICIPANTS 613 eligible patients (480 men) with a clinical diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm. INTERVENTIONS 316 patients were randomised to the endovascular strategy (275 confirmed ruptures, 174 anatomically suitable for endovascular repair) and 297 to open repair (261 confirmed ruptures). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES 30 day mortality, with 24 hour and in-hospital mortality, costs, and time and place of discharge as secondary outcomes. RESULTS 30 day mortality was 35.4% (112/316) in the endovascular strategy group and 37.4% (111/297) in the open repair group: odds ratio 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 1.28; P=0.62); odds ratio after adjustment for age, sex, and Hardman index 0.94 (0.67 to 1.33). Women may benefit more than men (interaction test P=0.02) from the endovascular strategy: odds ratio 0.44 (0.22 to 0.91) versus 1.18 (0.80 to 1.75). 30 day mortality for patients with confirmed rupture was 36.4% (100/275) in the endovascular strategy group and 40.6% (106/261) in the open repair group (P=0.31). More patients in the endovascular strategy than in the open repair group were discharged directly to home (189/201 (94%) v 141/183 (77%); P<0.001). Average 30 day costs were similar between the randomised groups, with an incremental cost saving for the endovascular strategy versus open repair of £1186 (€1420;

Early Results of Fenestrated Endovascular Repair of Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysms in the United Kingdom

1939) (95% confidence interval -£625 to £2997). CONCLUSIONS A strategy of endovascular repair was not associated with significant reduction in either 30 day mortality or cost. Longer term cost effectiveness evaluations are needed to assess the full effects of the endovascular strategy in both men and women. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48334791.

Is endovascular repair of mycotic aortic aneurysms a durable treatment option

Introduction: Lymphoedema-distichiasis syndrome (LD) (OMIM 153400) is a rare, primary lymphoedema of pubertal onset, associated with distichiasis. Causative mutations have now been described in FOXC2, a forkhead transcription factor gene. Numerous clinical associations have been reported with this condition, including congenital heart disease, ptosis, varicose veins, cleft palate, and spinal extradural cysts. Subjects: We report clinical findings in 74 affected subjects from 18 families and six isolated cases. All of them were shown to have mutations in FOXC2 with the exception of one family who had two affected subjects with lymphoedema and distichiasis and linkage consistent with the 16q24 locus. Results: The presence of lymphoedema was highly penetrant. Males had an earlier onset of lymphoedema and a significantly increased risk of complications. Lymphatic imaging confirmed the earlier suggestion that LD is associated with a normal or increased number of lymphatic vessels rather than the hypoplasia or aplasia seen in other forms of primary lymphoedema. Distichiasis was 94.2% penetrant, but not always symptomatic. Associated findings included ptosis (31%), congenital heart disease (6.8%), and cleft palate (4%). Other than distichiasis, the most commonly occurring anomaly was varicose veins of early onset (49%). This has not been previously reported and suggests a possible developmental role for FOXC2 in both venous and lymphatic systems. This is the first gene that has been implicated in the aetiology of varicose veins. Conclusion: Unlike previous publications, the thorough clinical characterisation of our patients permits more accurate prediction of various phenotypic abnormalities likely to manifest in subjects with FOXC2 mutations.

Observations from the IMPROVE trial concerning the clinical care of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background— Fenestrated endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been proposed as an alternative to open surgery for juxtarenal and pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. At present, the evidence base for this procedure is predominantly limited to single-center or single-operator series. The aim of this study was to present nationwide early results of fenestrated endovascular repair in the United Kingdom. Methods and Results— All patients who underwent fenestrated endovascular repair between January 2007 and December 2010 at experienced institutions in the United Kingdom(>10 procedures) were retrospectively studied by use of the GLOBALSTAR database. Site-reported data relating to patient demographics, aneurysm morphology, procedural details, and outcome were recorded. Data from 318 patients were obtained from 14 centers. Primary procedural success was achieved in 99% (316/318); perioperative mortality was 4.1%, and intraoperative target vessel loss was observed in 5 of 889 target vessels (0.6%). The early reintervention (<30 days) rate was 7% (22/318). There were 11 deaths during follow-up; none were aneurysm-related. Survival by Kaplan–Meier analysis was 94% (SE 0.01), 91% (0.02), and 89% (0.02) at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Freedom from target vessel loss was 93% (0.02), 91% (0.02), and 85% (0.06), and freedom from late secondary intervention (>30 days) was 90% (0.02), 86% (0.03), and 70% (0.08) at 1, 2, and 3 years. Conclusions— In this national sample, fenestrated endovascular repair has been performed with a high degree of technical and clinical success. Late survival and target vessel patency are satisfactory. These results support continued use and evaluation of this technique for juxtarenal aneurysms, but illustrate the need for a more robust evidence base.

Mid-term results for second-generation thoracic stent grafts.

OBJECTIVE Endovascular repair for degenerative aortic aneurysms is well established, but its role in those with infective pathology remains controversial. This study aims to assess the durability of endovascular repair with a review of our midterm results. METHOD A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained endovascular database (1998-2008) was conducted, which identified 673 consecutive patients with aortic aneurysms. RESULTS Nineteen patients (2.8%) were identified with infected aortic aneurysms, in which there were a total of 23 separate aneurysms (16 thoracic and seven abdominal). Six patients (32%) presented with rupture. Eleven patients (58%) had received antibiotics preoperatively for a median duration of 11 days (1-54 days). Fifteen of the 19 (79%) had positive blood cultures, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common organism. All 19 patients underwent endovascular repair. There were three Type I endoleaks (one requiring conversion to open repair) and two Type II endoleaks. One patient developed transient paraplegia, resolved by cerebrovascular fluid (CSF) drainage, and one patient had a stroke. The 30-day mortality was 11%, and survival at median follow-up of 20 months (0-83 months) was 73%. All eight deaths in the series were related to aneurysm. CONCLUSION Endovascular treatment of infective aortic pathology provides an early survival benefit; however, concerns over on-going graft infection remain.

Identification of eight novel VEGFR-3 mutations in families with primary congenital lymphoedema

Single‐centre series of the management of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are usually too small to identify clinical factors that could improve patient outcomes.

Successful endoluminal repair of an infected thoracic pseudoaneurysm caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Thoracic stent grafts offer an alternative to open surgery for thoracic aortic disease, but their long‐term durability is unknown. This report includes mid‐term follow‐up for commercially available thoracic devices.

Endoluminal repair of aneurysms associated with coarctation

Primary lymphoedema is oedema that occurs as a consequence of a failure of lymph drainage and arises from an intrinsic abnormality of the lymphatic system.1 Familial lymphoedema usually segregates as an autosomal dominant trait with reported variable expression and reduced penetrance.2,3 Primary lymphoedema can be classified according to age of onset, at birth as primary congenital lymphoedema (PCL) or Milroy disease (MIM 153100) or, more commonly, after puberty as Meige disease (MIM 153200). Lymphoedema may occur as part of a well recognised syndrome, where the genetic defect may or may not be known, for example in Turner or Noonan syndrome (MIM 163950).4 Lymphoedema can also occur in association with other clinical features—for example, pubertal onset autosomal dominant lymphoedema with distichiasis (LD; MIM 153400), which has been linked to 16q24.3.5,6 The gene for LD has recently been identified as FOXC2 ( MFH-1 ) (MIM 602402), a member of the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcription factors, and mutations within this gene have been identified in families with LD.7–10 We have previously reported linkage to 5q35.3 in one large American family and four British families with PCL.3 This has also been shown independently by two other groups.11,12 Subsequent mutations were reported in the gene encoding the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 ( VEGFR-3 , also known as FLT4 ; MIM 136352; GenBank X68203 and S66407), which resulted in defective VEGFR-3 tyrosine kinase activity and signalling, suggesting this was the cause of primary lymphoedema.12,,13 The VEGFR-3 gene is expressed in the lymphatic endothelium of adult tissues.14 Targeted disruption of Vegfr-3 in mice leads to embryonic death at day 9.5 owing to defective development of large blood vessels and cardiovascular failure.15 Moreover, cutaneous overexpression of its ligand, vascular endothelial growth factor C …

Stent-Graft Limb Deployment in the External Iliac Artery Increases the Risk of Limb Occlusion Following Endovascular AAA Repair

Purpose: To report the successful endoluminal repair of an infected thoracic aneurysm secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Case Report: A 76-year-old man presented with an infected thoracic pseudoaneurysm 9 weeks after an elective infrarenal aneurysm repair. Blood cultures were positive for MRSA. Computed tomography (CT) showed an 11.5-cm false aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta just proximal to the celiac axis. An Excluder stent-graft was used to successfully repair the lesion. Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was treated with linezolid for 6 weeks. Follow-up CT scans at 3 and 12 months confirmed exclusion of the aneurysm and progressive shrinkage of the aneurysm sac with no evidence of graft infection. Conclusions: Endoluminal repair is an alternative to open surgery for the treatment of infected aneurysms of the thoracic aorta.