Stéphan Haulon

Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Clinical Practice Guidelines of the European Society for Vascular Surgery

Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands b Imperial College, London, UK University Hospital Innsbruck, Austria Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Italy Hopital Cardiologique, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France f St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK g St George’s Vascular Institute, London, UK Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA University of Siena, Siena, Italy University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France

Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND Development in endograft design has extended endovascular treatment to include thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). We report our experience using fenestrated and branched endografts in the management of TAAA. METHODS We analyzed a cohort of consecutive patients treated electively for TAAA using endovascular techniques between 2006 and 2011. All data were collected prospectively. The relationships between preoperative risk factors and clinical outcome were examined using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. We also compared the outcomes between 33 previously published early cases (EC) with the last 56 later cases (LC). RESULTS Eighty-nine patients (83 men) were treated. Median age was 69 years. All patients were deemed unfit for open surgery. The 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 8.9% and 10%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed in-hospital mortality was associated with preoperative chronic renal failure and advanced age. Higher postoperative mean arterial blood pressure was a protective factor. Technical success rate was 96.6% (94% and 98% in the EC and LC groups, respectively; P = .14). The spinal cord ischemia (SCI) rate was 7.8% (15% and 3% in the EC and LC groups, respectively; P = .063) and was associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and procedure duration. Six patients (6.7%) required temporary filtration, but none required permanent renal support (associated with left ventricular ejection fraction <40% and procedure duration). Median procedure duration decreased from 232 to 203 minutes (P = .01) in the EC and LC groups, respectively. Actuarial survival was 86.8% ± 3.7% at 1 year and 74.7% ± 6% at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS Although we have treated a cohort at high operative risk, our midterm results compare favorably with the published series of conventional surgery. Accurate hemodynamic control represented by high-normal perioperative blood pressure seems to protect against severe postoperative complications.

Endovascular treatment of acute complications associated with aortic dissection: midterm results from a multicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate endovascular procedures in the management of acute ischemic complications and rupture of the false lumen in aortic dissections. Methods: Data on patients with aortic dissection and noncardiac acute complications (peripheral ischemia or thoracic aortic rupture) treated with endovascular techniques were collected from 10 institutions and retrospectively analyzed. From March 1997 to January 2000, 58 patients (50 men; mean age 59.6±12.8 years) were treated for 19 (33%) type A and 39 (67%) type B dissections. Twelve (21%) patients had thoracic aortic rupture; 46 (79%) patients had one or more peripheral ischemic complications that included bowel pain (19, 41%), anuria associated with acute renal insufficiency (18, 39%), lower limb ischemia (15, 33%), and/or uncontrolled hypertension with renal ischemia (14, 30%). Results: In the thoracic rupture cohort, all 12 patients were treated successfully with stent-grafts; one distal endoleak required a secondary procedure. There were 2 (12%) periprocedural deaths; one patient developed transient paraplegia after a secondary surgical procedure. In the 46 patients treated with stent implantation, fenestration, or both for peripheral ischemic symptoms, 44 (96%) had patency restored to the malperfused vessel. Eight (17%) patients died within 30 days. Over a mean follow-up of 8.2±8.9 months, the false lumen had thrombosed in 7 (70%) of the stent-graft patients. In the 38 surviving ischemic patients, the diameters of the true and false lumens and maximum transverse aorta all increased; only 4 (11%) had total thrombosis of the false lumen. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of noncardiac acute complications associated with aortic dissection has favorable early and midterm outcomes.

Liver X Receptor Activation Stimulates Iron Export in Human Alternative Macrophages

Rationale: In atherosclerotic plaques, iron preferentially accumulates in macrophages where it can exert pro-oxidant activities. Objective: The objective of this study was, first, to better characterize the iron distribution and metabolism in macrophage subpopulations in human atherosclerotic plaques and, second, to determine whether iron homeostasis is under the control of nuclear receptors, such as the liver X receptors (LXRs). Methods and Results: Here we report that iron depots accumulate in human atherosclerotic plaque areas enriched in CD68 and mannose receptor (MR)-positive (CD68+MR+) alternative M2 macrophages. In vitro IL-4 polarization of human monocytes into M2 macrophages also resulted in a gene expression profile and phenotype favoring iron accumulation. However, M2 macrophages on iron exposure acquire a phenotype favoring iron release, through a strong increase in ferroportin expression, illustrated by a more avid oxidation of extracellular low-density lipoprotein by iron-loaded M2 macrophages. In line, in human atherosclerotic plaques, CD68+MR+ macrophages accumulate oxidized lipids, which activate LXR&agr; and LXR&bgr;, resulting in the induction of ABCA1, ABCG1, and apolipoprotein E expression. Moreover, in iron-loaded M2 macrophages, LXR activation induces nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 expression, thereby increasing ferroportin expression, which, together with a decrease of hepcidin mRNA levels, promotes iron export. Conclusions: These data identify a role for M2 macrophages in iron handling, a process regulated by LXR activation.

Off-the-Shelf Fenestrated Endografts: A Realistic Option for More Than 70% of Patients With Juxtarenal Aneurysms

Purpose To evaluate the suitability of a standardized fenestrated endograft in patients with juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods High resolution computed tomographic angiograms from 100 consecutive patients (96 men; mean age 72 years) with juxta- (n=78) and pararenal (n=22) aneurysms treated electively between 2005 and 2010 with custom-made fenestrated endografts were reviewed. A centerline of flow reconstruction was carried out in a 3D imaging workstation to precisely define the aortic morphology, including aortic diameters and distances between visceral and renal arteries. The applicability of 2 different “off-the-shelf” standardized fenestrated endografts designed by the manufacturer was evaluated in this cohort. Both designs included 2 fenestrations for the renal arteries, 1 for the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and a scallop for the celiac trunk. The designs differed in the lengths of the SMA to renal fenestration and renal to renal fenestration. Results Endovascular treatment with one or both “off-the-shelf” endografts was deemed possible in 72 patients (56 with design 1, 52 with design 2, and 36 with both endografts). Of the 28 patients who were not candidates for a standardized fenestrated stent-graft of either design, the primary cause was a right renal artery that did not match the position of its corresponding fenestration. Conclusion Standardized fenestrated designs suitable for endovascular treatment of >70% of patients with juxta- and pararenal aneurysms currently treated with custom-made fenestrated endografts will soon be available. This new generation of endografts will permit rapid treatment of a large majority of patients requiring fenestrated endograft repair.

Percutaneous reconstruction of the aortoiliac bifurcation with the "kissing stents" technique: long-term follow-up in 106 patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term results using the kissing stents technique for treatment of occlusive disease involving the aortoiliac bifurcation. Methods: One hundred six patients (97 men; mean age 52.5 ± 10.2 years, range 33–78) were treated with the kissing stents technique for bilateral aortoiliac stenosis (55, 51.9%), unilateral occlusion of the common iliac artery (CIA) with contralateral stenosis (47, 44.3%), and bilateral CIA occlusion (4, 3.8%). Clinical examination and duplex scans were performed prior to discharge and at 1, 6, and 12 months, followed by yearly examinations thereafter. Results: Bilateral stent implantation was successful in all patients. No major procedure-related complications were observed. Self-expanding stents were deployed in 62 (58.5%) patients and balloon-expandable devices in 44 (41.5%). Fifteen (7.1%) hematomas were observed at the 212 access sites. Mean follow-up was 30.1 ± 11.1 months (range 12–137). Duplex imaging diagnosed significant (>50%) restenosis in 15 (14.8%) of 101 patients and reocclusion in 4 (4%); 17 (89.5%) of these patients had recurrent symptoms and all were retreated (endovascular procedure in 18 and an aortobifemoral bypass in 1). Primary and secondary cumulative patency rates at 36 months were 79.4% and 97.7%, respectively. Balloon-expandable stents had a nonsignificantly higher patency rate compared to self-expanding stents. Conclusions: Based on our experience, aortoiliac endovascular reconstruction with the kissing stents technique is a safe and effective procedure, representing an alternative to conventional surgery in selected patients.

Single-centre Prospective Comparison Between Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Computed Tomography Angiography after EVAR

AIM To evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as an effective alternative to CT-angiography (CTA) for endoleak detection and aneurismal sac diameter measurement in the follow-up after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS From January 2006 to December 2010, 395 patients underwent EVAR follow-up with both CTA and CEUS. The diameter of the aneurismal sac and the presence of endoleaks were evaluated in all the 395 paired examinations. RESULTS Bland-Altman plots showed a good agreement in aneurismal sac diameter evaluation between the two imaging modalities. The mean diameter was 54.93 mm (standard deviation (SD) ±12.57) with CEUS and 56.01 mm (SD ± 13.23) with CTA. The mean difference in aneurismal sac diameter was -1.08 mm ± 3.3543 (95% confidence interval (CI), -0.75 to -1.41), in favour of CTA. The number of observed agreement in endoleak detection was 359/395 (90.89%). The two modalities detected the same type I and type III endoleaks. McNemars χ(2) test confirmed that CTA and CEUS are equivalent in endoleak detection. CONCLUSIONS CEUS demonstrated to be as accurate as CTA in endoleak detection and abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter measurements during EVAR follow-up, without carrying the risks of radiation exposure or nephrotoxicity. Even if it cannot be proposed as the sole imaging modality during follow-up, our analysis suggests that it should have a major role.

Characteristics and prognosis in patients with prosthetic vascular graft infection: a prospective observational cohort study.

Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) is a devastating complication, with a mortality rate of up to 75%, which is especially caused by aortic graft infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with in-hospital mortality of patients with definite graft infection, and with long-term outcome. We reviewed medical records of 85 patients treated for PVGIs defined by positive bacterial culture of intraoperative specimens or blood samples, and/or clinical, biological and radiological signs of infection. In-hospital patient mortality was defined as any death occurring during the initial treatment of the graft infection. Cure was defined as the absence of evidence of relapsing infection during long-term follow-up (≥1 year). Eighty-five patients (54 aortic and 31 limb graft infections) treated by surgical debridement and removal of the infected prosthesis (n=41), surgical debridement without removal of prosthesis (n=34) or antimicrobial treatment without surgery (n=10) were studied. The only microbiological difference observed between patients with early (occurring within 4 months after surgery) vs. late PVGI and between those with aortic vs. limb PVGI was the incidence of PVGI caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which was greater in patients with limb PVGI. Overall cure was observed in 93.2% of 59 patients with a follow-up of a minimum of 1 year. Overall in-hospital mortality was 16.5% (n=14). Two variables were independently associated with mortality: age >70 years (OR 9.1, 95% CI 1.83-45.43, p 0.007) and aortic graft infection (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.1-28.7, p 0.037).

Polyester vascular prostheses coated with a cyclodextrin polymer and activated with antibiotics: cytotoxicity and microbiological evaluation.

Polyester (PET) vascular grafts are used to replace or bypass damaged arteries. To minimize the risk of infection during and after surgical interventions, a PET vascular prosthesis (Polythese) was functionalized with cyclodextrin polymers (PolyCDs) in order to obtain the controlled release of antibiotics (ABs: ciprofloxacin, vancomcyin and rifampicin). An epithelial cell line (L132) was used to determine the viability of the antibiotics, and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC) were used for cell proliferation by cell counting and cell vitality with Alamar Blue fluorescent dye. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Enteroccocus sp. were used to determine the antimicrobial activity of AB-loaded virgin and PolyCD-grafted Polythese by the minimum inhibitory concentration method. The spectrophotometric titration results first showed that a larger amount of ABs was sorbed onto PolyCD-coated Polythese compared to virgin Polythese (26.7 vs. 35.3 mg g(-1), 51.1 vs. 72.4 mg g(-1) and 4.1 vs. 21.0 mg g(-1), respectively, for rifampicin, vancomycin and ciprofloxacin). These results were further confirmed by a microbiological test, which showed AB-loaded PolyCD-coated Polythese displayed better antimicrobial activity. The viability test revealed the toxicity of rifampicin (22 mg l(-1)) and ciprofloxacin (35 mg l(-1)), and the absence of toxicity of vancomycin. These tests allow us to further explain the lower vitality and proliferation of HPMEC on the AB-loaded PolyCD-coated Polythese, which was due not to the functionalization process of prostheses but to the cytotoxicity of certain ABs themselves. Moreover, such a property could be exploited to tackle intracellular bacteria, such as in tuberculosis and other diseases, and will not compromise further in vivo applications of our functionalized vascular prostheses.

Early and Late Results of Contemporary Management of 37 Secondary Aortoenteric Fistulae

PURPOSE Evaluate the results of the two modalities used for the treatment of Secondary Aorto-Enteric Fistula (SAEF): In situ Reconstruction (ISR) and Extra-Anatomic Reconstruction (EAR). The primary endpoints of this study were early standard 30-day mortality and reinfection (RI). Secondary endpoints were perioperative morbidity, late mortality, primary graft patency, and major amputation rates. MATERIAL & METHOD Diagnosis of SAEF was based on clinical examination and the results of pre-operative duplex or CT scans. Surgical management was performed according to local protocols at the participating institutions: - Elective surgery: ISR or staged EAR. - Emergency surgery: aortic clamping followed by ISR or EAR. - Selected high-risk patients: endovascular repair. Statistical analyses were performed using the actuarial method. Univariate analysis was used for analysis of categorical variables, and multivariate analysis was performed with a Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS A total of 37 patients were included in this retrospective multicentre study. Mean follow-up was 41 months. The majority of the patients (20, 54%) presented acutely. EAR was performed in 9 patients (24%), ISR in 25 (68%), and 3 patients underwent endovascular repair. Bacteriological cultures were negative in 3 patients (9%). The most frequent organisms identified were Candida species and Escherichia coli. The 30-day mortality was 43% (16 patients). Patient age (>75 years) was the sole predictive factor associated with operative mortality (p = 0.02); pre-operative shock was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). There were 2 graft thromboses and 1 femoral amputation. Primary graft patency was respectively 89% at 1 year and 86% at 5 years; limb salvage rates were 100% at 1 and 5 years and 86% at 6 years, with no difference between ISR and EAR. RI occurred after 9.3 ± 13 months in 8 of 17 surviving patients and was fatal in all cases. For all surviving patients, the RI rate at 1 and 2 years was 24% and 41% respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of RI after ISR or EAR. CONCLUSION EAR does not appear to be superior to ISR. The risk of RI increased with the length of follow-up, irrespective of the treatment modality. Life-long surveillance is mandatory. Our results with endovascular sealing of SAEF should be considered a bridge to open repair.