Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder associated with aortic dissection, aneurysmal degeneration and rupture. These cardiovascular complications represent the main cause of mortality, therefore repair is indicated. We present a 35-year-old woman who experienced acute onset of chest pain. Her imaging revealed a chronic DeBakey type I dissection with aortic root dilation and descending thoracic aneurysmal degeneration. She underwent a Bentall procedure and endovascular exclusion of the descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. She was closely followed and 2 years later a computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed the aneurysmal degeneration of the thoracoabominal aorta and bilateral iliac arteries. The patient underwent a composite reconstruction using multi-visceral branched and bifurcated Dacron grafts. At 5 years from her last surgery, a CTA revealed no new dissection or further aneurysmal degenerations. Aortic disease in Marfan patients is a complex clinical problem that may lead to secondary or tertiary aortic reconstructions; close follow-up is mandatory.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Aorta* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Aortic Diseases ; Chest Pain ; Connective Tissue ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Artery* ; Marfan Syndrome ; Mortality ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Rupture ; Transplants

The aortic bifurcation and iliac vessels are common sites of atherosclerotic occlusive disease causing the clinical expression known as "Leriche's syndrome". An aortobifemoral bypass grafting in the setting of a septic groin remains a significant challenge to vascular surgeons. We present a 65-year-old male with complete occlusion of the distal aorta and iliac arteries; he had undergone a left axillo-femoral and femoral-femoral artery bypass 2 years prior to our evaluation. Owing to a complex graft infection in the right groin and worsening lower extremity ischemia, we performed an aortobifemoral reconstruction through the right obturator membrane. This report highlights the safety and efficacy of the obturator bypass for avoiding infected groins while preserving vascular continuity and durability with 78 months of secondary patency rate.
Aged ; Aorta ; Arteries ; Groin* ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Ischemia ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Membranes ; Surgeons ; Transplants

Iodinated contrast is the most common contrast agent used during endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, its use may worsen kidney function in patients with renal insufficiency. Previous studies have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of carbon dioxide (CO2)-EVAR. Here, we report cases of three male patients with mild renal insufficiency (mean age: 79 years) that successfully underwent CO2-EVAR using INCRAFT ultra-low profile endografts. CO2 angiography provided the necessary vascular roadmap for safe and effective percutaneous EVAR, eliminating the need for iodinated contrast media and preventing contrastinduced nephropathy.

The endovascular recanalization of the iliocaval system has replaced venous surgical reconstructions as the primary treatment option in severe post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). We herein present a 51-year-old female with previous deep venous thrombosis, complicated with PTS with a large and complex circumferential calf ulcer measuring 25 cm of length in the left lower extremity. Venogram revealed a complete and extensive occlusion in the left iliofemoral system. A surgical bypass from the left common femoral vein to the right common iliac vein was performed. Patient recovered well and after 12 months postoperation her large wound is healing favorably with a clean and well granulated bed. Iliofemoral venous bypass is a feasible treatment for non-healing ulcer of lower extremity.
Female ; Femoral Vein ; Humans ; Iliac Vein ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Ulcer ; Venous Thrombosis ; Wounds and Injuries

The development of post-catheterization arterial pseudoaneurysms is one of the most common vascular access complications following angiographies and endovascular interventions. Different therapeutic options to treat these lesions have been used. We herein report the case of a 79-year-old woman who was referred to our service for evaluation with a post-catheterization superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm measuring 4 cm. Owing to the anatomical location of the arterial pseudoaneurysm and the patient’s refusal to undergo open surgery, we treated the lesion using an endovascular approach with a balloon tamponade. The procedure was successful, and the patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital without complications. At 6-month follow-up she remained symptom-free and without recurrence.
Aged ; Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Balloon Occlusion ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence

True aneurysmal disease in the carotid arteries is very uncommon, but individuals with this pathology face the grave risk of thromboembolism, which may consequently lead to cerebrovascular accidents. Clinical knowledge remains relatively limited owing to its rarity. We present the case of a 41-year-old obese female with a type II right extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm incidentally found during imaging work-up. She underwent open surgical reconstruction with an autologous interposition graft from the common carotid artery to the internal carotid artery at the base level of the skull. Her postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day five with aspirin. At 12 months of follow-up, the patient remained symptom-free without complications.

True aneurysmal disease in the carotid arteries is very uncommon, but individuals with this pathology face the grave risk of thromboembolism, which may consequently lead to cerebrovascular accidents. Clinical knowledge remains relatively limited owing to its rarity. We present the case of a 41-year-old obese female with a type II right extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm incidentally found during imaging work-up. She underwent open surgical reconstruction with an autologous interposition graft from the common carotid artery to the internal carotid artery at the base level of the skull. Her postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day five with aspirin. At 12 months of follow-up, the patient remained symptom-free without complications.

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia is rarely associated with previous traumatic injury. We present a case of a 28-year-old male with progressive digit ulcers, a weak pulse, cyanosis, and a cold limb. Eight months prior, he had a motorcycle accident resulting in a right clavicle fracture and brachial plexus injury. Computed tomography angiography revealed occlusion of the right subclavian artery near a surgically implanted reduction plate. The patient underwent an open subclavianbrachial bypass with a reversed saphenous vein graft. His postoperative recovery was uneventful. After 3 months, he had a euthermic right hand with a palpable pulse and his ulcers had completely healed. This case reinforces the need for patients with a neurological deficit in the upper extremity caused by blunt trauma to undergo thorough vascular examination to identify potential arterial injury and compromised perfusion.

Bones are the third most common location for solid tumor metastasis affecting up to 10% of patients with solid tumors. When the spine is involved, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are frequently affected. Access to spinal lesions can be through minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or traditional open surgery (OS). This study aims to determine which method provides an advantage. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Inventory for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, a systematic review was conducted to identify studies that compare MIS with OS in patients with spinal metastatic disease. Data were analyzed using Review Manager ver. 5.3 (RevMan; Cochrane, London, UK). Ten studies were included. Operative time was similar among groups at -35.23 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI], -73.36 to 2.91 minutes; p=0.07). Intraoperative bleeding was lower in MIS at -562.59 mL (95% CI, -776.97 to -348.20 mL; p<0.00001). OS procedures had higher odds of requiring blood transfusions at 0.26 (95% CI, 0.15 to 0.45; p<0.00001). Both approaches instrumented similar numbers of levels at -0.05 levels (95% CI, -0.75 to 0.66 levels; p=0.89). We observed a decreased need for postoperative bed rest at -1.60 days (95% CI, -2.46 to -0.74 days; p=0.0003), a shorter length of stay at -3.08 days (95% CI, -4.50 to -1.66 days; p=0.001), and decreased odds of complications at 0.60 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.96; p=0.03) in the MIS group. Both approaches revealed similar reintervention rates at 0.65 (95% CI, 0.15 to 2.84; p=0.57), effective rates of reducing metastasis-related pain at -0.74 (95% CI, -2.41 to 0.94; p=0.39), and comparable scores of the Tokuhashi scale at -0.52 (95% CI, -2.08 to 1.05; p=0.41), Frankel scale at 1.00 (95% CI, 0.60 to 1.68; p=1.0), and American Spinal Injury Association Scale at 0.53 (95% CI, 0.21 to 1.37; p=0.19). MIS appears to provide advantages over OS. Larger and prospective studies should fully detail the role of MIS as a treatment for spine metastasis.