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Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024This study had two main objectives. Firstly, we conducted a thorough literature review on the prenatal diagnosis of abdominal congenital arteriovenous fistulas (CAVFs)...
This study had two main objectives. Firstly, we conducted a thorough literature review on the prenatal diagnosis of abdominal congenital arteriovenous fistulas (CAVFs) involving the abdominal aorta and hepatic arteries. Secondly, we aimed to provide detailed descriptions of eight additional cases diagnosed at our medical center and assess the outcome of this anomaly for informed counseling. We conducted a systematic search of online databases using specific keywords like "outcome", "ultrasound", "intrahepatic fistulae", and "fetal venous anomalies", focusing on studies published between 1998 and 2023. We selected 10 relevant articles and analyzed 13 cases. Additionally, we conducted a five-year prospective study in two referral centers, identifying eight CAVF cases with an incidence rate of 0.16%. Among the 21 cases evaluated, 11 resulted in live births, all of which received treatment. However, four cases (36.3%) had poor postnatal outcomes and neonatal demise due to heart failure. Prenatal signs of poor fetal hemodynamics, including cardiomegaly or hydrops, were observed in 52.3% of cases, regardless of outcome. Our findings highlight the rarity of this vascular malformation and emphasize the importance of effective treatment to avoid unfavorable outcomes. The long-term effectiveness of prenatal treatment or postnatal embolization remains uncertain, with liver transplantation being considered the most reliable treatment option.
PubMed: 38667471
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14080826 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Jun 2009Atherosclerosis can obstruct branching arteries of the abdominal aorta, including four paired lumbar arteries and the middle sacral artery that feed the lumbar spine.... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Atherosclerosis can obstruct branching arteries of the abdominal aorta, including four paired lumbar arteries and the middle sacral artery that feed the lumbar spine. The diminished blood flow could result in various back problems. The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess associations between atherosclerosis and disc degeneration (DD) or low-back pain (LBP).
DATA SOURCES
A systematic search of the Medline/PubMed database for all original articles on atherosclerosis and DD/LBP published until October 2008. The search was performed with the medical subject headings atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk factor, or vascular disease and keywords "disc degeneration", "disc herniation", and "back pain" on the basis of MeSH tree and as a text search. In addition reference lists were studied and searched manually. Observational studies investigating the association of atherosclerosis or its risk factors and lumbar DD/LBP were selected.
REVIEW METHODS
The following data were extracted: study characteristics, duration of follow-up, year of publication, findings of atherosclerosis/cardiovascular risk factors and DD/LBP. Disc herniation was regarded as a form of disc degeneration and cardiovascular risk factors were regarded as surrogate for atherosclerosis in epidemiological studies.
RESULTS
One hundred and seventy-nine papers were identified. After exclusion of case reports, letters, editorials, papers not related to the lumbar spine, and animal studies, 25 papers were included. Post-mortem studies showed an association between atheromatous lesions in the aorta and DD, as well as between occluded lumbar arteries and life-time LBP. In clinical studies, aortic calcification was associated with LBP, and stenosis of lumbar arteries was associated with both DD and LBP. In epidemiological studies, smoking and high serum cholesterol levels were found to have the most consistent associations with DD and LBP.
CONCLUSION
Aortic atherosclerosis and stenosis of the feeding arteries of the lumbar spine were associated with DD and LBP. Cardiovascular risk factors had weaker associations, being clearly apparent only in cohorts on elderly people or in large study samples. More prospective clinical studies are needed to further clarify the association of atherosclerosis and low-back disorders.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Autopsy; Constriction, Pathologic; Female; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Intervertebral Disc; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Low Back Pain; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Smoking; Spinal Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 19328027
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.02.006 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Jan 2018The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the optimal modality and frequency of surveillance after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the optimal modality and frequency of surveillance after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in adult patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.
METHODS
We searched for studies of post-EVAR surveillance in MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus through May 10, 2016. The outcomes of interest were endoleaks, mortality, limb ischemia, renal complications, late rupture, and aneurysm-related mortality. Outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model and were reported as incidence rate and 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
Of 1099 candidate references, we included 6 meta-analyses and 52 observational studies. Complication rates were common after EVAR, particularly in the first year. Magnetic resonance imaging had a higher detection rate of endoleaks than computed tomography angiography. Doppler ultrasound had lower diagnostic accuracy, whereas contrast-enhanced ultrasound was likely to be as sensitive as computed tomography angiography. The highest endoleak detection rates were in surveillance approaches that used combined tests. There were no studies that compared different surveillance intervals to determine optimal intervals; however, most studies reported detection rates of patient-important outcomes at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. Data were insufficient to provide comparative inferences about the best strategy to reduce the risk of patient-important outcomes, such as mortality, limb ischemia, rupture, and renal complications.
CONCLUSIONS
Several tests with reasonable diagnostic accuracy are available for surveillance after EVAR. The available evidence suggests a high complication rate, particularly in the first year, and provides a rationale for surveillance.
Topics: Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Aortic Rupture; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Computed Tomography Angiography; Contrast Media; Endovascular Procedures; Extremities; Humans; Incidence; Ischemia; Kidney Diseases; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Postoperative Complications; Risk Factors; Sensitivity and Specificity; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
PubMed: 28662928
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2017.04.058 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Jul 2022To analyse the characteristics of normal infrarenal aortic diameter (AD) in the general worldwide population, to examine changes over time, and to investigate... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the characteristics of normal infrarenal aortic diameter (AD) in the general worldwide population, to examine changes over time, and to investigate geographical differences.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science.
REVIEW METHODS
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published up to October 2020 describing infrarenal AD measured by ultrasound in the general adult population. The study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement and placed no restrictions on geographical location or year of publication. Studies of individuals pre-selected for certain diseases or risk factors and opportunistic screening were excluded. A random effects model was used to estimate pooled mean AD, and meta-regression analysis was used to study the effects of determinants of AD.
RESULTS
Thirty-two studies were included, reporting data for 941 144 individuals (98% were men). The pooled mean AD was 19.4 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 18.8 - 20.1), being 20.1 mm (95% CI 19.4 - 20.8) in men and 17.8 mm (95% CI 16.5 - 19.1) in women (p < .001). Outer edge to outer edge (OTO) caliper placement method (p = .015) and body surface area (BSA; p = .010) were significantly associated with larger AD. In men, the largest mean AD was observed in Oceania (p < .001) and the smallest in Asia (p < .020). As none of the studies collected data between 2002 and 2007, the studies were divided into two periods: 2001 and before, and 2008 and after. All recent studies were European, with the diameters being significantly smaller (p = .003) in the latter period (18.3 mm [95% CI 17.5 - 19.1] vs. 20.7 mm [95% CI 19.1 - 22.3]). In the meta-regression models, the reduction in AD over time remained significant after adjustment for potential effect modifiers such as sex, age, geographical area, body size, cardiovascular risk factors, and ultrasound method.
CONCLUSION
Mean infrarenal AD in older European adults has decreased significantly in recent decades. Male sex, BSA, and OTO ultrasound measurement method are associated with larger AD, and geographical differences were observed in men.
PubMed: 35483578
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.04.014 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery Nov 2022Marfan syndrome (MS) most often shows as thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or aortic dissection, but it may also involve other vascular territories. This study aimed to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Marfan syndrome (MS) most often shows as thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or aortic dissection, but it may also involve other vascular territories. This study aimed to identify those extrathoracic vascular manifestations most frequently associated with MS.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria was carried out. The following databases were included: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Health Sciences Literature (CINHAL); Spanish database MEDESY Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL).
RESULTS
A total of 10,008 articles were identified, leaving 155 for the first stage of data analysis (total incidence of aneurysms) and 83 for the second (descriptive data analysis). Overall, 518 aneurysms were identified: 149 in the head and neck, 94 in the extremities, and 275 in the aortic, iliac, and visceral sectors. Mostly, they were simultaneously discovered during studies of the TAA. In the abdominal aorta, the presentation with rupture in 11 of 32 patients stands out. Resection and bypass were the most frequently used methods for repair in the treated cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Although its frequency in the general population is unknown, this systematic review suggests that extrathoracic aneurysmal arterial involvement in the MS may be more frequent than expected. We believe screening for aneurysms in other vascular sectors may be advisable, especially in patients with MS and TAA.
Topics: Humans; Marfan Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Aortic Dissection; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal
PubMed: 36029951
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2022.08.005 -
American Journal of Hypertension Jul 2015Middle aortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare clinical entity in childhood, characterized by a severe narrowing of the distal thoracic and/or abdominal aorta, and associated... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Middle aortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare clinical entity in childhood, characterized by a severe narrowing of the distal thoracic and/or abdominal aorta, and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. MAS remains a relatively poorly defined disease. This paper systematically reviews the current knowledge on MAS with respect to etiology, clinical impact, and therapeutic options.
METHODS
A systematic search of 3 databases (Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) yielded 1,252 abstracts that were screened based on eligibility criteria resulting in 184 full-text articles with 630 reported cases of childhood MAS. Data extracted included patient characteristics, clinical presentation, vascular phenotype, management, and outcomes.
RESULTS
Most cases of MAS are idiopathic (64%), 15% are associated with Mendelian disorders, and 17% are related to inflammatory diseases. Extra-aortic involvement including renal (70%), superior mesenteric (30%), and celiac (22%) arteries is common, especially among those with associated Mendelian disorders. Inferior mesenteric artery involvement is almost never reported. The majority of cases (72%) undergo endovascular or surgical management with residual hypertension reported in 34% of cases, requiring medication or reintervention. Clinical manifestations and extent of extra-aortic involvement are lacking.
CONCLUSIONS
MAS presents with significant involvement of visceral arteries with over two thirds of cases having renal artery stenosis, and one third with superior mesenteric artery stenosis. The extent of disease is worse among those with genetic and inflammatory conditions. Further studies are needed to better understand etiology, long-term effectiveness of treatment, and to determine the optimal management of this potentially devastating condition.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Aorta, Abdominal; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Diseases; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Arterial Pressure; Child; Child, Preschool; Constriction, Pathologic; Disease Progression; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Hypertension; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Syndrome
PubMed: 25631383
DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpu296 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Jan 2023Midaortic syndrome (MAS) is narrowing of the distal thoracic and or abdominal aorta with congenital, inflammatory, or idiopathic aetiology. If left untreated, the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Midaortic syndrome (MAS) is narrowing of the distal thoracic and or abdominal aorta with congenital, inflammatory, or idiopathic aetiology. If left untreated, the prognosis is poor due to hypertensive complications. Follow up data after treatment are sparse, contrary to aortic coarctation. This study aimed to investigate hypertension during follow up after medical, endovascular, and surgical therapy in juveniles and adults.
DATA SOURCES
A meta-analysis of case series and reports was performed, focusing on the incidence of hypertension during the follow up of juvenile (i.e., age 0-17 years) and adult MAS patients after medical, endovascular, or surgical therapy.
REVIEW METHODS
Search queries were performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, and eligible articles underwent quality control. Descriptive statistics were reported based on available data, and individual patient data meta-analyses were performed using a one stage approach, accounting for clustering by case series or decades of reporting for case reports. For the meta-analysis, missing outcome and aetiology data were multiply imputed.
RESULTS
The number of juveniles and adults who underwent endovascular therapy (33.7% vs. 27.3%; p = .42) and surgery (52.2% vs. 58.0%; p = .46) was similar. At baseline, 92.4% of juveniles and 87.5% of adults were hypertensive, decreasing to 23.2% and 24.1% during a follow up of 23 months (juveniles) and 18 months (adults), respectively. More hypertension was found compared with surgery in juveniles after endovascular therapy (38.1% vs. 10.8%; p = .020). Meta-analysis also demonstrated a trend for hypertension after endovascular therapy in juveniles, whereas hypertension was more prevalent following surgery in adults compared with endovascular therapy or medication.
CONCLUSION
This review and meta-analysis investigated therapeutic options for MAS in juveniles and adults. It found that complications and hypertension during follow up were more common in juveniles after endovascular treatment, whereas surgery in adults was associated with more hypertension.
PubMed: 36220622
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.10.017 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery Aug 2018Aortic stent-graft infection (SGI) is rare but remains one of the most challenging and threatening complications. This systematic review aimed to identify the clinical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Aortic stent-graft infection (SGI) is rare but remains one of the most challenging and threatening complications. This systematic review aimed to identify the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of endograft infection after abdominal endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).
METHODS
A systematic literature review of all published literature from January 1991 to September 2016 on SGI was performed under the instruction of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Aorta, aneurysm, endovascular, stent-graft, endograft and infection were the keywords used in our comprehensive search in PubMed and MEDLINE databases. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, V 22.0.
RESULTS
A total of 185 potential relevant articles were identified, but only 11 studies with 402 patients met the inclusion criteria. Majority of the patients were male (308/402, 77%), with a mean age ranging from 65 to 73 years. Most of the endografts were implanted for EVAR (351/402, 87%), while the other 51 (13%) endografts were infected following TEVAR. Among the 402 patients, 39 (9.7%) patients presented with aortic rupture. Ninety-two of 380 (24.2%) patients with available data had aortoenteric fistula (AEF). Sixty-nine patients (17%) died in hospital or within 30 days after operation. One hundred fourteen patients (28%) died during follow-up. The most commonly used stent grafts were Zenith (Cook Inc, Bloomington, IN) (22%) and Excluder (W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, AZ) (20%). Of the 402 patients in this series, 108 patients (27%) had negative culture, and multiple microorganisms were identified in 103 patients (26%). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Staphylcoccus species (30.1%), Streptococcus (14.8%), and fungus (9.2%). Forty-two patients (42/401, 10%) received conservative treatment, whereas 359 (90%) patients underwent surgical treatment, including stent graft removal with in situ reconstruction or extra-anatomical bypass, and secondary endovascular procedure. Patients in the surgical group had a higher survival rate compared with conservative group (58% vs. 33%, P = 0.002). The survival rate was higher in the patients with infected EVAR than TEVAR (58% vs. 27%, P = 0.000). Patient with AEF had a worse prognosis (survival rate 72% vs. 33%, P = 0.002).
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence suggests that surgical treatment is a better option compared with conservative management in selected patients with aortic endograft infection. The outcome was worse in patients with infected TEVAR and AEF.
Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aorta; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Conservative Treatment; Device Removal; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Prosthesis Design; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Risk Factors; Stents; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29772328
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2018.02.038 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2000Surgery on the abdominal aorta, for aneurysmal and occlusive disease is a major undertaking which requires intensive support and fluid management. Blood products are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Surgery on the abdominal aorta, for aneurysmal and occlusive disease is a major undertaking which requires intensive support and fluid management. Blood products are often used, but the major fluid replacement is with crystalloids or colloids. There has been controversy for many years over which fluid is optimal and a number of studies have examined this subject, without any systematic review.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to determine the effectiveness of different non-blood replacement fluids used in surgery on the abdominal aorta with a view to identifying the optimal fluid for use in such surgery.
SEARCH STRATEGY
All publications describing (or which might describe) randomised controlled trials of non-blood replacement fluids in abdominal aortic surgery were sought using the search strategy described by the Cochrane Review Group on Peripheral Vascular Diseases. This strategy includes hand searching of relevant medical journals and extensive MEDLINE and EMBASE searches. In addition, trials have been identified from searches of references included in those trials already retrieved.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials assessing the effects of one or more specific non-blood fluids used for replacement therapy in operations on, and confined to, the abdominal aorta.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data were extracted to pre-prepared tables and then entered into the Review Manager software where statistical analysis and descriptive subjective analysis were performed.
MAIN RESULTS
Nine trials, involving 412 patients were included. Patients undergoing aortic surgery had various physiological parameters measured before and after their operation (cardiac, respiratory, biochemical, haematological and protein). Ten fluids were studied: Ringer lactate, 5% dextrose in Ringer lactate, 5% dextrose in 0.45% saline, 5% dextrose in water, 1.8% saline, human albumin solution in Ringer lactate, human albumin solution in water, 5% dextrose with human albumin solution, Dextran 60, Hetastarch. Patients were randomised to fluid type. This review demonstrates that no single fluid has been shown to affect any outcome measure significantly more than any other across a range of outcome measures. However, each trial compared different fluids, and each fluid has not been compared against all others. The death rate in these studies was 2.9% (12 patients).
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are required, with sufficient sample size and power, to draw any further conclusions. There are no studies examining the effects of combination fluid therapy.
Topics: Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Arteriosclerosis; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Solutions
PubMed: 11034694
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000991 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Sep 2015Improved critical care, pre-operative optimization, and the advent of endovascular surgery (EVAR) have improved 30 day mortality for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Long-term survival After Elective Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair 1969-2011: 5 Year Survival Remains Poor Despite Advances in Medical Care and Treatment Strategies.
BACKGROUND
Improved critical care, pre-operative optimization, and the advent of endovascular surgery (EVAR) have improved 30 day mortality for elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. It remains unknown whether this has translated into improvements in long-term survival, particularly because these factors have also encouraged the treatment of older patients with greater comorbidity. The aim of this study was to quantify how 5 year survival after elective AAA repair has changed over time.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed identifying studies reporting 5 year survival after elective infrarenal AAA repair. An electronic search of the Embase and Medline databases was conducted to January 2014. Thirty-six studies, 60 study arms, and 107,814 patients were identified. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine 5 year survival and to report whether 5 year survival changed over time.
RESULTS
Five-year survival was 69% (95% CI 67 to 71%, I(2) = 87%). Meta-regression on study midpoint showed no improvement in 5 year survival over the period 1969-2011 (log OR -0.001, 95% CI -0.014-0.012). Larger average aneurysm diameter was associated with poorer 5 year survival (adjusted log OR -0.058, 95% CI -0.095 to -0.021, I(2) = 85%). Older average patient age at surgery was associated with poorer 5 year survival (adjusted log OR -0.118, 95% CI -0.142 to -0.094, I(2) = 70%). After adjusting for average patient age, an improvement in 5 year survival over the period that these data spanned was obtained (adjusted log OR 0.027, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.042).
CONCLUSION
Five-year survival remains poor after elective AAA repair despite advances in short-term outcomes and is associated with AAA diameter and patient age at the time of surgery. Age-adjusted survival appears to have improved; however, this cohort as a whole continues to have poor long-term survival. Research in this field should attempt to improve the life expectancy of patients with repaired AAA and to optimise patient selection.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Elective Surgical Procedures; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Survival Analysis; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26116489
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2015.05.004