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Journal of Vascular Surgery Jan 2012Popliteal entrapment syndrome (PES) is a rare but important cause of intermittent claudication in young people. Controversy exists about optimal strategies for diagnosis... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Popliteal entrapment syndrome (PES) is a rare but important cause of intermittent claudication in young people. Controversy exists about optimal strategies for diagnosis and management, particularly for variants such as functional popliteal entrapment. The aim of this review was to systematically catalog the published English-language literature on PES and to determine if evidence-based guidelines for management could be formulated.
METHODS
An electronic search using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, AMED, and CINAHL databases was performed to identify articles about PES published from 1947 to December 2010. The systematic review conformed to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement standards. Prospective studies and retrospective case series with more than five patients with arterial, venous, nerve, and combined neurovascular entrapment were analyzed on a study-by-study narrative basis.
RESULTS
The search identified 291 articles, and 44 were included. Of these, 30 studies were on popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). No relationship was found between duration of symptoms and the presence of irreversible arterial injury. Each study used a median of three diagnostic tests (range, 1-6). Arteriography was used in 28 of 30 studies to diagnose PAES, with an estimated mean sensitivity of 97% (range, 85%-100%). Twenty-three studies described arterial reconstructive procedures, with a median failure rate of 27.5% (range, 0%-83%). The proportion of patients asymptomatic after surgery was reported in only 12 of 30 studies, with a median value of 77% (range, 70%-100%).
CONCLUSIONS
A large volume of predominantly retrospective clinical data exists on PES. A subset of studies describe a significant failure rate after surgery, but study quality is insufficient to derive robust conclusions allowing recommendation of any one particular diagnostic modality or operative procedure over another. Improvements in management of this condition are unlikely to result from publication of further retrospective case series, and clinicians should concentrate on prospectively collected data with predefined inclusion criteria, outcome measures, follow-up protocols, and transparent standardized reporting criteria.
Topics: Adult; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Constriction, Pathologic; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Selection; Popliteal Artery; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 22116047
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2011.08.050 -
Journal of Vascular Research 2022Of the 200 million patients worldwide affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD), 4% will inevitably require major limb amputation. Previous systematic reviews... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Of the 200 million patients worldwide affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD), 4% will inevitably require major limb amputation. Previous systematic reviews presented a conflicting body of evidence in terms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family member effects upon PAD natural progression. Despite that, modulation of intrinsic angiogenesis mechanisms targeting the VEGF family members still confers an attractive therapeutic target. The aim of the present study was to evaluate current evidence of VEGF modulation in the context of PAD.
METHODS
This is a systematic literature review conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered under PROSPERO database [CRD42021285988]. Independent literature search was performed up to April 1, 2022, on six databases. A total of 22 eligible studies were identified [N: 3, interventional patient studies; N: 19, animal studies]. Animal studies were appraised by the SYRCLE risk of bias tool, while human participant studies were assessed by the Newcastle Ottawa scale. Overall, quality of evidence was deemed fair for both animal and human studies. Main study outcomes were percentage change of injured vessel lumen stenosis and neointimal area formation upon VEGF modulation (inhibition or activation) in comparison with control group.
FINDINGS
Nineteen animal models and three human participant studies were included in the systematic review and assessed separately. Positive modulation of VEGF-A in animal models resulted in a median decrease of 65.58% [95% CI 45.2; 71.87] in lumen stenosis [14 studies]. Furthermore, positive modulation of VEGF-A was found to reduce neointimal area proliferation by a median decrease of 63.41% [95% CI 41.6; 79.59] [14 studies]. Median end of study duration was 28 days [range: 14-84 days]. Data were insufficient to assess these outcomes with respect to VEGF-B or VEGF-C modulation. The limited number of available human studies presented inadequate outcome assessment despite their overall fair NOS grading.
INTERPRETATION
VEGF-A-positive modulation decreases lumen stenosis and neointimal hyperplasia in PAD simulation animal models. Previously identified variability among outcomes was found to strongly stem from the variability of experimental designs. Clinical applicability and safety profile of VEGF-A in the context of PAD remain to be defined by a robust and uniformly designed body of further animal model-based experiments.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Constriction, Pathologic; Peripheral Arterial Disease
PubMed: 36380643
DOI: 10.1159/000527079 -
The Canadian Journal of Neurological... Jan 2022Symptomatic carotid near-occlusion is often described as rare. Recent studies have shown that near-occlusions are overlooked, especially near-occlusion without full...
BACKGROUND
Symptomatic carotid near-occlusion is often described as rare. Recent studies have shown that near-occlusions are overlooked, especially near-occlusion without full collapse (with a small but normal-appearing distal internal carotid artery).
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of near-occlusion among symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis, incidence of symptomatic near-occlusion, and review the literature.
METHODS
Prospective controlled single-center cross-sectional study. Consecutive cases with symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis were examined with computed tomography angiography (CTA). The CTAs were assessed for near-occlusion by two observers. A systematic literature review was performed with emphasis on how study design affects prevalence estimate.
RESULTS
Totally, 186 patients with symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis were included, 34% (n = 63, 95% CI 27, 41) had near-occlusion. The incidence of symptomatic near-occlusion was 3.4 (95% CI 2.5, 4.2) per 100,000 person-years. Inter-rater κ was 0.71. The average prevalence of near-occlusion among symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis was higher in studies with good design (30%, range 27%-34%) than studies without good design (9%, range 2%-10%).
CONCLUSIONS
Near-occlusion is common variant of symptomatic ≥50% carotid stenosis, both in the current study and in all previous studies of good design. Studies that suggest that near-occlusion is rare have had methodological issues.
Topics: Carotid Artery, Internal; Carotid Stenosis; Computed Tomography Angiography; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 33988097
DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2021.50 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Oct 2022To assess the efficacy and safety of carotid artery stenting for the treatment of extracranial carotid artery dissection (CAD). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of carotid artery stenting for the treatment of extracranial carotid artery dissection (CAD).
DATA SOURCES
Systematic review using Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.
REVIEW METHODS
A systematic search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis statement. Data from the eligible studies were extracted and meta-analysed. Primary endpoints included post-operative mortality, cerebrovascular events (CEs), and modified Rankin Score for neurological disability (mRS) at 90 days. Subgroup analyses were performed between stenting of spontaneous and traumatic CAD, primary stenting vs. stenting after failed medical therapy (FMT), and stenting of CAD in the presence of tandem occlusions vs. stenting of isolated extracranial CAD.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies with 1 224 patients were included. Pooled post-operative mortality, CE, and mRS 0 - 2 rates were 1.71% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83 - 2.80), 6.45% (95% CI 2.80 - 11.10), and 76.13% (95% CI 64.15 - 86.50), respectively. The pooled stroke rate was 2.16% (95% CI 0.0 - 6.64). Spontaneous vs. traumatic CAD mortality rates were 3.20% (95% CI 1.80 - 4.88) and 0.00% (95% CI 0.00 - 1.59) while CE rates were 14.26% (95% CI 6.28 - 24.36) and 1.64% (95% CI 0.0 - 6.08). Primary stenting and stenting after FMT mortality rates were 0.63% (95% CI 0.0 - 5.63) and 0.0% (95% CI 0.0 - 2.24), while CE rates were 5.02% (95% CI 0.38 - 12.63) and 3.33% (95% CI 0.12 - 9.03). Mortality rates for tandem occlusions and isolated extracranial CAD were 5.62% (95% CI 1.76 - 10.83) and 0.23% (95% CI 0.0 - 1.88), respectively, while CE rates were 15.28% (95% CI 6.23 - 26.64) and 1.88% (95% CI 0.23 - 4.51). The methodological index for non-randomised studies score was 8.66 (low).
CONCLUSION
Both primary stenting and stenting of spontaneous CAD yielded unfavourable results with respect to stent thrombosis and stroke rates. Conversely, stenting following FMT had acceptable mortality and complication rates corroborating the use of stenting in the setting of CAD as a second line treatment. Due to the low quality of the included studies, definite conclusions cannot be drawn necessitating further research.
Topics: Humans; Stents; Carotid Stenosis; Treatment Outcome; Carotid Arteries; Stroke; Aortic Dissection
PubMed: 35961627
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.07.048 -
Environmental Health and Preventive... Nov 2017The p.R4810K and other rare variants of ring finger protein 213 gene (RNF213) were illustrated as susceptibility variants for moyamoya (MMD) and non-moyamoya... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The p.R4810K and other rare variants of ring finger protein 213 gene (RNF213) were illustrated as susceptibility variants for moyamoya (MMD) and non-moyamoya intracranial artery stenosis/occlusion disease (ICASO) recently. However, the effect sizes of p.R4810K were in great discrepancy even in studies of the same ethnic population and firm conclusions of other rare variants have been elusive given the small sample sizes and lack of replication. Thus, we performed this study to quantitatively evaluate whether or to what extent the rare variants of RNF213 contribute to MMD and ICASO in different populations.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, ISI web of science, CNKI, and WANFANG DATA was conducted up to 5 September 2017. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effect models based on the between-study heterogeneity. The subgroup analyses were performed by the ethnicity and family history. Sensitivity and publication bias analysis were performed to test the robustness of associations. All the statistical analyses were conduct using STATA 12.0.
RESULTS
Twenty studies including 2353 MMD cases and 5488 controls and 11 studies including 1778 ICASO cases and 3140 controls were included in this study. Pooled ORs indicated that RNF213 p.R4810K significantly increased MMD and ICASO risk in East Asians with great effect sizes of discrepancy (dominant model: odds ratios 184.04, 109.77, and 31.53 and 10.07, 28.52, and 5.59 for MMD and ICASO, respectively, in Japan, Korea, and China). It significantly increased familial MMD risk in Japan, Korea, and China with 5 ~ 36 times larger effect sizes than that for sporadic ones in each country (dominant model ORs 1802.44, 512.42, 1109.02 and 134.35, 99.82, and 30.52, respectively, for familial and sporadic cases). The effect sizes of RNF213 p.R4810K to sporadic MMD were 3 ~ 4 times larger in Japan and Korea than those in China. RNF213 p.R4810K also increased the ICASO risk in Japan and Korea with 2 ~ 4 times larger effect sizes than that in China (dominant model ORs 10.71, 28.52, and 5.59, respectively). Another two rare variants- p.E4950D and p.A5021V significantly increased MMD risk in Chinese population (dominant model ORs 9.06 and 5.01, respectively). Various other rare variants in RNF213 were identified in Japanese, Chinese, European, and Hispanic American populations without association evidence available yet.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis shows the critical roles of RNF213 p.R4810K in MMD especially familial MMD and ICASO in Japan, Korea, and China. Except for RNF213 p.R4810K, MMD seems to have more complex determiners in China. Distinct genetic background exists and other environmental or genetic factor(s) may contribute to MMD. Studies focused on delineating the ethnicity-specific factors and pathological role of RNF213 variants in MMD and ICASO are needed.
Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Carotid Artery Diseases; Constriction, Pathologic; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; Humans; Moyamoya Disease; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 29165161
DOI: 10.1186/s12199-017-0680-1 -
Stroke Apr 2009In the discussion on the value of population-wide screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS), reliable prevalence estimates are crucial. We set out to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
In the discussion on the value of population-wide screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS), reliable prevalence estimates are crucial. We set out to provide reliable age- and sex-specific prevalence estimates of ACAS through a systematic literature review and meta-regression analysis.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and EmBase until December 2007 for studies that reported the prevalence of ACAS in a population free of symptomatic carotid artery disease. Data were extracted with use of a standardized form on participants' characteristics, assessment method, study quality, and prevalence estimates for moderate (>or=50% stenosis) and severe (>or=70% stenosis) ACAS. Metaregression was used to investigate sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Forty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There was considerable variation among studies with respect to demographics, methods of grading stenosis, and stenosis cutoff point used. The pooled prevalence of moderate stenosis was 4.2% (95% CI, 3.1% to 5.7%). Prevalence of moderate stenosis among people age <70 years was 4.8% (95% CI, 3.1% to 7.3%) in men and 2.2% (95% CI, 0.9% to 4.9%) in women. Among those >or=70 years, prevalence increased to 12.5% (95% CI, 7.4% to 20.3%) in men and to 6.9% (95% CI, 4.0% to 11.5%) in women. Metaregression showed that both age and sex significantly affected the prevalence of moderate stenosis. No contribution of study size, publication year, geographic region, assessment method, and study quality was found. The pooled prevalence of severe stenosis was 1.7% (95% CI, 0.7% to 3.9%).
CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of moderate stenosis increases with age in both men and women, but men at all ages have the higher prevalence estimates. The number of studies that allowed meaningful data synthesis of severe stenosis was limited.
Topics: Age Distribution; Carotid Stenosis; Female; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Sex Distribution
PubMed: 19246704
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.532218 -
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular... May 2024Intracranial artery atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a major cause of stroke, especially in Asian countries. Current treatment options, including balloon-mounted stent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Intracranial artery atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a major cause of stroke, especially in Asian countries. Current treatment options, including balloon-mounted stent (BMS) and balloon angioplasty (BA), lack sufficient evidence to determine a preferred approach. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of BMS and BA in treating ICAS.
METHODS
Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to December 1, 2023. Eligible studies compared BMS with BA in patients diagnosed with ICAS. Primary outcomes included the success rate and occurrence of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic). Secondary outcomes were perforator occlusion, in-stent thrombosis, death, and restenosis. Statistical analysis was conducted using R software version 4.3.1, employing a random-effects model.
RESULTS
Five high-quality studies involving 707 patients (515 males, 192 females) were included. BMS had a significantly higher success rate compared to BA (Risk Ratio [RR]: 1.13; CI: 1.03 to 1.24, p < 0.01; I = 14 %). The overall risk for stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) was significantly higher in BMS (RR: 2.97; CI: 1.32 to 6.67, p < 0.01; I = 0 %). However, no significant difference was found between BMS and BA regarding ischemic stroke (RR: 2.33; CI: 0.80 to 6.74, p = 0.12; I = 0 %). Additionally, no significant differences were observed in terms of perforator occlusion, in-stent thrombosis, dissection, minor and major strokes, and mortality rates. BMS was associated with a lower risk of restenosis (RR: 0.31; 95 % CI: 0.12 to 0.83, p = 0.02; I = 0 %).
CONCLUSION
Our results indicate that BMS might be associated with higher success and lower restenosis rates than BA in the treatment of ICAS but with an increased overall risk of stroke. No significant differences were observed in ischemic stroke, perforator occlusion, in-stent thrombosis, dissection, minor and major strokes, and mortality rates. The choice of treatment should consider these findings, alongside the technical challenges and desired angiographic outcomes. Future randomized controlled trials are necessary to further elucidate these results.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Constriction, Pathologic; Angioplasty, Balloon; Stents; Stroke; Ischemic Stroke; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome; Angioplasty
PubMed: 38331010
DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.107631 -
Stroke Apr 2024Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is an interventional therapy for symptomatic internal carotid artery disease. Currently, the utilization of TCAR is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is an interventional therapy for symptomatic internal carotid artery disease. Currently, the utilization of TCAR is contentious due to limited evidence. In this study, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of TCAR in patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery disease compared with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS).
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted, spanning from January 2000 to February 2023, encompassing studies that used TCAR for the treatment of symptomatic internal carotid artery disease. The primary outcomes included a 30-day stroke or transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, and mortality. Secondary outcomes comprised cranial nerve injury and major bleeding. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for each outcome were calculated to compare TCAR with CEA and CAS. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were performed based on age and degree of stenosis. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted by excluding the vascular quality initiative registry population.
RESULTS
A total of 7 studies involving 24 246 patients were analyzed. Within this patient cohort, 4771 individuals underwent TCAR, 12 350 underwent CEA, and 7125 patients underwent CAS. Compared with CAS, TCAR was associated with a similar rate of stroke or transient ischemic attack (OR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.33-1.82]) and myocardial infarction (OR, 1.29 [95% CI, 0.83-2.01]) but lower mortality (OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.22-0.81]). Compared with CEA, TCAR was associated with a higher rate of stroke or transient ischemic attack (OR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.03-1.54]) but similar rates of myocardial infarction (OR, 0.9 [95% CI, 0.64-1.38]) and mortality (OR, 1.35 [95% CI, 0.87-2.10]).
CONCLUSIONS
Although CEA has traditionally been considered superior to stenting for symptomatic carotid stenosis, TCAR may have some advantages over CAS. Prospective randomized trials comparing the 3 modalities are needed.
Topics: Humans; Carotid Stenosis; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Prospective Studies; Endovascular Procedures; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment; Treatment Outcome; Stents; Carotid Artery Diseases; Stroke; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Arteries; Myocardial Infarction; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38299350
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.044246 -
American Journal of Therapeutics 2013Subclavian artery stenosis has long been treated with great success with bypass surgery. Percutaneous intervention, often used in combination with stent placement, has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Subclavian artery stenosis has long been treated with great success with bypass surgery. Percutaneous intervention, often used in combination with stent placement, has come into vogue for the past few years as a safe and effective therapeutic modality. This study aimed to compare angioplasty alone with angioplasty followed by stent placement by combining available data. The objective of this study was to perform a review of the available literature to compare the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) alone with PTA followed by stent placement for proximal subclavian artery stenosis. Successful recanalization was defined as patency at the end of 1 year, and reocclusions and restenoses were noted as events for the purpose of pooling the data. The authors searched the Specialized Register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases for relevant trials/studies comparing PTA and PTA with stenting. Review authors independently assessed the methodological quality of studies (focusing on the adequacy of the randomization process, allocation concealment, blinding, completeness of follow-up, and intention-to-treat analysis) and selected studies for inclusion. All retrospective observational studies were also included in the analysis in the absence of double-blinded randomized trials for increasing sample size. All analyses were done using RevMan 5.0. Odds ratio was calculated using Mantel-Haenszel test with a fixed effect model. All included studies were assessed by all authors for potential sources of bias. Eight studies were included in the analysis having 544 participants. Stenting after PTA was significantly superior to angioplasty alone for treatment of subclavian artery stenosis and maintenance of patency at 1 year, as indicated by absence of events (P = 0.004; 95% confidence interval, odds ratio 2.37 [1.32-4.26]) without significant complication rates for either procedure. There is evidence in favor of stent placement after angioplasty for successful recanalization of stenosed subclavian arteries and long-term maintenance of patency without significant increase in risk for major complications in subjects.
Topics: Angioplasty; Humans; Stents; Subclavian Steal Syndrome
PubMed: 23344091
DOI: 10.1097/MJT.0b013e31822831d8 -
Cureus Apr 2023Wellens' syndrome is well-known for its critical stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) with characteristic electrocardiographic findings of... (Review)
Review
The Comparative Assessment of Wellens' Syndrome With Proximal Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) Stenosis Versus Right Coronary Artery (RCA) or Circumflex Coronary Artery Stenosis and Its Prevalence: A Systematic Review.
Wellens' syndrome is well-known for its critical stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) with characteristic electrocardiographic findings of biphasic or deeply inverted T waves in V2-V6 under specific diagnostic criteria. Although the syndrome is known as a high-grade LAD lesion, its sequence of events can also be seen with the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left circumflex artery (LCX). This systemic review attempts to expand on these findings while analyzing the prevalence of Wellens' syndrome with the RCA and/or the circumflex artery. This study also comparatively indicated that Wellens' syndrome is seen in RCA and circumflex artery stenoses when present; the indication of the same medical management is warranted for effective treatment and survival. We extracted and analyzed 24 case reports each with an atypical presentation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and specific Wellens' syndrome pattern of electrocardiogram (ECG) presentation with critical stenosis in the LAD, RCA, and left circumflex artery. The risk of bias assessment was undertaken using internal risk analysis by utilizing medical libraries and certain search phrases to find research articles with the involvement of the LAD as opposed to the RCA and LCX in Wellens' syndrome. Based on the number of respective primary research articles found, a bias calculation was done on the reported respective coronary artery involvement. The finding of our systemic review confirms that Wellens' syndrome is a precordial lead disease with T wave abnormalities that present with critical stenosis of not only the LAD but also the RCA and circumflex artery. The result of our systemic review affirmed that although most Wellens' syndrome cases reported involve the stenosis of the LAD, the critical occlusion of the RCA and/or the circumflex artery was found with Wellens' syndrome pattern of ECG presentation, meaning that the sequence of events is not limited to the proximal LAD.
PubMed: 37228569
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37991