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Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Vascular calcifications in aorto-iliac arteries are emerging as crucial risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with profound clinical implications. This... (Review)
Review
Vascular calcifications in aorto-iliac arteries are emerging as crucial risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with profound clinical implications. This systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, investigated methodologies for measuring these calcifications and explored their correlation with CVDs and clinical outcomes. Out of 698 publications, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 7 studies utilized manual methods, while 4 studies utilized automated technologies, including artificial intelligence and deep learning for image analyses. Age, systolic blood pressure, serum calcium, and lipoprotein(a) levels were found to be independent risk factors for aortic calcification. Mortality from CVDs was correlated with abdominal aorta calcification. Patients requiring reintervention after endovascular recanalization exhibited a significantly higher volume of calcification in their iliac arteries. Conclusions: This review reveals a diverse landscape of measurement methods for aorto-iliac calcifications; however, they lack a standardized reproducibility assessment. Automatic methods employing artificial intelligence appear to offer broader applicability and are less time-consuming. Assessment of calcium scoring could be routinely employed during preoperative workups for risk stratification and detailed surgical planning. Additionally, its correlation with clinical outcomes could be useful in predicting the risk of reinterventions and amputations.
PubMed: 38786352
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14101053 -
PeerJ 2024Obesity is a well-known predictor for poor postoperative outcomes of vascular surgery. However, the association between obesity and outcomes of thoracic endovascular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a well-known predictor for poor postoperative outcomes of vascular surgery. However, the association between obesity and outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the roles of obesity in the outcomes of TEVAR.
METHODS
We systematically searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases to obtain articles regarding obesity and TEVAR that were published before July 2023. The odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) was used to assess the effect of obesity on TEVAR outcomes. Body mass index (BMI) was also compared between patients experiencing adverse events after TEVAR and those not experiencing adverse events. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of the enrolled studies.
RESULTS
A total of 7,849 patients from 10 studies were included. All enrolled studies were high-quality. Overall, the risk of overall mortality (OR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.02-2.17], = 0.04) was increased in obese patients receiving TEVAR. However, the associations between obesity and overall complications (OR = 2.41, 95% CI [0.84-6.93], = 0.10) and specific complications were all insignificant, including stroke (OR = 1.39, 95% CI [0.56-3.45], = 0.48), spinal ischemia (OR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.64-1.47], = 0.89), neurological complications (OR = 0.13, 95% CI [0.01-2.37], = 0.17), endoleaks (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.46-2.29], = 0.96), wound complications (OR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.28-2.96], = 0.88), and renal failure (OR = 2.98, 95% CI [0.92-9.69], = 0.07). In addition, the patients who suffered from postoperative overall complications ( < 0.001) and acute kidney injury ( = 0.006) were found to have a higher BMI. In conclusion, obesity is closely associated with higher risk of mortality after TEVAR. However, TEVAR may still be suitable for obese patients. Physicians should pay more attention to the perioperative management of obese patients.
Topics: Humans; Obesity; Endovascular Procedures; Postoperative Complications; Aorta, Thoracic; Body Mass Index; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
PubMed: 38650653
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17246 -
Medicine Feb 2024A high incidence of anatomical variations in the origin of the branches of the aortic arch has been reported, Nowadays, this variation is considered the most frequent in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A high incidence of anatomical variations in the origin of the branches of the aortic arch has been reported, Nowadays, this variation is considered the most frequent in the aortic arch, its prevalence being estimated between 0.5% and 2.5% of the population. To understand its origin, knowledge of embryonic development is necessary.
METHODS
We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Latin-American literature and caribean of health sciences databases with dates ranging from their inception to June 2023. Study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality were assessed with the guaranteed tool for anatomical studies (Anatomical Quality Assurance). Finally, the pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine studies were found that met the eligibility criteria. Twenty studies with a total of 41,178 subjects were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of an ARSA variant was 1% (95% confidence interval = 1%-2%), the clinical findings found are that if ARSA is symptomatic it could produce changes in the hemodynamic function of the thoracocervical region in addition to other associated symptomatic complications in surrounding structures.
CONCLUSIONS
ARSA can cause several types of alterations in the cervical or thoracic region, resulting in various clinical complications, such as lusory dysphagia. Hence, knowing this variant is extremely important for surgeons, especially those who treat the cervico-thoracic region. The low prevalence of ARSA means that many professionals are completely unaware of its existence and possible course and origin. Therefore, this study provides detailed knowledge of ARSA so that professionals can make better diagnoses and treatment of ARSA.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Subclavian Artery; Cardiovascular Abnormalities; Deglutition Disorders; Aorta, Thoracic; Uterine Cervical Diseases
PubMed: 38394517
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036856 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery May 2024Infected aortic grafts and mycotic aneurysms represent one of the most complex challenges faced by vascular surgeons. Treatment has progressed from extra-anatomical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Outcomes Following Use of Bovine Pericardium (Xenoprosthetic) Grafts for Reconstruction of Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms and Infected Aortic Grafts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND
Infected aortic grafts and mycotic aneurysms represent one of the most complex challenges faced by vascular surgeons. Treatment has progressed from extra-anatomical bypass to in situ reconstruction. Additionally, bovine pericardium reconstruction (BPR) has increased, due to accessibility and reduced lower limb morbidity. There remains, however, limited evidence for its use. The aim is to pool all known data to understand outcomes following BPR of mycotic aneurysms or infected vascular grafts.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted in November 2021 with subsequent computerized meta-analysis of the pooled results and a final search in March 2022. Three databases, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and National Institutes of Health PubMed (PubMed), were searched for the search term "(bovine OR xenoprosthetic) AND (aneurysm)", according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
RESULTS
From 9 studies, there were 133 patients: 67% graft infections and 33% mycotic aneurysms. Fifty-seven percent of reconstructions were in the abdominal aorta and 33% were in the thoracic aorta. One hundred fifty-eight pathogens were identified, including Staphylococcus aureus (23%), Candida albicans (13%), and Escherichia coli (13%). In 12%, no microorganisms were identified. Thirty-day mortality was 19.14% (CI 10.83-28.71), late mortality was 19.08% (confidence interval [CI] 7.76-32.83), and overall mortality was 40.20% (CI 29.82-50.97). One patient died intraoperatively. There were a total of 151 in-hospital complications after 30 days postoperation. Common complications were acute renal failure (17%), pneumonia (14%), delirium (12%), respiratory insufficiency (11%) and renal insufficiency (7%). Lower limb ischemia was low, occurring in 5.66% (CI 0.54-13.82) of patients. Loss of graft patency leading to reintervention occurred in 1.20% (CI 0.00-7.71) of the grafts. Reinfection rate was 0.00% (CI 0.00-1.21).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis highlights low reinfection and high graft patency using BPR with medium-length follow-up; however, there remain limited long-term and comparative data regarding options for aortic reconstruction. As expected in this complex cohort, the complication rate and 30-day mortality remain high.
Topics: Humans; Cattle; Animals; Aneurysm, Infected; Reinfection; Treatment Outcome; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Aorta, Abdominal; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Aortic Aneurysm; Pericardium; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38307226
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.11.037 -
Current Problems in Cardiology Jan 2024Knowledge about the Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) after Type A (TA-AAD) and Type B acute aortic dissection (TB-AAD) is still insufficient. Through this... (Review)
Review
Knowledge about the Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) after Type A (TA-AAD) and Type B acute aortic dissection (TB-AAD) is still insufficient. Through this systematic review, including 22 studies (16 for TA-AAD and 6 TB-AAD -1998-2023), the entire literature on HR-QoL after surgical and/or endovascular and/or medical interventions has been investigated. In TA-AAD patients, despite overall SF-36 score was similar to the standard population, with > 80 years patients displaying a better emotional domain, the SF-12 was significant lower to controls in physical and mental well-being domains. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improved HR-QoL. In TB-AAD, vitality and mental health SF-36 scores improved after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR); long-term QoL was similar in the open surgery group compared to TEVAR. Overall, HR-QoL after AAD seems adequate irrespective of age or sex, except for some specific domains. Physical exercise and cardiac rehabilitation may improve HR-QoL in these patients. PROSPERO registry ID: CRD42023421130.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Retrospective Studies; Endovascular Procedures; Aortic Dissection; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38295010
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102138 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Dec 2023: Provisional extension to induce complete attachment (PETTICOAT) is suggested as being associated with a lower incidence of aorta-related events and fewer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The Rate of Postoperative Complications in Complicated Acute, and Subacute Type B Aortic Dissections after TEVAR vs. PETTICOAT Procedures: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
: Provisional extension to induce complete attachment (PETTICOAT) is suggested as being associated with a lower incidence of aorta-related events and fewer reinterventions compared to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with complicated acute, and subacute type B aortic dissections. : This article is a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines. The Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched, starting on 21 February 2022 and ending on 22 June 2022, to identify studies that investigated the rate of postoperative complications in patients treated with the PETTICOAT compared to the TEVAR. A random effects meta-analysis was performed. Of 2350 studies, 5 studies involving 360 patients were included: 143 patients after the PETTICOAT procedure and 217 after the TEVAR. : The meta-analysis of all studies showed that the rate of secondary endovascular reinterventions was smaller in patients treated with the PETTICOAT ( = 3 studies; OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.94; = 0.04). The results of other postoperative complications (30-day mortality, mortality during follow-up, paraplegia, stroke, and occurrence of endoleak) were lower in the PETTICOAT group but were not statistically significant. The rate of postoperative renal failure was lower in patients treated with the TEVAR ( = 4; OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.46 to 2.51; = 0.86). : This meta-analysis suggests that the PETTICOAT procedure is related to the lower rate of secondary endovascular reinterventions for complicated acute, and subacute type B aortic dissections.
Topics: Humans; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Endovascular Aneurysm Repair; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Stents; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic; Endovascular Procedures; Treatment Outcome; Aortic Dissection; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38138253
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122150 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2023Brucellosis, the most common bacterial zoonosis, poses a serious threat to public health in endemic regions. Cardiovascular complications of brucellosis, mostly...
Brucellosis, the most common bacterial zoonosis, poses a serious threat to public health in endemic regions. Cardiovascular complications of brucellosis, mostly pericarditis or endocarditis, are the leading cause of brucellosis-related death. Complications involving the aorta and iliac arteries are extremely rare but can be life-threatening. Our objective was to identify and review all reported cases of aortic and iliac involvement in brucellosis to provide a deep, up-to-date understanding of the clinical characteristics and management of the disease. Online searches in PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Wanfang database were conducted to collect articles reporting cases of brucellosis with aortic and iliac artery involvement. All data in terms of patient demographics, diagnostic methods, clinical manifestations, and treatment regimens and outcomes were extracted and analyzed in this systematic review. A total of 79 articles were identified, reporting a total of 130 cases of brucellosis with aortic and iliac artery involvement. Of the 130 cases, 110 (84.5%) were male individuals and 100 (76.9%) were over 50 years old. The patients had an overall mortality rate of 12.3%. The abdominal aorta was most commonly involved, followed by the ascending aorta, iliac artery, and descending thoracic aorta. Arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and smoking were the most common comorbidities. There were 71 patients (54.6%) who presented with systemic symptoms of infection at the time of admission. Endovascular therapy was performed in 56 patients (43.1%), with an overall mortality rate of 3.6%. Open surgery was performed in 52 patients (40.0%), with an overall mortality rate of 15.4%. Aortic and iliac involvement in brucellosis is extremely rare but can be life-threatening. Its occurrence appears to be associated with the male gender, an older age, arteriosclerosis, and smoking. Although the number of reported cases in developing countries has increased significantly in recent years, its incidence in these countries may still be underestimated. Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention are critical in improving patient outcomes. Endovascular therapy has become a preferred surgical treatment in recent years, and yet, its long-term complications remain to be assessed.
PubMed: 38098968
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1326246 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jul 2023Due to an ever-increasing ageing population and limited available data around the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in elderly patients, investigating... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Due to an ever-increasing ageing population and limited available data around the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in elderly patients, investigating its efficacy and safety in this age cohort is of vital importance. We thus reviewed the existing literature on this topic to assess the feasibility of TEVAR in elderly patients with severe thoracic aortic pathologies.
METHODS
We identified all original research studies that assessed TEVAR in elderly patients published up to 2023. Morbidity, as assessed by neurological and respiratory complications, endoleaks, and length of stay, was the primary endpoint. Short-term mortality and long-term survival were the secondary endpoints. The Mantel-Haenszel random and fixed effects methods were used to calculate the odds ratios for each outcome. Further sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to validate the outcomes.
RESULTS
Twelve original studies that evaluated elective TEVAR outcomes in elderly patients were identified. Seven studies directly compared the use of TEVAR between an older and a younger patient group. Apart from a shorter hospital stay in older patients, no statistically significant difference between the morbidity outcomes of the two different cohorts was found. Short-term mortality and long-term survival results favoured the younger population.
CONCLUSIONS
The present meta-analysis indicates that, due to a safe perioperative morbidity profile, TEVAR should not be contraindicated in patients based purely on old age. Further research using large patient registries to validate our findings in elderly patients with specific aortic pathologies and both elective and emergency procedures is necessary.
PubMed: 37568406
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155001 -
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma,... Jun 2023Civilian public mass shootings (CPMSs) are a major public health issue and in recent years several events have occurred worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Civilian public mass shootings (CPMSs) are a major public health issue and in recent years several events have occurred worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was to characterize injuries and mortality after CPMSs focusing on in-hospital management of hemorrhage and vascular injuries.
METHOD
A systematic review of all published literature was undertaken in Medline, Embase and Web of Science January 1st, 1968, to February 22nd, 2021, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Literature was eligible for inclusion if the CPMS included three or more people shot, injured or killed, had vascular injuries or hemorrhage.
RESULTS
The search identified 2884 studies; 34 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. There were 2039 wounded in 45 CPMS events. The dominating anatomic injury location per event was the extremity followed by abdomen and chest. The median number of operations and operated patients per event was 22 (5-101) and 10.5 (4-138), respectively. A total of 899 deaths were reported with a median mortality rate of 36.1% per event (15.9-71.4%) Thirty-eight percent (13/34) of all studies reported on vascular injuries. Vascular injuries ranged from 8 to 29%; extremity vascular injury the most frequent. Specific vascular injuries included thoracic aorta 18% (42/232), carotid arteries 6% (14/232), and abdominal aorta 5% (12/232). Vascular injuries were involved in 8.3%-10% of all deaths.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review showed an overall high mortality after CPMS with injuries mainly located to the extremities, thorax and abdomen. About one quarter of deaths was related to hemorrhage involving central large vessel injuries. Further understanding of these injuries, and structured and uniform reporting of injuries and treatment protocols may help improve evaluation and management in the future. Level of Evidence Systematic review and meta-analysis, level III.
Topics: Humans; Hemorrhage; Retrospective Studies; Vascular System Injuries; Wounds, Gunshot
PubMed: 37337265
DOI: 10.1186/s13049-023-01093-x -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Jan 2024Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) management and delivery planning is based on a multimodal approach. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic accuracies of the aortic isthmus Doppler to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancies with FGR.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google scholar were searched from inception to May 2021, for studies on the prognostic accuracy of anterograde aortic isthmus flow compared with retrograde aortic isthmus flow in singleton pregnancy with FGR. The meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO and was assessed according to PRISMA and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DerSimonian and Laird's random-effect model was used for relative risks, Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine for pooled estimates and exact method to stabilize variances and CIs. Heterogeneity was quantified using I statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 2933 articles were identified through the electronic search, of which 6 studies (involving 240 women) were included. The quality evaluation of studies revealed an overall acceptable score for study group selection and comparability and substantial heterogeneity. The risk of perinatal death was significantly greater in fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow, with a RR of 5.17 (p value 0.00001). Similarly, the stillbirth rate was found to have a RR of 5.39 (p value 0.00001). Respiratory distress syndrome had a RR of 2.64 (p value = 0.03) in the group of fetuses with retrograde Aortic Isthmus blood flow.
CONCLUSION
Aortic Isthmus Doppler study may add information for FGR management. However, additional clinical trial are required to assess its applicability in clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Aorta, Thoracic; Fetal Growth Retardation; Fetus; Stillbirth; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Pregnancy Outcome; Fetal Death
PubMed: 37072584
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-06963-4