Background/Objectives: We aim to quantify the effect of sex upon the presentation of acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) and the outcomes after surgical thromboembolectomy with a Fogarty catheter. Methods: This was a monocentric retrospective observational study of ALI treated by a Fogarty catheter. Demographics, comorbidities, and clinical characteristics were analyzed. The logistic regressions were used to estimate mortality and secondary outcomes. Results: Over 8 years, 193 patients (79 males and 114 females) underwent Fogarty catheter thromboembolectomy to treat acute lower limb ischemia. Females were older (74.5 for females vs. 82.5 for males) and more affected by congestive heart failure (27% vs. 8%; p = 0.001) and atrial fibrillation (68% vs. 37%; p = <0.001) than the male counterparts. Regarding etiology (p < 0.001), a cardiac embolism (males: 35%; females: 67%) and aortic thrombosis (males: 1%; females: 8%) were more associated with the female gender in the development of acute lower limb ischemia, while vascular bypass/endograft failure (males: 20%; females: 7%) and iatrogenic complications (males: 13%; females: 1%) were more associated with the male gender. After 30 days from surgery, 19% of men and 32% of women had died. Males had higher rates of loss of vascular patency (males: 25%; females: 9%; p = 0.002) and vascular reintervention (males: 20%; females: 8%; p = 0.012). After 90 days from surgery, 23% of men and 41% of women had died. If women had higher mortality (males: 23%; females: 41%; p = 0.008), men had higher rates of loss of vascular patency (males: 27%; females: 12%; p = 0.011) and vascular reintervention (males: 23%; females: 9%; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Older females with atrial fibrillation and/or chronic heart failure are at high risk for ALI. Regarding the thromboembolectomy with a Fogarty catheter, male sex appears to be a risk factor (OR: 2.2, CI: 1.08-4.56) for loss of primary patency, major amputation, and new vascular surgery. A further prospective analysis is warranted to understand the impact of sex in the presentation of acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) and the outcome after surgical thromboembolectomy.

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility and outcomes of using the microvascular plug (MVP) for intentional occlusion of directional branches (DB) during complex endovascular aortic procedures. Case Report Two patients were treated with the off-the-shelf four-branched Zenith t-Branch thoracoabdominal stent-graft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind). In both cases, the renal arteries (on one side in patient #1 and on both sides in patient #2, respectively) were occluded at time of index intervention. Preoperative planning included the intentional occlusion of each DB with one 7Q-MVP. Technical success was achieved in all cases and maintained at mid-term follow-up (12 months and 36 months, respectively). Conclusions Use of the MVP appears to be feasible and effective for intentional occlusion of DB during complex endovascular aortic repair. This novel and simple technique may present some unique technical advantages, allowing precise placement of the device while avoiding extension using a bridging stent and DB cannulation with larger sheaths.

Simultaneous carotid artery stenosis (CS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common condition among patients with several cardiovascular risk factors; however, its optimal management still remains under investigation, such as the assumption that carotid disease is causally related to perioperative stroke and that preventive carotid revascularization decrease the risk of this complication. Synchronous surgical approach to both conditions, performing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) before coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) during the same procedure, should still be considered in selective patients, in order to reduce the risk of perioperative stroke during coronary cardiac surgery. For the same purpose, staged approaches, such as CEA followed by CABG or CABG followed by CEA during the same hospitalization or a few weeks later have been described. Hybrid approach with carotid artery stenting (CAS) and CABG can also be an option in selected cases, offering a minimally invasive procedure to treat CS among patients whom CABG cannot be postponed. When carotid intervention is indicated in patients with concomitant CAD requiring CABG, a personalized and tailored approach is mandatory, especially in asymptomatic patients, in order to define the ideal surgical strategy. The aim of this paper is to summarize the current “state of the art” of the different approaches to carotid artery diseases in patients undergoing CABG.

Type II endoleaks after endovascular aortic repair are a common scenario that, although infrequently, may sometimes require secondary interventions when leading to significant enlargement of the aneurysm sac. Herein, we present the perioperative and mid-term results of one of our endovascular aortic repair cases with type II endoleak from the hypogastric artery, whose ostium was covered by the prior stent graft limbs and that were successfully treated with a novel technique employing re-entry catheters in an off-label fashion. This technique may represent a valid alternative solution when conventional access between artery and prosthesis is laborious or impossible to achieve.

Vascular plugs are an evolving family of vessel occluders providing a single-device embolization system for large, high-flow arteries. Nitinol mesh plugs and polytetrafluoroethylene membrane plugs are available in different configurations and sizes to occlude arteries from 3 to 20 mm in diameter. Possible applications during complex endovascular aortic procedures are aortic branch embolization to prevent endoleak or to gain an adequate landing zone, directional branch occlusion, and false lumen embolization in aortic dissection. Plugs are delivered through catheters or introducers, and their technical and clinical results are comparable to those of coil embolization. Plugs are more accurate than coils as repositionable devices, less prone to migration, and have fewer blooming artifacts on postoperative computed tomography imaging. Their main drawback is the need for larger delivery systems. This narrative review describes up-to-date techniques and technology for plug embolization in complex aortic repair.

Objective Prior studies suggest an association of anemia and blood transfusion with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the impact of perioperative anemia and blood transfusion on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing major vascular surgery has been poorly defined yet. The primary objectives of this scoping review were to determine the extent of the evidence base that links anemia and blood transfusions to mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing major vascular surgery, and identify recurring themes or gaps in the literature to guide future research. Methods A scoping review of the literature from PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases was conducted up to December 2023 to identify articles related to the impact of anemia and blood transfusions on postoperative cardiovascular outcomes on patients undergoing vascular surgery. Methodology followed the PRISMA Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews. Results Twenty-two articles met the inclusion criteria, including 15 retrospective and 6 observational prospective studies. Anemia definition varied across studies, mainly based on hemoglobin cut-off levels. An association with older age, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other comorbidities was reported. Particularly in peripheral and endovascular aortic surgery, anemia was linked consistently with higher mortality, major adverse cardiac events, and other postoperative complications, such as respiratory and renal issues, surgical site infections, and longer hospital stays, depending on hemoglobin levels. Anemia itself is an important predictor of transfusions. Transfusions in anemic patients were associated with increased mortality, postoperative complications, and increased need for major amputation. Conclusions The weight of the evidence suggests that anemia carries a substantial burden of cardiovascular complications, mortality, and multiorgan complications, resulting in increased health care costs. Peripheral and endovascular aortic surgery are affected deeply by the impact of anemia. Anemia itself stands out as a crucial predictor for requiring transfusions. In turn, the effect of transfusion of blood products is associated with worse outcomes and complications.

(1) Background: Several mortality risk scores have been developed to predict mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs), but none focused on intraoperative factors. The aim of this study is to identify intraoperative variables affecting in-hospital mortality after open repair and develop a novel prognostic risk score. (2) Methods: The analysis of a retrospectively maintained dataset identified patients who underwent open repair for rAAA from January 2007 to October 2023 in three Italian tertiary referral centers. Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate the association between intraoperative variables and perioperative mortality. Independent intraoperative factors were used to create a prognostic score. (3) Results: In total, 316 patients with a mean age of 77.3 (SD ± 8.5) were included. In-hospital mortality rate was 30.7%. Hemoperitoneum (p < 0.001), suprarenal clamping (p = 0.001), and operation times of >240 min (p = 0.008) were negative predictors of perioperative mortality, while the patency of at least one hypogastric artery had a protective role (p = 0.008). Numerical values were assigned to each variable based on the respective odds ratio to create a risk stratification for in-hospital mortality. (4) Conclusions: rAAA represents a major cause of mortality. Intraoperative variables are essential to estimate patients’ risk in surgically treated patients. A prognostic risk score based on these factors alone may be useful to predict in-hospital mortality after open repair.

Major vascular traumas to the neck, upper limbs, and chest may arise from penetrating and/or blunt mechanisms, resulting in a range of clinical scenarios. Lesions to the carotid arteries may also lead to neurologic complications, such as stroke. The increasing use of invasive arterial access for diagnostic and/or interventional purposes has increased the rate of iatrogenic injuries, which usually occur in older and hospitalized patients. Bleeding control and restoration of perfusion represent the two main goals of treatment for vascular traumatic lesions. Open surgery still represents the gold standard for most lesions, although endovascular approaches have increasingly emerged as feasible and effective options, particularly for management of subclavian and aortic injuries. In addition to advanced imaging (including ultrasound, contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging, and arteriography) and life support measures, multidisciplinary care is required, particularly in the setting of concomitant injuries to the bones, soft tissues, or other vital organs. Modern vascular surgeons should be familiar with the whole armamentarium of open and endovascular techniques needed to manage major vascular traumas safely and promptly.