Journal of vascular surgery
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Spinal fluid drainage reduces paraplegia risk in thoracic (TAA) and thoracoabdominal (TAAA) aortic aneurysm repair. There has not been a comprehensive study of the risks of spinal fluid drainage and how these risks can be reduced. Here we report complications of spinal fluid drainage in patients undergoing TAA/TAAA repair. ⋯ Strategies that reduce the volume of spinal fluid drainage but still control spinal fluid pressure are helpful in reducing serious complications. Patients with cerebral atrophy are at increased risk for complications of spinal fluid drainage.
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We sought to determine the effects of renal insufficiency on thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcome and to identify predictors for adverse events. ⋯ Patients with preoperative renal insufficiency maintain renal function after TEVAR. However, this patient population may be susceptible to increased adverse events, with emergency repair and baseline creatinine >2.0 mg/dL serving as strong predictors.
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The diameter of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the single most important factor in deciding whether to repair an aneurysm or to monitor it conservatively. Open surgical repair does not appear to be beneficial until the diameter of the aneurysm is >5.5 cm. Prospective clinical trials, however, confirmed a lower risk of operative mortality after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) than after open surgical repair. ⋯ PIVOTAL has an enrollment goal of up to 1025 patients with a 4- to 5-cm AAA, randomly assigning patients to EVAR or surveillance. The primary end points of PIVOTAL are aneurysm rupture and AAA-related death at up to 36 months after randomization. When complete, the results of PIVOTAL should provide objective evidence to guide the use of EVAR for small AAAs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Randomized comparison of cold blood and cold crystalloid renal perfusion for renal protection during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
More effective adjuncts are needed to reduce the incidence of acute renal injury after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. The purpose of this randomized trial was to determine whether renal perfusion with cold blood provides better protection against renal ischemia than perfusion with cold crystalloid in patients undergoing TAAA repair with left heart bypass. ⋯ Cold renal perfusion during TAAA repair provides effective protection against renal injury. Using cold blood instead of cold crystalloid does not enhance renal protection.
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Case Reports
Recurrent refractory arterial thromboembolism associated with the Janus kinase 2 V617F mutation.
We report two patients with peripheral vascular disease requiring multiple bilateral radiologic and surgical interventions, and whose disease was unresponsive to conventional anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. Although thrombocytosis was only intermittent, analysis of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene revealed a V617F mutation, thus confirming the presence of an underlying occult myeloproliferative disorder. We propose that JAK2 mutation analysis be considered in patients with recurrent, unexplained arterial events to identify those with occult myeloproliferative disorders.