Journal of vascular surgery
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This study documented with independent neurologic assessment the 30-day and 90-day outcomes in selected patients with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the acute phase of stroke-in-evolution (SIE). ⋯ This short series demonstrates that CEA in the acute phase of SIE with strict selection criteria and close blood pressure monitoring is safe, even after recent thrombolytic therapy, and is effective in functional outcome at 3 months. Larger series of patients are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of this management.
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Device-related complications in the thoracic aorta are partly due to the unavoidable proximal angulation and increased flow-related forces. The present study evaluated the incidence, predictors, and outcome of the complication of infolding with the GORE TAG thoracic endoprosthesis (TAG device) to better understand the factors that might help predict these events. ⋯ TAG device infolding appears to be an infrequent event, primarily occurring in young trauma patients secondary to excessive oversizing and severe proximal aortic angulation. However, there clearly exists a need for devices that treat such patients. As a result, future device designs should consider the compression failure mode when being designed in order to help prevent such events.
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The risk of inferior vena cava (IVC) filter tilt during placement is significant and may limit filter retrieval. The purpose of the study was to determine if tilting of IVC filters on deployment is able to be reduced when using a femoral approach. ⋯ IVC filter tilt may lessen their efficacy and ability to be easily retrieved. By using this technique, we have virtually eliminated IVC filter tilt in our patients.
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With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, accountable care organizations (ACOs) represent a new paradigm in healthcare payment reform. Designed to limit growth in spending while preserving quality, these organizations aim to incant physicians to lower costs by returning a portion of the savings realized by cost-effective, evidence-based care back to the ACO. ⋯ Third, because quality metrics are central to the use and implementation of ACOs, we describe current efforts to design, collect, and interpret quality metrics in vascular surgery. And fourth, because a "seat at the table" will be an important key to success for vascular surgeons in these efforts, we discuss how vascular surgeons can participate and lead efforts within ACOs.