Journal of vascular surgery
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Review Meta Analysis
Endarterectomy achieves lower stroke and death rates compared with stenting in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
It is currently unclear if carotid artery stenting (CAS) is as safe as carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for patients with significant asymptomatic stenosis. The aim of our study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials comparing CAS with CEA. ⋯ Among patients with asymptomatic stenosis undergoing carotid intervention, there is moderate-quality evidence to suggest that CEA had significantly lower 30-day stroke and also stroke or death rates compared with CAS at the cost of higher CNI and nonsignificantly higher MI rates. The long-term efficacy of CEA in ipsilateral stroke prevention, taking into account perioperative stroke and death, was preserved during follow-up. There is an urgent need for high-quality research before a firm recommendation is made that CAS is inferior or not to CEA.
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Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis when perioperative stroke rates are low and patients survive long enough to benefit from the intervention. Our objective was to develop and to validate a simple risk prediction model for 30-day stroke and 1-year mortality to guide optimal selection of patients for CEA. ⋯ Stroke and 1-year mortality rates after CEA for asymptomatic stenosis vary across VQI centers. We have developed a preoperative risk model that can be used to accurately estimate risk of perioperative stroke and 1-year mortality and to assist providers in selecting patients with asymptomatic stenosis who are most likely to benefit from CEA.
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Comparative Study
Young female vascular surgeons more likely to enter academia.
In the last decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of women entering vascular surgery. Our goal was to evaluate the differences in career paths based on gender and to determine some of the factors that influence career decisions among young vascular surgeons. ⋯ Career satisfaction remains high among young vascular surgeons. In this cohort of vascular surgery graduates, we found that women were more likely to pursue academic positions than men, with mentorship, ability to teach, and complexity of cases commonly cited as reasons for this career choice. However, whether young women stay in academia and what factors affect academic retention will need further evaluation.
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The objective of this study was to identify relationships among geographic access to care, vascular procedure volume, limb preservation, and survival in patients diagnosed with critical limb ischemia (CLI). ⋯ Rates of major amputation are inversely associated with distance from the index hospital, whereas rates of both major amputation and mortality are inversely associated with LER volume. Rates of major amputation and mortality are directly associated with LEA volume. We believe that unless it is otherwise contraindicated, these data support consideration for selective referral of CLI patients to high-volume centers for LER regardless of distance. Within the context of value-based health care delivery, policy supporting regionalization of CLI care into centers of excellence may improve outcomes for these patients.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair among octogenarians at high and standard risk for open repair.
Octogenarians with complex abdominal aortic aneurysms are at higher risk of death and morbidity after open repair. Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) is an alternative to open repair for high-risk patients, such as octogenarians. The aim of this study was to evaluate perioperative and midterm outcomes of FEVAR among octogenarians at high and standard risk for open repair. ⋯ FEVAR is a safe and effective procedure in octogenarians at high and standard risk for open repair and those who are not eligible for standard endovascular aneurysm repair. Octogenarians have a similar technical success and low major adverse events similar to patients younger than 80 years.