Journal of vascular surgery
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We aimed to compare perioperative morbidity and mortality and late survival among black, white, and Asian patients undergoing intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. ⋯ Although perioperative mortality is comparable across races after AAA repair, black patients are more likely than white or Asian patients to develop new postoperative renal failure and return to the operating room, even after adjusting for differences in comorbidities, operative variables, and hospital volume. In addition, whereas Asian patients have the highest rate of postoperative myocardial infarction, they also have the highest late survival. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanism of these disparities.
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A large proportion of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) patients are routinely admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for postoperative observation. In this study, we aimed to describe the factors associated with ICU admission after EVAR and to compare the outcomes and costs associated with ICU vs non-ICU observation. ⋯ Among patients undergoing elective EVAR, postoperative ICU admission is more closely associated with hospital practice patterns than with individual patient risk. Routine ICU admission after EVAR adds significant cost without reducing failure to rescue or in-hospital mortality.
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Comparative Study
Regional variation in the cost of infrainguinal lower extremity bypass surgery in the United States.
Lower extremity bypass (LEB) remains the gold standard revascularization procedure in patients with peripheral arterial disease. The cost of LEB substantially varies based on patient's characteristics and comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess regional variation in infrainguinal LEB cost and to identify the specific health care expenditures per service that are associated with the highest cost in each region. ⋯ In this study, we show the marked regional variability in LEB costs. This disparity was independent from patient clinical condition and hospital factors. Cost inequality across the US represents a financial burden on both the patient and the health system.
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Although the indications for endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm have been expanding, our primary strategy for pararenal and juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (P/JRAA) is open surgery (OS). One consequence of OS for P/JRAA is transient renal ischemia owing to renal artery clamping, which can be followed by acute kidney injury (AKI). Prior studies referred to the impact of renal ischemia on AKI, but they have rarely evaluated longer-term renal function. This study focused on a chronic renal decline (CRD) during follow-up. ⋯ CKD stage ≥3 was a significant risk for CRD after OS for P/JRAA. Renal artery clamping seemed innocuous for patients with a preoperative eGFR of ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in terms of CRD. No significant impact of left renal vein division on CRD was confirmed.
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In the era of rising endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs), the analysis of visceral vessel (VV) patency after open surgical repair is crucial to provide a future benchmark between these different approaches. This study reports the late outcomes of a single-center experience with open TAAA repair, focusing on the results of different techniques adopted for renal and splanchnic revascularization. ⋯ Long-term patency of VVs after open TAAA repair performed in high-volume centers is high, regardless of the technique employed for revascularization. The left renal artery appears to be most prone to occlusion over time.