Journal of vascular surgery
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In risk stratification of aortic diseases such as aneurysm and aortic dissection, diameter is one parameter whose influence on the average aortic wall stress is directly described by the Laplace law. More advanced mechanical models can be used and may yield additional information, such as transmural stress distributions. The question then arises of how refined models need to be to provide clinicians with practical help. ⋯ Biomechanical analysis of the aorta may be refined by using increasingly detailed computational models. Simplified models can readily improve on the Laplace law in the assessment of aortic wall stress, and as such, may already contribute to better risk stratification of aortic disease. Advanced models may also enhance our understanding of the mechanistic aspects in the pathogenesis of aortic disease. However, their applicability in a patient-specific context may be limited by the large number of input data they require, some of which might stay out of the clinicians' reach.
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Failure to conform to the arch ("bird-beaking") can lead to endoleak and graft collapse after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. We report the first United States experience with the new TX2 Pro-Form (Cook Inc, Bloomington, Ind), a novel delivery system that became commercially available in October 2009, designed to enhance circumferential apposition of the TX2 thoracic endograft to the arch. ⋯ The Pro-Form delivery system significantly improves endograft conformation to the arch, resulting in minimum bird-beaking even in severely angulated anatomies.
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Patient-specific virtual reality (VR) simulation is a technologic advancement that allows planning and practice of the carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedure before it is performed on the patient. The initial findings are reported, using this novel VR technique as a tool to optimize technical and nontechnical aspects of this complex endovascular procedure. ⋯ A VR procedure rehearsal is a practical and feasible preparatory tool for CAS and shows a high correlation with the real procedure. It has the potential to enhance the technical, nontechnical, and team performance. Further research is needed to evaluate if this technology can lead to improved outcomes for patients.
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Advanced age is a significant risk factor that has traditionally steered patients away from open aneurysm repair and toward expectant management. Today, however, the reduced morbidity and mortality of aortic stent grafting has created a new opportunity for aneurysm repair in patients previously considered too high a risk for open surgery. Here we report our experience with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in nonagenarians. ⋯ This is the largest reported EVAR series in nonagenarians. Despite their advanced age, these patients benefit from EVAR with low morbidity, low mortality, and mean survival exceeding 2.4 years. Survival appears best in those patients with ≤5 comorbidities. With or without symptoms, patients over the age of 90 should be considered for EVAR.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Prospective randomized trial comparing endovenous laser ablation and surgery for treatment of primary great saphenous varicose veins with a 2-year follow-up.
Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for ablation of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is thought to minimize postoperative morbidity compared with high ligation and stripping (HL/S). Only a few randomized trials have reported early results. This prospective randomized trial compared EVLT (980 nm) and HL/S results at 1 and 2 years after the intervention. ⋯ Abolition of GSV reflux and improvement in quality of life was similar after HL/S and EVLT. After EVLT, however, two GSVs were found completely reopened and five were partially reopened, which was significantly higher than after HL/S. A prolonged follow-up is ongoing.