Annals of vascular surgery
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Severe acute stroke patients with critical carotid stenosis or occlusion without intracranial thrombus typically do not undergo emergent carotid thromboendarterectomy (CEA) because of the risk of reperfusion-related intracranial hemorrhage. Past studies have not consistently demonstrated benefit of early operative intervention. Cerebral computed tomography (CT), cervical and cerebral CT angiography (CTA), and cerebral CT perfusion (CTP) imaging may identify a subset of acute stroke patients without intracranial thrombus who may benefit from emergent CEA. ⋯ Emergent CEA should be considered in patients presenting with large acute strokes based on favorable CT, CTA, and CTP findings. Emergent clot localization and physiological assessment of brain "tissue at risk" relative to irreversible cerebral infarction using CT, CTA, and CTP is now available. Utilization of this information by an experienced stroke team of neurologists, radiologists, and surgeons may aid in the recognition of a select group of patients in which emergent CEA may drive to improved outcomes.
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Noncompressible torso hemorrhage remains an ongoing problem for both military and civilian trauma. Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has been characterized as a potentially life-saving maneuver. The objective of this study was to determine the functional outcomes, paraplegia rates, and survival of 60-min balloon occlusion in the proximal and distal thoracic aorta in a porcine model of controlled hemorrhage. ⋯ REBOA placement in the proximal or distal thoracic aorta does not alter mortality or paraplegia rates as compared with controlled hemorrhage alone. Functional recovery improves in the presence or the absence of REBOA, although at a slower rate after REBOA as compared with negative controls. Additional research is required to determine the ideal placement of REBOA in an uncontrolled hemorrhage model to achieve use compatible with survival outcomes and quality of life.
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Comparative Study
Smoking cessation is the least successful outcome of risk factor modification in uninsured patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.
Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have multiple atherosclerotic risk factors. Risk factor modification can reduce severity of disease at presentation and improve treatment outcomes. The Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC II) has issued several recommendations that are widely adopted by specialists. However, the ability to provide proper services to patients may depend on the specific patient's access to care, which is primarily determined by the presence of health insurance. The purpose of our study was to determine whether insurance status impairs the ability of patients with symptomatic PAD to meet select TASC II recommendations. ⋯ Insurance status does not impair patients' ability to meet most TASC II guidelines to modify cardiovascular risk factors in patients who have access to health care. Uninsured patients are, however, less likely to cease smoking compared with insured patients, despite no significant difference in referral patterns between the 2 groups for multidisciplinary smoking cessation counseling. Future efforts to assist patients with symptomatic PAD with atherosclerotic risk factor modification should focus on aiding uninsured patients in smoking cessation efforts.
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Comparative Study
Trend, Risk Factors, and Costs of Clostridium difficile Infections in Vascular Surgery.
Starting in December 2013, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program included Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates as a new publically reported quality measure. Our goal was to review the trend, hospital variability in CDI rates, and associated risk factors and costs in vascular surgery. ⋯ Despite potential reduction of infection rates as evidenced by the experience of hospitals with effective interventions, CDI is increasing among vascular surgery patients. It is associated with prolonged LOS, increased mortality, and higher costs.