Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:There is a paucity of data evaluating outcomes of lower extremity bypass (LEB) using supra-inguinal inflow for revascularization of infra-inguinal vessels. The purpose of this study is to report outcomes after LEB originating from aortoiliac arteries to infra-femoral targets. METHODS:The Vascular Quality Initiative database (2003-2020) was queried for patients undergoing LEB from the aortoiliac arteries to the popliteal and tibial arteries. Patients were stratified into 3 cohorts based on outflow targets (above-knee [AK] popliteal, below-knee [BK] popliteal, and tibial arteries). Perioperative and 1-year outcomes including primary patency, amputation-free survival (AFS), and major adverse limb events (MALEs) were compared. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the independent prognostic factors of outcomes. RESULTS:Of 403 LEBs, 389 (96.5%) originated from the external iliac artery, while the remaining used the aorta or common iliac artery as inflow. In terms of the distal target, the AK popliteal was used in 116 (28.8%), the BK popliteal in 151 (27.5%), and tibial vessels in 136 (43.7%) cases. BK popliteal and tibial bypasses, compared to AK popliteal bypasses, were more commonly performed in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (69.5% and 69.9% vs. 48.3%; P < 0.001). Vein conduit was more often used for tibial bypass than for AK and BK popliteal bypasses (46.3% vs. 21.9% and 16.3%; P < 0.001). In the perioperative period, BK popliteal and tibial bypass patients had higher reoperation rates (16.9% and 13.2% vs. 5.2%; P = 0.02) and lower primary patency (89.4% and 89% vs. 95.7%; P = 0.04) than AK bypass patients. At 1 year, compared with AK popliteal bypasses, BK and tibial bypasses demonstrated lower primary patency (81.9% vs. 56.7% vs. 52.4%, P < 0.001) and freedom from MALE (77.6% vs. 70.2% vs. 63.1%, P = 0.04), although AFS was not significantly different (89.7% vs. 90.6% vs. 83.8%, P = 0.19).On multivariable analysis, compared with AK popliteal bypasses, tibial bypasses were independently associated with increased loss of primary patency (hazard ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval, 1.03-3.51, P = 0.04). Subanalysis of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia demonstrated significantly higher primary patency in the AK popliteal cohort at discharge and 1 year, but no difference in AFS or freedom from MALE between the cohorts at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:LEB with supra-inguinal inflow appear to have acceptable rates of 1-year patency and limb salvage in patients at high risk of bypass failure. Tibial outflow target was independently associated with worse primary patency but not with MALE or AFS.

OBJECTIVE:Patients with polyvascular disease are considered high risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). This retrospective study utilised the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database to quantify the effect of polyvascular disease on outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS:The VQI database was queried from to 2012 - 2022 for elective EVAR. Patients were identified as having peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, or cerebrovascular disease, and then stratified based on the number of arterial beds involved (one to three). Primary outcomes were peri-operative death and MACEs. Multivariate analysis was performed to find associations between comorbidities and primary outcomes. RESULTS:Of the 21 160 patients with arterial disease included in the study, 83.7% were male and the mean age was 73.73 ± 8.57 years. After stratification, 16 892 patients had atherosclerosis in one arterial bed, 3 869 in two arterial beds, and 399 in three arterial beds. Pre-operatively, patients with atherosclerosis in three arterial beds were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, and renal failure (all p < .001). Post-operatively, patients with disease in three arterial beds were more likely to experience a post-operative complication (11.5% vs. 8.3% vs. 5.4%; p < .001), including MACE (4.6% vs. 4.1% vs. 2.8%; p < .001) and death (3.0% vs. 2.5% vs. 1.7%; p < .010). On multivariate analysis, polyvascular disease was associated with MACEs (odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.29 - 1.84; p < .001). Kaplan-Meier analysis estimates showed statistically significant differences in survival at approximately the three year follow up (p < .001). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In this review of patients undergoing elective EVAR, patients with polyvascular disease experienced worse peri-operative outcomes, including death and MACEs, the latter of which was confirmed on multivariable analysis. These patients should be considered high risk and managed accordingly.

OBJECTIVE:The infrageniculate popliteal artery is a potential source for inflow in lower extremity bypass surgery in patients with isolated tibial artery disease. The objective of our study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of popliteal-distal bypasses using data from the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI). METHODS:The VQI registry was queried between 2003 and 2021 for patients undergoing surgical revascularizations with the below-knee popliteal artery serving as inflow. Demographics, comorbidities, intraoperative characteristics, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier models were used to estimate amputation-free survival, survival, and freedom from amputation. Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with major amputation or death. RESULTS:A total of 1884 procedures were analyzed. The mean age of the included patients was 67.7 years. The most frequently observed preoperative comorbidities included insulin-dependent diabetes (52.3%), coronary disease (32.4%), and end-stage renal disease (14.4%). Of all the patients, 670 (35.6%) had a history of ipsilateral endovascular intervention. The procedures were performed for a variety of indications, including tissue loss (84.3%), rest pain (10.9%), and claudication (4.8%). Intraoperatively, the outflow targets were the dorsalis pedis (31.4%), the posterior tibial (24.4%), and the anterior tibial arteries (15.6%). Vein conduit was used in 92.1% of cases. The rate of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) was 2.4%, and the 30-day mortality was 1.9%. The median length of follow up was 371 days. Amputation-free survival was found to be 85.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.0%-87.2%) at 6 months and 78.6% (95% CI, 76.6%-80.4%) at 12 months. Survival was found to be 93.4% (95% CI, 92.2%-94.5%) at 6 months and 88.6% (95% CI, 87.1%-90.0%) at 12 months. Freedom from amputation was found to be 92.0% (95% CI, 90.7%-93.3%) at 6 months and 89.0% (95% CI, 87.3%-90.4%) at 12 months. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that age greater than 65 years, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and end-stage renal disease were associated with a higher risk of major amputation or death (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS:Below-knee popliteal-distal bypass is a safe and effective approach to treat severe tibial vessel occlusive disease in this challenging patient cohort. Patients exhibited low perioperative complication rates and good amputation-free survival at 1 year.

OBJECTIVE:Endovenous ablation is the standard of care for patients with symptomatic superficial venous insufficiency. For patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), concern exists for an increased risk of postprocedural complications, particularly venous thromboembolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovenous thermal ablation in patients with a history of DVT. METHODS:The national Vascular Quality Initiative Varicose Vein Registry was queried for superficial venous procedures performed from January 2014 to July 2021. Limbs treated with radiofrequency or laser ablation were compared between patients with and without a DVT history. The primary safety end point was incident DVT or endothermal heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) II-IV in the treated limb at <3 months of follow-up. The secondary safety end points included any proximal thrombus extension (ie, EHIT I-IV), major bleeding, hematoma, pulmonary embolism, and death due to the procedure. The primary efficacy end point was technical failure (ie, recanalization at <1 week of follow-up). Secondary efficacy end points included the risk of recanalization over time and the postprocedural change in quality-of-life measures. Outcomes stratified by preoperative use of anticoagulation (AC) were also compared among those with prior DVT. RESULTS:Among 33,892 endovenous thermal ablations performed on 23,572 individual patients aged 13 to 90 years, 1698 patients (7.2%) had a history of DVT. Patients with prior DVT were older (P < .001), had a higher body mass index (P < .001), were more likely to be male at birth (P < .001) and Black/African American (P < .001), and had greater CEAP classifications (P < .001). A history of DVT conferred a higher risk of new DVT (1.4% vs 0.8%; P = .03), proximal thrombus extension (2.3% vs 1.6%; P = .045), and bleeding (0.2% vs 0.04%; P = .03). EHIT II-IV, pulmonary embolism, and hematoma risk did not differ by DVT history (P = NS). No deaths from treatment occurred in either group. Continuing preoperative AC in patients with prior DVT did not change the risk of any complications after endovenous ablation (P = NS) but did confer an increased hematoma risk among all endovenous thermal ablations and surgeries (P = .001). Technical failure was similar between groups (2.0% vs 1.2%; P = .07), although a history of DVT conferred an increased recanalization risk over time (hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.46, 2.46; P < .001). The groups had comparable improvements in postprocedural venous clinical severity scores and Heaviness, Aching, Swelling, Throbbing, and Itching scores (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS:Endovenous thermal ablation for patients with a history of DVT was effective. However, appropriate patient counseling regarding a heightened DVT risk, albeit still low, is critical. The decision to continue or withhold AC preoperatively should be tailored on a case-by-case basis.

BACKGROUND:Duplex-derived velocity measurements are often used to determine the need for carotid revascularization. There is evidence that severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis can cause artificially elevated velocities in the contralateral carotid artery, which may decrease following ipsilateral revascularization. The objective of this study was to determine if contralateral carotid artery duplex velocities decrease following ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy or stenting procedures. METHODS:This is a single institutional retrospective study of prospectively collected data on all patients who underwent carotid revascularization from 2013 to 2021. Patients with immediate preoperative and first postoperative Duplex scan within 4 months of carotid revascularization at our vascular laboratory were included for analysis. Patients with contralateral occlusion were excluded. Duplex criteria used to define moderate (50-69%) and severe (>70%) stenosis were systolic velocity ≥125 cm/sec and ≥230 cm/sec, respectively. RESULTS:Between 2013 and 2021, 129 patients with bilateral carotid stenosis underwent either carotid endarterectomy (98) or a stenting procedure (31). The majority of patients (90%) underwent intervention for severe stenosis. Preoperatively, the contralateral artery was categorized as severe in 30.4% patients. After ipsilateral carotid revascularization, 86 patients (67.2%) saw a decrease in the contralateral artery peak systolic velocity (PSV), while the remaining remained stable or increased. Fifty-four patients had a change in designated stenosis severity in the contralateral artery. Between the carotid endarterectomy and stenting cohorts, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients whose contralateral velocity decreased (69.4% vs. 61.3%, P = 0.402). Patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes were significantly less likely to experience a decrease in the contralateral artery PSV after ipsilateral intervention (P = 0.018 and P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS:In patients with bilateral carotid disease, ipsilateral revascularization can change the contralateral artery velocity and perceived disease severity. Most patients were noted to have a decrease in the contralateral artery PSV, although almost one-third either stayed stable or increased. On multivariable analysis, patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes were less likely to see a decrease in the contralateral artery PSV after intervention. Patients who are at risk for artificial elevation of the contralateral artery may warrant a re-evaluation of the contralateral artery after ipsilateral intervention. These patients are potentially better assessed with axial imaging, although further research is needed.

BACKGROUND:While prior studies have confirmed the protective effect of diabetes on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development, much less is known about the effect of diabetes, and in particular insulin dependence, on outcomes following AAA repair. In this study, we aim to evaluate the role of insulin-dependent diabetes on short-term and long-term outcomes following open and endovascular AAA repair. METHODS:The Vascular Implant Surveillance and Interventional Outcomes Network (VISION), a registry linking the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) data with Medicare claims, was queried for patients who underwent open or endovascular AAA repair from 2011 to the present. Exclusion criteria were unknown diabetes status, prior aortic intervention, maximum aneurysm diameter <45 mm at presentation, and Medicare Advantage coverage due to inconsistent follow-up. Patients were stratified based on diabetes status (no diabetes versus diabetes) and insulin dependence (no diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes versus insulin-dependent diabetes). RESULTS:Of the 38,437 cases in the VISION endovascular aortic aneurysm (EVAR) and open aortic aneurysm repair (OAR) databases, 21,943 met inclusion criteria. Perioperative outcomes after OAR were comparable between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. However, diabetic patients undergoing EVAR were significantly more likely to have a postoperative myocardial infarction (1.0% vs 0.6%, P = 0.04) and have a 30-day readmission (10.9% vs 8.8%, P < 0.001). Insulin-dependent diabetic patients were more likely to require a 30-day readmission after OAR (24.5% vs 13.5%, P = 0.02) and EVAR (15.1% vs 9.0%, P < 0.001); however, only insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients undergoing EVAR experienced higher rates of postoperative myocardial infarction (1.9% vs 0.7%, P < 0.01). After propensity score matching, patients with IDDM undergoing EVAR were additionally at increased risk of mortality at 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year follow-up with the highest risk occurring at the 1-year mark (hazard ratio 1.79, P < 0.0001), while IDDM patients undergoing OAR were only at a significantly increased risk of mortality at 5-year follow-up (hazard ratio 1.90, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes have greater than 14% one-year mortality following open or endovascular aneurysm repair, compared to 8% for all others. Our findings raise questions about whether insulin-dependent diabetics should have a higher size threshold for prophylactic repair, although further studies are needed to address this question and consider the influence of glycemic control on these outcomes.

BACKGROUND:Despite the expanded application of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with significant cardiac comorbidities, the effect of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) on outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients with normal and abnormal EFs undergoing TEVAR for type-B aortic dissection (TBAD). METHODS:The Vascular Quality Initiative database was reviewed from 2012 to 2020. Patients were categorized into severely reduced (EF ≤ 30%), reduced (EF 30-50%) and normal EF (EF>50%). Baseline characteristics, procedural details and 18-month outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), and aortic-related reintervention. RESULTS:Of 1,993 patients, 38 (2%) and 208 (10%) patients had severely reduced ejection fraction (SREF) and reduced ejection fraction (REF). Patients with abnormal EF were more likely to have cardiac comorbidities and be prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and anticoagulants. Perioperatively, patients with SREF were more likely to experience mortality (13.2% vs. 6.7% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.018), MACE (26.3% vs. 11.5% vs. 8%, P < 0.001), hemodialysis (13.5% vs. 5% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.001) and aortic related reintervention (21.1% vs. 13% vs. 10%, P = 0.041), compared to REF and normal ejection fraction (NEF) patients. However, these associations were not present on multivariable analysis. At 18 months, mortality was significantly higher in patients with SREF, which was confirmed on multivariable analysis, but depressed EF was not associated with increased aortic reintervention compared to NEF. CONCLUSIONS:SREF was not independently associated with perioperative mortality or MACE compared to NEF. REF had similar risk of morbidity and mortality compared to NEF in both the perioperative and early postoperative periods. TEVAR-related complications were similar among the cohorts. As such, TEVAR may be offered to appropriately selected patients regardless of EF.

OBJECTIVE:The outcomes of patients with premature cerebrovascular disease (age ≤55 years) who undergo carotid artery stenting are not well-defined. Our study objective was to analyze the outcomes of younger patients undergoing carotid stenting. METHODS:The Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TF-CAS) and transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) procedures between 2016 and 2020. Patients were stratified based on age ≤55 or >55 years. Primary endpoints were periprocedural stroke, death, myocardial infarction (MI), and composite outcomes. Secondary endpoints included procedural failure (defined as ipsilateral restenosis ≥80% or occlusion) and reintervention rates. RESULTS:Of the 35,802 patients who underwent either TF-CAS or TCAR, 2912 (6.1%) were ≤55 years. Younger patients were less likely than older patients to have coronary disease (30.5% vs 50.2%; P < .001), diabetes (31.5% vs 37.9%; P < .001), and hypertension (71.8% vs 89.8%; P < .001), but were more likely to be female (45% vs 35.4%; P < .001) and active smokers (50.9% vs 24.0%; P < .001) Younger patients were also more likely to have had a prior transient ischemic attack or stroke than older patients (70.7% vs 56.9%; P < .001). TF-CAS was more frequently performed in younger patients (79.7% vs 55.4%; P < .001). In the periprocedural period, younger patients were less likely to have a MI than older patients (0.3% vs 0.7%; P < .001), but there was no significant difference in the rates of periprocedural stroke (1.5% vs 2.0%; P = .173) and composite outcomes of stroke/death (2.6% vs 2.7%; P = .686) and stroke/death/MI (2.9% vs 3.2%; P = .353) between our two cohorts. The mean follow-up was 12 months regardless of age. During follow-up, younger patients were significantly more likely to experience significant (≥80%) restenosis or occlusion (4.7% vs 2.3%; P = .001) and to undergo reintervention (3.3% vs 1.7%; P < .001). However, there was no statistical difference in the frequency of late strokes between younger and older patients (3.8% vs 3.2%; P = .129). CONCLUSIONS:Patients with premature cerebrovascular disease undergoing carotid artery stenting are more likely to be African American, female, and active smokers than their older counterparts. Young patients are also more likely to present symptomatically. Although periprocedural outcomes are similar, younger patients have higher rates of procedural failure (significant restenosis or occlusion) and reintervention at 1-year follow-up. However, the clinical implication of late procedural failure is unknown, given that we found no significant difference in the rate of stroke at follow-up. Until further longitudinal studies are completed, clinicians should carefully consider the indications for carotid stenting in patients with premature cerebrovascular disease, and those who do undergo stenting may require close follow-up.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:There is a paucity of data regarding outcomes of patients with premature cerebrovascular disease (age ≤ 55 years) who undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The objective of this study was to analyze the demographics, presentation, perioperative and later outcomes of younger patients undergoing CEA. METHODS:The Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for CEA cases between 2012-2022. Patients were stratified based on age ≤ 55 or age > 55 years. Primary endpoints were periprocedural stroke, death, myocardial infarction and composite outcomes. Secondary endpoints included restenosis (≥80%) or occlusion, late neurologic events and re-intervention. RESULTS:Of 120,549 patients undergoing CEA, 7,009 (5.5%) were ≤ 55 years old (mean age of 51.3 years). Younger patients were more likely to be African American (7.7% vs 4.5%, p < .001), female (45.2% vs 38.9%, p < .001) and active smokers (57.3% vs 24.1%, p < .001). They were less likely than older patients to have hypertension (82.5% vs 89.7%, p < .001), coronary artery disease (25% vs 27.3%, p < .001) and CHF (7.8% vs 11.4%, p<.001). Younger patients were significantly less likely than older patients to be on aspirin, anti-coagulation, statins, or beta-blockers but were more likely to be taking P2Y12 inhibitors (37.2 vs 33.7%, p <.001). Younger patients were more likely to present with symptomatic disease (35.1% vs 27.6%, p<.001) and were more likely to undergo non-elective CEA (19.2% vs 12.8%; P < .001). Younger and older patients had similar rates of perioperative stroke/death (2% vs 2%, p= NS) and post-operative neurologic events (1.9% vs 1.8%, p = NS). However, younger patients had lower rates of overall postoperative complications compared to their older counterparts (3.7% vs 4.7%, p<.001). 72.6% of patients had recorded follow-up (mean 13 months). During follow-up, younger patients were significantly more likely than older patients to experience a late failure, defined as significant (≥80%) restenosis or complete occlusion of the operated artery (2.4% vs 1.5%, p <.001) and were more likely to experience any neurologic event (3.1% vs 2.3%, p<.001). Re-intervention rates did not significantly differ between the two cohorts. After controlling for co-variates using a logistic regression model, age ≤ 55 years was independently associated with increased odds of late re-stenosis/occlusion (OR 1.591, 95% CI 1.221-2.073, p<.001) as well as late neurologic events (OR 1.304, 95% CI 1.079-1.576, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS:Young patients undergoing CEA are more likely to be African American, female, and active smokers. They are more likely to present symptomatically and undergo non-elective CEA. Although perioperative outcomes are similar, younger patients are more likely to experience carotid occlusion or restenosis as well as subsequent neurological events, during relatively short follow-up. These data suggest that younger CEA patients may require more diligent follow-up, and a continued aggressive approach to medical management of atherosclerosis to prevent future events related to the operated artery, given the particularly aggressive nature of premature atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE:Much attention has been given to the influence of anatomic and technical factors, such as maximum abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter and proximal clamp position, in open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (OSR). However, no studies have rigorously examined the correlation between site of distal anastomosis and OSR outcomes despite conventional wisdom that more proximal sites of anastomosis are preferrable when technically feasible. This study aimed to test the association between sites of distal anastomosis and clinical outcomes for patients undergoing primary elective OSR. METHODS:Our study included 5683 patients undergoing primary elective OSR at 233 centers from 2014 to 2020. Using a variety of statistical methods to account for potential confounders, including multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling, as well as subgroup analysis, we examined the association between site of distal anastomosis and clinical outcomes in elective OSR. Primary outcomes were major in-hospital complication rate, 30-day mortality, and long-term survival. RESULTS:Patients undergoing elective aortobifemoral reconstruction (n = 672) exhibited significantly increased rates of smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and peripheral artery disease in comparison to patients undergoing elective OSR with distal anastomosis to the aorta (n = 2298), common iliac artery (n = 2163), or external iliac artery (n = 550). Patients undergoing aorto-aortic tube grafting were significantly less likely to exhibit iliac aneurysmal disease and significantly more likely to be undergoing elective OSR with a suprarenal or supraceliac proximal clamp position. Using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analysis to control for important confounders, such as age, smoking status, and medical history, we found that distal anastomosis to the common femoral artery was associated with increased odds of major in-hospital complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-2.18; P < .001) and reduced long-term survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.89; P = .010). We observed no significant differences in 30-day mortality across sites of distal anastomosis in our study population. CONCLUSIONS:It is generally accepted that more proximal sites of distal anastomosis should be selected in OSR when technically feasible. Our findings support this hypothesis by demonstrating that distal anastomosis to the common femoral artery is associated with increased perioperative morbidity and reduced long-term survival. Careful diligence regarding optimization of preoperative health status, perioperative care, and long-term follow-up should be applied to mitigate major complications in this patient population.