Background: Damage control surgery and temporary open abdomen (OA) have been adopted widely, in both trauma and non-trauma situations. Several techniques for temporary abdominal closure have been developed. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the fascial closure rate in patients after vacuum-assisted wound closure and mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAWCM) for long-term OA treatment, and to describe complications. Methods: This prospective study included all patients who received VAWCM treatment between 2006 and 2009 at four hospitals. Patients with anticipated OA treatment for fewer than 5 days and those with non-midline incisions were excluded. Results: Among 151 patients treated with an OA, 111 received VAWCM treatment. Median age was 68 years. Median OA treatment time was 14 days. Main disease aetiologies were vascular (45 patients), visceral surgical disease (57) and trauma (9). The fascial closure rate was 76.6 per cent in intention-to-treat analysis and 89 per cent in per-protocol analysis. Eight patients developed an intestinal fistula, of whom seven had intestinal ischaemia. Intestinal fistula was an independent factor associated with failure of fascial closure (odds ratio (OR) 8.55, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.47 to 49.72; P = 0.017). The in-hospital mortality rate was 29.7 per cent. Age (OR 1.21, 1.02 to 1.43; P = 0.027) and failure of fascial closure (OR 44.50, 1.13 to 1748.52; P = 0.043) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: The VAWCM method provided a high fascial closure rate after long-term treatment of OA. Technique-related complications were few. No patient was left with a large planned ventral hernia.

Background: Diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischaemia in the early stages is now possible with modern computed tomography (CT), using intravenous contrast enhancement and imaging in the arterial and/or portal venous phase. The availability of CT around the clock means that more patients with acute mesenteric ischaemia may be treated with urgent intestinal revascularization.

Methods: This was a review of modern treatment strategies for acute mesenteric ischaemia.

Results: Endovascular therapy has become an important alternative, especially in patients with acute thrombotic superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion, where the occlusive lesion can be recanalized either antegradely from the femoral or brachial artery, or retrogradely from an exposed SMA after laparotomy, and stented. Aspiration embolectomy, thrombolysis and open surgical embolectomy, followed by on-table angiography, are the treatment options for embolic SMA occlusion. Endovascular therapy may be an option in the few patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis who do not respond to anticoagulation therapy. Laparotomy is needed to evaluate the extent and severity of visceral organ ischaemia, which is treated according to the principles of damage control surgery.

Conclusion: Modern treatment of acute mesenteric ischaemia involves a specialized approach that considers surgical and, increasingly, endovascular options for best outcomes. Endovascular increasingly important

BackgroundIndications for negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in vascular surgical patients are expanding. The aim of this review was to outline the evidence for NPWT on open and closed wounds. MethodsA PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library search from 2007 to June 2016 was performed combining the medical subject headings terms wound infection', abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)', fasciotomy', vascular surgery' and NPWT' or VAC'. ResultsNPWT of open infected groin wounds was associated with shorter duration of wound healing by 47 days, and was more cost-effective than alginate dressings in one RCT. In one RCT and six observational studies, NPWT-related major bleeding and graft preservation rates were 0-10 and 83-100 per cent respectively. One retrospective comparative study showed greater wound size reduction per day, fewer dressing changes, quicker wound closure and shorter hospital stay with NPWT compared with gauze dressings for lower leg fasciotomy. NPWT and mesh-mediated fascial traction after AAA repair and open abdomen was associated with high primary fascial closure rates (96-100 per cent) and low risk of graft infection (0-7 per cent). One retrospective comparative study showed a significant reduction in surgical-site infection, from 30 per cent with standard wound care to 6 per cent with closed incisional NPWT. ConclusionNPWT has a central role in open and infected wounds after vascular surgery; the results of prophylactic care of closed incisions are promising.

Objectives: The aim of this paper was to review the literature on temporary abdominal closure (TAC) after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Methods: This was a systematic review of observational studies. A PubMed, EM BASE and Cochrane search from 2007 to July 2015 was performed combining the Medical Subject Headings "aortic aneurysm" and "temporary abdominal closure", "delayed abdominal closure", "open abdomen", "abdominal compartment syndrome", "negative pressure wound therapy", or "vacuum assisted wound closure". Results: Seven original studies were found. The methods used for TAC were the vacuum pack system with (n = 1) or without (n = 2) mesh bridge, vacuum assisted wound closure (VAWC; n = 1) and the VAWC with mesh mediated fascial traction (VACM; n = 3). The number of patients included varied from four to 30. Three studies were exclusively after open repair, one after endovascular aneurysm repair, and three were mixed series. The frequency of ruptured AAA varied from 60% to 100%. The primary fascia] closure rate varied from 79% to 100%. The median time to closure of the open abdomen was 10.5 and 17 days in two prospective studies with a fascia] closure rate of 100% and 96%, respectively; the inclusion criterion was an anticipated open abdomen therapy time >= 5 days using the VACM method. The graft infection rate was 0% in three studies. No patient with longterm open abdomen therapy with the VACM in the three studies was left with a planned ventral hernia. The in hospital survival rate varied from 46% to 80%. Conclusions: A high fascial closure rate without planned ventral hernia is possible to achieve with VACM, even after long-term open abdomen therapy. There are, however, few publications reporting specific results of open abdomen treatment after AAA repair, and there is a need for randomized controlled trials to determine the most efficient and safe TAC method during open abdomen treatment after AAA repair.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to review the literature on vacuum-assisted wound closure and mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAWCM) in open abdomen therapy. It was designed as systematic review of observational studies.

METHODS: A Pub Med, EMBASE and Cochrane search from 2007/01-2016/07 was performed combining the Medical Subject Headings "vacuum", "mesh-mediated fascial traction", "temporary abdominal closure", "delayed abdominal closure", "open abdomen", "abdominal compartment syndrome", "negative pressure wound therapy" or "vacuum assisted wound closure".

RESULTS: Eleven original studies were found including patients numbering from 7 to 111. Six studies were prospective and five were retrospective. Nine studies were on mixed surgical (n = 9), vascular (n = 6) and trauma (n = 6) patients, while two were exclusively on vascular patients. The primary fascial closure rate per protocol varied from 80-100%. The time to closure of the open abdomen varied between 9-32 days. The entero-atmospheric fistula rate varied from 0-10.0%. The in-hospital survival rate varied from 57-100%. In the largest prospective study, the incisional hernia rate among survivors at 63 months of median follow-up was 54% (27/50), and 16 (33%) repairs out of 48 incisional hernias were performed throughout the study period. The study patients reported lower short form health survey (SF-36) scores than the mean reference population, mainly dependent on the prevalence of major co-morbidities. There was no difference in SF-36 scores or a modified ventral hernia pain questionnaire (VHPQ) at 5 years of follow up between those with versus those without incisional hernias.

CONCLUSIONS: A high primary fascial closure rate can be achieved with the vacuum-assisted wound closure and meshmediated fascial traction technique in elderly, mainly non-trauma patients, in need of prolonged open abdomen therapy.

Background: Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) is rarely suspected as primary diagnosis in emergency departments and still carries an in-hospital mortality rate of above 20%.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to find differences in clinical and laboratory markers between patients with acute MVT and a control group of suspected but confirmed as not having any type of acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI).

Design: Data was retrieved from the AMESI (Acute MESenteric Ischaemia) study. This international, multicenter prospective case-control study from 32 sites collected data on patients with suspected AMI during a 10-month period.

Methods: Independent factors associated with acute MVT were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression analysis and expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: D-dimer was not significantly higher in MVT (n = 73) compared to non-AMI (n = 287) patients (median 7.0 mg/L vs 4.5 mg/L, P = .092). After entering BMI, atherosclerotic disease, history of venous thromboembolism, CRP, and D-dimer as covariates in a multi-variable logistic regression analysis, absence of atherosclerotic disease (OR 0.096, 95% CI 0.011-0.84; P = .034) and elevated D-dimer (OR 2.59/one SD increment, 95% CI 1.07-6.28; P = .034) were associated with MVT. The discriminative ability of D-dimer for MVT as assessed by area under the curve in the receiver operating characteristics analysis was 0.63 (95% CI 0.49-0.78).

Conclusion: Elevated D-dimer was associated with MVT, but the discriminative ability of D-dimer was poor. There is an urgent need to find a more accurate plasma biomarker for this condition.

BACKGROUND:

Acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion leads to acute intestinal ischemia and is associated with high mortality. Early diagnosis is often missed, and confounding factors leading to diagnostic delays need to be highlighted.

OBJECTIVES:

To identify potential diagnostic laboratory pitfalls at admission in patients with acute SMA occlusion.

METHODS:

Fifty-five patients with acute SMA occlusion were identified from the in-hospital register during a 4-year period, 2005-2009.

RESULTS:

The median age was 76 years; 78% were women. The occlusion was embolic in 53% and thrombotic in 47% of patients. At admission, troponin I was above the clinical decision level (> 0.06 μg/L) for acute ischemic myocardial injury in 9/19 (47%) patients with embolic occlusion. Elevated pancreas amylase and normal plasma lactate were found in 12/45 and 13/27, respectively. A troponin I (TnI) above the clinical decision level was associated with a high frequency of referrals from the general surgeon to a specialist in internal medicine (p = 0.011) or a cardiologist (p = 0.024). The diagnosis was established after computed tomography angiography in 98% of the patients. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 33%. Attempting intestinal revascularization (n = 43; p < 0.001), with a 95% frequency rate of completion control of the vascular procedure, was associated with a higher survival rate, whereas referral to the cardiologist was associated with a higher mortality rate (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION:

Elevated TnI was common in acute SMA occlusion, and referral to the cardiologist was found to be associated with adverse outcome. Elevated pancreas amylase and normal plasma lactate values are also potential pitfalls at admission in patients with acute SMA occlusion.

OBJECTIVES:

Open abdomen therapy may be necessary to prevent or treat abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). The aim of the study was to analyse the primary delayed fascial closure (PDFC) rate and complications after open abdomen therapy with vacuum and mesh mediated fascial traction (VACM) after aortic repair and to compare outcomes between those treated with open abdomen after primary versus secondary operation.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort, multicentre study in Sweden, Finland, and Norway, including consecutive patients treated with open abdomen and VACM after aortic repair at six vascular centres in 2006-2015. The primary endpoint was PDFC rate.

RESULTS:

Among 191 patients, 155 were men. The median age was 71 years (IQR 66-76). Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) occurred in 69.1%. Endovascular/hybrid and open repairs were performed in 49 and 142 patients, respectively. The indications for open abdomen were inability to close the abdomen (62%) at primary operation and ACS (80%) at secondary operation. Duration of open abdomen was 11 days (IQR 7-16) in 157 patients alive at open abdomen termination. The PDFC rate was 91.8%. Open abdomen initiated at primary (N=103), compared with secondary operation (N=88), was associated with less severe initial open abdomen status (p=.006), less intestinal ischaemia (p=.002), shorter duration of open abdomen (p=.007), and less renal replacement therapy (RRT, p<.001). In hospital mortality was 39.3%, and after entero-atmospheric fistula (N=9) was 88.9%. Seven developed graft infection within 6 months, 1 year mortality was 28.6%. Intestinal ischaemia (OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.55-8.91), RRT (OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.72-7.65), and age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06-1.12), were independent factors associated with in hospital mortality, but not open abdomen initiated at primary versus secondary operation.

CONCLUSIONS:

VACM was associated with a high PDFC rate after prolonged open abdomen therapy following aortic repair. Patient outcomes seemed better when open abdomen was initiated at primary, compared with secondary operation but a selection effect is possible.

Objectives. To estimate the incidence of fatal colonic ischaemia (CI) and the cause-specific mortality of CI, and to describe the localization and extension of colonic infarction and quantify the risk factors associated with CI. Material and methods. Between 1970 and 1982 the autopsy rate in Malmo, Sweden, was 87%, creating the possibilities for a population-based study. Out of 23,446 clinical autopsies, 997 cases were coded for intestinal ischaemia in a database. In addition, 7569 forensic autopsy protocols were analysed. In a case-control study nested in the clinical autopsy cohort, four CI-free controls, matched for gender, age at death and year of death, were identified for each fatal CI case in order to evaluate the risk factors. Results. The cause-specific mortality ratio was 1.7/1000 autopsies. The overall incidence of autopsy-verified fatal CI was 1.7/100,000 person years, increasing with age up to 23/100,000 person years in octogenarians. Fatal cardiac failure (odds ratio (OR) 5.2), fatal valvular disease (OR 4.3), previous stroke (OR 2.5) and recent surgery (OR 3.4) were risk factors for fatal CI. Narrowing/occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) at the aortic origin was present in 68% of the patients. The most common segments affected by transmural infarctions were the sigmoid (83%) and the descending (77%) colon. Conclusions. Heart failure, atherosclerotic occlusion/stenoses of the IMA and recent surgery were the main risk factors causing colonic hypoperfusion and infarction. Segments of transmural infarctions were observed within the left colon in 94% of the patients. Awareness of the diagnosis and its associated cardiac comorbidities might help to improve survival.

Objective: A structured and transparent approach is instrumental in translating research evidence to health recommendations and evidence informed clinical decisions. The aim was to conduct an overview and analysis of principles and methodologies for health guideline development.

Methods: A literature review on methodologies, strategies, and fundamental steps in the process of guideline development was performed. The clinical practice guideline development process and methodology adopted by the European Society for Vascular Surgery are also presented.

Results: Sophisticated methodologies for health guideline development are being applied increasingly by national and international organisations. Their overarching principle is a systematic, structured, transparent, and iterative process that is aimed at making well informed healthcare choices. Critical steps in guideline development include the assessment of the certainty of the body of evidence; evidence to decision frameworks; and guideline reporting. The goal of strength of evidence assessments is to provide well reasoned judgements about the guideline developers' confidence in study findings, and several evidence hierarchy schemes and evidence rating systems have been described for this purpose. Evidence to decision frameworks help guideline developers and users conceptualise and interpret the construct of the quality of the body of evidence. The most widely used evidence to decision frameworks are those developed by the GRADE Working Group and the WHO-INTEGRATE, and are structured into three distinct components: background; assessment; and conclusions. Health guideline reporting tools are employed to ensure methodological rigour and transparency in guideline development. Such reporting instruments include the AGREE II and RIGHT, with the former being used for guideline development and appraisal, as well as reporting.

Conclusion: This guide will help guideline developers/expert panels enhance their methodology, and patients/clinicians/policymakers interpret guideline recommendations and put them in context. This document may be a useful methodological summary for health guideline development by other societies and organisations.

AimTo explore, through the patient's perspective, how patient–provider communication is linked to missed nursing care vs. meeting patients’ fundamental care needs.BackgroundMissed nursing care causes severe consequences for patients. Person-centred fundamental care, in which communication is central, provides an approach to manage this challenge. However, the specific patient–provider communications linked to care outcomes are unknown.MethodsCase study using secondary analysis of observations and interviews. A purposeful sample of 20 patients with acute abdominal pain collected using ethnographic methodology at one emergency department and two surgical wards. The Fundamentals of Care framework guided the analysis.ResultsCommunications that included the patient as an equal member of the care team were observed to make a difference between adequate and missed nursing care. Four categories were identified: interpersonal respect, humanized context of care, available and accessible communication channels, and mutual holistic understanding of the care needs and care plan.ConclusionCommunication can be an essential tool to avoid missed nursing care and address the critical need for nursing managers to restore the fundamentals of care.Implications for Nursing ManagementNursing managers can use this new knowledge of communication to facilitate person-centred fundamental care and thereby avoid missed nursing care.

Aims: To explore and describe the impact of the organizational culture on and the patient-practitioner patterns of actions that contributes to or detract from successful pain management for the patient with acute abdominal pain (AAP) across the acute care pathway.

Background: Although pain management is a recognized human right, unmanaged pain continues to cause suffering and prolong hospital care. Unanswered questions about how to successfully manage pain relate to both organizational culture and individual practitioners' performance.

Design: Focused ethnography, applying the Developmental Research Sequence and the Fundamentals of Care framework.

Methods: Participant observation and informal interviews (92hr) were performed at one emergency department (ED) and two surgical wards at a University Hospital during April-November 2015. Data include 261 interactions between patients, aged 18years seeking care for AAP at the ED and admitted to a surgical ward (N=31; aged 20-90years; 14 men, 17 women; 9 with communicative disabilities) and healthcare practitioners (N=198).

Results: The observations revealed an organizational culture with considerable impact on how well pain was managed. Well-managed pain presupposed the patient and practitioners to connect in a holistic pain management including a trustful relationship, communication to share knowledge and individualized analgesics.

Conclusions: Person-centred pain management requires an organization where patients and practitioners share their knowledge of pain and pain management as true partners. Leaders and practitioners should make small behavioural changes to enable the crucial positive experience of pain management.

Background

Lifelong postoperative surveillance is recommended following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Although the purpose is to prevent and/or identify complications early, it also results in increased cost and workload. This study was designed to examine whether it may be possible to identify patients at low risk of complications based on their first postoperative CT angiogram (CTA).

Methods

All patients undergoing EVAR in two Swedish centres between 2001 and 2012 were identified retrospectively and categorized based on the first postoperative CTA as at low risk (proximal and distal sealing zone at least 10 mm and no endoleak) or high risk (sealing zone less than 10 mm and/or presence of any endoleak) of complications.

Results

Some 326 patients (273 men) with a CTA performed less than 1 year after EVAR were included (low risk 212, 65·0 per cent; high risk 114, 35·0 per cent). There was no difference between the groups in terms of sex, age, co‐morbidities, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter, preoperative AAA neck anatomy, stent‐graft type or duration of follow‐up (mean(s.d.) 4·8(3·2) years). Five‐year freedom from AAA‐related adverse events was 97·1 and 47·7 per cent in the low‐ and high‐risk groups respectively (P < 0·001). The corresponding freedom from AAA‐related reintervention was 96·2 and 54·1 per cent (P < 0·001). The method had a sensitivity of 88·3 per cent, specificity of 77·0 per cent and negative predictive value of 96·6 per cent to detect AAA‐related adverse events. The number of surveillance imaging per AAA‐related adverse event was 168 versus 11 for the low‐risk versus high‐risk group.

Conclusion

Two‐thirds of patients undergoing EVAR have an adequate seal and no endoleak on the first postoperative CTA, and a very low risk of AAA‐related events up to 5 years. Less vigilant follow‐up after EVAR may be considered for these patients.

Objective. Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is associated with the risk of late complications and mandates follow up. This retrospective study assessed post-EVAR complications in a two centre cohort. The study evaluated the rate of complications presenting with symptoms vs. those detected by imaging follow up. Additionally, the agreement between DUS and CTA in detecting complications was assessed in patients with both. Methods: All EVAR patients from 1998 to 2012 in two centres were included. Complications were classified based on whether they were symptomatic or detected by imaging, as well as based on imaging detection modality (DUS or CTA). For patients who had undergone DUS and CTA within three months of each other, the kappa coefficient of agreement was assessed. Results: Four hundred and fifty-four patients treated by EVAR were identified. The median follow up time was 5.2 (IQR 2.8-7.6) years. One hundred and eighteen patients (26%) developed 176 complications. One hundred and six (60.2%) of the complications were asymptomatic, and 70 (39.8%) were symptomatic. Two hundred and fifty-three patients had imaging with both modalities within three months of each other; the kappa coefficient for agreement between CTA and DUS for detecting clinically significant complications was 0.91. Regarding CTA as the standard modality, DUS had a sensitivity of 88.8% (95% CI 77.3-95.8%) and a specificity of 99.4% (95% CI 97.1-99.9%). Three of the complications missed by DUS were related to loss of proximal and distal seal, all occurring in patients with short sealing length on first post-operative CT scan. Conclusion: Approximately a quarter of the patients developed complications, the majority of which were asymptomatic, underlining the importance of adequate surveillance. There was good agreement between CTA and DUS in detecting complications. Clinically significant complications related to inadequate seal were missed by DUS, suggesting that CTA still plays an important role in EVAR surveillance.

Objecti_ Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare monogenetic disease caused by pathogenic variants in procollagen 3A1. Arterial rupture is the most serious clinical manifestation. A randomised controlled trial, the Beta-Blockers in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Treatment (BBEST) trial, reported a significant protective effect of the beta blocker celiprolol. The aim was to study the outcome of celiprolol treatment in a cohort of Swedish patients with vEDS. Methods: Uppsala is a national referral centre for patients with vEDS. They are assessed by vascular surgeons, angiologists, and clinical geneticists. Family history, previous and future clinical events, medication, and side effects are registered. Celiprolol was administered twice daily and titrated up to a maximum dose of 400 mg daily. Logistic regression was used to analyse predictors of vascular events. Results: Forty patients with pathogenic sequence variants in COL3A1 were offered treatment with celiprolol in the period 2011-2019. The median follow up was 22 months (range 1-98 months); total follow up was 106 patient years. In two patients, uptitration of the dose is ongoing. Of the remaining 38, 26 (65%) patients reached the target dose of 400 mg daily. Dose uptitration was unsuccessful in six patients because of side effects; one died before reaching the maximum dose, and five terminated the treatment. Five major vascular events occurred; four were fatal (ruptured ascending aorta; aortic rupture after type B dissection; ruptured cerebral aneurysm; and ruptured pulmonary artery). One bled from a branch of the internal iliac artery, which was successfully coiled endovascularly. The annual risk of a major vascular event was 4.7% (n = 5/106), similar to the treatment arm of the BBEST trial (5%) and lower than in the control arm of the same trial (12%). No significant predictor of vascular events was identified. Conclusion: Treatment with celiprolol is tolerated in most patients with vEDS. Despite fatal vascular events, these observations suggest that celiprolol may have a protective effect in vEDS.

This paper provides a summary of up-to-date information and experience with the combined treatment of patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with endovascular and open surgery, performed simultaneously and in a single operating room. Hybrid intervention is reported to have good results in well-indicated groups of patients with acute and chronic limb ischemia, even with older, high-risk patients. The indications for the use of this technique remain unclear with inconsistent opinions among vascular surgeons. The indications for treat-ment were divided into three main groups: 1) Patients with chronic limb ischemia, 2) acute limb ischemia, and 3) occlusion of a previous vascular reconstruction. The operating techniques for the most commonly used combinations are described. In conclusion, hybrid operating techniques are often useful when treating complex problems and multilevel disease in patients with chronic or acute lower limb ischemia. Modern vascular surgeons need to master both open and endovascular techniques, and to combine them in a creative fashion to the benefit of our patients.

INTRODUCTION: Definition, etiology, classification and indication for treatment of the arteriovenous access (AVA) aneurysm are poorly described in medical literature. The objectives of the paper are to complete this information gap according to the extensive review of the literature.

METHODS: A literature search was performed of the articles published between April 1, 1967, and March 1, 2014. The databases searched included Medline and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The eligibility criteria in this review studies the need to assess the association of aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms with autologous AVA. Aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms involving prosthetic AVA were not included in this literature review. From a total of 327 papers, 54 non-English papers, 40 case reports and 167 papers which did not meet the eligibility criteria were removed. The remaining 66 papers were reviewed.

RESULTS: Based on the literature the indication for the treatment of an AVA aneurysm is its clinical presentation related to the patient's discomfort, bleeding prevention and inadequate access flow. A new classification system of AVA aneurysm, which divides it into the four types, was also suggested.

CONCLUSIONS: AVA aneurysm is characterized by an enlargement of all three vessel layers with a diameter of more than 18 mm and can be presented in four types according to the presence of stenosis and/or thrombosis. The management of an AVA aneurysm depends on several factors including skin condition, clinical symptoms, ease of cannulation and access flow. The diameter of the AVA aneurysm as a solo parameter is not an indication for the treatment.

Background: Hybrid endovascular and open reconstructions are used increasingly often for multilevel revascularization for lower limb ischaemia. The aim was to evaluate outcomes after such procedures in a single-center non-randomized retrospective study. Patients and methods: Consecutive patients with multilevel arterial disease who underwent single session hybrid procedures were analyzed depending on the type of ischaemia and the type of revascularization. Results: 164 patients were included with a median follow up time of 14 months (range: 0 - 70). Indication was claudication (group 1, 47 %), critical limb ischaemia (group 2, 33 %) and acute limb ischaemia (group 3, 20 %). Technical success rate was 99.3%, perioperative mortality 2%. Primary, assisted-primary and secondary patency rates at one year were 60%, 61% and 64%, respectively. Primary, primary assisted and secondary patency were lower in group 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (all p < 0.05). Results were better when endovascular repairs were performed above compared to below the open repair site (all p < 0.05). Limb salvage at 1 year in groups 1 - 3 were 98%, 92% and 90%, respectively. The risk of major amputation was highest in group 3 compared to group 1 (p = 0.001) or group 2 (p < 0.04). Conclusions: The results depend on the type of ischaemia and the localization of endovascular procedures.

Background: This project by the ICVR (International Consortium of Vascular Registries), a collaboration of 11 vascular surgical quality registries, was designed to evaluate international variation in the contemporary management of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with relation to recommended treatment guidelines from the Society for Vascular Surgery and the European Society for Vascular Surgery.

Methods: Registry data for open and endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) during 2010 to 2013 were collected from 11 countries. Variations in patient selection and treatment were compared across countries and across centers within countries.

Results: Among 51 153 patients, 86% were treated for intact AAA (iAAA) and 14% for ruptured AAA. Women constituted 18% of the entire cohort (range, 12% in Switzerland–21% in the United States; P<0.01). Intact AAAs were repaired at diameters smaller than recommended by guidelines in 31% of men (<5.5 cm; range, 6% in Iceland–41% in Germany; P<0.01) and 12% of women with iAAA (<5 cm; range, 0% in Iceland–16% in the United States; P<0.01). Overall, use of EVAR for iAAA varied from 28% in Hungary to 79% in the United States (P<0.01) and for ruptured AAA from 5% in Denmark to 52% in the United States (P<0.01). In addition to the between-country variations, significant variations were present between centers in each country in terms of EVAR use and rate of small AAA repair. Countries that more frequently treated small AAAs tended to use EVAR more frequently (trend: correlation coefficient, 0.51; P=0.14). Octogenarians made up 23% of all patients, ranging from 12% in Hungary to 29% in Australia (P<0.01). In countries with a fee-for-service reimbursement system (Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States), the proportions of small AAA (33%) and octogenarians undergoing iAAA repair (25%) were higher compared with countries with a population-based reimbursement model (small AAA repair, 16%; octogenarians, 18%; P<0.01). In general, center-level variation within countries in the management of AAA was as important as variation between countries.

Conclusions: Despite homogeneous guidelines from professional societies, significant variation exists in the management of AAA, most notably for iAAA diameter at repair, use of EVAR, and the treatment of elderly patients. ICVR provides an opportunity to study treatment variation across countries and to encourage optimal practice by sharing these results.

Objective/Background: To achieve consensus on the minimum core data set for evaluation of peripheral arterial revascularisation outcomes and enable collaboration among international registries.

Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus among international vascular surgeons and registry members of the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR). Variables, including definitions, from registries covering open and endovascular surgery, representing 14 countries in ICVR, were collected and analysed to define a minimum core data set and to develop an optimum data set for registries. Up to three different levels of variable specification were suggested to allow inclusion of registries with simpler versus more complex data capture, while still allowing for data aggregation based on harmonised core definitions.

Results: Among 31 invited experts, 25 completed five Delphi rounds via internet exchange and face to face discussions. In total, 187 different items from the various registry data forms were identified for potential inclusion in the recommended data set. Ultimately, 79 items were recommended for inclusion in minimum core data sets, including 65 items in the level 1 data set, and an additional 14 items in the more specific level 2 and 3 recommended data sets. Data elements were broadly divided into (i) patient characteristics; (ii) comorbidities; (iii) current medications; (iv) lesion treated; (v) procedure; (vi) bypass; (vii) endarterectomy (viii) catheter based intervention; (ix) complications; and (x) follow up.

Conclusion: A modified Delphi study allowed 25 international vascular registry experts to achieve a consensus recommendation for a minimum core data set and an optimum data set for peripheral arterial revascularisation registries. Continued global harmonisation of registry infrastructure and definition of items will overcome limitations related to single country investigations and enhance the development of real world evidence.

Objective: To develop a minimum core data set for evaluation of acute limb ischaemia (ALI) revascularisation treatment and outcomes that would enable collaboration among international registries. Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus among international multidisciplinary vascular specialists and registry members of the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR). Variables identified in the literature or suggested by the expert panel, and variables, including definitions, currently used in 15 countries in the ICVR, were assessed to define both a minimum core and an optimum data set to register ALI treatment. Clinical relevance and practicability were both assessed, and consensus was defined as >= 80% agreement among participants. Results: Of 40 invited experts, 37 completed a preliminary survey and 31 completed the two subsequent Delphi rounds via internet exchange and face to face discussions. In total, 117 different items were generated from the various registry data forms, an extensive review of the literature, and additional suggestions from the experts, for potential inclusion in the data set. Ultimately, 35 items were recommended for inclusion in the minimum core data set, including 23 core items important for all registries, and an additional 12 more specific items for registries capable of capturing more detail. These 35 items supplement previous data elements recommended for registering chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease treatment. Conclusion: A modified Delphi study allowed 37 international vascular registry experts to achieve a consensus recommendation for a minimum core and an optimum data set for registries covering patients who undergo ALI revascularisation. Continued global harmonisation of registry infrastructure and definition of items allows international comparisons and global quality improvement. Furthermore, it can help to define and monitor standards of care and enable international research collaboration.

Objectives: To study international differences in incidence and practice patterns as well as time trends in lower limb amputations related to peripheral arterial disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Methods: Data on lower limb amputations during 2010-2014 were collected from population based administrative data from countries in Europe and Australasia participating in the VASCUNET collaboration. Amputation rates, time trends, in hospital or 30 day mortality and reimbursement systems were analysed. Results: Data from 12 countries covering 259 million inhabitants in 2014 were included. Individuals aged >= 65 years ranged from 12.9% (Slovakia) to 20.7% (Germany) and diabetes prevalence among amputees from 25.7% (Finland) to 74.3% (Slovakia). The mean incidence of major amputation varied between 7.2/100,000 (New Zealand) and 41.4/100,000 (Hungary), with an overall declining time trend with the exception of Slovakia, while minor amputations increased over time. The older age group (>= 65 years) was up to 4.9 times more likely to be amputated compared with those younger than 65 years. Reported mortality rates were lowest in Finland (6.3%) and highest in Hungary (20.3%). Countries with a fee for service reimbursement system had a lower incidence of major amputation compared with countries with a population based reimbursement system (14.3/100,000 versus 18.4/100,000, respectively, p < .001). Conclusions: This international audit showed large geographical differences in major amputation rates, by a factor of almost six, and an overall declining time trend during the 4 year observation of this study. Diabetes prevalence, age distribution, and mortality rates were also found to vary between countries. Despite limitations attributable to registry data, these findings are important, and warrant further research on how to improve limb salvage in different demographic settings.

Introduction and Objective:Interleukin (IL)-32 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine not previously studied in relation to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression and localization of IL-32 in AAA.Methods:Expression and localization of IL-32 in human aortic tissue was studied with immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot (AAA:n= 5; controls:n= 4). ELISA was used to measure IL-32 in human plasma samples (AAA:n= 140; controls:n= 37) and in media from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 3 healthy donors. IL-32 mRNA in PBMCs, endothelial cells, aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and aortic tissue samples of AAA (n= 16) and control aortas (n= 9) was measured with qPCR.Results:IL-32 was predominantly expressed in SMCs and T-cell-rich areas. Highest mRNA expression was observed in the intima/media layer of the AAA. A weaker protein expression was detected in non-aneurysmal aortas. Expression of IL-32 was confirmed in isolated T cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and SMCs, where expression was also inducible by cytokines such as interferon-gamma. There was no difference in IL-32 expression in plasma between patients and controls.Conclusion:IL-32 signaling is altered locally in AAA and could potentially play an important role in aneurysm development. Further studies using animal models would be helpful to study its potential role in AAA disease.

Background:Large-scale human and mechanistic mouse studies indicate a strong relationship between the microbiome-dependent metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and several cardiometabolic diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of TMAO in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and target its parent microbes as a potential pharmacological intervention.

Methods:TMAO and choline metabolites were examined in plasma samples, with associated clinical data, from 2 independent patient cohorts (N=2129 total). Mice were fed a high-choline diet and underwent 2 murine AAA models, angiotensin II infusion in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr(-/-)) mice or topical porcine pancreatic elastase in C57BL/6J mice. Gut microbial production of TMAO was inhibited through broad-spectrum antibiotics, targeted inhibition of the gut microbial choline TMA lyase (CutC/D) with fluoromethylcholine, or the use of mice genetically deficient in flavin monooxygenase 3 (Fmo3(-/-)). Finally, RNA sequencing of in vitro human vascular smooth muscle cells and in vivo mouse aortas was used to investigate how TMAO affects AAA.

Results:Elevated TMAO was associated with increased AAA incidence and growth in both patient cohorts studied. Dietary choline supplementation augmented plasma TMAO and aortic diameter in both mouse models of AAA, which was suppressed with poorly absorbed oral broad-spectrum antibiotics. Treatment with fluoromethylcholine ablated TMAO production, attenuated choline-augmented aneurysm initiation, and halted progression of an established aneurysm model. In addition, Fmo3(-/-) mice had reduced plasma TMAO and aortic diameters and were protected from AAA rupture compared with wild-type mice. RNA sequencing and functional analyses revealed choline supplementation in mice or TMAO treatment of human vascular smooth muscle cells-augmented gene pathways associated with the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, specifically the endoplasmic reticulum stress kinase PERK.

Conclusions:These results define a role for gut microbiota-generated TMAO in AAA formation through upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related pathways in the aortic wall. In addition, inhibition of microbiome-derived TMAO may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for AAA treatment where none currently exist.

A common feature in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is the formation of a nonocclusive intraluminal thrombus (ILT) in regions of aortic dilation. Platelets are known to maintain hemostasis and propagate thrombosis through several redundant activation mechanisms, yet the role of platelet activation in the pathogenesis of AAA-associated ILT is still poorly understood. Thus, we sought to investigate how platelet activation affects the pathogenesis of AAA. Using RNA sequencing, we identified that the platelet-associated transcripts are significantly enriched in the ILT compared with the adjacent aneurysm wall and healthy control aortas. We found that the platelet-specific receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is among the top enriched genes in AAA ILT and is increased on the platelet surface of patients with AAAs. Examination of a specific indicator of platelet activity, soluble GPVI (sGPVI), in 2 independent cohorts of patients with AAAs is highly predictive of an AAA diagnosis and associates more strongly with aneurysm growth rate than D-dimer in humans. Finally, intervention with the anti-GPVI antibody (JAQ1) in mice with established aneurysms blunted the progression of AAA in 2 independent mouse models. In conclusion, we show that the levels of sGPVI in humans can predict a diagnosis of AAA and AAA growth rate, which may be critical in the identification of high-risk patients. We also identify GPVI as a novel platelet- specific AAA therapeutic target, with minimal risk of adverse bleeding complications, for which none currently exists.