Language：English   Publisher：Journal of Endovascular Therapy  

Purpose: Recent studies suggested that continuous clotting renewal in thrombi plays a central role in sac enlargement after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). We reviewed patients with persistent type 2 endoleak (T2EL) to estimate the impact of D-dimer level on sac enlargement. Methods: A retrospective review of elective EVAR for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm performed between June 2007 and February 2020. Persistent T2EL was defined as T2EL confirmed at both the 6 and 12 month contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) follow-ups. “Isolated” T2EL was defined as T2EL without other types of endoleak within 12 months. Patients with >2 year follow-up, persistent isolated T2ELs, and D-dimer level data at 1 year (DD1Y) were included. Patients with any reintervention within 12 months were excluded. The association between DD1Y and aneurysm enlargement (AnE), defined as a ≥5 mm diameter increase, within 5 years was analyzed. Among 761 conventional EVAR, 515 patients had >2 years of follow-up. Thirty-three patients with any reintervention within 12 months and 127 patients without CECT at either 6 or 12 months were excluded. Among 131 patients with persistent isolated T2ELs, 74 patients with DD1Y data were enrolled. During a 37 month median follow-up [25–60, IQR], 24 AnEs were observed. In the AnE patients, the median DD1Y was significantly higher than that in the other patients (12.30 [6.88–21.90] vs 7.62 [4.41–13.00], P=0.024). ROC curve analysis indicated that the optimal cutoff point of DD1Y for AnE was 5.5 µg/mL (AUC=0.681). In univariate analysis, angulated neck, occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery, and DD1Y≥5.5 µg/mL were significantly associated with AnE (P= 0.037, 0.038, and 0.010). Cox regression analysis revealed that DD1Y≥5.5 µg/mL was correlated with AnE (P=0.042, HR [95% CI] 4.520 [1.056–19.349]). Conclusion: A 1 year higher D-dimer level can potentially predict AnE within 5 years in persistent T2EL patients. AnE was considered improbable when the D-dimer level was low enough. Clinical Impact: The present study suggests that a 1-year higher D-dimer level could potentially predict aneurysm expansion within 5 years in patients with persistent type 2 endoleak (T2EL). On the other hand, aneurysm expansion was considered unlikely if the D-dimer level was low enough. As there are many patients with T2EL who require regular follow-up, any predictor of future aneurysm expansion could be of great help in conserving medical resources. In patients with a low likelihood of future expansion, we might consider delaying follow-up, similar to patients with sac shrinkage.

DOI： 10.1177/15266028231170165

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jvs.2022.08.017

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Language：English   Publisher：Journal of Endovascular Therapy  

Purpose: An accurate distal deployment is essential for successful thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of a paradiaphragmatic aortic aneurysm. This study aimed to investigate the anatomical and intraoperative factors that affect the accuracy of distal deployment during TEVAR. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans of 426 patients undergoing TEVAR at our institution between October 2008 and May 2021, of which the stent-graft was attempted to be deployed just above the celiac axis or the superior mesenteric artery in 56 patients. Based on the anatomical factors related to the malposition (deployed >10 mm away from the target vessel) and the greater curve to the straight-line ratio (G/S ratio), the patients were categorized as severe tortuosity (n=21) and mild tortuosity (n=35) groups to compare the operative and clinical outcomes. Result: Stent-graft malpositioning occurred in 21 cases. Among all anatomical variables, only the G/S ratio was significantly larger in the malpositioned cases (p=0.049). A cutoff G/S ratio value of 1.15 was determined using the receiver operating curve analysis. In the severe tortuosity group, the distal end of the stent-graft was significantly farther (median: 10.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.5–19.5] mm vs 3.0 [0–8.0] mm; p=0.015) from the target vessel, and the tilt angle of the stent-graft’s distal edge was larger (median: 21.4 [IQR: 15.8–24.5] vs 9.5 [5.5–12.5] degree; p<0.01) than that in the mild tortuosity group. Both groups were comparable for the incidence of a primary type Ib endoleak (p=0.454), a secondary type Ib endoleak (p=1.0), and the rate of distal reintervention (p=0.276). Conclusion: Severe tortuosity in the distal descending thoracic aorta is associated with a malpositioned and tilted distal end of the stent-graft. Clinical Impact: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for paradiaphragmatic thoracic aortic aneurysms requires accurate distal landing. In this paper, a retrospective CT analysis revealed that the greater curve to the straight-line ratio (G/S ratio) was associated to affects the malposition of the stent graft, defined as being deployed more than 10 mm away from the target vessel. Further, a comparative analysis based on the G/S ratio demonstrated that severe aortic tortuosity was associated with a more distal and tilted deployment of the stent graft.

DOI： 10.1177/15266028221141023

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Language：English   Publisher：Journal of Vascular Surgery  

Background: The epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) is associated with cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease. However, no information is available regarding the relationship between the EATV and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) expansion. In the present study, we evaluated the association between the EATV and AAA growth and sought to identify the predictors of AAA expansion. Methods: Between June 2009 and December 2019, 906 patients had undergone endovascular or open repair of AAAs at our institution. Patients with previous cardiac surgery, previous ascending thoracic aortic surgery, a ruptured AAA, an infected AAA, an inflammatory AAA, a saccular aneurysm, a solitary iliac aneurysm, or reintervention after treatment of the AAA were excluded. A total of 237 patients with at least two preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans performed >180 days apart were included in the present study. The EATV within the pericardium was retrospectively quantified from the preoperative non–contrast-enhanced CT images using a three-dimensional workstation. The EATV index was defined as the EATV divided by the body surface area. The AAA expansion rate was defined as an increase in the AAA diameter annually, and the patients were divided into the slow-expansion group (expansion rate, <5 mm/y) and the fast-expansion group (expansion rate, ≥5 mm/y). The correlation between the expansion rate and the EATV index was analyzed, and the cutoff value for the EATV index was determined using a receiver operating characteristics curve. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the predictors of the AAA expansion rate. Results: The expansion rate of AAA correlated positively with the EATV index (R = 0.237; P < .001). The initial aneurysm diameter (P < .001) and EATV index (P = .009) differed significantly between the two groups. The cutoff for the EATV index was 60.3 cm3/m2 (area under the curve, 0.658; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.568–0.749; sensitivity, 1.000; specificity, 0.309). Multivariate analysis revealed that the initial aneurysm diameter and an EATV index of >60.3 cm3/m2 were significantly associated with the AAA expansion rate. Conclusions: The results of the present study have demonstrated that the EATV index is associated with AAA expansion.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jvs.2022.04.032

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Language：English   Publisher：The Japanese Circulation Society  

<p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Zinc (Zn) has been reported to play an important role in wound healing (WH). Nevertheless, the effect of Zn in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients is unclear. This study investigated the effect of Zn on the clinical outcomes of CLTI patients undergoing bypass surgery.</p><p><b><i>Methods and Results:</i></b> This study reviewed 111 consecutive patients who underwent an infrainguinal bypass from 2012 to 2020. Patients with Zn deficiency (serum Zn level <60 μg/dL) received oral Zn supplementation and maintained a normal level until WH. This study aimed to explore: (1) the effect of Zn deficiency; and (2) Zn supplementation in Zn-deficient patients on the clinical outcomes of this cohort. Patients with Zn deficiency, Zn supplementation, and no Zn supplementation despite Zn deficiency accounted for 48, 21, and 42 patients, respectively. (1) Zn deficiency was associated with WH (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29–0.78: P=0.003), major adverse limb events (MALE) (HR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.26–5.09: P=0.009), and major amputation or death (HR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.51–6.63: P=0.002). (2) Zn supplementation was positively related to WH (HR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.21–4.34: P=0.011). This result was confirmed using propensity score matching (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.02–4.87: P=0.043).</p><p><b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The current study revealed that Zn level was associated with clinical outcomes in CLTI patients after bypass surgery. Oral Zn supplementation could improve WH in these patients.</p>

DOI： 10.1253/circj.cj-21-0832

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

CiNii Research

Language：English   Publisher：Annals of Vascular Surgery  

Background: Although we have witnessed several cases of late proximal type I endoleak (T1AEL) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), most patients did not have “hostile neck” preoperatively. We hypothesized that the distance between the lowest renal artery and the neck angulation point and neck length are the 2 most important factors for maintaining long-term proximal sealing. This study evaluated “neck hostility,” which is the product of the distance to the angulation point and the neck length, as a preoperative morphological risk factor for the development of late T1AEL after EVAR. Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively assembled database was performed for all patients who had undergone EVAR at a single institution from June 2007 to May 2017. Patient demographics and preoperative imaging data were collected, and Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for late T1AEL. Results: Of the 655 patients who underwent EVAR during the study period, 115 were excluded due to complex EVAR (n = 14), primary indications for iliac aneurysms (n = 86), primary T1AEL (n = 3), or other reasons (n = 15). Of the remaining 537 patients, twelve patients (2.2%) developed late T1AEL a median of 3.2 (interquartile range [IQR]; 3.0, 5.4) years after EVAR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a neck hostility cutoff value of 8. Cox regression analysis revealed that a neck hostility value ≤8 and conical neck anatomy were risk factors for the development of late T1AEL after EVAR. Well-known hostile neck factors such as short neck, severe angulated neck, and severe calcification/thrombus in the proximal neck were not significantly different. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated a correlation between late T1AEL and the product of the angulation distance and the neck length. This factor may be useful for predicting poor late proximal outcomes after EVAR.

DOI： 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.09.049

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Language：English   Publishing type：Doctoral thesis  

DOI： 10.1007/s00595-021-02362-x

Web of Science

Scopus

PubMed

Event date： 2023.3

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2022.12

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Event date： 2022.9

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (invited, special)  

Event date： 2022.6

Language：English   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)  

Event date： 2022.5

Language：English   Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (public)  

Country：Japan  

Event date： 2022.3

Language：Japanese   Presentation type：Oral presentation (general)