In the present study, a large initial diameter and family history of aortic aneurysm were independent risk factors for more rapid growth of small AAAs. Although few studies have reported similar findings thus far, family history of aortic aneurysm should be carefully considered during follow-up of patients with small AAAs.

The prevalence of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) is currently increasing, and arterial reconstruction is often attempted to salvage the limb. Some patients cannot undergo attempted revascularization because of contraindications, and they only receive conservative treatment. In this study, we investigate the comorbidities and survival rates of patients with CLI who receive conservative treatment. Thirty-five patients with CLI due to ASO, who had not undergone revascularization surgery (C group), were enrolled. As controls, 136 patients with CLI due to ASO who did undergo revascularization (R group), mainly via bypass surgery, were enrolled. Coronary artery disease, heart failure, and respiratory dysfunction were factors indicating conservative treatment. Limb salvage rates and survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Patients who had survived for less than two years after surgery had a higher prevalence of chronic heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and end-stage renal disease compared to patients who had survived for more than two years. The use of statins, dual antiplatelets, aspirin, or warfarin did not influence whether a patient survived for longer than two years. 77% of patients survived for more than two years after receiving only conservative therapies. Surgical revascularization did not improve the prognosis of patients with CLI as compared with the conservative therapy. Clinicians might start with conservative treatment while considering other treatment options for patients with CLI.

BackgroundIt has been reported that median arcuate ligament syndrome is closely associated with gastric or pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms. Hemodynamic state plays an important role in the formation of the aneurysms. These aneurysms are treated with open resection or endovascular exclusion. However, whether revascularization of the celiac artery can prevent the aneurysm formation is unknown. This report indicated a possibility that prophylactic revascularization for celiac artery stenosis resulted in decreased shear stress on the collaterals, which may otherwise be susceptible to new aneurysms.Case presentationThis report describes a 51-year-old man who presented with epigastric pain at our hospital. According to contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT), he was diagnosed with a ruptured right gastric artery aneurysm and celiac artery stenosis caused by the median arcuate ligament (MAL). He had a vascular anomaly of the common hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). His vital signs were stable. We informed him of the situation and he chose open surgery rather than endovascular treatment. Following, we resected the aneurysm and transected the MAL. Intraoperative angiography after transection of the MAL showed the antegrade blood flow to the splenic artery instead of the retrograde flow via the prominent collaterals. Follow-up CT confirmed narrowed collateral vessels between the SMA and the celiac artery without de-novo aneurysms.ConclusionWhile the necessity of celiac artery release could be questioned, the present case supports the hemodynamic benefits of MAL transection in terms of de-novo aneurysm prevention.

Calciphylaxis, a systemic disorder seen in 1%-4% of patients with end-stage renal disease, is a cause of penile ischemic gangrene. We present a case of successful revascularization surgery for penile calciphylaxis. An arterial bypass to the deep dorsal penile vein relieved the rest pain and stopped expansion of the gangrenous lesion.

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The objective of this study was to determine how postoperative skin perfusion pressure (SPP) as a measure of blood flow after revascularization affects limb prognosis in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). We retrospectively reviewed 223 consecutive bypass surgery cases performed in 192 patients with CLI during a 10-year period. SPP was measured 1-2 weeks before and after the procedure. An SPP of 40 mmHg was set as the cut-off value for revascularization. Patients were grouped according to their postoperative SPPs, and amputation-free survival (AFS) was analyzed. An SPP of ≥ 40 mmHg was recovered in 75% of the patients, but no significant difference was found between this group and the group that did not reach 40 mmHg. On the other hand, the values increased by ≥ 20 mmHg from the preoperative values in 70% of the patients. This group had a significantly better AFS than the group that did not increase by 20 mmHg. Logistic regression analysis revealed that (1) a preoperative SPP of < 20 mmHg and (2) a high serum albumin level (> 3.0 g/dL) were significant factors in increasing SPP by 20 mmHg. These results showed that an increase in SPP of ≥ 20 mmHg after bypass surgery was associated with better limb prognosis.

InflammationNeointimal hyperplasia u-3 fatty acid Resolvin D1Protectin D1 isomer a b s t r a c t Background: Specialized proresolving mediators from u-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid may control resolution of inflammation. We evaluated the influence of two specialized proresolving mediators, resolvin D1 (RvD1) and protectin D1 isomer (PD1 iso) on neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury.Materials and methods: Sprague Dawley male rats at 12-14 wk of age were injured as a model of balloon angioplasty. Then, 1 mg/rat of RvD1 or PD1 iso was administered intravenously via the tail vein immediately and 2 d after angioplasty. The proliferation of injured artery and the infiltration of leukocytes, monocytes, and macrophages at 3 d after injury were evaluated by immunostaining. The activity of the inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFkB) in the injured artery at 3 d after injury was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay kit. The proliferation of the neointima was evaluated by calculating the ratio of the neointimal and medial areas using specimens at 14 d after injury.Results: RvD1 and PD1 iso attenuated proliferation of medial cells (P < 0.05) and infiltration of leukocytes (P < 0.05) and monocytes/macrophages (P < 0.01). Although both RvD1 and PD1 iso mitigated NFkB activity (P < 0.01), RvD1 attenuated this activity more strongly (P < 0.01). RvD1 decreased neointimal hyperplasia by 37.3% (P < 0.01), whereas PD1 iso decreased neointimal hyperplasia by 31.8% (P < 0.05) (RvD1 versus PD1 iso:Conclusions: RvD1 and PD1 iso reduced the activity of inflammatory transcription factor NFkB within the injured artery and attenuated inflammatory cell

The main objective is to examine whether the severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects the expenses and hospital stay of the patients who undergo bypass surgery below the inguinal ligament for PAD. Eighty consecutive patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass surgery for PAD between January 2012 and December 2014 were included in the study. Patients were divided into groups according to their critical limb ischemia (CLI) symptoms and the Wound, Ischemia, and Foot Infection (WIfI) classification. As endpoints, we assessed the duration of postoperative hospital stay and expenses during hospitalization. CLI was a significant factor for longer hospital stay and increased medical expenses (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001). In the patients with CLI, significant factors for longer hospital stay and increased medical expenses were (1) history of distal bypass (p = 0.33 and p = 0.003, respectively) and stage 4 local lower limb status in WIfI classification (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.053). PAD severity was associated with prolonged postoperative hospital stay and increased medical expenses. The presence or absence of CLI and its severity according to the WIfI classification correlated with medical expenses and hospital stay duration between the milder and severe groups.