BackgroundNo studies have examined long‐term risks for aortic aneurysm (AA) and aortic dissection (AD) or mortality after AA or AD hospitalization among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods and ResultsIn this observational cohort study, we linked data for patients with T2DM in the Swedish National Diabetes Register, and 5 individually matched population‐based control subjects (CSs) without diabetes mellitus (on the basis of sex, age, and county), to other national databases to capture hospitalizations and death. We examined the risk of hospitalization for AA and AD, as well as mortality risk after AA and AD using Kaplan‐Meier curves and Cox regression hazards models. Data on 448 319 patients with T2DM and 2 251 015 CSs were obtained between 1998 and 2015. Mean follow‐up time was 7.0 years for the T2DM group and 7.2 years for the CS group. Patients with T2DM had a relative risk reduction of 28% (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.68–0.76; P<0.0001) for AA and a 47% relative risk reduction (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.65; P<0.0001) for AD compared with CSs. Patients with T2DM had a relative risk reduction of 12% (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.94; P<0.0001) for mortality after hospitalization for AA, and unaltered risk (hazard ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.85–1.34; P=0.5859) for mortality after AD, up to 2 years compared with CSs.ConclusionsPatients with T2DM had significantly reduced risks of AA and AD as well as reduced risk of mortality after hospitalization for AA, compared to CS. Data suggest that glycated cross‐links in aortic tissue may play a protective role in the progression of aortic diseases among patients with T2DM.

Compliance with ultrasound screening for AAA differed between different geographical areas. In areas with low socioeconomic status, compliance rates were lower, whereas AAA prevalence was higher. The identification of contextual factors associated with low compliance is important to be able to allow targeted actions to increase efficacy of ultrasound screening for AAA. Targeted actions to increase compliance in those areas are being scientifically investigated and implemented.

Background: Surgical-site infection (SSI) after groin incisions for arterial surgery is common and may lead to amputation or death. Incisional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressings have been suggested to reduce SSIs. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to assess the effects of incisional NPWT on the incidence of SSI in closed groin incisions after arterial surgery.Methods: A study protocol for this systematic review of RCTs was published in Prospero (CRD42018090298) a priori, with predefined search, inclusion and exclusion criteria. The records generated by the systematic research were screened for relevance by title and abstract and in full text by two of the authors independently. The selected articles were rated for bias according to the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.Results: Among 1567 records generated by the search, seven RCTs were identified, including 1049 incisions. Meta-analysis showed a reduction in SSI with incisional NPWT (odds ratio (OR) 0⋅35, 95 per cent c.i. 0⋅24 to 0⋅50; P < 0⋅001). The heterogeneity between the included studies was low (I 2 = 0 per cent). The quality of evidence was graded as moderate. Two studies had multiple domains in the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool rated as high risk of bias. A subgroup meta-analysis of three studies of lower limb revascularization procedures only (363 incisions) demonstrated a similar reduction in SSI (OR 0⋅37, 0⋅22 to 0⋅63; P < 0⋅001; I 2 = 0 per cent).Conclusion: Incisional NPWT after groin incisions for arterial surgery reduced the incidence of SSI compared with standard wound dressings. The risk of bias highlighted the need for a high-quality RCT with cost-effectiveness analysis.

The additional costs of the screening strategy compared with no screening were €169 per person and year. The incremental health gain per subject in the screened cohort was 0.011 additional quality adjusted life years (QALYs), corresponding to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €15710 per QALY. Assuming a 10% reduction of all cause mortality, the incremental cost of screening was €175 per person and year. The gain per subject in the screened cohort was 0.013 additional QALYs, corresponding to an ICER of €13922 per QALY CONCLUSIONS: AAA screening remains cost-effective according to both the Swedish recommendations and the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendations in the new era of lower AAA prevalence, EVAR as the predominant surgical method, and secondary prevention for all AAA patients.

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BackgroundMonotherapy with anticoagulation has been considered as first-line therapy in patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT). The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome, prognostic factors, and failure rate of anticoagulation as monotherapy, and to identify when bowel resection was needed.MethodsRetrospective study of consecutive patients with MVT diagnosed between 2000 and 2015.ResultsThe overall incidence rate of MVT was 1.3/100,000 person-years. Among 120 patients, seven died due to autopsy-verified MVT without bowel resection and 15 underwent immediate bowel resection without prior anticoagulation therapy. The remaining 98 patients received anticoagulation monotherapy, whereof 83 (85%) were treated successfully. Fifteen patients failed on anticoagulation monotherapy, of whom seven underwent bowel resection and eight endovascular therapy. Endovascular therapy was followed by bowel resection in three patients. Two late bowel resections were performed due to intestinal stricture. The 30-day mortality rate was 19.0% in the former (2000–2007) and 3.2% in the latter (2008–2015) part of the study period (p = 0.006). Age ≥75 years (OR 12.4, 95% CI [2.5–60.3]), management during the former as opposed to the latter time period (OR 8.4, 95% CI [1.3–54.7]), and renal insufficiency at admission (OR 8.0, 95% CI [1.2–51.6]) were independently associated with increased mortality in multivariable analysis.ConclusionsShort-term prognosis in patients with MVT has improved. Contemporary data show that monotherapy with anticoagulation is an effective first choice in MVT patients.

Aims Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening condition due to the risk of aneurysm growth and rupture. There are no approved diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm. We aimed to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm and to investigate their relationship with abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter and growth. Methods In this case-control study, patients were included from an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening study on men aged ≥65 years. Of 24,589 examined men, 415 had abdominal aortic aneurysm, out of whom 134 consented to participate in the present study. One hundred and thirty-six screened men with aortic diameter <30 mm, matched for comorbidities and time of sampling were included as non-abdominal aortic aneurysm patients. Ninety-one cardiovascular specific proteins in plasma samples were measured by the Proseek Multiplex CVD III96x96 panel. Results After Bonferroni correction, plasma levels of 21 proteins associated with proteolysis, oxidative-stress, lipid metabolism, and inflammation were significantly increased, whereas levels of paraoxonase 3, associated with high-density lipoprotein metabolism, were decreased in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients. Combination of growth/differentiation factor 15 and cystatin B had the best ability to discriminate abdominal aortic aneurysm from non-abdominal aortic aneurysm (area under the curve, 0.76; sensitivity, 80% and specificity, 52%). Myeloperoxidase showed the best prognostic value (area under the curve, 0.71; sensitivity, 80% and specificity, 59%) and higher baseline levels of myeloperoxidase were significantly associated with faster abdominal aortic aneurysm growth compared with lower levels, independent of baseline diameter. Conclusions We have identified multiple proteins associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter and growth with a potential to become novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background/aim Mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare lethal disease. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists in mesenteric venous thrombosis patients. Methods Retrospective study of 102 mesenteric venous thrombosis patients treated between 2004 and 2017 at a center with a conservative medical first approach. Median clinical follow-up was 4 years. Results Computed tomography showed successful recanalization of thrombosis in 71% of patients on vitamin K antagonists and 69% of patients on direct oral anticoagulants ( p = 0.88). Overall major and esophageal variceal bleeding rate was 14.7% and 2.9%, respectively. No difference in major bleeding ( p = 0.54) was found between vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants. No mesenteric venous thrombosis recurrence occurred during follow-up, and one venous thromboembolism occurred after cessation of anticoagulation. Conclusion Anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists was efficient in patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis. Bleeding complications was a concern during treatment in both groups.