Endovascular treatment with fenestrated or/and branched stent-grafts is a new therapeutic option with encouraging results for patients considered unfit for conventional open repair. However, prolonged follow-up studies are needed in order to draw robust conclusions.

Arteriovenous fistulas between the inferior mesenteric artery and vein are rare, with only 26 primary and secondary cases described in the literature. Secondary fistulas occur following operations of the left hemicolon and manifest as abdominal pain, abdominal mass, gastrointestinal bleeding, colonic ischemia and portal hypertension. Symptom intensities are flow-dependent, and can range from minimal symptoms to severe heart failure due to left to right shunt. Diagnosis is usually established by radiological or intraoperative examination. Treatment options include embolization and/or surgical resection. Therapeutic decisions should be adapted to the unique characteristics of the fistula on an individual basis. A new case of a primary arteriovenous fistula is described and discussed along with a complete review of the literature. The patient in this report presented with signs and symptoms of colonic ischemia without portal hypertension. The optimal treatment for this patient required a combination of embolization and surgical operation. The characteristics of these rare inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistulas are examined and some considerations concerning diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that should be followed are presented. Key words: Inferior mesenteric artery; Arteriovenous fistula; Colectomy; Embolization; Portal hypertension Core tip: Inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistulas are rare, with only 26 known cases described in the literature. This case report describes the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to a new case of a fistula in the inferior mesenteric artery and vein along with a complete literature review. The pathophysiologic, clinical and diagnostic aspects are explored in order to raise awareness of this rare condition.Athanasiou A, Michalinos A, Alexandrou A, Georgopoulos S, Felekouras E. Inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula: Case report and world literature review.

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Surgical repair of EICAA, especially with total resection and arterial reconstruction, is strongly recommended. Extended cervical approach has many technical difficulties but can allow treatment of high-lying aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening disease. Early detection by screening programs and subsequent surveillance has been shown to be effective at reducing the risk of mortality due to aneurysm rupture. The aim of this review is to summarize the developments in the literature concerning the latest biomarkers (from 2008 to date) and their potential screening and therapeutic values. Our search included human studies in English and found numerous novel biomarkers under research, which were categorized in 6 groups. Most of these studies are either experimental or hampered by their low numbers of patients. We concluded that currently no specific laboratory markers allow screeing for the disease and monitoring its progression or the results of treatment. Further studies and studies in larger patient groups are required in order to validate biomarkers as cost-effective tools in the AAA disease.

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