Updated Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) clinical practice guidelines on extracranial cerebrovascular disease management and a new meta-analysis on paclitaxel in peripheral arterial disease caught readers’ attention in July.
1. SVS releases updated clinical practice guidelines on extracranial cerebrovascular disease
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has released updated clinical practice guidelines accompanied by an implementation document on the management of patients with extracranial carotid artery disease. The documents, both published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, aim to use the existing clinical evidence to ensure patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease in the carotid arteries receive appropriate treatment and care.
2. Endologix receives FDA Breakthrough Device designation for ChEVAS system
Endologix announced the company’s ChEVAS (chimney endovascular aneurysm sealing) system has been granted a Breakthrough Device designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The ChEVAS system is an investigational endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sealing therapy designed to combine the Nellix 3.5 endograft with parallel visceral stents to enable treatment of patients with juxtarenal, pararenal and suprarenal AAA.
3. Latest meta-analysis on paclitaxel in peripheral arterial disease provokes mixed reception
“There appears to be heightened risk of major amputation after use of paclitaxel-coated balloons [PCBs] in the peripheral arteries,” findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (EJVES) suggest. However, the authors clarify that the level of evidence is graded moderate, not high, due to scarce events in some studies.
A systematic review and meta-analysis has demonstrated that patients undergoing carotid interventions after thrombolysis have a higher risk of periprocedural hazards, compared with those patients who did not have prior thrombolysis. Authors Stavros K Kakkos (University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece) and colleagues report their findings in an article published online in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (EJVES).
5. Translumbar embolisation for type II endoleak “safe and effective” following EVAR, study suggests
Writing in an article published online in the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS), John F Charitable, Neal Cayne (both NYU Langone Health, New York, USA), and colleagues conclude that translumbar embolisation is a safe and effective treatment option for type II endoleak with aneurysm growth following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).
6. Nationwide study identifies sex disparities in long-term mortality after paclitaxel exposure
A German claims-based cohort study has revealed that—in 13,204 patients treated with a paclitaxel-coated device for peripheral arterial disease (PAD)—mortality differences were mostly attributable to a female subgroup treated above the knee, while no statistically-significant differences were observed in male patients. These findings were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM).
In a study of over 100,000 intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs, an increase in the proportion of patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) over time has been demonstrated. This recent research, published in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and authored by Jonathan R Boyle (Cambridge Vascular Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK) et al, also reported that perioperative mortality rates are falling for both EVAR and open surgical repair. However, Boyle and colleagues also state that outcomes are poorer in women and octogenarians, and advise that future efforts should be focused on improving outcomes for these patients.
8. Terumo introduces Azur vascular plug and PG Pro peripheral microcatheter embolisation system
Terumo Medical Corporation has announced today the introduction of its Azur vascular plug. The addition to Terumo’s embolisation portfolio is indicated for use to reduce or block the rate of blood flow in arteries of the peripheral vasculature.
Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) president Ali AbuRahma details various aspects of his career so far, covering his early interest in cardiac surgery through to his involvement in the recently-published SVS guidelines on extracranial cerebrovascular disease management. Based on 40 years of experience, he also offers advice to younger surgeons in the field, encouraging an open-mindedness towards new, evidence-based therapies and skills.
10. FDA clears Front Line Medical Technologies’ COBRA-OS bleeding control device
Front Line Medical Technologies has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its COBRA-OS (Control of bleeding, resuscitation, arterial occlusion system). The COBRA-OS is the first 4 French resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) device and, according to a press release, is the smallest on the market.
