New data from Philips’ TOBA II below-the-knee (BTK) clinical trial, physicians’ call for the AMPREDICT decision support tool to be applied in clinical practice, and a study showing that arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) contribute to higher survival of haemodialysis patients with COVID-19, all feature in our top 10 most-read stories of June 2021.
1. Philips announces positive two-year data from TOBA II BTK clinical trial
Royal Philips revealed positive two-year results from the TOBA (Tack optimised balloon angioplasty) II below-the-knee (BTK) clinical trial. The data show the Philips Tack endovascular system (4F), a first-of-its kind dissection repair device, provides a sustained treatment effect and positive impact on quality of life for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) patients at two years.
Femoropopliteal bypass is associated with decreased reinterventions at one year compared to endovascular therapy in patients with advanced premature peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This is the primary conclusion of Tanner I Kim (Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA) and colleagues, writing in an article recently published online in the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
3. Large study shows continued and quickening decline in AAA mortality
According to a new, population-based analysis, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) mortality has continued to decline and “at a faster rate than ever” in the second decade of the 21st century. Authors C Y Maximilian Png (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA), Edward Choke (Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore), and colleagues attribute this continued and accelerating decline to multiple factors, highlighting in particular the impact of sustained reductions in smoking and hypertension.
4. Physicians call for clinical application of “helpful, meaningful” AMPREDICT decision support tool
Researchers have found that the AMPREDICT decision support tool (DST) demonstrates “strong usability characteristics and clinical relevance” in amputation level decision-making for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI). Daniel C Norvell (VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, USA) and colleagues suggest in an online European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (EJVES) article that, following “extensive iterative development and testing,” the tool should now be applied in clinical practice.
5. Researchers propose optimisation of duplex velocity criteria for diagnosing ICA stenosis
Writing in an online Vascular Medicine article, researchers from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) Vascular Testing division report findings from a multicentre study of duplex ultrasound for diagnosis of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis.
6. Arteriovenous fistulas contribute to higher survival of haemodialysis patients with COVID-19
A new study, published online in The Journal of Vascular Access (JVA), suggests that arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) contribute to higher survival of haemodialysis patients with COVID-19. Authors Ahmet Murt (Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey) and colleagues urge that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients “should be given the opportunity to have their vascular access properly created,” even in the pandemic era.
7. Sectoral Asset Management makes US$9 million investment into Cagent Vascular
Cagent Vascular reported the investment of US$9 million by Sectoral Asset Management. Along with the investment, Marc-Andre Marcotte has joined the board of directors. The proceeds will be used to accelerate the commercialisation and scaling of manufacturing for the Serranator below-the-knee (BTK) product. Further uses of proceeds include expanding the product offering to include larger sizes to treat the above-the-knee arteries.
8. Pivotal study of TripleMed’s AneuFix device for type II endoleak enrols first 13 patients
TripleMed BV announced an enrolment update regarding the pivotal clinical study of the company’s AneuFix product for the treatment of type II endoleaks. According to a TripleMed press release, 13 patients have been successfully treated with AneuFix without any major complications. The company plans to enrol a total of 25 patients across six hospitals in The Netherlands and Belgium.
9. AI shows promise in medicine
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to be “transformative” in medicine, including in vascular surgery. This is according to Alan Karthikesalingam, the UK Research Lead at Google Health (London, UK) and a vascular surgery lecturer, who spoke on the topic at this year’s British Society of Endovascular Therapy (BSET) Annual Meeting (24 June, online). The presenter noted in particular that developments in three-dimensional (3D) positioning and navigation is an “exciting” area in the field of vascular surgery, but stressed that “high-quality, prospective, randomised evidence” is required to prove clinical- and cost-effectiveness.
10. AngioDynamics receives 510(k) clearance for AlphaVac mechanical thrombectomy system
AngioDynamics recently announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the AlphaVac mechanical thrombectomy system, an off-circuit, multipurpose mechanical aspiration thrombectomy device for the non-surgical removal of thrombi or emboli from the vasculature.
