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F Verzini

Publications and source records attributed to F Verzini.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Conversion to open repair after endografting for abdominal aortic aneurysm: causes, incidence and results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate frequency, causes and results of conversion to Open repair (OR) after endovascular repair (EVAR) in a single centre during an 8-year period. DESIGN: Six hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients undergoing EVAR were followed up prospectively for endograft-related complications. OUTCOMES: Early conversion was any OR during or within 30 days from the primary EVAR. Late conversion was any OR with removal of the endograft after 30 days since a completed EVAR procedure. RESULTS: Median patient follow-up was 38 months (1-93 months). Conversion to OR was performed in 38 patients; nine early and 29 late. Most (7/9) early conversions were due to extensive vessel calcification. Peri-operative mortality was 22% (2/9). Late conversions occurred at a median of 33 months after primary EVAR: 29 were elective and 4 urgent. During the same interval, 79 secondary endovascular interventions were performed, 7 of which failed. The risk of conversion to OR was 9% at 6 years. At multivariate logistic regression analysis, no single factor (short, large or angulated neck, suprarenal fixation, large pre-operative diameter, iliac aneurysms, ASA score risk) was associated with the risk of late failure requiring conversion to OR. CONCLUSION: The risk of death after early conversion should be recognized, to avoid forcing morphological indications for primary EVAR. Occurrence of late conversion after EVAR is not negligible, affecting almost 1 out of 10 patients after 6 years. In the presence of an expanding aneurysm after EVAR, especially after a failed secondary endovascular correction, an aggressive attitude in fit patients allows outcomes at similar to those of primary OR.

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PubMed2003

Does gender influence outcome of AAA endoluminal repair?

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that female patients have a less favourable outcome of endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Yet, data on stratified per gender are lacking. METHODS: We reviewed our prospective database of 402 endografts over a 4-year period and the peri- and postoperative course in the 25 (6%) female patients was compared with the 377 (94%) male patients. Median follow-up was 24 months (range 1-56 months). Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the effect of five confounding variables (gender, age, ASA grade IV, EUROSTAR class D or E, AAA diameter) on failure of AAA exclusion. RESULTS: There were no perioperative deaths in the female group and 5 (1.3%) in the male group (p = 0.8). Major perioperative morbidity occurred in 17% versus 6% (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.2-10.6; p = 0.026). There were 1 (4%) and 5 (1%) conversions to open repair in the female and male groups, respectively (p = 0.3). Late failure of AAA exclusion occurred in 5 (21%) and 26 (7%) patients, respectively (p = 0.03). Of the five variables examined for their influence on failure of AAA exclusion, female gender (hazard ratio 4.42; 95% CI 1.4-13.4; p = 0.009) and AAA diameter (hazard ratio 1.05; 95% CI 1.009-1.09; p = 0.017), were positive independent predictors of late failure of AAA exclusion on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Endoluminal AAA repair in female patients appear associated with a less favorable outcome when compared to their male counterparts. These data may be taken into consideration when endoluminal AAA repair is suggested to a female patient.

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PubMed2002

Does the presence of an iliac aneurysm affect outcome of endoluminal AAA repair? An analysis of 336 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the presence of an iliac aneurysm compromises outcome of endovascular exclusion of AAA and to ascertain the fate of the iliac aneurysmal sac. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 1997 and March 2001, data on 336 consecutive patients undergoing endovascular repair for AAA were entered in a prospective database. Suitability for endovascular repair was assessed by preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography. A maximum common iliac artery (CIA) diameter > or = 20 mm was defined as iliac aneurysm. Patients with and without iliac aneurysms were compared to early (immediate conversion or perioperative death) and late failure (increase in aneurysm diameter or persisting graft-related endoleak, or late AAA rupture or conversion). RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (18%) had iliac aneurysms, 19 were bilateral, for a total of 78 aneurysmal iliac arteries (median diameter 23 mm; range 20-50 mm). A distal seal was achieved by landing in 33 external iliac arteries, in 20 ectatic CIAs, and in 25 normal CIAs. Operating time differed significantly between patients with and without CIA aneurysms (153 +/- 71 vs 123 +/- 55 min, p = 0.0001), whereas no statistically significant differences were found with respect to early and late failure (2% vs 3%, p = 0.5 and 14% vs 8%, p = 0.11, respectively). There were no cases of buttock or colon necrosis. At a median follow-up of 14 months (range 0-46; i.q.r. 7-27 months) common iliac diameter decreased > or = 2 mm in 49 cases, remained stable in 25, and increased > or = 2 mm in 3. CONCLUSION: The presence of iliac aneurysm rendered endoluminal AAA repair more complex but did not affect feasibility and long-term outcome of the procedure. In our experience internal iliac exclusion was never associated with significant morbidity. These data may be useful when considering endovascular repair in high-risk patients with challenging anatomy.

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PubMed2001

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in high-risk patients: a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the role of endovascular repair (ER) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in American Society for Anaesthesiology [ASA] class IV patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: between April 1997 and March 2000, 266 consecutive patients underwent ER for AAA. There were 26 patients (10%) with ASA grade IV. The remaining 240 patients, ASA grade between I and III (ASA<IV group), were compared with the ASA IV group. Mean follow-up was 11.6 months (range 1-32 months). Increase in AAA diameter after ER or persisting graft-related endoleak were defined as failure of AAA exclusion. Regression analysis was performed to test the effect of five confounding variables on failure of AAA exclusion and perioperative mortality. RESULTS: patients in the ASA IV group were significantly older than patients in ASA <IV group (mean age: 74 years vs 70 years p=0.005). AAA were larger (mean diameter: 56 mm vs 50 mm p =0.002) and more extensive (class E of EUROSTAR classification: 27% vs 5.8% p =0.002). There were two perioperative deaths in the ASA IV group and one in the ASA<IV group (8% vs 0.4%; RR 19; 95% CI 1.8-202 p=0.01). Major perioperative morbidity occurred in 8% of patients in the ASA IV group and in 3.3% in the ASA<IV group (n.s.). There were no conversions to open repair in the ASA IV group while six were performed in the ASA<IV group (n.s.). Length of hospitalisation was significantly longer for patients in the ASA IV group: 7.8 days vs 3.2 days (p =0.001). Operative times and blood loss were similar. Failure of AAA exclusion occurred in two patients (8%) in the ASA IV group and in four patients (1.6%) in the ASA<IV group (n.s.). On life table analysis, survival rates at 26 months were 76% in the ASA IV group and 89% in the ASA<IV group (p =0.004). Five variables were examined by regression analysis and no independent predictors of failure of AAA exclusion and operative mortality were found. CONCLUSIONS: ER in ASA IV patients is feasible and effective with acceptable actuarial survival rates. However, the endovascular procedure in these patients is associated with higher major systemic morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospitalisation rates.

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PubMed2000

Predictive factors for early success of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

To identify predictive factors for postoperative success and potential predictors for satisfactory outcome of endovascular grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), we collected data from our prospective database, which includes a series of consecutive patients undergoing endovascular repair at the Vascular Surgery Unit, Policlinico Monteluce, Perugia, Italy. From April 1997 to July 1998, 202 patients were referred to our Unit for elective AAA repair; 94 patients (47%) were selected for endografting. Placement of the graft using endovascular technique without conversion to open laparotomy, in addition to no mortality, major morbidity, or endoleak at 30-day follow-up, was defined as postoperative success. The influence of anatomical features on postoperative results was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Our experience shows that endoluminal repair of AAA is safe and effective in the short term and male patients with small aneurysms are optimal candidates for successful repair.

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PubMed2000

Role of duplex scan in endoleak detection after endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: to validate the role of duplex scan in endoleak detection in postoperative surveillance of endoluminal abdominal aneurysm repair (EAAR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: between April 1997 and March 1999, 103 patients were eligible for duplex and computed tomography (CT) scan after EAAR. Mean follow-up was 8 months (range 1-24 months). The study protocol comprised concurrent examination with colour-duplex and CT scan at 1, 6, and 12 months after EAAR, for a total of 198 concurrent examinations. All duplex scan examinations were performed by two vascular surgeons with the same machine (ATL HDI 3000). Interobserver agreement in endoleak detection (kappa=1) and in type of endoleak (kappa=0.7) was evaluated in 50 random duplex examinations. Endoleak detection was examined comparatively in duplex and CT scan, the latter being the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity tests together with negative- and positive-predictive values (NPV and PPV) were calculated. RESULTS: duplex scan was not feasible in one patient. On CT scan the endoleak rate was 4% at one month, 3% at 6 months, and 4% at one year. Overall, CT scan detected 12 endoleaks. With respect to endoleak detection, duplex scan revealed a great ability in ruling out false-negative results (sensitivity 91.7%, NPV 99.4%), but overestimated the presence of endoleak (specificity 98.4%, PPV 78. 6%). Regarding type of endoleak, the ability of duplex scan to identify the source of endoleak was low (sensitivity 66.7%). CONCLUSIONS: duplex scan, if validated, appears to be a reliable means for excluding the presence of endoleak after EAAR.

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PubMed1999

Epidural anesthesia reduces length of hospitalization after endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

PURPOSE: The low invasiveness of endoluminal abdominal aneurysm repair (EAAR) appears optimal for the use of epidural anesthesia (EA). However, reported series on EAAR show that general anesthesia (GA) is generally preferred. To evaluate the feasibility and problems encountered with EA for EAAR, patients undergoing EAAR with EA and patients undergoing EAAR with GA were examined. METHODS: From April 1997 through October 1998, EAAR was performed on 119 patients at the Unit of Vascular Surgery at Policlinico Monteluce in Perugia, Italy. Four patients (3%) required conversion to open repair and were excluded from the analysis because they were not suitable candidates for evaluating the feasibility of EA. The study cohort thus comprised 115 patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with the AneuRx Medtronic stent graft. The incidence of risk factors and anatomical features of the aneurysm were compared in patients selected for EA or GA on the basis of intention-to-treat analysis. Intraoperative and perioperative data were compared and analyzed on the basis of intention-to-treat and on-treatment analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (54%) underwent the surgical procedure with EA (group A), and 54 (46%) underwent the surgical procedure with GA (group B). Conversion from EA to GA was required in four patients (3 of 61 patients, 5%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two study groups in demographics, clinical characteristics, and American Society of Anesthesiology classification (ASA). There was no perioperative mortality. Major morbidity occurred in 3% of patients (group B). According to intention-to-treat analysis, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in mean operating time, fluoro time, blood loss, amount of contrast media used, mean units of transfused blood, need of intensive care unit, mean postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative endoleak. Conversely, significant differences were found by means of on-treatment analysis in the need of intensive care unit (0 vs 5 patients; P =.02), and length of hospitalization (2.5 vs 3.2 days; P =.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GA and ASA 4 were positive independent predictors of prolonged (more than 2 days) postoperative hospitalization (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 5.8; P =.03, and hazard ratio, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.5 to 17.9; P =.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: EA for EAAR is feasible in a high percentage of patients in whom it is attempted, and it ensures a technical outcome comparable with that of patients undergoing EAAR with GA. Successful completion of EAAR with EA is associated with a short period of hospitalization.

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PubMed1999

Endoluminal repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms using a modular stent-graft: one-year clinical results from a European multicentre trial.

This is a report of a prospective study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Medtronic AneuRx stent-graft. Patients with an infrarenal aneurysm with a proximal neck length of greater than 10 mm and a neck diameter not greater than 26 mm and iliac artery diameters of at least 6 mm were accepted for endovascular repair using the Medtronic AneuRx modular stent-graft. A total of 104 patients were included in the study. Transfemoral placement of the bifurcated stent-graft was successful in 102 of 104 patients. Two conversions were performed. The mean operating time was 148 min (range 75-480) and the mean blood loss was 605 ml (range 100-2900). The mean follow-up was 15 months (range 12-21). Complications were rare and no kinking or migration occurred. At follow-up, four endoleaks persisted after 12 months. The Medtronic AneuRx stent-graft is a safe and efficacious alternative to open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with excellent early results.

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PubMed1998

European multicentre experience with modular device (Medtronic Aneurx) for the endoluminal repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Transfemoral endoluminal repair of AAA, introduced for the first time in the early 90's, has become a very promising alternative to conventional open repair and more and more centers are reporting satisfactory postoperative results in a high percentage of cases. Straight and bifurcated grafts represent the devices available on the market at present and aortic, as well as iliac aneurysmal lesions can be safely treated through a transfemoral approach. The possibility to indicate an endovascular AAA repair is related to the configuration (length and size) of the proximal and distal necks, tortuosity and calcification of the access arteries and to vascular and non-vascular comorbidities, which afflict the patients. The objective of our study was to evaluate the early and late postoperative results in a series of patients affected by infrarenal AAA, who underwent endoluminal repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 1996 to 31 October 1997 in 5 different European Centers, 100 Medtronic AneuRx bifurcated stent grafts were implanted for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. The diameter of the AAA varied from 33 to 77 mm (average 64 mm) and the mean age of the patients was 70.8 years (51-87 years). In one patient with a 33 mm diameter of the aneurysm, the surgical procedure was indicated because the size of the aneurysm had increased by 5 mm, compared to the previous control made 2 months before. In addition the aneurysm became symptomatic. There were 92 male and 8 female patients. The average time of the surgical procedure was 150 minutes (75-480 minutes) with an average blood loss of 570 ml (100-2,600 ml).

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PubMed1996

Computerised tomography findings as a risk factor in carotid endarterectomy: early and late results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether preoperative CT evidence of brain infarction is associated with an increased risk of early and late stroke and death in patients undergoing CEA. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 844 CT scanning records from 893 patients undergoing CEA from 1986-1994: 43% (367) CT positive for cerebral infarction and 57% (477) negative. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed for risk factors and preoperative symptoms in patients with positive and negative CT scans, and Kaplan Meier survival curves for late events. RESULTS: A positive CT was significantly more frequent in males vs. females (p < 0.0001; O.R. 2.52; C.I. 1.73-3.73), diabetics vs. non-diabetics (p = 0.03; O.R. 1.52; C.I. 1.03-2.26), symptomatics vs. asymptomatics (p < 0.001; O.R. 2; C.I. 1.93-3.53) and contralateral occlusion vs. patency (p < 0.001; O.R. 2; C.I. 1.30-3.10). The perioperative disabling stroke/ death rate was higher in patients with a positive CT (p = 0.002; O.R. 6.27; C.I. 1.73-34.20); in asymptomatic patients this difference was striking (5 patients vs. O, p = 0.0002). Multiple logistic regression analysis for risk factors, CT findings, symptoms preceding surgery, and congruity of brain infarction confirmed a significantly higher incidence of perioperative stroke/death rate (p = 0.003; O.R. 6.37; C.I. 5.12-7.63) and early and late stroke (p = 0.02; O.R. 1.95; C.I. 1.38-2.53) and death (p = 0.0005; O.R. 2.38; C.I. 1.89-2.88) in patients with brain lesions. After 7 years, the survival rate (p = 0.0009) and stroke-free interval (p = 0.003) were lower in patients with a positive CT. After 5 years, in asymptomatic patients the survival rate (p = 0.003) and stroke-free interval (p = 0.01) were lower in the positive CT group. CONCLUSIONS: A positive CT finding, regardless of congruity of the lesion, should be regarded as an indicator of an increased risk of stroke and death in patients scheduled for carotid surgery, especially in those with asymptomatic stenosis.

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PubMed1992

[Loco-regional fibrinolysis in peripheral arterial bypasses. Our experience].

Thirty-one patients (29 males and 2 females) with 34 thrombosed grafts were treated by direct intra-arterial infusion of urokinase; the lesions were acute in 27 cases and chronic (2-4 months) in 4. Urokinase was infused in doses of 50,000 UI/h. Angiographic follow-up exams were performed every 12 hours. The infusion was stopped when lumen patency was re-established and there was no significant mural thrombus or peripheral embolus. Treatment usually lasted 4-72 hours (average: 18 hours). The hematological status was controlled by measuring plasma fibrinogen, coagulation time, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin and antiplasmin time. Initial success rate was 76% (23 patients). Overall 1-year patency was 56% in 23 cases: 85% in the patients with correctable lesions by means of surgery or PTA, and 46% in the patients with non-correctable lesions. After the first period, patency remained high in the patients followed up to 5 years. Our experience confirms that lysis of a thrombosed graft is possible by the local infusion of a low-dose fibrinolytic agent and exhibits high success rate and low complication rate in acute and chronic obstructions.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Carotid stenosis and coronary artery disease in the elderly: the vascular surgeon's point of view.

Surgical prevention of stroke is justified only when the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates are very low. Therefore, an accurate cardiac evaluation is essential for patients with a vascular disease like carotid stenosis, to reduce the surgical risk and improve prognosis. The aim of our retrospective study was to characterize subgroups of patients with high cardiac risk. From 1986 to 1993 at the Vascular Surgery Unit of the Department of Surgery and Surgical Emergencies at the University of Perugia, 857 carotid endarterectomies were performed on 739 patients. The stroke/death rate, at 30 days after surgery, was 2.16% per patient and 1.86% per procedure; cardiac mortality was 0. However, during follow-up 58 patients died: 55% of these deaths could be attributed to cardiac disease. No statistically significant differences emerged in cardiac mortality of patients with a positive history of cerebral vascular accident with respect to asymptomatics, neither among patients with carotid stenosis associated with complete contralateral occlusion nor among those without. Our group of patients had a 76% survival rate at 7 years after surgery, which is different from that reported by other studies. This may be due to some bias associated with the preoperative selection of the patients and the retrospective nature of our study. Nevertheless, in patients with carotid stenosis, the most important cause of death is cardiac ischemia, therefore a rigorous preoperative selection is mandatory particularly in elderly asymptomatic patients.

Journal Article↗