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Biomedical subjects

G Patrick Clagett

Publications and source records attributed to G Patrick Clagett.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Surveillance of small aortic aneurysms does not alter anatomic suitability for endovascular repair.

OBJECTIVE: Small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs; 4-5.4 cm) are more likely to be suitable for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) than large aortic aneurysms (>5.5 cm). The purpose of this study was to determine whether small AAA growth is associated with the development of morphologic characteristics that decrease eligibility for EVAR. METHODS: We studied 54 patients who underwent 2 or more computed tomography scans with 3-dimensional reconstruction during surveillance of small AAAs. Morphologic aortic aneurysm features and changes were measured according to Society for Vascular Surgery reporting standards. Suitability for EVAR was determined by neck anatomy (diameter, length, and angulations), iliac artery morphology, and total aortic aneurysm angulation and tortuosity. RESULTS: The median age of the study cohort was 73 years (interquartile range [IQR], 65-77 years). The median follow-up period was 24 months (IQR, 15-36 months). The median small AAA diameter increased from 44.5 mm (IQR, 41-48 mm) to 48.9 mm (IQR, 45.7-52.0 mm). The median aortic neck diameter increased from 23.0 to 24.0 mm (P = .002), whereas median neck length decreased from 26.5 to 20.0 mm (P = .001). Aortic aneurysm median tortuosity index increased from 1.09 to 1.11 (P = .05). No significant changes in iliac artery morphology occurred. Overall, the anatomic suitability for endovascular repair did not significantly change during the study period (74% vs 69%; McNemar test; P = .25). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in aortic morphology are frequently associated with small AAA growth at mid-term follow-up, but such changes are minor and do not affect overall anatomic suitability for EVAR. These data reveal that continued surveillance of small AAAs does not threaten the window of opportunity for EVAR.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Vascular reconstruction using deep vein for limb length discrepancy in a child.

Iatrogenic vascular injuries can result in claudication and limb length discrepancy in growing children. Traditional reconstruction has been performed with great saphenous vein as a conduit. We report the case of a 7-year-old boy with a symptomatic limb length discrepancy and vascular reconstruction using femoropopliteal vein. The use of deep vein as an autogenous conduit may facilitate reconstruction of iliofemoral arteries in preadolescent children, providing an excellent size match and an efficacious means of restoring normal blood flow.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed2006

Computed tomographic angiography has added value in patients with vascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has the potential to detect unsuspected extravascular pathology in patients with vascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of unexpected findings, additional associated costs, and alterations in treatment in vascular patients undergoing CTA. METHODS: During a recent 15-month period, 350 subjects (207 men, 143 women; mean age of 66 +/- 14 years) underwent CTA for evaluation of aortic aneurysms (43%), lower extremity occlusive disease (33%), renal artery disease (17%), or aortic graft infection (7%). Unexpected CTA findings were categorized as incidental, clinically important but probably benign, or possibly serious. Medical records were reviewed to determine the outcome of additional testing and to identify alterations in treatment plans. RESULTS: Of the 163 subjects (47%) with positive findings, 95 (27%) were categorized as incidental, 27 (8%) as probably benign, and 41 (12%) as potentially serious. Additional tests were required in 57 subjects (15%) to confirm these results. Seventeen (5%) of the 350 original subjects were ultimately considered to have life-threatening pathology found on CTA, but 11 of these were lost to follow-up. Significant alterations in treatment plan occurred in the six patients with life-threatening pathology and in one other patient with benign disease. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that unexpected CTA findings are common in vascular patients. Although few prove to be serious, treatment delays associated with evaluation of benign lesions are modest. Of major concern, one fourth of patients with potentially serious lesions did not undergo further evaluation in this study. Vascular surgeons need to ensure adequate follow-up for their patients with potentially serious extravascular lesions.

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PubMed2006

Complex venous and arterial reconstruction with deep vein after pelvic exenterative surgery: a case report.

Effective local regional control for solid tumor malignancies is dependent upon prerequisite surgical excision with negative margins. Invasion of contiguous adjacent structures, particularly in anatomical spaces of limited size, may preclude the surgical goal of histologically negative margins. From a historical perspective, the invasion of vascular structures in the pelvis has proved to be a significant limitation in achieving local regional disease control with surgical resection. In recent years, advances in the field of vascular surgery have caused us to reassess the historical criteria of resectability when blood vessels are focally invaded by malignancy. En bloc resection of adjacent vessels has been reported primarily with head and neck extirpations and increasingly with hepatobiliary and pancreatic lesions. In many cases, where the local vasculature is invaded or impinged by the tumor, venous structures are often ligated while arteries are bypassed with an appropriate conduit. In pelvic exenterative surgery, significant morbidity from chronic limb edema and deep venous thrombosis may result from the ligation of larger veins. This is especially the case when multiple major venous structures such as the common and the external iliac vein, as well as the hypogastric vein, are all simultaneously interrupted. To the best of our knowledge, there is no prior report examining venous reconstruction using the femoral vein for pelvic exenterative surgery requiring major iliac artery and venous resection. Herein we describe a case of a complex vascular reconstruction after pelvic exenterative surgery in a patient with recurrent rectal cancer invading multiple adjacent contiguous structures, including the iliac vessels.

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PubMed2005

Hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation.

BACKGROUND: Hand ischemia is a rare but potentially devastating complication of radial artery cannulation for arterial monitoring. The causes and ultimate outcomes of hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation are unclear. STUDY DESIGN: My colleagues and I reviewed the clinical course of radial cannula-induced arterial thrombosis in eight patients during a recent 5-year period. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) duration of radial artery ischemia was 3 +/- 2 days. Injuries were associated with advanced (grade IIb) ischemia that affected the entire hand in four patients and first three digits in the other four patients. Radial artery thrombosis was documented using noninvasive tests or arteriography in all patients. Five injuries were initially treated with thrombectomy and patch angioplasty (n = 4) or vein graft interposition (n = 1); two others were treated nonoperatively with vasodilators, and one was observed without treatment. Three of the four patch angioplasty repairs occluded within 24 hours. Regardless of patency, all patients who survived arterial repairs had continuing ischemia that resulted in digital gangrene or amputation. In contrast, gangrene developed in only one patient treated nonoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that hand ischemia after radial artery cannulation is associated with high risk of tissue loss or amputation. Operative repair offered no advantage over nonoperative therapy in prevention of digital gangrene in this series. We hypothesize that digital gangrene results from distal embolization from the site of the initial arterial thrombosis, producing ischemia that is not remediated by radial artery revascularization. Nonoperative therapy with vasodilators can be equally effective in treating cannula-induced radial artery injuries in some patients.

Amputation, Surgical↗
PubMed2005

Arterial reconstruction of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms using superficial femoral-popliteal vein.

BACKGROUND: Infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (IFAPs) secondary to percutaneous arterial access, injection of illegal substances, and from infected synthetic grafts, appear to be increasing in incidence. Ligation of IFAPs without revascularization offers control of infection but may risk limb ischemia. Revascularization with extraanatomic synthetic grafts may risk reinfection and abrupt thrombosis. Excision of IFAPs with revascularization using superficial femoral popliteal vein (SFPV) provides both control of infection and excellent limb perfusion. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted of patients diagnosed with IFAP who underwent resection and revascularization with SFPV at a single medical center. Outcomes measured included reinfection and amputation rate. These were compared with other series using various methods to treat IFAPs. RESULTS: Eleven patients with IFAP were encountered from 1992 to 2004. Mean age was 64 years (+/-10 SD). Five patients developed IFAP secondary to percutaneous arterial access procedures. Four patients developed infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms secondary to synthetic graft infection. Two patients developed IFAP secondary to injection of illegal substances in the femoral region. All patients had positive wound cultures initially. Staphylococcus was the most common organism found in wound cultures. All patients underwent resection of IFAP with lower extremity revascularization using SFPV. There was no incidence of limb ischemia and no perioperative deaths in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Excision of IFAP with revascularization can be successfully achieved using SFPV. This method may prove to be superior to other methods with apparent higher patency rates and resistance to reinfection.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Femorofemoral bypass with femoral popliteal vein.

BACKGROUND: The femoropopliteal vein (FPV) has been used successfully for vascular reconstructions at multiple sites. To date, there have been no studies documenting patency of the FPV graft in the femorofemoral position. Our goal was to assess long-term patency of the FPV graft used for femorofemoral bypass (FFBP). METHODS: Patients undergoing FFBP over a 10-year period were studied. Those in whom the FPV was used as a conduit were analyzed for runoff resistance score to assess how patients with poor runoff fared. Poor runoff was defined as a runoff resistance score of > or =7 (1 = normal runoff, 10 = total occlusion of all runoff vessels). RESULTS: Fifty-four patients underwent FPV FFBP as a sole procedure (n = 16, 30%) or as a portion of an aortofemoral reconstruction with a FFBP component (n = 38, 70%). Mean (+/- SD) follow-up was 47 +/- 33 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year primary patencies were 97%, 93%, and 76%. The 5-year assisted primary and secondary patency rates were 85% and 90%. Among 27 patients with poor runoff (runoff resistance score of > or =7), the cumulative 40 month patency rate was 90%. Among patients in whom FPV FFBP was performed as a primary procedure (no aortofemoral component), there were no graft failures. CONCLUSIONS: FFBP performed with FPV has excellent 1-, 3, and 5-year patency rates. FPV has sustained patency for FFBP in patients with poor runoff.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Graft-associated hemorrhage from femoropopliteal vein grafts.

OBJECTIVE: The femoropopliteal vein (FPV) graft has been used extensively for large-caliber vascular reconstructions. To date, there have been no reports of anastomotic dehiscence or rupture leading to graft-associated hemorrhage (GAH). In the present report, we review our experience with GAH from FPV grafts to determine the incidence of this problem, to better understand the etiology, and to determine potential methods to prevent this complication. METHODS: All patients undergoing arterial reconstructions with FPV grafts were entered into a registry that included demographics, operative details, complications, and follow-up information. Episodes of GAH that occurred during the period from 1990 to 2004 were studied to determine etiologic factors and outcomes. RESULTS: During the study period, 574 FPV grafts were used for arterial reconstructions in 364 patients. GAH occurred in 11 patients (3%). Onset of GAH ranged from 1 hour to 180 days after operation. The mean blood transfusion requirement for GAH was 10 +/- 4 units. In three patients, the etiology of GAH was purely technical, resulting in a slipped or "popped" tie from a large side branch. In eight patients, the etiology was due to graft disruption secondary to uncontrolled infection and failure of anastomotic healing. Most of these patients were being treated for aortic graft infection. Special risk factors for this complication included malnutrition, ongoing polymicrobial and fungal infections, immunocompromised state, active cancer, steroid treatment, and ongoing graft contamination from gastrointestinal or pharyngeal leaks. Outcomes included four deaths and one stroke. CONCLUSIONS: GAH is a serious complication with high morbidity, mortality, and transfusion requirements. Although technical problems are preventable, FPV grafts, like all biologic grafts, can develop disruption with GAH from ongoing infection, especially in severely immunocompromised patients who are malnourished and have poor healing ability. Strategies for prevention and alternative treatment modalities are appropriate in patients at high risk for GAH.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Family history is a major determinant of subclinical peripheral arterial disease in young adults.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is prevalent in first-degree relatives of young adults with premature-onset peripheral arterial occlusive disease (premature PAD), but it is not known whether the genetic influence is independent of other risk factors, the most prevalent of which is smoking. This study was performed to determine the relative contributions of family history and smoking to the development of occult PAD in siblings of patients with premature PAD. METHODS: The prevalence of occult PAD was determined with carotid, abdominal, and lower extremity duplex ultrasound scanning in 50 asymptomatic siblings (25 men, 25 women) of patients with premature PAD (onset 20 cigarettes/day) and 50 nonsmokers. RESULTS: Duplex ultrasound scans demonstrated raised arterial lesions in 20 asymptomatic siblings (40%), 20 heavy smokers (40%), and 2 nonsmoking control subjects (4%), resulting in 42 affected and 108 unaffected subjects. As expected, smokers were far more likely to have arterial lesions than were nonsmokers (odds ratio [OR], 11.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-30.7; P <.0001). Individuals with a family history of premature PAD were almost three times more likely to have arterial lesions than those with no family history of cardiovascular disease (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.3-5.8; P =.006). Stratified and multivariable logistic regression indicated no interaction between smoking and family history, indicating simple additive effects on PAD. CONCLUSIONS: Family history is a major determinant of occult PAD in young adults, and is at least as important as standard atherosclerotic risk factors. A high proportion of heavy smokers have clearly detectable lesions even though asymptomatic. Smoking and family history act additively to increase the risk for premature PAD.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed2004

Deep vein harvest: predicting need for fasciotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Deep thigh veins, including the superficial femoral, superficial femoropopliteal, and profunda femoris veins, are versatile autogenous conduits for arterial reconstruction. Although late venous complications are unusual, deep vein harvest may induce severe venous hypertension and predispose the limb to acute compartment syndrome. The purpose of this study was to define the frequency of fasciotomy in patients undergoing deep vein harvest and to identify clinical predictors of the need for fasciotomy after deep vein harvest. METHODS: Over 9 years, 162 patients underwent arterial reconstruction with deep vein harvested from 264 limbs. Indications for deep vein harvest included aortofemoral reconstruction in 127 patients, brachiocephalic arterial reconstruction in 22 patients, and visceral arterial reconstruction in 13 patients. RESULTS: Fasciotomy was performed in 47 of 264 limbs (17.8%) after deep vein harvest. The prevalence of fasciotomy after deep vein harvest was 20.6% for patients requiring aortofemoral reconstruction, whereas no patients underwent fasciotomy after deep vein harvest for mesenteric or brachiocephalic arterial reconstruction (P =.0068). Fasciotomy was performed in 20.7% of limbs after complete deep vein harvest to a level below the adductor hiatus, but no fasciotomies were performed in patients undergoing subtotal deep vein harvest, ending above the adductor hiatus (P =.0023). The mean preoperative ankle-brachial index (ABI) was significantly lower in limbs requiring fasciotomy (ABI, 0.39 +/- 0.05), compared with patients who did not require fasciotomy (ABI, 0.79 +/- 0.02; P <.0001). Fasciotomy was performed in 76.0% of limbs undergoing concurrent ipsilateral greater saphenous vein (GSV) and deep vein harvest, compared with 11.7% of patients undergoing deep vein harvest alone (P <.0001). The mean volume of intraoperative fluid administered to patients requiring fasciotomy was almost 50% higher than the fluid resuscitation received by patients who did not require fasciotomy (9.6 +/- 1.2 L vs 6.5 +/- 0.6 L; P <.0001). Logistic regression analysis determined that lower preoperative ABI (odds ratio [OR], 60.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12.5-289.3; P <.0001) and concurrent harvest of the ipsilateral GSV (OR, 9.9; 95% CI, 3.1-31.3; P <.0001) were predictors of the need for fasciotomy. CONCLUSIONS: One in four patients undergoing deep vein harvest for aortofemoral reconstruction may be expected to develop acute compartment syndrome and require fasciotomy. The risk appears to be greatest in patients with severe lower extremity ischemia and in patients undergoing simultaneous GSV and deep vein harvest. Prophylactic fasciotomy may be appropriate in patients with both risk factors, but vigilance for the development of compartment syndrome after deep vein harvest is required in all patients undergoing deep vein harvest for aortofemoral reconstruction.

Compartment Syndromes↗
PubMed2004

Aortofemoral bypass in young patients with premature atherosclerosis: is superficial femoral vein superior to Dacron?

PURPOSE: Previous studies have documented poor patency rates in "young" patients (age 55 years or younger) with premature atherosclerosis undergoing aortofemoral bypass (AFB) to treat aortoiliac occlusive disease. Given the high reported graft patency rates with superficial femoral vein (SFV) grafts performed because of aortic graft infection, we evaluated the role of SFV grafts for AFB as primary therapy for premature atherosclerosis in a case-control study. METHODS: Over 10 years 31 patients aged 55 year or younger underwent AFB with use of SFV (V-AFB). Case controls consisted of all patients 55 years of age or younger who underwent AFB with use of Dacron (D-AFB) during the same period (n = 80). In all cases this was the initial therapy (no repeat operations). The two groups were well matched for age, sex, weight, preoperative ankle-brachial index, and the comorbid conditions of smoking, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and renal insufficiency. There were more patients with diabetes in the V-AFB group (34% vs 16%; P =.05). Patients in the V-AFB group had more advanced disease, and the surgical indication was more frequently critical ischemia compared with the D-AFB group (90% vs 46%; P <.001). RESULTS: There was only one perioperative death in each group. There were no differences in cardiac, pulmonary, or gastrointestinal complications. However, fasciotomy occurred more frequently with V-AFB (44% vs 1%; P <.001). Surgery time was longer with V-AFB (7.3 vs 4.5 hours; P <.001). Despite these short-term drawbacks, V-AFB proved superior at long-term follow-up. The 5-year primary patency rate was significantly higher with V-AFB than with D-AFB (100% vs 56%; P =.013). There was also a trend for higher limb salvage at 5 years (90% vs 62%). Four graft infections occurred with D-AFB, and none with V-AFB (P =.32). CONCLUSIONS: AFB performed with SFV grafts is a far more durable operation than standard D-AFB in young patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease. However, V-AFB is far more likely to require lower extremity fasciotomy, and takes almost twice as long to perform.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Ocular findings as predictors of carotid artery occlusive disease: is carotid imaging justified?

OBJECTIVES: Hemispheric neurologic symptoms, amaurosis fugax, and Hollenhorst plaques at eye examination are standard indications for carotid imaging to identify carotid artery occlusive disease (CAOD). Previous reports have suggested that other ocular findings, such as retinal artery occlusion and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, are associated with CAOD. However, the predictive value of ocular findings for the presence of CAOD is controversial. The purpose of this study was to define the predictive value of ocular symptoms and ophthalmologic examination in identifying significant CAOD. METHODS: Over 3 years 145 patients were referred for carotid imaging on the basis of ocular indications in 160 eyes. Forty patients were excluded because of concurrent non-ocular indications for carotid imaging, leaving 105 patients referred exclusively for ocular indications to evaluate. Ophthalmologic history and eye examination were correlated with carotid duplex ultrasound findings. RESULTS: Amaurosis fugax was associated with a positive scan in 20.0% of carotid arteries (P =.022). Hollenhorst plaques at fundoscopic examination were associated with a positive scan in 18.2% of carotid arteries (P =.02). Ocular findings exclusive of Hollenhorst plaques were particularly poor predictors of CAOD, inasmuch as only 1 of 64 arteries (1.6%) had significant ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis (P =.022). Venous stasis retinopathy was the only ocular finding other than Hollenhorst plaques with any predictive value (1 of 5 scans positive; positive predictive value, 20.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Ocular symptoms and findings are poor predictors of CAOD. Amaurosis fugax, Hollenhorst plaques, and venous stasis retinopathy demonstrated moderate predictive value, whereas all other ocular findings demonstrated no predictive value in identifying CAOD.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Antithrombotic therapy in peripheral arterial occlusive disease: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy.

This chapter about antithrombotic therapy for peripheral arterial occlusive disease is part of the seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: Evidence Based Guidelines. Grade 1 recommendations are strong and indicate that the benefits do, or do not, outweigh risks, burden, and costs, and Grade 2 suggests that individual patients' values may lead to different choices (for a full understanding of the grading see Guyatt et al, CHEST 2004;126:179S-187S). Among the key recommendations in this chapter are the following: For patients with chronic limb ischemia, we recommend lifelong aspirin therapy in comparison to no antiplatelet therapy in patients with clinically manifest coronary or cerebrovascular disease (Grade 1A) and in those without clinically manifest coronary or cerebrovascular disease (Grade 1C+). We recommend clopidogrel over no antiplatelet therapy (Grade 1C+) but suggest that aspirin be used instead of clopidogrel (Grade 2A). For patients with disabling intermittent claudication who do not respond to conservative measures and who are not candidates for surgical or catheter-based intervention, we suggest cilostazol (Grade 2A). We suggest that clinicians not use cilostazol in patients with less-disabling claudication (Grade 2A). In these patients, we recommend against the use of pentoxifylline (Grade 1B). We suggest clinicians not use prostaglandins (Grade 2B). In patients with intermittent claudication, we recommend against the use of anticoagulants (Grade 1A). In patients with acute arterial emboli or thrombosis, we recommend treatment with immediate systemic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) [Grade 1C]. We also recommend systemic anticoagulation with UFH followed by long-term vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in patients with embolism [Grade 1C]). For patients undergoing major vascular reconstructive procedures, we recommend UFH at the time of application of vascular cross-clamps (Grade 1A). In patients undergoing prosthetic infrainguinal bypass, we recommend aspirin (Grade 1A). In patients undergoing infrainguinal femoropopliteal or distal vein bypass, we suggest that clinicians do not routinely use a VKA (Grade 2A). For routine patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass without special risk factors for occlusion, we recommend against VKA plus aspirin (Grade 1A). For those at high risk of bypass occlusion and limb loss, we suggest VKA plus aspirin (Grade 2B). In patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, we recommend aspirin preoperatively and continued indefinitely (Grade 1A). In nonoperative patients with asymptomatic or recurrent carotid stenosis, we recommend lifelong aspirin (Grade 1C+). For all patients undergoing extremity balloon angioplasty, we recommend long-term aspirin (Grade 1C+).

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed2003

Emerging role of endovascular grafts in complex aortoiliac occlusive disease.

BACKGROUND: Aortobifemoral bypass is the standard therapy for complex aortoiliac occlusive disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of endovascular grafts as an alternative to aortobifemoral bypass in patients with advanced aortoiliac occlusive disease at high risk. METHODS: Endovascular grafts were placed in 23 limbs in 22 patients with TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus document (TASC) type C and D lesions. All procedures were performed in the operating room, and images were obtained with portable digital fluoroscopy. Surgical exposure of the ipsilateral common femoral artery was performed to enable safe closure of 9F to 12F sheath sites and to facilitate ipsilateral interventions in the distal external iliac artery. Concomitant infrainguinal outflow procedures were performed in 6 patients. RESULTS: Twenty of 22 patients were men; mean patient age was 63.2 +/- 3.2 years. Indications for intervention were rest pain in 12 of 23 limbs and tissue loss in 9 of 22 limbs. Risk factors included hostile abdomen or pelvis in 8 patients, coronary artery disease in 11 patients, end-stage renal disease in 3 patients, and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 3 patients. Each patient received a mean of 1.6 grafts. Initial technical success was 95.2%, with one technical failure. There was no 30-day mortality. All patients experienced at least one grade improvement per Society for Vascular Surgery reporting standards. Primary patency at 24 months was 84.2% +/- 8.0%, with a limb salvage rate of 95.3% +/- 5.0%. Mean (+/- SD) ankle brachial index improved from 0.49 +/- 0.22 to 0.87 +/- 0.26 (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Endovascular grafting to treat advanced aortoiliac occlusive disease can be accomplished with good clinical outcome and acceptable short-term patency. This endovascular technique can be a viable alternative to conventional surgical revascularization in patients with advanced aortoiliac occlusive disease at high risk.

Aged↗