Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is an arterial emergency with an overall mortality of 80%-90% secondary to massive hemorrhage. If a patient with RAAA presents in a primary hospital without resolution capacity, survival will depend on early transfer to a center with adequately trained specialists. This article reviews the evidence supporting the centralization of AAAR treatment in qualified centers, specifying the criteria used for the selection of referral centers and the role of a coordinating unit. Our current referral system, which is based primarily on costs, is also described. Patients with AAAR who consult in non-resolving centers should be rapidly transferred to a qualified referral center, following a transfer protocol, and guided by a coordinating unit acting according to technical and established criteria based on results, quality, and costs. Qualified referral centers should have an accredited vascular surgeon and a high institutional aortic surgery volume, adequate infrastructure, endovascular resolution capacity, support services (intensive care, hemodialysis, etc.) and specialized personnel permanently available.

Background: Telemedicine became a relevant means to provide healthcare without face-to-face medical evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: To describe the effectiveness of telemedicine in vascular surgery. Materials and Methods: Review of medical records of all vascular surgery consultations carried out in a clinical hospital between April and October 2020. The main outcome measured was the resolution of the reason for consultation. Secondary outcomes were the need to request laboratory tests or imaging, the need to evaluate the patient in person, and the need for referral to hospitalization or emergency service. Results: One hundred-six new consultations and their follow-up (remotely or in person) were analyzed. A definitive diagnosis could be reached in 74% of consultations, treatment could be instituted or modified in 69% of them, and the reason for consultation could be resolved in 74% of cases. Laboratory and imaging tests were requested in 36 and 63% of consultations, respectively. Four percent of patients were referred to the emergency department or hospitalization. Conclusions: In the vast majority of consultations, it was possible to achieve a definitive diagnosis, prescribe a treatment and resolve the reason for consultation without the need for a face-to-face medical evaluation.

Resumo A embolização endovascular das artérias que alimentam os sequestros pulmonares é uma opção terapêutica em crescimento. Uma mulher de 51 anos com dor torácica e hemoptise foi internada. Durante a internação, ela apresentou hemoptise de 150 mL, hipotensão e queda do hematócrito para 23,3%. A tomografia computadorizada com contraste confirmou um sequestro pulmonar irrigado por uma artéria aneurismática originária da aorta abdominal. A paciente foi submetida a embolização endovascular da artéria que alimentava o aneurisma com uso de coils e dispositivo Amplatzer no terço proximal da artéria sequestrante. A tomografia subsequente confirmou a trombose completa da artéria aberrante que alimentava o aneurisma e a ausência de irrigação dentro do sequestro pulmonar. No seguimento de 56 meses, a paciente permanecia assintomática, e a tomografia mostrou involução do sequestro e trombose completa da artéria aberrante. Os desafios apresentados pelas diferentes alternativas de tratamento são discutidos neste artigo.

Abstract Endovascular embolization of arteries feeding pulmonary sequestrations is a growing therapeutic option. A 51-year-old woman with chest pain and hemoptysis was admitted. During hospitalization she presented 150 mL hemoptysis, hypotension, and hematocrit fell to 23.3%. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed a pulmonary sequestration irrigated by an aneurysmal artery from the abdominal aorta. The patient underwent endovascular coil embolization of the artery feeding the aneurysm and an Amplatzer device was deployed in the proximal third of the sequestration artery. Subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed complete thrombosis of the aberrant artery feeding the aneurysm and absence of irrigation of the pulmonary sequestration. At 56 months follow-up the patient remains asymptomatic, tomography showed involution of the sequestration and complete thrombosis of the aberrant artery. The challenges presented by the different treatment alternatives are discussed.

Background: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications. Aim: To report our results with OR treatment of TAAA. Material and Methods: Descriptive study including all patients with TAAA operated electively and consecutively by OR between 1983 and 2019. Main outcomes are operative mortality, renal and neurological morbidity, and long-term survival. Results: We report 45 operated patients aged 33 to 84 years, 74% males. Aneurysm extension according to Crawford classification was I in 18%, II in 18 %, III in 36% and IV in 29%. Operative mortality was 4%. The frequency of paraplegia or paraparesis at discharge was 9%. No patient was discharged on hemodialysis. Survival at 5 and 10 years were 60% and 40% respectively. Conclusions: OR of TAAA is a complex procedure. Our results show perioperative mortality rates comparable to highly experienced centers. Although being a major procedure, OR remains an alternative to treat this serious condition.

Abstract Introduction: aortic graft infection (AGI) after aortic open repair is an unusual (0.7-3 %) and potentially lethal complication. Standard treatment has been excision of infected graft and extra anatomic bypass, although currently there are in situ repair techniques. Global perioperative mortality is 4-40 % according to the series and the repair technique. Objectives: to report our experience with extra anatomic revascularization and excision of infected graft in AGI. Methodology: retrospective study between 1977 and 2020. Were included patients with AGI treated with extra anatomic revascularization and excision of infected graft only. Demographics, morbidities, clinical presentation and microbiological agents were considered. Primary outcome was postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes were reinterventions, postoperative complications, major amputations, bypass patency and long-term survival. Descriptive statistics were performed and dycotomical asociations were established with chi-squared test. Results: sixteen patients, all male. Average age 69.2 years (55-82). Average time to infection from surgery was 27.8 months (1-84). AGI was more frequent in patients with ruptured aortic aneurysm (p < 0.05). Eleven patients (68.8 %) had fever, 6 (37.5 %) consulted with abdominal or lumbar pain, 5 (31.3 %) had inflammatory changes of local skin. Twelve patients (75 %) had aortoduodenal communications. Three patients (18.8 %) had lower limb ischemia. Seven patients (43.8 %) presented postoperative complications and 2 patients expired (12.5 %). Actuarial one-year and five-year survival were 86.7 % and 64.3 %, respectively. Five-year primary and secondary patency of the axillofemoral bypass were 77.8 % and 100 %, respectively. Conclusions: AGI is a serious condition, which treatment carries significant morbidity and mortality. Axillofemoral bypass grafting and infected graft excision currently is a safe alternative of treatment.

Resumen Introducción: la infección de prótesis después de cirugía abierta de aorta abdominal es infrecuente (0,7-3 %) y potencialmente mortal. El manejo clásico ha sido mediante revascularización extraanatómica y retiro del material protésico, y actualmente existen alternativas de reparación in situ. La mortalidad perioperatoria global es entre 4 y 40 % dependiendo de la serie y del tipo de reparación. Objetivos: reportar nuestra experiencia con revascularización extraanatómica y resección de la prótesis infectada. Metodología: estudio retrospectivo entre 1977 y 2020. Se incluyeron solo pacientes con infección de prótesis tratados mediante resección y reconstrucción extraanatómica. Se consideraron variables demográficas, comorbilidades, presentación clínica y agente microbiano. Como resultado primario utilizamos mortalidad posoperatoria y para resultados secundarios: reoperaciones, complicaciones precoces y tardías, amputación mayor, permeabilidad y sobrevida alejada. Se realizaron estadísticas descriptivas y asociaciones dicotómicas con chi-cuadrado. Resultados: dieciséis pacientes, todos masculinos. Edad promedio 69,2 años (55-82). Tiempo promedio de cirugía a infección de 27,8 meses (1-84). Fue más frecuente la infección en pacientes intervenidos por aneurisma roto que por otras causas (p < 0,05). Once pacientes (68,8 %) presentaban fiebre, 6 (37,5 %) debutaron con dolor abdominal o lumbar, 5 (31,3 %) con signos inflamatorios cutáneos (región inguinal o lumbar). Doce pacientes (75 %) presentaron comunicación aortoduodenal: 6 fístulas y 6 erosiones. Tres pacientes (18,8 %) debutaron con isquemia de miembros inferiores. Siete pacientes (43,8 %) presentaron complicaciones posoperatorias mayores y 2 pacientes fallecieron en el posoperatorio (12,5 %). La sobrevida actuarial al año y a 5 años fue de 86,7 % y 64,3 % respectivamente. Las permeabilidades primaria y secundaria de la reconstrucción extraanatómica a 5 años fue 77,8 % y 100 %, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la infección de prótesis aórtica es una entidad grave, cuyo tratamiento conlleva una morbimortalidad significativa. La revascularización extraanatómica y resección de prótesis infectada continúa siendo una alternativa de manejo y permite solucionar de forma segura y efectiva el foco séptico.

Giant cell arteritis is more common in women older than 60 years, is associated with systemic inflammation symptoms and mainly involves the aortic arch and cranial arteries, specially the temporal artery. Symptomatic lower extremity arterial stenosis or occlusion is uncommon and can lead to limb loss. We report a 73-year-old woman presenting with a one-month history of lower extremity intermittent claudication of sudden onset. She also complained of fever, malaise, headache and weight loss. A non-invasive vascular study showed moderate femoral popliteal occlusive disease, with and abnormal ankle-brachial index (0.68 and 0.83 on right and left sides, respectively). An angio-computed tomography showed thickening of the aortic wall and severe stenosis in both superficial femoral arteries. Steroidal treatment was started, and a temporal artery biopsy was performed confirming giant cell arteritis. Six weeks after steroid therapy the patient had a complete remission of symptoms. A serologic exacerbation was subsequently treated with a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor Tocilizumab, obtaining long time remission.