Overall results in 304 consecutive patients with acute spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage

The results obtained in 304 consecutive patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage are described, the majority of whom (86%) were admitted while in acute condition. Only 46% of the patients in this series were in good condition at admission. The initial management was standardized for all patients, but the protocol of "delayed surgery" was applied to patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysmal rupture. Two hundred and twenty-two patients (73%) had intracranial aneurysms. Of these, 20 (9%) were moribund and died shortly after admission; nine (4%) underwent emergency surgery due to the coexistence of a life-threatening cerebral hematoma; seven (3%) were operated upon within 3 days of admission; 78 (35%) died after rebleeding or after steady deterioration of the patient's condition due to vasospasm while awaiting surgery. Of the remaining 108 patients ready for delayed surgery, 12 (11%) (operation refused, elderly patients in poor general condition, spontaneous thrombosis of the aneurysm) were treated conservatively, and 96 (89%), who were in various clinical conditions, were actually operated on. Of these 96 patients, 79 (82%) exhibited excellent or good results, 5 (5%) were disabled, and 12 (12%) died. In the authors' experience, the overall management of intracranial aneurysms in unselected patients according to the protocol of delayed surgery results in significant loss of patients awaiting surgery, and good surgical results in the survivors.     

Ventricular tachycardia as a complication of annular subvalvular ventricular aneurysm in a Caucasian woman

A Caucasian female patient with repetitive attacks of ventriculartachycardia and fibrillation caused by annular submitral leftventricular aneurysm is reported. During a follow-up periodof six years after aneurysmectomy, the patient remained symptom-free.     

“Cross-over” duplication of middle cerebral artery,agenesis of internal carotid artery and saccular aneurysms

Summary The authors describe a patient with anomalous branches of the left internal carotid artery, cross-over duplication of its middle cerebral artery and agenesis of the contra-lateral internal carotid artery associated with two aneurysms successfully clipped. Pertinent literature is reviewed.     

Infection of cardiac mural thrombus associated with left ventricular aneurysm

Infection is a rare complication of cardiac mural thrombus andmay prove difficult to diagnose and treat. We describe a patientwith infected thrombus associated with a left ventricular aneurysm,involving Salmonella typhimurium. Cross-sectional echocardiographyproved helpful in establishing the diagnosis.     

Anastomotic false aneurysms with aortic Dacron graft after twenty-five years

One of the early diamond crimped knitted polyester (Dacron) grafts was surgically excised after implantation for 25 years in the aorto-billiac position because of false aneurysm formation at the three anastomotic sites. The sutures were no longer visible. While the areas around the false aneurysm were poorly incorporated, the graft limbs were well encapsulated with some endothelial-like cells on the luminal surface. The integrity of the graft was well preserved despite mild fraying and the disruption of one stitch.     

腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术后感染病原菌及Hippo信号通路基因改变

目的探讨腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术(EVAR)后医院感染病原特点及Hippo信号通路基因、白细胞介素-17(Interleukin-17,IL-17)、IL-23改变。方法选择天津医院血管外科2017年5月-2020年3月收治腹主动脉瘤EVAR术后医院感染患者49例作为感染组,选择同期医院进行EVAR术后未发生医院感染患者60例作为非感染组。采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测Hippo通路基因yap、taz、mst1相对表达水平,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测其辅助型T细胞17(Th17)促炎细胞因子白细胞介素-17(IL-17)、IL-23水平。结果49例患者共发生肺部感染33例(67.35%),尿路感染10例(20.41%),手术切口感染4例(8.16%),移植物感染2例(4.08%);感染病原以革兰阳性菌为主,共25株,占51.02%,革兰阴性菌共22株,占44.90%,真菌2株,占4.08%;感染组yap、taz、mst1基因相对表达水平和IL-17、IL-23水平高于非感染组(P<0.05)。结论腹主动脉瘤EVAR术后医院感染以肺部感染、尿路感染为主,应及时予以针对性预防;Hippo通路参与了感染发生过程,通过Th17促炎途径诱导炎症反应,其机制仍有待研究。     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: epidemiology,screening and work-up for repair

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilatation of the infra-renal abdominal aorta to greater than 3 cm. Population screening is offered to men in the year of their 65th birthday in the UK. Patients with small, asymptomatic AAAs (<5.5 cm) are entered into surveillance programmes and have their cardiovascular risk factors managed aggressively. An AAA ≥5.5 cm diameter, or one which is symptomatic, should be considered for surgical repair to prevent rupture. Aneurysm repair can be undertaken using either an open surgical or endovascular approach; the decision should be tailored to the individual patient and made by the surgeon and patient, with input from a multi-disciplinary team.     

HTAD patient pathway: Strategy for diagnostic work-up of patients and families with (suspected) heritable thoracic aortic diseases (HTAD). A statement from the HTAD working group of VASCERN

Heritable thoracic aortic diseases (HTAD) are rare pathologies associated with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissection, which can be syndromic or non-syndromic. They may result from genetic defects. Associated genes identified to date are classified into those encoding components of the (a) extracellular matrix (b) TGFβ pathway and (c) smooth muscle contractile mechanism. Timely diagnosis allows for prompt aortic surveillance and prophylactic surgery, hence improving life expectancy and reducing maternal complications as well as providing reassurance to family members when a diagnosis is ruled out. This document is an expert opinion reflecting strategies put forward by medical experts and patient representatives involved in the HTAD Rare Disease Working Group of VASCERN. It aims to provide a patient pathway that improves patient care by diminishing time to diagnosis, facilitating the establishment of a correct diagnosis using molecular genetics when possible, excluding the diagnosis in unaffected persons through appropriate family screening and avoiding overuse of resources. It is being recommended that patients are referred to an expert centre for further evaluation if they meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) thoracic aortic dissection (<70 years if hypertensive; all ages if non-hypertensive), (2) thoracic aortic aneurysm (all adults with Z score >3.5 or 2.5–3.5 if non-hypertensive or hypertensive and <60 years; all children with Z score >3), (3) family history of HTAD with/without a pathogenic variant in a gene linked to HTAD, (4) ectopia lentis without other obvious explanation and (5) a systemic score of >5 in adults and >3 in children. Aortic imaging primarily relies on transthoracic echocardiography with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography as needed. Genetic testing should be considered in those with a high suspicion of underlying genetic aortopathy. Though panels vary among centers, for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection or systemic features these should include genes with a definitive or strong association to HTAD. Genetic cascade screening and serial aortic imaging should be considered for family screening and follow-up. In conclusion, the implementation of these strategies should help standardise the diagnostic work-up and follow-up of patients with suspected HTAD and the screening of their relatives.