What are treatment guidleines for aortic stenois?4 answersThe treatment guidelines for aortic stenosis (AS) involve various approaches based on the severity and symptoms of the condition. Current guidelines recommend a watchful waiting strategy for most asymptomatic AS patients, although some studies suggest improved survival with early aortic valve replacement. Symptomatic severe AS patients are advised to undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to poor prognosis if left untreated, with surgical AVR being the preferred choice offering good long-term results. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is endorsed for symptomatic severe AS patients unsuitable for surgical AVR, with no upper risk limit specified. Recent studies indicate that antihypertensive treatment, including β-blockers and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, may be safe and beneficial in reducing left ventricular pressure overload and slowing AS progression, although definitive treatment guidelines are lacking.
How is smoking associated with aortic aneurysm?5 answersSmoking is associated with an increased risk of aortic aneurysm. Multiple studies have shown this association. One study found that smoking is associated with higher AAA prevalence, particularly in bladder, renal, and lung cancers. Another study conducted in a Japanese population confirmed that active cigarette smoking increases the risk of aortic mortality, while smoking cessation reduces the risk. Furthermore, a study using murine models found that daily e-cigarette vaping with nicotine enhances aneurysm development and vascular inflammation. Additionally, a review article concluded that smoking, along with age and hypertension, predisposes individuals to a high risk of aortic aneurysm. Finally, a Mendelian randomization analysis showed a positive causal relationship between smoking initiation, tobacco use, and aortic aneurysm. These findings collectively demonstrate the strong association between smoking and aortic aneurysm.
What are the most used endograft in penetrating aortic ulcer descending aorta?5 answersThe most commonly used endografts for treating penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs) in the descending aorta are the RelayPro thoracic endograftand the Cook-Zenith Alpha aortobi-iliac endograft. The RelayPro endograft is a second-generation, low-profile device that has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms and PAUs. On the other hand, the Cook-Zenith Alpha endograft is specifically designed for the endovascular repair of complicated infrarenal abdominal PAUs and has shown excellent technical results and satisfactory mid-term clinical outcomes. These endografts have been used successfully in patients with various anatomical features and have shown good patency, exclusion of the ulcers, and low rates of complications and reinterventions.
What are the state of the art endograft model for descending thoraci aorta aneurysms?5 answersThe state-of-the-art endograft models for descending thoracic aorta aneurysms include the Cook Zenith® fenestrated endograft, the Endologix Ventana™, the Vascutek Fenestrated Anaconda™, and the JOTEC E-xtra DESIGN ENGINEERING. These endografts have been developed to treat complex abdominal aortic and thoraco-abdominal aneurysms, with the Cook Zenith® and Vascutek Fenestrated Anaconda™ endografts showing good clinical outcomes and a low reintervention rate. The Cook Zenith® endograft is customized with fenestrations and branches, while the Vascutek Fenestrated Anaconda™ is designed for more tortuous aortas with a high number and large size of fenestrations. The Endologix Ventana™, however, was withdrawn due to a high reintervention rate. The JOTEC E-xtra DESIGN ENGINEERING endograft is a promising option, but more data is needed. These endograft models offer advancements in endovascular treatment for descending thoracic aorta aneurysms, providing alternative options for patients who are not suitable for open repair.
What are the long-term outcomes of EVAR versus open repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms?5 answersEndovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR) are both viable options for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The long-term outcomes of EVAR versus OSR have been studied in several papers. One study found that EVAR as a priority approach for infrarenal rAAA in experienced centers can achieve low peri-operative mortality and provide survival benefits for patients with unstable hemodynamics or hostile aortic anatomies. Another study compared the outcomes of the branched graft technique (debranching) versus the en bloc technique (island) for reimplantation of supra-aortic vessels in total arch replacement and found similar long-term mortality rates between the two approaches. A study comparing fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F-BEVAR) with open surgical repair (OSR) for complex AAAs found no significant difference in overall and aneurysm-related mortality, but a higher rate of chronic renal decline in the OSR group. Additionally, a study comparing EVAR and OSR in octogenarian patients found no difference in overall mortality, but a higher reintervention rate in the EVAR group. Overall, these studies suggest that both EVAR and OSR can provide favorable long-term outcomes for AAA repair, but individual risk stratification is important in selecting the appropriate treatment method.
Diabetics protective against aortic aneurysms?5 answersDiabetes mellitus has been associated with a protective role against the development and progression of aortic aneurysms. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this association, including endothelial dysfunction, chronic hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Diabetic patients have been shown to have a slower growth rate of aortic aneurysms, lower rupture rates, delayed age of rupture, decreased mortality, and decreased incidence and prevalence of aneurysms. Additionally, antidiabetic medications such as metformin, thiazolidinediones, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors may further protect against aneurysm development. However, a study specifically investigating the association between metformin treatment and ascending aortic aneurysm did not find a protective effect. The underlying mechanisms of this protective effect of diabetes and its treatment on aortic aneurysms are still being investigated.