Sex Specific Differences in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Morphology Based on Fully Automated Volume Segmented Imaging: A Multicentre Cohort Study and Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Objective: Sex specific anatomical differences may contribute to observed disparities in outcomes and suitability for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) between men and women with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). This study aimed to assess these differences using fully automated volume segmentation (FAVS) and explore implications for EVAR suitability.

Methods: This was a retrospective, multicentre cohort study of patients undergoing elective AAA repair between 2013 and 2023 in three UK tertiary centres.

Fully Automatic Volume Segmentation Using Deep Learning Approaches to Assess the Thoracic Aorta, Visceral Abdominal Aorta, and Visceral Vasculature.

Objective: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging is essential to evaluate and analyse complex abdominal and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, CTA analyses are labour intensive, time consuming, and prone to interphysician variability. Fully automatic volume segmentation (FAVS) using artificial intelligence with deep learning has been validated for infrarenal aorta imaging but requires further testing for thoracic and visceral aorta segmentation.

British Society of Endovascular Therapy ConformabLe EndoVascular Aneurysm Repair Registry: An Analysis of Aortic Neck Coverage of the GORE EXCLUDER Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis With ACTIVE CONTROL System.

Objective: Primarily to evaluate the area of neck coverage and secondarily, technical and clinical outcomes of the GORE EXCLUDER Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis (EXCC), designed to treat patients with significant angulation of the aortic neck, in routine clinical treatment of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Design: A prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study.

Materials And Methods: Patients aged >55 years with a nonruptured infrarenal AAA requiring treatment, were enrolled into the registry from June 2019 to December 2021.

Impact of patient sex on selection for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a discrete choice experiment.

Objectives: Women with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are less likely to receive elective repair than men. This study explored the effect of patient sex and other attributes on vascular surgeons' decision-making for infrarenal AAA repair.

Design: Discrete choice experiment.

Trial emulation to assess the effect of surgery on survival when there are competing risks, with application to patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Objectives: This study extends methods to estimate average causal effect of aneurysm repair surgery on (i) overall survival and (ii) aneurysm-related mortality, accounting for competing risks using data from the Effective Treatment for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (ETTAA) cohort.

Study Design And Setting: ETTAA, a prospective cohort study, recruited 886 patients between 2014 and 2018. Patients were linked to UK national hospital and mortality databases by National Health Service digital and followed-up for later surgeries and deaths.

Sex-specific differences in alive hospital discharge following infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background And Aims: A longer time to alive hospital discharge following infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is associated with reduced patient satisfaction and increased length of stay, hospital-acquired deconditioning, infection, and costs. This study investigated sex-specific differences in, and drivers of, the rate of alive hospital discharge.

Methods: Examination of UK National Vascular Registry (UK NVR), 2014-19, and Swedish National Patient Registry (SE NPR) elective AAA patients, 2010-18, for endovascular (EVAR) or open aneurysm repair (OAR).

Heart rate variability as a dynamic marker of surgeons' stress during vascular surgery.

Background: A surgeon experiences elevated stress levels when operating. Acute stress is linked to cognitive overload, worsening surgical performance. Chronic stress poses a significant risk to a surgeon's health.

Longitudinal health-related quality of life in people with thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Background: Surgical intervention for thoracic aortic aneurysms is high risk. Understanding changes in health-related quality of life before and after endovascular stent grafting and open surgical repair can aid treatment decision-making.

Methods: The Effective Treatments for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms ('ETTAA') study (ISRCTN04044627) was a longitudinal, observational study.

Inequalities for women diagnosed with distal arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms: results from the Effective Treatments for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (ETTAA) cohort study.

Background: Women with thoracic aortic aneurysms within the arch or descending thoracic aorta have poorer survival than men. Sex differences in relative thoracic aortic aneurysm size may account for some of the discrepancy. The aim of this study was to explore whether basing clinical management on aneurysm size index (maximum aneurysm diameter/body surface area) rather than aneurysm size can restore equality of survival by sex.

Use of Artificial Intelligence With Deep Learning Approaches for the Follow-up of Infrarenal Endovascular Aortic Repair.

Introduction: Endoleaks represent one of the main complications after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and can lead to increased re-intervention rates and secondary rupture. Serial lifelong surveillance is required and traditionally involves cross-sectional imaging with manual axial measurements. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based imaging analysis has been developed and may provide a more precise and faster assessment.

Health Related Quality of Life Following Intervention for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.

Background: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) pose significant risks of morbidity and mortality. Considering the evolving techniques for TAAA intervention and the growing interest in quality of life (QoL) outcomes for decision-making, we aimed to evaluate the impact of patient and perioperative characteristics on short-term, medium-term, and long-term postoperative QoL in TAAA repair patients.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane to identify primary research studies evaluating QoL post TAAA surgery, published in English or Swedish between January 01, 2012 and September 26, 2022.

Costs of endovascular and open repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Background: Repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms with either endovascular repair (TEVAR) or open surgical repair (OSR) represents major surgery, is costly and associated with significant complications. The aim of this study was to establish accurate costs of delivering TEVAR and OSR in a cohort of UK NHS patients suitable for open and endovascular treatment for the whole treatment pathway from admission and to discharge and 12-month follow-up.

Methods: A prospective study of UK NHS patients from 30 NHS vascular/cardiothoracic units in England aged ≥18, with distal arch/descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (CTAA) was undertaken.

Consensus statement on the interhospital transfer of patients with acute aortic syndrome: TRAVERSING Delphi study.

Background: Standardisation of referral pathways and the transfer of patients with acute aortic syndromes (AAS) to regional centres are recommended by NHS England in the Acute Aortic Dissection Toolkit. The aim of the Transfer of Thoracic Aortic Vascular Emergencies to Regional Specialist INstitutes Group study was to establish an interdisciplinary consensus on the interhospital transfer of patients with AAS to specialist high-volume aortic centres.

Methods: Consensus on the key aspects of interhospital transfer of patients with AAS was established using the Delphi method, in line with Conducting and Reporting of Delphi Studies guidelines.

Outcomes After Endovascular Aortic Intervention in Patients With Connective Tissue Disease.

Importance: Endovascular treatment is not recommended for aortic pathologies in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) other than in redo operations and as bridging procedures in emergencies. However, recent developments in endovascular technology may challenge this dogma.

Objective: To assess the midterm outcomes of endovascular aortic repair in patients with CTD.

Carbon dioxide flushing versus saline flushing of thoracic aortic stents (INTERCEPTevar): protocol for a multicentre pilot randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) carries a 3%-6.1% stroke risk, including risk of 'silent' cerebral infarction (SCI). Stent-grafts are manufactured in room air and retain air.

Systematic review of the development and effectiveness of digital health information interventions, compared with usual care, in supporting patient preparation for paediatric hospital care, and the impact on their health outcomes.

Background And Aim: Elective surgery can be overwhelming for children, leading to pre-operative anxiety, which is associated with adverse clinical and behavioural outcomes. Evidence shows that paediatric preparation digital health interventions (DHIs) can contribute to reduced pre-operative anxiety and negative behavioural changes. However, this evidence does not consider their design and development in the context of behavioural science.