Publications by authors named "Helen A Potter"

Background: Several recent small trials have suggested that there is a potential benefit of early thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD), even for uncomplicated patients. We studied patients enrolled in the Gore Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT) to compare outcomes of TEVAR in the early-acute phase with and without complicated presentation.

Methods: The GREAT registry was queried for patients treated with TEVAR for TBAD.

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  • Anemia is common in patients with peripheral vascular disease and can lead to serious complications and increased mortality after surgeries; transfusions, while sometimes necessary, are linked to their own risks, including infections and heart issues.
  • This study analyzed data from the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative to determine how blood transfusions affect major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE) in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass operations between 2003 and 2020.
  • Results showed that patients with more severe anemia had higher rates of MACE and MALE, and the study evaluated the outcomes based on whether or not those patients received blood transfusions. *
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  • The study focuses on the technical aspects of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD), examining the effects of proximal and distal seal zones, left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization, and lumbar drainage on outcomes like spinal cord ischemia (SCI) and the need for reintervention.
  • Researchers analyzed data from 583 patients who underwent TEVAR, looking at various outcomes including stroke and retrograde type A dissection while comparing different conditions of proximal seal zone (PSZ) and distal seal zone (DSZ).
  • The results indicated that while PSZ 2 might lead to higher reintervention rates, it
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  • TEVAR is increasingly used for treating acute uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (TBAD), but more large randomized studies are needed to assess its effectiveness compared to medical management.
  • A retrospective review of 216 patients from 2015 to 2020 compared outcomes between those treated with TEVAR and those managed medically, focusing on readmissions and surgeries post-treatment.
  • Results showed that medically managed patients had significantly higher unplanned readmission (34% vs 9%) and operation rates (28% vs 8%), while TEVAR patients experienced longer hospital stays.
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Background: Treatment of aneurysmal type B aortic dissection often involves thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). However, persistent patency of the false lumen from type R entry flow is common and is associated with late complications including rupture. We describe 9 patients with aneurysmal chronic type B aortic dissections and patent false lumens and 7 despite prior thoracic endovascular aortic repair.

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Objectives: Preservation of antegrade flow to the left vertebral artery (LVA) is often achieved by transposition or bypass to the left subclavian artery during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair. An anomalous LVA (aLVA) originating directly from the aortic arch is a common arch variant with a reported incidence of 4% to 6%. In addition, 6% to 10% of vertebral arteries terminate in a posterior inferior cerebellar artery, increasing the risk of stroke if not revascularized.

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Introduction: Emergent endovascular repair of suprarenal (SRAAAs) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) poses a significant challenge due to the need for branch vessel incorporation, time constraints, and lack of dedicated devices. Techniques to incorporate branch vessels have included parallel grafting, physician-modified endografts, double-barrel/reversed iliac branch device, and in situ fenestration (ISF). This study describes a single-center experience and the associated outcomes when using these techniques for ruptured SRAAAs and TAAAs.

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Objective: The new Society for Vascular Surgery/Society for Thoracic Surgery reporting standards for type B aortic dissection (TBAD) categorize clinical presentations of aortic dissection into uncomplicated, high-risk features (HRF), and complicated groups. Although it is accepted that complicated dissections require immediate repair, the optimal timing of repair for HRF has yet to be established. This study aims to identify the ideal timing of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for HRF, as well as outcomes associated with specific HRF.

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Objective: Patients who present with lower extremity ischemia are frequently anemic and the optimal transfusion threshold for this cohort remains controversial. We sought to evaluate the impact of blood transfusion on postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, dysrhythmia, stroke, congestive heart failure, and 30-day mortality for these patients.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent infra-inguinal bypass at our institution from 2011 to 2020 were included.

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The repair of tandem carotid lesions has been described using myriad methods, often involving a hybrid approach of stenting with carotid endarterectomy. Because of the worrisome stroke rates associated with this method, we have reported an innovative technique of transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) for tandem lesions in a patient with high-grade stenosis of the right common and internal carotid arteries. Technical success was achieved with TCAR via retrograde and antegrade access using dynamic flow reversal for the treatment of both lesions.

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Objective: Despite the increasing use of endovascular therapy for traumatic arterial injuries, little is known about the outcomes of endovascular repair of superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery (PA) injuries. In the present study, we compared the characteristics and outcomes of endovascular vs open repair of traumatic SFA and PA injuries.

Methods: We performed a retrospective National Trauma Data Bank analysis of trauma patients with a blunt or penetrating injury of the SFA and/or PA who had undergone endovascular or open repair from 2007 to 2014.

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