A DNA Methylation Marker, cg05575921 (AHRR), Outperforms Self-Reported Smoking Exposure for Its Association With Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence.

Background: The differential DNA methylation (DNAm) of the CpG site cg05575921, within the gene body of AHRR, has been shown to be a robust indicator of tobacco smoking exposure. This study aimed to determine if cg05575921 at AHRR DNAm had a clinically relevant association with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and compare its predictive performance with self-reported smoking assessments.

Methods: Whole blood cg05575921 (AHRR) DNAm was assessed using a simple droplet digital PCR assay in a cohort of 2784 elderly individuals.

Assessing Aortic Case Volume and Operative Autonomy in a Centralized Binational Vascular Surgery Training Program.

Background: Global shifts toward endovascular management of aortic aneurysms have altered learning opportunities for vascular surgery trainees.

Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative analysis of operative logbooks was conducted for all trainees in the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Vascular Surgery training program from 2015 to 2023. All aortic procedures were included; incomplete logbooks or partial training years were excluded.

Sartorius and Gracilis Muscle Flaps as Adjuncts for the Management of Complicated Femoral Wounds in Vascular Surgery.

Aim: Groin complications following vascular surgery occur in 10-30% of cases and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. While various institutions have published results on sartorius and rectus femoris muscle flaps for arterial reconstruction coverage, there are limited data on the use of gracilis muscle flaps. This study aimed to present the outcomes of sartorius and gracilis muscle flaps in managing complicated femoral wounds.

Randomized cross-over trial comparing stress responses amongst undergraduates and surgeons with and without background music during simulated surgery.

High stress may diminish a surgeon's performance in the operating room. Music is perceived to reduce stress in this setting, however the psycho-physiological effects of music on intra-operative stress in inexperienced and experienced operators is incompletely understood. The effect of music on the psychological (Six-Item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI-6] and Surgical Taskload Index [SURG-TLX]) and physiological responses (e.

Predictors of failure to rescue after fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as mortality due to failure in responding to in-hospital complications, is an important quality indicator. This study aimed to assess incidence and predictors for FTR among centers performing fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA).

Methods: Consecutive patients treated by FB-EVAR for TAAAs between 2005 and 2022 in 27 centers of the International Multicenter Aortic Research Group were analyzed.

Percutaneous Intervention of Aortic Pseudoaneurysm and Severe Bioprosthetic Valve Regurgitation Following a Bentall Procedure.

A 77-year-old man with a history of a Bentall procedure presented with acute decompensated heart failure. Investigations revealed severe bioprosthetic aortic valve regurgitation and a large pseudoaneurysm eroding the sternum. We describe the multimodal imaging and heart team planning to stent the pseudoaneurysm with an endograft followed by transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation.

Investigation of Type A Aortic Dissection Using Computational Modelling.

Aortic dissection is a catastrophic failure of the endothelial wall that could lead to malperfusion or rupture. Computational modelling tools may help detect arterial damage. Technological advancements have led to more sophisticated forms of modelling being made available to low-grade computers.

The application and uses of telemedicine in vascular surgery: A narrative review.

Technological advances over the past century have accelerated the pace and breadth of medical and surgical care. From the initial delivery of "telemedicine" over the radio in the 1920s, the delivery of medicine and surgery in the 21 century is no longer limited by connectivity. The COVID-19 pandemic hastened the uptake of telemedicine to ensure that health care can be maintained despite limited face-to-face contact.

Contemporary Outcomes of Infrainguinal Vein Bypass Surgery for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischaemia: A Two-Centre Cross-Sectional Study.

: Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is a significant life and limb-threatening condition. Two recent seminal trials, BEST-CLI and BASIL-2, have provided seemingly conflicting results concerning the optimal treatment modality for patients with CLTI. We sought to investigate the outcomes of patient undergoing infrainguinal bypass at two centres in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Incidence and Outcomes of Major Limb Amputation in New Zealand from 2010 to 2021.

: Major limb amputation (MLA) can be a common outcome due to severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetic foot disease (DFD), and it carries a significant mortality burden. In New Zealand (NZ), there is little documentation of the incidence rate and mortality after MLA. The aim was to report the national crude and standardised rates and the mortality post MLA.

Editor's Choice - Association of Pedal Acceleration Time With Healing and Amputation Free Survival in Patients With Ulceration and Gangrene.

Objective: Pedal acceleration time (PAT) is a novel non-invasive perfusion measurement that may be useful in the management of patients with ulceration and gangrene. The objective of this study was to report the association between PAT and wound healing, amputation free survival (AFS), and mortality at one year.

Methods: This prospective observational study reviewed all patients who underwent PAT after presentation with ulceration or gangrene from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2022.

Effect of EVAR on International Ruptured AAA Mortality-Sex and Geographic Disparities.

: We sought to investigate the differential impact of EVAR (endovascular aneurysm repair) vis-à-vis OSR (open surgical repair) on ruptured AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) mortality by sex and geographically. : We performed a retrospective study of administrative data on EVAR from state statistical agencies, vascular registries, and academic publications, as well as ruptured AAA mortality rates from the World Health Organization for 14 14 states across Australasia, East Asia, Europe, and North America. : Between 2011-2016, the proportion of treatment of ruptured AAAs by EVAR increased from 26.

International Collaborative Study Comparing Outcomes of Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair in Octogenarian Versus Nonoctogenarian Patients: The FEVOC Study.

Objective: With an increasing life expectancy, more octogenarian patients are referred with complex aortic aneurysms (cAAA). The aim of this study was to evaluate short and mid-term outcomes following fenestrated aortic repair (FEVAR) in octogenarians.

Background: Few studies looking at octogenarian-specific outcomes with diverging results.

Editor's Choice - Outcomes Following Intact and Ruptured Aneurysm Repair across Nations: Analysis of International Registry Data from the VASCUNET Collaboration 2014 - 2019.

Objective: To determine the peri-operative mortality rate for intact and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in 10 countries and to compare practice and outcomes over a six year period by age, sex, and geographic location.

Methods: This VASCUNET study used prospectively collected data from vascular registries in 10 countries on primary repair of intact and ruptured AAAs undertaken between January 2014 and December 2019. The primary outcome was peri-operative death (30 day or in hospital).

Broad Responses and Attitudes to Having Music in Surgery (The BRAHMS Study): An Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Perspective.

Background: Surgery is a stressful exercise, and the experience of occupational stress may have impacts on surgical performance, and surgeon well-being. Music is played in operating theatres (OTs) throughout the world, and while it may improve surgical performance, and reduce clinician stress within the OT, concerns exist over its distracting and noise-creating properties.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, between May to August 2022, Vascular, General and Paediatric surgeons and registrars in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) responded to a survey investigating the way they use music, and their perceptions and attitudes towards its effect on the OT environment.