Aortoiliac arterial disease is a chronic progressive disease which is characterized by steno-occlusive changes in the aorta and iliac arteries. The gold standard for the treatment of patients with the advanced stage of the disease is aorto-bifemoral reconstruction. Patients with circumferential juxtarenal calcifications of the aorta bear a high risk of intraoperative complications, due to difficult cross-clamping in such zones.
We present a case of a 73-year-old patient who has been admitted due to left leg rest pain and second toe ulceration. Multislice computed tomography showed significant stenosis of the aortoiliac segment with a circumferentially calcified abdominal aorta. Aortobifemoral reconstruction was performed featuring endoluminal occlusion of the aorta using a balloon catheter which was placed through the left brachial artery. The procedure and the postoperative course were uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the sixth postoperative day.
The hybrid endovascular and open surgery technique presented emerged as a valid alternative for selected high-risk patients. Scrub nurses should be familiarized with endovascular techniques and tools and be aware of the measures to be protected from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

BACKGROUND: In May 2007, the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus document on peripheral arterial disease management (TASC II) was released. These guidelines were developed to assist in the rational choice of open or endovascular approaches to aortoiliac disease.
METHODS: A 46-year-old woman was referred to the accident and emergency department, presenting with the chief complaint of pain in the left leg during activity. The pain had reduced after 10 min of resting before the time of admittance. Furthermore, there was weakness and sensory loss in the left leg; however, ulcers or gangrene were not found in the distal area. In addition, the left femoral pulse was not palpable, with ankle-brachial indices (ABIs) of 1.11 and 0 for the right and left, respectively. A computed tomography (CT) angiography of the aorta and lower limbs was requested. The findings were consistent with total occlusions from the distal portion of the aorta to the left common iliac artery, with atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta (aortoiliac lesions type D TASC II classification). Subsequently, bypass grafting was performed immediately after revascularization with the femorofemoral artery. There were no post-operative sequelae, and the patient was admitted to the hospital for wound care.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease are at risk of limb loss when revascularization is not performed and have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The use of femorofemoral artery bypass grafting as a surgical technique had a high success rate, resulting in good perfusion to the lower extremities during a single operation.

We describe a patient in whom the deep inferior epigastric artery served as a collateral pathway to the lower extremities, and free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transfer was successfully used for reconstruction instead of the originally planned free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. A 74-year-old woman underwent subtotal tongue resection, followed by free flap tongue reconstruction for tongue cancer. Reconstruction using a free rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was considered; however, preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed complete occlusion of the bilateral external iliac arteries. Doppler ultrasonography revealed retrograde blood flow via the deep inferior epigastric artery, and the internal thoracic artery-deep inferior epigastric artery pathway served as a collateral pathway that supplied the lower extremities. The patient underwent reconstructive surgery using a free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and the flap completely survived. The internal thoracic artery-deep inferior epigastric artery pathway serves as a critical collateral pathway to the lower extremities in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease. Blockage of the deep inferior epigastric artery in patients in whom this vessel shows retrograde blood flow may result in lower extremity ischemia. Therefore, preoperative Doppler ultrasonography is warranted to confirm the direction of the blood flow, in addition to evaluation of the deep inferior epigastric artery and its perforators before planning rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap surgery.

BACKGROUND: Leriche syndrome is caused by atherosclerosis and is often characterized by symptoms such as intermittent claudication and numbness and coldness of the lower limbs. Its exact prevalence and incidence are unknown because it is a rare disease. We report a case of Leriche syndrome diagnosed incidentally on trauma pan-scan computed tomography (CT).
METHODS: A 61-year-old Asian male was driving a passenger car and had a head-on collision with a dump truck that required an emergency call. The patient was transported to our hospital in a doctor\'s helicopter. Physical examination revealed the following vital signs: respiratory rate, 23 breaths per min; SpO2, 98% under a 10-L administration mask; pulse rate, 133 beats per min; blood pressure, 142/128 mmHg; Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma, positive; Glasgow Coma Scale assessment, E3V5M6; and body temperature, 35.9 °C. Trauma pan-scan CT showed bilateral mandibular fractures, bilateral multiple rib fractures, bilateral pneumothorax, sternal fractures, hematoma around thoracic spine, small bowel perforation, mesenteric injury, right clavicle fracture, right ankle debridement injury, and thrombotic occlusion from just above the abdominal aortic bifurcation to the bilateral common iliac arteries. Although thrombotic occlusion needed to be differentiated from traumatic aortic injury, the presence of collateral blood vessels led to the diagnosis of Leriche syndrome, and conservative treatment was performed. Damage control surgery was required for the small bowel injuries. From the second day of admission, the patient was treated with continuous intravenous heparin and prostaglandin preparations. However, impaired blood flow and reperfusion injury in the right lower extremity progressed. On the fifth day of admission, right thigh amputation was performed. The patient required renal replacement therapy for 2 weeks starting from the third day of admission.
CONCLUSIONS: In this case, conservative therapy was initially chosen for Leriche syndrome. However, the complex factors in the acute phase of trauma led to development of hemorrhagic necrosis, requiring amputation of the lower extremity. Our findings indicate the need to carefully consider the unique factors affecting Leriche syndrome patients when considering treatment indications and choices for trauma.

Leriche syndrome is the triad of symptoms consisting of claudication, erectile dysfunction, and absence of femoral pulses. Inflammatory disease of the heart muscle, myocarditis, may occur because of immune system activation, drug exposure or infections.
A 31-year-old man with no previous medical history presented to the emergency department with acute back pain that had started suddenly during weightlifting, which was initially misdiagnosed as spinal disc herniation. The patient returned four hours later and a thoracoabdominal computed tomography showed a large thrombus in the aortoiliac region creating a total occlusion. Vascular surgery with embolectomy was immediately performed. Further investigation with echocardiography revealed deteriorated systolic dysfunction with marked hypokinesia and two large thrombi in the left ventricle. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed late contrast enhancement of the inferolateral and septal regions, which indicated a recent myocarditis.
Myocarditis can result in multiple embolization with diverse organ manifestation including total occlusion of the aortoiliac arteries, which required urgent embolectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a worthwhile substitute in patients who might otherwise be inoperable; however, it is applied in <10% of TAVI cases. In patients with established carotid artery stenosis, the risk of complications is increased with the transcarotid access route.
METHODS: We report a case of concomitant transcarotid TAVI and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in a patient with bovine aortic arch and previous complex infrarenal EndoVascular Aortic Repair (EVAR). The integrity and positioning of the previous EVAR endograft was risked by transfemoral access. The right subclavian artery was only 4.5 mm and the left subclavian was totally occluded so transcarotid access was chosen. The patient recovered well, with no neurological deficit and was discharged home after 72 h. He was last seen and was doing well 6 months post-procedure.
CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe aortoiliac disease, or previous aortic endografting, transfemoral access for TAVI can be challenging or even prohibitive. Alternative access sites such as transapical or transaortic are associated with added risk because they carry increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, longer intensive care unit and hospital stay, and increased cost. A transcaval approach for TAVI has also been reported but was not suitable for our patient due to prior EVAR. Concomitant TAVI via transcarotid access and CEA can be successful in experienced hands. This case highlights the importance of a team-based approach to complex TAVI cases in high-risk patients with complex vascular access.

Both acute myocardial infarction and acute pulmonary embolism are distinct medical urgencies while they may conincide. Leriche\'s syndrome is a relatively rare aortoiliac occlusive disease characterized by claudication, decreased femoral pulses, and impotence. We present the first case of concomitant acute pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarction, and Leriche syndrome.
A 56-year-old male with a history of intermittent claudication was admitted for evaluating the sudden onset of chest pain. Elevated serum troponin level, sustained high D-dimer level, ST-T wave changes on electrocardiogram, and segmental wall motion abnormality of the left ventricle on transthoracic echocardiography were noted. Pulmonary Computed Tomography Angiogram revealed multiple acute emboli. Aortic Computed Tomography Angiogram spotted complete obstructions of the subrenal aorta and bilateral common iliac arteries with collateral circulation, maintaining the vascularization of internal and external iliac arteries. We stated the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism and Leriche syndrome and initiated oral anticoagulation. However, Q waves on electrocardiogram and wall motion abnormality on echocardiography persisted after embolus dissolved successfully. Coronary computed tomography angiogram found coronary arterial plaques while myocardial Positron Emission Tomography detected decreased viable myocardium of the left ventricle. We subsequently ratified the diagnosis of concurrent acute pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarction, and Leriche syndrome. The patient was discharged and has been followed up at our center.
We described the first concurrence of acute pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarction, and Leriche syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Aortoiliac occlusive disease, which is also referred to as Leriche syndrome, is a chronic atherosclerotic occlusive disease that occurs at the level of the aortic bifurcation. It is often thought to present with a triad of clinical symptoms: (1) intermittent lower extremity vascular claudication, (2) impotence, and (3) weak/absent femoral pulses.
METHODS: We report a case of a 47-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with an acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. During percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, our patient suddenly developed severe bilateral lower extremity pain, absent femoral pulses, and cool extremities. Distal aortogram revealed 95% stenosis with an apple core-like lesion in the mid-abdominal aorta. Stent placement resulted in improved blood flow to the distal aortic segment and resolution of symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: The presence of significant peripheral vascular disease, significant cardiac risk factors, and/or difficulty accessing the femoral artery should caution a transfemoral approach during percutaneous transluminal angiography. This approach may precipitate aortoiliac occlusion and/or thromboembolism to the lower extremities. We encourage interventional cardiologists to (1) take extra caution when manipulating the wire and catheter and (2) strongly consider using a transradial approach in such patients.