Vascular graft infection (VGI) is one of the most serious complications following arterial reconstructive surgery. VGI has received increasing attention over the past decade, but many questions remain regarding its diagnosis and management. In this review, we describe our approach to VGI through multidisciplinary collaboration and discuss decision-making for challenging presentations. This document will concentrate on VGI that impacts both aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms excluding the ascending thoracic aorta.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of anatomical and extra-anatomical bypass for the treatment of unilateral iliac artery disease.
METHODS: A systematic search on PubMed, Scopus and Web of science for articles published by June 2023 was performed. We implemented a 2-stage individual participant data meta-analysis and pooled survival probabilities using the multivariate methodology of DerSimonian and Laird. The primary endpoint was primary patency at 5 and 10 years of follow-up.
RESULTS: Ten studies encompassing 1,907 patients were included. The 5- and 10-year pooled patency rates for anatomical bypass were 83.27% (95% confidence interval (CI): 69.99-99.07) and 77.30% (95% CI: 60.32-99.04), respectively, with a mean primary patency time representing the duration individuals remained event-free for 10.08 years (95% CI: 8.05-10.97). The 5- and 10-year pooled primary patency estimates for extra-anatomical bypass were 77.02% (95% CI: 66.79-88.80) and 68.54% (95% CI: 53.32-88.09), respectively, with a mean primary patency time of 9.25 years, (95% CI: 7.21-9.68). Upon 2-stage individual participant data meta-analysis, anatomical bypass displayed a decreased risk for loss of primary patency compared to extra-anatomical bypass, hazard ratio 0.51 (95% CI: 0.30-0.85). The 5- and 10-year secondary patency estimates for anatomical bypass were 96.83% (95% CI: 90.28-100) and 96.13% (95% CI: 88.72-100), respectively. The 5- and 10-year secondary patency estimates for extra-anatomical bypass were 91.39% (95% CI: 84.32-99.04) and 85.05% (95% CI: 74.43-97.18), respectively, with non-statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. The 5- and 10-year survival for patients undergoing anatomical bypass were 67.99% (95% CI: 53.84-85.85) and 41.09% (95% CI: 25.36-66.57), respectively. The 5- and 10-year survival for extra-anatomical bypass were 70.67% (95% CI: 56.76-87.98) and 34.85% (95% CI: 19.76-61.44), respectively. The mean survival time was 6.92 years (95% CI: 5.56-7.89) for the anatomical and 6.78 years (95% CI: 5.31-7.63) for the extra-anatomical groups. The pooled overall 30-day mortality was 2.32% (95% CI: 1.12-3.87) with metaregression analysis displaying a negative association between the year of publication and mortality (β =-0.0065, P < 0.01). Further analysis displayed a 30-day mortality of 1.29% (95% CI: 0.56-2.26) versus 4.02% (95% CI: 1.78-7.03), (P = 0.02) for studies published after and before the year 2000. Non-statistically significant differences were identified between the 2 groups concerning long-term and 30-day mortality outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: While we have demonstrated favorable long-term primary and secondary patency outcomes for both surgical techniques, anatomical bypass exhibited a reduced risk of primary patency loss potentially reflecting its inherent capacity to circumvent the anticipated disease progression in the distal aorta and the contralateral donor artery. The reduction in perioperative mortality observed in our review, coupled with the anachronistic demographic characteristics and inclusion criteria presented in the existing literature, underscores the imperative necessity for contemporary research.

UNASSIGNED: Calcification of vascular grafts, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts may contribute to graft failure, but is under reported. The aim of this study was to review the literature to assess whether vascular graft calcification is deleterious to vascular graft outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: The Medline and Embase databases were searched.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic literature search according to PRISMA Guidelines was performed using a combined search strategy of MeSH terms. The MeSH terms used were \"calcification, physiologic\", \"calcinosis\", \"vascular grafting\", \"blood vessel prosthesis\", \"polyethylene terephthalates\", and \"polytetrafluoroethylene\".
UNASSIGNED: The systematic search identified 17 cases of PET graft calcification and 73 cases of ePTFE graft calcification over a 35 year period. All cases of PET graft calcification were reported in grafts explanted for graft failure. The majority of cases of ePTFE graft calcification were unexpectedly noted in grafts used during cardiovascular procedures and subsequently removed.
UNASSIGNED: Calcification of synthetic vascular grafts is under reported but can compromise the long term performance of the grafts. More data, including specific analysis of radiological findings as well as explant analysis are needed to obtain a more sensitive and specific analysis of the prevalence and incidence of vascular graft calcification and the impact of calcification on synthetic graft outcomes.

BACKGROUND: An infected popliteal pseudoaneurysm has never been described in the pediatric population. Physicians need to be aware of its presentation and management, in order to diagnose and treat this medical condition adequately.
METHODS: We describe the case of a 14-year-old boy who developed myositis and cellulitis centered at the popliteal fossa after playing basketball. A treatment of intravenous cefazolin was started. 5 days later, he experienced a knee pain flare-up, which turned out to be a popliteal pyomyositis with a pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery. A saphenous vein graft bypass of the popliteal artery and an excision of the popliteal pseudoaneurysm were performed. Intravenous cefazolin was continued for 6 weeks and prophylactic acetylsalicylic acid for 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlighted the importance of repeating radiologic investigations if a patient suffering from soft tissue infection has persistent pain after several days of appropriate antibiotics. A popliteal pseudoaneurysm can be diagnosed with ultrasound imaging and treated with a popliteal-popliteal bypass. Our patient needed a catheter-guided dilation of the anastomosis at the vein graft 6 months post-surgery, and then evolved favorably and went back to playing basketball 6 months post-dilation.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare vascular disease, and cases of bilateral PAES associated with distinct symptoms in each of the affected legs are very rare. In an effort to improve current understanding regarding the presentation and treatment of this condition, a case of bilateral PAES is herein described with a corresponding review of the associated literature. The overall process of diagnosing and treating one patient affected by bilateral PAES was retrospectively assessed to provide comprehensive insight regarding this disease. This patient was diagnosed via contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and right-sided symptomatic PAES was successfully treated via autogenous saphenous venous graft arterial bypass surgery. In contrast, the asymptomatic left-sided PAES in this patient was subject to close follow-up monitoring. Over a 2-year postoperative follow-up period, this patient did not experience any symptoms or complications. As such, autogenous saphenous venous graft arterial bypass surgery represents a safe and efficacious means of treating PAES, whereas surgery may not be required for cases of asymptomatic PAES even in patients with a bilateral presentation.

A 62-year-old man was presented with transient ischemic attack 1 day after percutaneous coronary intervention. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated fresh cerebral infarction in the left hemisphere. Digital subtraction angiography showed left Riles type 1A common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO). Blood flow in the internal carotid artery (ICA) was derived from the external carotid artery, which came through the anastomosis between the left occipital artery and a muscular branch of left vertebral artery. We performed short jump graft from CCA to ICA using saphenous vein, followed by ligation of CCA. The graft remained patent at the 1-year follow-up.

A 47-year-old male with Leriche syndrome presented with digital gangrene due to TASC II type-D occlusion of the distal aorta and common iliac arteries. Open revascularization was performed using a Dacron aorto-biiliac bypass graft; however, the postoperative course revealed a nondisclosed history of intravenous opioid abuse as he went into withdrawal psychosis. Our report highlights ways to mitigate infection risk associated with prosthetic aortic grafts in suspected or confirmed intravenous drug abusers. The literature review suggests alternative strategies like aortoiliac endarterectomy, total endovascular approach using non-covered stents, or a hybrid approach. The primary use of autologous venous grafts should be considered as a last resort so that the veins are retained for future use in case of graft infection. Patient factors like comorbidities, fitness to undergo surgery, anatomical extent of occlusion, and availability of facilities/expertise can further guide the management plan owing to a lack of evidence-based guidelines.

Vascular graft infection (VGI) is a feared complication. Prevention is of the utmost importance and vascular graft coatings (VGCs) could offer a potential to do this, with in vitro research a first crucial step. The aim of this study was to summarise key features of in vitro models investigating coating strategies to prevent VGI in order to provide guidance for the setup of future translational research.
A comprehensive search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science.
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. For each database, a specific search strategy was developed. Quality was assessed with the Toxicological data Reliability Assessment Tool (ToxRTool). In vitro models using a VGC and inoculation of the graft with a pathogen were included. The type of graft, coating, and pathogen were summarised. The outcome assessment in each study was evaluated.
In total, 4 667 studies were identified, of which 45 papers met the inclusion criteria. The majority used polyester grafts (68.2%). Thirty-one studies (68.9%) included antibiotics, and nine studies (20%) used a commercial silver graft in their protocol. New antibacterial strategies (e.g., proteolytic enzymes) were investigated. A variety of testing methods was found and focused mainly on bacterial adherence, coating adherence and dilution, biofilm formation, and cytotoxicity. Ninety-three per cent of the studies (n = 41) were considered unreliable.
Polyester is the preferred type of graft to coat on. The majority of coating studies are based on antibiotics; however, new coating strategies (e.g., antibiofilm coating) are coming. Many in vitro setups are available. In vitro studies have great potential, they can limit the use, but cannot replace in vivo studies completely. This paper can be used as a guidance document for future in vitro research.

The use of temporary intravascular shunts (TIVS) in the setting of military and civilian trauma has grown in recent years, predominantly because of the mounting evidence of improved limb outcomes. We sought to characterize the use and outcomes of TIVS in trauma through a systematic review of military and civilian literature.
The MEDLINE, EBSCO, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies on TIVS use in military and civilian trauma settings published between January 2000 and March 2021. Reports lacking systematic data collection along with those with insufficient TIVS descriptive and outcome data were excluded. Data regarding the characteristics and outcomes of TIVS were assessed and collective syntheses of military and civilian data performed.
Twenty-one reports were included, 14 from civilian trauma centers or databases and 7 from military field data or databases (total of 1,380 shunts in 1,280 patients). Sixteen were retrospective cohort studies, and four were prospective. Five studies had an unshunted comparison group. Shunts were predominantly used in the lower extremity and most commonly for damage control indications. Dwell times were infrequently reported and were not consistently linked to shunt thrombosis or other complications. Anticoagulation during shunting was sparsely reported and inconsistently applied. Shunted limbs had higher injury severity than unshunted limbs but similar salvage rates.
Temporary intravascular shunts are effective for expeditious restoration of perfusion in severely injured limbs and likely contribute to limb salvage. There is a paucity of comparative TIVS data in the literature and no consistently applied reporting standards, so controversies regarding TIVS use remain.
Systematic Review, level IV.

To examine the relationship between trap location and cerebral infarction in the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) region and associated risks in ruptured internal carotid artery blood blister-like aneurysm (BLA) treatment with high-flow bypass and lesion trapping.
We included 26 patients diagnosed with BLAs and treated with high-flow bypass and trapping. We examined clinical characteristics including age, aneurysm trap location, final prognosis, cerebral infarction on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, and modified Rankin Scale score at discharge. We also searched the literature for similar studies.
The modified Rankin Scale score at discharge was 0-2 in 20 patients, 3-5 in 2 patients, and 6 in 2 patients. In 19/26 patients (73.1%), the trapped segment was between the posterior communicating (PcomA) and the ophthalmic arteries. In 2 patients (7.7%), the trapped segment included the PcomA and the AChA; in 4 patients (15.4%), the trapped segment was within the PcomA. In these patients, the PcomA was occluded, and blood from the high-flow bypass flowed out to the AChA alone. No patient showed cerebral infarction. Our systematic review identified 70 patients. Of all 96 patients, 12 had AChA cerebral infarction; however, the infarction affected the prognosis of only 2 patients.
When treating BLAs with high-flow bypass and lesion trapping, the frequency of AChA cerebral infarction is low even when the PcomA is occluded, leaving the AChA as the only outflow vessel during high-flow bypass. However, PcomA occlusion may be associated with risks when treating patients with advanced arteriosclerosis near C1-2.