Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Maria Pabon, Susan Cheng, S. Elissa Altin, Sanjum S. Sethi, Michael D. Nelson, Kerrie L. Moreau, Naomi Hamburg, Connie N. Hess
Summary: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) has similar or higher prevalence in women compared to men, but there are sex differences in the mechanisms and clinical manifestations. Despite available treatments, there are still sex differences in treatment and outcomes.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Viviana Onofrei, Cristina Andreea Adam, Dragos Traian Marius Marcu, Maria-Magdalena Leon, Carmen Cumpat, Florin Mitu, Doina-Clementina Cojocaru
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of 652 patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) based on gender. It found that men tended to be younger, have higher BMI, and higher smoking rates, while women had a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, obesity, concomitant cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Smoking, uric acid, and inflammatory markers were positively correlated with the number of stenotic lesions and ankle-brachial index (ABI). In the subgroup of men, the number of stenotic and thrombosed lesions positively correlated with ABI value. The presence of more than three cardiovascular risk factors and serum triglyceride levels were significantly correlated with the number of angiographically detected lesions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Damien Laneelle, Gabriella Sauvet, Jerome Guillaumat, Jean Eudes Trihan, Guillaume Mahe
Summary: This study found that optimal medical treatment for peripheral artery disease is insufficiently prescribed, especially for women in the region of Brittany, France. Women received OMT less frequently compared to men, with a higher percentage of men receiving antiplatelet therapy. Both genders had a high rate of active smoking.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Connie N. Hess, Michael Szarek, Sonia S. Anand, Rupert M. Bauersachs, Manesh R. Patel, E. Sebastian Debus, Mark R. Nehler, Warren H. Capell, Joshua A. Beckman, Gregory Piazza, Stanislav Henkin, Alessandra Bura-Riviere, Holger Lawall, Karel Roztocil, Judith Hsia, Eva Muehlhofer, Scott D. Berkowitz, Lloyd P. Haskell, Marc P. Bonaca
Summary: This global multicenter cohort study found that there is a continuous risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after lower extremity revascularization (LER) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), with older age, obesity, and more severe PAD (such as prior amputation) associated with higher risk. Low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin was associated with a lower risk of VTE compared to aspirin alone, with early and sustained benefits. Therefore, more effective antithrombotic strategies should be considered after LER to prevent both venous and arterial thrombotic events.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cinthya Pena Orbea, Lu Wang, Vaishal Shah, Lara Jehi, Alex Milinovich, Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, Mina K. Chung, Saif Mashaqi, Loutfi Aboussouan, Kelsey Seidel, Reena Mehra
Summary: In this case-control study, SDB and sleep-related hypoxia were not associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 positivity; however, once patients were infected with SARS-CoV-2, sleep-related hypoxia was an associated risk factor for detrimental COVID-19 outcomes.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Zhizhong Zhang, Mengmeng Wang, Xinfeng Liu
Summary: This study used Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal role of genetically predicted elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results showed a significant association between elevated CRP levels and increased risk of AD, indicating a potential causal relationship. Sensitivity analyses supported the findings and no pleiotropic bias was observed in the results.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Harpreet S. Bhatia, Robyn L. McClelland, Susan R. Heckbert, Michael Criqui, Parveen Garg
Summary: Elevated coronary artery calcium (CAC) volume and density are associated with an increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF), with CAC volume showing a stronger association. The association between CAC and AF appears to be independent of plaque density.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Surgery
Saman L. Parvar, Anand Thiyagarajah, Nitesh Nerlekar, Peta King, Stephen J. Nicholls
Summary: Men with PAD have a higher risk of mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events compared to women, especially for those with critical limb ischemia. The risk of death is also elevated after revascularization, hospitalization, and amputation in men with PAD. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these gender differences in outcomes for PAD patients.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Joseph Cooper, Ylenia Pastorello, Mark Slevin
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a common type of dementia and poses a growing challenge for global health systems. Inflammation has emerged as a key focus in Alzheimer's disease research, and it has been found to drive the associated pathologies. This study investigates whether chronic inflammation caused by diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis could increase the risk of developing dementia. The results show a higher risk of dementia in patients with chronic inflammation and an independent association with high levels of CRP. This meta-analysis provides evidence that chronic elevation of CRP in autoimmune diseases is directly linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonella Meloni, Christian Cadeddu, Lucia Cugusi, Maria Pia Donataccio, Martino Deidda, Susanna Sciomer, Sabina Gallina, Cristina Vassalle, Federica Moscucci, Giuseppe Mercuro, Silvia Maffei
Summary: Metabolic syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by the aggregation of major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, including dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar, and abdominal obesity. These risk factors have an independent effect but become synergistic when combined, leading to a doubled risk of cardiovascular diseases and a 1.5-fold increase in all-cause mortality. This article explores gender differences in the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical expression of metabolic syndrome components, as well as gender differences in new biochemical markers of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Atsushi Sakai, Mizuki Tagami, Atsuko Katsuyama-Yoshikawa, Norihiko Misawa, Yusuke Haruna, Atsushi Azumi, Shigeru Honda
Summary: This retrospective study investigated the correlation between vitreous IL-6 levels and clinical and laboratory data in uveitis patients. The study found that vitreous IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in males than in females and were correlated with serum CRP levels in non-infectious uveitis. These findings suggest that intraocular IL-6 levels depend on gender differences and may reflect systemic inflammation in non-infectious uveitis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Daniel Messiha, Olga Petrikhovich, Julia Lortz, Amir A. Mahabadi, Ramona Hering, Mandy Schulz, Tienush Rassaf, Christos Rammos
Summary: This study analyzed the gender stratified prevalence of PAD and differences in specialized outpatient care and pharmacotherapy in 70.1 million statutorily insured patients/year in Germany from 2009 to 2018. The results showed an increase in PAD prevalence, with higher rates in male patients. Interestingly, female patients were less likely to seek specialized care and receive guideline recommended pharmacotherapy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF VASCULAR AND ENDOVASCULAR SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ying Xu, Katie Harris, Anna Louise Pouncey, Cheryl Carcel, Gary Low, Sanne A. E. Peters, Mark Woodward
Summary: This study found that the incidence of PAD is higher in men, but smoking and a history of stroke or MI are more strongly associated with a higher risk of PAD in women. HDL-C is more strongly associated with a lower risk of PAD in women. On the contrary, HDL-C is associated with a higher risk of PAD in men.
Article
Oncology
Britton Trabert, Cassandra A. Hathaway, Megan S. Rice, Eric B. Rimm, Patrick M. Sluss, Kathryn L. Terry, Oana A. Zeleznik, Shelley S. Tworoger
Summary: Data from two large prospective studies in the United States and United Kingdom suggest that total cholesterol levels may be inversely associated with ovarian cancer risk, while triglycerides may be positively associated with risk, especially when assessed at least 2 years before diagnosis.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ben Li, Abdelrahman Zamzam, Muzammil H. Syed, Niousha Jahanpour, Shubha Jain, Rawand Abdin, Mohammad Qadura
Summary: Despite its association with adverse outcomes, peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains undertreated. This study found that urinary Cystatin C levels can serve as a marker for predicting adverse PAD-related events, making it a valuable tool for risk stratification and further treatment decisions.
Article
Surgery
Isaac N. Naazie, Isibor Arhuidese, Mohammad S. Abdelgawwad, Jonathan Unkart, Michael S. Conte, Mahmoud B. Malas
Summary: Different patterns of RAASI usage have different associations with outcomes in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass for peripheral arterial disease. Isolated preoperative RAASI use is associated with worse mortality and amputation-free survival, while continuous RAASI use is associated with improved outcomes.
ANNALS OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Sanuja Bose, Chen Dun, Rebecca Sorber, David P. Stonko, Alex J. Solomon, James H. Black, Ying-Wei Lum, Michael S. Conte, Martin A. Makary, Caitlin W. Hicks
Summary: This study examined the practice patterns of tibial peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) for the treatment of claudication in the United States. The results showed that tibial PVI was mainly performed by nonvascular surgeons in high-volume practices and high-reimbursement settings. There is a need to reevaluate the indications, education, and reimbursement policies surrounding these procedures.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Lewis Meecham, Mathew Popplewell, Gareth Bate, Huw O. B. Davies, Akio Kodama, Michael S. Conte, Andrew W. Bradbury
Summary: The Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) is a new method of quantifying the severity of lower limb disease in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. This study found that worsening GLASS stage was associated with reduced immediate technical success and worse outcomes in terms of freedom from reintervention and major adverse limb events. However, further refinement of GLASS may be necessary to fully utilize it as a decision-making tool in clinical practice.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Emanuel A. Jaramillo, Eric J. T. Smith, Zachary A. Matthay, Katherine M. Sanders, Jade S. Hiramoto, Warren J. Gasper, Michael S. Conte, James C. Iannuzzi
Summary: Despite controlling for disease severity, racial and ethnic disparities persist in major adverse limb events (MALE) after peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) for chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI). This suggests that disease severity does not account for the disparities in outcomes.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Eric J. T. Smith, Warren J. Gasper, Peter A. Schneider, Emily Finlayson, Louise C. Walter, Ken E. Covinsky, Michael S. Conte, James C. Iannuzzi
Summary: This study examines cognitive impairment in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and finds that it is common but often unrecognized. Risk factors for cognitive impairment include age, race, hypertension, prior stroke/TIA, diabetes treated with insulin, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study suggests that cognitive impairment is an underdiagnosed issue in PAD patients and calls for further research on its impact and management.
ANNALS OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Clara Gomez-Sanchez, Evan Werlin, Thomas Sorrentino, Rym El Khoury, Elizabeth Lancaster, Charles Parks, Brooke Goodman, Monara Dini, James Iannuzzi, Alexander Reyzelman, Michael S. Conte, Warren Gasper
Summary: For CLTI patients requiring TMA, an initial open approach to revascularization is associated with improved healing and higher rates of ambulation compared with endovascular interventions.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Katherine M. Sanders, Joyce H. Nacario, Eric J. T. Smith, Emanuel A. Jaramillo, Elizabeth M. Lancaster, Jade S. Hiramoto, Michael S. Conte, James C. Iannuzzi
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of structured discharge documentation on sex-based disparities. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the proportion of male and female patients prescribed statins after the implementation of structured discharge documentation. Female patients had a higher odds of being prescribed statins at discharge. The study demonstrated the significant role of regional quality improvement projects in eliminating gender disparities among patients.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Iris H. Liu, Rym El Khoury, Bian Wu, Warren J. Gasper, Peter A. Schneider, Jade S. Hiramoto, Shant M. Vartanian, Michael S. Conte
Summary: The SVS WIfI limb staging system is used for risk estimation of major amputation in CLTI and for outcomes comparisons. This retrospective study of 413 CLTI patients who underwent infrainguinal revascularization found that presenting WIfI stage is strongly associated with long-term risks of major amputation and death. Furthermore, effective revascularization is critical in stage 4 disease, and autogenous vein bypass provides durable long-term limb preservation.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Surgery
Michael S. Conte
SEMINARS IN VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose L. Lopez, Joel L. Ramirez, Tuan Anh Phu, Phat Duong, Laura Bouchareychas, Christina R. Kuhrau, Pei-Yu Lin, Walter L. Eckalbar, Andrea J. Barczak, Joshua D. Rudolph, Lenka Maliskova, Michael S. Conte, Shant M. Vartanian, Robert L. Raffai, Adam Z. Oskowitz
Summary: This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) by characterizing the expression profile of microRNAs (miRNA) in circulating exosomes. The study found that miR-122-5p levels were significantly reduced in the exosomes of AAA patients. This suggests that miR-122-5p could potentially be used as a diagnostic biomarker and have implications in AAA pathogenesis.
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Justin Chin-Bong Choi, Jorge Miranda, Erin Greenleaf, Michael S. Conte, Marie D. Gerhard-Herman, Joseph L. Mills, Neal R. Barshes
Summary: This study used the WIfI system to predict limb loss and peripheral artery disease in patients with foot ulcers or gangrene. It found that a toe-brachial index <0.7 and minimum ankle-brachial index <0.9 were effective in identifying patients with severe disease, with high sensitivity rates. The diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive measures varied in identifying different degrees of disease. It also found that the presence of medial artery calcification significantly reduced the sensitivity of other noninvasive parameters.
Article
Surgery
Clara M. Gomez-Sanchez, Michael S. Conte
Summary: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia is difficult to treat due to the complexity of patients, diversity of limb presentations, and complicated arterial pathology. Vascular surgeons require a wide range of skills to tailor interventions to the specific needs of each patient. Inframalleolar bypass is a tool for patients with extensive arterial occlusive disease below the knee, but it requires systematic surgical planning and a high level of technical competence. We describe our approach to inframalleolar bypass for limb preservation in suitable patients with advanced tibial artery disease.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY CASES INNOVATIONS AND TECHNIQUES
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Vivienne Chuter, Nicolaas Schaper, Joseph Mills, Robert Hinchliffe, David Russell, Nobuyoshi Azuma, Christian-Alexander Behrendt, Edward J. Boyko, Michael S. Conte, Misty Humphries, Lee Kirksey, Katharine C. McGinigle, Sigrid Nikol, Joakim Nordanstig, Vincent Rowe, Jos C. van den Berg, Maarit Venermo, Robert Fitridge
Summary: Early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring and treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is crucial for reducing the risk of foot ulcer development, non-healing of wounds, infection, amputation, and cardiovascular complications in patients with diabetes. Various non-invasive bedside tests are available for diagnosing PAD, but the most accurate test and its reliability for ongoing monitoring are still uncertain. This systematic review aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive bedside tests for identifying PAD and their reliability in adults with diabetes. The review included 40 studies on diagnostic accuracy and 7 studies on reliability. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was the most investigated test. The review found that an ABI <0.9 increases the likelihood of disease, while an ABI within the normal range (≥0.90 and <1.3) does not exclude PAD. Toe-brachial index (TBI) and Doppler waveforms in the pedal arteries were also associated with PAD presence. Several bedside tests showed acceptable reliability, but the margin of error was wide. No single or combination of bedside tests demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy for PAD in patients with diabetes. However, an ABI of 1.3, TBI <0.70, and absent or monophasic pedal Doppler waveforms can help identify the presence of disease.
DIABETES-METABOLISM RESEARCH AND REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Cindy Huynh, Iris Liu, Rym El Khoury, Bo Zhou, Hillary Braun, Michael S. Conte, Jade Hiramoto
Summary: By incorporating a common iliac artery calcification score into the VQI prediction model, this study improved the accuracy of the 2-year risk calculator. Preoperative assessment of iliac artery calcification may assist with risk stratification and clinical decision-making in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) undergoing infrainguinal revascularization.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Surgery
Michael S. Conte, Leigh Ann O'Banion
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY
(2023)