Study Design of PROCEDURE Study. A Randomized Comparison of the Dose-Dependent Effects of Pitavastatin in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Massive Aortic Atheroma: Prevention of Cholesterol Embolization during Endovascular and Open Aneurysm Repair with Pitavastatin (PROCEDURE) Study

The Shaggy Aorta Syndrome: An Updated Review

BACKGROUND

Shaggy aorta (SA) depicts the severe aortic surface degeneration, extremely friable, and likely to cause spontaneous peripheral and visceral embolization or during catheterization, aortic manipulation, surgery, or minimally invasive procedures. This study aims to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information on this disease.

METHODS

Potentially eligible studies to be included were identified by searching the following databases: CENTRAL Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, and CINAHL, using a combination of subject headings and text words to identify relevant studies: (Shaggy aorta) OR (aortic embolization) OR (aortic embolism) OR (aortic thrombus) OR (aortic plaque). From a total of 29,111 abstracts, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we considered 60 studies for inclusion in this review.

RESULTS

Appropriate measurement and assessment of the aortic wall are pivotal in the modern era, in particular when percutaneous procedures are performed, as SA has been identified as an independent risk factor for spinal cord injury, mesenteric embolization, and cerebral infarction after endovascular aortic repair. Furthermore, SA increases the rate of cerebral complications during transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, prompt diagnosis of SA syndrome and appropriate guidelines on the management of these conditions may help physicians to better assess the patient risk and to minimize the dreadful-related complications.

A case of anastomotic stenosis of the small intestine caused by cholesterol crystal embolism

Background

Cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) is caused by small crystals of cholesterol dispersed from atherosclerotic plaques of the aorta. There is an increasing interest in CCE because of the increased use of endovascular treatments. Here, we report a rare case of intestinal stenosis caused by CCE after functional end-to-end anastomosis (FEEA). To our knowledge, this is the first report of CCE causing such an anastomotic stenosis.

Case presentation

A 77-year-old male patient underwent laparoscopy-assisted low anterior resection and protective ileostomy for rectal carcinoid tumor. He was admitted to our hospital with ileus 1 year after stoma closure. Eosinophils and creatine kinase level were slightly elevated. Computed tomography revealed a stricture with thickened intestinal wall just distal to the anastomosis site of the ileostomy. The wall of the descending aorta appeared shaggy due to thrombosis. The patient underwent laparoscopic small-bowel resection because ileus reoccurred after any oral intake.

Histopathological findings of the resected specimen showed fibrotic changes distal to the anastomosis site, and needle-shaped cholesterol embolus was observed in the submucosal layer. Thus, the stenosis was considered to be caused by CCE.

Conclusion

This appears to be the first published report of stenosis due to CCE at such an anastomotic site. Intestinal CCE is difficult to diagnose preoperatively and is associated with poor prognosis. If eosinophilia is present or shaggy aorta is observed, CCE should be suspected to make correct diagnosis and prevent recurrence of CCE.

Statins for primary prevention of venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in clinical practice. The efficacy of statins in the primary prevention of VTE remains unproven. This is an update of the review first published in 2011.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of statins in the primary prevention of VTE.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases (PVD) Group Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched February 2014) and CENTRAL (2014, Issue 1).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed statins in the primary prevention of VTE were considered. The outcomes we evaluated were the rates of VTE, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, death and adverse events. Two authors (L Li, JH Tian) independently selected RCTs against the inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved by discussion with a third author (KH Yang).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data extraction was independently carried out by two authors (L Li, JH Tian). Disagreements were resolved by discussion with a third author (PZ Zhang). Two authors (L Li, JH Tian) independently assessed the risk of bias according to a standard quality checklist provided by the PVD Group.

MAIN RESULTS

For this update we included one RCT with 17,802 participants that assessed rosuvastatin compared with placebo for the prevention of VTE. The quality of the evidence was moderate because of imprecision, as the required sample size for the outcomes of this review was not achieved. Analysis showed that when compared with placebo rosuvastatin reduced the incidence of VTE (odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37 to 0.86) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.79), the risk of any (fatal and non-fatal) myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.69), and any (fatal and non-fatal) stroke (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.78). There was no difference in the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.46), fatal MI (OR 1.50, 95% CI 0.53 to 4.22), fatal stroke (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.09) or death after VTE (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.24). The incidence of any serious adverse events was no different between the rosuvastatin and placebo groups (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.20).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence showed that rosuvastatin was associated with a reduced incidence of VTE, but the evidence was limited to a single RCT and any firm conclusions and suggestions could be not drawn. Randomised controlled trials of statins (including rosuvastatin) are needed to evaluate their efficacy in the prevention of VTE.