The 2024 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM24) took place from June 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois, serving as the Society of Vascular Surgery’s (SVS) premier event. This meeting provided a plethora of valuable scientific content tailored to meet the needs of every member of the vascular care team.

A key focus of VAM24 was aortic disease, encompassing discussions and research on topics such as endovascular aneurysm repair, peripartum aortic dissection, thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and more. The following are concise summaries of studies presented at VAM24 that are intended to advance the best treatment options for managing aortic disease:

Factors Associated with Non-home Discharge After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

  • Key Takeaways
    • Non-home discharge (NHD) carries significant implications for patient care, readmission rates, and long-term mortality. However, the current body of literature is lacking in information regarding the factors that may be associated with NHD in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The primary objective of this study is to identify preoperative factors that may be linked to NHD following EVAR.
    • Multiple factors were found to be linked to an increased likelihood of NHD following elective EVAR. These factors include non-modifiable variables such as being female and having a larger aortic diameter, as well as potentially modifiable factors like anemia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Body Mass Index, and diabetes.
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Increased Mortality After Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Patients With Enlarged Aortic Necks

  • Key Takeaways
    • This study assesses the current outcomes following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) in patients with wide, non-hostile aortic necks, utilizing the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI). The study investigated whether specific proximal seal strategies are linked to enhanced outcomes.
    • EVAR in patients with enlarged, non-hostile aortic necks is linked to a slightly lower long-term overall survival rate. The use of suprarenal fixation and endoanchors did not show improved survival rates. Further research is needed to determine whether these techniques have an impact on long-term aneurysm-specific outcomes.
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Using machine learning to predict outcomes following thoracic and complex endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

  • Key Takeaways
    • Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and complex endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are complicated procedures that pose significant risks. While risk prediction tools can assist in clinical decision-making, their effectiveness is currently limited. To address this issue, the researchers developed machine learning (ML) algorithms that can accurately predict outcomes following TEVAR and complex EVAR procedures.
    • Machine learning models have demonstrated superior predictive accuracy compared to logistic regression in forecasting outcomes following elective TEVAR and complex EVAR procedures for non-infrarenal aortic aneurysms.
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Pregnancy outcomes in women with Peripartum Aortic Dissection

  • Key Takeaways
    • The objective of the study was to delineate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of a group of patients diagnosed with peripartum aortic dissection (AD).
    • The majority of patients with peripartum AD have thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. They typically present in the third trimester or postpartum period, with 50% of them having a family history of thoracic aortic disease. Early identification of this high-risk population is crucial as it enables increased surveillance and intensive medical management to prevent dissection-related deaths, especially during the third trimester and postpartum period.
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The Effect of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

  • Key Takeaways
    • There is a lack of research specifically examining the impact of smoking cessation on the results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Through analysis of a multi-institutional database, the objective of this study was to investigate whether smoking cessation is linked to enhanced outcomes post-TEVAR.
    • The study found that current smokers had a similar risk of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and spinal cord injury (SCI) compared to patients who had quit smoking at least 1 month prior to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), regardless of their indication for the procedure. However, there was a significant increase in the risk of 1-year mortality among current smokers in all patients, with a continued elevated risk of mortality at 3 years among patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).
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The Effect of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

  • Key Takeaways
    • The influence of socioeconomic distress on outcomes following thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection (TBAD) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Distressed Community Index (DCI) score on post-TEVAR outcomes for TBAD.
    • Significant socioeconomic distress was found to be correlated with an increased likelihood of 30-day mortality and a higher risk of long-term mortality following TEVAR for TBAD. Additionally, while rates of complications, readmissions, reinterventions, and postoperative CT scans were comparable between the two groups, individuals experiencing severe distress exhibited a lower frequency of office visits and a tendency towards heightened emergency room utilization.
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Sex-specific Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality in Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury

  • Key Takeaways
    • There is conflicting data regarding the impact of various interventions and outcomes related to aortic trauma. The objective of this study is to assess differences related to BTAI and identify predictors of mortality in patients presenting with this condition.
    • Female patients with BTAI were found to be older than their male counterparts and had a higher incidence of concomitant injuries. However, there was no significant difference in the management or mortality rates based on gender.
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Resistance to Infection of the Human Acellular Vessel in Extremity Arterial Trauma Repair

  • Key Takeaways
    • Prompt repair of traumatic extremity vascular wounds, but many patients do not have enough autologous vein available, or the urgency of the situation does not allow for vein harvest. Therefore, there is a need for off-the-shelf vascular conduit lacking infection-prone synthetic material.
    • The Human Acellular Vessel (HAV) is a tissue-engineered conduit made of human extracellular matrix proteins. Research indicates that the HAV has demonstrated resistance to infection in patients with blunt and penetrating trauma, even in cases of local and systemic infection complications. The HAV is constructed using engineered human extracellular matrix proteins that have been proven to interact positively with human neutrophils, aiding in bacterial clearance.
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Aortic Endarterectomy for Traumatic Aortic Dissection

  • Key Takeaways
    • Motor vehicle accidents often result in polytraumatic vascular injuries. The standard of care for dissections typically involves medical management for non-ischemic cases, while patients experiencing ischemic symptoms due to their dissection may require primarily endovascular repair.
    • Open surgical repair for aortic dissection continues to be a reliable option for patients with complex abdominal trauma requiring exploratory laparotomy. Opting for a repair without prosthetic material or autologous venous patch can provide long-term durability and resistance to infection.
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As we wrap up VAM24, we are eagerly looking forward to next year’s conference, VAM25. In the meantime, we recommend clicking here to view all the posters that were presented at this year’s conference. We can’t wait to see you at VAM25!

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