Abstract Introduction: Seat belt aorta is a rare but often severe complication arising from blunt trauma with compression of the abdominal aorta against vertebrae. Seat belt sign is often present as an ecchymosis across the abdomen. The association with abdominal wall disruption and hollow viscus injury has been named seat belt triad; the presence of Chance fracture is sometimes considered a fourth component. Methods: Using Pubmed and Embase databases we reviewed all articles regarding abdominal seat belt aortic injuries and analysed presentation at admission, concomitant lesions, including presence of seat belt triad, treatment and outcomes. Results: Fifty-two cases were reported, from 1968 to 2019. Twenty-nine males (56%), mean age 43 ± 19 years. Most patients were stable at admission, with 29 (55.8%) presenting acute abdomen, 26 (50%) limb ischemia, 9 (17.3%) hypovolemic shock and 2 (3.8%) late-onset claudication. Seat belt sign was identified in 40 patients (76.9%), seat belt triad in 38 (73.1%) and 22 (42.3%) had Chance fractures, of which only 2 were not associated with seat belt triad. Most patients presented with aortic dissection (90.4%), complicated with pseudoaneurysm (11.5%), contained rupture (7.7%) or uncontained rupture (3.8%); 2 patients presented isolated iliac thrombosis and 3 limb ischemia. All patients required immediate surgical intervention, of which 40 (76.9%) required urgent vascular surgery. Forty-eight patients (92.3%) underwent vascular surgery: 39 open revascularizations and 9 endovascular procedures; three were managed conservatively. Ten patients (19.2%) passed away or died, of which 7 had seat belt triad. No patients needed reinterventions for vascular lesions except one, yet 3 required limb amputation. Most patients with seat belt triad required further visceral and abdominal wall repair. Conclusions: Seat belt aorta and especially seat belt triad are severe complications associated with high morbimortality often requiring surgery and multiple interventions. As patients are usually conscious and stable upon admission, this condition should not be disregarded.

Abstract Introduction: The use of statins in hemodialysis patients is a topic of ongoing research and debate. Patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis constitute a large proportion of patients treated in the vascular surgery field. Clinical data of the protective statin effect on this group is scarce and conflicting results exist regarding cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and limb outcomes. Methods: We performed a thorough electronic search of the literature using PubMed and Embase databases to understand the relationship between statin effect and cardiovascular, limb outcomes and cerebrovascular outcomes. A narrative review was constructed, based on the obtained literature. Results: Although the use of statins in hemodialysis patients may provide cardiovascular benefits, the optimal dosage and safety profile of these medications in this population remain uncertain. A carefully evaluation of the risks and benefits of statins should be made based on each patient's specific requirements and circumstances. Conclusion: The role of statins for patients with peripheral arterial disease who are on hemodialysis remains unclear. Further analyses should focus on this subgroup of dialysis patients, who are becoming more prevalent on the vascular surgery departments, allowing for an optimized treatment with better patient outcomes.

Abstract Introduction: Blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAI) are defined as a tear in the thoracic aorta caused by a high energy blunt trauma. The most common reported mechanism of injury is motor vehicle accidents, and it can be potentially lethal. The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) guidelines recommend thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as the first line treatment for BTAI. Other controversies regarding BTAI management were reported in the literature, such as the best treatment for minimal aortic injuries with intimal tear, ideal stent graft oversizing, best timing for treatment and necessity to cover the left subclavian artery (LSA). The purpose of this review is to identify and analyze appropriate studies published so far about the management of BTAI. Methods: We performed a thorough electronic search of the literature using PubMed and Embase databases. We used the following combination of key words in our search strategy ((aortic injury) AND (blunt thoracic trauma)) AND (vascular surgery* OR treatment* OR TEVAR*). Articles not in English were excluded. The primary subject was results of endovascular treatment. Secondary subjects were indications and results of OSR, best timing for intervention, ideal graft oversizing, need for left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage, and management of BTAI grade I (intimal tear). Results: Data related to our primary and secondary subjects were extracted from the selected articles. TEVAR is considered the primary treatment for BTAI, if the patient has suitable anatomy, with good short and mid-term outcomes, with lower mortality and paraplegia rates at short and mid-term follow-up, compared to OSR. Despite good term results at short-term follow-up after TEVAR, long-term outcomes are still a concern. OSR is still a valid option in selected cases, and it should be considered for patients whose injury location is unsuitable for the endovascular approach. In most patients with BTAI, it is recommended around 10% of graft oversizing. However, a more aggressive approach with oversizing between 10-20% should be considered for patients with considerable hypotension and even >20% for patients presenting with severe hypotensive hemorrhagic shock. A necessity of LSA coverage has been reported in 30% of TEVAR for urgent treatment of BTAI, and it seems to be well tolerated. We should considered expectant approach with serial follow-up CT scans in patients with BTAI grade I injuries with asymptomatic intimal aortic tear. Conclusions: This literature review reports and synthetizes published data about the management strategies for BTAI. TEVAR seems to be effective in the treatment of BTAI, with few complications and good outcomes at short and mid-term follow-up, and it should be the first-line treatment for these patients. OSR should be an option when a patient’s injury is not suitable for endovascular approach.

Abstract Introduction: Blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAI) are defined as a tear in the thoracic aorta caused by a high energy blunt trauma. The most common reported mechanism of injury is motor vehicle accidents, and it can be potentially lethal. The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) guidelines recommend thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as the first line treatment for BTAI. Other controversies regarding BTAI management were reported in the literature, such as the best treatment for minimal aortic injuries with intimal tear, ideal stent graft oversizing, best timing for treatment and necessity to cover the left subclavian artery (LSA). The purpose of this review is to identify and analyze appropriate studies published so far about the management of BTAI. Methods: We performed a thorough electronic search of the literature using PubMed and Embase databases. We used the following combination of key words in our search strategy ((aortic injury) AND (blunt thoracic trauma)) AND (vascular surgery* OR treatment* OR TEVAR*). Articles not in English were excluded. The primary subject was results of endovascular treatment. Secondary subjects were indications and results of OSR, best timing for intervention, ideal graft oversizing, need for left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage, and management of BTAI grade I (intimal tear). Results: Data related to our primary and secondary subjects were extracted from the selected articles. TEVAR is considered the primary treatment for BTAI, if the patient has suitable anatomy, with good short and mid-term outcomes, with lower mortality and paraplegia rates at short and mid-term follow-up, compared to OSR. Despite good term results at short-term follow-up after TEVAR, long-term outcomes are still a concern. OSR is still a valid option in selected cases, and it should be considered for patients whose injury location is unsuitable for the endovascular approach. In most patients with BTAI, it is recommended around 10% of graft oversizing. However, a more aggressive approach with oversizing between 10-20% should be considered for patients with considerable hypotension and even >20% for patients presenting with severe hypotensive hemorrhagic shock. A necessity of LSA coverage has been reported in 30% of TEVAR for urgent treatment of BTAI, and it seems to be well tolerated. We should considered expectant approach with serial follow-up CT scans in patients with BTAI grade I injuries with asymptomatic intimal aortic tear. Conclusions: This literature review reports and synthetizes published data about the management strategies for BTAI. TEVAR seems to be effective in the treatment of BTAI, with few complications and good outcomes at short and mid-term follow-up, and it should be the first-line treatment for these patients. OSR should be an option when a patient’s injury is not suitable for endovascular approach.

Abstract Introduction: Recently published studies on peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) have revealed marked sex disparities in patient selection and treatment outcomes. In a recent retrospective study with data from 11 different countries, Portugal was highlighted as one of the countries with greater sex discrepancies related to PAOD treatment. We aimed to analyze sex specific differences in the treatment of symptomatic PAOD, concerning different variables, in a single hospital center, in Portugal. Methods: Data on treatment of symptomatic PAOD patients from October 1st, 2020, to December 31st, 2021, were retrospectively collected from clinical registries from a single hospital center in Portugal. Different variables and post-operative outcomes were analyzed dichotomized by sex, with descriptive statistics. Statistical analyses were conducted using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software v28. Results: A total of 220 patients, 15,9% female and 84,1% male, were treated for PAOD, in the selected period, in a hospital center from Portugal. Female patients were older (mean age of 73.8 years versus 69.5 years in male); were less likely to be treated for intermittent claudication (3% versus 6% of men); more often treated at a more advanced stage of the disease with trophic lesions (91% versus 74% of men); more likely to be offered primary major amputation (14% versus 3% of male patients); less likely to be taking statins as part of PAOD medical management (65.7% versus 77.8% of male); and had a higher 90-day mortality rate (17.1% versus 6.5% in men). They were also more frequently treated with endovascular procedures (40%) than with OSR (26%). Conclusion: Remarkable sex discrepancies in the treatment of PAOD were found in our hospital center. This study brings awareness to the scientific medical community for sex disparities in the management of patients with PAOD.

Abstract Background: Individualized risk assessment using comorbidity adjustment is an important component in modern clinical practice and can be performed considering individual comorbidities or through the use of summary measures. The Charlson Comorbidity Index adjusted to age (CCIa) is the most widely validated and used comorbidity assessment tool. Studies have proved CCIa as a strong predictor of mortality for a variety of medical and surgical conditions; however, its utility in patients submitted to elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has not been studied. Methods: Patients submitted to EVAR between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2021 in our tertiary, academic Vascular Surgery Department were retrospectively evaluated and 123 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patient characteristics and peri-operative variables were collected and CCIa was calculated. Surgical complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curves was calculated to validate and determine the discriminating ability of CCIa in predicting complications and mortality and the Youden index used to determine the critical value. Results: Mean age was 73.49±7.95 years and mean follow-up was 30.55±16.49 months. 30-day complication rate was 16%, 30-day mortality 1.63% and overall mortality 16%. Patients with higher CCIa had higher overall mortality (p=.002) but CCIa had no impact on 30-day complication rate and on 30-day mortality. Logistic regression showed that even after adjusting for patient´s comorbidities individually, CCIa was the only independent mortality predictor (p=.003). The optimal cutoff associated with higher overall mortality was found to be ≥6. Conclusion: CCIa does not seem to predict complications and early mortality after EVAR but it seems to be a useful predictor of mid-term survival after EVAR. These results show the limited role of this score in predicting outcomes after surgery but may help identify a sub-population whose shorter life-expectancy should be considered towards the benefits of EVAR.

Resumo Introdução: Apesar dos esforços das equipas de saúde, a taxa da amputação em doentes com Isquémia Crítica Ameaçadora de Membro (CLTI) é bastante elevada. Cada vez mais se torna relevante um tratamento individualizado do doente por forma a melhorar a sua qualidade de vida. Contudo, não existe uma escala de qualidade de vida validada para doentes amputados por isquémia crítica. Os autores propõem uma revisão sistemática da literatura com vista a sumarizar as escalas de avaliação de qualidade de vida após amputação. Métodos: Foi feita uma pesquisa por todos os estudos relacionados com avaliação funcional e da qualidade de vida após amputação na base de dados Pubmed. Resultados: Dos 245 artigos foram incluídos 29. Dos artigos analisados apenas 9 avaliaram exclusivamente doentes vasculares com CLTI. Foram identificados 27 testes/escalas diferentes: 14 escalas de avaliação de saúde ou função (física ou mental) e 13 escalas de qualidade de vida ou qualidade de saúde. Os testes de função mais utilizados na população de amputados foram os testes de marcha, validados em amputados, e escalas de atividades de vida diária, e os testes de avaliação de qualidade mais usados foram as escalas gerais World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF) e Short Form 36 - General Health Status Survey (SF-36) e a escala específica para amputados Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experiences Scales (TAPES). A escala específica para Doença Arterial Obstrutiva Periférica (DAOP) Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire (VascuQoL) apenas foi utilizada uma vez. Conclusões: Na população de doentes amputados vasculares, escalas gerais podem não representar corretamente os domínios mais valorizados por esta população, geralmente mais idosos e com limitações prévias. Na ausência de uma escala específica para esta população, os índices de avaliação de atividades de vida diária ou os testes de marcha em doentes mais jovens ou protetizados juntamente com o questionário WHOQOL-BREF aparentam ser a melhor opção na avaliação da QoL. São essenciais novos estudos para validar uma escala específica para esta população.

Resumo Introdução e Objetivos: A administração de heparina constitui um passo standardizado na cirurgia carotídea dada a redução de complicações tromboembólicas no período perioperatório. Esta prática não está livre de riscos visto que as complicações hemorrágicas estão associadas a um aumento de reintervenções. Historicamente, a protamina, enquanto agente capaz de reverter os efeitos anticoagulantes da heparina, tem gerado controvérsia pela alegada associação a trombose carotídea e AVC. Este artigo tem como objetivo rever a literatura publicada sobre a reversão com protamina na cirurgia carotídea. Métodos: Com recurso à plataforma Pubmed foram selecionados todos os artigos publicados desde janeiro de 2010 até à presente data tendo sido selecionados 10 artigos, onde se incluem duas meta-análises, uma revisão sistemática e seis estudos observacionais multicêntricos de larga escala, num total de 96.708 doentes. Procurou-se avaliar o risco de enfarte, AVC ou morte, bem como as complicações hemorrágicas com a administração de protamina. Resultados: De entre os artigos selecionados, seis avaliaram o efeito da protamina durante endarterectomia carotídea, três no stenting carotídeo transfemoral e um no stenting transcarotídeo (TCAR). Nos doentes submetidos a endarterectomia, todos os estudos demonstraram uma diminuição estatisticamente significativa na redução de complicações hemorrágicas nos doentes em que se administrou protamina, nomeadamente com redução nas reintervenções e na necessidade de transfusões, não tendo sido relatado em nenhum destes estudos uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na mortalidade, ocorrência de AVC ou enfarte. O único estudo que analisou a utilização da protamina no TCAR obteve resultados semelhantes aos da endarterectomia. O uso de protamina no stenting carotídeo transfemoral, não demonstrou diferenças na incidência de AVC, enfarte, morte ou redução de complicações hemorrágicas em estudos observacionais, no entanto, relacionou-se a um aumento de AVC aos 30 dias numa revisão sistemática. Analisando os doentes submetidos a reintervenção cirúrgica concluiu-se que independentemente do uso de protamina, houve um aumento estatisticamente significativo no enfarte, AVC e morte. Conclusão: A reversão com protamina na cirurgia carotídea mostrou-se eficaz e segura, à luz da evidência científica publicada na última década. Não se observou um aumento de eventos trombóticos e a diminuição das complicações hemorrágicas, devem contrariar a controvérsia relacionada com o uso de protamina resultante de estudos históricos com base em análises de amostras de pequenas dimensões ou na experiência da própria instituição. Os estudos reforçam a importância da administração rotineira de protamina na abordagem carotídea.

Abstract Introduction and Objectives: Heparin administration is a standardized step in carotid surgery due to the reduced thromboembolic complication rate during perioperative period. This practice is not free of risks since hemorrhagic complications are associated with a need of reinterventions. Historically, protamine, as an agent capable of reverting the anticoagulant effects of heparin has raised controversy due to its association with carotid thrombosis and stroke. This article aims to review the published literature about the role of protamine reversal in carotid surgery. Methods: Using Pubmed, 10 articles published from January 2010 until the present date were selected, including two meta-analysis, one systematic review and six large-scale multicentric observational studies, in a total of 96.708 patients. The aim of this study was to identify the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and death, as well as hemorrhagic complications after the administration of protamine. Results: Six of the selected articles focused on the effects of protamine during carotid endarterectomy, three on transfemoral carotid stenting and one on transcarotid stenting (TCAR). All the studies related to patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy where protamine had been administered, showed a statistically significant reduction in bleeding rate with a reduction in the number of patients undergoing surgical reintervention and the number of blood transfusions required. There was no statistical difference in the rate of myocardial infarction, stroke and death. The only study that analyzed the use of protamine on TCAR showed similar results to endarterectomy. Observational studies showed no differences in the incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction, death and bleeding complications with the use of protamine on transfemoral carotid stenting, yet a systematic review identified protamine as a risk factor for higher 30-day stroke rate. Patients submitted to surgical reinterventions showed higher rates of stroke, myocardial infarction and death, independently of the administration of protamine. Conclusion: The scientific data published on the last decade supports the safety of protamine reversal during carotid surgery, lowering hemorrhagic complications without showing an increase in thrombotic events. This is supported by meta-analysis and large-scale observational studies, going against the historical controversy surrounding protamine usage based on small sample analysis and local experience.

Resumo A lesão da artéria axilar após uma luxação do ombro é uma condição extremamente rara. A cirurgia convencional é habitualmente a primeira opção terapêutica, consistindo no encerramento direto no local da rutura, ou reconstrução arterial com recurso a um bypass. Descrevemos o caso de um homem de 74 anos que sofreu uma lesão vascular e neurológica após uma luxação glenoumeral recidivante e tratado com a colocação de stent coberto.

Abstract Axillary artery injury after a shoulder dislocation is an extremely rare condition. Open surgery is the classical treatment of such lesions, consisting of direct suture at the site of the rupture or arterial reconstruction with a patch or a bypass. We report the case of a 74-years-old man who suffered a vascular and neurological injury after a recurrent glenohumeral joint dislocation and was treated with a covered stent.

Resumo Introdução: Os aneurismas micóticos das carótidas na sua porção extracraniana são extremamente raros, sendo que o conhecimento sobre essa patologia incide apenas na descrição de casos clínicos. Apenas cerca de 100 casos estão publicados na literatura. Os autores propõem apresentar uma revisão sistemática com a intenção de delinear uma compreensão mais generalizada desta patologia. Métodos: Foram consultadas as bases de dados PubMed e EmBase utilizando as palavras-chave “infected aneurysm” e “carotid artery”. Foram incluídos todos os trabalhos em inglês até 2019. Os estudos que descrevem casos sobre aneurismas carotídeos intracranianos ou pseudoaneurismas traumáticos foram excluídos, tal como as lesões secundárias a complicações de cirurgia vascular. Resultados: Foram incluídos 55 trabalhos entre 1979-2019, relatando dados de 58 doentes. A mediana da idade foi de 63 anos (mín. 9 meses; máx. 88 anos), sendo 67% do sexo masculino. Cerca de 70% apresentaram histórico de infeções bacterianas prévias ou imunossupressão. A localização mais frequente foi a carótida interna seguida pela carótida comum, quase exclusivamente na proximidade da bifurcação carotídea. O aparecimento de uma massa cervical foi a apresentação mais habitual (46%) seguida por síndromes compressivos (38%) e AVC/AIT (11%). Os agentes identificados na maior proporção dos casos foram o Staphylococcus aureus (26%) e Salmonella spp (19%). A interposição de enxertos autólogos foi a técnica mais utilizada para correção cirúrgica. Foi relatada a morte de 7 doentes (14%). Conclusão: Os aneurismas micóticos das carótidas são raros e o diagnóstico pode ser difícil. O seu tratamento implica restituição do inflow carotídeo e remoção do tecido infetado, pelo que a utilização de enxertos autólogos é a estratégia preferida. Apesar das técnicas endovasculares poderem ser usadas em casos selecionados, deve ser considerada a possibilidade de o material protésico ser um nicho para crescimento bacteriano. A morbimortalidade poderá ser maior que a descrita no presente trabalho pelo viés de publicação.

Abstract Introduction: Mycotic extracranial carotid artery aneurysms are extremely unusual, with only around 100 cases published in the literature. They represent a challenge due to delayed presentations, possible catastrophic consequences if left untreated, as well as high morbidity after surgical management. Knowledge about infectious aneurysms on this territory remains limited to case reports. Thus, the authors pretend to present a systematic review on the matter with the intention to open a path to further understanding. Methods: Pubmed and Embase databases were consulted using the keywords “infected aneurysm” and “carotid artery”, including published papers in English to the present date. Papers in other languages and papers which focused results on intracranial locations of the disease were excluded. Pseudoaneurysms following trauma or vascular surgery were not included. Results: Inclusion criteria allowed analysis of 55 papers from 1979-2019 reporting data on 58 patients. Median age was 63 years old (min. 9 months; max.88 years), being 67% male. Among diverse risk factors, nearly 70% presented a previous history of bacterial infection or immunosuppression. The right carotid arteries were affected in 52% of cases. The most usual location was the internal carotid artery (31 cases) followed by the common carotid, almost exclusively near the bifurcation in both groups. Clinical presentation was broad, including neck mass (46%), compression syndromes as Horner syndrome, dysphagia or hoarseness (38%); and stroke/transient ischemic attack (11%). The most common bacteria identified were Staphylococcus aureus (26%), followed by Salmonella spp (19%). Autologous vein graft interposition was the technique used to treat the majority of cases. Carotid ligation, occlusion using detachable coils and stent graft angioplasty were among the applied treatments. Mortality was reported in 7 patients (14%) Conclusion: Mycotic carotid artery aneuryms are rare and demand surgical treatment. Diagnosis can be challenging due to late presentation of neck mass or compression syndromes. Treatment implies inflow restoration and removal of infected tissue, so interposition grafts using autologous conduits remain the preferred strategy. Although endovascular techniques can be used in selected cases, one should remember that prosthetic material can be a nidus for bacterial growth. Morbidity and mortality may be higher than expected due to publication bias.

Introduction: Central venous stenosis can be the main obstacle to the creation of a vascular access. The Surfacer® device was developed to solve the problem of complete occlusions of the right internal jugular vein, right brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava, allowing for the placement of a vascular access in this venous axis. Case Report: We present the case of a 77-year-old patient on long-term hemodialysis with a long history of failed vascular accesses and of central vein stenosis, chronically dialyzed using a tunneled catheter placed through the left femoral vein. With use of the Surfacer® device it was possible to recreate, with an inside-out technique, a tract through the fibrous tissue of the completely occluded right brachiocephalic and right internal jugular veins, subsequently placing a tunneled catheter into the right atrium through this later vein. Conclusion: We report the first successful use in Portugal of a new vascular access device that allows us to rescue a previous unusable right central venous axis for the placement of a central venous catheter, thus avoiding the use of less advantageous options such as the femoral veins and preserving venous vascular capital.

Introdução: Apresenta-se um caso de rotura de aneurisma da artéria femoral superficial tratado com uma endoprótese fora das “Instructions for Use”. Caso clínico: Doente de 83 anos com rotura sequencial de aneurismas de ambas as artérias femorais superficiais. À direita, o paciente foi submetido a cirurgia de bypass que resultou num período de recuperação prolongado, pelo que à esquerda se optou por uma abordagem endovascular. Procedeu-se à exclusão do aneurisma com duas endopróteses Endurant"II Medtronic®. Aos dois anos de follow-up o paciente encontra-se assintomático e sem endoleaks. Conclusão: Apesar de fora das “Instructions for Use”, o uso de endopróteses na exclusão de um aneurisma da artéria femoral superficial revelou-se como um procedimento limb-salvage com um sucesso técnico e resultados a médio prazo excelentes.

Introduction: We present the case of a superficial femoral artery ruptured aneurysm treated with an endoprothesis outside the “Instructions for Use”. Case report: 83 years old patient with sequential rupture of both superficial femoral arteries aneurysms. In the right limb the patient was submitted to conventional bypass surgery that resulted in an extended recovery period. An endovascular approach was the choice to treat the left ruptured superficial femoral artery aneurysm. The patient was submitted to aneurysm exclusion with two Endurant"II Medtronic® endoprothesis. At two-year follow-up the patient is asymptomatic and the aneurysm remains excluded with no endoleaks. Conclusions: Despite outside “Instructions for Use”, the use of an endoprothesis to treat SFA ruptured aneurysm presented as limb salvage procedure with excellent technical success and medium-term results.

A disseção espontânea e isolada da artéria ilíaca externa é rara. A evolução clínica desta patologia é variável. Os autores apresentam o caso de um militar, 54 anos, com espondilite anquilosante que apresenta claudicação do membro inferior secundária a disseção isolada da artéria ilíaca externa. A disseção foi tratada através de angioplastia com colocação de stent.

Spontaneous and isolated dissection of external iliac artery is very rare. The natural course of this condition is not well established. The authors report a case of a 54 year old male, military, with ankylosing spondylitis presenting with limb claudication secondary to isolated dissection of external iliac artery. Dissection was successfully managed by percutaneous stent placement.

Introdução: O acidente vascular cerebral constitui um problema de saúde significativo. Globalmente, 10-15% de todos os acidentes vasculares cerebrais estão relacionados com uma estenose carotídea >50% previamente assintomática. A endarterectomia carotídea é eficaz na prevenção do acidente vascular cerebral; o risco/benefício é menos evidente em doentes idosos. Os autores avaliaram os resultados de endarterectomia carotídea do Serviço em doentes de idade igual ou superior a 75 anos, focando nos resultados peri-operatórios e na sobrevida a longo-prazo. Material e métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, unicêntrico, englobando 156 cirurgias em 149 doentes de idade e75 anos, entre Janeiro de 2010 e Dezembro de 2017 Resultados: O acidente vascular cerebral/mortalidade peri-operatória foi de 2.6% (4.0% em sintomáticos, 0% em assintomáticos); a morbilidade peri-operatória foi de 6.4%; a sobrevida estimada a 5 anos foi de 71.9%. Conclusão: A endarterectomia carotídea é uma abordagem de baixo risco no tratamento da aterosclerose da bifurcação carotídea, mesmo em doentes de idade avançada, com morbilidade e mortalidade perioperatória comparável com os padrões internacionais para a população em geral. A sobrevida a longo prazo é bastante boa e a idade per se não deve ser impeditivo da realização de endarterectomia carotídea nestes doentes.

Introduction: Stroke is a major health problem. Overall, 10-15% of all strokes are related to a previous asymptomatic carotid stenosis >50%. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is effective in stroke prevention; risk/benefit assessment is less apparent for elderly. The authors evaluate department CEA outcomes in elderly population aged 75 years and older, focusing in perioperative outcomes and long term survival. Material and methods: Retrospective unicentric analysis was performed, encompassing 156 surgeries in 149 patients aged 75 years and older, between January 2010 and December 2017. Results: Perioperative stroke/mortality was 2.6% (4.0% for symptomatic, 0% for asymptomatic); perioperative morbidity was 6.4%; estimated five-year survival was 71.9%. Conclusion: CEA continues to be a low-risk approach to treat carotid bifurcation atherosclerosis, even in elderly population, with perioperative morbidity and mortality resembling international standards for general population. Long term survival is quite good and age alone should not be a reason to refrain from offering carotid endarterectomy to this patients.