Objectives: The potential benefit of routine prophylactic anticoagulation for all hospitalized patients with clinically stable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still controversial.

Method: The CLOT-COVID Study was a multicenter observational study enrolling 2894 consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The current study population consisted of 1738 hospitalized patients with mild COVID-19 at admission not requiring oxygen administration, who were divided into 2 groups: patients with prophylactic anticoagulation (n = 326) and those without (n = 1412).

Results: Patients with prophylactic anticoagulation had more severe status of the worst severity of COVID-19 during hospitalization compared with those without (mild: 38% versus 82%, moderate: 55% versus 17%, and severe or death at discharge: 6.4% versus 0.7%, P <0.001). During hospitalization, 8 patients (0.5%) developed thrombosis, and the incidences of thrombosis were numerically higher in patients with more severe status of worst severity of COVID-19 during hospitalization (mild: 0.2%, moderate: 1.2%, and severe or death at discharge: 3.2%).

Conclusions: Among hospitalized patients with clinically stable COVID-19 at admission, patients who did not worsen in COVID-19 severity after admission rarely developed thrombosis, although patients with worsening of COVID-19 severity after admission more often received prophylactic anticoagulation and might have a higher risk of thrombosis.

Objective: Hemodialysis (HD) catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are a major complication of long-/short-term catheter.

Material and Methods: Patients with HD CRBSIs were identified, and their blood was taken and sent to clinical pathology for culture and sensitivity testing. The inclusion criteria were adults with end-stage renal disease who required urgent HD access in the presence of a central venous catheter (CVC) infection.

Results: The most common isolates among the patients with CRBSIs were gram-positive microorganisms (57.5%) and gram-negative organisms (42.5%). Overall, in our entire study, Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen isolated, accounting for 30%, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (12.5%), Klebsiella spp. and Acinetobacter (10%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (7.5%), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus hominis, and Enterococcus faecalis (2.5%). The commonest bacterial in femoral was S. aureus, and for subclavian was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All S. aureus were sensitive to aminoglycosides and quinolones. P. aeruginosa was sensitive to the third generation of cephalosporins, especially cefoperazone and carbapenem.

Conclusion: Nontunneled CVCs used for more than 2 weeks could increase the risk of CRBSIs. Procalcitonin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate could predict the CRBSIs in this study. This study also revealed that the gram-positive bacteria were primadonna in dialysis of CRBSIs, and most of them were sensitive to aminoglycosides.

Objectives: Video capillaroscopy is a diagnostic method for evaluating microvascular changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated microvascular changes, including microvascular architecture, capillary distribution (morphology and density), and angiogenesis conditions in T2DM patients via video capillaroscopy.

Methods: A total of 256 patients with T2DM enrolled in this study. Based on electromyography (EMG)–nerve conduction velocity results, patients were divided into patients with normal and abnormal EMG. Microalbuminuria was assessed using biochemical urine analysis. Finally, video capillaroscopy was performed to evaluate changes in microvascular architecture, capillary distribution, and angiogenesis status.

Results: The differences between microalbuminuria in patients with normal and abnormal EMG were not significant. Other microvascular changes were not significant between normal and abnormal EMG groups. The patients with greater microalbuminuria were at risk of abnormal EMG 2.8 times higher than those with fewer microalbuminuria (odds ratio = 2.804; 1.034–7.601). However, EMG is not a risk factor for microvascular architecture alternation in T2DM (odds ratio = 1.069; 0.323–3.546).

Conclusions: Microvascular alternations are common in T2DM and early detection of these changes could help to avoid the progress of nephropathic complications. Also, video capillaroscopy provides a promising diagnostic method for the detection of microvascular alternations in T2DM.

Objective: Cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of varicose veins. A recent paper reported serious adverse events (AEs) associated with this use. This triggered an urgent survey to determine the incidence of AEs in Japan.

Methods: The CAC-AE survey was sent to all 1,030 institutions authorized for CAC treatments. Cases performed between January 2020 and October 2023 were surveyed. Data on serious AEs and mortality were collected.

Results: There were 623 surveys returned. There were 16 cases of proximal deep vein thrombosis, 3 cases of pulmonary embolism (PE), and 0 cases of stroke. Deep vein occlusion due to cyanoacrylate extension was observed in 1 case. Vein resection due to infection was observed in 4 cases. There were 299 cases of localized phlebitis and/or allergic reactions requiring steroid administration. Systemic allergic reactions requiring steroid administration were observed in 66 cases. There was no anaphylaxis associated with cyanoacrylate. There was one postoperative death from PE.

Conclusion: This report’s intent is to provide real world data on serious AEs following CAC from Japan given current concern over these events. An extensive report investigation of individual complications with analysis including causality will be provided following a full investigation separately.

Objectives: The efficacy of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) against abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in younger patients remains unknown. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate whether the aneurysm-related mortality rate of EVAR is acceptable among patients aged ≤70 years.

Methods: Among 644 patients, 148 underwent EVAR (EVAR group), and 496 received open surgical repair (OSR group). The cumulative incidence rates of aneurysm-related death, any intervention, and serious aneurysm-related events after AAA repair were evaluated using the cumulative incidence function in the presence of competing risks.

Results: The EVAR group had higher prevalences of several comorbidities, and overall survival for the EVAR group was significantly inferior to that of the OSR group. The cumulative incidence rates of aneurysm-related death, any intervention, and serious aneurysm-related events at 5 years were 1.5%, 11.7%, and 6.4% in the EVAR group and 1.3%, 5.3%, and 5.9% in the OSR group, respectively. EVAR was not a significant prognostic factor of aneurysm-related mortality and serious aneurysm-related events. However, it was an independent poor prognostic factor of any intervention.

Conclusion: EVAR was not a significant prognostic factor of aneurysm-related mortality and serious aneurysm-related events. Therefore, it demonstrated acceptable procedure-related long-term outcomes, at least in high-risk young patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the efficacy of Airbo·Wave EV1 in nighttime compression therapy as part of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) for leg lymphedema.

Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with leg lymphedema who used Airbo·Wave EV1 between April 2021 and September 2022. In these patients, the changes in leg volume and skin hardness were assessed using a scale ranging from 1 (softest) to 7 (hardest), and dermal thickness before and after the use of Airbo·Wave EV1 was evaluated.

Results: Twenty-two patients used Airbo·Wave EV1 for nighttime compression in CDT. Their skin hardness in the lower calf decreased mildly (mean scale: before, 3.9; after, 3.6 [p <0.05]), but the leg volume and skin thickness were unchanged. Eleven patients who were nonadherent could restart compression therapy by using Airbo·Wave EV1. Their skin hardness in the medial lower calf (before, 5.1; after, 4.3 [p <0.05]), leg volume (before, 8412 mL; after, 8191 mL [p <0.01]), and skin thickness in the medial and lateral lower leg were reduced.

Conclusion: Airbo·Wave EV1 could improve skin hardness in the calf area. Moreover, it is a safe procedure for the nonadherent while reducing leg volume reasonably.

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) is a rare complication of chronic lymphedema, leading to progressive cutaneous hypertrophy and disfigured lower extremities. We present an unusual case of a 79-year-old man with ENV, who had an episode of erysipelas treated and cured with antibiotics. The patient presented with progressive painless lymphedema of the lower limb years ago, complicated with skin changes. The biology and radiology test does not objective any causes. The compression therapy was proposed to the patient. ENV is characterized by lymphedema and skin anomaly. Management of ENV is often challenging, but a variety of successful medical and surgical treatment strategies have been reported.

A 72-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia with T315I mutation in breakpoint cluster region-abelson (BCR-ABL) was treated with ponatinib. During the course of her treatment, chronic limb-threatening ischemia developed in both lower extremities, and the left lower extremity was amputated below the knee at a previous hospital. She was referred to our department for salvage of the right lower extremity. We performed a foot bypass and multidisciplinary treatment of the wound, and achieved epithelialization in about 1 month. The rate of vascular occlusive events with ponatinib has been reported to be high, and we believe that careful monitoring is important during use.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of acute uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD) has been discussed for its potential to prevent future aortic events. We present a fenestrated TEVAR in the case of an 86-year-old man with acute uTBAD with an isolated left vertebral artery (ILVA). The ILVA originated from the distal side of the left subclavian artery, the left subclavian artery, and the intramural hematoma with an ulcer-like projection extended close to the left subclavian artery. We selected a fenestrated stent graft to achieve a proximal healthy landing. This case demonstrates that a fenestrated stent graft for acute uTBAD is useful for preserving arch vessels.

A 54-year-old woman with a mycotic superior mesenteric artery (SMA) aneurysm underwent emergent aneurysm resection with a great saphenous vein bypass. Follow-up computed tomography revealed a rapidly growing recurrent SMA aneurysm at the stump. Under the diagnosis of recurrent pseudoaneurysm of SMA with a fragile stump, we performed an open dual arterial bypass using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography and endovascular coil embolization. Subsequently, the patient’s recurrent mycotic SMA aneurysm was successfully managed without mesenteric ischemic complications. This method may help prevent fatal mesenteric ischemia during SMA aneurysm surgery.

The Indigo Aspiration System (Penumbra Ltd., Alameda, CA, USA), a catheter-based device intended for the endovascular removal of clots from peripheral arteries and veins, was launched in Japan to treat acute limb ischemia after the cessation of urokinase sales. The initial application of this system in Japan was on a 96-year-old male patient. He was diagnosed with acute lower limb ischemia, which was caused by an embolism from a left common iliac artery aneurysm. The treatment significantly enhanced the perfusion to his left foot. This case report elaborates on the patient’s treatment experience and discusses the indications for using the device.

The patient was a 48-year-old man who had undergone fenestrated frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique for acute type A aortic dissection. Postoperative enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a type 1a endoleak from the fenestration. Nevertheless, the stented portion of the FET exhibited circular expansion. However, 2 months after surgery, enhanced CT imaging revealed the flattening of the FET due to the persistent endoleak and we performed an urgent zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). When type 1a endoleak from the fenestration is observed, the FET can be flattened, as in this patient, additional intervention should be considered.

Since 2013, the Japanese Society for Vascular Surgery has started the project of nationwide registration and tracking database for patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) who are treated by vascular surgeons. The purpose of this project is to clarify the current status of the medical practice for the patients with CLI to contribute to the improvement of the quality of medical care. This database, called JAPAN Critical Limb Ischemia Database (JCLIMB), is created on the National Clinical Database and collects data of patients’ background, therapeutic measures, early results, and long-term prognosis as long as 5 years after the initial treatment. The limbs managed conservatively are also registered in JCLIMB, together with those treated by surgery and/or endovascular treatment. In 2020, 1299 CLI limbs (male 890 limbs: 69%) were registered by 85 facilities. Arteriosclerosis obliterans has accounted for 99% of the pathogenesis of these limbs. In this manuscript, the background data and the early prognosis of the registered limbs are reported. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2023; 32: 363–391.)