Objectives: This is an annual report indicating the number and early clinical results of annual vascular treatment performed by vascular surgeons in Japan in 2018, as analyzed by database management committee (DBC) members of the Japanese Society for Vascular Surgery (JSVS).

Materials and Methods: To survey the current status of vascular treatments performed by vascular surgeons in Japan, the DBC members of the JSVS analyzed the vascular treatment data provided by the National Clinical Database (NCD), including the number of treatments and early results such as operative and hospital mortality.

Results: In total, 143,745 vascular treatments were registered by 1,090 institutions in 2018. This database comprises seven fields, including treatment of aneurysms, chronic arterial occlusive disease, acute arterial occlusive disease, vascular injury, complication of previous vascular reconstruction, venous diseases, and other vascular treatments. The number of vascular treatments in each field was 24,495, 18,700, 4,813, 2,363, 694, 45,088, and 47,592, respectively. In the field of aneurysm treatment, 20,160 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including common iliac aneurysm, were registered, and 61.6% were treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Among AAA cases, 1,794 (8.9%) cases were registered as ruptured AAA. The operative mortality rates of ruptured and unruptured AAA were 15.7% and 0.6%, respectively. Approximately 43.3% of ruptured AAA were treated by EVAR, and the EVAR ratio was gradually increasing, but the operative mortality rates of open repair and EVAR for ruptured AAA were 14.0% and 14.6%, respectively. Regarding chronic arterial occlusive disease, open repair was performed in 8,336 cases, including 1,348 distal bypasses to the crural or pedal artery, whereas endovascular treatment (EVT) was performed in 9,710 cases. The EVT ratio was gradually increased at 51.9%. Varicose vein treatment was decreased in 43,133 cases (7.7% less than that in 2017), and 77.3% of the cases were treated by endovenous thermal ablation (ETA), including endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Regarding other vascular operations, 44,003 cases of vascular access operations and 1,631 lower limb amputation surgeries were included.

Conclusions: The number of vascular treatments increased since 2017, and the proportion of endovascular procedures increased in almost all fields of vascular diseases, especially EVAR for AAA, EVT for chronic arterial occlusive disease, and ETA for varicose veins. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2022; 31: 217–237.)

Objectives: This is an annual report indicating the number and early clinical results of annual vascular treatment performed by vascular surgeons in Japan in 2017, as analyzed by Database Management Committee (DBC) members of the Japanese Society for Vascular Surgery (JSVS).

Materials and Methods: To survey the current status of vascular treatments performed by vascular surgeons in Japan, the DBC members of the JSVS analyzed the vascular treatment data provided by the National Clinical Database, including the number of treatments and early results such as operative and hospital mortality.

Results: In total, 137,909 vascular treatments were registered by 1,076 institutions in 2017. This database comprised seven fields including treatment of aneurysms, chronic arterial occlusive disease, acute arterial occlusive disease, vascular injury, complication of previous vascular reconstruction, venous diseases, and other vascular treatments. The number of vascular treatments in each field was 21,680, 18,123, 4,765 2,418, 669, 48,625, and 41,629, respectively. In the aneurysm treatment, 19,982 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including common iliac aneurysm, were registered, and 64.1% were treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Among AAA cases, 1,824 (9.1%) cases were registered as ruptured AAA. The operative mortality rates of ruptured and unruptured AAA were 15.0%, and 0.7%, respectively. 37.9% of ruptured AAA were treated by EVAR, and the EVAR ratio was gradually increasing, but the operative mortality rates of open repair and EVAR for ruptured AAA were 14.5%, and 12.3%, respectively. There was no statistical significance. Regarding chronic arterial occlusive disease, open repair was performed in 7,277 cases, including 1,348 distal bypasses to the crural or pedal artery, whereas endovascular treatment (EVT) was performed in 9,248 cases. The EVT ratio was gradually increased at 56.0%. The number of varicose vein treatments decreased to 46,754 (11.2% less than in 2016), and 73.7% of the cases were treated by endovenous laser or radiofrequency ablations. Regarding other vascular operations, 38,769 cases of vascular access operations and 1,548 lower limb amputation surgeries were included.

Conclusions: The number of vascular treatments increased since 2011, and the proportion of endovascular procedures increased in almost all fields of vascular diseases, especially EVAR for AAA and EVT for chronic arterial occlusive disease. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2021; 30: 359–379.)

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.)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a huge threat worldwide as a pandemic, which could also cause venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE). On the basis of the concept of the high risk for VTE in patients with COVID-19, some studies reported the potential benefit of anticoagulation for the primary prevention of VTE. However, optimal strategies for the prevention of VTE in COVID-19 still remain unknown. Additionally, ethnic differences may have notable implications in the presentation of VTE. Very recently, in the Japanese Society of Phlebology and Japanese Society of Pulmonary Embolism Research, a questionnaire surveillance for COVID-19 and VTE was conducted, which revealed that the vast majority of the institutions did not have specific recommendations for the prevention of VTE with anticoagulation, the incidence rate of VTE was 0.6% (7/1243), and that of PE was 0.4% (5/1243). The current questionnaire surveillance has suggested that the management strategies for the prevention of VTE by anticoagulation in COVID-19 could widely vary according to institutions, and the number of patients diagnosed as VTE in COVID-19 in Japan was quite small compared with reports from other countries. Further studies, including cohort/registry-based studies, are warranted to confirm these results.

Objectives: Distal stent graft-induced new entry (dSINE), defined as a new tear caused by a stent graft, has been increasingly observed following total arch replacement using frozen elephant trunk (FET) for aortic dissection. We aimed to investigate the incidence and treatment of dSINE after the use of FET.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 70 patients who underwent total arch replacement using FET for aortic dissection between August 2014 and March 2020. They were followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively. Between-group comparisons were performed between those who did and did not develop dSINE. The risk factors for the development of dSINE and the treatment of dSINE were analyzed.

Results: dSINE occurred postoperatively in nine patients (12.9%) with a median time frame of 17.7±11.7 months. The incidence of dSINE did not differ significantly according to classification, phase of dissection, or oversizing. All patients in the dSINE group developed enlargement of the false lumen. dSINE closure was successfully achieved without complications via thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in all patients.

Conclusion: No independent factors predicting the development of dSINE were noted in this study. Additional TEVAR for dSINE provides good results and achieves false lumen thrombosis in the thoracic aorta, with no complications.

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of regional tissue oxygenation saturation (rSO₂) for ulcer healing after endovascular treatment (EVT) of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Materials and Methods: Among PAD patients, 34 patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia underwent EVT for limb salvage. We retrospectively analyzed the cutoff rSO₂ values on postoperative day 1 to predict ulcer healing and patient prognosis. Skin perfusion pressure (SPP) and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO₂) were also used to assess wound healing.

Results: A finger-mounted tissue oximeter can easily measure rSO₂ on the dorsal foot. Among the 34 patients, the ulcer healed in 25, and no changes were observed in 2 patients at 1 month after EVT. However, 7 patients needed major amputation at the same time. Wound healing was achieved in all patients with rSO₂≥50%. With this cutoff, the sensitivity and specificity of the new device for wound healing were 100% and 64%, respectively. In all the wound healing cases, SPP was ≥45 mmHg, and TcPO₂ was ≥40 mmHg.

Conclusion: To assess limb ischemia, rSO₂ can be measured quickly and easily using this device. We suggest that an rSO₂>50% shows good prognosis for ulcer healing.

There is a growing body of evidence that cumulative hyperglycemic exposure plays a central role in the development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, and glyceraldehyde can react non-enzymatically with amino groups of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids to form senescent macromolecules termed advanced glycation end products (AGEs), whose formation and accumulation has been known to progress in diabetic patients, especially in those with a long history of disease. The sustained accumulation of AGEs could contribute to the phenomenon of metabolic memory or legacy effects observed in long-term follow-up clinical studies of diabetic patients. AGE modification alters the structural integrity and function of various types of macromolecules, and interaction of AGEs with a receptor for AGEs (RAGE) has been shown to evoke inflammatory and thrombotic reactions. Therefore, the AGE–RAGE axis is a novel therapeutic target of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. In this paper, we briefly review the pathological role of AGEs and their receptor RAGE system in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including peripheral artery disease and discuss the clinical utility of measuring AGEs in evaluating the severity of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes.

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a rapid decrease in lower limb blood flow due to acute occlusion of peripheral artery or bypass graft, and in ALI not only limbs but also life prognosis will be poor unless quick and appropriate treatment is given. The etiology is broadly divided into embolism and thrombosis with various comorbidities. The symptoms of ALI are abrupt with pain, numbness, and coldness of lower limb, and paresthesia, contracture, and irreversible purpura will appear with the exacerbation of ischemia. Severity and treatment strategy should be determined based on physical findings and image findings. Considering life prognosis, limb amputation should be done without hesitation when the limb was diagnosed as irreversible. ALI can be treated by means of open surgical revascularization, endovascular, or hybrid approach with rapid systemic administration of heparin. In any cases, evaluating the lesions by intraoperative angiography and appropriate additional treatment are important. ALI is a serious disease requiring urgent treatment, and it is essential to promptly perform the best initial treatment that can be performed at each facility. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2018; 27: 109–114.)

Immunoglobulin G4-related diseases (IgG4-RD) are systemic inflammatory conditions, characterized by high serum IgG4 concentrations, and pathologically IgG4-positive plasmacytes infiltrations and storiform fibrosis. We described IgG4-related inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm in 2008, and revealed the existence of vascular lesions. IgG4-related vascular lesions frequently occur in the aorta and branching medium-sized arteries with or without aneurysmal change. The inflammatory lesion mainly involves in the adventitia, indicating remarkable adventitial fibrous thickening with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Clinical symptoms associated with IgG4-related vascular lesions might be fever, abdominal pain, hydronephrosis, or few subjective symptoms. Comprehensive diagnostic criteria is applied according to image findings of thickening lesions, high serum IgG4 levels, and histopathological findings. As a treatment, open surgical repair or endovascular aneurysm repair is performed for the aneurysmal cases, and steroid administration is used for the cases with strong inflammation. This disease can lead to a lethal situation due to the rupture following aneurysmal formation, thus special attention is needed unlike IgG4-RD occupying in the other organs. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2017; 26: 129–134.)

Two decades have passed since therapeutic angiogenesis was proposed to promote reparative collateral growth as an alternative therapy for ischemic diseases in patients for whom neither surgical revascularization nor endovascular therapy was suitable. When therapeutic angiogenesis first began, local administration was conducted using recombinant growth factor proteins or gene-encoding growth factors for endothelial cells. Since then, autologous stem cells and endothelial progenitor cell transplantation therapy have been developed. Although many clinical trials have been performed on patients, most therapies have not yet become standard treatments. We have developed a nanoparticle (NP)-mediated, drug-targeting delivery system using bioabsorbable poly-lactic/glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs. In several animal models, pitavastatin-incorporated (Pitava)-NPs showed significant therapeutic effects on critical limb ischemia. Because PLGA NPs are delivered selectively to vascular endothelial cells after intramuscular administration, it is suggested that therapeutic angiogenesis/arteriogenesis plays an important role in the mechanism by which Pitava-NPs exert beneficial therapeutic effects. To translate this to clinical medicine, we have performed studies and produced Pitava-NPs in compliance with good laboratory practice/good manufacturing practice regulations, and completed a phase I/II clinical trial, reporting the safety and efficacy of Pitava-NP intramuscular injection for patients with critical limb ischemia. This review will focus on therapeutic angiogenesis/arteriogenesis for peripheral arterial disease induced by Pitava-NPs.

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 objective of this project is to elucidate the current status of the medical practice for CLI patients 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 (NCD) 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 with surgery and/or endovascular treatment (EVT). In 2019, 1070 CLI limbs (male: 725 limbs, 68%) were registered by 83 facilities. Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) accounted for 98% of the pathogenesis of these limbs. In this manuscript, the background data and the early prognosis of the registered limbs are reported. Although the registration format for the simultaneous surgery of bilateral limbs in NCD was changed to one patient and two limbs, JCLIMB still counted two patients and two limbs to eliminate discrepancy with the past annual reports. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2022; 31: 157–185.)

Objectives: This is an annual report indicating the number and early clinical results of annual vascular treatment performed by vascular surgeon in Japan in 2016, as analyzed by database management committee (DBC) members of the JSVS.

Materials and Methods: To survey the current status of vascular treatments performed by vascular surgeons in Japan, the DBC members of the JSVS analyzed the vascular treatment data provided by the National Clinical Database (NCD), including the number of treatments and early results such as operative and hospital mortality.

Results: In total 136,414 vascular treatments were registered by 1,070 institutions in 2016. This database is composed of 7 fields including treatment of aneurysms, chronic arterial occlusive disease, acute arterial occlusive disease, vascular injury, complication of previous vascular reconstruction, venous diseases, and other vascular treatments. The number of vascular treatments in each field was 21,653, 17,560, 4,983, 2,557, 846, 54,462 and 34,353, respectively. In the field of aneurysm treatment, 19,144 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) including common iliac aneurysm were registered, and 60.3% were treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Among AAA cases, 1,714 (9.4%) cases were registered as ruptured AAA. The operative mortality of ruptured and unruptured AAA was 15.7%, and 0.6%, respectively. 35.9% of ruptured AAA were treated by EVAR, and the EVAR ratio was gradually increasing, but the operative mortality of open repair and EVAR for ruptured AAA was 15.8%, and 15.3%, respectively. Regarding chronic arterial occlusive disease, open repair was performed in 9,303 cases, including 1,329 distal bypasses to the crural or pedal artery, whereas endovascular treatment (EVT) was performed in 8,257 cases. The EVT ratio was gradually increased at 47.0%. The number of varicose vein treatment tremendously increased to 52,639, and 68.5% of the cases were treated by endovenous laser ablations (EVLA). Regarding other vascular operations, 32,779 cases of vascular access operations and 1,411 lower limb amputation surgeries were included.

Conclusions: The number of vascular treatments increased since 2011, and the proportion of endovascular procedures increased in almost all field of vascular diseases, especially EVAR for AAA, EVT for chronic arterial occlusive disease, and EVLA for varicose veins. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2021; 30: 23–41.)

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 patients with CLI to contribute to the improvement of the quality of medical care. This database, called JAPAN CLI 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 the JCLIMB, together with those treated by surgery and/or endovascular treatment. In 2018, 1,145 CLI limbs (male 758 limbs, 66%) were registered by 90 facilities. Arteriosclerosis obliterans has accounted for 97% of the pathogenesis of these limbs. In this manuscript, the background data, ischemic status, treatment, and the early prognosis (within 1 month) of the registered limbs are reported. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2020; 29: 365–393.)

Objectives: This is an annual report indicating the number and early clinical results of annual vascular treatment performed by vascular surgeon in Japan in 2015, as analyzed by database management committee (DBC) members of the JSVS.

Materials and Methods: To survey the current status of vascular treatments performed by vascular surgeons in Japan, the DBC members of the JSVS analyzed the vascular treatment data provided by the National Clinical Database (NCD), including the number of treatments and early results such as operative and hospital mortality.

Results: In total 124,299 vascular treatments were registered by 1,038 institutions in 2015. This database is composed of 7 fields including treatment of aneurysms, chronic arterial occlusive disease, acute arterial occlusive disease, vascular injury, complication of previous vascular reconstruction, venous diseases, and other vascular treatments. The number of vascular treatments in each field was 22,041, 15,671, 4,779, 2,313, 857, 48,837, and 29,801, respectively. In the field of aneurysm treatment, 18,907 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) including common iliac aneurysm were registered, and 57.6% were treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Among AAA cases, 1,850 (9.8%) cases were registered as ruptured AAA. The operative mortality of ruptured and un-ruptured AAA was 16.0%, and 0.6%, respectively. 33.6% of ruptured AAA were treated by EVAR, and the EVAR ratio was gradually increasing, but the operative mortality of open repair and EVAR for ruptured AAA was 16.6%, and 14.5%, respectively. Regarding chronic arterial occlusive disease, open repair was performed in 8,230 cases, including 1,194 distal bypasses to the crural or pedal artery, whereas endovascular treatment (EVT) was performed in 7,441 cases. The EVT ratio was gradually increased at 47.4%. Venous treatment including 47,046 cases with varicose vein treatments and 531 cases with lower limb deep vein thrombosis were registered. Regarding other vascular operations, 29,801 cases of vascular access operations and 1,511 lower limb amputation surgeries were included.

Conclusions: The number of vascular treatments increased since 2011, and the proportion of endovascular procedures increased in almost all field of vascular diseases, especially EVAR for AAA, EVT for chronic arterial occlusive disease, and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for varicose veins. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2020; 29: 161–179.)

Objectives: This is an annual report indicating the number and early clinical results of annual vascular treatment performed by vascular surgeon in Japan in 2014, as analyzed by database management committee (DBC) members of the JSVS.

Materials and Methods: To survey the current status of vascular treatments performed by vascular surgeons in Japan, the DBC members of the JSVS analyzed the vascular treatment data provided by the National Clinical Database (NCD), including the number of treatments and early results such as operative and hospital mortality.

Results: In total 113,296 vascular treatments were registered by 1,002 institutions in 2014. This database is composed of 7 fields including treatment of aneurysms, chronic arterial occlusive disease, acute arterial occlusive disease, vascular injury, complication of previous vascular reconstruction, venous diseases, and other vascular treatments. The number of vascular treatments in each field was 21,085, 14,344, 4,799, 2,088, 1,598, 42,864, and 26,518, respectively. In the field of aneurysm treatment, 17,973 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) including common iliac aneurysm were registered, and 55.7% were treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Among AAA cases, 1,824 (10.1%) cases were registered as ruptured AAA. The operative mortality of ruptured and un-ruptured AAA was 16.1%, and 0.6%, respectively. 32.1% of ruptured AAA were treated by EVAR, and the EVAR ratio was gradually increasing, but the operative mortality of open repair and EVAR for ruptured AAA was 15.7%, and 18.0%, respectively. Regarding chronic arterial occlusive disease, open repair was performed in 8,020 cases, including 1,210 distal bypasses to the crural or pedal artery, whereas endovascular treatment (EVT) were performed in 6,324 cases. The EVT ratio was gradually increased at 44.1%. Venous treatment including 41,246 cases with varicose vein treatments and 520 cases with lower limb deep vein thrombosis were registered. Regarding other vascular operations, 25,024 cases of vascular access operations and 1,322 lower limb amputation surgeries were included.

Conclusions: The number of vascular treatments increased since 2011, and the proportion of endovascular procedures increased in almost all field of vascular diseases, especially EVAR for AAA, EVT for chronic arterial occlusive disease, and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for varicose veins. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2020; 29: 15–31.)

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 (NCD) and collects data of patients’ background, therapeutic measures, early results, and long-term prognosis as long as five years after the initial treatment. The limbs managed conservatively are also registered in JCLIMB, together with those treated by surgery and/or EVT. In 2017, 1137 CLI limbs (male 760 limbs: 67%, female 377 limbs) were registered by 84 facilities. ASO has accounted for 98% of the pathogenesis of these limbs. In this manuscript, the background data, ischemic status, treatment and the early prognosis (within 1 month) of the registered limbs are reported. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2019; 28: 415–443.)