Completed Projects

Isolated Degenerative Femoral Artery Aneurysms (FAA)

• Single Institution Study Presented at SCVSS 2010
• Multi-Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation Abstract 2013 Vascular Annual Meeting
• Multi-Institution Study JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2014;59:343-9.)
  This study evaluates the contemporary management of IFAA at eight institutions due to recommendations of asymptomatic repairs with diameters ≥ 2.5 cm. As acute complications did not occur in aneurysms smaller than 3.5cm, repair criteria for asymptomatic FAA should be changed to >3.5 cm.

In-Line Reconstruction with Cryopreserved Aortoiliac Allograft Following Aortic Infection (Cryo in aortic graft infections)

• Single Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2009 Scientific Meeting of the Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting
• Single Institution Study American Surgeon Publication (The American Surgeon, Volume 75, Number 10, October 2009, pp. 1000-1003(4))
  Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Center at UCLA found low morbidity and absence of mortality in high-risk patients when evaluating the use of in-line reconstruction of prosthetic graft infection using cryopreserved aorto/ilio/femoral arteries.  
• Multi-Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2013 Vascular Annual Meeting
• Multi-Institution Study JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2014;59:669-74.)
  Cryopreserved aortoiliac allograft (CAA) has been proposed for aortic reconstruction to improve outcomes in this high-risk population. From the data gathered among 14 of the 20 highest volume institutions, the study suggests that CAA should be considered a first line treatment of aortic infections.

Renal Artery Aneurysms (RAA)

• Single Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2013 Western Vascular Society Annual Meeting
• Single Institution JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2014;59:1356-61.)
  A tertiary care medical center retrospectively reviewed all of its RAA treated patients from 2002-2012 to conclude the current recommendation to repair rental artery aneurysms >2 cm in diameter is too aggressive. The rate of aneurysm rupture and death in its untreated RAA patients is zero, the growth rate is 0.60 ± 0.16 mm/y, and there were no adverse outcomes in asymptomatic RAAs >2 cm that were observed

• Multi-Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2014 Vascular Annual Meeting - The Society for Vascular Surgery
• Multi-Institution JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2015;61:978-84.)
  865 RAAs in 760 patients were identified at 16 institutions to (1) define the clinical features of RAAs, including the precise growth rate and risk of rupture, (2) examine the current management and outcomes of RAA treatment using existing guidelines, and (3) examine the appropriateness of current criteria for repair of asymptomatic RAAs. The study concluded that RAA repair should be considered for asymptomatic RAAs >3 cm, those that demonstrate rapid growth, and those identified in women of childbearing age, and repair should continue to be offered to those patients with symptomatic RAAs, including those with medically re-fractory hypertension.
• Evidence Summary JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2015;62:779-85.)
• In progress: The Natural History and Genetics of Renal Artery Aneurysm Through a Prospective Multi-institutional Registry

Treatment and Outcomes of Aortic Endograft Infection (Aortic Endograft)

• Multi-Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2015 Vascular Annual Meeting
• Multi-Institution JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2016;63:332-40.)
  This study examined the medical and surgical management and outcomes of patients with abdominal (EVAR) or thoracic (TEVAR) aortic endograft infection using a multi-institutional database. It found that aortic endograft infection can be eradicated by excision and in situ or extra-anatomic replacement but is often associated with early postoperative morbidity and mortality and occasionally a need for late removal for reinfection 

Carotid Body Tumor

• Abstract 2015 Annual Meetings of the Western Vascular Society and Australia and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery
• Multi-Institution Study Poster Presentation 2015 Vascular Annual Meeting - The Society for Vascular Surgery
• Multi-Institution JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2017;65:1673-9.)
  This study examined the relationship between two new variables, tumor distance to the base of skull (DTBOS) and tumor volume, with complications of carotid body tumor (CBT) resection, bleeding and cranial nerve injury at 16 institutions. It demonstrates the value of preoperatively determining tumor dimensions and determining how far the tumor is located from the base of the skull. Distance to the base of skull (DTBOS) and tumor volume, when used in combination with the Shamblin grade, better predict bleeding and cranial nerve injury risk.

Cryopreserved Allograft for Patients with Angioaccess Graft Infection (Cryo in HD)

• Abstract 2015 Annual Meetings of the Western Vascular Society and Australia and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery
• Multi-Institution Study Poster Presentation 2016 Vascular Annual Meeting
• Multi-Institution JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2017;-:1-6.)
  This study examined the use of cryopreserved allograft for hemodialysis access in patients with previous or current arm infection and no autogenous conduit availability. It concluded that cryopreserved allograft for hemodialysis access is an alternative to prosthetic graft in patients with no autogenous conduit. It may be placed in an infected arm at the time of infected graft excision as it demonstrates comparable patency to historic controls in patients who require a two-staged excision and reimplantation.  

Isolated Mesenteric Artery Dissection (IMAD)

• Multi-Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2016 Western Vascular Society Annual Meeting
• Multi-Institution JVS Publication
  Twelve institutions identified 229 patients between January 2003 and December 2015 to evaluate patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of mesenteric dissection. It found that isolated mesenteric dissection has a relatively benign course for most patients with dissection of the celiac artery (or its branches) and of the superior mesenteric artery. Medical therapy and intervention do not improve uncomplicated isolated mesenteric artery dissection outcomes over observation alone.

Adventitial Cystic Disease (ACD)

• Multi-Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2016 Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society Spring Meeting
• Multi-Institution JVS Publication (J Vasc Surg 2017;65:157-61.)
  14 institutions retrospectively collected demographics, comorbidities, presentation/symptoms, imaging, treatment, and follow-up data on ACD patients during a 10-year period using a standardized database. The study found that managing ACD supports previous case reports showing that the popliteal artery is the most common site for involvement and that claudication is the most common presenting symptom. Of the currently available treatment options for patients with ACD, cyst resection with interposition or bypass graft is associated with the greatest likelihood of resolution of symptoms and reduced need for reintervention due to cyst recurrence.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS)

• Multi-Institution Study Plenary Podium Presentation 2017 Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery 45th Annual Symposium on Vascular Surgery
• A multi-institutional experience in the aortic and arterial pathology in individuals with genetically confirmed vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• A multi-institutional experience in vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosis

Venous Ulcers

• Multi-Institution Study Poster Presentation 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting

Venous Aneurysms

Outcomes of Patients after Release of Median Arcuate Ligament for Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome

Aberrant Subclavian Artery and Kommerell's Diverticulum