Annals of Vascular Diseases (AVD) is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal publishing articles on vascular disease. Published continuously online, the journal is fully indexed in J-STAGE and PubMed Central. AVD welcomes submissions from around the world.
Announcements
The licensing policy for our journal has been updated. Starting from January 1, 2025, newly published articles will generally be licensed under the CC BY (Attribution) license.
– Articles published on or after January 1, 2025: Licensed under CC BY (Attribution).
– Articles published before January 1, 2025: Retain their original license, CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike).
– Secondary publications (e.g., translations) may follow the licensing terms of the primary publication.
For more details, please refer to the “Copyright, Open Access and Fees” section of the Instructions to Authors.
About the journal
AVD is an official journal of Asian Society for Vascular Surgery (ASVS) and Asian Venous Forum, sponsored by Japanese College of Angiology, Japanese Society for Vascular Surgery and the Japanese Society of Phlebology.
Contact
This site is operated by Editorial Committee of Annals of Vascular Diseases.
Editorial Committee of Annals of Vascular Diseases
c/o Academy Center, Yamabuki-cho 358-5, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0801, Japan
TEL: +81-3-6824-9399
E-mail: avd-edit[at]je.bunken.co.jp
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Latest articles
Case ReportSeptember 12, 2025
A Case of Rectal Cancer Discovered Following the Occurrence of a Stent-Graft Infection with Streptococcus gallolyticus after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
Koki Yokawa, Taku Nakagawa, Makoto Kusakizako, Yosuke Tanaka, Tomonori Higuma, Kazunori Yoshida, Yoshihiro Oshima, Hidefumi Obo, Hidetaka Wakiyama
A 79-year-old man was admitted for transurethral resection of a bladder cancer. He had a history of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for Stanford type B acute aortic dissection and thoracic aortic aneurysm performed 2 years prior. During hospitalization, computed tomography scan findings raised suspicion of a stent-graft infection. Blood cultures confirmed the presence of Streptococcus gallolyticus ssp. pasteurianus. Gallium scintigraphy supported the diagnosis of a stent-graft infection. A subsequent lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a colorectal cancer in the lower rectum. We then performed surgery for the stent-graft infection.
Original ArticleSeptember 11, 2025
Objectives: In Japan, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was covered by insurance in 2014. Regarding the early results, there are many reports that it is excellent, but the long-term results are rarely shown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the results up to 5 years after RFA, which was the only means of endovascular treatment at my facility, and to evaluate recurrent varices after surgery (REVAS), reoperation, and complications.
Methods: In 2017, 275 consecutive cases (male 83, female 192, 67.5 ± 10.0 years old), involving 350 limbs (C2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5, 6 = 217, 18, 89, 18, 1, 7) and 354 veins (great saphenous vein [GSV]: 290, small saphenous vein [SSV]: 64), underwent RFA. Postoperative follow-up was usually performed at 3 days (100%), 1 week (100%), 1 month (99.4%), and 6 months (93.5%) after RFA. Of the 334 patients contacted 5 years later, 327 (92.4%), excluding deaths from other diseases, were interviewed about reoperation, recurrence, and neuropathy. Of these, 223 patients (63%, GSV: 180, SSV: 43) underwent an ultrasound examination.
New Methods and TechniquesSeptember 11, 2025
Early Tip Capture Release and Push-Up Technique Using the Valiant Stent Graft System for Aortic Arch Aneurysms
Shizuyuki Dohi, Yasutaka Yokoyama, Atsumi Oishi, Yuichiro Sato, Daisuke Endo, Yoichiro Machida, Jiyoung Lee, Taira Yamamoto, Akie Shimada, Minoru Tabata
During thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair for aortic arch aneurysms, deployment of the stent graft parallel to the aortic neck is crucial to preventing a type Ia endoleak from the proximal end. We report the early tip capture release and push-up technique that comprises early release of the proximal bare stent, which is typically deployed last during stent graft deployment, followed by a push-up maneuver after landing the proximal edge, thus allowing conformation to the aortic morphology. This technique is effective even for complex aortic arch anatomy.
New Methods and TechniquesAugust 30, 2025
The Efficacy of Hydrofit and Spongel in the Management of Venous Injury
Takayuki Kawashima, Takashi Shuto, Kazuki Mori, Hidetaka Yamauchi, Takeshi Wada, Shinji Miyamoto
Intraoperative venous bleeding, particularly from deep pelvic veins, can be difficult to control with suturing or standard compression. We introduce the “French toast method,” a hemostatic technique that combines Hydrofit (Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) with a gelatin sponge (Spongel; LTL Pharma, Tokyo, Japan). A small amount of Hydrofit is spread onto the sponge, which is then applied to the bleeding site. Immediately afterward, saline is poured over the area to activate Hydrofit, followed by fingertip compression. This method enables rapid and secure hemostasis without the need to remove a silicone sheet, thereby reducing the risk of rebleeding and simplifying management of difficult venous hemorrhage.
Case ReportAugust 30, 2025
Improvement in Chest Pain Following Surgical Treatment for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Shutaro Makita, Taku Suzuki, Yasuhiro Kiyota, Noboru Matsumura, Takuji Iwamoto, Masaya Nakamura
A 41-year-old woman with a 1-year history of right chest pain, with normal cardiology and pulmonology assessments. The chest pain was reproducible upon upper limb elevation. Computed tomography (CT) angiography in the arm-elevated position revealed subclavian artery and vein stenosis at the costoclavicular space, and the diagnosis was neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Surgery involving endoscopic-assisted infraclavicular resection of the first rib and scalene muscles resulted in immediate postoperative symptom improvement. When chest pain persists after ruling out other conditions, neurogenic TOS should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Case ReportAugust 28, 2025
Surgical Strategy of Intravenous Leiomyomatosis with Intracardiac Extension: A Case Report
Shun Sato, Kazuo Yamanaka, Yuri Hashimura, Michiyuki Ichikawa, Yuichi Tara, Daisuke Nakatsuka, Takeshi Nishina
Intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension is a rare benign tumor originating from uterine smooth muscle. A 50-year-old woman presented with a cardiac mass 3 years after hysterectomy. Imaging revealed a tumor extending from the right internal iliac vein to the right atrium. Complete resection was achieved via a 2-stage surgery. In the 1st stage, median sternotomy and a retroperitoneal approach were performed, and the intracardiac tumor was excised under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperatively, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy was administered, followed by a 2nd-stage resection of the residual pelvic tumor and right ovary. The patient remained recurrence-free for 15 months.
Featured articles
GuidelineJune 6, 2025
Supplement of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Endovenous Thermal Ablation for Varicose Veins 2019: Laser Ablation of Varicose Tributaries
Masayuki Hirokawa, Junichi Utoh, Satoru Sugiyama, Osamu Suzuki, Takashi Yamamoto, Tomohiro Ogawa, Makoto Mo, on behalf of the Guideline Committee, Japanese Society of Phlebology
In the treatment of saphenous varicose veins with endovenous laser ablation, simultaneous treatment of varicose tributaries using stab avulsion or sclerotherapy is commonly performed. To address the limitations of these conventional treatments, laser ablation for varicose tributaries has recently gained widespread acceptance. This guideline, developed by the Japanese Society of Phlebology, outlines appropriate treatment protocols for laser ablation of varicose tributaries. Indications include primary varicose veins requiring concurrent treatment of the saphenous trunk and varicose tributaries. The procedure utilizes slim radial fibers, with puncture and ablation performed using either short- or long-axis approaches. Although rare, adverse events such as skin burns, nerve injury, and fiber breakage have been reported. A learning curve is necessary to ensure the safe execution of the procedure. Further clinical studies are essential to enhance the safety and efficacy of laser ablation for varicose tributaries. (This is a secondary publication from Jpn J Phlebol 2025; 36: 51–58.)
Overview of type 2 endoleak following endovascular aneurysm repairMarch 25, 2023
Surgical Treatment of Sac Enlargement Due to Type II Endoleaks Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
Seiji Onitsuka, Hiroyuki Ito
An aneurysm sac enlargement caused by type II endoleak (T2EL) following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms may cause serious complications such as rupture. Consequently, methods that preoperatively prevent or postoperatively treat T2EL have been employed.
Therapeutic Angiogenes UpdateDecember 25, 2022
Therapeutic Angiogenesis Using Autologous CD34-Positive Cells for Vascular Diseases
Yasuyuki Fujita, Atsuhiko Kawamoto
CD34 is a cell surface marker, which is expressed in various somatic stem/progenitor cells such as bone marrow (BM)-derived hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), skeletal muscle satellite cells, epithelial hair follicle stem cells, and adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells. CD34+ cells in BM and peripheral blood are known as a rich source of EPCs.
Updates on Image Diagnosis in Aortic DiseaseDecember 25, 2018
Update on Cardiovascular Echo in Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection
Kazuhiro Nishigami
The majority of aortic aneurysms comorbid with atherosclerosis can be asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally on routine physical examination or on imaging studies for other indications. Transthoracic echocardiography is a basic modality to assess patients with coronary artery disease and can be used for the screening of aortic aneurysm. Acute aortic dissection is a highly lethal cardiovascular emergency and requires prompt recognition. Although cardiovascular echo has a suboptimal accuracy rate for detecting aortic dissection, it is noninvasive, readily available, and easy to use. Recently, the concept of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) refers to ...
Updates on Image Diagnosis in Aortic DiseaseSeptember 25, 2019
Updates on Ultrasonography Imaging in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Shinichi Iwakoshi, Toshiko Hirai, Kimihiko Kichikawa
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are life-threatening and are associated with >80% mortality when they rupture. Therefore, detecting these aneurysms before they rupture is critical. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive tool that is used for screening AAAs by measuring abdominal aorta diameter. A recent meta-analysis demonstrated the positive effects of ultrasonography. To date, aneurysm diameter is the most reliable predictor for aneurysm rupture and is used as a criterion for surgical intervention. However, some AAAs rupture at small diameters. Therefore, a better predictor for AAA rupture that is independent of aneurysm diameter is needed. Recently, an aortic wall strain examined using ultrasonography has been reported to have a potential in predicting AAA rupture....
Updates on Image Diagnosis in Aortic DiseaseMarch 25, 2020
Updates on Computed Tomography Imaging in Aortic Aneurysms and Dissection
Ryoichi Tanaka, Kunihiro Yoshioka, Akihiko Abiko
Computed tomography (CT) is a primary imaging modality for the diagnosis of aortic diseases, because of its minimal invasiveness and agility. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial especially for acute aortic diseases, and the guidelines for acute aortic dissection recommend the use of CT for initial diagnosis. For the follow-up observation of longstanding aortic diseases, the strategy of imaging management by CT must be different from that for emergency and acute phases. In this review, we document the differences in characteristics and clinical course between aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection and explain the use of recent CT techniques in diagnosing short- and longstanding aortic diseases.