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.
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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).
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– 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.
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Latest articles
Original ArticleApril 1, 2025
Risk Factors for Acute Hemorrhagic Rectal Ulcers after Bypass Surgery for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Yohei Kawai, Masayuki Sugimoto, Takuya Osawa, Changi Lee, Shuta Ikeda, Kiyoaki Niimi, Hiroshi Banno
Objectives: Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) occurs with a sudden onset of painless bloody stools and is caused by impaired blood flow in the rectal mucosa due to arteriosclerosis or prolonged bedridden status. Little information is available about AHRU in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). This study aimed to identify factors related to AHRU among CLTI patients after bypass surgery.
Methods: Between 2019 and 2023, we enrolled 80 CLTI patients at our institution who underwent bypass surgery using autogenous veins. Data were collected prospectively and supplemented with retrospective medical record reviews. Information regarding demographic and clinical characteristics was collected. The outcomes of patients without AHRU (non-AHRU group) and those with AHRU (AHRU group) were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with AHRU after bypass surgery.
Results: During the study period, 6 of the 80 patients (7.5%) experienced AHRU after bypass surgery. There was no significant difference in the global limb anatomic staging system (GLASS) or wound ischemia and foot infection (WIfI) stage between the 2 groups. The percentage of patients taking oral steroids was significantly greater in the AHRU group. In addition, the AHRU group had a significantly greater percentage of postoperative ambulatory failure and a longer hospital stay. In the univariate analysis of factors associated with the incidence of AHRU after bypass surgery, steroid use (odds ratio [OR], 13.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.19–86.9; P = 0.005) and nonambulatory status after surgery (OR, 7.22; 95% CI, 1.26–41.4; P = 0.026) were significant factors.
Conclusions: Steroid use and postoperative nonambulatory status were associated with AHRU after bypass surgery for CLTI.
Original ArticleMarch 28, 2025
Current Status of Diagnostic Process in Asymptomatic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Japan
Yoshimasa Seike, Nobuyoshi Azuma, Takao Ohki, Noriyasu Morikage, Akio Kodama, Makoto Sumi, Koji Maeda, Hitoshi Matsuda
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the actual detection process and diagnostic methods for asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a multicenter setting, and to plan an effective screening strategy for asymptomatic AAA.
Methods: The subjects of this multicenter study were collected in a retrospective manner at 7 facilities. A total of 1894 patients with AAA, including iliac artery aneurysms, who were considered asymptomatic with a confirmed initial diagnosis from January 2018 to December 2022, were collected and reviewed.
Results: A total of 1666 patients who were diagnosed with asymptomatic AAA were included [83.9% males, median age of 75 (69–81) years]. Asymptomatic AAAs were frequently diagnosed during examinations for other diseases in 1339 patients (80.4%), whereas health screenings accounted for only 313 (18.8%). Computed tomography (CT) was the most commonly used diagnostic method (n = 1352, 81.2%) compared to abdominal ultrasonography (n = 252, 15.2%).
Conclusions: Asymptomatic AAAs are detected incidentally during examinations for other diseases, and there is an urgent need to promote health screening. Most AAAs are diagnosed by CT; nevertheless, we consider that abdominal ultrasonography would be the most appropriate modality for AAA screening because of its reasonable accuracy, noninvasiveness, and low cost.
Case ReportMarch 25, 2025
Invasion of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma to Right Axillary Arterial Graft
Koki Yokawa, Yukihiro Imai, Taku Nakagawa, Makoto Kusakizako, Yosuke Tanaka, Tomonori Higuma, Kazunori Yoshida, Yoshihiro Oshima, Hidefumi Obo, Hidetaka Wakiyama
A 76-year-old male patient, who had undergone right axillary artery bypass and arch replacement surgery for retrograde type A aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair 2 years ago, was referred to our department with complaints of swelling and pain in the right subclavian region. A computed tomography scan suspected an abscess around the bypass graft; however, the culture was negative. Pathological examination indicated a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) diagnosis. Chemotherapy was not indicated due to the patient’s condition, and he passed away after 3 months. DLBCL originating around a graft is extremely rare but crucial for differential diagnosis.
Case ReportMarch 25, 2025
A Case of Surgery for Myxoma in the Inferior Vena Cava Using Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest
Masato Hayama, Kayo Wakamatsu, Yuko Teratani, Yuki Kunitomo, Chihaya Ito, Masayuki Shimizu, Hiromitsu Teratani, Yuta Sukehiro, Masato Furui, Mizuki Sumi, Mau Amako, Yoshio Hayashida, Go Kuwahara, Hideichi Wada
We experienced a case in which a myxoma in the inferior vena cava (IVC) was surgically removed along with the IVC using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. A 42-year-old female with no subjective symptoms was incidentally found to have a mass in the IVC at the junction of the hepatic veins on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Ultrasonography revealed a mobile tumor attached to the junction of the hepatic veins. Surgery was performed via median sternotomy and laparotomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest were utilized to safely operate.
Case ReportMarch 4, 2025
Acute Occlusion of a Persistent Sciatic Artery in a Patient with COVID-19 Infection
Daisuke Futagami, Taira Kobayashi, Hironobu Morimoto, Junya Kitaura, Shogo Mukai, Shinya Takahashi
Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is an exceptionally rare vascular condition that occurs in approximately 0.025%–0.04% of the general population. We describe the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with acute left lower limb pain and high fever. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 and isolated, and conservative treatment was performed for toe pain, resulting in left toe necrosis. Computed tomography revealed PSA occlusion in the left lower extremity. We diagnosed the patient with acute occlusion of the PSA due to COVID-19. The complicated disease was successfully treated using distal artery bypass.
Original ArticleMarch 4, 2025
Endovascular Repair of Iliac Aneurysms Using the Gore Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis with Up-and-Over Technique
Takuya Shimizu, Miho Kamakura, Yoshihisa Murata, Kazuhiro Ota, Miki Takeda, Wakiko Hiranuma, Takayuki Matsuoka, Tadanori Minagawa, Shunsuke Kawamoto
Objectives: The Gore iliac branch endoprosthesis (IBE) enables internal iliac artery (IIA) reconstruction, extending the indications of endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR); however, the up-and-over technique is challenging. This study aimed to clarify the advantages and procedural limitations of the up-and-over technique.
Methods: From January 2019 to October 2022, 22 patients who underwent IIA reconstruction with Gore IBE were enrolled. The patients were divided into the S and Up groups that underwent IIA reconstruction using the standard and up-and-over techniques, respectively. Aortic anatomic measurements, surgical factors, and postoperative outcomes were examined.
Results: No significant differences in operative time, fluoroscopy time, contrast medium use, blood loss volume, and length of postoperative hospital stay were observed between the S (12 patients) and Up (10 patients) groups. However, the distance from the lower renal artery to the reconstructed IIA origin was considerably shorter in the Up group than in the S group. During the 19-month follow-up, no adverse events were observed in the Up group.
Conclusions: The up-and-over technique can be a valuable option for cases where IIA reconstruction is difficult with standard procedures with Gore IBE. Therefore, understanding the procedural precautions and ensuring safety are crucial to its success.
Featured articles
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.
Angiosome and RevascularizationJune 25, 2019
Angiosome and Tissue Healing
Miki Fujii, Hiroto Terashi
For the treatment of patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), the angiosome concept is essential in revascularization and wound treatment. In this article, we describe how we use the angiosome concept for surgically treating CLI wounds and review some essential reports. For wounds in patients with CLI to heal, both successful revascularization and wound management are crucial. In order to preserve the blood supply as much as possible intraoperatively, surgeons should always consider the angiosome concept.