In the literature, there are many articles reporting anatomical variations of circle of Willis (CoW), defined as those changes that lead to the inability of this anastomotic structure to maintain adequate brain flow. Because there is such a wide variation in the configuration of the CoW, its anatomical variations affect the hemodynamics of blood flow, thus contributing to the development of aneurysms or stroke. As such, we consider that a good knowledge of the embryological development of the constituent arteries of the CoW can shed some light on the causes of the appearance of its anatomical variants. Reviewing literature, we will present the embryological development of the constituting arteries of the CoW and will begin with vasculogenesis and angiogenesis of the vascular system as a whole. Then, we will focus on the embryological development of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and its branches because, starting with the embryological day 24, these arteries are the first vessels that begin to develop to provide the necessary blood for the primitive brain. As the hindbrain increases its volume, a larger amount of nutrients is needed. Because a larger amount of blood is required to be provided by the primitive ICAs, there is a need for arterial capacity development and thus the posterior circulation begin to take shape. At this stage, the posterior circulation consists of a plexiform arterial network that receives blood from the carotid artery through the carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses. At the 5-8 mm embryonic stage, these anastomoses begin to regress, and the basilar artery and vertebral arteries become independent of the ICA. We are pointing out on the process of regression of these primitive vessels, emphasizing the fact that their persistence represents the starting point for the appearance of anatomic anomalies of the CoW, which are identified in the adult individuals. In this review, we also present and illustrate some developmental abnormalities of the anterior and posterior parts of the CoW.

(1) Background: The aging process leads to an increased number of patients with cardiovascular diseases that require surgical treatment. One of the most common heart diseases with an increased prevalence in the elderly is aortic stenosis (AS). Recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the preferred technique for frail patients with high surgical risk. Currently, there is no gold standard method for assessing frailty. The available scores are objective, but limited by the lack of prospective information, especially from patients undergoing cardiac surgery or interventional procedures. Moreover, the current frailty scores record only certain aspects of the frailty identified in some system and organs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the different profile patients treated with TAVI or with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and to analyze the risk factors of unfavorable outcomes in the two groups to identify potential factors for frailty that could be included in the new scoring system. (2) Methods: This study included patients over 65 years old evaluated with severe, symptomatic AS treated with TAVI or SAVR admitted to the Cardiovascular Diseases Institute, Iasi. (3) Results: The group included 88 patients treated with TAVI compared with 218 patients undergoing SAVR. Most of the TAVI patients (84.09%) were over 70 years compared to 30.09% of the SAVR group. The TAVI patients had an increased surgical risk assessed by EuroSCORE II (15 vs. 4%) and severe heart failure (NYHA IV, 36.36 vs. 6.48%). The only residual symptom was dyspnea, in a significantly lower prevalence compared to preoperative evaluation. (4) Conclusions: TAVI improves the general status with results comparable to SAVR in elderly patients with increased severity of the disease and higher prevalence of comorbidities.

Introduction: Forensic identification practice requires a multitude of methods for positive identification, among which the facial reconstruction occupies a high place. For this to be done in the best way possible, it is mandatory that each population have their own database regarding soft tissue thickness. Objective: The present research is focused on creating such a database for the Romanian adult population and on exploring the statistical distribution and correlation of craniometric landmarks, overall, and in groups defined according to sex and weight categories. This might provide support in estimating the values of missing landmarks or other variables (e.g., age, sex) for unidentified bodies. Methods: Twelve craniometric landmarks were measured on 100 cadavers less than 24 h after death. Results and discussions: Of the 12 anatomical landmarks, only one appears to manifest statistically significant differences between sexes, and seven landmarks appear to vary significantly among the weight categories. Additionally, some evidence of interpopulation differences in the average soft tissue thicknesses were observed by the comparison of these data with similar studies from Caucasian groups with different geographic origin. Additionally, correlations between facial landmarks were examined, overall and between sexes.