Off-pump endovascular treatment of aortic arch aneurysms]

BACKGROUND: Traditional repair of aortic arch aneurysms requires cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Endovascular repair is an attractive, less invasive alternative that may change our therapeutic approach. The aim of this study was to review our clinical experience with endovascular treatment of aortic arch aneurysms and to address the new problems in this area. METHODS: In the last 5 years, we treated 21 patients for aortic arch pathology with an "off-pump" endovascular repair (18 men, 3 women, mean age 71.4 +/- 7.2 years). We used 26 stent grafts (5 Gore Excluder TAG, 3 Endomed Endofit, 6 Medtronic Talent, 12 Cook Zenith TX1) with a mean of 1.2 graft/patient. Proximal fixation of endograft was achieved by means of aortic "de-branching" in 11 cases. In 10 cases the left subclavian artery was intentionally covered without revascularization. Follow-up included clinical examination, chest X-ray and computed tomography at discharge and at 6-month intervals thereafter. RESULTS: Technical success was 85% (18/21). There was one in-hospital death (4.7%) due to endograft migration. We observed 2 cases of type I endoleak (9.5%). One surgical conversion was performed 2 weeks after the procedure, because of total collapse of the stent graft with rupture of three stents. No complications related to the coverage of the left subclavian artery were observed. At a mean follow-up of 18.7 +/- 12.8 months, no mortality or morbidity including new-onset endoleak, stent-graft migration and thrombosis of supra-aortic grafts were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of aortic arch pathology is feasible even in elderly patients. However, accurate placement in the arch and aneurysm sealing with the currently available devices, may be challenging due to the involvement of supra-aortic vessels, the anatomical curvature of the arch, the high blood flow, and substantial movement of the aorta with each heartbeat.     

Current use of endovascular grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms

The development of endovascular techniques for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms has significantly reduced the major morbidity associated with standard surgical repair. The indications for use of endovascular grafts and the limitations of their use have not been fully defined. The effectiveness of the numerous commercially fabricated devices is currently being evaluated. This article describes the general principles of use for endovascular devices and details the features and results for the devices in current use.     

Surgical treatment of multiple mycotic aneurysms: in the ascending aorta,aortic arch,and descending aorta

We report a clinical case of multiple mycotic aneurysms, in the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta. The patient underwent surgery to replace the ascending aorta and aortic arch by means of a highly modified "elephant trunk" technique and with the aid of arterial cannulation from the right subclavian artery, which provided antegrade cerebral perfusion. Samples of purulent material taken from the aneurysmal wall yielded cultures positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was treated with antibiotics for 6 weeks and then underwent a 2nd procedure for the aneurysmal resection of the descending thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta, through a thoracic laparo-phrenicectomy. We comment on the clinical and surgical aspects of the case.     

Long term results of surgical treatment for aneurysms of the abdominal aorta]

A series of 100 consecutive patients operated on for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, whether cold or as emergency, but excluding those cases with circulatory collapse, has enabled us to define the post-operative prognosis after a follow-up of a maximum of ten years. The operative mortality of 12% was due essentially to coronary and renal complications. All of the survivors, except one, were available for review. Five years after the operation 64% were still alive, and the figure was 46% at eight years. These figures confirm the indication for systematic surgical treatment as soon as an aneurysm is discovered, unless any of the contra-indications which are discussed are present. The best method of following up small aneurysms (with a diameter of less than 6 cms) discovered in elderly subjects would be by echotomography.     

Transrenal bare stents in endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Endovascular stent-graft (EVSG) repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has continued to evolve since its introduction in 1991. The ability to secure a stent-graft in the suprarenal aorta with an uncovered proximal stent is felt by many to improve the overall fixation of the device and decrease the risk of migration and endoleak. While preliminary evidence suggests that type I endoleaks may be less frequent when transrenal bare stents are used, this has yet to be conclusively shown. Of obvious concern is the risk of renal parenchymal damage or diminished blood flow following placement of a bare stent across the renal artery ostia. Numerous small series have shown little or no risk of significant renal impairment at intermediate length of follow-up after transrenal stent placement. The presence of a stent across the renal artery orifice does not appear to interfere with later interventions on that artery, such as angioplasty and stenting.     

Emergency endovascular interventions for ruptured thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background The purpose of our study was to show the effectiveness of endovascular stent grafts in the treatment of acutely ruptured abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms as an alternative to the conventional surgical approach in an emergency setting. Methods From October 1996 to October 1998 we deployed 9 emergent endovascular stent grafts—6 in the abdominal aorta and 3 in the thoracic aorta. Aortic rupture was confirmed before surgery with spiral-computed tomographic scan. The average interval from onset of symptoms to treatment was 4.5 hours. We used commercially manufactured stent grafts: 4 Corvita (Corvita Inc/Schneider Corp/Boston Scientific Corp, Natick, Mass), 3 Talent (World Medical Inc, Surise, Fla/Medtronic, Sunnyvale, Calif), and 2 Vanguard (Boston Scientific Corp, Natick, Mass). Results Deployment of the stent grafts was successful in all cases. Two patients died in the follow-up period (120 months) from myocardial infarction. No cases were seen of paraplegia or stent migration. However, 2 endoleaks, 1 in-stent stenosis, 1 temporary renal failure, and 1 brief episode of myocardial ischemia occurred. Conclusion Our experiences with emergency endovascular stent grafting show that the procedure is technically feasible, with less morbidity and mortality than conventional open surgery, in selected patients. (Am Heart J 2002;144:544-8.)     

Endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms of the abdominal aorta with covered stents

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are common in the aging population; their surgical treatment is well established and allows good results in specialized centers. Endovascular exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been shown to be feasible since 1991 and nowadays commercially available bifurcated endografts allow safe exclusion in selected cases. In the last year 22 patients with an aorto-iliac aneurysm received endovascular treatment at our Institution. We included patients with favorable anatomic characteristics (i.e. neck > 15 mm length, and < 28 mm diameter, iliac neck < 12 mm diameter, absence of > 90 degrees iliac or aortic angulation) and, in particular, those with increased surgical risk for systemic pathology (12 patients), or hostile abdomen (9 patients). We employed Vanguard II (Boston Scientific) endovascular grafts introduced through a surgically exposed common femoral artery; the contralateral limb of bifurcated grafts was inserted percutaneously. The endograft was successfully implanted in all cases, requiring additional iliac cuffs for complete aneurysm exclusion in 3 cases. Periprocedural morbidity included one case of thrombosis and one case of pseudoaneurysm of the punctured femoral artery, which required surgical treatment. In one case surgical exposure of the iliac artery was required in order to advance the device into the aorta. In one patient who previously underwent hemicolectomy, postoperative colonic ischemia was observed, and pharmacological treatment was required. Moreover we also observed one case of groin infection that was treated successfully with local wound care and systemic antibiotics, and one late contralateral limb thrombosis that was successfully treated with loco-regional thrombolysis. The mean follow-up was 6.1 months: one patient died because of congestive heart failure. No further morbidity was recorded. A type-II endoleak was observed in one patient, originating from the inferior mesenteric artery with no sac enlargement; this patient is still under observation. In conclusion, with proper clinical selection, commercially available endovascular devices allow safe exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Long-term follow-up is needed to ascertain the durability of the procedure.     

腹主动脉瘤开放手术和腔内修复术的短期随访研究

目的:比较腹主动脉瘤(AAA)腔内修复术(EVAR)和开放手术(OR),术后6个月内的疗效。方法:选择同时满足OR和EVAR手术条件的AAA患者共100例,随机分配接受OR或EVAR手术,随访至术后6个月,记录分析两组术中情况、病死率、全身并发症及手术相关并发症。结果:至术后6个月,仅OR组死亡1例,两组病死率差异无统计学意义。EVAR组中位手术时间更短、出血量及输血量更少(P<0.05)。EVAR组患者可以更早出院,但是花费也远高于OR组(P<0.05)。EVAR组围术期全身并发症发生率略低于OR组(16.4%vs.20.5%),但手术相关并发症高于OR组(29.5%vs.12.8%),差异无统计学意义。随访至术后6个月,两组各项并发症情况差异无统计学意义。结论:对于AAA来说,OR与EVAR手术都是安全有效的治疗方法。EVAR手术在围术期显示出微创手术的优势。     

Telementoring during endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To explore the use of telementoring for distant teaching and training in endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: According to a prospectively designed study protocol, 48 patients underwent EVAR: the first 12 patients (group A) were treated at a secondary care center by an experienced interventionist, who was training the local team; a further 12 patients (group B) were operated by the local team at their secondary center with telementoring by the experienced operator from an adjacent suite; and the last 24 patients (group C) were operated by the local team with remote telementoring support from the experienced interventionist at a tertiary care center. Telementoring was performed using 3 video sources; images were transmitted using 4 ISDN lines. EVAR was performed using intravascular ultrasound and simultaneous fluoroscopy to obtain road mapping of the abdominal aorta and its branches, as well as for identifying the origins of the renal arteries, assessing the aortic neck, and monitoring the attachment of the stent-graft proximally and distally. RESULTS: Average duration of telementoring was 2.1 hours during the first 12 patients (group B) and 1.2 hours for the remaining 24 patients (group C). There was no difference in procedural duration (127+/-59 minutes in group A, 120+/-4 minutes in group B, and 119+/-39 minutes in group C; p=0.94) or the mean time spent in the ICU (26+/-15 hours in group A, 22+/-2 hours in group B, and 22+/-11 hours for group C; p=0.95). The length of hospital stay (11+/-4 days in group A, 9+/-4 days in group B, and 7+/-1 days in group C; p=0.002) was significantly different only for group C versus A (p=0.002). Only 1 (8.3%) patient (in group A: EVAR performed by the experienced operator) required conversion to open surgery because of iliac artery rupture. This was the only conversion (and the only death) in the entire study group (1/12 in group A versus 0/36 in groups B + C, p=0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Telementoring for EVAR is feasible and shows promising results. It may serve as a model for development of similar projects for teaching other invasive procedures in cardiovascular medicine.     

老年腹主动脉瘤患者腔内隔绝术后谵妄临床分析

目的　探讨老年腹主动脉瘤患者腔内隔绝术后谵妄的病因、危害、预防和治疗。　方法　对 138例腹主动脉瘤行腔内隔绝治疗的老年患者临床资料进行回顾性分析。　结果　术后发生谵妄 5 6例 (4 0 6 % )。与无谵妄患者 (82例 )相比 ,谵妄患者的住院时间延长〔分别为 (8 2± 2 6 )和(2 3 3± 6 8)d ,P <0 0 1〕 ,严重心肺并发症发生率高〔分别为 3例 (3 7% )和 17例 (30 4 % ) ,P <0 0 0 5〕 ,病死率高〔分别为 0例 (0 % )和 3例 (5 4 % ) ,P <0 0 5〕 ;采用心理、吸氧、药物等综合防治措施处理 ,显著减少了术后谵妄的发生 ,改善了术后谵妄的预后 ,与未采取综合防治措施比较 ,术后谵妄患病例数减少〔分别为 4 2例 (4 8 8% )和 14例 (2 6 9% ) ,P <0 0 2 5〕 ,谵妄患者的严重心肺并发症发生率降低〔分别为 16例 (38 1% )和 1例 (7 1% ) ,P <0 0 5〕 ,病死率降低〔分别为 3例 (7 1% )和 0例(0 % ) ,P <0 0 5〕。　结论　老年腹主动脉瘤患者腔内隔绝术后谵妄是常见的并发症 ,不仅延长住院时间 ,而且增加严重心肺并发症的发生率和病死率。     

Comparison of the incidences of cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac events in patients treated with endovascular versus open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

This study examines differences in cardiac arrhythmias, perioperative myocardial ischemia, troponin T release, and cardiovascular events between endovascular and open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Of 175 patients, 126 underwent open AAA repair and 49 underwent endovascular AAA repair. Continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic monitoring, starting 1 day before surgery and continuing through 2 days after surgery, was used for cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial ischemia detection. Troponin T was measured on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 and before discharge. Cardiac events (cardiac death or Q-wave myocardial infarction) were noted at 30 days and at follow-up (mean 2.3 years). New-onset atrial fibrillation, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, sustained ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation occurred in 5%, 17%, 2%, and 1% of patients, respectively. Myocardial ischemia, troponin T release, and 30-day and long-term cardiac events occurred in 34%, 29%, 6%, and 10% of patients, respectively. Significantly higher heart rates and less heart rate variability were observed in the open AAA repair group. Cardiac arrhythmias were less prevalent in the endovascular AAA repair group (14% vs 29%, p = 0.04). Endovascular repair was also significantly associated with less myocardial ischemia (odds ratio 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.40, p <0.001) and troponin T release (odds ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.02 to 0.32, p <0.001) and lower 30-day mortality (zero vs 8.7%, p = 0.03) and 30-day cardiac event rates (zero vs 7.9%, p = 0.04). Long-term mortality and cardiac event rates were not significantly lower in the endovascular AAA repair group. In conclusion, endovascular AAA repair is associated with a lower incidence of perioperative cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, troponin T release, cardiac events, and all-cause mortality compared with open AAA repair.     

Stent grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Stent grafting for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has been a major advance in endovascular surgery. Initial success with the original endoluminal stent graft encouraged worldwide study of the technology. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) insisted on considerable experience with the devices before approval because of early problems with device rupture, stent fracture, fabric perforation, graft migration, and modular separation. Complications associated with the endovascular graft technology led many to recommend its use only in patients who were considered at "high risk" for the standard, open procedure. Further study and device improvements have led to results that indicate the procedure has the potential to reduce operating time and blood loss and shorten intensive care unit and hospital stays compared with open surgical intervention. At present, there are three FDA-approved devices available for use, and a fourth is expected in 2003. The ultimate decision by the individual practitioner or the institutional team regarding which patients should be treated with endovascular technology is still not entirely straightforward. Patient selection should be based on vascular anatomy, the availability of a suitable device, the patient's desire for a minimally invasive procedure, and a commitment to what is likely to be a lifetime of device surveillance.     

Standard and new treatments for abdominal aortic aneurysms: the value of the Montefiore endovascular grafts for difficult aneurysms

The mortality rate following rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is 80-90% and the main goal of treatment is to prevent rupture. Treatment of the aneurysm is generally recommended for patients with an aneurysm larger than 5 cm in diameter, and the only effective treatment has been to replace the aneurysm with a prosthetic graft. Traditionally, this is performed through a major laparotomy; that is, open surgical repair, which itself carries a mortality rate of 4-8% and requires a hospital stay of 7-10 days. In addition, some sick patients are deemed a prohibitive risk for such major surgery and, therefore, treatment may be deferred. Endovascular grafts (EVGs) that enable treatment of patients with AAA without the need for laparotomy were developed in the hope of improving on the shortcomings of the standard repair technique. In addition to the various industry-made EVGs the authors have been using a surgeon-made Montefiore Endovascular Grafting System (MEGS). The recent introduction of several industry-made devices has prompted some to postulate that MEGS is no longer required. The 60 patients with AAA treated from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 were evaluated for the inclusion criteria for industry-made EVG protocols. Those excluded from these protocols were evaluated for the MEGS. Open surgical repair was reserved for those unsuitable for any EVG repair or those not consenting to EVG repair. Thirty-seven percent of all cases could be treated with an industry-made device. By using the MEGS, an additional 43% of the cases could be treated endovascularly. In total, 80% of AAAs were able to be treated endovascularly. The reasons for excluding patients from industry-made devices were a combination of the following factors: (1) Short (<1.5 cm) or angulated (>60) proximal necks, (2) iliac artery aneurysms, (3) small, diseased or tortuous access arteries, and (4) small distal aortas. The mean length of stay for those treated endovascularly was 2.3 days, whereas it was 9 days for those treated by open surgery. There was no difference in the morbidity and mortality rates. EVG repair is feasible and safe for the majority of patients with AAAs; however, long-term durability is yet to be shown. Despite the availability of industry-made devices, there appears to be a continuing role for MEGS, especially for difficult aneurysms including those patients with complex anatomy and those with ruptured AAAs.