Clinical experience with a bifurcated endovascular graft for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a transfemoral system of bifurcated endovascular graft insertion for aortic aneurysm repair.Methods: Bifurcated endovascular grafts were inserted through bilateral femoral artery cutdowns in 41 patients. The results were assessed by completion angiography and follow-up computed tomography.Results: The second half of the study included more aneurysms 6 cm or larger (p < 0.05) and more instances of short proximal neck (p < 0.05), proximal neck angulation (p < 0.05), and iliac angulation (p < 0.05). Despite the increasingly challenging anatomy, the results were better in the second half of the study as illustrated by the lower overall combined morbidity/mortality rate (15% vs 50%) and higher overall success rate (85% versus 65%). The mortality rate for the series as a whole was 7.5%. Mean follow-up was 18.8 months for the first 20 patients and 10.9 months for the second 20. The commonest complication in the first half of the study was graft thrombosis (n = 5). This complication was absent from the second half of the study because of routine adjunctive stenting. Two patients died of complications of endovascular repair. In both cases aneurysm rupture on the third postoperative day was associated with coagulopathy and angiographic signs of perigraft leak.Conclusion: Aneurysm exclusion with a bifurcated endovascular graft was feasible in a wide range of patients, but when the aneurysm was not entirely excluded from the circulation, the risk of rupture persisted. (J Vasc Surg 1996;24:655-66.)     

Influence of age, aneurysm size, and patient fitness on suitability for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

Prior to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of larger endografts (main body diameters up to 36 mm), small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs, <5.5 cm) were shown to be more suitable for endovascular repair (EVAR) than large AAAs (> or =5.5 cm). The purpose of this study was to assess changes in EVAR suitability with the potential use of larger endografts in unselected consecutive patients. The influence of age, aneurysm size, and patient fitness on EVAR suitability was also assessed. We studied 186 male patients referred for evaluation of nonruptured AAAs who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scans with three-dimensional reconstructions. Morphologicall AAA features and neck characteristics were measured according to Society for Vascular Surgery reporting standards to determine EVAR suitability. Patient fitness for repair was assessed using the customized probability index, a validated fitness score for vascular surgery procedures. Suitability for EVAR was determined by neck anatomy, iliac artery morphology, and total aortic aneurysm angulation and tortuosity according to the clinicians' experience and current practice. The median age of the study cohort was 72 years (interquartile range [IQR] 65-79 years). The median maximum AAA diameter was 5.4 cm (IQR 4.1-5.9). Median fitness score was +7 (IQR -7 to +14). EVAR suitability for large AAAs significantly increased with larger endografts (35-63%, p<0.001). Changes in EVAR suitability for small AAAs were not significant (69-75%, p=0.06). Maximum AAA diameter was not an independent predictor for EVAR suitability with larger endografts after adjusting for neck anatomy. Aortic neck length (odds ratio [OR]=1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.2) and diameter (OR=0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.96) were the only independent predictors for EVAR suitability with larger endografts. Age, AAA size, and fitness did not differ between patients suitable and unsuitable for EVAR with larger endografts. In conclusion, introduction of larger endografts (up to 36 mm in main body diameter) in the United States has resulted in significantly increased anatomic suitability for EVAR for large AAAs. Conversely, suitability has not significantly changed for small AAAs. Overall, EVAR suitability is not influenced by age, aneurysm size, or patient fitness.     

Seven years' single center experience of Powerlink unibody bifurcated endograft for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

AIM: To assess the 7-year results of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using the Powerlink unibody bifurcated endovascular stent-graft in our single center. METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized trial was conducted in our unit within 7 years. Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) was planned, performed and followed-up by a fixed endovascular specialized group, including 2 vascular surgeons and 1 interventional radiologist. All the relative data were input into the SPSS statistical analysis software. All patients received abdomen X-ray plain films and CTs or duplex before discharge and 1 month, 6 months, 1 year after discharge, and then annually. RESULTS: From February 1999 to September 2006, a total of 378 abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) patients were intended to treat with Powerlink device, 372 cases were implanted successfully, the technical success rate was 98.4%. The average operation time was 66 min (range, 35-150 min). The late 210 cases (56.5%) were implanted sitting on the aortic bifurcation, the other 162 early cases (43.5%) were not implanted sitting on the aortic bifurcation, proximal cuff was implanted in 209 cases (56.2%), and distal limb extension was used in 42 cases (11.3%), 22 cases (5.9%) received Palmaz stent. One hundred and ninety- four cases (52.2%) had infrarenal fixation, 178 cases (47.8%) had suprarenal fixation. Intraoperative complications included immediate conversion in 6 cases (1.6%), primary proximal type I endoleak in 8 cases (2.2%), primary distal type I endoleak in 2 cases (0.5%), type II endoleak occurred in 20 cases (5.4%). Mean follow-up was 26.7 months (range 1 month 7 years). Postoperative complications included secondary type I endoleaks in 10 cases (2.7%), secondary type II endoleaks in 9 cases (2.4%), limb occlusion in 8 cases and limb stenosis in 5 cases, endograft limb kinking/twisting in 2 cases, partial renal infarction in 9 cases (2.4%). A total of 7 cases (1.9%) had distal migration and all 7 cases were not implanted sitting on the aortic bifurcation. Post-EVAR conversion occurred in 6 cases (1.6%). There were a total of 18 deaths (4.8/%) and 6 deaths (1.6%) within 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The Powerlink device is safe and effective in preventing AAA rupture in mid-term. It proved simple and easy for size choice. The unique design of this device may confer some advantages in terms of durability. The distinct anatomic fixation of stent-graft sitting on the aortic bifurcation simplifies the deployment procedures and minimizes the potential of distal migration. Prospective longer follow-up in multicenter randomized controlled larger series is necessary to confirm the encouraging outcomes.     

腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术单中心治疗经验

目的 评价腔内修复术(endovascular aneurysm repair,EVAR)治疗肾下型腹主动脉瘤(abdominal aortic aneurysm,AAA)的围术期和中远期效果.方法 回顾性分析131例AAA行EVAR的临床资料,评价EVAR治疗AAA的安全性和中远期疗效.结果 手术时间(137±29) min,术中出血(142±20) ml、输血(46±26) ml、ICU恢复时间为(17±4)h.围术期主要并发症包括重度心功能不全8例、心肌梗死2例、肺部并发症5例,内漏4例等;随访中发现内漏15例,Ⅰ型8例,Ⅱ型5例,Ⅲ型和Ⅳ型各1例,死亡2例;Kaplan-Meier生存分析无并发症生存率及再次处理率提示60个月后仍有并发症发生,其中40％是需要再次处理的并发症.结论 EVAR是AAA的安全治疗方法,但需要长期严格随访并及时处理并发症.     

Transfemoral insertion of a bifurcated endovascular graft for aortic aneurysm repair: the first 22 patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and optimize a system of transfemoral bifurcated graft insertion for endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysm. Grafts were inserted through bilateral femoral arteriotomies in 22 patients. Placement was guided by fluoroscopy. Results were assessed by completion angiography, with computed tomography scanning or duplex ultrasonography at 1,3 and 6 months. The first 11 insertions were complicated by failed insertion in two cases, proximal leakage in one, graft limb thrombosis in five and wound infection in one. The second 11 insertions were complicated by retrograde leakage around the distal graft orifice in two patients. One of these was associated with aneurysm rupture, leading to the sole mortality of the series. There were no instances of graft migration or embolism. In conclusion, the lessons learned during the first 11 insertions were responsible for the improved results apparent in the second 11 insertions. When applied in properly selected patients, transfemoral insertion of a bifurcated graft is a reliable method of isolating an aortic aneurysm from the circulation.     

Successful renal transplantation after endovascular bifurcated stent graft repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Renal transplantation after repair of aortoiliac aneurysms with traditional prosthetic vascular grafts has been shown to be effective. Vascular surgery continues to rapidly evolve, most notably with the advancement of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Controlled trials continue to support the trend toward the use of endovascular bifurcated aortic stent grafts. For this we describe the first renal transplant in a patient with an endovascular bifurcated aortoiliac stent graft. No intraoperative difficulties were encountered. At 1-year follow-up, the transplanted kidney is functioning well with a normal serum creatinine level of 1.3 mg/dl, and the patient has no worsening of peripheral vascular disease. We recommend that the presence of an endovascular aortic graft not be a contraindication to renal transplantation.     

Aorto uni-iliac modification of a bifurcated stent graft for endovascular aneurysm repair: Expanding the versatility of a modular device

As endografting technology advances, anatomical constraints limiting access and deployment have become less of a burden. While unsuitable candidates for endografting exist, these patients are becoming less frequent. To broaden the applicability of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), we have modified the bifurcated AneuRx device into a unilimb modular prosthesis, by placing an aortic extender cuff across the flow divider, thus excluding its contralateral limb. This technique was used with success in 3 groups of patients: with occlusion of 1 iliac artery, with a nontraversable iliac stenosis, or with a small calcific aortic bifurcation. In these patients, anatomy can make it difficult, if not impossible, to place a bifurcated stent graft. Whether as a planned preoperative procedure or as a ;;bail-out' maneuver, this procedure has been successful in avoiding open surgical conversion.     

Migration of a bifurcated endovascular graft into an iliac aneurysm: endovascular salvage and future prevention--a case report

The FDA approval of endovascular grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been associated with a dramatic increase in the use of these devices. Major referral centers are reporting the treatment of 75% to 80% of their patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms with endovascular devices. The large quantity of endovascular devices being used has produced a growing number of management issues that are often not predictable during the preoperative assessment. These issues require complex intraoperative decision making and innovative techniques for their management as reflected by the subsequent case report. An 82-year-old patient presented with a 7.8-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aneurysm extended into the common iliac arteries bilaterally. The right common iliac artery was 6.5 cm and the left common iliac artery was 2.0 cm in maximal diameter. The preoperative work-up, including a computed tomography scan and arteriogram, suggested that he would be a potential candidate for endovascular repair. The plan was to extend the graft into the right external iliac artery after embolization of the right hypogastric artery and to seal the left limb in the ectatic left common iliac artery using an aortic extender cuff. During the endovascular repair of the aortoiliac aneurysms using the AneuRx bifurcated graft, the main device became dislodged from its infrarenal attachment site and migrated into the large right common iliac artery aneurysm with the iliac limb ending in the distal external iliac artery. A new bifurcated device was deployed from the left side to attempt an endovascular salvage of the difficult situation. The new graft was partially deployed down to the iliac limb. This allowed cannulation of the contralateral stump through the original endovascular graft that had migrated distally. The two grafts were connected with a long iliac limb. This allowed stabilization of the endovascular reconstruction by increasing its columnar strength. The deployment of the second bifurcated graft was completed and the central core with the runners removed safely without migration of the second bifurcated component. The reconstruction was completed with an aortic cuff in the left common iliac artery. The use of the aortic cuff was useful to preserve the left hypogastric artery. No intraoperative endoleak was noted. The patient did well and was discharged the day following the procedure. The follow-up computed tomography scan shows the abdominal aortic aneurysm excluded by the endovascular graft with a defunctionalized portion of one bifurcated graft within the right common iliac aneurysm. There is no evidence of endoleak and the abdominal aortic aneurysm had decreased in size at 6 months. This case demonstrates one of the unique management problems that may arise during endovascular graft placement. Events that initially would suggest failure of the endoluminal treatment may be corrected using advanced endovascular techniques by an experienced surgeon. However, there will be times that the prudent decision will be conversion to open repair. Only good clinical judgement and adequate training will prevent catastrophic outcomes.     

Mid-term results of a second generation bifurcated endovascular graft for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: the French Vanguard trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the results of the bifurcated Vanguard endovascular graft for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. METHODS: Seventy-five patients, with a median age of 69.6 years (range, 48 to 88 years) and asymptomatic AAAs, were recruited in 14 French vascular institutions. An independent committee validated the indications for endovascular repair, and all the implantations were supervised by a well-trained medico-technical assistant. Further independent committees reviewed patient data, clinical data, and imaging follow-up examination. The main endpoints were implantation success, mortality, morbidity, reinterventions, and aneurysm evolution assessed with serial computed tomographic (CT) scanning. RESULTS: All the grafts were successfully implanted, resulting in a 100% success rate on an intent-to-treat basis. At discharge, there were no deaths, six significant local complications (8%) that necessitated surgery, no vascular complications, and six systemic complications (8%). The average durations of intensive care unit and hospital stays were 26 +/- 6 hours and 6 +/- 2.54 days, respectively. Predischarge CT scan results showed five type I and 18 type II endoleaks (total, 30%). At the end of the follow-up period (mean duration, 18.35 +/- 4.12 months; range, 17 days to 24 months), seven patients (9%) had died: one from sepsis, five from unrelated causes, and one from aneurysm rupture. The 2-year cumulative survival rate was 86% +/- 5.9%. Twenty-one subsequent endovascular or vascular procedures were necessitated (28%) in 17 patients (23%) to treat graft limb occlusion or stenosis (n = 9 patients) or to seal an endoleak (n = 8 patients). The 2-year cumulative survival rate free of reintervention was 67% +/- 7%. On CT scans, the mean AAA diameter decreased from 54 mm +/- 8.9 (range, 45 to 80 mm) before surgery to 51.6 mm +/- 9.1 at 6 months and to 43.4 mm +/- 4.4 at the end of the follow-up period (P =.001). Persistent endoleak was significantly associated with an increase in diameter (4 of 5 [80%] vs 1 of 47 [2%]; P =.001). CONCLUSION: In selected patients, the bifurcated Vanguard endovascular graft may be implanted with a low mortality and morbidity rate and a favorable mid-term survival rate. The decrease of the aneurysm size is a strong argument in favor of the efficiency of the device. However, lasting endoleaks with increased aneurysm diameter and occurrence of limb graft stenosis or occlusion raise concerns and justify a careful long-term follow-up monitoring of all patients who undergo treatment with endovascular technique.     

支架型人工血管治疗主动脉夹层动脉瘤

目的　探讨支架型人工血管治疗胸主动脉和腹主动脉夹层动脉瘤的作用。方法　采用由不锈钢“Z”形支架和超薄绦纶组成的支架型人工血管治疗5 例胸主动脉夹层动脉瘤和1 例腹主动脉夹层动脉瘤。其中4 例已累及肾下主动脉, 且有明显肾功能损害。6 例均经CT 和动脉造影证实。在X 线监视下,经右股动脉切开, 将1 ～2 枚支架型人工血管置入。有1 例因进入困难,改用左侧股动脉进路。结果　术后造影和CT 均表明破口被成功封闭,假腔内血栓形成。本组未发生任何并发症。随访1 ～7 个月,有2 例高血压者,血压明显下降,2 例血尿治愈,2 例血尿减轻。结论　支架型人工血管治疗主动脉夹层动脉瘤明显简化了手术,减小了手术风险,其方法可行     

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a community hospital's experience

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the first-line approach for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Outcomes outside of tertiary care settings remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to report the midterm outcomes of EVAR in a community hospital. A retrospective review of 75 elective, consecutive EVARs performed at a single nonacademic community hospital was performed. There were no conversions to open repair during or after endovascular repair. The mean follow-up was 18 months. There were no postoperative ruptures or aneurysm-related deaths. At 24 months, freedom from aneurysm-related death was 100%, freedom from secondary interventions was 91%, and freedom from endoleak was 69%. EVAR in the community setting is a safe and durable procedure, even in a medically high-risk population. Comparable outcomes can be achieved to tertiary care centers, in carefully selected patients with favorable anatomy.     

Canadian experience with percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair: short-term outcomes

Background

To decrease the morbidity associated with cut-downs during endovascular aneurysm repair, some authors have suggested the totally percutaneous endovascular repair (PEVAR). The goal of this report is to evaluate and describe our centre’s experience with the total percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (PEVAR) for aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 15 consecutive patients with AAA, including 1 with right common iliac artery aneurysm.

Results

There were 12 men and 3 women with a mean age of 74 (standard deviation [SD] 2) years who underwent PEVAR with a Perclose ProGlide suture-mediated closure system between July 2007 and July 2008. All surgeries were elective. Forty percent of patients had a history of smoking, 73% were hypertensive, 33% were diabetic, 20% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 40% had coronary artery disease. Fourteen patients had bilateral deployment for bifurcated devices (7 bifurcated Gore Excluder, 7 bifurcated Cook Zenith grafts), and 1 patient had unilateral deployment for a Cook Zenith device. The outer diameter of the sheaths used for puncture sites was on average 18.1-Fr (SD 0.6), with main bodies being 21.1-Fr (SD 0.3) and contralateral sides 15-Fr (SD 0.3). Procedural success was 93%, with 1 patient requiring a femoral artery cut-down because of failure of the Perclose device to deploy in the groin. Another patient had persistent venous bleeding in 1 puncture site that stopped with skin suturing. Endovascular aneurysm repair was 100% with no conversion to open surgery and no type-I endoleaks. The mean length of stay in hospital was 2.2 (SD 0.4) days. There were no long-term groin complications at 6 (SD 1) months’ follow-up.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first Canadian report of experience with PEVAR using the Perclose device. The technique is safe, reliable and allows discharge of patients soon after surgery.     

新型覆膜支架在腹主动脉瘤腔内修复中的应用

目的 总结腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术使用Endurant支架的经验及体会.方法 回顾分析2010年5月至2011年5月北京协和医院血管外科收治的19例肾下腹主动脉瘤使用Endurant支架行腔内修复术的病例特点、术后并发症和近期随访结果.结果 19例患者均获得手术成功,其中9例为复杂解剖形态的病例.术中同时进行的肾动脉支架、髂内动脉栓塞和髂动脉扩张也均获得成功.术后无Ⅰ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ型内漏发生,4例残余Ⅱ型内漏留待观察.围手术期无死亡病例,30 d并发症主要包括血栓消耗性凝血功能障碍,心肌梗死合并心衰,伤口感染和血肿.全组随访1～12个月,无死亡病例.8例患者完成至少1次CT动脉重建(computer tomography angiography,CTA)检查,5例动脉瘤体直径缩小,3例无改变.1例患者出现单侧髂腿延长支闭塞,行股股动脉转流.1例患者出现继发性ⅠB型内漏,继续观察.结论 腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术使用Endurant支架安全,有效.Endurant支架增加了对于复杂解剖形态的病例的手术成功率,近期疗效满意.     

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a 7 year experience at the Launceston General Hospital

BACKGROUND: To review our 7 year experience of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVR) and to compare this to open repair (OR) during the same time period. METHODS: One hundred and one EVR and 65 OR patients were studied. Parameters analysed included patient and procedure details, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital admission time, and morbidity and mortality with particular emphasis on procedure-related problems. RESULTS: Endovascular grafts were deployed with successful abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) exclusion in 100 patients. Primary technical success was achieved in 84%, clinical success in 86% and secondary success in 90% of cases. Complications occurred in 63% and 88% of EVR and OR patients, respectively. Early device-related complications occurred in 40 EVR patients (40%); 24 (60%) were corrected immediately by further stenting. Late device-related complications occurred in 15 EVR patients (15%); four (27%) required additional stenting. Most of the complications in the OR group were systemic (89%) resulting in longer ICU and hospital stays (median 48 vs 17 h and 13 vs 4 days for OR and EVR, respectively). Death within 30 days of the procedure occurred in three EVR patients. There was no perioperative mortality in the OR group. CONCLUSION: Endovascular AAA repair can be undertaken successfully in a district general hospital. The majority of local and device-related complications can be corrected immediately, while those persisting beyond the initial procedure usually resolve spontaneously. EVR offers a minimally invasive approach to a problem that in the past has involved major surgery.     

Endovascular stent graft repair for a Salmonella-infected aneurysm of thoracic aorta

Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair using stent graft has been reported as a feasible and effective treatment for aortic aneurysm. However, its application for treating infected aortic aneurysms is still controversial and less reported. We report a 74-year-old male diabetic patient diagnosed with Salmonella-infected aortic aneurysm, who was successfully treated with endovascular stent graft repair followed by a 2-month course of intravenous antibiotics and long-term oral antibiotic therapy. Sequential computed tomography scans demonstrated the shrinkage of the aneurysm and no evidence of relapse 11 months later.