Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Complicated by Persistent Endotension After Endovascular Repair: Report of a Case

Endoleak and endotension may prevent the successful exclusion of an aneurysm after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). The pressurization in the excluded aneurysm sac caused by endotension may lead to rupture of the aneurysm; however, the cause of endotension and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We report a case of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) complicated by persistent endotension after EVAR. Although no endoleaks were found on conventional double-phase computed tomographic scans, a thrombosed endoleak existed in the side branch and attachment site of the endograft. After treating the undetectable thrombosed endoleaks, physical examination revealed that the pressure of the excluded aneurysm had diminished, with shrinkage of the aneurysm. This case report suggests that a high-pressure undetectable type I or type II endoleak could be a major cause of endotension. Thus, postoperative evaluation of the attachment site of an endograft is important after EVAR.     

Simultaneous Open and Endoluminal Repair of Ruptured Abdominal and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Report of a Case

A 66-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital for emergency treatment of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and impending rupture of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) caused by a Stanford type-B dissection. She had severe coronary artery disease and a highly calcified aorta, and had been taking long-term steroids for rheumatoid arthritis. Endovascular repair of the TAA failed because the femoral artery was too small, so we performed simultaneous repair of the TAA and the AAA. A temporary axillofemoral bypass was constructed and the AAA was replaced with a bifurcated prosthetic graft. A thoracic stent graft was delivered successfully through a chimney graft of the abdominal graft. About 4 months later, the TAA extended proximally, causing hemoptysis, which was stopped by placing a new stent graft proximal to the previous one. This case report shows that a combination of open and endovascular repair is useful for treating a TAA with an AAA, especially in a small or frail patient.     

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in an 11-year-old boy

We present a case of a ruptured aortic aneurysm in an 11-year-old boy presenting with loss of consciousness. The presentation, management, pathology, and gravity of this condition are discussed     

Four-year follow up of patients with untreated abdominal aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND: The data in the literature are still controversial describing the outcome of patients not treated for a large abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) especially with significant comorbidities. We followed up patients trying to establish their long-term outcome. METHOD: Since 1998, we have prospectively followed all patients referred to our department with AAA. A retrospective analysis was carried out selecting all patients who had an AAA larger than 5 cm, and who declined or were declined for operative repair between February 1998 and November 2001. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients were included in the present study. There were 78 men and 33 women. The mean age was 80 years. At the end of the study, 65 patients (59%) were deceased. Ruptured aneurysm occurred in 27 patients (median time to rupture = 14 months) with one patient surviving an emergency repair. Thirty-nine patients died from unrelated illnesses. In the 5-5.9 cm AAA group (n = 58), out of 31 deceased patients, five (16%) have died of ruptured AAA. In the 6 cm and larger AAA group (n = 53), out of 34 deceased patients, 21 (62%) have died of ruptured AAA. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with AAA below and above 6 cm in diameter (P = 0.15). CONCLUSION: In the presence of significant comorbidities, most patients with AAA less than 6 cm died from unrelated illnesses. In the larger AAA group, the likelihood of death from AAA rupture or unrelated illnesses is almost equal.     

Mycotic Aneurysm of the Descending Thoracic Aorta Review and Case Report

A 74-year-old male presented with bilateral invalidating claudication. A bilateral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stenting of both superficial femoral arteries was performed but complicated by an urosepsis with Escherichia coli and a septic phlebitis at the site of an intravenous line. The phlebitis was complicated by a local abcedation for which incision and drainage were performed. One month after discharge he was readmitted at our hospital with septic fever and positive hemocultures for Escherichia coli. Positron emission tomography-computed tomographic scan (PET/CT-scan) showed a mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. Because no cryopreserved donor aorta was available and the aneurysm size rapidly increased, an open in situ repair was performed with a Dacron silver prosthesis soaked in rifampicin. His recovery was further complicated by a perforated toxic megacolon for which a subtotal colectomy was performed. Further recovery was uncomplicated and 10 months after the aortic repair patient is still free from infection.     

Aortic valve sparing operations

Aortic valve sparing operations were developed to preserve the aortic valve in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic insufficiency or patients with aortic root aneurysm. There are 2 types of aortic valve sparing operations, remodeling of the aortic root and reimplantation of the aortic valve. The author believes that remodeling of the aortic root is more appropriate for older patients with ascending aortic aneurysm, dilated aortic sinuses, and normal aortic annulus, whereas reimplantation of the aortic valve is more appropriate for young patients with aortic root aneurysm in whom dilation of the aortic annulus is commonly associated. Although remodeling of the aortic root has been extensively used in patients with aortic root aneurysm, the long-term results are somewhat inferior to reimplantation in most series. The late results of aortic valve sparing operations have been excellent, and these operations have become an important addition to the surgical armamentarium to treat patients with proximal aortic aneurysms.     

Fenestrated/branched endovascular aortic repair using unilateral femoral access in patients with iliac occlusive disease

ObjectiveFenestrated/branched endovascular aortic repair (F/BEVAR) in patients with occluded iliac arteries is challenging owing to limited access for branch vessel catheterization and increased risk for leg and spinal ischemic complications. The aim of this study was to analyze technical strategies and outcomes of F/BEVAR in patients with unilateral iliofemoral occlusive disease.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all consecutive patients treated by F/BEVAR in two institutions (2003-2021). Patients with unilateral iliofemoral occlusive disease were included in the analysis. All patients had one patent iliac artery that was used for advancement of the fenestrated-branch component. Preloaded catheter/guidewire systems or steerable sheaths were used as adjuncts to facilitate catheterization. Primary endpoints were technical success, mortality, major adverse events (stroke, spinal cord injury, dialysis or decrease in the glomerular filtration rate of more than 50%, bowel ischemia, myocardial infarction, or respiratory failure), primary iliac patency, and freedom from reinterventions.ResultsThere were 959 patients treated with F/BEVAR. Of these, 15 patients (1.56%; mean age, 74 years; 80% male) had occluded iliac arteries and 1 patent iliofemoral access and were treated for a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 8) or juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 7). Brachial access was used in 14 of the 15 patients and preloaded systems in 7 of the 15 patients (47%). The remaining 53% had staggered deployment of stent grafts. There were seven physician-modified endovascular grafts, seven custom-made devices, and one off-the-shelf device used. Thirteen patients (87%) had distal seal using aortouni-iliac stent grafts and two (13%) had distal seal in the infrarenal aorta. Concomitant femoral crossover bypass (FCB) was performed in two patients and six patients had a prior FCB. Technical success was 100%. There were no intraoperative complications or early lower extremity ischemic complications, and all FCB were preserved. There was one mortality (7%) within 30 days owing to retrograde type A dissection. Major adverse events occurred in 20% of patients. The median follow-up was 12 months (range, 0-85 months). Two patients (13%) required three reinterventions. One patient required proximal stent graft extension for an acute type B dissection (3 months) and another required iliac extension for type Ib endoleak of an aortouni-iliac graft (21 months) and thrombolysis of that extension (50 months). At last follow-up, all patients had primary graft patency except one with secondary graft patency without new claudication. One patient had a single renal artery stent occlusion at follow-up with no r-intervention. The overall survival rate was 60%, without aortic-related deaths.ConclusionsAlthough challenging, F/BEVAR with unilateral femoral/brachial approach is feasible in patients with occluded iliac limbs, with an important rate of ischemic complications, but satisfactory outcomes.     

胸,腹主动脉瘤腔内隔绝术的临床应用

目的:总结腔内隔绝术治疗胸、腹主动脉瘤的初步临床经验,探讨其指征、方法、操作要点及临床应用前景.方法:本组15例患者在DSA监视下经股总动脉小切口将人造血管内支撑复合体(移植物)导人腹主动脉瘤,从腔内将瘤体与血流隔绝.15例中置入直管型移植物4例,分叉型移植物11例.结果:13例患者于手术当日进食,次日下床活动;1例出现急性酸中毒;1例因髂动脉扭曲导致移植物将髂动脉阻塞,而加作股.股交叉转流术,恢复较慢.4例出现内漏,其中1例3月后自行愈合;1例术后第4天动脉瘤破裂,经传统开腹手术治愈;另2例随访中.2周及3月后分别复查彩超、螺旋CT.结果显示全部病例移植物中血流通畅,无移位.结论:腔内隔绝术简捷、方便,避免了常规开腹手术所见腹部及重要脏器并发症,创伤小、恢复快,适用于所有尤其是高龄高危肾下腹主动脉瘤及胸降主动脉瘤患者.全程内支架-人造血管复合体应用于EVGE效果良好.熟练的导管操作技巧及精确的术前评估有利于提高操作成功率及减少术后并发症.并发内漏的问题有待于继续观察探讨.     

腔内修复完全替代开放手术治疗急性破裂性腹主动脉瘤可行性研究

目的 探讨应用腔内修复（EVAR）完全替代开放手术治疗急性腹主动脉瘤的可行性。方法 回顾性分析复旦大学附属中山医院血管外科2009年1月至2019年12月期间收治的121例真性破裂性腹主动脉瘤的病人资料。对比“选择性EVAR（EVAR/Open）”时期（2009年1月至2014年3月）与“完全EVAR（EVAR Only）”时期（2014年4月至2019年12月）的两种治疗策略的疗效。结果 121例真性破裂性腹主动脉瘤病人中，29例于术前放弃手术或死亡。其中，在“EVAR/Open”时期，40例（19例EVAR及21例开放手术）接受外科治疗，EVAR及开放手术后30 d病死率分别为26.3%及23.8%（P=0.94）；而在“EVAR Only”时期共52例全部接受EVAR治疗，术后30 d病死率为23.1%。两个时期病死率差异无统计学意义（P=0.83）。两个时期内均未观察到不同术式在不同术前血流动力学状态及不同瘤体解剖学条件中对病死率有明显的影响。结论 基于所在中心平诊手术经验的“完全EVAR”策略可有效用于几乎所有破裂性腹主动脉瘤的急诊救治，并获得与“选择性EVAR”策略一致的疗效。     

Hybrid Repair of Aortic Arch Aneurysm

Background: Conventional surgical repair of the aortic arch using cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest still carries a substantial rate of mortality and morbidity especially myocardial injury, and predicts a high incidence of permanent neurological injury.

Endovascular stent-graft placement has been developed as an effective treatment modality in various diseases of the descending aorta. Technological improvements nowadays allow deployment in the distal arch in most instances. However, in case of total involvement of the aortic arch endovascular Sg repair, the challenge is to maintain blood flow to the brain and upper extremities, that may require covering one or more aortic branches in order to establish a secure proximal landing zone, and to ensure complete exclusion of the lesion.

The aim of this study is to report our ongoing experience with endovascular treatment of aortic arch aneurysms. Methods: During two years, 16 patients were treated with thoracic stent-grafts, after aortic arch debranching for repair of aortic arch aneurysm. All patients were at high risk for open repair and not candidates for standard endovascular repair due to inadequate proximal landing zones.

Device design and implant strategy were on the basis of evaluation of aortic morphology with spiral CT. Stent grafts were inserted to repair the arch after supra-aortic vessel transposition was performed. Follow-up was 100% complete (mean 18 ±2.5 months, range 12–24 months). Follow-up included clinical examination, chest X-ray and computed tomography at discharge, 6 months after stent-graft placement and yearly thereafter.

Results: Primary technical success rate was 100%. Patency of all endografts and conventional bypasses was 100%. No endoleak or graft migration was observed. There were no neurological complications. Surgical conversion was never required.

Conclusion: Hybrid aortic arch repair is technically challenging but feasible. This novel approach may be an alternative to standard open procedures in high-risk patients and emergency cases. However, the promising early results need to be confirmed by longer follow-up and larger series.     

Project PROMIS: Peoria Regional Outpatient Medical Imaging Study

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) accounts for > 15,000 reported deaths annually. Early screening in high-risk populations is important to decrease morbidity and mortality from rupture. METHODS: A prospective, population-based study of free ultrasound-based AAA screening was conducted from July 2004 to December 2006. Before examination, subjects completed surveys asking their medical history, including known AAA risk factors. Incidence rates and comparison analyses were performed. RESULTS: The final analysis included 979 patients, of whom AAA was discovered in 27 (2.8%). AAA was found in only male patients > 60 years old (4% of the male population). AAA size ranged from 3 to 10 cm. Of patients diagnosed with AAA, 85% were current or past smokers, and 70% had hypercholesterolemia. There was a 6% incidence of AAA in male smokers > or = 60 years old who had hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSIONS: Four factors were predominant in our population of patients with AAA: patient age, male sex, smoking history, and hypercholesterolemia.     

复杂瘤颈的近肾腹主动脉瘤腔内修复中烟囱技术的应用

目的探讨瘤颈解剖复杂的近肾腹主动脉瘤(juxtarenal aortic aneurysms,JAA)腔内修复(endovascular aneurysmrepair,EVAR)中应用烟囱技术的价值。方法 2007年1月～2011年10月,对7例瘤颈复杂的JAA采用EVAR治疗。由于瘤颈解剖结构不适于标准的腔内修复方案,术中自肱动脉穿刺预先于可能被覆膜支架主体覆盖的肾动脉置入导丝,置入修复腹主动脉瘤的覆膜支架主体后造影明确肾动脉覆盖情况,于相应肾动脉置入自膨支架或球囊扩张支架,以延长瘤颈长度使之符合EVAR要求,并有效保护肾动脉(即烟囱技术),然后再完成标准EVAR操作。结果 7例手术全部获成功。7例使用9枚肾动脉支架,其中5枚球扩支架,4枚自膨支架。腔内治疗最后的造影显示:腹主动脉瘤(abdominal aortic aneurysm,AAA)瘤腔隔绝良好,肾动脉血流良好。术中1例近端Ⅰ型内漏,近端增加Cuff后内漏消失;1例造影显示少量的Ⅱ型内漏,无须处理。7例随访1～52个月,平均11.6月:1例术后2个月因心功能衰竭死亡;1例Ⅱ型内漏术后3个月随访内漏消失;肾动脉烟囱支架均保持通畅。结论对于不适宜行开腹手术治疗的瘤颈解剖不佳的JAA,烟囱技术是传统EVAR技术的有效补充,远期效果及肾动脉支架长期通畅性尚需要进一步观察。     

Treatment of solitary iliac aneurysms: Clinical review of 28 cases

Purpose The clinical characteristics and long-term results of patients with solitary iliac aneurysms (SIAs) were investigated. Methods 28 consecutive patients who underwent repair of SIAs between 1985 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively, and compared with those of 536 patients who underwent elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during the same period. Results The incidence of SIAs among all aorto-iliac aneurysms was 5.0%. The 28 patients with SIAs were men with a mean age of 69.1 years. There were a collective total of 42 iliac aneurysms in the 28 patients, with 12 patients having multiple aneurysms. Thirty aneurysms involved the common iliac artery, and 12 involved the internal iliac artery. Twenty-two patients had symptoms, although none of the SIAs ruptured. Four patients had coexistent iliac occlusive disease and two patients had femoral occlusive disease. The 5-and 10-year survival rates of the patients with SIAs were 90.5% and 75.4%, whereas those of the patients with AAAs were 76.3% and 54%, respectively (P = 0.089). Conclusion Routine imaging is necessary not only to evaluate the SIAs, but also to detect multiple aneurysms or arterial occlusive disease. Close and long-term followup is mandatory for the early detection of the formation of new aneurysms.     

Prevalence of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms in Patients with Degenerative Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Results from the Prospective ACTA Study

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Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the veteran population

Background: The aim of this study was to audit the outcome of elective open aortic aneurysm repair in a veteran hospital to determine whether age ≥80 years influenced the morbidity or mortality. Methods: All elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repaired at Greenslopes Private (Repatriation) Hospital between January 1995 and July 2000 were reviewed. Operative details, premorbid condition, postoperative outcomes as well as length of admission were recorded. Patients were grouped according to age as ≥80 years or <80 years. Results: There were 251 open elective AAA (including infrarenal and suprarenal, as well as recurrent AAA) repairs carried out during this period, 64 of which were patients of age ≥80 years. Cardiovascular risks factors did not differ between groups nor did complication rates for patients ≥80 and <80 years of age (19.1 and 19.8%, respectively). Mortality rates were not significantly different between groups (≥80 years: 6.25%; <80 years: 4.8%; P > 0.6). Conclusions: Age ≥80 years should not be an exclusion criteria when contemplating open elective AAA repair.     

Intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination for endoleak detection after complex and infrarenal endovascular aortic repair

ObjectiveThe aim of this pilot study was to evaluate intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (iCEUS) examination for endoleak (EL) detection after complex endovascular aortic repairs (EVAR) in comparison with the standard angiographic completion control.MethodsTwenty-one patients (16 male; median age, 73 years [range, 54-81 years]) who underwent single-stage EVARs at our center between October 2016 and October 2018 were included prospectively. The procedures comprised fenestrated and/or branched EVAR (n = 14; 66%), infrarenal EVAR (n = 5; 24%), infrarenal EVAR with bilateral iliac side branch implantation (n = 1; 5%), and infrarenal EVAR with occluder implantation into the internal iliac artery (n = 1; 5%). The used endografts included 14 custom made devices (Cook, Australia Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Australia, n = 6; Vascutek Terumo, Glasgow, Scotland, n = 8) and seven standard infrarenal endografts (Medtronic Inc, Santa Rosa, Calif, n = 5; Vascutek Terumo, Glasgow, Scotland, n = 1; Cook, n = 1). All patients underwent an angiographic completion control for EL detection followed by iCEUS examination. The iCEUS examination was performed by the same examiner who was blinded to the angiography result. In addition to the comparison of the angiographic results to iCEUS examination, iCEUS examination was also compared with the computed tomography angiography (CTA) before discharge (median time to CTA, 5 days [range, 1-7 days]).ResultsAngiography detected eight type II EL, defining the EL origin in four cases. In addition to detecting all of those eight EL, iCEUS examination revealed eight more type II EL not seen on angiography (P = .002) and allowed a definition of the EL origin in all cases. CTA before discharge showed a persistence of only 5 of the 16 type II EL detected by iCEUS examination (31%, P = .002).ConclusionsAn iCEUS examination can be used as another adjunct to decrease exposure to contrast agent and radiation during EVAR, including complex procedures. A replacement of the completion angiography by iCEUS examination is conceivable for infrarenal EVAR, but also for endovascular type IV or type V repairs. Future studies with larger patient numbers will help to further validate iCEUS examination during complex EVAR.