Intravascular iliac artery lithotripsy to enable transfemoral thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is performed with large‐bore delivery systems. Small‐size access vessels may be a contraindication for TEVAR, particularly in case of severe calcifications. In this case report, we describe the first‐in‐man use of intravascular lithotripsy to enable transfemoral delivery of TEVAR stent grafts in a patient with severely calcified iliac arteries. A 69‐year‐old female with multiple sclerosis and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) was referred for percutaneous TEVAR. Both common iliac arteries were severely calcified with circumferential calcifications and a minimum diameter below 5.5 mm. In order to enable percutaneous delivery of 20 French Valiant Navion stent grafts (Medtronic), the circumferential calcified plaques were treated by use of a Shockwave? Peripheral Intravascular Lithotripsy Balloon (Shockwave Medical Inc.). Subsequently, the aortic stent grafts were safely and successfully passed through the iliofemoral artery and the TAA was excluded by TEVAR. Final angiography showed normal flow in the iliofemoral artery without any signs of perforation or overt dissection. This case report demonstrates successful application of intravascular lithotripsy in calcified iliofemoral arteries enabling percutaneous transfemoral TEVAR. If confirmed in future cases and trials, indications for transfemoral TEVAR may further expand toward patients with severely calcified peripheral arterial disease.     

Initial experience of follow up of patients after the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms using contrast-enhanced ultrasound

IntroductionAll patients who underwent the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm require regular check-ups for possible occurrence of endoleak and further growth of the aneurysm. Such check-ups are performed in most cases by CT imaging with the administration of a contrast agent which may cause allergies or impairment of renal functions. CT itself represents a significant radiation dose incurred by the patient. When contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is used, patients are exposed neither to these risks nor to X-ray radiation.ObjectiveVerify the diagnostic recovery of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the monitoring of patients after the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.MethodSince January 2014 we have been qualifying patients for a prospective study. All patients who have been implanted a stent graft for the infrarenal aortic aneurysm since January 2014 and patients who were implanted a stent graft earlier but who have undergone a check-up since January 2014 are qualified for the study. These patients are always checked up after the surgery by CT angiography and CEUS as well. 16 patients have been qualified for the study so far. After the application of a stent graft we examine our patients before they are discharged from the hospital and 1, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. CEUS is performed by 2 physicians only.ResultsIn the 16 patients a total of 28 check-ups have been conducted (1 check-up without contrast medium). In 9 patients (13 CTA examinations and 12 CEUS) endoleak was proven (1 of the I-type, 8 of the II-type). In the case of 2 examinations consistency between CTA and CEUS was not proven – 7.4%. In one case the inconsistency concerned the type of endoleak and in the other case, CTA erroneously described endoleak which was not obvious from CEUS. When measuring the size of an aneurysm sack, we observed significant differences between CTA and CEUS (p < 0.001). The CEUS examination was assessable even in the case of obese patients.ConclusionWe have observed a 100% consistency in the result of 25 examinations which used both methods. Based on the comparisons between CEUS and CTAG performed so far, CEUS seems to be a reliable method which could be used within the framework of dispensary care for patients after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). CEUS seems to be sensitive enough to detect endoleak. However, to be able to provide a reliable evaluation, a larger set of patients and longer-term experience are needed, specifically for the evaluation of the aneurysm sack size.     

Type A dissection following endovascular thoracic aortic stent-graft repair.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience with endovascular stent-graft repairs in the thoracic aorta focusing on the secondary complication of type A dissection. METHODS: Between January 1996 and April 2004, 73 patients were treated for traumatic thoracic aortic rupture (n=15), type B dissection (n=22), or atherosclerotic descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA, n=36). A retrospective review of the records found 5 (6.8%) patients (3 men; median age 64 years, range 43-87) who experienced a type A dissection at a median 20 days (range 2-124) after thoracic stent-graft repair for 3 type B dissections, 1 TAA, and a late type I endoleak that appeared 28 months after initial stent-graft repair of a traumatic dissection. RESULTS: In 3 patients (2 dissections, 1 endoleak), a tear in the aortic wall at the proximal stent-graft was responsible for a retrograde type A dissection. Underlying disease was the cause of the type A dissection in the 2 other patients (1 dissection, 1 TAA) and was unrelated to the stent-grafts. Three patients underwent open surgery at 3, 26, and 124 days after stent-graft placement; 2 procedures were successful, but the third patient died 3 months later due to multiorgan failure. Two type A dissections were untreated: one patient died from cardiac tamponade 14 days after successful stent-graft exclusion of the type I endoleak; the other patient refused further treatment and survived. The procedure-related mortality following acute retrograde type A dissection was 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent-graft repair of the thoracic aorta is associated with lower morbidity and mortality rates than surgical repair, although potentially lethal complications, acute or delayed, may occur.     

Successful endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection in a 15-year-old child

Aortic dissection is a rare condition in the pediatric and young adult population [1]. Here, we present an unusual case of a 15-year-old male patient with sudden onset of chest and back pain аnd numbness in the left leg. Chest and abdominal CT revealed Stanford type B (DeBakey type III) aortic dissection, leading to subocclusive stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery (causing critical intestinal dysfunction with ileus) and total occlusion of left iliac and left renal arteries. The child was admitted 48 h after chest pain onset in critical clinical condition. Revascularization was achieved by several consecutive endovascular procedures, and the patient was discharged after favorable clinical evolution with full restoration of flow in the target organ arteries. The first interventional treatment included stenting of the superior mesenteric artery, stenting of the abdominal aorta, and balloon dilatation of the left iliac artery. Due to resistant renovascular hypertension, stenting of the left renal artery, which was occluded, was conducted 20 days later, leading to optimal blood pressure control. Thirty-three days following the initial procedure, an endovascular endograft prosthesis implantation was performed to close the primary tear in the thoracic aorta. Genetic samples revealed ACTA2 mutation. This case is extraordinary because of its combined life-threatening aortic and vessel pathology, treated for the first time with endovascular means in a child, and highlights the feasibility of endovascular treatment in the pediatric population. We discuss the imaging, management, and successful outcome of this severe condition.     

Short term outcome of thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with thoracic aortic diseases

Aim and background

Open surgical repair for thoracic aortic diseases is associated with a high perioperative mortality and morbidity. Most of type B aortic dissections are uncomplicated and are medically treated which carries a high mortality rate. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is the first-line therapy for isolated aneurysms of the descending aorta and complicated type B aortic dissection. The aim of this study is to test the safety of early thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection and patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Bentall procedure for retrograde type A dissection after endovascular repair in type A aortic dissection: A case report

Rationale:The management of retrograde type A dissection (RTAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type A aortic dissection (TAAD) has rarely been reported. We report the management of RTAD after TEVAR with in situ fenestration for TAAD.Patient concerns:A 59-year-old man with TAAD had undergone TEVAR with in situ fenestration 4 months prior to presenting to our emergency room complaining of acute chest and back pain. Computed tomography angiography showed RTAD starting from the proximal endograft and extending to the aortic root.Diagnosis:The patient was diagnosed with RTAD.Interventions:We performed only the Bentall procedure, and the patient did not require total arch replacement. We removed the bare spring of the proximal endograft and anastomosed the prosthetic graft with the endograft and the native ascending aortic wall.Outcomes:The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained asymptomatic for 3 years after surgery. Computed tomography angiography at the 3-year follow-up showed no perivalvular or anastomotic leakage.Lessons:RTAD after TEVAR for TAAD was safely and effectively treated by anastomosing the prosthetic graft with the endograft and the native ascending aortic wall instead of total arch replacement.     

Laparoscopic lumbar artery ligation of type II endoleaks following endovascular aneurysm repair: A case report

Introduction:Although the clinical significance of type II endoleaks remain controversial, management strategies continue to expand. The laparoscopic approach is a minimally invasive method for persistent type II endoleak repair after endovascular aneurysm repair.Patient concerns:A 70 - year - old male patient with a history of endovascular aneurysm repair with left internal iliac artery embolization presented with persistent type II endoleak from the lumbar arteries 2 years ago. The aneurysm sac size had increased more than 10 mm during follow up period.Diagnosis:Persistent type II endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair.Interventions:Transarterial embolization was attempted and failed. A minimally invasive laparoscopic lumbar artery ligation was then utilized.Outcomes:The patient was discharged without any complications after surgery. Follow-up computed tomography angiography has shown the complete disappearance of the type II endoleaks.Conclusions:Laparoscopic lumbar artery ligation may be a safe and effective alternative treatment for type II endoleaks, especially in high resource settings.     

Two-Year Single-Center Experience With Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Using the EndoFit Thoracic Stent-Graft

Purpose: To analyze our single-center experience of thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) using the EndoFit Thoracic Aortic Endograft. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 87 consecutive patients (64 men; median age 67.8+/-8.7 years, range 24-88) undergoing TEVAR using the EndoFit thoracic stent-graft from December 2005 to December 2007. Slightly more than half (n = 46) of the patients had thoracic aortic aneurysm, while 41 had thoracic aortic dissection. Seventeen cases were performed emergently. All patients had imaging follow-up before discharge; at 1, 3, and 6 months; and annually thereafter. Results: The technical success rate was 100%. Fifty-five (63.2%) patients had different debranching procedures to extend the proximal or distal landing zone. The in-hospital and 30-day mortality rate was 9.2% (8/87). Neurological complications occurred in 8 (9.3%) patients, including 5 strokes (2 fatal) and 3 cases of paraplegia. One intraoperative massive bleeding from an ascending aortic debranching anastomosis was rescued with the aid of a pump. Five patients had immediate proximal type I endoleak; 3 were remedied with a proximal cuff, 1 was rescued with tri-lobe balloon, and 1 was left untreated. One type II endoleak remains under observation. The average follow-up was 15.2 months (range 5-29), during which 10 (11.5%) patients died of causes unrelated to the aneurysm or stent-graft. All the extra-anatomical bypasses and stent-grafts were patent; no stent-graft kinking, collapse, or dislocation was detected. Two post-TEVAR proximal endoleaks were remedied with a proximal cuff after debranching. There was no post-TEVAR rupture or conversion to open surgery. Conclusion: Our 2-year single-center experience using the EndoFit system for TEVAR showed a high technical success rate and a low incidence of device- or aneurysm-related complications. The flexible, hydrophilic introducer was easy to insert and track through the vasculature. The debranching techniques to extend the landing zones not only broaden the applicability of TEVAR but also reduce post-TEVAR complications.     

DeBakeyⅢ型主动脉夹层腔内隔绝术后近端Ⅰ型内漏的影响因素分析

目的 探讨DeBakeyⅢ型主动脉夹层患者行主动脉腔内隔绝术（thoracic endovascular aortic repair,TEVAR）后近端Ⅰ型内漏的影响因素.方法 对东莞康华医院2009年6月至2014年7月期间83例行TEVAR术的DeBakeyⅢ型主动脉夹层患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.术中及术后分别采用主动脉数字减影血管造影（DSA）以及螺旋三维计算机断层扫描对内漏进行评估.术后随访时间为2-63个月.结果 83例患者中出现近端Ⅰ型内漏10例,术中出现内漏者6例,迟发性Ⅰ型内漏4例.结论 Ⅰ型内漏是TEVAR术的常见并发症,血管因素、移植物的选择以及术者的经验均可影响内漏的发生.     

Combined surgical and catheter‐based treatment of extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic valve stenosis

An extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a potentially life‐threatening condition and remains a technical challenge to surgeons. Over the past decade, repair of aortic arch aneurysms has been accomplished using both hybrid (open and endovascular) and totally endovascular techniques. Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has changed and extended management options in thoracic aorta disease, including in those patients deemed unfit or unsuitable for open surgery. Accordingly, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly used to treat patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) who are considered at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. In this report, we describe the combined surgical and catheter‐based treatment of an extensive TAA and AS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hybrid TAA repair combined with TAVR. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

急性期Standford B型主动脉夹层腔内修复术后早、中期随访结果

目的 评价急性期StanfordB型胸主动脉夹层(TAD)腔内修复术后早、中期手术效果.方法 2009年11月至2012年6月完成80例急性期Stanford B型胸主动脉夹层腔内修复术,手术在发病72 h内完成.手术前行胸腹主动脉夹层强化CT检查,在DSA手术室全麻下切开股动脉进行支架置入术,出院前进行CTA检查,手术后半年至一年内复查CTA.结果 14例患者手术后失去随访.5例术后造影提示有Ⅰ型内漏,4例1年内复查消失或造影剂溢出量明显减少,1例手术后仍有明显Ⅰ型内漏,1年后接受再次支架手术成功.其余支架安装后造影显示破口封闭,无内漏.住院期间死亡2例,1例为高龄患者降主动脉破裂,1例为夹层逆行撕裂至升主动脉后破裂.住院期间发生严重低氧血症8例,急性肾功能不全6例,均经治疗后恢复.结论 急性期Stanford B型胸主动脉夹层进行腔内修复术,术后早期并发症发生率高,中期效果理想.     

Late Survival After Endovascular Repair of an Aortobronchial Fistula

We present an interesting case of a patient who underwent initial open repair of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in 1996, who subsequently had a pseudo-aneurysm that arose from his prosthetic graft, which was repaired with open surgery in 1998. He then developed a second pseudo-aneurysm with an aortobronchial fistula. This was successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft in 1999. The patient has survived 10 years after this procedure.     

Treatment of thoracic aortic disease using endovascular stent-grafts: from therapeutic indications to possible complications

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive technique which is increasingly used in different thoracic aortic pathologies such as aortic aneurysm, complicated type B aortic dissection, aortic trauma, intramural hematoma and penetrating aortic ulcer. In this paper we discuss the main indications for endovascular stent-grafts in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease, based on three cases in which this procedure was used for three different conditions: degenerative aneurysm, complicated type B dissection and post-traumatic injury. These case reports add to the evidence that TEVAR is a safe and feasible therapeutic alternative in selected patients with thoracic aortic disease, improving aortic remodeling, with relatively low morbidity and mortality. The main complications and difficulties related to the procedure are also discussed.     

“杂交”手术治疗弓部主动脉夹层的疗效评价

目的:评价人工血管旁路移植术结合腔内隔绝术的“杂交”手术用于主动脉弓部夹层动脉瘤的治疗效果。方法:对12例破口位于主动脉弓部的主动脉夹层动脉瘤患者进行了人工血管旁路移植术+腔内隔绝术的“杂交”手术治疗。评价该方法围手术期死亡率、并发症以及术后桥血管通畅率,进行了6~48(28±11)个月的随访观察。结果:全组1例死亡,原因为等待二期腔内手术期间发生动脉瘤破裂。1例患者因并发医源性升主动脉夹层而改行全主动脉弓置换+支架植入术,随访中1例患者出现90%人工血管狭窄,1例患者出现轻度I型内漏,经18月观察无明显变化,其余患者生存良好,未出现截瘫及其他严重并发症。结论:本文所指的“杂交”手术治疗主动脉弓部夹层动脉瘤具有良好效果。     

TEVAR in Patients With Late Complications of Aortic Coarctation Repair

Purpose: To review the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for late pseudoaneurysm formation after surgical repair of aortic coarctation. Methods: From May 2001 to May 2005, 8 patients (5 men; mean age 47.6 years, range 18-73) with a history of aortic coarctation repairs 17 to 40 years prior were referred to our institution for an anastomotic thoracic pseudoaneurysm. TEVAR was performed successfully in 7 patients; 1 died of suspected aneurysm rupture before the scheduled procedure. A carotid-subclavian bypass was performed in 3 patients. Results: All the procedures were immediately successful. No type I endoleaks were seen on the final control angiogram, but 2 of the patients with carotid-subclavian bypasses required additional left subclavian artery embolization due to type II endoleak. One of these patients died before embolotherapy on the 5th postoperative day from presumed aneurysm rupture (14% 30-day mortality rate). Over a follow-up period ranging from 15 to 72 months (mean 37), all the false aneurysms have remained thrombosed and the mean diameter has decreased from 44 to 23 mm. No endograft-related complications have occurred, and no further interventions have so far been necessary. Conclusion: TEVAR is a feasible alternative treatment for patients who have already undergone surgical repair of aortic coarctation. Technical issues regarding the endovascular strategy should be discussed with a multidisciplinary team to define the correct interventional plan.     

Successful management of esophageal necrosis after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for ruptured traumatic aortic aneurysm

A 65-year-old man reported nausea and anorexia after falling down a flight of stairs. Computed tomography (CT) showed a ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, and emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed. However, after resuming food intake, the patient developed a fever. CT scan showed severe pneumomediastinum and a mediastinal abscess, and the patient was diagnosed with esophageal perforation. Emergency esophagectomy was performed, with an esophageal fistula made at the cervix. Jejunostomy was then performed to enable enteral nutrition. Histological examination showed substantial necrosis at the middle intrathoracic esophagus, and the patient was diagnosed with esophageal necrosis leading to perforation. Five months after the esophagectomy, gastric conduit reconstruction through the retrosternal route was performed. The patient was able to resume food intake, and survived more than 1 year after this surgery. Here, we describe the successful management of this rare case of esophageal necrosis after TEVAR for ruptured traumatic aortic aneurysm.     

Traitement chirurgical des anévrismes poplités : résultats à court et à long termes

IntroductionThe popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) is a rare vascular disease, but represents the most common site of peripheral aneurysms. We report in this paper our experience in the surgical management of PAA.ObjectivesThe aim of this work was to clarify the indications and the results of the surgical management of PAA.MethodsIt was a retrospective study, extended over a period of 12 years, going from 2007 to 2018, covering 26 patients operated on surgically for popliteal aneurysm.ResultsWe have operated 26 patients for PAA. All patients were male. The average age was 59 years [39–80 years]. The aneurysm was symptomatic in 22 cases and asymptomatic in 4 cases. The mean aneurysm diameter was 37 mm [26–70 mm]. Twenty-two patients have received a planned surgery and we did emergency surgery for 4 patients because of a limb ischemia complication. The surgical treatment consisted in a surgical bypass after the aneurysm removing. The restoration of blood continuity was achieved by a vein graft in 23 cases and prosthetic in 3 cases. Three patients needed major amputation within 30 days (11.53%) and no mortality was observed during this period. Mean follow-up was 24 months [12–96 months]. Two-years mortality, complication rate and limb salvage was respectively 7.69%, 15.38% and 84.62%.ConclusionThe PAA represents a serious disease that can affect the vitality of the lower limb. Surgical treatment is currently the gold standard because of its good results.     

Traitement hybride des anévrismes de l'arche aortique

BackgroundThe management of aortic arch aneurysms is challenging. If conventional surgery cannot be performed in high risk patients, endovascular treatment is confronted to the problem of endoleaks at long term. However, the hybrid repair combining a first surgical step and a second endovascular step is a new technique recently introduced in the therapeutic alternatives of aortic arch aneurysm but its long-term results are not well known.MethodsWe report a series of four patients who received hybrid treatment for aortic arch aneurysms in our department between 2016 and 2018.ResultsThese were 3 men and 1 woman with an average age of 63 years [55–80 years]. All were hypertensive and only one patient had diabetes. The aneurysm was symptomatic of chest pain in all cases and it was ruptured in only one case. Preoperatively, the hemodynamic state was stable in the four patients with a mean aneurysm diameter of 60 mm [48–79 mm] on CT angiography and the landing zone was zone 0 in all cases. Under general anesthesia, the 1st step was surgical with the performance of an aorto-bicarotid bypass associated with a re-implantation of the left subclavian artery and a disconnection of the supraortic trunks. The 2nd stage was endovascular by the femoral route; with release of an aortic stent graft covering the ostia of all supraortic trunks. The final angiographic check-up showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm in all cases. The immediate postoperative follow-up was straightforward except for the onset of septic shock and death in a patient with an aneurysm ruptured in the left pulmonary branch initially. The mean follow-up was 12 months with a CT scan control which confirms the complete exclusion of the aneurysm and the absence of endoleak.     

胸主动脉腔内修复术治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层

目的 总结胸主动脉腔内修复术（thoracic endovascular aortic repair,TEVAR）治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层的临床经验.方法 回顾性分析134例Stanford B型主动脉夹层患者的临床资料,分析并发症发生的原因及随访近、远期效果.结果 术前死亡4例,未手术1例,施行TEVAR 129例,手术操作均成功,部分封堵左锁骨下动脉27例（20.9％）,完全封闭左锁骨下动脉12例（9.3％）;Ⅰ型内漏13例（10.1％）,夹层逆剥为Stanford A型1例,低氧血症23例（17.8％）,肾功能衰竭需血液滤过9例（7.1％）,术后精神症状37例（28.7％）,脑梗死3例.随访2个月～5年,随访110例,随访率85.7％,1例术后1年和1.5年出现支架远端夹层,两次手术植入覆膜支架,部分封闭了腹腔干动脉,1例术后2个月时因肠梗阻在外院行手术治疗,1例术后4年时支架远端发生夹层破裂死亡,1例术后3个月突然死亡.Ⅰ型内漏消失11例,持续存在2例.结论 急诊TEVAR治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层安全、可靠,近期效果良好,加强并发症的防治,可进一步改善临床效果.     

Endovascular repair for retrograde type A intramural hematoma with focal intimal disruption in descending aorta

BackgroundThis study aims to report the experience of a single center using thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) to treat retrograde type A intramural hematoma (IMH) with focal intimal disruption (FID) in descending aorta.MethodsA total of 24 consecutive patients with retrograde type A IMH and complicated with FID in descending aorta underwent TEVAR in our center from 2015 to 2020. Their clinical data, imaging manifestation and follow-up results were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe median age of patients was 57.9 years (range, 42–80 years) and 18 were men (75%). As the preoperative CT angiography showed, the 24 patients developed IMH complicated with different kinds of FIDs in descending aorta [5 had intramural blood pool (IBP), 15 had ulcer-like projection (ULP), 2 had penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), and 5 had localized dissection]. Successful deployment of aortic stent graft was achieved in all patients. There was no endoleak, stent graft migration, spinal cord ischemia, stroke, or 30-day mortality observed after TEVAR. The median duration of follow-up was 30.0 months (range, 3–60 months). As the last follow-up CT angiography showed, most of the patients (23 in 24, 96%) had favorable aortic remodeling. The maximum hematoma thicknesses and maximum diameters of both ascending and descending aorta were significantly decreased. During follow-up, 1 patient developed retrograde type A aortic dissection (RAAD) and underwent open surgery 3 months after TEVAR. 1 patient died of lung cancer 2 years later. There was no aorta-related death observed.ConclusionsTEVAR provides a safe and effective treatment strategy for selected patients with retrograde type A IMH, and FID developed in descending aorta could be the possible treatment target. However, RAAD remains one of the most serious postoperative complications of concern.