Distal internal iliac artery embolization: a procedure to avoid

OBJECTIVES: Internal iliac artery (IIA) coil embolization as an adjunct to endovascular stent grafting (ESG) is common practice for treating abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with a substantially enlarged common iliac artery requiring extension of the stent-graft limb into the external iliac artery. The literature describing pelvic ischemia in association with IIA coil embolization contains conflicting reports of symptom severity. We studied IIA occlusion outcome as a function of coil placement in the IIA. METHODS: From August 1997 to March 2002, 20 patients with AAA underwent ESG with unilateral IIA coil embolization. Coils were placed proximal to the first branch of the IIA in 8 patients and distal to the first branch in 12 patients. Symptoms of pelvic ischemia and mid-term outcome were studied. RESULTS: Patients included 18 men and 2 women with mean age of 70(1/2) years (range, 53-86 years). Mean diameter of AAA was 54.4 mm (range, 38-80 mm), and of common iliac artery was 24.2 mm (range, 15-48 mm). Ten patients (50%) had new onset of symptoms of pelvic ischemia after endograft procedures: 1 of 8 patients (13%) with proximal IIA embolization had buttock claudication, and 9 of 12 patients (75%) with distal IIA embolization had pelvic ischemic symptoms, including buttock claudication in 8 and impotence in 1 (P =.02, Fisher exact test). No colonic ischemia occurred in this series. At 12-month follow-up, 4 patients with distal IIA embolization were symptom-free. At further follow-up to 24 months, 4 patients remained significantly limited with symptoms of claudication. CONCLUSIONS: A significantly higher incidence of symptoms of pelvic ischemia occurred with more distal placement of coils for IIA embolization. Failure to control for extent of coil placement may account for the apparently conflicting results in published studies. IIA coil embolization should be performed as proximal as possible to prevent interference with pelvic collateral circulation.     

Experience with endovascular grafts in the treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms associated with proximal aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal and thoracic aortic dissections often present with concomitant infrarenal aortic dilatation. We conducted a retrospective review of 6 patients treated with endovascular stent grafts for coexisting aortic dissection and infrarenal aneurysm. METHODS: Six patients with suprarenal aortic dissections and infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAA) had their AAAs treated with endovascular grafts. Grafts were constructed of balloon expandable Palmaz stents and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The device was inserted transfemorally and deployed under fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Successfully primary AAA exclusion was achieved in 5 patients. One patient required a supplemental stent placed above the endograft and into the true lumen to seal the endoleak. No aneurysm has enlarged, and all remain thrombosed for 9 to 24 months (mean 20). One type III dissection enlarged 2 weeks after endograft insertion. One patient had uncomplicated cephalad fenestration of a dissection by the endograft. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular grafts may be used to treat coexisting AAA and aortic dissection. Attention to the site or sites of reentry of a dissection is essential to insure full aortic aneurysm exclusion. The fate of a chronic aortic dissection cephalad to an endovascularly treated AAA is unclear and will require longer follow-up.     

Simultaneous open abdominal aortic replacement and thoracic stent-graft placement: report of a case

A 77-year-old man with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to our hospital for surgical treatment of a proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (dTAA) and an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The patient had poor respiratory function; however, a simultaneous abdominal aortic replacement and thoracic stent-graft placement were successfully performed without any complications. This case report demonstrates that simultaneous abdominal aortic replacement and thoracic stent-graft placement for multiple aneurysms may be feasible and can safely be performed in selected high-risk patients, despite the many problems associated with the treatment of aortic aneurysms using stent grafts. Received: January 28, 2002 / Accepted: November 19, 2002 Reprint requests to: H. Midorikawa     

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with severe angulation of the proximal neck using a flexible stent-graft: European Multicenter Experience

AIM: The aim of this paper was to report the results of a multicenter study on endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in patients with important angulation of proximal neck using a flexible stent-graft (Aorfix). METHODS: Endovascular repair of AAA using a flexible stent-graft was performed at 16 centers in 29 patients with angulation of proximal neck greater than 45 degrees. Twenty-three patients (79%) had angulation greater than 60 degrees and were therefore contraindicated for repair with other contemporary devices. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all but one case (96%). There was one postoperative death due to multiorgan failure following revision of groin wound for hemorrhage. No patients were converted to open repair. One patient had persisting proximal endoleak despite placement of proximal extension. One patient in whom wireform fractures had been detected died from ruptured aneurysm at nearly 4 year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Endovascular repair using a flexible stent-graft is feasible in patients with highly angulated necks. This stent-graft allows the possibility of a to offer repair for patients un-suitable for the currently available commercial grafts. Mid-term results are acceptable and need to be confirmed by longer follow-up and larger series.     

Endovascular stent graft repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms: a ten-year experience with 817 patients

OBJECTIVE: On November 23, 1992, the first endovascular stent graft (ESG) repair of an aortic aneurysm was performed in North America. Following the treatment of this patient, we have continued to evaluate ESG over the past 10 years in the treatment of 817 patients. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: Abdominal (AAA) or thoracic (TAA) aortic aneurysms are a significant health concern traditionally treated by open surgical repair. ESG therapy may offer protection from aneurysm rupture with a reduction in procedure morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 817 patients were treated with ESGs for AAA (723) or TAA (94). Patients received 1 of 12 different stent graft devices. Technical and clinical success of ESGs was reviewed, and the incidence of procedure-related complications was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 74.3 years (range, 25-95 years); 678 patients (83%) were men; 86% had 2 or more comorbid medical illnesses, 67% of which included coronary artery disease. Technical success, on an intent-to-treat basis was achieved in 93.8% of patients. Primary clinical success, which included freedom from aneurysm-related death, type I or III endoleak, graft infection or thrombosis, rupture, or conversion to open repair was 65 +/- 6% at 8 years. Of great importance, freedom from aneurysm rupture after ESG insertion was 98 +/- 1% at 9 years. There was a 2.3% incidence of perioperative mortality. One hundred seventy five patients died of causes not related to their aneurysm during a mean follow-up of 15.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Stent graft therapy for aortic aneurysms is a valuable alternative to open aortic repair, especially in older sicker patients with large aneurysms. Continued device improvements coupled with an enhanced understanding of the important role of aortic pathology in determining therapeutic success will eventually permit ESGs to be a more durable treatment of aortic aneurysms.     

Safety of coil embolization of the internal iliac artery in endovascular grafting of abdominal aortic aneurysms

PURPOSE: During endovascular grafting of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), iliac limb extension to the external iliac artery may be indicated when the common iliac artery is ectatic or aneurysmal. Preliminary or concomitant coil embolization of the internal iliac artery (IIA) is thus necessary to prevent potential reflux and endoleak. We sought to determine the safety of hypogastric flow interruption in this setting. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 156 patients who underwent stent-graft AAA repair at two institutions between February 1, 1998, and January 31, 1999. Coil embolization of one or both IIAs was undertaken when the diameter of the common iliac artery was more than 20 mm to enable limb endograft extension to the external iliac artery. Bilateral procedures were staged. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (25%) of 156 patients were selected for coil embolization of one (n = 28) or both (n = 11) IIAs. The interventions were performed before (n = 31) or during (n = 8) the stent-graft procedure. Complications included groin hematomas in 3 patients, iliac artery dissection in 1, failure to catheterize the IIA in 2, and transient rise in the serum creatinine level in 3. One patient had erectile dysfunction, and five patients (13%) had buttock claudication after unilateral occlusion. Serious ischemic complications were not observed. CONCLUSION: Coil embolization of one or both IIAs appears to be safe in the setting of endovascular grafting of AAA. Buttock claudication is a relatively significant problem and may limit applicability of this strategy to patients who are unfit for standard open repair.     

高危复杂腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术临床分析

目的 评估应用多种腔内技术治疗高危复杂腹主动脉瘤的可行性.方法 2001年1月至2010年12月,共138例腹主动脉瘤患者接受腹主动脉腔内修复术(EVAR),其中9例患者为高危复杂性腹主动脉瘤.男性8例,女性1例,年龄26～87岁,平均67岁.其中2例近肾腹主动脉假性动脉瘤,5例近肾腹主动脉瘤,1例腹主动脉瘤合并双髂总动脉瘤及左侧髂内动脉瘤,1例EVAR术后右髂内动脉瘤.所采用的腔内技术包括:主动脉支架开窗技术和扇形技术2例,烟囱技术5例,球囊辅助下髂内动脉瘤腔内治疗1例和球囊辅助反转支架技术1例.结果 所有腔内技术均获得成功.术中支架释放后即刻发现内漏4例,其中1例患者为Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型内漏,经大动脉球囊扩张后内漏消失;2例Ⅰ型内漏,其中1例行弹簧栓栓塞成功,另1例行近端裸支架成功.1例Ⅱ型内漏,经随访瘤腔直径未增大,未处理.随访4～79个月,平均25.9个月.无动脉瘤破裂,动脉瘤瘤体直径均有不同程度的缩小.随访过程中7例患者的靶血管(肾动脉、肠系膜上动脉和髂内动脉)均保持通畅.1例髂内动脉重建支架术后18个月血栓形成,但无盆腔缺血等症状.结论 对于不能耐受手术的高危复杂腹主动脉瘤患者,选择合适的腔内技术可以增加EVAR术的成功率,近、中期效果满意.     

Midterm results of stent-graft repair for thoracic aortic aneurysms: computed tomographic evaluation

Midterm observation of endovascular surgery using a fabric-covered stent graft for thoracic aortic aneurysms is discussed with postoperative follow-up findings based on regularly performed thoracic computed tomography (CT). From 1996 to 1999, 20 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm underwent stent-graft placement in our hospital. One year follow-up CT results after placement were obtained for 17 patients. The CT scans found that there were both thrombosis and size reduction of aneurysm in 8 patients (46%), thrombosis without size reduction in 2 (13%), a new ulcerlike projection (ULP) in 3 (19%), persistent minor endoleakage in 2 (13%), a new endoleak in 1 (6%), and a recurrent endoleak from intercostal arteries in 1 (6%). The new ULP formation seemed to be a peculiar problem stemming from an intimal injury caused by edges of the stent. Therefore, we recently adopted a new spiral stent instead of the previous stent to avoid the injury. The new endoleak suggested that aneurysmal thrombosis without size reduction could cause the aneurysm to develop recurrent endoleaks. From these findings, we concluded that midterm observation of stent-graft repair for thoracic aortic aneurysms did not give satisfactory results. In order to improve the results of endovascular surgery using stent-grafts, we need to develop safer stent grafts with a reliable design to prevent endoleaks and to avoid intimal injury of the aorta. We also hope to develop effective technologies that can accelerate organization of thrombus in the aortic aneurysm after stent-graft placement.     

腹主动脉瘤腔内隔绝术中髂动脉的处理

目的:总结腹主动脉瘤(AAA)行腔内隔绝术时髂动脉的处理方式。方法:2004年7月至2010年11月共对43例瘤体累及单侧或双侧髂动脉分叉的AAA行腔内隔绝术,其中单侧髂动脉分叉受累27例,双侧髂动脉分叉受累16例。根据髂动脉病变情况,分别采取髂内动脉单纯覆盖、髂内动脉栓塞后覆盖、髂动脉外环结扎、一侧髂内动脉重建等不同的处理方法。结果:所有病例均操作成功,手术结束时无Ⅰ型内漏存在。术后出现臀部间歇性跛行6例(14.0%),便血1例(2.3%),无病例发生臀部或会阴部皮肤坏死、肠坏死及死亡。结论:术中避免同时封闭双侧髂内动脉,尽量保留一侧髂内动脉是很重要的。     

Endovascular exclusion of abdominal aortic pathology in patients with concomitant malignancy

The advent of endoluminal aortic repair has gained increasing popularity as an alternative to traditional open surgery in the setting of multiple comorbid disease states. This study analyzes a single center experience of excluding aortic disease in patients with concomitant malignancy. As part of a Federal Drug Administration FDA-approved trial, 318 patients underwent aortic stent-graft repair between June 1996 and February 2001. During that period five patients with advanced-stage neoplasia were treated. Endovascular management of symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a mean diameter of 7.8 cm (range, 6-10 cm), was performed in four patients. In the fifth patient, a custom-made aortic prosthesis was utilized to exclude a paraanastamotic abdominal aneurysm (PAAA) from a previous open AAA repair. Malignancies included esophageal, lung, renal, prostate, and urinary bladder cancers. A mean follow-up of 10.1 months was available. Successful endoluminal repair was accomplished in all five patients with minimal in-hospital morbidity. Mean length of stay was 3.4 days. There were no device-related mortalities and no persistent endoleaks detected for the duration of follow-up. Aneurysm sac enlargement was not seen in any of the patients and complete resolution of the PAAA was noted at one year. Exclusion of AAA and other aortic pathology in patients with an associated malignancy can be performed with a relatively low procedure-related morbidity and mortality. In this population, stent-graft repair remains an individualized option with a multidisciplinary team necessary to explore this therapeutic approach.     

Combination of aortic stent-graft and arterial embolization for ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm

Bronchial artery aneurysm is a rare condition. Rupture of bronchial artery aneurysm can cause a critical hemorrhage. We report a case of ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm mimicking a clinical picture of aortic dissection with right hemothorax. The patient was treated with a combination of an aortic stent-graft and arterial embolization. Recovery was uneventful and the patient's follow-up result in 1 year was well. Combination treatment is feasible and accurate for ruptured bronchial artery aneurysm. The present study is among the few in which an aortic stent-graft has been used for a bronchial artery aneurysm.     

Surgical treatment result of abdominal aortic aneurysm in Beh?et's disease.

OBJECTIVE: We report our surgical treatment results of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in Beh?et's disease patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 1998 and June 2006, the authors have performed 21 procedures for AAA in 12 patients with Beh?et's disease. Male to female sex ratio was 3:1 and mean age was 34 years old. Beh?et's disease was diagnosed clinically using criteria of International Study Group for Beh?et's Disease (1990). Retrospective analysis was made. RESULTS: There were six infrarenal, five suprarenal, and one double (suprarenal and infrarenal)AAA. Six graft interposition, six patch closure, and one stent-graft insertion were performed (one graft interposition and one patch closure were simultaneously performed for double AAA). Eight recurrent aneurysms were noted in six (50%) patients. Four stent-graft insertion, two patch closures, one graft interposition and one explothoracotomy only were performed for recurrent aneurysms. Overall recurrence rate of 21 procedures was 38.1%; 14.3% for graft interposition, 62.5% for patch closure, and 40% for stent-graft insertion. CONCLUSION: Though the resection and graft interposition is technically difficult in many occasions, it should be considered as the procedure of choice for abdominal aortic aneurysm in Beh?et's disease. Endovascular interventions may be one of the treatment modality but the result needs further long-term follow-up.     

应用国产整体式分叉型支架腔内治疗肾下型腹主动脉瘤

目的探讨应用国产整体式分叉型支架腔内治疗肾下型腹主动脉瘤的效果。方法回顾性分析2009年9月—2011年6月采用国产整体式分叉型支架腔内隔绝术治疗27例肾下型腹主动脉瘤患者的临床资料。结果 27例腹主动脉瘤腔内修复均获成功,术后随访2～20个月复查CTA,DSA证实:瘤体被完全隔绝,支架无移位、扭曲及内漏现象。结论应用国产整体式分叉型支架腔内治疗肾下型腹主动脉瘤安全有效,与分体式支架相比,其简便、经济、并发症少。     

Endoluminal graft repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms by vascular surgeons at a nonclinical trial center

The purpose of this study was to compare the early results and complication rates of commercially available endoluminal grafts (ELG) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by a team of vascular surgeons at a nontrial center with those of published results from trial centers. A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing endoluminal graft repair of AAA was made at the medical center. From October 1, 1999, to December 31, 2000, a team of vascular surgeons electively repaired AAAs in 100 patients at a regional referral center. Of these patients, 49 underwent repair with a commercially available ELG (35 AneuRx, 14 Ancure) whereas the remaining were repaired with an open operation. In the ELG group, the primary technical success rate was 100% with a 30-day mortality rate of 2.0%. The average hospital length of stay was 3.28 days with ICU stay of 1.20 days. The average operative estimated blood loss was 501 mL (100-2,500) with average transfusions of 0.49 unit packed red blood cells (prbc) (0-6). Eighty-eight percent of ELG patients left the hospital without complication. Seven patients (14%) required 11 follow-up procedures for complications including endoleak, limb or graft thrombosis, graft stenosis, distal embolization, or wound complications. Three of 26 patients (11%) with 6-month computed tomography follow-up had evidence of endoleak (2 have subsequently undergone lumbar embolization). Only 1 6-month follow-up patient had shown increased aneurysm size before endoleak treatment. A team of board-certified vascular surgeons at a nonclinical trial center can safely perform ELG for AAA with results similar to those of published series from trial centers.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm sac shrinkage after endovascular aneurysm repair: correlation with chronic sac pressure measurement

OBJECTIVES: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac shrinkage after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is considered to be evidence of clinical success. Exclusion of the sac from systemic pressure is the likely cause of shrinkage. We report our continuing clinical experience with the use of a permanently implantable, ultrasound-activated remote pressure transducer to measure intrasac pressure and its correlation with changes in sac diameter over time. METHODS: Over a 22-month period, 21 patients underwent EVAR of an infrarenal AAA with implantation of an ultrasound-activated remote pressure transducer fixed to the outside of the stent-graft and exposed to the excluded aortic sac. Intrasac pressures were measured directly with an intravascular catheter and by the remote sensor at the time of stent-graft deployment. Follow-up sac pressures were measured by remote sensor and compared with systemic arterial pressure at every follow-up visit. Mean follow-up was 11.4 +/- 5.0 months (range, 1 to 26 months). Twenty patients had follow-up of > or =6 months. Mean pressure index (MPI) was calculated as the ratio of mean sac pressure to mean systemic pressure. RESULTS: Pressures could be obtained at all visits in 15 of the 21 patients. Fourteen of these 15 patients had follow-up of at least 6 months. Aneurysm sac shrinkage of >5 mm was seen in seven (50%) of these 14 patients. No aneurysm enlargement was observed in any patient. The MPI was significantly lower in patients with sac shrinkage at 6 months and at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular aneurysm repair results in marked reduction of sac pressure in most patients. Patients with aneurysm shrinkage after EVAR have significantly lower MPI; however, the absence of sac shrinkage does not imply persistent pressurization of the sac. Further clinical follow-up will delineate the role of long-term sac pressure monitoring in surveillance after EVAR.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair complicated by infection with Clostridium septicum

Aortic stent-graft infection after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is an uncommon, but very serious complication with potentially devastating consequences.(1) Traditional open techniques of repair of AAA demonstrate an infection rate of 0.5-3%. The exact rate of infection with endovascular repair is unknown, but literature review demonstrates an overall incidence of 0.43-1.17% retrospectively.(2,3) Etiology of endovascular graft infections typically results from flora derived from the skin or gastrointestinal tract.(4)Clostridium septicum is a naturally occurring anaerobic bacterium native to the gastrointestinal tract. It is typically associated with spontaneous nontraumatic gas gangrene owing to bacteremia from the gastrointestinal tract with an incidence rate of 0.07%.(5) To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of endovascular AAA graft infection owing to Clostridium septicum species.     

Management of endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair: cuffs,coils, and conversion

OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) may be limited by persistent perfusion of the aneurysm sac (endoleak). Endoleak that results in persistent systemic pressurization of the aneurysm or in continued AAA expansion is believed to require treatment to prevent rupture. This report describes the results of three techniques used to treat endoleak. METHODS: Endovascular repair of AAA was performed in 597 patients between January 1996 and September 2002. Seventy-three endoleaks that required treatment developed in 70 patients (11.7%). These involved the graft attachment site (type I) or the graft junction site (type III) or originated from collateral side-branch vessels (type II) and were associated with an increase in aneurysm size. Endoleak type was confirmed at angiography in all cases. Average time between the initial endovascular procedure and endoleak treatment was 14.5 +/- 5.7 months. The techniques used for endoleak treatment were deployment of an endovascular extension graft or cuff (n = 44), coil embolization (n = 24,) and conversion to conventional open repair (n = 5). Configurations of endovascular grafts in which endoleak developed were bifurcated (n = 44), aortouniiliac (n = 15), and aortoaortic-tube (n = 11). Mean follow-up after endoleak treatment was 24.5 +/- 12.2 months (range, 1-60 months). RESULTS: Endovascular extension grafts or cuffs were used to treat 41 attachment site endoleaks and 3 graft junction endoleaks, with overall technical success rate of 97%. Embolic coils were used to treat 16 retrograde side-branch endoleaks and 8 attachment site endoleaks, with overall technical success rate of 87%. Conversion to open surgery was performed in 4 patients with attachment site endoleaks and 1 patient with a graft junction site endoleak, and was successful in all cases. After endoleak treatment, aneurysm size decreased (>5 mm) in 38% of patients, stabilized in 58% of patients, and increased (>5 mm) in 4% of patients. Major morbidity occurred in 7.0%, with no perioperative deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular extension grafts, coil embolization, and conversion to open surgery each may be used to effectively repair endoleak. Selection of the treatment method used is determined by the anatomic characteristics of the endoleak and the patient's ability to tolerate conventional repair. Conversion to open repair was uniformly successful. Deployment of an extension cuff was successful when complete closure of the endoleak was achieved. Embolic coils were effective for retrograde endoleaks and provided stabilization of AAA size in selected patients with attachment site endoleaks in limited follow-up.     

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with challenging anatomy: utility of the hybrid endograft

Commercially available aortic stent grafts differ in construction and clinical advantage such that creating hybrid endografts by combining components from different manufacturers is sometimes useful. We describe a multicenter experience using hybrid endografts to treat patients with challenging anatomy. Hospital records and office charts were reviewed from four institutions. Hybrid endografts were defined as those with two types of covered stents in continuity to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Indications for hybrid grafts were defined by type of endoleak and whether an endoleak was expected or unexpected as determined by the preoperative radiographic evaluation. Endpoints include intraoperative endoleaks, late endoleaks, change in aneurysm size, and rupture. Hybrid endografts were used to treat AAA (endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR]) in 90 patients, representing 7.9% of the total multicenter experience. In 7 patients (7.8%), a hybrid graft construction as a secondary procedure successfully corrected a type 1 endoleak. In the remaining 83 patients (92.2%), hybrid grafts were created at the time of original EVAR to treat expected challenging anatomy or unexpected endoleaks. Hybrid endografts corrected 88 (97.8%) type 1 endoleaks, but 2 patients (2.2%) persisted with a proximal type 1 leak requiring conversion. During follow-up of 1 to 24 months, computed tomography and ultrasound surveillance, available for 73 patients (81.1%), detected one unresolved distal type 1 (1.1%) and seven type 2 (7.8%) endoleaks. Aneurysm size decreased at least 0.5 cm in 23 of 50 patients (46.0%) at 6 months and in 19 of 31 patients (61.3%) at 12 months. Aneurysm size increased at least 0.5 cm in 4 of 50 patients (8.0%) at 6 months and in 1 of 31 patients (3.2%) at 12 months. There were no ruptures. Hybrid endografts have favorable early and intermediate results in the treatment of AAA. Long-term follow-up will be needed to confirm the absence of significant adverse biomaterial interaction and the effect on AAA exclusion. We advocate the use of hybrid endografts as endovascular therapy for patients whose anatomy may be unsuitable for a single endograft type.     

Endovascular Treatment of Failed Prior Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Failure of endovascular or conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair may occur as a result of attachment site endoleak (type I) or paraanastomotic aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm formation. This study examined the results of the use of secondary endovascular grafts for the treatment of failed prior infrarenal AAA repair procedures. Forty-seven patients were treated with endovascular grafts. These included 14 patients with type I endoleaks (5 proximal, 8 distal, 1 proximal and distal) and 33 patients with paraanastomotic aneurysms after standard open surgical AAA repair (3 proximal aorta, 5 distal aorta, 21 iliac, 4 proximal and distal). The interval between the primary aortic procedure and the endovascular repair was significantly shorter for failed endovascular procedures (mean, 18.2 months; range, 1-42 months) than for failed conventional procedures (mean, 108.9 months; range, 12-216 months) (p <0.01). The endovascular devices used for correction of the failed AAA repairs were Talent (23), physician-made (19), AneuRx (2), Vanguard (2), and Excluder (1). Transrenal fixation was used for repair of all proximal anastomotic failures. Mean follow-up after reintervention was 12.2 months in patients with failed endovascular grafts and 10.6 months in patients with failed conventional grafts. Patient demographics were as follows: average age, 78 years; 36 male and 11 female; and 4.1 comorbid medical conditions per patient. The endovascular graft was successfully deployed in all 47 cases; 1 patient experienced a persistent proximal attachment site endoleak after endograft deployment. Endovascular grafts may be used to treat previously failed endovascular and conventional AAA repair procedures with good short- and intermediate-term results. Endovascular treatments in these cases may avoid the difficulties of aortic reoperation or AAA repair in the setting of prior endovascular aortic grafting.     

Graft dilatation following abdominal aortic aneurysm resection and grafting

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that graft dilatation following repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is associated with complications such as anastomotic aneurysm and graft rupture. The purpose of the present study was to document the degree of dilatation observed in grafts after aneurysm repair and to correlate this with any graft-related complications. METHODS: Between January 1987 and December 1992, 219 patients had elective repair of their AAA at St George Hospital. A follow-up ultrasound scan was available for 154 of these patients. The following factors were examined: age, sex, size of aneurysm, type and size of graft, time of follow-up scan, size of graft at follow-up and any graft-related complications. RESULTS: The mean graft dilatation observed in knitted grafts (42.6%; 95% CI: 39.1-46.1%) was significantly greater than that observed for woven grafts (25.5%; 95% CI: 19.0-32.1%; P < 0.0001). There were no graft-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Graft dilatation is a predictable phenomenon following AAA repair. It is more pronounced in knitted than in woven grafts, but does not necessarily lead to graft-related complications or failure.