Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Octogenarians

Objective

To determine whether advanced age was independently associated with prohibitive surgical risks or impaired long-term prognosis after ruptured aortic aneurysm repair.

Design

Post-hoc analysis of prospective cohort.

Materials

Consecutive patients undergoing ruptured aneurysm repair between January 2001 and December 2010 at a tertiary referral centre.

Methods

Surgical mortality (i.e., <30 days) was compared between octogenarians and younger patients using logistic regression modelling to adjust for suspected confounders and to identify prognostic factors. Long-term survival was compared with matched national populations.

Results

Sixty of 248 involved patients were octogenarians (24%) and almost all were offered open repair (n = 237). Surgical mortality of octogenarians was 26.7% (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.9–5.2) and confounded by cardiac disease. Hypovolaemic shock predicted perioperative death of octogenarians best (OR 5.1; 95%CI, 1.1–23.4; P = 0.037). After successful repair, annual mortality of octogenarians averaged 13.7% vs. 5.2% for younger patients. At 2 years, octogenarian survival was at 94% of the expected ‘normal’ survival in the general population (vs. 96% for younger patients).

Conclusions

Surgical mortality of ruptured aneurysm repair was not independently related to advanced age but mainly driven by cardiac disease and manifest hypovolaemic shock. An almost normal long-term prognosis of aged patients after successful repair justifies even attempts of open repair, particularly in carefully selected patients.     

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.     

Influence of Coronary Artery Disease on Operative Mortality and Long-Term Survival After Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Purpose This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effects of coronary artery disease (CAD) on short- and long-term survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.Methods One hundred consecutive patients underwent elective AAA repair between 1991 and 2002. Coronary angiography was performed in all patients, revealing significant coronary artery lesions in 47 (47%). Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in 11 patients, 20 (median) days before the abdominal surgery. Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair was performed 60 (median) days after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in five patients, and both procedures were performed simultaneously in two patients.Results The in-hospital mortality rate for AAA repair was 1.0%, but there was no cardiac-related operative morbidity or mortality. The 96 patients discharged were followed up for a mean period of 2.9 years (range 3–143 months). The cumulative survival rates after 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were 98%, 95%, 88%, and 77%, respectively. Only one patient (1%) died of myocardial infarction. There was no significant difference in the long-term survival of the CAD and non-CAD patients.Conclusions These results emphasize the importance of routine coronary angiography and subsequent coronary revascularization to improve early and late survival rates after AAA repair.     

Length Measurements of the Aorta After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

BACKGROUND: successful endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) generally leads to a decrease in aneurysm size. Theoretically, this may lead to foreshortening of the excluded segment. If so, vertically rigid endografts may dislocate over time and cover renal or hypogastric arteries. AIM: to assess length changes of the infrarenal aorta after endovascular AAA exclusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: forty-four consecutive patients were scheduled for the EndoVascular Technologies endograft, a vertically non-rigid prosthesis which would potentially accommodate longitudinal changes. Twenty-four patients had completed at least 6 months of follow-up. In 18/24 patients a decrease in size was established by aneurysm volume measurements at 6 months' follow-up. Helical computer tomography (CT) angiograms were processed on a workstation. Aortic lengths were measured along the central lumen line from the lower renal artery orifice to the native aortic bifurcation. The computer tomography angiogram (CTA) reconstruction thickness of 2 mm yields at least a 4-mm error for each length measurement. RESULTS: in the shrinking aneurysm group, the median length change was 0 mm (range -9 mm to +4 mm) at 6 months' follow-up (n =18) and also 0 mm (range -7 mm to +4 mm) at 12 months' follow-up ( n =10). In 16/18 patients, length changes remained within the measurement error range of 4 mm. CONCLUSION: in this group of shrinking aneurysms after endovascular AAA repair, foreshortening of the excluded aortic segment appears not to be a clinically significant problem.     

Elective Endovascular vs. Open Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Patients Aged 80 Years and Older: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives

Endovascular treatment (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is thought to be of benefit, particularly in patients aged ≥80 years. This issue was investigated in the present meta-analysis.

Design

The study design involved a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.

Methods

Systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of data on elective EVAR vs. open repair of AAA in patients aged ≥80 years were performed.

Results

Six observational studies reporting on 13 419 patients were included in the present analysis. Pooled analysis showed higher immediate postoperative mortality after open repair compared with EVAR (risk ratio 3.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.19–4.68; risk difference, 6.2%, 95%CI 5.4–7.0%). The pooled immediate mortality rate after open repair was 8.6%, whereas it was 2.3% after EVAR. Open repair was associated with a significantly higher risk of postoperative cardiac, pulmonary and renal complications. Pooled analysis of three studies showed similar overall survival at 3 years after EVAR and open repair (risk ratio 1.10, 95%CI 0.77–1.57).

Conclusions

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that elective EVAR in patients aged ≥80 years is associated with significantly lower immediate postoperative mortality and morbidity than open repair and should be considered the treatment of choice in these fragile patients. These results indicate also that, when EVAR is not feasible, open repair can be performed with acceptable immediate and late survival in patients at high risk of aneurysm rupture.     

Postoperative Renal Function After Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Requiring Suprarenal Aortic Cross-Clamping

Purpose To examine postoperative renal function after suprarenal aortic cross-clamping performed without renal hypothermia in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery.Methods Between 1991 and 2000, 18 patients underwent surgery for a juxtarenal AAA, which required a suprarenal aortic cross-clamp. All AAAs were repaired with a proximal anastomosis just below the renal arteries. We divided the patients into two groups according to the duration of the renal ischemia: <45min (n = 12) and 45min (n = 6). The postoperative changes in renal function were analyzed.Results There were no hospital deaths and none of the patients needed permanent hemodialysis. The postoperative peak in the serum creatinine level after suprarenal cross-clamping for 45min was significantly higher than that after cross-clamping for <45min. The percentage changes in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were correlated positively with the duration of renal ischemia, and were significantly greater in the group with renal ischemia of <45min than in the group with prolonged renal ischemia (45min).Conclusions Suprarenal aortic cross-clamp without performing renal hypothermia is safe and able to be tolerated well by the patient during elective AAA surgery, although careful attention must be paid to limiting the period of renal ischemia.     

Emergency Endovascular Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Feasibility and Comparison of Early Results with Conventional Open Repair

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) on patients presenting with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a teaching hospital, and to compare there post-operative outcomes with contemporaneous patients treated with open repair (OR). METHODS: A series of consecutive of patients presenting ruptured AAA with retro/intraperitoneal haematoma were included in the study. EVAR was attempted whenever possible. In all other cases (severe haemodynamic instability, adverse anatomy, device unavailability), ruptured AAA were treated by OR. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were enrolled between January 2001 and July 2004. Seventeen (46%) patients were treated using adapted designed aortoiliac endografts (eight bifurcated, eight aorto-uniiliac, one iliac extension). Twenty (54%) patients unfit for EVAR because of severe haemodynamic instability (n=8), adverse anatomical configuration (n=7), or unavailability of an appropriate endograft (n=5) were treated by OR. Twenty-seven (73%) had a retrospective suitable anatomy for EVAR. Three early conversions from EVAR to OR were performed. Blood loss, operating time, and intensive care stay were significantly decreased in EVAR patients (respectively: 156 min+/-60, 1520 ml+/-1175, 3 days for EVAR; vs. 222 min+/-82, 3075 ml+/-1750, 13 days for OS; P<.01). The 30-day mortality rate was 23.5% for EVAR vs. 50% for OR (P=0.09). CONCLUSION: EVAR of ruptured AAA is feasible for selected patients based on haemodynamic and morphologic criteria, and should be associated with improved immediate outcomes as compared with OR. These results should be tempered by the fact that these patients have heavy comorbidities which explains the absence of difference in mid-term mortality rates between the two groups, but should also encourage surgical institutions that are managing such life-threatening emergencies to introduce EVAR as part of their therapeutic arsenal for ruptured AAA.     

破裂腹主动脉瘤的外科治疗体会(附20例报道)

目的探讨破裂腹主动脉瘤的诊断和外科治疗方法。方法回顾性分析2000年1月至2010年12月期间新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院收治的20例破裂腹主动脉瘤患者的临床资料。结果男18例,女2例;年龄31～82岁,平均65.4岁。所有患者中突发性腹或腰背部疼痛20例,血压下降和(或)休克11例,发病前有明确腹主动脉瘤病史7例。所有患者均经彩超、CTA或手术探查确诊。19例患者采用传统开腹手术,1例行腔内支架人工血管置入术。20例患者中围手术期死亡4例,死亡率为20%,死亡原因为循环衰竭1例,多器官功能障碍综合征3例。存活的16例患者恢复顺利。结论手术治疗破裂腹主动脉瘤有效,早期诊断,急诊外科手术,是降低病死率的关键。     

腔内修复术治疗破裂型腹主动脉瘤的效果评价

目的分析破裂型腹主动脉瘤(ruptured abdominal aneurysm,r AAA)行腔内修复术(endovascular aortic aneurysm repair,EVAR)与开放手术早期结果,评价EVAR治疗的效果。方法回顾性收集我院2004年1月~2014年1月收治的48例r AAA患者临床资料,根据其手术与否、手术方式的不同分为术前死亡组(n=20)、EVAR组(n=14)和开放手术组(n=14),三组性别、年龄等一般资料比较无统计学差异(P0.05),EVAR组和开放手术组在瘤体直径、收缩压、舒张压方面比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结果 EVAR组入院至检查时间为(1.2±0.8)h,与开放手术组(7.5±7.1)h比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.006);EVAR组检查至手术时间为(1.8±1.3)h,与开放手术组(16.8±17.7)h比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.007)。死亡组入院至死亡时间与EVAR组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.009)。EVAR组手术时间为(2.3±0.7)h,与开放手术组(5.6±2.0)h比较差异有统计学意义(P0.001);EVAR组的术中出血量为(142.9±279.3)ml,与开放手术组的(3 528.6±3 252.3)ml间差异有统计学意义(P0.001);EVAR组的输血量为(985.7±2 148.7)ml,与开放手术组的(3 100.0±2 285.1)ml间差异有统计学意义(P=0.018);EVAR组的住院时间为(7.1±2.7)d,与开放手术组的(13.7±4.9)d间差异有统计学意义(P0.001);EVAR组的总费用为(20.9±5.8)万元,与开放手术组的(10.1±11.5)万元间差异有统计学意义(P=0.005)。两组并发症率比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.430)。结论缩短院内抢救准备时间,是r AAA成功救治的要点。EVAR应作为r AAA的一线治疗方案。