脾动脉瘤血管腔内治疗的临床疗效分析

目的探讨血管腔内治疗脾动脉瘤的安全性和有效性。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2014年12月本科收治的48例脾动脉瘤患者的资料,腔内治疗方法:弹簧圈动脉瘤(14例)或载瘤动脉栓塞术(19例),覆膜支架隔绝术(2例),支架辅助弹簧圈瘤体内填塞(5例)和多层裸支架隔绝术(8例)。术后1、3、6、12个月采用CT血管造影检查随访,记录并评价围手术期和随访期的临床结果指标。结果本组病例瘤体均治疗成功,支架植入患者的脾动脉均通畅。围手术期无手术相关死亡,8例患者弹簧圈栓塞后出现栓塞后综合征,均于3~5天后缓解。随访时间23.9(3~59)个月,采用弹簧圈栓塞瘤体或载瘤动脉33例:4例患者发现有部分脾脏梗死,但无明显临床症状,2例患者因瘤体内再灌注接受再次手术;采用覆膜支架植入或裸支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞7例:动脉瘤隔绝或栓塞良好,无内漏,支架通畅;采用多层裸支架隔绝术8例:术后12个月6例(75%)患者瘤腔达到完全血栓化,分支动脉通畅。其余病例未出现严重并发症。随访期患者均未观察到动脉瘤增大、破裂或复发。结论血管腔内治疗脾动脉瘤安全,疗效显著。     

腹主动脉瘤腔内隔绝术中Ⅰ型内漏的纤维蛋白胶栓塞治疗

目的 总结单中心应用纤维蛋白胶栓塞治疗腹主动脉瘤腔内隔绝术中Ⅰ型内漏的经验,研究其可行性及长期有效性.方法 2002年8月至2010年6月953例接受腹主动脉瘤腔内隔绝术的患者中,51例(5.4％)使用纤维蛋白胶栓塞术治疗术中Ⅰ型内漏.其中男性45例,女性6例,年龄49～88岁,平均年龄(72±8)岁.在栓塞术前后监测瘤腔内压力,在术后3、6和12个月及此后每年采用CT血管造影对患者进行随访.结果 经过栓塞治疗之后,50例(98.0％)Ⅰ型内漏消失,瘤腔内收缩压、舒张压、平均压、脉压差和平均压力指数均有明显降低.围手术期3例死亡(5.9％),其中1例高龄患者是由于Ⅰ型内漏无法消除,转开放手术后死于多器官功能衰竭;另2例死因与主动脉疾病无关.48例获得长期随访,中位随访时间45个月,腹主动脉瘤最大径从术前的(62±15)mm减至(49±10)mm(P =0.000).随访过程中3例患者死亡,其中1例死于瘤体持续增大压迫肾动脉造成的肾功能衰竭,另2例死因与主动脉无关;这3例患者随访期CT血管造影均未发现内漏.结论 纤维蛋白胶栓塞能有效治疗腹主动脉瘤腔内隔绝术中的Ⅰ型内漏,未见与栓塞治疗相关的并发症.在栓塞术前阻断内漏入口近端血流能增强该操作的安全性和有效性.     

亚急性Stanford B型主动脉夹层腔内隔绝术后瘤体重构分析

目的:探讨亚急性主动脉夹层腔内隔绝术后瘤体重构的特点。方法:回顾性分析我科1998年9月至2005年10月43例亚急性主动脉夹层腔内隔绝术后随访影像学资料。将主动脉分为S1、S2、S3三段,设定每段主动脉中点所在平面为观察横断面,分别测量每次随访CT各观察横断面真、假腔及瘤体直径,观察其变化情况。结果:术后12个月内S1、S2瘤体及真假腔重构变化较明显,真腔直径逐渐增大、假腔血栓化吸收、瘤体逐渐减小,24个月后变化趋于稳定,而S3段在术后重构变化不显著。结论:亚急性主动脉夹层腔内隔绝术安全有效,术后瘤体重构满意。病人在度过急性期后应尽早行腔内隔绝术,使得瘤体得到较好重构,尽量恢复至发病前状态。     

腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术中瘤腔内压力监测的意义

目的 探讨腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术(endovascular aneurysm repair,EVAR)中瘤腔内压力监测的意义.方法 选择2006年4月至2007年3月12例肾下腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术病例,瘤体最大直径(5.83±0.95)cm.术中应用测压导管监测治疗前、后瘤腔内压力的变化,观察内漏类型、部位及随访结果与压力的关系.结果 12例支架型血管(stent-graft,SG)释放前瘤腔内压力约等于体循环压.EVAR后11例瘤腔内收缩压下降＞40%,其中7例下降≥50%;1例无明显改变.12例脉压差下降＞30%,其中6例下降＞75%.术后随访无内漏发生,无动脉瘤相关死亡.5例收缩压下降＞50%的病例瘤径出现不同程度的缩小(1.6～3.1 mm),压力未下降的l例瘤径增长3.2 mm,余6例瘤径无明显变化.结论 腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术中瘤腔内压力监测可了解手术前后压力的变化,从而判断腔内治疗效果.     

脾动脉瘤的传统手术和腔内治疗的比较

目的:比较脾动脉瘤的传统手术方法与血管腔内微创治疗。方法:回顾性总结1999年7月至2009年10月收治的46例脾动脉瘤病例,其中20例采用传统手术方法,包括近、远端动脉结扎加脾动脉瘤旷置术,动脉瘤切除加脾动脉重建术,脾动脉瘤切除加脾脏切除术等3种术式;26例采用血管腔内治疗方法,即脾动脉介入栓塞术。比较两组的手术时间、术后并发症、术后死亡率及近期随访的结果。结果:腔内治疗组的平均手术时间和住院天数明显少于传统手术组,差异有统计学意义[(47.3±14.5)min比(108.7±16.4)min,P=0.037;(3.6±1.3)d比(9.2±1.6)d,P=0.025]。传统手术组术中术后需输血的有3例,1例合并亚急性心内膜炎病人术后因心功能不全引发多脏器功能衰竭而死亡;而血管腔内治疗组术中、术后无输血病例,无围手术期死亡病例。血管腔内治疗组术后平均随访14个月,1例术后12个月瘤体仍有少量内漏,但瘤体直径未增大;其余病例瘤体均缩小。结论:与传统手术相比,血管腔内治疗具有安全、微创、恢复快等特点,应成为脾动脉瘤治疗方法的首选。     

腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术后II型内漏的处理

背景与目的 II型内漏是腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术（EVAR）术后相对常见的并发症,然而目前对其是否需要手术干预及干预时机方面尚无统一的认识。因此,本研究探讨EVAR术后II型内漏的手术方法,及其临床效果与安全性,以期为临床提供给参考。方法 回顾中南大学湘雅医院血管外科2016年1月—2020年12月期间行EVAR手术治疗的腹主动脉瘤患者临床与随访资料,分析EVAR术后发生II型内漏的发生率,以及其中行二次手术干预的患者的疗效、并发症及随访情况。结果 期间共282例行EVAR患者,术后随访1~54个月,平均17.9个月。随访过程中,发现单纯II型内漏68例（24.1%）,其中31例患者（45.6%）II型内漏自愈;25例患者（36.8%）瘤体直径无明显增大;12例患者（17.6%）瘤体直径增加>10 mm或表现有相应的临床症状行二次干预。二次干预患者中,10例行经皮动脉栓塞术,其中8例患者行责任动脉栓塞者随诊12个月无内漏复发,瘤体直径缩小;2例栓塞后术后随访24个月II型内漏仍存在,但瘤体直径无继续增大;2例行开放手术,其中1例术后出现急性心肌梗死,行急诊PCI,术后顺利恢复出院,另1例术中大出血,住院时间延长至16 d。2例开放手术患者术后随访6个月以上,情况良好,内漏完全消失。结论 大部分EVAR术后II型内漏患者预后较好,而对于随访中瘤体直径增长较快及有临床症状者,栓塞责任血管可获得不错的临床效果;开放手术创伤相对较大,严重并发症发生率较高,选择需慎重。     

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.     

术中自制髂动脉分支支架治疗主髂动脉瘤的单中心经验

目的:总结术中自制髂动脉分支支架(IBD)在主髂动脉瘤腔内修复术中保留髂内动脉的经验。方法:回顾性分析2018年1月至2018年12月在南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院13例主髂动脉腔内修复术中使用自制髂动脉分支支架重建髂内动脉患者资料,其中2例重建双侧髂内动脉,11例单侧髂内动脉,术后观察盆腔缺血症状发生、髂内分支支架通畅率、有无内漏及瘤体扩张等情况。结果:应用自制IBD保留髂内动脉技术成功率为100%,术中出现2例Ⅲ型内漏,1例Ⅱ型内漏,围术期无其他并发症发生。术后平均随访9(4~12)个月,无瘤体扩张,支架内未见明显血栓形成,无瘤体相关性死亡,2例Ⅲ型内漏消失,1例Ⅱ型内漏持续存在,但瘤体无增大;IBD支架和髂内动脉通畅率为100%。1例对侧髂内栓塞患者术后出现对侧臀肌跛行,随访3个月后症状消失,无勃起、大小便功能障碍等症状出现。结论:术中自制IBD的应用是一种安全、有效的选择,近期效果理想,远期管腔通畅率还有待进一步随访。     

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。     

粘合剂联合腔内修补治疗复杂瘤颈腹主动脉瘤9例报告

目的探讨纤维蛋白粘合剂瘤腔内注射联合腔内修补术治疗复杂瘤颈腹主动脉瘤的疗效。方法回顾性分析2017年7月～2018年3月应用纤维蛋白粘合剂瘤腔内注射联合腔内修补术治疗9例复杂瘤颈腹主动脉瘤的临床资料。其中短瘤颈(≤1 cm) 2例,瘤颈扭曲(角度 60°) 8例,桶状瘤颈2例,严重钙化2例,附壁血栓1例。结果 9例均完成手术,其中1例术中出现Ⅰ型内漏,密切随访2个月,内漏消失,无需手术干预;其他8例随访3～12个月,平均7. 2月,未见内漏、支架移位、感染及异位栓塞等并发症。结论纤维蛋白粘合剂瘤腔内注射联合腔内修补术治疗复杂瘤颈腹主动脉瘤是安全、有效的。     

Aneurysm enlargement following endovascular aneurysm repair: AneuRx clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and significance of aneurysm enlargement, with or without treatment, in relation to the primary end points of rupture, surgical conversion, aneurysm-related death, and survival following endovascular repair. METHOD: Aneurysm (AAA) size changes and clinical outcome of all patients treated from 1997 through 1998 during the Phase II AneuRx multicenter clinical trial of endovascular AAA repair were reviewed. Aneurysm dimensions and the presence or absence of endoleak were determined by an independent core laboratory, with enlargement or shrinkage defined as a diameter change of 5 mm or more compared with baseline. RESULTS: Among 383 patients (89% men, 11% women, age 73 +/- 9 years), with a mean device implant time of 36 +/- 11 months (median = 39 months), aneurysm diameter decreased from 5.7 +/- 1.0 at baseline to 5.2 +/- 1.0 at 3 years (P =.0001). A total of 46 patients (12%) experienced AAA enlargement, 199 patients (52%) had no change in AAA diameter, and 138 patients (36%) had a decrease in AAA diameter of 5 mm or more. Significant risk factors for enlargement included age (enlargement patients were 4 years older on average than patients with aneurysms that decreased in size; P =.002) and the presence of an endoleak (P <.001). Among patients with endoleak at any time, 17% had aneurysm enlargement, whereas only 2% of patients without endoleak had aneurysm enlargement (P <.001). Patients with enlargement were more likely to undergo secondary endovascular procedures and surgical conversions (P <.001). Twenty patients (43%) with enlargement underwent treatment, and 26 patients were untreated. There were two deaths following elective surgical conversion and one death in a patient with untreated enlargement and a type I endoleak. Three aneurysms ruptured: one with enlargement, one with no change, and one with a decrease in aneurysm size; all three aneurysms were larger than 6.5 cm. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that freedom from rupture at 3 years was 98% with enlargement, 99% with no change, and 99% with decrease in AAA size (log-rank test, not significant). Freedom from AAA death at 3 years was 93% in patients with enlargement, 99% in no increase, and 99% in decrease (P =.005). Survival at 3 years was 86% with increase, 82% with no change, and 93% with decrease (P =.02). CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysm enlargement following endovascular repair was not associated with an increased risk of aneurysm rupture or decrease in patient survival during a 3-year observation period. Aneurysm size rather than enlargement may be a more meaningful predictor of rupture. Close follow-up and a high re-intervention rate (43%) may account for the low risk of rupture in patients with enlargement. The long-term significance of aneurysm enlargement following endovascular repair remains to be determined.     

Life-table Analysis of Primary and Assisted Success Following Endoluminal Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: the Role of Supplementary Endovascular Intervention in Improving Outcome

AIM: the aim of this study was to analyse the effect of supplementary endovascular intervention on the outcome of primary endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: between May 1992 and December 1998, 266 patients underwent endoluminal repair of AAA. Minimum period of follow-up was 6 months. Those patients in whom the endoprosthesis could not be deployed were converted to open repair at the primary operation. Patients developing an early endoleak, within 31 days, were treated by a period of observation and secondary endovascular intervention in persistent cases. Patients developing a late endoleak were treated similarly, without a period of observation. Outcome was analysed by the life-table method. Primary success was defined as exclusion of the aneurysm from the circulation resulting from the original operation. Assisted success occurred when aneurysms with endoleaks became excluded from the circulation as a result of supplementary endovascular intervention. RESULTS: endoluminal repair failed in 17 patients requiring conversion to open repair at the original operation. Supplementary endovascular intervention was undertaken in 26 patients, with early endoleaks (n=6) and late endoleaks (n=20). Interventions involved deployment of secondary endoluminal grafts within the primary grafts (n=22), and coil embolisation (n=4). Successful exclusion of the aneurysm sac was achieved in 22 of 26 (85%) patients undergoing supplementary endovascular procedures. Conditional cumulative incidence of primary graft failure and secondary graft failure in the presence of all-cause mortality at 6 years was 47% and 25% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: supplementary endovascular intervention is an important adjunct to endoluminal AAA repair with the potential to improve outcome and avoid conversion to open repair. Successful supplementary endovascular intervention was achieved in 85% of patients in whom it was attempted. Life-table analysis showed these supplementary procedures to be durable in the long term.     

Zenith AAA endovascular graft: intermediate-term results of the US multicenter trial

PURPOSE: The intent of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Zenith AAA Endovascular Graft compared with conventional aneurysm repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, concurrent control manner. Physiologically similar patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) underwent either open surgery or repair with the Zenith AAA Endovascular Graft. Separate analyses of physiologically challenged patients were performed. Follow-up was conducted at hospital discharge and at 1, 6, and 12 months (endovascular repair group) or 1 and 12 months (open surgical repair group). Evaluation included computed tomography, abdominal radiography, laboratory tests, and physical examination. Mortality (AAA-related and overall), morbidity, in-hospital recovery, renal function, and secondary interventions were assessed. Patients in the endovascular repair group were evaluated for change in aneurysm size, endoleak, graft migration, conversion, rupture, and device integrity. Statistical analyses were performed with the Kaplan-Meier method, Blackwelder test, propensity score assessment, two-sample t test, Yates-corrected Pearson chi(2) test, and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Conventional open surgery was used in 80 patients, and 200 patients underwent repair with the Zenith AAA Endovascular Graft. Technical success was accomplished in 98.8% of patients in the open repair group and 99.5% in the endovascular repair group. Patients in the endovascular repair group had fewer significant adverse events within 30 days (80% vs 57%; P <.001). All-cause mortality was similar (endovascular, 3.5%; open surgery, 3.8%). Aneurysm-related mortality was higher with conventional surgery at 12 months (3.8% vs 0.5%; P =.04). In-hospital recovery and procedural measures were better for endovascular repair in all categories (P <.001). The incidence of endoleak was 17% at 30 days, 7.4% at 12 months, and 5.4% at 24 months. Aneurysm shrinkage (>5 mm) was noted in more than two thirds of patients at 12 months and three fourths of patients at 24 months. Renal dysfunction rate did not differ between groups. Migration (>5 mm) was detected in four (2%) patients through 12 months; none was greater than 10 mm or associated with adverse events through 24 months. Three conversions were performed within 12 months, one because of aneurysm rupture. Secondary procedures were more common in the endovascular group (11% vs 2.5%; P =.03). In total, 351 patients had endografts implanted, and 6 patients were noted to have barb separations through 12-month follow-up. No stent fractures were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The Zenith AAA Endovascular Graft is safe and effective for treatment of infrarenal AAAs. The high likelihood of decrease in aneurysm size provides evidence that treatment of aneurysms with this device reverses the natural history of aneurysmal disease. The importance of long-term follow-up is underscored by the small but defined incidence of barb separation and the potential for unforeseen failure modes.     

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.     

Use of cine magnetic resonance angiography in quantifying aneurysm pulsatility associated with endoleak

OBJECTIVE: Persistent aneurysm perfusion or endoleak is associated with pulsatility of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) after endovascular repair. However, the resultant pulsatile change in aneurysm diameter may be difficult to quantify, and therefore its significance is unknown. In this study cine magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was used to quantify aneurysm wall motion during the cardiac cycle and to correlate it with the presence and type of endoleak. METHODS: Cine MRA was performed in 16 patients undergoing endovascular repair of AAA. A 1.5 T magnet and post-processing with GEMS 4.0 Fiesta computerized video image analysis software were used to calculate maximum aortic diameter during systole and diastole. Changes in aortic diameter were determined from these measurements. Cine MRA was performed on aneurysms before treatment and in patients with and without endoleak after endovascular repair. Type of endoleak was confirmed at angiography in all cases. Four patients had antegrade (type I) endoleak, and eight patients had retrograde (type II) endoleak; no endoleak was present in four patients. Endovascular grafts with stent support throughout the entire length of the graft (Talent) were used in all cases (14 bifurcated grafts, 2 tube grafts). RESULTS: Cine MRA demonstrated significantly greater wall motion and resultant change in aneurysm diameter in patients with type I endoleak compared with patients without endoleak (type I, 2.14 +/- 1.28 mm vs no endoleak, 0.12 +/- 0.09 mm, P =.001). Change in aneurysm diameter in patients with type II endoleak was not significantly greater than in patients with no endoleak (type II, 0.26 +/- 0.21 mm vs no endoleak, 0.12 +/- 0.09 mm, P = NS). Untreated aneurysms demonstrated the greatest change in diameter during the cardiac cycle (3.51 +/- 0.79 mm). CONCLUSION: Cine MRA may be used to accurately quantify AAA wall motion before and after endovascular stent-graft treatment. The extent of change in diameter corresponds to the type of endoleak, with antegrade (type I) endoleak generating greater pulsatile change in diameter than retrograde-collateral (type II) endoleak or no endoleak. Cine MRA may provide a noninvasive means of assessing the success of endovascular treatment of AAA. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the utility and efficacy of cine MRA in postoperative assessment of endovascular aneurysm repair.     

Patency of Infrarenal Aortic Side Branches Determines Early Aneurysm Sac Behavior after Endovascular Repair

In this study we sought to determine whether initial abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac anatomy, morphology, and side branch patency influence changes in aneurysm size and development of endoleak following endovascular repair. A blinded, retrospective review of preintervention CT scans and angiograms was conducted on 70 consecutive patients treated for infrarenal AAA (mean size 6.0 +/- 0.8 cm) by AneuRx stent-graft exclusion. Initial AAA diameter and side branch (inferior mesenteric artery [IMA], lumbar artery pair) patency, AAA clot/sac diameter ratio, wall thrombus and calcification distributions, attachment site anatomy, endograft size, and other clinical parameters were correlated with postoperative persistent side branch patency, presence of type II endoleak, and change in AAA diameter (increase/decrease ? 5 mm) using contingency table analyses. Patients underwent CT scanning and/or color duplex imaging at 1 month and at 3 (with endoleak) or 6 (without) month intervals postoperatively with 50 patients followed beyond 6 months (mean follow-up 11 +/- 7 months). The majority of patients possessed patent side branches prior to intervention (lumbar [n = 60, 86%], IMA [n = 45, 64%]). Development of type II endoleak or persistence of side branches could not be predicted (p > 0.05) from preoperative AAA side branch patency or any of the other initial anatomic AAA variables. On serial post-repair CT or duplex cans, 42% (19/45) of IMAs and 27% (16/60) of lumbar artery pairs remained patent. For patients followed beyond 6 months, type II endoleaks persisted in half (13/25) of the patients with patent side branches with roughly equal proportions fed by IMA and lumbar sources. Persistent side branches or presence of type II endoleak was associated with AAA expansion or the failure of aneurysm size diminution after endografting (p <0.01). Aneurysm sac regression was most likely in the absence of endoleak and patent side branches. We conclude that persistent side branch patency not only fuels development of type II endoleak but also influences early aneurysm sac behavior after endovascular repair. Optimal anatomic patient selection for endografting may not be possible on the basis of our initial experience, since preoperative AAA variables did not predict persistence of side branches or type II endoleaks.     

Duplex ultrasound scanning versus computed tomographic angiography for postoperative evaluation of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare duplex ultrasound scanning and computed tomographic (CT) angiography for postoperative imaging and surveillance after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with AAA underwent endovascular (Medtronic AneuRx, stent graft) aneurysm repair and were imaged with both CT angiography and duplex ultrasound scanning at regular intervals after the procedure. Each imaging modality was evaluated for technical adequacy and for documentation of aneurysm size, endoleak, and graft patency. In concurrent scan pairs, accuracy of duplex scanning was compared with CT. Results: A total of 268 CT scans and 214 duplex scans were obtained at intervals of 1 to 30 months after endovascular aneurysm repair (mean follow-up interval, 9 ± 7 months). All CT scans were technically adequate, and 198 (93%) of 214 duplex scans were technically adequate for the determination of aneurysm size, presence of endoleak, and graft patency. Concurrent (within 7 days of each other) scan pairs were obtained in 166 instances in 76 patients (1-6 per patient). The maximal transverse aneurysm sac diameter measured with both methods correlated closely (r = 0.93; P < .001) without a significant difference on paired analysis. In 92% of scans, measurements were within 5 mm of each other. Diagnosis of endoleak on both examinations correlated closely (P < .001), and compared with CT, duplex scanning had a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 95%, a positive predictive value of 94%, and a negative predictive value of 90%. Discordant results occurred in 8% of examinations, and in none of these was the endoleak close to the attachment sites or associated with aneurysm expansion. An endoleak was demonstrated on both tests in all eight patients who had an endoleak judged severe enough to warrant arteriography. Graft patency was documented in each instance, without discrepancy, with both modalities. Conclusions: High-quality duplex ultrasound scanning is comparable to CT angiography for the assessment of aneurysm size, endoleak, and graft patency after endovascular exclusion of AAA. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:1142-8.)     

Response of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 to conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or endovascular exclusion: implications for endoleak

PURPOSE: Matrix metalloproteinases are enzymes capable of breaking down all of the components of the extracellular matrix and have been implicated in the development of aneurysm formation. Because matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels are elevated in aortic aneurysmal tissue and in that patient plasma, we hypothesized that plasma MMP-9 levels should decrease significantly after conventional and endovascular infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair but that plasma MMP-9 levels would remain elevated in patients with endoleaks. METHODS: A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma levels of MMP-9 in patients with AAA who underwent conventional (n = 26; mean age, 71.5 years) and endovascular (n = 25; mean age, 76.4 years) AAA repair. Levels were drawn before surgery and at 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Eight patients for endovascular repair had endoleaks identified on postoperative computed axial tomographic scans. RESULTS: No correlation existed between preoperative plasma MMP-9 levels when compared with age, gender, or aneurysm diameter. No significant difference in preoperative plasma MMP-9 levels or AAA diameter was identified between patients with conventional repair compared with endovascular repair. Of the 51 patients, 33 had follow-up samples available for analysis. A significant increase in mean plasma MMP-9 levels was noted 1 month (149.5 +/- 40.1 ng/mL) after conventional AAA repair compared with preoperative levels (83.9 +/- 26.1 ng/mL; P <.05) and remained elevated 3 months after surgery (129.8 +/- 56.6 ng/mL). In those patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm exclusion without endoleak, a significant decrease in mean plasma MMP-9 levels was noted at 3 months (27.4 +/- 5.2 ng/mL) when compared with preoperative values (60.8 +/- 8.8 ng/mL; P <.01). In contrast, patients with endoleak after endovascular exclusion did not have a significant decrease in plasma MMP-9 levels at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Plasma MMP-9 levels remain elevated for as much as 3 months after conventional AAA repair, whereas successful endovascular exclusion of an AAA results in decreased plasma MMP-9 levels by 3 months. MMP-9 may have clinical value as an enzymatic marker for endoleak after endovascular AAA exclusion.     

Fenestrated and branched stent-grafting after previous surgery provides a good alternative to open redo surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience using fenestrated and branched endoluminal grafts for Para-anastomotic aneurysms (PAA) following prior open aneurysm surgery, and after previous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) complicated by proximal type I endoleak. METHODS: Fenestrated and/or branched EVAR was performed on eleven patients. Indications included proximal type I endoleak after EVAR and short infrarenal neck (n=4), suprarenal aneurysm after open AAA (n=4), distal type I endoleak after endovascular TAA (n=1), proximal anastomotic aneurysm after open AAA (n=1), and an aborted open AAA repair due to bleeding around a short infrarenal neck. RESULTS: The operative target vessel success rate was 100% (28/28) with aneurysm exclusion in all patients. Mean hospital stay was 6.0 days (range 2-12 days, SD 3.5 days). Thirty day mortality was 0%. All cause mortality during 18 months mean follow-up (range 5-44 months, SD 16.7 months) was 18% (2/11) with no deaths from aneurysm rupture. Cumulative visceral branch patency was 96% (27/28) at 42 months. Average renal function remained unchanged during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Our report highlights the potential of fenestrated and branched technology to improve re-operative aortic surgical outcomes. The unique difficulties of increased graft on graft friction hindering placement, short working distance, and increased patient co-morbidities should be recognized.     

The effect of endograft relining on sac expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair with the original-permeability Gore Excluder abdominal aortic aneurysm endoprosthesis

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) with the original-permeability Excluder (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) has been associated with postoperative sac expansion in the absence of endoleak. In these cases, we have performed an endovascular revision, relining the original endograft with another Excluder, in an effort to arrest sac expansion by reducing permeability. We have studied these cases to determine the effect of relining on aneurysm expansion. METHODS: Patients who demonstrated sac expansion (>or=5 mm diameter, >or=5% three-dimensional volume) after EVAR with the original Excluder were evaluated. Between 1999 and 2004, the original-permeability endoprosthesis was used in 97 patients who underwent EVAR for asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Sac expansion occurred in 24 patients, of which multiple imaging modalities showed 12 had expansion without demonstrable endoleak. Nine of the 12 have had endovascular relining, and five of these nine have >6 months follow-up to form the primary basis for this report. RESULTS: AAA size was stable or smaller in the first 6 months after the original EVAR for all patients. Once expansion began (typically in the time frame of 6 to 12 months), multimodality imaging showed no aneurysm spontaneously decreased in size without intervention, despite the absence of endoleak (n = 12). Expansion exceeded clinically significant thresholds at 30 months (mean) by diameter criteria and 22 months (mean) by three-dimensional volume criteria for the five patients with >6 months follow-up after relining. Endovascular relining was performed at a mean of 36 months, with a mean hospital stay of 1 day, and no morbidity or mortality. Over the entire duration of expansion (mean, 26 months), aneurysms expanded by 6.0 +/- 1 mm/year diameter and by 12% +/- 2%/year by three-dimensional volume. At a mean of 16 months follow-up after relining with another Excluder, the mean diameter decrease was 2.0 mm/year (P < .03) and the mean volume decrease was 2.6%/year (P < .01). After relining, all AAAs were smaller by diameter or volume, or both, exceeding thresholds defining shrinkage in two of the five with >6 months follow-up after relining. There was no rupture, migration, endoleak, conversion to open repair, or aneurysm-related death in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: It appears from the initial follow-up that AAA expansion owing to permeability issues after EVAR with the original Excluder can be arrested by endovascular relining with a low-permeability Excluder endoprosthesis.