Thromboendarterectomy vs. aortic bifurcation graft for unilateral iliac artery atherosclerosis

Retrospective comparison was made of the results from 57 unilateral ilio-femoral thromboendarterectomies in 55 patients and 42 bifurcation grafts in 42 patients. There were three hospital deaths, one after thromboendarterectomy and two after insertion of bifurcation graft. No early or late graft infection occurred. The five-year cumulative patency rate was significantly higher in the bifurcation graft group than after thromboendarterectomy (85% vs. 61%). This higher patency rate supports the concept that local thromboendarterectomy has only limited indications.     

Unilateral vascular reconstruction for iliac obstructive disease

Purpose: Controversy exists regarding the extent of vascular reconstructive surgery in the presence of unilateral symptomatic iliac obstructive disease. This study reviews the results of unilateral iliac reconstruction, with special emphasis on the need for consecutive contralateral intervention.Methods: The outcomes of 184 unilateral and 350 aortobilateral reconstructions for obstructive disease performed during the same period were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment allocation was based on hemodynamic parameters. Unilateral reconstruction was performed by way of a retroperitoneal approach through a pararectal incision and bilateral reconstruction by way of a transperitoneal approach through a midline abdominal incision.Results: Symptom relief, improvement of noninvasively measured parameters, and graft patency were similar after unilateral and bilateral reconstruction. Both groups had a 10-year primary patency rate greater than 80%. There were no differences in morbidity rate, although respiratory complications occurred more often after bilateral reconstruction. Mortality rates were 1.6% after unilateral reconstruction and 4.9% after bilateral reconstruction. Secondary contralateral reconstruction was performed in only 6% of the patients who underwent an initial unilateral operation.Conclusions: The unilateral vascular reconstruction for iliac obstructive disease is a well-tolerated procedure with an excellent long-term outcome. It is a valuable alternative to conventional aortobilateral reconstruction in carefully selected patients. Prophylactic reconstruction of an asymptomatic iliac stenosis without signs of significant hemodynamic impairment is most often not indicated. (J VASC SURG 1994;19:610-4.)     

Spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of the common iliac artery

A 52-year-old man sought medical advice for sudden onset of intermittent claudication of the left lower limb after 50 meters walking. Aortography documented a dissecting aneurysm limited to the left common iliac artery. After resection, a prosthetic graft was inserted. Pathology showed that the cause of the dissection was atheroma. Spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of the common iliac artery is rare. Rupture represents the principal hazard. A high index of suspicion should lead to diagnosis as soon as signs of lower limb ischemia, occasionally transient, appear.     

Management of isolated common iliac artery aneurysms

Purpose: Since isolated common iliac artery aneurysms are rare and there is no consensus regarding some aspects of their management, we reviewed our recorded experience with common iliac artery aneurysms from 1977 through 1993. Methods: We were able to identify 25 patients having a total of 33 common iliac artery aneurysms on the basis of information maintained by our medical records staff, old surgical logs and a departmental registry that was implemented in 1989. Follow-up data were collected from outpatient charts and by telephone contact. New imaging studies were obtained for 14 patients who either underwent common iliac artery aneurysm repair without aortic replacement (aortic ultrasound scans, n = 7) or had no surgical treatment whatsoever (computerized tomography of the abdomen and pelvis, n = 7). Results: All 25 patients were men (mean age, 71 years). Eighteen patients (72%) had elective (n = 14) or urgent (n = 4) operations to repair common iliac artery aneurysms with mean diameters of 3.8 cm and 5.8 cm, respectively. There was one postoperative death (5.5%) in conjunction with complementary renal revascularization in a patient with preoperative renal insufficiency. During a mean follow-up period of 50 months, two (29%) of the seven patients who had not received bifurcation grafts at the time of their common iliac artery aneurysm procedures had developed infrarenal aortic aneurysms. Seven (28%) of the original 25 patients were observed without intervention for common iliac artery aneurysms measuring 2–2.5 cm in diameter. No common iliac artery aneurysm enlargement or new aortic aneurysms have been documented in any of these patients at a mean follow-up interval of 57 months. Conclusions: In our limited experience, the risk for spontaneous rupture appears to be concentrated among common iliac artery aneurysms exceeding 5 cm in diameter, while those that are less than 3 cm in diameter may fail even to enlarge under observation. Therefore, common iliac artery aneurysms measuring ≥3 cm in size probably warrant surgical treatment, at which time simultaneous aortic replacement also should be a serious consideration.     

Blunt injury to the common iliac artery.

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN: iliac artery lesion after blunt trauma is uncommon, with only 12 previously reported cases. We report nine patients treated in two French teaching hospitals over a six-year period. Mechanism, symptomatology, treatment and outcome were analysed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All patients were male with a mean (range) age of 29 (16-43) years. Median delay to operative repair was 15 days. Through an extraperitoneal approach PTFE grafts were used in five cases and autogenous graft in four. RESULTS: Morbidity was 22%. Reoperation was necessary in two cases at a mean follow-up of 48 months, at which time all patients were asymptomatic with normal pulses. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of this injury. An arteriography for Doppler ultrasound should be performed. Treatment is mainly surgical and produces excellent long-term results.     

髂动脉支架联合股动脉内膜剥脱术治疗多节段髂股动脉闭塞症

目的 探讨多节段髂股动脉闭塞症的治疗手段及临床疗效.方法 选择2008年1月2011年6月间采用髂动脉支架植入联合股动脉内膜剥脱+补片成形术治疗的多节段髂股动脉硬化闭塞症36例患者,其中男性26例,女性10例;年龄49～ 87岁,平均65岁.对患者的随访结果进行回顾性分析,评价术前、后患者临床症状改善情况,采用Kaplan-Meier生存分析比较不同Fontaine分级患者间一期通畅率的差异,采用Cox回归分析筛选影响一期通畅率的独立因素等.结果 本组患者手术均获成功,术后34例(94.4％)临床症状得到明显改善.平均随访24.2个月,一期通畅率为72.2％,辅助一期通畅率为83.3％,二期通畅率为94.4％.生存分析显示FontaineⅡ级患者一期通畅率明显高于Ⅲ、Ⅳ级患者(P =0.041、0.012).Cox回归分析未发现影响术后一期通畅率的独立因素.结论 髂动脉支架植入联合股动脉内膜剥脱+补片成形术是治疗多节段髂股动脉闭塞症的有效方法,随访结果良好.     

Value of the duplex waveform at the common femoral artery for diagnosing obstructive aortoiliac disease

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy, predictive value, and observer agreement of the duplex ultrasound waveform at the common femoral artery as a marker of significant aortoiliac disease in a large group of consecutive patients who underwent a diagnostic workup for peripheral arterial disease in a vascular unit. METHODS: In 191 consecutive patients (381 aortoiliac segments), we classified the duplex ultrasound waveform at the common femoral artery as triphasic, biphasic, sharp monophasic, or poor monophasic. The waveforms were then compared with the findings of magnetic resonance angiography of the aortoiliac segment and peripheral runoff vessels. We calculated the diagnostic accuracy of the duplex waveform for detecting >50% obstructive disease of the aortoiliac segment and determined the observer agreement for classifying the duplex waveforms done by two independent observers. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance angiography showed obstruction in 152 (39.9%) of 381 aortoiliac segments in 191 patients. The presence of a poor monophasic waveform, encountered in 91 (24.3%) of 375 segments, was a reliable sign of significant aortoiliac disease, with a positive predictive value of 92%. Other waveforms were nondiagnostic for aortoiliac obstructive disease. The sharp monophasic waveform reliably predicted occlusive disease of the superficial femoral artery that was seen in 17 of 23 instances. There was good observer agreement for classifying duplex waveforms (kappa(w)= 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.80 to 0.89). CONCLUSION: The poor monophasic duplex waveform at the common femoral artery is in itself an accurate marker of aortoiliac obstructive disease. Other waveforms are nondiagnostic for aortoiliac disease.     

Inflammatory aneurysm of the common iliac artery mimicking appendicitis

Isolated inflammatory aneurysm of the common iliac artery is a rare condition. Previously reported cases presented with urologic complications owing to entrapment of the ureter in the perianeurysmal fibrosis. We report a case of a healthy young man who presented with acute abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant without urologic complications mimicking acute appendicitis. The pain was caused by an isolated inflammatory aneurysm of the right common iliac artery measuring 4 cm in diameter. Three years after open aneurysmal resection and graft interposition, the patient is doing well, with excellent peripheral circulation. The available literature on presentation, diagnosis, and treatment is reviewed.     

Technical tips for endovascular repair of common iliac artery aneurysms

Isolated common iliac artery aneurysms are rare, comprising <2% of all aneurysm disease. These aneurysms present as either isolated disease, .03% of the population, or, in conjunction with abdominal aortic aneurysm, in approximately 20% to 25% of such cases. Common iliac artery aneurysms are defined as any localized dilatation of the common iliac artery >1.5 cm in diameter. Elective repair for isolated common iliac artery aneurysms is generally not undertaken for aneurysms <3 cm in diameter unless they are part of an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Most common iliac artery aneurysms are found incidentally during abdominal/pelvic diagnostic imaging studies or at the time of pelvic or abdominal surgery. As with abdominal aortic aneurysms, endovascular repair of common iliac artery aneurysms follows techniques similar to those used for endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Management includes aneurysm exclusion with an endograft, which seals at sites within the proximal and distal common iliac artery and may involve coil occlusion of the hypogastric artery with extension of the reconstruction into the proximal external iliac artery, or use a "bell-bottom" endograft limb placed at the common iliac bifurcation. Technical tips for successful outcome are described here, and all US Food and Drug Administration approved endografts have been used for repair. There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes that correlated with device or repair techniques used for management of common iliac artery aneurysms. Mid-term 54-month outcome has been excellent, with no common iliac artery ruptures or aneurysm-related deaths and the need for secondary interventions was gratifyingly small.     

Fibromuscular disease of the external iliac artery

Fibromuscular disease is rarely observed in the external iliac artery. During the last 15 years, eight symptomatic cases were encountered in six women and two men whose ages ranged from 29 to 63 years (mean: 47 years). Clinical onset was always recent, either progressive with claudication (three cases) or sudden with abdominal and pelvic pain and acute ischemia due to dissection (five cases). Diagnosis was established by arteriograms showing either a typical appearance of fibromuscular hyperplasia or a segmental dissection or occlusion. Two patients had associated fibromuscular disease of the renal arteries. One of these patients had dysplastic aneurysm of the thyrocervical trunk. Histopathological findings were typical of medial fibromuscular hyperplasia in the seven cases examined. Even though transluminal dilatation is presently simple, adequate, and durable for the management of non-complicated forms, all of our cases were treated surgically either because they were observed before transluminal dilatation was readily available or because of associated dissection. Results of surgery were satisfactory in all cases except one with a mean follow-up of 12.6 years. One patient was reoperated upon 13 years later.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, June 21–22, 1991, Marseille, France.     

Comparing patency rates between external iliac and common iliac artery stents

PURPOSE: Placement of intraluminal stents in the common iliac artery (CIA) and external iliac artery (EIA) has become an accepted therapy for treating localized arterial stenoses. The purpose of this study was to compare anatomic patency rates of stents placed in the EIA and CIA for occlusive disease. METHODS: A radiologic computer database was used to identify 69 consecutive male patients at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center from February 1, 1993, through January 31, 1999, who underwent placement of 98 stents (82 Wallstents and 16 Palmaz stents) for physiologically significant iliac artery occlusive disease and varying degrees of chronic limb ischemia. Patients were followed up with surveillance duplex ultrasound scanning examinations 1 day after procedure, 3 months after procedure, and then at 6-month intervals after stent placement. Follow-up angiograms were performed for patients with duplex ultrasound scans that revealed velocities greater than 300 cm/s. Patient risk factors, iliac artery runoff, concomitant outflow procedures, and anatomic patency rates were compared between patients receiving EIA stents and those receiving CIA stents. RESULTS: The mean age for the EIA stent group was 69 +/- 1 years versus 66 +/- 1 years (P =.03) for the CIA stent group. Mean follow-up was 21.4 +/- 2.1 months (+/- SE) for all patients. Patients with EIA stents had more ischemic lower limbs when compared with patients who had CIA stents (P =.05). No differences were found between groups in risk factor analysis (P = not significant). Lesion lengths were similar between groups: EIA, 4.6 +/- 0.6 cm, and CIA, 5. 3 +/- 0.8 cm (P = not significant). The following differences were noted on primary patency rates (EIA group vs CIA group): 1 year (93% vs 88%), 2 years (91% vs 85%), and 3 years (90% vs 78%) (Cox proportional hazards; P =.13). CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic patency rates for EIA and CIA stents appear to be similar despite the fact that patients with EIA stents were older and had more ischemic limbs compared with the patients who had CIA stents.     

Balloon-expandable common iliac artery occluder device for endovascular aneurysm repair

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a balloon-expandable Palmaz stent common iliac artery occluder device for endovascular stent-graft repair of aortoiliac aneurysms. Eighty-four patients (79 men, 5 women; age range 60-95 yr; mean age, 76 yr) with aortoiliac aneurysms underwent endovascular stent-graft repair. The repair consisted of a stent-graft extending from the abdominal aorta to the iliac or common femoral artery, a cross-femoral bypass graft, and an endovascular arterial occluder device within the contralateral common iliac artery. The occluder device consisted of a 5-cm segment of 6-mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft with a purse-string suture occluding the leading end and a Palmaz stent sutured to the trailing end. The occluder device was delivered through a 17F catheter via an arteriotomy. Eighty-three of the 84 patients received aortic endografts. In one case, infrarenal aortic rupture occurred during deployment of the aortic stent requiring conversion to an open surgical repair. Initial technical success for occluder device insertion was achieved in 78 of the remaining 83 patients. Failure to advance the occluder device delivery sheath through a diseased iliac artery occurred in one patient. Common iliac artery rupture occurred during balloon expansion and occluder device deployment in two patients. Two patients required additional coil embolization of the common iliac artery adjacent to the occluder device at the time of stent-graft insertion to correct incomplete iliac occlusion. Delayed occluder device-related complications included one patient with a postoperative iliac endoleak who required percutaneous coil embolization and one patient with a postoperative iliac endoleak in whom a contained aortic aneurysm rupture developed that was treated by surgical ligation of the common iliac artery. Use of the Palmaz stent-based iliac artery occluder device is an effective technique to induce common iliac artery thrombosis to facilitate endoluminal stent-graft aneurysm repair.