Multiple endovascular stent-graft implantations in a patient with aortic thoracic and abdominal aneurysms due Takayasu arteritis

We report an adult female patient with Takayasu arteritis (TA) receiving conventional medical treatment and anti-TNF therapy, which developed progressive thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. She developed imminent rupture of the thoracic aneurysm and an endovascular stent-graft (EVSG) was emergency implanted and a year after this procedure the abdominal aneurysm increased in size requiring reoperation and placement of another EVSG. Both procedures had a very good outcome. This case shows the effectivity and security of multiple EVSG implantations in multiple aortic aneurisms in patients with TA.     

Risk factors for early fatality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms]

Early mortality (EM) following surgery for ruptured abdominal aneurysm continues to be extremely high. In the literature EM still ranges between 30 and 85%, despite improvement of surgical intervention and perioperative management in the recent years. Numerous studies investigate intra- und postoperative parameters, but little is known about preoperative transportation circumstances and the clinical condition prior to intervention. The transportation system at our clinic allowed a complete retrospective assessment of these parameters which were included into the evaluation of the risk factor analysis of the study. From 1974 to 1986 142 patients (131 male, 11 female, mean age: 68.8 years [46-89 years]) were operated on ruptured abdominal aneurysms. Time intervals prior to admission and surgical intervention as well as perioperative data were retrospectively assessed. The patients were divided in: deceased (D) within 30 days and survivors (S). Late survival was assessed either by letter or telephone interview. Age and sex showed no influence on the early mortality. Transportation time and time interval: admission/operation were similar in both groups. The shockindex showed a significant difference. D: 1.1 +/- 0.27; S: 0.8 +/- 0.16. Anuria was seen in 66% of the diseased and 26% of the surviving patients. If free perforation was detected 20 of 30 patients died. The total amount of transfusion differed significantly: D: 6.8 +/- 2.51; S:3.9 +/- 2.01. If diaphragmal X-clamp was necessary 7 of 8 patients died. The necessity of catecholamine support postoperatively was 64% for deceased patients. Dialysis was necessary in 77.8% of the deceased patients. 84% of D developed an ileus and 67% of D developed a pneumonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reduced strain in abdominal aortic aneurysms after endovascular repair

PURPOSE: To compare in vivo strain in abdominal aortic aneurysms before and after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), thereby obtaining a quantitative measure of changes in mechanical burden on the aneurysm wall. METHOD: Transabdominal ultrasound was acquired from 10 patients (9 men; median age 76 years, range 61-83) 1 day before and 2 days after elective EVAR. Strain was estimated as the relative cyclic elongation and contraction of the wall tissue in a number of connected segments along the aneurysm circumference. For each time instance of the cardiac cycle, the maximum and the average strain values along the circumference were recorded. The temporal maximums of these parameters (defined as the maximum strain and the peak average strain, respectively) were compared before and after EVAR. RESULTS: Both maximum strain and peak average strain were reduced following EVAR by 41% (range 35%-63%) and 68% (range 41%-93%), respectively. Despite the reduction, cyclic strain was still evident after the stent-graft was placed, even when no evidence of endoleak was found. Further, the strain values were inhomogeneous along the circumference, both before and after treatment. In 2 cases, endoleak was proven by routine computed tomography; the relative reduction in maximum strain was slightly less in these cases (35% and 38%) compared to those without endoleak (45%, range 38%-63%). No difference was found in reduction of peak average strain. CONCLUSION: Strain is significantly reduced after EVAR, but there may still be a certain level of strain after the treatment. The strain values are inhomogeneous along the circumference both before and after treatment. These results encourage further investigation to evaluate the potential for using circumferential strain as an additional indicator of outcome after endovascular repair.     

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.     

Early and midterm results after open and endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in a comparative analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare early and midterm results of open versus endovascular aortic repair of ruptured abdominal aneurysms (rAAA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 58 consecutive patients with rAAA who were treated with open or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) at a single center between January 2000 and December 2005. Patients without definitive signs of rupture (symptomatic patients) were excluded from the study. Twenty-nine patients (21 men; median age 71 years) were treated using endovascular techniques (EVAR group) and 29 (28 men; median age 71 years) with open repair (OR group).The hemodynamic status at the time of admission was evaluated with respect to blood pressure, pulse rate, and hemoglobin level to reduce selection bias. Patients underwent follow-up by clinical examination and computed tomography. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was 31% (9/29) in each group (p = 1.0); the morbidity rates also did not differ between groups [16 (55.2%) EVAR vs. 18 (62.1%) OR; p = 0.9]. There was 1 (3.4%) primary conversion in the EVAR group and 7 (24.1%) endoleaks [3 (10.3%) primary; 4 (13.8%) secondary]. There was no difference between the groups with regard to intensive care unit stay (4 days for EVAR vs. 3 days for OR, p = 0.98) or total hospital stay (9 days for EVAR vs. 12 days for OR, p = 0.69). After a mean follow-up of 40.25 months (range 1-70), the midterm mortality rates did not differ [5 (17.2%) EVAR vs. 3 (10.3%) OR, p = 0.41]. CONCLUSION: EVAR of rAAAs is feasible, with equal early and midterm mortality rates compared to open repair. When a defined patient selection is used for rupture, including hemodynamic status, there is no evidence of a better outcome with EVAR in emergency cases.     

老年腹主动脉瘤患者腔内隔绝术后谵妄临床分析

目的　探讨老年腹主动脉瘤患者腔内隔绝术后谵妄的病因、危害、预防和治疗。　方法　对 138例腹主动脉瘤行腔内隔绝治疗的老年患者临床资料进行回顾性分析。　结果　术后发生谵妄 5 6例 (4 0 6 % )。与无谵妄患者 (82例 )相比 ,谵妄患者的住院时间延长〔分别为 (8 2± 2 6 )和(2 3 3± 6 8)d ,P <0 0 1〕 ,严重心肺并发症发生率高〔分别为 3例 (3 7% )和 17例 (30 4 % ) ,P <0 0 0 5〕 ,病死率高〔分别为 0例 (0 % )和 3例 (5 4 % ) ,P <0 0 5〕 ;采用心理、吸氧、药物等综合防治措施处理 ,显著减少了术后谵妄的发生 ,改善了术后谵妄的预后 ,与未采取综合防治措施比较 ,术后谵妄患病例数减少〔分别为 4 2例 (4 8 8% )和 14例 (2 6 9% ) ,P <0 0 2 5〕 ,谵妄患者的严重心肺并发症发生率降低〔分别为 16例 (38 1% )和 1例 (7 1% ) ,P <0 0 5〕 ,病死率降低〔分别为 3例 (7 1% )和 0例(0 % ) ,P <0 0 5〕。　结论　老年腹主动脉瘤患者腔内隔绝术后谵妄是常见的并发症 ,不仅延长住院时间 ,而且增加严重心肺并发症的发生率和病死率。     

开窗支架型血管治疗近肾腹主动脉瘤的初步临床结果

目的回顾性分析开窗支架型血管治疗近肾腹主动脉瘤（AAA）的初步结果。方法4例合并严重疾病无法行开放手术的近肾AAA患者,根据术前CT数据定制个体化开窗支架型血管。于全身麻醉下置人此支架型血管并置入肾动脉支架。结果术后即时造影示各分支血管血流通畅,支架形态良好,两例有少量近端I型内漏。术后3个月复查4例患者支架形态正常,两例I型内漏均消失,但另一名患者出现Ⅱ型内漏。结论应用个体化开窗支架型血管治疗近肾AAA近期效果良好。     

Current use of endovascular grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms

The development of endovascular techniques for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms has significantly reduced the major morbidity associated with standard surgical repair. The indications for use of endovascular grafts and the limitations of their use have not been fully defined. The effectiveness of the numerous commercially fabricated devices is currently being evaluated. This article describes the general principles of use for endovascular devices and details the features and results for the devices in current use.     

Influence of transportation distance on mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms

Different opinions exist about the influence of transportation distance to vascular surgical emergency service on outcome for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs). Therefore, retrospective study based on the Finnvasc registry and the Finnish Cause of Death registry (Statistics Finland) was carried out. A total of 404 RAAAs were registered in the catchment areas of two university hospitals during a four-year period; 203 of them were operated. The operative mortality rate was 50% based on the Finnvasc registry and 55% based on Statistics Finland. The total hospital mortality rate including operated and nonoperated patients was 69% and the overall case fatality including all deaths for RAAA was 77%. There was no association between transportation distance and results of RAAA treatment.     

Surgical treatment of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms in aged patients

A total of 378 patients with aortic aneurysm, consisting of 128 with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and 250 with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), underwent operation in our institution during the past 20 years. Of these patients, 58 with AAA and 63 with TAA were 65 years old or over. Preoperative complications tended to be observed more frequently in the aged patients than in the younger, 'non-aged' patients. The early mortalities in the aged group were 5% for elective AAA operation, 40% for emergency AAA operation, 11% for elective TAA operation and 41% for emergency TAA operation. The 5-year survival rates in the aged group were 78.3 +/- 5.8% for AAA and 63.4 +/- 4.0% for TAA, which were not significantly different from those in the non-aged group, respectively. Postoperative complications tended to occur more frequently in the aged patients than in the non-aged patients both for AAA and TAA. The present data suggest that aggressive surgical treatment for aortic aneurysm in the aged is warranted unless other serious organ failure exists.