Early experience shows rapid shrinking of abdominal aortic aneurysms after endovascular treatment with Anaconda device

BACKGROUND: The Anaconda prosthesis is a new endovascular device for abdominal aortic aneurysms repair. AIM: of the study was to evaluate successful access to the arterial site, safety and efficacy of stent placement and fixation, assessment of endoleaks, patency of the graft due to twists, kinks or obstruction within the first 30 days after the procedure. Secondary objectives were the assessment of clinical success after 6 months due to graft patency and aneurysm exclusion without endoleak as well as the continuing clinical success without showing aneurysm expansion or any graft failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2006 a total of 14 patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm (median diameter prior to endovascular treatment: 56.7 mm (range: 50 to 70 mm) were treated with the Anaconda endovascular device. 8 of these patients were treated in accordance to a prospective Phase II clinical study protocol (Anaconda ANA 004). 6 more patients received the same endovascular device after CE-certification. RESULTS: Primary and secondary objectives were achieved in 12 of 14 patients after 6 months. In one patient insertion of the graft system was impossible due to kinking and circular calcification of the iliac arteries. Iliac access utilizing an alternative stent graft system (Cook, Zenith) was also unsuccessful. This patient underwent a conversion to open surgery and died. Another patient died 6 months after treatment unrelated to the procedure. A significant reduction of the median aneurysm diameter from 56.7 to 49.0 mm (range: 45 to 54 mm) was achieved after 6 months (p = 0.05). No endoleak was seen in the follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Early results show that he Anaconda endovascular device for aneurysm repair is a safe and effective device for patients with suitable abdominal aortic aneurysms and proper distal access vessels which results in significant aneurysm diameter decrease and a low complication rate after 6 months of follow-up.     

Endotension--a late complication successfully treated by open repair

Endotension is a late complication following endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A 83-year-old male had a successful endovascular repair of a 5.6 cm diameter AAA. During the follow-up period it was marked that the aneurysm continued to increase in size, became 6.6 cm maximal diameter and pulsatile with no evidence of endoleak. On laparotomy no endoleak was identified and the graft was left in situ. Postoperatively and on follow-up the patient remains asymptomatic while the aneurysm continued to appear shrunk.     

Mechanical trauma as a cause of late complications: after AneuRx Stent Graft repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

We present a series of 4 patients in whom mechanical trauma was identified as a factor in the development of late complications after AneuRx Stent Graft placement for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. In all 4 patients, Type I or III endoleaks (and pseudoaneurysms in 2 patients) were discovered several months after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with the AneuRx device. Two patients had sustained blunt abdominal trauma in a car accident one had suffered a traumatic fall, and another had been participating in vigorous rowing activity. In all patients, the trauma had occurred several months before the diagnosis of endoleak or pseudoaneurysm (or both) was established. In all patients, follow-up computed tomographic scans identified the complications. In conclusion, blunt mechanical injury is an unrecognized factor contributing to the late failure of endovascular stent grafts. Vigorous physical activity may also contribute to graft disruption or to the separation of modular components.     

Initial experience of follow up of patients after the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms using contrast-enhanced ultrasound

IntroductionAll patients who underwent the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm require regular check-ups for possible occurrence of endoleak and further growth of the aneurysm. Such check-ups are performed in most cases by CT imaging with the administration of a contrast agent which may cause allergies or impairment of renal functions. CT itself represents a significant radiation dose incurred by the patient. When contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is used, patients are exposed neither to these risks nor to X-ray radiation.ObjectiveVerify the diagnostic recovery of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the monitoring of patients after the endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.MethodSince January 2014 we have been qualifying patients for a prospective study. All patients who have been implanted a stent graft for the infrarenal aortic aneurysm since January 2014 and patients who were implanted a stent graft earlier but who have undergone a check-up since January 2014 are qualified for the study. These patients are always checked up after the surgery by CT angiography and CEUS as well. 16 patients have been qualified for the study so far. After the application of a stent graft we examine our patients before they are discharged from the hospital and 1, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. CEUS is performed by 2 physicians only.ResultsIn the 16 patients a total of 28 check-ups have been conducted (1 check-up without contrast medium). In 9 patients (13 CTA examinations and 12 CEUS) endoleak was proven (1 of the I-type, 8 of the II-type). In the case of 2 examinations consistency between CTA and CEUS was not proven – 7.4%. In one case the inconsistency concerned the type of endoleak and in the other case, CTA erroneously described endoleak which was not obvious from CEUS. When measuring the size of an aneurysm sack, we observed significant differences between CTA and CEUS (p < 0.001). The CEUS examination was assessable even in the case of obese patients.ConclusionWe have observed a 100% consistency in the result of 25 examinations which used both methods. Based on the comparisons between CEUS and CTAG performed so far, CEUS seems to be a reliable method which could be used within the framework of dispensary care for patients after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). CEUS seems to be sensitive enough to detect endoleak. However, to be able to provide a reliable evaluation, a larger set of patients and longer-term experience are needed, specifically for the evaluation of the aneurysm sack size.     

Duplex Ultrasound versus Computed Tomography for the Postoperative Follow-Up of Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair. Where Do We Stand Now?

In the last decade, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has rapidly developed to be the preferred method for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with suitable anatomy. EVAR offers the advantage of lower perioperative mortality and morbidity but carries the cost of device-related complications such as endoleak, graft migration, graft thrombosis, and structural graft failure. These complications mandate a lifelong surveillance of EVAR patients and their endografts. The purpose of this study is to review and evaluate the safety of color-duplex ultrasound (CDU) as compared with computed tomography (CT), based on the current literature, for post-EVAR surveillance. The post-EVAR follow-up modalities, CDU versus CT, are evaluated questioning three parameters: (1) accuracy of aneurysm size, (2) detection and classification of endoleaks, and (3) detection of stent-graft deformation. Studies comparing CDU with CT scan for investigation of post-EVAR complications have produced mixed results. Further and long-term research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of CDU versus CT, before CDU can be recommended as the primary imaging modality for EVAR surveillance, in place of CT for stable aneurysms.     

Complications of endovascular treatment of aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta: incidence and treatment

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic aneurysms are the 13th leading cause of death in the United States. Conventional surgical treatment is associated with a low mortality of 1.4-5% and a higher morbidity in high-risk patients. Endovascular aneurysm repair is now performed in patients considered at too high risk for conventional repair. Although the use of endovascular grafts was initially limited, this method is gaining popularity despite the risk of complications including endoleaks, dislocation and graft thrombosis. METHODS: Between June 1997 and June 2000, 28 patients were treated with endovascular stent grafts. 53 patients were treated by open surgical repair. Six patients presenting with rupture were excluded. Endoleaks were detected by arteriogram and computed tomographic scan. The mean aneurysm diameter, with a mean length of 3.2 cm, was 6.3 cm. The mean proximal neck diameter was not greater than 2.4 cm. RESULTS: There were no conversions to open repair. The mean time of the intervention was 103 minutes. Nine patients with type I endoleaks underwent successful endovascular treatment; 2 patients presented a late type I endoleak treated in one case by dilatation. Four patients presented a type II endoleak after 6, 18, 30 and 32 months respectively, treated in two cases by embolization. Finally, erosion of the material was seen in four cases and a migration in one case. A decreased size of the aneurysms was seen in 10 cases, a stabilization in 12 cases, an augmentation of more than 5 mm in one case and a diminution followed by an augmentation in one case. CONCLUSION: Key to success is restrictive patient selection due to morphological criteria and improvements in surgical techniques and equipment to reduce the incidence of specific treatment complications require a long-term follow-up.     

Endotension leading to aneurysm sac rupture following open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Endotension leading to enlargement of the aneurysm sac following the endoluminal grafting is still handled as an exclusive phenomenon of the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). We report on a case with aneurysm sac enlargement caused by endotension leading to aneurysm rupture after conventional, open aneurysm repair, a so far not described complication. In a 74-year-old patient, following open surgical standard resection and reconstruction of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a routinely performed abdominal ultra-sonography demonstrated a slowly growing enlargement of the peri-prosthetic aneurysm sac without endoleak. During the pre-operative work-up of the cardiac and pulmonary risk profiles, he complained of abdominal pain and back pain. Control CT revealed contrast inside the aneurysm sac as well as in the right-sided retroperitoneum. At the emergency operation a retroperitoneal haematoma was noticed. Opening the ballooned aneurysm sac, a fresh haematoma was also found. Lifting up the prosthesis, back bleeding at the dorsal circumference of the proximal anastomosis was confirmed due to a 2 cm long disruption of the anastomosis. In patients who present with abdominal or back pain after conventional surgery of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a contrast CT should be performed to exclude an endoleak as well as other pathologies. The enlargement of the aneurysm sac without endoleak could be interpreted as endotension, with the consequence of urgent re-operation to prevent rupture.     

Traitement hybride des anévrismes de l'arche aortique

BackgroundThe management of aortic arch aneurysms is challenging. If conventional surgery cannot be performed in high risk patients, endovascular treatment is confronted to the problem of endoleaks at long term. However, the hybrid repair combining a first surgical step and a second endovascular step is a new technique recently introduced in the therapeutic alternatives of aortic arch aneurysm but its long-term results are not well known.MethodsWe report a series of four patients who received hybrid treatment for aortic arch aneurysms in our department between 2016 and 2018.ResultsThese were 3 men and 1 woman with an average age of 63 years [55–80 years]. All were hypertensive and only one patient had diabetes. The aneurysm was symptomatic of chest pain in all cases and it was ruptured in only one case. Preoperatively, the hemodynamic state was stable in the four patients with a mean aneurysm diameter of 60 mm [48–79 mm] on CT angiography and the landing zone was zone 0 in all cases. Under general anesthesia, the 1st step was surgical with the performance of an aorto-bicarotid bypass associated with a re-implantation of the left subclavian artery and a disconnection of the supraortic trunks. The 2nd stage was endovascular by the femoral route; with release of an aortic stent graft covering the ostia of all supraortic trunks. The final angiographic check-up showed complete exclusion of the aneurysm in all cases. The immediate postoperative follow-up was straightforward except for the onset of septic shock and death in a patient with an aneurysm ruptured in the left pulmonary branch initially. The mean follow-up was 12 months with a CT scan control which confirms the complete exclusion of the aneurysm and the absence of endoleak.     

Abdominal pulsatile tumor after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

A 70 years old patient was successfully treated for infrarenal aortic aneurysm by an endovascular bifurcated prosthesis. Three months later, because of dysuria, he underwent urological examination revealing an abdominal pulsatile tumor. Thereafter, the patient was sent to our emergency ward with suspected symptomatical endoleak. Radiological screening by computer tomography and magnetic resonance angiography showed good post-operative results without endoleak. Patient was treated with antispasmodic medication and is doing well today. Because endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm, in contrast to an open approach, does not eliminate the aneurysm itself, post-operative abdominal palpation can be ambiguous. Magnetic resonance angiography--without the need of nephrotoxic contrast medium--compares favourably to CT and provides excellent pictures with less artefacts for post-operative screening of endoleak. If reperfusion can be excluded, pulsation is due to the transmission of the blood-pressure wave to the thrombosed aneurysm.     

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。     

Management of Patients with Colorectal Cancer and Concomitant Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal management of patients with colorectal cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm in the elective situation. METHODS: All patients with a history of colorectal cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm between 1986 and July 2000 were identified, and charts of those with concomitant disease were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 435 patients with available charts were reviewed. Eighty-three patients with concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysm and colorectal cancer were identified. In 64 patients the colorectal cancer was treated first, and 44 of these patients had an abdominal aortic aneurysm less than 5 cm in diameter (average = 3.8 cm). No abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptured in the postoperative period. Median delay to colorectal cancer surgery from diagnosis was four days. Twenty patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm of 5 cm or greater (average = 5.4 cm) were treated for colorectal cancer first. In two of these patients (with abdominal aortic aneurysms sized 5 and 6.4 cm), the abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptured in the early postoperative period. Median delay to colorectal cancer resection was eight days. Twelve patients had both abdominal aortic aneurysm and colorectal cancer treated at the same time. The average size of the abdominal aortic aneurysm was 6.4 cm. Median delay from colorectal cancer diagnosis to resection was 15 days. No documented cases of graft infection occurred in this group; median follow-up was 3.2 years. Seven patients underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair before resection of colorectal cancer; in two patients, colorectal cancer was found at the time of resection. The average size of abdominal aortic aneurysm was 6 cm and median delay to treatment of colorectal cancer was 122 days, a statistically significant longer delay than in the other two groups (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In patients with colorectal cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm of 5 cm or more, treatment of colorectal cancer first may result in life-threatening rupture, whereas treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm first may significantly delay treatment of colorectal cancer. Concomitant treatment seems to be a safe alternative. If anatomically suitable, the abdominal aortic aneurysm may be considered for endovascular repair followed by a staged colon resection. The presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm less than 5 cm does not affect colorectal cancer treatment.     

Computed tomography versus color duplex ultrasound for surveillance of abdominal aortic stent-grafts.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of computed tomography (CT) and color duplex ultrasound (CDUS) to detect endoleak and accurately measure aortic aneurysm diameters after endovascular repair. METHODS: Between February 2000 and October 2004, 178 consecutive patients (156 men; mean age 74 years, range 49-89) were treated with aortic stent-grafts (86 Ancure, 55 AneuRx, and 37 Excluder). The follow-up protocol included serial CT and CDUS at 1 month and every 6 months thereafter. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Kappa statistics (kappa) were calculated using CT as the gold standard; Bland-Altman analysis was used to determine the 95% limits of agreement. Paired and unpaired t tests and correlation coefficients were used to compare the methods. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 1 to 53 months (mean 16), during which 367 paired CT and CDUS studies were acquired. The mean diameter of the AAA sac after repair was 5.15 cm by CT versus 4.99 cm by CDUS (p=0.07); 93% of paired studies were somewhat similar (相似文献   

Off-pump endovascular treatment of aortic arch aneurysms]

BACKGROUND: Traditional repair of aortic arch aneurysms requires cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Endovascular repair is an attractive, less invasive alternative that may change our therapeutic approach. The aim of this study was to review our clinical experience with endovascular treatment of aortic arch aneurysms and to address the new problems in this area. METHODS: In the last 5 years, we treated 21 patients for aortic arch pathology with an "off-pump" endovascular repair (18 men, 3 women, mean age 71.4 +/- 7.2 years). We used 26 stent grafts (5 Gore Excluder TAG, 3 Endomed Endofit, 6 Medtronic Talent, 12 Cook Zenith TX1) with a mean of 1.2 graft/patient. Proximal fixation of endograft was achieved by means of aortic "de-branching" in 11 cases. In 10 cases the left subclavian artery was intentionally covered without revascularization. Follow-up included clinical examination, chest X-ray and computed tomography at discharge and at 6-month intervals thereafter. RESULTS: Technical success was 85% (18/21). There was one in-hospital death (4.7%) due to endograft migration. We observed 2 cases of type I endoleak (9.5%). One surgical conversion was performed 2 weeks after the procedure, because of total collapse of the stent graft with rupture of three stents. No complications related to the coverage of the left subclavian artery were observed. At a mean follow-up of 18.7 +/- 12.8 months, no mortality or morbidity including new-onset endoleak, stent-graft migration and thrombosis of supra-aortic grafts were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of aortic arch pathology is feasible even in elderly patients. However, accurate placement in the arch and aneurysm sealing with the currently available devices, may be challenging due to the involvement of supra-aortic vessels, the anatomical curvature of the arch, the high blood flow, and substantial movement of the aorta with each heartbeat.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: Treatment options, image visualizations and follow-up procedures

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a common vascular disease that affects elderly population. Open surgical repair is regarded as the gold standard technique for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm, however, endovascular aneurysm repair has rapidly expanded since its first introduction in 1990s. As a less invasive technique, endovascular aneurysm repair has been confirmed to be an effective alternative to open surgical repair, especially in patients with co-morbid conditions. Computed tomography (CT) angiography is currently the preferred imaging modality for both preoperative planning and post-operative follow-up. 2D CT images are complemented by a number of 3D reconstructions which enhance the diagnostic applications of CT angiography in both planning and follow-up of endovascular repair. CT has the disadvantage of high cummulative radiation dose, of particular concern in younger patients, since patients require regular imaging follow-ups after endovascular repair, thus, exposing patients to repeated radiation exposure for life. There is a trend to change from CT to ultrasound surveillance of endovascular aneurysm repair. Medical image visualizations demonstrate excellent morphological assessment of aneurysm and stent-grafts, but fail to provide hemodynamic changes caused by the complex stent-graft device that is implanted into the aorta. This article reviews the treatment options of abdominal aortic aneurysm, various image visualization tools, and follow-up procedures with use of different modalities including both imaging and computational fluid dynamics methods. Future directions to improve treatment outcomes in the follow-up of endovascular aneurysm repair are outlined.     

Double tube stent-grafts for infrarenal aortic aneurysm: a new concept.

PURPOSE: To present the concept of double tube stent-grafts and examine the indications for and results achieved with these devices. METHODS: From January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2005, 759 patients who underwent endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms at 2 centers. Of these, 45 (5.9%) patients received a double tube stent-graft; complete operative and follow-up data were available for retrospective analysis in 41 patients (33 men; mean age 73.1+/-8.9 years). Diameters measured before stent-graft implantation and at follow-up (12, 24, 36, and 48 months) with clinical examination, 2-phase computed tomographic angiography, duplex sonography, and biplanar abdominal radiography were tested for significant changes using ANOVA with the Bonferroni-Dunn correction. Late outcomes (clinical success and endoleak) were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The postoperative complication rate was 12.2%, with 2.4% systemic complications (1 patient with angina pectoris); the early mortality rate was 0%. Mean follow-up was 21.9+/-12.8 months (range 12-61) for the 41 patients. Four (9.8%) patients died during follow-up of cardiac causes (n = 2), lung cancer (n = 1), and bowel ischemia (n = 1). Four (9.8%) endoleaks were observed during follow-up: 1 distal type I, 2 type II, and 1 type III. Maximum aneurysm diameters shrank from 52.0+/-9.5 mm preoperatively to 44.0+/-10.9 mm (p<0.0001) postoperatively at the latest available follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the use of this double tube technique for repair of appropriate saccular infrarenal aortic aneurysms. The double tube stent-graft method appears safe in terms of endoleaks and migration, so we recommend that it be considered an option of endovascular aortic aneurysm therapy.     

Late stent-graft migration secondary to separation of the uncovered segment from the main body of a Zenith endoluminal graft.

PURPOSE: To report a case of type I endoleak secondary to complete disruption of the sutures uniting the uncovered and covered segments of a bifurcated Zenith endoluminal graft, causing displacement and distal migration of the graft main body. CASE REPORT: A 76-year-old man had successful exclusion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with a Zenith endoluminal graft in 1999. He continued to do well until the 4-year surveillance imaging [computed tomography (CT) and plain abdominal radiography] showed device migration and proximal endoleak, with consequent expansion of the aneurysm. A proximal extension stent-graft was inserted with good seal. The 1-month follow-up CT angiogram showed reduced aneurysm size and no evidence of any leak. CONCLUSION: This case shows that the failure of an endoluminal graft occurs at weak points in the construction of the graft, reinforcing the need for long-term surveillance. If detected promptly, such events can often be treated by another endovascular procedure.     

“三文治技术”在腹主动脉瘤腔内修复中保留髂内动脉血流的应用

目的探讨“三文治技术”在合并髂总动脉瘤的腹主动脉瘤患者腔内修复中保留髂内动脉血流的可行性及安全性。方法我们对1例合并双侧髂总动脉瘤的肾下性腹主动脉瘤患者行腔内修复术。该患者由于腹主动脉瘤合并双侧髂总动脉严重扩张,覆膜支架覆盖腹主动脉及髂总动脉瘤的时需覆盖双侧髂内动脉开口,可能造成髂内动脉血流受阻而引起盆腔缺血。我们在进行左髂总动脉腔内修复时应用了“三文治技术”,以覆盖病变血管同时保留一侧髂内动脉血供。结果手术成功地对腹主动脉瘤及双侧髂总动脉瘤进行了覆膜支架的腔内修复,同时保留了髂内动脉血供。结论在复杂腹主动脉瘤髂内修复时,使用“三文治技术”可能是一种有效的保留分支血管血供的方法。     

Midterm experience with the endovascular treatment of isolated iliac aneurysms.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective, single institution study was to describe our 4-year experience with the endovascular repair of isolated iliac artery aneurysms. METHODS: Between May 1997 and June 2001, 16 patients (15 males; mean age 64+/-9 years), were treated with covered stent grafts. Twelve of the endovascular procedures were performed under epidural and 4 under local anaesthesia. The percutaneous approach was employed in 13 cases and the femoral artery had to be exposed in 3 cases that demanded simultaneous revascularization of the peripheral circulation (n=2) or required a 16 F sheath to employ a Baxter Lifepath stent graft (n=1). The mean size of the iliac aneurysms was 4.5 cm (range 3.5 to 5.2 cm). Four aneurysms involved the hypogastric ostium in absence of any distal neck. RESULTS: All the patients underwent initially successful endovascular treatment of isolated iliac aneurysms and were followed from 3 to 52 months (mean 18 months). No procedural deaths and no acute or late graft thrombosis occurred. The perioperative complications included 1 dissection of the external iliac artery that required a further endovacular procedure and 1 case of endovascular leak fed to the hypogastric artery. A CT scan 4 months later showed spontaneous thrombosis of aneurysm and no further leakage. Two patients had undergone combinated femoro-popliteal arterial bypass. CONCLUSION: In our early clinical experience the use of self-expandable covered stent graft successful treated isolated iliac artery aneurysms. Endovascular repair is a safe and effective technique with good midterm results in patients at standard and high risk.     

Stent graft treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: recent developments in therapy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Minimally invasive endovascular techniques for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms have significantly reduced the morbidity of these procedures compared with standard surgical repair. In addition, patients with extensive comorbid medical illnesses in whom standard operative repair is contraindicated may be successfully treated using endovascular means. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, several important developments have significantly advanced this area of treatment. The Food and Drug Administration has approved four endovascular stent grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: the Medtronic AneuRx, the W.L. Gore Excluder, the Cook Zenith, and the Guidant Ancure. The Zenith received approval for marketing in 2003 and has gained relatively wide use, in part because of its ability to treat aneurysms with relatively large-diameter implantations zones. Also in 2003, Guidant Corporation withdrew the Ancure graft from marketing and distribution. The withdrawal was influenced by difficulties encountered using the graft's delivery system and improper reporting to the Food and Drug Administration. Enrollment has also been recently completed for the phase II Food and Drug Administration trials of the Medtronic Talent graft and the Cordis Fortron graft. These devices have been approved for use in the European Union and are awaiting Food and Drug Administration panel meeting in the United States. Several significant advances have also occurred recently in stent graft research and development. Of particular significance has been the initiation of the phase I trial of the Trivascular Enovus graft. Deployment of the Trivascular graft may be accomplished through a delivery system that is considerably reduced in profile. The potential for percutaneous application of the graft may be available in the future. In selecting the specific stent graft to be used for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, the specific graft characteristics must be considered, particularly with regard to the individual patient's anatomic and physiologic characteristics. Comparative analysis of the several of the various stent grafts has been performed. Results have varied with regard to the need for secondary interventions, aneurysm sac size reduction, and the occurrence of continued perfusion of the aneurysm sac. In addition, the indications for use of endovascular grafts compared with standard open surgery have not yet been fully defined. SUMMARY: This article describes the general principles of use for endovascular devices for the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. It details the features and results for the devices in current use, and highlights the recent developments in stent graft treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.     

Change in aneurysm diameter after stent-graft repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To compare the changes in aneurysm size following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for ruptured versus elective abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). METHODS: Aneurysm sac diameter was measured from computed tomographic (CT) scans in 14 hemodynamically stable patients (14 men; mean age 74+/-7 years, range 60 to 83) prior to emergent stent-graft repair for ruptured AAA. The aneurysm diameter change was followed postprocedurally with serial CT and the outcomes compared to 74 AAA patients (58 men; mean age 74+/-7 years, range 56 to 87) having elective EVAR in the same time period. The mean rate of sac decrease (mm/month) was calculated for each group. RESULTS: There were 3 postoperative deaths in the ruptured AAA cohort, leaving 11 patients available for follow-up analysis (mean 16 months, range 2-49). Eight (73%) patients with ruptured AAA demonstrated significantly decreased (>5 mm) aneurysm diameters compared with 32 (43%) elective cases (p=0.07) followed a mean 20 months (range 3-51). The mean rate of sac diameter decrease was 1.50+/-1.03 mm/month in the rupture group versus 0.73+/-0.86 mm/month in the elective group (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ruptured AAAs treated with stent-graft experience sac regression at a higher rate compared with electively treated AAA. The reasons for these findings remain unclear.