Endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms: our experience

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyse our 8 years of experience with endovascular treatment of visceral aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.

Materials and methods

From January 2002 to September 2009, we used an endovascular approach to treat 30 patients (22 men, eight women) affected by aneurysm (n=18) or pseudoaneurysm (n=13) of the splenic (n=11), hepatic (n=6), renal (n=5), pancreaticoduodenal (n=3), left gastric (n=2), gastroduodenal (n=1), rectal (n=1) or middle colic (n=1) arteries and the coeliac axis (n=1). Of these, 26/31 were treated with metal coils, 3/31 with Cardiatis multilayer stent, 1/31 with a coated stent and 1/31 with coils and Amplatzer plug. Procedures were performed electively in 10/30 cases and during haemorrhage in 20/30 cases. Follow-up was performed clinically (cessation of bleeding) and at 1, 6 and 12 months by colour-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and computed tomography (CT) angiography.

Results

In 31/31 aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms we obtained immediate exclusion. In four patients with aneurysm and in four with pseudoaneurysm, parenchymal ischaemia occurred; one was treated with surgical splenectomy. One patient with pseudoaneurysm of the coeliac axis died 10 days later because of new bleeding. During follow-up, all aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms remained excluded.

Conclusions

Percutaneous treatment is effective and safe, with a small number of complications, especially when compared with traditional surgery.     

Endovascular management of splenic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms

Splenic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are being diagnosed with increasing frequency by modern imaging. The question of appropriate treatment—surgical or endovascular—arises more often. We review our experience and that of others as documented in the literature. The information available suggests that endovascular management of a splenic artery aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm offers a lower complication rate than surgery, but postprocedure imaging to ensure obliteration is recommended.     

Splanchnic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms: transcatheter embolization

Over the past 7 years, eight patients with splanchnic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms were studied and treated. Transcatheter embolization resulted in occlusion of the lesions in all eight patients. Potentially risky and difficult surgery was avoided completely in four patients. Three patients had elective surgery at a later date when their condition was more stable. The remaining patient had definitive surgery after embolization. Transcatheter embolization should be the initial treatment of choice in splanchnic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.     

Emergent endovascular treatment of ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms

The goal of this study was to evaluate the results of endovascular and surgical treatments for ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) to determine which treatment is preferable. We evaluated the cases of 25 consecutive patients with ruptured VADAs treated in our institution. From 1992 to 1997, five patients were treated surgically. Since 1998, 20 patients with VADAs have been treated with endovascular therapy. The goal of the treatment was to exclude the aneurysm from the circulation. Among the five patients undergoing surgery, three aneurysms were treated with proximal clipping, one with trapping, and one with dome clipping. None of the patients were treated during the acute stage of rupture. Transient complications occurred in two patients. Of the 20 patients treated through the endovascular approach, 15 were treated within 24 h of rupture, but 12 had rebleeding before treatment. Eighteen aneurysms were occluded, along with the affected vertebral artery (VA), by using detachable coils (internal trapping), and one was occluded with the VA preserved. A stent-assisted occlusion of one aneurysm was done in a patient who had a contralateral hypoplastic VA. In both groups, the outcome of each patient depended greatly on the patients condition before treatment and whether there was rebleeding. No posttreatment bleeding occurred. All procedures were effective, but endovascular treatment was less invasive and easier to use during the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although this report does not describe a controlled study, we found that endovascular treatment is preferable for treating ruptured VADAs in the acute stage.     

Long-term efficacy of endovascular treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysms

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IIAA) and compare our data with those reported in the literature.

Materials and methods

From May 2005 to December 2010, 32 patients (31 men and one woman; mean age 73±12 years) with a total of 40 IIAAs underwent endovascular treatment at our institute. We evaluated technical success, long-term patency, early and late complications and overall mortality.

Results

At a median follow-up of 36 months, we achieved a technical success of 100%, a primary patency of 95% and a secondary patency of 100%, with complete exclusion of the aneurysm in 84.6% of cases. In 12.8% of cases, there was a reduction in aneurysm sac volume, with an incidence of type II endoleak of 12.8%. Overall survival at 1, 2, 3, and 6 years was 96.8%, 84.2%, 66.6% and 64%, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study documents the effectiveness of endovascular treatment of iliac aneurysms, which has become the first-choice treatment at our institute. This finding is consistent with the most recent literature and confirms the safety and long-term patency of stent-graft placement.     

肾动脉瘤腔内治疗的护理体会

目的探讨肾动脉瘤血管腔内治疗的临床护理规范措施。方法回顾解放军总医院血管外科自2010年1月-2011年8月收治的肾动脉瘤患者的临床资料,总结肾动脉瘤规范护理观察要点及相应处理措施。结果本组共9例患者,其中6例行栓塞术,2例行支架植入术,1例行支架植入术联合弹簧圈栓塞。患者平均住院(10±2)d,1例出现术后尿潴留,1例术后腹膜后出血其余患者未发生与医疗及护理相关并发症。结论加强肾动脉瘤的规范化护理有助于提高患者手术耐受性,能有效预防并发症的发生。     

血管内栓塞术治疗37例假性动脉瘤

目的 探讨血管内栓塞术治疗内脏和外周假性动脉瘤的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析37例假性动脉瘤的血管内栓塞治疗前后的临床资料,3 ～ 36个月随访期内观察栓塞疗效及术后并发症等.结果 37例患者DSA造影发现41枚假性动脉瘤,其中来源于内脏动脉26例,臀上、臀下动脉5例,颈外动脉分支4例,肢体动脉2例.36例患者成功栓塞40枚假瘤,其中明胶海绵栓塞7枚,PVA颗粒栓塞9枚,弹簧圈栓塞11枚,弹簧圈辅以明胶海绵或PVA栓塞13枚.随访期内36例患者中34例出血停止,假瘤完全闭塞,有2枚假瘤复发,术后无严重并发症发生.结论 血管内栓塞术治疗假性动脉瘤安全、有效,假性动脉瘤的性质和栓塞材料的选择在一定程度上会影响疗效.     

Acute progression of multiple visceral artery aneurysms

A 62-year-old male with multiple medical problems including a long-standing history of muscular dystrophy presented with recurrent abdominal and back pain of 2-month duration. Two consecutive mesenteric arteriograms were performed 3 weeks apart as part of the work-up and treatment. The latest study revealed a significant progression in the size and number of visceral artery aneurysms. No association between the patient's muscular dystrophy and rapid development of these aneurysms has been previously reported. The patient's overall health and vascular anatomy prohibited any therapeutic intervention. This case represents the highest number of visceral artery aneurysms (13 in total) reported in a single patient.     

Renal aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms

Pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms are abnormal dilatations of the vessel lumen. Pseudoaneurysm is a perfused hematoma contained by the adventitia and perivascular tissues that is in communication with the lumen of an adjacent artery or vein. Aneurysm is a dilatation of the vessel lumen involving all three layers of the blood vessel wall. Renal artery aneurysms (RAA) are uncommon but the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging and incidental detection of RAA may result in an increasing number of cases diagnosed. Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are suspected in bleeding patients after penetrating renal trauma. Imaging plays a major role in the detection of renal pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms and diagnoses aneurysm rupture and active bleeding. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and digital subtraction angiography can characterize lesion size, shape, and location and identify other aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, helping to narrow the differential diagnosis and to understand the vascular anatomy for guiding proper treatment. Endovascular treatments have contributed considerably in the management of renal pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms. The use of coil embolization or covered stent placement prevents the mortality and mobility of surgery. The article describes imaging features and the endovascular therapies to treat these vascular processes and their possible complications.     

Splenic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms: clinical distinctions and CT appearances

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysms of the splenic artery are being diagnosed with greater frequency as incidental findings on cross-sectional imaging. Splenic artery pseudoaneurysms are even more rare than true aneurysms. This article reviews the clinical features and management of splenic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms. A variety of cases are presented to show the range of CT appearances. CONCLUSION: Radiologists who identify either type of splenic artery lesion should recognize the clinical and pathophysiologic distinctions between these two forms of splenic vascular pathology and understand the differences in management.     

小脑后下动脉瘤血管内栓塞治疗的初步临床研究

目的 探讨小脑后下动脉(PICA)瘤栓塞治疗的方法及效果.方法 回顾性分析21例PICA瘤经血管内栓塞治疗的临床资料,根据DSA资料估计动脉瘤的解削分段.采取单纯弹簧圈栓塞8例、单纯液体胶栓塞5例、弹簧圈联合液体胶栓塞2例、支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞2例、球囊辅助弹簧圈PICA闭塞4例,用格拉斯哥预后(GOS)评分评估疗效.结果 单纯弹簧圈致密栓塞5例,90%以上栓塞2例,85%栓寒1例;单纯液体胶栓塞的5例及弹簧圈联合液体胶栓塞的2例均达到致密栓塞;支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞的2例90%以上栓塞;球囊辅助弹簧圈完全闭塞载瘤动脉3例,90%以上栓塞1例.术后脑干穿支动脉闭塞导致死亡1例,术后1周新发神经功能障碍1例,其余未见再出血及小脑损害症状.术后随访6～60个月,平均(22±8)个月.COS评分Ⅰ级1例,Ⅱ级1例,Ⅲ级2例,Ⅳ级5例,Ⅴ级12例.结论 根据PICA瘤的解剖分段选择不同的栓塞方法,可取得良好的治疗效果.     

Giant aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: endovascular treatment and long-term follow-up

We report the long-term follow-up of 18 patients with giant aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) referred for endovascular occlusion of the parent vessel. There were 10 aneurysms involving the infra- and/or supraclinoid cavernous segment, six the ophthalmic segment, one the petrous segment and one the bifurcation. One patient who did not tolerate test occlusion was treated medically. Clinical and imaging follow-up were obtained in 16 patients for a mean of 30 months, range 6–80 months. Endovascular treatment led to excellent clinical outcome in 16 patients. One 34-year-old woman, who presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), died from bilateral middle cerebral artery infarcts due to severe vasospasm 4 days after treatment. The patient treated medically died from SAH. Long-term imaging follow-up in 16 patients revealed a markedly smaller aneurysm sac in all cases.     

The retrograde approach: a consideration for the endovascular treatment of aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The traditional endovascular approach to a cerebral aneurysm is anterograde, with the embolization and balloon protection catheters introduced via the parent vessel. Unfortunately, this approach may be restrictive, because these catheters cannot always be navigated at an optimal angle into the arterial branch that needs balloon protection or the part of the aneurysm that needs coiling. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a retrograde approach. METHODS: Twelve patients, seven women and five men, 28 to 65 years old (mean age, 45 years), were treated via the retrograde approach between March 1998 and February 1999. Three patients were treated for acutely ruptured aneurysms following subarachnoid hemorrhage. The rest had asymptomatic, unruptured aneurysms. RESULTS: We were able to accomplish endovascular treatment in 10 cases. In the other two, the attempted retrograde route of access could not be achieved. The treatment afforded complete embolization in nine of the 10 patients. Symptomatic distal clot embolization occurred in one patient who had some residual, albeit improving, deficits at discharge. No other patients worsened with the treatment. There were two intraprocedural aneurysmal ruptures. None of the aneurysms restudied within 6 months (eight of 12) showed evidence of recanalization. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that it is possible to safely and effectively access a cerebral aneurysm via a retrograde approach. We believe that the anatomic benefits afforded by this technique outweigh the potential risks associated with the catheterization of another major cerebral arterial feeder.     

Outcome of emergency endovascular treatment of large internal iliac artery aneurysms with guidewires

Purpose

Guidewires have been reported as a useful occlusion material for large aneurysms of different locations with good short-term results. In this study we retrospectively evaluate long-term results of emergency embolization technique with guidewires in symptomatic internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) impending rupture.

Patients and methods

In four patients presented with acute abdominal pain, multidetector computed tomography revealed unstable, 7-14 cm large, IIAAs. Two patients were treated with coil embolization of distal branches followed by occlusion of aneurysmal sac with guidewires. In two patients embolization of aneurysmal sac alone was performed.

Results

In three patients complete or near complete occlusion of the aneurysmal sac was achieved and abdominal pain ceased within hours. Two patients treated with embolization of distal iliac artery branches and aneurysmal sac developed claudication that lasted up to 1 year. Their aneurysms remained thrombosed and they were without symptoms until they died 31 and 56 months later of causes unrelated to IIAA. Two patients treated with embolization of the aneurysm alone were free of ischemic symptoms. Because of incomplete embolization of the sac in one patient open surgery treatment in a non-emergency setting was performed. Complete filling of aneurysmal sac was achieved in other patient but 2 years later his aneurysm re-opened and required open surgery treatment.

Conclusion

Embolization of aneurysmal sac of large IIAA with guidewires may be effective for immediate treatment of impending rupture. Long-term results were better when embolization of the aneurysmal sac was combined with embolization of distal IIA branches.     

介入治疗基底动脉夹层动脉瘤效果分析

目的 评价血管内介入治疗基底动脉夹层动脉瘤的安全性、有效性.方法 回顾性分析2009年1月至2015年4月在我院接受血管内介入治疗的26例基底动脉夹层动脉瘤患者.按瘤体大小分为大型-巨大型组和中小型组,比较两组患者治疗效果.记录并发症和随访情况.结果 26例基底动脉夹层动脉瘤患者均获得成功治疗,其中接受单纯支架植入9例,支架植入结合弹簧圈栓塞17例.围手术期共发生5例并发症,其中3例为后循环梗死(单纯支架组1例,支架结合弹簧圈组2例),2例为小脑出血(均发生于支架结合弹簧罔组),随后4例恢复良好出院,1例支架内急性血栓形成死亡.22例患者获得DSA随访,结果显示12例改善,7例稳定,3例复发(2例有新发症状).亚组分析显示单纯支架组并发症发生率低于支架结合弹簧罔组,两组远期疗效相当;大型-巨大型组并发症发生率和严重残死率均高于中小型组,差异均有统计学意义(P=0.020,Z=3.247).结论 血管内介入治疗基底动脉夹层动脉瘤有较好的安全性和有效性.多重支架技术仍然是目前优先推荐的术式,需依据不同病变特点确定是否使用弹簧罔辅助.大型和巨大型夹层动脉瘤治疗仍然棘手,需要进一步研究.     

腹部脏器动脉瘤的介入治疗

目的 探讨不同形态的腹部脏器动脉瘤使用金属钢圈进行栓塞治疗的方法。方法 对19例20个动脉瘤行介入治疗。6个球形动脉瘤用金属钢圈进行瘤体本身栓塞,使相应脏器或其局部血供中断。6个憩室样动脉瘤只栓塞瘤体,脏器供血保持通畅。部分假性动脉瘤采用瘤体供血动脉的入端、出端分别栓塞的方法,防止侧支动脉参与供血。结果 19例动脉瘤栓塞均获成功,8例假性动脉瘤中7例止血成功。采用瘤体栓塞或瘤体供血动脉的入端、出端同时栓塞的方法止血成功率高。结论 金属钢圈栓塞动脉瘤是一种止血见效快、疗效可靠、操作简便的介入治疗方法。     

Failure of stent-assisted endovascular treatment for ruptured dissecting aneurysms of the basilar artery

We report two instructive cases of ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the basilar artery. Although stent-assisted endovascular treatment was successful, recurrent bleeding occurred 4 h after the procedure in one patient, and the other's basilar artery occluded 6 days after the procedure. These cases suggest that the high porosity of currently available stents may be insufficient to induce intraluminal thrombosis and merely stenting may fail to prevent bleeding, while postoperative anticoagulation alone may be inadequate to prevent occlusion of the stented vessel.