Open stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient with a severely calcified abdominal aorta

We describe a 74-year-old male who underwent open stent repair for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a severely calcified aortic neck. The stent graft was constructed by covering a 50-mm long Gianturco Z stent (diameter: 20 mm) with a Dacron prosthesis (diameter: 20 mm). The stented Dacron graft was inserted into the calcified aortic neck, was then sutured to the trimmed aneurysmal wall, and was anastomosed to a bifurcated prosthesis. The distal ends of the bifurcated prosthesis were anastomosed to both common femoral arteries, and the terminal aorta was closed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. This procedure may be a feasible and safe way to repair infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a severely calcified aortic neck.     

A prospective study of 100 gelatin-sealed aortic grafts

A gelatin-sealed knitted Dacron graft has been developed which has zero porosity at Implantation and does not require preclotting. Its patency rate up to 57 months and effectiveness at saving blood loss have been studied. Gelatin-sealed aortic grafts were implanted into 100 consecutive patients-77 men, 23 women. Surgery was performed for aneurysm in 36 patients (including four with rupture), intermittent claudication in 44, rest pain in 17, and gangrene in three, over an 18 month period. The patients were followed up prospectively for 57 months. Perioperative mortality was 1%. Cumulative primary graft patency was 99%. There was no measurable blood loss at implantation. Forty-seven patients required blood transfusion: mean volume transfused was 430 ml. There were no problems related to the sealant.     

Prevention of vascular graft infection by rifampin bonding to a gelatin-sealed dacron graft

This study examines the efficacy of rifampin bonding to a gelatin-sealed knitted Dacron graft to prevent perioperative bacteremic vascular graft infection. Antibiotic bonding was obtained by soaking grafts for 15 minutes in a 1 mg/ml saline solution of rifampin at 37°C. Nineteen dogs had thoracoabdominal aortic bypass: seven (group I) received a rifampin treated graft; six (group II) received an untreated gelatin-coated graft; and six (group III) received an uncoated Dacron graft. Two days later bacteremic challenge was produced by rapid intravenous injection of 5×10 ⁵ colony forming units of methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus.Grafts were harvested five days after this challenge and cut into 10 fragments, each submitted to bacterial counts. Results were expressed as CFU/cm ² of graft material. In group I, no graft was infected, whereas all grafts in groups II and III were infected (p<0.05). Median bacterial counts from the infected fragments (median±SD) were similar in groups II (2.5×10⁵ CFU/cm²) and III (4×10⁴ CFU/cm²). Blood cultures at time of sacrifice were negative in all dogs in group I and positive in five of six dogs in groups II and III. Cultures of liver, spleen, kidney, and lung specimens were always negative in group I and positive in 22 of 24 specimens in group II and 23 of 24 specimens in group III. Soaking a gelatin-sealed Dacron graft in rifampin solution evidently prevents early bacteremic graft infection and secondary foci of infection in this model.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the French Vascular Surgery Society, Nancy, France, May 18–19, 1990.     

Aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to celiac plexus block

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta has been infrequently reported in the literature. We report a case of an infected pseudoaneurysm of the supraceliac aorta which we believe to be secondary to celiac plexus block performed for pain from chronic pancreatitis. The aneurysm was successfully repaired using a Dacron graft through a thoracoabdominal approach. The possible mechanism of aortic injury from celiac plexus block is discussed.     

Nonanastomotic rupture of thoracic aortic Dacron graft treated by endovascular stent graft placement

A 61-year-old man had a Stanford type A acute aortic dissection, and the total aortic arch was replaced with 22-mm knitted Dacron graft in 1996. In 2006, he underwent mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair due to severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. Although preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan suggested pseudoaneurysm around the Dacron graft replaced with aortic arch, it could not be repaired concomitantly. Four months later, in view of the technical difficulties of an open surgical procedure, the prosthetic graft failure was repaired by endovascular stent graft consisting of a Gianturco Z stent covered with an UBE woven Dacron graft. However, during a follow-up, aneurysm sac diameter increased without any sings of endoleak in follow-up CT scans. Redo endovascular stent graft placement using a Gore-TAG device was performed. Subsequently, shrinkage of the pseudoaneurysmal sac could be observed.     

Minimally invasive surgical solution in the treatment of an unusual distal type I endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Most distal type I endoleaks can be treated by endovascular techniques such as coil embolization of the hypogastric artery and additional stent or extension stent grafts. We report a case of a difficult type I endoleak located in the distal end of a monoiliac conical stent graft used to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm extensively involving both common iliac arteries. Cranial migration of the endograft and incarceration in the contralateral iliac aneurysm were observed on the computed tomographic scan. The patient was submitted to a procedure that involves endovascular and limited open surgery techniques. A 26 mm balloon catheter was used to secure the proximal implantation site, and through a Gibson incision, the iliac arteries were controlled. An interpositional 8 mm regular Dacron graft was then sutured end to end between the endograft and the external iliac artery.     

Graft replacement from ascending aorta to descending aorta with endovascular stent graft under median sternotomy]

We reported a 62-year-old man with DeBakey IIIa dissecting aortic aneurysm involving distal aortic arch who underwent graft replacement from ascending to descending aorta using a endovascular stent graft. Median sternotomy was carried out, because of severe pleural adhesion. Endovascular stent graft composed of 30 mm Gianturco Z stent and 24 mm woven Dacron graft was inserted to descending aorta with the aid of hypothermia, systemic circulation arrest and selective cerebral perfusion. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to measure the diameter and the length of descending aorta and the graft. And ascending and total aortic arch replacement was performed with four branched woven Dacron graft. Postoperative chest CT and aortography showed satisfactory reconstruction with the thrombosed false lumens. We think placement of stent graft to descending aorta through median sternotomy is useful method when left thoracotomy is impossible or distal anastomotic site is too far for the anastomosis.     

Thoracic aortic aneurysms: treatment with endovascular self-expandable stent grafts

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of endovascular stent graft placement in the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Between November 1996 and February 1999, endovascular stent graft repair was used in 21 patients. There were 5 women and 16 men with a mean age of 67 years (range, 41 to 87 years). An atherosclerotic aneurysm with a diameter of more than 6 cm was the indication for intervention in 19 patients (90.5%). In 2 patients (9.5%), a localized aortic dissection with a diameter of more than 6 cm was treated. In 71.4% (15 of 21) of patients, multiple stents were necessary for aneurysm exclusion. To allow safe deployment of the stent graft, preliminary subclavian-carotid artery transposition was performed in 9 patients (42.9%). Vascular access was achieved through a small incision in the abdominal aorta (n = 6), an iliac artery (n = 8), or a femoral artery (n = 7). Talent and Prograft stent grafts were used. RESULTS: Successful deployment of the endovascular stent grafts was achieved in all patients. Two patients died postoperatively (mortality rate, 9.5%), 1 of aneurysmal rupture and the other of impaired perfusion of the celiac axis. Repeat stenting was done in 3 patients because of intraoperative leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent graft repair is a promising and less invasive alternative to exclude the aneurysm from blood flow. This technique allows treatment of patients who are unsuitable for conventional surgical procedures. An exact definition of inclusion criteria and technical development of stent grafts should contribute to further improvements in clinical results.     

自制国产化支架-移植物腔内治疗腹主动脉瘤的实验研究

目的 探讨自制国产化支架、移植物在治疗犬腹主动脉瘤中的作用。方法 以国产镍钛合金丝纺织成网状管型支架,外套以国产真丝涤纶交织人造血管,装入导鞘制成支架-移植物系统;用胰蛋白酶灌注犬肾下腹主动脉段形成动脉瘤模型;用血管腔内技术将支架-移植物置入腹主动脉内,隔绝血流分别于第1周、1个月、3个月和6个月末观察通畅度及新生内膜生长。结果 20条模型犬接受手术,成功19条,支架置入后能充分展开并恢复形状,1个月末,支架内表面90%被新生内膜覆盖,3个月末几达100%,6个月末,79%的支架保持通畅,无移位、内漏等并发症。结论 自制国产化支架、移植物有良好的生物相容性和较高的通畅率,可用于腹主动脉瘤的治疗。     

Tantalum-Dacron coknit stent for endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms: A preliminary experimental study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of intraluminal tantalum-Dacron coknit stents for the treatment of artificial aortic aneurysms in minipigs.Methods: Replacement of the infrarenal abdominal aorta with Dacron artificial aneurysm graft was performed in eight minipigs. After 2 weeks, balloon-expandable coknit stents were inserted through the femoral artery to the site of the artificial aneurysm in seven minipigs. One animal was kept as a control. Coknit stent/artificial aneurysm complexes were explanted at various intervals from 24 hours to 12 weeks and underwent gross examination, followed by scanning electron and light microscopy studies.Results: Aortography performed at the time of stent placement displayed immediate exclusion of the aneurysm in every case. In follow-up studies, all coknit stents remained patent until the time of explant. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed apparent endothelialization of the entire coknit stent lumen at and after 6 weeks.Conclusion: Tantalum-Dacron coknit stents are efficient in the treatment of artificially created aneurysms in minipigs and facilitate the creation of an endothelialized new vascular wall. Clinical application of this coknit stent can be considered but necessitates retaining the same stent structure in diameters greater than 20 mm and the development of a suitable delivery system. (J VASC SURG 1994;19:698-706.)     

Arch translocation method for an arch aneurysm with open stent grafting using a nephrostomy catheter

An 81-year-old female found to have an aneurysm in the distal aortic arch was successfully treated with arch translocation method. Under selective cerebral perfusion, a stent graft bound to a nephrostomy balloon catheter with a chainstitch was inserted from the ascending aorta into the descending aorta and its proximal end was sutured together with the distal aortic stump. Then a 4-branched Dacron graft replaced the ascending aorta reconstructing cephalobracheal branches individually. Each proximal end of cephalobracheal branches was ligated. The patient had no neurological deficit except for recurrence nerve palsy that had already existed before the operation. Postoperative angiography revealed complete thrombocclusion of the aneurysm.     

复杂瘤颈的近肾腹主动脉瘤腔内修复中烟囱技术的应用

目的探讨瘤颈解剖复杂的近肾腹主动脉瘤(juxtarenal aortic aneurysms,JAA)腔内修复(endovascular aneurysmrepair,EVAR)中应用烟囱技术的价值。方法 2007年1月～2011年10月,对7例瘤颈复杂的JAA采用EVAR治疗。由于瘤颈解剖结构不适于标准的腔内修复方案,术中自肱动脉穿刺预先于可能被覆膜支架主体覆盖的肾动脉置入导丝,置入修复腹主动脉瘤的覆膜支架主体后造影明确肾动脉覆盖情况,于相应肾动脉置入自膨支架或球囊扩张支架,以延长瘤颈长度使之符合EVAR要求,并有效保护肾动脉(即烟囱技术),然后再完成标准EVAR操作。结果 7例手术全部获成功。7例使用9枚肾动脉支架,其中5枚球扩支架,4枚自膨支架。腔内治疗最后的造影显示:腹主动脉瘤(abdominal aortic aneurysm,AAA)瘤腔隔绝良好,肾动脉血流良好。术中1例近端Ⅰ型内漏,近端增加Cuff后内漏消失;1例造影显示少量的Ⅱ型内漏,无须处理。7例随访1～52个月,平均11.6月:1例术后2个月因心功能衰竭死亡;1例Ⅱ型内漏术后3个月随访内漏消失;肾动脉烟囱支架均保持通畅。结论对于不适宜行开腹手术治疗的瘤颈解剖不佳的JAA,烟囱技术是传统EVAR技术的有效补充,远期效果及肾动脉支架长期通畅性尚需要进一步观察。     

Coronary aneurysm after implantation of a paclitaxel-eluting stent

Formation of coronary aneurysm is a rare complication of stenting with bare metal stents, but based on experimental studies drug-eluting stents may induce toxic effects on the vessel wall with incomplete stent apposition, aneurysm formation and with the potential of stent thrombosis or vessel rupture. We present a 43-year-old man who developed a coronary aneurysm in the right coronary artery 6 months after receiving a paclitaxel-eluting stent. The patient was asymptomatic and the aneurysm was detected in a routine control. Angiography and intracoronary ultrasound demonstrated lack of contact between stent and vessel wall in a 15-mm long segment with maximal aneurysm diameter of 6.0 mm. The patient was successfully treated with a graft stent.     

Treatment of extracranial and intracranial aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae using stent grafts

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of 11 patients with aneurysms or arteriovenous fistulae of the craniocervical arteries with stent grafts. METHODS: Peripheral stent grafts were deployed in two extracranial internal carotid arteries. Coronary stent grafts were used to treat two giant aneurysms, five direct carotid-cavernous fistulae, one vertebrojugular fistula, and two dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery (V2 and V4). RESULTS: Stent grafts were used successfully in two extracranial internal carotid and two extracranial vertebral arteries, one dissecting aneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery, one giant aneurysm and one pseudoaneurysm of the cavernous internal carotid artery, and five direct carotid-cavernous sinus fistulae. Angiographic follow-up examinations (available in nine patients; obtained at 3 mo to 5 yr; average, 24 mo) revealed normal vessel caliber, and the stent grafts in all 9 of 11 initial patients were patent. There was a recurrent saccular aneurysm adjacent to the stent graft in the patient with the intracranial vertebral artery aneurysm. The following five complications were encountered: transient hemiparesis (n = 2), increased hemiparesis, postprocedural management-related fatality, and ICA dissection. In six patients, stent graft deployment was accomplished without any technical or clinical complication. There were no permanent neurological deficits consequent to stent graft placement. CONCLUSION: Stent grafts are a useful tool for the endovascular treatment of head and neck aneurysms and direct arteriovenous fistulae in selected patients. The major disadvantage of the currently available stent grafts is their lack of mechanical flexibility. Maneuvering stent grafts in the intracranial arteries carries the risk of iatrogenic vessel dissection and may require supportive measures and protection of the target site by conventional stents.     

分支型腔内支架人工血管治疗B型主动脉夹层

目的 应用主动脉-左锁骨下动脉分支型支架人工血管治疗累及左锁骨下动脉的主动脉弓部夹层。方法2004年2月至2005年1月，采用北京裕恒佳科技有限公司制作的血管腔内分支型主动脉支架人工血管治疗主动脉弓部B型夹层病人42例。原发破裂口位于左锁骨下动脉开口远侧2cm以内。分支型支架由主动脉支架和左锁骨下动脉支架组合而成。支架直径较相应支撑部位动脉直径增加15％～20％。治疗在血管造影室进行，分支型支架人工血管经送放器送入动脉，在透视下释放，植入主动脉弓和左锁骨下动脉。结果41例（98％）成功放置分支型支架41只和直筒型可弯曲支架人工血管5只；1例因左锁骨下动脉变形成角未能将送放器送入而改用直筒型支架治疗。夹层破裂口均被封闭，夹层真腔全部恢复正常直径。术后复查2例存在少量内漏。入路动脉无损伤，无死亡病例。术后病人均恢复正常活动。结论主动脉-左锁骨下动脉分支型支架人工血管易使用，适合修复破裂口位于左锁骨下动脉开口旁的主动脉弓部夹层，但长期效果还需进一步观察。     

The Perth endoluminal bifurcated graft system - development and early experience

The study aim was to develop a reliable endoluminal graft system that would enable the deployment of a bifurcated graft for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. A life-size plastic model was made of an abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, with a 50-mm infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. This model was used to develop and test self-expanding graft systems, based on a barbed Gianturco stent and series of stainless-steel ‘Z’ stents within a woven Dacron graft. The bifurcated system developed involves a trouser graft with one long leg and one short. This graft system is delivered through one femoral artery with deployment of the proximal aortic end infrarenally and the longer trouser leg within the ipsilateral common iliac artery. The short trouser leg is left hanging free within the distal end of the aneurysm cavity, just above the bifurcation. It is held open by a self-expanding stent and is cannulated from the contralateral femoral artery with a guide wire. A simple straight self-expanding stented graft is then deployed to extend this short trouser leg down into the common iliac artery, effectively creating an extension to the short leg. The graft system has been deployed in 21 patients with satisfactory exclusion of the aneurysm in 17 (81%). There has been one mortality and no conversion to open repair. All 17 aneurysms remain excluded at median follow-up of 30 (range 4–60) weeks. None of the four graft stents that leaked (two proximal and two distal) sealed spontaneously. Deployment of the uncovered Gianturco stent across the renal artery origins in 18 cases (85%) has not been associated with renal artery occlusion or deterioration in renal function at a median follow-up of 30 (range 4–60) weeks. The ability to deploy a bifurcated system increases the potential for endoluminal treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Copyright © 1996 The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery.     

Combining open and endovascular surgery for the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case report using a hybrid vascular graft

Migration and endoleaks after endovascular exclusion of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm may lead to long-term failure of the stent graft. We report a successful case of a novel technique that combined open and endovascular surgery to address the issues of migration and endoleak in the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The hybrid graft, consisting of a proximal, conventional Dacron graft and two distal endoprosthesis limbs, was designed to reduce aortic cross-clamp time in aortic procedures. This is the first reported clinical experience with this new hybrid vascular graft for the treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.     

Surgical repair of distal aortic arch aneurysm using "elephant trunk" technique]

We present a surgical case of 61-year-old man with distal aortic arch aneurysm. Under selective cerebral perfusion in deep hypothermia, we approached to the aneurysm through median sternotomy. Dilated distal aortic arch and proximal descending aorta with mural thrombus in the aneurysmal lumen were found. The aortic occlusion balloon catheter was inserted into the descending aorta. A Cooley woven Dacron graft (26 mm in diameter) was anastomosed at 5 cm above its distal end loosely to the descending aorta with five interrupted mattress sutures, and the distal portion of the graft was pushed down into the distal aorta ("elephant trunk" technique). Postoperative course was uneventful and the dead space around the graft in aneurysm was filled with thrombus. Six months later, however, emergent operation was performed because of compression of the bronchus and the esophagus by enlargement of the aneurysm due to leakage. The second operation was approached through 5th left intercostal thoracotomy and median sternotomy. The aneurysm was opened, and the thrombus was amounted to 500 g. The distal end of the graft was anastomosed end-to-end to the mid-portion of the descending thoracic aorta. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged. It is concluded that Elephant trunk technique is effective and the postoperative control of hypertension is very important.     

The balloon anchor technique: a novel technique for distal access through a giant aneurysm

A novel technique is reported that helps the operator in achieving reliable access to the distal parent vessel with a microcatheter for stent assisted aneurysm coiling. Distal parent vessel access was obtained by allowing the microwire to follow the local hemodynamics into a giant internal carotid artery aneurysm and around its dome. Various traditional methods were tried before attempting the balloon anchor. In this technique, an over-the-wire balloon was inflated in the distal vessel followed by gentle retraction of the balloon catheter and microwire allowed only a wire bridge across the aneurysm neck, thereby allowing the stent catheter to be brought up in a standard fashion. This technique may facilitate the use of new stent technologies for the treatment of aneurysms that would otherwise be untreatable with endovascular therapies.