‘Trial of Stiff Guidewire’: A Useful Adjunct to Determining Suitability for Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Abstract

IntroductionThis study investigated our practice of performing a pre-operative ‘trial of stiff guidewire’ to assess whether iliac artery tortuosity may be overcome, prior to denying patients endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). ReportDuring the 58-month study period, 35 ‘trial of stiff guidewire’ procedures were performed, the thirty-one of whom ‘passed’ were suitable for EVAR. Four patients whose iliac anatomy could not be straightened (failing the trial of stiff guidewire) were offered open surgery only. DiscussionIf the iliac artery can be straightened using the stiff wire, to a bend less acute than 80°, patients may still be offered EVAR.