Vascular surgical society of great britain and ireland: changes in proximal aortic neck dimensions following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dilatation of the proximal neck following conventional open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has been reported. Such continued dilatation following endovascular repair (EVR) could potentially be a disaster resulting in graft slippage, endoleak and aneurysm rupture. The aim of this study was to detect any change in proximal neck diameter following EVR of AAAs. METHODS: One hundred patients had undergone EVR of an AAA over a 4-year period in whom contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography was performed both before and after EVR (1 week, 3, 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter). Change in aortic proximal neck diameter, change in maximum aortic diameter, presence of endoleaks, and change in length from the lowest renal artery to the aortic bifurcation was sought. RESULTS: The median anteroposterior and transverse diameter decreased from 64 mm before operation to 56 and 54 mm respectively after operation. This trend in reduction in maximum diameter was not seen in patients with endoleaks. There was no significant change in proximal neck diameter when measured at 5-mm intervals following EVR. There was also no significant change in the aortic length following EVR. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of proximal neck dilatation or aneurysm length reduction following EVR of AAAs.