Emergency Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Research Articles

Optimizing Femoral Access in Emergency EVAR with a Decision-Making Algorithm.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the preferred approach over open repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) due to its minimally invasive nature. The common femoral artery (CFA) is the main access vessel for EVAR, with both surgical exposure and percutaneous access being utilized. However, in emergent cases, percutaneous access can be challenging and may result in complications such as bleeding or dissection thrombosis, leading to the need for surgical conversion. This study aimed to share experiences in implementing a decision-making algorithm to reduce surgical conversions due to percutaneous access failures. A total of 74 aortic patients treated with EVAR in emergency settings were included in this retrospective study. This study focused on various outcomes such as perioperative mortality, morbidity, procedure time, surgical exposure time, and surgical conversion rate. After the implementation of the decision-making algorithm, decreases in surgical conversions and operating time were observed. Percutaneous access was found to be more challenging in cases with specific anatomical characteristics of the CFA, such as severe atherosclerosis or smaller vessel diameter. This study highlighted the importance of carefully assessing patient anatomical features and utilizing a decision-making algorithm to optimize outcomes in EVAR procedures. Further research is needed to continue improving practices for managing aortic aneurysms and reducing complications in femoral artery access approaches.

Impact of Neck Morphology on Outcomes of Emergent Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Impact of Neck Morphology on Outcomes of Emergent Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Successful Management of Abdominal Aortocutaneous Fistula Following Emergency Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Aortoenteric Fistula in a Patient with Takayasu Arteritis

Aortocutaneous fistula is an extremely rare complication after aortic endograft infection. We report on the management of a patient who presented with aortocutaneous fistula following emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of an aortoenteric fistula (AEF). A 50-year-old female with Takayasu arteritis who had undergone thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for a thoracic aortic aneurysm, 23 years ago presented with a spontaneous abdominal AEF and another contained ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysm distal to the previous endograft. She underwent emergency bridge EVAR and redo-TEVAR. Thirteen months following EVAR, she presented with endograft infection and a spontaneous aortocutaneous fistula. She was successfully managed with an axillo-unifemoral bypass followed by EVAR endograft explantation. She was discharged on long-term antibiotics and has been symptom free for 12 months.

Impact of an emergency endovascular aneurysm repair protocol on 30-day ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm mortality: Presented at the 2021 Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting, Virtual, September 24-25, 2021.

Impact of an emergency endovascular aneurysm repair protocol on 30-day ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm mortality: Presented at the 2021 Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting, Virtual, September 24-25, 2021.

Endovascular and Endoscopic Treatment for Primary Aortoduodenal Fistula: A Case Report.

Primary aortoduodenal fistula (ADF) is a relatively rare and morbid diagnosis. A 91-year-old man who developed hematemesis and melena was transferred from a community hospital with the diagnosis of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Computed tomography revealed an irregular-shaped AAA with cavities enhanced near the duodenum, with suspected ADF. The patient was initially treated with emergency endovascular aneurysm repair. Duodenoscopy showed defects of the mucosa. ADF was diagnosed, and fistulas were closed with endoscopic clipping. This case highlights the success of ADF endovascular repair.

A poor outcome in non-occlusive thrombo-embolic limb ischaemia related to the dislocation of mural thrombus from an abdominal aortic aneurysm

BackgroundAcute thrombosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with acute limb ischaemia is an unusual complication and is associated with high mortality. Dislocation of the intrasaccular mural thrombus could be one of the mechanisms. For the most part, acute limb ischaemia presents with absent pulses, compatible with the clinical findings, which include pain, paraesthesia, and paralysis. Herein, we report a rare condition with detectable distal pulses in advanced limb ischaemia due to poor perfusion caused by the dislocation of mural thrombus from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.Case presentationA 74-year-old male patient with underlying hypertension and chronic renal disease presented at the emergency room with bilateral lower limb paralysis after falling on his back in the bathroom an hour prior. He reported numbness and weakness of his lower limbs, which was gradually worsening, over the past week. Physical examination showed cyanotic mottling of the lower limbs with paralysis. However, the dorsalis pedis pulse was intact. Computed tomography angiography showed a 7.3 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm containing highly irregular mural thrombus in the early phase, with slow perfusion of the contrast medium in the arteries below the bifurcation during the delayed phase. After traumatic spinal injury was excluded, an emergent endovascular aneurysm repair was performed. Although vital signs were initially stable post-surgery, both lower limbs were still paralysed and did not improve. He then experienced reperfusion injury with metabolic acidosis. There was no urine output despite intravenous hydration. Laboratory data included potassium 7.7 mEq/L, lactate 110 mg/dL, white blood cells 23,700/uL, and myoglobin 46,590 ng/mL. Even under critical medical care and continuous venovenous hemofiltration, his hemodynamic status worsened. He developed hypotension and needed endotracheal intubation because of loss of consciousness and respiratory failure. The patient finally died due to ventricular tachycardia even after several rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation with cardioversion.ConclusionThe unusual clinical presentation of detectable lower limb pulses in advanced limb ischaemia showed that poor blood perfusion related to dislocation of mural thrombus in abdominal aortic aneurysm might mislead clinicians and delay accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Impact of an emergency endovascular aneurysm repair protocol on 30-day ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm mortality

ObjectiveTo characterize the longstanding impact of an emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) protocol for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) on 30-day mortality. MethodsAll adult patients with an rAAA who underwent a surgical or endovascular intervention at a tertiary care center between March 2001 and December 2018 were evaluated. An emergency EVAR protocol was introduced in January 2004. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, which was calculated using risk-adjusted logistic regression for the preprotocol and postprotocol periods. A risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis examined changes in 30-day mortality after protocol implementation. ResultsWe identified 376 patients with rAAA between 2001 and 2018 (75 preprotocol and 301 postprotocol), with a decreasing incidence of rAAA during the study period. The introduction of the protocol in 2004 was associated with increased EVAR use (63.6% vs 6.7%; P < .001). Patients managed according to the protocol were more frequently unstable (systolic blood pressure [SBP] of ≤80 mm Hg, 46.5% postprotocol vs 22.7% preprotocol; P < 0.001), with a lower average SBP (87.4 mm Hg postprotocol vs 106 mm Hg preprotocol; P < .001) and worse renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate 61.5 mL/min postprotocol vs 83.2 mL/min preprotocol; P < .001). The risk-adjusted 30-day mortality was 23.2% with the emergency EVAR protocol, versus 35.8% preprotocol (P = .0727). A subgroup analysis demonstrated improved the 30-day mortality for unstable patients (SBP of ≤80 mm Hg) at 38.0% (vs 62.4% preprotocol introduction; P = .0190). A cumulative sum analysis demonstrated worse than expected mortality outcomes in the preprotocol period, and stability of surgical performance over 15 years after protocol introduction. ConclusionsOn reflection of a 17-year experience with EVAR for rAAA, the implementation of an emergency EVAR protocol demonstrated stable surgical performance for all patients with an rAAA and evidence of improved 30-day mortality for unstable patients with an rAAA. Since the protocol introduction, EVAR has become a mainstay intervention and, despite an increase in comorbid patients, the overall incidence of rAAA is declining. EVAR should be considered the first-line intervention for the appropriate patient unstable with an rAAA.

Short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular surgical training in Scotland: a trainee’s perspective

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to surgical training worldwide due to several factors, including the postponement of elective operating. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular surgery trainees in Scotland. Methods: A voluntary questionnaire was offered to all specialty trainees in vascular surgery in Scotland, comparing two one-year periods before (period A, 1 March 2012 to 28 February 2020) and during (period B, 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire assessed multiple areas including demographics, annual review of competence and progression (ARCP) outcome, logbook completion and supervision level of eight index procedures. Results: All of the 11 eligible trainees completed the survey (100% response rate). No trainee had their ARCP outcome affected by the pandemic. Six (54.5%) had courses affected and seven (63.6%) were subject to rota changes. Of the eight index procedures, five procedures (62.5%) trended towards fewer procedures performed in period B (emergency open aneurysm repair (OAR), emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), carotid endarterectomy (CEA), vascular access, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)) and three (37.5%) trended towards more procedures performed in period B (elective OAR, elective EVAR, lower limb bypass), though these trends did not reach statistical significance. Four (50%) of the index procedures were performed more frequently as primary operator. Conclusions: The pandemic has forced changes in surgical training but vascular trainees in Scotland have had minimal negative impact. This needs to be maintained for the trainees to progress in their surgical training, achieve required experience and competencies, in turn providing optimal patient care.

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm After Successful Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement- A Case Report and Review of Management

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an important procedure with the aging US population presenting with more aortic stenosis and as many as 10 % of these patients presenting with an abdominal aortic aneurysm at the time of screening. This procedure has also been shown to be as safe as open aortic valve replacement with lower risks of death, stroke, and rehospitalization. Case Report: A 91-year-old female presents approximately one month after transcatheter aortic valve with an acute retroperitoneal rupture of a known abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient was taken for an emergent endovascular aortic aneurysm repair and became suddenly unresponsive and apneic prior to any anesthetic drug administration, the patient was intubated, and rapid transfusion was started. The procedure was completed successfully with immediate improvement in the patient’s vitals after deployment of the stent. The patient was recovering well, but five days later had a sudden pulseless electrical activity arrest and after appropriate but unsuccessful advanced cardiac life support was declared deceased. Conclusion: While not standard of care, a simultaneous endovascular aneurysm repair during transcatheter aortic valve repair in select patients seems to be a safe procedure without increase in complications from either procedure completed separately. The aim of this manuscript is to review the recent success of simultaneous repair and to illustrate that this newer method may improve outcomes.

Effect of an Emergency Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Protocol on Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mortality: A Single-Center Retrospective Review

We have demonstrated an emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) protocol in a high-volume tertiary care center reduces mortality for patients with ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs).

Outcomes of emergency endovascular versus open repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.

PurposeRuptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is one of the most common aortic emergencies in vascular surgery and is associated with high operative mortality and morbidity rates despite recent treatment advances. We evaluated operative mortality risks for the outcomes of emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (eEVAR) vs. open repair in rAAA.MethodsTwenty patients underwent eEVAR (n = 12) or open repair (n = 8) for rAAA between 2016 and 2020. We adopted the EVAR first strategy since 2018. Primary endpoints included in-hospital mortality and 1-year survival. The outcome variables were analyzed with Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney test, and linear by linear association. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival.ResultsThere were 13 males (65.0%) and the median age of the study cohort was 78.0 years (range, 49–88 years). In-hospital mortality occurred in 7 patients (35.0%); 5 (50.0%) in the early period and 2 (20.0%) in the later period of this series. According to the procedure type, 4 (50.0%) and 3 (25.0%) in-hospital mortalities occurred in the open repair and eEVAR patients, respectively. In 6 patients (50.0%), eEVAR was performed on unfavorable anatomy. The 1-year survival of eEVAR vs. open repair group was 75% ± 12.5% and 50% ± 17.7%, respectively. On univariate analysis, preoperative high-risk indices, postoperative acute renal failure requiring dialysis, pulmonary complications, and prolonged mechanical ventilation were associated with higher operative mortality.ConclusionThe current data showed relatively superior outcomes with eEVAR vs. open repair for rAAA, even in some patients with unfavorable anatomy supporting the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of EVAR first strategy.

Endovascular Repair for Abdominal Aortic Rupture Caused by Periaortic Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

A 72-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the suspicion of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Before admission, he was suspected of having a malignant lymphoma and underwent excisional biopsy in his right groin. A contrast enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a massive retroperitoneal hematoma with an extravasation arising from the infrarenal abdominal aorta coexisting with an extensive retroperitoneal mass surrounding the aorta. An emergency endovascular aneurysm repair was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful. After the treatment, histological examination of the previous biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma.

Emergent thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair for ruptured aneurysm: in-hospital and long-term results.

The use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has rapidly increased following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2005. Initially used for the repair of intact thoracic aneurysms and aortic dissections, TEVAR is now routinely used for the treatment of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm as well. Emergent TEVAR for the repair of ruptured aneurysm has demonstrated improved perioperative mortality and morbidity compared to traditional open repair. Spinal cord ischemia and permanent paraplegia rates are also lower following TEVAR compared to open repair. However, TEVAR requires routine surveillance and has demonstrated the need for reintervention compared to open repair. Furthermore, the perioperative survival benefits of TEVAR were attenuated on mid-term and long-term survival analysis.

A CASE OF RUPTURED MYCOTIC ANEURYSM AFTER DISSEMINATED MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS INFECTION

SESSION TITLE: Medical Student/Resident Critical Care Posters SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: Dissemination is a rare complication of intravesical bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy for bladder malignancy. CASE PRESENTATION: An 86 year-old male with medical history of atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular accident, and bladder carcinoma treated with intravesical BCG who initially presented with worsening lower back pain. A contrast CT showed left psoas abscess abutting posterior and left lateral wall of the infrarenal abdominal aorta without evidence of aneurysm formation or contrast extravasation. Culture from the left psoas abscess aspirate returned positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis complex with a monoresistance pattern for Pyrazinamide consistent with the diagnosis of Mycobacterium Bovis(M.Bovis). He was started on a multidrug antitubercular regimen with a plan for close-follow up with serial imaging. After 3 months, he developed worsening back pain and was brought to the emergency room with increasing somnolence. Vitals were remarkable for hypotension and tachycardia. On physical examination, the patient was disoriented and had mild abdominal tenderness. Rest of the exam was unremarkable. His blood work revealed hemoglobin 6.2mg/dl and creatinine 2.2mg/dl. Abdominal CT angiography showed large left retroperitoneal hematoma and contained rupture of the infrarenal aortic aneurysm. He was resuscitated with blood products and anticoagulation was held. He underwent emergent endovascular aneurysm repair. His postoperative period was complicated by the deterioration of renal functions resulting in anuric renal failure. He was transitioned to hospice as hemodialysis was not consistent with his goals of care. DISCUSSION: BCG contains a weak strain of M. Bovis which is used as a vaccination against mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in some parts of the world and also as intravesical immunotherapy for the treatment of bladder cancer. Common side effects of intravesical BCG treatment include transient fever, fatigue, dysuria, or hematuria. Rarely, it can lead to disseminated infection leading to pneumonitis, prostatitis, hepatitis, or endovascular involvement. The pathogenesis of endovascular invasion by BCG is unclear but it is postulated to be associated with instrumentation of the bladder. Presentation of endovascular involvement may be subtle and is usually discovered after the development of complications like a ruptured aneurysm. Mycotic aneurysm related to disseminated BCG infection should be suspected based on relevant history. Diagnosis requires imaging as well as a specimen collection for microscopic analysis and culture. Mycobacterium Bovis isolates are inherently resistant to pyrazinamide. On biopsy, there is usually evidence of granulomatous inflammation. Management involves multidrug antitubercular regimen and surgical repair of the aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be aware of late complications of intravesicular BCG administration. Reference #1: A. Steg, S. Adjiman, B. Debre BCG therapy in superficial bladder tumors—complications and precautions Eur Urol, 21 (suppl 2) (1992), pp. 35-40 Reference #2: J.M. LaBerge, R.K. Kerlan Jr, L.M. Reilly, T.A. Chuter Diagnosis please: Case 9: mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the abdominal aorta in association with mycobacterial psoas abscess—a complication of BCG therapy Radiology, 211 (1999), pp. 81-85 Reference #3: D.L. Lamm, P.M. van der Meijden, A. Morales, S.A. Brosman, W.J. Catalona, H.W. Herr, et al. Incidence and treatment of complications of bacillus Calmette-Guerin intravesical therapy in superficial bladder cancer J Urol, 147 (1992), pp. 596-600 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Shahrukh Arif, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Firas Jafri, source=Web Response

Emergency Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Coupled with Staged Omentopexy for Primary Aorto-Duodenal Fistula.

A primary aorto-duodenal fistula (ADF), a rare, spontaneous development of a communication between the aorta and duodenum, is a disastrous complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. A 73-year-old patient with primary ADF underwent emergent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), followed by staged omentopexy, without removing a stent graft (SG). The patient received long-term treatment with antibiotics, and there has been no evidence of infection during a follow-up period of three years. Emergency EVAR coupled with omentopexy, may be a treatment option for primary ADF, even when it means leaving the SG in a potentially infectious site.

Long-term Outcomes Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Purpose: To investigate the long-term outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) from a single center over an 11-year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 121 patients (median age 78 years; 100 men) with rAAA who underwent emergency EVAR at a single tertiary vascular center from January 2006 to December 2016. The study included only ruptures confirmed by evidence of hematoma on preoperative computed tomography; both iliac and aortic aneurysm ruptures were eligible. The primary outcome measures included mortality and reintervention rates. Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival and freedom from reintervention are reported with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: In-hospital and 30-day mortality rates for emergency EVAR were 16.5%; 90-day mortality was 24.0%. The mortality estimates were 27.3% (95% CI 20% to 36%) at 1 year and 61.7% (95% CI 51% to 72%) at 5 years. In the observation period to 2017, 63 reinterventions were performed on 37 patients (30.6%). Median time to the first reintervention was 3.2 years. Freedom from reintervention in surviving patients at 1 year was 86% (95% CI 72% to 94%) and 51% (95% CI 26% to 71%) at 5 years. Four patients (3.3%) had a secondary sac rupture over the study period. Conclusion: Emergency EVAR for ruptured AAA can be performed with acceptable short-term outcomes; however, long-term surveillance is necessary, and reintervention is common.

Feasibility and Safety of Sac Embolization Using N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate in Emergency Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms or Isolated Iliac Artery Aneurysms

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of sac embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and iliac artery aneurysm (IAA) in comparison to EVAR without sac embolization. Materials and Methods: Between February 2012 and December 2019, among 44 consecutive patients with ruptured AAA or IAA, 29 underwent EVAR. Of these, 22 patients (median age 77.5 years; 18 men) had concomitant sac embolization using NBCA; the remaining 7 patients (median age 88 years; 6 men) underwent EVAR without sac embolization and form the control group. The technical success, clinical success (hemodynamic stabilization), procedure-related complications, and mortality were compared between the groups. Results: All EVAR procedures and embolizations were successful. The clinical success rates in the NBCA and control groups were 95% (21/22) and 71% (5/7), respectively (p=0.14). There was no complication related to the procedure. Type II endoleak occurred in 4 of 21 patients (19%) in the NBCA group vs none of the control patients. One patient (5%) died in the NBCA group vs 3 (43%) in the controls (p=0.034). Conclusion: Sac embolization using NBCA in emergency EVAR appears to be feasible and safe for ruptured AAA and IAA.

Long Term Outcomes Following Emergency Endovascular Aneurysm Repair - A Single Centre Series

Introduction - Recent randomised trials have shown equivalence between open and endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the short term. Compared to open repair, re-intervention is more common following elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and in the longer-term aneurysm related mortality is higher due to secondary sac rupture. There are, however, relatively few studies in the field describing the durability of emergency EVAR. Methods - We analysed data from all emergency EVARs (eEVAR) for ruptured AAA performed in an East of England tertiary centre (Addenbrooke’s Hospital) between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2016. Progress after the initial eEVAR was recorded up until the end of March 2017 for all patients (n=126). The primary outcome measures included mortality rates, re-intervention rates, rates of secondary sac rupture, rates of endoleaks, and the time interval to these notable events. Results - 126 eEVARs were performed during the assigned 11-year time period from which patient data was analysed. The mean age of patients at the point of eEVAR was 77.4 years and 87% were males. The mean AAA diameter at the point of rupture was 8.1 cm. Mortality at 30 days, 1 year and 5 years was 15%, 25% & 50% respectively. There were 6 secondary sac ruptures, with an average time to rupture of 5 years post-eEVAR. Incidence of secondary sac rupture in our data was 1.2 per 100 person years. Secondary sac ruptures were due to type 1a endoleak (n=2), type 1b endoleak (n=2) and type 3 endoleak. In total, 13 Type I endoleaks and 3 Type III endoleaks were identified. 39 out of 126 patients underwent at least one vascular re-intervention post-eEVAR comprising 30.7% of the patient cohort with an average time interval to 1st re-intervention of 2.03 years. There were 69 re-interventions recorded in total. Conclusion - Early and late outcomes following eEVAR are acceptable. Re-interventions are relatively common and there is an incidence of secondary sac rupture therefore life-long surveillance is required.

Type of Anesthesia for Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is used increasingly in the management of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), including in the emergency setting for ruptured AAA. The lower mortality among patients undergoing emergency EVAR under local anesthesia (LA) observed in the Immediate Management of Patients with Rupture: Open Versus Endovascular Repair trial has sparked renewed interest in the anesthesia choice for EVAR. This systematic review evaluates the effect of mode of anesthesia on outcomes after EVAR. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The primary outcome was in-hospital/30-day mortality, and both emergency and elective EVAR were included. The relative risk of death was estimated for each individual study without adjustment for potential confounding factors. Hospitals. A total of 39,744 patients from 22 nonrandomized studies were included in the analysis. None. Sixteen studies in 23,202 patients compared LA to general anesthesia (GA) and reported in-hospital/30-day mortality. The unadjusted risk of death after emergency EVAR with LA was lower than with GA. Trends in elective surgery were less clear. There is some evidence across both emergency and elective settings to suggest that mode of anesthesia may be associated with improved outcomes. In particular, LA appears to have a positive effect on outcome after emergency EVAR. Because of the lack of randomized trial data, a significant risk of confounding remains. The optimal mode of anesthesia for EVAR should be investigated further and the reasons why particular anesthesia techniques are chosen for particular patients identified.

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms : Interventional treatment

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms occur considerably less often than abdominal aortic aneurysms. Mainly older men are affected by this disease. Most of these aneurysms are asymptomatic and are incidentally detected during cross-sectional imaging. Iliac aneurysms with adiameter larger than 3 cm are at risk for rupture, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. To prevent their rupture as well as for symptomatic or ruptured aneurysms, endovascular treatment has recently been established as the primary approach due to the decreased morbidity and mortality compared to open repair. Endovascular aneurysm exclusion is performed with stent grafts, and depending on the anatomy, by adjunctive internal iliac artery embolization. Up to aquarter of treated patients will require additional endovascular revisions during the long term. Reliable imaging follow-up likely increases the safety of elective or emergent endovascular iliac artery aneurysm repair.