Endovascular Aortic Stent Graft Research Articles

Single-Center Experience with Simultaneous Mural Aortic Thrombosis and Peripheral Obstructive Disease in Pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 Era

Mural aortic thrombosis associated with chronic peripheral obstruction of the lower limbs is an unusual event. Repeated embolism of instability aortic mural thrombosis caused acute limb ischemia (Rutherford 2 classification) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We report a single-center experience for patients with transmural aortic thrombosis and peripheral artery disease. We retrospectively analyzed data of 54 patients with aortic mural thrombus disease with PAD presentation, treated at our center between 2013 and 2022. Thirty patients (six with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection) underwent hybrid or staged treatment for an aortic lesion and for lower limb ischemia, by the placement of an endovascular aortic stent graft and a femoro-distal or a popliteal-distal bypass graft. The remaining 24 cases were only subjected to an intravascular treatment of the thoracic or abdominal aorta. Transient renal failure occurred in three patients. No embolic events were detected during the procedures. Aortic-related mortality was reported in just one patient who died from multiple organ failure. There was an embolic stroke in one patient with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, three major amputations in patients with proven SARS-CoV-2 infection and no aortic-related mortality. Stent coverage of complex aortic lesions, alone or in association with a distal bypass graft, supports this approach in a variety of settings. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increased mortality and amputation rate.

Endovascular Management of the Ascending Aorta: State of the Art.

Endovascular stent graft repair (EVAR) has revolutionized the management of aneurysms and dissections of the thoracic and abdominal aorta and is considered the first-line treatment in such pathologies. Initially designed for patients unfit for open repair, EVAR and thoracic endovascular aortic stent graft repair are associated with improved morbidity and mortality and a faster recovery process. The endovascular revolution of the aorta continues moving proximally, with fenestrated and branch stent grafts currently in clinical trials for the management of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, and several branched thoracic devices are either approved or in trial for management of aortic arch pathologies. The final frontier in the endovascular management of the aorta is the aortic root and ascending aorta. The first early feasibility trial for management of type A aortic dissection has recently concluded with a multicenter phase 2 study slated for the spring of 2023. The following article updates the reader on the unique challenges of endovascular management of the ascending aorta and a look at the future technologies that will define this space.

Two Endovascular Stent Graft Repairs Needed for an Extrathoracic Aortic Graft: Distant Complications After an Original Open Repair for a Gunshot Wound to the Chest

Although the management of traumatic injuries to the thoracic aorta has shifted toward endovascular management, the historical standard of care is open reconstruction. Choosing to reoperate when faced with a complication from a prior open repair can be challenging; endovascular management can be a reasonable option in this situation. This report describes a 54-year-old man with a remote history of open surgery for a traumatic injury to the descending thoracic aorta who underwent endovascular aortic stent graft placement for coverage of extrathoracic graft extension with pseudoaneurysm formation and distal embolization. He returned a year later with a type IIIb endoleak with rupture into the posterolateral chest wall. A sec ond endovascular approach was used to successfully reline the graft and exclude the rupture.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Morphology in the Chinese Population and Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Eligibility

Introduction: The current commercial endovascular abdominal aortic stent grafts are designed based on the anatomical data from the Western population. Objective: To investigate the morphological features of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a Chinese cohort and its clinical implications. Methods: It was a retrospective, observational study. The preoperative computed tomography angiogram (CTAs) of patients who underwent endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) from January 01, 2015 to December 31, 2020, were analyzed. A predefined set of AAA morphological measurements was taken. The eligibility of EVAR with current commercially available stent grafts on the market was examined. Results: A total of 210 cases were studied. The mean AAA diameter was 64.3 mm. The mean proximal and distal neck diameters were 22.9 mm and 24.4 mm, respectively, whereas the mean neck length was 23.8 mm and the mean infra-renal angle was 51.6°. The right and left mean common iliac arteries (CIAs) diameters were 21.2 mm and 18.3 mm. The right and left mean CIA lengths were 35.7 mm and 37.3 mm. The mean external iliac artery (EIA) diameter was 8.3 mm bilaterally. Female gender was associated with significantly smaller neck diameters, smaller EIA diameters, and larger infra-renal angle. EVAR eligibility ranged from 16%–37% and was significantly lower in females. Conclusions: The majority of Chinese patients with AAA did not meet the anatomical eligibility for EVAR, with neck angulation being the major deterrent. Female patients posed an additional anatomical challenge due to larger infra-renal angle and smaller iliac access diameter. The development of low-profile angulated neck-compatible EVAR devices may expand EVAR applicability in future.

Hybrid Approach in Acute and Chronic Aortic Disease

The management of patients with aortic disease that involves the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and the descending aorta represent a surgical challenge. Open surgical repair remains the gold standard for aortic arch pathologies. However, this operation requires a cardiopulmonary bypass and a period of profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest, which carries a substantial rate of mortality and morbidity. For these reasons, hybrid arch repair that involves a combination of open surgery with endovascular aortic stent graft placement has been introduced as a therapeutic alternative for those patients deemed unfit for open surgical procedures. Hybrid repair requires varying degrees of invasiveness and can be performed as a single-stage procedure or as a two-stage procedure. The choice of the technique is multifactorial, depending on the characteristics of the diseased arch with regard to position of the stent graft proximal landing zone, patient fitness and comorbid status, as well as surgical expertise and hospital facilities. Among the evolving hybrid procedures is the so-called “frozen” or stented elephant trunk technique. Adapted from the classical elephant trunk technique, this approach facilitates the repair of a concomitant aortic arch and proximal descending aortic aneurysms in a single stage under circulatory arrest. This technique is increasingly being used to treat extensive thoracic aortic disease and has shown promising results.

Percutaneous embolization of a ruptured mycotic visceral aortic aneurysm stump hemorrhage

Introduction and Objective Managing infected endovascular aortic stent grafts is difficult and often has morbid consequences. We report a complicated case of endovascular aortic stent graft infection treated through complex surgical and endovascular management. A standard attempt at open surgical correction was made, however, due to the complex nature of the patient's condition; much of the treatment accomplishedvia endovascular techniques for ultimate resolution. Case Report Graphical AbstractA) CTA maximum intensity projection after initial surgical repair demonstrating an axillary-femoral and femoral-femoral bypass creation (star), distal aortic and bilateral artery ligation (asterisks). B) Sagittal abdominal CTA 2 weeks after initial surgery demonstrating contrast extravasation from the aortic stump (arrow). View Large Image Figure Viewer Download Hi-res image Graphical AbstractA) Posterior projection of a volume rendered CTA after the second surgical repair demonstrating distal thoracic aorta ligation (open arrow), previous ligations (asterisks), bypass grafts from the distal thoracic aorta to the SMA (white arrow), splenic artery (open arrowhead), and left renal artery (white arrowhead). B) Sagittal abdominal CTA demonstrating recurrent hemorrhage in the visceral aorta (arrow), with themultiple ligations (asterisks) of the aorta and SMA, as well as the celiac bypass (arrowhead). View Large Image Figure Viewer Download Hi-res image Graphical AbstractA) Oblique image of the aortic stump access using an 18-gauge Hawkins needle (Cook, Bloomington, IN) (white arrowheads) shows inflow at the celiac ostium as a contrast void (white circle), opacification of the replaced right hepatic (black arrow), right renal artery (black arrowhead), and visceral aorta with extravasation of contrast (white arrow). B) SOS 2 catheter (Cook, Bloomington, IN) selection of the celiac artery (white arrow head) with retrograde flow in to the aortic lumen (white circle), inflow from the splenic artery stump bypass (black arrowhead), and antegrade flow into the common hepatic artery (black arrow). View Large Image Figure Viewer Download Hi-res image Graphical AbstractThe ostia of the celiac artery, right renal artery, and direct aortic origin right hepatic celiacartery origin were embolized using multiple techniques. A) A 0.24 microcatheter (white arrowhead) was advanced into the splenic artery and used to place an Amplatz IV (6 × 11mm) (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN) (black arrowhead) into the ostium of the celiac artery to exclude the aortic stump but preserve hepatic arterial supply. Direction of blood flow from the splenic bypass towards the celiac ostium and into the common hepatic artery is demarcated with open arrows. B) The replaced right hepatic artery was embolized with multiple 0.018 6mm and 4mm detachable coils (Boston Scientific S Interlock, Marlboro, MA) (arrow). C) The visceral aortic lumen and right renal artery were embolized with 0.035 and 0.018 detachable coils (Boston Scientific S Interlock, Marlboro, MA), a 0.035 Benson wire with removed mandrel (Cook,Bloomington, IN) and n-BCA glue (TruFill Johnson and Johnson, Miami, FL). The aortic access track was then closed with an 8mm Amplatz plug and n-BCA glue (arrowhead). View Large Image Figure Viewer Download Hi-res image Graphical AbstractA) 3-year post-operative follow up 3D rendered image showing patents bypasses to the SMA (white arrow), splenic artery (open arrowhead), and left renal artery (white arrowhead), stable ligation of the distal thoracic aorta and embolized visceral abdominal aorta. B) 3-year post-operative sagittal CT showing absence of perfusion to the visceral aortic (arrow). View Large Image Figure Viewer Download Hi-res image Discussion Complex aortic surgery is challenging especially in the presence of recurrent infection. This case was a unique situation in which a less invasive endovascular correction was successful for a patient with multiple recent aortic surgeries in which perioperative mortality for any additional surgeries was likely. Managing infected endovascular aortic stent grafts is difficult and often has morbid consequences. We report a complicated case of endovascular aortic stent graft infection treated through complex surgical and endovascular management. A standard attempt at open surgical correction was made, however, due to the complex nature of the patient's condition; much of the treatment accomplishedvia endovascular techniques for ultimate resolution. Complex aortic surgery is challenging especially in the presence of recurrent infection. This case was a unique situation in which a less invasive endovascular correction was successful for a patient with multiple recent aortic surgeries in which perioperative mortality for any additional surgeries was likely.

Hybrid repair versus conventional open repair for thoracic aortic arch aneurysms.

Thoracic aortic arch aneurysms (TAAs) can be a life-threatening condition due to the potential risk of rupture. Treatment is recommended when the risk of rupture is greater than the risk of surgical complications. Depending on the cause, size and growth rate of the TAA, treatment may vary from close observation to emergency surgery. Aneurysms of the thoracic aorta can be managed by a number of surgical techniques. Open surgical repair (OSR) of aneurysms involves either partial or total replacement of the aorta, which is dependent on the extent of the diseased segment of the aorta. During OSR, the aneurysm is replaced with a synthetic graft. Hybrid repair (HR) involves a combination of open surgery with endovascular aortic stent graft placement. Hybrid repair requires varying degrees of invasiveness, depending on the number of supra-aortic branches that require debranching. The hybrid technique that combines supra-aortic vascular debranching with stent grafting of the aortic arch has been introduced as a therapeutic alternative. However, the short- and long-term outcomes of HR remain unclear, due to technical difficulties and complications as a result of the angulation of the aortic arch as well as handling of the arch during surgery. To assess the effectiveness and safety of HR versus conventional OSR for the treatment of TAAs. The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and AMED databases and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registers to 22 March 2021. We also searched references of relevant articles retrieved from the electronic search for additional citations. We considered for inclusion in the review all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing HR to OSR for TAAs. Two review authors independently screened all titles and abstracts obtained from the literature search to identify those that met the inclusion criteria. We retrieved the full text of studies deemed as potentially relevant by at least one review author. The same review authors screened the full-text articles independently for inclusion or exclusion. No RCTs or CCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. Due to the lack of RCTs or CCTs, we were unable to determine the safety and effectiveness of HR compared to OSR in people with TAAs, and we are unable to provide high-certainty evidence on the optimal surgical intervention for this cohort of patients. High-quality RCTs or CCTs are necessary, addressing the objective of this review.

A Canadian multicenter experience describing outcomes after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair stent graft explantation

BackgroundMost studies describing the outcomes after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) explantation have been from single, high-volume, centers. We performed a multicenter cross-Canadian study of outcomes after EVAR stent graft explantation. Our objectives were to describe the outcomes after late open conversion and EVAR graft explantation at various Canadian centers and the techniques and outcomes stratified by the indication for explant. MethodsThe Canadian Vascular Surgery Research Group performed a retrospective multicenter study of all cases of EVAR graft explantation at participating centers from 2003 to 2018. Data were collected using a standardized, secure, online platform (RedCap [Research Electronic Data Capture]). Univariate statistical analysis was used to compare the techniques and outcomes stratified the indication for graft explantation. ResultsPatient data from 111 EVAR explants collected from 13 participating centers were analyzed. The mean age at explantation was 74 years, the average aneurysm size was 7.5 cm, and 28% had had at least one instructions for use violation at EVAR. The average time between EVAR and explantation was 42.5 months. The most common indication for explantation was endoleak (n = 66; type Ia, 46; type Ib, 2; type II, 9; type III, 2; type V, 7), followed by infection in 20 patients; rupture in 18 patients (due to type Ia endoleak in 10 patients, type Ib in 1, type II in 1, type III in 2, and type V in 1), and graft thrombosis in 7 patients. The overall 30-day mortality was 11%, and 45% of the patients had experienced at least one major perioperative complication. Mortality was significantly greater for patients with rupture (33.3%) and those with infection (15%) compared with patients undergoing elective explantation for endoleak (4.5%; P = .003). The average center volume during the previous 15 years was 8 cases with a wide range (2-19 cases). A trend was seen toward greater mortality for patients treated at centers with fewer than eight cases compared with those with eight or more cases (19% vs 9%). However, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = .23). Overall, 41% of patients had undergone at least one attempt at endovascular salvage before explantation, with the highest proportion among patients who had undergone EVAR explantation for endoleak (51%). Only 22% of patients with rupture had undergone an attempt at endovascular salvage before explantation. ConclusionsThe performance of EVAR graft explantation has increasing in Canada. Patients who had undergone elective explantation for endoleak had lower mortality than those treated for either infection or rupture. Thus, patients with an indication for explanation should be offered surgery before symptoms or rupture has occurred. A trend was seen toward greater mortality for patients treated at centers with lower volumes

Late Outcomes of Endovascular Aortic Stent Graft Therapy in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Late Outcomes of Endovascular Aortic Stent Graft Therapy in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Late outcomes of endovascular aortic stent graft therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are effective and minimally invasive treatment options for high-risk surgical candidates. Nevertheless, knowledge about the management of aortic stent graft therapy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is scarce. This study aimed to examine outcomes after EVAR and TEVAR in patients with CKD.Utilizing data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we retrospectively assessed patients who underwent EVAR and TEVAR therapy between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013. Patients were divided into CKD and non-CKD groups. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality, all-cause mortality, readmission, heart failure, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.There were 1019 patients in either group after matching. The CKD group had a higher in-hospital mortality rate than the non-CKD group (15.2% vs 8.3%, respectively; odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-2.54). Patients with CKD had higher risks of all-cause mortality including in-hospital death (46.1% vs 33.1%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.35-1.92), readmission rate (62.6% vs 55.0%; subdistribution HR [SHR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.32-1.69), redo stent (7.8% vs 6.2%; SHR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.09-2.07), and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (13.3% vs 8.8%; SHR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.95). The subgroup analysis did not demonstrate a variation in mortality between the TEVAR and EVAR cohorts (P for interaction = .725). The dialysis group had higher risks of all-cause mortality and readmission than the CKD without dialysis and non-CKD groups.Among EVAR/TEVAR recipients, CKD was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality, postoperative complication, and all-cause mortality rates. Patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis had worse outcomes than those in the CKD non-dialysis and non-CKD groups.

Is primary aldosteronism a potential risk factor for aortic dissection? A case report and literature review

BackgroundPrimary aldosteronism (PA) increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity, including stroke, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. The relationship between primary aldosteronism and aortic dissection has rarely been reported. We report a case of aortic dissection caused by secondary hypertension from PA and review similar cases in the literature.Case presentationA 56-year-old woman with a history of surgery for aortic dissection presented for follow-up of hypertension and a left adrenal mass. She had been diagnosed with hypertension and hypokalemia in 2003. Blood pressure had been controlled by antihypertensive medications. In 2009, she presented with chest and back pain; she was diagnosed with aortic dissection by computed tomography (CT). She underwent placement of an endovascular aortic stent graft. CT at that time showed a left adrenal mass with a diameter of 1 cm. In 2017, CT reexamination revealed that the left adrenal mass had grown to 3 cm in diameter. Laboratory data showed blood potassium 2.4 mmol/L (reference range: 3.5–5.3 mmol/L). The plasma aldosterone/renin ratio was elevated because of suppressed plasma renin and elevated serum aldosterone levels. Plasma aldosterone levels were not suppressed after taking captopril. Positron emission tomography/CT showed that the left adrenal tumor radiographic uptake was slightly increased (maximum standardized uptake value of 2.2), and metastasis was not detected. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed, and an adrenocortical adenoma was confirmed histopathologically. After surgery, blood pressure and laboratory findings were within their reference ranges without any pharmacological treatment.ConclusionsOur patient and the literature suggest that PA is a potential cause of aortic dissection. Diagnosing PA in the early stages of the disease and early treatment are important because affected patients may be at increased risk of aortic dissection.

Five-year results of the INSPIRATION study for the INCRAFT low-profile endovascular aortic stent graft system

ObjectiveWe present the 5-year results of a prospective regulatory study of the INCRAFT device, a low-profile endovascular stent graft system for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. MethodsThis was an open-label prospective nonrandomized single-arm study enrolling in centers in the United States and Japan. The primary effectiveness outcome was successful aneurysm treatment and the primary safety outcome was the incidence of major adverse events at 30 days after the procedure. Major long-term outcomes were mortality, reintervention, adverse limb outcomes, and suprarenal stent fracture. ResultsOne hundred and ninety patients (mean age, 73.8 ± 7.6 years; 90% male; 69% white and 30% Asian) were enrolled from 32 centers throughout the United States and Japan. Minimal access vessel size was less than 7 mm on both sides in 43.9% of the study cohort. Thirty-day major adverse events occurred in 3.2% of patients (6/190). Periprocedural technical success was 94.1% (176/187). Successful aneurysm treatment was 100% at 30 days and 87.9% at 1 year. Two patients required open conversion for thromboembolic complications, 3 developed new type I or III endoleaks, and 7 experienced graft or limb occlusion. Freedom from graft occlusion was 96 ± 2% at 1 year and 94 ± 2% at 5 years. Freedom from stent fracture was 97 ± 1% at 1 year and 87 ± 3% at 5 years. Freedom from aneurysm-related mortality was 99 ± 1% at 1 and 5 years. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates good efficacy and safety and a very low rate of aneurysm related deaths with the INCRAFT device in a population with a high proportion of challenging anatomy.

Endovascular Aortic Fenestration and Stent Graft Placement after Inadvertent False Lumen Deployment of a Frozen Elephant Trunk

Endovascular Aortic Fenestration and Stent Graft Placement after Inadvertent False Lumen Deployment of a Frozen Elephant Trunk

Combined fenestrated-branched endovascular repair of the aortic arch and the thoracoabdominal aorta

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to evaluate patients who underwent extensive endovascular aortic stent graft coverage (from the aortic arch to abdominal aorta) in terms of early and midterm clinical outcomes. MethodsA retrospective multicenter study was undertaken. All patients were treated with extensive endovascular aortic stent graft coverage with fenestrated and branched endografts at three experienced endovascular centers. ResultsBetween 2012 and 2017, there were 33 patients (22 male [67%]) treated with a combination of fenestrated-branched stent grafts in the aortic arch and the thoracoabdominal aorta. Most of the patients (20/33 [61%]) had fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair (fb-EVAR) of the thoracoabdominal aorta as a second-stage procedure after thoracic arch (fb-Arch) repair, 10 had fb-Arch repair as the first procedure, and three patients had a single-stage procedure. The mean age was 67 ± 13 years, and the mean interval between procedures was 13 ± 12 months. For fb-Arch repair, 20 fenestrated and 13 branched devices were used; for fb-EVAR, 23 fenestrated, 5 branched, and 5 composite devices were used. The use of spinal drainage was more common in fb-EVAR (20/33 [61%]). Technical success was 100%. Mean hospital stay was 15 ± 13 days for fb-Arch repair and 12 ± 9 days for fb-EVAR. Two patients died in the hospital after fb-EVAR, resulting in a 30-day mortality of 6% (2/33). No deaths occurred during the fb-Arch repair component or in the single-stage cases. Four patients developed spinal cord injury (12%), 1 had permanent paraplegia (3%), and 2 patients had a neurologic event (1 stroke [3%] and 1 transient ischemic attack [3%]). Six patients (18%) died during a mean follow-up of 23 ± 17 months. The survival at 12 months after the second procedure was 72%, and the freedom from any reintervention was 82%. The 12-month freedom from reintervention was 87% for fb-Arch repair and 81% for fb-EVAR. ConclusionsExtensive endovascular coverage of the aorta for aortic disease seems to be a feasible procedure in experienced centers, with acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality. Spinal cord ischemia appears acceptable despite extensive aortic coverage.

Fast-track Protocol After Open Abdominal Aortic Surgery Enables Short Hospital Stay Same as EVAR

Introduction: Open aortic aneurysm repair is traditionally associated with an extended hospital stay. However, our fast-track protocols after abdominal aortic operation have resulted in a decrease in hospitalization after major surgical procedures, as well as in mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of reducing post-operative stay by implementing a fast-track and goal-directed clinical pathway for elective open aortic surgery. Methods: 138 patients who were undergone abdominal aortic surgery (75 for endovascular aortic stent graft (SG) and 63 for open surgery (OS)) between Feb 2011 and Jan 2018 were treated with our fast-track protocol, which consist early postoperative oral intake and mobilization starting on the day of the operation. The average age was 78.5 ± 7.9 years (SG group) and 71.0 ± 8.2 years (OS group) (p < .01). e GFR (ml / min / 1.73 m2) SG group 52.5 ± 17.4 vs. OS group 60.0 ± 23.5, D dimer (μg / ml) SG group 7.5 ± 7.0 vs. OS group 8.4 ± 8.0, HbA1C (%) SG group 6.0 ± 0.5 vs. OS group 5.9 ± 0.7. Results: The hospital stay was 1 1.4 ± 3.9 (SG group) vs. 13.7 ± 4.6 days (OS group) in 2014, but this protocol brought a significant reduction to 7.5 ± 1.3 days(OS group) in 2017. Importantly, mobility was safely achieved in the OS group; 0% 30-day mortality and 6.2% overall morbidity (3.1% pulmonary and 3.1% renal complications). No additional treatments were needed for the OS group in contrast to 6 cases (8.0%) in the SG group. Conclusion: Our fast-track protocol after abdominal aortic operation can safely be applied to patients undergoing conventional open abdominal grafting, which reduces the length of stay in ICU and total hospitalization. To optimize this model of cardiac recovery, the most important element is to facilitate the process of pre and post-operative care. Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

Short-term and Midterm Results of Fenestrated Anaconda Endograft in Patients with Previous Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

PurposeTo review short-term and midterm results of the fenestrated Anaconda stent graft in management of patients with pre-existing endovascular aortic stent graft and persistent type 1a endoleak. Materials and MethodsThis single-center retrospective study assessed all consecutive patients with type 1a endoleak and pre-existing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) treated with fenestrated Anaconda stent grafts. Ten patients (9 males; mean age 78 y) with mean follow-up of 22.4 months ± 13 were included. Average aneurysm size was 80.1 mm (range, 62–101 mm). Mean time for conversion to fenestrated EVAR following original EVAR was 53.7 months (range, 22–101 months; median 54 months). Technical and clinical success; anatomic features, including aortic tortuosity, side vessel angulation, and stenosis; complications; and reinterventions were recorded. ResultsThe technical success rate was 90%. There was no open conversion and no 30-day mortality, leading to a clinical success rate of 100%. Five of 10 patients demonstrated an aortic tortuosity index of grade 2 or 3. Additional hostile anatomy that made side vessel catheterization challenging was observed in 15 vessels (45%) with a stenosis of ≥ 50% (related to atherosclerotic disease or struts of indwelling prosthesis) and 21 vessels (66%) with ≤ 70° angulation. Two reinterventions, renal artery stent angioplasty and renal artery covered stent extension, were observed at 2 and 13 months. ConclusionsUse of the fenestrated Anaconda endograft in patients with type 1a endoleaks following previous EVAR is safe, feasible, and offers some technical features that facilitate overcoming certain anatomic difficulties.

A population-based analysis of endovascular aortic stent graft therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis

BackgroundEndovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are effective and minimally invasive treatments for high-risk surgical candidates. However, information about the management of EVAR and TEVAR in liver cirrhosis (LC) is lacking. The aim of our study was to evaluate outcomes after EVAR and TEVAR in patients with LC. MethodsUsing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent EVAR and TEVAR therapy between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013. ResultsA total of 146 patients with LC and 730 matched patients without LC were eligible for analysis after propensity score matching. In-hospital mortality and perioperative complications were not statistically significantly different between the two cohorts, although the LC group had an increased volume of blood transfusion and a trend toward a lower survival rate (P of stratified Cox = .092). However, patients with LC had a higher adjusted hazard ratio for death (1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-2.12; P < .001) in the sensitivity analysis by traditional multivariable adjustment. The LC cohort had a higher risk of liver-related death (4.1% vs 0.7%; P = .001) and liver-related readmission (6.2% vs 0.3%; P < .001). As expected, the advanced LC group had a higher mortality rate than the early LC group (P = .022). The risk for reintervention, redo open aortic surgery (P = .859), and redo stent graft therapy (P = .179) was not statistically significantly different between the two cohorts. ConclusionsShort-term results after EVAR and TEVAR are promising in patients with LC, despite poor long-term outcomes, because of the nature of LC. Innovations in endovascular therapy for aortic disease have improved surgical outcomes, even in high-risk patients with LC.

Abstract 709: Computational Seal Zone Mechanics - Predicting EVAR Failures

Introduction: Endovascular aortic stent-graft technology (EVAR) radically altered aortic aneurysm repair from a maximally invasive procedure to a minimally invasive approach. While the overall principle of the repair remained the same, the surgeon ceded control of graft/aorta coupling with EVAR from the time-honored surgical approach of suturing, which creates a mechanical kinematic coupling constraint at the graft/aorta interface. In EVAR, the coupling condition is replaced by contact mechanics between the outer graft surface and the aorta. We hypothesize that proximal endograft failure is linked to the complex contact mechanics occurring at the graft/aorta interface. Methods: We performed a detailed geometric/finite element analysis (FEA) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient who presented with a ruptured juxta-renal AAA. We used the pre and post-operative CTA imaging to perform FEA and defined the stent graft (SG)/aortic wall interactions using a fully integrated cohesive zone model (CZM) (see figure 1). Results: Three degrees of adhesion strength were studied, corresponding to F~0.1, 10, and 1000 Newton. In the case of the two weaker adhesion strengths, the SG and neck separated at local points along the interface. These areas of separation (interfacial failure) corresponded to zones of high stress (~ 10MPa) within the aortic wall. This points to a new physical model of aortic/SG stability, where local elastic deformation energy in the neck (G) competes with aortic/SG adhesion energy (gamma~Gc) giving rise to the criterion for seal failure: G&gt;Gc . Conclusions: The energy balance of deformation of the aortic neck with stent graft adhesion strength provides a key new parameter in evaluating future EVAR repairs. Non-linear neck geometries give rise to complex non-linear stress distributions that can greatly impact the stability of a repair. We provide a computational methodology in which this can be systematically studied for any given patient anatomy.

Optimization of rifampin coating on covered Dacron endovascular stent grafts for infected aortic aneurysms

ObjectiveIn the treatment of an infected aorta, open repair and replacement with a rifampin-impregnated Dacron vascular graft decrease the risk of prosthetic graft infections, with several protocols available in the literature. We hypothesize that the same holds true for endovascular aneurysm repair, and after studying and optimizing rifampin solution concentration and incubation period to maximize the coating process of rifampin on Dacron endovascular stent grafts (ESGs), we propose a rapid real-time perioperative protocol. MethodsSeveral prepared rifampin solutions, including a negative control solution, were used to coat multiple triplicate sets of Dacron endovascular aortic stent grafts at different but set incubation periods. Rifampin elution from the grafts was studied by spectroscopic analysis. Once an optimized solution concentration and incubation time were determined, the elution of rifampin over time from the graft and the graft's surface characteristics were studied by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. ResultsAll coated ESGs with any concentration of prepared rifampin solution, regardless of incubation time, immediately demonstrated a visible bright orange discoloration and subsequently after elution procedures returned to the original noncolored state. At the 25-minute incubation time (standard flush), there was no statistical difference in the amount of rifampin coated to the ESGs with 10-mg/mL, 30-mg/mL, and 60-mg/mL solutions (0.06 ± 0.01, 0.07 ± 0.05, and 0.044 ± 0.01, respectively; P > .05). This was also true for a 10-minute incubation time (express flush) of 10-mg/mL and 60-mg/mL rifampin solution concentrations (0.04 ± 0.007 and 0.066 ± 0.014, respectively; P = .22). The elution-over-time of coated rifampin ESG, although not statistically significant, did seem to plateau and to reach a steady state by 50 hours and was confirmed by surface characteristics using atomic force microscopy. ConclusionsHaving studied two variables of rifampin coating techniques to Dacron ESGs, the authors propose a rapid real-time perioperative coating protocol by using a 10-mg/mL rifampin solution for a 10-minute incubation period. As rifampin loosely binds to Dacron ESGs by weak intermolecular forces, a rifampin-coated ESG would need to be inserted in a timely fashion to treat the diseased aorta and to deliver its antibiotic affect. A rapid perioperative coating protocol followed by immediate deployment makes our proposed technique especially useful in an urgent and unstable clinical scenario.

Hybrid repair versus conventional open repair for thoracic aortic arch aneurysms

BACKGROUND Thoracic aortic arch aneurysms (TAAs) can be a life-threatening condition due to the potential risk of rupture. Treatment is recommended when the risk of rupture is greater than the risk of surgical complications. Depending on the cause, size and growth rate of the TAA, treatment may vary from close observation to emergency surgery. Aneurysms of the thoracic aorta can be managed by a number of surgical techniques. Open surgical repair (OSR) of aneurysms involves either partial or total replacement of the aorta, which is dependent on the extent of the diseased segment of the aorta. During OSR, the aneurysm is replaced with a synthetic graft. Hybrid repair (HR) involves a combination of open surgery with endovascular aortic stent graft placement. Hybrid repair requires varying degrees of invasiveness, depending on the number of supra-aortic branches that require debranching. The hybrid technique that combines supra-aortic vascular debranching with stent grafting of the aortic arch has been introduced as a therapeutic alternative. However, the short- and long-term outcomes of HR remain unclear, due to technical difficulties and complications as a result of the angulation of the aortic arch as well as handling of the arch during surgery. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of HR versus conventional OSR for the treatment of TAAs. SEARCH METHODS The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and AMED databases and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registers to 22 March 2021. We also searched references of relevant articles retrieved from the electronic search for additional citations. SELECTION CRITERIA We considered for inclusion in the review all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing HR to OSR for TAAs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened all titles and abstracts obtained from the literature search to identify those that met the inclusion criteria. We retrieved the full text of studies deemed as potentially relevant by at least one review author. The same review authors screened the full-text articles independently for inclusion or exclusion. MAIN RESULTS No RCTs or CCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Due to the lack of RCTs or CCTs, we were unable to determine the safety and effectiveness of HR compared to OSR in people with TAAs, and we are unable to provide high-certainty evidence on the optimal surgical intervention for this cohort of patients. High-quality RCTs or CCTs are necessary, addressing the objective of this review.