Endoleak Repair Research Articles

Treatment of sac expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair with obliterating endoaneurysmorrhaphy and stent graft preservation

Persistent type II endoleaks (T2Ls) with sac enlargement after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair are still of concern in view of the potential for rupture. Current treatments (embolization and stent graft [SG] explantation) are associated with lack of efficacy or high perioperative morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated an alternative technique that combines sacotomy, ligation of patent back-bleeding vessels, and SG preservation for T2L or unspecified endoleak repair. This multicenter study in France included 28 patients (27 men; median age, 78years). Twenty-one patients (75%) had a bifurcated SG (including 3 fenestrated SGs) and seven (25%) had an aortouni-iliac SG (2 for ruptured aneurysm). Unsuccessful embolization had been performed in 10 patients (36%). Four patients (14%) presented sac enlargement with no endoleak visible on computed tomography. The origin of the endoleak remained unspecified in three patients 3 (11%). The median diameter of the aneurysmal sac was 78mm (vs 55mm at the time of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair) after a median follow-up of 24months. A transperitoneal approach was used in 21 patients (75%) and a retroperitoneal approach was used in seven (25%). A guidewire was placed in the supraceliac aorta in 14 patients, and an occlusion balloon was temporarily inflated in six. Aortic cross-clamping was performed in five patients. T2Ls were identified in 26 patients, and associated with a distal type I endoleak in 1 patient, a type III endoleak in 3, and a type IV endoleak in 1. Two patients presented with endotension. All the endoleaks were treated successfully, with a mean operating time of 120minutes and a mean blood loss of 450mL. One SG was explanted 12days after the procedure because of early infection. One patient died during SG explantation for an aortoduodenal fistula 26months after the endoaneurysmorrhaphy. During a median follow-up of 24months, the control computed tomography scan showed shrinkage of the aneurysmal sac with stable diameters in all patients. No missed T2Ls, no recurrence of T2L, and no SG migration or disjunction was observed. Obliterating endoaneurysmorrhaphy with SG preservation can be considered as an alternative to SG removal in cases of persistent T2L responsible for aneurysmal sac enlargement after embolization failure. By avoiding extensive dissection for surgical aortic cross-clamping, minimizing hemodynamic changes, and reducing blood loss and operating time, this procedure can be performed even in patients initially considered unfit for surgery.

Management of Endoleaks

The management of endoleaks remains an inherent challenge to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), particularly as evolving techniques and devices have allowed treatment of increasingly complex aneurysm anatomy. Endovascular techniques are the favored modality for endoleak repair and include techniques to bridge the endoleak defector and embolize the endoleak nidus and inflow/outflow vessels. Conversion to surgical repair remains the definitive option in cases where less invasive methods have failed or are precluded. In this article, the authors review evidence on the indications, approach, and outcomes of current techniques for endoleak management.

A technical tip for total laparoscopic type II endoleak repair

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive alternative for type II endoleak repair after endovascular aneurysm repair. However, control of lumbar and median sacral arteries is considered technically difficult due to the dense inflammatory tissue surrounding the aorta. We describe a technical tip that avoids close dissection of the aneurysm sac. After the transperitoneal approaches we commonly use during laparoscopic aortic surgery, the aneurysm is drawn rightward to access the plane of the anterior longitudinal ligament. This technique allows a direct exposure of the lumbar and median sacral arteries, which are all methodically dissected and ligated along the anterior wall of the spine without close dissection of the aneurysm sac. In our experience, this technical tip was always feasible and simplified laparoscopic type II endoleak repair.

Femoral Crossover in Peripheral Vascular Interventions Initiated via a Transradial Approach: Incidence and Outcomes

Purpose Transradial access (TRA) has been shown to lower morbidity and bleeding complications compared to transfemoral access (TFA) in percutaneous coronary interventions. Transfemoral crossover has been used to describe instances where interventions are initiated via the radial artery but require a secondary access site for completion. In this study, we evaluate the incidence and outcomes of transfemoral crossover in peripheral vascular interventions. Material and Methods A retrospective review was performed for all peripheral interventions for which the initial attempt at vascular access was the radial artery and either ipsilateral or contralateral femoral artery access was obtained prior to completion. A Barbeau test was first performed in all cases. Following this, access to the left radial artery was attempted under ultrasound guidance using a micropuncture with placement of a hydrophilic-coated sheath (5, 6 Fr). Following sheath placement, a standard solution of heparin (3000 units), verapamil (2.5 mg), and nitroglycerin (200 mcg) was administered intra-arterially. Upon completion, a TR-band (Terumo, Somerset, New Jersey) was used for hemostasis. Incidence of femoral crossover, reason for femoral crossover, secondary access site used, and major and minor adverse events were recorded. Results From April 2012 to July 2014, a total of 960 procedures were performed in 633 patients for which the radial artery was intended as the primary access site. Of these, there were 18 procedures in 18 patients (66 ± 13 years, 10 female, 8 male) completed with femoral access yielding an overall femoral crossover rate of 1.9%. Procedures performed were peripheral embolization (n = 7), radioembolization (n = 5), chemoembolization (n = 3), and peripheral vascular stent placement (n = 3). Causes of femoral crossover included vessel spasm/small vessel diameter (n=7; 38%), radial loops (n=5; 28%), proximal occlusion (n=3; 17%), and catheter length limitations (n=3; 17%). There were no complications in 14 of the 18 procedures. Other outcomes in transfemoral crossover cases that occurred in 1 patient each included Grade 2 hematoma in an endoleak repair performed at the contralateral site due to vessel spasm, bruising in a radioembolization performed at the ipsilateral site due to radial loop and bruising in another patient in a renal stent performed at the contralateral site due to vessel spasm, and radial spasm in a radioembolization performed at the ipsilateral site due to vessel spasm. Conclusions In our experience, incidence of transfemoral crossover in peripheral vascular interventions initiated via a transradial approach is extremely low. Recognizing anatomical and experience-related factors contributing to femoral crossover may be helpful in lowering access site complications while analysis of technical limitations may contribute to future product development.

Thoracic type Ia endoleak: direct percutaneous coil embolization of the aortic arch at the blood entry site after TEVAR and double-chimney stent-grafts

To introduce a novel percutaneous technique to stop blood entry at the lesser aortic arch curvature by coil embolisation in type Ia endoleak after TEVAR. A 61-year-old Marfan patient presented with type Ia endoleak of the aortic arch and a growing aortic arch pseudoaneurysm after TEVAR. Multiple preceding operations and interventions made an endovascular approach unsuccessful. Direct percutaneous puncture of the aneurysmal sac would have cured the sign, but not the cause of blood entry at the lesser curvature of the aortic arch. Direct CT-guided percutaneous puncture of the blood entry site in the aortic arch with fluoroscopically guided coil embolisation using detachable extra-long coils was successfully performed. Three weeks after the intervention, the patient developed fever because of superinfection of the pseudoaneurysm. The blood cultures and CT-guided mediastinal aspirate were sterile. After intravenous administration of antibiotics, the fever disappeared and the patient recovered. Six-month follow-up showed permanent closure of the endoleak and a shrinking aneurysmal sac. Direct percutaneous puncture of the aortic arch at the blood entry site of a thoracic type Ia endoleak after TEVAR and double-chimney stent-grafts with coil embolisation of the wedge-shaped space between the lesser aortic curvature and the stent-graft is possible. Endoleaks after thoracic endovascular aortic repair are common in 15-30 %. Most endoleaks can be treated by endovascular means. Direct percutaneous endoleak repair is described as a bail-out option. Direct percutaneous aortic arch coil embolisation of type 1a endoleak is possible. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered case by case, considering individual risk factors.

Fenestrated endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms

Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) provides an endovascular solution for patients with large abdominal aortic aneurysms and challenging neck anatomy in addition to repair of endoleaks and pseudoaneurysms. This article reports the midterm outcomes of FEVAR from a single-tertiary referral centre in Ireland. From 2006 to 2012, nine consecutive asymptomatic patients with neck anatomy unfavourable for standard EVAR underwent endovascular repair with a customised fenestrated Zenith stent graft. An additional three patients had fenestrated grafts for repair of pseudoaneurysms (n = 2) following open AAA repair and a type I endoleak (n = 1). All patients were prospectively enrolled in a computerised database. Outcomes including mortality, morbidity, renal function, target vessel patency, endoleak and reintervention were analysed. The mean age and aneurysm size in the primary repair group were 74 years (65-84 years) and 6 cm (5-8.3 cm), respectively, and in the secondary repair group, the mean age was 66 years (61-75 years). No procedures required open conversion, and no visceral arteries were lost. On completion angiography, two patients in group 1 had a type I endoleak and one had a type III endoleak. There were no endoleaks in the secondary repair group. Follow-up ranged from 30 days to 6 years. There was one death within 30 days (8 %) and two deaths at 3 years from non-aneurysm-related causes. Six patients required secondary interventions. Three patients had a transient post-operative creatinine rise of >30 %. Our study supports FEVAR as a feasible and effective therapy in the management of patients with complex aortic aneurysms.

Assessment of a New Type I Endoleak Repair Technique Using an Anchoring Device

Type I endoleaks are one of the most frequent and life-threatening complications of thoracic endovascular aortic repair. This study aimed to assess the use of suture-anchoring devices for repairing type I endoleaks. The descending aortic aneurysm model (saccular type) was made by side-to-end anastomosis to a Dacron graft. A Matsui-Kitamura stent graft was deployed to create a proximal type I endoleak. Approximately 5 mm above the upper rim of the anastomosis, the aorta was punctured by the pistol of the suture-anchoring device with a T-shaped bar under fluoroscopy. Sutures were applied until angiography showed the absence of a type I endoleak. During the process, two pressure measurements were used to perform continuous assessments of aortic pressure and intra-aneurysm sac pressure. A mean ± SD of 5 ± 1 anchoring shots were used to eliminate type I endoleaks. The device performed well, and no complications were observed. The mean ± SD intrasac pressures before stent graft deployment, during endoleak maintenance, and after repair were 118 ± 5, 61 ± 4, and 26 ± 5 mm Hg, respectively. The postrepair pressure was significantly decreased (P < 0.001; Student t test). Despite some anatomic and clinical limitations identified during the experiments, the effectiveness of the suture-anchoring device was confirmed. Further improvement of the device will soon lead to its use as a less invasive endoleak repair procedure.

Early type II endoleak repair after endovascular therapy in Behçet’s disease

Vascular complications of Behçet's disease include occlusion of vessels and arterial aneurysm formation, which is prone to rupture. Early type II endoleak repair following an endovascular stent-graft procedure for a ruptured descending aortic aneurysm in a 31-year-old man with Behçet's disease is described. Endovascular stent-grafts provide an important alternative in complicated cases, but the possibility of endoleak should be born in mind.

Assessment of a New Type I Endoleak Repair Technique Using an Anchoring Device

Assessment of a New Type I Endoleak Repair Technique Using an Anchoring Device

Proximal Type I Endoleak After Previous EVAR With Palmaz Stents Crossing the Renal Arteries: Treatment Using a Fenestrated Cuff

To report the use of a fenestrated cuff for endovascular treatment of a proximal type I endoleak after previous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) that included 2 suprarenal cuffs and 2 Palmaz stents. A 71-year-old man had been treated for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a Powerlink stent-graft, 2 additional proximal cuffs with suprarenal fixation, and 2 Palmaz stents extending over the renal arteries. Follow-up demonstrated a type I endoleak and an increase in aneurysm size. A 2-stage endovascular approach featuring a fenestrated cuff was undertaken. Prior to the endoleak repair procedure, both renal arteries were catheterized and the Palmaz stent struts dilated. When the customized fenestrated cuff was available, it was successfully positioned with covered stents in the fenestrations, completely excluding the proximal type I endoleak. Fenestrated stent-grafting is a viable alternative to open repair after failed EVAR, even when previously implanted bare metal stents cross the renal orifices.

Redo Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Due to Endoleak With Celiac Artery Snorkeling

Reintervention due to endoleak of aortic endograft repair is often challenging. Herein, we report endovascular endoleak repair in a patient with previous thoracic and abdominal endovascular grafts with extensive coverage of the aorta. The present technique included snorkeling of the celiac trunk to preserve antegrade flow in the celiac artery and to maintain future options for reintervention.

Endoscopic type 2 endoleak repair following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: acute results and follow-up experience

The purpose of this study was to evaluate immediate and long-term results of endoscopic type 2 endoleak repair (EER) following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The basic methods include a retrospective review of electronic and paper medical records of patients admitted or referred to our institution for EER. Between July 1999 and October 2007, eight consecutive patients underwent EER. Mean operative time was 190 (104-355) min. One patient died preoperatively, due to profuse venous bleeding . One procedure was redone due to a missed pair of lumbar arteries. Mean hospital stay was five days (2-10). During mean follow-up, 50 months (29-91), one patient required additional coil embolization for a persistent type 2 endoleak. Four patients were diagnosed with a type 1 and one with a type 3 endoleak; three of these patients required an additional procedure. In conclusion, in this small series EER proved not to be beneficial.

Percutaneous Transabdominal Approach for the Treatment of Endoleaks after Endovascular Repair of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of percutaneous transabdominal treatment of endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair.Materials and MethodsBetween 2000 and 2007, six patients with type I (n = 4) or II (n = 2) endoleaks were treated by the percutaneous transabdominal approach using embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate with or without coils. Five patients underwent a single session and one patient had two sessions of embolization. The median time between aneurysm repair and endoleak treatment was 25.5 months (range: 0-84 months). Follow-up CT images were evaluated for changes in the size and shape of the aneurysm sac and presence or resolution of endoleaks. The median follow-up after endoleak treatment was 16.4 months (range: 0-37 months)ResultsTechnical success was achieved in all six patients. Clinical success was achieved in four patients with complete resolution of the endoleak confirmed by follow-up CT. Clinical failure was observed in two patients. One eventually underwent surgical conversion, and the other was lost to follow-up. There were no procedure-related complications.ConclusionThe percutaneous transabdominal approach for the treatment of type I or II endoleaks, after endovascular aneurysm repair, is an alternative method when conventional endovascular methods have failed.

Type 2 Endoleak Embolization Comparison: Translumbar Embolization versus Modified Transarterial Embolization

To evaluate the success of endoleak repair using translumbar (TL) endoleak embolization compared with a transarterial (TA) technique that involves embolization of the endoleak cavity itself in addition to the feeding artery. Eighty-four patients (mean age, 78.2 years; age range, 58-94 years) with type 2 endoleaks were included in this retrospective study. Patients underwent either TL endoleak embolization or TA embolization between January 2002 and December 2007. TA embolization involved entering the endoleak cavity through the inferior mesenteric or lumbar artery. Both the endoleak cavity and the feeding artery were then embolized by using coils through a microcatheter. TL embolizations were performed by using standard technique with coils and n-butyl cyanoacrylate as the embolization agents. Clinical success was defined as the absence of an endoleak and/or aneurysm enlargement at follow-up CT angiography. Statistical comparison was performed with the Fisher exact test. Endoleak repair was successful in 72% (45/62) of the TL embolizations and 78% (18/23) of the TA embolizations, with a mean follow-up of 18.7 months (range, 1-84 months). There was no significant difference in clinical success between the two groups (P = .41). There were two (3.2%) complications in the TL group and no complications in the TA group. The effectiveness of the TA endoleak embolization technique, which involves embolizion of the endoleak cavity and the feeding artery, is similar to that of TL embolization for treatment of type 2 endoleaks.

Three-dimensional C-arm Cone-beam CT: Applications in the Interventional Suite

C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CT) with a flat-panel detector represents the next generation of imaging technology available in the interventional radiology suite and is predicted to be the platform for many of the three-dimensional (3D) roadmapping and navigational tools that will emerge in parallel with its integration. The combination of current and unappreciated capabilities may be the foundation on which improvements in both safety and effectiveness of complex vascular and nonvascular interventional procedures become possible. These improvements include multiplanar soft tissue imaging, enhanced pretreatment target lesion roadmapping and guidance, and the ability for immediate multiplanar posttreatment assessment. These key features alone may translate to a reduction in the use of iodinated contrast media, a decrease in the radiation dose to the patient and operator, and an increase in the therapeutic index (increase in safety-vs-benefit ratio). In routine practice, imaging information obtained with C-arm cone-beam CT provides a subjective level of confidence factor to the operator that has not yet been thoroughly quantified.

Is F 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Too Sensitive for the Diagnosis of Vascular Endograft Infection?

We report a case of a false positive fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan in a patient who presented with abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal bleeding accompanied by elevation of inflammatory markers, seven weeks after a proximal type I endoleak repair with a cuff extension. Aortoenteric fistula and endograft infection was ruled out by laparotomy. FDG-PET image may have a role in diagnosis of infection, but false positive results are possible and caution is necessary if other data are non-confirmatory.

Aortic Wrap as a Novel Technique of Type I Endoleak Repair

Type I endoleak after endovascular abdominal repair is associated with a high risk of aneurysm expansion and rupture. Though type I endoleak can frequently be managed with endovascular techniques, in this report we describe a patient whose endoleak was refractory to multiple attempts at endovascular repair. The patient ultimately underwent a novel minimally invasive surgical repair with placement of an aortic wrap around the infrarenal aortic neck, successfully abolishing the endoleak.

Complications after endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

To retrospectively determine the value of stent-graft repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms by analyzing the results and complications. From May 1997 to July 2002, 45 patients (33 men; mean age 69 years, range 31-88) received endovascular treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysms. In 11 patients, emergency treatment was necessary for a contained rupture. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to gather data on the procedures, immediate results, complications, mortality, and survival in follow-up. In all cases, the stent-grafts were successfully implanted. In 15 (33%) cases, the subclavian artery was covered by the stent-graft without complications. There was no paraparesis/paraplegia; 2 (4.4%) patients suffered a stroke intraoperatively. The in-hospital mortality was 2.2% (n=1); 3 (6.7%) patients died within 30 days. Primary endoleaks occurred in 8 (17.8%) cases. Procedural success (technical success without endoleak or death) was 80% (93.3% after primary endoleak repair). During follow-up, 2 (4.4%) secondary endoleaks developed. All endoleaks were treated successfully or sealed spontaneously (n=2). At a mean 24-month follow-up (range 1-62), 84% of patients were alive. The endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms appears to be safe and effective, with lower morbidity and mortality than in conventional open operations. For these reasons, endovascular treatment should be administered whenever possible.

Preliminary results of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm exclusion with the AneuRx stent-graft

OBJECTIVESThis study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of the Medtronic AneuRx stent-graft in patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) who were treated in an endovascular suite.BACKGROUNDThe use of endovascular stent-graft prosthesis for the treatment of AAAs is receiving increasing attention as an alternative to standard surgical repair. Endovascular treatment of AAAs offers the potential to avoid the significant morbidity and mortality associated with surgical repair.METHODSIn this series, 215 patients have undergone AAA exclusion with the AneuRx stent-graft. Six-month follow-up is available in 132 patients; one-year follow-up is available in 84 and two-year follow-up in 22.RESULTSOf the patients, one hundred ninety-two (89%) were male; 87% had hypertension, and 58.6% were American Society of Anesthesiologists grade IV or higher. The procedural success was 99.5%; we were unable to place the device in one patient. There was no procedural or one-month mortality. There were no acute conversions to surgical repair. One patient had a non–Q-wave myocardial infarction 24 h after the procedure. Endoleaks were present in 82 patients (42%) at discharge, 15 patients (11.3%) at six months and 10 patients (11.9%) at one year. Twenty-two patients had a secondary procedure for endoleak repair of which three were conversions to surgical repair. Twelve late deaths have occurred, none due to device failure or AAA rupture. Mean hospital stay was 1.9 days.CONCLUSIONSThese results reveal that infrarenal AAAs can be safely and successfully treated in an endovascular suite with the AneuRx stent-graft. Further follow-up is needed to determine the long-term efficacy of endoluminal treatment to prevent rupture and death due to AAAs.

An operative method for surgical revision of a late failure after endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Endoleak is a well-recognized complication of endovascular aortic exclusion stent-grafts. The Vanguard device is anchored into the proximal aorta by an expandable stent surmounted by a circular array of metal hooks. Attempted removal of the whole prosthesis may therefore be technically difficult and result in damage of the aortic wall. Surgery for endoleak may be complicated and carry a mortality rate of 20% to 40%. We describe a simple surgical technique for repair of endoleaks associated with a Vanguard stent-graft, which would be applicable to other such devices. This method involves minimal disruption of the proximal stent and avoids problems that may arise from an attempt to completely remove the endovascular device. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:357-9.)