ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of aortic aneurysm with endoluminal stent-grafts usingGianturco stent and poly-tetra-fluoro ethylene (PTFE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In ten patients with aorticaneurysm, eleven procedures were performed using tubular (n=7) or bifurcated (n=4) Gianturco Z-stents covered withPTFE to treat aortic disease (six atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms, four pseudoaneurysms of abdominal aorta inthree patients with Behcet's disease, and one penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer). Spiral CT angiography was usedfor follow-up from 14 days to 31 months (mean, 12 months). The effectiveness of stent-grafts was evaluated duringfollow-up. RESULTS: In all cases, implantation of stent-grafts was technically successful ; in five, perigraftleakage was detected on completion of aortography. On initial post-procedural CT images obtained 4 - 24 days afterinsertion of the stent-graft, complete thrombosis of the aneurysm was seen in seven cases and perigraft leakage infour. Two of the four cases in which leakage was seen on initial CT improved spontaneously during follow-up.Procedure-related thromboembolism occurred in one case, which was managed by thrombolytic therapy without residualsequelae. During follow-up CT, the size of aortic aneurysms of atherosclerotic disease did not change. Thepseudoaneurysms of Behcet's disease decreased and eventually completely disappeared, with only residual periaorticsoft tissue. CONCLUSION: For the treatment of aortie diseases, stent grafting using a Gianturco stent and PTFE isclinically feasible, safe, and effective.