Treatment of iliac artery bifurcation aneurysms with the second-generation straight iliac bifurcated device.

BACKGROUND: There are few long term studies to show the safety and efficacy of iliac artery aneurysm exclusion, especially in regards to the straight iliac branched device. The objective of our study was to add our data with a mean follow-up of 32 months to the existing data available. METHODS: Patients undergoing iliac bifurcation procedure either as standalone or in combination with abdominal aortic aneurysm exclusion at two vascular centers had data prospectively gathered between 2004 and 2014. Collected data was analyzed for baseline characteristics, procedural events, and clinical follow-up; variables included endoleaks, reinterventions, and internal iliac artery (IIA) closure. RESULTS: A total of 45 iliac vessels in 41 patients (36 male) with a mean age of 70.4 years were treated with the iliac branched device. Procedural success was achieved in 85% (35/41) of patients and 87% (39/45) vessels with no intraoperative death. Of the six technical failures, three occurred due to failure to place the straight iliac branched device or stent properly. Two occurred because of endoleaks at the end of the procedure, and one occurred because the IIA side-branch occluded and could not be reopened. The mean patient follow-up was 32.0 ± 27.3 months (range, 0-109 months). During this time period, the IIA patency rate on an intention-to-treat basis was 81%, and the freedom from endoleak rate on an intention-to-treat basis was 76% per patient. The freedom from reintervention per patient was 75%. No patient reported symptoms of pelvic ischemia and permanent buttock claudication. CONCLUSIONS: In this study with mean follow-up of 32 months, treatment with iliac bifurcated devices is a safe and durable option in a carefully selected population of patients with iliac artery bifurcation aneurysms.

Fenestrated endografting for aortic aneurysm repair: a 7-year experience.

PURPOSE: To present a 7-year single-center clinical experience with fenestrated endografts and side branches. METHODS: Between April 1999 and August 2006, 63 patients (57 men; mean age 70.5+/-11.6 years, range 25-89) received custom-designed Zenith fenestrated endoprostheses for a variety of aneurysms (59 abdominal, 1 thoracoabdominal, and 3 thoracic). They were all unsuitable for standard EVAR owing to short aortic necks and high risk for open surgery. RESULTS: Nineteen tube grafts and 44 composite bifurcated grafts with a total of 122 fenestrations and 58 side branches were used. Technical success was achieved in 55 (87.3%) patients and in 118 (96.7%) vessels. Treatment success was 93.7%. The mean follow-up was 23+/-18 months (median 14, range 6-77). Overall, 9 (7.4%) visceral branches were lost: 4 intraoperative, 2 perioperative, and 3 late. There were 12 (19.0%) endoleaks identified: 5 (7.9%: 4 type Ia and 1 fenestration-related type III) primary and 7 (11.1%: 4 type II, 1 type I, and 2 type III) secondary endoleaks; 4 resolved, 4 were treated, and 4 are under observation. At 77 months, 75.3% of patients were free of a reintervention. All reinterventions were performed within the first 14 months. Fourteen cases of renal impairment were seen [6 permanent (only 1 on dialysis) and 8 transient]. One (1.6%) conversion and 1 (1.6%) rupture were recorded; aneurysm-related mortality was 4.8% (3/63). CONCLUSION: The favorable outcomes in this study, which encompasses the team's learning curve with fenestrated endografts and side branches, support the use of these devices in selected patients.

Fenestrated and branched grafts for para-anastomotic aortic aneurysm repair.

PURPOSE: To investigate the use of fenestration and branch artery stenting during endovascular stent-graft repair of para-anastomotic aneurysms (PAA). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 9 patients (all men; mean age 71 years, range 60-80) who received custom-designed fenestrated endoprostheses for PAA repair. Eight tubular fenestrated devices and 1 composite device (fenestrated tube plus modular bifurcated body) with a total of 31 fenestrations were used. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 318+/-93 minutes (range 220-485); the mean fluoroscopy time was 77+/-38 minutes (range 39-158), during which a mean 121+/-81 mL (range 33-300) of contrast was used. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Over a mean follow-up of 12+/-5.5 months (range 6-24), 1 secondary intervention was carried out due to a break in a side branch stent-graft; 2 transient renal impairments and 1 permanent renal insufficiency unrelated to renal artery patency were observed. So far, no vessel loss has emerged. CONCLUSION: Conventional repair of PAA has been a standard procedure for many years, though it carries high surgical risk as well as perioperative mortality. Fenestrated endografts may be a promising alternative in selected patients.

Branched iliac bifurcation: 6 years experience with endovascular preservation of internal iliac artery flow.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to share a 6-year experience with the iliac bifurcation device (IBD) and determine its safety and effectiveness in patients with common iliac artery aneurysms. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2006, 46 patients were prospectively enrolled in a single institution study on the IBD. Indications included unilateral or bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAA) (combined or not with abdominal aortic aneurysm endovascular repair). The first 26 patients were intended to receive a first generation unibody IBD and the following 20 patients the second generation, modular, IBD. RESULTS: In 33 patients out of 46 attempted (technical success per patient 72%), 35 iliac bifurcated devices (2 patients received bilateral IBD) out of 51 attempted (technical success per vessel 69%), were successfully implanted. The technical success rate (per vessel) was 58% for the first generation device and 85% for the second generation device. Inability to introduce the side branch into the IIA and intraoperative occlusions were the main reasons for technical failure. Among these failures, only two patients required open conversions. The mean +/- SD follow-up (radiological and clinical) of the 33 patients with a total of 35 successful IBD implantations was 26 +/- 17 months (median 24, range 3 to 60). During the follow-up period out of 35 successfully-implanted iliac bifurcation devices, four (11%) hypogastric side branch occlusions occurred, all within the first 12 months. Cumulative IBD side branch patency was 87% at 60 months. Comparing the first with the second generation IBD outcomes, cumulative patency rates at 2 years revealed no statistical difference (P = .774). No endoleak, and particularly no IBD, modular side branch disconnection, no late rupture, or deaths have yet been encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of pelvic circulation in high risk patients treated for bilateral or unilateral common iliac aneurysms combined or without AAA is feasible and secure exclusively by endovascular repair. New generation iliac bifurcated devices show a favourable intraoperative performance and long-term outcomes.

Hemangiosarcoma after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of hemangiosarcoma after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old man with Klinefelter syndrome presented 5 years after EVAR with a mass at the infrarenal aorta outside the stent-graft. Radiomorphologic and clinical signs were misleading because there had been evidence of an inflammatory process for more than a year. The stent-graft with the surrounding aorta was removed and replaced by a conventional tube graft. Systemic chemotherapy followed. The tumor recurred after 12 months, with pulmonary metastases and tumor embolic occlusion of his left femoral artery. Thrombectomy was performed, and a second course of chemotherapy was administered. The patient died 24 months after the conversion procedure. CONCLUSION: Morphological changes of the aneurysm wall seen on computed tomographic scans of EVAR patients may not be incidental or signs of infection; rather, a malignant tumor of the aorta or lymphatic disease, although rare, have to be taken into consideration as well.

Nature and significance of endoleaks and endotension: summary of opinions expressed at an international conference.

OBJECTIVE: Endoleaks and endotension are critically important complications of some endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs (EVARs). For the resolution of controversial issues and the determination of areas of uncertainty relating to these complications, a conference of 27 interested leaders was held on November 20, 2000. METHODS: These 27 participants (21 vascular surgeons, five interventional radiologists, one cardiologist) had previously answered 40 key questions on endoleaks and endotension. At the conference, these 40 questions and participant answers were discussed and in some cases modified to determine points of agreement (consensus), near consensus (prevailing opinion), or disagreement. RESULTS: Conference discussion added two modified questions for a total of 42 key questions for the participants. Interestingly, consensus was reached on the answers to 24 of 42 or 57% of the questions, and near consensus was reached on 14 of 42 or 33% of the questions. Only with the answers to four of 42 or 10% of the questions was there persistent controversy or disagreement. CONCLUSION: The current endoleak classification system with some important modifications is adequate. Types I and II endoleak occur after 0 to 10% and 10% to 25% of EVARs, respectively. Many (30% to 100%) type II endoleaks will seal and have no detrimental effect, which never or rarely occurs with type I endoleaks. Not all endoleaks can be visualized with any technique, and increased pressure (endotension) can be transmitted through clot. Aneurysm pulsatility after EVAR correlates poorly with endoleaks and endotension. An enlarging aneurysm after EVAR mandates surgical or interventional treatment. These and other conclusions will help to resolve controversy and aid in the management of these vexing complications and should also point the way to future research in this field.