Rationale of EndoAnchors in abdominal aortic aneurysms with short or angulated necks.

Diseased pararenal aortic anatomy including thrombus, calcification, and progressive dilatation, may impact the long-term durability of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. EndoAnchors have been shown to mimic the security of a hand sewn aortic anastomosis. Several investigators have evaluated the use of EndoAnchors to repair endograft problems or repair type 1 endoleaks in the abdominal or the thoracic position. The ANCHOR Registry is designed to evaluate up to 2000 patients at multiple sites in North America and Europe who have been treated with the Aptus Heli-FX EndoAnchor System to secure an aortic endograft. The registry collects important clinical characteristics of patients (1000) who are treated at the initial endograft implant (PRIMARY ARM) due to the presence of an endoleak or the concern about late failure due to a hostile aortic neck. An additional 1000 patients, who undergo a secondary procedure for treatment of an endoleak or other proximal graft failure (e.g., migration, aortic dilatation) will also be evaluated and followed (REVISION ARM). Currently, more than 290 patients have been entered and will be followed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this treatment.

Influence of antiplatelet therapy on cerebral micro-emboli after carotid endarterectomy using postoperative transcranial Doppler monitoring.

AIM: To study the effect of different antiplatelet regimens (APT) on the rate of postoperative TCD registered micro-embolic signals (MES) following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, double-blinded, pilot study. METHODS: The study group of 102 CEA patients (76 men, mean age 66.8 years) was randomised to routine Asasantin (Dipyridamole 200mg/Aspirin 25mg) twice daily (group I; n=39), Asasantin plus 75 mg Clopidogrel once daily (group II; n=33), or Asasantin plus Rheomacrodex (Dextran 40) 100g/L iv; 500 ml (group III; n=30). TCD monitoring of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery for the occurrence of MES was performed intra-operatively and during the second postoperative hour following CEA. Primary endpoints were the rate of postoperative emboli and the occurrence of cerebrovascular complications. Secondary endpoint was any adverse bleeding. RESULTS: There were no deaths or major strokes. We observed 2 intraoperative TIA's (group II and III) and 1 postoperative minor stroke (group I). In comparison with placebo, Clopidogrel or Rheomacrodex in addition to Asasantin produced no significant reduction in the number of postoperative MES. There was no significant difference between the number of postoperative MES and different antiplatelet regimens. The incidence of bleeding complications was not significantly different between the 3 APT groups. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we could not show a significant influence of different antiplatelet regimens on TCD detected postoperative embolization following CEA.

Long-term results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for symptomatic iliac in-stent stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the long-term results of endoluminal therapy for iliac in-stent obstructions. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2005, 68 patients (22 women), with a mean age of 61+/- 13 years and 16 bi-iliac in-stent obstructions, underwent 84 endovascular interventions for focal iliac in-stent stenoses (n = 61) or occlusions (n = 23). Primarily, only uncovered stents were placed. All patients were symptomatic: 70% had disabling intermittent claudication, 23% had resting pain, and 7% had trophic changes. All had in-stent diameter reduction exceeding 50% that was confirmed by duplex scanning and angiography. Procedures were performed under local anesthesia via the femoral route. RESULTS: All interventions were initially technically successful, with a minor complication of pneumonia in one patient (2%). Initial clinical success was achieved in 86% of patients. PTA alone was used to treat 72 (86%) in-stent obstructions, the other 12 (14%) had PTA and renewed stent placement. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. Mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 3 months to 10 years) and included duplex scanning. Primary clinical patency was 88% at 1 year, 62% at 3 years, and 38% at 5 years follow-up. During follow-up, 28 (33%) of 84 extremities required secondary reinterventions because of symptomatic renewed in-stent stenosis, and 11 were treated successfully with repeated endovascular interventions. Secondary patency at 1 year was 94%, 78% at 3 years, and 63% at 5 years. Surgical intervention was eventually needed in 17 (20%) of the 84 extremities. CONCLUSIONS: Endoluminal therapy for iliac focal in-stent obstructive disease seems to be a safe technique with acceptable long-term outcome and therefore a true alternative to primary surgical reconstruction.

[Carotid endarterectomy indicated in asymptomatic stenosis]. / Carotisendarteriëctomie voor een asymptomatische stenose.

Carotid endarterectomy (CE) is of proven value for patients with a high-grade symptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Recently, the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study group showed that in patients with an asymptomatic ICA stenosis of more than 60%, CE caused an absolute risk reduction of perioperative death or stroke during 5 year follow-up of 5.4% (95% confidence interval: 3.0-7.8). Half of these strokes were disabling. The number needed to treat to save one patient from death within 30 days or stroke within in the following 5 years was 19. Further studies are needed to isolate a group of patients that will substantially benefit from the operation. CE is probably most effective in males under 75 years of age. A low surgical morbidity and mortality is an absolute prerequisite to justify CE for an asymptomatic ICA stenosis.

Carotid endarterectomy in octogenarians with symptomatic high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis: long-term clinical and duplex follow-up.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and duplex outcome after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in recently symptomatic patients aged 80 years or older. Information was assembled from a prospective data collection of all CEAs performed from January 1986 to December 1999. Included were all patients with recently symptomatic carotid artery stenosis who were aged 80 years or older at time of operation. Thirty-two patients, with a mean age of 82 years, were included. Outcome events were stroke, death, and restenosis (more than 50% diameter reduction) during routine duplex scan follow-up. Conventional surgical technique was used regarding anesthesia and selective shunting or patching. None of the operated-on patients suffered a stroke at any time during follow-up. One patient (3.1%) died in the early postoperative phase (<30 days). An additional 8 patients died during follow-up. None of these deaths were of cerebrovascular origin. Survival at 3 years was 73% (life table analysis). Routine duplex scan follow-up showed 2 patients with a diameter reduction of more than 50%, both 3 months after CEA. Restenosis rate on duplex scan was 7.4% after 1 year. The authors conclude that there seems to be no reason to deny the very elderly the benefits of CEA. Stroke-free survival and survival rates show that carotid surgery is a safe procedure in patients aged 80 and over who are in apparently good health. These findings are supported by a low incidence of restenosis on duplex scan follow-up, indicating a durable repair.