Protagoras 3.0: feasibility of current fenestrated endografts and chimney technique for complex abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical feasibility of current available fenestrated endografts (FEVAR) and on-label chimney technique (EnChEVAR) in patients with complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (C-AAA). METHODS: Feasibility of EnChEVAR (Endurant II/IIS CE-marked [Medtronic]) and 4 types of FEVAR (Zenith Fenestrated CE-marked, Zenith Fenestrated Low-Profile [LP] custom-made device [CMD] [Cook Medical], Fenestrated Anaconda LoPro90 CMD, Fenestrated Treo CMD [Terumo Aortic]) was assessed according to the manufacturer's instructions for use. Computed tomography angiograms of patients with C-AAA previously included in the Protagoras 2.0 study were retrospectively reviewed. The aortic coverage was ideally planned to involve a maximum of two chimney grafts or fenestrations. RESULTS: Iliac access and aortic neck of 73 C-AAAs were analyzed. The overall feasibility was significantly different between EnChEVAR (33%) and FEVAR (Zenith Fenestrated 15%, Zenith Fenestrated LP 15%, Fenestrated Anaconda LoPro90 45%, Fenestrated Treo 48%). The iliac access feasibility was significantly lower for Zenith Fenestrated with standard profile compared to all other grafts. The aortic neck feasibility was significantly higher for EnChEVAR and both Terumo Aortic fenestrated stent grafts, compared to both Cook Medical grafts. The treatment using any of the three current available fenestrated grafts with lower profile (Zenith Fenestrated LP, Fenestrated Anaconda LoPro90, Fenestrated Treo) would have been feasible in 71% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients treated by ChEVAR would have not been treated by first generation fenestrated stent graft. The current available fenestrated endografts, with lower profile and suitable also for angulated necks, increase the anatomical feasibility.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for pure aortic insufficiency in a patient following David-type aortic valve-sparing root replacement after aortic dissection-A successful off-label procedure.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has traditionally been indicated for the treatment of aortic stenosis. However, in this case report, we describe a successful TAVI procedure in a 46-year-old male patient who had previously undergone David aortic valve-sparing aortic root replacement for type 1 aortic dissection. The patient presented with aortic valve insufficiency 4 years after the initial surgery and was subsequently treated with a 34 mm Medtronic CoreValve Evolut R prosthesis via TAVI. This case highlights the feasibility of TAVI as a viable treatment option for postoperative aortic valve insufficiency in patients with prior ascending aortic or aortic arch surgery.

Pre-emptive Aortic Side Branch Embolization during Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Using the Excluder Stent-Graft System: A Prospective Multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pre-emptive transcatheter arterial embolization (P-TAE) for aortic side branches (ASBs) to prevent Type 2 endoleaks (EL2) before endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using the Excluder stent-graft system (Excluder). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter study, 80 patients (mean age, 79.1 years [SD ± 6.7]; 85.0% were men; mean aneurysmal sac diameter, 48.4 mm [SD ± 7.4]) meeting the eligibility criteria were prospectively enrolled from 9 hospitals. Before EVAR, P-TAE was performed to embolize the patent ASBs originating from the abdominal aortic aneurysm. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed at 1 month and 6 months after EVAR. The primary endpoint was EL2 incidence at 6 months, and the secondary endpoints were aneurysmal sac diameter changes at 6 and 12 months, P-TAE outcomes, adverse events related to P-TAE, reintervention, and aneurysm-related mortality. RESULTS: All patients successfully underwent P-TAE without serious. Coil embolization was successful in 81.6% of ASBs. EL2 incidence at 6 months was identified in 18 of 70 (25.7%) patients. Aneurysmal sac diameter shrinkage (≥5 mm) was observed in 30.0% of patients at 6 months and in 40.9% at 12 months. Only 1 patient required reintervention for EL2 within 1 year of EVAR; aneurysm-related deaths were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: P-TAE for ASBs before EVAR using Excluder is a safe and effective strategy. It aids in achieving early aneurysmal sac shrinkage and reduces EL2 reintervention at 1 year after EVAR.

Performance Evaluation of a Miniature and Disposable Endovascular Robotic Device.

PURPOSE: The LIBERTY® Robotic System is a miniature, single-use device designed to facilitate remote-controlled navigation to intravascular targets. We aim to evaluate the robot's performance to manipulate a range of microguidewires and microcatheters during percutaneous endovascular procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six interventional radiologists performed selective robotic-assisted catheterization of eight pre-determined vascular targets in a pig model. The navigation time from the guiding catheter tip to the target vessel was recorded. Each physician with a clinical experience of 20 years completed a questionnaire to evaluate the ease of use, accuracy, and safety of the robotic operation. RESULTS: Most of the physicians reached the vascular targets in less than one minute. There was no angiographic evidence of vascular injury such as artery laceration or contusion. All physicians reported consensus about the high performance of the robot. CONCLUSION: The miniature disposable robot is effective at reaching a range of vessels in a porcine model. Physicians found the device intuitive and easy to operate remotely.

Image fusion guidance for left subclavian artery in situ fenestration during thoracic endovascular repair.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical benefit of utilizing image fusion for thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) with in situ fenestration (ISF-TEVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2020 and December 2020, we prospectively collected 18 consecutive cases with complex thoracic aortic lesions who underwent image fusion guided ISF-TEVAR. As a control group, 18 patients were collected from historical medical records from June 2019 to December 2019. The fusion group involved the use of 3D fusion of CTA and fluoroscopic images for real-time 3D guidance, and the control group involved the use of only regular fluoroscopic images for guidance. The total contrast medium volume, hand-injected contrast medium volume, overall operative time, radiation dose and fluoroscopy time were compared between the two groups. Accuracy was measured based on preoperative CTA and intraoperative digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: 3D fusion imaging guidance was successfully implemented in all patients in the fusion group. Hand-injected contrast medium volume and overall operative time were significantly lower in the fusion group than in the control group (p = .028 and p = .011). Compared with the control group, the fusion group showed a significant reduction in time and radiation dose-area product (DAP) for fluoroscopy (p = .004 and p = .010). No significant differences in total radiation dose (DAP) or total contrast medium volume were observed (p = .079 and p = .443). Full accuracy was achieved in 8 cases (44%), with a mean deviation of 2.61 mm ± 3.1 (range 0.0-8.4 mm). CONCLUSIONS: 3D image fusion for ISF-TEVAR was associated with a significant reduction in hand-injected contrast medium, time and radiation exposure for fluoroscopy and overall operative time. The image fusion guidance showed potential clinical benefits towards improved treatment safety and accuracy for complex thoracic endovascular interventions.

Local Anesthesia for Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Allows for Accurate Graft Deployment with Durable Results.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthesia (LA) is sparsely used in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) despite short-term benefit, likely secondary to concerns over patient movement preventing accurate endograft deployment. The objective of this study is to examine the association between anesthesia type and endoleak, sac regression, reintervention, and mortality. METHODS: The Vascular Quality Initiative database was queried for all EVAR cases from 2014 to 2022. Patients were included if they underwent percutaneous elective EVAR with anatomical criteria within instructions for use of commercially approved endografts. Multivariable logistic regression with propensity score weighting was used to determine the association between anesthesia type on the risk of any endoleak noted by intraoperative completion angiogram and sac regression. Multivariable survival analysis with propensity score weighting was used to determine the association between anesthesia type and endoleak at 1 year, long-term reintervention, and mortality. RESULTS: Thirteen thousand nine hundred thirty two EVARs met inclusion criteria: 1,075 (8%) LA and 12,857 (92%) general anesthesia (GA). On completion angiogram, LA was associated with fewer rates of any endoleaks overall (16% vs. 24%, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis with propensity score weighting, LA was associated with similar adjusted odds of any endoleak on intraoperative completion angiogram (odds ratio [OR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47-0.68) as well as combined type 1a and type 1b endoleaks (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.47-1.09). Follow-up computed tomography imaging at 1 year was available for 4,892 patients, 377 (8%) LA and 4,515 (92%) GA. At 1 year, LA was associated with similar rate of freedom from any endoleaks compared to GA (0.66 [95% CI 0.63-0.69] vs. 0.71 [95% CI 0.70-0.72], P = 0.663) and increased rates of sac regression (50% vs. 45%, P = 0.040). On multivariable analysis with propensity score weighting, LA and GA were associated with similar adjusted odds of sac regression (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.97-1.55). LA and GA had similar rates of endoleak at 1 year (hazard ratio [HR] 0.14, 95% CI 0.63-1.07); however, LA was associated with decreased hazards of combined type 1a and 1b endoleaks at 1 year (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.96). LA and GA had similar adjusted long-term reintervention rate (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.44-1.38) and long-term mortality (HR 1.100, 95% CI 079-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: LA is not associated with increased adjusted rates of any endoleak on completion angiogram or at 1-year follow-up compared to GA. LA is associated with decreased adjusted rates of type 1a and type 1b endoleak at 1 year, but similar rates of sac regression, long-term reintervention, and mortality. Concerns for accurate graft deployment should not preclude use of LA and LA should be increasingly considered when deciding on anesthetic type for standard elective EVAR.

Multicentric clinical evaluation of a computed tomography-based fully automated deep neural network for aortic maximum diameter and volumetric measurements.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate a fully automatic deep learning-based method (augmented radiology for vascular aneurysm [ARVA]) for aortic segmentation and simultaneous diameter and volume measurements. METHODS: A clinical validation dataset was constructed from preoperative and postoperative aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans for assessing these functions. The dataset totaled 350 computed tomography angiography scans from 216 patients treated at two different hospitals. ARVA's ability to segment the aorta into seven morphologically based aortic segments and measure maximum outer-to-outer wall transverse diameters and compute volumes for each was compared with the measurements of six experts (ground truth) and thirteen clinicians. RESULTS: Ground truth (experts') measurements of diameters and volumes were manually performed for all aortic segments. The median absolute diameter difference between ground truth and ARVA was 1.6 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-1.7; and 1.6 mm [95% CI, 1.6-1.7]) between ground truth and clinicians. ARVA produced measurements within the clinical acceptable range with a proportion of 85.5% (95% CI, 83.5-86.3) compared with the clinicians' 86.0% (95% CI, 83.9-86.0). The median volume similarity error ranged from 0.93 to 0.95 in the main trunk and achieved 0.88 in the iliac arteries. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the reliability of a fully automated artificial intelligence-driven solution capable of quick aortic segmentation and analysis of both diameter and volume for each segment.

A procedural step analysis of radiation exposure in fenestrated endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: Radiation exposure during complex endovascular aortic repair may be associated with tangible adverse effects in patients and operators. This study aimed to identify the steps of highest radiation exposure during fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) and to investigate potential intraoperative factors affecting radiation exposure. METHODS: Prospective data of 31 consecutive patients managed exclusively with four-fenestration endografts between March 1, 2020, and July 1, 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Leveraging the conformity of the applied technique, every FEVAR operation was considered a combination of six overall stages composed of 28 standardized steps. Intraoperative parameters, including air kerma, dose area product, fluoroscopy time, and number of digital subtraction angiographies (DSAs) and average angulations were collected and analyzed for each step. RESULTS: The mean procedure duration and fluoroscopy time was 140 minutes (standard deviation [SD], 32 minutes), and 40 minutes (SD, 9.1 minutes), respectively. The mean air kerma was 814 mGy (SD, 498 mGy), and the mean dose area product was 66.8 Gy cm2 (SD, 33 Gy cm2). The percentage of air kerma of the entire procedure was distributed throughout the following procedure stages: preparation (13.9%), main body (9.6%), target vessel cannulation (27.8%), stent deployment (29.1%), distal aortoiliac grafting (14.3%), and completion (5.3%). DSAs represented 23.0% of the total air kerma. Target vessel cannulation and stent deployment presented the highest mean lateral angulation (67 and 63 degrees, respectively). Using linear regression, each minute of continuous fluoroscopy added 18.9 mGy of air kerma (95% confidence interval, 17.6-20.2 mGy), and each DSA series added 21.1 mGy of air kerma (95% confidence interval, 17.9-24.3 mGy). Body mass index and lateral angulation were significantly associated with increased air kerma (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Cannulation of target vessels and bridging stent deployment are the steps requiring the highest radiation exposure during FEVAR cases. Optimized operator protection during these steps is mandatory.

Volumetric analysis in primary and residual type B aortic dissection treated with stented-assisted balloon-induced intimal disruption and relamination technique can predict aortic reintervention.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the mid-term results of stented-assisted balloon-induced intimal disruption and relamination (STABILISE) in patients with aortic dissection with the implementation of volumetric analysis. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. From May 2017 to September 2022, 42 patients underwent STABILISE for acute complicated or subacute high-risk aortic dissection. STABILISE was completed with distal extended endovascular aortic repair in 24 patients. A computed tomography scan was performed at baseline, before hospital discharge, and at 1, 3, and 5 years. Perfused total aortic, true lumen, and false lumen volumes were assessed for thoracic, visceral, and aorto-iliac segment. The ratio between false lumen and total volume was named perfusion dissection index (PDI). Complete remodeling was defined as PDI = 0, and positive remodeling as PDI ≤0.1. RESULTS: Technical success was 97.6%. No 30-day deaths, spinal cord injuries, or retrograde dissections were observed. Mean follow-up was 44 ± 19.4 months. Thoracic diameter was lower at last available computed tomography scan (36.7 vs 33.0 mm; P = .01). Aortic growth >5 mm was observed in 9.5% of the patients. Thoracic and visceral aortic complete remodeling were 92.8% and 83.3%, respectively, with no difference between acute and subacute group. Distal extended endovascular aortic repair significantly increased complete remodeling in the aorto-iliac segment, compared with STABILISE alone (69.6% vs 21.4%; P < .001). Freedom from vascular reinterventions at 3 years was 83.1% (95% confidence interval, 71.5%-96.6%). Total PDI ≤0.1 at first postoperative control was a predictor of vascular reinterventions (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: STABILISE is a safe and feasible technique associated with high mid-term rates of complete remodeling in the thoracic and visceral aorta. Volumetric analysis allows the quantification of aortic remodeling and represents a predictor of aortic reinterventions.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound after Endovascular Aortic Repair: Supplement and Potential Substitute for CT in Early- and Long-Term Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Endoleaks are the most common complication after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is presently the golden standard for lifelong surveillance after EVAR. Several studies and meta-analyses have shown contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to be a good alternative. The main goal of our study was to further validate the inclusion of CEUS in follow-up examination protocols for the systematic surveillance after EVAR. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who had received CEUS as part of their routine surveillance after EVAR at our center was conducted. Detection rate and classification of endoleak types were compared between available postinterventional CTA/magnetic resonance angiography and follow-up CEUS examinations. Last preinterventional CTAs before EVAR served as baselines with focus on potential cofactors such as age, body mass index, maximum aortic aneurysm diameters, endoleak orientation, and distance-to-surface influencing detection rates and classification. RESULTS: In total, 101 patients were included in the analysis. Forty-four endoleaks (43.5% of cases) were detected by either initial CEUS or CTA, mostly type II (37.6% of the included patients). Initial CEUS showed an endoleak sensitivity of 91.2%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 84.6%. No covariate with an influence on the correct classification could be identified either for CEUS or CT. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS should be considered a valid complementary method to CTA in the lifelong surveillance after EVAR. As type II endoleaks seem to be a common early-term, sometimes spontaneously resolving complication that can potentially be missed by CTA, we suggest combined follow-up protocols including CEUS in the early on postinterventional assessment.

Clinical comparative analysis of 3D printing-assisted extracorporeal pre-fenestration and Castor integrated branch stent techniques in treating type B aortic dissections with inadequate proximal landing zones.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the clinical effects of two distinct surgical approaches, namely 3D printing-assisted extracorporeal pre-fenestration and Castor integrated branch stent techniques, in treating patients with Stanford type B aortic dissections (TBAD) characterized by inadequate proximal landing zones. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 84 patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD) who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with left subclavian artery (LSA) reconstruction at our center from January 2022 to July 2023. Based on the different surgical approaches, the patients were divided into two groups: the group assisted by 3D printing for extracorporeal pre-fenestration (n = 44) and the group using the castor integrated branch stent (n = 40). Clinical indicators: including general patient information, operative time, surgical success rate, intraoperative and postoperative complication rates, re-intervention rate, and mortality, as well as postoperative aortic remodeling, were compared between the two groups. The endpoint of this study is the post-TEVAR mortality rate in patients. RESULTS: The surgical success rate and device deployment success rate were 100% in both groups, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). However, the group assisted by 3D printing for extracorporeal pre-fenestration had a significantly longer operative time (184.20 ± 54.857 min) compared to the group using the castor integrated branch stent (152.75 ± 33.068 min), with a statistically significant difference (t = 3.215, p = 0.002, P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of postoperative cerebral infarction and beak sign was significantly lower in the group assisted by 3D printing for extracorporeal pre-fenestration compared to the castor-integrated branch stent group, demonstrating statistical significance. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of other postoperative complication rates and aortic remodeling (P > 0.05). Notably, computed tomography angiography images revealed the expansion of the vascular true lumen and the reduction of the false lumen at three specified levels of the thoracic aorta. The follow-up duration did not show any statistically significant difference between the two groups (10.59 ± 4.52 vs. 9.08 ± 4.35 months, t = 1.561, p = 0.122 > 0.05). Throughout the follow-up period, neither group experienced new endoleaks, spinal cord injuries, nor limb ischemia. In the castor-integrated branch stent group, one patient developed a new distal dissection, prompting further follow-up. Additionally, there was one case of mortality due to COVID-19 in each group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of re-intervention rate and survival rate (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both 3D printing-assisted extracorporeal pre-fenestration TEVAR and castor-integrated branch stent techniques demonstrate good safety and efficacy in treating Stanford type B aortic dissection with inadequate proximal anchoring. The 3D printing-assisted extracorporeal pre-fenestration TEVAR technique has a lower incidence of postoperative cerebral infarction and beak sign, while the castor-integrated branch stent technique has advantages in operative time.

Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts the clinical outcomes in patients with acute uncomplicated type-B aortic dissection undergoing optimal medical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Optimal medical therapy (OMT) for uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (uTBAD) provides excellent short-term outcomes during follow up; however, its long-term therapeutic effectiveness is unsatisfactory. This study evaluated the predictive value of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) for adverse events among patients with acute uTBAD undergoing OMT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database between 2013 and 2020. The primary end point in this study was composite outcomes including aortic intervention, all-cause mortality, retrograde type A aortic dissection (rTAAD) and aortic diameter growth > 5 mm. The patients were divided into high and low SII groups according to the optimal cut-off value of SII as determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to estimate the hazards ratios and identify the predictors of composite outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients with acute uTBAD who underwent OMT were enrolled. One patient died during hospitalisation. At the end of a mean follow-up duration of 51 ± 23 months, 53 (43.1%) patients experienced composite outcomes, 15 patients (12.2%) died, 31 (25.2%) underwent aortic intervention, 21 (17.1%) exhibited diameter growth of > 5 mm, and 2 developed rTAAD. The patients were divided into low SII group (n = 78, 62.9%) and high SII group (n = 46, 37.1%) as per the optimal cut-off SII value of 1449. The incidence of composite outcomes in high SII group was significantly higher than that in low SII (28 [60.9%] vs. 26[33.3%], p < 0.01). Patients with high SII demonstrated significantly higher mortality rate than those with a low SII (11 [23.9%] vs. 5 [6.4%], respectively; p < 0.01). In addition, the high SII group had significantly higher rate of aortic-related reinterventions than the low SII group (16 [34.8%] vs. 15 [19.2%], p = 0.03). Multivariable Cox analyses showed that a high SII score was independently associated with composite outcomes rate (hazard ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-3.78; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term therapeutic effectiveness of OMT alone in patients with acute uTBAD is unsatisfactory. An SII > 1449 at the time of diagnosis is an independent predictor of OMT failure.

Endovascular Management of Aortic Stump Blowout by Parallel Grafting and Coil Embolization of Visceral Aorta.

Aortic graft and endograft infections remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. With graft excision and extra-anatomic bypass, an infrarenal aortic stump remains which can have suture line dehiscence and catastrophic stump blowout. Treatment of this is extremely challenging, especially for severely co-morbid patients who cannot undergo major surgery, or in patients with a hostile abdomen. We present a case study of a 74-year-old male found to have an aortoenteric fistula (AEF). This case broadens operative options for this type of patient population by demonstrating an endovascular technique for addressing aortic stump blowout by parallel grafting and coil embolization of the visceral aorta.

Very long-term follow-up after aortic stenting for coarctation of the aorta.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Stent implantation is the preferred treatment in older children and adults with aortic coarctation (CoA). We aimed to determine the incidence of very late events after CoA stenting. METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of CoA patients who underwent stent implantation at our center between 1993 and 2018. Patients were periodically followed up in outpatient clinics, including computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy assessment. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients with CT and fluoroscopy data were included: 83 (49.7%) were aged ≤ 12 years and 46 (28%) were female. The mean clinical follow-up time was 17±8 (range 4-30) years and the mean time to CT/fluoroscopy was 11±7 years. Aortic aneurysm was present in 13% and was associated with the PALMAZ stent (OR, 3.09; 95%CI, 1.11-9.49; P=.036) and the stented length (OR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.89-0.99; P=.039). Stent fracture was frequent (34%), but was not related to the presence of aneurysm. Stent fracture was associated with young age (OR, 3.57; 95%CI, 1.54-8.33; P=.003), male sex (OR, 4.00; 95%CI, 1.51-12.5, P=.008) and inversely with the PALMAZ stent (OR, 0.29; 95%CI, 0.12-0.67, P=.005). Reintervention was lower in adults (10%), mainly related to aneurysms. Those treated when aged ≤ 12 years had higher reintervention rates (43%) due to recoarctation somatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: This long-term follow-up study of CoA patients treated with stenting revealed a significant incidence of late events. Reintervention rates were higher in patients treated at younger ages. Periodic imaging surveillance appears to be advisable.

The effect of Fiber Optic RealShape technology on the reduction of radiation during complex endovascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the advantages that fenestrated endovascular aortic repair has over open repair, it is accompanied by the consequence of radiation exposure, which can result in long-term complications for both the patient and surgical staff. Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) technology is a novel advancement that uses emitted light from a fiber optic wire and enables the surgeon to cannulate vessels in real time without live fluoroscopy. This technology has been implemented at select centers to study its effectiveness for cannulation of target vessels and its impact on procedural radiation. METHODS: We collected prospective data on physician-modified endograft (PMEG) cases before and after the introduction of FORS technology. FORS PMEGs were matched with up to three conventional fluoroscopy cases by number of target vessels, inclusion of a bifurcated device below, aneurysm extent, and patient body mass index. The procedural radiation parameters were compared between these cohorts. Within the FORS cohort, we analyzed the rate of successful target vessel cannulation for all cases done with this technology (including cases other than PMEGs), and we compared the radiation between the cannulations using only FORS with those that abandoned FORS for conventional fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Nineteen FORS PMEGs were able to be matched to 45 conventional fluoroscopy cases. Procedures that used FORS technology had significantly reduced total air kerma (527 mGy vs 964 mGy), dose area product (121 Gy∗cm2 vs 186 Gy∗cm2), fluoroscopy dose (72.1 Gy∗cm2 vs 132.5 Gy∗cm2), and fluoroscopy time (45 minutes vs 72 minutes). There was no difference in procedure length, total contrast, or digital subtraction angiography. Within FORS cases, 66% of cannulations were completed using only FORS. Cannulations using only FORS had significant reduction of navigation air kerma (5.0 mGy vs 26.5 mGy), dose area product (1.2 Gy∗cm2 vs 5.1 Gy∗cm2), and fluoroscopy time (0.6 minutes vs 2.3 minutes) compared with cannulations abandoning FORS for conventional fluoroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the advantages of FORS for total procedural radiation as well as during individual cannulation tasks. The implementation of FORS for target vessel catheterization has the potential to decrease the total degree of radiation exposure for the patient and surgical staff during complex endovascular aortic surgeries.

Ultrasound Surveillance is Feasible After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is traditionally done with computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans that exposes patient to radiation, nephrotoxic contrast media, and potentially increased risk for cancer. Ultrasound (US) is less labor intensive and expensive and might thus provide a good alternative for CTA surveillance. The aim of this study was to evaluate in real-life patient cohorts whether US is able to detect post-EVAR aneurysm-related complications similarly to CTA. METHODS: This retrospective study compared the outcome of consecutive patients who underwent EVAR for intact abdominal aortic aneurysm and were surveilled solely by CTA (CTA-only cohort, n = 168) in 2000-2010 or by combined CTA and US (CTA/US cohort, n = 300) in 2011-2016, as a standard surveillance protocol in the department of vascular surgery, Helsinki University Hospital. The CTA-only patients were imaged at 1, 3, and 12 months and annually thereafter. The CTA/US patients were imaged with CTA at 3 and 12 months, US at 6 months and annually thereafter. If there were suspicion of >5 mm aneurysm growth, CTA scan was performed. The patients were reviewed for imaging data, reinterventions, aneurysm ruptures, and death until December 2018. The 2 groups were compared for secondary rupture, aneurysm-related and cancer-related death, reintervention related to abdominal aortic aneurysm, and maximum aneurysm diameter increase ≥5 mm. The mean follow-up in the CTA-only cohort was 67 months and in CTA/US cohort 43 months. RESULTS: The 2 cohorts were alike for basic characteristics and for the mean aneurysm diameter. The total number of CT scans for detecting aneurysm was 84.1/100 patient years in the CTA-only cohort compared to 74.5/100 patient years for US/CTA cohort. Forty percent of patients under combined CTA/US surveillance received 1 or more additional CTA scans. The 2 cohorts did not differ for 1-year, 5-year and 8-year freedom from aneurysm related death, secondary sac rupture, nor the incidence of rupture preventing interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the follow-up data of this real-life cohort of 468 patients, combined surveillance with US and additional CTA either per protocol or due to suspicion of aneurysm-related complications had comparable outcome with sole CTA-surveillance. Thus, US can be considered a reasonable alternative for the CTA. However, our study showed also that the need of additional CTAs due to suspicion of endoleak or aneurysm nonrelated reasons is substantial.