Real-World Evaluation of the Off-the-Shelf Precannulated Inner-Branched Endograft for Pararenal Aortic Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To analyze the early performance and efficacy of the first commercially available off-the-shelf precannulated multibranched endograft in the endovascular repair of pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (PAAAs). The device received European marketing approval in late 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2021 and June 2023, a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all consecutive patients with pAAAs undergoing implantation of the E-nside precannulated inner-branched endograft was conducted in 2 centers. The primary outcome measure was technical success defined as the composite endpoint of successful (1) delivery of the 24F endograft, (2) use of the precannulation tubes, and (3) implantation of the bridging stent-grafts (BSGs) to the target vessels. Main secondary endpoints were mortality, target vessel instability (TVI), absence of type I or III endoleak, reintervention, spinal cord ischemia, and supra-celiac aortic coverage. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (20 men, mean age: 71 years) were included in this study with a mean follow-up of 14±7.7 months. Nine patients had a symptomatic aneurysm (43%). Technical success amounted to 95% (in one patient, an iliofemoral conduit was necessary to advance the device). One out of 112 BSGs (1%, right renal artery) occluded at 30 days, resulting in freedom from TVI and reintervention rate at 12 months of 95%. No type I or III endoleaks were identified during follow-up. One patient (5%) died at 13 months due to non-aneurysm-related death, and 1 patient (5%) developed spinal cord ischemia. No other major perioperative complications were observed. Mean supra-celiac aortic coverage reached 52±8%. CONCLUSIONS: Given the imperative need for an off-the-shelf endograft tailored to address PAAAs, the E-nside stent-graft demonstrated encouraging outcomes in this study. Nevertheless, it is essential to emphasize that the extent of aortic coverage mandates the production of a truncated variant. CLINICAL IMPACT: The endovascular repair of urgent pararenal aortic aneurysms remains still an unsolved problem in the endovascular era since there are no available off-the-shelf dedicated fenestrated or branched endografts. This paper confirms the safety and efficacy of the off-the-shelf precannulated inner branched endograft for this specific indication.

Combined Type III and Type II Endoleaks after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Presentation of 2 Cases and a Literature Review.

Although endovascular aneurysm repair is a feasible option for high-risk patients resulting in lower perioperative mortality when compared with open repair, the need for reintervention and long-term follow-up affects its use. The aim of the current report is to present 2 cases of patients with type IIIa endoleak from limb disconnection (one patient with double-bilateral endoleak) combined with a late type II endoleak and symptomatic sac growth treated in our department. We also performed a literature review about type III endoleaks and their treatment options.

Thrombolysis in Acute Lower Limb Ischemia: Review of the Current Literature.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is a therapeutic option with acceptable results in patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) but with severe systemic or intracranial bleeding being the most significant clinical complication. The aim of the study is to collect and present direct results of CDT in patients treated for ALI. METHODS: Reports on CDT treatment in ALI until December 2016 were searched in PubMed using the keywords catheter direct thrombolysis, acute lower limb ischemia, and any combination. RESULTS: A total of 256 clinical trials were identified. After the exclusion criteria were applied, 10 articles were selected including 1,249 patients and 1,361 lower extremities treated for ALI. Acute thrombosis of a limb artery or bypass graft was the main cause of ischemia ranging from 77.7% to 98.0%. The overall technical success rate of the applied method reached 79.3% (1,079 successful cases). Complications of any type occurred in 358 (28.7%) patients. Of them, 72 (20.1%) experienced a minor complication while 286 (79.9%) had a major life-threatening complication. The need for secondary interventions was 77.8% (935 patients). The death rate during the first month was 4.2% (56 patients), while the percentage of patients who suffered amputation because of a failed thrombolysis during the same period was 11.5% (156 patients). Finally, the survival rate without amputation within 30 days was 88.5% (1.105 out of a total of 1,249 patients studied). CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm the high direct technical success rate of CDT and the high percentage of patients survived without amputation within 30 days, although major complications are a great disadvantage of the method.

Endovascular Treatment of a Forty-Year-Old Post-Traumatic Knee Arteriovenous Fistula.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) of the lower extremity are uncommon. The main causes are traumatic or iatrogenic, with 15% of traumatic AVFs occurring in the popliteal vessels. Herein, we present a 60-year-old female with a traumatic AVF caused after a car accident 40 years ago. The patient presented with right leg venous claudication and symptoms of congestive heart failure. Duplex ultrasound of lower limb vessels revealed an AVF at the distal part of the tibiofibular trunk. The patient was successfully managed with an endovascular approach using a coil-assisted covered endovascular repair technique of the tibiofibular bifurcation (CERTIFIB) with excellent results and distal vessels patency. At 3 months follow-up, patient presented with an impressive regression of 3 cm of the lower extremity oedema and improvement of both claudication and heart failure.

Y-shaped stenting of brachiocephalic vein in a symptomatic hemodialysis patient.

Stenosis or obstruction of neck great veins represent a frequent and severe complication in hemodialysis patients. Endovascular treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and/or stenting of these veins is the gold standard to restore patency. However, the jugular vein is frequently overstented in these cases and this might lead to persistent symptomatology of those patients also losing an access for future catheter placement. Herein, we present the 6-months performance of a Y-shaped stenting of the brachiocephalic and internal jugular vein leading to complete resolution of the symptoms, and maintenance of the jugular vein access.

AAA Rupture and Psoas Hematoma due to Type II Endoleak from Inferior Mesenteric Artery "Unusual" Collaterals.

Although endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the abdominal aorta has reduced the perioperative mortality when compared with open repair, the need for reintervention after complications such as endoleak may be presented in up to 20% of the cases. Type II endoleak from branch vessels is often benign but can potentially be associated with progressive abdominal aortic aneurysm growth and sac expansion. We present a rare case of a patient who presented with sac expansion and psoas hematoma due to Type II endoleak from "unusual" collaterals of IMA and was treated successfully with endoleak microembolization and percutaneous decompression of the hematoma.