Early clinical outcomes of retrograde in situ branched stent grafting for complex aortic arch aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early outcomes of retrograde in situ branched stent grafting (RIBS) using the gutter balloon technique for complex aortic arch aneurysms (CAAs). METHODS: The RIBS technique is an in situ needle fenestration procedure during thoracic endovascular aortic repair with the reconstruction of cervical branches. The double RIBS (D-RIBS) for the reconstruction of the left common carotid artery and the brachiocephalic artery using the gutter balloon technique was performed in 30 high-risk patients. We describe the early clinical results of the D-RIBS technique for CAAs. Primary end points were technical success and 30-day mortality. Secondary end points were postoperative complications, rates of endoleaks, overall survival, aneurysm-related death, and reinterventions. RESULTS: The mean age was 77.1 ± 6.6 years, and the mean maximum minor-axis aneurysmal diameter was 65.9 ± 8.9 mm. Twenty-six patients underwent D-RIBS for elective arch aortic aneurysm, and four patients were for reintervention after zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair failure. Stent graft puncture was performed 60 times from the common carotid arteries, and technical success was achieved in all cases (100%). Postoperative complications included cerebral infarction in two patients (6.7%) and recurrent nerve palsy in one patient (3.3%). The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up period of 14 months (6-56 months), overall survival at 12 months was 92.3% without any aneurysm-related death. Type 1 b and type 2 endoleaks were observed in one each, and no reintervention was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Early clinical outcomes of the D-RIBS for high-risk patients with CAAs are acceptable. The gutter balloon method enables safe and reliable fenestration. Further studies and dedicated devices are warranted.

Long-term results of the Japanese multicenter Viabahn trial of heparin bonded endovascular stent grafts for long and complex lesions in the superficial femoral artery.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the long-term safety and efficacy of endovascular stent grafting to treat long, complex lesions in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). METHODS: The present prospective, multicenter study at 15 Japanese hospitals assessed heparin-bonded stent grafts used to treat long SFA lesions in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The inclusion criteria were Rutherford category 2 to 5 symptoms (grade 5 without active infection), an ankle brachial index of ≤0.9, and SFA lesions ≥10 cm long with ≥50% stenosis. The key efficacy and safety outcomes were primary-assisted patency and adverse events through 24 months, respectively. The secondary outcomes included primary patency, secondary patency, freedom from target lesion revascularization (fTLR), and Vascular Quality of Life questionnaire score. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients (mean age, 74.2 ± 7.0 years; 82.5% male), 100 (97.1%) had intermittent claudication. The average lesion length was 21.8 ± 5.8 cm; 87 lesions (84.5%) were TASC (Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus Document on Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease) C or D (65.7% chronic total occlusions). Of the 103 patients, 92 and 61 were evaluable through 24 and 60 months, respectively. At 24 months, the Kaplan-Meier-estimated primary-assisted patency, primary patency, and secondary patency rate was 85.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76.3%-91.5%), 78.8% (95% CI, 68.8%-85.9%), and 92.0% (95% CI, 82.4%-96.5%), respectively. The mean ankle brachial index was 0.64 ± 0.12 at baseline and 0.94 ± 0.19 at 24 months (P < .0001). At 24 and 60 months, the fTLR was 87.2% (95% CI, 78.9%-92.3%) and 79.1% (95% CI, 67.9%-86.8%), respectively. No device- or procedure-related life- or limb-threatening critical events or acute limb ischemia cases were observed through 5 years. No stent fractures were detected on the annually scheduled follow-up radiographs. The vascular quality of life questionnaire and walking impairment questionnaire scores were significantly increased at 1 through 24 months compared with the baseline scores (P < .0001 for both). One patient had required conversion to open bypass during the 5-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Stent grafting of long and complex SFA lesions in patients with claudication is safe and effective through long-term follow-up, with 79.1% fTLR and no leg amputation, acute limb ischemia, or stent fractures through 5 years.

A Novel Shaggy Aorta Scoring System to Predict Embolic Complications Following Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between shaggy aorta and embolic complications during thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR), based on a shaggy aorta scoring system. METHODS: The entire aorta was assessed based on 5 mm slice computed tomography (CT) from the sinotubular junction to the aortic bifurcation using a three dimensional workstation. One shaggy point (shaggy score) was given when the following conditions were met: 1) ulcer like thrombus, 2) maximum thrombus thickness ≥ 5 mm, and 3) mural thrombus occupies more than two thirds of the circumference of the aortic diameter on reconstructed CT of the axial statue. Subsequently, each point was added to obtain the total shaggy score. RESULTS: The outcomes of 301 patients undergoing TEVAR were evaluated. Post-operative embolic complications including stroke, acute renal failure, and distal embolisation, were identified in 21 cases (7.0%). The average shaggy score for the entire cohort was 2.4 ± 5.6 points, whereas it was 7.9 ± 7.1 in those patients with embolic complications (E group) and 2.0 ± 5.3 in those without embolic complications (N group, p = .001). There were no statistical differences in 30 day mortality (p = .70), but overall survival at two years was significantly lower in the E group (E: 58.8%, N: 93.3%, p < .001). Multivariable analysis revealed that the predictors of post-operative embolic complication were past history of cerebrovascular disease (p = .001, OR 5.90, 95% CI 2.14-16.29) and shaggy score (p < .001, OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.06-1.19). The area under the ROC curve was 0.77, and the cut off value of the shaggy score using the Youden index was 3 points (sensitivity: 71.4%, specificity: 81.4%). CONCLUSION: This shaggy score is a useful method to predict post-operative embolic complications following TEVAR. Because the risk of embolic complications was relatively high in patients with a high shaggy score, the indication for TEVAR in such patients should be considered carefully.

Outcomes of Chimney Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for an Aortic Arch Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Chimney thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has advantages that include no requirements for special devices; however, problems have been identified such as gutter leaks. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short- and mid-term results of TEVAR with chimney technique including the safety, efficacy, and risk factors for occurrence of gutter endoleak in this technique. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted on 55 consecutive patients who underwent first-time chimney TEVAR for arch aneurysms in the past 7 years. This consisted of 33 cases of single-chimney (SC) TEVAR and 22 cases of double-chimney (DC) TEVAR. The outcomes of these 55 cases of SC-TEVAR and DC-TEVAR were retrospectively examined. Risk factors for endoleaks in chimney TEVAR were also examined. RESULTS: Operative mortalities of 3.0% and 4.5% were observed in SC-TEVAR and DC-TEVAR, respectively. Incidences of stroke were 12.1% in the SC-TEVAR and 4.5% in the DC-TEVAR, resulting in endoleaks in 16 patients (48.5%) in SC-TEVAR and 6 patients (27.3%) in DC-TEVAR. Only 1 of the 77 chimney grafts was occluded, with a patency rate of 98.7%. SC-TEVAR and small distance from the common carotid artery were the risk factors of type I endoleaks. Overall survival rates over a period of 1, 3, and 5 years were 82.3%, 78.0%, and 57.7%, respectively, in the SC-TEVAR group and 95.2%, 89.3%, and 76.5%, respectively, in the DC-TEVAR group. Freedom from aneurysm-related death over 1, 3, and 5 years was 82.3%, 69.0%, and 57.7%, respectively, in the SC-TEVAR group and 95.2%, 89.3%, and 89.3% in the DC-TEVAR group. Freedom from secondary intervention over 1, 3, and 5 years was 80.2%, 64.7%, and 47.2%, respectively, in the SC-TEVAR group and 95.0%, 74.0%, and 74.0%, respectively, in the DC-TEVAR group. CONCLUSIONS: The short- and mid-term results of chimney TEVAR were worse than expectation. Especially, the results of SC-TEVAR were not acceptable because of extremely high incidence of type I endoleak and high incidence of stroke.

Current status of endovascular treatment for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Open surgical repair (OSR) for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) is maximally invasive and associated with high rates of operative mortality and perioperative complications including spinal cord ischemia (SCI), despite improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative care. Elderly patients, patients with a history of aortic surgery, and patients with severe comorbidities are often considered ineligible for this surgery and endovascular treatment may be their only treatment option. Total endovascular aneurysm repair (t-EVAR) without debranching surgery does not require thoracotomy and laparotomy and could improve the outcomes of these patients. t-EVAR includes fenestrated EVAR (f-EVAR), multi-branched EVAR (b-EVAR), and physician-modified fenestration endograft (PMFG). Although these techniques have achieved lower mortality rates than OSR, there are concerns about perioperative complications including limb ischemia, SCI, and long-term outcomes such as endograft migration and endoleaks (ELs). This article provides an overview of available endovascular devices for TAAAs and reviews the short and mid-term results of t-EVAR, as well as alternative options.

Risk factors and treatment outcomes for stent graft infection after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to retrospectively analyze incidence, risk factors, and management of postoperative stent graft (SG) infection after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: We evaluated patients who underwent EVAR for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm at our institution between July 2006 and December 2014. The primary end point was SG infection. We compared patients' demographics between the infection (group I) and noninfection (group NI) groups and reviewed management and outcomes in group I. A risk factor for SG infection was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Patients without aortoenteric fistula (AEF) were treated with conservative therapy for SG infection. RESULTS: A total of 1202 patients underwent EVAR for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. During a mean follow-up of 43.9 ± 30.4 months, SG infection occurred in 15 cases (incidence, 3.5/1000 person-years). The median time between initial EVAR and detection of infection was 30 months (range, 14 days-86 months). Freedom from SG infection at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 99.5%, 99.2%, and 98.2%, respectively. There were no differences in age, sex, comorbidities, and SG type between the groups. Coil embolization of the hypogastric artery was more frequent in group I (60% vs 31%). During follow-up before infection, type II endoleak (47% vs 24%), sac enlargement (40% vs 16%), and multiple reinterventions (13% vs 2%) were significantly higher in group I; however, after multivariate analysis, only coil embolization of the hypogastric artery (odds ratio, 3.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-9.24; P = .029) remained a significant predictor. Among the 15 patients, four had AEF and six bacteriologic species were detected in five patients (33%). Twelve patients (80%) were treated with conservative therapy; three underwent surgical therapy (two patients with SG resection, omentum patching, and extra-anatomic bypass with fistula closure or partial duodenectomy and one patient with graft preservation, irrigation, omentum patching, and aneurysmorrhaphy). In-hospital mortality occurred in three cases; two cases were due to sepsis after conservative therapy, and one case was due to aortic stump rupture after surgical therapy. Excluding in-hospital mortality cases, during a median follow-up of 31 (range, 2-76) months, five patients were lost because of cancer or senility. There was no aneurysm-related death or recurrence of SG infection. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant coil embolization was a risk factor for SG infection. For patients with AEF, surgical therapy remains the first-line treatment of SG infection after EVAR; however, conservative therapy is a viable option for SG infection in patients without AEF, particularly considering patients' comorbidities and limited life expectancy.

Hybrid Surgery for Multiple Visceral Artery Aneurysms: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: We present a case with multiple visceral artery aneurysms that were treated with a hybrid approach involving both surgical and endovascular treatment. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 48-year-old female. She was diagnosed with multiple visceral artery aneurysms including 2 splenic artery aneurysms, celiac artery aneurysm, and bilateral renal artery aneurysms during an examination for loss of appetite. With regard to 2 splenic artery aneurysms, the proximal aneurysm was treated surgically, whereas the peripheral aneurysm that was located deeply in the abdomen was treated with coil embolization. The celiac artery aneurysm located at the bifurcation of the common hepatic artery and splenic artery, an intracranial aneurysm clip was used. The left and right renal aneurysms were resected and renal arteries were reconstructed surgically. The postoperative course was uneventful. The pathological diagnosis of all aneurysms was segmental arterial mediolysis. The reconstructed vessels were patent without stenosis or recurrence at 1 year after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid treatment involving surgical resection, endovascular coil embolization, and obliteration with clips was useful in the treatment of multiple visceral artery aneurysms.

Risk Factor Analyses of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Growth in Japanese Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to retrospectively demonstrate the growth rate (mm/year) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameters (ADs) and to analyze risk factors for AAA expansion. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the clinical data of 319 patients with AAAs who were followed up as outpatients for >2 years after their initial visit and who underwent computed tomography >4 times. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 3.7 ± 1.5 years. The annual average growth rates according to varying ADs were as follows: 1.9 ± 0.8 (AD 30-34 mm), 2.6 ± 1.2 (AD 35-39 mm), 2.8 ± 1.1 (AD 40-44 mm), 3.1 ± 1.3 (AD 45-49 mm), 3.4 ± 1.6 (AD 50-54 mm), and 3.5 ± 1.4 mm (AD ≥55 mm). Factors associated with AAA expansion were smoking (P = 0.017), hypertension (P < 0.001), and ADs (P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, data regarding growth rates of ≥3 mm were extracted, and a statistically significant difference between smoking status and ADs of ≥40 mm was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with AAA expansion in Japanese patients included smoking, hypertension, and ADs, and a statistically significant difference was observed between smoking status and ADs of ≥40 mm.

Outcomes of mini-incision eversion carotid endarterectomy combined with nontouch isolation technique of the internal carotid artery.

OBJECTIVE: We developed a mini-incision eversion carotid endarterectomy (CEA) procedure (the Jikei method CEA) to prevent perioperative embolic stroke. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze perioperative and midterm outcomes after the Jikei method CEA. METHODS: We evaluated patients with the Jikei method CEA at our institution between January 2006 and June 2014. The primary end point was a major adverse event, which included death, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and myocardial infarction, within 30 days of CEA. Secondary end points were postoperative ipsilateral stroke and restenosis. RESULTS: We retrospectively studied 120 lesions in 110 patients. The mean age was 72.2 ± 8.0 years. With regard to the 120 lesions, 56 lesions (46.7%) were symptomatic and 73 lesions (60.8%) showed ≥90% severe stenosis. The mean length of the skin incision was 3.2 ± 0.5 cm. The mean operative time, volume of blood loss, and internal carotid artery clamp time were 171.0 ± 50.7 minutes, 161.6 ± 110.8 mL, and 35.7 ± 10.8 minutes, respectively. There were three perioperative major adverse events (2.5%), including two strokes (1.7%) and one intracranial hemorrhage (0.8%) resulting from hyperperfusion syndrome. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days (range, 2-303 days). The mean follow-up was 3.9 ± 2.2 years. There was no case of ipsilateral stroke during the follow-up period. The freedom from ipsilateral stroke at 5 years was 98.3%. Three lesions (2.5%) developed restenosis. The freedom from restenosis was 97.2% at 5 years. The freedom from reintervention at 5 years was 99.0% because carotid artery stent placement was necessary in one patient with severe restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The Jikei method CEA was safe and effective in preventing perioperative and midterm stroke.

Result of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Patients with Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding from the thoracic aorta is potentially fatal in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was recently applied for aortic invasion by esophageal cancer. However, only a few case reports have been published. This study was performed to clarify the effectiveness and safety of TEVAR for patients with advanced esophageal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18 patients who underwent TEVAR for esophageal cancer. We also performed a literature search and reviewed 21 similar cases. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2016, 10 patients were treated on an emergent basis for aortic hemorrhage (salvage group) and 8 patients underwent urgent prophylactic surgery (prophylactic group). Hemostasis was achieved in all cases. One (10%) patient in the salvage group died of aspiration pneumonia on postoperative day 1, while all patients in the prophylactic group survived for >1 month. The median survival period in the salvage and prophylactic group was 3.25 and 11.10 months, respectively. The longest survivor was still alive 9 years after TEVAR and chemoradiotherapy. No fatal adverse events or negative impacts on subsequent treatment for esophageal cancer occurred. CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR is feasible, safe, and effective in preventing fatal aortic hemorrhage secondary to esophageal cancer invasion, although it is palliative in most cases. Because the outcomes of emergent TEVAR after bleeding tended to be worse in the salvage than in prophylactic group, prophylactic TEVAR may be considered a viable treatment option for patients with aortic invasion by advanced esophageal cancer.

Clinical Outcomes of Total Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Aortic Aneurysms Involving the Proximal Anastomotic Aneurysm following Initial Open Repair for Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate initial and midterm clinical outcomes of aortic aneurysms involving the proximal anastomotic aneurysm (AAPAAs) following initial open repair for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. METHODS: Between July 2006 and August 2015, 24 patients underwent elective endovascular repair for the treatment of AAPAAs at our institution. AAPAA classification has been categorized as 3 types. Type I AAPAA is the most extensive, extending from the descending aorta to the prior proximal anastomosis as similar to Crawford type II or III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Type II AAPAA is limited to the aortic aneurysm below the diaphragm including the abdominal visceral arteries. Finally, similar to pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, type III AAPAA involves the renal origins, but does not extend to the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. Total endovascular aneurysm repair (t-EVAR) consisted of fenestrated EVAR (f-EVAR), multibranched EVAR (t-Branch), and snorkel EVAR (s-EVAR) were performed for patients with high-risk open surgical repair. We retrospectively analyzed 24 cases, which were categorized with 3 types of AAPAA. RESULTS: F-EVAR, t-Branch, and s-EVAR for AAPAAs were performed in 15 patients (62.5%), 5 patients (20.8%), and 4 patients (16.7%), respectively. Type I and type II AAPAA were identified in 13 patients (54.2%) and 7 patients (29.2%), and type III AAPAA was identified in 4 patients (16.7%). Technical success was 95.8%, and clinical success was 79.2% with t-EVAR. Spinal cord ischemia was identified in 2 patients (8.3%) of type I AAPAA, the 30-day mortality rate was 4.2% (n = 1, type I AAPAA). Type II and III endoleaks occurred in 1 (4.2%, type III AAPAA) and 3 patients (12.5%, each case of type I, II, and III AAPAA), respectively. There was no open conversion or aneurysm rupture in the late follow-up period. The estimated overall survival rates of t-EVAR after 1 and 3 years were 95.6% and 76.2%, respectively. Rates of freedom from aneurysm-related death and secondary intervention of t-EVAR at 3 years were 90.1% and 89.7%, respectively. Finally, rates of target vessel patency at 1 and 3 years were 95.3% and 88.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial to midterm results of t-EVAR for the treatment of AAPAA were generally good with low rates of perioperative mortality and aneurysm-related death. However, more attentions should be paid for the treatment of type I AAPAA with high incidence of major adverse events.

Outcomes of the Japanese multicenter Viabahn trial of endovascular stent grafting for superficial femoral artery lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess 1-year safety, efficacy, and invasiveness outcomes of endovascular stent grafting of symptomatic long lesions (≥10 cm) in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) as a substitute for above-knee open bypass surgery. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter (15 hospitals) study assessed heparin-coated stent grafts for the treatment of long SFA lesions in Japanese subjects with peripheral arterial disease. Inclusion criteria were Rutherford category 2 to 5 symptoms (grade 5 without active infection), ankle-brachial index ≤0.9, and color flow duplex ultrasound-assessed SFA lesions with cumulative length ≥10 cm and ≥50% stenosis. Main efficacy and safety outcomes were primary assisted patency and adverse events, respectively. Secondary outcomes included primary patency using the surgical bypass definition, that is, blood flow through a device without requiring target lesion revascularization (TLR) to maintain or to restore flow. For comparison with prior endovascular studies, primary patency-interventional was defined as peak systolic velocity ratio <2.5 without TLR in treated lesions. Other outcomes included freedom from TLR and Vascular Quality of Life questionnaire scoring. General anesthesia avoidance and hospitalization duration were compared with historical data from 68 consecutive patients (n = 51 Rutherford 2/3 claudicants and 17 Rutherford 4/5 subjects) who underwent above-knee bypass surgery at study sites between 2002 and 2012 and met study enrollment criteria. RESULTS: Of 103 enrollees (74.2 ± 7.0 years old; 17.5% female; 97.1% claudicants), 100 subjects were evaluated through postoperative 12 months. Average lesion length was 21.8 ± 5.8 cm, and 65.7% were totally occluded. The whole-cohort Kaplan-Meier estimated primary assisted patency rate was 94.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.3%-97.3%) at 12 months. The primary patency-surgical rate was 92.1% (95% CI, 84.8%-96.0%), the primary patency-interventional rate was 88.1% (95% CI, 80.0%-93.1%), and freedom from TLR was 93.1% (95% CI, 86.1%-96.7%). Mean ankle-brachial index increased from 0.64 ± 0.12 to 0.98 ± 0.12 at 1 month after intervention and 0.94 ± 0 .17 at 12 months (P < .0001 at both follow-ups). Target vessel revascularization, major amputation, or death did not occur through postoperative 30 days. No life- or limb-threatening intraoperative or perioperative adverse events and no acute limb ischemia cases were observed during follow-up. Vascular Quality of Life questionnaire score increased from 58.6% ± 15.7% to 72.9% ± 18.6% at 12 months (P < .0001). No stent fractures were detected. No stent graft participant required general anesthesia, and median postoperative hospital stay was 2.0 days (mean, 3.4 ± 2.9 days) in the Viabahn (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) claudicant subgroup, values that were significantly lower than the 76.5% general anesthesia rate (P < .0001) and 11.0 days median hospitalization stay (mean, 12.7 ± 5.3 days; P < .0001) in the 51 open bypass claudicant subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Stent grafting appears to be a safe and less invasive alternative to above-knee bypass surgery, providing 88% to 92% primary patency at 12 months in long, complex lesions.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Early Type I Endoleaks After Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors for early (<30 days) type I endoleak following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 439 consecutive patients (mean age 74.0±10.0 years; 333 men) who underwent TEVAR at a single center between June 2006 and June 2013. Pathologies included 237 aortic arch aneurysms and 202 descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (dTAA). Maximum TAA diameter was 63.6±13.7 mm. Among the distal aortic arch aneurysms, 124 required coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA), while the remaining 113 arch aneurysms had debranching (n=40), the chimney technique (n=52), and a branched stent-graft (n=13). Eight patients with dilatation of the ascending aorta underwent arch replacement with elephant trunk prior to TEVAR. Predictive factors for type I endoleak were explored in univariate analysis and examined for each outcome using logistic regression models; results are given as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Among 439 TEVAR cases, 37 (8.4%) had type I endoleaks on imaging at 1 month; 31 were in the 237 arch cases (13.1%). Endoleak investigation by site indicated a low incidence (3.0%) for dTAAs and markedly low (1.4%) in zone 4. Significantly more endoleaks were observed in zones 0-2 than in zone 4 (p<0.001). On univariate analysis, significant associations were found between endoleak and LSA coverage (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.4 to 14.4, p<0.001), operative time ≥240 minutes (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5 to 6.2, p=0.002), and ≥270 mL of contrast (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.4 to 5.8, p=0.004). Among the aortic branch reconstruction procedures, the chimney technique was the only maneuver associated with a significant risk of endoleak (OR 5.3, 95% CI 2.3 to 11.2, p<0.001). Arch state was not correlated with endoleaks, but ≥38-mm proximal neck diameter (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 10.8, p=0.023), stent-graft diameter ≥40 mm (OR 9.9, 95% CI 1.4 to 30.5, p=0.015), and excessively oversized (≥14%) stent-grafts (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 10.3, p=0.020) were; the proximal neck length was not correlated with endoleaks if a proximal neck length >10 mm can be secured. CONCLUSION: Risks for early type I endoleaks after TEVAR for aneurysm were landing zone 0-2, LSA coverage, large proximal neck and stent-graft diameters, excessive oversizing, and the use of the chimney technique.

Concomitant Coil Embolization for Gutter Leak during Endovascular Aortic Repair with the Snorkel Technique.

Snorkel endovascular aortic repair (SEVAR) is reported to be effective for the treatment of pararenal or juxtarenal aortic aneurysms. SEVAR can be performed with an off-the-self device, which is applied for emergency cases. However, there is a concern that SEVAR lead to gutter leak due to insertion of multiple stents. Previously, we performed 2-staged treatment for gutter leak after SEVAR. However, the gutter leaks can also occur late, and it is often difficult to close. Therefore, if a significant gutter leak is identified intraoperatively, performing concomitant gutter coil embolization at the time of the initial surgery may be reasonable.

Comparison between Open and Endovascular Repair for the Treatment of Juxtarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience with Midterm Results.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the optimal treatment for juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (JAAA), we compared the outcomes of open surgical repair (OSR) with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) using a variety of fenestrated and snorkel EVARs. METHODS: We evaluated overall survival, aneurysm-related death, reintervention, and renal impairment in 152 JAAAs retrospectively, excluding cases of aortic dissection and rupture. Cox models were used to assess survival and assessed postoperative dialysis rates following surgery. RESULTS: OSR and EVAR were performed in 81 and 71 patients, respectively. The mean age was significantly higher in the EVAR group (overall, 74.5 years; OSR, 71 years; and EVAR; 77 years). High preoperative serum creatinine levels, cerebrovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more prevalent in the EVAR group. Mean operative time, hospital stay, and perioperative blood loss were significantly greater in the OSR group (P < 0.001 for all). The overall 30-day mortality was 1.9% with no statistical difference between 2 groups. The reintervention rate was significantly higher in the EVAR group (P = 0.01). Overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years were 97.4%, 91.6%, 86.3%, and 82.9%, respectively, with no significant difference between groups. Mortality in EVAR was associated with over 3.0 mg/dL of postoperative creatinine, and postoperative dialysis following OSR was associated with operative time and volume of bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptable outcomes were observed with OSR and EVAR. However, reintervention was more frequently required following EVAR. OSR appears to be the most appropriate first-line treatment for JAAA in good-risk patients; however, EVAR may represent an alternative option in high-risk patients.

Clinical Outcomes of Spinal Cord Ischemia after Fenestrated and Branched Endovascular Stent Grafting during Total Endovascular Aortic Repair for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: In this single-center study, we assessed the clinical outcomes of fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (f-EVAR) and branched EVAR on morbidity and mortality during total endovascular aortic repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2015, elective f-EVAR and multibranched EVAR (t-Branch) for TAAAs were performed in 99 patients at our institution (Crawford classification types I [7], II [13], III [6], IV [55], and V [18]). We retrospectively analyzed 44 patients, excluding those with Crawford type IV TAAAs, and compared 30 patients treated with f-EVAR and 14 treated with t-Branch. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with perioperative spinal cord ischemia (SCI). RESULTS: Technical success was 96.7% with f-EVAR and 100% with t-Branch, and the 30-day mortality rate was 3.3% with f-EVAR and 7.1% with t-Branch (P = 0.646). The incidences of perioperative SCI were higher with t-Branch (n = 5, 35.7%) than those with f-EVAR (n = 2, 6.7%; P = 0.04). Endoleaks were more prevalent with f-EVAR (n = 9, 30.0%) than with t-Branch (n = 1, 7.1%; P = 0.046). Rates of freedom from aneurysm-related death after 1 year for f-EVAR and t-Branch were 96.7 and 92.9%, respectively, and those after 3 years were 88.8 and 92.9% (P = 0.982), respectively. The risk of SCI remarkably increased in the presence of risk factors such as procedure (t-Branch), maximum short axis of ≥65 mm, coverage length of ≥360 mm, internal iliac artery occlusion, and ≥ 5 sacrificed intercostal arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial to mid-term results of f-EVAR and t-Branch were good with low rates of perioperative mortality and high rates of freedom from aneurysm-related death. SCI incidence with t-Branch was significantly high; it is important to develop additional SCI prevention methods for patients with high-risk factors.

Utility of the Ginza forceps for superficial phlebectomy during endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of using the Ginza forceps (DVx, Tokyo, Japan), which have a long shaft and strong grip, for superficial phlebectomy with the stab avulsion technique, during simultaneous endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV). METHODS: The subjects were patients treated with EVLA performed by a single operator at one institution. All patients had a GSV diameter of 4-10 mm and an EVLA length of the GSV of >20 cm. We compared 59 limbs treated only with the Varady hook (Group A) with 46 limbs treated with the Ginza forceps (Group G). RESULTS: The mean operative times for Groups A and G were 55.4 ± 17.1 vs. 48.5 ± 13.5 min, respectively (P = 0.002), and the number of stab incisions was 5.9 ± 2.9 (1-13) vs. 3.5 ± 2.3 (1-11), respectively (P < 0.001). The rates of nerve injury and thrombophlebitis were 1.7 vs. 0 and 3.4 vs. 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Performing superficial phlebectomy with the Ginza forceps reduced the operation time and the number of stab wounds. These initial results suggest that using the Ginza forceps for the procedure is safe and efficient.

Current surgical management of abdominal aortic aneurysm with concomitant malignancy in the endovascular era.

PURPOSE: The management of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with concomitant malignancy is controversial in terms of which treatment should come first. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) as the initial treatment prior to the treatment of malignancy for patients with AAA and concomitant malignancy. METHODS: EVAR for AAA was performed in 1,175 cases between April 2007 and April 2014, of which 63 patients (5.4 %) who had AAAs and malignancy were identified. The clinical details and outcomes for patients with AAA and malignancy were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with AAA and malignancy was 76.6 years. Thirty-three patients underwent EVAR before surgery for their malignancies, and 30 patients received chemoradiotherapy following EVAR. No significant differences in the length of stay (LOS), 30-day mortality, and morbidities were observed in all groups. However, the overall survival rate of the patients who had AAA and malignancy was lower than those who had only AAA (P < 0.0001). The mean intervals from EVAR to surgery and chemoradiotherapy for malignancy in our institution were 13.4 days (overall 38.1 days) and 5.8 days (overall 18.2 days), respectively. CONCLUSION: EVAR for patients with AAA and concomitant malignancy may be acceptable in terms of a short LOS and resulting in treatment for malignancy without delay.

Better Clinical Practice Could Overcome Patient-Related Risk Factors of Vascular Surgical Site Infections.

PURPOSE: To clarify the current status of surgical site infection (SSI) during endovascular aortic repair and to define risk factors for SSI among the patients who underwent thoracic or abdominal stent-graft repair through a groin incision. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2013, data were collected from 1604 patients (mean age 75.2±9.5 years; 1282 men) with 2799 groin incisions for transfemoral access during aortic stent-graft procedures. SSIs were classified as superficial or deep (both occurring within 30 days) or organ/space infections (occurring within 1 year after surgery) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Strategies in place for minimizing SSIs were (1) employing oblique groin incisions, (2) covering the incision with saline-soaked gauze, (3) irrigating the incision thoroughly with saline per layer, and (4) using absorbable sutures. RESULTS: Overall incidence of SSI was 0.4% (6 patients). The majority of SSIs were late-onset prosthetic graft infections (5, 0.3%). Five of the 6 were successfully treated with conservative therapy; one patient died of sepsis. Univariate analysis showed additional therapy (eg, coil embolization) with a stent-graft procedure was a risk factor for SSI. CONCLUSION: Appropriate antibiotic administration, oblique groin incision, meticulous operative technique, protection against airborne infection during the operation, and closed dressings may avert vascular wound SSIs.

Clinical Outcomes of Left Subclavian Artery Coverage on Morbidity and Mortality During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Distal Arch Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: This single-center study assessed left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization management and morbidity and mortality of LSA coverage outcomes during elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for distal arch aneurysms. METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2014, 178 patients underwent TEVAR (zone 2 + 3) for distal arch aneurysms. TEVAR with LSA coverage (zone 2) was performed in 121 patients (68.0 %). Multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with perioperative cerebral infarction (CI) and postoperative endoleak (EL). RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 96.7 %. LSA coil embolization was performed in 72.7 %. Subclavian artery crossover bypass was required in 9.1 %. Perioperative complications were CI (6.6 %) and paraplegia (1.7 %). The 30-day mortality rate was 2.5 % (n = 3). There were significant differences by CI univariate analysis in coverage range (≥300 mm) (P = 0.003) and shaggy aorta (P = 0.044). Primary EL occurred in 14.0 % (n = 17). We found statistically significant difference of primary EL in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.016), preoperative aneurysm diameter (P = 0.041), and proximal stent graft diameter (P = 0.029). Left upper extremity symptoms developed in 5.8 % (n = 7); vertebrobasilar insufficiency occurred in 4.1 % (n = 5). Freedom from secondary intervention rates after 1, 3, and 5 years were 96.1, 78.3, and 63.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our mid- to long-term results of TEVAR with LSA coverage were generally acceptable. Routine revascularization was not necessary in majority of zone 2 TEVAR. CI occurred in approximately 6 % of the cases, secondary interventions were performed more often for ELs.