Results of the Galician registry in the treatment of complex aortoiliac aneurysms with GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (GALIBER).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to report the medium-term results of GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE, W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) for the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms by using the GALIBER registry. METHODS: Patients with aortoiliac or isolated common iliac/hypogastric aneurysms treated with Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device between January 2014 and May 2019 were prospectively collected from 5 centers. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were extracted from electronic databases. Technical success was defined as successful implantation of the Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device with exclusion of aortoiliac aneurysm, as well as patency of Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis in the follow-up. Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis patency was evaluated by Doppler ultrasound and/or computed tomography based on the protocol of each participant center. Follow-up was 731 days +/- 499. RESULTS: Between January 2014 and May 2019, 105 iliac arteries were treated with GORE® IBE device, in 81 patients (79 men, two women; mean age 71, range 52-91). Only seven patients (8.6%) were symptomatic. 60 patients (74%) had aortic and iliac enlargement. Thirty-three patients presented bilateral iliac aneurysms (40.7%): In twenty-four (29.6%) patients, an Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device was implanted in both sides, and in nine patients (11.1%), one Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis was used with the embolization of the contralateral hypogastric artery. Technical success was achieved in the 99% (104/105 iliac branch device implanted). There were no procedural deaths or type I or III intraoperative endoleaks observed. During the follow-up (range 55-1789 days), 28 (34.5%) type II endoleaks were observed and one (1.2%) type Ia was observed. The patency of the hypogastric arteries treated with the iliac branch device was 98.1% during the follow-up (range 55-1789 days). In 30% of the patients with contralateral hypogastric embolization, some kind of complications was observed in the embolizated side: one developed ischemic colitis and two buttock claudication. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of internal iliac artery with the Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device can be performed safely with excellent technical success and good medium-term patency rates. These results support hypogastric preservation whenever possible to prevent ischemic complications.

Effect of antiplatelet therapy on aneurysmal sac expansion associated with type II endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has gained widespread use through a solid reputation of safety and effectiveness. However, some issues, such as endoleaks and sac growth over time, still arise as important concerns. Antiplatelet therapy, mandatory as secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, may play a role in both phenomena by interfering with blood clotting properties and the inflammatory process associated with AAA. We analyzed whether different antiplatelet therapies were independent risk factors for type II endoleak (T2E) persistence and midterm sac growth after EVAR. METHODS: All patients with T2E detected in the first post-EVAR control were included, except those without at least 1 year of complete follow-up. Data for demographics, clinical comorbidities, EVAR devices, and antiplatelet therapies were recorded. All patients underwent routine follow-up with contrast-enhanced tomography at 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter. A three-dimensional rendering of each endoleak was performed for detailed volumetry. Main outcomes were endoleak persistence at 6 months and sac growth >5 mm at end of follow-up. RESULTS: During a 9-year period, 87 patients with initial T2E were monitored for a mean of 41.5 months. On discharge, salicylates were prescribed to 50, clopidogrel to 16, and multiagent therapy or anticoagulation to 9; no therapy was given to 12. No significant differences in comorbidities or baseline AAA characteristics were found between groups. At 6 months thereafter, 59% (n = 51) of the initial T2Es persisted. At end of follow-up, 32 patients had sac growth >5 mm (37%). Sac growth was significantly less frequent in the group treated with salicylates (26% vs 60%; P = .004). Cox proportional hazards model reinforced the role of salicylates as protectors for sac growth over time (hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.87; P = .024), whereas T2E nidus volume and endoleak complexity behaved like independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Antiplatelet therapy with salicylates appears to be linked to a decreased risk of sac growth >5 mm over time in patients with T2Es detected right after EVAR. Population-based cohort studies are mandatory to confirm this finding and to guide a potential recommendation.

Aneurisma micótico femoral roto: aportación de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía / Ruptured femoral mycotic aneurysm: a case report and review of the literature

Introducción. Los aneurismas micóticos son procesos infecciosos, con resultado frecuente de ruptura y muerte si no se tratan adecuadamente. Aportamos un caso clínico y revisamos diversos aspectos de esta patología. Caso clínico. Mujer de 73 años, atendida en Urgencias por presentar tumoración inguinal derecha pulsátil, así como fiebre, signos inflamatorios locales, pulsos distales conservados y tendencia a la hipotensión. La analítica demuestra leucocitosis con desviación izquierda. Se realiza tomografía axial computarizada urgente, con hallazgo de aneurisma de arteria femoral común rodeado de hematoma con dudoso gas. Es intervenida de urgencia, realizándose resección e interposición de injerto protésico (PTFE). Los cultivos intraoperatorios y hemocultivos son positivos para Salmonella enteritidis. Se inicia tratamiento con antibióticos endovenosos, que se mantienen hasta el alta. Desaparece la fiebre, se negativizan los hemocultivos, pero persiste drenado purulento escaso a través de la herida inguinal, con cultivo positivo para el mismo microorganismo. En la tomografía axial computarizada se objetiva colección periprotésica inguinal, así como captación patológica local en la gammagrafía. No se afectan otras estructuras ni se evidencia endocarditis. Se decide sustituir el injerto por vena safena mayor contralateral, con lo que desaparece el drenado y la herida evoluciona favorablemente. Tras 30 meses de seguimiento, no presenta complicaciones o signos de recidiva. Conclusión. El tratamiento quirúrgico de elección de los aneurismas micóticos continua siendo controvertido. La revascularización anatómica con injerto venoso resulta de elección cuando afectan a arterias periféricas, pudiendo emplearse en caso necesario el injerto protésico, preferentemente en localización extraanatómica. En todos los casos debe asociarse antibioterapia selectiva

Introduction. Mycotic aneurysms are infectious processes that often result in rupture and death if they are not treated properly. We report one clinical case and review different aspects of this pathology. Case report. This study involves the case of a 73-year-old female who was attended in the Emergency Department because of a pulsating tumour in the right inguinal region, with fever, signs of local inflammation, palpable distal pulses and a tendency towards hypotension. Lab findings showed leukocytosis with left shift. An emergency computerised axial tomography scan was performed and results showed an aneurysm in the common femoral artery surrounded by a haematoma with uncertain gas production. The patient underwent emergency surgery involving resection and placement of a prosthetic (PTFE) graft. Intraoperative and blood cultures were positive for Salmonella enteritidis. Intravenous treatment with antibiotics was established and maintained until the patient was discharged from hospital. The fever disappeared and blood cultures became negative but a small amount of purulent material continued drain from the inguinal wound, with positive cultures for the same microorganism. A computerised axial tomography scan showed an inguinal periprosthetic collection and the scintigraphy findings revealed local pathological uptake. No other structures were involved and no evidence of endocarditis was observed. The decision was taken to replace the graft by the contralateral greater saphenous vein, after which the drained material disappeared and the wound progressed favourably. After 30 months’ follow-up, the patient does not present any complications or signs of recurrence. Conclusions. The preferred surgical treatment for mycotic aneurysms is still a controversial issue. Anatomical revascularisation with a venous graft is the preferred treatment when peripheral arteries are involved and, if necessary, a prosthetic graft can be used, preferably situated extra-anatomically. In all cases selective therapy with antibiotics should be associated