One Year Outcomes of an International Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study on the Gore Excluder Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis for Aorto-Iliac Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The Gore Excluder Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE) was developed to preserve perfusion in the hypogastric artery after endovascular repair of aorto-iliac aneurysms. This study reports the 12 month technical and clinical outcomes of treatment with this device. METHODS: This study was a physician initiated international multicentre, prospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was primary patency of the hypogastric branch at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included technical and clinical outcomes. Patients with an indication for elective treatment with the Gore Excluder IBE were enrolled between March 2015 and August 2018. Baseline and procedural characteristics, imaging data, physical examinations and questionnaire data (Walking Impairment Questionnaire [WIQ], EuroQol-5-Dimensions [EQ5D], International Index of Erectile Function 5 [IIEF-5]) were collected through 12 month follow up. RESULTS: One hundred patients were enrolled of which 97% were male, with a median age of 70.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 64.5 - 75.5 years). An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) above threshold for treatment was found in 42.7% and in the remaining patients the iliac artery diameter was the indication for treatment. The maximum common iliac artery (CIA) diameter on the Gore Excluder IBE treated side was 35.5 mm (IQR 30.8 - 42.0) mm. Twenty-two patients received a bilateral and seven patients had an isolated IBE. Median procedural time was 151 minutes (IQR 117 - 193 minutes) with a median hospital stay of four days (IQR 3 - 5 days). Primary patency of the IBE at 12 month follow up was 91.3%. Primary patency for patients treated inside and outside the instructions for use were 91.8% and 85.7%, respectively (p = .059). Freedom from secondary interventions was 98% and 97% at 30 days and 12 months, respectively. CIA and AAA diameters decreased significantly through 12 months. IIEF-5 and EQ5D scores remained stable through follow up. Patency of the contralateral internal iliac artery led to better IIEF-5 outcomes. WIQ scores decreased at 30 days and returned to baseline values through 12 months. CONCLUSION: Use of the Gore Excluder IBE for the treatment of aorto-iliac aneurysms shows a satisfactory primary patency through 12 months, with significant decrease of diameters, a low re-intervention rate, and favourable clinical outcomes.

Long-Term Outcome of the GORE EXCLUDER AAA Endoprosthesis for Treatment of Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term outcome of GORE EXCLUDER AAA Endoprosthesis (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Flagstaff, Arizona) for elective treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms and to evaluate performance of different generations of the device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 248 patients undergoing elective endovascular aneurysm repair with the GORE EXCLUDER between January 2000 and December 2015 in 2 hospitals. Primary endpoint was reintervention-free survival. Secondary endpoints were technical success, overall survival, rupture-free survival, endoleaks, sac diameter change (> 5 mm), limb occlusion, and migration (> 5 mm). Median follow-up time was 26 months (range, 1-190 months). RESULTS: Assisted primary technical success was 96.8%. Reintervention-free survival for 5 and 10 years was 85.2% and 75.6%, respectively. Independent risk factors for reintervention were technical success (P < .001), type I endoleak (P < .001), and type II endoleak (P = .003). Late adverse events requiring reintervention included rupture (0.4%), limb occlusion (0.4%), and stent migration (0.4%). Type Ia (4.8%), Ib (2.8%), II (35.9%), and V (6.5%) endoleaks were reported throughout follow-up. Sac growth was more prevalent with the original GORE EXCLUDER compared with the low permeability GORE EXCLUDER (P = .001) and in the presence of type I, II, and V endoleaks (P < .05). Three conversions (1.2%) were performed. Overall survival at 5 and 10 years was 68.4% and 49.0%, with no reported aneurysm-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the GORE EXCLUDER is effective with acceptable reintervention rates in the long-term and few device-related adverse events or ruptures up to 10 years. Observed late adverse events and new-onset endoleaks emphasize the need for long-term surveillance.

Experience with the GORE EXCLUDER iliac branch endoprosthesis for common iliac artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed the procedural success and early outcome of endovascular treatment of a multicenter cohort of patients with common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysms treated with the new GORE EXCLUDER (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) iliac branch endoprosthesis (IBE). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed in 13 sites in The Netherlands. Anatomic, demographic, procedural, and follow-up data were assessed from hospital records. RESULTS: From November 2013 to December 2014, 51 CIA aneurysms were treated with an IBE in 46 patients. The median diameter of the treated aneurysm was 40.5 (range, 25.0-90.0) mm. The mean procedural time was 198 ± 56 minutes. All but one implantation were successful; two type Ib endoleaks were noticed, resulting in a procedural success rate of 93.5%. The two type Ib endoleaks spontaneously disappeared at 30 days. There was no 30-day mortality. Ipsilateral buttock claudication was present in only two cases at 30 days and disappeared during follow-up. The incidence of reported erectile dysfunction was low and severe ischemic complications were absent. After a mean follow-up of 6 months, data on 17 treated aneurysms were available. Two showed a stable diameter, whereas 15 showed a mean decrease of 3.9 ± 2.2 mm (P < .001). Reinterventions were performed in two patients (7.1%). The 6-month primary patency of the internal component of the IBE device was 94%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the GORE EXCLUDER IBE device for CIA aneurysms is related to high procedural success, high patency rates, and low reintervention rates at short-term follow-up. Prospective data with longer follow-up are awaited to establish the role of the device in the treatment algorithm of CIA aneurysms.

One-Year Outcomes of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair in High-Risk Patients Using the Endurant Stent-Graft: Comparison of the ASA Classification and SVS/AAVS Medical Comorbidity Grading System for the Prediction of Mortality and Adverse Events.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome and survival of patients with extensive comorbid conditions after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and objectify which of 2 medical comorbidity classifications is more accurate in predicting adverse outcomes. METHODS: All 1263 patients (mean age 73.1 years; 1129 men) treated using the Endurant Stent Graft system and entered in the prospective global postmarketing ENGAGE registry (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00870051) were grouped using the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification and the Society for Vascular Surgery/American Association for Vascular Surgery (SVS/AAVS) medical comorbidity grading system. Patients assigned to ASA III and IV and SVS/AAVS 2 and 3 categories were considered high risk. Primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included technical and clinical success, major adverse events (MAE), aneurysm rupture, endoleaks, and secondary endovascular procedures. One-year follow-up of the entire ENGAGE cohort was the endpoint of the study. RESULTS: A total of 1263 patients were included. The overall technical success rate was high, the lowest being 97.4% in the ASA I group. The overall 30-day and 1-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 98.7% and 92.5%, respectively. All cause 1-year mortality was higher in the ASA III and IV groups, but this did not reach statistical significance (5.2% and 5.7% for ASA I and II vs 9.0% and 9.9% for ASA III and IV, p=0.12). In the SVS/AAVS groups, 1-year all-cause mortality significantly increased with the SVS/AAVS score to 11.3% in the SVS/AAVS 3 group (p=0.002). There were significantly more MAEs in the SVS/AAVS 3 group at 1 year (p<0.001 for group 1 vs 3 and group 2 vs 3). CONCLUSION: Endovascular aneurysm repair has evolved, and high technical success and low mortality and morbidity can be achieved in high-risk patients. When treating high-risk patients, the perioperative risks should always be weighed against the expected gains. In contrast to the ASA classification, the SVS/AAVS medical comorbidity grading system is a useful tool to predict occurrence of MAEs and 1-year survival in patients undergoing EVAR.

Common Iliac Artery Aneurysm Repair Using a Sac-Anchoring Endograft to Preserve the Internal Iliac Artery.

PURPOSE: To report the application of the Nellix endovascular aneurysm sealing system to successfully treat a unilateral common iliac aneurysm and preserve the internal iliac artery. CASE REPORT: An 85-year-old man presented with right-sided necrosis of the third and fourth toe. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a right 40-mm popliteal aneurysm and a 38-mm left fusiform common iliac artery aneurysm. After endovascular exclusion of the popliteal aneurysm, the Nellix device was positioned to exclude the common iliac artery aneurysm while preserving the internal iliac artery. Postoperative CTA showed no endoleak and a patent internal iliac artery. At 1 year, duplex ultrasound documented a common iliac aneurysm diameter of 32 mm without complications. CONCLUSION: Endovascular sealing using the Nellix device can be applied to exclude selected common iliac artery aneurysms with an adequate length and a minimal distal neck, with preservation of the internal iliac artery. The endobag can be positioned such that the aneurysm is completely excluded while the orifice of the side branch is not endangered.

Performance of the Endurant stent graft in challenging anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare perioperative and postoperative outcomes after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in patients with various neck morphologic features. METHODS: Data from the Endurant Stent Graft Natural Selection Global Postmarket Registry (ENGAGE) were used for the analyses. Patients were categorized into three different groups according to proximal aortic neck anatomy: regular (REG), intermediate (INT), and challenging (CHA). REG was defined as AAAs with a proximal neck ≥15 mm combined with a suprarenal angulation (α) ≤45 degrees and an infrarenal neck angulation (ß) ≤60 degrees. INT was defined as AAAs with a proximal neck of 10 to 15 mm combined with α ≤45 degrees and ß ≤60 degrees or with a proximal neck of >15 mm combined with α ≤60 degrees and ß = 60 to 75 degrees or α = 45 to 60 degrees and ß ≤75 degrees. CHA was defined as infrarenal necks that exceed at least one of the three defining factors. RESULTS: Overall, 925 patients (75.9%) had REG anatomy, 189 patients (15.5%) had INT anatomy, and 104 patients (8.5%) had CHA anatomy. Patient demographics and risk factors were similar. There was a significant difference in AAA diameter between the REG and CHA groups (59.4 mm vs 65.2 mm; P < .001). Technical success was similar among groups (REG 99.1% vs INT 99.5% vs CHA 97.1%). There were no differences in mortality or the need for secondary procedures within 30 days or at 1 year. A significantly higher rate of type I endoleaks within 30 days was seen in CHA compared with REG (adjusted odds ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.46) and INT (adjusted odds ratio, 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.70), but there was no difference at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This real-world, global experience shows promising results and indicates that endovascular AAA repair with the Endurant stent graft (Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif) is safe and effective in patients with challenging aortic neck anatomy. However, long-term follow-up of patients is required to confirm results.

Endovascular repair of a ruptured pararenal aortic aneurysm using the Nellix endovascular aneurysm sealing system and chimney grafts.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of emergent endovascular repair of a ruptured pararenal aneurysm using chimney grafts and the Nellix endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) system to reduce the potential for endoleak from the gutters around the chimney grafts. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old patient presented with a ruptured pararenal aneurysm. Because of anatomical considerations after previous aortic surgery, conventional endovascular aneurysm repair was deemed impossible. It was decided to exclude the aneurysm with a Nellix EVAS system in conjunction with two chimneys to the renal arteries, even though this was outside the instructions for use of the device. Active bleeding was stopped directly after positioning the chimneys and filling the endobags with polymer. Completion angiography showed aneurysm exclusion and patent renal arteries. Renal function remained stable, and the patient was discharged at the third postoperative day. At 6 months, duplex ultrasound and computed tomography showed patent stents and chimneys and no evidence of endoleak. CONCLUSION: Using chimney grafts in combination with the Nellix endoprosthesis in a ruptured pararenal aneurysm is feasible. However, more robust data on both chimney-EVAS and EVAS in ruptured cases are required.

Outcome and quality of life after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in octogenarians.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined outcome and quality of life (QOL) in octogenarians, compared with patients aged <80 years, 1 year after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: From March 2009 until April 2011, 1263 patients in the Endurant Stent Graft Natural Selection Global Postmarket Registry (ENGAGE) registry with an abdominal aortic aneurysm were treated with EVAR using the Endurant endograft (Medtronic Cardiovascular, Santa Rosa, Calif). The patients were grouped according to those aged ≥80 years (290 [22.9%]) and those aged <80 years (973 [77.1%]) at the time of the procedure. QOL was assessed using composite EuroQoL 5-Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D) index scores. Baseline, perioperative, and follow-up data were analyzed at 1 year. RESULTS: Octogenarians had poorer anatomic characteristics. The technical success rate was almost 99% for both cohorts, with no deaths. The duration of the implant procedure was significantly longer in the elderly patients (P = .002), with significant differences in overall (P < .001) and postprocedure (P < .001) hospital stays in favor of the younger group. At 1 year, there was a significant difference in all-cause mortality (P = .002) and in the number of major adverse events (P = .003), including secondary rupture (P = .01), to the detriment of octogenarians. There were no significant differences in conversion to open surgery or in overall secondary endovascular procedures. The octogenarians scored lower in their overall health care perception (P < .001) but with no significant difference in the EQ-5D index. Compared with the group aged <80 years, they had still not completely recovered their QOL after 1 year (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians are more difficult to treat by EVAR than younger patients due to poorer anatomic suitability and a higher incidence of complications. Recovery of QOL in octogenarians takes longer (>12 months) than expected.

Treatment of a Salmonella-induced rapidly expanding aortic pseudoaneurysm involving the visceral arteries using the Cardiatis multilayer stent.

Treatment of infection-induced aortic aneurysms is among the greatest challenges nowadays of vascular surgery because the use of prosthetic material is considered unsuitable. The Cardiatis multilayer stent (Cardiatis, Isnes, Belgium) is a flow-diverting bare stent with a proven efficacy in peripheral and visceral artery aneurysms. We present a unique case of a Salmonella serotype enteritidis-induced rapidly expanding aortic pseudoaneurysm with a penetrating ulcer that was treated with the Cardiatis multilayer stent. At 18 months of follow-up, the patient was in good clinical condition, with normalized C-reactive protein levels. Computed tomography angiography and 2-deoxy-2-[F18]-fluoro-d-glucose-positron-emission tomography/computed tomography showed a stable, mostly thrombosed aneurysm, with adequate perfusion of the side branches and no remaining signs of infection.

Safety and efficacy of carotid endarterectomy in octogenarians.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcome of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in octogenarians. METHOD: Between January 2005 and July 2010, all CEA patients were prospectively recorded. Patients were categorized into those <80 and ≥80 years of age. Primary outcome measures were hospital duration of stay (HDOS), mortality, any stroke, and postprocedural complications. RESULTS: In total, 477 patients with carotid artery stenosis were treated with CEA. Seventy-one patients (13%) were ≥80 years of age and 477 (87%) patients were <80 years of age. Median HDOS was 3.0 days (interquartile range [IQR], 2-5) for the entire cohort with a median of 3 days (IQR, 2-4) for patients <80 years of age and 4 days (IQR, 2-7) for patients ≥80 years of age (P = 0.0001). Fifteen patients (3%) had an early adverse neurologic event, with 7 patients (1.3%) developing a transient ischemic attack, 2 patients (0.3%) a minor stroke with full neurologic recovery, and 6 patients (1.1%) had a major stroke. Forty patients (6.8%) had a postoperative nerve injury. No statistical differences were observed between the younger (<80 years of age) and older (≥80 years of age) group despite a significant difference in postoperative delirium (P < 0.0001). During follow-up, more fatal cardiac events occurred in the octogenarians group (4.2% vs. 0.4%; P = 0.02). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly better survival for the younger patients (log rank test; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians who suffer from carotid artery stenosis can be safely treated by CEA. The increased incidence of postoperative delirium is an important finding and requires extra attention in this vulnerable group.

Thirty-day outcome and quality of life after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in octogenarians based on the Endurant Stent Graft Natural Selection Global Postmarket Registry (ENGAGE).

OBJECTIVE: To determine 30-day outcome and quality of life after elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in octogenarians. METHODS: From March 2009 to May 2011, 1200 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms were treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using the Endurant stent graft were included in the Endurant Stent Graft Natural Selection Global Postmarket Registry (ENGAGE) registry. Among these, 926 (77%) were aged <80 years, and 274 (23%) were aged ≥ 80 years. Quality of life was assessed using composite EuroQoL 5-Dimensions Questionnaire index scores. RESULTS: Gender was unequally distributed, with more female patients among the octogenarians (P = .043). Octogenarians had a significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (P < .001) and differed significantly in baseline risk factors. The younger cohort was more likely to smoke (P < .001) and be alcoholics (P = .005). Octogenarians had larger aortic aneurysm (P = .010) and left iliac artery diameters (P = .017) and greater infrarenal neck angulation (P = .01). The technical success rate was >99% for both cohorts. Octogenarians were more often operated on under general anesthesia (P = .028), had a longer procedure duration (P = .001), and an increased length of hospitalization; both total (P < .001) and postprocedure (P < .001). All-cause mortality and major adverse event rates were similar in the two groups (P = .835 and P = .186, respectively). There was no difference in the number of secondary endovascular procedures or aneurysm rupture at 30 days. At discharge, both groups had reduced health status dimensions, except anxiety/depression, when compared with baseline. At 30 days, the octogenarian group had a lower composite EuroQoL 5-Dimensions Questionnaire index compared with the younger group, indicating a slower recovery (0.83 ± 0.20 vs 0.87 ± 0.16; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Octogenarians can be safely treated using the Endurant stent graft with a high technical rate of success, low perioperative mortality, and no reduction in quality of life. Octogenarians did, however, appear to recover more slowly than younger patients with respect to certain quality of life components. Long-term data are needed to confirm these results.

The relevance of aortic endograft prosthetic infection.

BACKGROUND: Vascular prosthetic graft infection is a severe complication after open aortic aneurysm repair. Reports of infected endografts are scarce. General treatment consensus with infected graft material is that it should be removed completely. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of endograft infection after endovascular repair of abdominal (EVAR) and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TEVAR) and to report treatment options and their outcome. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients endovascularly operated for abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm in two large hospitals (one tertiary referral center and one large community hospital) between March 1996 and June 2009. Diagnosis of infected endograft was made based on clinical findings, blood tests and cultures, imaging studies (computed tomography, fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography), and intraoperative findings at reoperation. RESULTS: Eleven patients with an infected endograft were identified in 1431 endovascular procedures. One other patient was referred from another hospital. Patients were aged 68 ± 9 years, and all but one were male. The median time from initial TEVAR/EVAR to the diagnosis of infection was 115 days (range, 7-3748 days), with 42% of patients presenting within 3 months after TEVAR/EVAR. Seven patients were diagnosed with endograft infection after elective TEVAR/EVAR and five after emergency TEVAR/EVAR. The incidence was significantly higher in patients that were treated in an emergency setting (0.56% vs 2.79%; P = .002), while there was no significant difference between TEVAR and EVAR procedures (1.37% vs 0.77%). All patients were initially treated with antibiotic therapy, which was complemented with surgical intervention in six patients. In four patients, the infected graft material was completely explanted. Isolated microorganisms included Staphylococcus species (n = 4), Streptococcus species (n = 4), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 1), Escherichia coli (n = 1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1), and Listeria monocytogenes (n = 1). Median time of follow-up was 201 days (range, 6-2023 days). During the study period, three out of 12 patients died, of which two were treated conservatively (P = ns). At their last follow-up visit, seven of nine patients still used antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of endograft infection is below 1%, with a mortality rate of 25%. Although consensus is that infected graft material should always be removed, this study shows no significant difference in mortality between the conservatively- and the surgically-managed group, possibly related to the small sample size. There may be a role for conservative treatment in selected cases of patients with an infected endograft.

Treatment of recurrent varicose veins of the great saphenous vein by conventional surgery and endovenous laser ablation.

OBJECTIVE: Varicose vein recurrence of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is a common, costly, and complex problem. The aim of the study was to assess feasibility of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) in recurrent varicose veins of the GSV and to compare this technique with conventional surgical reintervention. METHODS: Case files of all patients treated for GSV varicosities were evaluated and recurrences selected. Demographics, duplex scan findings, CEAP classification, perioperative data, and follow-up examinations were all registered. A questionnaire focusing on patient satisfaction was administered. RESULTS: Sixty-seven limbs were treated with EVLA and 149 were surgically treated. General and regional anesthesia were used more in the surgery group (P < .001). Most complications were minor and self-limiting. Wound infections (8% vs 0%; P < .05) and parasthesia (27% vs 13%; P < .05) were more abundant in the surgery group, whereas the EVLA-treated patients reported more delayed tightness (17% vs 31%; P < .05). Surgically-treated patients suffered less postoperative pain (P < .05) but reported a higher use of analgesics (P < .05). Hospital stay in the surgery group was longer (P < .05) and they reported a longer delay before resuming work (7 vs 2 days; P < .0001). Patient satisfaction was equally high in both groups. At 25 weeks of follow-up, re-recurrences occurred in 29% of the surgically-treated patients and in 19% of the EVLA-treated patients (P = .511). CONCLUSION: EVLA is feasible in patients with recurrent varicose veins of the GSV. Complication rates are lower and socioeconomic outcome is better compared to surgical reintervention.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in nonagenarians--beyond limits?

Herein, we report a single institution's experience with endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in nonagenarians, over a 4-year period of time. We performed a retrospective study of cases, in which we documented patient demographics, symptoms, physical findings, surgical interventions, complications, and deaths. The survivors answered a questionnaire. Endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair was performed in 4 male nonagenarians (age range, 90-92 yr): 2 underwent repair of asymptomatic aneurysm and 2 underwent repair of symptomatic aneurysm. There was no in-hospital death, and patients were discharged after a median time of 11 days. Both patients with symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm died within 30 days, 1 of an occluded left femoral artery and the other of unknown cause. After follow-ups of 6 and 54 months, both survivors were in good physical condition and patient satisfaction appeared to be very high. We have shown that elective endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair in a small, selected group of nonagenarians was feasible and afforded acceptable short-term survival. In patients with symptomatic disease, however, the early postprocedural mortality rate appears to be high. Decision-making should focus chiefly on comorbidities, on subjective issues such as fear of rupture, and on ethical and financial considerations.

Endovenous laser therapy of the small saphenous vein: patient satisfaction and short-term results.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional surgical treatment for small saphenous vein (SSV) reflux is associated with high recurrence rates and complications. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a treatment modality with promising results. This study reports patient satisfaction and short-term results after EVLA of SSV reflux. METHODS: Fifty-two legs of 49 consecutive patients were treated with EVLA for reflux of the SSV. Patients were investigated clinically and by duplex scanning before and 6 weeks after treatment. Patient records were studied and a questionnaire was completed. RESULTS: Technical success was accomplished in all patients. After 6 weeks the occlusion rate was 100% and after 6.5 months no recurrent varicosities were reported. Complications consisted of bruising (51%), induration (39%), delayed tightness (16%), phlebitis (2%), and temporary paresthesia (6%) and were all self-limiting. One deep venous thrombosis occurred in a patient with a protein C deficiency. Ninety-two percent (45/49) of patients were satisfied with the results and in 98% symptoms had significantly improved or completely disappeared. Working activities were resumed after a mean of 4 days. Forty-three patients (88%) would consider having endovenous laser treatment again if indicated. CONCLUSIONS: EVLA of the SSV seems to be a safe modality with excellent short-term results and high patient satisfaction. Controlled studies assessing the effectiveness of EVLA in comparison to conventional treatment of SSV reflux are crucial before considering EVLA as the standard treatment.

External-to-internal iliac artery endografting for the exclusion of iliac artery aneurysms: an alternative technique for preservation of pelvic flow?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe an alternative endovascular procedure to exclude iliac artery aneurysms, preserving perfusion to the internal iliac artery. CASES: Two patients, considered unfit for open repair, underwent endovascular repair of iliac artery aneurysms. One of these occurred after previous placement of a bifurcated prosthesis. In both cases the aneurysms were excluded using a nitinol stent covered with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene from the external to the internal iliac artery. Using this technique, the internal iliac arteries were perfused in a retrograde manner. Both interventions were technically successful. The external-to-internal endograft remained patent after 6 and 16 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Endovascular placement of a stent-graft from the external iliac artery into the internal iliac artery may offer an alternative and minimal invasive alternative for the management of common and internal iliac artery aneurysms. With the use of this technique, pelvic perfusion is preserved. Further studies are warranted to appraise the advantages and risk of this approach for iliac artery aneurysms.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair complicated by spondylodiscitis and iliaco-enteral fistula.

Infections of abdominal aortic endografts are rare. There are no reports on the association with spondylodiscitis. We report a case of a 74-year-old man who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and subsequently femorofemoral bypass placement due to occlusion of the right limb of the endograft. Six months later, he presented with rectal bleeding, weight loss, back pain, and low abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed extensive abscess formation with air in and around the endograft and psoas muscles, in continuity with destructive spondylodiscitis L3-4. There was a small bowel loop in close proximity to the occluded right leg of the endograft, which was filled with air bubbles. An axillofemoral bypass was created followed by a laparotomy. Intra-operatively, an iliaco-enteral fistula was found. The small bowel defect was sutured, the endograft completely removed, and the infrarenal aorta and both common iliac arteries were closed. Necrotic fragments of the former L3-4 disk were removed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Seven months postoperatively, the patient had recovered well. Iliaco-enteric fistula and spondylodiscitis are rare complications of aortic aneurysm repair. This is the first report of spondylodiscitis after EVAR.

Two-year outcomes after conventional or endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Two randomized trials have shown better outcomes with elective endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms than with conventional open repair in the first month after the procedure. We investigated whether this advantage is sustained beyond the perioperative period. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized trial comparing open repair with endovascular repair in 351 patients who had received a diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm of at least 5 cm in diameter and who were considered suitable candidates for both techniques. Survival after randomization was calculated with the use of Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared with the use of the log-rank test on an intention-to-treat-basis. RESULTS: Two years after randomization, the cumulative survival rates were 89.6 percent for open repair and 89.7 percent for endovascular repair (difference, -0.1 percentage point; 95 percent confidence interval, -6.8 to 6.7 percentage points). The cumulative rates of aneurysm-related death were 5.7 percent for open repair and 2.1 percent for endovascular repair (difference, 3.7 percentage points; 95 percent confidence interval, -0.5 to 7.9 percentage points). This advantage of endovascular repair over open repair was entirely accounted for by events occurring in the perioperative period, with no significant difference in subsequent aneurysm-related mortality. The rate of survival free of moderate or severe complications was also similar in the two groups at two years (at 65.9 percent for open repair and 65.6 percent for endovascular repair; difference, 0.3 percentage point; 95 percent confidence interval, -10.0 to 10.6 percentage points). CONCLUSIONS: The perioperative survival advantage with endovascular repair as compared with open repair is not sustained after the first postoperative year.

Sexual dysfunction after conventional and endovascular AAA repair: results of the DREAM trial.

PURPOSE: To assess sexual function in the first postoperative year after elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open repair (OR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: In the Dutch Randomized Endovascular Aneurysm Management (DREAM) trial, 153 patients (141 men; mean age 71 years, range 53-85) were randomly allocated to EVAR (n=77) or OR (n=76). Sexual functioning was evaluated preoperatively and at 5 times in the first postoperative year (3, 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks) using a questionnaire derived from the Medical Outcomes Study. The proportions of patients reporting sexual dysfunction for any of 5 aspects (interest, pleasure, engagement, orgasm, and erection) and any increase in the magnitude of dysfunction were compared between EVAR and OR. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the proportion of patients reporting sexual dysfunction in at least 1 aspect was 66% for the OR group and 74% in the EVAR group (p=NS). Surgery had a clear impact on sexual dysfunction. The proportion of patients reporting sexual dysfunction on at least 1 aspect increased to 79% in the OR group and 82% in the EVAR group. The magnitude of sexual dysfunction increased in both groups on all 5 aspects at 3 weeks postoperatively, but this was more pronounced in the OR group (interest: OR p=0.038 vs. EVAR p=0.071; pleasure: OR p=0.009 vs. EVAR p=0.065; engagement: OR p=0.006 vs. EVAR p=0.054; orgasm OR p=0.023 vs. EVAR p=0.112, and erection: OR p=0.046 vs. EVAR p=0.030). At 6 weeks, the OR group still reported a significant increase in 3 aspects (pleasure p=0.031, engagement p=0.010, and orgasm p=0.003), whereas the EVAR group no longer showed a significant difference. From 3 months on, both groups had returned to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: EVAR and open elective AAA repair both have an impact on sexual function in the early postoperative period. After EVAR, recovery to preoperative levels is faster than after open repair, but at 3 months, sexual dysfunction levels are similar in both groups.