Isolated common iliac artery aneurysms: a revised classification to assist endovascular repair.

Isolated common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAAs) are relatively rare; they typically progress asymptomatically and are revealed incidentally, usually after they have acquired significant dimensions. Traditional open reconstruction is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Rupture is a common initial manifestation. Endovascular repair has been proposed as a minimally invasive alternative, associated with lower morbidity and mortality rates, even in patients at high surgical risk; some specialists have recently proposed endoluminal repair as the first-choice procedure in suitable anatomies. However, only a few sporadic attempts have been made to define the "suitable" anatomy for endovascular repair. This article proposes a classification of isolated CIAAs and provides endovascular specialists with a guide to deciding which type of repair is feasible and efficacious according to the anatomical configuration of the aneurysm.

Reporting mid- and long-term results of endovascular grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysms using the aortomonoiliac configuration.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the feasibility, efficacy, and durability of a specific aortomonoiliac endograft for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during a midterm follow-up. METHODS: From January 2002 until November 2008, 106 patients (6 women; mean age, 73.37 +/- 7.39 years) were treated for an AAA using an EndoFit aortomonoiliac graft (LeMaitre Vascular, Burlington, Mass). All procedures were elective. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 34.9 months (SD, 20.08; range, 2-81 months). Long-term data (follow-up >60 months) were available for nine patients, none of which reported any vascular or procedure related complications. Three of the 106 patients (2.83%) died during early follow-up (<30 days); eight died during late follow-up (7.54%). Endograft infection developed in two patients (1.88%), and an aortoduodenal fistula developed in two (1.88%). Also observed were 15 type II (14.15%) and three type I (2.83%) endoleaks. Femorofemoral bypass thrombosis was detected in two patients (1.88%). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis, the aortomonoiliac configuration for elective AAA repair was proven to be safe and efficacious. Midterm and long-term follow-up results in this series compare well with previously reported results for AAA endografting using both bifurcated and aortomonoiliac endoprostheses.

Minimally invasive endovascular intervention in emergent and urgent thoracic aortic pathologies: single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: We report mid-term results from the endovascular treatment of acute thoracic aortic pathologies in a single center. METHODS: We retrospectively interrogated our clinical database and identified the following patients who were treated for an acute thoracic aortic pathology during a 3-year period (January 2003 to February 2006) with the deployment of a thoracic endograft: 8 male patients diagnosed with a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm and/or a thoracic aortic disruption following blunt chest trauma; 1 male patient with a large mobile mural thrombus of the descending thoracic aorta; 1 patient with an aortobronchial fistula; and 8 patients with a symptomatic descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. RESULTS: Complete exclusion of the lesion was achieved in all patients. No procedure-related deaths occurred. Postoperative complications included one case of a distal type 1 endoleak, repaired with re-intervention and deployment of an extension graft, and 1 case of moderate graft kinking without further complications. CONCLUSION: The endovascular treatment of acute thoracic aortic pathologies is technically feasible and safe. Early and intermediate results are promising.

Carotid artery stent placement with embolic protection: single-center experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of carotid artery stent placement with embolic protection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 2-year period (May 2003 to April 2005), 232 patients underwent carotid artery stent placement with the Acculink RX stent-graft and an embolic protection device. There were 150 men (mean age,70 years; age range, 58-85 years) and 82 women (mean age, 76 years; age range, 56-82 years). One hundred sixty-five patients were symptomatic and 67 were asymptomatic. All patients were at high risk for carotid endarterectomy. RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful in 231 patients. The procedure was stopped in one patient due to asystole. In three patients, a cervical approach was necessary owing to aortic arch anatomy. During the procedure,11 patients (4.74%) experienced bradycardia and two developed a major stroke (0.86%). The mean follow-up was 30 months (range, 12-36 months). Four patients died. No stent occlusion was observed. During the late follow-up period(>30 days), two patients (0.86%) had minor strokes, three (1.29%) had nonfatal transient ischemic attacks, and seven(3.01%) had myocardial infarctions. CONCLUSION: Carotid artery stent placement with cerebral protection by using the specific devices compares favorably to previously reported surgical results.

Endovascular repair of traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta: single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta secondary to blunt chest trauma is a life-threatening emergency and a common cause of death, usually following violent collisions. The objective of this retrospective report was to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disruptions with a single commercially available stent-graft. METHODS: Nine men (mean age 29.5 years) were admitted to our institution between January 2003 and January 2006 due to blunt aortic trauma following violent motor vehicle collisions. Plain chest radiography, spiral computed tomography, aortography, and transesophageal echocardiography were used for diagnostic purposes in all cases. All patients were diagnosed with contained extramural thoracic aortic hematomas, secondary to aortic disruption. One patient was also diagnosed with a traumatic thoracic aortic dissection, secondary to blunt trauma. All subjects were poor surgical candidates, due to major injuries such as multiple bone fractures, abdominal hematomas, and pulmonary contusions. All repairs were performed using the EndoFit (LeMaitre Vascular) stent-graft. RESULTS: Complete exclusion of the traumatic aortic disruption and pseudoaneurysm was achieved and verified at intraoperative arteriography and on CT scans, within 10 days of the repair in all patients. In 1 case the deployment of a second cuff was necessary due to a secondary endoleak. In 2 cases the left subclavian artery was occluded to achieve adequate graft fixation. No procedure-related deaths have occurred and no cardiac or peripheral vascular complications were observed within the 12 months (range 8-16 months) follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time the EndoFit graft has been utilized in the treatment of thoracic aortic disruptions secondary to chest trauma. The repair of such pathologies is technically feasible and early follow-up results are promising.

EndoFit stent-graft repair of isolated common iliac artery aneurysms with short necks.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of repairing isolated iliac artery aneurysms with short proximal necks (<10 mm) by implanting the EndoFit stent-graft. METHODS: Seven patients (6 men; median age 73 years, range 70-78) were diagnosed with an isolated common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysm that featured a short proximal landing zone, complicating endovascular treatment. The median aneurysm diameter was 4.4 cm (range 3.5-7.0), and the median proximal neck length was 7 mm (range 5-9).The aneurysms were treated using the EndoFit stent-graft, which can be deployed in a short proximal landing zone. The modified technique involves the deployment of the graft directly above the aneurysm sac without obstructing the contralateral iliac axis, thus affixing the bare proximal stent in the terminal aorta. Follow-up was performed by clinical evaluation and computed tomography at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The EndoFit stent-graft was successfully deployed in all cases, with complete aneurysm exclusion. In 1 case, the deployment of a second cuff was necessary to secure complete aneurysm exclusion. The median follow-up was 18 months, during which no deaths occurred, and no endoleak or stent-graft migration was observed. Endograft thrombosis occurred in 1 case due to graft angulation caused by external iliac artery stenosis and kinking. None of the aneurysms has ruptured, and there have been no serious complications. CONCLUSION: Direct endoluminal repair of isolated CIA aneurysms with short proximal necks is feasible using this technique. Efficacy and long-term results are to be confirmed by larger scale series over a long time period.

Endovascular AAA repair with the aortomonoiliac EndoFit stent-graft: two years' experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a specific aortomonoiliac endograft and the durability of the femorofemoral bypass for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: From 2002 to 2004, 39 high-risk (ASA III/IV) patients (36 men; median age 74 years, range 63-84) with AAA (n = 33) or AAA and common iliac artery aneurysm (n = 6) were treated with an EndoFit aortomonoiliac endograft and femorofemoral crossover bypass. The contralateral iliac axis was obstructed with an endoluminal occluder. Patients were followed with contrast-enhanced computed tomography at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: EndoFit AMI stent-grafts were implanted successfully in all patients. Perioperative mortality was zero. Endoleak occurred in 3 (7.7%) cases. A proximal type I endoleak was identified at 1 month and was treated with a proximal cuff. Two type II endoleaks are under surveillance because the aneurysm sac shows no enlargement. Thrombosis of the femorofemoral graft occurred in 1 case during the immediate postoperative period due to insufficient inflow from a residual stenosis of the endograft (primary patency 97.5%). The deficit was treated successfully (secondary patency 100%). Two (5.1%) tunnel hematomas were treated conventionally. Median follow-up was 14 months (range 6-30). All patients are alive. None of the aneurysms has ruptured or been converted to an open procedure. Graft migration, serious infection, paraplegia, distal embolization, or any other serious complication has not been observed. CONCLUSIONS: In high surgical risk patients with complex iliac anatomy, aortomonoiliac endograft with femorofemoral crossover bypass is feasible and efficacious. Moreover, the midterm patency of the extra-anatomic bypass appears quite satisfactory.