Fenestrated endografting of juxtarenal aneurysms after open aortic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Juxtarenal aneurysms after previous surgical aortic reconstruction constitute a complex clinical scenario. Open redo surgery is technically demanding and usually requires suprarenal or supraceliac clamping. Standard endovascular repair is prohibited due to the lack of a proximal landing zone. We present our experience with fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (F-EVAR) in the treatment of juxtarenal aneurysms after previous open surgery. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database including all patients with juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm after previous surgical reconstruction that underwent F-EVAR within the period from November 2003 to February 2013 under the instruction of the senior author. Evaluated outcomes included initial technical success and operative mortality and morbidity as well as late survival, target vessel patency, aneurysm diameter regression, renal function, and reintervention. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients (33 male; mean age, 71.5 ± 6.2 years) were treated. Median interval from the primary surgical reconstruction was 126 months (range, 48-223 months). All patients had proximal anatomies precluding standard endovascular techniques and were considered high risk for open repair due to their comorbidities and redo nature of the operation. In total, 111 vessels were targeted: 77 with small fenestrations, 33 with scallops, and 1 vessel with a downward branch. The operation was completed by totally endovascular means in 34 patients (97.1%). In one patient, a retroperitoneal approach was needed to gain retrograde access to a renal artery. Operative target vessel perfusion success rate was 100%. Operative mortality was 0% and median hospital stay 6 days (range, 2-40 days). Mean follow-up (FU) was 37.5 ± 25 months. Mean aneurysm maximal diameter decreased from 60 ± 4 mm to 47 ± 8 mm (P < .05). No type I endoleak was diagnosed, and no reintervention was required during FU. There were eight late deaths, all unrelated to the aneurysm. Estimated survival rates at 1, 2, and 4 years were 92.0% ± 5.5%, 82.8% ± 7.9% and 76.9% ± 9.3%, respectively. Three target vessel occlusions occurred during FU. One patient suffered a bilateral renal artery occlusion resulting in dialysis. In a second patient, one renal artery occluded without clinical symptoms. No other cases of renal function deterioration were observed. CONCLUSIONS: F-EVAR is a valid treatment option for juxtarenal aneurysms after previous surgical reconstruction. F-EVAR represents a less morbid alternative to redo open surgery, has a high technical success rate, and shows durability in mid-term FU.

Visceral stent patency in fenestrated stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Fenestrated endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (F-EVAR) has been introduced for treatment of aneurysms in which visceral arteries are incorporated. Patency of target vessels has been reported to be excellent. Results of the use of stent grafts to accommodate visceral arteries in F-EVAR are presented in this study, including an overview of factors that affect outcome. METHODS: All patients treated with fenestrated stent grafts in a single center between November 2001 and October 2011 were reviewed. Patients treated for suprarenal, juxtarenal, and infrarenal short-necked aortic aneurysms were included. Patients with thoraco-abdominal aneurysms or aneurysms treated with grafts with fixed side branches were excluded. Polytetrafluoroethylene covered stents were used routinely since June 2005. Target vessels and stents were examined using computed tomography angiography reconstructions. Primary end points were primary patency, defined as the absence of occlusion, and loss of renal function. Secondary end points were technical success, stenosis (defined as a ≥50% angiographic diameter reduction), stent fracture, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients with a median age of 73 years (range, 50-91 years) met the inclusion criteria. Median computed tomography angiography follow-up was 13 months (range, 1-97 months). In total, 392 target vessels were provided with 140 scallops and 252 fenestrations. Visceral stents (-grafts) were placed in 254 target vessels. Technical success was obtained in 249 arteries (98.0%). Overall stent patency of target vessels was 95.7% at 1 year and 88.6% at 4 years. Renal artery stent patency was 97.4% at 1 year and 91.2% at 4 years (96.8% and 89.1% for uncovered stents; 97.3% and 92.4% for covered stents, respectively). There was no significant difference in patency between covered and uncovered stents in renal arteries (P = .71). Renal artery stenosis occurred in 26 stented arteries (11.3%) and occlusion in seven arteries. Renal artery stent stenosis occurred significantly more in uncovered than in covered stents (P = .04). Stent fractures occurred more in uncovered than in covered stents (P = .01) and was associated with a significantly lower visceral stent patency rate (P < .01). During follow-up, 13 patients developed permanent renal function impairment (9.4%), of which two required permanent dialysis (1.4%). Renal dysfunction was significantly associated with renal stent occlusion or stenosis (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Patency rates of visceral artery stent (-grafts) in F-EVAR were 95.7% at 1 year and 88.6% at 4 years. Patency rates were affected by stent fractures, which occurred more in uncovered compared with covered stents. Renal artery stent stenosis occurred more in uncovered compared with covered stents. Renal dysfunction was significantly associated with renal stent occlusion or stenosis.

Stent fractures in the Hemobahn/Viabahn stent graft after endovascular popliteal aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: During the last decade, endovascular repair of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) has become a valid alternative to open repair. This study analyzes the incidence and origin of stent graft fractures after endovascular repair, its impact on patency, and strategies to prevent fractures. METHODS: Data of 78 atherosclerotic PAAs in 64 patients were gathered in a prospectively-held database from 1998 to 2009. All x-rays were reviewed to detect stent fractures. Only circumferential fractures were included for analysis; localized strut fractures were excluded. Clinical endpoints were circumferential stent fracture, occlusion, and clinical status of the patient. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 50 months (range, 1-127 months). Fifteen circumferential stent fractures occurred in 13 (16.7%) patients. The majority of stent fractures (93.3%) were associated with the use of multiple stent grafts. At univariate analysis, younger age was identified as the only significant predictor for stent fracture (P = .007). The cumulative stent fracture-free survival was estimated at 78% and 73% at 5- and 10-year follow-up, respectively. The cumulative primary patency rate, defined as time to occlusion, was not different for the fracture group compared with the nonfracture group (P = .284). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of stent fractures after endovascular PAA repair is probably underreported in the literature. Stent graft fractures mainly occur at overlap zones and are associated with younger age of the patient. Fracture of the stent did not significantly influence patency of the stent graft.

Mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with open or endovascular repair.

OBJECTIVES: The study defined the selection criteria used for treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs) and reviewed results during a 5-year period. METHODS: From 2002 on, our tertiary referral center adopted a protocol of selective use of endovascular repair for RAAAs. The study included all patients with a proven RAAA who were admitted to our hospital from 2002 to 2006. The primary outcome measure was surgical mortality. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients were admitted with an acute AAA, and an RAAA was confirmed 135 (72%) by computed tomography scanning or at laparotomy, and 125 (93%) were treated, 89 by open means and 36 by endovascular means. The overall mortality rate was 24% and the mortality rate was 13.9% for endovascular repair. Endovascular repair was consistently used more often in patients with favorable anatomy and in patients who were hemodynamically more stable. There were considerable differences in approach between the four consultant vascular surgeons. The overall evaluation and inclusion for endovascular treatment increased during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: A strict protocol for admission, evaluation, and treatment of RAAA, with selective use of endovascular repair, resulted in low mortality rates in our center.