Left ventricular global longitudinal peak strain deterioration in patients undergoing endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: the effect of arterial stiffness

Purpose

Invasive abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) replacement with an endograft interposes between the normal arterial tree which may acutely reduce overall systemic compliance and increase the input impedance. We evaluated the impact of aortic reconstruction, using currently available grafts and endografts, on pulse wave velocity (pwv) and its effect on early cardiac systolic function indices in these patients.

Methods

A total of 73 men, mean age 70±8 years, were evaluated. Of these, 61 underwent endovascular repair (EVAR) and 12 open repair (OS). All patients underwent an assessment with a standard conventional transthoracic and a two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography at baseline, at 1 and 6 months after the intervention. Carotid - femoral (c-f) artery waveforms were measured and pwv was determined in all participants on each follow up visit.

Results

No significant changes in blood pressure were observed during the study period. Notably, our findings revealed a significant reduction in global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) during the 6 months follow-up (from −19.7±−5.9% at baseline to −17.1±−5.9% at 6 months, p=0.03). C-r pwv showed a significant increase 6 months after the procedure (from 10.7±−2.9 m/sec at baseline to 13.9±3.3 m/sec at 6 months, p<0.001). A significant time effect was found on cf-pwv, which showed an increase at 1 month and remained thereafter (p=0.007). Additionally, a deterioration in GLS values was revealed, with a significant increase at 1 month that persisted 5 months later (p<0.001). No significant group effect was observed between EVAR and open repair (p=0.98) and there was no significant interaction (p=0.96). Notably, the difference of global longitudinal strain (ΔGLS) between baseline and 6 months significantly correlated with the corresponding changes in cf-pwv (r=0.494, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

AAA repair not only leads to an increase in aortic stiffness, as measured by the increase in pwv, but also reduces cardiac systolic function. Our findings highlight the need a more intense cardiac surveillance program after aortic reconstruction. Further studies are needed to investigate how this may translate into long-term manifestations of cardiovascular complications and symptomatology.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Endovascular Treatment of Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome through Upper-Limb Access: A Comparison between Venous-Dedicated and Conventional Stents

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the technical and clinical outcomes of superior vena cava (SVC) stent placement through upper-limb venous access in malignant SVC syndrome (SVCS) and compare the efficacy of different nitinol stent types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2006 and 2018, 156 patients (132 male; mean age, 62 y; age range, 33-81 y) underwent SVC stent placement for malignant obstructions through upper-limb venous access with 1 of 3 types of nitinol stent: 1 venous-dedicated (Sinus-XL stent) and 2 non-venous-dedicated (E-Luminexx Vascular Stent and Protégé GPS). Cases of common femoral vein access or non-nitinol stents were excluded from further analysis. The mean duration of follow-up was 8 mo.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 99.3% of cases. One patient died during the procedure as a result of cardiac tamponade. Balloon predilation was performed in 10 patients and postdilation in 126. Mean procedural time was 34.4 min (range, 18-80 min). Overall survival rates were 92.3%, 57.3%, and 26.8%, and overall primary patency rates were 94.5%, 84.8% and 79.6%, at 1, 6, and 12 mo, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in primary patency rates between venous- and non-venous-dedicated stents or among different Stanford SVCS grading groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

SVC stent placement through an upper-limb approach is a safe, fast, and effective technique. There is no evident benefit of venous-dedicated vs non-venous-dedicated stents in the treatment of malignant SVCS.

An update on the improvement of patient eligibility with the use of new generation endografts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms

PURPOSE

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), performed within device instructions for use (IFU), offers improved outcomes. New endograft designs attempt to increase eligibility rates of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients treated within device IFU. We aim to examine the anatomic suitability of the Ovation endograft in our AAA patients and compare it with the other contemporary devices.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Three-hundred and seven consecutive elective AAA patients treated during a 5-year period were included. Patient-specific anatomic characteristics were based on endograft IFUs to determine eligibility rates of each system.

RESULTS

Two-hundred-twenty-five patients underwent EVAR and 82 open surgery. Ineligibility for device implantation was significantly lower for the Ovation iX system (32%) compared to other devices (AFX-2:49%, Altura:49%, Anaconda:54%, Endurant II:46%, Excluder:52%, Excluder Conformable:39%, Incraft:43%, E-Tegra:52%, Zenith-Alpha:52%; P-Value<0.001). The Alto system (next-generation Ovation) achieved an even lower ineligibility rate of 30% (P = 0.008). Short proximal aortic neck length followed by access vessel inadequacy were the primary reasons for ineligibility.

CONCLUSION

The Ovation-iX included more patients with anatomic characteristics within device IFUs resulting in improved eligibility rates compared with the rest of contemporary devices. Its evolution, the Alto system, further improves patient eligibility due to the inclusion of shorter aortic necks.

EXPERT OPINION

The Ovation iX system presented a significantly better performance and was eligible for use in a greater number of patients in our series of elective AAA repairs, accommodating patient-specific aortic anatomies. Of course, performing EVAR within the endograft's IFU is important to achieve optimal and durable outcomes. The proximal neck length followed by the size of the access vessels are the two more common factors resulting in loss of eligibility. Except for overall eligibility rates, a case by case decision must be made on which is the most suitable device for each patient, based on the specific characteristics of its unique anatomy.

The role of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in evaluation of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty outcome in patients with critical limb ischemia

PURPOSE

Imaging modalities such as CTA and MRA provide significant information about the distribution of macrovascular lesions of the limbs in patients with peripheral arterial disease but not for the local microvascular perfusion of the feet. The purpose of this study is to evaluate foot perfusion in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and estimate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) results, using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).

METHODS

Ten patients (6 male, median age 68 years) with CLI were examined. All patients underwent DCE-MRI of the lower limb before and within first month after PTA. Perfusion parameters such as blood flow (BF), Ktrans, Kep were analyzed and applied for statistical comparisons. The studies were also examined by a second observer to determine inter-observer reproducibility.

RESULTS

Revascularization was technically successful in all patients and mean ankle brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.37 ± 0.18 to 0.76 ± 0.23, p < 0.05. After PTA, mean BF increased from 6.232 ± 2.867-9.867 ± 2.965 mL/min/100 g, K^trans increased from 0.060 ± 0.022 to 0.107 ± 0.041 min^-1 and K_ep increased from 0.103 ± 0.024 to 0.148 ± 0.024 min^-1, p < 0.05. All measurements demonstrated very good inter-observer reliability with an ICC > 0.85 for all perfusion parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

DCE-MRI is a safe and reproducible modality for the diagnosis of foot hypo-perfusion. It seems also to be a promising tool for evaluation of PTA outcome, as significant restitution of perfusion parameters was observed after successful revascularization.

Feasibility of ischemic leg ulcer healing using percutaneous techniques: a real-life study

Background

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is established as the first-line vascular procedure in patients with lower extremity artery disease.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the technical and clinical effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the management of ischemic foot ulcers.

Material and Methods

All consecutive patients presenting with a foot ulcer at the outpatient vascular surgery clinic of our hospital between June 2009 and June 2015 were evaluated using foot pulse assessment, ankle-brachial index, and duplex scanning. If non-invasive parameters suggested lower extremity artery disease, CT angiography and/or digital subtraction angiography were performed and a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was carried out when feasible during the same session. All patients were followed until healing, amputation, death, or for at least two years. Short- and long-term clinical success was evaluated based on ulcer size and appearance. Patients with worsening ulcers after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty underwent bypass grafting or amputation.

Results

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 161 patients (100%) with stenoses > 50%, including cases lesions > 10 cm and/or multiple/calcified lesions, 144 of which completed the study. In 88 (61.2%) patients, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in the suprapopliteal axis exclusively, in 10 (6.8%) patients in the infrapopliteal axis only, and in 46 (31.9%) in both levels. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was technically successful in 141 (98%) patients. After 3.1 years, the rate of healing was 68%, limb salvage 88%, overall survival 69.5%, and amputation-free survival 64%.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for ischemic foot ulceration treatment is in the majority of patients feasible, effective, and safe with high rates of healing and limb salvage.

Does a previous aortic endograft confer any protective effect during abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture? Systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

OBJECTIVES

Whether prior endovascular aneurysm repair confers a protective effect in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is not known. We aimed to systematically review and compare the outcomes of rAAA in patients with and without prior endovascular aneurysm repair.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review that conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis. We selected studies comparing the outcomes in patients with rAAA after prior endovascular aneurysm repair (group 1) and those with de novo rAAAs (group 2). We conducted a proportion meta-analysis of perioperative mortality and obtained summary estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models.

RESULTS

We included four studies (retrospective observational studies) in quantitative synthesis reporting a total of 719 patients (group 1 (89) group 2 (630)). The perioperative mortality in groups 1 and 2 was 30.4% and 41%, respectively, and there was no statistical significant difference between the groups (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.30-1.43, P = 0.29, I²=58%). However, patients presenting with rAAA following previous endovascular aneurysm repair were more hemodynamically stable (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.90, P = 0.03, I²=74%). The choice between endovascular or open surgery treatment in group 1 did not affect the perioperative mortality (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.41-3.04 P = 0.82, I²=0%). Endoleak types I and III were the main causes of rAAA in group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative mortality was similar for rAAA either de novo or after prior endovascular aneurysm repair. However, ruptures in patients with prior endovascular aneurysm repair presented hemodynamically more stable.

Paraoxonase-1 and Symptomatic Status in Carotid Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated hydrolase that appears to have a protective action against atherosclerosis. The aim of our study is to identify whether PON-1 levels may be associated with the manifestation of symptoms in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

METHODS

We studied all patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy in the Vascular Surgery Department of Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece, from July 2012 to July 2014. Medical history was recorded and PON-1 glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were measured. Variables were compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the accuracy of PON-1 to predict symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 74 patients were included, 41 were asymptomatic and the mean age was 68.5 years. The 2 groups appear to differ significantly with regards to the PON-1 levels, with the symptomatic group showing lower levels (5.3 ± 1.19 vs. 4.6 ± 1.36 ng/mL; P = 0.025). ROC analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.654 (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced PON-1 levels showed a significant association with symptomatic status, which was independent of other traditional cardiovascular factors. Further studies are required to prospectively assess the role of PON-1 in predicting cerebrovascular events in patients with carotid artery disease.

Suprarenal Aortic Remodeling after Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair among Three Endografts with Different Types of Proximal Fixation System

BACKGROUND

Remodeling of suprarenal aorta after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in relation to different endograft designs has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the anatomical configuration of the suprarenal aorta after using endografts with different proximal fixation during the first post-EVAR year.

METHODS

A retrospective study including EVAR patients using 3 types of endografts with different proximal fixation systems according to Instructions for Use was undertaken (50: Ovation, Endologix, Irvin, CA; 25: Endurant IIs, Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA; 25: Excluder C3, W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). Comorbidities were recorded. Anatomic variables of the supra-aortic anatomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) maximum diameter, and neck angulation were analyzed. Computed tomography angiography was obtained preoperatively at 1 and 12 months post-EVAR, while a duplex scan was undertaken at 6 months.

RESULTS

Comorbidities were not different across the 3 groups. Presence and amount of neck calcification (P = 0.139) and thrombus (P = 0.116) was similar among groups. Maximum aortic diameter showed significant reduction from preoperative measurements to 12-month postoperative ones, for all groups. (Ovation: 56.5 to 53 mm, P < 0.001; Endurant: 57 to 51 mm, P < 0.001; Excluder: 55 to 50 mm, P < 0.001). Suprarenal angulation was decreased significantly in the Ovation (P < 0.001) and Excluder groups (P = 0.05), while the infrarenal angulation was decreased in all groups. Among endografts, the decrease in AAA maximum diameter was similar (P = 0.99), while the suprarenal aortic diameter was significantly increased in Ovation patients in comparison to the other 2 endografts at the level of 5 mm (P = 0.02) and 25 mm (P = 0.01). Suprarenal angulation reduction was similar (P = 0.7), while infrarenal angulation was significantly more decreased in Ovation endograft than the other 2 systems (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal endograft configuration appears to have different impact on supra-aortic anatomy. Longer follow-up is needed to clarify future remodeling and clinical impact of these observations.

Hemodynamics and reverse remodeling associated with Mosaic, Perimount and Trifecta aortic bioprostheses

Introduction: The implantation rate of aortic bioprostheses is increasing. Their durability has improved to some extent over the years and they allow for future transcatheter valve-in-valve deployment. In the lack of long term follow up, their hemodynamic profile, i.e. transvalvular mean pressure gradient and effective orifice area indexed, and the associated left ventricular reverse remodeling indexed are useful surrogates for clinical outcomes. Areas covered: A systematic review of the literature was conducted by searching Medline, Cochrane, Scielo, Embase databases, and grey literature until July 2018 for articles that perform comparisons among the three most popular aortic bioprostheses. Six randomized and 12 non-randomized studies were included with 565 patients receiving a Mosaic, 1334 a Perimount and 557 a Trifecta valve. These articles are heterogeneous but they allow the meta-analytic comparison of the abovementioned outcomes. Expert opinion: Compared to the Perimount valve, the Mosaic is hemodynamically inferior, while the Trifecta is superior. Despite these statistically significant differences, the left ventricular mass regression indexed, that is indicative of reverse remodeling, was comparable in all groups. All patients were similarly benefited. The predilection among these valves is fueled by their hemodynamic profile but not supported by the comparable reverse remodeling.

Acute Testicular Ischaemia Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair on the Opposite Side to Intentional Internal Iliac Artery Occlusion

Introduction

Testicular ischaemia is a potential complication after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), which has only rarely been reported in the literature. This is the report of a patient who presented with acute testicular ischaemia in the immediate post-EVAR period.

Report

A 65 year old patient underwent EVAR for an aortic and bilateral iliac aneurysms. During the procedure, the right internal iliac artery was intentionally occluded to facilitate treatment of the common iliac aneurysm; however, the left internal iliac artery was preserved. The procedure was uneventful. On the second post-operative day the patient gradually developed symptoms of acute left testicular ischaemia. Clinical and ultrasonographic findings constituted the bases of diagnosis and the patient received conservative treatment with gradual improvement. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the ninth case of testicular ischaemia after endovascular aneurysm repair reported in the literature.

Conclusion

Testicular ischaemia, although rare, is a possible complication post-EVAR. Acute and chronic testicular damage found in association with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or its treatment has not been well studied in the literature and therefore may be under reported.

•

Acute testicular ischaemia, although rare, may occur in the immediate post-EVAR period.

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Changes in testicular perfusion caused by AAA and/or EVAR are not well understood and may be under-reported.

•

Distal embolisation or inflow compromise are two possible mechanisms that may result in testicular infarction after EVAR.

Analysis of Echocardiographic Markers and Pulse Wave Velocities in a Patient Who Developed New Cardiac Symptoms after Implantation of an Aortic Endograft

Increased arterial stiffness has been related to altered cardiovascular hemodynamics, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a higher risk for cardiac events. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been used as a surrogate marker for arterial stiffness. Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) involves insertion of a rigid graft or endograft inside the arterial system which has been shown to increase arterial stiffness, but the cardiac implications of these alterations are mostly unknown. We report a case of a patient with a previous AAA surgical repair (>10 years ago) who developed a para-anastomotic pseudoaneurysm which was excluded with implantation of an endoluminal graft. From a cardiac perspective, this patient was asymptomatic and had a normal baseline preoperative evaluation. He had an initially high PWV (17 m/sec). Postprocedurally, the patient developed cardiac symptoms, and he underwent coronary angiography which indicated significant coronary artery disease, and he subsequently underwent bypass grafting. One week after the endovascular repair, the patient presented with an increased PWV at 21 m/sec. Echocardiographic indices were mostly unaltered (ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index, and left atrium volume index) compared with the preoperative evaluation, except for the global longitudinal strain which deteriorated from -25 to -21%. This case provides insight into hemodynamic alterations after implantation of an endograft which may result in deterioration of asymptomatic heart disease.

A clinical update on the mid-term clinical performance of the Ovation endograft

INTRODUCTION

The Ovation stent-graft uncouples the steps of fixation and sealing via a pair of polymer-filled inflatable rings. Apart from the well-documented early results, newer data emerged for mid-term results of Ovation and are presented in this review.

AREAS COVERED

Aim of this article was to report all current studies with the mid-term results of the particular endograft, the incidence of complications and failure, and discuss their management.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

The Ovation stent-graft exhibits very satisfactory clinical mid-term results in abdominal aortic aneurysms treated within the instructions-for-use. It can also have a very promising role in challenging neck anatomies with conical shape and presence of thrombus or calcification. However, this should be not considered a panacea and long-term results are needed to validate this intriguing aspect.

Intraluminal Thrombus Deposition Is Reduced in Ruptured Compared to Diameter-matched Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to compare the pattern of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) deposition in diameter-matched ruptured and nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

METHODS

We performed a single-center, retrospective study. Ruptured AAAs were collected during 24 months. Diameter-matched intact lesions were randomly selected in a 2:1 ratio and served as controls. ILT cross-sectional area, relative area, maximum thickness, and asymmetric distribution were recorded at the site of maximum aneurysm size and compared between groups. Moreover, additional comparisons were performed inside the group of ruptured AAAs, between the site of maximum size and the site of rupture.

RESULTS

Fifteen ruptured cases were compared with 30 nonruptured cases. ILT relative area (37.5% vs. 73.5%, P = 0.004) and maximum thickness (14.5 vs. 28 mm, P= 0.0017) were significantly reduced among ruptured compared to intact AAAs. The latter group presented mostly an anterior eccentric ILT deposition, while the former presented a more symmetrical pattern. The site of rupture was located at the site of maximum size in only 2 cases. In general, ILT was reduced at the site of rupture compared to the site of maximum aneurysm size in ruptured cases but differences did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

In similar sized AAAs, ILT is reduced in ruptured compared to nonruptured cases.

Has Anatomic Complexity of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Undergoing Open Surgical Repair Changed after the Introduction of Endovascular Treatment? Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies

BACKGROUND

At a time when endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is increasingly used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), lesions undergoing open surgical repair (OSR) may present significant differences compared with those treated before wide EVAR availability. We aim to record discrepancies in AAAs surgically treated before and after the introduction of EVAR.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of comparative studies. The MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and OpenGrey databases were searched up to October 2017. Outcome measures were anatomic complexity, procedural details, and postoperative outcomes. The random-effects model was used to calculate combined overall effect sizes. Data are presented as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Five observational studies were included. These involved 1,091 patients treated in the pre-EVAR era and 802 in the post-EVAR era. In general, patients undergoing OSR during the first period presented more comorbidities. Increased anatomic complexity was found among patients in the second group as demonstrated by the increased rate of suprarenal clamping (10.5% vs. 22.3%; OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.24-0.50), left renal vein division (10.3% vs. 18.8%; OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25-0.88), iliac aneurysm (28.3% vs. 44.9%; OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.37-0.64), and iliac occlusive disease (13.1% vs. 20.2%; OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39-0.88). Intraoperative use of blood products was greater during the latter period, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Procedural duration was slightly increased in the same group. Morbidity and mortality were similar among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

After the wide availability of endoluminal grafting, more compromised patients tend to be managed with EVAR, leaving a fitter patient population to undergo OSR. At the same time, anatomic complexity of AAAs undergoing open surgery has considerably increased, requiring advanced proximal aortic surgical expertise to deal with these complex aortic pathologies Overall, morbidity and mortality remained unchanged, possibly due to the counterbalancing effects of these factors.