EVAR Approach for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Horseshoe Kidney: A Multicenter Experience

Latin America Research Output Within the Top 5 Vascular Surgery Journals

BACKGROUND

Dedicated studies on patient outcomes are crucial to the development of effective policies aimed at prevention and management of vascular diseases. This study aims to determine the scientific productivity of Latin American countries through a bibliometric analysis of top 5 vascular journals.

METHODS

The 5 dedicated vascular journals indexed in the "surgery" category were selected for analysis. These were the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (EJVES), the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS), the Journal of Endovascular Therapy (JEVT), the Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders (JVS-VL) and the Annals of Vascular Surgery (AVS). Databases were queried with the combination of each journal's name + each of the 21 Latin American countries. All possible combinations were searched. Inclusion criteria were articles affiliated with a university, medical center, or hospital from any Latin American country.

RESULTS

A total of 501 articles were retrieved, 104 (20.7%) were published between 2000 and 2011, and 397 (79.2%) between 2012 and 2022. The journal with the most publications was AVS with 221 (43.9%), followed by JVS with 135 (26.9%), EJVES with 60 (11.9%), JEVT with 49 (9.9%), and JVS-VL with 36 (7.1%). Brazil had the highest volume of publications at 346 (69.0%), followed by Argentina at 54 (10.7%), Chile at 35 (6.9%), and Mexico at 32 (6.3%). JVS had a higher median citation when compared with AVS, JVS-VL, and JEVT, 18 vs. 5, 5.5, and 7, respectively (P = <0.001). Furthermore, JVS had a greater median citation than EJVES, at 18 vs. 12.5, respectively (P = 0.005). Median citation per year from 2000 to 2011 was 1.59 (range: 0-45), and 1.50 (range: 0-114.5) from 2012 to 2022 (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Latin America's research output within the vascular surgery field has increased over the years. Efforts must be made to increase research output in this region and translate findings into effective interventions for these populations.

Horseshoe kidney: Morphologic features, embryologic and genetic etiologies, and surgical implications

The horseshoe kidney (HSK) is the most common congenital abnormality of the upper urinary tract with an incidence of approximately 1 in 500 in the general population. Although individuals with HSK are often asymptomatic, they are at increased risk for neoplasms, infections, ureteropelvic obstruction secondary to lithiasis or vascular compression. Direct injury from trauma is increased in these individuals as is the risk of intraoperative complications secondary to damage involving the typically complex renal or adrenal vascular supply. We briefly review etiological factors including renal and urinary system embryology, genetic mutations, abnormalities related to faulty cell signaling, aberrant cell migration, and other possible causes including environmental exposures and trauma. In addition, we call attention to factors that might influence the success of surgical procedures in patients with HSK. We argue that an understanding of possible etiologies of the HSK and its different subtypes may be useful when planning surgical procedures or considering risk-benefit ratios associated with different surgical options. We briefly present the organization of a HSK in a 100-year-old male demonstrating an unusual vascular supply discovered during a dissection laboratory session in a medical school anatomy course. We describe the structure of the HSK, the position and relationships of the HSK to other structures within the abdomen, and the associated vascular relationships.

Open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm and horseshoe kidney: A strange relationship

Introduction and importance

The horseshoe kidney (HK) is the most common fusion defect of the kidneys. Τhe simultaneous presence of HK and abdominal aortic aneurysm (ΑΑΑ) is rare and comprises a technical challenge for the vascular surgeon due to variation of renal arteries and the renal isthmus overlying the AAA sac.

Case presentation

We present the first case in Nicosia General Hospital of Cyprus of an infrarenal AAA with a HK (Crawford Type I), which was successfully treated using an open surgical approach.

Clinical discussion

Review the technical challenges associated with the case and a brief reference to the relevant published articles.

Conclusion

The surgical repair of coexistence of AAA and HK continues to be a difficult technical challenge for the vascular surgeon from the past until today. There is a need to record the few cases and to create detailed specific guidelines to facilitate the surgical approach for the disease.

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Τhe simultaneous presence of HK and abdominal aortic aneurysm (ΑΑΑ) is rare.

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It comprises a technical challenge for the vascular surgeon.

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First case in Cyprus of an infrarenal AAA with a HK.

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The preoperative planning for the coexistence of the HK and AAA is important and useful.

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for a Patient with Horseshoe Kidney and the Importance of Watershed Sign and Volumetry by Preoperative Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography

We report a case of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a patient with horseshoe kidney (HSK) in whom preoperative contrast-enhanced (CE) computed tomography (CT) showed watershed sign. This sign enabled prediction of postoperative renal function by accurate renal volumetry. A 75-year-old man with HSK and a 59-mm abdominal aortic aneurysm was referred for treatment. Preoperative CECT showed watershed lines at the margin of the isthmus, which was perfused by the accessory renal arteries. Using this sign, we calculated the accurate volume of the isthmus, which was 24.5% of the total parenchyma. EVAR was safely performed without renal dysfunction.

EVAR in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Horseshoe Kidney: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

A systematic review of all patients that have been reported in the literature with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) concomitant with horseshoe kidney (HSK) treated electively by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is presented. A new grouping system for describing HSK vasculature is implemented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched for published manuscripts using the Medical Subject Headings terms "abdominal aortic aneurysm," "AAA," "EVAR," "endovascular aneurysm repair," and "horseshoe kidney" in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and National Center for Biotechnology Information databases. Inclusion criteria include all published material of patients with AAA with HSK treated electively by an endovascular approach. We excluded patients who were treated by a hybrid or open repair or patients with ruptured AAA. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Statistics version 25 (IBM Corp, Armonk, New York) software.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients from 30 studies were included for analysis. Males made up 88% (n=44) of the population. The median age for this cohort was 70 years (range: 47-86 years). Median aneurysmal diameter was 6.0 cm (range: 4.0-10.3 cm). The median operative time for endovascular repair was 84 minutes (range: 40-332 minutes). The most common graft used was Zenith, used in 40% (n=20) of the cases, followed by Endurant in 14% (n=7). The overall complication rate was 14% (n=7). The median follow-up was 19 months (range: 1-108 months). While comorbidities did not appear to impact outcomes significantly, median operative times for smokers were higher than those in nonsmokers, 84 versus 118 minutes, respectively (p=0.048). Univariate linear regression modeling of aneurysmal size with age, operative time, and length of stay revealed a significant coefficient association between aneurysmal size and operative times. After adjusting for comorbidities and aneurysmal size, prior history of chronic kidney disease significantly increased odds for renal infarction.

CONCLUSION

This review presents the most complete data set possible of patients with concomitant HSK and AAA treated by an endovascular approach. Furthermore, the A + B + C classification for grouping the HSK vasculature is implemented. This systematic review suggests EVAR to be an excellent option with low complication rates for the treatment of AAA in patients with HSK.

Best strategy in managing the association of Horse-shoe-Kidney and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Case report

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Most common renal anomalies.

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Rare association of Horse-Shoe-kidney and Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

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Special challenge in managing this pathology given the close spatial relationship.

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Frequent renal arterial variation.

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Surgery or endovascular treatment.

Introduction

Horseshoe Kidney (HSK) is probably the most common of all renal fusion abnormalities. However the association of Abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) and HSK is rare, and occurred in 0,12% of patient affected by AAA.

Presentation of case

We present a patient with the concomitant presence of AAA and HSK treated by open surgical repair with a transperitoneal approach without section of the isthmus with great outcomes after surgery.

Discussion

The management of AAA associated with HSK presents a special challenge during vascular surgery, given the close spatial relationship and the frequent renal arterial variations that accompanies HSK.

Conclusion

Diagnosis and a well designed surgical strategy are required to avoid surgical post operative complications.

Retroperitoneal Aortobifemoral Bypass by a Combination of Horseshoe Kidney and Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease with Stent Thrombosis

Bilateral aorto-profunda femoris bypass with Dacron bifurcation graft was performed by a patient with aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) and horseshoe kidney (HSK) who had undergone stenting of the right common iliac artery and of the left superficial femoral artery with subsequent stent thrombosis as well as significant subrenal aortic stenosis. As endovascular treatment was not feasible and surgical treatment by means of transperitoneal incision would be associated with high risk of damage to the HSK, the operation was successfully accomplished through left pararectal retroperitoneal approach.