Immediate and 1-year success rate of type 2 endoleak treatment using three-dimensional image fusion guidance

Preoperative Spinal Arterial Supply Mapping Using Non-Selective Cone Beam Computed Tomography before Complex Aortic Repair

Pre-op spinal arterial mapping is crucial for complex aortic repair. This study explores the utility of non-selective cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for pre-operative spinal arterial mapping to identify the Adamkiewicz artery (AKA) in patients undergoing open or endovascular repair of the descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta at risk of spinal cord ischemia. Pre-operative non-selective dual-phase CBCT after intra-aortic contrast injection was performed in the aortic segment to be treated. The origin of detected AKA was assessed based on image fusion between CBCT and pre-interventional computed tomography angiography. Then, the CBCT findings were compared with the incidence of postoperative spinal cord ischemia (SCI). Among 21 included patients (median age: 68 years, 20 men), AKA was detected in 67% within the explored field of view, predominantly from T7 to L1 intercostal and lumbar arteries. SCI occurred in 14%, but none when AKA was not detected (p < 0.01). Non-selective CBCT for AKA mapping is deemed safe and feasible, with potential predictive value for post-surgical spinal cord ischemia risk. The study concludes that non-selective aortic CBCT is a safe and feasible method for spinal arterial mapping, providing promising insights into predicting post-surgical SCI risk.

Dynamic CT angiography is more accurate in diagnosing endoleaks than standard triphasic CT angiography and enables targeted embolization

PURPOSE

The primary objective was to compare the accuracy of dynamic CT angiography (d-CTA) with standardized triphasic contrast enhanced CT angiography (t-CTA) in diagnosing endoleak type after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as reference standard. The secondary objective was to study the impact of d-CTA on image-fusion guided endoleak embolization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of patients who underwent d-CTA imaging after EVAR between March 2019 and July 2021 was performed. De-identified images were independently reviewed by two-two blinded readers to document endoleak type and target vessels. Impact of d-CTA-guided embolization was evaluated by number of planning angiograms, radiation exposure and accuracy of target vessel overlay.

RESULTS

During the study period, 52 patients underwent d-CTA, 19 had all three modalities available for analysis. DSA imaging confirmed 4(21.0%) type-I, 14(73.7%) type-II and 1(5.3%) type-III endoleak. Findings from d-CTA matched with DSA in 19/19 cases (100%), whereas t-CTA matched in 14/19 cases (73.7%). In type-II endoleaks, number of target vessels identified by d-CTA, t-CTA and DSA were 23, 17 and 16 respectively. Mean dose-length product from d-CTA and t-CTA was 1445±551 and 1612±530 mGy*cm (p=0.26). Nine patients underwent d-CTA-guided type-II endoleak embolization, using a median of 1(range:1-4) planning angiogram before embolization utilizing 21.6(±8.7)% of total procedural radiation dose. Target vessel overlay was accurate in 9/9(100%) cases.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic, time-resolved CTA is more accurate compared to standardized triphasic contrast enhanced CTA in diagnosing endoleak type after EVAR. In type-II endoleak, d-CTA better identified target vessels and enabled safe, targeted embolization.

Recent Update of Endovascular Type 2 Endoleak Management

EVAR has been used clinically for almost three decades, and it has been widely applied in clinical practice and has been applied to difficult cases as devices and techniques have evolved. Although the major advantage of EVAR is its lower perioperative mortality, compared with open surgery, late-onset complications such as endoleaks have become major issues, requiring lifelong follow-up after EVAR. The clinical guidelines have been updated, and many systematic reviews/meta-analyses and multi-center registries have been published; surgeons must keep up-to-date regarding these changes. In this review, the author reviews evidence on the recent update of the type 2 endoleak management.