Preservation of pelvic circulation with hypogastric artery bypass in endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm with bilateral iliac artery aneurysms

Effectiveness of the Rotarex Excisional Atherectomy System in Both Subacute and Chronic Aortoiliac Endograft Thrombosis: An Innovative Option for the Modern Endovascular Surgeon Toolkit

PURPOSE

To report a successful revascularization case using the Rotarex™S atherothrombectomy system in a recent iliac limb thrombosis, and chronic hypogastric stent obstruction after previous aortoiliac aneurysm endovascular repair (EVAR).

CASE REPORT

A 72-year-old patient was treated for recent right iliac limb thrombosis and left iliac branch chronic hypogastric stent occlusion, 5 years after EVAR. A total endovascular approach, using both upper extremity and femoral vascular access, was settled with 2 Rotarex™S (6Fr and 10Fr) devices. The Rotarex™S catheters removed most of the intraluminal material, allowing additional endografts and bare metal stents to be deployed to support a new healthy lumen surface.

CONCLUSION

The total endovascular approach provided by the Rotarex™S device appears to be safe and effective in treating aortoiliac endografts occlusions, both in subacute and chronic phases. Larger studies could highlight differences and eventual advantages compared with more traditional solutions.

Analysis of Repair Type and Hypogastric Artery Antegrade Perfusion and Erectile Function Following Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

OBJECTIVES

Published reports suggest that exclusion of antegrade hypogastric artery flow may have deleterious effects on erectile function after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Off-label and open surgical hybrid procedures and, more recently, purpose-built branched devices have been developed to maintain antegrade pelvic perfusion in patients undergoing endovascular repair. Maintaining antegrade perfusion may reduce a spectrum of risks, including buttock claudication, colorectal ischemia, spinal cord ischemia when patients undergo subsequent thoracic aortic procedures, as well as erectile dysfunction. This project specifically focuses on erectile function, and analyzes baseline associations and relationships of hypogastric artery exclusion on changes in erectile function following aneurysm repair.

METHODS

Male patients in the Veterans Affairs Open Versus Endovascular Repair (CSP#498; OVER) Trial had erectile function assessed pre- and postoperatively by administration of the International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire. Bayesian mixed-effects regression models were created with the outcome variable (erectile function) treated as a latent variable. Primary effects of differences in erectile function between groups with and without preservation of bilateral antegrade hypogastric flow were compared.

RESULTS

876 men (442 randomized to endovascular repair) were enrolled in the trial and included in the analysis comparing treatment assignment. There is significant erectile dysfunction in elderly men with aortic aneurysm at baseline. Over five years of follow up, there is modest decrease in erectile function and the endovascular group has improved function compared to open repair (0.082; 95% credible interval 0.008 and 0.155). A fifth of patients did not have bilateral preservation of antegrade hypogastric artery perfusion, with no difference in erectile function by univariate analysis. A more detailed regression analysis was applied--and after adjustment for baseline score, age, beta blocker use, diabetes, activity level, ejection fraction, preoperative ABIs and time--preservation of both antegrade hypogastric arteries' perfusion showed transient improvement in survey scores compared to occlusion of at least one hypogastric artery at 6 months and 12 months after treatment, although this was not sustained at 60 months (score change: 0.046; 95% credible interval: -0.123, 0.215). Retesting this model in the cohort with complete data as a sensitivity analysis did not meaningfully change the conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large prospective aneurysm treatment trial with systematic measurement of erectile function with a validated instrument, endovascular repair is associated with improved erectile function. Preservation of antegrade hypogastric flow with any repair is associated with early improved erectile function; however, it is not a sustained benefit. There is limited benefit of maintaining bilateral hypogastric artery perfusion for this specific indication in unselected men undergoing AAA repair.

A Novel Clinically Based Classification System for the Profunda Femoris Artery and the Circumflex Femoral Arteries

OBJECTIVE

The profunda femoris artery (PFA) supplies important collateral branches to both the ipsilateral internal iliac and the distal superficial femoral artery (SFA). The size and patency of these collateral pathways can determine the risk of pelvic malperfusion, spinal cord ischemia, and lower extremity limb loss following vascular interventions. Despite its importance, the anatomy of the PFA is rarely characterized in clinical studies involving the pelvic or lower extremity circulation. This discussion may be limited by the lack of a comprehensive classification system. Our objective was to describe the most common PFA anatomic variants and present a classification system based on its branching patterns.

METHODS

We dissected 155 fixed and non-fixed femoral artery systems from 88 cadavers. Seventy-seven female and 78 male femoral exposures were performed. Vessel diameters, branch configurations and relative distances between the inguinal ligament, PFA, lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), and medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean diameters of the common femoral artery, SFA and PFA in males were 10.3mm, 8.0mm and 6.9mm, and 8.9mm, 6.9mm and 6.1 in females, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean distances from the inguinal ligament for PFA, MCFA and LCFA were 41mm, 41.7mm and 52.5mm respectively. No significant differences were noted relative to laterality or fixation. We developed a clinically applicable classification system based on the orientation of the PFA, LCFA, and MCFA. Six PFA, 5 LCFA and 5 MCFA variations were identified and ranked by frequency. The five most common combinations accounted for 56.1% of our cadaver series.

CONCLUSION

The anatomic orientation of the PFA and its branches is highly variable. We propose a novel classification system of this rich collateral system to facilitate consistent communication in academic and clinical vascular surgery.

Application of a Novel Common-Iliac-Artery Skirt Technology (CST) in Treating Challenge Aorto-Iliac or Isolated Iliac Artery Aneurysms

Purpose: To report a novel common-iliac-artery skirt technology (CST) in treating challenge iliac artery aneurysms. Methods: When required healthy landing zone of common iliac artery (CIA) is not available, CST is a strategy to exclude the internal iliac artery (IIA) and prevent IIA reflux without need of embolization. Patients who received endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in our center from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively screened, and patients treated with CST or with IIA embolization (IIAE) were enrolled. Results: After retrospective screen of 524 EVAR patients, 39 CST patients, 26 IIAE patients, and 7 CST + IIAE patients were enrolled in this study. CST group suggested to have more aged, hyperlipemia, and smoking patients than IIAE group. Two groups had comparable maximal diameter of abdominal aorta (AA), CIA, EIA, but larger diameter of IIA (CST 19.82 ± 2.281 vs. IIAE 27.82 ± 3.401, p = 0.048), and CIA bifurcation (CST 25.01 ± 1.316 vs. IIAE 29.76 ± 2.775, p = 0.087) was found in IIAE group. Anatomy of 79.5% of CST patients and 92.3% of IIAE patients (p = 0.293) was not suitable for potential use of iliac branch device. CST group had significant shorter surgery time (CST 97.42 ± 3.891 vs. IIAE 141.0 ± 8.010, p < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (CST 15.35 ± 0.873 vs. IIAE 19.32 ± 1.067, p = 0.009), lower in-hospital [CST 0% (0/39) vs. IIAE 11.5% (3/26), p = 0.059] and 1-year follow-up stent related MAEs [CST 6.7% (2/30) vs. IIAE 28.6% (6/21), p = 0.052], but comparable mortality and stent related MAEs for all-cohort follow-up analysis comparing to IIAE group. In our study, a lower in-hospital buttock claudication (BC) rate for CST (CST 20.5% vs. IIAE 46.2%, p = 0.053) and a comparable erectile dysfunction (ED) rate (CST 10.3% vs. IIAE 23.1%, p = 0.352) were found between CST and IIAE groups. After 1 year, both groups had about one third relief of BC symptoms [CST 33.3% (4/12) vs. IIAE 30.7% (4/13), p = 1.000]. Subgroup analysis of 14 patents concomitant with IIA aneurysm in CST group and the 7 CST + IIAE patients were carried out, and no difference was found in mortality, stent MAEs, sac dilation, or reintervention rate. Last, illustration of seven typical CST cases was presented. Conclusion: In selected cases, the CST is a safe, feasible-and-effective choose in treating challenge iliac artery aneurysms and preventing IIA endoleak.

Common Iliac Artery Aneurysm Repair with Hypogastric Preservation via Balloon-Expandable Covered Stents Using the Eyelet Technique-Iliac Branched Devices Still Inappropriate in Many Patients

BACKGROUND

Common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAAs) are seen in 20-40% of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Historically treated with sacrifice of the hypogastric artery, which can result in significant morbidity related to pelvic ischemia, new devices have made hypogastric artery preservation more feasible but are only applicable to a small subset of aneurysm anatomy. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy or a novel technique for hypogastric artery preservation applicable to a wider variety of patients with CIAAs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of all patients with CIAAs treated with a novel endovascular technique at the UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center or the San Diego Veterans Affairs Hospital between March 2016 and December 2017. The endovascular technique involved stent placement in both the internal and external iliac arteries, with balloon expansion to minimize gutters between the endografts. Primary end points included technical success, limb patency, and presence of endoleaks (ELs).

RESULTS

A total of 14 limbs (12 patients) were treated for CIAAs with 100% technical success and limb patency at an average of 6.8 months of follow-up. No patients experienced type I or type III ELs or evidence of pelvic ischemia. Two patients required reintervention, and one patient died of causes unrelated to the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

This technique was performed with excellent short- and mid-term safety in patients with varying aneurysm anatomy. The high rates of technical success and low rate pelvic ischemia represent improvement over conventional techniques that sacrifice the hypogastric artery and warrant further testing in a larger patient series with longer term follow-up.

One Technique to Modulate a Device Implantation Path in a Short Treatment Length Using the Gore IBE Device

The GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE; W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) applicability is limited by the aorto-iliac length (AOL). The shortage may be a major exclusion criterion. An 85-year-old male presented with an abdominal aortic and left common iliac arterial aneurysm. The left-side AOL was 146-mm, which was deemed 19-mm too short for IBE usage. To increase implantation length, the contra-lateral connection stent graft was deployed along the implantation line, wound half-circumferentially around the ipsilateral limb. Any form of endoleak, limb occlusion, and device migration has not been observed for twelve months.

Endovascular aortic repair reduces gluteal oxygenation

Background

Provoked gluteal claudication is a known risk after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Lowered gluteal muscle oxygenation (S_gmO₂) may be demonstrated by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Purpose

To evaluate NIRS-determined S_gmO₂ in EVAR patients.

Material and Methods

NIRS-determined S_gmO₂ was used in an observational study design (n = 17). From the ambulatory setting, seven EVAR patients were included with reported gluteal claudication from medical records. In 10 patients scheduled for EVAR, S_gmO₂ was measured before and after the procedure. NIRS sensors were applied bilaterally on the gluteal region. Treadmill walking (12% incline, 2.4 km/h) was introduced to stress gluteal muscles.

Results

A reduced S_gmO₂ with regional side difference (P < 0.05) was noted in all 10 patients following EVAR and four reported gluteal claudication. In patients with gluteal claudication (n = 7), treadmill decreased S_gmO₂. The time to recover the S_gmO₂ was prolonged for tissue exposed to occluded hypogastric artery (median = 512 s, range = 73–1207 s vs. median = 137, range = 0–643 s; P = 0.046).

Conclusions

EVAR affects gluteal muscle oxygenation. NIRS could be used to assess whether gluteal claudication is related to lowered S_gmO₂.

Penile blood pressure is useful to identify candidates for tadalafil treatment in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether penile blood pressure (PBP) can be used to identify patients who can benefit from tadalafil treatment, the correlation between PBP at baseline and changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) induced by tadalafil treatment was studied prospectively.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with BPH who were poor responders to α₁ -blockers and took tadalafil instead of an α₁ -blocker were registered between 2014 and 2016. The patients were divided into two groups (low- and high-PBP groups) using the median baseline PBP of 110 mmHg as the threshold. The changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) between before and at 4 and 12 weeks after tadalafil treatment were compared between the low- and high-PBP groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify parameters associated with IPSS improvement with tadalafil treatment.

RESULTS

In all, 51 patients were investigated. The IPSS in the low-PBP group decreased immediately after the start of treatment, and there was significant improvement in the IPSS from baseline at 4 and 12 weeks after the start of treatment, whilst the IPSS in the high-PBP group did not show significant changes. On multivariate analysis, PBP at baseline, anticholinergic drug use, and IPSS at baseline were significant predictors of a good IPSS response to tadalafil treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that PBP could reliably identify patients with BPH who could benefit from tadalafil treatment. Patients with low PBP could be better responders to tadalafil.

External Mechanical Devices and Vascular Surgery for Erectile Dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

The field of sexual medicine is continuously advancing, with novel outcomes reported on a regular basis. Given the rapid evolution, updated guidelines are essential to inform practicing clinicians on best practices.

AIM

To summarize the current literature and provide clinical guidelines on penile traction therapy, vacuum erection devices, and penile revascularization.

METHODS

A consensus panel was held with leading sexual medicine experts during the 2015 International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM). Relevant literature was reviewed and graded based on Oxford criteria to develop evidence-based guideline and consensus statements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The development of clinically relevant guidelines.

RESULTS

Penile traction therapy is a viable therapy to modestly improve penile length as a primary therapy, before penile prosthesis placement in men with decreased penile length or after surgery for Peyronie's disease. It also might have a role in the acute phase of Peyronie's disease but has inconsistent outcomes in the long-term phase. Vacuum erection devices are effective in creating an erection satisfactory for intercourse, even in difficult-to-treat populations. They also might be used in the post-prostatectomy setting to maintain penile length but have insufficient evidence as a penile rehabilitation therapy. For vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, men with suspected arterial insufficiency can be evaluated with penile Duplex Doppler ultrasonography and confirmatory angiography. Penile revascularization procedures have consistently demonstrated benefits in very select patient populations; however, inadequate data exists to suggest the superiority of one technique. Men with vascular risk factors are likely poor candidates for penile revascularization, although veno-occlusive dysfunction and age are less significant. Therapies for treating primary veno-occlusive dysfunction are not recommended and should be reserved for clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the prior ICSM meeting, multiple developments have occurred in external mechanical devices and penile revascularization for the treatment of erectile and sexual dysfunction. Sexual medicine clinicians are encouraged to review and incorporate recommendations as applicable to their scope of practice.

Tratamento endovascular do aneurisma aortoilíaco: relato do primeiro caso utilizando endoprótese brasileira com ramo ilíaco

O aneurisma aortoilíaco tem representado desafio terapêutico principalmente em relação ao tratamento endovascular, visto que a embolização das artérias ilíacas internas pode levar a graves complicações. Inúmeras técnicas cirúrgicas convencionais e endovasculares têm sido descritas para a preservação de ao menos um ramo ilíaco interno. Dentre as opções de tratamento totalmente endovascular, podemos citar as endopróteses ramificadas e a técnica de próteses paralelas. Os autores relatam o primeiro caso de tratamento endovascular com preservação de ramo ilíaco interno utilizando endoprótese nacional ramificada.

Outcome after Interruption or Preservation of Internal Iliac Artery Flow During Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aorto-iliac Aneurysms

AIM

The aim was to conduct a systematic review of the literature investigating outcomes after interruption or preservation of the internal iliac artery (IIA) during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

METHODS

A systematic review was undertaken using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify studies reporting IIA management during EVAR. The search identified 57 articles: 30 reported on IIA interruption (1468 patients) and 27 on IIA preservation (816 patients).

RESULTS

The pooled 30 day buttock claudication (BC) rate was 29.2% (95% CI 24.2-34.7). Patients undergoing bilateral IIA interruption had a higher incidence of BC than patients with unilateral IIA interruption (36.5% vs. 27.2%, OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.11-2.6, p = .01). During a median follow up of 17 months, the pooled rate of persistent BC was 20.5% (95% CI 15.7-26.2). Of the patients, 93.9% underwent an endovascular revascularization procedure for IIA preservation. Most patients (87.6%) had an iliac branched device, and technical success was 96.2%. Within 30 days of EVAR, 4.3% of internal iliac branches occluded. During a median follow up of 15 months, the pooled occlusion rate at the site of IIA revascularization was 8.8% (95% CI 6.8-11.3). In patients treated with an iliac-branched device, 5.2% of internal iliac branches and 1.7% of external iliac arteries occluded. The pooled BC rate on the side of the IIA revascularization during follow up was 4.1% (95% CI 2.9-5.9). Pooled rates of late device related endoleak type I or III and secondary procedures on the side of the previous IIA revascularization were 4.6% (95% CI 3.2-6.5) and 7.8% (95% CI 5.7-10.7) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Unilateral or bilateral IIA occlusion during EVAR seems to carry a substantial risk of significant ischemic complications in nearly one quarter of patients. Bilateral IIA occlusion was related to a significantly higher rate of BC. IIA preservation techniques represent a significant improvement in the treatment of aorto-iliac aneurysms and have been associated with high technical success and low morbidity.

U Stent-Graft Technique as a Treatment for Homolateral Metachronous Common Iliac and Internal Iliac Arteries Aneurysms after Open Surgery

We report a case of a metachronous common iliac artery and the internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm developed 8 years after an aortobi-femoral bypass for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm associated at chronic occlusion of the right iliac axis. To exclude the metachronous aneurysm on the left iliac axis and to maintain the pelvic circulation, an external to IIA endografts were positioned ("U stent-graft technique"). At 6-month follow-up, the computed tomography scan showed patency of the endografts, of the bypass and of the IIA, without endoleak, or other adverse events.

Reconstruction of the internal iliac artery in patients with aneurysmal disease: Two case reports

During the endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysm, bilateral internal iliac artery (IIA) occlusion may give rise to significant morbidities such as ischemia of buttock or sigmoid colon and erectile dysfunction. Open and endovascular approaches are used to maintain IIA circulation in such cases. The present report describes the cases of two patients who underwent external-to-internal iliac artery bypass surgery, one via a novel hybrid approach. The first patient had a right common iliac artery aneurysm without a sufficient distal landing zone for endovascular repair. The distal landing of the device was therefore placed in the right external iliac artery (EIA). The tortuous portion of the right EIA was excised and anastomosed in an end-to-end fashion. An external-to-internal iliac artery bypass was then performed. The second patient underwent endovascular repair of the IIA aneurysm with a Gore^® Viabahn^®-covered stent (W. L. Gore and Associates, Inc., Flagstaff, AZ, USA). This covered stent was anastomosed with the iliac bypass graft. Postoperative pelvic circulation was maintained. In conclusion, this strategy for maintaining IIA flow is a potential novel approach for future use.

Using the Multilayer Stent as a Supplement to EVAR in Combined Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Iliac Artery Aneurysm With Inadequate Distal Landing Zone—A Case Report

Combined abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and iliac artery aneurysm (IAA) is a common condition. The recently approved Cardiatis Multilayer stent (Cardiatis, Isnes, Belgium) is an innovative stent system for peripheral aneurysm management that has been applied in several clinical cases. After deployment, the unique stent design reduces mean velocity and vorticity within the aneurysm sac, causing thrombus formation and thus exclusion of the aneurysm while the vessels branching from the aneurysm remain patent. We describe a case of combined AAA and IAA with successful endovascular aneurysm repair of the AAA and treatment of the internal iliac artery with the Cardiatis Multilayer stent at 12 months of follow-up.

Femoral-femoral stabilizing buddy wire for embolization of the internal iliac artery

Internal iliac artery (IIA) embolization is performed in a variety of clinical scenarios, most commonly in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with an iliac artery aneurysm or inadequate distal landing zone. In these patients, IIA embolization with iliac limb extension is often performed. While IIA embolization can be routinely performed with either ipsilateral or contralateral femoral arterial access, it can be challenging in some patients with an acutely angulated aortic or iliac bifurcation and in patients with short or ectatic common iliac arteries. In this select group of patients with difficult anatomy, IIA embolization can be challenging and may lead to increased radiation exposure and contrast administration. Having a sheath precisely positioned and stabilized at the internal iliac artery origin will facilitate embolization of the IIA. This report describes a novel technique in which crossover femoral-femoral artery buddy wire placement achieves stable positioning of large sheaths for concurrent IIA embolization at the time of EVAR.

Use of an aortic bifurcation-sparing endograft facilitates hypogastric preservation during aortoiliac aneurysm repair

A significant percent of patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) have concomitant common iliac artery aneurysms. While most of these patients will tolerate sacrifice of the hypogastric artery during repair, a subset will develop sequelae of hypogastric occlusion. EVAR was performed in two patients using a bifurcation-sparing unibody endograft (Powerlink, Endologix, Irvine, CA, USA). To avoid simultaneous bilateral hypogastric occlusion, one side was treated with coil embolization while the other was treated with a hypogastric graft (Viabahn, W L Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA). Access to the preserved hypogastric artery was obtained from a sheath inserted from the contralateral femoral artery and brought over the aortic bifurcation with the assistance of a 'rail-wire' traversing from the contralateral to ipsilateral femoral sheaths. The hypogastric limb was deployed simultaneously with the ipsilateral external iliac limb extension, creating a double-barrel flow lumen preserving both hypogastric and external iliac flow. At a mean follow-up of 5.1 months, both hypogastric limbs are patent and no endoleaks were observed. In conclusion, until commercially-produced branched hypogastric endografts are widely available, techniques such as those described above can allow for hypogastric preservation during aortoiliac aneurysm repair without the need for device modification or brachial access for hypogastric limb delivery.

Placement of an aortomonoiliac stent graft without femorofemoral revascularization in endovascular aneurysm repair: a case report

Introduction

Endovascular aortic repair, if technically feasible, is the treatment of choice for patients with a contained ruptured aortic aneurysm who are unfit for open surgery.

Case presentation

We report the case of an 80-year-old Caucasian man who presented with an unusually configured, symptomatic infrarenal aortic aneurysm. His aneurysm showed an erosion of the fourth lumbar vertebra and a severely arteriosclerotic pelvic axis. A high thigh amputation of his right leg had been performed 15 months previously. On his right side, occlusion of his external iliac artery, common femoral artery, and deep femoral artery had occurred. His aneurysm was treated by a left-sided aortomonoiliac stent graft without femorofemoral revascularization, resulting in occlusions of both internal iliac arteries. No ischemic symptoms appeared, although perfusion of his right side was maintained only over epigastric collaterals.

Conclusions

The placement of aortomonoiliac stent grafts for endovascular treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms without contralateral revascularization is a feasible treatment option in isolated cases. In this report, access problems and revascularization options in endovascular aneurysm repair are discussed.

Bilateral retroperitoneal approach to repairing a ruptured right iliac artery aneurysm in a patient who has undergone transperitoneal abdominal surgery

An 84-year-old woman with a history of surgery for cholangiocarcinoma presented to Akita University Hospital with severe right lower abdominal pain, respiratory distress, and hypotension. Computed tomography scanning revealed a ruptured right common iliac artery aneurysm with a massive right retroperitoneal hematoma and a right internal iliac artery aneurysm. Under the bilateral retroperitoneal approach, we preformed an in-situ repair of an aneurysm rupture from the aorta to the left common and right external iliac arteries using a bifurcated knitted Dacron graft, and then we ligated the right internal iliac artery. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful. The patient was discharged from hospital 52 days after surgery. In conclusion, a bilateral retroperitoneal approach may be a safe and useful strategy for in-situ repair of a right iliac artery aneurysm rupture in patients with peritoneal adhesions after transperitoneal abdominal surgery.

Intraoperative evaluation of revascularization effect on ischemic muscle hemodynamics using near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopies

Arterial revascularization in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reestablishes large arterial blood supply to the ischemic muscles in lower extremities via bypass grafts or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Currently no gold standard is available for assessment of revascularization effects in lower extremity muscles. This study tests a novel near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy flow-oximeter for monitoring of blood flow and oxygenation changes in medial gastrocnemius (calf) muscles during arterial revascularization. Twelve limbs with PAD undergoing revascularization were measured using a sterilized fiber-optic probe taped on top of the calf muscle. The optical measurement demonstrated sensitivity to dynamic physiological events, such as arterial clamping/releasing during bypass graft and balloon inflation/deflation during PTA. Significant elevations in calf muscle blood flow were observed after revascularization in patients with bypass graft (+48.1 ± 17.5%) and patients with PTA (+43.2 ± 11.0%), whereas acute post-revascularization effects in muscle oxygenation were not evident. The decoupling of flow and oxygenation after revascularization emphasizes the need for simultaneous measurement of both parameters. The acute elevations/improvements in calf muscle blood flow were associated with significant improvements in symptoms and functions. In total, the investigation corroborates potential of the optical methods for objectively assessing the success of arterial revascularization.

Endovascular repair of an aorto-iliac aneurysm succeeded by kidney transplantation

We present the case of aorto-iliac aneurysm in a patient with chronic renal failure requiring dialysis who were treated with an endovascular stent graft and, later on, submitted to kidney transplantation. A 53-year-old male with renal failure requiring dialysis presented with an asymptomatic abdominal aorto-iliac aneurysm measuring 5.0cm of diameter. He was treated with endovascular repair technique, being used an endoprosthesis Excluder®. After four months, he was successfully submitted to kidney transplantation (dead donor), with anastomosis of the graft renal artery in the external iliac artery distal to the endoprosthesis. The magnetic resonance imaging, carried out 30 days after the procedure, showed a good positioning of the endoprosthesis and adequate perfusion of the renal graft. In the follow-up, the patient presented improvement of nitrogenous waste, good positioning of the endoprosthesis without migration or endoleak. The endovascular repair of aorto-iliac aneurysm in a patient with end-stage renal failure under hemodialysis treatment showed to be feasible, safe and efficient, as it did not prevent the success of the posterior kidney transplantation.

Hypogastric artery bypass in open repair of abdominal aortoiliac aneurysm: a safe procedure

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to assess the immediate and mid-term results of hypogastric artery bypass (HAB) in open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

METHODS

The clinical data of 24 patients with an average age of 70.4 years [standard deviation (S.D.)+/-8.1 years] with AAA treated between January 2005 and December 2008 with HAB during open repair of aortoiliac aneurysm were reviewed. Eighteen patients received unilateral and six bilateral hypogastric bypasses, using a segment of Dacron graft prosthesis. Concomitant hypogastric eversion endarterectomy was associated in six cases (25%). Follow-up was complete in all the 24 patients and averaged 16.2 months (range 1-35). Postoperative imaging protocol involved a conventional Echocolordoppler and CT-scan. With respect to the operating time, the blood loss, the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of ward admission (LWA) stay, we compared the 24 patients who underwent hypogastric bypass (group A) with the 50 patients who had bifurcated graft without hypogastric bypass (group B).

RESULTS

Between the two groups, statistically different results were demonstrated only with respect to the duration of operation (h) (group A 5.19+/-1.38 vs. group B 4.39+/-1.32, P=0.0195). No statistical differences were noted for ICU stay (h) (group A median 21.50 vs. group B median 21.3, range 1 degrees -3 degrees quartile 19.75-23.50) and LWA stay (days) (group A median 8.50, range 1 degrees -3 degrees quartile 7.00-11.50 vs. group B median 8.0, range 1 degrees -3 degrees quartile 7.00-9.00). There were no operative deaths, bowel or intestinal ischemia in the early postoperative period between the two groups. In group A, one patient had transient renal failure and one patient had an acute coronary syndrome. In group B, one patient had a peripheral ischemia who required tibioperoneal embolectomy. The patency of the hypogastric grafts was demonstrated in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, direct revascularization of the hypogastric artery to ensure pelvic vascularization in aortoiliac surgery appears a safe procedure.

The iliac bifurcation device for endovascular iliac aneurysm repair: indications, deployment options and results at 1-year follow-up of 25 cases

BACKGROUND

The iliac bifurcation device (William A Cook Australia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia) is a new endovascular device for iliac aneurysm repair. We review the indications for use, device characteristics, deployment options and the results of our case series.

METHODS

The most common indication for deployment is endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) with common iliac aneurysm repair. The standard deployment sequence can be adapted to increase the utility of the device. Data were collected prospectively. Follow-up was performed with plain X-ray, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan.

RESULTS

Between 2004 and 2007, 25 patients had their common iliac artery aneurysm repaired using the iliac bifurcation device. There were 23 male and 2 female patients. Median age was 75 years (range 60-85). The median follow-up was 12 months (range 1-38). Twenty-one procedures were combined with EVAR. The median abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter was 60 mm (range 31-97), and the median common iliac artery aneurysm diameter was 37 mm (range 24-71). Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. There were no acute branch vessel occlusions. There was one early type I endoleak (4%). There was one death (4%) in the 30-day period post-procedure. There was one late type I endoleak (4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The iliac bifurcation device achieves endovascular common iliac artery aneurysm repair with preservation of internal iliac artery flow. There are multiple different applications of the device and complementary deployment techniques. High rates of technical success and low rates of branch vessel occlusion are possible.

A normal penile pressure cannot rule out the presence of lesions on the arteries supplying the hypogastric circulation in patients with arterial claudication

Abstract

Proximal claudication remains a difficult diagnosis. The ankle to brachial index may be insensitive in the case of isolated hypogastric lesions. Penile pressure represents an alternative method for proximal arteries. Surprisingly, the accuracy of penile pressure measurement in detecting lesions on the arteries supplying pelvic circulation in patients suffering claudication has rarely been studied. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the penile brachial index < 0.60 (penile over brachial systolic pressure ratio) to non-invasively investigate arteriographic lesions on arteries supplying the hypogastric circulation in 88 male patients referred for Fontaine stage II. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to define the diagnostic performance of the penile brachial index and search for a specific cut-off point in this population. Accuracy was 69.3% (95% confidence interval: 58.6–78.7) for the detection of an arterial stenosis or occlusion on at least one side. The penile brachial index ≤ 0.45 was 74% sensitive and 68% specific to discriminate the 19 patients with bilateral arterial occlusion from the other 66 patients. In conclusion, the penile brachial index is relatively insensitive for the detection of proximal abnormal blood flow impairment except in the case of bilateral occlusion of arteries supplying the hypogastric circulation in patients with claudication. A normal penile pressure is probably not efficient enough to rule out the presence of lesions on the arteries towards the hypogastric circulation in patients with arterial claudication.

Use of internal endoconduits as an adjunct to endovascular aneurysm repair in the setting of challenging aortoiliac anatomy

The combination of Trans-Atlantic Intersociety Consensus (TASC) D aortoiliac occlusive disease as well as a symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is not a common occurrence. Extensive calcified atherosclerotic disease, occlusions, and small iliofemoral segmental arteries make transfemoral access difficult, if not impossible, for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in these patients. We present a case in which "controlled rupture" of the external iliac artery with a covered stent allowed transfemoral delivery of an aortouni-iliac stent graft with a completion femoral-to-femoral bypass. The patient is a 60-year-old male with a 5.3 cm symptomatic infrarenal AAA and a history of one block right leg claudication. Preoperative computed tomography angiography revealed the patient to have occlusion of the right common iliac artery, extensive calcified stenoses of his aortoiliac segments, and a prohibitively small left external iliac artery, which measured 4.5 mm at its narrowest diameter. The patient, despite discussions concerning the suitability of his iliac arteries as conduits for the delivery of the stent graft, insisted on an endovascular approach to lessen his chances of postoperative sexual dysfunction as well as minimize his length of stay. Access was obtained through bilateral femoral artery cutdowns, and attempts at dilating the left external iliac artery using 16-French dilators were performed without success. An 8 mm x 5 cm covered self-expanding stent was deployed in the diseased 4.5 mm left external iliac artery, followed by angioplasty performed with an 8 mm noncompliant balloon to disrupt the vessel. This endoconduit now allowed accommodation of our 18-French introducer for the aortouni-iliac stent graft. The operation was completed with a femoral-femoral bypass. Flow to both hypogastric arteries was preserved. We believe use of such techniques will ultimately expand the number of patients eligible for EVAR and avoid devastating access-related complications.

Endovascular treatment of iliac aneurysm: Concurrent comparison of side branch endograft versus hypogastric exclusion

OBJECTIVE

To analyze early and mid-term outcome of endovascular treatment in patients with iliac aneurysms, comparing the results of hypogastric revascularization by branch endografting with those of hypogastric occlusion.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with iliac aneurysms receiving side branch endograft (Group I) were compared with those receiving endograft with hypogastric exclusion (Group II) during the interval from January 2000 to May 2008. Procedural details and outcomes were prospectively collected and were analyzed at one year to avoid mismatch in follow-up length.

RESULTS

A total of 74 patients (mean age, 75.8 years, 95% males) were treated: 32 in Group I and 42 in Group II. No differences in baseline risk factors and aneurysm diameter (40.2 +/- 7.9 mm in Group I vs. 38.4 +/- 10.8 in Group II) were found. Concurrent treatment of aortic aneurysm was performed in 25/32 (78%) of Group I and 36/42 (86%) of Group II. Fluoro time was 48 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 31-57) in Group I vs. 31 minutes (IQR 23-38) in Group II (P = .04). The amount of contrast was similar in both Groups: 184 ml (IQR 155-210) in Group I vs. 183 ml (IQR 155-200) in Group II. No intestinal ischemia or deaths occurred. There were no significant differences in failures of hypogastric side branch deployment (2/32) compared with hypogastric coiling (3/42). Limb occlusions all occurring in the external iliac artery side were 2/32 in Group I vs. 3/42 in Group II. Reintervention rates were similar (5/32 vs. 4/42) at one year. Shrinkage of 5 mm or more was detected in 7/23 (30%) of Group I and in 13/37 (34%) of Group II. Iliac endoleak was present in eight patients (19%) in Group II and in one patient in Group I (4%) (P = .1). Similarly, buttock claudication or impotence were more frequent after hypogastric exclusion, recorded in eight patients in Group II and in one patient in Group I (P = .1).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment of iliac aneurysm with hypogastric revascularization through side branched endografts is feasible and safe in the mid-term. When compared with hypogastric embolization, this option leads to similar technical success and reintervention rates. Endoleak and buttock claudication occur frequently in patients with iliac aneurysm treated with hypogastric exclusion, while are uncommon in those with hypogastric revascularization. Side branch endografting for iliac aneurysm may be considered a primary choice in younger, active patients with suitable anatomy, but larger studies and longer postoperative observation periods are needed.