Implications of concomitant hypogastric artery embolization with endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms

Intraoperative Predictors and Proposal for a Novel Prognostic Risk Score for In-Hospital Mortality after Open Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (SPARTAN Score)

(1) Background: Several mortality risk scores have been developed to predict mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs), but none focused on intraoperative factors. The aim of this study is to identify intraoperative variables affecting in-hospital mortality after open repair and develop a novel prognostic risk score. (2) Methods: The analysis of a retrospectively maintained dataset identified patients who underwent open repair for rAAA from January 2007 to October 2023 in three Italian tertiary referral centers. Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate the association between intraoperative variables and perioperative mortality. Independent intraoperative factors were used to create a prognostic score. (3) Results: In total, 316 patients with a mean age of 77.3 (SD ± 8.5) were included. In-hospital mortality rate was 30.7%. Hemoperitoneum (p < 0.001), suprarenal clamping (p = 0.001), and operation times of >240 min (p = 0.008) were negative predictors of perioperative mortality, while the patency of at least one hypogastric artery had a protective role (p = 0.008). Numerical values were assigned to each variable based on the respective odds ratio to create a risk stratification for in-hospital mortality. (4) Conclusions: rAAA represents a major cause of mortality. Intraoperative variables are essential to estimate patients' risk in surgically treated patients. A prognostic risk score based on these factors alone may be useful to predict in-hospital mortality after open repair.

Mid-term outcomes of hypogastric artery embolization in endovascular aneurysm repair: a case series

Hypogastric artery embolization is performed during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) involving the common iliac artery. Within this case series, we have observed elevated rates of sac expansion subsequent to this intervention. April 2009 to March 2021, 22 patients underwent EVAR with hypogastric artery embolization. We evaluated the mid-term outcomes for these patients. The mean follow-up period was 57 months. We achieved a 100% technical success rate without open conversion and no hospital deaths. The rates of freedom from aneurysm expansion at 1, 3, and 5 years were 90.5%, 59.1%, and 37.5%, respectively. The percentage of sac expansion exceeding 5 mm was 54.5% (12/22). Combined endovascular aortic aneurysm repair and embolization of the hypogastric artery might be associated with a high rate of remote sac expansion. Larger trials are needed to verify risks and benefits.

The Importance of the Hypogastric Artery Preservation during Treatment for Aortoiliac Aneurysms: A Prospective Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND

To determine the importance of the hypogastric artery for the outcomes of survival, endoleaks, reinterventions, buttock claudication (BC), and perioperative mortality rate (PMR) in patients with aortoiliac aneurysms (AIA) receiving endovascular or open surgical (OS) repair.

METHODS

This was a prospective consecutive cohort study of patients with AIA who underwent endovascular treatment or OS repair during the period of 2010-2021. Endovascular repair was performed with use of aortoiliac endoprosthesis associated with internal iliac artery (IIA) coil embolization and/or with iliac branch endoprosthesis (IBE) in order to preserve the IIA. The AIA OS repairs were performed with the artery ligation in order to exclude the IIA, or in some cases, the exclusion of the IIA was performed with an endosuture in the proximal stump of the artery. Three groups were identified in the postprocedural period: group 0 (no hypogastric arteries (HAs) preserved), group 1 (1 hypogastric artery preserved), and group 2 (2 hypogastric arteries preserved).

RESULTS

A total of 91 patients were submitted to OS or endovascular surgery. Regarding the HA patency, there were 17 patients in group 0, 45 patients in group 1, and 29 patients in group 2. There were 17 cases of bowel ischemia (BI) (94.1% in group 0, 5.9% in group 1, and no cases in group 2, P < 0.001) most of them in group 0, with statistical significance, 12 cases of BC (91.7% in group 0, 8.3% in group 1, and no cases in group 2, P < 0.001), most of them in group 0, with statistical significance. The perioperative mortality was 14.3%, 13 patients (9 patients - 52.9% group 0, 3 patients - 6.7% group 1, and 1 patient - 3.4% group 2, P < 0.001). The linear regression analysis for survival rates showed that BI [P = 0.026 to hazard ratio (HR) = 1.69], emergency aortoiliac repair (P < 0.001, HR = 8.86), and number of HAs (P < 0.001, HR = 5.46) in postoperative were related to poorer survival rates in both univariate and multivariate analysis. The linear regression analysis showed that the number of HAs (P < 0.001, HR = 3.61) in postoperative, emergency aortoiliac repair (P = 0.002, HR 3.233), and cardiac disease (P = 0.048, HR = 3.84) were related to BI.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the number of HA is crucial for adequate and safe outcomes after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The main factors related to death were BI, emergency aortoiliac repair, and the number of HAs preserved. Moreover, the main factors related to BI were the number of HAs in postoperative, emergency aortoiliac repair, and cardiac disease.

Internal iliac artery preservation during endovascular aortic repair using in situ laser fenestration

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the technical and short-term clinical outcomes of internal iliac artery (IIA) reconstruction during endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) with in situ laser-assisted fenestration in cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in which the iliac artery is unfit for an internal branched device (IBD).

METHODS

In the present single-institution retrospective study, we analyzed patients with AAAs who had undergone EVAR with in situ laser-assisted fenestration for IIA reconstruction between January 2018 and April 2021. The study included patients with iliac artery anatomy unfit for the use of commercial IBDs. The primary safety end point was freedom from major adverse events and unplanned reinterventions within 30 days. The primary efficacy end point was freedom from IIA restenosis, reintervention, and symptoms due to pelvic ischemia at 1 year after the procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients requiring IIA reconstruction but with anatomy unfit for IBD placement were treated with in situ laser-assisted fenestration during EVAR for aortoiliac aneurysms during the study period. The mean age of our patients was 72 years, and 90% were men. The technical success rate was 100%. No patient had died within 30 days after the procedure. A suspicious IIA perforation had occurred in one patient, which was treated with an additional covered stent, for a primary safety end point of 95.0%. After a mean follow-up of 11 months, all except for one of the reconstructed IIAs were patent. Three patients reported symptoms of buttock claudication on the IIA occluded side at their 3-month follow-up after the procedure. However, these symptoms had subsided in two of these patients at 6 months. Type II endoleaks without sac expansion had occurred in two patients owing to retrograde blood flow from the inferior mesenteric artery and lumbar artery. Both patients were kept under close surveillance. The rate of freedom from major adverse events and unplanned reinterventions within 30 days (primary efficacy end point) was 86.3% at 1 year after procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

In situ laser-assisted fenestration was found to be a safe and effective alternative method for IIA reconstruction during EVAR for aortoiliac aneurysms in patients with anatomy unfit for IBD.

Preliminary outcomes of the LifeStream balloon-expandable stentgraft in Zenith Iliac branch device to preserve pelvic circulation: A Korean multicenter study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate early outcomes of aortoiliac or isolated iliac artery aneurysm repair using the Zenith® Bifurcated Iliac Side (ZBIS) stent graft combined with the LifeStream™ Balloon Expandable Vascular Covered Stent as a bridging stentgraft.

METHODS

Between August 2018 and February 2020, 38 patients (37 male, mean age 72.7 years) received 46 LifeStream stents in conjunction with 38 ZBIS stent grafts to bridge hypogastric arteries for aneurysm repair in six university hospitals in Korea. The primary outcomes were technical success rate and procedure-related complications. Secondary outcomes were bridging stent graft patency and re-intervention.

RESULTS

All procedures were performed as elective standard endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and unilateral iliac branch device (IBD). Mean follow-up was 13.1 months, and patient overall survival rate was 96.7%. Technical success rate was 76.3% (n = 29). Causes of failure included seven total endoleaks; six type Ic and one type IIIc from the IBD junction, one unintentional IIA coverage, and one failure to deploy the IIA stent graft. Procedure-related complications occurred in two patients: one LifeStream migration and one ZBIS stent graft migration. Overall patency rates for the LifeStream and ZBIS stents were 97.4% and 97.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This multicenter preliminary experience with the LifeStream™ Balloon Expandable Vascular Covered Stent in IBD demonstrated good patency; however, an unexpectedly high rate of type Ic endoleaks was observed. Combined use of the LifeStream stent with the ZBIS stent graft is safe and feasible to preserve pelvic circulation with good patency and a low rate of device-related reintervention.

Iliac branch device to treat type IB endoleak with a brachial access or an "up-and-over" transfemoral technique

PURPOSE

This study aimed to review the results of secondary IBD (iliac branch device) implantation in patients with type IB endoleak after prior fenestrated and/or branched or infrarenal endovascular aortic repair (F/B-EVAR or EVAR), using either brachial access or an "up-and-over" transfemoral technique.

METHODS

A retrospective single centre analysis was conducted between Jan 2016 and Oct 2021 including consecutive patients that underwent IBD to correct a type IB endoleak after prior EVAR or F/B-EVAR. Groups were defined by arterial access which was either brachial (group 1) or transfemoral (group 2). All IBD implanted were manufactured by Cook Medical (INC, Bloomington, IN, USA). Demographics, anatomical features, technical success, and 30-day major adverse events (MAE) were recorded according to the current SVS standards. Survival curves according to Kaplan-Meier were calculated. Branch instability was a composite endpoint of any IIA branch-related complication or reintervention indicated to treat endoleak, kink, disconnection, stenosis, occlusion or rupture.

RESULTS

Overall, 28 patients (93% male, median age 74 years) receiving 32 IBDs were included, with 14 patients in each group. Prior endovascular aortic repairs were 23 EVAR and 5 F/B-EVAR, with time from initial repair being 58 months [48, 70]. Median pre-IBD maximal aneurysm diameter was 63.5 mm [59.0, 78.0]. Patients' baseline characteristics were similar in both groups except for pulmonary status. All procedures were performed in a hybrid operative room. Median total operating time, fluoroscopy time and dose area product were 120 min [86, 167], 23 min [15, 32] and 54 Gy.cm2 [40, 62], respectively. Total operating time was shorter in group 2 (p=0.006). Technical success rate was 100% and no early death reported. One 30-day MAE occurred including a medically treated colonic ischemia (group 2). Aortic-related secondary interventions were required in 7 patients (5 in group 1 and 2 in group 2) including 3 surgical explantations. Median follow-up was 31 months [24, 42] and 6 months [3, 10] in group 1 and 2, respectively. In group 1, 2-year freedom from aortic-related secondary intervention and IIA branch instability were 84.6% [67.1-100] and 92.3% [78.9-100], respectively. In group 2, 6-month freedom from aortic-related secondary intervention and IIA branch instability were 87.5% [67.3-100] and 91.7% [77.3-100], respectively.

CONCLUSION

The secondary implantation of IBD to correct distal type I endoleak of previous aortic stent-graft is safe with a high technical success rate. The "up-and-over" technique could be considered as an alternative to the brachial access in patients with suitable anatomy.

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.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical effectiveness and safety of unilateral versus bilateral iliac branch devices for aortoiliac and iliac artery aneurysms

OBJECTIVES

Iliac branch devices (IBDs) have been utilized in the treatment of aortoiliac and isolated iliac artery aneurysms. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of IBDs.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted by identifying studies in the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases regarding the outcomes of IBDs in aortoiliac or isolated iliac artery aneurysms between May 2006 and December 2020. Individual studies were evaluated for the following major outcomes: technical success, 30-day mortality, primary patency, endoleak, reintervention, and rates of pelvic ischemia. Furthermore, sub-group meta-analyses were performed to compare the pelvic ischemic events in patients with bilateral IBDs, unilateral IBDs and bilateral internal iliac artery (IIA) embolization/coverage.

RESULTS

45 studies with a total of 2736 patients undergoing unilateral or bilateral IBDs met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The pooled technical success rate of IBD was 98.0% (CI: 97.3-98.7%). Following IBD treatment, the 30-day mortality rate was 0.4% (CI: 0.07-0.70%); 30-day patency was 98.4% (CI: 97.7-99.0%); buttock claudication developed in 1.84% (CI: 1.26-2.41%); endoleak occurred in 11.9% (CI: 9.2-14.7%) and re-intervention in 7.6% (CI: 5.65-9.58%). Furthermore, in the patients with bilateral iliac artery involvement the pooled estimate rates of buttock claudication were 0.7% in bilateral IBD group, 7.9% in unilateral IBD with contralateral IIA embolization patients and 33.8% in bilateral IIA embolization/coverage patients, which were statistically significant among the three groups. Sexual dysfunction was 5.0% in bilateral IIA occlusion group, which was significantly higher than that in IBD groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization of IBDs in treatment of aortoiliac or isolated iliac artery aneurysms is associated with high technical success rates as well as low incidences of pelvic ischemia. The risk of postoperative buttock claudication can be further decreased with both IIA preservation if patients are anatomically suitable for bilateral IBDs.

Association of Diabetes Mellitus With Postoperative Complications and Mortality After Non-Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Although a variety of data showing that diabetes mellitus (DM) (Type 1 or Type 2) is associated with postoperative complication, there is still a lack of detailed studies that go through the specific diabetic subgroups. The goal of this meta-analysis is to assess the relationship between DM and various complications after non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We searched articles published in three mainstream electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science) before November, 2020. A random effects model was conducted since heterogeneity always exist when comparing results between different types of surgery.

RESULTS

This paper included 125 studies with a total sample size of 3,208,776 participants. DM was a risk factor for any postoperative complication (Odds ratio (OR)=1.653 [1.487, 1.839]). The risk of insulin-dependent DM (OR=1.895 [1.331, 2.698]) was higher than that of non-insulin-dependent DM (OR=1.554 [1.061, 2.277]) for any postoperative complication. DM had a higher risk of infections (OR=1.537 [1.322, 1.787]), wound healing disorders (OR=2.010 [1.326, 3.046]), hematoma (OR=1.369 [1.120, 1.673]), renal insufficiency (OR=1.987 [1.311, 3.013]), myocardial infarction (OR=1.372 [0.574, 3.278]). Meanwhile, DM was a risk factor for postoperative reoperation (OR=1.568 [1.124, 2.188]), readmission (OR=1.404 [1.274, 1.548]) and death (OR=1.606 [1.178, 2.191]).

CONCLUSIONS

DM is a risk factor for any postoperative complications, hospitalization and death after non-cardiac surgery. These findings underscore the importance of preoperative risk factor assessment of DM for the safe outcome of surgical patients.

Management of Postoperative Complications Following Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive therapeutic approach to manage abdominal aortic pathologies (eg, aneurysm and dissection). EVAR was first introduced in 1991. In 1994, endovascular technique was also applied for thoracic aorta, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). In recent decades, EVAR has become an acceptable first-line treatment with 50% utilization rate across most practices, especially in high-risk patients. The safety profile of EVAR is comparable to the open approach, with superiority in terms of perioperative mortality and morbidity. This article summarizes the most common complications following EVAR/TEVAR and the most current treatment modalities across practices.

Results of the Galician registry in the treatment of complex aortoiliac aneurysms with GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (GALIBER)

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to report the medium-term results of GORE^® EXCLUDER^® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE, W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) for the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms by using the GALIBER registry.

METHODS

Patients with aortoiliac or isolated common iliac/hypogastric aneurysms treated with Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device between January 2014 and May 2019 were prospectively collected from 5 centers. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were extracted from electronic databases. Technical success was defined as successful implantation of the Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device with exclusion of aortoiliac aneurysm, as well as patency of Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis in the follow-up. Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis patency was evaluated by Doppler ultrasound and/or computed tomography based on the protocol of each participant center. Follow-up was 731 days +/- 499.

RESULTS

Between January 2014 and May 2019, 105 iliac arteries were treated with GORE^® IBE device, in 81 patients (79 men, two women; mean age 71, range 52-91). Only seven patients (8.6%) were symptomatic. 60 patients (74%) had aortic and iliac enlargement. Thirty-three patients presented bilateral iliac aneurysms (40.7%): In twenty-four (29.6%) patients, an Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device was implanted in both sides, and in nine patients (11.1%), one Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis was used with the embolization of the contralateral hypogastric artery. Technical success was achieved in the 99% (104/105 iliac branch device implanted). There were no procedural deaths or type I or III intraoperative endoleaks observed. During the follow-up (range 55-1789 days), 28 (34.5%) type II endoleaks were observed and one (1.2%) type Ia was observed. The patency of the hypogastric arteries treated with the iliac branch device was 98.1% during the follow-up (range 55-1789 days). In 30% of the patients with contralateral hypogastric embolization, some kind of complications was observed in the embolizated side: one developed ischemic colitis and two buttock claudication.

CONCLUSIONS

Preservation of internal iliac artery with the Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis device can be performed safely with excellent technical success and good medium-term patency rates. These results support hypogastric preservation whenever possible to prevent ischemic complications.

Early results of expanding the anatomical indications for using a Gore Iliac branch endoprosthesis to treat aortoiliac and iliac aneurysms

PURPOSE

To assess the safety and anatomical suitability of using a Gore Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE) in aortoiliac and iliac aneurysm repair.

METHODS

Between 2017 and 2020, 20 patients underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a Gore IBE device (bilateral IBE, n = 1) after expanding the instructions for use (IFU) criteria. We evaluated the early clinical outcomes and suitability of the IFU criteria, retrospectively.

RESULTS

Six patients (30%) met all the IFU criteria. Anatomical suitability according to the IFU criteria for the collective total of 21 IBE limbs was confirmed for 10 (47.6%) proximal common iliac arteries, 21 (100%) external iliac arteries, 18 (85.7%) internal iliac arteries, and in the length from the lowest renal artery to the iliac bifurcation in 15 (71.8%) patients. Assisted primary technical success was achieved in all patients with various bail-out techniques. One patient (5%) required a bare-stent insertion 7 days after EVAR for severe stenosis in the ipsilateral limb caused by a small terminal aorta. There was no case of occlusion of an iliac branch component device.

CONCLUSIONS

Gore IBEs were implanted safely and effectively with various bail-out techniques to repair aortoiliac and iliac aneurysms in our Japanese patients with a low rate of inclusion IFU criteria.

The Effect of Hypogastric Artery Revascularization on Ischemic Colitis in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

BACKGROUND

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of hypogastric revascularization maneuvers on the rate of postoperative ischemic colitis among patients undergoing endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair.

METHODS

Using the 2011-2018 Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Procedure-Targeted American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Files, we analyzed patients undergoing elective endovascular infrarenal aortoiliac aneurysm repairs. Using multivariable modeling techniques, a cohort of patients at high risk for postoperative ischemic colitis was identified. The outcomes of this group were then compared using Pearson's chi-square testing in accordance with whether or not they underwent hypogastric revascularization.

RESULTS

Of 4753 patients undergoing endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program cohort, 1161 had concomitant hypogastric revascularization procedures. High-risk predictors of ischemic colitis included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and concurrent renal artery or external iliac artery stenting. There was not a significant association between pelvic revascularization and postoperative ischemic colitis [1.0% with versus 0.5% without pelvic revascularization; adjusted odds ratio of ischemic colitis with revascularization 2.07 (0.96, 4.46); P = 0.06] after adjustment for patient- and procedure-related factors. In a subgroup analysis of patients with a distal aneurysm extent beyond the common iliac artery, the incidence of ischemic colitis was significantly lower in patients without pelvic revascularization (0.1% versus 1.6%, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis of patients undergoing elective endovascular repair of infrarenal aortoiliac aneurysmal disease did not find a reduced incidence of postoperative ischemic colitis in patients who received a concomitant pelvic revascularization procedure, suggesting instead that such procedural adjuncts may actually increase risk for this complication.

Comparison of Two Iliac Branch Devices and Their Midterm Performance in Maintaining Blood Flow to the Internal Iliac Artery

Purpose: To compare and contrast the midterm outcomes of the E-liac and Zenith (ZBIS) iliac branch devices (IBDs) for the preservation of the internal iliac artery (IIA) in aneurysms involving the iliac bifurcation. Materials and Methods: Between January 2014 and December 2018, 84 consecutive patients (median age 74 years; 76 men) were electively treated with the E-liac (n=44) or ZBIS (n=40) IBDs and were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the technical success, patency, need for reintervention, and mortality associated with these devices. Results: Technical success was achieved in 95 of 99 implantations (95.9%) without any statistically significant difference between the groups (93.7% vs 98.0%, p=0.114). During the first 30 days, 3 occlusions in the ZBIS group and 1 in the E-liac group were identified. There was 1 perioperative death in the ZBIS group. The median follow-up was 37 months for the ZBIS group and 28 months for the E-liac group (p=0.657). Six patients from the ZBIS group and 7 from the E-liac group were lost to follow-up. Among the remaining, there were 2 further deaths recorded, 1 in each group. Four further reinterventions in the E-liac group and 2 in the ZBIS group were performed during follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of freedom from reintervention were 87.2% (95% CI 82.6% to 90.2%) for the ZBIS group and at 86.0% (95% CI 83.7% to 89.1%) for the E-liac group (p=0.563); the freedom from occlusion estimates were 89.7% (95% CI 85.8% to 94.5%) and 95.3% (95% CI 92% to 98.7%; p=0.317), respectively. Conclusion: The E-liac and the ZBIS IBDs showed equally high technical success, midterm patency, and low reintervention rates.

Preservation of pelvic perfusion with iliac branch devices does not decrease ischemic colitis compared with hypogastric embolization in endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

Ischemic colitis is a rare but devastating complication of endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Although it is rare (0.9%) in standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), the incidence increases to 2% to 3% in EVAR with hypogastric artery embolization (HAE). This study investigated whether preservation of pelvic perfusion with iliac branch devices (IBDs) decreases the incidence of ischemic colitis.

METHODS

We used the targeted EVAR module in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify patients undergoing EVAR of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm from 2012 to 2017. The cohort was further stratified into average-risk and high-risk groups. Average-risk patients were those who underwent elective repair for sizes of the aneurysms, whereas high-risk patients were repaired emergently for indications other than asymptomatic aneurysms. Within these groups, we examined the 30-day outcomes of standard EVARs, EVAR with HAE, and EVAR with IBDs. The primary outcome was the incidence of ischemic colitis. Secondary outcomes included mortality, major organ dysfunction, thromboembolism, length of stay, and return to the operating room. The χ² test, Fisher exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multivariate regression models were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

There were 11,137 patients who had infrarenal EVAR identified. We designated this the all-risk cohort, which included 9263 EVAR, 531 EVAR-HAE, and 1343 EVAR-IBD procedures. These were further stratified into 9016 cases with average-risk patients and 2121 cases with high-risk patients. In the average-risk group, 7482 had EVAR, 411 had EVAR-HAE, and 1123 had EVAR-IBD. In the high-risk group, 1781 had EVAR, 120 had EVAR-HAE, and 220 had EVAR-IBD. There was no significant difference in 30-day outcomes (including ischemic colitis) between EVAR, EVAR-HAE, and EVAR-IBD in the all-risk and high-risk groups. In the average-risk cohort, EVAR-HAE was associated with a higher mortality rate than EVAR (2.2% vs 1.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.58; P = .01). Although EVAR-IBD was not superior to EVAR-HAE in 30-day mortality, major organ dysfunction, or ischemic colitis in this average-risk cohort, EVAR-IBD exhibited a trend toward lower mortality compared with EVAR-HAE in this cohort, but it was not statistically significant (1.0% vs 2.2%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.42; P = .07).

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic colitis is a rare complication of EVAR. HAE does not appear to increase the risk of ischemic colitis, and preservation of pelvic perfusion with IBDs does not decrease its incidence. Although HAE is associated with significantly higher mortality than standard EVAR in average-risk patients, the preservation of pelvic perfusion with IBDs does not appear to improve mortality over HAE.

Elective Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and the Risk of Colonic Ischaemia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Colon ischaemia (CI) is a significant complication of open (OR) and endovascular (EVAR) repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). With a rapid increase in EVAR uptake, contemporary data demonstrating the differing rates and outcomes of CI between EVAR and OR, particularly in the elective setting, are lacking. The aim was to characterise the risk and consequences of CI in elective AAA repair comparing EVAR with OR.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was performed using the Cochrane collaboration protocol and reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, MedLine, and EMBASE were searched for studies reporting CI rates after elective AAA repair. Ruptured AAAs were excluded from analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies reporting specific outcomes of CI after elective AAA repair, containing 162,750 evaluable patients (78,151 EVAR and 84,599 OR) were included. All studies found a higher risk of CI with OR than with EVAR. Three studies performed confounder adjustment with CI rates of 0.5-1% versus 2.1-3.6% (EVAR vs. OR) and combined odds ratio of 2.7 (2.0-3.5) for the development of CI with OR versus EVAR. The majority of cases of CI occurred within 30 days and were associated with variable mortality (0-73%) and re-intervention rates (27-54%). GRADE assessment of evidence strength was very low for all outcomes. There was a high degree of heterogeneity between studies both methodologically and in terms of CI rates, re-intervention, mortality, and time to development of CI.

CONCLUSIONS

EVAR is associated with a reduced incidence of CI compared with OR.

Endovascular management of iliac aneurysmal disease with hypogastric artery preservation

Common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAAs) pose a challenge in endovascular aneurysm repair. Aneurysm repair of CIAA traditionally requires embolization of the ipsilateral hypogastric artery (HA). Symptoms of buttock claudication and more feared complications of pelvic ischemia make HA preservation an appealing addition to aneurysm repair. In this review, we discuss various methods of CIAA repair with devices specifically designed for aneurysm repair and other custom techniques of HA preservation.