The long-term implications of access complications during endovascular aneurysm repair

Clinical outcomes of MANTA closure device in percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

The MANTA device is a plug-based vascular closure device (VCD) designed for large bore femoral arterial access site closure. It showed promising results in transcatheter aortic valve replacement cases. In this study, we report our results and evaluate the MANTA VCD in percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (pEVAR).

METHODS

All data of consecutive patients who underwent an elective pEVAR between October 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. In all patients at least one common femoral artery was intended to close with the MANTA VCD. Depending on the sheath size, the 14Fr or 18Fr MANTA VCD was used. On the preoperative computed tomography scan, the diameter of the common femoral artery (CFA) was measured and the amount of calcification based on the Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring System (PACSS) was scored. Primary outcome was procedural technical success. Procedural technical success was defined as placement of the MANTA closure device resulting in vascular closure with patent CFA, without requiring immediate open or endovascular surgery. The secondary outcomes were access site complications requiring reintervention and all-cause mortality at 30-day follow-up.

RESULTS

In total, 152 consecutive patients underwent pEVAR with 291 common femoral artery closure procedures with the Manta VCD. Mean age was 74.1 ± 6.4 years, with a mean body mass index of 27.7 ± 4.4 kg/m2. The mean diameter of the CFA was 10.5 ± 1.9 mm. In 52.6% of the cases, there were no calcification on the preoperative computed tomography scan. The 18Fr and 14Fr Manta VCD were used 169 and 122 times, respectively. The technical success rate was 96.6%. Major vascular complications were reported in 4.5% of the cases, without any death-related events.

CONCLUSIONS

This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed the procedural technical success, major vascular complications and all-cause mortality at 30-day follow-up of the MANTA vascular closure device in 152 pEVAR patients with 291 common femoral artery closure procedures. The technical success rate was 96,6%. Major vascular complications were reported in 4.5% of the cases, without any death related events. We concluded that the MANTA device is a safe and feasible option with a high rate of technical success in patients undergoing pEVAR.

Strategies to Minimize Access Site-related Complications in Patients Undergoing Transfemoral Artery Procedures with Large-bore Devices

Large bore accesses refer to accesses with a diameter of 10 French or greater and are necessary for various medical devices, including those used in transcatheter aortic valve replacement, endovascular aneurysm repair stent-grafts, and percutaneous mechanical support devices. Notably, the utilization of these devices via femoral access is steadily increasing due to advancements in technology and implantation techniques, which are expanding the pool of patients suitable for percutaneous procedures. However, procedures involving large bore devices carry a high risk of bleeding and vascular complications (VCs), impacting both morbidity and long-term mortality. In this review article, we will first discuss the incidence, determinants, and prognostic impact of VCs in patients undergoing large bore access procedures. Subsequently, we will explore the strategies developed in recent years to minimize VCs, including techniques for optimizing vascular puncture through femoral cannulation, such as the use of echo-guided access cannulation and fluoroscopic guidance. Additionally, we will evaluate existing vascular closure devices designed for large bore devices. Finally, we will consider new pharmacological strategies aimed at reducing the risk of periprocedural access-related bleeding.

Percutaneous Approach in Endovascular Aortic Procedures Using a Suture-Mediated Closure Device

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of a suture-mediated closure device during percutaneous endovascular aortic repair.

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective analysis of patients undergoing endovascular repair for infrarenal, thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections via percutaneous femoral access between April 2017 and June 2021 was performed. The primary endpoint of the study was the efficacy and technical success of the Perclose ProGlide closure device during percutaneous endovascular procedures. The secondary endpoints were intraoperative and postoperative inguinal and vascular complications during and after device use.

RESULTS

A total of 376 punctures were performed in 263 patients with the deployment of the ProGlide vascular closure system. Twenty-two cases involved percutaneous re-puncture as part of a staged procedure. The primary and secondary technical success rates were 93.1% (350/376) and 94.7% (356/376), respectively. In 20 patients (5.3%), intraoperative femoral exposure due to complications was required. Postoperative complications occurred in 13 cases (3.5%), 2 of which required surgical reintervention. There was no statistical significance between the type of endovascular procedure and primary technical success (p = 0.56). The introduction of larger-diameter sheaths was not associated with increased intraoperative and postoperative complication rates (p = 0.75 and p = 0.78, respectively). Percutaneous re-puncture of the vascular access site did not result in a lower overall technical success rate (20/22, 90.9% primary technical success rate, p = 0.67; 21/22, 95.5% secondary technical success rate, p = 0.86) or an increased number of perioperative complications (1/22, 4.5% intraoperative complications, p = 0.86; 2/22, 9.1% postoperative complications, p = 0.13).

CONCLUSION

The application of the ProGlide closure system is a safe and efficient method to achieve hemostasis during percutaneous endovascular aortic repair. Complex aortic pathologies, which often require a staged approach with re-puncture, can also be successfully treated with this closure system.

Antithrombotic Therapy for Aortic Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

The role of antithrombotic therapy in the management of aortic and peripheral aneurysms is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of antithrombotics on clinical outcomes for aortic and peripheral aneurysms.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched. Randomised controlled trials and observational studies investigating the effect of antithrombotic therapy on clinical outcomes for patients with any aortic or peripheral artery aneurysm were included.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine studies (28 with antiplatelet agents, 12 anticoagulants, two intra-operative heparin, and 16 any antithrombotic agent) involving 122 102 patients were included. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth rate was not significantly associated with the use of antiplatelet therapy (SMD -0.36 mm/year; 95% CI -0.75 - 0.02; p = .060; GRADE certainty: very low). Antithrombotics were associated with increased 30 day mortality for patients with AAAs undergoing intervention (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.51 - 3.51; p < .001; GRADE certainty: low). Following intervention, antiplatelet therapy was associated with reduced long term all cause mortality (HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.76 - 0.92; p < .001; GRADE certainty: moderate), whilst anticoagulants were associated with increased all cause mortality (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.14 - 2.37; p = .008; GRADE certainty: very low), endoleak within three years (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.10 - 3.60; p = .020; I² = 60%; GRADE certainty: very low), and an increased re-intervention rate at one year (OR 3.25; 95% CI 1.82 - 5.82; p < .001; I² = 35%; GRADE certainty: moderate). Five studies examined antithrombotic therapy for popliteal aneurysms. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a lack of high quality data examining antithrombotic therapy for patients with aneurysms. Antiplatelet therapy was associated with a reduction in post-intervention all cause mortality for AAA, whilst anticoagulants were associated with an increased risk of all cause mortality, endoleak, and re-intervention. Large, well designed trials are still required to determine the therapeutic benefits of antithrombotic agents in this setting.

Female Sex Is Associated With Reintervention and Mortality Following Elective Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

OBJECTIVE

While sex differences in endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) outcomes are increasingly reported, but contributing factors remain without consensus. We investigated disparities in sex-specific outcomes following elective EVAR at our institution and evaluated factors that may predispose females to increased morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing elective EVAR from 2011 to 2020 at a suburban tertiary care center was performed. The primary outcomes were five-year survival and freedom from reintervention. Fisher's exact test, t-tests, and Kaplan-Meier analysis using the rank-log test investigated associations between sex and outcomes. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model controlling for age and common comorbidities evaluated the effect of sex on survival and freedom from reintervention.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-three patients underwent elective EVAR during the study period, including 68 (25%) females and 205 (75%) males. Females were older on average than males (76 years vs. 73 years, p= <0.01) and were more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; 38% versus 23%, p=0.01), require home oxygen therapy (9% versus 2%, p=0.04) or dialysis preoperatively (4% versus 0%, p=0.02). Distribution of other common vascular comorbidities was similar between the sexes. Thirty-day readmission was greater in females than males (18% versus 8%, p=0.02). Females had significantly lower survival at five years (48% ± 7.9% versus 65% ± 4.3%, p<0.01) and significantly lower one-year (89% ± 4.1% for females vs. 94% ± 1.7% for males, p=0.01) and five-year freedom from reintervention (69% ± 8.9% versus 84% ± 3.3%, p=0.02). On multivariable analysis, female sex (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-2.9), congestive heart failure (HR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-3.9) and age (HR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.1) were associated with 5-year mortality. Female sex remained as the only variable with a statistically significant association with five-year reintervention (HR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1-4.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Female sex was associated with decreased five-year survival and increased one and five-year reintervention following elective EVAR. Data from our institution suggests factors beyond patient age and baseline health risk likely contribute to greater surgical morbidity and mortality for females following elective EVAR.

Need for routine preoperative insertion of indwelling urinary catheter prior to endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate outcomes following urinary catheter (UC) vs. no urinary catheter (NUC) insertion in elective endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

METHODS

Retrospective record review of all elective EVAR at a university affiliated medical center over a 5-year period. Statistical analysis included Chi Sq, Independent Student T Test.

RESULTS

Six surgeons performed 272 elective EVAR. Three surgeons preferred selective insertion of indwelling UC, such that 86 (32%) EVAR were completed without indwelling urinary catheters (NUC). Differences between NUC vs. UC included; male: (86% vs. 70%; P= 0.004), CAD: (45% vs.33%; p= .046), conscious sedation: (36% vs. 8%; P < 0.001), bilateral percutaneous EVAR (PEVAR): (100% vs. 90%; P= 0.01), within Proglide^TM IFU guidelines (87% vs 75%; P= .05), major adverse operative event (MAOE): (3.5% vs. 10%; P= 0.05) and mean operative time (185 ± 73 vs. 140 ± 37; P < 0.001). Intra-operative catheterization was never required among NUC. Postoperative adverse urinary events (AUE) were more common among UC (11.4% vs. 8.1%; P= 0.41); with longer times to straight catheterization/reinsertion (1575 ± 987 vs 522 ± 269 minutes; P= 0.015) and lower likelihood of eligibility for same day discharge (SDD); (41% vs.59%; P= 0.008). Ineligibility for SDD was due to AUE in 18% of UC patients.

CONCLUSION

Selective preoperative UC insertion should be considered for EVAR, with particular consideration to no preoperative catheterization in men meeting Proglide IFU. Adverse urinary events occurred less frequently among NUC and were identified/ treated earlier. Moreover, AUEs were the most common reason for potential SDD ineligibility among UC patients. Selective policies may facilitate SDD.

Editor's Choice - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Sex Specific Differences in Adverse Events After Open and Endovascular Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Consistently Worse Outcomes for Women

OBJECTIVE

Previously, reports have shown that women experience a higher mortality rate than men after elective open (OAR) and endovascular (EVAR) repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). With recent improvements in overall AAA repair outcomes, this study aimed to identify whether sex specific disparity has been ameliorated by modern practice, and to define sex specific differences in peri- and post-operative complications and pre-operative status; factors which may contribute to poor outcome.

METHODS

This was a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of sex specific differences in 30 day mortality and complications conducted according to PRISMA guidance (Prospero registration CRD42020176398). Papers with ≥ 50 women, reporting sex specific outcomes, following intact primary AAA repair, from 2000 to 2020 worldwide were included; with separate analyses for EVAR and OAR. Data sources were Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL databases 2005 - 2020 searched using ProQuest Dialog.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies (371 215 men, 65 465 women) were included. Meta-analysis and meta-regression indicated that sex specific odds ratios (ORs) for 30 day mortality were unchanged from 2000 to 2020. Mortality risk was higher in women for OAR and more so for EVAR (OR [95% CI] 1.49 [1.37 - 1.61]; 1.86 [1.59 - 2.17], respectively) and this remained following multivariable risk adjustment. Transfusion, pulmonary complications, and bowel ischaemia were more common in women after OAR and EVAR (OAR: ORs 1.81 [1.60 - 2.04], 1.40 [1.28 - 1.53], 1.54 [1.36 - 1.75]; EVAR: ORs 2.18 [2.08 - 2.29] 1.44 [1.17 - 1.77], 1.99 [1.51 - 2.62], respectively). Arterial injury, limb ischaemia, renal and cardiac complications were more common in women after EVAR (ORs 3.02 [1.62 - 5.65], 2.13 [1.48 - 3.06], 1.46 [1.22 - 1.72] and 1.19 [1.03 - 1.37], respectively); the latter was associated with greater mortality risk on meta-regression.

CONCLUSION

Increased mortality risk for women following AAA repair remains. Women had a higher incidence of transfusion, pulmonary and bowel complications after EVAR and OAR. Higher mortality risk ratios for EVAR may result from cardiac complications, additional arterial injury, and embolisation, leading to renal and limb ischaemia. These findings indicate possible causes for observed outcome disparities and targets for quality improvement.