Use of abdominal aortic endovascular prostheses in France from 1999 to 2001

Mortality after endovascular treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms – the newer the better?

Abstract. Although endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) presents a delicate alternative treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with lower perioperative mortality, its long-term efficacy remains a matter of concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the currently reported mortality evidence after EVAR and to examine the possible effect of aneurysm status and the study period on mortality rates. The PubMed and Cochrane bibliographical databases were thoroughly searched for studies reporting on more than 1 000 patients with non-ruptured or ruptured infrarenal AAA, treated with EVAR from August 1991 to September 2016. A total of 10 910 titles/abstracts were retrieved and 121 studies were deemed relevant. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria and reported on 354 500 patients with a mean age of 74.6 years. Almost all of the studies referred to elective EVAR and the mean aneurysm size was 5.58 cm. The most common early complication for elective EVAR was perioperative bleeding (1.9 %), whereas hospital-acquired pneumonia was a major concern in urgent EVAR (28.5 %). Conversion rate to open surgery was 1.2 %. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 4.84 % (1.7 % for non- ruptured aneurysms, 33.8 % for ruptured aneurysms).The overall all-cause late mortality in a mean follow-up period of 23.8 months was 19.1 %. The aneurysm-related late mortality rate was 3.4 %. With respect to the time period of patient enrollment, studies reporting on patients recruited before 2006 were found to face more secondary complications and higher late mortality rates than patients enrolled after 2005.The endovascular treatment of large and anatomically suitable infrarenal AAA in selected patients remains a safe alternative to open repair. Our findings demonstrate that newer studies show better long-term outcomes than the older ones, proposing a possible improvement of EVAR techniques and perioperative care and providing encouraging evidence for a wider application of EVAR.

Quality improvement guidelines for imaging detection and treatment of endoleaks following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)

Major concerns after aortic aneurysm repair are caused by the presence of endoleaks, which are defined as persistent perigraft flow within the aortic aneurysm sac. Diagnosis of endoleaks can be performed with various imaging modalities, and indications for treatment are based on further subclassifications. Early detection and correct classification of endoleaks are crucial for planning patient management. The vast majority of endoleaks can be treated successfully by interventional means. Guidelines for Imaging Detection and Treatment of endoleaks are described in this article.

Coding accuracy of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair procedures in administrative databases - a note of caution

BACKGROUND

Administrative databases have been used to compare methods used for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. This requires the use of procedural codes whose accuracy has not been established. In this study we measured the accuracy of procedural codes for open AAA repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in administrative databases.

METHODS

Between April 2000 and July 2005, we identified all surgeries of non-ruptured AAA using open or EVAR technique at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. During the same time period, we identified all patients who were coded with either an open AAA repair or EVAR.

RESULTS

During the study period, 514 people had an elective AAA repair or were coded with one. Coding quality of open AAA repair was poor (sensitivity 48.1%; specificity 77.4%; accuracy 52.9%) while that for EVAR was slightly better (sensitivity 58.2%; specificity 100%; accuracy 93.6%). We developed an algorithm that included similar procedures and considered anaesthetic type to improve the identification of both open repair (sensitivity 97.7%; specificity 86.9%; accuracy 95.9%) and EVAR (sensitivity 84.8%; specificity 99.5%; accuracy 97.3%).

CONCLUSION

Administrative database codes that are routinely used to identify open AAA repairs or EVARs are inaccurate. However, slight modifications to the coding algorithms permit the use of administrative databases to study AAA repair.

A Shorter Skin Incision Technique for the Repair of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

PURPOSE

We evaluated the effectiveness of a shorter skin incision technique for the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether or not the difference in the length of the skin incision contributed to an early recovery after the operation.

METHODS

Between October 2001 and December 2004, we performed 105 elective repairs for AAA. The patients were divided into three groups according to the length of the skin incision as follows: group A, less than 15 cm, group B, from 15 cm to less than 20 cm, and group C, 20 cm or more.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the intraoperative course among the three groups. The duration of paralytic ileus was shorter in group A than in group C (2.0 +/- 0.9 days versus 3.2 +/- 2.3 days; P = 0.0428). Although the periods before removal of nasogastric suction and before starting a solid diet were slightly shorter in group A than in groups B and C, there were no statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSION

We define minimally invasive vascular surgery as surgery performed with a small abdominal skin incision that does not expose the intestine to air while providing a good operative field that does not place any undue stress on the surgeon.

Stent-graft repair for thoracic aortic disease: results of an independent nationwide study in France from 1999 to 2001

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to assess the overall short-term outcome of stent-graft repair for thoracic aortic disease in France between June 1999 and May 2001.

METHODS

This retrospective study was designed by the French National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers. To ensure objectivity, data were retrieved at each center and checked by a team of medical advisors.

RESULTS

Between June 1999 and May 2001, a total of 166 stent-graft repairs for thoracic aortic disease were performed in 166 patients, mainly by surgeons in the operating room (88%). Patients were classified according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists as status I or II in 24% of cases, status III in 56%, and status IV or V in 20%. The diameter of the thoracic aneurysm was less than 50 mm in 17% of cases. Seventeen patients (10%) died during the first 3 months, including 8 within the first 30 days after the procedure. A total of 49 complications were noted in 34 patients (20.5%). Endoleaks occurred in 27 patients (16.3%), including 8 that necessitated further treatment. Other stent-related complications included rupture (n = 3), aortoesophageal or tracheal fistula (n = 3), paraplegia (n = 6), stent migration (n = 2), visceral embolism (n = 5), and cerebral embolism (n = 2). There were 14 delivery-related complications (8%) at the catheterization site. Non-stent-related complications occurred in 14 (8%).

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide study demonstrates that stent-graft repair for thoracic aortic disease can be performed with acceptable postoperative morbidity. However, it is not a risk-free procedure and should continue to be used in an investigative setting.

Predictors of Success Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Mid-term Results

OBJECTIVE

Australian cases of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) performed between 1999 and 2001 have been evaluated to determine the mid-term (6 months to 5 years) safety and efficacy of the procedure. This study looks at predictors of success, based on mid-term follow-up data.

DESIGN OF STUDY

This study uses results obtained from a prospective semi-voluntary register (audit) of Australian data obtained from surgeons in the private and public sector.

RESULTS

Peri-operative mortality for patients enrolled in the audit was 1.8%. Ninety-three percent of procedures were technically successful (890/961). Nearly 13% of patients have had re-interventions (mostly endoluminal) at follow-up. Analysis of audit data shows that the likelihood of experiencing post-operative complications or requiring additional procedures increases with ASA rating, increasing age, large pre-operative aneurysm size, aneurysm angle >45 degrees and number of co-morbid conditions diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms satisfactory mid-term results in a, national rather than unit specific, setting. Predictors of clinical failure or need for re-intervention include large aneurysm size, neck angulation >or=45 degrees and short infrarenal neck.

National audit of the recent utilization of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in Canada: 2003 to 2004

OBJECTIVES

Worldwide, increasing proportions of aortic aneurysms are repaired electively via the endovascular route. The purpose of this study was to report the recent utilization of endovascular repair in Canada by reviewing a national administrative database.

METHODS

The Canadian Institute for Health Information database (a collection of all acute care hospitalizations) was reviewed to identify patients who received nonemergent repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) between April 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004. During this 1-year period, differentiation between endovascular (EVAR) and open repair was possible using ICD-10-CA procedural codes in eight of ten provinces. Case volumes, patient age, length of hospitalization, and mortality were stratified by method of repair, province, and size and teaching status of hospitals.

RESULTS

In this 1-year period, 1996 patients in eight provinces (representing 72% of Canada's population) underwent open repair (n = 1818, 91.1%) or EVAR (n = 178, 8.9%) of a nonruptured AAA. National utilization rates were 8.4 and 0.8 per 100,000 population for open repair and EVAR. These rates were more constant for EVAR (0 to 1.3) then for open repair (4 to 18.3) when analyzed on a provincial basis. Mean patient age did not differ between EVAR and open repair (73.7 vs 71.9 years, P = 0.4) while mean length of stay (5.8 vs 11.9 days, P = 0.03) and in-hospital mortality (0.6% vs 4.6%, P = .025) were significantly lower for EVAR than for open repair. Most EVAR (96%) and more than half of open repairs (56%) were performed in academic teaching centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Although EVAR results in significant reductions in length of hospitalization and early mortality, it continues to be underutilized in Canada compared with other national reports involving administrative databases.

Systematic review of recent evidence for the safety and efficacy of elective endovascular repair in the management of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background

Conventional management of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is by open repair and is associated with a mortality rate of 2–6 per cent. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is an alternative technique first introduced in 1991. A systematic review was undertaken of the evidence for the safety and efficacy of elective EVAR in the management of asymptomatic infrarenal AAA.

Methods

Thirteen electronic bibliographical databases were searched, covering biomedical, health-related, science and social science literature. Outcomes were assessed with respect to efficacy (successful deployment, technical success, conversion rates and secondary intervention rates) and safety (30-day mortality rate, procedure morbidity rates and technical issues—endoleaks, graft thrombosis, stenosis and migration).

Results

Of 606 reports identified, 61 met the inclusion criteria (three randomized and 15 non-randomized controlled trials, and 43 uncontrolled studies). There were 29 059 participants in total; 19 804 underwent EVAR. Deployment was successful in 97·6 per cent of cases. Technical success (complete aneurysm exclusion) was 81·9 per cent at discharge and 88·8 per cent at 30 days. Secondary intervention to treat endoleak or maintain graft patency was required in 16·2 per cent of patients. Mean stay in the intensive care unit and mean hospital stay were significantly shorter following EVAR. The 30-day mortality rate for EVAR was 1·6 per cent (randomized controlled trials) and 2·0 per cent in nonrandomized trials and case series. Technical complications comprised stent migration (4·0 per cent), graft limb thrombosis (3·9 per cent), endoleak (type I, 6·8 per cent; type II, 10·3 per cent; type III, 4·2 per cent) and access artery injury (4·8 per cent).

Discussion

EVAR is technically effective and safe, with lower short-term morbidity and mortality rates than open surgery. However, there is a need for extended follow-up as the long-term success of EVAR in preventing aneurysm-related deaths is not yet known.

Total laparoscopic infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair: Preliminary results

OBJECTIVES

We describe our initial experience of total laparoscopic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between February 2002 and September 2003, we performed 30 total laparoscopic AAA repairs in 27 men and 3 women. Median age was 71.5 years (range, 46-85 years). Median aneurysm size was 51.5 mm (range, 30-79 mm). American Society of Anesthesiologists class of patients was II, III and IV in 10, 19, and 1 cases, respectively. We performed total laparoscopic endoaneurysmorrhaphy and aneurysm exclusion in 27 and 3 patients, respectively. We used the laparoscopic transperitoneal left retrocolic approach in 27 patients. We operated on 2 patients via a tranperitoneal left retrorenal approach and 1 patient via a retroperitoneoscopic approach.

RESULTS

We implanted tube grafts and bifurcated grafts in 11 and 19 patients, respectively. Two minilaparotomies were performed. In 1 case, exposure via a retroperitoneal approach was difficult and, in another case, distal aorta was extremely calcified. Median operative time was 290 minutes (range, 160-420 minutes). Median aortic clamping time was 78 minutes (range, 35-230 minutes). Median blood loss was 1680 cc (range, 300-6900 cc). In our early experience, 2 patients died of myocardial infarction. Ten major nonlethal postoperative complications were observed in 8 patients: 4 transcient renal insufficiencies, 2 cases of lung atelectasis, 1 bowel obstruction, 1 spleen rupture, 1 external iliac artery dissection, and 1 iliac hematoma. Others patients had an excellent recovery with rapid return to general diet and ambulation. Median hospital stay was 9 days (range, 8-37 days). With a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 0.5-20 months), patients had a complete recovery and all grafts were patent.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary results show that total laparoscopic AAA repair is feasible and worthwhile for patients once the learning curve is overcome. However, prior training and experience in laparoscopic aortic surgery are needed to perform total laparoscopic AAA repair. Despite these encouraging results, a greater experience and further evaluation are required to ensure the real benefit of this technique compared with open AAA repair.