Popliteal artery aneurysms: is endovascular reconstruction durable?

A systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment and natural history of popliteal artery aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the best available evidence comparing open vs endovascular popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) repair. We also summarized the natural history of PAAs to support of the Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and Scopus for studies of patients with PAAs treated with an open vs an endovascular approach. We also included studies of natural history of untreated patients. Studies were selected and appraised by pairs of independent reviewers. A meta-analysis was performed when appropriate.

RESULTS

We identified 32 original studies and 4 systematic reviews from 2191 candidate references. Meta-analysis showed that compared with the endovascular approach, open surgical repair was associated with higher primary patency at 1 year (odds ratio [OR], 2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-3.12), lower occlusion rate at 30 days (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.24-0.68) and fewer reinterventions (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.17-0.45), but a longer hospital stay (standardized mean difference, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.23-3.09) and more wound complications (OR, 5.18; 95% CI, 2.19-12.26). There was no statistically significant difference in primary patency at 3 years (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.97-1.97), secondary patency (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.84-3.03), mortality at the longest follow-up (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.21-1.17), mortality at 30 days (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.06-1.36), or amputation (incidence rate ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.56-1.31). The certainty in these estimates was, in general, low. Studies of PAA natural history suggest that thromboembolic complications and amputation develop at a mean observation time of 18 months and they are frequent. One study showed that at 5 years, approximately one-half of the patients had complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provides event rates for outcomes important to patients with PAAs. Despite the low certainty of the evidence, these rates along with surgical expertise and anatomic feasibility can help patients and surgeons to engage in shared decision-making.

Two Decades of Endovascular Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysm--A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Over the last two decades endovascular repair (EVR) of popliteal artery aneurysms has emerged as a treatment alternative to conventional open surgical repair (OSR). The aim of this review was to evaluate the safety and efficiency of each repair method, comparing the following outcomes after EVR and OSR: (i) primary patency; (ii) operating time; (iii) length of hospital stay; (iv) peri-operative complications; (v) limb salvage; and (vi) patient survival.

METHODS

The PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for publications that compared outcomes after EVR and OSR (last search November 2014). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective observational cohort studies were included. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Random effect models were employed to estimate odds ratios (ORs), mean differences, and hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

One RCT combined with a prospective cohort study and four retrospective cohort studies with an overall total of 652 cases (236 EVR, 416 OSR) were identified. GRADE quality of evidence was low or very low for all outcomes. After a median follow up of 33 months, patients who received EVR showed equal primary patency rates to patients who received OSR (HR 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-2.33). Lengths of operation and hospitalization were significantly shorter following EVR; rates of 30 day graft thrombosis (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.31-7.62) and 30 day re-intervention (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.02-4.55) were significant higher for patients who received EVR compared with those who received OSR. There was no effect on mortality (OR 2.31, 95% CI 0.37-14.49) or limb loss (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.16-2.15).

CONCLUSION

EVR of popliteal artery aneurysm showed mid-term results comparable to open surgery and appears to be a safe alternative to OSR. However, the existing empirical evidence base is too fragmentary to draw firm conclusions. Further research and the introduction of population based registries will be needed to allow reliable evaluation of EVR.