Late Open Abdominal Aneurysm Reconstruction and Graft Salvage in a Patient With Persistent Endoleak Type II Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

This study highlights a case of late open conversion repair (OCR) for persistent Type II endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), presenting a 78-year-old male with a history of EVAR for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Despite conservative management of the initial endoleak, the aneurysm sac's progressive growth necessitated open reconstruction to salvage the graft. Successful postoperative outcomes emphasize the critical need for meticulous intervention strategies and surveillance in managing persistent Type II endoleaks. This case underlines the importance of a tailored approach, leveraging both endovascular and open surgical techniques, to optimize long-term outcomes and prevent aneurysm rupture in complex cases.

Risk factors for elective and urgent open conversion after EVAR-a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the standard procedure for treating infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Various associated complications can lead to open conversion (OC). Thorough follow-up after the procedure is mandatory for the early detection of complications. Persisting perfusion of the aneurysm, a so-called endoleak (EL), paired with structural instability because of aortic wall atrophy and impaired cell functionality induced by EVAR, results in a high risk for aortic rupture.

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to detect the risk factors for elective and urgent OC as a result of EVAR-induced pathophysiological changes inside the aortic wall.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis was performed on all open aortic repairs from January 2016 to December 2020.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Fifty patients were identified as treated by OC for failure of an infrarenal EVAR. The patients were divided into two subgroups, here depending on the urgency of surgery. Statistical analysis of patient characteristics and outcomes was performed.

RESULTS

The most common indications for OC were various types of EL (74%), resulting in an aortic rupture in 15 patients. Patients with insufficient or absent follow-up were treated more frequently in an emergency setting (16% vs. 63%). The mortality rate was higher in cases of emergency OC (3% vs. 26%).

CONCLUSIONS

Particularly in cases of insufficient or absent follow-up, complications such as EL pose an enormous risk for fatal aortic rupture.

Open Surgical Conversion After Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a preferred treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, though it comes with complications such as endoleaks and graft infections that may necessitate late open conversion (LOC). This systematic review and meta-analysis, drawing on studies from PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, aimed to evaluate the incidence, outcomes, and factors leading to LOC after EVAR. The analysis of 11 selected studies revealed a 5.3% incidence of LOC, with a patient cohort predominantly male (79%) and an average age of 73.5 years. The interval between initial EVAR and LOC was 35.1 months on average, with the Excluder device most frequently necessitating LOC. A notable 68% of endovascular salvage attempts before LOC failed. The study highlighted rupture and type I endoleak as the primary reasons for urgent LOC, which exhibited a 10-fold higher mortality rate compared to elective LOC. Elective LOC procedures had a 30-day mortality rate similar to primary elective open aneurysm repairs. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant post-EVAR patient monitoring and suggest that the methodological quality of underlying research should be considered in interpreting these results.

Open conversion after failed endovascular aneurysm repair is increasing and its 30-day mortality is higher than that after primary open repair

BACKGROUND

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the preferred treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Recent studies have demonstrated that cases of EVAR failure repair and subsequent open conversion have increased. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the national trend of annual cases and assess the 30-day outcomes of conversion to open repair after failed EVAR compared with primary open repair.

METHODS

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for relevant Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision, codes to identify patients who had undergone conversion to open repair or primary open repair of nonruptured AAAs from 2009 to 2018. The annual trend of cases was assessed, and the perioperative outcomes of both procedures were compared. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent perioperative factors associated with mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 9635 patients with nonruptured AAAs included in the present analysis, 9250 had undergone primary repair and 385 had required open conversion. During the 10-year period, the annual number of cases of open conversion had steadily increased and that of primary repair had decreased. The incidence of postoperative complications was similar between both groups, except for cardiac arrest, which had occurred more frequently in the open conversion group. The 30-day mortality was higher in the open conversion group than in the primary group (9.6% vs 3.9%; P < .0001). Open conversion was also independently associated with higher odds of death (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-2.4; P < .0001). When the average mortality in both groups was compared between the first and last 5 years, no difference was found (open conversion: 9.8% vs 9.5% [P = 1.00]; primary repair: 3.6% vs 4.2% [P = .19]). Other perioperative factors independently associated with mortality included increased age (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1; P < .0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥III (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1-6.6; P = .029), insulin-dependent diabetes (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.3; P = .005), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8; P = .006), the presence of dyspnea at rest (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.8-6.1; P < .0001), and a high preoperative hematocrit (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93-0.97; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Open conversion to treat nonruptured AAAs after failed EVAR was independently associated with higher mortality. Also, the annual cases of open conversion have continued to increase without any significant changes in postoperative mortality. This highlights the danger of open conversion and stresses the need for better solutions to prevent and manage EVAR failure.

A Case of Collapsed Stent Graft, Severe Lower Limb Ischemia, and Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Due to Type B Acute Aortic Dissection 3 Years after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

We report a case of stent graft occlusion, severe lower extremity ischemia, and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm due to type B acute aortic dissection 3 years after endovascular aneurysm repair. He admitted our hospital because of abrupt back pain and dysesthesia of bilateral lower limb. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed type B acute aortic dissection and occlusion of the stent graft due to dynamic compression by the false lumen. Emergent right axillo-bifemoral bypass operation was done for his critical limb ischemia. Immediately after the successful operation, he fell into shock vital and dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture was revealed by CT scan. We performed the stump occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta and the bilateral common iliac arteries by abdominal midline incision. Postoperative myonephropathicmetabolic syndrome due to the left ischemia resulted in amputation of his left lower leg for lifesaving. While EVAR cases are increasing, various its complications come to be reported. We consider that this case report might be cautious about the indication of EVAR for the younger generation. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2019; 28: 367–371.)

A meta-analysis of outcomes of in-situ reconstruction after total or partial removal of infected abdominal aortic graft

INTRODUCTION

There is currently a lack of evidence for the relative effectiveness of partial resection (PR) and total resection (TR) before managing abdominal aortic graft infection (AGI). Most authorities agree that TR is mandatory for intracavitary AGI in patients with favorable conditions but there is an increasing number of patients with severe comorbidities for whom this approach is not suitable, resulting in a prohibitive mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate indication for TR or PR.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A meta-analysis was conducted on the rates of early/late mortality, amputations and reinfection. A meta-regression was performed with eight variables: patient age, male prevalence, presence of virulent or nonvirulent organisms, urgency, omentoplasty and follow-up.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Twenty-one studies and 1052 patients were included. For TR and PR, the rates of early mortality and reinfection were 16.8% and 10.5%, 11% and 27%, respectively. For TR urgency and male gender were associated with increased rate of early mortality and male gender, PDF and virulent organisms were associated with increased risk of reinfection. For PR no statistical correlation was analyzable except for PDF with increased risk of reinfection.

CONCLUSIONS

Early mortality rates are higher for TR and reinfection rates are higher for PR. For TR early mortality increases in urgent cases and it is suggested that alternative option must be discussed, reinfection decreases in the presence of nonvirulent organisms and TR seems optimal. For TR and PR reinfection increases in presence of PDF and alternative technique may be more appropriate.

Increasing use of open conversion for late complications after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

Open procedures are often required for late complications after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Our aim was to describe the indications for open interventions and their postoperative outcomes and to specifically examine our experience with limited conversions in which problem endoleaks are targeted without endograft explantation.

METHODS

We reviewed patients from 2002 to 2017 who underwent any surgical abdominal aortic operation after a previous EVAR. Baseline characteristics, preoperative imaging, procedural details, and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. The primary end point was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

There were 102 patients who underwent open conversion 3.8 ± 3.1 years after EVAR. The numbers increased significantly in recent years, with 18 cases performed in 2016; 48.5% of patients had undergone 1.9 ± 1.0 prior endovascular interventions. The indication for surgical conversion was an endoleak in 85 patients and infection in 15. One patient had a limb occlusion and another a proximal aneurysm. The 30-day mortality was 6.2% in 65 patients treated electively for endoleak but higher in 20 ruptures (40.0%) and 15 infections (40.0%). In a multivariate logistic regression model, independent predictors of 30-day mortality were rupture (odds ratio [OR], 6.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-25.60; P = .005), endograft infection (OR, 8.48; 95% CI, 1.99-36.20; P = .004), and use of a supraceliac clamp (OR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.47-15.66; P = .009). Transient acute kidney injury (12.8%) and prolonged intubation (11.8%) were the most common postoperative complications. In 65 patients treated for endoleak without rupture, 37 underwent endograft explantation, whereas 28 had a graft-preserving intervention (branch vessel ligation for type II endoleak in 26, external banding of the aneurysm neck for type IA endoleak in 8). Mortality was 8.1% when the endograft was explanted and 3.6% when it was not (P = .63). During 3.0 ± 3.5 years of follow-up, there was one reintervention after endograft explantation (for rupture secondary to type IB endoleak) and two reinterventions after graft preservation (for a new type IA endoleak and a new type II endoleak). Survival was 87.4% at 1 year and 70.9% at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Open conversion is playing an increasing role in the management of late EVAR complications. Endoleaks treated electively by open conversion are reasonably safe and show good midterm durability, even with graft-preserving interventions that avoid endograft explantation.