Uninfected para-anastomotic aneurysms after infrarenal aortic grafting

Mid-Term Results of Fenestrated Endovascular Repair after Prior Open Aortic Reconstruction

This study aims to assess the mid-term results of fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) for the treatment of proximal aortic pathology after previous open surgical repair (OSR). All patients with a previous history of OSR of an abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoing a FEVAR procedure between October 2010 and November 2021 were included. The endpoints of the study were technical success, mortality, target vessel patency and reinterventions during follow-up. Thirty-five patients (34 male, mean age 72.9 ± 7 years) were included. The median interval from the primary surgery to the FEVAR procedure was 136 months (range 47–261). The indication for treatment was a para-anastomotic aneurysm in 18 (51%) patients and a true aneurysm due to progression of disease in 17 (49%) patients. Technical success was achieved in 33 (94%) patients. There was one (3%) early death due to postoperative bleeding from a renal artery. Estimated survival at 12, 24 and 36 months was 89.1% ± 6%, 84.4% ± 7.3% and 84.4% ± 7.3%, respectively. There was no aneurysm-related mortality. One (3%) target vessel occluded during follow-up and three (9%) patients underwent late reinterventions. In conclusion, FEVAR is a safe and effective alternative for the endovascular treatment of para-anastomotic aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms after OSR showing high technical success, low mortality and morbidity, and good mid-term outcomes.

Nahtaneurysmen - Ätiopathogenese, Symptomatologie, Diagnostik, Therapie, Outcome und Einflussfaktoren nach offen gefäßchirurgischer und interventioneller Rekonstruktion

Hintergrund Die über die letzten Jahre/Jahrzehnte ausgebaute und optimierte gefäßchirurgische Grundversorgung hat auch das Fallaufkommen von Sekundärkomplikationen wie das Nahtaneurysma (NA) wesentlich erhöht.

Ziel Darstellung der sekundären Versorgungsdiagnose NA in ihrem/r Fallaufkommen, Ätiopathogenese, Symptomatologie, Diagnostik, periinterventionellem/-operativem Management und Outcome, basierend auf selektiven Referenzen der medizinisch-wissenschaftlichen Literatur und eigenen klinischen Versorgungserfahrungen.

Methode Narratives Review

Ergebnisse

Schlussfolgerung Das NA als relevante Versorgungsgröße ist inzwischen längst mit in den Fokus eines basalen gefäßchirurgischen/-interventionellen Betreuungsprofils gerückt, dem sich der Gefäßchirurg/-interventionalist aufgrund der bestehenden Herausforderung hinsichtlich des anspruchsvollen diagnostischen und therapeutischen Managements mit seiner ganzen fachspezifischen Kompetenz widmen muss.

Complementary Role of Fenestrated/Branched Endografting and the Chimney Technique in the Treatment of Pararenal Aneurysms After Open Abdominal Aortic Repair

Purpose: To evaluate the totally endovascular techniques for treating complex pararenal aortic aneurysms after open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods: This retrospective study involved 34 men (mean age 74 years) with pararenal aortic aneurysms (22 pseudoaneurysms and 12 para-anastomotic aneurysms) that developed a median 11 years (range 4–22) after the primary surgical reconstruction. The median infrarenal neck length was 2 mm (range 0–9). Total endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) included the use of fenestrated (f-EVAR; n=17), branched (b-EVAR; n=11), combined f-EVAR/b-EVAR (n=1), and chimney (ch-EVAR; n=4) grafts and the “sandwich” technique (n=1). The primary outcome was aneurysm shrinkage >5 mm at latest follow-up. Secondary outcomes were target vessel patency, 30-day mortality, late survival, absence of type I and III endoleak, clinical success, and reintervention rate. Results: Technical success was 97% (n=33/34), while clinical success was achieved in 32 (94%) patients. The 30-day mortality was 3% (n=1/34). Mean follow-up was 23.2±16.6 months. One patient was lost to follow-up, and 1 patient underwent late open conversion for endograft infection. Six (18%) of the 33 surviving patients required a reintervention. Primary patency of the target aortic branches was 98% (109/111). Mean aneurysm diameter decreased from 64.1±10.2 to 56.7±16.9 mm (p<0.001) at latest follow-up. Midterm mortality was 12.1% (4/33). Estimated survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 93.9% and 90.9, respectively. Conclusion: Use of f-EVAR, b-EVAR, and ch-EVAR allows effective treatment of postsurgical pararenal aneurysms based on a clear algorithm and patient selection, highlighting the complementary character of these less invasive approaches.

Anastomotic False Aneurysm of the Aorta

Purpose: To describe the treatment of a noninfected saccular anastomotic false aneurysm (AFA) of the abdominal aorta with the use of a single “sandwiched” coil. Case Report: A 65-year-old man presented with a saccular AFA of the distal anastomosis exactly at the level of the aortic bifurcation 1 month after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Endograft exclusion was not attempted because an aortouni-iliac configuration would have sacrificed a patent iliac axis. Coil embolization was the preferred strategy. Use of 3-dimensional rotational angiography and 3-dimensional roadmap was necessary to cannulate the neck of the AFA. Complete thrombosis and shrinkage of the sac was achieved by “sandwich coiling” of the neck after deployment of a single pushable hydrogel-coated coil. Imaging at 9 months postprocedure showed no sign of the aneurysm sac. Conclusion: This novel technique can be used for selected saccular AFAs with a narrow neck. In such cases, sandwich coiling may avoid sacrifice of a patent iliac axis.

[Endovascular therapy of para-anastomotic aneurysms of the aorta. Technical options]

BACKGROUND

Open repair of para-anastomotic aneurysms (pAAA) after conventional aortoiliac repair is associated with a high perioperative mortality and morbidity. Endovascular treatment options have evolved over the last decade. The aim of this article is to demonstrate and review these endovascular strategies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 01/2009 and 06/2012, a total of 12 patients received endovascular treatment for proximal (n = 7) or distal (n = 5) pAAA (n = 2 contained rupture). A retrospective analysis of these patients was performed. Median age was 71.5 years (range 55-87 years). The median time interval between primary operation and endovascular repair of the pAAA was 15 years (range 1-31 years) and median follow-up was 1.3 years (range 0 days - 3 years). Endovascular exclusion of the pAAA was achieved by implantation of an aortouniiliac endograft (n = 6), chimney graft (n = 1), fenestrated endograft (n = 2) and iliac extension (n = 3).

RESULTS

Technical success could be achieved in all patients and in-hospital mortality was 16.8  % (n = 2). No patient required a reintervention but during follow-up one additional patient died due to gastrointestinal bleeding. No primary or secondary type I/III endoleaks were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a not negligible mortality rate endovascular treatment of para-anastomotic aneurysms and anastomotic pseudoaneurysms appears to be a safe alternative for conventional open repair.

Anastomotic pseudoaneurysms after surgical reconstruction: outcomes after endovascular repair of symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients

PURPOSE

To compare perioperative and follow-up outcomes of symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients following endovascular repair of anastomotic pseudoaneurysms (APAs) of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 17 patients (two women), with a mean age of 66.2 years (range 30-83 years). Endovascular treatment was performed in ten symptomatic, and seven asymptomatic patients electively. Data included technical success, perioperative (within 30 days) mortality and morbidity, as well as stent graft-related complications, reinterventions, and survival in follow-up.

RESULTS

Bifurcated (n = 13), aortomonoiliac (n = 3) endoprosthesis and one aortic cuff were implanted with a primary technical success rate of 100%. The overall in-hospital mortality and morbidity rate was 11.8% and 35.3%. The mean survival was 36.5 (range 0-111) months. There was a clear trend toward a lower overall survival within hospital and at one and three years for symptomatic patients compared to asymptomatic patients. (47.7 (CI: 0-138.8) versus 52.6 (CI: 28.5-76.8) months (p = 0.274)). During follow-up, late stent graft related complications were observed in six patients (35.3%) necessitating eight endovascular reinterventions. Additional three patients with primary fistulas between the APA and the intestine were treated by late surgical revision.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular therapy of APAs represents a considerable alternative to open surgical repair. Short proximal anchoring zones still pose a risk for endoleaks and unintentional overstenting of side branches with commercially available devices, but this might be overcome by use of fenestrated and branched stent grafts in elective cases.