Obliterative Endoaneurysmorrhaphy with Stent Graft Preservation for Treatment of Type II Progressive Endoleak

Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

A great majority of abdominal aortic aneurysm are treated with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in current practice. EVAR has lower peri-procedural mortality and morbidity compared to open surgical repair. Anatomic factors such as aneurysm neck morphology, iliac anatomy, and access vessel anatomy need careful assessment for the successful performance of EVAR. Evolving technology and techniques are allowing more patients to be treated with EVAR with better long-term outcomes.

Technical and clinical success analysis of transarterial embolization therapy in type II endoleaks following endovascular aortic repair

This single-center study investigated the safety and efficacy of transarterial embolization of type II endoleaks for expanding aneurysm sacs following endovascular aortic repair (EVAR).36 patients (33 men, 75.9±6.6 years) underwent a total of 50 endovascular procedures for type II endoleak embolization between 2008 and 2023. Analyses included the assessment of patient risk profiles, aneurysm morphology, and endoleak characteristics. Outcome parameters comprised the technical success (i.e., complete lack of blood flow in the previously perfused aneurysm sac) and complication rates, while clinical success was defined as the absence of endoleak persistence or recurrence and freedom from aneurysm enlargement > 0.5 cm over the follow-up period.Transarterial embolization was technically successful in 84% of procedures with a complication rate of 2%. Most interventions were coil-based (72%), while a small number relied solely on liquid embolic agents (14%). Absence of a persisting endoleak in the earliest follow-up could be demonstrated in 75.6% of cases, whereas the absence rate for endoleak recurrence was substantially lower (46.3%). No aneurysm enlargement > 0.5 cm during follow-up was ascertained after 73.2% of interventions.Transarterial embolization represents a safe treatment for type II endoleaks after EVAR. While embolization was moderately effective in preventing further expansion of aneurysms due to endoleak recurrence, most procedures were successful in permanently eliminating the targeted feeder vessels. · Transarterial embolization of type II endoleaks has a high technical success rate.. · The emergence of new feeder vessels may necessitate multiple procedures over time.. · Patient risk profiles did not factor into the clinical outcome.. · Krompaß K, Grunz JP, Augustin AM et al. Technical and clinical success analysis of transarterial embolization therapy in type II endoleaks following endovascular aortic repair. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; DOI 10.1055/a-2384-4601.

Late open conversion: a reliable solution for endoleak management after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair - a single center experience and literature review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Despite the efficacy of endovascular approaches for most secondary interventions post-endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), a small proportion of patients need open conversion (OC) procedures. We shared our experience regarding patient outcomes after late OCs post-EVAR. We also performed a literature review of data published on this topic.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of patients who underwent late OCs post-EVAR at a Public Hospital in Germany (2017-2019) were retrospectively analyzed. OC involved total or partial endograft removal followed by aortic reconstruction. Preoperative patients' characteristics, indications for OC, and intra-∕post-operative outcomes were assessed. Studies published in English (2014-2024) on OCs post-EVAR complications were descriptively analyzed.

RESULTS

Six patients underwent late OCs throughout the study (males: 66.67%; age [mean±standard deviation]: 66.50±2.89 years). Grafts were excised after a median of 72 months (range: 24-132 months), with 2∕6 (33.33%) urgent removals and 4∕6 (66.67%) elective. 4∕6 (66.67%) patients underwent complete removal, and 2∕6 (33.33%) were partial. Clamping site was suprarenal in 3∕6 (50.00%) patients, supraceliac in 2∕6 (33.33%), and infrarenal in 1∕6 (16.67%). Technical success was 100%, with 32 minutes mean clamping time and 1.67 L blood loss. Median follow-up was 13 months. No aneurysm growth was observed, and implanted grafts functioned well. 1∕6 (16.67%) patients died during the postoperative intensive care unit stay. Seven studies were included in our review. The 30-day mortality post-OCs was 6.2-10.0% in elective setting and up to 40% in urgent.

CONCLUSIONS

Late OC can be a reliable procedure for managing endoleak post-EVAR. Its success relies on accurate preoperative assessment and surgical expertise.

Surgical Treatment for Sac Expansion Caused by Type II Endoleaks after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms/Iliac Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the outcomes of open surgery techniques involving sacotomy and suturing of the feeding vessels in patients with aneurysm sac expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

METHODS

Fourteen consecutive patients treated with sacotomy and suturing of feeding vessels for expanding aneurysm sacs with type II endoleaks following EVAR, between January 2018 and December 2022, were retrospectively included. All patients underwent preoperative digital subtraction angiography, and attempts were made to embolize the thick feeding vessels to reduce intraoperative bleeding. Age, sex, comorbidities, clinical presentation, aneurysm sac increase, morbidity, mortality, and follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 72.89 ± 5.13 years old, and 13 (92.9%) patients were male. The sac size at the time of the open procedure was 107.89 ± 22.58 mm, and the extent of sac growth at the time of the open procedure was 37.50 ± 18.29 mm. The initial technical success rate of laparotomy and open ligation of the culprit arteries causing type II endoleaks was 92.9% (13/14). Among the patients, 5 (35.7%) had been treated with interventional embolization before the open procedure. One endograft was removed and replaced by a bifurcated Dacron graft because of distal dislocation in one patient. All patients recovered, and no deaths were recorded postoperatively. No patients had an eventful postoperative course or any subsequent graft-related complications during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Open surgical repair involving sacotomy and suturing of the feeding vessels appeared to have good outcomes in the treatment of patients with aneurysm sac expansion caused by type II endoleaks after EVAR. Preoperative embolization of feeding vessels can thus effectively reduce intraoperative bleeding.

Postendovascular Aneurysmal Repair Increase in Local Energy Loss for Fusiform Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Assessments With 4D flow MRI

BACKGROUND

Although endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR) is a preferred treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) owing to its low invasiveness, its impact on the local hemodynamics has not been fully assessed.

PURPOSE

To elucidate how EVAR affects the local hemodynamics in terms of energy loss (EL).

STUDY TYPE

Prospective single-arm study.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

A 3.0 T/4D flow MRI using a phase-contrast three-dimensional cine-gradient-echo sequence.

POPULATION

A total of 13 consecutive patients (median [interquartile range] age: 77.0 [73.0, 78.8] years, 11 male) scheduled for EVAR as an initial treatment for fusiform AAA.

ASSESSMENT

4D flow MRI covering the abdominal aorta and bilateral common iliac arteries and the corresponding stent-graft (SG) lumen was performed before and after EVAR. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured within 1 week before and 1 month after EVAR. The hemodynamic data, including mean velocity and the local EL, were compared pre-/post-EVAR. EL was correlated with AAA neck angle and with BNP. Patients were subdivided into deformed (N = 5) and undeformed SG subgroups (N = 8) and pre-/post-EVAR BNP compared in each.

STATISTICS

Parametric or nonparametric methods. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r). The interobserver/intraobserver variabilities with Bland-Altman plots. A P value < 0.05 is considered significant.

RESULTS

The mean velocity (cm/sec) at the AAA was five times greater after EVAR: 4.79 ± 0.32 vs. 0.91 ± 0.02. The total EL (mW) increased by 1.7 times after EVAR: 0.487 (0.420, 0.706) vs. 0.292 (0.192, 0.420). The total EL was proportional to the AAA neck angle pre-EVAR (r = 0.691) and post-EVAR (r = 0.718). BNP (pg/mL) was proportional to the total EL post-EVAR (r = 0.773). In the deformed SG group, EL (0.349 [0.261, 0.416]) increased 2.4-fold to 0.848 (0.597, 1.13), and the BNP 90.3 (53.6, 105) to 100 (67.2, 123) post-EVAR.

CONCLUSION

The local EL showed a 1.7-fold increase after EVAR. The larger increase in the EL in the deformed SG group might be a potential concern for frail patients.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Evolution of open aneurysmorrhaphy for management of sac expansion after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the perioperative and mid-term clinical outcomes of open aneurysmorrhaphy (OA) for the treatment of sac expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

METHODS

OA involves sac exposure without dissection of the proximal or distal neck, sacotomy and ligation of back-bleeding vessels, preservation of the prior stent graft, and tight closure of the sac around the stent graft. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who had undergone OA for nonruptured sac expansion after standard EVAR at our institution between January 2015 and June 2021. The primary end points were 30-day mortality and aneurysm-related death. The secondary end points were postoperative complications, overall survival, freedom from reintervention, and sac regrowth rate.

RESULTS

A total of 28 patients had undergone OA. Their mean age was 76.9 ± 6.7 years. The median sac diameter at OA was 79 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 76-92 mm). The median duration from the index EVAR to OA was 82 months (IQR, 72-104 months). Preoperative computed tomography angiography confirmed a type II endoleak (EL) in 20 patients, 1 of whom had had a coexisting type Ia EL; a type IIIb EL was identified in 1 patient. Concomitant endovascular procedures had been performed in six patients to treat a type I or III EL or reinforce the proximal and distal seals. The OA technique has been modified since 2017, with the addition of more aggressive dissection of the sac and complete removal of the mural thrombus to further decrease the sac diameter. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients and included abdominal lymphorrhea and failed hemostasis of the common femoral artery requiring surgical repair in one patient each. The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up of 36 months (IQR, 14-51 months), the overall survival was 92.7% and 86.9% at 12 and 36 months, respectively, without any aneurysm-related death. In the late (2017-2021) treatment group, the median sac diameter immediately after OA was smaller than that in the early (2015-2016) treatment group (early group: median, 50 mm; IQR, 39-57 mm; vs later group: median, 41 mm; IQR, 32-47 mm; P = .083). Furthermore, in the late group, the sac regrowth rate was lower (early group: median, 0.36 mm/mo; IQR, 0.23-0.83 mm/mo; vs late group: median, 0 mm/mo; IQR, 0-0.11 mm/mo; P = .0075) and the freedom from reintervention rate was higher (late group: 94.7% at both 12 and 36 months, respectively; early group: 71.4% and 53.6% at 12 and 36 months, respectively; log-rank P = .070).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results have shown that OA for the management of post-EVAR sac expansion is feasible with acceptable mid-term outcomes. Aggressive dissection and tight plication of the sac might be imperative for better mid-term outcomes after OA.

Surgical Treatment of Sac Enlargement Due to Type II Endoleaks Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

An aneurysm sac enlargement caused by type II endoleak (T2EL) following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms may cause serious complications such as rupture. Consequently, methods that preoperatively prevent or postoperatively treat T2EL have been employed. When significant aneurysm enlargement occurs due to persistent T2EL, embolization is first performed through several access points. However, although these endovascular reinterventions have a high technical success rate and are safe, their effectiveness remains questionable. When such endovascular procedures fail to stabilize sac enlargement, open surgical conversion (OSC) becomes the last-resort treatment option. We review several strategies of OSC for the repair of T2EL following EVAR. Among the three main OSC procedures, namely, complete endograft removal, partial endograft removal, and complete endograft preservation, partial endograft removal under infrarenal clamping was considered the most appropriate owing to its less invasiveness and durability.

Open repair of a type II endoleak facilitated by temporary disconnection of graft components

Endoleaks are a frequent indication for reintervention after endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Here we present a method of open repair of a persistent type II endoleak involving graft component separation and reconstruction, in a patient with symptomatic interval aneurysmal sac enlargement despite endovascular coiling and embolization. This case report demonstrates an alternative open technique of endograft component separation and reconstruction that may be required in cases where open repair with sac exploration and vessel oversewing is hindered by the graft position.

Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are treated with endovascular repair (EVAR) in current practice. EVAR has lower periprocedural mortality and morbidity than open surgical repair. Aneurysm neck morphology, iliac anatomy, and access vessel anatomy need careful assessment for the successful performance of EVAR. Regular and long-term follow-up with imaging is mandatory after EVAR, and patients who are less likely to comply are less favorable EVAR candidates. Endoleaks are the most frequent complication of EVAR. Most can be managed with transcatheter or endovascular means. Evolving technology and techniques are allowing more patients to be treated with EVAR with better long-term outcomes.

Outcomes of Late Open Conversion after Endovascular Abdominal Aneurysm Repair

Objective: To review our experience with a late open conversion as a final option for an endograft infection and aneurysm expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), especially in endoleaks for which radiological intervention is impossible. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 13 late open conversions out of 513 consecutive patients treated by EVAR were analyzed. Indications for an open conversion were aneurysm enlargement, including all endoleaks, endograft migration, and endograft infection. The patients' data on demographics, operative details, and outcomes were reviewed. Results: Indications for a late open conversion included endoleaks, infection, and migration in 61.5%, 30.8%, and 7.7% of patients, respectively. The median interval from the initial EVAR was 32.4 months. Complete endograft explantation was performed in four patients with an endograft infection. In endoleak cases, the endograft was partially preserved and a neo-neck was used. Sacotomy and branch ligation were performed in one case. One major operative complication was an aortic injury during infrarenal aortic cross-clamping in an endograft migration case. There was no operative mortality. Conclusion: A late open conversion after EVAR is valuable as a final option. The aortic cross-clamp site, especially in endograft migration cases, should be carefully considered. To avoid aneurysm-related events, graft replacement is recommended, if possible.

Editor's Choice - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Outcome of Treatment for Type II Endoleak Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

OBJECTIVES

The efficacy and need for secondary interventions for type II endoleaks following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) remain controversial. This systematic review aimed at investigating the clinical outcomes of different type II endoleak treatments in patients with a persistent type II endoleak after EVAR.

DATA SOURCES

Embase, Medline via Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection, the Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar.

REVIEW METHODS

This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Outcomes of interest were technical and clinical success, change in sac diameter, complications, need for additional interventions, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture, and (AAA related) mortality. Meta-analyses were performed with random effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 59 studies were included, with a cumulative cohort of 1073 patients with persistent type II endoleak. Peri-operative complications following treatment of type II endoleaks occurred in 3.8% of patients (95% CI 2.7-5.2%), and AAA related mortality was 1.8% (95% CI 1.1-2.7%). Overall technical success was 87.9% (95% CI 83.1-92.1%), while clinical success was 68.4% (95% CI 61.2-75.1%). Among studies detailing sac dynamics, decrease or stable sac, with or without resolution, was achieved in 78.4% (95% CI 70.2-85.6%). Changes in sac diameter following type II endoleak treatment were documented in 157 patients to at least 24 months. Within this group an actual decrease in sac diameter was reported in only 27 of 40 patients.

CONCLUSION

There is little evidence supporting the efficacy of secondary intervention for type II endoleaks after EVAR. Although generally safe, the lack of evidence supporting the efficacy of type II endoleak treatment leads to difficulty in assessing its merits.

Intervention after endovascular aneurysm repair: Endosalvage techniques including perigraft arterial sac embolization and endograft relining

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, persistent AAA sac endoleak following EVAR can result in sac diameter increase requiring re-intervention in up to one-third of cases and even result in aneurysm rupture. In this case review, we summarize and detail endovascular re-interventions for each type of endoleak. We also detail specific options including stent-graft relining for indeterminate, Type III, and Type IV endoleaks and perigraft arterial sac embolization to induce thrombosis and resolve acute Type I, II, or III endoleaks. Endograft relining involves placement of a new stent-graft-elevating the bifurcation and extending the repair from renal artery to hypogastric arteries; perigraft arterial sac embolization involves placement of a catheter into the excluded sac from common femoral artery access, characterization of the inflow and outflow of the endoleak, and inducing cessation of the blood flow into the sac by the administration of thrombogenic material. Endoleaks range from low-pressure endoleaks, which can be safely monitored in a surveillance program to high-pressure endoleaks, which mandate intervention when associated with AAA sac diameter increase to protect from rupture. The evaluation of new devices and techniques to treat endoleak after EVAR remains an important issue in patient care after EVAR.