Systematic review of embolization of type I endoleaks using liquid embolic agents

Use of Fenestrated/Branched Devices for Rescue of Proximal Endograft Failure After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Systematic Review of the Literature and an Updated Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To present the current outcomes of fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/BEVAR) for rescue of proximal endograft failure after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). A systematic review of the currently published literature on F/BEVAR for failed EVAR is undertaken, and the eligible studies are combined into a meta-analysis with the intention of evaluating the safety, efficacy, and the durability of this treatment option.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature up to September 2024 was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (CRD42024590847). Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they reported ≥10 patients and at least one of the major outcomes was stated. Primary endpoint was technical success (efficacy). Secondary endpoints included 30-day/in-hospital mortality and morbidity (safety) and survival and reinterventions rate (durability). Methodological quality and robustness of the results of the eligible articles were assessed according to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI's) critical appraisal tool.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies with overall 1079 patients were included. The pooled estimate for technical success was 94.4% (95% CI 92.5-95.8), whereas for the 30-day/in-hospital mortality 3.9% (95% CI 2.9-5.4). Permanent paraplegia was developed in a pooled rate of 1.6% (95% CI 0.8-3.0), whereas a cerebrovascular event in a pooled rate of 1.5% (95% CI 0.9-2.8). An acute renal function impairment requiring new onset dialysis occurred with a pooled rate of 4.4% (95% CI 3.2-6.1). Postoperative respiratory failure was observed with a pooled estimate of 7.2% (95% CI 5.5-9.4). The pooled estimate for 12-month overall survival was 88% (95% CI 83.4-91.4), and the pooled estimate for 24- and 36-month survival were 79.8% (95% CI 75.6-83.4) and 72.2% (95% CI 66.7-77.2), respectively. Freedom from reintervention was estimated at 83.7% (95% CI 79.9-86.9) for 12 months, 75.8% (95% CI 61.0-86.2) for 24 months and 59.3% (95% CI 36.5-78.7) for 36 months.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that F/BEVAR is a feasible, safe, and reliable strategy for achieving proper proximal endograft sealing when previous EVAR has failed. The midterm survival of these patients is acceptable, whereas reinterventions are not negligible.Clinical ImpactThis work summarizes the current experience with fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair for the rescue of failed endovascular aneurysm repair in the most contemporary meta-analysis including 16 studies with a total of 1079 analyzed patients. Feasibility of the method is proven with a technical success of 94.4%, whereas a 30-day/in-hospital mortality of 3.9% was recorded. The compromised survival and freedom from reinterventions rates (72.2% and 59.3% for 36 months, respectively) pose, however, concerns regarding durability of the method.

Clinical Application of n-Butyl-2- Cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in the Transarterial Embolization for Type I/II Endoleak During and After EVAR Surgery

BACKGROUND

Exploring the effectiveness and safety of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in the transarterial embolization for common endoleak during and after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm (EVAR).

METHODS

A total of 226 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) were treated with EVAR in 4 years from August 2019 to February 2023, including 46 patients with ruptured aneurysms (rAAA). 37 cases, 28 nonruptured AAA patients and 9 rAAA patients, developed endoleak during EVAR surgery and follow-up period and were then treated with NBCA for transarterial embolization. A follow-up was done for at least 6 months to observe its clinical efficacy and adverse reactions.

RESULTS

Among 37 cases of endoleak, there were 8 cases of primary type Ia endoleak and one case of primary right type Ib endoleak in the rAAA group, one case of primary type Ib endoleak, 2 cases of secondary type Ia endoleak, and 25 cases of postoperative type II endoleak in the nonruptured AAA group. Three patients with primary type Ia endoleak were treated with coil-assisted NBCA in the rAAA group, while the remaining 34 patients with type I and type II endoleaks were treated with NBCA alone. All transarterial embolization achieved technical success, and the endoleak disappeared. Postoperative hospitalization observation showed that 3 cases of patients in the rAAA group who experienced primary type Ia endoleak during emergency EVAR surgery died within 4 days after surgery due to hemorrhagic shock and multiple organ failure. Two patients experienced non-AAA-related deaths during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Transarterial embolization with NBCA for the treatment of primary and secondary endoleak is a safe and effective method. It can achieve more dense embolization of the aneurysm sac and more complex endoleaks embolization. And, it showed a low recurrence rate of endoleak and the incidence of perioperative complications after surgery, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application. Even in emergency EVAR combined with primary type I endoleak treatment in rAAA patients, patients can still benefit.

OnyxTMGel or Coil versus Hydrogel as Embolic Agents in Endovascular Applications: Review of the Literature and Case Series

This review focuses on the use of conventional gel or coil and "new" generation hydrogel used as an embolic agent in endovascular applications. In general, embolic agents have deep or multidistrict vascular penetration properties as they ensure complete occlusion of vessels by exploiting the patient's coagulation system, which recognises them as substances foreign to the body, thus triggering the coagulation cascade. This is why they are widely used in the treatment of endovascular corrections (EV repair), arteriovenous malformations (AVM), endoleaks (E), visceral aneurysms or pseudo-aneurysms, and embolisation of pre-surgical or post-surgical (iatrogenic) lesions. Conventional gels such as Onyx or coils are now commercially available, both of which are frequently used in endovascular interventional procedures, as they are minimally invasive and have numerous advantages over conventional open repair (OR) surgery. Recently, these agents have been modified and optimised to develop new embolic substances in the form of hydrogels based on alginate, chitosan, fibroin and other polymers to ensure embolisation through phase transition phenomena. The main aim of this work was to expand on the data already known in the literature concerning the application of these devices in the endovascular field, focusing on the advantages, disadvantages and safety profiles of conventional and innovative embolic agents and also through some clinical cases reported. The clinical case series concerns the correction and exclusion of endoleak type I or type II appeared after an endovascular procedure of exclusion of aneurysmal abdominal aortic (EVAR) with a coil (coil penumbra released by a LANTERN microcatheter), the exclusion of renal arterial malformation (MAV) with a coil (penumbra coil released by a LANTERN microcatheter) and the correction of endoleak through the application of Onyx 18 in the arteries where sealing by the endoprosthesis was not guaranteed.

Comparative clinical study of short-term outcomes between table fenestrated and chimney endovascular aneurysm repair for hostile neck aneurysms

OBJECTIVES

Hostile neck abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is challenging for standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). We sought to compare fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (fEVAR) and chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (chEVAR) for hostile neck AAA.

METHODS

Patients were identified retrospectively. Hostile neck anatomy was defined as a proximal neck length of <15 mm or angulation >60°. The choice of fEVAR or chEVAR was based on neck anatomy and physician preference. Type I endoleak (T1EL) was the primary outcome. Other outcomes included type III endoleak (T3EL), visceral stent occlusion, renal insufficiency, reintervention, and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 84 patients were included from April 2012 to December 2021. fEVAR and chEVAR patients were 48 and 36 cases, respectively. Both groups showed similar rate of T1EL, T3EL, visceral stent occlusion, renal insufficiency, reintervention, and mortality. However, chEVAR patients had a more tortuous neck (61.1% vs. 16.7%, p < 0.001), while fEVAR patients had a greater neck size (29.5 ± 6.3 mm vs. 24.5 ± 4.8 mm, p < 0.001) and more reconstructing target arteries (2.2 ± 1.1 vs 1.3 ± 0.6, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

fEVAR and chEVAR show similar safe and effective outcomes in well-selected hostile neck. fEVAR might be able to reconstruct multiple visceral arteries, and chEVAR seems justified in patients with poor anatomical suitability for fEVAR.

Editor's Choice -- European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Abdominal Aorto-Iliac Artery Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

The European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) has developed clinical practice guidelines for the care of patients with aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in succession to the 2011 and 2019 versions, with the aim of assisting physicians and patients in selecting the best management strategy.

METHODS

The guideline is based on scientific evidence completed with expert opinion on the matter. By summarising and evaluating the best available evidence, recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of patients have been formulated. The recommendations are graded according to a modified European Society of Cardiology grading system, where the strength (class) of each recommendation is graded from I to III and the letters A to C mark the level of evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 160 recommendations have been issued on the following topics: Service standards, including surgical volume and training; Epidemiology, diagnosis, and screening; Management of patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including surveillance, cardiovascular risk reduction, and indication for repair; Elective AAA repair, including operative risk assessment, open and endovascular repair, and early complications; Ruptured and symptomatic AAA, including peri-operative management, such as permissive hypotension and use of aortic occlusion balloon, open and endovascular repair, and early complications, such as abdominal compartment syndrome and colonic ischaemia; Long term outcome and follow up after AAA repair, including graft infection, endoleaks and follow up routines; Management of complex AAA, including open and endovascular repair; Management of iliac artery aneurysm, including indication for repair and open and endovascular repair; and Miscellaneous aortic problems, including mycotic, inflammatory, and saccular aortic aneurysm. In addition, Shared decision making is being addressed, with supporting information for patients, and Unresolved issues are discussed.

CONCLUSION

The ESVS Clinical Practice Guidelines provide the most comprehensive, up to date, and unbiased advice to clinicians and patients on the management of abdominal aorto-iliac artery aneurysms.

[Fenestrated stent-graft as an option for the treatment of type I endoleak in a patient with giant abdominal aortic aneurysm]

Endovascular aortic repair has advanced significantly over the last decades, but type IA endoleaks are still formidable complications requiring immediate intervention due to high risk of rupture. We present successful endovascular treatment of type IA endoleak in a patient with giant abdominal aortic aneurysm. A modified fenestrated stent graft was implanted. This technique was effective in complex vascular anatomy. Modified fenestrated stent grafts can be an effective alternative for the treatment of delayed type IA endoleaks. However, such interventions should be performed in specialized hospitals with subsequent careful follow-up to ensure efficacy and safety.

Management of Endoleaks After Elective Infrarenal Aortic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Review

Importance

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is the dominant treatment strategy for abdominal aortic aneurysms, encompassing 80% of all repairs in the United States. Endoleaks are ubiquitous and affect 30% of patients treated by EVAR, potentially leading to sac enlargement and increased risk of rupture. The care of EVAR patients requires long-term surveillance by a multidisciplinary team. Accordingly, physicians should be familiar with the fundamentals of endoleak management to achieve optimal outcomes, including timely referral for remediation or providing counseling and reassurance when needed.

Observations

PubMed and the Cochrane database were searched for articles published between January 2002 and December 2022 in English, addressing epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of endoleaks after EVAR. Endoleaks can be detected intraoperatively or years later, making lifelong surveillance mandatory. Type I and III have the highest risk of rupture (7.5% at 2 years and 8.9% at 1 year, respectively) and should be treated when identified. Intervention should be considered for other types of endoleak when associated with aneurysm sac growth larger than 5 mm based on current guidelines. Type II endoleaks are the most common, accounting for 50% of all endoleaks. Up to 90% of type II endoleaks resolve spontaneously or are not associated with sac enlargement, requiring only observation. Although the risk of rupture is less than 1%, cases that require reintervention are challenging. Recurrence is common despite endovascular treatment, and rupture can occur without evidence of sac growth. Type IV endoleaks and endotension are uncommon, are typically benign, and primarily should be observed.

Conclusions and Relevance

Endoleak management depends on the type and presence of sac expansion. Type I and III endoleaks require intervention. Type II endoleaks should be observed and treated selectively in patients with significant sac expansion. Since endoleaks can appear any time after EVAR, at least 1 contrast-enhanced computed tomographic angiogram or duplex ultrasound by an experienced laboratory is recommended every 5 years.

A Novel Technique and Outcomes for Transcaval Endoleak Embolization

BACKGROUND

Strategies for embolization of type 2 endoleaks include translumbar, transgraft, transarterial, and transcaval approaches. The transcaval approach is limited by an inconsistent ability to access the aortic sac and the risk of puncturing and damaging the endograft or adjacent structures. We describe a novel technique for caval to aortic aneurysm sac access and report early outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients who underwent transcaval embolization (TCE) at a tertiary referral center. From March 2019 to June 2021, 12 patients were identified to have undergone a novel approach to transcaval aortic sac access using a 0.014″ heavy weight tip wire guide and continuous current electrocautery to create the connection between the inferior vena cava and aortic aneurysm sac. The endoleak outflow vessel is then selectively embolized with coils or liquid embolic agents. When selective embolization was not possible, the aneurysm sac was instilled with liquid embolic agents to induce thrombosis.

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent transcaval embolization using this method over the 3-year period. The average patient age was 79.2 ± 6.2 years and 10/12 (83.3%) were male. A high rate of comorbidities was noted in the cohort. Transcaval access into the aortic sac was achieved in all patients, while selective cannulation of outflow vessels was accomplished in 2/12 (16%) target vessels. Of these, both cases had vessels embolized using detachable coils and liquid embolic agents. Nonselective embolization was performed using liquid embolic and thrombotic agents in the other 10/12 cases. There was one perioperative complication of minor bleeding (1/12, 8.3%). Two patients were observed in intensive care unit for back pain. A persistent endoleak was identified on postoperative imaging performed at 30 days in 4/12 (33.3%) patients. Sac enlargement > 5 mm following TCE was observed in 3/12 (25%) patients. Three patients underwent open conversion with endovascular aneurysm repair explant. One patient was explanted at 1 month after failure to embolize the endoleak flow channel using TCE. A second was explanted for persistent endoleak found to be a Type IIIb with aortic diameter growth > 5 mm at 15-month follow-up. The third explant was performed for aortic sac infection at 4 months postprocedure without endoleak.

CONCLUSIONS

TCE is an adjunctive technique to treat endoleaks in patients who have either failed transarterial or translumbar access. An electrified 0.014″ chronic total occlusion wire technique for transcaval access to the aortic sac for endoleak embolization can be successful in all cases without significant acute morbidity or mortality. The transcaval approach is still limited by ability to steer catheters and microcatheters into the outflow vessels with a resultant persistent endoleak and eventual need for explant.