Quantified Aortic Luminal Irregularity as a Predictor of Complications and Prognosis After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Prospective evaluation of automated vascular analysis for ilio-femoral artery lesions before and after percutaneous endovascular aortic repair

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to evaluate the differences between pre- and postoperative access conditions in percutaneous endovascular aortic repair (PEVAR).

METHODS

Between December 2021 and October 2023, PEVAR was performed on 61 patients using the Perclose ProStyle (Abbott Vascular). Enhanced computed tomography and ankle-brachial index tests were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. The inner diameter and area of the iliofemoral artery were automatically measured, and the pre- and postoperative values were compared (114 legs). The same analysis was performed on 12 legs with previous groin operations; open surgical EVAR was performed in 9 legs, an endarterectomy of the femoral artery in 1, and a femoropopliteal bypass in the other leg.

RESULTS

All patients were discharged without surgical site infections, lymphatic fistulas, or retroperitoneal haematomas. There were no significant differences between the pre-and postoperative inner diameter and inner area of the external iliac artery and common femoral artery. There were no significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative ankle-brachial index tests. In 12 legs with a previous groin operation, the postoperative ankle-brachial index tests and inner diameter and area of the external iliac artery and common femoral artery were statistically equal to the preoperative values.

CONCLUSIONS

This study can support the safety of percutaneous endovascular aortic repair, even in patients with redo groin operations.

Descending thoracic aortic mural ulceration is associated with postoperative spinal cord ischemia after branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

Paraplegia is one of the most feared complications after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The purpose of this study is to determine whether aortic thrombus characteristics are associated with spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after branched endovascular aneurysm repair (BEVAR).

METHODS

From April 2011 to April 2020, 62 patients underwent elective BEVAR for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and pararenal aortic aneurysms using a low-profile device and had a complete preoperative computed tomography angiography of the aorta from the sinotubular junction to the aortic bifurcation. Aortic thrombus was evaluated for thrombus thickness ≥5 mm, thrombus >2/3 of aortic circumference, and the presence of an ulcer-like thrombus. One point was assigned at each 5 mm axial image if all 3 criteria were met, resulting in a total "shaggy score" for the entire aorta. Data on demographics, procedural details, and outcomes were collected prospectively. All patients underwent a standard spinal cord protection protocol, including routine cerebrospinal fluid drainage. In July 2016, an insulin infusion protocol (IIP) was initiated to maintain postoperative blood glucose levels <120 mg/dL for 48 hours. The primary clinical end point was postoperative SCI.

RESULTS

10 (16%) patients developed postoperative SCI: 6 with transient paraparesis, 2 with persistent paraparesis, and 2 with persistent paraplegia. Patients with SCI were older, had higher shaggy scores, and were less likely to have been on an IIP. There were no significant differences in demographics, aneurysm type, or operative parameters. In a logistic multivariate regression model for SCI, age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.2 [1.1-1.4], P = .02) and shaggy score (OR: 1.2 [1.1-1.4], P = .02) were independently associated with increased risk of SCI, whereas treatment with the IIP was associated with lower risk of SCI (OR: 0.04 [0.006-0.50], P = .05). Of the individual components of the shaggy score, higher descending thoracic aortic ulcer scores were the most strongly associated with postoperative SCI (P = .009).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative characterization of aortic wall thrombus is an important adjunctive tool for individualized clinical decision-making and patient counseling about the risk of SCI after BEVAR.

Effect of Atheromatous Aorta on Thromboembolic Complications after Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of atheromatous aorta on thromboembolic complications after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and to assess the risk factors for these complications. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent EVAR for an abdominal aortic aneurysm at the Shizuoka Red Cross Hospital from 2007 to 2018. We defined atheromatous aorta as a thoracic shaggy aorta or abdominal aorta with neck thrombus. The main outcome was renal dysfunction and peripheral embolization (thromboembolic complications). We compared the incidence of thromboembolic complications between patients with normal aorta and atheromatous aorta. Moreover, we assessed the risk factors associated with thromboembolic complications in patients with atheromatous aorta. Results: Patients with atheromatous aorta had significantly more thromboembolic complications, such as renal dysfunction (24.5% vs. 3.9%; P<0.001) and peripheral embolization (12.3% vs. 0.0%; P<0.001) than those with normal aorta, respectively. We identified no risk factors associated with thromboembolic complications in patients with atheromatous aorta. Conclusion: Atheromatous aorta increases the risk of thromboembolic complications after EVAR. However, there is no established therapy for these thromboembolic complications. Further studies are necessary to determine the appropriate therapy, including appropriate preoperative medication, to prevent these complications.

Renal Dysfunction Following Elective Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative disease of the aortic wall with potentially fatal complications. Open repair (OR) was considered the gold standard, until the emergence of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), which is less invasive and equally (if not more) effective. As the popularity of endovascular procedures grows, related complications become more evident, with kidney damage being one of them. Although acute kidney injury (AKI) following EVAR is relatively common, its true incidence is still uncertain. Also, there is insufficient data concerning long-term renal outcomes after EVAR, especially with repeated contrast agent exposure. Despite the lack of firm evidence on the effectiveness of individual strategies, it is evident that prevention of AKI following EVAR requires a multifactorial approach. This review focuses on recent findings based on human studies regarding the current evidence of renal impairment after EVAR, its quantification and strategies for its prevention.

Effects of circulating levels of Th17 cells on the outcomes of acute Stanford B aortic dissection patients after thoracic endovascular aortic repair: A 36-month follow-up study a cohort study

T helper 17 (Th17) cells are related to the progression of aortic dissection. This study aimed to determine whether circulating Th17 levels are associated with the prognosis of acute Stanford type B aortic dissection (STBAD) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).A cohort study was performed and STBAD patients (n = 140) received TEVAR were enrolled, the circulating Th17 levels were measured and the patients were divided into low and high Th17 groups, and 36 months of follow-up was performed. The data for mortality, survival outcomes, heart structure and function changes, aortic regurgitation prevalence, and aortic remodeling outcomes were recorded.Lower mortality and fewer complications were observed in the low Th17 group than in the high Th17 group in the third year of follow-up. In addition, the low Th17 group exhibited better cardiac remodeling and cardiac function when compared with that in the high Th17 group in the second to third year after TEVAR. Aortic reflux was improved in both groups but was more pronounced in the low Th17 group. During follow-up, the true lumen of the proximal thoracic aorta at the level of the celiac trunk in both the low and high Th17 groups continuously enlarged and was more pronounced in the low Th17 group.Circulating Th17 cells were related to cardiac and aortic remodeling and prognosis during STBAD after TEVAR. Anti-inflammatory therapy may be useful for STBAD patients who have undergone TEVAR.

Neurologic Deficit After Aortic Arch Replacement: The Influence of the Aortic Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative neurologic deficits are associated with severe morbidity in aortic arch replacement.

METHODS

A group of 198 consecutive patients undergoing isolated total aortic arch replacement with the use of antegrade cerebral perfusion were analyzed for the risk factors for predicting neurologic deficit. With the use of computed tomography, atherothrombotic lesions (defined as extensive intimal thickening exceeding 4 mm) were identified in the proximal aorta (the ascending aorta or aortic arch) in 26.2% of cases and in the distal aorta in 34.9% of cases.

RESULTS

Permanent neurologic deficits occurred in 11.1% (including non-disabling stroke confirmed by imaging) and transient neurologic deficits in 8.1% of patients. A univariate analysis identified proximal atherothrombotic aorta (p = 0.0057), distal atherothrombotic aorta (p = 0.032), and retrograde systemic perfusion from the femoral artery in the presence of distal atherothrombotic aorta (p = 0.0022) as risk factors for neurologic deficits. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified atherothrombotic proximal aorta (odds ratio 2.4, p = 0.033) as the independent risk factor. The presence of carotid stenosis did not affect the rate of neurologic deficit. Intracranial hemorrhagic lesions were found in 23% of permanent neurologic deficit cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Atherothrombotic lesions found by objectively graded computed tomography were predictors of neurologic deficit. Retrograde perfusion in the presence of a distal atherothrombotic lesion should be avoided whenever possible. Strategies based on the full assessment of the whole aortic morphologic characteristics appear to be mandatory. Anticoagulation therapy should be performed carefully to avoid intracranial hemorrhagic changes.