The Use of an Iliac Branch Device: Single-Center Study of Endovascular Preservation of Internal Iliac Artery Flow

Purpose

To determine the efficacy and safety of iliac branch device (IBD) implantation and to evaluate its limitations based on 7 years of experience in a single center.

Materials and Methods

This single-center study included patients with bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAAs). We investigated follow-up CT and reviewed the internal iliac artery (IIA) patency and complications related to IBD. A retrospective analysis was performed and the overall survival rate and freedom from reintervention rate were reported according to the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Of the 38 patients with CIAAs, only 10 (12 CIAAs) were suitable for IBD treatment. Five patients underwent unilateral IBD insertion with contralateral IIA embolization, and three (60%) showed claudication; however, symptoms resolved within 6 months. The 7-year freedom from IBD-related reintervention rate was 77.8%. No procedure-related deaths occurred.

Conclusion

IBD has good technical success and long-term patency rates; however, anatomical factors frequently limit its application, particularly in Asians. Additionally, unilateral IIA embolization showed relatively mild complications and a good prognosis; therefore, it can be performed safely for anatomically complex aortoiliac aneurysms.

Endovascular aortic repair reduces gluteal oxygenation

Background

Provoked gluteal claudication is a known risk after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Lowered gluteal muscle oxygenation (S_gmO₂) may be demonstrated by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Purpose

To evaluate NIRS-determined S_gmO₂ in EVAR patients.

Material and Methods

NIRS-determined S_gmO₂ was used in an observational study design (n = 17). From the ambulatory setting, seven EVAR patients were included with reported gluteal claudication from medical records. In 10 patients scheduled for EVAR, S_gmO₂ was measured before and after the procedure. NIRS sensors were applied bilaterally on the gluteal region. Treadmill walking (12% incline, 2.4 km/h) was introduced to stress gluteal muscles.

Results

A reduced S_gmO₂ with regional side difference (P < 0.05) was noted in all 10 patients following EVAR and four reported gluteal claudication. In patients with gluteal claudication (n = 7), treadmill decreased S_gmO₂. The time to recover the S_gmO₂ was prolonged for tissue exposed to occluded hypogastric artery (median = 512 s, range = 73–1207 s vs. median = 137, range = 0–643 s; P = 0.046).

Conclusions

EVAR affects gluteal muscle oxygenation. NIRS could be used to assess whether gluteal claudication is related to lowered S_gmO₂.

Isolated Common Iliac Artery Aneurysms Treated Solely With Iliac Branch Stent-Grafts: Midterm Results of a Multicenter Registry

PURPOSE

To assess early and midterm outcomes of iliac branch device (IBD) implantation without an aortic stent-graft for the treatment of isolated common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA).

METHODS

From December 2006 to June 2016, 49 isolated CIAAs in 46 patients were treated solely with an IBD at 7 vascular centers. Five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 41 male patients (mean age 72.5±7.8 years) for analysis. Mean CIAA diameter was 39.1±10.5 mm (range 25-65). Thirty-two patients (2 with bilateral CIAAs) were treated with a Cook Zenith iliac branch device; 9 patients (1 bilateral) received a Gore Excluder iliac branch endoprosthesis. Primary endpoints were technical success, survival, aneurysm exclusion, device patency, and freedom from reintervention at 1 and 5 years. Freedom from major adverse events and aneurysm shrinkage at 1 year were also assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-day mortality and the IBD occlusion rate were 2.4% and 2.3%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 40.2±33.9 months, no patient presented buttock claudication, erectile dysfunction, or bowel or spinal cord ischemia. Three patients died within 6 months after the procedure. Estimates of cumulative survival, device patency, and freedom from reintervention were 90.2%, 95.2%, and 95.7%, respectively, at 1 and 5 years. At 1 year, CIAA shrinkage ≥5 mm was recorded in 21 of 38 survivors. No evidence of endoleak, device migration, or disconnection was found on imaging follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The use of IBDs without an aortic stent-graft for isolated CIAAs resulted in excellent patency, with low morbidity and mortality. This, in conjunction with no endoleak or migration and a low reintervention rate, supports the use of isolated IBDs as a stable and durable means of endovascular reconstruction in cases with suitable anatomy. Longer follow-up and a larger cohort are needed to validate these results.

Zenith Bifurcated Iliac Side Branch Device: Mid-term Results and Assessment of Risk Factors for Intraoperative Thrombosis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the short- and mid-term results of the Zenith bifurcated iliac side branch device (ZBIS) in the treatment of common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysms, and to assess risk factors for intraoperative internal iliac artery (IIA) thrombosis.

METHODS

All patients who underwent endovascular treatment of either an isolated CIA aneurysm or an aortoiliac aneurysm using the ZBIS device in the departments of vascular surgery of Strasbourg (France) and Lausanne (Switzerland) between January 2010 and December 2014 were retrospectively collected.

RESULTS

Thirty-one implantations were performed: 30 patients underwent 31 endovascular CIA aneurysm treatments with the ZBIS device. Mean operative time was 188 min. Technical success was obtained in 26 implantations (84%). In 5 implantations (16%), the final angiogram revealed an IIA thrombosis. Thirty-day mortality was 3.2%. Thirty-day morbidity was 13.3%. Mean follow-up was 15 months. Overall survival was 96% at 1 year and 89% at 2 years. In intention-to-treat analysis, primary patency of the internal iliac side branch was 84% at 1 year and 76% at 2 years (5 peroperative IIA occlusions and 1 late occlusion). Freedom from reintervention was 89% at 1 and 2 years. One case of type III endoleak and 2 cases of type II endoleaks were identified. Only type III endoleak required an additional intervention with a covered stent. Aneurysm diameter decreased in 15 implantations (48%) and remained stable in 16 implantations (52%). Clinical, radiological, and peroperative parameters were analyzed to identify risk factor for intraoperative thrombosis of the internal iliac side branch. Notion of intraoperative difficulties (any additional procedure that was not initially planned and increasing the operating time) appeared as a risk factor in multivariate analysis (P < 0.01, standard deviation 1.27, odds ratio 30.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The main findings of our study is that the procedure can be difficult to perform in particular conditions and can lead to peroperative failure in these cases, highlighting the need for adequate patients screening. When technical success is obtained, outcomes can be considered as satisfactory.

Preservation of hypogastric flow and control of iliac aneurysm size in the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms using the Nellix EndoVascular Aneurysm Sealing endograft

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effectiveness of endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) in the treatment of complex aortoiliac aneurysms with preservation of hypogastric artery flow.

METHODS

We reviewed all patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and common iliac aneurysms (CIAs) enrolled and treated in prospective studies of EVAS using the Nellix endograft (Endologix, Irvine, Calif) at two centers from 2008 to 2014. Patients with 1 year or more of computed tomography follow-up underwent quantitative morphometric assessment by two independent vascular radiologists blinded to clinical outcome results. Hypogastric patency and CIA diameter changes over time were assessed and compared in three treatment groups: totally excluded CIA, partially excluded CIA, and untreated CIA.

RESULTS

Among 125 patients with EVAS, 68 patients (mean age, 75 ± 8 years; 79% men) had both AAA (mean diameter, 55.8 ± 2.0 mm) and CIA (median diameter, 23.4; interquartile range, 21.3-27.0 mm), with bilateral CIAs in 33 patients. Treatment of 101 CIAs included complete CIA exclusion in 40 (39.6%), partial CIA exclusion in 33 (32.7%), and no CIA treatment in 28 (27.7%), with successful AAA exclusion in all patients. Internal iliac flow was preserved in all 122 hypogastric arteries that were patent before treatment (14 hypogastric arteries were occluded at baseline). During the 5-year follow-up period (median follow-up, 24.7 months; range, 11.5-61.7 months), three patients required secondary treatment with hypogastric occlusion and graft extension to the external iliac. Thus, internal iliac flow was maintained in 98% of at-risk hypogastric arteries. There were no aneurysm-related clinical events, except for the three secondary treatments. Totally excluded iliac aneurysms did not change in diameter over time (P = .85), whereas untreated CIAs enlarged at a rate of 0.16 mm/y (95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.23; P < .0001). Partially excluded CIAs enlarged at a higher rate of 0.59 mm/y (95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.71; P < .0001). Enlargement ≥3 mm occurred only in partially treated CIAs larger than 3 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

EVAS was effective in treating aortoiliac aneurysms with preservation of internal iliac patency in most cases. Complete CIA exclusion prevented aneurysm enlargement over time, whereas partial exclusion did not prevent continued CIA enlargement, particularly in larger aneurysms.

Clinical and Functional Impact of Hypogastric Artery Exclusion During EVAR

PURPOSE

Hypogastric artery (HA) revascularization during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is still open to debate. Moreover, exclusion-related complication rates reported in literature are not negligible. The aim of this study is to present and analyze the outcomes in patients undergoing EVAR with exclusion of 1 or both HAs at our academic center.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our results in patients submitted to EVAR and needing HA exclusion, in terms of perioperative (30-day) and follow-up rates of intestinal and spinal cord ischemia, buttock claudication, buttock skin necrosis, and sexual dysfunction.

RESULTS

From January 2008 to December 2014, a total of 527 patients underwent elective standard infrarenal EVAR; among those 104 (19.7%) had iliac involvement needing HA exclusion. In 73 patients with unilateral iliac involvement (70.1%, group UH), many single HAs were excluded. Thirty-one patients (29.9%) had bilateral iliac involvement (group BH), of which 16 (51.6%) had 1 HA excluded with revascularization of the contralateral one (group BHR); in the remaining 15 patients (48.4%) both HAs were excluded (group BHE). No 30-day or follow-up aneurysm-related mortality, intestinal, or spinal cord ischemia were recorded. At 30 days, skin necrosis was observed in 2 patients. Buttock claudication and sexual dysfunction rates were significantly greater in group BHE than in group BHR (P < .05). At a mean 18.6 months follow-up (range: 4-47), buttock claudication and sexual dysfunction rates in group BHE were persistently higher than that in groups UH and BHR (P < .05); HA coil embolization was significantly associated with buttock claudication and sexual dysfunction (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Whenever anatomically feasible, at least 1 HA should be salvaged in case of bilateral involvement. In case of unilateral HA exclusion, the rate of complications is not negligible. Coil embolization is related to a higher complication rate.

Outcome after Interruption or Preservation of Internal Iliac Artery Flow During Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aorto-iliac Aneurysms

AIM

The aim was to conduct a systematic review of the literature investigating outcomes after interruption or preservation of the internal iliac artery (IIA) during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

METHODS

A systematic review was undertaken using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to identify studies reporting IIA management during EVAR. The search identified 57 articles: 30 reported on IIA interruption (1468 patients) and 27 on IIA preservation (816 patients).

RESULTS

The pooled 30 day buttock claudication (BC) rate was 29.2% (95% CI 24.2-34.7). Patients undergoing bilateral IIA interruption had a higher incidence of BC than patients with unilateral IIA interruption (36.5% vs. 27.2%, OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.11-2.6, p = .01). During a median follow up of 17 months, the pooled rate of persistent BC was 20.5% (95% CI 15.7-26.2). Of the patients, 93.9% underwent an endovascular revascularization procedure for IIA preservation. Most patients (87.6%) had an iliac branched device, and technical success was 96.2%. Within 30 days of EVAR, 4.3% of internal iliac branches occluded. During a median follow up of 15 months, the pooled occlusion rate at the site of IIA revascularization was 8.8% (95% CI 6.8-11.3). In patients treated with an iliac-branched device, 5.2% of internal iliac branches and 1.7% of external iliac arteries occluded. The pooled BC rate on the side of the IIA revascularization during follow up was 4.1% (95% CI 2.9-5.9). Pooled rates of late device related endoleak type I or III and secondary procedures on the side of the previous IIA revascularization were 4.6% (95% CI 3.2-6.5) and 7.8% (95% CI 5.7-10.7) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Unilateral or bilateral IIA occlusion during EVAR seems to carry a substantial risk of significant ischemic complications in nearly one quarter of patients. Bilateral IIA occlusion was related to a significantly higher rate of BC. IIA preservation techniques represent a significant improvement in the treatment of aorto-iliac aneurysms and have been associated with high technical success and low morbidity.

Fate of Enlarged Iliac Arteries After Endovascular or Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Purpose: To examine the fate of untreated ectatic and aneurysmal common iliac arteries (CIAs) after open treatment and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: Databases of scientific literature were searched between January 1980 and February 2016 to identify publications on the follow-up of ectatic and aneurysmal CIAs after open or endovascular AAA repair. The primary outcome measure was the increase of iliac artery diameter during follow-up. The secondary outcome was the subsequent reintervention rate during follow-up. Results: Only 3 open AAA and 3 EVAR studies containing 1239 patients met the inclusion criteria for analysis. In the open AAA group, ectatic iliac arteries (defined as 12–18 mm) had a diameter progression of 1.7 to 1.8 mm during a follow-up period of 51.6 to 85.2 months. The aneurysmal iliac arteries (>18 mm) in the open repair group showed a faster growth (2.3–3.0 mm) in a follow-up period of 50.4 to 85.2 months. The pooled assessment of arteries ≥18 mm had a mean growth of 2.56 mm at 60 months of follow-up. In the entire open AAA cohort, the reintervention rate for CIA transformation was <1%. In the EVAR studies, arbitrary cutoff sizes of 16 to 20 mm for ectatic arteries and >20 mm for aneurysmal arteries were used. During a follow-up of 39.2 to 60 months, the diameter progression was 1.5 mm for the 16-mm iliac arteries and 2.7 mm for the 20-mm iliac arteries. The need for endovascular reinterventions was similar in patients with previously normal or enlarged CIAs. Conclusion: After open AAA repair, the overall size of CIA aneurysms grows slowly, but enlarged CIAs >20 mm in EVAR patients show faster growth during follow-up. However, the need for secondary interventions was similar in patients with normal or enlarged CIAs post EVAR.

Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm with severely angulated neck and tortuous artery access: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Endovascular aneurysm repair has revolutionized the therapeutic strategy for abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, hostile proximal aneurysmal neck and tortuosity of access vessels remain challenges in selecting optimal stent-grafts in abdominal aortic aneurysms with difficult anatomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 65-year-old woman complained of intermittent abdominal pain for one week. Computed tomography angiogram demonstrated a tortuous infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a tapered neck and a 136° of infrarenal angulation. Aneurysmal dilatation and severe calcification of bilateral iliac arteries and tortuous aortoiliac access were also showed. Endovascular approach using Endurant stent-graft was attempted at an outside hospital, but failed because of the significant tortuosity of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. Since the patient refused to have open aneurysm repair, he was transferred to our hospital for further evaluation and possible EVAR with a different approach. EVAR was performed successfully using Gore Excluder stent-grafts (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA). During the procedure, cannulation of the contralateral limb was unable to be achieved because of the tortuous aortoiliac course. Therefore, a snare was inserted from right radial artery, through the contralateral gate, to grasp the wire from left femoral artery. Two iliac stent-grafts were sequentially deployed with the lower end distal to the opening of the left internal iliac artery. Angiography confirmed complete sealing of the aneurysm with patency of bilateral renal arteries and external iliac arteries. The postoperative courses were uneventful and follow-up computed tomography angiogram at 6 months demonstrated patent bilateral femoral and renal arteries without endoleaks or stent migration.

CONCLUSION

Although endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm with hostile neck and tortuous access is rather challenging, choosing flexible stent-grafts and suitable techniques is able to achieve an encouraging outcome.

Clinical impact of hypogastric artery occlusion in endovascular aneurysm repair

Purpose

To report the long-term results for patients treated with endovascular aneurysm repair and additional embolization and coverage of the hypogastric artery compared with patients treated with simple endovascular aneurysm repair.

Methods

A database of our endovascular aneurysm repair patient cohort was reviewed to find patients with iliac artery aneurysms. The baseline characteristics, the procedural data and the results for patients treated with endovascular aneurysm repair and concomitant hypogastric artery embolization were compared with those for patients treated with simple endovascular aneurysm repair. The results were analyzed for significant differences.

Results

Of 106 endovascular aneurysm repair patients treated at our vascular unit from 2001 to 2010, 24 had undergone additional hypogastric artery embolization. The complication rate was significantly increased in this group (12.5% vs. 2.4%; p = 0.041), and the long-term results were significantly poorer. Additional hypogastric artery embolization resulted in late rupture (1.2% vs. 12.5%; p = 0.036), buttock claudication (8.6% vs. 43.8%; p = 0.001) and new onset erectile dysfunction (17.3% vs. 42.9%; p = 0.043).

Conclusion

Endovascular aneurysm repair with extension of the stent graft to the external iliac artery and embolization of the hypogastric artery was associated with more complications and worse long-term results compared with simple endovascular aneurysm repair.

Use of flow-diverting stents to treat para-anastomotic iliac artery aneurysms after previous open aortic prosthetic reconstruction

PURPOSE

To present a series of para-anastomotic iliac artery aneurysms treated with flow-diverting stents.

CASE REPORTS

Three patients (2 men, 1 woman; ages 70, 73, and 78 years) with previous open aortoiliac reconstructions received a 12-mm-diameter Cardiatis Multilayer Stent to treat 4 para-anastomotic iliac artery aneurysms in an attempt to preserve their ipsilateral hypogastric arteries. After 1-year follow-up, all aneurysms were successfully excluded, with complete sac thrombosis in three and partial thrombosis in one. The diameter of the aneurysm was reduced in all by a median 6 mm. At 1 year, patency of the hypogastric artery was maintained in only the patient with partial sac thrombosis. No patient developed buttock claudication.

CONCLUSION

The use of flow-diverting stents for para-anastomotic iliac artery aneurysms resulted in reduction of iliac aneurysm diameter. However, intended patency of the ipsilateral hypogastric artery was not always observed. The feasibility of the technique has therefore not been shown for this specific indication.