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Xie Y, Zhu Y, Shi Y, Zhao Y, Zhang H, Li F, Song H, Chen L, Guo W. Impact of Cross-Limb Stent-Graft Configuration on Hemodynamics in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Interventional Therapy. Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2024; 15:137-146. [PMID: 37985614 DOI: 10.1007/s13239-023-00702-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The cross-limb (CL) technique is a commonly used endovascular treatment for addressing unfavorable anatomical features in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The configuration of CL stent-graft plays a critical role in determining the postoperative hemodynamic properties and physiological behaviors, which ultimately impact the efficacy and safety of endovascular AAA treatment. This study aims to investigate the relationship between hemodynamics and CL stent-graft configuration from a hemodynamic perspective. METHODS Five distinct geometric models of cross-limb (CL) stent-graft configurations were constructed by optimizing the real clinical computed tomography angiography (CTA) data. These models varied in main body lengths and cross angles and were used to perform numerical simulations to analyze various hemodynamic parameters. Flow pattern, distribution of wall shear stress (WSS)-related parameters, localized normalized helicity (LNH), pressure drop, and the displacement force of all models were examined in this paper. RESULTS In patient-specific cases, helical flow and WSS increase with the main body. However, it also generated secondary flow in localized areas, leading to increased oscillation in the WSS direction. Notably, increasing the stent graft's main body length or decreasing the cross angle reduced the displacement force exerted on the stent-graft. Reducing the cross angle did not significantly alter the hemodynamic characteristics. CONCLUSION In the clinical practice of CL deployment, it is crucial to carefully consider the stent-graft configuration and the patient specific to achieve optimal postoperative outcomes. This study provides valuable insights for guiding stent selection and treatment planning in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm undergoing CL techniques, from a hemodynamic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, China
| | - Yating Zhu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yike Shi
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Yawei Zhao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Hongpeng Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Fen Li
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, 79 West Yingze Street, Taiyuan, 030024, China.
| | - Hui Song
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, 79 West Yingze Street, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Lingfeng Chen
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Cuozzo S, Miceli F, Marzano A, Martinelli O, Gattuso R, Sbarigia E. Surgery for late type Ia/IIIb endoleak from a fabric tear and stent fracture of AFX2 stent graft. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech 2022; 8:458-461. [PMID: 36016704 PMCID: PMC9395749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Technical improvements and labeling updates of the AFX2 stent graft (Endologix Inc, Irvine, CA) seemed to have solved the known issues of its previous generation (AFX Strata). Although most endograft failures after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair will be managed endovascularly, a small subset of patients will still require secondary open conversion. Partial or complete endograft removal can be required, mainly dependent on the characteristics of the stent graft previously placed. We have report a case of secondary open conversion for late type Ia/IIIb endoleak due to stent fracture and fabric tear of the AFX2 stent graft 3 years after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
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Ioannidis G, Georgakarakos E, Raptis A, Xenos M, Manopoulos C, Matsagkas M, Giannoukas A. Modeling and Computational Comparison of the Displacement Forces Exerted between the AFX Unibody Aortic Stent Graft and its Hybrid Combination with a Nitinol-based Proximal Aortic Cuff. Ann Vasc Surg 2021; 74:400-409. [PMID: 33819590 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The bifurcated AFX (Endologix, Inc, Irvine, CA, USA) aortic stent-graft is the sole unibody endograft for the management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA). In order to improve the AFX central sealing and clinical efficacy in challenging cases, a replacement of the central chromium-cobaltium AFX extension with a Nitinol-based proximal aortic cuff has been suggested. Yet, comparative data regarding the hemodynamic performance of this design is missing. Aim of this study was to compare the displacement forces (DF) acting on the hybrid AFX-Endurant design, with the classic AFX and Endurant endografts, in angulated and non-angulated cases based on patient-specific Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. METHODS 3D endograft models of 11 treated AAA cases were reconstructed from Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) imaging data: 5 cases of AFX, 3 cases of the combination AFX-Endurant and 3 cases of the classic Endurant design. The DF on the main-body, the iliac limbs, and the entire stent-graft was calculated by processing the velocity and pressure fields generated by pulsatile CFD simulations. RESULTS The range of total DF (acting on the whole endograft structure) in the AFX, hybrid AFX-Endurant and Endurant group was 2.5-5.2N, 2.0-5.9N and 1.9-2.9N respectively, with the maximum total DF being lower for Endurant. The DF on the main-body of the classic and hybrid AFX cases were higher than the right and left iliac limbs (2.5-4.9N vs. 0.6-5.3N and 0.7-3.6N respectively). Conversely, the DF on the main-body of the Endurant cases was comparable to the force exerted on the right and left limbs. When separating the cases with respect to their neck angulation, the DF on all endograft parts (main-body, limbs) and on the endograft as a whole were lower for the hybrid AFX-Endurant group compared to the classic AFX and Endurant groups, for cases with almost straight neck. CONCLUSION The off-label use of the hybrid AFX-Endurant stent-graft does not seem superior to the conventional AFX or Endurant endografts in angulated cases but was associated with lower DF than AFX or Endurant in non-angulated cases. The clinical value and utility of these findings remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Ioannidis
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Efstratios Georgakarakos
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
| | - Anastasios Raptis
- Laboratory for Vascular Simulations, Institute of Vascular Diseases, Larissa, Greece; Biofluid Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Fluids Section, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
| | - Michalis Xenos
- Department of Mathematics, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christos Manopoulos
- Biofluid Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Fluids Section, School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
| | - Miltiadis Matsagkas
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Athanasios Giannoukas
- Laboratory for Vascular Simulations, Institute of Vascular Diseases, Larissa, Greece; Department of Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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Spatial Configuration of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Analysis as a Useful Tool for the Estimation of Stent-Graft Migration. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10100737. [PMID: 32977588 PMCID: PMC7598279 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10100737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to prepare a self-made mathematical algorithm for the estimation of risk of stent-graft migration with the use of data on abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) size and geometry of blood flow through aneurysm sac before or after stent-graft implantation. AngioCT data from 20 patients aged 50–60 years, before and after stent-graft placement in the AAA was analyzed. In order to estimate the risk of stent-graft migration for each patient we prepared an opposite spatial configuration of virtually reconstructed stent-graft with long body or short body. Thus, three groups of 3D geometries were analyzed: 20 geometries representing 3D models of aneurysm, 20 geometries representing 3D models of long body stent-grafts, and 20 geometries representing 3D models of short body stent-graft. The proposed self-made algorithm demonstrated its efficiency and usefulness in estimating wall shear stress (WSS) values. Comparison of the long or short type of stent-graft with AAA geometries allowed to analyze the implants’ spatial configuration. Our study indicated that short stent-graft, after placement in the AAA sac, generated lower drug forces compare to the long stent-graft. Each time shape factor was higher for short stent-graft compare to long stent-graft.
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Georgakarakos E, Ioannidis G, Koutsoumpelis A, Papatheodorou N, Argyriou C, Spanos K, Giannoukas AD, Georgiadis GS. Τhe AFX unibody bifurcated unibody aortic endograft for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: current evidence and future perspectives. Expert Rev Med Devices 2019; 17:5-15. [DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2020.1704254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Efstratios Georgakarakos
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Georgios Ioannidis
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Andreas Koutsoumpelis
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | - Christos Argyriou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Spanos
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Athanasios D. Giannoukas
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - George S. Georgiadis
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Ostasevicius V, Tretsyakou-Savich Y, Venslauskas M, Bertasiene A, Minchenya V, Chernoglaz P. Adaptation of cardiovascular system stent implants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 63:279-290. [PMID: 29624499 DOI: 10.1515/bmt-2017-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Time-consuming design and manufacturing processes are a serious disadvantage when adapting human cardiovascular implants as they cause unacceptable delays after the decision to intervene surgically has been made. An ideal cardiovascular implant should have a broad range of characteristics such as strength, viscoelasticity and blood compatibility. The present research proposes the sequence of the geometrical adaptation procedures and presents their results. The adaptation starts from the identification of a person's current health status while performing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) imaging, which is a point of departure for the mathematical model of a cardiovascular implant. The computerized tomography scan shows the patient-specific geometry parameters of AAA and helps to create a model using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The initial parameters for flow simulation are taken from the results of a patient survey. The simulation results allow choosing the available shape of an implant which ensures a non-turbulent flow. These parameters are essential for the design and manufacturing of an implant prototype which should be tested experimentally for the assurance that the mathematical model is adequate to a physical one. The article gives a focused description of competences and means that are necessary to achieve the shortest possible preparation of the adapted cardiovascular implant for the surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vytautas Ostasevicius
- Institute of Mechatronics, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu str. 56, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Yahor Tretsyakou-Savich
- Institute of Mechatronics, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu str. 56, Kaunas, Lithuania.,Department of Construction and Production of Instruments, Belarusian National Technical University, 65 Nezavisimosty Ave., Minsk, Belarus
| | - Mantas Venslauskas
- Institute of Mechatronics, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu str. 56, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Agne Bertasiene
- Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos st. 3, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Vladimir Minchenya
- Department of Construction and Production of Instruments, Belarusian National Technical University, 65 Nezavisimosty Ave., Minsk, Belarus
| | - Pavel Chernoglaz
- Angiographic Cabinet, 1st Municipal Clinical Hospital HCI, Ave. Nezavisimosti, 64, City Minsk, Belarus
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Polanczyk A, Podyma M, Trebinski L, Chrzastek J, Zbicinski I, Stefanczyk L. A Novel Attempt to Standardize Results of CFD Simulations Basing on Spatial Configuration of Aortic Stent-Grafts. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153332. [PMID: 27073907 PMCID: PMC4830540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, studies connected with Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) techniques focus on assessing hemodynamic of blood flow in vessels in different conditions e.g. after stent-graft’s placement. The paper propose a novel method of standardization of results obtained from calculations of stent-grafts' “pushing forces” (cumulative WSS—Wall Shear Stress), and describes its usefulness in diagnostic process. AngioCT data from 27 patients were used to reconstruct 3D geometries of stent-grafts which next were used to create respective reference cylinders. We made an assumption that both the side surface and the height of a stent-graft and a reference cylinder were equal. The proposed algorithm in conjunction with a stent-graft “pushing forces” on an implant wall, allowed us to determine which spatial configuration of a stent-graft predispose to the higher risk of its migration. For stent-grafts close to cylindrical shape (shape factor φ close to 1) WSS value was about 267Pa, while for stent-grafts different from cylindrical shape (φ close to 2) WSS value was about 635Pa. It was also noticed that deformation in the stent-graft’s bifurcation part impaired blood flow hemodynamic. Concluding the proposed algorithm of standardization proved its usefulness in estimating the WSS values that may be useful in diagnostic process. Angular bends or tortuosity in bifurcations of an aortic implant should be considered in further studies of estimation of the risk of implantation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Polanczyk
- Department of Heat and Mass Transfer, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Marek Podyma
- Department of Heat and Mass Transfer, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Lukasz Trebinski
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jaroslaw Chrzastek
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Zbicinski
- Department of Heat and Mass Transfer, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ludomir Stefanczyk
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Sassani SG, Kakisis J, Tsangaris S, Sokolis DP. Layer-dependent wall properties of abdominal aortic aneurysms: Experimental study and material characterization. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2015; 49:141-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2015.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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9
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Georgakarakos E, Raptis A, Schoretsanitis N, Bisdas T, Beropoulis E, Georgiadis GS, Matsagkas M, Xenos M. Studying the Interaction of Stent-Grafts and Treated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. J Endovasc Ther 2015; 22:413-20. [DOI: 10.1177/1526602815583494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Since the advent of endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms (EVAR), clinical focus has been on preventing loss of sealing at the level of the infrarenal neck, which leads to type I endoleak and repressurization of the aneurysm sac. Enhanced mechanisms for central fixation and seal have consequently lowered the incidence of migration and endoleaks. However, endograft limb thrombosis and its causal mechanisms have not been addressed adequately in the literature. This article reviews the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with limb thrombosis in order to facilitate better clinical judgment to prevent iliac adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstratios Georgakarakos
- Department of Vascular Surgery, “Democritus” University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Anastasios Raptis
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Surgery Unit, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Schoretsanitis
- Department of Vascular Surgery, “Democritus” University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Theodosios Bisdas
- Department of Vascular Surgery, St. Franziskus Hospital and University Clinic Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Efthymios Beropoulis
- Department of Vascular Surgery, “Democritus” University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Department of Vascular Surgery, St. Franziskus Hospital and University Clinic Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - George S. Georgiadis
- Department of Vascular Surgery, “Democritus” University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Miltiadis Matsagkas
- Department of Surgery, Vascular Surgery Unit, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Michalis Xenos
- Department of Mathematics, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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Georgakarakos E, Argyriou C, Schoretsanitis N, Ioannou CV, Kontopodis N, Morgan R, Tsetis D. Geometrical Factors Influencing the Hemodynamic Behavior of the AAA Stent Grafts: Essentials for the Clinician. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2014; 37:1420-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00270-014-0927-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Georgakarakos E, Xenakis A, Manopoulos C, Georgiadis GS, Tsangaris S, Lazarides M. Geometric Factors Affecting the Displacement Forces in an Aortic Endograft With Crossed Limbs: A Computational Study. J Endovasc Ther 2013; 20:191-9. [DOI: 10.1583/1545-1550-20.2.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Bail DHL, Walker T, Giehl J. Vascular Endostapling Systems for Vascular Endografts (T)EVAR—Systematic Review—Current State. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2013; 47:261-6. [DOI: 10.1177/1538574413478474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Recently, vascular endostapling systems were developed to achieve better sealing at the proximal neck of the aneurysm and to prevent endograft migration. The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic review about the current state and possible options of vascular endostapling systems. Results: No randomized controlled trials were published. The results showed that the use of an endostaple system considerably reduced the rates of endoleaks type 1a and endograft migration. Regarding the use of endostaples in different types of endografts, only a few results were available. Conclusion: The results are not conclusive. With endostaple systems, patients with difficult anatomic features and high risk can potentially be treated. These systems might reduce the high reintervention rates after endovascular aneurysm repair. Controlled randomized trials with larger number of patients are warranted with endostapling use in primary endograft implantation and for use in reintervention for late endoleaks or endograft migrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee H. L. Bail
- KCQ - Competence-Center Quality Assurance, Medical Service of Statutory Healthcare Insurance, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Walker
- Department of Thoracic-, Cardiac- and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Giehl
- KCQ - Competence-Center Quality Assurance, Medical Service of Statutory Healthcare Insurance, Tuebingen, Germany
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Georgakarakos E, Xenakis A, Manopoulos C, Georgiadis GS, Tsangaris S, Lazarides MK. Modeling and Computational Analysis of the Hemodynamic Effects of Crossing the Limbs in an Aortic Endograft (“Ballerina” Position). J Endovasc Ther 2012; 19:549-57. [DOI: 10.1583/12-3820.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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14
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Georgakarakos E, Georgiadis GS, Nikolopoulos E, Trellopoulos G, Kapoulas K, Lazarides M. Technical advances with newer aortic endografts provide additional support to withhold the early endovascular repair of small abdominal aortic aneurysms until it is really needed. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2012; 46:374-7. [PMID: 22589239 DOI: 10.1177/1538574412445601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The idea of early endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of "small" abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has gained attention over "watchful waiting," mostly due to the concern for losing the anatomic suitability for endovascular repair over time. Generally, small AAAs have longer, smaller, less angulated necks, and less tortuous iliac arteries than larger ones. Though the borderline anatomic characteristics were assumed to be contraindications for older generation endografts, the modifications of modern devices seem promising to overcome those limitations, in order to treat the small AAAs when reaching the 5.5 cm threshold. Moreover, early endovascular intervention has been proven neither cost effective nor beneficial for the patients' quality of life. This article evaluates the technical progress that could overcome the difficulties of those small AAAs that present technically demanding anatomies, thus advocating endovascular intervention when they reach the diameter threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efstratios Georgakarakos
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
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