Impact of Intraoperative Branch Embolization for Type 2 Endoleak Prevention During Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Repair.

Endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR) has a significantly higher revision rate than open repair, primarily due to type 2 endoleak (2EL). Although 2ELs are considered benign, late open conversion (LOC) due to the expansion of the aneurysm diameter of the 2EL is a concern in the mid- and long-term. In this study, we investigated the impact of embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or lumbar artery (LA) at the time of the initial EVAR and its long-term outcomes. Between April 2008 and December 2021, 743 EVAR procedures for abdominal aortic aneurysms were performed at our institution. The patients were divided into 2 groups at the time of initial surgery, namely, 215 and 528 patients in the embolization (Group E) and nonembolization (Group N) groups, respectively. Branch embolization was performed in patients with an IMA diameter ≥3 mm and LA diameter ≥2 mm on preoperative computed tomography. Re-embolization with EL was performed in patients with a diameter enlargement ≥10 mm, and LOC was performed in patients with continued enlargement ≥15 mm after re-embolization. The mean follow-up period was 7.0 years. The mean number of branch embolizations was 2.3 ± 1.1. Intraoperatively, the operative time, fluoroscopy time, irradiation dose, and contrast medium use were significantly higher in Group E than in Group N. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups regarding shrinkage (Group E versus Group N: 45.6% versus 37.3%; P = 0.03) and enlargement (Group E versus Group N: 9.3% vs. 19.5%; P < 0.001) of the aneurysm diameter by > 5 mm after EVAR. In the mid- and long-term, the avoidance rate of 2EL reintervention was significantly lower in Group E at 5 years (93.5% vs. 88.6%) and 10 years (87.5% vs. 76.4%; P = 0.04). LOC prevention was 5 years; Group E: 100% vs. 96.9% for Group N and 10 years; Group E: 98.8% vs. 92.5% for Group N, significantly lower in Group E (P = 0.02). The impact of branch embolization at the time of the initial EVAR is believed to prevent enlargement of the aneurysmal sac and LOC. However, prolonged operation time, increased radiation exposure, and the use of contrast medium have been debated. To improve the long-term results of EVAR, embolisms of both the IMA and LA are required.

Takazawa A ，Asakura T ，Nakazawa K ，Tokunaga C ，Yoshitake A ... -  《-》

Impact of Significant Sac Shrinkage on Endograft Tortuosity at 5 Years Postendovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Retrospective Analysis.

Significant sac shrinkage after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is generally considered a positive outcome indicative of durable clinical success. However, its impact on endograft configuration is rarely addressed. Sac remodeling and volume loss due to shrinkage can potentially cause deformation of endograft components, resulting in limb angulation and compression. We investigated the hypothesis that significant sac shrinkage could affect endograft tortuosity at 5 years post-EVAR. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent elective EVAR for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm between June 2007 and December 2018. Patients with early postoperative and 5-year follow-up computed tomography images were included. Patients treated with modular bifurcated endografts (Zenith, Endurant, Excluder, and Incraft) were analyzed. The "shrinkage" group comprised patients with >10 mm diameter reduction, while the "stable" group had ± 5 mm diameter change at 5 years. Tortuosity index (TI) was calculated as the ratio of centerline distance to straight-line distance between proximal and distal endograft edges. The association between sac shrinkage and ≥5% increase of TI (≥5%ΔTI) was analyzed for both ipsilateral and contralateral sides. Of 136 patients enrolled, 80 were in the shrinkage group and 56 in the stable group. On the ipsilateral side, ≥5%ΔTI was observed in 24 cases (17.6%). The patients with ipsilateral ≥5%ΔTI had significantly shorter median neck lengths (22 mm vs. 30 mm, P = 0.030). Sac shrinkage ≥15 mm was negatively associated with ≥5%ΔTI compared to stable sac (P = 0.027). Logistic regression showing sac shrinkage ≥15 mm had a significant negative correlation with ≥5%ΔTI (P = 0.025, hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.218 [0.057-0.824]). On the contralateral side, ≥5%ΔTI (19 cases, 14.0%) was associated with shorter neck length but not with sac shrinkage. In the shrinkage group, cross-leg positioning resulted in a significant increase in ipsilateral TI at 5 years compared to straight positioning (median ΔTI: 1.8% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.013). No reinterventions for leg-related events were necessary during the 5-year follow-up period. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, significant sac shrinkage does not adversely affect endograft configuration and may help stabilize tortuosity on the ipsilateral side. However, in patients with crossed-leg configuration, continued vigilant observation may be warranted even after achieving sac shrinkage, as it could exacerbate tortuosity. Shorter neck length was associated with increased tortuosity on both sides. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and consider potential confounding factors, including the impact of different endograft designs.

Sugimoto M ，Osawa T ，Lee C ，Ikeda S ，Kawai Y ，Niimi K ，Banno H ... -  《-》

Beta Blockers are Associated with Increased Mortality Without a Decrease in Reinterventions After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Repair (EVAR).

Predictors of sac behavior after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and the impact of sac behavior on long-term survival are not well known. There are limited multicenter trials studying the impact of beta blockers (BBs) on sac behavior. BBs have consistently failed to show a benefit on abdominal aortic aneurysm sac regression in patients with connective tissue disorders and the general population. This study aims to assess the association between BBs and sac behavior after EVAR. Patients undergoing EVAR registered in Vascular Quality Initiative (2003-2021) stratified by BB and no BB on discharged after an index procedure were assessed at follow-up of 30 days and 1 year. The primary outcomes included mortality and reintervention at 30 days and 1 year. The causes of reintervention were also studied at the defined time endpoints. Categorical and continuous variables were analyzed separately for association between the 2 groups. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 50,411 patients, stratified by BB (28,866; 57.3%), and no BB (21,545; 42.7%) were studied. Patients with hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, prior history of coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous coronary intervention, prior angioplasty or stent, lower extremity bypass, carotid surgery, major amputation, and smokers were more likely to be on a BB at the time of discharge (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in reinterventions when comparing patients with and without BB (P = 0.061). At 30-day follow-up, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups for any cause of reintervention. At 1-year follow-up, patients on BB were less likely to need reintervention for graft occlusion (no BB 18.70%, BB 11.77%, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in reintervention for all other causes at 1-year follow-up. There was an increase in 30-day (no BB 0.20%, BB 0.33%, P = 0.007) and 1-year mortality (no BB 2.35%, BB 3.19%, P < 0.001) in patients on BBs. A time to event adjusted analysis based on Cox proportional hazard model revealed a 26% higher risk of 1-year mortality for patients on BB (hazard ratio: 1.26 [1.10-1.41] P < 0.001). Despite theoretical benefits of BBs on aneurysm behavior, review of the largest national vascular surgery database shows that patients on BBs do not have lower incidence of endovascular reinterventions after EVAR while additionally showing a higher mortality in this patient population.

Vicario-Feliciano R ，Zil-E-Ali A ，Aziz F 《-》

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

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). 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. 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. 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.

Jiang LP ，Wang QB ，Wang X ，Zhang HM ，Ren LY ... -  《-》

Association between diabetes status and long-term outcomes following open and endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Rastogi V ，Summers SP ，Yadavalli SD ，Perrier J ，Allievi S ，Jabbour G ，Stangenberg L ，de Bruin JL ，Jones D ，Ferran CJ ，Verhagen HJM ，Schermerhorn ML ... -  《-》