Daniele Mascia

Is Open Repair Still the Gold Standard in Visceral Artery Aneurysm Management

BACKGROUND Visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms represent a rare disease with high mortality. The aim of this study was to report a single center experience of open repair (OR) and endovascular treatment (ET) of 94 patients, and to analyze short- and midterm results. METHODS Between 1988 and 2010, 94 patients, 43 men and 51 women, mean age of 57.6 years (range, 23-87 years), were referred to our Institute with a diagnosis of visceral artery aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm. Arteries involved were splenic artery in 44 cases, hepatic artery in 17, renal artery in 18, superior mesenteric artery in six, celiac trunk in three, gastroduodenal in two, and pancreaticoduodenal in four. An abdominal aortic aneurysm coexisted in three (3%) cases, whereas in six (6%) cases, there were multiple visceral aneurysms. ET was indicated based on the anatomical location of the aneurysm or for patients at high risk for surgery. RESULTS A total of 74 patients underwent OR, whereas ET was performed in 20 patients. Technical success was achieved in all cases treated by open surgery. Splenectomy was performed in 11 cases, and in six, splenic autotransplantation was performed. At 6 months of follow-up, a Tc99m-labeled red cell scintigraphy showed that autotransplants were viable in four patients (67%). No cases of pancreatitis or splenic infarction were observed. Among renal artery aneurysms, nephrectomy was necessary in one case of renal infarction for massive thrombosis of the ex-vivo reconstructed renal artery. Four surgical conversions were recorded (one thrombosis of the hepatic artery, one massive hemorrhage after embolization of superior mesenteric artery aneurysm, and two cases of sac enlargement after 24 and 48 months). An endoleak was present in a patient treated for a splenic artery aneurysm, but it resolved spontaneously after 6 months. No complications were observed in patients undergoing surgical conversion after ET. Perioperative mortality in the surgical group was 1.3% (1/74). There was no perioperative mortality in the endovascular group. No statistically significant difference was found between groups in terms of perioperative mortality (p = 1.00). Perioperative morbidity was 9.4% (7/74) in the surgical group, and 10% (2/20) in the endovascular group (p = 1.00). Follow-up was available for 16 patients in the endovascular group (80%) and 63 in the surgical group (85%), with a mean duration of 42 months (1-192 months). In the whole cohort, actuarial survival at 10 years was 68%. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 1 and 5 years were 100% and 85%, respectively, for OR, and 100% and 40%, respectively, for ET, with no significant difference between the two groups CONCLUSION ET is safe and feasible in selected patients, but incomplete exclusion may be observed, requiring late surgical conversion in a significant number of patients. Long-term results (high survival, low complication rate) confirm the durability of the surgical approach that in our experience remains the gold standard with satisfactory results, especially for aneurysms involving the visceral hilum.

Use of a novel hybrid vascular graft for sutureless revascularization of the renal arteries during open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the safety and short-term effectiveness of a novel hybrid vascular graft used to address renal revascularization during open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair, performing a sutureless distal anastomosis. METHODS Between 2012 and 2013, 25 patients (16 men; mean age, 66 ± 8 years) underwent revascularization of one (24 patients) or both (one patient) renal arteries with the Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft (GHVG; W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) during open TAAA repair. Specific indications included remote location of the ostium of the renal artery, severe atherosclerotic wall degeneration, focal dissection, and stenosis. All surviving patients underwent computed tomography angiography and follow-up visit at 1 month. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative data, and short-term results were compared with those of 49 concurrent TAAA patients operated on within the same period by standard renal revascularization (SRR) techniques. RESULTS All GHVG target renal vessels (26 of 26) were successfully revascularized without technical concerns. No significant differences were found between GHVG and SRR groups in preoperative and intraoperative data, except for a relative prevalence of aortic dissection (28% vs 6%; P = .026) and renal artery stenosis (44% vs 12%; P = .003) in the GHVG group and for intraoperative renal bare stenting that was predominantly used in the SRR group (12% vs 28%; P = .036). The 30-day mortality was 4% in both groups. Postoperative acute renal failure (doubling of creatinine level and creatinine level >3.0 mg/dL) occurred in two GHVG patients (8%) and seven SRR patients (14%; P = NS). Perioperative peak decrease of estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower in the GHVG group (26 ± 18 mL/min/1.73 m(2) vs 37 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m(2); P = .034). At 1-month computed tomography angiography, renal artery patency was 92% for the GHVG vessels, 91% for the contralateral to GHVG renal vessels, and 92% for the SRR group arteries. No GHVG-related complications requiring reintervention or cases of new-onset renal failure requiring dialysis were observed at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Renal revascularization during open TAAA repair by the GHVG with distal sutureless anastomosis is feasible, especially in cases of aortic dissection, remote location of the renal vessel, and severe atherosclerotic disease of the ostium. Short-term results are satisfactory, at least comparable to those of SRR. Larger series and longer follow-up are needed to assess clinical advantages and durability of this new device.

Outcome in cirrhotic patients after elective surgical repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysm

OBJECTIVE Abdominal surgery in patients with advanced liver disease has been reported to be associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, the surgical risk of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in cirrhotics remains ill-defined. We reviewed our experience to investigate the predictors of the outcome in cirrhotic patients after elective AAA open repair. METHODS Between January 2001 and March 2006, 1189 patients underwent elective open repair of infrarenal AAA and 24 (2%) had a biopsy-proven cirrhosis (23 male, 1 female; mean age, 68 ± 7 years). The latter were retrospectively stratified according to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Operative variables, perioperative complications, and survival were recorded and compared with those of 48 concurrent noncirrhotic controls matched (2:1) by gender, age, aneurysm size, preoperative glomerular filtration rate, and type of reconstruction. The effect of CTP and MELD scores on midterm survival was investigated in cirrhotics with the Kaplan-Meier log-rank method. RESULTS No intraoperative or 30-day deaths were recorded. No significant differences in terms of major perioperative complications were observed between cirrhotic patients and controls. Operative time and intraoperative blood transfusion requirement were significantly higher in cirrhotics (162 ± 49 vs 132 ± 39 minutes; P = .007 and 273 ± 364 vs 84 ± 183 mL; P = .040, respectively). Hospital length of stay was nearly doubled in cirrhotic patients (11.0 ± 2.8 vs 5.8 ± 1.5 days; P < .0001). Twenty-two cirrhotic patients were classified as CTP A and two as CTP B. Median MELD score was 8 (range, 6-14). CTP class B was associated with higher intraoperative blood transfusion requirement (941 ± 54 vs 213 ± 314 mL; P = .029). At a mean follow-up of 30.7 ± 22.1 months, five deaths were recorded in cirrhotics, and three in controls. Actuarial survival at 2 years was 77.4% in cirrhotics and 97.8% in controls (log-rank test, P = .026). Both CTP B patients died within 6 months. CTP class B and a MELD score ≥10 were associated with reduced midterm survival rates (log-rank test, P < .0001 and P = .021, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In our experience, elective AAA open repair in relatively compensated cirrhotics was safely performed with an acceptable increase of the magnitude of the operation. However, the reduced life expectancy of cirrhotics with a MELD score ≥10 suggests that such a procedure may not be warranted in this subgroup of patients.

Automated pressure-controlled cerebrospinal fluid drainage during open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objective: Perioperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage is a well‐established technique for spinal cord protection during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) open repair and is usually performed using dripping chamber‐based systems. A new automated device for controlled and continuous CSF drainage, designed to maintain CSF pressure around the desired set values, thus avoiding unnecessary drainage, is currently available. The aim of our study was to determine whether the use of the new LiquoGuard automated device (Möller Medical GmbH, Fulda, Germany) during TAAA open repair was safe and effective in maintaining the desired CSF pressure values and whether the incidence of complications was reduced compared with a standard catheter connected to a dripping chamber. Methods: Data of patients who underwent surgical TAAA open repair using perioperative CSF drainage at our institution between October 2012 and October 2014 were recorded. The difference in CSF pressure values between patients who underwent CSF drainage with a conventional dripping chamber‐based system (manual group) and patients who underwent CSF drainage with the LiquoGuard (automated group) was measured at the beginning of the intervention (T1), 15 minutes after aortic cross‐clamping (T2), just before unclamping (T3), at the end of surgery (T4), and 4 hours after the end of surgery (T5). The choice of the draining systems was randomly alternated with one‐to‐one rate until the last six patients consecutively treated with LiquoGuard were enrolled. Primary outcomes were occurrence of spinal cord ischemia, intracranial hemorrhage, postdural puncture headache, and in‐hospital mortality. Results: The study included 152 patients who underwent open surgical TAAA repair during the study period: 73 patients underwent CSF drainage with the traditional system and 79 with LiquoGuard. The CSF pressure values at T1 and T5 were not considerably different in the two groups. By repeated‐measures analysis of variance, a significant upward trend of perioperative CSF pressure was observed in the automated group at T2, T3, and T4 (group × time interaction = F3,66; P < .001). No difference was reported in the occurrence of spinal cord ischemia, intracranial hemorrhage, or mortality. The LiquoGuard group reported significantly reduced postdural puncture headache (3.3% vs 16.9%; P = .01). Conclusions: Perioperative use of LiquoGuard during TAAA open repair was safe and effective. Despite slightly higher intraoperative CSF pressures, the rate of spinal cord ischemia did not increase in the LiquoGuard group, and postdural puncture headache significantly decreased.

Management of visceral aortic patch aneurysms after thoracoabdominal repair with open, hybrid, or endovascular approach

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of patients with visceral aortic patch (VAP) aneurysms after open repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) treated with three different approaches: open, hybrid, and endovascular repair. Methods: Between 1993 and 2016, there were 29 cases treated for VAP aneurysm after initial TAAA open repair (median time interval, 6.2 years; interquartile range, 4‐8 years). Three different treatment modalities were employed: redo open repair (O group) in 14 cases (48.3%), hybrid repair (H group) in 10 cases (34.5%), and endovascular custom‐made fenestrated endograft repair (E group) in 5 cases (17.2%). Early (30‐day) and midterm results were recorded. The primary end point was a composite major adverse event score: any 30‐day death plus any grade ≥2 postoperative complications plus any surgical revision classified according to the Society for Vascular Surgery/American Association for Vascular Surgery reporting standards. Patients were evaluated with computed tomography scans in the outpatient clinic at 3, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter. Results: The composite major adverse event score significantly differed among groups (O group, 79%; H group, 60%; E group, 0%; P = .009). Two cases (6.9%) of temporary delayed spinal cord ischemia (grade 1) were observed in both the E and H groups. The treatment modality employed was differently associated with blood loss ≥1000 mL (O group, 79%; H group, 40%; E group, 0%; P = .007), number of packed red blood cells transfused ≥3 units (O group, 100%; H group, 90%; E group, 40%; P = .003), intensive care unit stay >1 day (O group, 71%; H group, 70%; E group, 0%; P = .014), and length of hospital stay ≥7 days (O group, 79%; H group, 80%, E group, 20%; P = .034). At short term (6 months), we observed one endovascular reintervention in the E group and one fatal visceral graft thrombosis in the H group. At a median follow‐up of 30 months (interquartile range, 15‐75 months), we observed another aneurysm‐related death in the H group due to graft infection and four unrelated deaths (one case in the H group and two cases in the O group). Conclusions: This retrospective study confirms that repair of VAP aneurysms that develop after open repair of TAAAs can be performed with open, hybrid, and endovascular techniques. Current practice favors endovascular repair if possible, but a conclusion that it is superior to any other technique requires validation in a larger sample or a randomized trial.

Percutaneous axillary artery access for fenestrated and branched thoracoabdominal endovascular repair

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of upper extremity access (UEA) with percutaneous closure of the axillary artery (AxA) during endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with fenestrated and branched endografts. Methods: Between January 2014 and 2017, 34 out of 37 patients (92%) required UEA during a staged branched and fenestrated endovascular approach. A percutaneous AxA (pAxA) approach was used in 14 consecutive patients (41%) with the off‐label use of two Perclose ProGlide (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif) devices. The results of patients who had received a pAxA access were analyzed; technical success was defined as successful arterial closure with no evidence of persistent bleeding or arterial occlusion requiring secondary interventions. Early (30 days) and short‐term (6 months) success rates were recorded. The anatomic characteristics of the AxA of the entire cohort (34 cases) were studied. Results: Primary technical success of pAxA was 100%; in one case, an adjunctive Perclose ProGlide device was used to achieve complete closure. No secondary open or endovascular procedures were required. At predischarge computed tomography, no intimal defects, pseudoaneurysms, or signs of bleeding were observed, and all patients were discharged without neurologic deficits related to the AxA puncture site. All 14 patients are alive at follow‐up, and 9 of 14 patients completed a 6‐month clinical follow‐up with computed tomography examination; no late complications were observed at the site of UEA percutaneous repair. With regard to the anatomic characteristics of the AxA, the vessel diameters in the first and third segments were statistically different (P < .001) with a median difference of 1.5 mm (1.0‐2.0 mm), with no differences between the right and left sides. The distance between the end of the first segment of the AxA and the origin from the aortic arch was statistically different between the right and left sides, with a median difference of 36 mm (17‐50 mm). A positive linear correlation was found between the diameter of the AxA and the height of the patients. Conclusions: AxA is adequate in terms of both caliber and lack of calcifications as an access vessel for large‐sheath catheterizations, and it might be considered an alternative UEA for complex aortic endovascular procedures thanks to its proximity to visceral target vessels. In this preliminary experience, percutaneous closure of AxA access with the Perclose ProGlide device is clinically safe and technically feasible with high rates of success.

Late patency of reconstructed visceral arteries after open repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm

Background: In the era of rising endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs), the analysis of visceral vessel (VV) patency after open surgical repair is crucial to provide a future benchmark between these different approaches. This study reports the late outcomes of a single‐center experience with open TAAA repair, focusing on the results of different techniques adopted for renal and splanchnic revascularization. Methods: Data were analyzed for 382 consecutive open TAAA repairs performed between January 2009 and July 2015 (284 men; mean age, 66 ± 10 years). Follow‐up of surviving patients was carried out by computed tomography angiography and office checkups at 3 and 12 months and yearly afterward. Kaplan‐Meier analysis was performed for overall survival, patency of reconstructed VVs (celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, right renal artery, left renal artery), and reinterventions on visceral arteries. Furthermore, VV long‐term patency was analyzed in subgroups of patients according to the revascularization strategy (patch inclusion of all vessels, group 1; one‐vessel separate reattachment and patch inclusion of the remaining vessels, group 2; separate reattachment of all VVs, group 3). Results: In‐hospital mortality and paraparesis/paraplegia occurred in 7.6% and 8.1% of patients, respectively. Among the 353 survivors, 338 complied with the follow‐up protocol, and adequate computed tomography angiography images were available in 247 patients (952 VVs were analyzed). Overall follow‐up survival was 94%, 91%, and 70% at 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years, respectively. At the same time points, VV patency was 99%, 98%, and 98% for celiac trunk; 100%, 100%, and 100% for superior mesenteric artery; 100%, 96%, and 96% for right renal artery; and 91%, 87%, and 82% for left renal artery (log‐rank test, P < .0001). Estimates for reinterventions on VVs were 1.2%, 6.3%, and 17% at the same time points. Freedom from occlusion of any VV at 1 year and 3 years was 95% and 87% for group 1, 89% and 79% for group 2, and 92% and 92% for group 3, respectively (log‐rank test, P = .13). Conclusions: Long‐term patency of VVs after open TAAA repair performed in high‐volume centers is high, regardless of the technique employed for revascularization. The left renal artery appears to be most prone to occlusion over time.

Satisfactory short-term outcomes of the STABILISE technique for type B aortic dissection

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative and short‐term results in a cohort of patients treated during the last year at our institution with the stent‐assisted balloon‐induced intimal disruption and relamination in aortic dissection repair (STABILISE) technique for acute complicated aortic dissection. Methods: Between June 2016 and June 2017, 10 patients (all male; mean age, 62.6 ± 7.4 years) received treatment for acute complicated aortic dissection with the STABILISE technique. After a standard provisional extension to induce complete attachment procedure using the commercially available endovascular dissection system (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind), the distal stent graft area and the bare stent area were ballooned to completely exclude the thoracic false lumen (FL) and to obtain a single‐channeled abdominal aorta. Computed tomography was routinely performed within the first postoperative week before discharge and then at 3 months, at 6 months, and yearly thereafter. The technical and clinical success rates were analyzed. Results: The 30‐day technical and clinical success rates were 100%, with complete thrombosis of the thoracic FL and no type I endoleak. Malperfusion was resolved in all cases. No aortic ruptures were recorded, and no open conversion was required. One case of delayed spinal cord ischemia fully resolved within the discharge period. Predischarge computed tomography showed complete thrombosis of the thoracic FL in all cases. In two cases, some degree of patency of the abdominal FL was observed. At short‐term follow‐up, the overall aortic diameters remained stable with no further dilation. Conclusions: The STABILISE technique was safe and feasible in this cohort of patients, with complete thrombosis of the thoracic FL and creation of a single‐channeled aorta in most cases. Further studies are needed to ascertain the long‐term behavior of the treated aorta.

Preliminary Outcomes of the LifeStream Balloon-Expandable Covered Stent in Fenestrated and Branched Thoracoabdominal Endovascular Repairs:

Purpose: To evaluate the 1-year outcomes of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair using fenestrated and branched stent-grafts and a novel balloon-expandable covered stent. Methods: Between March 2015 and January 2017, 18 patients (median age 74.7 years; 14 men) received 43 LifeStream balloon-expandable covered stents in conjunction with Zenith fenestrated/branched stent-grafts to bridge 11 celiac trunks, 8 superior mesenteric arteries, and 24 renal arteries (total 32 fenestrations and 11 branches). Results: Stent delivery and deployment was successful in all cases. At 30 days, 5 patients presented with perifenestration endoleaks (type IIIc) secondary to inadequate sealing of the LifeStream covered stent in 7 (22%) of 32 fenestrations. No type IIIc endoleaks were reported in the branched cases. Four patients had a secondary endovascular reintervention with proximal relining by means of a bare balloon-expandable stent at the perifenestration transition area, with complete resolution of the endoleak at 1-year follow-up. One patient refused reintervention. The last 4 fenestrated stent-grafts of this series had prophylactic perifenestration bare stent relining with no evidence of type IIIc endoleaks at imaging. At a median follow-up of 14.1 months (interquartile range 11, 22), the 12-month LifeStream patency rate was 100%. Conclusion: This single-center preliminary experience with the LifeStream balloon-expandable covered stent in fenestrated/branched stent-grafts for TAAA repairs demonstrated good patency; however, an unexpectedly high rate of type IIIc endoleaks was observed. These endoleaks were resolved with reintervention or during the index procedure by proximal relining with a bare balloon-expandable stent, achieving adequate perifenestration sealing.

How to best treat infectious complications of open and endovascular thoracic aortic repairs

Infectious complications of open and endovascular procedures for descending thoracic aortic disease are relatively rare, affecting 1% to 6% of treated patients. However, the number of thoracic aortic procedures, especially endovascular, is increasing continuously, and infectious complications involving the graft or endograft have been observed more frequently in recent years. Several causative factors may play a role in thoracic aortic prosthetic infections, including hematogenous seeding, local bacterial translocation, and iatrogenous contamination. In addition, the development of a fistula between the aortic graft and the esophagus or the bronchial tree is a common associated finding, representing a dramatic event that further increases mortality rates and requires multidisciplinary management. Treatment of these conditions is demanding, often including a number of pharmacological, surgical, and endovascular options. Because there are several different surgical strategies and timing modalities that are chosen according to the surgeons experience, the results of different treatment options are difficult to summarize, and no consensus exists on a standardized paradigm of treatment. In this review, published reports regarding clinical outcomes related to thoracic graft and endograft infections are discussed, including our personal experience with surgical and endovascular management of this condition.