Joe Huang

A comparison between standard and high density Resilient AneuRx in reducing aneurysm sac pressure in a chronic canine model

OBJECTIVESnLow intra-aneurysm sac pressure has been shown to correlate with sac shrinkage following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) whereas high pressure results in sac enlargement. The Resilient AneuRx (RSA) has higher density Dacron compared with the standard AneuRx (STA) and was developed in an attempt to reduce type 4 and 5 endoleaks, thereby more effectively reducing sac pressure. The purpose of this study is to compare the ability of RSA and STA in reducing sac pressure in a chronic canine aneurysm model.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnArtificial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) aneurysm (26 x 50 mm) with an Endosure wireless pressure sensor (CardioMEMS, Atlanta, Ga) attached to the inner surface was implanted in the abdominal aorta of 10 mongrel dogs. Two weeks after creation of the aneurysm, each animal underwent EVAR with either STA (n = 5) or RSA (n = 5). Following EVAR, intra-sac pressure was measured with the implanted wireless pressure sensor up to 3 months postoperatively when the animals were sacrificed.nnnRESULTSnEVAR was successful with no signs of an endoleak in all 10 dogs. Pressure sensing with the wireless sensor was also successful in each animal until the end of the study. Systolic intra-sac pressure remained at a high level in the STA group, whereas it gradually lowered over time in the RSA group. This difference reached statistical significance at 2 months and lasted to 3 months. No endoleak was detected in either group at the time of sacrifice. Gross analysis confirmed that all the aneurysm sacs were thrombosed without any flow inside the sac.nnnCONCLUSIONnDespite absence of an endoleak, intra-sac pressure remained high in the STA group. RSA effectively reduced sac pressure over time. Graft porosity appears to be an important factor that may determine the outcome of EVAR. These findings may be useful in designing improved endograft.

Isolated blunt abdominal aortic injury without concomitant abdominal injuries treated with endovascular stent grafting

Blunt injury of the abdominal aorta is a rare event, seen in only 0.07% to 0.17% of all blunt traumas. These injuries are frequently associated with other intra-abdominal injuries, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. We present a case of isolated blunt abdominal aortic trauma to the infrarenal aorta without concomitant abdominal or spinal injuries. The patient was treated with endovascular aortic stent grafting and is without complications 12 months after the procedure.

Innominate artery injury from disseminated tuberculosis.

A 49-year-old man presented with chest pain and was found to have hemorrhage and drainage from a chest wound secondary to disseminated tuberculosis involving the sternum and ankle. He then developed acute hemorrhage from an innominate artery pseudoaneurysm originating just below a severely diseased sternoclavicular junction. A staged approach was used to manage his pathology given the life-threatening bleeding and his debilitated condition. He underwent endovascular stent grafting to exclude the pseudoaneurysm, followed by aggressive debridement of the affected sternal area.