Reinhold Perkmann

Type a Dissection following Endovascular Thoracic Aortic Stent-Graft Repair:

Purpose: To describe our experience with endovascular stent-graft repairs in the thoracic aorta focusing on the secondary complication of type A dissection. Methods: Between January 1996 and April 2004, 73 patients were treated for traumatic thoracic aortic rupture (n=15), type B dissection (n=22), or atherosclerotic descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA, n=36). A retrospective review of the records found 5 (6.8%) patients (3 men; median age 64 years, range 43–87) who experienced a type A dissection at a median 20 days (range 2–124) after thoracic stent-graft repair for 3 type B dissections, 1 TAA, and a late type I endoleak that appeared 28 months after initial stent-graft repair of a traumatic dissection. Results: In 3 patients (2 dissections, 1 endoleak), a tear in the aortic wall at the proximal stent-graft was responsible for a retrograde type A dissection. Underlying disease was the cause of the type A dissection in the 2 other patients (1 dissection, 1 TAA) and was unrelated to the stent-grafts. Three patients underwent open surgery at 3, 26, and 124 days after stent-graft placement; 2 procedures were successful, but the third patient died 3 months later due to multiorgan failure. Two type A dissections were untreated: one patient died from cardiac tamponade 14 days after successful stent-graft exclusion of the type I endoleak; the other patient refused further treatment and survived. The procedure-related mortality following acute retrograde type A dissection was 40%. Conclusions: Endovascular stent-graft repair of the thoracic aorta is associated with lower morbidity and mortality rates than surgical repair, although potentially lethal complications, acute or delayed, may occur.

Serial CT Volume Measurements after Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of transluminal stent-graft placement in aortic aneurysms using postoperative enhanced spiral computed tomographic (CT) volumetric measurements of the aneurysm sac, the intra-aneurysmal vascular channel (IAVC), the thrombus, and the stent-graft. Methods: Among 53 patients (45 men; mean age 74 years, range 59–85) who underwent elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, 37 patients with 27 abdominal and 10 thoracic aortic aneurysms completed at least a 6-month follow-up that included computerized CT volumetric analysis prior to discharge and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. A variety of bifurcated (n = 23) and tube (n = 14) stent-grafts were observed for signs of endoleak and aneurysm enlargement. Results: Mean follow-up was 16 months (range 6–48). Total aneurysm volumes and thrombus volumes decreased, whereas IAVC and stent-graft volumes increased over time. Between the postoperative and 12-month imaging studies, reductions in total aneurysm (p = 0.011) and thrombus (p < 0.001) volumes were significant. No statistically significant difference in volume changes for the aneurysm sac (p = 0.555) or the thrombus (p = 0.920) was found when comparing the 24 patients without primary leak to the 12 with primary type-II leak. In all 5 cases with secondary leak, the volume of the aneurysm sac increased after initial shrinkage. Conclusions: Postoperative CT volumetric analysis is an effective tool for evaluating the outcome of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Thrombus volume measurements are more accurate than total aneurysm volumes. In patients in whom contrast agents are contraindicated, volume measurements can also be obtained without the use of contrast.

Serial CT Volume and Thrombus Length Measurements after Endovascular Repair of Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of stent-graft placement in Stanford type B aortic dissection using contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomographic (CT) measurements of true and false lumen volumes and thrombus length. Methods: Among 18 consecutive patients (13 men; mean age 60 years, range 44–79) who underwent endovascular repair of Stanford type B dissection, 12 completed at least a 12-month follow-up, which included CT measurements of true and false lumen volumes and thrombus lengths prior to discharge and at 6 and 12 months postimplantation. Volumes were assessed in 3 different aortic segments (A1, A2, A3) extending from the proximal attachment site of the prosthesis to the aortic bifurcation. In addition, thrombus length was measured to evaluate the influence of clot formation on outcome of the false lumen volume. Results: Mean follow-up was 27 months (range 12–60). Within 12 months, mean true lumen volumes showed statistically significant increases in the A1 (p<0.001) and A2 (p=0.003) segments; false lumen volumes showed a significant decrease in the A1 segment (p=0.002) but an insignificant increase in the A2 segment. No substantial volume changes were observed in the A3 segment. Extension of clot formation in the false lumen varied among patients and over time. Length of stent-grafts, percentage of stented dissection length, or visceral arteries originating from the false lumen did not significantly influence thrombus development, nor did these parameters or thrombus formation distal to the prosthesis have a relationship to false lumen volumes. Conclusions: Volumetric analysis after endovascular repair of Stanford type B dissection shows optimal technical outcome in the stented segment, whereas the false lumen in the segment immediately adjacent to the stent-graft seems to be a vulnerable area. Extension of clot formation beyond the endograft seems to be no reliable predictor of outcome.

Nontumorous Vascular Malformations in the Liver Color Doppler Ultrasonographic Findings

Objective. To investigate color Doppler and spectral wave characteristics of nontumorous vascular malformations in the liver. Methods. From September 1995 to January 2001, 32 cases of vascular malformations were identified by means of color Doppler ultrasonography and spectral wave analysis. Computed tomography, angiography, or both were performed in all cases. Results. Five arterioportal and 14 portovenous malformations, 1 arteriovenous malformation, and 4 portoportal and 8 venovenous shunts were detected. Associations with Rendu‐Osler‐Weber syndrome in 6 cases and with cirrhotic liver in 12 cases were found. Fourteen patients were liver disease free. In 3 cases, interventional procedures were necessary to reduce portal hypertension or cardiac dysfunction. The incidence of finding vascular malformations in 12,000 patients was 0.1%. Conclusions. Nontumorous vascular malformations are rare disorders in the liver. They may appear in patients with healthy livers and in patients with portal hypertension. Color Doppler ultrasonography and spectral wave analysis are capable of showing and differentiating different types of hepatic vascular malformations.

Emergency endovascular treatment of traumatic aortic arch rupture with multiple arch vessel involvement.

Purpose: To report successful endovascular stent-graft placement for emergency treatment of a complex traumatic injury involving the aortic arch and multiple arch vessels. Case Report: An 81-year-old man underwent stent-graft placement for a complex traumatic vascular injury. Computed tomography on admission documented a dissection along the course of the aortic arch, intramural hematoma along the ascending aorta, dissection of the innominate artery, and a right subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm. The dissection of the aortic arch and the pseudoaneurysm of the right subclavian artery were treated immediately, the dissection of the innominate artery 7 days later. The patient did not develop any complications. Follow-up studies performed prior to discharge and at 6 and 12 months after the interventions showed successful repair of the complex vascular injuries. Conclusions: Traumatic injury of the aortic arch with multiple arch vessel involvement can be treated effectively by means of stent-graft placement.

Hyperperfusion Syndrome of the Deltoid Muscle after Subclavian Artery Angioplasty and Stenting

Purpose: To report a case of hyperperfusion syndrome of the deltoid muscle after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a symptomatic high-grade subclavian artery stenosis. Case Report: Immediately after balloon dilation of a left-sided subclavian artery stenosis, a 53-year-old man developed severe ipsilateral shoulder pain and swelling. Computed tomographic angiography revealed no extravasation or hematoma. Sonography showed massive edema and increased anteroposterior diameter of the left deltoid muscle (3.5 cm compared to 2.0 cm on the right). Hyperperfusion syndrome was suspected, and decompression by anterolateral fasciotomy was performed. Subsequently, both pain and swelling decreased. At day 3, the skin incision, which was temporarily covered with a synthetic skin substitute, was sutured; the wound healed uneventfully. Two weeks after surgery, both muscle strength and shoulder movements showed no restrictions. Conclusions: Hyperperfusion syndrome after endovascular treatment of subclavian artery stenosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical muscle pain in the upper extremity. It may present as a compartment syndrome requiring surgical decompression.

Hyperperfusion Syndrome of the Left Hand after Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Stent Placement in a Subclavian Artery Stenosis

PERCUTANEOUS transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been described as an effective and safe procedure for treatment of symptomatic subclavian artery stenosis. The complication rate is low, the most frequent complication being embolism to the vertebral and digital arteries (1–5). Hyperperfusion syndrome (HS) and hyperemia are well known in reconstructive arterial surgery in chronic arterial occlusive disease, in particular carotid endarterectomy and bypass surgery of the lower limb (6–9). This phenomenon was also described after PTA of carotid and superficial iliac arteries, respectively (10,11). Clinical symptoms regarding the lower limb consist of unspecific swelling developing between day 1 and 7 after PTA. Clinical symptoms in PTA of carotid arteries develop from increased blood flow and present as headache and vomiting. We report a case of HS of the left hand and fingers after successful PTA and stent placement in a symptomatic highgrade stenosis of the subclavian artery.