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Following the definition given by the recent ESVS guidelines, juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (JAAA) is defined as an aneurysm extending up to but not involving the renal arteries, necessitating suprarenal aortic clamping for open surgery, i.e. a short neck (

Background To evaluate the impact of iliac artery's diameters, tortuosity, and peripheral vascular patency on outcome of elective endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in 2 high volume vascular centers' experience. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on a prospectively collected database between 2010 and 2012. Anatomical features at pre-operative computed tomography (CTA) considered as potentially influencing outcomes were: iliac diameters, tortuosity (expressed as a ratio), and calcifications, bilateral internal iliac artery (IIA) patency, and presence of Trans-Atlantic Inter-Societies Consensus (TASC) II C/D femoro-popliteal occlusive disease (PAD). Outcome measures were reintervention and mortality rates at follow-up. Results Two-hundred-eighty-nine patients' CTA preoperative images were reviewed with a mean of 1148±328 images per patient analyzed. Mean common iliac artery (CIA) diameters calculated in the narrowest point were 12.8±4 mm and 12.9±3.9 mm, and mean external iliac artery (EIA) diameters were 7.7±1.6 mm 7.8±1.7 mm, respectively on right and left side. Mean tortuosity ratios were 0.8±0.1 (0.40-0.91) and 0.8±0.1 (0.49-0.99), respectively on right and left side. PAD was present in 31 patients (10.7%). Technical success was achieved in all case, and bilateral IIA patency was preserved in 229 (79.2%) patients. No in hospital and 30-day mortality and complications were recorded. At a mean follow-up of 26 months, 30 reinterventions were required in 26 patients (8.9%), and 22 (7.6%) non AAA-related deaths were noted. Right EIA diameter ≤5 mm (P=0.0012, OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.73-15.57), and femoro-popliteal steno-obstructive disease (P=0.03, OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.02-9.20) were significantly related to reinterventions during follow-up. Iliac tortuosity ratio and calcification were not significant predictors of adverse events. Conclusions This preliminary experience suggests that diameters of access vessels and the presence of femoro-popliteal steno-obstructive disease could affect the outcome of EVAR.

Endovascular repair of descending thoracic aorta (DTA) is considered as first interventional option for most part of the aortic disorders. However, many unmet needs and issues are still limiting its applicability. One of the major limitations is related to the existing gaps in evidence. Clear and robust evidence is still needed in many aspects of the management of DTA pathologies. In numerous clinical scenarios, adequate trials are lacking. Besides those gaps in evidence, it is well recognized that thoracic endografting (TEVAR) is technically evolving in order to overcome technical and device-related complications and limitations. We can deploy endografts in any aortic segment: in the descending, in the ascending, in the arch, even preserving aortic branches. Nevertheless, from the pure technical point of view, current generations of endografts still need more development and improvement. Durability remains the major concern for any endovascular treatment, and thoracic endografting is not an exception. As Galenus said, the physician is only nature's assistant, thoracic endograft should also follow the natural anatomy instead of fighting against it. We will focus the following pages on the graft conformability and compliance, both related to durability and safety of thoracic endografting. We will review the current knowledge and concerns associated with the anatomical and hemodynamic modifications induced by the thoracic endograft strength, stiffness and straightness and their implications for the future thoracic endograft designs.

Extreme complex aortic anatomies still represent the major limit of endovascular aneurysms repair (EVAR) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Aim of this study was to evaluate results of EVAR with Ovation® stent-graft in extremely complex aortic anatomies.A single center study was retrospectively conducted on a prospectively compiled computerized database between July 2012 and July 2014. Twenty-one elective patients with atherosclerotic AAA were included. All patients were judged unfit for or refused an open approach. In all of them, extremely complex anatomies features contraindicated EVAR by common endografts. Patients' outcomes were evaluated on the basis of anatomical features: challenging proximal aortic neck (non-cylindrical, short, severely angulated, enlarged, thrombosed) and challenging iliac artery accesses (angulated and narrowed). Technical and clinical successes were defined as the absence of intraoperative surgical conversion and aneurysm related mortality, respectively. Reintervention, morbidity and mortality rates during follow-up were also recorded.All patients were male; mean age was 75.6±7.2 years. In 14 patients (66.7%) neck length was10 mm, a non-cylindrical neck was present in 15 patients (71.4%) and a severe neck thrombosis was registered in 13 patients (61.9%). Only 1 patient (4.8%) had no iliac tortuosity, 9 (42.8%) patients had severe tortuosity at least on one iliac access and 7 (33.3%) on both. Technical and clinical successes were achieved in all cases. Neither death nor reinterventions were observed in the present series. At a mean follow-up of 9±5 (3-27) months, only one patient presented an iliac leg occlusion.Our limited and preliminary experience seems to show that Ovation® stent-graft may widen the range of AAAs suitable for standard EVAR. Early results, even in patients with challenging anatomies, are encouraging but a longer follow-up is mandatory.