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ObjectiveThe main purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of smoking on perioperative outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), aneurysm sac behavior, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) neck growth after EVAR, and its effect on stent graft migration during follow-up.MethodsBaseline characteristics and follow-up data were collected prospectively by patient record forms. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, and annually thereafter and included a clinical examination and imaging studies. Patients were stratified in three groups according to their smoking status as nonsmokers, former smokers, and smokers.ResultsThis study analyzed the data for 4176 nonsmokers, 2406 former smokers, and 2056 smokers who were enrolled prospectively in the European Collaborators on Stent-Graft Techniques for Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EUROSTAR) database. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers required more percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placements during EVAR (P < .001), and stent graft migration occurred more often (hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.05; P = .033). Nonsmokers had more late type II endoleaks than former smokers and smokers (58.5%, 55.9%, and 35.5%, respectively; P < .001). Smoking had no effect on aneurysm sac behavior or AAA neck growth after EVAR.ConclusionsSmokers need more percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedures and stents during EVAR. They have fewer late type II endoleaks during follow-up; however, smokers should be closely monitored because they have an increased risk of stent graft migration.

ObjectivesWhether abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) enlargement after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), without an identifiable endoleak, is a risk factor for AAA rupture remains controversial. To our knowledge, studies including large patient numbers investigating this topic have not been done. Therefore, a considerable number of conversions to open AAA repair have been performed in this patient group. This study evaluated AAA rupture risk in patients without detectable endoleaks but with AAA enlargement after EVAR treatment.MethodsBaseline characteristics and follow-up data were collected prospectively by case record forms. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, and annually thereafter. The follow-up assessment included clinical examination and imaging studies. Patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of shrinkage or enlargement of the aneurysm. Group A included patients with >8 mm aneurysm shrinkage, group B consisted of patients with ≤8 mm shrinkage to ≤8 mm enlargement, and group C patients had an aneurysm enlargement of >8 mm.ResultsThe basis for this analysis was 6337 patients who were enrolled prospectively in the European Collaborators on Stent-Graft Techniques for Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EUROSTAR) database between 1996 and 2006. Group A included 691 patients; group B, 5307 patients; and group C, 339 patients. Ruptures occurred in 3 patients in group A, in 14 patients in group B, and in 9 patients in group C. The annual rate of rupture in group C was

ObjectivesTo investigate the results following endovascular treatment of patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAA).DesignRetrospective study based on the EUROSTAR registry.Material and methodsPatients included in the EUROSTAR registry with IAAA (n=52, 1.4%) were compared to those having aneurysms without aortic fibrosis (n=3613, 98.6%). The mean follow-up period in patients with IAAA was 23 months (range 1–60). In 11 of the patients detailed information on the effect of endovascular repair and perianeurysmal fibrosis and ureteral entrapment was obtained by a dedicated questionnaire.ResultsTwelve patients (23%) with IAAA had preoperative impairment of renal function and five had known hydronephrosis. Variables that were significantly associated with IAAA included younger age (p

BACKGROUND: To compare outcomes following endovascular repair in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients with and without concomitant iliac artery aneurysm disease. METHODS: Data on patient characteristics and risk factors, aneurysm morphology, interventional details, complications, and mortality were retrieved from the EUROSTAR registry database for the period from October 1996 to November 2006. AAA patients without concomitant iliac aneurysm disease (group I, n = 6286) were compared to 1268 patients with aneurysmal iliac vessels (group II) regarding mortality, device-related complications, and need for secondary interventions. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to assess independent associations with outcome parameters in the study groups. RESULTS: Group II had more patients classified as ASA III or IV (55.1% versus 50.3% in group I; p = 0.002); they were more frequently unfit for open aortic repair (30.3% versus 23.4%; p

Tube stent-grafts for treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a nearly forgotten concept. For focal aortic pathologies tube stent-grafts may be a treatment option. We have performed a retrospective matched-paired analysis of the EUROSTAR registry regarding the outcome of tube vs. bifurcated stent-grafts for AAA. Tapered aortomonoiliac stent-grafts were not the objective of this study.From July 1997 to June 2006, 7581 patients who underwent an endovascular AAA repair were entered in the EUROSTAR registry by 164 centers. One hundred fifty-three patients were treated with tube stent-grafts. For each of these 153 patients we selected one patient from a bifurcated stent-graft group (BGG-original, 7428 patients) matched according to gender, ASA, age, AAA diameter, and type of anesthesia. Differences in preoperative details between the two study groups were analyzed using chi-square test for discrete variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on early complications. Midterm outcomes (30 days) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model.The duration of the procedure was shorter in the tube stent-graft group (TGG; 102.3 +/- 52.2) than in BGG (128.3 +/- 55.0; p = 0.0002). Type II endoleak was less frequent in TGG (4.0%; mean follow-up, 23.12 +/- 23.9 months) than in BGG (14.3%; mean follow-up, 20.77 +/- 20.0 months; p = 0.0394). Type I endoleaks and migration were distributed equally, without significant differences between the groups. Combined 30-day and late mortality was higher for TGG (p = 0.0346) and was obviously not aneurysm related.We conclude that after selection of patients, tube stent-grafts for infrarenal aortic repair can be performed with great safety regarding endoleaks and migration. The combined higher 30-day mortality and non-aneurysm-related mortality during follow-up were mainly caused by cardiac failures in our sample.

To examine the influence of severe infrarenal neck angulation (SNA) on complications after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).From October 1996 to January 2006, 5183 patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair using a Talent, Zenith, or Excluder stent-graft were enrolled into the EUROSTAR registry. Incidence of proximal type I endoleak, stent-graft migration, proximal neck dilatation, aneurysm rupture, secondary interventions, and all-cause and aneurysm-related mortality were compared between patients with and without severe infrarenal neck angulation (60 degrees angle between the infrarenal aortic neck and the longitudinal axis of the aneurysm).In the short term (before discharge), proximal type I endoleak (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.37, p0.0001) and stent-graft migration (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.91, p=0.0105) were observed more frequently in patients with SNA. Over the long term, higher incidences of proximal neck dilatationor =4 mm (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.43, p=0.0004), proximal type I endoleak (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.58, p=0.0016), and need for secondary interventions (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.67, p=0.0488) were seen in patients with SNA. All-cause mortality, aneurysm-related mortality, and rupture of the aneurysm were similar in patients with and without severe neck angulation. In the subgroup of patients with an Excluder endograft, proximal endoleak at the completion angiogram (OR 4.49, 95% CI 1.31 to 15.32, p=0.0166) and long-term proximal neck dilatation (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.33, p=0.0026) were more frequently observed in patients with SNA. In the Zenith subgroup, proximal endoleak at the completion angiogram (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.49 to 4.63, p=0.0009) and proximal stent-graft migration before discharge (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.19, p=0.0353) were more common in patients with SNA. In the Talent subgroup, long-term proximal endoleak (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.27 to 3.44, p=0.0036), proximal neck dilatation (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.60, p=0.0168), and secondary interventions (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.24, p=0.0259) were more frequently observed in patients with SNA.Severe infrarenal aortic neck angulation was clearly associated with proximal type I endoleak, while the relationship with stent-graft migration was not clear. Excluder, Zenith, and Talent stent-grafts perform well in patients with severe neck angulation, with only a few differences among devices.

Background Preoperative renal dysfunction is a significant risk factor for death after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The aim of this study was to determine whether renal dysfunction also affected mortality after endovascular aneurysm repair. Methods Patients from the EUROSTAR registry were stratified into two groups: 4198 with normal renal function (creatinine less than 133 µmol/ml) and 969 with renal dysfunction (serum creatinine more than 133 µmol/ml). Patient characteristics and postoperative complications in the two groups were compared and the effect of renal dysfunction on operative mortality was analysed by multivariable regression models. Results Patients with renal dysfunction had significantly more co-morbidities, including cardiac and pulmonary impairment. Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in the group with renal dysfunction (6·2 versus 2·0 per cent; P < 0·001). A significant increase in mortality (5·5 per cent) was also seen in patients with moderate renal dysfunction (serum creatinine 133–265 µmol/ml). After adjustment for age and other risk factors, renal dysfunction was still an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (odds ratio 2·3, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·6 to 3·3; P < 0·001). Conclusion Renal dysfunction was a significant and independent risk factor for death after endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo observacional foi desenvolvido para pesquisar a influência dos medicamentos na ocorrência de complicações após correção endovascular de aneurismas da aorta abdominal. MÉTODO: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os dados clínicos referentes a 70 pacientes consecutivos submetidos à correção endovascular de aneurisma da aorta abdominal em dois centros cirúrgicos vasculares num período de 3 anos. As complicações eram classificadas de acordo com as recomendações do Comitê Designado de Padrões de Tratamento. Foi feita uma distinção entre complicações relacionadas ou não ao stent. Uma análise de regressão foi usada para avaliar a associação entre 12 grupos de medicamentos diferentes e o resultado da correção endovascular. RESULTADOS: Durante um acompanhamento de 70 pacientes-anos, foram relatadas 14 complicações leves (20%), 23 moderadas (33%) e sete graves (10%). Trinta pacientes (43%) que usaram cumarínicos tiveram significantemente menos complicações não relacionadas ao stent (OR. 0,21; 95% CI 0,05-0,90) comparados com os não usuários. Vinte pacientes (29%), tomando medicamentos antieméticos durante internação, mostraram quatro vezes mais complicações relacionadas ao stent (OR. 4,37; 95% CI 1,10-17,3) e o uso de analgésicos no hospital em 25 pacientes foi associado com mais complicações relacionadas ao stent (OR. 3,81; 95% CI 1,32-11,0). CONCLUSÃO: Medicações parecem estar associados com a ocorrência de complicações após terapia endovascular de aneurismas da aorta abdominal. Pacientes que usaram cumarínicos tiveram menos complicações não relacionadas ao stent. Pacientes que usaram agentes antieméticos durante internação mostraram um número quatro vezes maior de complicações não relacionadas ao stent. Pacientes usando analgésicos durante a internação eram associados com maiores complicações relacionadas ao stent. OBJECTIVE: This observational study was undertaken to explore the influence of medication on the occurrence of complications following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Clinical data concerning 70 consecutive patients undergoing elective EVAR in two vascular surgical centres over a 3 year period were analysed retrospectively. Complications were graded according to the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee on Reporting Standards. A distinction was made between device-related and non-related complications. An adjusted regression analysis was used to assess the association between 12 different medication groups and EVAR outcome. RESULTS: During 70 person years of follow-up 14 mild (20%), 23 moderate (33%) and 7 severe (10%) complications were recorded. Thirty patients (43%) who used coumarin derivates showed significantly less non-device-related complications (OR 0.21; 95%CI 0.05-0.90) compared to non-users. Twenty patients (29%) on anti-emetic drugs during hospital stay showed a fourfold more non-device-related complications (OR 4.37; 95%CI 1.10-17.3) and in-hospital use of analgesics in 25 patients was associated with more device-related complications (OR 3.81; 95%CI 1.32-11.0). CONCLUSION: Medication seems to be associated with the occurrence of complications following endovascular therapy of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Patients who used coumarin-derivatives experienced fewer non-device-related complications. Patients who used anti-emetic drugs during hospital-stay showed a fourfold number of non-device-related complications. Patients using analgesics during hospital stay were associated with significantly more device-related complications

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Glasgow Aneurysm Score (GAS) in predicting the survival of 5498 patients who underwent endovascular repair (EVAR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and were enrolled in the EUROpean collaborators on Stent-graft Techniques for abdominal aortic Aneurysm Repair (EUROSTAR) Registry between October 1996 and March 2005. Methods: The GAS was calculated in patients who underwent EVAR and was correlated to outcome measurements. Results: The median GAS was 78·8 (interquartile range 71·9–86·4, mean 79·2). Tertile 30-day mortality rates were 1·1 per cent for patients with a GAS less than 74·4, 2·1 per cent for those with a score between 74·4 and 83·6, and 5·3 per cent for patients with a score over 83·6 (P < 0·001). Multivariate analysis showed that GAS was an independent predictor of postoperative death (P < 0·001). The receiver–operator characteristic curve showed that the GAS had an area under the curve of 0·70 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·66 to 0·74; s.e. 0·02; P < 0·001) for predicting immediate postoperative death. At its best cut-off value of 86·6, it had a sensitivity of 56·1 per cent, specificity 76·2 per cent and accuracy 75·6 per cent. Multivariable analysis showed that overall survival was significantly different among the tertiles of the GAS (P < 0·001). Conclusion: The GAS was effective in predicting outcome after EVAR. Because its efficacy has also been shown in patients undergoing open repair of AAA, it can be used to aid decisions about treatment in all patients with an AAA. Copyright © 2006 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the need for secondary interventions after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with current stent-grafts.MethodsStudied were data from 2846 patients treated from December 1999 until December 2004. The data were recorded from the EUROSTAR registry. The only patients studied were those with a follow-up of at least 12 months or until they had a secondary intervention within the first 12 months. The cumulative incidences of secondary transabdominal, extra-anatomic, and transfemoral interventions during follow-up (after the first postoperative month) were investigated.ResultsA secondary intervention was performed in 247 patients (8.7%) at a mean of 12 months after the initial procedure within a follow-up period of a mean of 23 ± 12 months. Of these, 57 (23%) transabdominal, 43 (16%) involved an extra-anatomic bypass, and 147 (60%) were by transfemoral approach. The cumulative incidence of secondary interventions was 6.0%, 8.7%, 12%, and 14% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. This corresponded with an annual rate of secondary interventions of 4.6%, which was remarkably lower than in a previously published EUROSTAR study of patients treated before 1999. Type I endoleaks (33% of procedures), migration (16%), and rupture (8.8%) were the most frequent reasons for secondary transabdominal interventions. Graft limb thrombosis was the indication for extra-anatomic bypass (60%). Type I endoleak (17%), type II endoleak (23%), device limb stenosis (14%), thrombosis (23%), and device migration (14%) were the most frequent reasons for secondary transfemoral interventions. Operative mortality was higher after secondary transabdominal interventions (12.3%, P = .007) compared with transfemoral interventions (2.7%). Overall survival was lower in patients with secondary transabdominal (P = .016) and extra-anatomic interventions (P < .0001) compared with patients without a secondary intervention.ConclusionAlthough the incidence of secondary interventions after endovascular aneurysm repair has substantially decreased in recent years, continuing need for surveillance for device-related complications remains necessary.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of preoperative aneurysm and aortic neck diameter on clinical outcome after infrarenal abdominal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Data of patients in the European Collaborators Registry on Stent-Graft Techniques for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EUROSTAR) registry base who underwent EVAR with Talent stent grafts were analyzed. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared among four groups defined by preoperative abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and proximal aortic neck diameter: A, AAAor =60 mm and neckor =26 mm; B, AAA60 mm and neckor =26 mm; C, AAAor =60 mm and neck26 mm; and D, AAA60 mm and neck26 mm. Over a 7-year period, 1,317 patients underwent EVAR. Patients in groups B and D were significantly older and had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score compared with groups A and C (p=0.002 and 0.003, respectively). Mortality rate was highest in group D (p=0.002), as were rupture and conversion rates (p=0.015 and 0.037, respectively). This study demonstrates that patients with an AAA60 mm and a proximal aortic neck26 mm have worse clinical outcome after EVAR.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to assess the initial and 1-year outcome of endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections collated in the European Collaborators on Stent Graft Techniques for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Repair (EUROSTAR) and the United Kingdom Thoracic Endograft registries.MethodsFour hundred forty-three patients underwent endovascular repair of thoracic aortic disease between September 1997 and August 2003 (EUROSTAR, 340 patients; UK, 103 patients). Patients represented 4 major disease groups: degenerative aneurysm (n = 249), aortic dissection (n = 131), false anastomotic aneurysm (n = 13), and traumatic aortic injury (n = 50).ResultsMean age in the entire study group was 63 years. Fifty-two percent of patients were deemed at high risk for open surgery because of major comorbidity. Sixty percent of patients underwent an elective procedure, and 35% required emergency treatment. Conventional indications for treatment of aortic dissection, including aortic expansion, continuous pain, rupture, or symptoms of branch occlusion constituted the basis for endograft placement in 57% of patients, whereas in 43% of patients aortic dissections were asymptomatic. Primary technical success was obtained in 87% of patients with degenerative aneurysm and in 89% with aortic dissection. Paraplegia was a postoperative complication in 4.0% of patients with degenerative aneurysm and 0.8% of patients with aortic dissection (not significant). Thirty-day mortality in the entire study group was 9.3%, with mortality rates after elective procedures of 5.3% for degenerative aneurysms and 6.5% for aortic dissection. Mortality for degenerative aneurysm after emergency repair was higher (28%; P

Objective Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease may be associated with severe neurologic complications. The current study used the data of a multicenter registry to assess of the incidence and the risk factors for paraplegia or paraparesis and intracranial stroke. Methods The European Collaborators on Stent/Graft Techniques for Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EUROSTAR) database prospectively enrolled 606 patients. Thoracic pathologies with urgent or elective presentation, which included degenerative aneurysm in 291, aortic dissection in 215, traumatic rupture in 67, anastomotic false aneurysm in 24, and infectious or nonspecified disorders in 9. Study end points included evidence of perioperative spinal cord ischemia (SCI) or stroke. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression models were used to assess the significance of clinical factors that potentially influenced the occurrence of neurological sequelae. Results Paraplegia or paraparesis developed in 15 patients (2.5%) and stroke in 19 (3.1%); two patients had both complications. At multivariate regression analysis, independent correlation with SCI was observed for four factors: (1) left subclavian artery covering without revascularization (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; P = .027), (2) renal failure (OR, 3.6; P = .02), (3) concomitant open abdominal aorta surgery (OR, 5.5; P = .037) and (4) three or more stent grafts used (OR, 3.5; P = .043). In patients with perioperative stroke, two correlating factors were identified: (1) duration of the intervention (OR, 6.4; P = .0045) and (2) female sex (OR, 3.3; P = .023). A neurologic complication (paraplegia or stroke) developed in 8.4% of the patients in whom left subclavian covering was required compared with 0% of patients with prophylactic revascularization (P = .049). Conclusion Perioperative paraplegia or paraparesis was significantly associated with blockage of the left subclavian artery without revascularization. The clinical significance of this source of collateral perfusion of the spinal cord had not been confirmed previously. Intracranial stroke was associated with lengthy manipulation of wires, catheters, and introducer sheaths within the aortic arch, reflected by a longer duration of the procedure.