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A simple, noninvasive and cost-effective diagnostic test for the detection of endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) would complement (or even replace) current surveillance modalities. We reviewed the literature for studies correlating circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)/tissue inhibitors of MMPs with the presence of endoleaks after EVAR. An electronic search of databases was performed to identify studies reporting circulating concentrations of MMPs in patients with and without an endoleak after EVAR. Four studies were identified. Patients with an endoleak had higher plasma MMP-9 levels compared with those without an endoleak. Two studies that also evaluated plasma MMP-3 levels after EVAR suggest that these levels may also be higher in patients with an endoleak. Preliminary evidence suggests that MMP-9 levels are increased in patients developing an endoleak after EVAR. Larger studies are required to confirm or refute our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To evaluate 2 different aortic endograft systems with suprarenal fixation in patients with unfavorable neck morphology. Methods: A prospective observational study assigning patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm with unfriendly neck anatomy treated with 2 different endograft systems (Endurant and Zenith) was conducted. The log-rank test was applied to investigate the differences in cumulative outcome parameters. Results: Successful endograft implantation was achieved in all patients. Requirement for troubleshooting techniques was similar in the 2 groups (P ¼ .156 and P ¼ .081, respectively). In-hospital procedure-related morbidity occurred in 7 patients (Zenith vs Endurant, P ¼ .690). Freedom from any type of endoleak and overall mortality did not differ significantly between the groups (log-rank test, P ¼ .068 and P ¼ .087). Reinterventions were more commonly required in the Zenith group (log-rank rest, P ¼ .041), and were all nongraft/aneurysm-related. Conclusions: Similar performances of the Zenith and the Endurant endograft systems were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]