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La reparación endovascular de un aneurisma aórtico abdominal infrarrenal (EVAR) se ha popularizado en la última década. Sin embargo, hasta ahora los pacientes con aneurisma aórtico abdominal yuxtarrenal (AAAY) o aneurisma aórtico tóracoabdominal (AATA) no eran candidatos a EVAR por ausencia de una zona sana donde apoyar la endoprótesis tubular. La reparación convencional se asocia a una morbimortalidad considerable, por lo que se han desarrollado endoprótesis capaces de acomodar ramas de la aorta que permiten tratar estos aneurismas en forma mínimamente invasiva. Presentamos la experiencia inicial de dos casos, ambos de sexo masculino y portadores de enfermedad coronaria considerados de alto riesgo para cirugía abierta. El primero, portador de un AAAY sacular de 4,1 cm de diámetro; se repara mediante el uso de endoprótesis fenestrada con ramas a ambas arterias renales (AR), arteria mesentérica superior (AMS) y una escotadura para el tronco celíaco (TC). El otro, portador de AATA de 5,9 cm de diámetro, un puente aorto bifemoral previo y TC crónicamente ocluido; se repara con endoprótesis fenestrada con ramas para las AR y AMS. Ambos pacientes presentaron una evolución post operatoria favorable. El seguimiento a 11 meses para el primero y 30 días para el segundo demuestra exclusión del aneurisma y permeabilidad de todas las arterias revasculari-zadas. Este nuevo procedimiento terapéutico abre la posibilidad de tratar pacientes de alto riesgo, portadores de aneurismas aórticos complejos, para los que una alternativa convencional implica un alto riesgo quirúrgico. In the last decade endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) has become increasingly popular. However, until recently patients with juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (JAAA) or with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAA) were not candidates for EVAR due to the lack of an adequate landing zone to deploy the endograft. Because of considerable morbidity and mortality that traditional open surgery of these aneurysms entail, new endografts with fenestrations and branches have been developed to treat these patients. We present our initial experience with two cases, both male with coronary artery disease considered high-risk for traditional open repair. The first patient has a 4.1 cm sacular JAAA; it is repaired with a fenestrated endograft with branches for both renal arteries (RA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and a scallop for the celiac trunk (CT). The second patient has a 5.9 cm TAA with a previous aorto bifemoral bypass; because the CT is chronically occluded it is repaired with a fenestrated endograft with branches for both RA and SMA. In both patients post operative course was uneventful. Follow-up at 11 months and 30 days respectively, show adequate exclusion of the aneurysm with patency of all revascularized vessels. This new therapeutic procedure allows treatment of high-risk patients with complex aortic aneurysms in whom conventional repair entails a prohibitive surgical risk.

Open and endovascular surgery are therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurism. The development of guidelines for its treatment requires a thorough analysis of available evidence to recommend the best treatment for each country's reality. Prospective randomized trials have shown best initial results with endovascular surgery, with higher hospital costs than open surgery. The requirement of anatomical suitability for the placement of endovascular prostheses limits the universal use of endovascular surgery. Moreover, this type of surgery needs a strict imaging and clinical follow up due to the high rates of late complications, which range from 20% to 40%. Many of these complications require further surgical interventions, elevating costs of treatment. The initial benefit of endovascular surgery is lost during long follow up as survival curves become similar to those of open surgery. Even for patients with a high surgical risk, the benefits of endovascular surgery are doubtful.

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent massive pulmonary embolism in cases where anticoagulation is contraindicated or has failed. It is usually implanted below the renal veins. In a few cases it is necessary to deploy the filter above them, with theoretical rísk of secondary renal failure. Aim: To report the experience with filters located above the renal veins. Patients and Methods: Medical records of all patients with percutaneous suprarenal filters are reviewed. Results: Between May 1993 and May 2007, 361 percutaneous IVC filter procedures were performed. In thirty patients aged 19 to 77 years (average 48years, 50% males), they were placed in suprarenalposition (8,3%). Suprarenal IVC filters were implanted in patients with extensive caval thrombosis, renal vein thrombosis extending to cava, displacement of previous IVC filters and double IVC system. Jugular vein approach was the access of choice. Technical success was 100%, no death or pulmonary embolism occurred. Patients were followed from 1 to 165 months (average 57 months). Eight deaths were recorded, five in patients with cáncer No patient had renal failure on follow up (average creatinine 0.90+0,26 mg/dL). Three patients developed a new deep vein thrombosis (10%), without pulmonary embolism. Conclusions: In this retrospective analysis of patients, suprarenal placement of IVC filters was not associated to secondary renal failure, and showed good short and long term results.

Background: Dissections that involve the ascending aorta are classified as type A, regardless of the site of the primary intimal tear, and all other dissections as type B. Type B dissections can have fatal ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. In the chronic state, dilatation and rupture can be mortal. Endovascular surgery is a therapeutic alternative, considering the high rate of complications of conventional surgery Aim: To report the results of endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection. Material and methods: Report of 36 treated patients (30 males) aged 43 to 87 years, with a type B aortic dissection. Seventy eight percent were hypertensive and 39% smoked. The diagnosis was conñrmed by CAT sean. Acute patients were treated for complications and chronic patients, for dilatation. In the operating room, an endoprothesis was placed through the femoral artery, to cover the tear. The tear was located and the lumens were differentiated using angiography and transesophageal echocardiography. Results: All procedures were successful. In 16 acute dissections the indications were malperfusion syndrome or unmanageable hypertension in seven patients and imminent rupture or persistent pain in nine. Twenty chronic patients were operated due to dilatation (mean 6 cm). One patient died due to cardiac failure. One patient had a transient paraparesia and two had pulmonary embolism. No patient died in a follow up períod ranging from 2.5 to 74 months. Four patients required a new aortic endovascular procedure due to progressive dilatation or endoleak. Conclusión: Endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection has good immediate andlong term results.

Introducción: La reparación endovascular de aneurismas abdominales e ilíacos requiere de la introducción de dispositivos de alto calibre (> 16 F) mediante denudación de arterias femorales. Mediante una variación técnica, el sistema de sutura arterial percutanea Prostar-XL® (Abbott, EEUU) permite el acceso arterial percutaneo evitando la denudación. Objetivo: Analizar la experiencia inicial en el tratamiento percutaneo de aneurismas del territorio aorto-ilíaco. Material y Método: Revisión de las historias clínicas y base de datos de pacientes tratados con sutura arterial percutanea, entre octubre de 2003 y abril de 2008. Resultados: Tratamos 22 pacientes con esta técnica (20 hombres y 2 mujeres). Dieciséis portadores de aneurisma aórtico abdominal, 3 aneurismas ilíacos, 2 reparaciones de endofuga y un aneurisma hipogástrico. La edad promedio fue 72,6 años (rango 56-86). Se utilizó el sistema Prostar XL® para sutura percutanea en 37 arterias femorales. La anestesia más utilizada fue peridural en el 50% de los pacientes. En 7 casos (31,8%) se efectuó la operación exclusivamente con anestesia local. El diámetro de los dispositivos de endoprótesis fue de 16 a 23 F. Se obtuvo éxito técnico en 34 cierres (92%). Tres arterias requirieron reparación quirúrgica tradicional. No hubo mortalidad operatoria. Durante el seguimiento (promedio 12,6 meses, rango 1-53) no se registraron falsos aneurismas femorales ni infección. Discusión: El cierre percutaneo en la reparación endovascular de aneurismas aorto-ilíacos es un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo, seguro y efectivo, que permite eventualmente el uso de anestesia local. Introduction: Endovascular repair of aortic (AAA) and iliac artery aneurysms requires introduction and deployment of large bore devices (> 16 F) through surgical exposure of the femoral artery. The Prostar XL ® arterial suture system allows the introduction of such devices without the need for surgical exposure. Aim: To report our initial experience with percutaneous arterial closure during aneurysm endografting. Methods: We reviewed records and datábase of patients treated with this technique between October2003 and April 2008. Results: We treated 22 patients with this technique (20 men and 2 women, average age 72 years). Sixteen had AAA, 3 iliac artery aneurysm, 1 hypogastric aneurysm and two for endoleak repair. The percutaneous closure device was used in 37 femoral arteries. In 7 patients (31,8%) the operation was completed entirely under local anaesthesia. The diameter of the devices ranged between 16 and 23 F. Technical success was obtained in 34 arteries (92%). Three arteries required surgical repair due to inadequate haemostasis (sheaths 18, 21, and 21 F). There was no operative mortality. During follow-up (mean 12,6 months, range 1-53) no false aneurysm or infection at the puncture site has been registered and the patients remain free of complications. Discussion: Percutaneous arterial closure in endovascular aneurysm repair is a safe, minimally invasive and effective procedure which allows resolving theses serious conditions in selected patients.

Two children, 8 and 11 years old, presented with severe hypertension secondary to unilateral and bilateral total occlusion of the renal arteries, respectively. The 11-year-old developed sudden anuria requiring hemodialysis. Successful surgical reconstruction allowed recovery of renal function and normal blood pressure in both patients. Routine blood pressure control in the pediatric patient population, high clinical awareness, and judicious use of arteriography, provide the best chance for early diagnosis of renovascular disease. Surgical revascularization or transluminal angioplasty are the treatment modalities of choice in appropriately selected cases of renal artery stenosis. When total occlusion occurs, retrieval or preservation of renal function can be successfully achieved by direct surgical intervention.

Surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms is a big technical challenge with a high rate of complications and mortality. It requires a large exposure and transient interruption of vital organ perfusion during its repair. Endovascular repair is a less invasive alternative available over the last decade. We report four male patients aged 44 to 76 years, with thoracic aortic aneurysms and involvement of visceral aorta, treated with a two stage procedure. During the first stage, a retrograde revascularization of the superior mesenteric and renal arteries from the infrarenal aorta was done, associated in two cases to a concomitant repair of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm. In the second stage, an endovascular graft was placed through the femoral artery, from the segment proximal to the aneurysm to the infrarenal aorta, above the origin of the visceral artery reconstructions, excluding the aneurysm from circulation. In one patient, both stages were concomitant and in three the second stage was delayed. One patient presented a postoperative bleeding that required reintervention without adverse consequences. No patient died, presented paraplegia or deterioration of renal function. After follow up of 6 to 20 months, there is no evidence of aneurysm growth or complications derived from the procedure

Background: Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) avoids laparotomy, shortens hospital stay and reduces morbidity and mortality related to surgical repair, allowing full patient recovery in less time. Aim: To report short and long term results of endovascular repair of AAA in 80 consecutive patients treated at our institution. Patients and Methods: Between September 1997 and February 2005, three women and 77 men with a mean age 73.6±7.7 years with AAA 5.8±1.0 cm in diameter, were treated. The surgical risk of 38% of patients was grade III according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification. Each procedure was performed in the operating room, under local or regional anesthesia, with the aid of digital substraction angiography. The endograft was deployed through the femoral artery (83.7% bifurcated, 16.3% tubular graft). A femoro-femoral bypass was required in 11.3% of cases. Follow-up included a spiral CT scan at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, and then annually. Results: Endovascular repair was successfully completed in 79/80 patients (98.7% technical success). The procedures lasted 147±71 min. Length of stay in the observation unit was 20.6±13.5 h. Blood transfusion was required in 10%. Sixty two percent of the patients were discharged before 72 h. One patient died 8 days after surgery due to a myocardial infarction (1.3%). During follow-up (3-90 months), 1 patient developed late AAA enlargement due to a type I endoleak, requiring a new endograft. No AAA rupture was observed. Survival at 4 years was 84.2% (SE =9.2). Endovascular re-intervention free survival was 82.7% (SE =9.5). Conclusion: Endovascular surgery allows effective exclusion of AAA avoiding progressive enlargement and/or rupture and is a good alternative to open repair. Close and frequent postoperative follow up is mandatory

Background: Mortality of traumatic aortic lesions is over 80%. A group of those who survive, develop a chronic pseudo aneurism, usually asymptomatic, that is detected during imaging studies. Since conventional surgical treatment of traumatic aortic lesions has a great mortality, endovascular treatment has been used as an alternative treatment in the last decade. Aim: To report our experience with endovascular treatment of traumatic aortic lesions. Patients and methods: Report of seven patients aged 22 to 65 years, with traumatic aortic lesions. Under general anesthesia an endovascular prosthesis was inserted through the femoral artery. Results: No complications were observed in the postoperative period, and after a follow up ranging from 4 to 40 months, no endoleaks or other complications have been detected. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of traumatic aortic lesions has good immediate and midterm results

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) may be lethal unless appropriately and timely treated. Since age is a surgical risk, octogenarians are usually not considered as candidates for surgical intervention. Aim: To asses surgical complications and mortality in octogenarians treated for AAA. Subjects and Methods: Patients aged 80 years older, treated consecutively between 1984-2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Sixty one patients were male, and their age ranged from 80 to 95 years. All were treated with open surgery. The operation was elective in 58 and as an emergency in 22 patients (symptomatic or ruptured AAA). Aortic diameter was 6.8±1.4 cm in asymptomatic patients and 7.7±1.8 cm in emergency cases (p=0.024). Thirty days postoperative mortality was 5.1% in elective surgery compared to 40.6% in emergency operations (p

Background: The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms has increased. Its predisposing factors are smoking, high blood pressure and dislipidemia. Progressive aneurysmal enlargement may lead to its rupture, which is associated to a mortality rate above 80%. Aim: To assess the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms in Chilean subjects with cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects and methods: Through announcements in open media we invited individuals aged over 60 years, who smoked, had hypertension and/or had occlusive arterial disease, to participate in a study that included medical history and physical examination. An aortic ultrasound was performed in all subjects in whom the aorta was not palpable or there was a suspicion of dilatation. Aortic diameter over 3 cm was considered aneurysmal. Results: Three hundred fifty six subjects aged 67.1±6.7 years, (73.9% males), were evaluated. The study group included 62% hypertensives, 39% with abnormal lipids and 46% smokers. Known coronary heart disease or peripheral arterial diseases were present in 14% and 10%, respectively. Ultrasound was required in 159 subjects. Aneurysms were detected in 21 persons (5.9%), 7.6% in males and 1.1% in females. The mean transverse diameter of the aneurysm was 4.1 cm (3-7.5). Aneurysm was found in 2.3% of subjects younger than 65 years and 8.3% of subjects aged over 65 years. Conclusions: In this sample the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms was 5.9%, affecting predominantly males, with a notorious increase with advanced age (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 741-7)

Background: The natural history of aneurysms ends in rupture and death. In 1990 the first endovascular exclusion of an aneurysm, using an endoluminal graft implanted through the femoral arteries was performed. More recently, the same procedure has been used for aneurysms of the thoracic aorta. Aim: To report our experience with endovascular treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms. Material and methods: Analysis of 14 patients (nine male), aged 30 to 79 years, treated between May 2001 and August 2002. Results: The mean diameter of the aneurysms was 6.9 cm. The etiology was atherosclerotic in nine patients. The Excluder device (Goreâ) was preferentially used. There was no operative mortality or paraplegia. One patient had a transient leg monoparesis that reverted completely. No patient had type I endoleaks. Two patients had type II endoleaks on discharge, that sealed spontaneously. In a follow up, ranging from 2 to 17 months, one patient died of a bronchopneumonia and no aneurysm rupture has been detected. Conclusions: The short term results of endoluminal treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms are excellent. This treatment is less invasive and has less complications than conventional surgery (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 617-22)

In 1991, a technique to exclude aortic aneurysms from circulation inserting an endoluminal graft through the femoral artery, was described. This procedure, usually used for elective abdominal aneurysms, can also be used in the thoracic aorta. We report a 41 years old male with a Marfan syndrome, presenting with a descending aorta aneurysm that ruptured to the mediastinum and pleural cavity. He was compensated hemodynamically and an endovascular stent-graft was deployed at the ruptured zone, through the femoral artery. The postoperative evolution of the patient was uneventful. This technique will allow a less invasive treatment of ruptured aortic aneurysms (Rev Méd Chile 2001; 129: 1439-43)