Endoluminal grafting of infrarenal aortic aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
The department policy regarding therapy fo infrarenal aortic aneurysms is reviewed, based on the treatment results of a 12-months period.


METHODS
From October 1996 to August 1997, 60 patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysms were admitted to our department. Of these 31 (52%) were found to be anatomically or pathomorphologically suitable for endovascular treatment, based on the premises that: 1. Whenever the anatomy is suitable and confirmed with CT or angiography, repair is by means of stent placement. 2. In emergencies and in cases where the anatomical relationships are unfavourable, patients undergo conventional open surgery.


RESULTS
In all 31 patients treated endovascularly, stent placement was technically successful. Procedure-associated mortality was zero. The following stenting complications occurred: seven endoleaks, one thrombotic iliac occlusion, one femoral arterial dissection, two puncture-related inguinal hematomas. Elective open surgery was performed in the other 29 patients. One of these died from the effects of renal failure.


CONCLUSIONS
This comparison shows that endovascular treatment of infrarenal aortic aneuryms is possible in a large proportion of patients and is not associated with an unfavourable rate of complications. Endovascular treatment can significantly reduce patients' postoperative hospitalization (three days) and time spent in intensive care.
Scharrer-Pamler
R
R
Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Germany.
Kapfer
X
X
Orend
K H
KH
Sunder-Plassmann
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates