Graft distortion after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: association with sac morphology and mid-term complications.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence, significance, and mechanism of stent-graft distortion after endovascular repair (EVR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm.


METHODS
EVR of abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed in 51 cases (49 modular, bifurcated; 2 tube). Thirty-two patients were followed for 6 or more months and had equivalent baseline and follow-up images which could be used to determine changes in graft configuration. Sac dimensions were measured using computed tomographic (CT) images and graft-related complications were recorded.


RESULTS
Amongst 32 patients evaluated on follow-up, there was graft distortion in 24. Distorted grafts were significantly (p = 0.002) associated with sac diameter reduction (mean 5 mm) and sac length reduction (mean 8.1 mm). All graft-related complications occurred in the limbs of eight distorted grafts, with a mean reduction of sac length in this group of 7.8 mm on reformatted CT images.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a highly significant association between graft distortion and limb complications, and reduced sac dimensions.
Gould
D A
DA
Department of Interventional Radiology, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XP, UK. derekgould@hotmail.com
Edwards
R D
RD
McWilliams
R G
RG
Rowlands
P C
PC
Martin
J
J
White
D
D
Fear
S
S
Bakran
A
A
Brennan
J
J
Gilling-Smith
G
G
Harris
P L
PL
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency