[Percutaneous transfemoral implantation of a new, flexible thoracic aorta endoprosthesis using a percutaneous suture system for vascular suture--initial experiences].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the transfemoral placement of a new, flexible stent-graft into the thoracic aorta and the suture-mediated closure of the femoral access.


METHODS
Five patients were treated endovascularly with a stent-graft for an aneurysm (n = 3) or acute dissection (n = 2) of the thoracic aorta via a femoral 24 F sheath. The femoral access site was closed with two suture-mediated closure devices after placement of the stent-graft.


RESULTS
The aneurysm or the false lumen was excluded from perfusion by the placement of the stent-graft in all patients. Hemostasis at the femoral access site was successful in all patients with the percutaneous suture device. A minor stenosis of the femoral artery was found angiographically in four patients after suture-mediated closure. Besides a reversible renal failure due to the medically induced hypotension for the treatment of an acutely ruptured aneurysm, no complications resulted from the stent-graft placement or the percutaneous suture.


CONCLUSIONS
The percutaneous transfemoral placement of stent-grafts in the thoracic aorta using a suture-mediated closure of the access site is technically feasible. Long-term results of the technique have to be awaited.
Manke
C
C
Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Klinikum der Universität Regensburg. chmanke@web.de
Kobuch
R
R
Lenhart
M
M
Strotzer
M
M
Merk
J
J
Birnbaum
F
F
Feuerbach
S
S
Link
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015607:Stents; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology