Caudal migration of endoprostheses after treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to assess the migration of endoprostheses 2 years after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.


METHODS
Ten patients underwent placement of bifurcated endoprostheses for infrarenal aneurysm and had 2-year CT follow-up. Standardized contrast-enhanced CT with 1.5- or 2-mm overlapping slice thickness was used. Four independent observers measured the distance from the lowest renal artery to the craniad end of the graft.


RESULTS
As a whole, the endoprostheses migrated an average of 2.7 +/- 2.6 mm caudad at 24 months compared with baseline (P < 0.001). Four patients (40%) experienced > or =3-mm migration of the endoprostheses. On review of the 6- and 12-month follow-up CT scans, movement occurred at both the first- and the second-year intervals.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovascular stent-grafts frequently migrate away from the renal arteries. This may be due to natural elongation of the native infrarenal aortic segment, but could also result from inadequate attachment of the proximal stent-graft. Although there have been no adverse clinical events in this group, continued close follow-up is mandatory following endovascular aneurysm repair.
Ebaugh
James L
JL
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Eskandari
Mark K
MK
Finkelstein
Adam
A
Matsumura
Jon S
JS
Morasch
Mark D
MD
Hoff
Fred L
FL
Pearce
William H
WH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors