title: Mid-term results of patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The utilization of endovascular aneurysm repair (EAR) is increasing significantly; however, few papers have outlined mid-term outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing EAR with an AneuRx endograft between September 1997 and May 2001 were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 20.7 +/- 11.9 (SD) months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 101 EAR devices were successfully deployed in 105 attempts. Four open conversions (2 acute, 2 delayed) were performed for complications of EAR. Technical, clinical, and 1 to 3 year continuing success rates were 75%, 73%, and 78% to 83%. When divided by the median date, significantly fewer patients in the later group required secondary procedures compared with the early group. Vascular insufficiency occurred in 12 patients; 11 were treated with a secondary procedure. For 9 type I and 9 type II persistent endoleaks, secondary procedures were attempted and successful in 10 patients. Of successful EAR deployments, including secondary interventions, 85% demonstrated no persistent leak, rupture, increase in aneurysm size, or migration at most recent follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EAR is successful in selected individuals; however, continuing follow-up is of paramount importance.
authors.affiliation: Section of Vascular Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Hwy., New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
authors.forename: Britt H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Tonnessen
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Conners
authors.forename: W Charles
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Sternbergh
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Moises
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoselevitz
authors.forename: Samuel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Money
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome