A change in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
One of the most exciting potential applications of percutaneous therapy is the treatment of abdominal aneurysms.


METHODS
Of 230 patients treated with a self-expanding polyester-lined stent-graft for different aortic pathologies at our institution, we selected 80 abdominal aneurysm cases undergoing treatment (from May 1997 to December 2002). The stent was introduced through the femoral artery, in the hemodynamic laboratory, with the patient under general anesthesia, with systemic heparinization, and induced hypotension.


RESULTS
The procedure was successful in 70 (92.9%) cases; 10 patients with exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms were documented immediately within the hemodynamic room and 5 patients persisted with a residual leak. Two surgical conversions were necessary. Additional stent-grafts had to be inserted in 3 (3.7%) cases. In the follow-up, 91.4% of patients were alive at a mean follow-up of 15.8 months.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that stent-grafts are an important tool in improving the treatment of abdominal aneurysms, and this new policy may change the conventional medical management of these patients.
Palma
José Honório
JH
São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Jhpalma.dcir@epm.br
Sampaio
Abner Moreira
AM
Miranda
Fausto
F
Rodrigues Alves
Claudia Maria
CM
Souza
José Augusto de Marcondes
JA
Buffolo
Enio
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome