Ischemic complications after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
OBJECTIVE
Limb and pelvic ischemia are known complications after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). The objective of this paper is to present our experience with the incidence, presentation, and management of such complications.


METHODS
Over 9 years 311 patients with aortic aneurysms underwent EVAR. A retrospective review identified 28 patients (9.0%) with ischemic complications.


RESULTS
Among 28 patients with ischemic complications, 21 had lower extremity ischemia and 7 had pelvic ischemia: colon (n = 4), buttock (n = 2), and spinal cord (n = 2). Of the 21 patients with lower extremity ischemia, 15 had limb occlusions (71.4%), 3 due to embolization (14.7%) and 3 the result of common femoral artery thromboses (14.7%). Limb occlusions were manifested as severe acute arterial ischemia (n = 6), rest pain (n = 3), intermittent claudication (n = 5), and decreased femoral pulse (n = 1). Limb occlusions were managed with thrombectomy and stent placement (n = 4), femorofemoral bypass (n = 7), eventual explantation because of persistent endoleak (n = 1), and expectant management (n = 3). The 3 patients with occlusions managed expectantly all had intermittent claudication, which has subsequently improved. In the 6 patients with lower extremity ischemia due to embolization or common femoral artery injury presentation was acute, and embolectomy was performed, followed by femoral artery endarterectomy and patch angioplasty or placement of an interposition graft. One patient who had a prolonged postoperative course including cardiac arrest subsequently required distal bypass and ultimately above- knee amputation. Among the 7 patients with pelvic ischemia, 2 patients had unilateral hypogastric artery embolization before the original surgery. Among the patients with colonic ischemia, 3 were seen immediately postoperatively, and required colectomy and colostomy. Two patients who required urgent colectomy subsequently had multiple organ failure, and died in the perioperative period. One patient had abdominal pain 1 week after surgery, which was managed with bowel rest, with subsequent improvement. In 2 patients spinal cord ischemia developed immediately after surgery, which resulted in persistent paraplegia. Buttock ischemia developed in 2 patients, 1 of whom required fasciotomy because of gluteal compartment syndrome, and had transient renal failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Ischemic complications are not uncommon after EVAR, and may exceed the incidence with open surgical repair. Limb ischemia is most often a result of limb occlusion, and can be successfully managed with standard interventions. Pelvic ischemia often results from atheroembolization despite preservation of hypogastric arterial circulation. Colonic and spinal ischemia are associated with the highest morbidity and mortality.
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA. Thomas.maldonado@med.nyu.edu
Thomas S
TS
Maldonado
Caron B
CB
Rockman
Eric
E
Riles
Diah
D
Douglas
Mark A
MA
Adelman
Glenn R
GR
Jacobowitz
Paul J
PJ
Gagne
Matthew N
MN
Nalbandian
Neal S
NS
Cayne
Patrick J
PJ
Lamparello
Stephanie S
SS
Salzberg
Thomas S
TS
Riles
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply*; D012189:Retrospective Studies