title: Assessment of spinal cord circulation and function in endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In thoracic stent graft repair, the importance of segmental artery (SA) occlusion and the role of blood pressure management during the intraoperative and directly postoperative period are not clear. To study these aspects in relation to spinal cord ischemia, our protocol in the endovascular treatment of descending thoracic aneurysms covering segmental arteries T8 and lower includes preoperative assessment of the spinal cord circulation using magnetic resonance angiography, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid drainage, and spinal cord function monitoring using motor evoked potentials (MEPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections needing stent graft coverage of T8 and lower were included. In 9 patients, spinal cord circulation was evaluated preoperatively by magnetic resonance angiography. In 12 patients, MEPs were recorded during the endovascular procedure. A combination of both techniques was used in 8 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distal stent graft landing zone covered the intercostal arteries up to T10 in 4 patients, up to T11 in 7 patients, up to T12 in 1 patient, and all SAs to the aortic bifurcation in 1 patient. In 6 patients, the SA feeding the Adamkiewicz artery was covered by the stent graft. In three patients, intersegmental collaterals were present to the SA feeding the Adamkiewicz artery. The MEPs decreased to 50% and 30% in 2 patients, recovering to levels above 50% by elevation of the mean arterial pressure. Postoperatively, no signs of paraplegia were present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that the presence of intersegmental collaterals decreases the risk of spinal cord ischemia during endovascular thoracic aortic aneurysm repair. Monitoring of MEPs during endovascular thoracic procedures shows no decrease in most cases. However, if a decrease of MEPs occurs, this can be reversed by elevation of the mean arterial pressure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. gwh.schurink@surgery.azm.nl
authors.forename: Geert Willem H
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Schurink
authors.forename: Robbert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nijenhuis
authors.forename: Walter H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Backes
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mess
authors.forename: Michiel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: de Haan
authors.forename: Bas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mochtar
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001158:Arteries; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D006801:Humans; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015607:Stents; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae