title: Endovascular repair of para-anastomotic aortic aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Para-anastomotic aneurysms involving the aorta and iliac arteries can occur years after aortic surgery and are at risk for rupture and erosion into surrounding structures. We report on our continued experience with patients who have been treated for these lesions with endovascular management as an alternative to traditional open repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who underwent endovascular repair of para-anastomotic aneurysms involving the distal aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, or iliac arteries were prospectively followed up in a database. Patient comorbidities, initial aortic pathology, initial graft configuration, aneurysm characteristics, evidence of infection, type and configuration of endograft used, and follow-up were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1997 to 2006, 53 patients with 65 para-anastomotic aneurysms were treated with endovascular stent grafts. Patients who were originally treated for aortoiliac occlusive disease presented significantly later than those treated for aneurysmal disease (15.8 vs 8.9 years, P < .01) The initial technical success rate was 98%. Endoleaks were identified in six patients (11%) < or =1 month of surgery, and three required reintervention, including open conversions. Endoleak complications were significantly associated with patients who had symptomatic para-anastomotic aneurysms (P = .01). Perioperative mortality after endovascular repair was 3.8%. Overall mortality within a mean follow-up of 18 months was 49% and was significantly associated with older age at the time of endovascular treatment (P = .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular repair of para-anastomotic aneurysms involving the aorta and iliac arteries is technically feasible and is associated with a low perioperative morbidity and mortality. Close follow-up is required to identify endoleaks. Long-term survival is limited in older patients. We recommend endovascular stent graft repair for para-anastomotic aneurysms in anatomically suitable patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mt Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Ulka
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sachdev
authors.forename: Donald T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Baril
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Silverberg
authors.forename: Tikva S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Alfio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carroccio
authors.forename: Sharif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellozy
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015607:Stents