Long-term surveillance is paramount after implantation of the Vanguard stent-graft for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the results and long-term follow-up of the Vanguard endovascular graft for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.


METHODS
Between February 1997 and October 1999, 76 patients were treated with a median aneurysm diameter of 52 mm (39-90 mm). All were followed up according to the Eurostar criteria.


RESULTS
The primary technical success rate was 100%. Perioperative mortality was 1.3%. During follow-up (median 75 months, 6-112 months) 9 aneurysm related deaths occurred. A total of 79 late complications occurred in 45 patients (64%). Complications were noticed more frequently in the group of aneurysms larger than 5.5 cm (P=0.014). Patients who ultimately developed aneurysm rupture after endovascular repair had more postoperative complications compared to the majority who did not rupture their aneurysm. (P=0.001) Secondary interventions were mandatory in 23 patients, surgical conversion in 9. At 72 months this has resulted in an overall survival rate of 57%, an aneurysm rupture free survival of 88%, a conversion free survival of 95%, an endoleak free survival of 83% and a secondary intervention free survival of 82% (Kaplan Maier).


CONCLUSIONS
The importance of life-long strict surveillance of patients treated with a Vanguard endograft was confirmed. Patients with graft-related complications should be treated accordingly.
Van Herzeele
I
I
Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. vhisabelle@gmail.com
Lefevre
A
A
Van Maele
G
G
Maleux
G
G
Vermassen
F
F
Nevelsteen
A
A
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D001027:Aortography; D001530:Belgium; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed