Shortening of Endografts during Deployment in Endovascular AAA Repair

Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate the incidence and extent of length changes during implantation of endovascular grafts in a prospective study of patients undergoing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods:

Data regarding the occurrence of intraoperative technical difficulties and device complications were recorded prospectively for the Vanguard or AneuRx self-expanding, bifurcated endovascular grafts in 64 patients (56 males; mean age 75 years). Graft length was measured in the sheath system before deployment and again immediately after deployment by fluoroscopic comparison to a graduated marking catheter.

Results:

Graft shortening ≥ 15 mm was documented in 22 (56%) of 39 Vanguard cases and 11 (44%) of 25 AneuRx endografts. Additional extension grafts were required to correct endoleak caused by inadequate graft length in 9 (14%) patients, but no conversion to open repair was necessary.

Conclusions:

There appears to be a high incidence of intraprocedural graft shortening with 2 current designs of self-expanding endoluminal grafts.

Keywords

endografts Vanguard AneuRx self-expanding endografts bifurcated endovascular grafts

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