SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.17 issue3Predictors for development of peripheral arterial disease in pancreas-kidney transplant patients and impact on outcomesEndovascular management of transplant renal artery stenosis: early and mid-term results author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO

Share


Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular

Print version ISSN 1646-706X

Angiol Cir Vasc vol.17 no.3 Lisboa Sept. 2021  Epub Sep 30, 2021

https://doi.org/10.48750/acv.444 

Original article

Single center real-world analysis of the use of iliac branched devices for aorto-iliac aneurysm repair

Análise real unicentrica do uso de dispositivos ramificados iliacos para reparação de aneurismas aorto-iliacos

Marta Romão Rodrigues1 

Ryan Melo1 

Pedro Garrido1 

Luís Silvestre1 

Ruy Fernandes e Fernandes1 

Carlos Martins1 

Luis Mendes Pedro1 

1 Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte


Abstract

Introduction:

Endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms is widely established. However, aorto-iliac aneurysms pose a challenge, specifically regarding distal sealing. A frequent approach is extending the iliac limb to the external iliac artery (EIA) with occlusion of the internal iliac artery (IIA), often with varying degree of pelvic ischemia causing significant morbidity. Iliac branched devices (IBD) allow for the creation of distal landing zones in the EIA and IIA, maintaining pelvic perfusion.

We performed a descriptive analysis and outcome evaluation of IBD use in a single center patient cohort.

Methods:

An observational, descriptive, retrospective cohort analysis of all consecutive patients intended to treat with IBDs from Jan-2008 to Dec-2020 was performed. Technical success was defined as correct implantation of the IBD with confirmed patency of both EIA and IIA. We included all patients where at least one IBD was deployed, irrespective of additional procedures.

Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 16, for Mac.

Results:

Of the initial 54 patients, 53 were included, (technical success 98,1%). Fifty-two were men (98.2%), mean age 73.5 years (SD 8.1). Mean aortic diameter was 56.4mm (SD 13.4), mean CIA aneurysm diameter 37.0mm (SD 12.7).

A total of 60 IBD’s were performed (CookÆ Medical’s ZBIS device), of which 5 as part of complex aortic treatment with fenestrated endografts, 32 EVAR with unilateral IBD, 7 EVAR with bilateral IBD, 6 EVAR with unilateral IBD and contralateral extension to the EIA with embolization of the IIA and 3 isolated IBD (for type 1B endoleaks following EVAR or isolated iliac aneurysm).

Peri-operative complications included acute kidney injury (AKI) (11,3% - 5/44), paraparesis and intestinal ischemia (1,9% each), one embolic intra-operatory stroke (1,9%) and one acute myocardial infarction (MI) (1,9%). Median follow-up was 9 months (IQR:16, 1-80months), during which 4,9% (2/42) developed type IB endoleaks, 4,9% (2/42) iliac aneurysm enlargement, 2,4% (1/42) limb kinking, 4,9% (2/42) limb occlusion, with a 7,14% (3/42) re-intervention rate. We found no association between limb patency and single, dual-antiplatelet treatment or anti-coagulation (p=0,6). There was no significative difference in AKI incidence between bilateral or unilateral IBD (irrespective of contra-lateral procedure). No in-hospital mortality was registered. There was one case of in-hospital death post-MI (1,9%), overall mortality 17% (9/53).

Conclusion:

In this cohort we found that the most common complication is AKI, apparently not directly related to the technique itself. Follow-up complications were few and mainly associated to loss of distal seal or limb occlusion, but implying a considerable re-intervention rate.

Keywords: Iliac-Branch-Device; Aorto-iliac aneurysm; Iliac aneurysm; Cohort; Iliac artery preservation; EVAR; IBD

Resumo

Introdução:

A reparação endovascular dos aneurismas aórticos está amplamente estabelecida. No entanto, os aneurismas aorto-ilíacos representam um desafio, especificamente no que diz respeito à selagem distal. Uma abordagem frequente é a extensão do ramo ilíaco à artéria ilíaca externa (AIE) com oclusão da artéria ilíaca interna (AII), com grau variável de isquemia pélvica associada a morbilidade significativa.

Os Iliac branched devices (IBD) permitem a criação de landing zones distais na AIE e AII, mantendo a perfusão pélvica. Realizámos uma análise descritiva e de avaliação dos resultados do uso de IBD numa coorte de doentes de um único centro.

Métodos:

Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva, observacional, e descritiva de um coorte de todos os doentes propostos para abordagem com IBDs de janeiro de 2008 a dezembro de 2020. O sucesso técnico foi definido como a implantação correta do IBD com permeabilidade confirmada de ambas as AIE e AII. Incluímos todos os pacientes nos quais pelo menos um IBD foi implantado, independentemente de procedimentos adicionais.

Resultados:

Dos 54 pacientes identificados, 53 foram incluídos (sucesso técnico 98,1%). Cinquenta e dois eram homens (98,2%), com idade média de 73,5 anos (DP 8,1). O diâmetro aórtico médio foi de 56,4 mm (DP 13,4), o diâmetro médio do aneurisma da AIC foi de 37,0 mm (DP 12,7).

Um total de 60 IBDs foram realizados (dispositivo ZBIS da Cook® Medical), dos quais 5 como parte do tratamento complexo da aorta com endopróteses fenestradas, 32 EVAR com IBD unilateral, 7 EVAR com IBD bilateral, 6 EVAR com IBD unilateral e extensão contralateral à AIE com embolização da AII e 3 IBD isolados (para endoleaks tipo 1B após EVAR ou aneurisma ilíaco isolado).

As complicações perioperatórias incluíram lesão renal aguda (LRA) (11,3% - 5/44), paraparesia e isquemia intestinal (1,9% cada), um acidente vascular cerebral embólico intra-operatório (1,9%) e um enfarte agudo do miocárdio (EAM) (1,9%). O acompanhamento médio pós-operatório foi de 9 meses (IIQ: 16, 1-80 meses), durante o qual 4,9% (2/42) desenvolveram endoleaks tipo IB, 4,9% (2/42) aumento do aneurisma ilíaco, 2,4% (1/42) kinking do ramo, 4,9% (2/42) oclusão do ramo, com taxa de re-intervenção de 7,14% (3/42). Não encontrámos uma associação com significado estatístico entre a permeabilidade de ramo e terapêutica com anti-agregação simples, dupla, ou anticoagulação (p = 0,6). Não houve diferença significativa na incidência de LRA entre IBD bilateral ou unilateral (independentemente do procedimento contra-lateral). Nenhuma mortalidade hospitalar foi registada. Houve um óbito hospitalar pós-EAM (1,9%), mortalidade global de 17% (9/53).

Conclusão:

A complicação mais frequente encontrada na avaliação deste coorte foi a LRA, aparentemente sem relação direta com a técnica em si. As complicações no seguimento foram poucas e principalmente associadas à perda do selagem distal ou por oclusão de ramo, implicando uma taxa de reintervenção considerável.

Palavras-chave: Iliac-Branch-Device; Aneurisma aorto-ilíaco; Aneurisma ilíaco; Coorte; Preservação da artéria ilíaca; EVAR; IBD

Introduction

Abdominal aneurysm repair suffered tremendous transformation over the last decades, due to the appearance and development of endovascular techniques. Endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms has allowed for faster and safer treatment of patients with high surgical risk and is currently widely established, as a simpler and less invasive solution. However, anatomical limitations remain an important disadvantage to the endovascular approach. Iliac arteries involvement in abdominal aortic aneurysm disease is reportedly as high as 40%1, therefore, aorto-iliac aneurysms pose a challenge, regarding distal sealing. A frequent solution and classical approach to this problem is extending the iliac limb to the external iliac artery (EIA) with occlusion of the internal iliac artery (IIA). This may lead to varying degree of pelvic ischemia, from buttock claudication and peripheral nervous damage to critical life-threatening ischemia, with rates as high as 55%2,3,4 in some series and causing significant morbidity 5-7

Iliac branched devices (IBD) allow for the creation of distal landing zones in the EIA and IIA, maintaining antegrade pelvic perfusion and excluding iliac artery aneurysms, while considerably diminishing the risk of ischemic complications. In this modern setting of endovascular surgery, they are becoming increasingly used for treatment of aneurysm disease.8

The aim of the present study is to evaluate clinical and technical results of the application of IBD in our center,

Methods

This study followed the reporting guidelines from the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) Statement for cohort studies. (von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP; STROBE Initiative. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Int J Surg. 2014 Dec;12(12):1495-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.07.013.)

An observational, descriptive, single-centre, retrospective cohort study was performed, form January 2008 to December 2020.

All consecutive patients submitted to endovascular repair of isolated iliac or aorto-iliac aneurysm in which an IBD was used were included. We included all patients with implantation of IBD irrespective of the type of adjunctive aortic repair or other procedures performed. There was no restriction regarding instructions for use compliance, diagnosis, extension of the aneurysm or the aortic repair.

Patients submitted to other techniques such as “coil and cover”, open repair, parallel grafts or bell-bottom were excluded if at least one iliac was not treated with an IBD.

Patient identification was retrieved from the operating room log and the remaining data obtained from the hospital records. Imaging data regarding pre, intra-operative and post-operative imaging was obtained from the hospital imaging database.

Data regarding pre-operative diagnosis, previous abdominal surgery and planned procedure were collected. Pre-operative CTA’s were measured to evaluate vessel diameter, patency and seal endpoints. Systematic description of procedure and endoprosthesis characteristics and dimensions was obtained. Medication prescribed at time of discharge was obtained, to evaluate for the institution of simple or dual antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation.

Technical success was defined as correct implantation of the IBD with confirmed patency of both EIA and IIA. We included all patients where at least one IBD was deployed, irrespective of additional procedures.

In hospital logs were consulted with recovery of data regarding post-operative complications, namely stroke - with neurological signs and CT scan lesions; myocardial infarction (MI) - with clinical signs and myocardial enzymes elevation; acute kidney injury (AKI), defined as urinary output bellow 0,5mL/kg/h or an increase in at least 1.5x basal serum creatinine (AKIN I AKI); intestinal ischaemia, with endoscopic, CTA and/or operative confirmation; and paraparesis, with documented de novo motor deficit. In ambulatory, appointment logs were consulted and data regarding gluteal claudication, atheroembolism or lower limb claudication was collected. Re-evaluation CTA’s were evaluated, and recovered data regarding vessel diameter after surgery, presence of endoleak, limb kinking or occlusion. In hospital mortality and attributed cause was registered. We also consulted al patients records to establish, in every case, if patients had passed since their last evaluation. Time from surgery to most recent imaging control and appointment was evaluated.

We performed a descriptive analysis of our data. Continuous variables are presented as mean (standard deviation) if normally distributed and median (minimum-maximum) if not. Dichotomous and categorical variables were expressed in numbers (percentage). Mann-Whitney test was used when comparing continuous variables and Chi-Square/Fisher’s exact test to compare dichotomous variables. All analyses were considered statistically significant if a two-tailed p-value < 0.05 was observed. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATA 16 (StataCorp. 2019. Stata Statistical Software: Release 16. College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC).

Results

A total of 54 patients were initially analyzed, of which only 53 were finally included. One patient was excluded due to inability to catheterize the IIA, which didn’t allow for the deployment of the IBD. , Fifty-two were men (98.2%), with a mean age of 73.5 years (SD 8.1) (table 2). Mean aortic diameter was 56.4mm (SD 13.4), mean CIA aneurysm diameter 37.0mm (SD 12.7) .

Of the patients included in this study, 3 had type III thoracoabdominal aneurysms, 2 juxta-renal abdominal aortic aneurysms, 43 aorto-iliac aneurysms, 2 IIA aneurysms and 3 previous EVAR procedures with type Ib endoleaks.

A total of 60 IBD’s were performed. In all patients, the COOK® Medical’s Zenith Iliac Branch Device (straight branch)-ZBIS device was used.

Only 3 patients were treated with isolated IBD, of which 1 presented type Ib endoleak form a previous EVAR procedure and 2 presented Common Iliac Artery (CIA) aneurysms, both with previous procedures for repair of aortic aneurysms. Of the remaining 50 patients, 5 were submitted to complex aortic treatment with fenestrated endografts, 32 to EVAR with unilateral IBD, 7 to EVAR with bilateral IBD, 5 to EVAR with unilateral IBD and contralateral extension to the EIA with embolization of the IIA and 1 to EVAR with unilateral IBD and embolization of an IIA branch. In total, sixteen patients were treated with bilateral IBD, the remaining thirty-seven with unilateral IBD (table 2). IBD’s were used in patients with CIA and IIA aneurysms, with arterial diameters over 25mm in the CIA (unfit for bell-bottom), younger patients with long life-expectancy after procedure, and low to moderate surgical risk patients, fit for longer and more complex surgical procedures.

The technical success rate was 98.1%. The rate of peri-operative complications was 24.5%, mostly minor and transitory. These included AKI (18.3% - 8/44), paraparesis (1.9%), intestinal ischemia (3.8%, one of which transitory), one embolic intra-operatory stroke (1.9%) and one acute MI (1.9%). There were no mention of events of buttock claudication or atheroembolism. It was not possible to obtain data regarding erectile/sexual dysfunction.

Median follow-up was 9 months (IQR:16, 1-80months), with several losses to follow-up over time, during which 4.9% (2/42) developed type IB endoleaks, 4.9% (2/42) iliac aneurysm enlargement, 2.4% (1/42) limb kinking, 4.9% (2/42) limb occlusion, with a 7.14% (3/42) re-intervention rate. Of these, one was re-operated for endograft infection, with replacement of the endograft, one had acute limb occlusion and was submitted to lower limb thrombectomy and femoro-femoral bypass and one presented a type Ib endoleak with aneurysm enlargement, having been submitted to extension of the external iliac artery limb (table 3).

We found no association between limb patency and antiplatelet treatment (single or dual) or anti-coagulation (p=0.6).

There was no significant difference in AKI incidence between bilateral or unilateral IBD (irrespective of contra-lateral procedure - embolization of IIA or no intervention).

There was one case of in-hospital death due to post-operative MI (1.9%). The overall mortality of 17% (9/53), all caused by concurring conditions, unrelated with aneurysmal disease or treatment.

Discussion

The main findings in the analysis of our series were that, in the evaluated time span we were able to treat a significant amount of patient, with high technical success rates, high limb patency few endoleaks and a very low rate of re-intervention.

In previous large series, endoleak rates related to IBD appear to be low with 3% of patients with iliac-related endoleak at 5 years in Wong et al9, 76% at 109 months in Loth e al10, a freedom of iliac-related reintervention rate of 81% at 5 years in Parlani et al11 and 75% in Loth et al.

Sacrificing the internal iliac artery in favor of adequate sealing in endovascular repair of aorto-iliac aneurysms has long been accepted and practiced in vascular surgery. Risks include buttock claudication, erectile/sexual dysfunction, ischaemic colitis and buttock/pelvic necrosis7,12. The complications associated to loss of hypogastric perfusion, therefore, range from debilitating conditions to severe, life-threatening disease. These complications, however, range in frequency over several series and are mostly associated to loss of both IIA or sacrifice of an internal iliac artery in an already poorly perfused territory.

The choice to preserve the IIA is limited by anatomy and surgeons’ experience but is increasingly widespread since the introduction of iliac branched devices.

At our hospital, in a span of 12 years, a total of 53 patients were treated using this technique, with good results regarding the primary outcome of pelvic ischeamic complications and also adequate seal and technical complications. The most common complications were, in fact, not related to these outcomes but to secondary medical lesion following endovascular procedures, namely AKI, probably associated with increased contrast doses and surgical times, which we were unable to assess in our analysis of patient logs. Most complication related to the procedure itself did not warrant further surgical treatment. Complications such as limb occlusion, kinking or endoleak happened in 7 of 42 patients (16%) and consequent need for re-intervention, though considerable in the group of patients with complications, was minimal in the overall cohort, although the accuracy of our data may be limited by losses to follow-up and widely different follow-up time throughout the cohort.

Our series reflects a real world population, since our center receives refferals form primary care and hospital care physicians, irrespective of type of vascular disease and center differentiation. Another strength of this study is the systematic use of the same platform in every patient, across all surgeons in our department. However, we find an important limitation in our follow-up periods, many patients have been lost to follow up over time, some very early, resulting in extremely heterogeneous logs and unavailability of information, which means, although overall mortality and mortality associated with aneurysm disease appears to be low, our long term success rates may be lower than evidenced in this analysis.

TABLE 1 cohort demographics 

TABLE 2 Description of anatomy and procedures 

In and out-hospital complications 

Conclusion

IBD are an effective alternative for treatment of aneurysm disease in the aorto-iliac sector, either isolated or as part of a more complex procedures, allowing adequate seal and preservation of pelvic perfusion, with important reduction of extremely limiting complications. When adequately planned and executed, there appears to be no increase in loss of seal over time, though follow up period are still short. Follow up programs, systematized and organizes throughout the vascular surgery department is paramount for adequate follow up of patients and for a true perspective of results.

References

1. Simonte G, Parlani G. Alternative solution for bilateral common iliac aneurysm in a patient with left external iliac artery occlusion. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2015;50(6):697. [ Links ]

2. Rayt HS, Bown MJ, Lambert KV, Fishwick NG, McCarthy MJ, London NJ, et al. Buttock claudication and erectile dysfunction after internal iliac artery embolization in patients prior to endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2008;31:728e34. [ Links ]

3. Pavlidis D, Hormann M, Libicher M, Gawenda M, Brunkwall J. Buttock claudication after interventional occlusion of the hypogastric arteryda mid-term follow-up. Vasc Endovasc Surg 2012;46:236e41. [ Links ]

4. Serracino-Inglott F, Bray AE, Myers P. Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with common iliac artery aneurysmseInitial experience with the Zenith bifurcated iliac side branch device. J Vasc Surg 2007;46:211e7 [ Links ]

5. Bosanquet_DC, Wilcox_C, Whitehurst_L, Cox_A, Williams_IM, Twine_CP, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the eJect of internal iliac artery exclusion for patients undergoing EVAR. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2017;53(4):534-48. [ Links ]

6. Verzini_F, Parlani_G, Romano_L, De Rango_P, Panuccio_G, Cao_P. Endovascular treatment of iliac aneurysm: concurrent comparison of side branch endograH versus hypogastric exclusion. Journal of Vascular Surgery 2009;49(5):1154-61. [ Links ]

7. McLafferty RB. Adverse consequences of internal iliac artery occlusion during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. J Vasc Surg 2000;32:676-83. [ Links ]

8. Gray D, Shahverdyan R, Jakobs C, Brunkwall J, Gawenda M. Endovascular Aneurysm Repair of Aortoiliac Aneurysms with an Iliac Side-branched Stent graft: Studying the Morphological Applicability of the Cook Device. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. Março de 2015;49(3):283-8 [ Links ]

9. Wong S, Greenberg RK, Brown CR, Mastracci TM, Bena J, Eagleton MJ. Endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysmal disease with the helical iliac bifurcation device and the bifurcated-bifurcated iliac bifurcation device. J Vasc Surg 2013;58:861-9 [ Links ]

10. Loth AG, Rouhani G, Gafoor SA, Sievert H, Stelter WJ. Treatment of iliac artery bifurcation aneurysms with the secondgeneration straight iliac bifurcated device. J Vasc Surg 2015;62(5):1168e75. [ Links ]

11. Parlani G, Verzini F, de Rango P, Brambilla D, Coscarella C, Ferrer C, et al. Long-term results of iliac aneurysm repair with iliac branched endograft: a 5-year experience on 100 consecutive cases. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2012;43:287-92 [ Links ]

12. Sousa_LHDG, Baptista-Silva_JCC, Vasconcelos_V, Flumignan_RLG, Nakano_LCU. Internal iliac artery revascularisation versus internal iliac artery occlusion for endovascular treatment of aorto-iliac aneurysms. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD013168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013168.pub2 [ Links ]

Received: July 29, 2021; Accepted: September 22, 2021

Autor para correspondência Correio eletrónico: marta.s2r@gmail.com (M. Rodrigues).

Creative Commons License This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License