Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery

Contemporary Incidence of Remedial Procedures after EVAR

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W. Anthony Lee, M.D., Peter R. Nelson, M.D., Scott A. Berceli, M.D., Ph.D., James M. Seeger, M.D., Thomas S. Huber, M.D., Ph.D..
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Background: The need for remedial procedures after EVAR has historically been reported to be 10% per annum. This study was designed to define the contemporary incidence of remedial procedures after EVAR for intact AAAs from a mature endovascular practice.
Methods: A retrospective review of all pts undergoing EVAR since the inception of our program was performed (1997 - 2007). Data were prospectively collected in an EVAR registry. Postoperative CT scans were obtained at 1 mos, 6 mos, 12 mos, and yearly thereafter. Remedial procedures were performed for ruptured aneurysms, aneurysm enlargement (i.e. > 5 mm), type I/III endoleaks, symptomatic limb occlusion, device migration/fixation, and structural failures.
Results: 572 patients (male - 89%, age - 74 + 85 yrs (mean + SD), diameter - 59 + 11 mm) underwent EVAR. Perioperative outcome: mortality - 1.6%, morbidity - 29%, technical success - 99%, open conversion - 0.5%, adjunct procedures - 26%. EVAR devices used: Cook Zenith - 260 (45%), Medtronic AneuRx - 171 (30%), Gore Excluder - 115 (20%), other - 26 (5%). The mean followup was 25.4 mos. Postoperative survival was 91 + 1 (mean + SE), 79 + 3, and 71 + 6 at 1 yr, 3 yrs, and 5 yrs respectively by life table. 81 pts required 122 remedial procedures including proximal graft extension - 22, open surgical bypass for iliac limb occlusion - 17, access vessel repair -15, distal graft extension - 13, open conversion - 7. Freedom from remedial procedures was 91 + 1, 79 + 3, and 71 + 6 at 1 yr, 3 yrs, and 5 yrs. The freedom from remedial procedures for three most commonly used devices was comparable.
Conclusions: The contemporary need for remedial procedures remains significant despite the technical advances associated with the devices and our clinical expertise. Aggressive, long-term surveillance remains mandatory.


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