Changes in aneurysm morphology and stent-graft configuration after endovascular repair of aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta

Timothy Resch, Bansi Koul, Nuno Dias, Bengt Lindblad, Krassi Ivancev

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We sought to study changes in morphology and stent-graft configuration of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms after endovascular repair. METHODS: Twenty-three patients treated with custom-made stent-grafts were studied. The stent-graft consisted of continuous, stainless-steel Z stents mounted within a polyester graft. In the last 11 cases the stents were interconnected with 3 longitudinal wires. Contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography was performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, and every 6 months postoperatively. Angiography was used preoperatively and at 1-year follow-up. Proximal and distal necks were assessed for diameter and length. Aneurysm diameter, endoleaks, stent-graft migration, and changes in stent-graft configuration were evaluated. RESULTS: During follow-up (median, 18 months; range, 1-48 months), excluded aneurysms decreased in diameter by 4 mm (0.5-10 mm, P =.0018). Endoleaks prevented size decrease. Five patients displayed neck dilatation, 4 at both the proximal and distal fixation sites and 1 only distally. In 7 (30%) patients there was proximal migration of the distal end of the stent-graft. Three (13%) patients displayed both distal migration of the proximal end of the stent-graft and proximal migration of the distal end of the stent-graft. There was a significant correlation between stent-graft kinking and appearance of proximal or distal stent-graft migration (P =.05 and P =.0007, respectively). In no case did the migration lead to appearance of an endoleak before intervention was performed. CONCLUSION: Excluded descending thoracic aortic aneurysms decrease in size on midterm follow-up. A subgroup of patients prone to neck dilatation might exist. A combination of neck dilatation and vector forces acting on stent-grafts in the tortuous thoracic aorta might lead to stent-graft migration.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-52
JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume122
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: Unit for Clinical Vascular Disease Research (013242410), Emergency medicine/Medicine/Surgery (013240200), Medical Radiology Unit (013241410), Thoracic Surgery (013230027)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
  • Surgery

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