Summary
There are little data about complications after exclusion of infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with endovascular stent-grafts. This study was undertaken in order to investigate complications requiring surgical procedures after transluminal repair of AAA.
Between September 1996 and January 1997 we performed endoluminal repair for exclusion of AAA with use of polyester covered nitinol stents in 70 patients (mean age, 68±8 years; range, 48–81 years). All procedures were done under study conditions only and teamwork between interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. Primary technical success with complete exclusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 67/70 patients (96%). Local complications requiring surgical interventions were: contralateral femoral cut down (n=7), repair of femoral artery (n=12), thrombectomy (n=5), revision of groin (n=3), amputation of the foot and lower limb (n=2), conversion to open procedure (n=2).
Considering strict patient selection and account that implantation should be done as an cooperation of vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists, stent-graft implantation for AAA may be an alternative therapeutic option to conventional surgery.