ENDOVASCULAR THERAPY OF ANEURYSMS OF THE AORTA - INITIAL CLINICAL-RESULTS

Purpose: A clinical study aiming at examining the implantation techniq ue and the clinical results of a new vascular prosthesis in endovascul ar therapy of aneurysms of the aorta. Material and methods: In 21 pati ents (20 men of 55 to 87 years of age, average age 70 years) with aneu rysms of the infrarenal abdominal aorta (AAA n = 19) and the thoracic aorta (n = 2), a self-expanding nitinol stent with outer Dacron sheath (tubular prosthesis n = 4; bifurcation prosthesis n = 17) was implant ed by means of an F-18 introductory set after surgical opening of the inguinal artery. Results: By means of the 4 tubular prostheses and 13 of the 17 bifurcation prostheses the aneurysm was bypassed completely. In 4 cases residual perfusion through leaks (n = 3) or collateral blo od supply (n = 1) was seen. In 6 patients 7 complications occurred whi ch did not require to be operated on. No patient died in consequence o f the surgical intervention or during the hospital stay. Follow-ups up to 8 months after surgery did not reveal any late complications to da te. Conclusions: Endovascular implantation of vascular prostheses is a promising new method for interdisciplinary treatment of aneurysms of the aorta.