STENT GRAFTING FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSMS IN FINLAND - A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Background and Aims: Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is a feasible procedure in selected patients. In order to asses s how many AAAs are suitable for such a procedure, a survey has been c onducted in Helsinki, Kuopio, and Tampere University Hospitals. Materi al and Methods: AAAs having a maximum diameter of 45 mm or more at ult rasonography were included for further evaluation and assessment by an giography and/or spiral CT angiography to determine the length and wid th of infrarenal aneurysmal neck as well as the dimensions of the dist al abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. Results: Among a total of 75 pa tients with AAA examined in three centres, ultrasonography overestimat ed the size of the aneurysm in 12 cases that were demonstrated by angi ography and CT to have a diameter of less than 45 mm. Among those pati ents with larger aneurysms, 17 (27 %) were suitable for endovascular r epair. Stent grafting has been performed in 10 patients until May, 199 7. Perigraft leakage occurred in one patient who required the insertio n of an additional collar stent graft. Conclusions: Large numbers of s uitable patients are not easy to find but, by performing joint screeni ng in Finland, epidemiological data on suitable aneurysms and improvin g co-operation between centres can be achieved. Therefore, it would be wise to centralise endovascular repair of AAA.