Endoluminal grafting of infrarenal aortic aneurysms

Background: The department policy regarding therapy fo infrarenal aortic an eurysms is reviewed, based on the treatment results of a 12-months period. Methods: From October 1996 to August 1997, 60 patients with infrarenal aort ic aneurysms were admitted to our department. Of these 31 (52%) were found to be anatomically or pathomorphologically suitable for endovascular treatm ent, based on the premises that: 1. Whenever the anatomy is suitable and co nfirmed with CT or angiography, repair is by means of stent placement. 2. I n emergencies and in cases where the anatomical relationships are unfavoura ble, patients undergo conventional open surgery. Results: In all 31 patient s treated endovascularly, stent placement was technically successful. proce dure-associated mortality was zero. The following stenting complications oc curred: seven endoleaks, one thrombotic iliac occlusion, one femoral arteri al dissection, two puncture-related inguinal hematomas. Elective open surge ry was performed in the other 29 patients. One of these died from the effec ts of renal failure. Conclusions: This comparison shows that endovascular t reatment of infrarenal aortic aneuryms is possible in a large proportion of patients and is not associated with an unfavourable Fate of complications. Endovascular treatment can significantly reduce patients' postoperative ho spitalization (three days) and time spent in intensive care.