Background: We report our preliminary results with endovascular treatment o
f abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
Methods: Between October 1998 and June 2000, 64 patients (62 male, two fema
le; mean age = 70 years) underwent endovascular repair of AAA. Different ty
pes of prostheses were used, both bifurcated (n = 58) and straight (n = 6).
We performed duplex sonography and spiral computed tomographic angiography
(CTA) at discharge and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Follow-up ranged from 1
to 20 months.
Results: All procedures were successful, except for three immediate and one
late surgical conversions (6.2%). One patient died 14 days after immediate
surgical conversion. At discharge, CTA showed 13 endoleaks: three resolved
spontaneously, six persisted during follow-up, and four (one angioplasty a
nd three embolizations) were treated successfully. Stenosis of an iliac bra
nch occurred in one patient after 3 months and was successfully treated by
angioplasty. Late endoleaks were detected by imaging follow-up in four case
s, three at 1 year and one at 6 months, requiring deployment of distal exte
nder cuffs (n = 2), a proximal cuff (n = 1), and lumbar embolization (n = 2
).
Conclusion: Our preliminary experience supports the efficacy of endovascula
r repair in selected patients, but strict and accurate follow-up is require
d.