Treatment of Complications Following Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

 

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ABSTRACT

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is an important treatment option for abdominal aortic aneurysms, with lower perioperative morbidity and mortality rates than open surgical aneurysm repair. However, EVAR is associated with several unique complications that are not encountered with surgical repair such as endoleaks, graft migration, and renal artery occlusion. Preservation of the morbidity and mortality advantages of EVAR relies on the successful treatment of these complications by minimally invasive, endovascular approaches. Some of the techniques used to treat EVAR complications include balloon dilation and stenting, deployment of additional stent-graft pieces, coil embolization, and thrombolysis. Although the employment of these endovascular salvage techniques is common, data regarding their intermediate- to long-term efficacy is sparse, and further studies are needed to determine their efficacy in preventing conversion to open aneurysm repair and aneurysm rupture.

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S. William StavropoulosM.D. 

Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

3400 Spruce Street, 1 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104