Objective To observe the occurrence condition of endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and to analyze the factors of the endoleak. Methods Between July 2005 and June 2013, 210 cases of AAA were treated with EVAR. Of 210 patients, 175 were male and 35 were female, aging 42-89 years (mean, 65.7 years). The patients were all proved to have infrarenal AAA by computed tomography angiography (CTA). The disease duration ranged from 1 week to 2 years (median, 11.3 weeks). The maximum diameter of the aneurysms was 44-72 mm (mean, 57.3 mm). The proximal landing zone was longer than 1.5 cm. CTA was performed routinely at 2 months after operation to detect the endoleak of contrast agent. If endoleak was found, CTA was performed again at 6 months. If obvious endoleak still existed, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) would be performed to clarify the character and the degree of the endoleak, and EVAR should be done if necessary. Results Endoleak occurred in 31 cases (14.8%) during operation, including 11 cases of type I endoleak (8 cases of type IA and 3 cases of type IB), 18 cases of type II endoleak, and 2 cases of type III endoleak (type IIIB). The patients were followed up 2-8 months (mean, 3.1 months). At 2 months after operation, contrast agent endoleak was found in the remnant aneurysm cavity of 12 cases (5.7%). At 6 months after eperation, contrast agent endoleak was found in 10 cases (4.8%) by CTA. In 8 patients receiving DSA, there were 4 cases of type I endoleak (3 cases of type IA and 1 case of type IB), 3 cases of type II endoleak, and 1 case of type III (type IIIB) endoleak. In 5 patients having type I and type III endoleak, collateral movement of stent graft was observed in different degree; after increased stent graft was implanted, the endoleak disappeared after 2-4 months. The patients having type II endoleak were not given special treatment, endoleak still existed at 2 months after reexamination of CTA, but the maximum diameter of AAA had no enlargement. Conclusion The collateral movement of stent graft is a very important factor to cause type I and type III endoleak in the patients of AAA after EVAR, and endoleak can be plugged by EVAR again.
Objective To study the major postoperative complications of abdominal aortic aneurysm （AAA） repair in high-risk patients， analyze its causes， and suggest the prevention methods. Methods From January 2009 to September 2011， 57 cases of high-risk AAA patients underwent AAA repair in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. High-risk patients were defined as age≥60 years，the American Society of Anesthesiologists grade three or four，and at least one of complications about heart， lung， and kidney. Major postoperative complications were rated， and preoperative cardiac，pulmonary， and renal condition，anesthesia and surgical impact were taken into account while evaluating the risk factors of major postoperative complications. Results Forty-one of 57 high-risk patients with AAA were repaired by endovascular repair，16 of 57 high-risk patients with AAA were repaired by traditional open surgery. The early mortality （within 30d） was 1.8% （1/57）. The major postoperative complications rate of AAA repair was 19.3% （11/57） in total，and 8.8% （5/57），8.8% （5/57），and 1.8% （1/57） for cardiac complication，pulmonary complication， and acute renal failure，respectively. The patients with coronary heart disease had a higher cardiac complication rate 〔19.0% （4/21） versus 2.8% （1/36），χ2=4.387，P＜0.05〕 ， while with hypertension had no such effect for that〔10.3% （4/39） versus 5.6% （1/18），χ2=0.340，P＞0.05〕. Patients with abnormal pulmonary function was responsible for postoperative respiratory complications 〔20.0% （4/20） versus 5.6% （1/18）， χ2=4.387， P＜0.05〕 ， while with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease history was not responsible for that 〔13.2% （5/38） versus 0 （0/19），χ2=2.740，P＞0.05〕．Patients with preoperative renal function was not related to postoperative acute renal failure 〔0 （0/4） versus 1.9% （1/53）， χ2=0.077，P＞0.05〕. Compared with traditional open surgery，endovascular repair could effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications 〔12.2% （5/41） versus 37.5% （6/16）， χ2=3.980，P＜0.05〕. The incidence of postoperative respiratory complications in the local anesthesia patients was less than that in the general anesthesia patients 〔0（0/20）versus 19.0% （4/21），χ2=4.221，P＜0.05〕. Conclusions Cardiac and pulmonary complications are commonly seen after AAA repair in high-risk patients．Preoperative cardiac，pulmonary condition，anesthesia and surgical aspects greatly influence the major postoperative complications. Exhaustively assessment of each system before surgery，appropriate anesthesia and surgical options，postoperative active and effective symptomatic，and supportive treatment are the key to reducing the incidence of postoperative complications.