Outcomes of persistent intraoperative type Ia endoleak after standard endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed outcomes for patients with persistent intraoperative type Ia endoleaks after standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

METHODS

The study group was identified from a consecutive cohort of 209 patients undergoing EVAR in a tertiary center in the United Kingdom during a 2-year period. Data prospectively collected on departmental computerized databases were retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcome parameters were defined as freedom from type Ia endoleak, EVAR-related reintervention, aneurysm rupture, and aneurysm-related mortality.

RESULTS

A completion angiogram identified 44 patients (21%) as having a type Ia endoleak, and 33 (75%) had a persistent endoleak after intraoperative adjunctive procedures, including repeated balloon moulding, aortic cuff extension, and Palmaz stent (Cordis, Miami Lakes, Fla) deployment. In the 11 patients (25%) whose endoleak was successfully abolished intraoperatively, there was no recurrence of type Ia endoleak or secondary intervention to treat type 1a endoleak during a median follow-up period of 27 months. Of the 33 patients with persistent endoleak, 31 (94%) demonstrated resolution of the endoleak on first surveillance computed tomography angiography. One patient was lost to follow-up. Embolization of the endoleak in another patient was successful using Onyx (Micro Therapeutics, Inc, Irvine, Calif) 8 days after the initial procedure. No type Ia endoleak was identified after this on any surveillance imaging, and the patient was alive 28 months later with a stable aneurysm size. In the rest of the patients, no recurrence of the endoleak in any subsequent imaging was noticed, and no secondary intervention was required during follow-up. No aneurysm-related deaths occurred, and 91% of the patients had a stable or shrinking aneurysm.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite adjunctive intraoperative maneuvers, persistent type Ia endoleaks can be relatively common. Our study indicates that they may be observed in selected patients. Further research is required to investigate the natural course and management of type Ia endoleaks identified intraoperatively.