Introduc¸ão: A rotura de um aneurisma aorta abdominal (AAA) é uma emergência cirúrgica com uma taxa de mortalidade estimada em 65-85%. A cirurgia aberta tem uma elevada morbimortalidade, cerca de 40-60%. No entanto, o rEVAR (Ruptured Endovascular Aneurysm Repair) não é consensual dada a ausência de evidência nível A. O rastreio de AAA é custo efetivo em doentes do sexo masculino, com idade superior a 65 anos, com uma reduc¸ão de 44% na mortalidade específica por AAA. Este estudo retrospetivo teve 2 objetivos principais. Em primeiro lugar, a avaliac¸ão global dos cuidados prestados no tratamento desta patologia no nosso centro. Em segundo lugar, pretendeu-se avaliar a amostra de aneurismas urgentes e eletivos tratados, e comparar a distribuic¸ão dessa amostra pelas diferentes regiões da nossa área de referenciac¸ão com o objetivo de sensibilizar os cuidados de saúde primários para esta patologia, para o seu mau prognóstico quando tratado em contexto de rotura e para a importância do rastreio de base populacional e do controlo de fatores de risco cardiovasculares, de forma a contribuir para uma diminuic¸ão da mortalidade específica por AAA. Métodos: Foram selecionados todos os doentes submetidos a tratamento de AAA entre 2007- 2014, quer em contexto urgente quer eletivo no nosso centro. Resultados: Durante o período estudado, foram realizados 155 procedimentos de reparac¸ão de AAA eletivos, 108 por cirurgia aberta e 47 por EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysm Repair). A taxa de mortalidade a 30 dias foi 1,3%. Foram realizados 51 procedimentos de reparac¸ão urgente de AAA em rotura (46 cirurgia aberta, 5 EVAR). Constatou-se uma taxa de mortalidade intraoperatória de 15,7% e uma taxa de mortalidade precoce de 47%. Considerando a área de distribuic¸ão geográfica da populac¸ão estudada, identificaram-se assimetrias consideráveis na distribuic¸ão da amostra de AAA urgentes e eletivos. Conclusões: O outcome dos doentes tratados na nossa instituic¸ão é sobreponível aos dados divulgados na literatura. Avaliou-se a distribuic¸ão regional por concelhos da amostra tratada no nosso centro com o objetivo de avaliar tendências na nossa amostra e, assim, enfatizar os casos de AAA tratados de forma urgente pertencentes a cada área regional de cada centro de saúde e, assim, incentivar o envolvimento ativo dos cuidados de saúde primários, quer no rastreio de AAA quer no tratamento, através de controlo de fatores de risco cardiovasculares nesses doentes.

Introduction/Aims: Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a renal malformation that results from the kidney's fusion in midline. It is an unusual entity that rarely coexists with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Because of the anatomical characteristics (intimate relationship between kidney and aorta, variability in the renal arteries, veins and collecting systems emergency) conventional surgery can be technically difficult. Endovascular treatment has emerged as a therapeutic alternative in some cases of congenital renal malformations. We report a case of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a patient with coexistent AAA and HSK. Material / Methods: We review a case of a patient with coexistent AAA and HSK treated by EVAR in our institution with description of diagnosis, treatment, outcome and complications. Results: A 74-year-old man was referred to our center with an assymptomatic AAA. He had medical history of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure and smoking. CT angiography revealed an infrarenal AAA, with 57mm diameter and HSK. After studying anatomical features, the patient was proposed for EVAR. Under general anesthesia both femoral arteries were exposed. An Endurant® II endoprosthesis was deployed immediately distal to an accessory renal artery and two iliac extenders were deployed in the left and one in the right side. Control angiography found an image compatible with endoleak type1 so a new dilatation of the proximal colon with Reliant® balloon was performed. In the final control angiography there was still some reflux into the aneurysmal sac which was interpreted as probable endoleak type 2. Postoperatively angioCT revealed endoleak type 1 which led to reintervention with implantation of an aortic extender Endurant®, with good result. In control angioCT there was no evidence of endoleak and all renal arteries were patent. Conclusions: EVAR has clear advantages in cases of coexistent AAA and HSK, anatomically complex for conventional surgery. Although renal vasculature in these patients is very variable, sometimes with accessory arteries responsible for vascularization of considerable percentages of parenchyma. Thus, preoperative planning is essential to assess the need to exclude accessory renal arteries and consider, individually, the risk / benefit ratio.

Introdution: In the last years, EVAR has been increasingly affirmed as the main surgical option for AAA correction without rupture. This procedure presents specific clinical and anatomical indications although it does not prevent the appearance of long-term complications associated with EVAR. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of all patients submitted to EVAR was performed at the Hospital under study, between 01/01/2010 and 12/31/2016. After selection of 52 patients, applied the exclusion criteria, a total of 26 patients were obtained. This sample was Statistic analysed in order to evaluate the existence of any factor that relates or allows predicting aneurysmal retraction after an EVAR. Results: Correlation tests were performed, where only the variable Smoking History showed Statistic significance (Pearson r=-,390; p=0.049). This change was later verified with a comparison of means where it was verified that there was a significant difference between the groups with history of smoking (the one with the greatest retraction) and the group without smoking history. The influence of this variable on the retraction was verified through the Linear Regression analysis, in which statistical significance was verified (p = 0.032, B = −6.538), confirming the influence on the retraction. In a linear regression analysis for the remaining variables, although there was no significant difference, the variable largest diameter of the neck was the one that presented the greatest influence on the retraction, with B = 8.047 and p value closer to significance (p = 0.058). In the Binary Regression only the variable % thrombus in the neck presented significance outside the equation, showing no statistical significance (p = 0.071; Exp (B) = 0,121) in the equation. Conclusion: In summary, this study allows us to infer that the performance of EVAR in patients with AAA presents better results when patients have a personal history of smoking. In addition, there is a tendency for the existence of a relation between the variable % thrombus in the cervix with the AAA retraction after EVAR.

Introduction: Nellix® endoprosthesis (Endologix Inc., Irvine, CA) is composed by two ballon-expandable stents surrounded by endobags, which are filled with a polymer, thus obliterating the aneurysmal sac – Endovascular Aneurysm Sealing (EVAS). Initially, due to its properties, was introduced with extended IFU, allowing the use in more complex abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, during the initial experience with this endoprosthesis, a high number of poor outcomes have been described, leading to the progressive restriction of IFU. Currently, it has been discontinued and is only available in selected centers for clinical research purposes. Our study aim to report the institutional results of the use of the Nellix® endoprosthesis in the treatment of AAA. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was designed, including patients with AAA treated with Nellix® endoprosthesis treated at a universitary tertiary care facility. Elective and urgent patients we're included, and patients we're identified through the institutional files. Thoraco-abdominal aneurysm we're excluded. Data about baseline characteristics, surgery, hospitalization course and follow-up post discharge was obtained by consulting personal clinical files. Primary endpoints are technical and clinical success at 30 days, as complications and secondary interventions at mid and long-term. Results: Between 2015 and 2017, this endoprosthesis was used in 12 patients, 9 male and 3 female, with a mean age of 71 (±8) years. The most common comorbidities associated we're hypertension (n=12), current or former tobacco use (n=7), coronary heart disease (n=7), peripheral artery disease (n=6) and chronic kidney disease (n=6) In all patients, the treatment indication was primary degenerative aneurysm, with one exception, which was the presence of type 1a EL after EVAR. Ten patients underwent elective and 2 urgent surgery due to symptomatic aneurysm. Three we're aortoiliac aneurysms and the remaining aortic aneurysms (n=9) with three having involvement of at least one renal artery. Nine patients underwent conventional EVAS; the remaining EVAS with chimney (ChEVAS) for the renal artery(ies) or superior mesenteric artery (n=3). The average preoperative diameter was 57(±6.5) mm. One patient was simultaneously submitted to endovascular repair of a popliteal artery aneurysm with covered stent. By 30 days, death occurred in 2 patients, all submitted to ChEVAS. The most common post-operative complications we're respiratory failure (n=3), AKI with dialysis (n=3), being that in two patients there was intentional covering of the renal arteries (patients with pre-dialysis CKD). In this time frame, we verified one reintervention: catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute limb ischemia due to popliteal covered stent thrombosis. After 30 days, 4 deaths occured (2 year survival 60%, SE 0.154). The most common complications were type 1a EL(n=3), type 1b EL(n=1) and aortic stent thrombosis (n=1). Two patients have already been reintervened: one submitted to femoro-femoral crossover bypass and the other to surgical endoprosthesis explantation and in situ reconstruction aortobifemoral bypass. The last was deceased in the early postoperative period. Two patients are waiting reintervention for type Ia EL and aneurysmal sac growth. The average sac diameter in last follow-up or before secondary intervention was 59(±10.6) mm. Mean follow-up time is 2,3(±1,6) years.  Conclusions: In our institution, the use of Nellix® endoprosthesis is associated with a high rate of perioperative morbidity and mid to long-term aneurysm-related complications, being type Ia EL the most common. Although the free use of the endoprosthesis is currently discontinued, patients who have previously undergone EVAS lack a specific and more intensive surveillance plan for the timely detection and correction of complications.

Introduction: Isolated abdominal aortic dissection (IAAD) is a relatively rare event and precise indications for treatment aren't clearly defined. Its natural history is not fully understood due to the rarity of the disease and to the fact that most surgeons have a low threshold to intervene in these patients. Open surgery represents the classical treatment but endovascular intervention has gained wide acceptance in most centers and is now the most frequently adopted treatment option. The largest series of treated patients are from Asian centers with the largest of them comprising only 33 cases whereas in western surgical centers the largest series contains only 21 patients. Methods: Single center, retrospective, observational, study of patients with IAAD who were treated with open or endovascular surgery. Results: We describe eight patients with IAAD who underwent treatment in our institution (four males and four females). Median age at presentation was 78 years and all patients were asymptomatic. Median aortic diameter at presentation was 30mm (14-85mm). All but one patient underwent endovascular treatment. Three patients were treated with bifurcated aortic endografts, three patients had a single stent-graft (iliac limbs of aortic endografts) implanted and one patient underwent a CERAB procedure for coexistent stenotic disease of the aortic bifurcation. There were no perioperative deaths. Median follow-up was 6,2 years (2 months-13 years). Late reintervention was needed in one patient, 8 years after initial surgery, due to a type 1 endoleak. Conclusion: According to our experience, endovascular intervention represents a safe and durable treatment option in IAAD, however, long-term follow-up is mandatory. Larger studies with longer follow-ups are needed to understand this disease.

OBJECTIVES: Remarkable changes in the epidemiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) have occurred in many countries during last few decades, which have also affected Brazilian mortality concurrently. This study aimed to investigate mortality trends related to AAA mortality in Brazil from 2000 to 2016. METHODS: Annual AAA mortality data was extracted from the public databases of the Mortality Information System, and processed by the Multiple Cause Tabulator. RESULTS: In Brazil, 2000 through 2016, AAA occurred in 69,513 overall deaths; in 79.6% as underlying and in 20.4% as an associated cause of death, corresponding to rates respectively of 2.45, 1.95 and 0.50 deaths per 100,000 population; 65.4% male and 34.6% female; 60.6% in the Southeast region. The mean ages at death were 71.141 years overall, and 70.385 years and 72.573 years for men and women, respectively. Ruptured AAA occurred in 64.3% of the deaths where AAA was an underlying cause, and in 18.0% of the deaths where AAA was an associated cause. The standardized rates increased during 2000–2008, followed by a decrease during 2008–2016, resulting in an average annual percent change decline of -0.2 (confidence interval [CI], -0.5 to 0.2) for the entire 2000–2016 period. As associated causes, shock (39.2%), hemorrhages (33.0%), and hypertensive diseases (26.7%) prevailed with ruptured aneurysms, while hypertensive diseases (29.4%) were associated with unruptured aneurysms. A significant seasonal variation, highest during autumn and followed by in winter, was observed in the overall ruptured and unruptured AAA deaths. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need to accurately document epidemiologic trends related to AAA in Brazil. We demonstrate the burden of AAA on mortality in older individuals, and our results may assist with effective planning of mortality prevention and control in patients with AAA.

PURPOSE: To compare the computed tomography and angiography study of abdominal aortic aneurysms for posterior endograft implant. METHOD: From June 1997 to March 2001, 113 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm were submitted to study of the aorto-iliac axis with abdominal spiral computed tomography and angiography with calibrated catheter. The patient's ages ranged from 51 and 88 years (mean: 69). There were 104 males and nine females. RESULTS: When comparing the mean computed tomography and angiography diameters, we observed that there was a statistical difference for the infra-renal neck (p<0.05) and for the aortic aneurysm diameters (p<0.001). There was no statistical difference for the iliac artery diameters (p>0.05). When comparing the mean lengths, we observed that there was a statistical difference for the aortic infra-renal neck (p<0.05), for the distance between the renal artery and the aortic bifurcation (p<0.05) and for the common iliac artery lengths (p<0.05). There was also a statistical difference for the length between the renal artery and the internal iliac artery (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the AAA pre-procedure imaging study there were statistical differences between the computed tomography and angiographic measurement studies. We believe that computed tomography is a superior method for the evaluation of diameters and the angiography with a calibrated catheter for the length evaluation. We conclude, that both methods are complementary and must be undertaken for accurate evaluation of all candidates for aortic endograft implant.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the operative mortality rate and outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) between young and geriatric people in a single center. Methods: Eighty-five patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms who underwent EVAR between January 2012 and September 2016 were included. Outcomes were compared between two groups: the young (aged < 65 years) and the geriatric (aged ≥ 65 years). The primary study outcome was technical success; the secondary endpoints were mortality and secondary interventions. The mean follow-up time was 36 months (3-60 months). Results: The study included 72 males and 13 females with a mean age of 71.08±8.6 years (range 49-85 years). Of the 85 patients analyzed, 18 (21.2%) were under 65 years old and 67 patients (78.8%) were over 65 years old. There was no statistically significant correlation between chronic disease and age. We found no statistically significant difference between aneurysm diameter, neck angle, neck length, or right and left iliac angles. The secondary intervention rate was 7% (six patients). The conversion to open surgery was necessary for only one patient and only three deaths were reported (3.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in the mortality and reintervention rates between the age groups. The three deaths occurred only in the geriatric group and two died secondary to rupture. Kidney failure was observed in three patients in the geriatric group (4.5%). Conclusion: Our single-center experience shows that EVAR can be used safely in both young and geriatric patients.