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: The occlusion of internal iliac artery may be necessary in Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). The intentional hypogastric occlusion may have several ischemic complications. The Iliac Branch Devices (IBD) are an alternative to hypogastric occlusion in patients at high risk to pelvic ischemia. The authors report a case of early IBD occlusion with serious clinical consequences. Case Report: A 74-year-old man presented a 55-mm abdominal aortic aneurysm with bilateral involvement of iliac bifurcation and proximal hypogastric arteries (maximum diameter of 31 and 32 mm). He underwent EVAR, left hypogastric revascularization by IBD and coiling + overstenting of contralateral hypogastric. There wasn´t intraoperative complications and final angiography showed hypogastric patency and poor pelvic collateral circulation. Postoperatively, the patient complained of bilateral lumbar and gluteal pain and presented with ischemic skin alterations and left lower limb monoparesis. As his clinical state deteriorates in the first 24 hours and computed tomography angiogram revealed left hypogastric stent occlusion, he underwent hypogastric revascularization again with good angiographic results. Despite successful revascularization, there was a progressive clinical deterioration with irreversible pelvic ischemia and rhabdomyolysis. Death on 5th postoperative day. Conclusion: The acute pelvic ischemia is a serious complication and often a fatal outcome, which may result of bilateral hypogastric artery occlusion. As IBD revascularization failure may be fatal, the authors advise an extra caution in final angiography and a high level of suspicion for postoperative complications. Bilateral hypogastric preservation using IBD may be recommended, if there is a higher risk of technical failure, embolization or poor pelvic collateral circulation.

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms present with significant lethality, long hospitalization periods at intensive care units and elevated health costs. Aneurysm-related mortality is highly dependent on the clinical state and physiological reserve of the patient previous to the surgery. In order to stratify which factors may condition mortality and to understand the best candidates for surgical treatment, several scores have been published with dozens of analyzed variables. The most relevant scores are: Glasgow Aneurysm Score, Vancouver Scoring System, Hardman Index, Edinburgh Rupture Aneurysm Score (ERAS) e Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE). This review intends to summarize the most relevant findings and to provide a critical analysis of each aneurysm score.

Perivascular adipose tissue has been increasingly recognized as an important producer of vasoactive factors and cytokines that may have a direct paracrine effect on the vasculature due to the inherent proximity. In this regard, perivascular adipose tissue-vessel interaction might be identified as a novel therapeutic target of vascular diseases. Conversely to other specific adipose depots, whose characteristics have been disclosed, proprieties of abdominal periaortic adipose tissue remain obscure. Substances produced by abdominal periaortic adipose tissue may play a role in the pathologic pathways occurring in abdominal aortic aneurism and/or aortic atherosclerosis. Approaches to address this topic are fundamental steps towards innovative therapeutic strategies that address adventitia instead of the damaged intima of peripheral vessels.

Objective: Type 2 endoleak occurs in up to 30% of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), but its long-term significance continues to be one of the most controversial topics. We reviewed our experience to evaluate late outcomes associated with type 2 endoleak. Methods: Between January 2008 to December 2014, 57 patients undergoing EVAR were enrolled in the presenting study. Computed tomography (angioCT) scan assessment was performed to evaluate aneurysm sac evolution. Primary end points included type 2 endoleak incidence, aneurysm sac growth, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) related rupture and death. Secondary endpoints included conversion to open repair, reintervention rate, type 2 endoleak persistence and failure to shrinkage > 5mm and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture. Results: We identified 10 (17.5%) patients with type 2 endoleaks (6 early at the first follow-up CT scan). Median followup was 39.0 ± 31,6 months. Endoleaks persisted in 7 patients (12,2% of total patients; 70,0% of type 2 endoleaks) for >6 months. Overall survival rate was 100%, 98% and 80% at 1, 2 and 5 years. Spontaneous sealing occurred in 6/10 (60%): 3/3 (100.0%) transient type 2 endoleaks and 3/7 (43%) persistent type 2 endoleak. Transient type 2 endoleak (those that resolved <6 months of EVAR) weren´t associated with adverse late outcomes. In contrast, persistent endoleak was associated with several adverse outcomes. When evaluating patients with transitory endoleak vs persistent endoleak, freedom from sac expansion at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100% (transitory) vs 85%, 65%, e 40% (persistent) (P < .001). Patients with persistent endoleak were at increased risk for aneurysm sac growth vs patients without endoleak (odds ratio [OR], 36.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2,15 - 79; P < .02). The only reintervention occurred in a persistent endoleak). There was no aneurysm rupture or AAA-related death. Conclusion: Small sample size have limited this study ability to evaluate the impact on endoleak on adverse outcomes. Persistent type II endoleaks led to significant aneurysm sac enlargement, but without increased mortality or rupture rate.

Introduction: The rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is frequently fatal and accounts for nearly 1% of all deaths. Data from literature states that screening is cost effective in male patients over the age of 65 with a 44% reduction in AAA related mortality. UK small aneurysm trial participants and other trials concluded that there was no long-term survival benefit of early elective open repair of small AAA (40-55mm). However when these trials began, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was not an option. Since many consider that EVAR is easier in smaller aneurysms, trials of early endovascular repair versus surveillance for small AAA are ongoing. The purpose of this study was to identify the proportion of abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures that occur before the screening age or threshold diameter for operative repair is reached. Methods: The clinical data of all patients admitted in our hospital with the diagnosis of ruptured AAA from January 2007 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 60 patients were included in this study, 52 males and 8 females. Mean age at rupture was 74.6±9.5years. Eleven patients (18.3%) were younger than 65 years, with 21.1% of males and no females under the age of 65. Mean aneurysm diameter at rupture was 72.8±20mm. 12 patients (20%) had aneurysm size inferior to 55mm at rupture, and only in one of those infectious etiology was confirmed by histologic analysis. Female rupture below 55 mm reached 37.5% and male rupture reached 15.4%, with no statistically significant difference probably because of the small number of female patients. Between male patients, rupture occurred at a significantly inferior diameter in smokers (p<0,05). Conclusions: The data from this study show that a 21% of men would not make it to the screening age of 65 before AAA rupture. It also shows that 20% of patients treated for ruptured AAA were below 55 mm diameter. Data from this study also support the previous finding that aneurysm size at the time of rupture is significantly smaller in male smokers.

Introduction: Since its first introduction in 1991, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) became the preferred modality for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) repair. Several devices have been launched over the years addressing progressively more complex anatomies. The aim of this review is to provide an update on current endografts and compare their results. Methods: MEDLINE databases were searched for endografts features and respective outcomes. Results: Currently, a significant variety of grafts is approved for clinical use, targeting different anatomic properties. There are presently six CE and FDA approved devices: Zenith®, AFX®, C3 EXCLUDER®, Endurant® II, Ovation® and Aorfix™; while six more have only the CE mark: Anaconda™, E-vita ABDOMINAL XT®, E-tegra®, Incraft®, TREOVANCE® and Altura™. Also, there are four fenestrated and branched endografts available for treating thoracoabdominal aneurysms: Zenith® Fenestrated, Fenestrated Anaconda™, Zenith® p-Branch® and Zenith® t-Branch®. The Endurant II and Treovance stent grafts can accommodate neck lengths ≥10 mm; Aorfix and Anaconda are more liberal regarding neck angulation, extending of infrarenal neck angulation up to 90º. Finally, Zenith, C3 Excluder, Ovation and Incraft stent grafts can be used with distal fixation length ≥10 mm. Conclusion: New-generation endografts perform better than the older ones, especially in challenging anatomies. Mid-term outcomes between contemporary stent-grafts seem to be similar for most of the outcomes. However, no randomized controlled trials exist comparing different contemporary stent grafts, making conclusions difficult to accomplish. Longterm follow-up reviews are required to assertively take assumptions about different stent grafts performance.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) is a rare disease, characterized by inflammation and fibrosis in the periphery of the abdominal aorta which spreads within the retroperitoneal space, invading adjacent structures. In about two thirds of the cases this condition is idiopathic presenting a identified cause in the rest. In the majority of cases, secondary forms are associated with drugs and neoplasia, but there are more situations that can lead to the development of the disease. Recently, evidence has emerged that RF is related with angioplasty, stenting or implantation of endoprosthesis in aortoiliac axes, however, literature is very scarce. We present our experience with two patients with grade IIb arteriopathy, one with preocclusive stenosis of the left common iliac artery treated with angioplasty and stenting of the lesion, other with morphologically significant stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta where angioplasty and placement of two aortoiliac stentgrafts in the form of kissing the stent was performed. Both patients have manifested marked lumbar pain with a periaortic inflammatory process suggestive of retroperitoneal fibrosis visualized in CT angiography that evolved to abdominal inflammatory aortic aneurysm. The pathophysiology of this findings is not known; however, we may assume that angioplasty and stenting can disturb plaque integrity with antigen exposure triggering a local inflammatory response. On the other hand, an immune reaction directly against the stent may arise. It is important to think about this occurrence, since there is a good response to steroid therapy in this patients and because of the possible progression to inflammatory aortic aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs most often in older men, Caucasian, with history of smoking or family history of AAA. AAA seems to have indication for population screening for its prevalence (4-8%) and mortality (80-90%); existence of a latency period until aneurysm rupture; use of an efficient, economic and safe screening technique; and treatment with a low mortality rate. The objective of this work was to perform a critic analysis of the results of AAA population screening programs and their impact on mortality. It was also analyzed if the decrease in the prevalence in the last decade will have implications in the viability of these programs. The randomized trials MASS, Chichester and Viborg showed that the screening of AAA is feasible, even 13 to 15 years after the begging of the program. Two of the trials have proven that screening AAA is cost-effective. The trial performed in Australia revealed to be ineffective, probably due to a high incidental diagnosis. The meta-analysis of these studies has shown that population-based screening for AAA reduces the AAA-related mortality by 4 per 1000 men with 65 years or more and reduces all-cause mortality in the long-term, by 5 per 1000. A cohort study with 61,982 participants reported a reduction in the number of ruptured aneurysms and reduction of mean aortic diameter over 20 years. Recent studies suggest that screening of AAA is economically viable up to a prevalence of 0.5% in men and 1.1% in women. Statistical models have shown that screening of AAA has benefits comparable to other screening programs. The implementation of AAA population screening programs in the male population over 65 years-old is viable and clinically relevant, contributing to a reduction in mortality related to AAA. The screening in women, at least with history of smoking, appears to have legitimacy, but more evidence is needed to determine its viability. According to data of “Aorta não avisa” and “Aorta é Vida” programs the prevalence of AAA in Portugal is around 4%, which seems to justify the implementation of a population screening program in the country.

Introduction: Endograft limb kinking remains one of the major causes of secondary interventions and rehospitalisation after Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, the importance of improving limb patency has received little focus. Endograft limb kinking also remains ill-defined, with considerable variability in the literature concerning its clinical presentation and natural history. The purpose of this paper is to search for an appropriate definition for limb graft kinking as well as intra-operative and follow-up approaches for a timely diagnosis. Methods: A literature review was performed in the MEDLINE database. Results: Several imaging methods have been reviewed, and they all present advantages and drawbacks. Completion Angiography (CA) is routinely performed after removal of stiff guidewires, but it is considered an inadequate means of determining high-risk limb grafts. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has been shown to be feasible both in EVAR planning and as completion imaging to detect complications missed by CA. Duplex Ultrasound, pressure measurement and intravascular ultrasound have also been proposed as adjuncts for intraoperative evaluation of limb grafts. Discussion: Standardizing criteria for hemodynamically significant kinking diagnosis is necessary in order to define patients that may benefit from re-interventions to reduce the risk of limb occlusion. Further studies are necessary in order to raise awareness for this complication which can lead to limb graft thrombosis and limb loss and in order to establish an appropriate diagnosis and follow up protocol.