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Cureus Mar 2024Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a preferred treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, though it comes with complications such as endoleaks and graft infections... (Review)
Review
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a preferred treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, though it comes with complications such as endoleaks and graft infections that may necessitate late open conversion (LOC). This systematic review and meta-analysis, drawing on studies from PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, aimed to evaluate the incidence, outcomes, and factors leading to LOC after EVAR. The analysis of 11 selected studies revealed a 5.3% incidence of LOC, with a patient cohort predominantly male (79%) and an average age of 73.5 years. The interval between initial EVAR and LOC was 35.1 months on average, with the Excluder device most frequently necessitating LOC. A notable 68% of endovascular salvage attempts before LOC failed. The study highlighted rupture and type I endoleak as the primary reasons for urgent LOC, which exhibited a 10-fold higher mortality rate compared to elective LOC. Elective LOC procedures had a 30-day mortality rate similar to primary elective open aneurysm repairs. These findings underscore the importance of vigilant post-EVAR patient monitoring and suggest that the methodological quality of underlying research should be considered in interpreting these results.
PubMed: 38686244
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57271 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Mar 2024Whether angiotensin II blockade is an effective medical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has not been established. This systematic review and... (Review)
Review
Systematic Review Examining the Association Between Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Prescription and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth and Events.
OBJECTIVE
Whether angiotensin II blockade is an effective medical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has not been established. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the association between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) prescription and AAA growth and events.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched from their inception to 4 January 2024, with no language restrictions.
REVIEW METHODS
The five databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting the association between ACEi or ARB prescription and AAA growth, repair, or rupture. The primary outcome was AAA growth, with secondary outcomes of AAA rupture, AAA repair, and AAA related events (rupture and repair combined). Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool for RCTs and with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Random effects models were used for meta-analyses.
RESULTS
Eleven studies (two RCTs, eight observational studies, and one meta-analysis of individual patient data from seven populations) involving 58 022 patients were included. ACEi prescription was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in AAA growth (standard mean difference 0.01 mm/year, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.26 - 0.28; p = .93; I = 98%) or AAA repair (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% CI 0.50 - 1.09; p = .65; I = 61%), but was associated with a statistically significantly lower risk of AAA rupture (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81 - 0.93; p < .001; I = 26%) and AAA related events (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72 - 0.95; p = .006; I = 80%). ARB prescription was not associated with significantly reduced AAA growth or a lower risk of AAA related events. The two RCTs had a low risk of bias, with one observational study having low, seven moderate, and one high risk of bias. All of the findings had a very low certainty of evidence based on the GRADE analysis.
CONCLUSION
There was no association between ACEi or ARB prescription and AAA growth, but ACEi prescription was associated with a reduced risk of AAA rupture and AAA related events with very low certainty of evidence.
PubMed: 38537880
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2024.03.034 -
International Angiology : a Journal of... Apr 2024The purpose of this study is to report incidence, indications, and outcomes of early open conversions (EOC) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), defined as surgical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to report incidence, indications, and outcomes of early open conversions (EOC) after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), defined as surgical conversion performed within 30 days from the initial EVAR.
EVIDENCE AQUISITION
A systematic review of the literature was performed (database searched: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library; last search April 2023). Articles reporting EOC after EVAR comprising at least five patients were included. Meta-analyses of proportions were performed using a random-effects model.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Seventeen non-randomized studies, published between 1999 and 2022, were included. A total of 35,970 patients had previously undergone EVAR, of these 438 patients underwent EOC. Estimated incidence of EOC was 1.4% (95% CI 1.1-1.4; I=81.66%). Specifically, in the works published before 2010 the incidence was 1.8% (95% CI 1.3-2.4; I=74.25) while for subsequent ones it was 0.9% (95% CI 0.6-1.1; I=69.82). Weighted mean age was 74.91 years (95% CI 72.42-77.39; I=83.11%). Estimated rate of cause determining EOC were: access issue in 27.7% of patients (95% CI 13.8-41.6; I=88.14%), incorrect placement of the endograft in 20.1% (95% CI 10.2-30.0; I=76,9%), problems with "delivery system" in 9.0% (95% CI 4.9-13.1; I=0%), aorto-iliac rupture in 8.6% (95% CI 4.5-12.6; I=0%), endoprosthesis migration in 7.9% of cases (95% CI 3.3-12.4; I=22.96%), failure in engaging the contralateral gate in 4.8% (95% CI 1.6-8; I=0%), "kinking" or "twisting" of endoprosthesis in 3.3% (95% CI 0.6-5.9; I=0%), graft thrombosis in 3.2% (95% CI 0.6-5.7; I=0%), type Ia endoleak in 2.9% (95% CI 0.4-5.4; I=0%), type III endoleak in 2.8% (95% CI 0.3-5.3; I=0%) and endograft infection in 2.7% (95% CI 0.3-5.2; I=0%). Intraoperative conversion rate was 91.1% (95% CI 85.8-96.4; I=66.01%). Early mortality rate after EOC was 14.5% (95% CI 9.1-19.9; I=48.31%). Mean length of stay (LOS) was 11.94 days (95% CI 6.718-17.172; I=92.34%).
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of EOC seems to decrease over time. Causes of EOC were mainly related to access problems and incorrect positioning of the endograft. Most of the EOC were performed intraoperatively carrying a high mortality rate.
Topics: Humans; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Endovascular Procedures; Incidence; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Treatment Outcome; Conversion to Open Surgery; Risk Factors; Postoperative Complications; Time Factors
PubMed: 38502543
DOI: 10.23736/S0392-9590.24.05153-8 -
Intractable & Rare Diseases Research Feb 2024Situs viscerum inversus (SVI) is a very rare condition in that abdominal and thoracic organs are located reversed. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening... (Review)
Review
Situs viscerum inversus (SVI) is a very rare condition in that abdominal and thoracic organs are located reversed. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening pathology due to progressive aortic enlargement until the rupture. The association between SVI and AAA is very infrequent. The aim of this study is to identify the surgical procedures available to treat AAA in SVI. We performed a literature review of all studies about AAA in SVI patients, analyzing PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science (WOS), Google Scholar databases. The survey includes all publications until June 2023. The outcomes include demographic findings, type of surgical procedure, intraoperative and postoperative complications, follow-up. A total of 12 studies, including 12 patients, were considered eligible for the review. AAA mean size was 70.5 mm (range: 55-90 mm); the most common localization was in the infrarenal aortic portion. 6 studies reported data on elective surgery, and 6 on emergency procedures. In one case endovascular treatment was performed. No intraoperative complications are reported; 3 postoperative complications are registered. Medium follow-up period was 13.5 months (range: 3-60). According to the available literature, the treatment of AAA in SVI is feasible and does not show an incremented morbidity compared to patients with a normal visceral configuration. This treatment seems to be effective also in case of endovascular treatment. AAA treatment in SVI should be performed (especially in elective settings) in high volume centers where it is possible to bring on collaboration across different surgical specialists.
PubMed: 38404738
DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2023.01081 -
International Journal of Surgery... Apr 2024Chronic steroid (CS) therapy was reportedly linked to increased vascular complications following percutaneous coronary intervention. However, its association with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Chronic steroid (CS) therapy was reportedly linked to increased vascular complications following percutaneous coronary intervention. However, its association with vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remained uncertain, with conflicting results being reported.
OBJECTIVE
The authors aimed to compare the rate of vascular complications and outcomes between patients with and without CS use after TAVR.
METHODS
The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from their inception until 18th April 2022 for relevant studies. Endpoints were described according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 definitions. Effect sizes were pooled using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model as risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI.
RESULTS
Five studies with 6136 patients undergoing TAVR were included in the analysis. The included studies were published between 2015 and 2022. The mean ages of patients in both study groups were similar, with the CS group averaging 80 years and the nonsteroid group averaging 82 years. Notably, a higher proportion of patients in the CS group were female (56%) compared to the nonsteroid group (54%). CS use was associated with a significantly higher risk of major vascular complications (12.5 vs. 6.7%, RR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.73-3.11, P <0.001), major bleeding (16.8 vs. 13.1%, RR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.27-2.05, P <0.001), and aortic annulus rupture (2.3 vs. 0.6%, RR 4.66, 95% CI: 1.67-13.01, P <0.001). There was no significant difference in terms of minor vascular complications (RR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.00-2.04, P =0.05), in-hospital mortality (2.3 vs. 1.4%, RR 1.86, 95% CI: 0.74-4.70, P =0.19), and 30-day mortality (2.9 vs. 3.1%, RR 1.14, 95% CI: 0.53-2.46, P =0.74) between both groups.
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that CS therapy is associated with increased major vascular complications, major bleeding, and annulus rupture following TAVR. Further large multicenter studies or randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these findings.
Topics: Humans; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; Postoperative Complications; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Steroids; Vascular Diseases; Female; Aged, 80 and over; Male
PubMed: 38320107
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001132 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Apr 2024Large abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) present a significant mortality risk. While numerous medical interventions have been proposed, no drugs have convincingly reduced... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Large abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) present a significant mortality risk. While numerous medical interventions have been proposed, no drugs have convincingly reduced AAA progression, rupture rates, or repair risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of re-purposed drugs or dietary supplements on slowing expansion rates, reducing the risk of rupture, or minimising the risk of repair for individuals with AAA.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted in five databases. Both observational studies and randomised controlled trials were included. Unpublished data from two screening trials were incorporated. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and revised Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analyses were performed for each identified drug subclass and were stratified by overall risk of bias. Results were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
Of 7 484 screened studies, 39 met the inclusion criteria. No studies on dietary supplements were included. A total of 84 cohorts were derived from the included studies, and twelve distinct drug groups underwent meta-analyses. Two drug groups, metformin and statins, were statistically significant in slowing AAA growth. No low risk of bias studies were included for these two drug groups, and the results had very high heterogeneity (I > 80%). Both groups had a GRADE certainty of very low. Metformin, excluding high risk of bias studies, presented an estimated mean growth difference of AAA diameter between users and non-users of -0.73 mm/year, whilst statins had an overall estimated mean difference of -0.84 mm/year.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that metformin and statins may provide some effect in slowing AAA progression. However, no definitive evidence was found for any of the investigated drugs included in this study. Further research is needed to identify effective medical treatments for AAA progression with more robust methodology.
Topics: Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Metformin; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal
PubMed: 38013062
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2023.11.037 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Oct 2023The ultimate goal of treating patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is to repair them when the risk of rupture exceeds the risk of repair. Small AAAs... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The ultimate goal of treating patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is to repair them when the risk of rupture exceeds the risk of repair. Small AAAs demonstrate a low rupture risk, and recently, large AAAs just above the threshold (5.5-6.0 cm) seem to be at low risk of rupture as well. The present review aims to investigate the outcomes of AAAs under surveillance through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register were searched (22 March 2022; PROSPERO; #CRD42022316094). The Cochrane and PRISMA statements were respected. Blinded systematic screening of the literature, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two authors. Conflicts were resolved by a third author. The meta-analysis of prevalence provided estimated proportions, 95% confidence intervals, and measures of heterogeneity (I). Based on I, the heterogeneity might be negligible (0-40%), moderate (30-60%), substantial (50-90%), and considerable (75-100%). The primary outcome was the incidence of AAA rupture. Secondary outcomes included the rate of small AAAs reaching the threshold for repair, aortic-related mortality, and all-cause mortality.
RESULTS
Fourteen publications (25,040 patients) were included in the analysis. The outcome rates of the small AAA group (<55 mm) were 0.3% (95% CI 0.0-1.0; I = 76.4%) of rupture, 0.6% (95% CI 0.0-1.9; I = 87.2%) of aortic-related mortality, and 9.6% (95% CI 2.2-21.1; I = 99.0%) of all-cause mortality. During surveillance, 21.4% (95% CI 9.0-37.2; I = 99.0%) of the initially small AAAs reached the threshold for repair. The outcome rates of the large AAA group (>55 mm) were 25.7% (95% CI 18.0-34.3; I = 72.0%) of rupture, 22.1% (95% CI 16.5-28.3; I = 25.0%) of aortic-related mortality, and 61.8% (95% CI 47.0-75.6; I = 89.1%) of all-cause mortality. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated a higher rupture rate in studies including <662 subjects, patients with a mean age > 72 years, >17% of female patients, and >44% of current smokers.
CONCLUSION
The rarity of rupture and aortic-related mortality in small AAAs supports the current conservative management of small AAAs. Surveillance seems indicated, as one-fifth reached the threshold for repair. Large aneurysms had a high incidence of rupture and aortic-related mortality. However, these data seem biased by the sparse and heterogeneous literature overrepresented by patients unfit for surgery. Specific rupture risk stratified by age, gender, and fit-for-surgery patients with large AAAs needs to be further investigated.
PubMed: 37959301
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216837 -
The Egyptian Heart Journal : (EHJ) :... Oct 2023Aortic aneurysm enlargement over time causes rupture, which frequently results in death. The family of proteases known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) is assumed to...
The effects of statin therapy on aneurysm size, growth rate, and matrix metalloproteinases-9 levels in patients with aortic aneurysm: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Aortic aneurysm enlargement over time causes rupture, which frequently results in death. The family of proteases known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) is assumed to be proteolytic activity involved in the growth of aortic aneurysms. Statins are pleiotropic lipid-lowering medications with anti-inflammatory action. Statins can lower aneurysmal enlargement and MMP secretion, according to a number of studies, however the evidence is still up for debate. The purpose of this study is to assess how statins affect aortic aneurysm patient's aneurysm diameter size, growth rate, and MMP-9 levels.
METHODS
From January 2000 to December 2022, electronic journal searches in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane were conducted to discover papers evaluating the effects of statin treatment in patients with aortic aneurysm. Aneurysm diameter size, growth rate, and MMP-9 levels were the outcomes we were looking for. Meta-analyses were run on the included studies, and mean differences (MD) and 95% CIs were calculated with Review Manager v5.4.
RESULTS
Our analysis includes a total of ten research. Statin medication substantially reduced aneurysm diameter size by 0.30 mm (P = 0.04; MD - 0.30; 95% CI - 0.58 to - 0.01) and growth rate by 0.34 mm/year (P < 0.00001; MD - 0.34; 95% CI - 0.40 to - 0.29) compared to placebo. There was no significant change in MMP-9 concentrations between individuals with aortic aneurysm who took a statin and those who did not.
CONCLUSION
Overall, this meta-analysis demonstrates that statin medication is considerably helpful in reducing aneurysm diameter size and aneurysmal growth rate in individuals with aortic aneurysm.
PubMed: 37831310
DOI: 10.1186/s43044-023-00407-9 -
Emergency Medicine International 2023The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment for nondissected diseases of the ascending aorta. . PubMed, Embase, and SciELO. . In this... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment for nondissected diseases of the ascending aorta. . PubMed, Embase, and SciELO. . In this study, we conducted a search on the PubMed, Embase, and SciELO databases for all cases of ascending aortic endovascular repair included in the literature published between January 2007 and July 2023, excluding type A aortic dissection. We reviewed 56 case reports and 7 observational studies included in this study, assessing the techniques, equipment, procedural steps, and results. We summarized the age, complications, follow-up time, and access route.
RESULTS
This study includes 63 articles reporting 105 patients (mean age: 64.96 ± 17.08 years) who received endovascular repair for nondissected ascending aortic disease. The types of disease include aneurysm ( = 16), pseudoaneurysm ( = 71), penetrating aortic ulcer ( = 10), intramural hematoma ( = 2), thrombosis ( = 2), iatrogenic coarctation ( = 1), and rupture of the aorta ( = 3). The success rate of surgery is 99.05% (104/105). Complications include endoleak (10.48%, 11/105), stroke (5.71%, 6/105), postoperative infection (1.91%, 2/105), acute renal failure (0.95%, 1/105), aortic rupture (0.95%, 1/105), thrombosis (0.95%, 1/105), and splenic infarction (0.95%, 1/105). Five patients required conversion to open surgery, two patients underwent endovascular reintervention, and four of these five patients underwent surgery due to endoleak. Early mortality was 2.86% (3/105).
CONCLUSION
While the viability and results of endovascular repair for the treatment of ascending aortic disease are acknowledged in some circumstances, further research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment for ascending aortic disease.
PubMed: 37767197
DOI: 10.1155/2023/5592622 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Ruptured sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) is a rare pathology, and current data regarding its symptoms, anatomy, associated pathologies, and appropriate therapeutic approaches... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ruptured sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) is a rare pathology, and current data regarding its symptoms, anatomy, associated pathologies, and appropriate therapeutic approaches are scarce. Transcatheter closure (TCC) has been performed in multiple cases; however, the information on its success rate and complications is limited.
METHODS
Two independent reviewers performed an advanced search based on inclusion criteria on Scopus, PubMed, and Embase from January 1985 through July 2022. The main search terms were "Sinus of Valsalva", "Rupture/Aneurysm", and "Transcatheter/Catheter/Device".
RESULTS
Totally, 1,017 relevant articles from the 3 databases were retrieved. After the final review and appraisal, 94 articles describing 407 patients who underwent the TCC of RSOV were included. Males comprised 65% of the studied patients, and the average age was 34.5 years. The total success rate of TCC was 95.6%. Forty-nine patients (12%) developed complications, the most significant of which were sustained residual shunts in 7 patients (1.7%), substantial new onset or progression of aortic insufficiency in 6 (1.5%), and RSOV recurrence in 6 (1.5%). Post-interventional mortality was reported in only 2 patients (0.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
The present study is the first systematic review of available data regarding the TCC of RSOV principally comprising case series and case reports. Although TCC seems a good option, precise patient selection is mandatory.
PubMed: 37727309
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1227761