Age and Oversizing Influence Iliac Dilatation after EVAR

Abstract

In the past two decades, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has become the first line treatment for infrarenal AAA repair in many countries. While short-term results are good, concerns have been raised about long-term durability. Changes in aortoiliac anatomy, especially at the landing zones, could play a role in EVAR failure over time. The current study aimed to determine certain morphological changes in the distal iliac landing zone after EVAR implantation, as well aspossible risk factors associated with iliac sealing failure. In a retrospective analysis of a tertiary single-centre registry, including patients treated with EVAR between January 2008 and July 2018, clinical follow-up data were assessed, and computer tomography (CT) imaging was evaluated regarding morphological changes in the iliac anatomy during follow-up. For clinical analysis all patients with a minimum follow-up of one year were included; for morphological analysis of iliac anatomy all patients with available CT follow-up of a minimum of one year and a minimum of two CT scans were included. Overall, 127 out of 241 treated patients (92.1% male) were included in the clinical follow-up. Complete CT imaging of 99 iliac arteries in 55 patients was available for morphological analysis. Median postoperative follow-up (FU) for these patients was 33 months (IQR 31; min−max: 12−124). Incidence of type 1b endoleak was 3% but iliac limb detachment from the vessel wall was seen in 18.2% of the target vessels. There was a significant difference in oversizing in iliac limbs with detachment (median 13.9%, IQR 23.1) vs. without detachment (median 23.1%, IQR 19.1) (p = 0.034). Iliac arteries at the landing zone showed a significant diameter increase independent of an endoleak presence (overall cohort median diameter increase at one year 23.1 mm; at two years 0 mm; at three years 4.9 mm). Iliac arteries with detachment (median 14.4%; IQR 23.9) showed a significantly higher diameter increase at the landing zone after four years compared to arteries without detachment (median 5.3%; IQR 9) (p = 0.042). Oversizing correlated positively with an iliac diameter increase at the landing zone over time (3 m: p= 0.001; one year: p < 0.001; two years: p < 0.001; three years: p = 0.006). Older patients showed a significantly lower diameter increase at the distal landing zone over time than younger patients in the first two years after EVAR (p < 0.001/r = −0.606 after two years). In the current study, iliac limb oversizing was associated with increased dilatation of the distal landing zone during a three-year follow-up, while iliac limb detachment was observed less often. An older age was inversely associated to the iliac diameter increase. Future studies should clarify the association between stent graft oversizing, age, and changes in the iliac anatomy in order to identify parameters that affect EVAR durability.

Keywords: EVAR; abdominal aortic aneurysm repair; iliac dilatation.

Figure 1

(A) Flow chart inclusion of patients. (B) Flow chart inclusion of iliac limbs. (Abbreviations: AAA = abdominal aortic aneurysm, CIA = common iliac artery, EIA = external iliac artery; IIA = internal iliac artery; IBD = iliac branch device; DUS FU = Duplex ultrasound follow-up).

Figure 2

Example of an iliac detachment of the stent graft to the vessel wall at distal landing zone. Arrow pointing to the detachment with contrast medium and space between the iliac limb and the vessel wall.

Figure 3

Common iliac artery (CIA) diameter in landing zone over time with endoleak vs. without endoleak. (*: baseline; **: 2 year follow-up).

Figure 4

Median oversizing in patients without detachment vs. patients with detachment. (★ = extreme outliner).

Figure 5

Common iliac artery growth rate at the landing zone for patients without detachment vs. patients with detachment four years after EVAR.