BEHANDELING VAN EEN INFRARENAAL AORTA-ANEURYSMA DOOR MIDDEL VAN EEN TRANSFEMORAAL INGEBRACHTE ENDOPROTHESE: EERSTE ERVARINGEN BIJ 9 PATIENTEN IN NEDERLAND

Objective. To describe the first experiences with transfemoral aortic endoprostheses for treatment of aortic aneurysms in the Netherlands. Setting. University Hospital Utrecht, the Netherlands. Method. Patient selection was based on information presented on CT and angiography films. Only patients with an asymptomatic aneurysm and non-dilated aortic segments both distal from the renal arteries and proximal to the aortic bifurcation were selected. Of 71 patients screened only nine candidates were selected. Results. The placement of the endoprosthesis was initially successful in all patients. The duration of the operation varied from 60 to 160 min. An intimal lesion of the common femoral artery occurred in one patient. In three cases leakage of contrast material outside the prosthesis but inside the aneurysm was seen on the postoperative CT angiogram. In one patient the endoprosthesis had to be replaced by a conventional aortic tube graft on the second postoperative day. After the procedure the patients stayed in hospital for another 3 to 20 days (median: 5). Conclusion. Endovascular treatment of infrarenal abdominal aneurysm is a promising technique. The main advantages to the patient are that laparotomy is not necessary and that the hospital stay is reduced.