Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome from induced hypertension during endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Abstract

Endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm has been increasingly performed using fenestrated and branched endografts. Spinal cord injury is a complication of complex endovascular aortic repair, especially in patients with extensive aortic involvement. Maneuvers commonly used to avoid spinal cord injury include cerebrospinal fluid drainage and induced hypertension. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is associated with abnormal cerebral autoregulation through endothelial and blood-brain barrier dysfunction; the pathophysiology involves vasogenic edema, and severe hypertension is a recognized trigger. We report on a patient who developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome associated with induced hypertension used to prevent spinal cord injury during endovascular repair of a type II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm using fenestrated and branched stent grafts.