The impact of early pelvic and lower limb reperfusion and attentive peri-operative management on the incidence of spinal cord ischemia during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm endovascular repair

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2015 Mar;49(3):248-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2014.11.017. Epub 2015 Jan 6.

Abstract

Objective/background: Spinal cord ischemia (SCI) is a devastating complication following endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. In an attempt to reduce its incidence two peri-procedural changes were implemented by the authors in January 2010: (i) all large sheaths are withdrawn from the iliac arteries immediately after deploying the central device and before cannulation and branch extension to the visceral vessels; (ii) the peri-operative protocol has been modified in an attempt to optimize oxygen delivery to the sensitive cells of the cord (aggressive blood and platelet transfusion, median arterial pressure monitoring >85 mmHg, and systematic cerebrospinal fluid drainage).

Methods: Between October 2004 and December 2013, 204 endovascular TAAA repairs were performed using custom made devices manufactured with branches and fenestrations to maintain visceral vessel perfusion. Data from all of these procedures were prospectively collected in an electronic database. Early post-operative results in patients treated before (group 1, n = 43) and after (group 2, n = 161 patients) implementation of the modified implantation and peri-operative protocols were compared.

Results: Patients in groups 1 and 2 had similar comorbidities (median age at repair 70.9 years [range 65.2-77.0 years]), aneurysm characteristics (median diameter 58.5 mm [range 53-65 mm]), and length of procedure (median 190 minutes [range 150-240 minutes]). The 30 day mortality rate was 11.6% in group 1 versus 5.6% in group 2 (p = .09). The SCI rate was 14.0% versus 1.2% (p < .01). If type IV TAAAs were excluded from this analysis, the SCI rate was 25.0% (6/24 patients) in group 1 versus 2.1% (2/95 patients) in group 2 (p < .01).

Conclusion: The early restoration of arterial flow to the pelvis and lower limbs, and aggressive peri-operative management significantly reduces SCI following type I-III TAAA endovascular repair. With the use of these modified protocols, extensive TAAA endovascular repairs are associated with low rates of SCI.

Keywords: Endovascular repair; Peri-operative management; Spinal cord ischemia; Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnosis
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / mortality
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / physiopathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Comorbidity
  • Databases, Factual
  • Endovascular Procedures / adverse effects
  • Endovascular Procedures / instrumentation
  • Endovascular Procedures / methods*
  • Endovascular Procedures / mortality
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Hospitals, High-Volume
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pelvis / blood supply*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / mortality
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / prevention & control*
  • Stents
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome