The Impact of Suprarenal Fixation on Renal Function Following Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Meta-analysis Based on Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate

Abstract

Background: Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (EVAR) is currently used routinely to treat AAA. Suprarenal fixation (SRF) of EVAR grafts can lead to renal dysfunction. A meta-analysis of studies using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as a measure of renal injury to assess the effect of SRF on renal function was performed.

Methods: An electronic search was carried out to identify all articles that reported on renal injury following SRF versus infrarenal fixation (IRF) EVAR, and 24 studies were identified. Formal meta-analysis was used to assess eGFR drop at 1 and 5 years. The primary outcome measure was a drop in eGFR >20% at 1 year; secondary measures included eGFR drop >20% at 5 years and "renal dysfunction" based on the definition used in each publication.

Results: Five series reported eGFR reduction >20% at 1 year. The weighted odds ratio (OR) was 1.53 (95% CI 0.67-3.51, p = .31, I² = 53.2%); 9.3% for SRF versus 7.4% for IRF. One study reported eGFR based renal dysfunction at 5 years: OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.04-3.02, p = .03); 16.9% for SRF versus 10.3% for IRF. Nineteen series reported some form of renal dysfunction (5287 SRF vs. 4386 IRF patients, mean follow up: 20.5 months, range 72 h to 5 years). The weighted OR was 1.32 (95% CI 1.01-1.71, p = .03, I² = 28.4%); 5.1% for SRF versus 4.6% for IRF. "Renal dysfunction" definitions varied greatly and were based on creatinine or other inaccurate methods.

Conclusion: EVAR using SRF does not lead to a significant drop in renal function at 1 year, based on eGFR. Long-term results are limited. Authors should report long-term renal injury using eGFR and not inaccurate arbitrary measures, which are currently common in the literature.

Keywords: Endovascular aneurysm repair; Estimated glomerular filtration rate; Renal; Suprarenal.