Endovascular therapy of inflammatory aortic aneurysms: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: To report a meta-analysis of results from endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of inflammatory aortic aneurysms (IAA).

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify all studies reporting the results of EVAR in patients with IAA. To be included in the analysis, an article had to provide a minimum follow-up of 6 months, information about primary technical success, details of immediate and long-term complications, and evaluation of at least one of the basic outcome criteria: changes in aneurysm sac diameter, periaortic fibrosis (PAF), and/ or renal impairment. All studies were reviewed by 2 independent observers for the inclusion criteria. Data were retrieved on the technical and clinical success, outcome criteria, mortality in follow-up, and reinterventions from 14 articles selected from among 701 initially identified.

Results: The 14 articles encompassed 46 patients (45 men [97.8%]; mean age 65 years, range 59-75) with a mean follow-up of 18 months after endovascular repair of IAAs located in the abdominal aorta. The primary technical success rate was 95.6% (44/46) and the 30-day clinical success rate was 93.4% (43/46). The median aneurysm sac diameter regression was 11 mm. Of 43 patients with PAF prior to the intervention, 22 (51.2%) patients showed complete regression, 18 (41.8%) remained unchanged, and 3 (7.0%) showed progression after EVAR. Renal impairment disappeared in 11 (45.8%) of 24 patients. Reinterventions were reported in 8 patients. The procedure-related and follow-up mortality rates were 0% and 13.0%, respectively.

Conclusions: EVAR of IAA is feasible, excludes the aneurysm effectively, and reduces PAF and renal impairment in most patients with very low periprocedural and midterm mortality and an acceptable reintervention rate.