Suprarenal Aortic Remodeling after Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair among Three Endografts with Different Types of Proximal Fixation System.

Background: Remodeling of suprarenal aorta after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in relation to different endograft designs has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the anatomical configuration of the suprarenal aorta after using endografts with different proximal fixation during the first post-EVAR year.

Methods: A retrospective study including EVAR patients using 3 types of endografts with different proximal fixation systems according to Instructions for Use was undertaken (50: Ovation, Endologix, Irvin, CA; 25: Endurant IIs, Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA; 25: Excluder C3, W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ). Comorbidities were recorded. Anatomic variables of the supra-aortic anatomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) maximum diameter, and neck angulation were analyzed. Computed tomography angiography was obtained preoperatively at 1 and 12 months post-EVAR, while a duplex scan was undertaken at 6 months.

Results: Comorbidities were not different across the 3 groups. Presence and amount of neck calcification (P = 0.139) and thrombus (P = 0.116) was similar among groups. Maximum aortic diameter showed significant reduction from preoperative measurements to 12-month postoperative ones, for all groups. (Ovation: 56.5 to 53 mm, P < 0.001; Endurant: 57 to 51 mm, P < 0.001; Excluder: 55 to 50 mm, P < 0.001). Suprarenal angulation was decreased significantly in the Ovation (P < 0.001) and Excluder groups (P = 0.05), while the infrarenal angulation was decreased in all groups. Among endografts, the decrease in AAA maximum diameter was similar (P = 0.99), while the suprarenal aortic diameter was significantly increased in Ovation patients in comparison to the other 2 endografts at the level of 5 mm (P = 0.02) and 25 mm (P = 0.01). Suprarenal angulation reduction was similar (P = 0.7), while infrarenal angulation was significantly more decreased in Ovation endograft than the other 2 systems (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Proximal endograft configuration appears to have different impact on supra-aortic anatomy. Longer follow-up is needed to clarify future remodeling and clinical impact of these observations.