Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative review

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become the technique of choice in most vascular centres for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, due to its low incidence, literature regarding secondary aortoenteric fistula (AEF) as an EVAR complication is still scarce. We aim to summarise...

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Main Authors: Inês Gueifão, Anita Quintas, Gonçalo Alves, Tiago Ribeiro, Fábio Pais, Alberto Henrique, Maria Emília Ferreira
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Published: Sociedade Portuguesa de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular 2023-11-01
Series:Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular
Subjects:
Online Access:https://acvjournal.com/index.php/acv/article/view/563
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author Inês Gueifão
Anita Quintas
Gonçalo Alves
Tiago Ribeiro
Fábio Pais
Alberto Henrique
Maria Emília Ferreira
author_facet Inês Gueifão
Anita Quintas
Gonçalo Alves
Tiago Ribeiro
Fábio Pais
Alberto Henrique
Maria Emília Ferreira
author_sort Inês Gueifão
collection DOAJ
description INTRODUCTION: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become the technique of choice in most vascular centres for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, due to its low incidence, literature regarding secondary aortoenteric fistula (AEF) as an EVAR complication is still scarce. We aim to summarise the latest evidence on the topic through a narrative review. METHODS: We conducted a MEDLINE literature search and included studies on secondary aortoenteric fistula, abdominal aortic aneurysms and endovascular aneurysm repair. Relevant studies were selected by reading of the titles and abstracts. Only English literature was considered. RESULTS: Despite secondary AEF after EVAR first being reported in 1998, its incidence is hard to calculate, but is recognized to be lower (<0.5%) when compared to open aortic repairs (up to 1.6%). Aetiology may be categorised into local infection factors (pre-existent or associated with the procedure), mechanical factors associated with the aneurysm (such as anatomical shape and size) or mechanical factors associated with the stent graft (such as kinking, endoleak or endotension). Most common symptoms include abdominal or back pain, nausea, fever and gastrointestinal bleeding. Haemodynamic instability and shock at presentation is only present in less than a fifth of patients. Patients should be thoroughly submitted to a laboratory work-up, cultures and imaging tests, particularly CT scan and upper endoscopy. There are no guidelines regarding management, but it should include total graft excision along with arterial reconstruction (either in-situ or extra-anatomical), bowel repair and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Nonetheless, AEF is associated with a high mortality rate, even if adequate treatment is performed. CONCLUSION: Secondary AEF is an uncommon life-threatening complication after EVAR. Clinical presentation is non-specific, so a high level of suspicion is necessary to rapidly reach diagnosis. Treatment requires infection source control and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Considering the increasing use of endovascular devices, there is a need for future studies providing more insight on the most adequate treatment for this complication.
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spelling doaj.art-227df75eec244edb98827ae72f32bab72023-11-26T10:48:16ZporSociedade Portuguesa de Angiologia e Cirurgia VascularAngiologia e Cirurgia Vascular1646-706X2183-00962023-11-0119310.48750/acv.563Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative reviewInês Gueifão0Anita Quintas1Gonçalo Alves2Tiago Ribeiro3Fábio Pais4Alberto Henrique5Maria Emília Ferreira6Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.b NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.b NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.b NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.b NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal.b NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, PortugalDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal; NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalINTRODUCTION: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become the technique of choice in most vascular centres for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, due to its low incidence, literature regarding secondary aortoenteric fistula (AEF) as an EVAR complication is still scarce. We aim to summarise the latest evidence on the topic through a narrative review. METHODS: We conducted a MEDLINE literature search and included studies on secondary aortoenteric fistula, abdominal aortic aneurysms and endovascular aneurysm repair. Relevant studies were selected by reading of the titles and abstracts. Only English literature was considered. RESULTS: Despite secondary AEF after EVAR first being reported in 1998, its incidence is hard to calculate, but is recognized to be lower (<0.5%) when compared to open aortic repairs (up to 1.6%). Aetiology may be categorised into local infection factors (pre-existent or associated with the procedure), mechanical factors associated with the aneurysm (such as anatomical shape and size) or mechanical factors associated with the stent graft (such as kinking, endoleak or endotension). Most common symptoms include abdominal or back pain, nausea, fever and gastrointestinal bleeding. Haemodynamic instability and shock at presentation is only present in less than a fifth of patients. Patients should be thoroughly submitted to a laboratory work-up, cultures and imaging tests, particularly CT scan and upper endoscopy. There are no guidelines regarding management, but it should include total graft excision along with arterial reconstruction (either in-situ or extra-anatomical), bowel repair and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Nonetheless, AEF is associated with a high mortality rate, even if adequate treatment is performed. CONCLUSION: Secondary AEF is an uncommon life-threatening complication after EVAR. Clinical presentation is non-specific, so a high level of suspicion is necessary to rapidly reach diagnosis. Treatment requires infection source control and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Considering the increasing use of endovascular devices, there is a need for future studies providing more insight on the most adequate treatment for this complication.https://acvjournal.com/index.php/acv/article/view/563Secondary aortoenteric fistulaendovascular aneurysm repairabdominal aorta aneurysmaortic endograft infection
spellingShingle Inês Gueifão
Anita Quintas
Gonçalo Alves
Tiago Ribeiro
Fábio Pais
Alberto Henrique
Maria Emília Ferreira
Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative review
Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular
Secondary aortoenteric fistula
endovascular aneurysm repair
abdominal aorta aneurysm
aortic endograft infection
title Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative review
title_full Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative review
title_fullStr Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative review
title_short Secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair – a narrative review
title_sort secondary aortoenteric fistula after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair a narrative review
topic Secondary aortoenteric fistula
endovascular aneurysm repair
abdominal aorta aneurysm
aortic endograft infection
url https://acvjournal.com/index.php/acv/article/view/563
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