Emergent conversion operations, especially when preceded by significant retroperitoneal bleeding from vascular tears due to endovascular manipulations are complicated by significant morbidity and mortality.
Early carotid endarterectomy after recent neurologic deficit is controversial. Traditionally, an interval of at least 4 to 6 weeks has been recommended based on poor historical results of early surgical intervention after recent strokes and fear of hemorrhagic transformation of the infarct. On the other hand, recurrent strokes have been observed in up to 9.5% of patients while awaiting carotid repair. Since 1996 we have adopted a more aggressive approach to a highly selected group of patients with fresh ischemic deficits, prolonged reversible ischemic neurologic deficit (PRIND), or crescendo transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Of 2824 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy between August 1996 and December 1998, 112 patients (3.9%) underwent 123 carotid operations within less than 30 days (median interval: 8 days) after a nondisabling stroke, PRIND, or TIA. Postoperatively five patients (4.4%) suffered a stroke, one patient a transient worsening of his preoperative deficit, and one patient a TIA. Six patients died, three of which were due to their stroke (mortality 5.3%). One of these fatal strokes was due to an intracerebral hemorrhage in a patient with normal preoperative computed tomography The combined 30-day permanent neurologic stroke and death rate was 7.1%. Functional neurologic outcome was excellent with 74.1% of patients suffering no or minimal deficit (Rankin scale 0-1). Patients with unstable or progressing neurologic deficit were found to have a significantly increased postoperative stroke rate (25°I°). Early carotid endarterectomy after nondisabling neurologic deficit may be performed with acceptable risk in carefully selected patients. The benefit of early versus delayed surgery, however, can only be determined in a prospective randomized study.
Since the first endograft implantation for treatment of abdominal aneurysms the development of modern stentgrafts has progressed in many ways. In 1999 we started implantations using the PowerLink aortic stent graft by Endologix-company. The PowerLink aortic stent graft is a bifurcated, self-expanding, sutureless endovascular graft, covered with PTFE. This aortic stent graft facilitates the complete covering of the infrarenal aorta and the iliac arteries. The anatomical localization at the natural aortic bifurcation provides anti-gravitational supporting force, preventing distal migration of the device. From 1999 to 2005 we implanted 297 PowerLink aortic stent grafts. Our follow-up examinations showed a low rate of renal infarctions (3.0 %), a limb occlusion rate of 2.7 % and a total endoleakage rate of 16.8 %. Our conclusion is, that this is a very safe device for repair of abdominal aneurysms, associated with a low-risk of complications.
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