Percutaneous repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms using the AneuRx stent graft and the percutaneous vascular surgery device

Endovascular exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) was developed in an effort to treat patients who were at high risk for complications following standard surgical repair. Stent grafts used for endovascular repair of AAAs require the use of large‐bore sheaths and surgical exposure of the common femoral arteries (CFAs). To decrease the invasiveness of AAA repair, we attempted to perform the procedure percutaneously utilizing the Prostar XL Percutaneous Vascular Surgery Device and the preclose technique. Thirty patients underwent an attempted percutaneous AAA repair. These patients were followed prospectively to assess the success of the procedure. Twenty‐eight patients (93%) had successful percutaneous repair of both CFA access sites. One patient had inadequate hemostasis of the 22 Fr CFA entry site and one patient had inadequate hemostasis of the 16 Fr CFA entry site. Both of these CFA sites underwent open surgical repair. The rate of successful repair of the 22 Fr CFA access site was 29 of 30 (96%); for the 16 Fr CFA access site, 29 of 30 (96%). No in‐hospital groin complications were seen. The procedure time was 105 ± 21 min. The estimated blood loss was 90.6 ± 50 cc. The hemoglobin loss was 1.54 ± 0.89 mg/dL and the hematocrit loss was 5.04% ± 2.8%. Complete percutaneous endoluminal AAA repair is feasible using the preclose technique. CFAs with sheaths up to 22 Fr can be safely and successfully accessed and repaired percutaneously using this technique. This method provides secure hemostasis and reduces the invasiveness of procedures requiring large‐bore sheaths. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;55:281–287. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.