Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi, cilt.8, sa.2, ss.134-138, 2008 (Scopus)
Objective: The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular repair of aortic lesions with the Medtronic ®Talent stent-graft system and to present mid-term results of endovascular aortic repair performed in our center. Methods: Between December 2002 and March 2007, 54 patients (6 women) with aortic (14 thoracic and 40 abdominal) lesions underwent treatment with ®Talent stent-graft. The average age of the patients was 64.8 (20-88) years. Duration of follow-up period ranged from 1 to 49 months (average 21 months). Indications for endovascular repair were degenerative aneurysm in 45, degenerative aneurysm and penetrating ulcer in 2, only penetrating ulcer in 1, traumatic thoracic isthmic transsection in 4 and vasculitic aneurysm secondary to Behcet's disease in 2 patients. Results: Repair was performed with the tubular (16), aortouniiliac (1) or bifurcated (37) stent-grafts. Technical success rate was 100%. No death, major complication or need of immediate conversion to open repair was seen. Endoleak rate was 18.5% at 1 month follow-up period. Thirty-day mortality was 1.8% and morbidity (other than endoleaks) rate was 12.9%. During the follow-up period, secondary intervention was required in 12.9% of patients. Iliac limb occlusion was detected in I patient (1.8%). Graft migration causing type 1 endoleak and requiring open surgical treatment was seen in 1 patient (1.8%). Four patients (7.4%) are still under follow-up for type-2 endoleaks that do not require intervention. No graft infection or death due to aneurysm rupture was detected. Conclusion: Endovascular treatment of aortic lesions in selected patients with comorbid conditions using the ®Talent stent-graft exhibits a high degree of technical success with a low perioperative morbidity and mortality rate. The major disadvantage of endovascular aortic repair is necessity of life-long imaging follow-up and secondary interventions.