Endovascular repair combined with adjunctive procedures in the treatment of tuberculous infected native aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to analyze the experience of a single center and assess the efficacy and durability of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in patients with tuberculous infected native aortic aneurysms (INAAs).

METHODS

All patients who underwent EVAR for INAAs between September 2014 and August 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. The primary end points were 30-day and overall mortality rates; the secondary outcomes included major complications, endoleak, recurrence, reintervention rate, and thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysmal sac.

RESULTS

A total of 18 patients (average age, 61.3 years; 10 female [55.6%]) were identified. Fifteen patients (83.3%) had adjunctive procedures. Both the in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were 0%. The overall cumulative survival rates estimated by Kaplan-Meier were 100% at 1 and 6 months, and 92.3% at 12 and 24 months, and 80.8% at 36 and 48 months. Type Ib and II endoleaks each occurred in 1 patient (5.6%) and resolved without treatment after 1 month. No graft infections, strokes, paraplegia, ischemic abdominal complications, or other major complications occurred. The overall rates of cumulative freedom from recurrence of aneurysm and reintervention were 83.9% and 81.8%, respectively, during the median follow-up period of 28.5 months (range, 1-72 months). The median time of administering antituberculosis drugs was 10.5 months (range, 2-44 months).

CONCLUSIONS

EVAR combined with oral antituberculosis medication is effective and may be an appealing treatment option for patients with high-risk INAAs. Adjunctive procedures, including targeted drug delivery to the site of infection, could be a solution to further controlling the infection, but still needs further evaluation.