BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has come into use and been widely extended because of the low complication rate and less-invasiveness. This article aimed to describe our experience in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm with EVAR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for the 22 patients who underwent EVAR in a single hospital December 2001 to June 2009. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 68.5+/-7.6 years. There were several risk factors and comorbidities in 20 patients (90.9%). The mean diameter of the aortic aneurysms was 61.2+/-12.9 mm. The mean length, diameter, and angle of the aneurysmal neck were 30.5+/-15.5 mm, 24.0+/-4.5 mm, and 43.9+/-16.0degrees, respectively. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 28.8+/-29.5 months. The 30-day postoperative mortality was none. Seven patients (31.8%) had endoleaks during the hospital stay and three patients (13.6%) had endoleaks during the follow-up period. One patient (4.5%) died due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. The cumulative patient survival rates were 88.2%, 88.2%, and 70.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: EVAR is currently a safe, feasible procedure for high risk patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm because of low postoperative complication and mortality if patients are selected properly and followed up carefully.
Aneurysm ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Aortic Rupture ; Comorbidity ; Endoleak ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Neck ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate

Dysphagia aortica is a rare form of mechanical dysphagia characterized by extrinsic compression of the esophagus by the aorta. A 69-year-old male reported experiencing swallowing difficulties for five months, along with nausea, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, and severe reflux. Considering his age and a medical history of hypertension and stenosis of the cerebral artery, poststroke dysphagia was initially suspected. However, brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed no evidence of acute or subacute stroke. Further evaluation was achieved via enhanced chest computed tomography to locate the focus of the systemic inflammation. A thoracic aortic aneurysm about 8.7×5.0 cm in size, with signs of impending rupture, was observed. This case reinforces that a high possibility for dysphagia aortica should be considered under conditions of unclear etiology of dysphagia but the presence of associated symptoms, such as progressive intolerance to solids and ultimately to liquids, weight loss, and nausea.