Fenestrated endovascular grafting: The renal side of the story.

BACKGROUND: Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair uses the visceral aortic segment, in the setting of a suboptimal proximal neck, for sealing and fixation. This technique requires the placement of visceral stents and might be hampered by the deleterious effects of such interventions. This study was performed to define outcomes related to renal events.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive clinical records and radiographic studies of patients treated primarily with an endovascular approach with a fenestrated endograft were reviewed. The population was divided into groups with and without baseline renal dysfunction based on the National Kidney Foundation definition of chronic kidney disease. Morphologic measurements and the detection of postoperative renal events such as renal artery stenosis or occlusion, need for dialysis, deterioration of renal function by using estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and secondary interventions related to the renal arteries were assessed. Preoperative and postprocedural factors predictive for the development of renal dysfunction were assessed by using a Fisher exact test, t test, and logistic regression.
RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were treated between 2001 and 2004 with a mean age, aneurysm size, and follow-up of 75 years, 6.2 cm, and 6 months (range, 1 to 24 months), respectively. No ruptures and five deaths (two procedure-related) were observed. There were 23 patients with baseline renal insufficiency and 49 patients without insufficiency. Twenty-four patients had deterioration in GFR >30% during the follow-up period, and 17 patients experienced 19 renal-related events (more common in patients with baseline insufficiency, 39% vs 16.3%; P = .04; relative risk, 2.4). Four patients required dialysis (two permanent), and all had preoperative renal dysfunction ( P = .002); similarly, death was also more common in this group (17.4% vs 2%; P = .02; relative risk, 8.52). Renal events in most patients occurred within the first postoperative month (59%). However, mean GFR stabilized after 6 months.
CONCLUSION: Aneurysm repair with fenestrated endovascular grafts is associated with a significant risk for adverse renal events (16% in those without renal dysfunction, although none developed a creatinine >2 mg/dL, and 39% for patients with preoperative renal dysfunction). These patients must be meticulously followed, particularly within the first month after such a procedure. When renal artery restenosis is suspected or diagnosed, aggressive approach might be warranted to limit the extent of late renal dysfunction.