Endovascular treatment of infected abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background: Infected aortic aneurysm is one of the major clinical challenges vascular surgeons are facing, with high incidence of morbidity and mortality. In this study we present the advantages of endovascular treatment in patients with infected aortic aneurysms and clarify the factors that determine favorable outcome of these patients. Material and Methods: A comprehensive systematic retrospective study (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and Scopus) according to the recommendations of the PRISMA statement for administrative dataset registries reporting outcomes after patients treated endovascularly for infected aortic aneurysm and a thorough evaluation of references. Results: Endovascular treatment of infected aortic aneurysms may reduce the early and mid-term mortality. Prolonged fever, fatigue, aortic rupture, aortoenteric, aortobronchial and aortoesophageal fistulas greatly increase the rates of reintervention, morbidity, and mortality. Survival rates in patients without fistulae even reached 94% at 2 years. Conclusion: In treatment of infected aortic aneurysms, the use of endovascular aortic graft provides an alternative, to open repair method, and simplifies the management of patients who are in this critical condition. Endovascular treatment of infected aortic aneurysms is feasible both as a temporary measure and the preferred definitive treatment in selected patients.