Methods for treating endoleaks during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for treating endoleaks arising from endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The disclosed methods involve the in situ sealing of endoleaks after placement of an endovascular prostheses in the abdominal aorta. Sealing of endoleaks is achieved by injection of either a biocompatible polymer or prepolymer fluid composition into the endoleak which composition in situ solidifies to seal the leak. Preferably, the biocompatible fluid composition comprises a contrast agent to allow the clinician to visualize the sealing process.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 273,120 filed Mar. 19, 1999 which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0003] 1. Field of the Invention[0004] This invention is directed to methods for treating endoleaks arising from endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Specifically, the methods of this invention involve the in situ sealing of endoleaks after placement of an endovascular prostheses in the abdominal aorta. Sealing of endoleaks is achieved by injection of a biocompatible fluid composition at the site of the endoleak which composition in situ solidifies and adheres to the vascular and / or prosthetic wall to seal the leak. Preferably, the biocompatible fluid composition comprises a contrast agent to allow the clinician to visualize the sealing process.[0005] 2. References[0006] The following publications, patent applications and patents are cited ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0041] endovascularly repairing said aneurysm by catheter delivery of an endovascular prosthesis to the site of said aneurysm thereby inhibiting blood flow into the aneursym;

[0112] The methods described herein are useful in reducing or eliminating blood flow through an endoleak into an endovascularly repaired aneurysm thereby reducing or eliminating the possible rupture of the aneurysm. Accordingly, these methods find use in human and other mammalian subjects requiring closure of such endoleaks. Additionally, when a water insoluble contrast agent is employed, the stability of the closure can be monitored weeks, months or even years after sealing by non-invasive fluoroscopic techniques. Resealing of the endoleak is also facilitated by the presence of the water insoluble contrast agent which permits the clinician to readily identify the site of treated endoleaks.

Problems solved by technology

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) represents a serious medical challenge and, when left untreated, eventual rupture of the aneurysm has significant morbidity associated therewith.

When feasible, open surgery to repair the aortic aneurysm has been shown to be clinically successful..sup.1 However, open surgery is often not feasible especially in patients suffering from severe cardiac disease, renal disease or other conditions which contraindicate open surgery.

Infrarenal aortic clamping is also associated with an increased cardiac demand including an increase in left ventricular end diastolic volume and may be related to cardiac mortality.

Endoleaks arising after such grafting may be caused by incomplete sealing between the endovascular prosthesis and the aortic wall or by defects within the endovascular prosthesis.

However, the mortality rates for open surgery of endoleaks is higher than either initial open surgery for the abdominal aortic aneurysm or for the initial endovascular repair of the aneurysm.