Clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of aortic endograft infections: a retrospective descriptive study

Aortic endograft infection (AEGI) is a rare complication of abdominal endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Surgical explantation with reconstruction is recommended, but data on medical management remain limited. We present our institutional experience with AEGI.

To describe the clinical presentation, microbiology, management strategies, and outcomes of patients with AEGI, with the aim of addressing current gaps in the literature and informing future research to improve patient outcomes.

Retrospective descriptive study.

Adult patients admitted with AEGI at our institution between January 2017 and August 2024 were identified using ICD-10 codes and confirmed using the Management of Aortic Graft Infection Collaboration (MAGIC) diagnostic criteria. Clinical, microbiological, radiographic, treatment, and outcome data were collected and analyzed.

We screened 517 patients, and 46 met AEGI criteria (EVAR 54%, TEVAR 46%). Most (63%) presented with late-onset infections (⩾3 months). Fever (54%) and sepsis (48%) were common presenting symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) (85%) was the primary imaging modality. Blood cultures were positive in 54% of the cases, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common monomicrobial pathogen (24%), and 24% of cases were polymicrobial. The majority (67%) received combined medical and surgical therapy. Chronic antibiotic suppressive therapy was used in 34 (74%), most often tetracyclines (33%). Overall, treatment success rates were similar between surgical and medical groups (58% vs 60%, p = 0.250) with comparable mortality. However, relapses were more frequent in the medical-only group (33% vs 16%, p = 0.185).

Most patients presented with late-onset AEGI. Fever was absent in nearly half of cases, and blood cultures were positive in only 54%. Overall, surgical and medical therapy had similar success, though relapses were more frequent in those treated medically alone.