Biological responses to endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms

To review the findings of two studies investigating the apparent differences in inflammatory responses demonstrated in patients undergoing endovascular as opposed to classic surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

The clinical course of seven patients treated with an endoluminal procedure (AAA-E) and seven patients undergoing conventional surgery (AAA-C) were compared (all men; ages 52 to 80 years). Blood samples were taken pre-, intra-, and postoperatively for up to 7 days. Inflammatory responses were assessed from measurement of interleukins (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha); complement proteins C1q, C4, C5a, and terminal complement complexes, C5b-C9; and C-reactive proteins. Granulocyte and monocyte surface adhesion molecule expression was determined indirectly using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18, and L-selectin in donor white blood cells exposed to patient plasma.

In six of the AAA-E patients, blood pressure decreases were recorded during the introduction of the device. Elevated body temperature was sustained for 2 to 5 days postoperatively in the AAA-E group. IL-6 levels were significantly higher in AAA-C patients (p < 0.0005), while TNF-alpha release was recorded in the AAA-E group only. CD11b, CD11c, and CD18 molecules on both granulocytes and monocytes were significantly upregulated 60 minutes after the endovascular procedure compared to conventional surgery.

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair apparently induces a significant inflammatory response, mainly involving TNF-alpha release, which differs from open AAA repair. These inflammatory responses, which may be related to the observed intraprocedural blood pressure decreases, could be caused by cell activation arising from intra-aneurysmal device manipulation.