Abdominal Penetrating Aortic Ulcer and Endovascular Treatments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Abdominal penetrating aortic ulcer (aPAU) is defined as an ulceration of the aortic intima and media lamina, even with rupture of the internal elastic lamina. Recently, there have been an increasing number of publications on endovascular treatment for aPAU. This review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment and provide clinicians with the latest evidence-based medical data.

Methods: 3 academic databases (Embase, PubMed, and Scopus) were systematically searched for literature reporting on aPAU from 1986 (the earliest appearance of the concept of aPAU) to September 1, 2021, and related data were collected and evaluated. A fixed/random effects model was used to construct the forest plots. Funnel plots and linear regression tests were used to assess the publication bias.

Results: 6 articles including 121 patients were included in the analysis. The average age was 71.4 years, with 72.7% of males and 85.6% with hypertension. Saccular aneurysms (SA) were the most prevalent complication (35.5%). Endovascular treatment had a perioperative mortality rate of .24% (95% CI, .00-2.70). The technical success rate was 99.15% (95% CI, 96.49-100). The type-II endoleak rate was 5.69% (95% CI, .00-12.13). The 1-year survival rate was 95.69% (95% CI, 90.49-100). The revascularization rate was 7.20% (95% CI, .07-14.32). Endovascular treatments for aPAU would lead to a high rate of technical success, few complications, and satisfactory 1-year survival.

Conclusions: aPAU are a common disease that mainly affects elderly males with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Endovascular treatment is required when an ulcer progresses rapidly or manifests symptoms. Endovascular treatment is associated with high technical success, low complication, and satisfactory 1-year survival. Further investigation into the long-term results of endovascular treatment is necessary.