Papers by Grant Fankhauser

Journal of vascular surgery: official publication, the Society for Vascular Surgery [and] International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, North American Chapter
Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) have been traditionally managed with open repair.... more Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) have been traditionally managed with open repair. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was approved September of 1999. Some authors have suggested that EVAR is not an acceptable option for management of an IAAA. However, several recent reports have suggested EVAR is a reasonable management option in these patients. The purpose of our study was to review our experience with the contemporary management of IAAA involving both open and endovascular approaches. A retrospective review of all patients undergoing repair of IAAAs from 1999 to 2011 was conducted at three geographically separate institutions. Basic demographics, diagnostic workup, treatment, and outcomes were reviewed. Between 1999 and 2011, 69 patients underwent surgical repair of IAAAs, 59 by open repair and 10 by EVAR. Eighty-three percent of patients were men with a mean age of 67. Aneurysm size was similar in both groups (6.3 cm open repair vs 5.9 cm EVAR). Follow-up for the ...
Seminars in Vascular Surgery
Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAA) are being treated more frequently by endovascular ... more Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAA) are being treated more frequently by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Some authors caution against treating IAAA by EVAR because retroperitoneal inflammation may not subside post-operatively. A recent experience of 69 IAAA treated by open and endovascular methods is presented with results supporting the use of EVAR for IAAA. Several other studies evaluating EVAR in the treatment of IAAA are discussed.

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
We present a 33-year-old dialysis-dependent female who presented with new onset split second hear... more We present a 33-year-old dialysis-dependent female who presented with new onset split second heart sound. Following a failed left upper extremity dialysis fistula, a right upper extremity hemodialysis reliable outflow (HeRO) graft was performed in 2011. Her subsequent cadaveric renal transplant had delayed function necessitating concurrent use of hemodialysis. However, as renal function improved, hemodialysis was discontinued. Two weeks following transplantation, the HeRO graft occluded. Subsequent clinical and radiological assessment confirmed widespread pulmonary emboli. Following cessation of hemodialysis and subsequent HeRO graft occlusion, removal was deemed appropriate to reduce further thromboembolic phenomenon. Right atrial thrombi are complications associated with central venous catheters. However, their actual incidence varies significantly. Right heart thromboemboli are associated with a 4% to 6% pulmonary embolism rate. Katzman et al assessed 38 patients who underwent He...

Vascular, Jan 14, 2013
Implantable venous access ports are essential for patients requiring chronic venous access. Ultra... more Implantable venous access ports are essential for patients requiring chronic venous access. Ultrasound guided catheter placement has been recognized as a valuable adjunct for reducing complications during placement of access ports in the radiology and critical care medicine literature. We reviewed the medical records of patients undergoing insertion of implantable venous access ports from June 2006 through June 2009. All procedures were performed using ultrasound guidance with the internal jugular vein as the access site. There were 500 implantable venous access ports placed and included for review. There were no post-procedure pneumothoraces or hemothoraces. Carotid puncture was documented in 4 (0.8%)cases. Routine use of ultrasound guidance during placement of implantable venous access ports has eliminated the complications of pneumothorax and hemothorax during placement of internal jugular venous access ports on our vascular surgery service. Elimination of these complications and...
Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 2013

Annals of Vascular Surgery, 2013
Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been implicated as a contributing factor t... more Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been implicated as a contributing factor to multiple sclerosis (MS). This theory is strongly debated within the neurology and radiology communities. This report presents the case of a 45-year-old man with known MS and suspected CCSVI who had undergone previous internal jugular angioplasty and stenting. The patient reported dramatic improvement of symptoms after intervention. The stent thrombosed despite antithrombotic medication, and several endovascular interventions failed to restore long-term patency. Open venous reconstruction of the internal jugular vein was performed with a spiral graft from the saphenous vein. The patient's symptoms improved for several weeks until the venous reconstruction occluded. This case is the first reported open venous reconstruction for suspected CCSVI.
Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2014
World Journal of Surgery, 2010
Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2012
Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2011
Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2013
generated a higher net revenue than symptomatic patients, whether undergoing CEA or CAS.

Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2010
Objective: Minimally invasive methods (MIMs) are now available for the management of visceral art... more Objective: Minimally invasive methods (MIMs) are now available for the management of visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms (visceral artery aneurysms [VAA]). The purpose of this study was to review our 10-year experience with the MIM of treating VAA. Methods: All patients evaluated from June 1999 to June 2009 with VAAs were reviewed. Demographics, therapy, and results were analyzed. Results: MIM was attempted in 185 aneurysms in 176 patients. Initial intervention was successful in 98% of aneurysms. Sixty-three (34%) aneurysms were located in the splenic artery, 56 (30%) in the hepatic, 28 (15%) in the gastroduodenal, 16 (8.6%) in the pancreaticoduodenal, six (3.2%) in the superior mesenteric, four (2.1%) in the gastric, four (2.1%) in the celiac, four (2.1%) in the gastroepiploic, two (1%) in the inferior mesenteric, and one (0.5%) in the middle colic artery. Pseudoaneurysms were more common than true aneurysms (64% vs 36%). Bleeding was the indication for intervention in 86 aneurysms (46%). Initial treatment was successful in 177 aneurysms (98%). Reintervention was required in five (3%) aneurysms within 30 days. Coiling was used alone in 139 aneurysms (75%) and in combination with at least one other technique in 20 (11%) cases. Thirty-day aneurysm-related mortality was 3.4% (six deaths). Five additional deaths occurred during 30-day follow-up, although none was related to complications of the aneurysms (2.8%). Conclusions: MIM for visceral artery aneurysms can be used alone or in combination to effectively treat VAAs in elective or emergent conditions. ( J Vasc Surg 2011;53:966-70.)

Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2012
Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) have been traditionally managed with open repair.... more Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (IAAAs) have been traditionally managed with open repair. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was approved September of 1999. Some authors have suggested that EVAR is not an acceptable option for management of an IAAA. However, several recent reports have suggested EVAR is a reasonable management option in these patients. The purpose of our study was to review our experience with the contemporary management of IAAA involving both open and endovascular approaches. A retrospective review of all patients undergoing repair of IAAAs from 1999 to 2011 was conducted at three geographically separate institutions. Basic demographics, diagnostic workup, treatment, and outcomes were reviewed. Between 1999 and 2011, 69 patients underwent surgical repair of IAAAs, 59 by open repair and 10 by EVAR. Eighty-three percent of patients were men with a mean age of 67. Aneurysm size was similar in both groups (6.3 cm open repair vs 5.9 cm EVAR). Follow-up for the open group was a mean of 42.6 months and 33.6 months for the EVAR group. Periaortic fibrosis decreased from a mean of 5.4 mm to 2.7 mm after EVAR. Hydronephrosis was present preoperatively in one patient and did not change after EVAR. Aneurysm size decreased in seven patients (70%) who underwent EVAR. Two patients had no change with one lost to follow-up. Mean aneurysm size decrease after EVAR was 1.12 cm (17.8%). There were no aneurysm-related deaths or major morbidities in the EVAR group. Twenty-two patients (37%) in the open surgical group suffered major complications, including myocardial infarction, renal failure, lower extremity amputation, sepsis, and prolonged ventilation. Endovascular repair for IAAA results in successful management with improvement of periaortic inflammation. EVAR should be considered as first-line therapy in which anatomic parameters are favorable.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2006
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Papers by Grant Fankhauser