Transcatheter Embolization of Hypogastric Artery Aneurysms: Lessons Learned

Technical and outcome considerations of endovascular treatment for internal iliac artery aneurysms

PURPOSE

This study was designed to analyze the outcomes of endovascular treatment for internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) at mid-term follow-up.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 33 patients (28 males, mean age 77.4 years) who underwent endovascular treatment of 35 IIAAs (mean diameter 39.8 mm) from 2002 to 2012. We attempted to completely and selectively embolize all distal branches with permanent embolic materials, followed by proximal controls either by stent-graft placement (type 1) or coil embolization (type 2).

RESULTS

Procedural success rate was 97.1% (n = 34). Complete permanent distal branches embolization was achieved in 27 (79.4%), type 1 in 24 (70.6%), and type 2 in 10 (29.4%) cases. During mean follow-up period of 29.1 months (range, 1.2-92.8), no IIAA-related mortality and stent/stent-graft related complications occurred. Pelvic ischemia occurred and resolved in 8 (25%) patients. Among 32 cases followed by CT, the aneurysm diameter was stable in 18 (56.3%), shrank in 11 (34.4%), and enlarged in 3 (9.4%) cases. In 22 assessed by contrast-enhanced CT, secondary endoleak occurred in 3 (13.6%) cases and 2 required secondary interventions (2/32, 6.3%). Type 1 procedure tends to have better mid-term outcomes. Incomplete permanent distal branches embolization was associated with enlargement and secondary intervention (p = 0.007 and p = 0.042, respectively). The secondary intervention-free rate at 3 years in the complete and incomplete distal embolization group was 100 and 83.3%, respectively (p = 0.128).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment for IIAA is feasible and safe. Complete permanent distal branches embolization is important to achieve satisfactory mid-term outcomes.

Management of aortoiliac aneurysms by retrograde endovascular hypogastric artery preservation

We evaluated the outcome of the retrograde endovascular hypogastric artery preservation (REHAP) technique for the treatment of complex aortoiliac aneurysms (AIAs). Perioperative and long-term outcomes were assessed for 12 patients (mean age 77 years, range 64-86 years) who underwent elective endovascular AIA repair via aortouniiliac endografting and REHAP between January 2004 and January 2011. Preoperative images obtained by computed tomography were used for planning. Postoperative images were obtained one and six months after surgery, and once a year thereafter. Technical success was achieved in all cases. No patients exhibited endoleak related to the endoprosthesis, occlusion of implanted components, hip and/or buttock claudication, or colon or spinal cord ischemia during follow-up. This hybrid procedure illustrates the potential of REHAP in the treatment of AIA cases.

Femoral-femoral stabilizing buddy wire for embolization of the internal iliac artery

Internal iliac artery (IIA) embolization is performed in a variety of clinical scenarios, most commonly in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with an iliac artery aneurysm or inadequate distal landing zone. In these patients, IIA embolization with iliac limb extension is often performed. While IIA embolization can be routinely performed with either ipsilateral or contralateral femoral arterial access, it can be challenging in some patients with an acutely angulated aortic or iliac bifurcation and in patients with short or ectatic common iliac arteries. In this select group of patients with difficult anatomy, IIA embolization can be challenging and may lead to increased radiation exposure and contrast administration. Having a sheath precisely positioned and stabilized at the internal iliac artery origin will facilitate embolization of the IIA. This report describes a novel technique in which crossover femoral-femoral artery buddy wire placement achieves stable positioning of large sheaths for concurrent IIA embolization at the time of EVAR.

Embolization of Isolated Hypogastric Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

A 75-year-old man with arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction was referred to our service because of an asymptomatic hypogastric artery aneurysm (HAA) detected by a routine computed tomography (CT) scan. As shown on the angio-CT the maximum transverse diameter (m.t.d.) of the HAA was 47 mm. There were no symptoms of distal embolization or compression on the pelvic structures. We performed the successful complete thrombosis of the aneurysm using vascular plugs via a controlateral femoral approach. The control angiogram was satisfactory and there were no intraoperative complications. A CT-angiography done 4 months after the procedure showed no signs of refilling of the aneurysm sac. This case illustrates some possible advantages of vascular plugs in the treatment of isolated HAA.

Recurrent Rupture of a Hypogastric Aneurysm Caused by Spontaneous Recanalization of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug

A patient with a ruptured hypogastric aneurysm was treated via an endovascular approach with coils in the outflow vessels and an Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) in the main trunk. After 4 weeks, the patient was readmitted with a recurrence of rupture of the hypogastric aneurysm caused by recanalization of the AVP. Final occlusion of the hypogastric artery was achieved by placement of a stent-graft and additional coils. In consideration of this experience, it is recommended that additional coils or several AVPs be used and early contrast medium-enhanced computed tomography follow-up be performed.

Amplatzer Vascular Plug to occlude the internal iliac arteries in patients undergoing aortoiliac aneurysm repair

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the use of conventional coils and the Amplatzer Vascular Plug, a type of nitinol-based self-expanding device, to occlude the internal iliac artery in patients undergoing aortoiliac or common iliac aneurysm endograft repair, or both.

METHODS

Between August and December 2004, in preparation for endograft repairs of aortoiliac or common iliac artery aneurysms, or both, at a community hospital system, five patients underwent the occlusion of the internal iliac artery with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug to prevent endoleak. During the preceding 12 months, the conventional coil embolization of the internal iliac artery was used for the same purpose in 10 patients.

RESULTS

In five patients undergoing the Amplatzer Vascular Plug occlusion of the internal iliac artery, precise deployment at the origin of the artery was achieved. Complete and precise occlusion was confirmed angiographically, and only one device was used for each internal iliac artery. Two patients reported mild buttock claudication 2 weeks after occlusion, which resolved completely by 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. A type II endoleak from the inferior mesenteric artery developed in one patient. In the previous 10 patients, 11 internal iliac arteries were treated with conventional coils. Subsequent repeat coil embolization was required for three patients. The procedural complications in this second group included one case of coil embolization into the superficial femoral artery and one into the common iliac artery; both errant coils were retrieved successfully by endovascular techniques. An average of 7 +/- 3.4 (mode of 5) coils were used for each internal iliac artery. Three cases of buttock claudication occurred after the unilateral internal iliac artery occlusion in this group and did not resolve. No evidence of ischemic bowel, buttock necrosis, or sexual dysfunction was observed in either group. The estimated average cost to occlude one internal iliac artery was 375 dollars for Amplatzer Vascular Plugs and 3,500 dollars for conventional coils.

CONCLUSIONS

The Amplatzer Vascular Plug allows for a cost-effective method to occlude the internal iliac artery in patients undergoing endograft repairs of aortoiliac aneurysms. The use of a single device with a precise placement at the origin of the artery minimizes cost and avoids ischemic complications.