Fabric tears as a new cause of type III endoleak with Ancure endograft.
OBJECTIVE
We present two case reports of type IIIb endoleak. One was due to fabric erosion caused by placement of a stent (Wallstent; W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) after endovascular aneurysm repair; the other arose spontaneously. In both cases, an Ancure endograft (Guidant/EVT, Menlo Park, Calif) was placed.


METHODS
In case 1, a large endoleak developed 36 months after uncomplicated endovascular treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. In case 2, endoleak developed 30 months after a complicated procedure. In both cases, two Wallstents were used to treat type I endoleak and limb kinking in the first postoperative months. One type III endoleak was within the endograft at the level of the stents.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, these are the first type III endoleaks reported in association with Ancure endografts. Placement of Wallstents inside endografts is of concern, and another indication for close monitoring during follow-up.
Teutelink
Arno
A
Division of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van der Laan
Maarten J
MJ
Milner
Ross
R
Blankensteijn
Jan D
JD
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011091:Polyesters; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*
D011091:Polyesters