Internal iliac artery embolization before endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms with a nitinol vascular occlusion plug.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acute and midterm effectiveness of a novel vascular occlusion device for embolization of the internal iliac artery (IIA) before endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms.


METHODS
Between March 2005 and April 2006, nine men (mean age, 75 years +/- 5; range, 66-83 y) with aortoiliac aneurysms underwent bifurcated endovascular stent-graft procedures. All these patients were referred specifically for embolization. Pre- and perioperatively, eight patients underwent unilateral embolization and one underwent bilateral embolization of the IIA to prevent type II endoleak. Via a contralateral femoral approach with a 6-F or 8-F sheath, the embolization procedure was performed with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug, a self-expandable cylindrical device consisting of a nitinol-based wire mesh. Technical success, clinical outcome, and complications were evaluated. Follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months was performed with clinical and radiologic examinations.


RESULTS
IIA embolization was technically successful in all cases and no procedure-related complications occurred. Imaging at discharge and at 3-, 6-, or 12-month follow-up was accomplished in all nine patients. Control computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography did not reveal retrograde perfusion of the aneurysmal sac, ie, type II endoleak. Three of nine patients (33.3%) reported symptoms of buttock claudication that did not resolve completely. Clinical symptoms such as bowel ischemia or sexual dysfunction were not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The midterm results of this study suggest that preoperative IIA embolization with a nitinol vascular occlusion plug during endovascular treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms is safe and effective.
Kickuth
Ralph
R
Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital, University of Berne, Freiburgstrasse 20, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland. ralph.kickuth@insel.ch
Dick
Florian
F
Triller
Jürgen
J
Ludwig
Karin
K
Schmidli
Jürg
J
Do
Dai-Do
DD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017543:Iliac Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*