Peripheral vascular applications of the Amplatzer vascular plug.
OBJECTIVE
To present our experience using the Amplatzer vascular plug in various arterial and venous systems, and follow-up results.


METHODS
Between May 2005 and October 2006, 20 Amplatzer vascular plugs were used to achieve occlusion in 20 vessels in 12 patients (10 male, 2 female) aged between 24 and 80 years (mean age, 55 years). Localization and indications for embolotherapy were as follows: pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (n = 3; 9 vessels), internal iliac artery embolization before stent-graft repair for aortoiliac aneurysms (n = 4; 4 vessels), preoperative (right hemipelvectomy) embolization of bilateral internal iliac arteries (n = 1), bilateral internal iliac aneurysms (n = 1), large thoracic side branch of the left internal mammary artery coronary by-pass graft causing coronary steal syndrome (n = 1), closure of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (n = 1), and testicular vein embolization for a varicocele (n = 1).


RESULTS
The technical success rate was 100%, with total occlusion of all the targeted vessels. Only one device was used to achieve total occlusion of the targeted vessel in all patients (device size range, 6-16 mm in diameter). No major complications occurred. Target vessel occlusion time after deployment of the Amplatzer vascular plug was 6-10 min in pulmonary arteries (mean, 7.5 min) and 10-35 min (mean, 24.4 min) in systemic arteries. Mean follow-up was 6.7 months (range, 1-18 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Embolization with the Amplatzer vascular plug is safe, feasible, and technically simple with appropriate patient selection in various vascular territories.
Cil
Barbaros
B
Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. barbaros@hacettepe.edu.tr
Peynircioğlu
Bora
B
Canyiğit
Murat
M
Geyik
Serdar
S
Ciftçi
Türkmen
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017543:Iliac Aneurysm / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome