title: Heparin surface stent-graft for the treatment of a carotid pseudoaneurysm.
abstract: Carotid pseudoaneurysms are a rare consequence of carotid surgery, trauma, and infection. Historically, carotid aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms were treated surgically. However, endovascular techniques have recently become a valid alternative for the treatment of carotid pseudoaneurysms. The case of a 57-year-old male patient with a pseudoaneurysm of the right internal carotid artery is described. The patient came to our unit with a painless and pulsatile mass in the neck, which was growing slowly. Five years earlier, he had undergone surgery on a saccular aneurysm located on the distal extracranial segment of the right internal carotid artery. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with a heparin surface Viabahn stent-graft system (Gore AL, Flagstaff, AZ). Heparin surface stent-grafts can be used for the treatment of carotid lesions and may offer protection against intimal hyperplasia and thrombosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term results.
authors.forename: Elpiniki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsolaki
authors.affiliation: Unit of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy. niki.tsolaki@gmail.com
authors.forename: Tsolaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elpiniki
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salviato
authors.forename: Tiberio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Braccini
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galeotti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mascoli
mesh_terms: D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006493:Heparin