Feasibility of a branched stent-graft in common iliac artery aneurysms

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a modular bifurcated stent-graft with an internal iliac artery (IIA) side branch for endovascular repair of aortoiliac aneurysms.

METHODS: Between 2002 and 2005, 10 male patients (median age 75 years, range 59-83) were treated with a bifurcated stent-graft that included a unilateral side branch for the IIA. The median diameters of the abdominal aortic and common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysms were 56 mm (range 33-80) and 40 mm (range 27-60), respectively. Four patients were treated mainly for the CIA aneurysm. Postoperative endoleaks, patency rate, and vessel morphology were determined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).

RESULTS: All endografts were implanted in the desired position. One IIA occluded intraoperatively, and 1 external iliac artery occlusion was noted 6 months postoperatively; both occlusions were asymptomatic and remain untreated. Three graft-related endoleaks were treated with implantation of adjunctive stent-grafts (2 intraoperative and 1 late). Median follow-up by CT was 2 months (1 week to 32 months). One patient died of myocardial infarction 13 days postoperatively; the stent-graft was patent at autopsy.

CONCLUSION: Stent-grafts with an IIA side branch offer an opportunity to repair aortoiliac aneurysms without sacrificing the IIA. Implantation of the IIA branch is more complex than routine endovascular aneurysm repair and may have contributed to a periprocedural cardiac death. More patients and longer follow-up are needed to verify these data.