Bifurcated Endograft (Excluder) in the Treatment of Isolated Iliac Artery Aneurysm: Preliminary Report

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular repair in the treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysm (IAA) using Excluder bifurcated endograft. Eight consecutive patients with IAA were treated during a period of 45 months using Excluder bifurcated endograft. Two patients presented with isolated IAA rupture and were treated emergently, whereas the other six patients underwent elective treatment. All aneurysms lacked sufficient proximal necks and therefore were not suitable for tubular-shaped endograft. Follow-up imaging was performed at 1 week, at every 3 months during the first year, semiannually until 2 years, and annually afterward using angio-computed axial tomography and plain films. Technical success was achieved in all patients. No mortality was seen despite two patients having IAA rupture. Follow-up (12 to 60 months) was done in all but one patient. During this period, complications were observed in three patients. One patient developed sexual impotence at 3-month follow up; one patient presented unilateral gluteal claudication after the procedure, which resolved at 3 months; and one patient developed a graft porosity-related endoleak, which was successfully managed with placement of an additional ipsilateral iliac extension. Endovascular treatment of isolated IAA using bifurcated endograft is safe and can be an alternative to surgical treatment. The benefits from decreased morbidity and mortality of endoluminal treatment of isolated IAA using bifurcated endograft outweigh the minor complications associated with this technique, which are mostly related to occlusion of hypogastric arteries.