Intrathrombus embolization of giant mesenteric inferior artery to prevent type II endoleak

One of the most common complications of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm is type II endoleak - retrograde branch flow. A 76-year-old man with abdominal aortic aneurysm, 7.1 cm in diameter and aneurysm of the right common iliac artery, 3.2 cm in diameter was admitted to our Department with abdominal pain. The patient had no chance of having open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm because of high perioperative risk (cardiac ejection fraction of 23%, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease). Multislice computed angiography also revealed a large inferior mesenteric artery, 6mm in diameter with the origin in thrombus of aneurysm. We decided to repair abdominal aortic aneurysm with GORE EXCLUDER stent-graft with crossed right hypogastric, but first we decided to embolize the inferior mesenteric artery. Angiography was performed through the right femoral approach and the good Riolan arcade was found. After that the inferior mesenteric artery was embolized with two coils, 5 mm in diameter, at the origin of artery in aneurysm thrombus. At the end of procedure, abdominal aortic aneurysm was repaired with GORE stent-graft, and the control angiography was performed. There was no endoleak, and the Riolan arcade was very good. The patient was discharged after 5 days. There were no signs of ischemia of the left colon, and peristaltic was excellent. Control multislice computed angiography was done after 1 and 3 months. There were no signs of endoleak. On the control colonoscopy there were no signs of ischemia of the colon. Endovascular repair of symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm in high risk patients with preoperative embolization of large branch is the best choice to prevent rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm and to prevent type II endoleak.