TRANSFEMORAL ENDOVASCULAR REPAIR OF ILIAC ARTERY ANEURYSMS

PURPOSE: This report evaluates the application of transfemoral endovascular repair of iliac artery aneurysms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 20-month period, 11 patients with serious comorbid illnesses and a total of 14 iliac artery aneurysms were treated with endovascular grafts composed of polytetrafluoroethylene conduits combined with balloon expandable iliac artery stents (Palmaz). Nine right common, 3 left common, and 2 right internal iliac artery aneurysms were treated. The patients were men between 58 and 89 years of age (mean 72). Eight patients had isolated aneurysms and 3 had multiple iliac artery aneurysms. RESULTS: Endovascular iliac grafts were successfully placed In all 11 patients. No procedural deaths occurred. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 21 months (mean 11). No acute or late graft thromboses occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Transluminally placed endovascular stented grafts can be used to successfully exclude iliac artery aneurysms from the circulation while maintaining lower-extremity arterial perfusion. However, longer fellow-up in more patients is necessary to confirm the durability of this technique.