Amplatzer Vascular Plug to occlude the internal iliac arteries in patients undergoing aortoiliac aneurysm repair

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the use of conventional coils and the Amplatzer Vascular Plug, a type of nitinol-based self-expanding device, to occlude the internal iliac artery in patients undergoing aortoiliac or common iliac aneurysm endograft repair, or both. Between August and December 2004, in preparation for endograft repairs of aortoiliac or common iliac artery aneurysms, or both, at a community hospital system, five patients underwent the occlusion of the internal iliac artery with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug to prevent endoleak. During the preceding 12 months, the conventional coil embolization of the internal iliac artery was used for the same purpose in 10 patients. In five patients undergoing the Amplatzer Vascular Plug occlusion of the internal iliac artery, precise deployment at the origin of the artery was achieved. Complete and precise occlusion was confirmed angiographically, and only one device was used for each internal iliac artery. Two patients reported mild buttock claudication 2 weeks after occlusion, which resolved completely by 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. A type II endoleak from the inferior mesenteric artery developed in one patient. In the previous 10 patients, 11 internal iliac arteries were treated with conventional coils. Subsequent repeat coil embolization was required for three patients. The procedural complications in this second group included one case of coil embolization into the superficial femoral artery and one into the common iliac artery; both errant coils were retrieved successfully by endovascular techniques. An average of 7 +/- 3.4 (mode of 5) coils were used for each internal iliac artery. Three cases of buttock claudication occurred after the unilateral internal iliac artery occlusion in this group and did not resolve. No evidence of ischemic bowel, buttock necrosis, or sexual dysfunction was observed in either group. The estimated average cost to occlude one internal iliac artery was 375 dollars for Amplatzer Vascular Plugs and 3,500 dollars for conventional coils. The Amplatzer Vascular Plug allows for a cost-effective method to occlude the internal iliac artery in patients undergoing endograft repairs of aortoiliac aneurysms. The use of a single device with a precise placement at the origin of the artery minimizes cost and avoids ischemic complications.