TRANSFEMORAL ENDOVASCULAR REPAIR OF ILIAC ARTERY ANEURYSMS

PURPOSE: This report evaluates the application of transfemoral endovas cular repair of iliac artery aneurysms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 2 0-month period, 11 patients with serious comorbid illnesses and a tota l of 14 iliac artery aneurysms were treated with endovascular grafts c omposed of polytetrafluoroethylene conduits combined with balloon expa ndable iliac artery stents (Palmaz). Nine right common, 3 left common, and 2 right internal iliac artery aneurysms were treated. The patient s were men between 58 and 89 years of age (mean 72). Eight patients ha d isolated aneurysms and 3 had multiple iliac artery aneurysms. RESULT S: Endovascular iliac grafts were successfully placed In all 11 patien ts. No procedural deaths occurred. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 21 month s (mean 11). No acute or late graft thromboses occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Transluminally placed endovascular stented grafts can be used to succe ssfully exclude iliac artery aneurysms from the circulation while main taining lower-extremity arterial perfusion. However, longer fellow-up in more patients is necessary to confirm the durability of this techni que.