Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) to seal type 1 endoleak. A new technique

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the liquid embolic agent Onyx, an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, can be used to seal type 1 endoleaks during endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Six patients with large aortic aneurysms and remaining type 1 endoleaks during or after EVAR were treated with Onyx embolization through a microcatheter placed in the proximal neck in five cases and in the distal neck in one case. Four of the patients were treated using the chimney technique. The type 1 endoleak was primarily sealed by Onyx in all six patients. There was no distal embolization. Two patients had complications during follow-up. One patient had occlusions of chimney grafts to the renal arteries and to one leg extension. These occlusions were not anatomically related to Onyx embolization. One patient had late stentgraft migration of the Onyx-treated distal neck with aneurysm rupture 18 months after treatment. Early experience of Onyx embolization as a bailout solution of type 1 endoleaks after complicated EVAR is promising. However, effective seal with Onyx does not prevent late stentgraft migration. More reported patients and longer follow-up are necessary to evaluate this new technique.