Endovascular treatment of hypogastric artery aneurysms

Internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) is a rare entity. Its treatment can be technically challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment possibilities in an era of advanced endovascular techniques and their potential to preserve iliac blood flow while reliably excluding the aneurysm.

A retrospective analysis of 46 consecutive patients with endovascularly treated IIAA was performed. Data were collected from a single-institution aortoiliac database. The following end points were recorded: technique of aneurysm exclusion, technical success rates, perioperative morbidity and mortality, primary patency, and midterm follow-up.

Between September 2009 and May 2016, a total of 46 patients with 55 IIAAs were identified. The majority of patients (n = 39 [84.8%]) had aortoiliac aneurysms and seven had isolated IIAAs (15.2%). The following surgical techniques were used: implantation of iliac branch devices (IBDs; n = 29), occlusion of the internal iliac artery (IIA) by ostium coverage with or without prior coil embolization (n = 23), and other endovascular techniques (n = 3). Primary assisted technical success was achieved in 93.1% of IBD implantations and in 100% of occlusions by ostium coverage and other techniques. Overall 30-day mortality was 4.3% (n = 2) and 0% in electively treated patients. Assisted midterm patency after IBD implantation was 93.1%. Gluteal claudication occurred in seven patients (15.2%) who had undergone intentional or accidental occlusion of the IIA or the superior gluteal artery. Reintervention rates within the midterm follow-up were 13.8% (n = 4) after IBD implantation and 4.3% (n = 1) after coverage of the IIA ostium. No ruptures were observed during follow-up, and no complications occurred during reinterventions.

Implantation of IBD devices for the treatment of hypogastric artery aneurysms shows good technical results with a high primary patency and a low rate of perioperative complications. Although successful aneurysm exclusion while preserving pelvic blood flow is associated with a higher rate of reinterventions during midterm follow-up, it should be taken into consideration, especially in complex endovascular aortoiliac aneurysm repair.