Iliac-femoral stent-graft infection after hybrid procedure redo: Case report

Stent-graft infection in peripheral arteries is rare and potentially dangerous. The use of hybrid procedures, in complicated patients previously treated, involves an increase of infective risk especially in no collaborative patients.

We report a case of rare stent-graft infection in a patient treated for a Rutherford IV Multiple Peripheral Arterial Disease (MPAD) involving the right iliac-femoral axis with stenosis on deep femoral artery due to a previously stenting procedure for Superficial Femoral artery (SFA) stenosis. The first simultaneous hybrid intervention consisted of an endovascular iliac stent-graft placement and a surgical common femoral patch angioplasty. After two months the patient was readmitted to our unit for a purulent secretion through a fistulous channel and a suspect infection of stent-graft. Subsequently, the stent-graft was completely removed without possibility to have a surgical revascularization. An amputation major amputation was needed for irreversible ischemia of right leg.

The incidence of stent-graft infection after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair had been reported as 0.4-1.0% while Aortoiliac graft infection occurs in 2-6% of patients. Hybrid procedures are secure and need close follow-up for cases of redo and patient with comorbidities.

Graft infection is a rare complication after endovascular treatments. Hybrid procedures outcomes are good with less morbidity but in patient with high risk of infection is important a close follow-up.