Covered Stents for Treatment of Visceral Artery Aneurysms: A Multicenter Study

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of covered stents for treatment of visceral artery aneurysms (VAA).

This multicenter retrospective study included patients with VAAs who were treated with covered stents between January 2015 and December 2020. A total of 65 patients (mean age, 58 years; range, 27-89 years) with 70 VAAs (60 true aneurysms [86%], 10 pseudoaneurysms [14%]) were included. Of the 65, 48 patients (74%) were asymptomatic. Patient demographics, endovascular treatments, and follow-up results were analyzed.

All patients received covered stents. The mean diameter was 2.9 cm (range, 1.0-7.6 cm) for symptomatic aneurysms and 2.5 cm (range, 1.0-9.0 cm) for asymptomatic aneurysms. Of the asymptomatic aneurysms, 89% had a saccular shape. The mean distance between the ostium of the artery in which the aneurysm occurred and the aneurysm was 3.9 cm (median, 3.0 cm; range, 0.5-10 cm). Additional coil embolization was used in 7 aneurysms (10%). During the procedure, 68 (97%) aneurysms were completely excluded, while 2 (3%) had a Type Ib endoleak. After a mean follow-up of 20 months (range, 1-75 months), all patients were asymptomatic. Four endoleaks were recorded and left for close observation. Four stents (7%) had mild restenosis, while the rest of the stents were patent.

Placement of covered stents in patients with VAAs excluded aneurysms and maintained artery patency.