Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques (Sep 2017)

Unexplained rupture after endovascular aneurysm repair

  • Marie Josee Elizabeth van Rijn, MD, PhD,
  • Sander ten Raa, MD, PhD,
  • Joke M. Hendriks, MD, PhD,
  • Frederico Bastos Goncalves, MD, PhD,
  • Hence J.M. Verhagen, MD, PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvscit.2017.02.011
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 3
pp. 126 – 128

Abstract

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We present a case of a 70-year-old man who was admitted with rupture of an abdominal aneurysm 4 years after endovascular aneurysm repair. He was compliant with yearly follow-up computed tomography angiography. One month earlier, his computed tomography angiogram showed perfect exclusion of the aneurysm and no endoleak. We explanted the stent graft and confirmed effective sealing, and the graft was intact. We found no signs of infection during 2 years of follow-up. This rupture is nonpredictable and unexplained and illustrates that unremarkable imaging does not guarantee prevention of rupture. This case shows that the ultimate failure of endovascular aneurysm repair cannot be prevented despite surveillance protocols.