Endovascular treatment of an aortocaval fistula caused by a late type II endoleak

Abstract

An aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and constitute <1% of all AAAs, which increases from 2% to 6.7% in ruptured AAAs. Unlike other aortic ruptures, most ACFs are not associated with significant blood loss on admission. The traditional treatment strategy has been open surgery, which is associated with a high mortality rate. Endovascular repair has been performed; however, the results are difficult to interpret due to the low incidence of ACFs and the absence of cases reported with a long follow-up duration. We report the case of a 78-year-old man with previous endovascular aneurysm repair performed in 2015, who presented to our emergency department 6 years later with abdominal pain. A computed tomography angiography scan showed type Ia, Ib, and II endoleaks and an ACF. The endoleaks were selectively treated, and the ACF was covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene endograft inserted in the inferior vena cava. In our single-case experience with a medium-term follow-up of 24 months, our treatment was safe and effective for ACF closure, with no further signs of endoleak or graft thrombosis. We conducted a literature review of reported cases in which a covered stent graft was used for ACF treatment. Although no guidelines are currently available regarding this rare late complication after endovascular aneurysm repair, using a covered stent placed in the inferior vena cava to treat an ACF could be a viable option in selected cases.

Keywords

• Aortocaval fistula
• Endoleak
• EVAR