Feasibility and Clinical Outcomes of Vasa Vasorum Embolization for Atypical Type 2 or Type 5 Endoleaks after Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of vasa vasorum embolization for preventing continuous aneurysmal expansion after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent vasa vasorum embolization between August 2018 and May 2022. Vasa vasorum embolization was attempted in cases of continuous aneurysmal expansion after EVAR, where the vasa vasorum was identified through catheter angiography. The vasa vasorum was accessed and embolized with a microcatheter. The outcomes of vasa vasorum embolization were evaluated based on technical success, defined as the successful completion of the embolization procedure, and clinical success, defined as the prevention of continuous aneurysmal expansion after the embolization. Results: Seven cases of endoleak with developed vasa vasorum were confirmed by catheter angiography. The mean age was 83.7 years, and the mean aneurysmal diameter was 60.6 mm. Technical success was achieved in 6 cases, while clinical success was not achieved in any of the cases. The mean observation period was 16.5 months, and the mean increase in aneurysmal diameter was 9.7 mm. Conclusions: Although the vasa vasorum embolization is a technically feasible procedure, it is not effective in preventing continuous aneurysmal expansion.