Endovascular Treatment for Isolated Infected Iliac Artery Aneurysms

Abstract

Purpose:

Isolated infected iliac artery aneurysms (IIIAAs) are extremely rare, life-threatening, and intractable. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular treatment in patients with IIIAAs.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted for all patients who underwent endovascular treatment for IIIAAs between June 2012 and June 2022 in 3 hospitals. The clinical data and follow-up outcomes were reviewed and assessed.

Results:

Fifteen patients were included in this study. The median age was 69 years, 12 patients (80%) were men, and 8 (53%) had hypertension. Most of the patients presented with abdominal or lumbar pain (87%) and fever (60%). The offending pathogen was identified in 11 patients (73%). Fifteen patients had a total of 16 IIIAAs, with 12 (75%) involving the common iliac artery. The immediate technical success rate was 100%, and the 30-day mortality was 7%. Infection-related complications occurred in 2 patients (13%) during hospitalization who were treated by open surgery at a later stage. The median follow-up was 23 months (range: 6–80 months, mean: 32 ± 25 months). Aneurysm recurrence was identified in one patient (7%) 5 months after endovascular repair. It was managed by endovascular stent-graft repair with percutaneous catheter drainage. No patients died during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Endovascular treatment is feasible, safe, and effective for patients with IIIAAs, achieving acceptable clinical outcomes. Infection surveillance with essential reintervention should be considered for potential infection-related complications.

Clinical Impact

This study first reported that 15 patients underwent endovascular treatment for primary isolated infected iliac artery aneurysms (IIIAAs). It showed a good early and midterm outcomes. This is the first and largest multi-center study and the first literature review of IIIAAs. It provides an evidence that endovascular treatment is feasible, safe, and effective to treat IIIAAs. It suggests endovascular treatment is a promising alternative or a bridge to conventional open surgery for IIIAAs. This may promote endovascular therapy in the management of IIIAAs. It would help clinicians to make an appropriate treatment choice for IIIAAs.