A New Bailout Maneuver to Manage Type IIIa Endoleak Due to Displaced Renal Bridging Stent Graft in Narrow Aorta

Abstract

Purpose:

To present endovascular management of an intraoperative type IIIc endoleak (EL) in a patient with migration of the right renal artery (RRA) bridging stent graft (BSG) during branched aortic aneurysm repair.

Technique:

The technique is demonstrated in an 80-year-old woman who underwent branched endograft repair of a symptomatic 6-cm type II TAAA. The t-Branch thoracoabdominal stent graft was positioned without difficulty. A “partial graft deployment” was performed, with the distal portion of the device remaining inside the delivery system and the right renal and superior mesenteric arteries were stented. When the constraining wires were removed, the RRA BSG migration from the branch was displayed, due to endograft twisting resulting in a horizontal rotation of the t-Branch. The RRA BSG remained oriented upward with the proximal edge positioned above the distal edge of the directional branch, making cannulation very difficult. This bailout technique uses a balloon placed at the level of the RRA BSG through the celiac artery (CA) directional branch; keeping the balloon inflated and in thrust, the edge of the BSG has moved downward making it possible to engage it and relining through the RRA directional branch.

Conclusions:

This paper describes an endovascular bailout technique for relining a displaced bridging stent graft, oriented upwards with the proximal edge positioned above the distal edge of the directional branch.

Clinical Impact

This sophisticated technique adds to the spectrum of bailout techniques that can be applied in cases of type IIIa EL with migration and complete separation of BSG.