Techniques for Removing Bilateral Renal Artery Stents Prior to Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Abstract

Purpose

To demonstrate 2 endovascular methods for successful intravascular stent extraction.

Technique

In preparation for fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair, renal artery stents may be implanted for focal vessel stenosis at the ostium. In a recent case, bilateral renal artery stents were deployed with >50% protruding into the aortic lumen, thus rendering fenestrated endografting impossible. Two techniques were employed to extract the stents. In the left renal artery, the stent was extracted using an endovascular snare, but the right renal artery stent could not be removed with this method. Instead, an endoscopic forceps was advanced down a 16-F sheath, and the stent was grasped, extracted, and released into the aneurysm sac. The endovascular repair then proceeded in the usual fashion.

Conclusion

The need to remove a stent prior to endovascular aneurysm repair is not a common problem encountered by most endovascular specialists; however, these methods should be in their armamentarium should the need arise.