Treatment of descending and abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm with stent-graft: a report of 13 cases

Objective: To explore the effects of stent-graft on treating descending and abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysms.

Methods: Seven cases of descending and 6 cases of abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysms were treated with stent-graft, aging from 28 to 72 years, average 59 years.

Results: Eight cases of aortic pseudoaneurysms were completely excluded after the procedure. Slight leakages were found in 5 cases. Leakages disappeared through balloon dilatation in 2 cases, and one more stent-graft cuff implanted in 1 case. Slight leakages were still presented after dilatation in the other 2 cases, however, the leakages disappeared 3 months later. Eleven cases were followed up from 4 to 30 months with a mean of 18.6 months. One case died of massive hemorrhage from upper digestive tract 5 months after operation. The stent-grafts of other cases maintained patent, and no migration occurred. The diameter of the pseudoaneurysm of all cases did not increased.

Conclusions: It is safe, effective and mini-invasive to use stent-graft in the treatment of descending and abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm, however, the long-term investigation is needed.