Abdominal aortic endograft proximal collapse resulting in aortic aneurysm rupture

Abstract

An 82-year-old man was transferred to our emergency department due to acute abdominal pain. He had undergone an endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) six years ago. An intravenous contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed the rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with a large retroperitoneal hematoma. A Talent (Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA, USA) modular bifurcated endoprosthesis had vertically collapsed approximately 7 cm after losing its infrarenal fixation. As a result, it led to the repressurization of the aneurysm sac and rupture. The patient was successfully treated by placing three Talent (Medtronic) aortic cuffs. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of endograft collapse that has manifested with aortic aneurysm rupture. Although they are gradually declining, considerable rates of complications create the ‘Achilles’ heel' of endovascular repair of AAAs. A lifelong follow-up strategy for patients treated for AAA with EVAR is essential for the early detection and treatment of complications of the procedure.