Visceral Artery Aneurysms and Pseudoaneurysms: Retrospective Analysis of Interventional Endovascular Therapy of 43 Aneurysms

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the results of interventional endovascular therapy of incidental and symptomatic visceral artery aneurysms in the elective and emergency situation. Materials and Methods 43 aneurysms in 38 patients (19 female, 19 male, mean age: 57 ± 16 years [18 – 82]) were treated between 2011 and 2015. The characteristics of the aneurysms (true vs. false aneurysm, size, etiology, location, symptoms) were considered. Furthermore, we evaluated the intervention with respect to technical success, embolic/occlusive agents used, therapy-associated complications and post-interventional follow-up.  Results 23 true aneurysms (maximum diameter: 22 ± 18 mm [11 – 67 mm]) and 20 false aneurysms (maximum diameter: 9 ± 33 mm [3 – 150 mm]) were evaluated. The splenic (n = 14) and renal arteries (n = 18) were most frequently affected. The etiology was most commonly degenerative-atherosclerotic (47 %) or iatrogenic post-operative (19 %). 18/48 interventions were performed due to active bleeding. False aneurysms were associated significantly more often with active bleeding (63 vs. 25 %, p = 0.012). 41/48 treatments were technically successful. Re-intervention was necessary 6 times. In 2 cases the endovascular approach did not succeed. There was a complication rate of 10 %, whereby only 4 minor and 1 major complications occurred. No patient suffered from permanent sequelae. Aneurysms were primarily treated by using coils and if necessary additional embolic agents (liquid embolic agent or vascular plugs) (75 %). In the follow-up period, reperfusion of treated aneurysms occurred at a rate of 7 % (n = 3). Conclusion Interventional endovascular therapy of visceral artery aneurysms is safe and effective in the elective treatment of incidental aneurysms as well as in significantly more frequent hemorrhaging false aneurysms in the emergency situation. Key points  Citation Format