Relining of a Bridging Covered Stent to Treat a Rare Cause of Type IIIc Endoleak Following Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Abstract

Purpose: To present a rare cause of type III endoleak via the left renal artery (LRA) fenestration following fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) and to describe a successful reintervention for treating this endoleak. Technique: The patient presented with a type IIIc endoleak following FEVAR, due to inadvertent placement of the LRA bridging balloon expandable covered stent (BECS) via the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) fenestration, but deployed outside the SMA fenestration. The proximal part of the BECS was positioned outside of the main body. This caused a type IIIc endoleak via the open LRA fenestration. Reintervention was performed by relining the LRA with a new BECS. First, access to the lumen of the previously placed BECS was gained using a re-entry catheter, followed by placement of a new BECS via the LRA fenestration. Completion angiography, and computerized tomography angiography (CTA) at 3 months follow-up showed total obliteration of the endoleak and patency of the LRA. Conclusion: Placement of a bridging stent via an incorrect fenestration during FEVAR is a rare cause of type III endoleak. In certain cases, successful treatment of such an endoleak could be achieved by perforation and relining of the misplaced BECS via the correct fenestration of the target vessel. Clinical Impact To our best knowledge, a type IIIc endoleak following fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair, due to placement of a bridging covered stent through an incorrect fenestration and deployed short of the fenestration, has not been described before. Reintervention was performed with perforation of the previously placed covered stent and relining using a new bridging covered stent. The technique presented here was successful for treating the endoleak in this case and could help guide clinicians when dealing with this or similar complications.