Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Infected Arteries as a Temporizing Measure Versus Destination Therapy

Abstract

Objective: Mycotic rupture of the arteries is a rare but deadly disorder. Current management typically involves open surgical repair. However, endovascular repair is a potential treatment that can be used to delay open repair, especially in acutely unstable patients. A case report and review of the literature was conducted to determine whether endovascular therapy could be a destination therapy for patients with arterial rupture secondary to infection. Methods: We present the case of a 72-year-old man with a left common iliac artery aneurysm rupture secondary to Salmonella infection treated with endovascular therapy upon initial presentation. A literature review of PubMed yielded 29 patients with ruptured aortic and iliac infected aneurysms that were initially treated with endovascular repair. Results: Majority of the patients (76.7%, 23 of 30) were successfully treated with the endovascular treatment and did not require open revision. These patients were often placed on long-term antibiotics. Conclusion: The literature review supports endovascular repair with a stent graft as a temporizing measure for infected ruptured arteries in an emergent setting and, in select cases, as a destination therapy.