Flow-preserved coil embolization using a side-holed indwelling catheter for common hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: report of three cases

Transarterial Embolization of Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Related to Chronic Pancreatitis

We presented a 67-year-old woman with lightheadedness, diaphoresis, and acute epigastric and right hypochondrium pain, with a past medical history including stage 2 essential hypertension, chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy, and class 1 obesity. An abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scan showed an extensive hematoma (3 × 4 cm2 in size) located intra-abdominally, adjacent to the duodenojejunal area, with hyperdensity around the duodenum, positioned inferior to the pancreas (30–59 HU). Moreover, the CT scan also revealed an enhancing lesion as a pseudoaneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, measuring 5 × 8 × 8 mm3 with active bleeding and associated hematoma. Following these investigations of the abdominal area, a decision was made to proceed with an endovascular intervention within the interventional radiology department. With the patient under conscious sedation, via a right common femoral artery approach, the superior mesenteric artery was catheterized. While injecting the contrast agent to obtain a better working projection, the pseudoaneurysm ruptured, and acute extravasation of the contrast agent was noted, followed by injection of a mixture of 1 mL Glubran 2 with 2 mL Lipiodol until complete obliteration of the pseudoaneurysm was obtained. The patient was hemodynamically stable at the end of the procedure and was discharged 6 days later in a good condition without active bleeding signs.

Visceral Artery Aneurysms Embolization and Other Interventional Options: State of the Art and New Perspectives

Visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) are rare, usually asymptomatic and incidentally discovered during a routine radiological examination. Shared guidelines suggest their treatment in the following conditions: VAAs with diameter larger than 2 cm, or 3 times exceeding the target artery; VAAs with a progressive growth of at least 0.5 cm per year; symptomatic or ruptured VAAs. Endovascular treatment, less burdened by morbidity and mortality than surgery, is generally the preferred option. Selection of the best strategy depends on the visceral artery involved, aneurysm characteristics, the clinical scenario and the operator's experience. Tortuosity of VAAs almost always makes embolization the only technically feasible option. The present narrative review reports state of the art and new perspectives on the main endovascular and other interventional options in the treatment of VAAs. Embolization techniques and materials, use of covered and flow-diverting stents and percutaneous approaches are accurately analyzed based on the current literature. Visceral artery-related considerations and targeted approaches are also provided and discussed.

Endovascular Treatment of Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm after Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Risk Factors Associated with Mortality and Complications

PURPOSE

To evaluate risk factors predicting death and complications of primary therapy for hepatic and gastric duodenal artery pseudoaneurysms following endovascular treatment (EVT) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 2004 and December 2014, 28 patients (mean age, 64.7 y) with post-PD hemorrhage underwent EVT. Prevention of hepatic artery blockage via stents or side-holed catheter grafts was stratified in cases without a replaced hepatic artery. Mortality and major hepatic complications following EVT were evaluated according to age; sex; surgery-EVT interval; presence of portal vein stenosis, shock, and coagulopathy at EVT onset; and post-EVT angiographic findings.

RESULTS

All hemorrhages were successfully treated with microcoils (n = 17; 61%), covered stents (n = 1; 3%), bare stent-assisted coil embolization (n = 5; 18%), or catheter grafts with coil embolization (n = 5; 18%). Hepatic arterial flow was observed after EVT in 18 patients (64%). Mortality and major hepatic complication rates were 28.6% and 32.1%, respectively. Hemorrhagic shock and coagulopathy at EVT onset (n = 8 each; odds ratio [OR], 27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-235.7; P < .01) were significantly associated with mortality. Coagulopathy at EVT onset (adjusted OR [aOR], 48.1; 95% CI, 3.2-2,931), portal vein stenosis (n = 16; aOR, 16.9; 95% CI, 1.3-721.9), and no visualization of hepatopetal flow through the hepatic arteries (n = 10; aOR, 29.5; 95% CI, 2.1-1,477) were significantly associated with major hepatic complications.

CONCLUSIONS

EVT should be performed as soon as possible before the development of shock or coagulopathy. Hepatic arterial flow visualization decreases major hepatic complications.