Endovascular treatment of iatrogenic axillary artery pseudoaneurysm under echographic control: a case report

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2011 May 27:6:78. doi: 10.1186/1749-8090-6-78.

Abstract

Aim: Brief case report of the treatment of a large axillary artery pseudoaneurysm after a pacemaker using a left brachial cutdown and a retrograde delivery of a covered stent using ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance. The patient's renal function precluded the use of contrast materials.

Case report: A 77 years old man presenting with acute renal failure and haemoglobin decrease arrived with an expanding pseudoaneurysm of the left axillary artery from a pacemaker placement. Considering the site of the lesion and patient's comorbidities, under echographic control, a Hemobahn® stent-graft was placed; fluoroscopy assisted manipulation of guidewires and sheaths into the aortic arch. The procedure was successfully ended without any complications. At 8 months the stent graft was still patent.

Conclusion: Ultrasound guidance may represent an alternative for pseudo-aneurysm exclusion without any use of contrast medium, especially in those patient where lesions are easily detectable using ultrasonography and when comorbidities contraindicate aggressive surgical or angiographic approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False / surgery*
  • Angioscopy / methods*
  • Axillary Artery*
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Male
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Stents*