Endovascular treatment of penetrating ulcers of the paraceliac aorta using fenestrated endografts

Abstract

Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs) are usually focal aortic lesions found in patients with significant comorbidities. They are ideal targets for an endovascular approach if localized in the descending thoracic or infrarenal aorta, but when an origin in the visceral vessels is involved, a standard endovascular approach might not be feasible or effective. We report 2 cases of endovascular treatment of PAUs involving the paraceliac abdominal aorta, using a custom-made tube fenestrated endograft with 4 fenestrations for the abdominal visceral vessels (i.e., celiac-trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and renal arteries). There were no intra- or perioperative complications. At 1 year of follow-up, patients were asymptomatic and computed tomography angiography revealed total lesion exclusion and patency of the visceral vessels. The use of a fenestrated endograft is a safe and effective option to treat paraceliac PAUs.