Collapsed stent graft and severe malperfusion 2 years after endovascular aortic repair

Abstract

Late collapsing of a stent graft is an extremely rare event, with one existing report describing this phenomenon. A 65-year-old man with a history of endovascular aortic repair for an abdominal aortic aneurysm presented with paraplegia and bilateral lower limb ischaemia. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a dissection of the descending thoracic aorta and a collapsed stent graft, resulting in bilateral lower limb ischaemia. Subsequent axillo-bifemoral bypass resolved his lower extremity functions. The patient required haemodialysis due to acute kidney failure. The follow-up computed tomography scan demonstrated re-expansion of the collapsed stent graft, and his renal function recovered. The case highlights the rare manifestation of late stent collapse and subsequent re-expansion of the collapsed stent and restoration of visceral and lower extremity perfusions following axillo-bifemoral bypass.

Keywords: Aortic dissection; Lower limb ischaemia; Stent graft.