[Embolization of the internal iliac artery during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms].

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is one of frequently encountered cardiovascular diseases, which is often accompanied by an aneurysm of the common and/or internal iliac arteries. Recent trends are towards increased use of endovascular methods of treatment, associated with a certain risk for the development of type IIa endoleaks. This raises the question as to the necessity of embolization of the internal iliac artery while covering it with a stent graft. Our study included a total of 20 patients operated on for abdominal aortic aneurysms combined with aneurysms of the common and/or internal iliac arteries. In order to evaluate the obtained outcomes, the patients were divided into 4 groups depending on the intervention performed. The scope of the performed operations varied from endoprosthetic repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with coverage of one internal iliac artery without embolization to endoprosthetic repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with coverage of both internal iliac arteries with embolization. In the latter event, two-stage interventions were performed. The duration of follow up amounted to more than 3 years. We assessed the short- and long-term outcomes, with zero lethality and the absence of either specific or non-specific complications observed. Embolization increases the duration of the operation and X-ray exposure, as well as the amount of the contrast medium, thus casting doubt upon the necessity of carrying it out, since the immediate and remote results do not differ as compared with mere coverage of the internal iliac artery.