Successful endovascular repair in two cases of graft limb occlusion after endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Among 148 abdominal aortic aneurysm patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair at our institution, two cases of graft limb occlusion (GLO) were identified and successfully treated with endovascular repair. Guidewire cannulation against the occluded limb is the most important aspect of the procedure. After a thrombectomy, balloon dilatation is performed followed by stent-graft deployment. Various procedures such as thrombectomy, thrombolysis, and extra-anatomical bypass have been adopted for the treatment of GLO. Our use of endovascular techniques, including overlapping stent grafts, has some benefits, namely, better patency of anatomical route revascularization, decreased risk of ipsilateral shower embolization due to the stent graft's sealing over the irregular remnant thrombus, and easy access to angioplasty for tortured iliac arteries. However, shower embolization during catheter handling or future fabric failure due to friction is the potential complication associated with endovascular techniques. Intravascular repair techniques and stentgraft use should therefore be an early step of the GLO treatment algorithm.