Clinical outcome of endovascular therapeutic occlusion of the celiac artery

Objective

Endovascular occlusion of the celiac artery can be performed along with occlusion of a celiac trunk aneurysm or stenting of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm to prevent a type II endoleak. Because only a few individual cases have been previously available for study, the aim of this study was to examine the technical details, clinical course, and outcome of this procedure based on a group of patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included 10 patients who underwent endovascular occlusion of the celiac artery between 1998 and 2006 (female/male = 1:4, mean age, 62.5 ± 9.8 years). There were five aneurysms of the celiac artery, two cases each of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissecting thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, and one mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta. The mean follow-up period was 21.4 ± 29.1 months.

Results

The celiac artery was successfully occluded in all cases, along with exclusion of the celiac artery aneurysm or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, respectively. The pancreaticoduodenal arteries were the main collateral pathways, but other anastomoses and, especially, vascular variations of the celiac artery and its territory were also significant. In one patient, abdominal angina was treated by percutaneous angioplasty and stenting of the superior mesenteric artery.

Conclusions

Endovascular occlusion of the celiac artery is both safe and feasible. Some vascular variations may make occlusion of the celiac trunk impossible. Liver function disorder is a relative contraindication for this procedure.