Preoperative Inferior Mesenteric Artery Embolization: A Valid Method to Reduce the Rate of Type II Endoleak after EVAR?

BACKGROUND: Type II endoleak is the most commonly encountered endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Some have advocated preoperative inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) embolization as a valid method for reducing the incidence of this endoleak, but controversies exist. We sought to demonstrate the impact of IMA embolization using a meta-analysis of currently available studies combined with our own experience.

METHODS: We conducted an institutional review board-approved, retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing IMA embolization before EVAR between the years 2010 and 2015 and used as a control a similar group of patients with patent IMA. We divided patients from our own experience and 5 other studies into 2 groups: those who did not undergo IMA embolization (control) before EVAR and those who did. Rates of type II endoleaks, aneurysm sac regression, and secondary interventions were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 620 patients from 6 studies were analyzed, including 258 patients who underwent an attempted IMA embolization before EVAR with a cumulative success rate of 99.2% (range, 93.8% to 100%). There was 1 fatality associated with IMA embolization. A meta-analysis showed that preoperative IMA embolization protected against type II endoleaks compared to the control group (odds ratio [OR], 0.31 [0.17-0.57]; P < 0.001, I2  = 43%). Furthermore, the rate of secondary intervention was significantly lower in the treatment group (OR, 0.12 [0.004-0.36]; P < 0.001, I2  = 0%). After IMA embolization, type II endoleak resulted from patent lumbar arteries in all 62 patients with persistent endoleak.

CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative embolization of the IMA protects against the development of type II endoleaks and secondary interventions and may potentially lead to a rapid aneurysm sac regression. The procedure can be performed with a high technical success rate and minimal complications and should be considered in patients with IMA >3 mm before EVAR. A randomized trial, however, is required to clearly delineate the clinical significance of this technique.