Endoleak after endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: is it a problem?

PURPOSE: To illustrate the clinical significance of type I and type II endoleaks following endovascular treatment of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). CASE REPORT: An 81-year-old patient presented with a ruptured AAA that was urgently treated with an Ancure aortomonoiliac endograft. After the postoperative computed tomographic (CT) scan, a distal type I endoleak was suspected, but the follow-up angiogram demonstrated only lumbar backbleeding. As the patient was stable, conservative treatment was recommended. After 3 months, a distal as well as a proximal type I endoleak were demonstrated, strangely enough, in the presence of a shrinking aneurysm and clearance of the retroperitoneal hematoma. Both endoleaks were treated endoluminally, after which the CT scan still showed contrast in the aneurysm sac, presumably from lumbar backbleeding. Twelve months after the initial procedure, the patient continues to do well. CONCLUSIONS: Although not well understood, the presence of an endoleak after endovascular repair of a ruptured AAA may not always be a life-threatening situation