Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening program in Poland

Background

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is currently recommended by several vascular societies. In countries where it has been introduced the prevalence of AAAs differed greatly and was mainly related to cigarette smoking. The screening program also had an enormous impact on the decrease of AAA ruptures and reduced mortality rate. These facts have led to the introduction of the first screening program for AAAs in Poland.

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of AAAs among men aged 60 years and older undergoing ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta.

Material and methods

A single ultrasonography of the abdomen was performed to assess the aorta from the renal arteries to the bifurcation and the diameter of the aorta was measured at its widest point. The cut-off value for determining an aortic aneurysm was set at a diameter of ≥?30 mm. All ultrasonography measurements were performed by physicians in outpatient departments throughout the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province. Additionally, each subject had to fill out a questionnaire with demographic data, smoking habits, existing comorbidities and familial occurrence of AAAs. The study was conducted from October 2009 to November 2011.

Results

The abdominal aorta ultrasound examinations were carried out in 1556 men aged 60 years and older. The prevalence of AAA in the study population was 6.0?% (94 out of 1556). The average age of the men was 69 years (SD 6 years, range 60–92 years). In the study population 55?% of the men smoked or had smoked and 3?% were aware of the presence of AAAs in family members. There were three risk factors significantly associated with the presence of AAAs: age (p?Conclusion The prevalence of AAAs among men in Poland is higher than in other European countries and the USA. The screening program for AAAs is an easy and reliable method for detecting early stages of the disease and risk factors which are the driving forces for the development of AAAs.     

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm and occlusive peripheral vascular disease in Japanese residents

To evaluate the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and occlusive peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in Japanese residents, and to examine the correlations between these diseases and the risk factors of atherosclerosis, 348 residents of a village in central Japan aged between 60 and 79 years were screened. The screening for AAA was performed using ultrasonography (US) and that for PVD was performed by palpation and Doppler US. No AAA was found, and a right common iliac arterial aneurysm was detected in a 79-year-old man (0.3%). The mean diameter of the infrarenal abdominal aorta was 18.7 mm and an abdominal aorta of 25 mm or greater in diameter was seen in 16 participants (4.6%), all of whom need to be followed up. PVD was suspected in two patients (0.6%) with a low ankle brachial pressure index. Of a total of five patients diagnosed or suspected of having a common iliac arterial aneurysm or PVD, four (80%) had at least one risk factor for atherosclerosis. Thus, we conclude that Japanese residents with risk factors predisposing them to atherosclerosis such as hypertension, obesity, abnormal serum lipid levels, and a history of smoking should be selectively screened for AAA and PVD due to the low prevalence of these diseases and from the viewpoint of cost-effectiveness.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

The most common site for an arterial aneurysm, i.e. the focal dilatation of the original blood vessel, is the abdominal aorta. Studies have suggested that abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are rare in women under the age of 55 and in men under the age of 60. However, in men older than 60, AAAs are nearly 10 times more common in men than in women, and many of these affected men will be asymptomatic. This article reviews the prevalence, diagnosis, including screening guidelines, and treatment options for AAA, with reference to a case study of a 72 year old male smoker diagnosed with an AAA.     

Treatment of solitary iliac aneurysms: Clinical review of 28 cases

Purpose The clinical characteristics and long-term results of patients with solitary iliac aneurysms (SIAs) were investigated. Methods 28 consecutive patients who underwent repair of SIAs between 1985 and 2004 were reviewed retrospectively, and compared with those of 536 patients who underwent elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during the same period. Results The incidence of SIAs among all aorto-iliac aneurysms was 5.0%. The 28 patients with SIAs were men with a mean age of 69.1 years. There were a collective total of 42 iliac aneurysms in the 28 patients, with 12 patients having multiple aneurysms. Thirty aneurysms involved the common iliac artery, and 12 involved the internal iliac artery. Twenty-two patients had symptoms, although none of the SIAs ruptured. Four patients had coexistent iliac occlusive disease and two patients had femoral occlusive disease. The 5-and 10-year survival rates of the patients with SIAs were 90.5% and 75.4%, whereas those of the patients with AAAs were 76.3% and 54%, respectively (P = 0.089). Conclusion Routine imaging is necessary not only to evaluate the SIAs, but also to detect multiple aneurysms or arterial occlusive disease. Close and long-term followup is mandatory for the early detection of the formation of new aneurysms.     

Lessons learned about prevalence and growth rates of abdominal aortic aneurysms from a 25‐year ultrasound population screening programme

Background

This study aimed to assess how the prevalence and growth rates of small and medium abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) (3·0–5·4 cm) have changed over time in men aged 65 years, and to evaluate long‐term outcomes in men whose aortic diameter is 2·6–2·9 cm (subaneurysmal), and below the standard threshold for most surveillance programmes.

Methods

The Gloucestershire Aneurysm Screening Programme (GASP) started in 1990. Men aged 65 years with an aortic diameter of 2·6–5·4 cm, measured by ultrasonography using the inner to inner wall method, were included in surveillance. Aortic diameter growth rates were estimated separately for men who initially had a subaneurysmal aorta, and those who had a small or medium AAA, using mixed‐effects models.

Results

Since 1990, 81 150 men had ultrasound screening for AAA (uptake 80·7 per cent), of whom 2795 had an aortic diameter of 2·6–5·4 cm. The prevalence of screen‐detected AAA of 3·0 cm or larger decreased from 5·0 per cent in 1991 to 1·3 per cent in 2015. There was no evidence of a change in AAA growth rates during this time. Of men who initially had a subaneurysmal aorta, 57·6 (95 per cent c.i. 54·4 to 60·7) per cent were estimated to develop an AAA of 3·0 cm or larger within 5 years of the initial scan, and 28·0 (24·2 to 31·8) per cent to develop a large AAA (at least 5·5 cm) within 15 years.

Conclusion

The prevalence of screen‐detected small and medium AAAs has decreased over the past 25 years, but growth rates have remained similar. Men with a subaneurysmal aorta at age 65 years have a substantial risk of developing a large AAA by the age of 80 years.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm as an incidental finding in abdominal ultrasonography

The difference between the mortality rate from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (overall mortality rate 85-95 per cent and operative mortality rate 23-63 per cent), and that for elective aneurysm repair (less than 5 per cent) is dramatic. Awareness of the existence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is therefore essential. Of 1800 consecutive patients aged greater than or equal to 50 years referred for their first abdominal ultrasonography, 113 who had been referred specifically for suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm or vascular screening were excluded. The remaining 1687 patients (693 men and 994 women) form the study group. Apart from the symptom-directed examination, the entire abdomen of every patient was routinely studied by ultrasonography. The definition of an abdominal aortic aneurysm was a local dilatation of the aorta with an anteroposterior diameter greater than 30 mm or greater than 1.5 times the anteroposterior diameter of the proximal aorta. In 82 cases (4.9 per cent) an abdominal aortic aneurysm was disclosed; 61 were in men (8.8 per cent) and 21 were in women (2.1 per cent). The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm as an incidental finding in men aged greater than or equal to 60 years was 11.4 per cent. In every patient aged greater than or equal to 50 years undergoing their first abdominal ultrasonography examination, the aorta should be screened for the presence of an aneurysm.     

Ultrasonographic screening of the abdominal aorta among siblings of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

To evaluate the prevalence of abdominal aortic dilatations among asymptomatic brothers and sisters of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), an ultrasonographic screening study was performed. One hundred and two siblings of patients operated on for AAAs at two Swedish hospitals were invited to attend, and 87 of them (35 men and 52 women) from 32 different families, accepted the invitation. Their median age was 63 years (range 39-82 years). Aortic dilatation was diagnosed in ten of the brothers (29 per cent) and three of the sisters (6 per cent). In ten cases (eight men and two women) there was a localized dilatation caudal to the coeliac axis, and in three a general dilatation of the abdominal aorta with the diameter at the coeliac axis greater than 29 mm. None of the aortic dilatations had been known before this study was performed. The conclusion is that the prevalence of asymptomatic aortic dilatations among brothers of patients with AAAs seems to be high and that this group should be selected for further screening studies.     

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Measurements for Endovascular Repair: Intra- and Interobserver Variability of CT Measurements

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the intra- and interobserver variability in measurements of the aorta and iliac arteries in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) considered for endovascular repair using computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: the diameter of the neck, aneurysm, right and left iliac artery were measured by 5 observers in 10 consecutive patients. Measurements were performed on hard copy using a ruler and on a workstation using an electronic caliper. RESULTS: the intraobserver variability showed a decrease going from hard copy to workstation in the standard deviation of the differences of the paired observations for the neck from 3.54 mm to 1.18 mm; for the aorta from 4.16 to 1.72 mm; for the right iliac from 1.87 to 1.01 mm; for the left iliac from 2.07 to 0.87 mm. The interobserver variability showed a similar decrease for the neck in all ten pairs of observers; for the aorta in two, for the right iliac and left iliac in five. However, the difference between observers regularly exceeded 2 mm. CONCLUSION: the use of a workstation and electronic calipers results in lower intra- and interobserver variability. However, the results still show a clinically relevant difference between the observers. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an automatic observer-independent measurement technique.     

Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a hypertensive population.

Two studies were undertaken to estimate the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a hypertensive population. The initial study screened hypertensive people from three local general practices. In this study 918 patients underwent ultrasound scanning of the abdominal aorta (498 men and 420 women). A total of 24 abdominal aortic aneurysms were identified; 20 in men (4%) and four in women (0.9%). Of these, 11 were > 4 cm in transverse diameter. Following this study, only hypertensive men over the age of 60 years and women over the age of 65 years were screened from a total of 29 general practices. Regular scanning sessions were held at each practice and 1328 patients attended (744 men and 584 women). A total of 43 abdominal aortic aneurysms were detected; 39 in men (5.2%) and four in women (0.7%). Hypertensive men are at increased risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysms and should be offered an initial ultrasound scan at 60 years of age. Female hypertensives yield a much lower detection rate and screening hypertensive females would probably be an inappropriate use of available resources.     

Ultrasound screening of first-degree relatives of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm

The pedigrees were constructed of 43 patients (probands) who underwent resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Seven probands (16.2%) had a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) known to have had an abdominal aortic aneurysm (multiplex family). To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed abdominal aortic aneurysm, ultrasound screening of first-degree relatives over age 40 years was undertaken. Of 202 eligible relatives, 103 (51.0%) were screened. An occult abdominal aortic aneurysm was defined as an infrarenal aortic diameter greater than 3.0 cm or an infrarenal/suprarenal aortic diameter ratio of greater than 1.5. An incipient abdominal aortic aneurysm was defined as a clear focal bulge of the infrarenal aorta, which was less than 3.0 cm in greatest diameter. Four of 103 relatives (3.9%) were found to have an occult abdominal aortic aneurysm (age/sex: 57M, 60M, 62F, 65M), and three (2.9%) were found with an incipient abdominal aortic aneurysm (age/sex: 56M, 60M, 67F). These smaller abdominal aortic aneurysms were in patients younger than the operated probands (average age men, 67 years; women, 69 years). Six of seven individuals were in families previously considered simplex, increasing the actual multiplex family frequency from 16.2% to 27.9%. All seven new abdominal aortic aneurysms were found in the 49 siblings age 55 years or older. There were no abdominal aortic aneurysms found in the 39 relatives under age 55 years, in 14 children ages 50 to 59 years or in one parent. Therefore of the siblings age 55 years or older, 5/20 men (25.0%) and 2/29 women (6.9%) were found to have a previously undiagnosed abdominal aortic aneurysm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Validity of Ultrasonographic Scanning as Screening Method for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

OBJECTIVE: the sensitivity and specificity of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with ultrasonographic scanning (US) is unknown. The aim of the study was to validate US as screening test for AAAs. METHODS AND MATERIAL: 4176 (76.3%) of 5470 men aged 65-73 attended hospital-based US screening for an AAA at their local hospital. Two observers and one scanner were used. The maximal anterior-posterior (AP) of the dilated aorta, or 2 cm above the bifurcation, and at the crossing of left renal vein was recorded. In 50 cases, blinded measurements were carried out by two observers. An AAA was defined as an AP diameter greater than 29 mm. RESULTS: the standard deviation (s.d.) of the interobserver variability of the distal AP diameter was 0.84. The mean distal AP diameter was 17. 9 mm (s.d. 2.92). Combining these data, the estimated diagnostic sensitivity was 98.9%, the estimated diagnostic specificity was 99. 9%. The interobserver s.d. of the proximal AP diameter was 1.76. The mean proximal AP diameter was 18.4 mm (s.d. 2.45). Combining these data, the estimated diagnostic sensitivity was 87.4%, the estimated diagnostic specificity was 99.9%. CONCLUSION: US seems to be a valid screening method for AAA. Screening for proximal infrarenal aorta aneurysm remains acceptable because the majority of aortic diameters in this segment are so much smaller than the diameters that define an AAA.     

Congenital abdominal aortic aneurysms in the young. Case report and review of the literature

Aneurysms of the aorta are rare in children and young adults. We report a case of a 19-year-old man with a saccular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). No associated disorders were discovered in this patient. The aneurysm was resected and a Dacron aortic graft was implanted. Nine years after operation the patient was in good health without evidence of other aneurysms. Thirty-two cases of probable congenital abdominal aortic aneurysms were collected from the literature. In 19 cases, the cause of aneurysm was not ascertained. We identified two groups of patients with probably congenital AAAs: type I congenital AAA, in which there is a generalized disorder of the arterial tissue and usually aneurysms are present in other areas and type II congenital AAA, in which there is a localized defect of the abdominal aorta, without aneurysms in other areas. We speculate that a congenital defect localized to the wall of the abdominal aorta was the cause of the aneurysm in this patient (type II congenital AAA).     

解剖条件复杂的肾下型腹主动脉瘤的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内修复术治疗复杂解剖条件肾下型腹主动脉瘤的安全性和有效性.方法 对2003年1月至2011年3月接受经股动脉植入分体式覆膜支架治疗解剖条件复杂的48例腹主动脉瘤患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.男性37例,女性11例;年龄50～81岁,平均71.4岁.其中近端短瘤颈(＜15 mm) 14例,近端瘤颈成角大(＞60°)13例,复杂髂动脉解剖者21例,其中髂动脉严重扭曲者15例,髂动脉狭窄(直径＜7 mm)者6例.结果 所有病例治疗均获成功,术中无中转开腹手术者,围手术期生存率100％.40例患者获得随访,随访时间4-122个月,平均63个月,死亡2例,均为心脑血管意外,其余生存良好,累积生存率95.8％.Ⅰ型内漏2例,其中1例2周后消失,1例长期存在,随访过程中未发现新发内漏、支架移位或堵塞、瘤体扩大或瘤体破裂等并发症;2例封堵一侧大部分肾动脉的患者恢复良好,术后未出现肾功能不全.结论 腔内修复术治疗复杂解剖条件肾下型腹主动脉瘤安全、有效.随着经验的不断积累,腔内修复术在治疗解剖条件复杂的肾下型腹主动脉瘤中将发挥更重要的作用.     

The effects of improved hemodynamics on aortic dimensions in patients undergoing heart transplantation

Purpose: Retrospective studies have demonstrated an accelerated growth rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms in heart transplant patients. This prospective study was undertaken to define the relationship between cardiac hemodynamics and posttransplant aortic dilation. Methods: Sixty-eight patients undergoing heart (n = 60) or heart-lung (n = 8) transplantation were prospectively evaluated with abdominal ultrasonography before transplantation and annually after transplantation. Risk factors implicated in aneurysm growth, including age, indication for transplantation, immunosuppression, posttransplantation hypertension, and abdominal aortic dimension before transplantation were recorded. All patients underwent annual coronary artery catheterization and multiple gated acquisition scanning. Results: Thirty-seven patients (54%) had no change in aortic diameter after transplantation (pretransplantation and posttransplantation diameter = 1.8 ± 0.3 cm), over a mean follow-up period of 28 ± 14 months. In the remaining 31 (46%) patients, aortic diameter increased by 0.5 ± 0.6 cm over 31 ± 15 months (p < 0.05). Four (6%) of these 31 patients had abdominal aortic aneurysms (mean aortic diameter = 5.0 ± 0.8 cm). The mean increase in aortic diameter among these 4 patients was 1.8 ± 0.2 cm (annual rate of growth = 0.96 ± 0.3 cm/year). Patients experiencing an increase in aortic dimension after transplantation had significantly lower (p < 0.005) pretransplantation ejection fractions (17.1% ± 10.5% vs 28.6% ± 18.1%) and, as a consequence, significantly greater (p <0.05) increases in their ejection fractions after transplantation compared with patients with stable aortic dimensions (42.7% ± 12.6% vs 31.8% ± 18.0%). Conclusions: Of 68 heart transplant patients prospectively evaluated, aortic diameter increased in 31 (46%); new aneurysms developed in four of these patients. Greater incremental increases in cardiac ejection fraction were significant correlates with aortic enlargement. (J VASC SURG 1994;20:539-45.)     

Giant Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Clinical and Technical Considerations

The rupture risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) depends primarily on their diameter and increases substantially in large aneurysms. Only a few cases of giant AAAs, with a maximum diameter > 13 cm have been reported in the English literature. This case series report describes 3 cases of giant AAAs presented with rupture. All cases were managed with open surgical repair, since anatomic factors prevented us from choosing an endovascular approach. The huge size of the aneurysm, the short length of the neck and the dislodgement of abdominal organs, that may be densely adhered to its surface with fistula formation, make surgery of this entity very challenging. Open repair of giant AAAs is often the only available treatment, though not always with good results.     

Growth rates of subclinical abdominal aortic aneurysms--implications for review and rescreening programmes

One hundred and six patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) of 2.5 to 3.9 cm in anteroposterior diameter were reexamined by ultrasound every 6 months for up to 3 years after diagnosis. Annual growth rates were 0.11 cm +/- 0.03 (mean +/- SE) for AAAs 2.5 to 2.9 cm and 0.29 cm +/- 0.08 for AAAs 3.5 to 3.9 cm (P = 0.002). In 73 patients (69%) the annual rate of increase in diameter was 0.2 cm or less and only 12 aneurysms (11%) grew at more than 0.5 cm per annum. We conclude that: (1) for AAAs less than 4.0 cm diameter remeasurement more often than every 6 months is unnecessary; (2) interval screening (rescreening) for AAAs more frequently than 5 yearly is unlikely to detect sufficient clinically significant aneurysms to be worthwhile.     

ULTRASOUND SCREENING OF THE ABDOMINAL AORTA IN MALAYSIANS

Ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta was performed on 100 patients with cardiovascular disease and a control group of 100 subjects. The objectives were to define the normal aortic size of Malaysians, to screen for aneurysms and to compare the aorta size of the different population groups. In the study group the mean anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the non-aneurysmal aortas at the level of the renal arteries was 1.82cm (range 0.9–2.6cm) in men and 1.83cm (range 1.5–2.3cm) in women. This compares with 1.61 cm (range 1.1–2.2cm) in men and 1.50cm (range 0.8–2.4cm) in women in the control group. The dimensions of the infrarenal aorta show a similar relationship between the two groups. These AP diameters were significantly smaller than the published figures from studies done on Western populations and are consistent with the smaller stature of Malaysians. Five aneurysms and one ectasia were found (mean size 5cm, range 3.5–6.0cm). all in men aged 50–75 years in the study group, and none in the control group. All the aneurysms were easily palpable in these patients who were thinner than the average Caucasian. Given the lower incidence of aortic aneurysms in Malaysians there is no role for routine ultrasound screening of the population. High risk groups can be adequately screened by clinical examination alone.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture rates: A 7-year follow-up of the entire abdominal aortic aneurysm population detected by screening

Purpose: The goal of the current study was to identify the risk of rupture in the entire abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) population detected through screening and to review strategies for surgical intervention in light of this information. Methods: Two hundred eighteen AAAs were detected through ultrasound screening of a family practice population of 5394 men and women aged 65 to 80 years. Subjects with an AAA of less than 6.0 cm in diameter were followed prospectively with the use of ultrasound, according to our protocol, for 7 years. Patients were offered surgery if symptomatic, if the aneurysm expanded more than 1.0 cm per year, or if aortic diameter reached 6.0 cm. Results: The maximum potential rupture rate (actual rupture rate plus elective surgery rate) for small AAAs (3.0 to 4.4 cm) was 2.1% per year, which is less than most reported operative mortality rates. The equivalent rate for aneurysms of 4.5 to 5.9 cm was 10.2% per year. The actual rupture rate for aneurysms up to 5.9 cm using our criteria for surgery was 0.8% per year Conclusion: In centers with an operative mortality rate of greater than 2%, (1) surgical intervention is not indicated for asymptomatic AAAs of less than 4.5 cm in diameter, and (2) elective surgery should be considered only for patients with aneurysms between 4.5 and 6 cm in diameter that are expanding by more than 1 cm per year or for patients in whom symptoms develop. In centers with elective mortality rates of greater than 10% for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, the benefit to the patient of any surgical intervention for an asymptomatic AAA of less than 6.0 cm in diameter is questionable. (J Vasc Surg 1998;28:124-8.)     

Recommendations for screening intervals for small aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the optimum rescreening interval for small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: Data from 12 years of population screening of 65-year-old men were analysed and 1121 small AAAs (less than 4.0 cm in initial diameter) were divided into groups: group 1 (2.6-2.9 cm; n = 625), group 2 (3.0-3.4 cm; n = 330) and group 3 (3.5-3.9 cm; n = 166). Expansion rate and the cumulative proportions to expand to over 5.5 cm, or require surgery, or rupture were calculated. RESULTS: Expansion rate was related to initial aortic diameter: 0.09 cm per year in group 1, 0.16 cm per year in group 2 and 0.32 cm per year in group 3 (P < 0.001). Aneurysms in 2.4 per cent of patients in group 1 exceeded a diameter of 5.5 cm or required surgery within 5 years; there were no ruptures. In group 2, no aorta exceeded 5.5 cm but at 3 years 2.1 per cent had reached 5.5 cm and 2.9 per cent had required surgery. The rupture rate at 3 years was zero. In group 3, the aneurysm diameter exceeded 5.5 cm in 1.2 per cent of patients, but no patient required surgery or experienced rupture within 1 year; at 2 years 10.5 per cent of aneurysms had exceeded 5.5 cm in diameter or required surgery and 1.4 per cent had ruptured. CONCLUSION: The appropriate rescreening interval can be determined by initial aortic diameter in screened 65-year-old men. AAAs of initial diameter 2.6-2.9 cm should be rescanned at 5 years, those of 3.0-3.4 cm at 3 years and those of 3.5-3.9 cm at 1 year.     

Balloon-expandable common iliac artery occluder device for endovascular aneurysm repair

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a balloon-expandable Palmaz stent common iliac artery occluder device for endovascular stent-graft repair of aortoiliac aneurysms. Eighty-four patients (79 men, 5 women; age range 60-95 yr; mean age, 76 yr) with aortoiliac aneurysms underwent endovascular stent-graft repair. The repair consisted of a stent-graft extending from the abdominal aorta to the iliac or common femoral artery, a cross-femoral bypass graft, and an endovascular arterial occluder device within the contralateral common iliac artery. The occluder device consisted of a 5-cm segment of 6-mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft with a purse-string suture occluding the leading end and a Palmaz stent sutured to the trailing end. The occluder device was delivered through a 17F catheter via an arteriotomy. Eighty-three of the 84 patients received aortic endografts. In one case, infrarenal aortic rupture occurred during deployment of the aortic stent requiring conversion to an open surgical repair. Initial technical success for occluder device insertion was achieved in 78 of the remaining 83 patients. Failure to advance the occluder device delivery sheath through a diseased iliac artery occurred in one patient. Common iliac artery rupture occurred during balloon expansion and occluder device deployment in two patients. Two patients required additional coil embolization of the common iliac artery adjacent to the occluder device at the time of stent-graft insertion to correct incomplete iliac occlusion. Delayed occluder device-related complications included one patient with a postoperative iliac endoleak who required percutaneous coil embolization and one patient with a postoperative iliac endoleak in whom a contained aortic aneurysm rupture developed that was treated by surgical ligation of the common iliac artery. Use of the Palmaz stent-based iliac artery occluder device is an effective technique to induce common iliac artery thrombosis to facilitate endoluminal stent-graft aneurysm repair.