Rupture of the external iliac artery during balloon angioplasty: endovascular treatment using a covered stent.

Purpose: To report the emergent endovascular management of an external iliac artery (EIA) rupture after standard guidewire recanalization and balloon angioplasty.
Method and Results: A 54-year-old diabetic male presented with an occlusion of the EIA associated with severe stenotic lesions of the femoral bifurcation. Guidewire recanalization of the lumen was followed by balloon angioplasty, but evidence of EIA rupture was detected on the intraoperative arteriogram. Temporary homeostasis was achieved using the angioplasty balloon, and a Cragg EndoPro System 1 stent-graft was inserted transluminally to repair the injury. At 18 months poststenting, routine color Doppler confirmed continued patency of the vessel repair.
Conclusions: While rupture of the EIA during angioplasty usually demands open surgical correction, an endovascular procedure can provide a fast, efficient, and less aggressive method of treating this serious complication.