Buttock claudication after interventional occlusion of the hypogastric artery--a mid-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND

Interventional occlusion of the hypogastric artery (HA) can be used for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the iliac arteries. Most frequent ischemic complication is buttock claudication (BC).

AIM

To investigate the frequency and progression of BC after interventional occlusion of the HA prior to EVAR.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed in patients with EVAR and occlusion of the HA between September 2004 and August 2010. Acute and persistent BC symptoms were assessed.

RESULTS

Fifty-four catheter occlusions of the HA were performed. In 10 cases, claudication could not be evaluated. During a mean follow-up of 17 months, 23 occlusions (52.3%) of the HA showed BC, in 52% symptoms were persistent. Of the 5 patients, 3 patients who underwent bilateral occlusion had BC and in 2 cases, persistent in the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Buttock claudication after occlusion of the HA prior to EVAR is a frequent complication, which often persists during follow-up. Alternatives that maintain pelvic perfusion should be considered.