Purpose: To describe the utility of stent-graft implantation to avoid distal embolization from a large thrombus-containing lesion.
Case report: A 67-year-old man was evaluated for recent onset of disabling left leg claudication. Angiography disclosed a mobile lobular mass occluding the left common iliac artery; irregular staining suggested an atherothrombotic lesion. Through a percutaneous ipsilateral access and an 8-F sheath, a balloon-expandable Jostent peripheral stent-graft was positioned with the distal edge immediately proximal to the internal iliac artery ostium. A prominent "waist" at the center of the balloon confirmed entrapment of the thrombotic mass. Completion angiography showed an optimal result with no residual stenosis or evidence of distal embolization. At 6-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic with angiographically documented luminal patency and no evidence of in-stent stenosis.
Conclusions: Stent-graft implantation appears a viable treatment alternative for thrombus-containing lesions, particularly when the thrombotic material is localized or is in a large vessel.