Life- and limb-saving endovascular therapy in a patient with acute abdominal aortic occlusion

A 79-year-old man developed severe bilateral ischemic symptoms in the lower limbs. Chest-abdominal-pelvic contrast computed tomography (CT) showed acute occlusion involving the abdominal aorta, and endovascular therapy (EVT) was used as emergency treatment. Two self-expandable stents placed in the thrombus area resulted in restoration of blood flow to the lower limbs, despite limited stent expansion, and movement of these limbs. Follow-up CT showed good stent expansion. The patient had a favorable recovery without additional surgery. This case suggests that EVT might be an additional option for acute abdominal aortic occlusion if surgery or thrombolytic therapies are not possible. © 2016, Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics.