ABSTRACT

To present our experience using the Amplatzer® vascular plug in various arterial and venous systems, and follow-up results.

Between May 2005 and October 2006, 20 Amplatzer® vascular plugs were used to achieve occlusion in 20 vessels in 12 patients (10 male, 2 female) aged between 24 and 80 years (mean age, 55 years). Localization and indications for embolotherapy were as follows: pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (n = 3; 9 vessels), internal iliac artery embolization before stent-graft repair for aortoiliac aneurysms (n = 4; 4 vessels), preoperative (right hemipelvectomy) embolization of bilateral internal iliac arteries (n = 1), bilateral internal iliac aneurysms (n = 1), large thoracic side branch of the left internal mammary artery coronary by-pass graft causing coronary steal syndrome (n = 1), closure of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (n = 1), and testicular vein embolization for a varicocele (n = 1).

The technical success rate was 100%, with total occlusion of all the targeted vessels. Only one device was used to achieve total occlusion of the targeted vessel in all patients (device size range, 6–16 mm in diameter). No major complications occurred. Target vessel occlusion time after deployment of the Amplatzer® vascular plug was 6–10 min in pulmonary arteries (mean, 7.5 min) and 10–35 min (mean, 24.4 min) in systemic arteries. Mean follow-up was 6.7 months (range, 1–18 months).

Embolization with the Amplatzer® vascular plug is safe, feasible, and technically simple with appropriate patient selection in various vascular territories.

Keywords: Amplatzer vascular plug • embolization, therapeutic • vascular malformations, pulmonary • aneurysm