Embolization of a high-output postnephrectomy aortocaval fistula with Gianturco coils and cyanoacrylate

Abstract

The authors describe the endovascular treatment of a high-output, large-caliber, postnephrectomy aortocaval fistula using a mixture of cyanoacrylate and lipiodol combined with Gianturco coil embolization. Thirty-nine coils were used to decrease the flow through the fistula so that a fast-polymerizing glue mixture could be injected into the fistula. During rapid polymerization, the N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) mixture was trapped within the coils, providing an easily controllable glue cast in the fistula, thereby preventing inadvertent embolization into the lungs. This approach can be of considerable benefit for the endovascular treatment of central high-output fistulas.