emDocs - June 21, 2016 - Author: Slama R - Edited by: Koyfman A and Singh M
"As trainees I think it is beaten into our heads that all males over the age of 50 with new onset hematuria and flank pain should also be screened for AAA. One thing that is not so much beaten into our heads is how we still have to take hematuria and or hematochezia seriously in these same patients even after they receive endovascular repair. There are many complications that can occur from having an aortic graft placed, but for the purpose of this article let’s focus on Aortoenteric fistula and Endoleaks.
Conclusions
- Endovascular grafts are often life-saving, but can have disastrous complications
- Complications of endovascular grafts can present atypically or silently. Always maintain a high index of suspicion and have a low threshold to perform imaging.
- Endoleaks are the most common complication of Endovascular Aortic grafts.
- Don’t be hesitant to get a vascular surgeon involved even if your workup is normal."