The purpose of this case report was to discuss the efficacy of The Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for ruptured aortoiliac aneurysm. A 73-year-old man was referred to our institution with a diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) by CT scan. The CT scan showed an rAAA of 70 mm (Fitzgerald classification 3) and a right common iliac aneurysm of 30 mm. The patient was immediately transferred from the ER to the OR and treated with EVAR in combination with occlusion of the right internal iliac artery (IIA) using AVP. The total procedural time was 138 min. The patient recovered uneventfully after the operation with an ICU stay of 2 days and was discharged 9 days after the onset. EVAR has been recognized as a therapeutic option for rAAA in Japan. However, it is not yet been generally adopted as a first-line therapy for rAAA accompanied with iliac aneurysm because of the necessity to occlude IIA. The conventional method with coils to induce thrombosis of IIA is unsuitable for patients in a critical situation for the time required and the difficulty in precise placement. AVP is a nitinol-based self-expanding cylindrical device that is used for arterial embolization. AVP allows assured embolization of IIA in a shorter procedural time, which is essential in an urgent situation. Although AVP is still under post-market surveillance in Japan and only available in limited institutions, the usage of AVP should be considered as an adjunctive procedure in EVAR for rAAA and may expand the limits of endovascular treatment for rAAA.

A 52-year-old male was admitted to our hospital through the emergency room due to dyspnea and hypertensive heart failure. Computer tomography revealed atypical aortic coarctation with stenosis and calcification just above the superior mesenteric artery. Calcium channel blocker significantly reduced hypertension and improved heart failure, while his creatine elevated rapidly, and he presented acute renal failure. Endovascular self-expanding stent implantation in the aorta was performed in order to restore renal blood flow. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the third day after the procedure. The cardiac function recovered immediately, and the patient no longer required antihypertensive agents. There have been many reported cases of endovascular correction of atypical aortic coarctation overseas. Nevertheless, due to reimbursement issue in the health care system, the majority of atypical aortic coarctation cases in Japan are treated with open surgery. Endovascular treatment should be endorsed as an option for its short procedural time, minimal invasiveness and brief hospital stay.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare cause of intermittent claudication. Optimal strategies and management have been debated. We report two cases of PAES that were treated with respective different procedures. Case 1 : A 53-year-old male with intermittent claudication was referred to our department with PAES with a decrease in the ankle brachial index (ABI) with plantar flexion. Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed medial deviation and compression of the popliteal artery by the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The patient received excision of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle and thrombectomy of the popliteal artery. The diagnosis was confirmed as PAES type 2 during the procedure. Case 2 : A 37-year-old male presenting intermittent claudication and declining ABI in his left lower extremity was diagnosed with PAES by contrast CT. MRI and CT indicated that a fibrous band was compressing the popliteal artery. The findings of the imaging studies were confirmed during the subsequent surgical procedure and it was diagnosed as PAES type 4. In addition to removal of the band, popliteal artery interposition using a saphenous vein graft was performed due to severe stenosis with intimal hyperplasia. Pathological findings of the excised artery showed intimal hyperplasia and degeneration of elastic fibers in the media due to chronic compression. Although a large volume of retrospective data exists on PAES, recommendation of a particular operative procedure has not yet been derived. Thus, the treatment for PAES should be individually determined based on etiology and status of affected vessels.