Endovascular treatment of a posttraumatic femoral vein-profunda femoris artery fistula.

PURPOSE: To describe successful endovascular management of a posttraumatic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) when a covered stent is unavailable.

METHODS AND RESULTS: An AVF developed between the profunda femoris and the femoral vein in a 59-year-old man undergoing a total hip revision procedure. No covered stent being available, a Dacron plug was inserted on top of scaffolding created by a conventional stent and embolization coils. Successful control of hemorrhage and resolution of the AVF was documented. Pulmonary embolization was avoided by using this scaffolding technique.

CONCLUSIONS: Dacron can be used for occlusion of a medium-sized artery in an emergency situation in selected cases.