Endovascular treatment of iatrogenic iliocaval fistula post lumbar disc surgery
Abstract A 39-year-old patient presented with a history of right-side heart failure (dyspnea and orthopnea), right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, and hepatic impairment. A physical exam showed increased jugular venous pressure, hepatomegaly, and bilateral lower limb pitting edema. A computed tomography angiograph revealed an arteriovenous communication between the right iliac artery and inferior vena cava (IVC) at the level of L4/L5. The patient was diagnosed with a large arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which developed post lumbar disc surgery. Fistulas between the common iliac arteries and IVC are very rare post lumbar disc surgery. Acquired iliocaval AVF is much more difficult to treat surgically because of the risk of massive hemorrhage. The patient underwent a successful endovascular stent graft repair. The patient’s symptoms of heart failure including exertional dyspnea and orthopnea were resolved 6 months post surgery.