Classification of endoleaks

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Endoleaks occur when an aneurysmal sac continues to be pressurised despite endoluminal stent placement. See the full article on endoleaks here.

Classification

There are five types:

  • type I: leak at graft ends (inadequate seal) - most common after repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms
    • Ia: proximal
    • Ib: distal
    • Ic: iliac occluder
  • type II: sac filling via branch vessel (e.g. lumbar or inferior mesenteric artery)
    • most common after repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (80%)
    • sometimes referred to as a "retroleak"
    • enthusiastic examiners sometimes ask for the eponymous name of the large collateral artery between the IMA and SMA = Riolan's arch
    • most spontaneously resolve and require no treatment
    • IIa: single vessel
    • IIb: two vessels or more
  • type III: leak through a defect in graft fabric (mechanical failure of graft)
    • IIIa: junctional separation of the modular components
    • IIIb: fractures or holes involving the endograft
  • type IV: a generally porous graft (intentional design of graft)
  • type V: endotension