Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risks

BACKGROUND: Carotid pseudoaneurysms are extremely rare, and their inherent instability and unpredictability require prompt evaluation and intervention to mitigate potential neurological complications or prevent life-threatening bleeding and airway obstruction. We present a case report of spontaneou...

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Main Authors: Andreia Pinelo, Daniel Mendes, Joana Martins, Samuel Cardoso, Rui Machado
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Published: Sociedade Portuguesa de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular 2025-04-01
Series:Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular
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Online Access:https://acvjournal.com/index.php/acv/article/view/607
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author Andreia Pinelo
Daniel Mendes
Joana Martins
Samuel Cardoso
Rui Machado
author_facet Andreia Pinelo
Daniel Mendes
Joana Martins
Samuel Cardoso
Rui Machado
author_sort Andreia Pinelo
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: Carotid pseudoaneurysms are extremely rare, and their inherent instability and unpredictability require prompt evaluation and intervention to mitigate potential neurological complications or prevent life-threatening bleeding and airway obstruction. We present a case report of spontaneous internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture. CASE REPORT: An eighty-eight-year-old male with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and adenocarcinoma of the rectum presented with a spontaneous rupture of the left ICA. Bleeding control was achieved by deploying a 7mm self-expandable stent graft (Viabhan®) in the ICA through a transcervical approach. Control computed tomography angiography at 24 hours revealed a "type 1 endoleak" with contrast leak filling from the proximal landing zone. A transfemoral approach was used for external carotid artery ostial occlusion using an 8mm vascular plug, followed by stent graft extension to the common carotid artery. Blood cultures were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the patient completed nine weeks of directed antibiotic therapy. There was a recurrence of rupture by the 5th month of follow-up, controlled once again with a distal extension with an 8mm Viabahn®. The patient died on the 7th postoperative day due to nosocomial pneumonia. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the complexity of managing carotid ruptures and pseudoaneurysms, emphasizing the potential of endovascular therapy to reduce morbidity. While endovascular treatment is a viable option for frail patients, considering long-term implications is essential. Balancing short-term benefits with potential medium- and long-term complications remains critical to the decision-making process.
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spelling doaj-art-1e9b97b3125b44a5bb1be164555ddbbf2025-08-20T02:15:41ZporSociedade Portuguesa de Angiologia e Cirurgia VascularAngiologia e Cirurgia Vascular1646-706X2183-00962025-04-0120410.48750/acv.607Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risksAndreia Pinelo0Daniel Mendes1Joana Martins2Samuel Cardoso3Rui Machado4Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo AntónioDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo AntónioDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo AntónioDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo AntónioDepartment of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António BACKGROUND: Carotid pseudoaneurysms are extremely rare, and their inherent instability and unpredictability require prompt evaluation and intervention to mitigate potential neurological complications or prevent life-threatening bleeding and airway obstruction. We present a case report of spontaneous internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture. CASE REPORT: An eighty-eight-year-old male with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and adenocarcinoma of the rectum presented with a spontaneous rupture of the left ICA. Bleeding control was achieved by deploying a 7mm self-expandable stent graft (Viabhan®) in the ICA through a transcervical approach. Control computed tomography angiography at 24 hours revealed a "type 1 endoleak" with contrast leak filling from the proximal landing zone. A transfemoral approach was used for external carotid artery ostial occlusion using an 8mm vascular plug, followed by stent graft extension to the common carotid artery. Blood cultures were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the patient completed nine weeks of directed antibiotic therapy. There was a recurrence of rupture by the 5th month of follow-up, controlled once again with a distal extension with an 8mm Viabahn®. The patient died on the 7th postoperative day due to nosocomial pneumonia. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the complexity of managing carotid ruptures and pseudoaneurysms, emphasizing the potential of endovascular therapy to reduce morbidity. While endovascular treatment is a viable option for frail patients, considering long-term implications is essential. Balancing short-term benefits with potential medium- and long-term complications remains critical to the decision-making process. https://acvjournal.com/index.php/acv/article/view/607Carotid pseudoaneurysmcarotid ruptureendovascularstent graft
spellingShingle Andreia Pinelo
Daniel Mendes
Joana Martins
Samuel Cardoso
Rui Machado
Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risks
Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular
Carotid pseudoaneurysm
carotid rupture
endovascular
stent graft
title Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risks
title_full Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risks
title_fullStr Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risks
title_full_unstemmed Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risks
title_short Management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture: navigating life-threatening challenges and persistent risks
title_sort management of spontaneous carotid artery rupture navigating life threatening challenges and persistent risks
topic Carotid pseudoaneurysm
carotid rupture
endovascular
stent graft
url https://acvjournal.com/index.php/acv/article/view/607
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