Proximal aortic stent-graft displacement with type I endoleak due to Heimlich maneuver

Abstract

The Heimlich maneuver has saved countless lives by relieving foreign body obstruction from the respiratory tract. Complications related to this life-saving technique, particularly involving the abdominal aorta, are extremely rare. We report the case of a patient who underwent successful endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, with AAA reduction at postoperative surveillance. Endograft displacement after performance of the Heimlich maneuver resulted in a proximal type I endoleak. This case underscores both the potential for aortic trauma from the Heimlich maneuver and the risk for clinical failure as a result of abdominal compression after successful endovascular AAA repair. Copyright © 2003 by The Society for Vascular Surgery and The American Association for Vascular Surgery.