Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Treatments

The treatment for aortoiliac occlusive disease focuses on restoring blood flow to the lower body by either removing blockages or bypassing narrowed arteries. The approach depends on the severity of the blockage, the patient’s overall health, and long-term treatment goals.

For mild to moderate disease, minimally invasive endovascular procedures, such as angioplasty and stent placement, offer quicker recovery and fewer complications. In more severe cases, where arteries are extensively blocked, or completely occluded, open surgical bypass provides the most durable, long-term solution.

With advancements in vascular medicine, patients can access specialized care, ensuring the most effective treatment is selected for their condition and lifestyle needs.

Aorta and Iliac Artery Stent Graft Placement – Reinforcing Blood Vessels

Stent graft placement is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure that reinforces narrowed or blocked aortic and iliac arteries, ensuring long-term blood flow. After angioplasty expands the artery, a small, expandable mesh stent is inserted to prevent collapse or re-narrowing caused by plaque buildup or arterial recoil.

This technique is particularly beneficial for patients with moderate-to-severe narrowing (stenosis) or complete blockages (occlusions), where angioplasty alone may not provide a lasting solution. The stent acts as a scaffold, keeping the artery open and restoring circulation to the pelvis and lower limbs. It also relieves symptoms such as claudication, rest pain, and non-healing ulcers.

The procedure is performed through a small groin incision using a catheter-guided approach. Once deployed, the stent expands to match the artery’s diameter, offering a durable, minimally invasive alternative to bypass surgery. By reinforcing the artery, stent placement improves blood flow, reduces symptoms, and minimizes recovery time, making it an effective long-term solution for aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Who It’s For:

• Patients with significant narrowing or total occlusion of the aorta or iliac arteries.
• Individuals who have failed lifestyle or medication therapy.
• Patients who need a longer-lasting alternative to angioplasty alone.

Benefits of  Aorta & Iliac Artery Stent Graft Placement:

• Minimally invasive: Performed through a catheter, avoiding large incisions.
• Long-term artery support: Helps keep arteries open, reducing the risk of restenosis.
• Faster recovery: Less invasive than open surgery, allowing for a quicker return to daily activities.
• Improves circulation: Restores blood flow to the pelvis and legs, relieving symptoms like pain and

Long-Term Management After Aorta & Iliac Artery Stent Graft Placement

Stent graft placement provides structural support to weakened or narrowed arteries, ensuring continuous blood flow. While less invasive than bypass surgery, ongoing surveillance is necessary to ensure the stent remains in place and prevents future blockages.

• Routine surveillance imaging: Patients require regular CT scans or ultrasounds to monitor stent position, artery health, and possible restenosis.
• Blood pressure and medication control: Hypertension and cholesterol management are crucial to reducing stress on the stented artery and preventing new plaque formation.
• Healthy lifestyle choices: Regular physical activity, a vascular-friendly diet, and smoking cessation promote long-term artery health.
• Monitoring for symptoms: Patients should report leg discomfort, cold extremities, or reduced mobility, which may indicate stent complications requiring evaluation.

With consistent follow-up and a proactive vascular health plan, stent graft placement provides a long-term solution for patients with moderate to severe aortoiliac disease. It helps maintain healthy circulation and prevent further arterial narrowing.

Aortobifemoral and Aortoiliac Bypass Graft – Open Surgery for Severe Blockages

A bypass graft is a surgical procedure that reroutes blood around severely blocked aortic or iliac arteries, creating a new, unobstructed pathway for circulation. It is typically reserved for advanced cases of aortoiliac occlusive disease, where minimally invasive endovascular treatments, such as angioplasty or stenting, are insufficient or not feasible.

For patients with extensive arterial blockages, bypass surgery is the most durable and definitive treatment option. By redirecting blood flow around the diseased arteries using a synthetic or autologous (patient’s own) graft, the procedure restores circulation to the lower extremities, alleviates severe symptoms, and reduces the risk of limb-threatening ischemia.

There are two specific procedures:

• Aortobifemoral bypass graft: This procedure creates a new pathway for blood flow by bypassing blocked or narrowed segments of the aorta and iliac arteries, redirecting circulation from the aorta to both femoral arteries. 

It is typically used for extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease, where both iliac arteries are blocked, restricting blood flow to the legs. Restoring circulation to both lower extremities helps relieve severe claudication (leg pain while walking), rest pain, and non-healing ulcers, ultimately reducing the risk of limb loss.

• Aortoiliac bypass graft: An aortoiliac bypass can be performed in cases where only one side of the iliac artery is severely blocked. This procedure connects the aorta directly to the affected iliac artery, restoring blood flow to one side of the pelvis and lower limb. It is a preferred option for patients with unilateral disease, offering a durable, long-term solution to prevent worsening symptoms and avoid amputation risks.

Who It’s For:

• Patients with severe blockages and cannot be treated with angioplasty or stenting.
• Younger, healthier patients who need a permanent, durable solution.
• Individuals with critical limb ischemia (severe circulation loss).

Benefits of Aortobifemoral & Aortoiliac Bypass Graft:

• Durable, long-term solution: Provides lasting restoration of blood flow.
• Best option for severe disease: Effective for extensive arterial blockages, including total occlusions.
• No stents required: Reduces the risk of long-term device-related complications.

Long-Term Management After Aortobifemoral & Aortoiliac Bypass Graft

For patients with severe blockages, bypass graft surgery is a durable, long-term solution that redirects blood flow around narrowed or blocked arteries. While bypass grafts provide lasting benefits, patients need ongoing vascular monitoring and risk factor management to maintain graft function.

• Regular follow-up and imaging: Periodic vascular ultrasounds or CTA scans are needed to check for graft integrity, narrowing, or clot formation.
• Cardiovascular health maintenance: Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes is critical to protecting the graft and preventing further arterial disease.
• Exercise and mobility: A structured walking program helps improve circulation, strengthen leg muscles, and promote overall vascular health.
• Graft monitoring: Patients should report leg pain, swelling, or skin discoloration, which could indicate a blocked or failing bypass graft.

With proper long-term care and vascular health optimization, bypass graft surgery remains one of the most effective treatments for severe aortoiliac occlusive disease, offering permanent symptom relief and improved mobility.

Why Choose Vegas Vascular Specialists for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Treatment?

At Vegas Vascular Specialists, we offer advanced treatment options for aortoiliac occlusive disease, combining minimally invasive procedures and surgical solutions to restore circulation and improve mobility. 

Our fellowship-trained vascular surgeons specialize in angioplasty, stent graft placement, and bypass surgery, ensuring every patient receives a personalized approach for lasting results. Focusing on long-term vascular health, we provide ongoing monitoring and follow-up care to prevent disease progression and maintain optimal blood flow.

Take the next step. Schedule your consultation today. Request an appointment now or call us (702) 565-8346.

To learn more about this condition, visit our Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease page.