Brave new world: the role for endovascular aneurysm repair in contemporary vascular surgery
Tonnessen, B.H.; Sternbergh, W.C.; Money, S.R.
Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 44(4): 535-542
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9509 PMID: 14627226 Document Number: 556694
Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) poses certain challenges to the vascular surgeon. Based upon our 6-year experience, we have highlighted important aspects of patient selection. EVAR can be performed in patients with significant co-morbidities, but technical success may be limited by anatomic criteria. Short to mid-term outcomes report low mortality and morbidity from EVAR. Acute and delayed conversion, rupture, endoleak, limb occlusion, and migration are complications occurring in EVAR; their frequency, presentation and management are described. EVAR has up to 90% success rate at several years follow-up including the use of secondary procedures. Secondary procedures are not infrequent after EVAR; thus close follow-up is of the utmost importance. We predict that EVAR will continue to be a valuable tool in the future.