Endovascular management of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Not all patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are candidates for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), but as further technologic refinements occur, it is likely that an increasing percentage of patients will be candidates. EVAR, pioneered by Parodi in early 1990s, has made significant progress in all aspects. In the early stages of development, stent grafts were used only to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in patients with comorbidities (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or myocardial infarction) significant enough to preclude open repair. With the advent of new technology, the rapid spread of the skill sets needed to place these grafts, and the demonstration that these grafts are not only safe but also durable, EVAR is now being used more commonly in patients who would otherwise undergo open repair. Nevertheless, EVAR is still in the early stages of development, and long-term follow-up of EVAR patients is essential to assure durable protection from AAA rupture. The authors present the review of epidemiology and possibilities of endovascular management of abdominal aortic aneurysm.