Endovascular treatment of complex aortic aneurysms

Size matters! A reliable endovascular method to avoid infolding and endoleaks when reconstructing aortic bifurcations using stent grafts

Conventional revascularization of the lower extremities secondary to aortoiliac atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) involves major intra-abdominal surgery with aortobifemoral bypass grafting. Complication rates are as high as 10% and perioperative mortality can be as high as 5%; therefore, careful patient selection is paramount. Endovascular aortobifemoral bypass repair with aortic bifurcation reconstruction is an emerging option in patients deemed unsuitable for conventional surgical management. Emerging techniques such as snorkel/chimney method are expanding the number of patients who can undergo endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms and/or revascularization of the lower extremities. However, until now, objective criteria for stent size selection used in these hybrid techniques have not been described.