Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was first pioneered in the early 1990s. Since then technology of the devices has rapidly progressed and EVAR is now widely used as treatment of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
EVAR is a minimally invasive alternative to major open surgery for the repair of AAAs that results in reduced recovery times and potentially improved survival rates.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized bulging or abnormal enlargement of the abdominal aorta, most often the infrarenal and aorto-iliac arteries. AAAs are often attributed to degeneration caused by atherosclerosis, although there may be other causes, including trauma, cystic medial necrosis, arteritis, syphilis, and inherited connective tissue disorders.
Detection can be difficult. Most AAAs are asymptomatic. Frequently, they are discovered on x-rays performed for other reasons.
AAA Repair Procedures
Two of the most common methods of repairing AAAs are traditional open surgery and EVAR. In the surgical procedure, the walls of the aneurysm are replaced with a synthetic graft. In the EVAR procedure, a stent graft is inserted into the aneurysm through small incisions in the groin.
In both following interviews, Pr Eric Verhoeven (Germany) and Pr Fabio Verzini (Italy), vascular surgeons, are answering questions about the role on EVAR today, the use of endografts and the future of EVAR in complex anatomy.