[Aneurysm treatment with the "Talent stent graft". An update after 4 years of experience]

The negative experience with stent grafts of the first generation shows the important role of the endograft in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The midterm results of a stent graft (Talent) widely used in Germany were analyzed up to 4 years after the first implantation.

We report on 73 patients treated at our department using the Talent stent graft. The study analyzes patient data before, during, and after the operation as well as the results of clinical follow-up and CT scan examinations performed 3-47 months after treatment.

In 72 cases the implantation was successful. Endoleaks were found in three cases (type I n = 2, type III n = 1). Three patients had a complication at the vascular access site (3.9%). In one patient the short contralateral leg did not open. During the follow-up five patients died (7%). In two patients the graft limb occluded (3.3%). A migration of the graft components did not occur. In two cases a persistent type II endoleak was found (3.3%).

The Talent stent graft showed good stability and easy adjustment. Even patients with a large aneurysm neck have been successfully treated. Problems while implanting the graft were only observed in cases of kinking of the iliac artery. A greater flexibility of the introducer system and a better rotational stability of the graft inside the introducer would be advisable.