[Stent grafting for aortic aneurysms]

Endovascular stent grafting for aortic aneurysms/dissections using metallic stents covered with conventional vascular grafts has attracted attention as a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery. Since the first clinical experience of endovascular stent grafting for abdominal aortic aneurysm was reported in 1991, numerous clinical applications have been undertaken worldwide. Although several commercial bifurcated stent grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysm are available in various countries, including Europe, the USA, and Australia at present, none of the devices are approved for clinical use in Japan. Particularly for thoracic aortic aneurysms, hand-made devices are still used in individual institutions. Endovascular stent grafting is feasible for aneurysm repair within limited conditions. Although further investigation is necessary to clarify the indications, it is clear that aortic aneurysms could be successfully treated with precise stent-graft deployment and proper patient selection based on our 10-year follow-up results.