Endovascular prostheses: evolution, state-of-the-art and perspectives of anew technology

The treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysms by means of transluminally pla ced endovascular prostheses reflects significant progress in the field of v ascular surgery. In the case of infrarenal aortic aneurysm it is possible t o achieve technically successful implantation of such a prosthesis in well over 90 % of cases. The rate of clinical success, meaning lasting effective exclusion of the aortic aneurysm, cannot (yet) be definitively determined, since no long-term results are so far available. Secondary leaks are obser ved in at least 10 % of all patients, making a further therapy necessary (e ndorepair, conversion, embolization). Further development of endovascular p rostheses will include optimization of the aortal/iliac attachment of the p rostheses, a better configuration and the development of long-lasting mater ials that can be used for endovascular prostheses.