Endovascular grafts in the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms

The purpose of this study was to describe our experience with balloon and s elf-expanding endovascular grafts for the management of thoracic aortic les ions. Between February 1997 and June 1998, 20 endovascular grafts were impl anted in 14 patients for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms and pse udoaneurysms. Endovascular procedures were performed using one of four diff erent devices: (1) Dacron-covered balloon-expandable Palmaz(TM) stent, (2) balloon-expandable Palmaz stent-PTFE graft prosthesis (BE-PS), (3) self-exp anding internally supported Nitinol Dacron prosthesis (Vanguard(TM) SE-V), and (4) self-expanding externally supported Nitinol PTFE prosthesis (Exclud er(TM) SE-E). The results show that endovascular grafting represents a pote ntially important alternative therapy to open repair of the thoracic aorta. Self-expanding devices were, in our experience, easier to use and more acc urately deployed. DOI:10.1007/s100169910040.