The role of endovascular grafting technique in the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The objective of this report is to review the author's initial clinical experience with screening a population of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, to describe the selection criteria for endovascular repair and to report results from a single institution. The technique of transfemoral repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm uses the endovascular graft system that is currently in a Food and Drugs Administration approved protocol for investigation in the United States. Some 69 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm were screened in order to find ten suitable candidates. Ten implantations were carried out, of which eight were successful and two required conversion to conventional open aneurysm repair without complication. There were no deaths or complications. It is concluded that tube graft repair by the transfemoral route is feasible and applicable to approximately one patient in seven. The availability of a bifurcated graft will enhance the percentage of aneurysm patients treatable by this technique. Long-term results, at this time, are unknown.