[Endovascular aneurysm therapy--long-term treatment outcomes after 7 years].
BACKGROUND
Stentgrafts for endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) have been commercially available since 1994, with now large numbers of implantations all over the world.


METHODS
From 1994-2001, 115 patients were treated with Stentor, Vanguard and Talent stentgrafts in our institution.


RESULTS
Late complications of the first- and second-generation stentgrafts as radiologic or surgical interventions to maintain complete exclusion of the aneurysm amounted to 30% with an additional 22% for observed endoleaks and configuration changes of the stentgraft. Third-generation stentgrafts had a lower complication rate of 12.2% for interventions and 18.3% for late endoleaks and graft changes.


CONCLUSIONS
High costs of the devices, a pretty high late complication rate, and the uncertain maintenance of stentgraft function to prevent aneurysm rupture currently limit the widespread application of this new technology, leaving conventional aneurysmectomy the standard for aneurysm treatment and reserving the endovascular method for selected patients.
Schmiedt
Walther
W
Klinik für Herz-, Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. Schmiedt@mail.Uni-Mainz.de
Düber
Christoph
C
Pitton
Michael
M
Neufang
Achim
A
Dorweiler
Bernhard
B
Herber
Sascha
S
Reinstadler
Jan
J
Kirsch
Delia
D
Eberle
Balthasar
B
Espinola-Klein
Christine
C
Thelen
Manfred
M
Oelert
Hellmut
H
D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015607:Stents