Complete endovascular therapy with branched stent grafts: Treatment alternative for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms; [Komplett endovaskuläre Therapie mit gebranchten Endoprothesen: Behandlungsalternative bei thorakoabdominellen Aortenaneurysmen]

The development of branched stent grafts has allowed an additional treatment alternative for thoracoabominal aortic aneurysms. The results of full endovascular repair of selected thoracoabdominal aneurysms are promising and the technique can be offered to high-risk patients for open surgery, for instance with the combination of several risk factors and extent of the disease. A learning curve should be expected. Anatomical limitations, such as extremely tortuous vessels and access problems should be taken into account as well as the quality of the targeted side branches. Although long-term results need to be awaited and limitations of the method, e. g. waiting time for planning and device construction and reinterventions, need to be taken into account, it is likely that endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms will become the preferential treatment option for many patients in the near future. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.