Devices for aortic aneurysm repair

Although the technical success and short-term efficacy of endovascular grafts have now been demonstrated, the long-term durability of grafts used in the aorta remains to be proven. No long-term data are yet available regarding device durability or patient outcome beyond the initial few years. Recent evidence shows that the ability of endovascular grafts to cause shrinkage and regression of aortic aneurysms may have a paradoxic effect of distorting the endograft itself, thus causing geometric changes within the supporting metallic framework and, ultimately, device failure (Fig. 9). Thus, the desired positive effect of the device may, ironically, lead to its eventual failure.