Introduction

Article Outline

• Copyright

Almost 15 years have passed since Parodi and Palmaz reported the first endograft implantation for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Over the years, this technique gained popularity and became accepted as a reliable alternative to open surgery in selected patients. There has been an important evolution of the materials, the technology, and the understanding of aortic biomechanics related to endovascular repair of AAA. This issue of Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology, dedicated to endografting, will discuss the evolution of stentgraft, aortic biomechanics, and the branched stentgraft for AAA.

With increasing experience, progress has been made in the understanding of appropriate patient selection and causes of failures and complications. Furthermore, the role of imaging in the preprocedural planning and post-operative follow-up is far better appreciated than before. This issue will also discuss the role of imaging in pre and post endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Early and delayed complications are reviewed and tips and tricks to prevent them are discussed.

Endoleak remains the most common complication after endografting. Its significance is not fully understood and the optimal treatment is still controversial. In this issue, an attempt has been made to discuss these different treatment options, keeping in mind the practical objectives of this journal.

Finally, with the upcoming FDA approval of the thoracic endograft, EVAR of thoracic aorta will significantly increase. The article by Rousseau et al will discuss the update in EVAR for thoracic aortic aneurysms.

I am delighted to be able to gather this group of internationally recognized authors including interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons and biomedical engineers for this issue. I would like to thank them for their great contribution and hope that this volume will assist readers in their clinical practices.