[Thoracoabominal aortic aneurysms-endovascular options].

BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) are predominantly atherosclerotic related and are usually asymptomatic. Treatment is necessary from a size greater 6.5 cm, while patients with rapidly growing, compression of organ structures, aneurysm-related connecting tissue orders must be treated from a diameter of 6 cm.

METHODS: Elective interventions may be performed with fenestrated and/or branched grafts. Another possibility is the chimney, sandwich or periscop technique for treating TAAA. Depending on the extension of the TAAA, implantation of tube grafts for the thoracic aorta or bifurcation grafts for the abdominal aorta is necessary. Symptomatic TAAA may be treated by implantation of a t-Branch® or using the chimney, sandwich or periscop technique.

CONCLUSIONS: The preinterventional planning and sizing with the help of computed tomography (CT) scans for endovascular repair of TAAA, and the implantation of the grafts during the procedure are challenging; thus, a well-experienced interdisciplinary team of medical and nonmedical specialists is required.