Purpose: This study was conducted to establish criteria to aid in the selection of patients for endovascular repair of aorto-iliac aneurysms.
Methods: Characterization of pertinent factors used to determine whether a patient is eligible to undergo stent-graft repair of an aorto-iliac aneurysm.
Principal findings and conclusions: The determinant factor that dictates whether or not one is eligible to undergo endovascular repair of aorto-iliac aneurysm is the arterial anatomy of the affected area and its surrounding vessels. Some of the initial limitations imposed in this technology have changed such as an acceptance of much shorter neck than initially conceptualized, by the use of supra-renal stent deployment. However, unsolved issues remain regarding the differentiation of thrombus and atherosclerotic plaque in the infra-renal aortic region, iliac artery disease, and the need to have an enhanced flexibility of the delivery system for proper deployment in tortuous aortic necks. The question of long-term device durability remains the most important issue that has to be taken into consideration before one chooses minimally invasive endovascular approaches.