What advantages will future generations of stent grafts have over ones that are currently available?
Currently approved stent grafts have catheter delivery profiles ranging from 20 to 24 Fr. New designs currently in clinical trials have profiles ranging from 14 to 18 Fr, which would decrease access complications and significantly improve the ability to treat patients (especially women) with complex and narrow iliac arteries, for which EVAR is currently contraindicated. Patients with complex proximal aortic necks and juxtarenal aneurysms would benefit from branched and fenestrated grafts that permit endovascular repair, while preserving renal patency. More durable fixation methods (e.g., endostapling) and more flexible stent graft designs would expand the applicability of EVAR further.
