Abstract
The abdominal aorta is the most common site of an aortic aneurysm. The visceral and
most proximal infrarenal segment (aneurysm neck) are usually spared and considered
more resistant to aneurysmal degeneration. However, if an abdominal aortic aneurysm
(AAA) is left untreated, the natural history of the aortic neck is progressive dilatation
and shortening. This may have significant implications for patients undergoing endovascular
repair of AAAs (EVAR) as endograft stability and integrity of the repair are dependent
on an intact proximal seal zone. Compromised seal zones, caused by progressive diameter
enlargement and foreshortening of the aortic neck, may lead to distal endograft migration,
type Ia endoleak, aortic sac repressurization, and, ultimately, aortic rupture.
Keywords
endovascular repair - abdominal aortic aneurysm - aneurysm - aortic valve disease
- endograft placement - repair - artery