The Vascular Surgery section offers conventional open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms and has a large program for the treatment of complex aortic problems and disorders of the thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta. Endovascular repair of abdominal  aortic aneurysms is offered to patients who meet criteria for inclusion in the trials of endovascular devices. Currently, two devices (EVT, Talent) are available for endovascular aortic graft repair.
The Vascular Surgery Division at University of Pennsylvania Medical Center is involved with multiple Phase II and III FDA trials using endovascular aortic stent grafts to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms. At this time we are able to offer several devices manufactured by both Endovascular Technologies (EVT) as well as World Medical Inc (Talent). The protocols include patients who are too high risk for standard operative repair as well as low risk patients. The patients are selected for inclusion based upon anatomic features of the aneurysms, and are screened by CT scanning and arteriography. The procedures involve femoral artery cut-down, and eliminate the need for laparotomy and general anesthesia. Hospital length of stay is typically two to three days, with return to normal activity within one week.
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