Re: "Branched Grafts for Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms: Off-Label Use of FDA-Approved Devices" by Dr. Karthik Kasirajan/Reply

The online article from Dr. Makaroun's talk (available in PDF format at CACVS.org3) presents an accurate picture of the study's excellent results, as described in greater detail by Greenberg et al.4 Additional data pertaining to the durability of fenestrated stents involving the renal arteries have been detailed by Mohabbat et al.5 The perioperative mortality, rupture, conversion, and aneurysmrelated death rates were all zero. In our experience, the Viabahn covered stent is easy to insert, but often difficult to stabilize. [...] marked oversizing of Excluder and Viabahn stent-grafts risks infolding, endoleak, and branch occlusion.