Open Surgical and Endovascular Conduits for Difficult Access During Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair has gained widespread acceptance as the primary method of treatment of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms. Difficult access because of small, narrowed, tortuous, or severely calcified iliac and femoral arteries poses a significant challenge and remains a common cause of inadvertent arterial disruption and conversion to open repair. Vascular complications associated with difficult access are associated with major morbidity and mortality. This article summarizes open surgical and endovascular alternatives to dealing with difficult iliofemoral access during endovascular aortic interventions.