As global experience with the endovascular treatment of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms continues to build, numerous clinical trials are underway evaluating stent graft use in a variety of other applications. Investigators are working to improve upon encouraging initial experiences and determine the degree to which endovascular repair can successfully treat challenging aortic indications such as type B dissection, traumatic injury, transection, and aneurysm rupture.

Research and further device development also continue in the arena of abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment. Next-generation endovascular systems feature advanced delivery system designs that allow for accurate stent graft placement and controlled deployment, and the stent grafts themselves are more flexible and better suited to treat patients with challenging anatomies.

The goal of these efforts is to expand the population of patients that can be treated. Due to emergent conditions, comorbid concerns, high risk for surgery, and difficult anatomies, many patients have insufficient options for treating their life-threatening aortic pathologies.

Accordingly, leading centers from around the world are enrolling patients in clinical trials and working with industry to develop devices that meet these challenging needs.

In this supplement to Endovascular Today, leading investigators provide overviews of their clinical endeavors, including the rationale for current trial designs and reports on available data. Also included are in-depth overviews of new thoracic and abdominal stent grafts and delivery systems, with experience-based discussions regarding how and when to best apply them.

Advanced imaging applications are also discussed, with an emphasis on preprocedural planning, accurate device sizing, precise stent graft placement, and efficient follow-up.

We hope this supplement is both helpful in your current endovascular practice and of interest regarding future applications and devices in the pipeline.