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What Is an Endovascular Graft?

An endovascular graft is a tube-like medical device placed inside a blood vessel through a catheter-based procedure. It is usually made from a metal scaffold covered with fabric or graft material. The graft helps reinforce, redirect, or maintain blood flow inside a vessel. Endovascular grafts are commonly used in vascular procedures such as aneurysm repair or treatment of selected vessel problems.

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What Is an Endovascular Graft?

An endovascular graft is a tube-like medical device placed inside a blood vessel through a catheter-based procedure. It is usually made from a metal scaffold covered with fabric or graft material. The graft helps reinforce, redirect, or maintain blood flow inside a vessel. Endovascular grafts are commonly used in vascular procedures such as aneurysm repair or treatment of selected vessel problems.

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What Is an Endovascular Graft Used For?

An endovascular graft is used to treat certain diseased or weakened blood vessels without fully opening the vessel through traditional surgery. In aneurysm repair, the graft creates a new path for blood flow and reduces pressure on the weakened vessel wall. It can also be used in selected dialysis access or vascular reconstruction procedures depending on the device. The treatment plan depends on vessel size, anatomy, disease location, and the patient’s overall risk.

How an Endovascular Graft Works

The graft is compressed inside a delivery catheter and guided through the blood vessels to the treatment site. Once positioned, it expands and presses against the vessel wall. Blood then flows through the graft instead of stressing the weakened or treated area. Imaging is used during placement to help guide the device and confirm its position.

How Is an Endovascular Graft Placed?

The clinician usually accesses a blood vessel through a small incision or puncture, often in the groin or arm. A guidewire and delivery catheter are advanced to the target vessel using imaging guidance. The graft is released, expanded, and checked for flow, seal, and position. After the procedure, the access site is closed and the patient is monitored for bleeding, circulation changes, and other complications.

Risks and Follow-Up

Possible risks include bleeding, infection, vessel injury, graft movement, blood clots, endoleak, blockage, kidney strain from contrast dye, or need for another procedure. Follow-up imaging is often needed after aneurysm repair to check graft position and blood flow. Patients should report sudden pain, limb numbness, chest or back pain, fever, swelling, or changes at the access site. Long-term monitoring is important because graft-related problems can develop later.

FAQs About Endovascular Grafts

Is an endovascular graft the same as a stent?

Not exactly. A stent is a scaffold that holds a vessel open, while an endovascular graft usually combines a scaffold with fabric or graft material to redirect or support blood flow.

Is an endovascular graft permanent?

Most endovascular grafts are designed to stay in place permanently. Follow-up imaging helps confirm that the graft remains properly positioned and working as intended.

Does endovascular graft placement require open surgery?

Usually no. It is placed through blood vessels using catheters, though some patients may still need open surgery depending on anatomy or complications.

Can an endovascular graft leak?

Yes. In aneurysm repair, an endoleak can occur when blood continues to flow outside the graft but within the aneurysm sac. This is one reason follow-up imaging is needed.

References

Aortic aneurysm repair: Endovascular. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007391.htm. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

Endovascular Repair of Complex Aortic Aneurysms. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cardiovascular-diseases/news/endovascular-repair-of-complex-aortic-aneurysms/mac-20429867. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

Endoleak: Types & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16960-endoleak. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

Ultrasonography for Endoleak Detection After Endoluminal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6481872/. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

Management of Endoleaks Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3036461/. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.