Viabhan endo graft from gore: A practical protocol for use from The Veith Meeting

From the Veith Meeting, work was presented on the use of the ViaBahn Endograft by Gore Vascular. I have had a lot of difficulty figuring out how the Viabahn fits into my practice. This talk was a very even handed presentation of PTA, Nitinol Stenting and Viabahn in the treatment of SFA disease. There is very compelling randomized work suggesting that Viabahn endografting works well for longer SFA lesion >10-15 cm.  For <5 cm PTA works well or for that matter, any therapy. for 5-10 cm Nitinol works well. 

My concern with the use of Viabahn is the coverage of collateral and the presentation of acute thromboses with limb threatening ischema. Several talks were given regarding post op anti coagulation regimens including aspirin, clopidogrel +/- warfarin.

There seems to be a relative level of comfort talking to vascular surgeons regarding the use of Viabahn in popliteal aneurysms.