Physiology of bridging stent grafts after fenestrated/branched endovascular aortic repair: Where translational science meets the clinical profile

Fenestrated/branched endovascular aortic repair emerges as the primary therapeutic modality for intricate aortic pathologies encompassing the paravisceral and thoracoabdominal segments, where bridging stent grafts (BSGs) play a vital role in linking the primary aortic endograft with target vessels. Bridging stent grafts can be categorized mainly into self-expanding stent grafts (SESGs) and balloon-expandable stent grafts (BESGs). Physiological factors significantly influence post-complex endovascular aortic repair BSG behaviour, impacting clinical outcomes of SESGs and BESGs in different but overlapping ways. Crucial prerequisites for BSGs encompass not only flexibility but also resilience against mechanical stress and compliance mismatch, especially when bridging the rigid aortic main body with dynamic target vessels. The significance of considering these physiological factors in clinical decision-making is underscored by recognizing the interplay between SESG and BESG characteristics, vessel physiology and