PET/CT gave reliable results with an accuracy >95% in 75% of prostheses. PET/CT can identify those prostheses (25% of prosthesis) for which its diagnostic accuracy is diminished to 70-75%. In our series PET/CT was an excellent diagnostic modality for suspected VPI.

The implantation of a SG may be an alternative to open surgery in selected groups of patients with primary IAA. Aneurysms of the central part of the thoracic or abdominal aorta have a more favorable prognosis with endovascular treatment.

Robotic technology has been used in cardiovascular medicine since the late 1990s. Interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, endovascular surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and laparoscopic vascular surgery are all fields of application. Robotic devices enable endoscopic reconstructive surgery in narrow spaces and fast, very precise placement of catheters and devices in catheter-based interventions. In all robotic systems, the operator manipulates the robotic arms from a control station or console. In the field of cardiac surgery, mitral valve repair, CABG surgery, atrial septal defect repair, and myxoma resection can be achieved using robotic technology. Furthermore, vascular surgeons can perform a variety of robotically assisted operations to treat aortic, visceral, and peripheral artery disease. In electrophysiology, ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation can be carried out with robotic support. In the past few years, robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention and abdominal aortic endovascular surgery techniques have been developed. The basic feasibility and safety of robotic approaches in cardiovascular medicine has been demonstrated, but learning curves and the high costs associated with this technology have limited its widespread use. Nonetheless, increased procedural speed, accuracy, and reduced exposure to radiation and contrast agent in robotically assisted catheter-based interventions, as well as reduced surgical trauma and shortened patient recovery times after robotic cardiovascular surgery are promising achievements in the field.

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is on the verge of becoming an established imaging tool in the fields of clinical oncology, cardiology, and neurology. Because of the high glucose uptake of inflammatory cells, FDG scanning is an appropriate tool for use in tracing suspected inflammation or to evaluate infection. PET, although highly sensitive, often lacks the ability to define the precise anatomic location of abnormal FDG accumulation. The new PET/computed tomography (CT) technology provides precise registration of metabolic and structural imaging data in a single session. We report positive FDG-PET/CT findings in an infected vascular prosthesis 6 months after grafting. Our experience and a few available case reports support the hypothesis that FDG-PET/CT may have a promising role in future noninvasive diagnosis of infected vascular grafts.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is a feasible technique for aortoiliac surgery. The da Vinci robotic system facilitated the creation of the aortic anastomosis and shortened aortic clamp time in comparison with our laparoscopic techniques.

Robotic operating systems improve the precision, control and dexterity of the surgical procedure and offer patients a higher quality of operating interventions.

From a practical point of view, the greatest advantage of the robot assisted procedure has been the speed and relative simplicity of construction of the vascular anastomosis. This experience with robot assisted laparoscopic surgery has demonstrated the feasibility of this technique in different areas of vascular surgery.

Robotic aortoiliac surgery appears to be safe, with a high technical success rate, with operative times and success rates comparable to conventional open surgery. The creation of the aortoiliac anastomosis appears to be quicker, and more accurate than regular laparoscopic techniques.