Graft implant method

A method for implanting a graft conduit in communication with an aorta at a site thereon in the body of a patient, comprising:

• forming an incision in the body of the patient at a location inferior to the site for accessing the aorta;
• inserting the graft conduit through said incision extravascularly in a superior direction toward the site along the aorta;
• installing within the aorta through an opening therein, one end of the graft conduit in collapsed configuration;
• expanding the one end of the graft conduit within the aorta to contact interior walls of the aorta in the region of the site to anastomose the one end of the graft conduit to the aorta at the site;
• and
• anastomosing another end of the graft conduit extending extravascularly from the aorta to a blood vessel in the body.

A method for implanting a graft conduit in communication with the aorta in the body of a patient, comprising:

• forming an incision in the body of the patient at a location inferior to the inguinal ligament to expose the region between the inguinal ligament and the femoral artery for extravascular access in a superior direction toward the aorta;
• inserting the graft conduit through said incision extravascularly in a superior direction toward a site along the aorta;
• anastomosing one end of the graft conduit to the aorta at the site;
• and
• anastomosing another end of the graft conduit extending extravascularly from the aorta to a blood vessel in the body.