A method and deployment tool for implanting a graft in a blood vessel of a patient. The deployment tool may include a mandrel with a dilator tip at a distal end and an inner passage defined through the dilator tip. The tool may also include a graft having a first end and a second end, at least part of which is placed about the mandrel. A sheath may be wrapped about at least part of the graft so that the graft is compressed at least partially against the mandrel by the sheath to an insertion diameter. The graft may be implanted by advancing the deployment tool to insert the first end of the graft through an opening in a wall of the blood vessel, removing the sheath from the graft, and expanding at least the first end of the graft to secure the graft within the blood vessel.
