Additional Aortic Coverage With an Off The Shelf, Multibranched Endograft Compared With Custom Made Devices For Endovascular Repair of Pararenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

A dedicated preventive protocol sustainably avoids spinal cord ischemia after endovascular aortic repair

Objective

To analyze the incidence of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after complex endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) after the introduction of a dedicated SCI preventive protocol.

Methods

Retrospective review of all consecutive patients undergoing complex EVAR with branched (BEVAR) and/or fenestrated grafts (FEVAR) during a 6-year period starting January 1st, 2015. The preventive protocol consisted of staging extensive aortic repairs, maintaining a mean arterial pressure (MAP) >80 mm Hg, Hb level >110 g/L, early lower limb reperfusion and neurological control per hour during the post-operative stay in the intensive care unit (36-72 h). Prophylactic cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) was used selectively. Pre- intra-, and 30-day postoperative clinical data and imaging were collected. Primary end point was the development of perioperative SCI. Secondary outcome included technical and clinical success.

Results

Complex EVAR was performed in 205 patients (167 males, 72 (67-75) years, 182 (88.8%) elective) with juxtarenal aneurysms (JRA, 155 patients) or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). SCI occurred after JRA repair in two patients (1.3%, both ruptures) and after TAAA repair in three (6.0%, one rupture) (p = 0.06), all within 9 h postoperatively. There was symptom regression in three cases (one partial, two complete), resulting in a persistent SCI level of 0.6% and 4.0% for JRA and TAAA, respectively. Only one patient with persistent SCI could be discharged from the hospital alive. Patients developing SCI were more commonly female (n = 3, p = .016), presented with rupture (n = 3, p < .001), had preoperative renal insufficiency (n = 5, p < .001) and had lower minimal MAP (p = .015). No regression analysis was done due to the limited number of SCI events in relation to the study population size. Primary technical success was achieved in 162 patients (83.5%) and clinical success in 153 patients (75.4%), without any differences between the groups.

Conclusions

The incidence of persistent SCI after complex EVAR is low with the use of a dedicated SCI preventive protocol allowing the early diagnosis. Females, patients with ruptured aneurysms and preoperative renal insufficiency are at higher risk. Further studies are needed to customize the protocols particularly in those high-risk patients.

Urgent endovascular repair of juxtarenal/pararenal aneurysm by off-the-shelf multibranched endograft

OBJECTIVE

To report outcomes of urgent juxtarenal/pararenal aneurysms (J/P-AAAs) managed by off-the-shelf multibranched thoracoabdominal endografts (Cook, T-branch).

METHODS

In this observational, multicenter, retrospective study, patients with J/P-AAAs treated by urgent endovascular repair by T-branch in 23 European aortic centers, from 2013 to 2023, were analyzed. Contained J/P-AAAs rupture, presence of related symptoms, and aneurysm diameter of >70 mm were considered as indication for urgent repair. Technical success (TS), spinal cord ischemia (SCI), and 30-day/hospital mortality were assessed as early outcomes. Survival, freedom from reinterventions, and target artery instability (TAI) were evaluated during follow-up.

RESULTS

Overall, 197 patients (J-AAAs, n = 64 [33%]; P-AAAs, n = 95 [48%]; previous failed endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), n = 38 [19%]) were analyzed. The mean age and aneurysm diameter was 75 ± 8 years and 76 ± 4 mm, respectively. The American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 3 and 4 in 118 (60%) and 79 (40%) patients. Rupture, symptoms, and diameter of >70 mm were present in 51 (26%), 110 (56%), and 53 (27%) patients, respectively. An adjunctive proximal thoracic endograft was used in 28 cases (14%). The mean aortic coverage between the upper portion of the endograft and the lowest renal artery was 154 ± 49 mm. Single-stage repair and cerebrospinal fluid drainage were reported in 144 (73%) and 53 (27%) cases, respectively. TS was achieved in 182 (92%) cases (rupture, 84% vs no rupture, 95%; P = .02). Failures consist of TA loss (11 [6%]: renal artery, 9; celiac trunk, 2), type I to III endoleaks (2 [1%]), and 24-h mortality (2 [1%]). Rupture was a risk factor for technical failure (P = .02; odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-12.1). Overall, 15 patients (8%) had persistent SCI (rupture, 14% vs no rupture, 5%) with 11 (6%) , of paraplegia (rupture, 10% vs no rupture, 5%; P = .001). Rupture (P = .04; OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1-8.9) and adjunctive proximal thoracic endograft (P = .01; OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.3-12.9) were risk-factors for SCI. Twenty-two patients (11%) died within 30 days or during a prolonged hospitalization. Previous failed EVAR (P = .04; OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-12.3), paraplegia (P < .001; OR, 9.9; 95% CI, 1.6-62.2) and postoperative mesenteric complications (P = .03; OR, 10.4; 95% CI, 1.2-93.3), as well as cardiac (P = .03; OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 2.0-33.0) and respiratory (P < .001; OR, 10.1; 95% CI, 2.9-35.2) morbidities were associated with 30-day/hospital mortality. The mean follow-up was 19 ± 5 months. The estimated 3-year survival and freedom from reinterventions was 58% and 77%, respectively. TAI occurred in 27 patients (14%) (occlusion, 15; endoleak, 14) with an estimated 3-year freedom from TAI of 72%.

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent repair of J/P-AAAs by T-branch is feasible and effective with satisfactory TS and 30-day/hospital mortality in high-risk patients. However, extensive aortic coverage is necessary, leading to a non-negligible SCI rate, especially in case of aortic rupture or when adjunctive thoracic endografts are necessary. Previous failed EVAR and postoperative mesenteric complications, as well as cardiac and respiratory morbidities were associated with 30-day/hospital mortality and should be subjected to more research for the purposes of improving outcomes.

Outcomes of off-the-shelf preloaded inner branch device for urgent endovascular thoraco-abdominal aortic repair in the ItaliaN Branched Registry of E-nside EnDograft

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of endovascular urgent thoracoabdominal aortic (TAAA) repair, using an off-the-shelf preloaded inner branch device (E-nside; Artivion).

METHODS

Data from a physician-initiated national multicenter registry, including patients treated with E-nside endograft (INBREED) were prospectively collected (2020-2024); only urgent cases were included in this study. Primary outcomes were technical success and mortality at 30 days. Secondary outcomes were spinal cord ischemia rate, stroke rate, major adverse events (MAE) as also branch instability at 12 months.

RESULTS

Of 185 patients enrolled in the INBREED, 64 (34.5%) were treated in a urgent setting and were included in the study. Reason for urgent repair was presence of aneurysm-related symptoms in 31 patients (48.4%), a contained rupture in eight (12.5%), and a large aneurysm >80 mm in 25 (39.1%). Extent of repair was I to III in 32 patients (50%) and IV in 32 (50%); 18 (28%) had a narrow (<25 mm) paravisceral aortic lumen. An adjunctive proximal thoracic endograft was deployed in 29 patients (45.3%); a distal bifurcated abdominal endograft was used in 33 (51.5%). Two hundred forty-nine target vessels (97.2%) were successfully incorporated through an inner branch from an upper arm (81.2%) or femoral (18.8%) access. A balloon expandable stent was used in 184 (75.7%) target vessels, a self-expandable stent in 59 (24.3%). Mean time for target vessel bridging was 39.9 ± 28.4 minutes per target vessel. Thirty-day cumulative major adverse event (MAE) rate was 28%, and mortality occurred in five patients (9.1%). There was one postoperative stroke (1.6%), and the spinal cord ischemia (SCI) rate was 8% (n = 5). For the 249 target vessels successfully incorporated through an inner branch, 1-year freedom from target vessel instability was 93% ± 3% after 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

The E-nside represents a valid solution for the urgent treatment of TAAAs, including symptomatic and ruptured TAAAs, as well as large asymptomatic TAAAs that cannot wait for a custom-made device. The preloaded inner branches and available proximal and distal graft diameters might be useful in urgent settings and provided satisfactory early and 1-year results, in terms of both endograft and target vessel stability. Further studies are required to assess the clinical role of E-nside for urgent TAAA repair.

Real-World Evaluation of the Off-the-Shelf Precannulated Inner-Branched Endograft for Pararenal Aortic Aneurysms

PURPOSE

To analyze the early performance and efficacy of the first commercially available off-the-shelf precannulated multibranched endograft in the endovascular repair of pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (PAAAs). The device received European marketing approval in late 2020.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2021 and June 2023, a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all consecutive patients with pAAAs undergoing implantation of the E-nside precannulated inner-branched endograft was conducted in 2 centers. The primary outcome measure was technical success defined as the composite endpoint of successful (1) delivery of the 24F endograft, (2) use of the precannulation tubes, and (3) implantation of the bridging stent-grafts (BSGs) to the target vessels. Main secondary endpoints were mortality, target vessel instability (TVI), absence of type I or III endoleak, reintervention, spinal cord ischemia, and supra-celiac aortic coverage.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (20 men, mean age: 71 years) were included in this study with a mean follow-up of 14±7.7 months. Nine patients had a symptomatic aneurysm (43%). Technical success amounted to 95% (in one patient, an iliofemoral conduit was necessary to advance the device). One out of 112 BSGs (1%, right renal artery) occluded at 30 days, resulting in freedom from TVI and reintervention rate at 12 months of 95%. No type I or III endoleaks were identified during follow-up. One patient (5%) died at 13 months due to non-aneurysm-related death, and 1 patient (5%) developed spinal cord ischemia. No other major perioperative complications were observed. Mean supra-celiac aortic coverage reached 52±8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the imperative need for an off-the-shelf endograft tailored to address PAAAs, the E-nside stent-graft demonstrated encouraging outcomes in this study. Nevertheless, it is essential to emphasize that the extent of aortic coverage mandates the production of a truncated variant.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The endovascular repair of urgent pararenal aortic aneurysms remains still an unsolved problem in the endovascular era since there are no available off-the-shelf dedicated fenestrated or branched endografts. This paper confirms the safety and efficacy of the off-the-shelf precannulated inner branched endograft for this specific indication.

Editor's Choice -- European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Abdominal Aorto-Iliac Artery Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

The European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) has developed clinical practice guidelines for the care of patients with aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in succession to the 2011 and 2019 versions, with the aim of assisting physicians and patients in selecting the best management strategy.

METHODS

The guideline is based on scientific evidence completed with expert opinion on the matter. By summarising and evaluating the best available evidence, recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of patients have been formulated. The recommendations are graded according to a modified European Society of Cardiology grading system, where the strength (class) of each recommendation is graded from I to III and the letters A to C mark the level of evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 160 recommendations have been issued on the following topics: Service standards, including surgical volume and training; Epidemiology, diagnosis, and screening; Management of patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including surveillance, cardiovascular risk reduction, and indication for repair; Elective AAA repair, including operative risk assessment, open and endovascular repair, and early complications; Ruptured and symptomatic AAA, including peri-operative management, such as permissive hypotension and use of aortic occlusion balloon, open and endovascular repair, and early complications, such as abdominal compartment syndrome and colonic ischaemia; Long term outcome and follow up after AAA repair, including graft infection, endoleaks and follow up routines; Management of complex AAA, including open and endovascular repair; Management of iliac artery aneurysm, including indication for repair and open and endovascular repair; and Miscellaneous aortic problems, including mycotic, inflammatory, and saccular aortic aneurysm. In addition, Shared decision making is being addressed, with supporting information for patients, and Unresolved issues are discussed.

CONCLUSION

The ESVS Clinical Practice Guidelines provide the most comprehensive, up to date, and unbiased advice to clinicians and patients on the management of abdominal aorto-iliac artery aneurysms.

Outcomes of Fenestrated and Branched Endografts for Partial and Total Endovascular Repair of the Aortic Arch - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Fenestrated and branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (F/B-TEVAR) of the aortic arch is a viable approach in patients unsuitable for open repair. The aim was to summarise the published results of manufactured F/B-TEVAR devices for partial and total repair of the aortic arch, and to compare fenestrated with branched configurations.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus and The Cochrane Library were searched for articles (2018 - 2021) about patients with elective, urgent, or emergency aortic requiring a proximal landing zone in the aortic arch (zone 0 - 1 - 2) and treated by F/B-TEVAR.

REVIEW METHODS

The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Open repair, supra-aortic trunk (SAT) debranching + standard TEVAR, and in situ physician modified and parallel grafts were excluded. Primary outcomes were technical success and 30 day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were 30 day major adverse events, and overall survival and procedure related endpoints during follow up.

RESULTS

Of 458 articles screened, 18 articles involving 571 patients were selected. Indications for intervention were chronic dissections (50.1%), degenerative aneurysms (39.6%), penetrating aortic ulcers (7.4%), and pseudoaneurysms (2%). F-TEVAR, B-TEVAR, and F+B-TEVAR were used in 38.4%, 54.1%, and 7.5% of patients, respectively. Overall, technical success was 95.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93 - 0.97; I2 = 0%; p for heterogeneity (Het) = .77) and the 30 day mortality rate was 6.7% (95% CI 0.05 - 0.09; I2 = 0%; p Het = .66). No statistical differences were found comparing fenestrated with branched endografts, except for a higher rate of type I - III endoleaks in F-TEVAR (9.8% vs. 2.6%; p = .034). The overall survival rate and freedom from aortic related death at the one year follow up ranged between 82 - 96.4% and 94 - 94.7%, respectively. Thirteen and five studies were considered at moderate and high risk of bias, respectively.

CONCLUSION

F/B-TEVAR for the treatment of the aortic arch, according to experience in dedicated centres, now enjoys a satisfactory level of technical success together with a progressively reduced early mortality rate. There are several limitations, and further studies are needed to reach clearer conclusions.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Short-term and Mid-term Outcomes After Use of t-Branch Off-the-shelf Multibranched Endograft for Elective and Urgent Treatment of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of t-Branch off-the-shelf multibranched endograft for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.

REVIEW METHODS

Online databases were searched from June 2012 to March 2023. The data were pooled together using a random-effects model of proportions. The outcomes overall included technical success, spinal cord ischemia, target vessel occlusion, type I or III endoleak, reintervention, early mortality (30-day), and mid-term outcomes. Subgroup meta-analyses and meta-regression were performed to explore variation among studies.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies containing 1238 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The overall study quality assessment was found to be moderate to good. The pooled technical success was 97.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]=95.5-98.6, I2=53.01%, 1185/1238 cases, 15 studies). Overall, early mortality was 7.3% (95% CI=4.4-10.1, I2=74.48%, 124/1238 cases, 15 studies). Early spinal cord ischemia was 13.4% (95% CI=9.6-17.2, I2=67.24%, 160/1238 cases, 15 studies), and early type I or III endoleak was 6.0% (95% CI=3.4-8.5, I2=53.71%, 68/1032 cases, 9 studies). Mid-term outcomes showed target vessel occlusion was 4% (95% CI=1.4-6.5, I2=65.18%, 28/528 cases, 10 studies, 5-21.2 months), type I or III endoleak was 4.7% (95% CI=2-7.5, I2=49.74%, 38/512 cases, 10 studies, 5-21.2 months), reintervention was 11.2% (95% CI=8.1-14.3, I2=31.06%, 85/650 cases, 10 studies, 5-21.2 months), and pooled mortality was 13.9% (95% CI=7.2-20.7, I2=76.32%, 84/550 cases, 11 studies, 5-21.2 months). Meta-regression found a significant linear association between higher technical success and earlier publication year (p=0.014) and studies with anatomic inclusion criteria (p=0.037). Urgent patients (p=0.021) and later publication year (p=0.048) were significantly associated with higher early mortality.

CONCLUSION

The use of the off-the-shelf t-Branch multibranched endograft for elective or urgent endovascular TAAA repair is associated with high technical success rates and proved to be safe and effective at early and mid-term follow-up. However, the heterogeneity between the included studies is high, and prospective, randomized studies along with future larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The Zenith t-Branch (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) was approved as a commercially available device in Europe in June 2012. Although a decade has past, the outcomes of t-Branch have rarely been synthesized at the global level. This meta-analysis included 15 studies containing 1238 patients. The meta-analyses included technical success, major adverse events, reintervention, early mortality, and mid-term outcomes. The outcome was very meaningful and representative for the use of t-Branch. It is helpful for endovascular surgeons to make decisions on the treatment of TAAA patients.

Off-the-Shelf Single-Fenestrated Endograft for Emergent Juxtarenal and Pararenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

INTRODUCTION

Endovascular solutions to emergent juxtarenal and pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are complicated. Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) with in situ laser fenestration (ISLF) is promising but requires a period of visceral ischemia. With an off-the-shelf, single superior mesenteric artery (SMA)-fenestrated device mesenteric ischemia is avoided and renal ischemia decreased. The aim was to develop an optimized design of such an endograft suitable for >90% of juxtarenal and pararenal AAAs.

METHODS

Single-center analysis on 44 consecutive preoperative CTs for previously elective fenestrated EVARs for juxtarenal and pararenal aneurysms. Anatomical characteristics were analyzed to define: (1) shortest aortic coverage above SMA fenestration to achieve ≥4 cm seal; (2) feasibility of a scallop for the celiac artery; (3) shortest distance between the SMA and lowest renal, to facilitate renal ISLF in a straight endograft; (4) distance from the lowest renal to the aortic bifurcation, to allow an overlapping zone >40 mm with a bifurcated stent graft; (5) aortic diameter in the sealing zone, for optimal proximal stent graft diameter with 10% to 30% oversizing; (6) the final design was then tested on individual level.

RESULTS

(1) The stent graft needs to start 40 mm above the SMA fenestration to achieve a 4 cm sealing zone in >90% of cases. (2) A proximal sealing zone of 40 mm without a scallop covers 77% of celiac arteries. With an addition of a 20 mm deep, 20 mm wide scallop at 12:30, the stent graft still covers 27% of celiacs. This suggests that a scallop would not be practically feasible. (3) In >90% of cases, the lowest renal was <31 mm from the SMA, suggesting that the tapering should start 30 mm below the SMA. (4) The distance from the lowest renal to the aortic bifurcation ranged from 82 to 166 mm. This allows for a 20 mm tapering and 50 mm straight part in all cases. (5) The 5th and 95th percentile of the aortic diameter in the sealing zone was 22 and 31 mm, respectively. Thus, 2 different stent graft diameters (28 and 34 mm) would fit >90% of cases. (6) The final design was suitable in 91% cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Two sizes of a single-fenestrated aortic stent graft without scallop cover >90% of juxtarenal and pararenal anatomies.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Emergent juxta- and pararenal aortic aneurysms is a difficult clinical scenario that continuously challenges physicians. An endovascular option is in situ laser fenestrated endografts. One risk with these is the complete visceral ischemia occurring before the fenestrations are completed. An off-the-shelf single-fenestrated stent graft facilitates the treatment by removing the ischemia time for the SMA and reducing the ischemia time for the celiac and renal arteries thus decreasing the risk of visceral ischemia complications.

First-in-Human Clinical Trial of the WeFlow-JAAA Endograft System in Patients With Juxtarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

To preliminarily evaluate the safety and efficacy of the WeFlow-JAAA endograft, a novel off-the-shelf device designed for the repair of juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (JRAAAs) and pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (PRAAAs).

METHODS

This prospective single-arm first-in-human clinical trial included patients with JRAAAs (infrarenal necks ≤10 mm) or PRAAAs with at least a 5 mm sealing zone below the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) who underwent endovascular repair using the WeFlow-JAAA endograft system. With this system, the celiac artery was addressed with a wide scallop, the renal arteries (RAs) were addressed with 2 standard inner branches, and the SMA was addressed with a "mini-inner-cuff" reinforced fenestration. The primary efficacy endpoint was the clinical success at 12 months. The primary safety endpoint was the freedom from major adverse events (MAEs) in the first 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients (all men; mean age 68.5±6.0 years) were enrolled between October 2019 and August 2021. The median infrarenal neck length was 0 mm (IQR, 0-4 mm). Technical success was achieved in all patients. No MAEs occurred in the first 30 days. The mean fluoroscopy time was 73.1±27.8 minutes, and the mean volume of contrast media was 130.7±29.4 mL. Clinical success was maintained in all patients at 12 months. No aortic-related deaths, aneurysm rupture, type I or type III endoleak, or open surgery conversion occurred during the follow-up period. The secondary intervention was required only in 1 patient who developed an occluded right RA stent 14 months after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

The WeFlow-JAAA endograft device appears to be safe and efficacious in selected patients with JRAAAs or PRAAAs with more than 5 mm sealing zone below SMA. Large-scale, multicenter, and prospective studies with long-term follow-ups are ongoing to validate our findings in China.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04745546 (URL: Guo's Visceral Arteries Reconstruction: The First in Man Study of WeFlow-JAAA Stent Graft System-Full-Text View-ClinicalTrials.gov).

CLINICAL IMPACT

The first-in-human clinical trial of the WeFlow-JAAA endograft system demonstrates promising safety and efficacy in treating juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (JRAAAs) and partial pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (PRAAAs). This innovative off-the-shelf device offers a potential alternative to traditional endovascular aortic repair. The successful outcomes, including technical success in all patients, freedom from major adverse events, and maintenance of clinical success at 12 months, suggest a potential shift in clinical practice towards using the WeFlow-JAAA endograft system for selected patients. This study paves the way for larger-scale, multicenter, prospective studies to further validate its long-term safety and efficacy, offering clinicians a new option for managing complex abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Integration of a Custom-Made Fenestration to Simplify Acute Reno-Visceral In Situ Aortic Repair

PURPOSE

To illustrate the technique of antegrade in situ laser fenestration (ISLF) on a predesign custom-manufactured stent-graft with single reinforced fenestration for use in emergency endovascular repair of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

TECHNIQUE

A short custom-made device (CMD) fenestrated graft was predesigned with a single preloaded 8 mm strut-free fenestration at 12 o'clock position. A modified preloaded system was used to allow unilateral access from the distal port if necessary. After bilateral percutaneous femoral access, the graft was deployed under fusion guidance with the CMD fenestration matching the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) origin and immediately bridged as per standard technique. The aneurysm was then excluded with a bifurcated device. A large steerable sheath was used to allow for sequential antegrade laser in situ fenestration and stenting of the renal arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-vessel customized short fenestrated grafts for the SMA and antegrade in situ laser renal fenestrations are technically feasible for repair of acute complex AAAs even after previous infrarenal reconstruction. It could become an off-the-shelf solution to limit aortic coverage and reno-visceral ischemia, even in patients with a narrow aortic diameter at the renal level.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Single-vessel precustomized short fenestrated grafts for the SMA combined with renal artery antegrade ISLF can be a feasible option for the acute repair of patients with complex aneurysms and a narrow aortic diameter at the reno-visceral segment. It may limit aortic coverage and reno-visceral ischemic time and also be applicable after previous infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Gore thoracoabdominal branched endoprosthesis: early results and impressions

The remarkable advances in technology and devices in the last two decades have made possible the endovascular repair of complex abdominal (cAAA) and thoracoabdominal (TAAA) aortic aneurysms with challenging anatomy. To date, despite the creation of multiple fenestrated/branched endografts intended to treat these difficult cases, in the USA, many of them remain available only under physician sponsored investigational device exemption (PSIDE) protocols in few institutions. The Gore Thoracoabdominal Branched Endoprosthesis (TAMBE; W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) investigational device is a four-branched off-the-shelf (OTS) endograft that concluded an early feasibility study in 2016 and is currently finalizing a pivotal trial in pursuit of approval from the Food and Drug Administration. This article discusses the TAMBE early feasibility multicenter study results, the most relevant features of this device, its anatomical feasibility, and the impressions about this endograft as an OTS option for the treatment of CAAA and TAAA.

Suitability of current off-the-shelf devices for endovascular TAAA repair: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the present study is to perform a systematic review of published papers regarding the suitability of the current off-the-shelf (OTS) devices for endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review of the MEDLINE database via PubMed was performed in March 2023. All studies reporting the outcomes of the three currently available OTS stent-grafts: the Zenith t-Branch (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA), the Gore Excluder thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis (TAMBE; W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) and the E-nside Multibranch Stent-Graft System (Artivion, Kennesaw, GA, USA), were retrieved and further analyzed. The main endpoints were technical success, reintervention rate, and primary branch patency. Theoretical feasibility studies of these OTS devices were also included and separately analyzed.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 19 studies were published between 2014 and 2023. Thirteen clinical studies and six theoretical feasibility studies were included. Eleven studies reported the clinical outcomes of the t-Branch stent-graft, one detailed the observational results of the use of the E-nside endoprosthesis, and one described the TAMBE stent-graft results. The following data primarily involve the t-Branch device outcomes. A total of 1131 patients that underwent aneurysm repair using an OTS stent-graft were identified. Among those, 1002, 116 and 13 patients received a t-Branch, E-nside, and TAMBE stent-grafts, respectively. A total of 767 (67.8%) were men, with a mean age of 71.6±7.4 years old, and a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 26.3±3.8 kg/m2. Technical success ranged from 64% to 100%. A total of 4172 target visceral vessels (TVV) were planned for bridging, with a success rate ranging from 92 to 100%. The total of early and late reinterventions reported were 64 and 48, respectively, mainly due to endoleaks and visceral branch occlusions. Among the theoretical feasibility studies, six described the feasibility of the t-Branch device in a total of 661 patients, two described the E-nside and the TAMBE devices feasibility comprising 351 patients for each stent-graft. The overall feasibility of the t-Branch device varied from 39% to 88%, the E-nside from 43% to 75%, and the TAMBE stent-graft ranged from 33% to 94%.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review demonstrated a good suitability for the use of OTS endografts for the treatment of TAAA.

Physician Modification of a Custom-Made Fenestrated Endograft By Closure of a Fenestration With Bovine Patch

PURPOSE

Ruptured mycotic pararenal aortic aneurysms are rare and serious condition that requires prompt treatment. Open surgery with aortic resection and in-situ or extra-anatomic reconstruction is the standard treatment. The aim of this technical note is to report urgent endovascular treatment using a readily available custom-made device (created for another patient), with a back-table modification using pericardium patch and a new fenestration.

TECHNIQUE

In preoperative measurements on centerline-based workstation, aortic diameter in proximal and distal landing zone and target vessel position matched the measurements of graft plan of custom-made device (CMD) besides left renal artery. To address current patient`s anatomy, closure of the nonsuitable fenestration with pericardial patch and creation of new fenestration (1 cm above and 1:15 hours posterior to original fenestration) for the respective target vessel have been performed. Postoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan showed complete exclusion of aneurysm, perfused target vessels, and no endoleak. Under resistance-based antibiotic therapy, the patient was asymptomatic and showed normal infection parameters in blood samples postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

In the hands of an experienced endovascular aortic surgeon modification of a custom-made device is a quick and feasible technique in this emergency situation. Long-term follow-up must confirm the durability and reliability of this new technique.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The described technique of modification of a custom-made endograft can provide an alternative endovascular treatment option for urgent complex abdominal aortic pathologies. Compared to the current available treatment modalities, like physician modified endografts, off-the-shelf branched devices, parallel grafts and in-situ fenestration, it can save considerable time and provides reasonable sealing in ruptured cases. The technique offers a valuable add-on to the armamentarium of experienced endovascular physicians.

Emergent endovascular treatment options for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm

For a long time, parallel grafting, physician-modified endografts, and, more recently, in situ fenestration were the only go-to endovascular options for ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, offered mixed results, and depended mainly on the operator's and center's experience. As custom-made devices have become an established endovascular treatment option for elective thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, they are not a viable option in the emergency setting, as endograft production can take up to 4 months. The development of off-the-shelf (OTS) multibranched devices with a standardized configuration has allowed the treatment of ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with emergent branched endovascular procedures. The Zenith t-Branch device (Cook Medical) was the first readily available graft outside the United States to receive the CE mark (in 2012) and is currently the most studied device for those indications. A new device, the E-nside thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis OTS multibranched endograft (Artivion), has been made commercially available, and the GORE EXCLUDER thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis OTS multibranched endograft (W. L. Gore and Associates) is expected to be released in 2023. Due to the lack of guidelines on ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, this review summarizes the available treatment options (ie, parallel grafts, physician-modified endografts, in situ fenestrations, and OTS multibranched devices), compares the indications and contraindications, and points out the evidence gaps that should be filled in the next decade.