Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Safety and learning curve of percutaneous axillary artery access for complex endovascular aortic procedures

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous axillary artery access is increasingly used for large-bore access during interventional vascular and cardiac procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and learning curve of percutaneous axillary artery access in patients undergoing complex endovascular aortic repair (fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repair [FBEVAR]) requiring large-bore upper extremity access and to discuss best practices for technique and complication management.

METHODS

One-hundred forty-six patients undergoing large-bore percutaneous axillary artery access during FBEVAR in a prospective, nonrandomized, Investigational Device Exemption study between September 2017 and January 2023 were analyzed. Ultrasound guidance and micropuncture were used to access the second portion of the axillary artery and 2 Perclose Proglide or Prostyle devices (Abbott Vascular) were predeployed before the insertion of the large-bore sheath. Completion angiography was performed in all patients to verify hemostatic closure. Axillary artery patency was also assessed on follow-up computed tomography angiography. Patient-related, procedural, and postoperative variables were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

One-hundred forty-five patients underwent successful percutaneous axillary artery access; 1 patient failed axillary access and alternative access was established. The left axillary artery was accessed in 115 patients (79%), and the right axillary artery was accessed in 30 patients (21%). The largest profile sheath was 14 F in 4 patients (2.8%), 12F in 133 patients (91.7%), and 8F in 8 patients (5.5%). Ten patients (6.9%) required covered stent placement (Viabahn, W. L. Gore & Associates) for failure to achieve hemostasis; there were no conversions to open surgical repair. Additional adverse events included transient upper extremity weakness in two patients (1.3%) and transient upper extremity paresthesias in two patients (1.3%). Three patients (2%) suffered postoperative strokes, including one unrelated hemorrhagic stroke and two possibly access-related embolic strokes. On follow-up, axillary artery patency was 100%. There was a trend toward decreased closure failure over time, with seven patients (10%) in the early cohort and three (4%) in the late cohort. There was a significant negative correlation between the cumulative complication rate and the cumulative experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Large-bore percutaneous axillary artery access provides safe upper extremity large-bore access during FBEVAR, achieving successful closure in >90% of patients with a low incidence of access-related complications. There was a trend toward better closure rates with increasing experience, suggesting a learning curve effect. Application of best practices including ultrasound guidance and angiography may ensure safe application of the technique of percutaneous large-bore axillary artery access.

Can the Fenestrated Anaconda™ salvage failed competitor endografts? An international frame of reference

INTRODUCTION

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening abnormal dilation of the abdominal aorta that can be repaired either endovascularly or with open surgery. However, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become the main treatment modality for AAA due to its more optimal results. EVAR devices can either be standard, fenestrated, or branched, with fenestrated EVAR (FEVAR) seemingly achieving superior prospects. Although EVAR is associated with excellent outcomes, it still carries a risk of certain complications requiring reintervention or 'rescue'. Several commercial EVAR devices are available on the global market, nevertheless, the Fenestrated Anaconda developed by Terumo Aortic can be considered the superior device due to the wide range of endovascular solutions that it offers along with its unique custom-made approach, excellent results and its highly promising potential to be used as a 'rescue' device for failed competitor endografts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The current study represents a 9-year cross-sectional international analysis of a custom-made Fenestrated Anaconda™ device. For the statistical analysis, SPSS 28 for Windows and R were utilised. Pearson Chi-square analysis was used to assess differences in cumulative distribution frequencies between select variables. Statistical significance for all two-tailed tests was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Out of 5058 EVARs performed using the Fenestrated Anaconda, 2987 (59%) were 'rescue' procedures for migrated Gore (n = 252) and Medtronic (n = 2735) devices. The Fenestrated Anaconda™ was indicated as the reintervention device either due to unsuitable/complex anatomy for the competitor (n = 2411) or based on surgeon preference (n = 576). Overall, the Fenestrated Anaconda was utilised to rescue 3466 (68.5%) failed previous EVARs using competitor devices. Yet, the primary endovascular solution offered by the Fenestrated Anaconda was FEVAR (91.3%), with 112 (2.2%) devices using custom-made iliac stents.

DISCUSSION

The use of the Fenestrated Anaconda endograft as a 'rescue' device to salvage failed competitor devices is well-established in the literature with excellent clinical outcomes achieved. The evidence in the literature also highlights the distinctive custom-made approach that the Fenestrated Anaconda offers which enables it to treat extremely complex aortic anatomy.

Endovascular solutions for abdominal aortic aneurysms: A comparative review of clinical outcomes with custom-made endografts

BACKGROUND

The introduction of endovascular aortic repair has revolutionised the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms, replacing open surgical repair for the majority of elective cases due to its optimal morbidity and mortality. Several endovascular aortic repair stent grafts exist commercially, one of which is the Fenestrated Anaconda™ by Terumo Aortic which benefits from a very innovative design, unique custom-made approach and highly favourable results.

AIMS

The main scope of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview of endovascular aortic repair clinical outcomes using the Fenestrated Anaconda™ stent-graft and comparing these with its market competitor, Zenith. This review will also examine the evidence in the literature on the Anaconda™'s custom-made approach.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature was conducted on several search engines including PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid, Scopus and Embase to collate the evidence in the literature on clinical outcomes achieved with the Fenestrated Anaconda™ and Zenith including, but not limited to, survival, technical success, target vessel patency, endoleak, reintervention and aneurysm sac regression.

RESULTS

The Fenestrated Anaconda™ is associated with excellent results, including highly favourable survival, technical and clinical success and target vessel patency rates, very low need for reintervention or conversion, and minimal incidence of complications such as endoleak and endograft migration. The Fenestrated Anaconda™ also drives significant sac regression and aortic remodelling. In addition, its unique custom-made approach enables it to treat highly complex aortic anatomy as well as to 'rescue' failed competitor grafts.

CONCLUSION

The Fenestrated Anaconda™ has proven that it is a very safe, highly applicable and extremely effective device used for complex aortic and/or iliac pathology based on its novel design and outstanding track record of clinical outcomes.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Can the Anaconda™ Custom-Made Device Deliver? An International Perspective

Introduction

Since the introduction of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), it has demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes and has replaced open surgical repair (OSR) in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). AAA is a life-threatening abnormal dilation of the abdominal aorta to 1.5 times its normal diameter. Several commercial EVAR devices exist on the global market, with the Terumo Aortic Fenestrated Anaconda™ graft showing superiority. In this study, we sought to provide an international perspective using multicenter-multinational data on the Anaconda™ device characteristics, design, and delivery, and discuss relevant literature.

Materials and Methods

This study represents a cross-sectional international analysis of custom-made fenestrated Anaconda™ device. Ethical and legal approval for data collection was obtained from each of the local authorities. For the statistical analysis, SPSS 28 for Windows and R were utilized. Pearson’s chi-square analysis was used to assess differences in cumulative distribution frequencies between select variables. Statistical significance for all two-tailed tests was set at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 5,030 Anaconda™ devices were implanted during the 9-year study period in 27 countries spanning 6 continents. The predominant device category was bifurcate (83.6%), whereas the most common proximal ring stent configuration being standard (64.5%). All devices were delivered within 8 weeks of diagnosis, with most being implanted within 6–8 weeks (55.4%). The Anaconda™ was indicated in the 3,891 (77.4%) patients due to competitor rejection/inability to treat unsuitable/complex aortic anatomy. In the remaining 1,139 (22.6%) patients, it was utilized based on surgeon preference. Almost all devices (95%) were delivered along with a prototype. Of the total 5,030 Anaconda™ devices, 438 (8.7%) used 0–1 fenestrations, 2,349 (46.7%) used 2–3, while 2,243 (44.6%) utilized 4, 5, or 6 fenestrations.

Discussion

The Terumo Aortic Fenestrated Anaconda™ device features a highly unique and innovative design that enables it to treat highly complex aortic anatomy while achieving excellent results. The Anaconda™’s custom-made approach allows it to be tailored to individual patient anatomy, in addition to the device prototype provided by Terumo Aortic optimize clinical outcomes. Finally, the fenestrated Anaconda™ is a highly versatile device offering a wide range of device categories, configurations, and sizes.