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.

Is ultrasound monitoring of the ovaries during ovulation induction by clomiphene citrate essential? A systematic review

The study objective was to investigate whether ultrasound (US) monitoring is essential during treatment with clomiphene citrate (CC) for ovulation induction, as recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). We performed a systematic review of all studies investigating the effects of US in the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction with CC. The main objective of this review was to investigate whether US monitoring during CC treatment reduced multiple pregnancy rates. There was insufficient evidence to suggest that US monitoring reduces multiple pregnancy rates or improves pregnancy rates. On the other hand, no indication that treatment with CC is safe without US monitoring was identified. The small number of relevant studies and the heterogeneity observed in the methodologies of each study prohibit reliable conclusions to be drawn. There is currently no basis for amending the evidence base (good-practice points) used in the RCOG and NICE guidelines, which recommend the use of US to monitor the ovaries during stimulation with CC.