Off-the-shelf multibranched endograft for total endovascular repair of the aortic arch

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to select branched endograft designs that could fit most aortic arch anatomies. Such off-the-shelf endografts, once available, would be an endovascular therapeutic option to consider in the acute setting and would shorten the design and manufacturing process.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the endograft plans of all custom-made aortic arch branched endografts implanted between 2013 and early 2018 provided by the Cook Planning Center (EMEA Planning Services; Cook Medical, London, United Kingdom). Available data points of the endograft plans include proximal, intermediate, and distal endograft diameters; number of sealing stents; total length of the endograft; and number of branches.

RESULTS: There were 286 two-branch endografts analyzed. We divided the endografts in three groups according to their proximal diameters: 34 mm, 36 mm, and 38 mm (group 1); 40 mm and 42 mm (group 2); and 44 mm and 46 mm (group 3). In group 1, 63% of the endografts had one proximal sealing stent, whereas in group 3, 63% had two proximal sealing stents. The distal diameters of the endografts ranged from 26 mm to 46 mm. The mean length was 236 mm (186-256 mm). A shorter standardized length of 211 mm was selected to anticipate distal extensions. According to our analysis, most group 1 patients could have been treated with a 38-mm proximal diameter and 30-mm distal diameter endograft with one sealing stent; most group 2 patients, with a 42-mm proximal diameter and 32-mm distal diameter endograft with both one and two proximal sealing stents; and most group 3 patients, with a 46-mm proximal diameter and 36-mm distal diameter endograft, also with both one and two proximal sealing stents.

CONCLUSIONS: Five standardized off-the-shelf endografts can cover a majority of aortic arch anatomies and offer an option for acute endovascular treatment of aortic arch disease.