Use of a Steerable Sheath for Retrograde Access to Antegrade Branches in Branched Stent-Graft Repair of Complex Aortic Aneurysms

PURPOSE: To describe how to use a steerable sheath from a femoral access to catheterize antegrade branches in a branched aortic stent-graft.

TECHNIQUE: Following femoral cutdown, a stent-graft with antegrade branches destined for renovisceral target vessels was deployed in the desired position. A steerable sheath with a tip that rotates up to 180° was introduced from the common femoral artery and navigated to the antegrade branches for consecutive catheterization of the target vessels and deployment of one or more bridging stents per branch. The technique is demonstrated in 4 patients who underwent successful complex abdominal and thoracoabdominal branched endovascular repairs with 1, 2, and 4 antegrade branches.

CONCLUSION: Retrograde access for complex aortic endografts with antegrade branches using a steerable sheath appears feasible and effective and may serve as an alternative to upper extremity access.