Publication Date
10-1-2022
Journal
JTCVS Techniques
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The SPIDER technique for hybrid thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair can avoid thoracotomy and extracorporeal circulation. To improve technical feasibility and safety, the new Thoracoflo graft, consisting of a proximal stent graft connected to a 7-branched abdominal prosthesis, was evaluated in a pig model for technical feasibility testing, before implantation in humans.
METHODS: Retroperitoneal exposure of the infradiaphragmatic aorta, including visceral and renal arteries, was performed in 7 pigs (75-85 kg). One iliac branch was temporarily attached to the distal aorta to maintain retrograde visceral and antegrade iliac perfusion after deployment of the thoracic stent graft segment (SPIDER technique). The proximal stent-grafted segment was deployed in the thoracic aorta via direct aortic puncture over the wire without fluoroscopy. The graft was deaired before flow via the iliac side branch to the visceral and iliac arteries was established. Visceral, renal, and lumbar arteries were subsequently sutured to the corresponding side branches of the graft. Technical feasibility, operating and clamping time, blood flow, and tissue perfusion in the related organs were evaluated before implantation and after 3 and 6 hours using transit-time flow measurement and fluorescent microspheres. Final angiography or postprocedural computed tomography angiography were performed.
RESULTS: Over-the-wire graft deployment was successful in 6 animals without hemodynamic alteration (
CONCLUSIONS: Over-the-wire implantation of the Thoracoflo graft using the SPIDER technique is feasible in a pig model. No fluoroscopy was required. For safe implantation, it is mandatory to follow the single steps of implantation.
Keywords
CO, cardiac output, CT, celiac trunk, ECC, extracorporeal circulation, FM, fluorescent microspheres, LRA, left renal artery, MBP, mean arterial blood pressure, OAR, open aortic repair, OP, operative, RRA, right renal artery, SMA, superior mesenteric artery, SPIDER technique, SVR, systemic vascular resistance, TAAA, TAAA, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, TTFM, transit-time flow measurement, Thoracoflo, hybrid aortic repair, thoracoabdominal aortic repair