Initial single-center experience using Fiber Optic RealShape guidance in complex endovascular aortic repair

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Medical Device Technology
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Complex endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) procedures, including fenestrated and branched techniques, require precise navigation.
• Minimizing procedural time and radiation exposure are critical goals in EVAR to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the technical success of Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) endovascular guidance in complex EVAR.
• To assess the impact of FORS guidance on procedural time and radiation usage compared to conventional methods.

Main Methods:

• A single-center, prospective study of fenestrated and branched EVARs from 2017-2022.
• Retrospective matching of 21 FORS-guided procedures to 61 non-FORS-guided procedures.
• Logistic regression for technical success predictors; Wilcoxon rank sum test for time and radiation comparisons.

Main Results:

• Technical success was achieved in 85% of FORS-guided cannulations (81/95).
• FORS guidance was associated with significantly shorter procedural and fluoroscopy times.
• FORS use led to a significant reduction in radiation dose (lower dose area product and air kerma).

Conclusions:

• Initial experience with FORS guidance in complex EVAR demonstrates promising technical success.
• FORS technology offers potential reductions in procedural duration and radiation exposure.
• Further evaluation of the learning curve and long-term outcomes with FORS is warranted.