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Enhancing Castor stent graft placement: A novel approach using direction-turnover and unwrapping techniques
Weikai Dong1, Lijuan Yang2, Wei Li1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Shangdong, China.
Background:
Patients with aortic arch lesions involving the left subclavian artery (LSA) usually require endovascular surgery. The Castor single-branch stent graft provides a targeted solution for such cases, with potential benefits enhanced by the direction-turnover and unwrapping techniques.
Objectives:
To evaluate the safety, efficacy and short-term outcomes of the direction-turnover joint unwrapping techniques combined with a Castor single-branch stent graft in treating aortic arch lesions involving the LSA.
Material And Methods:
From January 2022 to June 2023, 18 patients with aortic arch and LSA lesions underwent Castor stent graft placement at Binzhou Medical University Hospital (Shangdong, China). Preoperative and postoperative imaging with computed tomography angiography (CTA) was used to assess stent placement and efficacy at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery.
Results:
All 18 patients successfully received the stent graft without intraoperative complications, stent migration or residual shunting. Postoperative imaging confirmed accurate stent placement with no evidence of thrombosis or endoleaks.
Conclusions:
The direction-turnover and unwrapping techniques improve the accuracy and safety of Castor stent graft placement, effectively reducing guidewire entanglement and enhancing procedural success. These techniques show promise for broader application in complex aortic arch interventions.
