Early Single-centre Experience with Semi-Branched Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

To evaluate the short-term follow-up experience with treating juxtarenal aortic aneurysm or type 1a endoleak after previous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) by using the novel semi-branched endograft (sBEVAR) (Artivion, Hechingen, Germany).

All consecutive patients undergoing elective aortic aneurysm repair with the sBEVAR graft from Artivion were retrospectively reviewed from the electronic patient files. Indications for sBEVAR were a juxtarenal or suprarenal aortic aneurysm or type 1a endoleak after previous EVAR, with suitable anatomy for endovascular repair. Primary outcome was technical success, defined as successfully placing the sBEVAR and placing bridging stents in the planned target vessels without type I or III endoleak at the end of the procedure. Any complication during or after the procedure was registered, as well as target vessel patency and any reintervention during the current follow-up.

A total of 21 patients were included in the analysis. Technical success was achieved in 20 patients (95.2%), with acute conversion to open repair in 1 patient due to rupture of the left common iliac artery. A further 4 patients had complications during the procedure. Mean follow-up was 10 ± 5,7 months. Primary target vessel patency was 98.7% during follow-up. Four reintervention procedures were necessary during the follow-up period, with a reintervention-free survival rate of 81.0%. Overall survival was 90.5%.

The findings in this retrospective study confirm that sBEVAR using the Artivion design platform is a safe and feasible technique for treating complex aortic aneurysms. The technique achieves a high technical success rate and demonstrates reintervention rates comparable to inner-branched EVAR and fenestrated EVAR.