A Feasibility Study of a New Unibody Branched Stent Graft Applied to Reconstruct the Canine Aortic Arch.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new unibody branched stent graft for the reconstruction of the canine aortic arch.

METHODS: The unibody branched stent grafts included single branched stent grafts and double branched stent grafts. The main stent graft and branched limbs were sutured together. The branched stent grafts were folded into the introducer system, which consisted of a double channel catheter, a detachable sleeve, and an introducer sheath. The branched stent grafts were introduced and deployed into the aortic arch by the delivery system. Twenty adult mongrel dogs were used for the experiments. Ten dogs were implanted with single branched stent grafts; the other 10 were implanted with double branched stent grafts. The surviving animals were followed up for 3 months. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed to observe the status of the branched stent grafts.

RESULTS: All the unibody branched stent grafts were successfully implanted into the canine aortic arches. The technical success rate was 100%. There was no cerebral infarction, paraplegia or incision infection. CTA showed that all the branched stent grafts were patent; there was no endoleak or stent migration.

CONCLUSIONS: The unibody branched stent graft system could be used to reconstruct the aortic arch. The animal experimental procedures demonstrated the safety and feasibility of the unibody branched stent graft system.