Preloaded guidewires to facilitate endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm using a physician-modified branched stent graft

Abstract

Branched stent grafts have been widely applied to treat complex aortic aneurysms. The technique often requires brachial or axillary approach to provide antegrade access to directional branches, which are bridged to target visceral arteries by self-expandable stent grafts. Preloaded guidewire catheterization may facilitate access into directional branches, decreasing or eliminating catheter manipulations required during this step of the procedure. We describe the use of a physician-modified branched stent graft using preloaded guidewire catheterization to treat a patient with recurrent, type III thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. The procedure was performed with no complications, and total operative time was 300 minutes, fluoroscopy time was 81 minutes, and iodinated contrast dose was 210 mL. Computed tomographic angiography revealed no endoleak and widely patent branches at 2 months.