A New Unibody Branched Stent-graft for Reconstruction of the Canine Aortic Arch

� The unibody branched stent-graft described in this paper could be used to reconstruct the aortic arch while preserving the three branch vessels. Compared to other branched stent-grafts, this version appears more versatile, while the implantation procedure appears to be simpler. abstract Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new unibody branched stent-graft for reconstruction of the canine aortic arch. Materials and methods: Twenty adult hybrid dogs were used for the experiments. Ten dogs were implanted with single-branched stent-grafts; the other ten dogs were implanted with double-branched stent-grafts. The stent-grafts were implanted transluminally via the abdominal aorta. The branched limbs were caught and pulled into supra-aortic vessels using gooseneck snare wires introduced via the axillary arteries. The animals were euthanized 4 months after implantation. Results: One of the ten dogs implanted with a single-branched stent-graft died from failure of the implantation procedure, and two of the ten dogs implanted with double-branched stent-grafts died from failure of the procedure and excessive blood loss. After month 4, the remaining unibody branched stent- grafts were patent and did not migrate. Conclusions: This new unibody branched stent-graft could be used to reconstruct the aortic arch. This is a total endovascular technique, and compared to other branched stent-grafts appears to be safer and easier to implant.