Evaluation of Branch Endografts in the Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms

The t-Branch Endovascular Graft (Zenith® t-Branch) is a tubular graft with four branches and a covered stent at the proximal end that contains barbs for additional fixation of the device. The purpose of the branches is to allow uninterrupted blood flow to visceral vessels of the aorta. The graft is designed to be connected with celiac, superior mesenteric and two renal arteries via self-expanding covered bridging stents. Although the standard Zenith t-Branch has four branches, it is anticipated that a small number of custom-made three branch devices will be included in this study for those patients in whom one of the visceral vessels is chronically thrombosed.

The Arch Branch endograft is a custom-made endograft based on the Relay thoracic stent graft platform. The device is intended to land proximally in the ascending aorta just distal to the sinotubular junction, and distally either in the native thoracic aorta for focal arch pathologies, or more extensive pathologies either extended with another commercially available thoracic endograft or mated to a pre-existing thoracic endograft, which would serve as a distal landing zone. It is constructed of polyester graft material (same as those used for the Terumo Relay Plus or Pro) sewn to self-expanding nitinol stents with suture. The graft is fully stented to provide stability and the expansile force necessary to open the lumen of the graft during deployment. Additionally, the stents provide the necessary attachment and seal of the graft to the aortic wall.