Objective: To design and manufacture a modular branched stent-graft system of endovascular reconstruction of the aortic arch in canine, and to investigate the feasibility of endovascular repair.
Methods: After the length and the diameter of ascending aorta, aortic arch and super-arch branched vessel measurement, a modular branched stent-graft system, including two pieces bifurcated stent-graft and one piece straight stent-graft, was designed and manufactured. Under X-ray fluorescope, these three modulars were accessed from right subclavian, left subclavian and femoral artery respectively and connected one by one to reconstruct the aortic arch. The shape and structure of stent-grafts, haemodynamics in aortic arch and endoleak were observed.
Results: Eight of ten operations were completed successfully. Two dogs died of obstruction of coronary artery and artery rupture of left subclavian respectively during operation. In the eight successful cases, two proximal type I endoleaks were observed, and no other type endoleak occurred. The shape and the localization of stent-grafts were fine, and the coronary artery and carotid artery were unobstructed.
Conclusion: It is feasible to reconstruct aortic arch of canine by modular branched stent-graft, and it is significant to direct the research of reconstruction of human aortic arch.