Endovascular Snare Facilitates Difficult Transfemoral Target Vessel Cannulation During Fenestrated and Branched Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Abstract

We developed a novel technique using an endovascular snare system to stabilize target vessel cannulation via transfemoral access during fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (FBEVAR) in patients with challenging target vessel anatomy. This technique uses a snare, an outer sheath, and an inner delivery sheath to facilitate target vessel cannulation and stenting during FBEVAR. With the outer sheath positioned in the lower end of the partially deployed aortic graft and the delivery sheath within, a large snare is advanced through the outer sheath and over the outside of the delivery sheath until it reaches the curved portion of the delivery sheath at the level of the target vessel. The snare is then tightened to provide stability and maintain proper curvature and alignment of the delivery sheath while the target vessel is selected and stented. Following successful passage, the snare is loosened and removed from the body via the outer sheath. This snare technique is a simple, effective, and inexpensive tool that can be used for difficult target vessel cannulation during FBEVAR.

Keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm; BEVAR; Branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair; Endovascular snare system; FEVAR; Fenestrated endovascular aortic aneurysm repair; Target vessel cannulation; Transfemoral access.