Evaluation of Branch Endografts in the Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms

Overview

Zenith t-Branch Study Cohort: The purpose of this study is to collect information on the Cook Zenith t-Branch endovascular stent-graft system and the Terumo Arch Branch for the treatment of aortic aneurysms. Terumo Arch Branch Study Cohort: The purpose of this additional study arm to the current IDE clinical trial is to collect a priori information on the Terumo Arch Branch Endograft for the treatment of proximal thoracic aortic pathologies that cannot be treated with conventional thoracic endografts.

Detailed description

Study Update as of 3/31/2025; 186 subjects successfully have been implanted with the Zenith t-Branch Device and 1 subject has been implanted with the Arch Branch to date and recruitment is ongoing.

Interventions

• Device Zenith® t-Branch
  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
• Device Terumo Arch Branch
  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 p

Primary outcome measures

• Early Mortality & Stroke [Time frame: 30 days post implant of the branch endografts]

Secondary outcome measures (1)

• Rates of Neurologic Complications/Late Branch Vessel Patency [Time frame: Day 0-Day 30 (Early) Day 31-1825 (Late)]

Eligibility criteria

Zenith t-Branch Eligibility Criteria:

Inclusion criteria

The patient must have one of the following:

• Degenerative, atherosclerotic thoracoabdominal, suprarenal and juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (fusiform or saccular):≥55mm in diameter in a male or ≥50mm in diameter in a female, or
• Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with a history of growth ≥0.5 cm per year, or
• Penetrating ulcers: ≥20mm in depth or
• Chronic type B aortic dissections: ≥50mm total aortic diameter or
• Symptomatic pathology (aneurysm, ulcer or chronic dissection) of any size.

Additional criteria for LP material

• Iliofemoral access vessels <8mm or with significant atherosclerotic occlusive disease that would require an iliac conduit as determined by the Principle Investigator

Exclusion criteria

General Criteria

• Life-expectancy less than 12 months
• Refusal to receive blood products
• Age <18 years
• Pregnant or breastfeeding or planning on becoming pregnant within 60 months
• Unwilling to comply with the follow-up schedule
• Inability or refusal to give informed consent by subject and/or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR); should one be utilized

Medical Criteria

• Uncontrolled systemic infection
• Untreatable malignancy
• Uncontrollable anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast
• Known allergy(ies) to device materials

Anatomic Criteria

• Any pathology of mycotic origin
• Aortic fistulous communication with non-vascular structure (e.g. esophagus, bronchial)
• Inability to insert the Zenith® t-Branch device through iliofemoral approach
• Proximal and distal neck angle less than 90 degrees relative to the long axis of the aneurysm
• Proximal landing zone length <25mm to allow secure fixation and seal
• Proximal landing zone diameter of <24mm or >42mm
• Distal landing zone length <25mm in the abdominal aorta or <20mm in the iliac arteries
• Distal landing zone diameter of <14mm or >30mm in the abdominal aorta, or <7mm or >28mm in the iliac arteries

Terumo Arch Branch Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion criteria

The subject must have one of the following:

• Degenerative, atherosclerotic aneurysm involving the ascending aorta, aortic arch or proximal descending aorta ≥55 mm in diameter or > 50 mm with a history of growth ≥5 mm in the last 6 months, or
• Penetrating ulcers: ≥20 mm in depth, or
• Chronic aortic dissections: ≥50mm total aortic diameter. AND Prohibitive or high-risk for standard open surgical repair, defined as having one or more of the following pre-existing conditions.

• Age >85 years old.
• Prior median sternotomy (for any reason).
• Prior open or endovascular thoracic aortic repair.
• Severe aortic calcification.
• Severe occlusive disease of one or more arch vessels.
• Moderate-severe COPD (FEV1 <80% predicted).
• Severe CKD (Stage 3 or greater, eGFR <60 mL/min).
• LV dysfunction.
• Chronic steroid or immunosuppressive use.
• History of increased risk of bleeding.
• Neurocognitive deficits that may significantly impact postoperative rehabilitation.
• Musculoskeletal conditions that may significantly impact postoperative rehabilitation.

Exclusion criteria

General Criteria

• Life expectancy <1 year.
• Refusal to receive blood products.
• Age <18 years.
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant within 60 months.
• Unwilling to comply with the follow-up schedule.
• Inability or refusal to give informed consent by subject and/or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR); should one be utilized.
• Willingness to travel, if needed, to participate in a manufacturer-sponsored clinical trial at another institution.

Medical Criteria

• Pending cardiac surgery.
• Untreatable severe, symptomatic coronary or valvular disease.
• Prior mechanical aortic valve replacement (not bioprosthetic).
• History of TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)
• Severe, calcific aortic valvular stenosis.
• Uncontrolled systemic infection.
• Untreatable malignancy with <1 year expected survival.
• Uncontrollable anaphylaxis to iodinated contrast.
• Known allergy(ies) to device materials. (i.e. polyester, nitinol).

Anatomic Criteria

• Any pathology of mycotic origin.
• Aortic fistulous communication with non-vascular structure (e.g. esophagus, bronchial).
• Acute (<2 weeks) aortic dissection.
• Type A dissection.
• Symptomatic or ruptured pathology.
• Anatomy suitable for repair using commercially-available endograft.
• Inability to insert the Arch Branch endograft through an iliofemoral approach.
• Untreated, known extracranial carotid stenosis >80%.
• Ascending aortic angulation with radius of curvature <15mm in the intended landing zone.
• Proximal aortic landing zone length <25 mm.
• Proximal aortic landing zone diameter of >43mm or <28 mm.
• Distal aortic landing zone diameter <20 mm.
• Total length along the outer curve from the distal coronary to the proximal edge of the brachiocephalic trunk <70mm.
• Target arch vessels:
• Distal branch landing zone dimensions: I. Brachiocephalic trunk (innominate artery, BCT): Diameter >24 mm or <6 mm, length <15 mm. ii. Common carotid artery: Diameter <6 mm, length <25mm. iii. Subclavian artery: Diameter <6 mm, length <25mm.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Non-randomized

Model

Single group

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

United States · 1 center

• Baptist Health South Florida|Boca Raton Regional Hospital (BRRH) — Boca Raton

Publications

• Finnesgard EJ, Beck AW, Eagleton MJ, Farber MA, Gasper WJ, Lee WA, Oderich GS, Schneider DB, Sweet MP, Timaran CH, Simons JP, Schanzer A; United States Aortic Research Consortium. Severity of acute kidney injury is associated with decreased survival after fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. J Vasc Surg. 2023 Oct;78(4):892-901. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2023.05.034. Epub 2023 Jun PMID 37330702

Identifiers

NCT: NCT01524211 · IDE G110081

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗