Staged proximal deployment of the Zenith TX2 thoracic stent-graft: a novel technique to improve conformance to the aortic arch.
OBJECTIVE
To present a modification of the Zenith TX2 thoracic stent-graft that allows staged proximal deployment to improve apposition to the aortic wall.


METHODS
Three standard Zenith TX2 thoracic stent-grafts and 3 modified versions were deployed in a glass model of the aortic arch. Deployment sequences were analyzed. In a patient with a 6-cm thoracic aortic aneurysm after a type B dissection, the modified Zenith TX2 thoracic stent-graft was deployed successfully and without complications; the proximal part of the stent-graft protruded less into the arch, significantly improving wall apposition.


CONCLUSIONS
Staged proximal deployment with a modified Zenith TX2 thoracic stent-graft can improve orientation and wall apposition of the first Z stent. A better proximal apposition may prevent early and late stent-graft complications.
Kölbel
Tilo
T
Vascular Center Malmö-Lund, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. tilokoelbel@googlemail.com
Resch
Timothy A
TA
Dias
Nuno
N
Björses
Katarina
K
Sonesson
Björn
B
Malina
Martin
M
D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome