[An Experimental Set-Up for Navigated-Contrast-Agent and Radiation Sparing Endovascular Aortic Repair (Nav-CARS EVAR)].
BACKGROUND
Over the last decade endovascular stenting of aortic aneurysm (EVAR) has been developed from single centre experiences to a standard procedure. With increasing clinical expertise and medical technology advances treatment of even complex aneurysms are feasible by endovascular methods. One integral part for the success of this minimally invasive procedure is innovative and improved vascular imaging to generate exact measurements and correct placement of stent prosthesis. One of the greatest difficulty in learning and performing this endovascular therapy is the fact that the three-dimensional vascular tree has to be overlaid with the two-dimensional angiographic scene by the vascular surgeon.


METHODS
We report the development of real-time navigation software, which allows a three-dimensional endoluminal view of the vascular system during an EVAR procedure in patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm. We used the preoperative planning CT angiography for three-dimensional reconstruction of aortic anatomy by volume-rendered segmentation. At the beginning of the intervention the relevant landmarks are matched in real-time with the two-dimensional angiographic scene. During the intervention the software continously registers the position of the guide-wire or the stent. An additional 3D-screen shows the generated endoluminal view during the whole intervention in real-time.


RESULTS
We examined the combination of hardware and software components including complex image registration and fibre optic sensor technology (fibre-bragg navigation) with integration in stent graft introducer sheaths using patient-specific vascular phantoms in an experimental setting. From a technical point of view the feasibility of fibre-Bragg navigation has been proven in our experimental setting with patient-based vascular models. Three-dimensional preoperative planning including registration and simulation of virtual angioscopy in real time are realised.


CONCLUSIONS
The aim of the Nav-CARS-EVAR concept is reduction of contrast medium and radiation dose by a three-dimensional navigation during the EVAR procedure. To implement fibre-Bragg navigation further experimental studies are necessary to verify accuracy before clinical application.
Klinik für Chirurgie, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Deutschland.
M
M
Horn
Klinik für Chirurgie, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Deutschland.
J
J
Nolde
Klinik für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Deutschland.
J P
JP
Goltz
Klinik für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Deutschland.
J
J
Barkhausen
EnergieCampus, Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut, Goslar, Deutschland.
W
W
Schade
EnergieCampus, Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut, Goslar, Deutschland.
C
C
Waltermann
Projektgruppe Bildregistrierung, Fraunhofer MEVIS, Lübeck, Deutschland.
J
J
Modersitzki
Projektgruppe Bildregistrierung, Fraunhofer MEVIS, Lübeck, Deutschland.
J
J
Olesch
Projektgruppe Bildregistrierung, Fraunhofer MEVIS, Lübeck, Deutschland.
N
N
Papenberg
Klinik für Chirurgie, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Deutschland.
T
T
Keck
Klinik für Chirurgie, UKSH Campus Lübeck, Deutschland.
M
M
Kleemann
D017130:Angioplasty / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017546:Angioscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D055100:Optical Fibers; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012984:Software; D015607:Stents; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014584:User-Computer Interface
D003287:Contrast Media