Tips About the Cordis INCRAFT Endograft

Background Recently, the new Cordis INCRAFT abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) Stent-Graft System ultra low-profile device has been introduced in the clinical practice of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for the treatment of infrarenal AAAs (iAAAs). In our operative unit, it has been used since November 2014. We report our initial experience with the use of this novel device. We further discuss some technical aspects about the use of the endograft. Methods Data of all patients undergoing elective EVAR in our Division of Vascular Surgery using the Cordis INCRAFT AAA Stent-Graft System from November 2014 till now were retrospectively collected in a database and outcomes reviewed. Follow-up data were analyzed to evaluate primary success, survival, complications, and device-related events. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP ® 5.1.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Continuous variables are reported as mean ± standard deviation, and categorical variables are presented as n (%). Results From November 2014 till now in our institution, a total of 10 patients (7 male; mean age, 76.3 years old; range, 65–87 years) underwent elective exclusion of an iAAA with a challenge iliac anatomy (minimum access vessel, 6.7 mm) using Cordis INCRAFT endoprosthesis. There were 9 AAA and a left common iliac artery aneurysm 50 mm in diameter, involving the internal iliac artery. Primary success was achieved in 90% as 1 patient presented an immediate type Ia endoleak which was resolved by the placement of a proximal aortic cuff. There was 1 intraoperative acute leg ischemia requiring a left popliteal Fogarty thrombectomy. Three patients (30%) presented a postimplantation syndrome. No other complications occurred neither during in-hospital stay (mean, 3.4 days; range, 2–4 days) nor during follow-up. Conclusions In our experience, the Cordis INCRAFT AAA System was a safe and effective device. Our reflections about technical aspects of the use of this device will probably find their answer when further studies will report shared experiences and results about using this type of endograft.