Evaluation of the Vascutek Hybrid Graft for Use in the Replacement of the Aortic Arch and Concomitant Treatment of an Aneurysm/Dissection of the Descending Aorta in the Frozen Elephant Trunk Procedure

The purpose of this feasibility study is to investigate the clinical performance of the Vascutek Hybrid Device in the treatment of subjects with aneurysm and/or dissection of the thoracic aorta.

The Vascutek Hybrid device is designed for use during a frozen elephant trunk procedure. Each system is comprised of a fully sealed traditional prosthesis which is stented at the distal end. A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 patients with aneurysmal disease of the ascending aorta, the arch and the proximal descending aorta will receive a hybrid prosthesis implanted without the use of the delivery system and a minimum of 10 patients and a maximum of 20 patients will be implanted with a hybrid device using the delivery system.

The traditional prosthesis component is representative of current Gelweave™ product. It is a woven polyester graft, crimped to maintain the lumen and gel coated to ensure that it will seal immediately. The stented section of the graft is a self-expanding endoprosthesis constructed of a thin wall woven polyester and Nitinol ring stents, which are attached to fabric with braided polyester sutures.

The delivery system is a central catheter comprised of a stainless steel braided, Isoplast-Pebax co-extrusion which has been locally strengthened to provide adequate guidewire lumen and sufficient stiffness to deploy the device. The outer sheath is 24Fr extruded PTFE with a groove to provide a localised splitting during deployment. The handle components are moulded in K-Resin \& thermoplastic polyurethane to fulfil the functional requirements of the product.

The compacted endoprosthesis is placed through the opened aortic arch and deployed leaving the stented section positioned inside the descending aorta. The device is then released from the delivery system and the handle components removed leaving the full graft in situ and correctly positioned. This allows the surgeon to complete the aortic arch repair as required.

The materials of the endoprosthesis section, and of the traditional prosthesis section of the Hybrid Device are identical to those of current Vascutek product (Anaconda™ Stent Graft System - endoprosthesis; and Gelweave™ - standard vascular graft). All materials used in the delivery system are well established in medical applications.

The Vascutek Ltd. Hybrid Device is produced using established manufacturing and Quality Control methodologies in an ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified system. The Hybrid Device is provided sterile for single use only. The method of sterilisation is ethylene oxide.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with aneurysm and/or dissection of the aortic arch and/or descending aorta
2. Patient must have agreed to participate voluntarily and have signed and dated an Ethics Committee approved Patient Informed Consent
3. Patient is able and willing to comply with the protocol and associated follow-up requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients unfit for open surgical repair involving circulatory arrest
2. Endocarditis or active infective disorder of the aorta
3. Patients unwilling to give informed consent