BeGraft aortic stents: A European multi-centre experience reporting acute safety and efficacy outcomes for the treatment of vessel stenosis in congenital heart diseases

Abstract

Introduction

Stent implantation for the treatment of vessel stenosis in congenital heart diseases has become the preferred method of treatment. Availability of new covered stents may decrease complications and may have an important role in the management of patients with complex anatomy.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the pre-mounted cobalt-chromium stent-graft covered ePTFE Aortic BeGraft in a broad spectrum of congenital vascular lesions.

Methods

A retrospective study of 112 implanted Be Graft Aortic stents between 2016 and 2022 in six different European centers was performed.

Results/Expected results

One hundred four patients with mean age 13 years (range 1–70 years; 56.5 kg, range 11–115 kg) underwent BeGraft stent implantation. Seventy three patients had aortic coarctation, seven BeGraft stents were implanted in patients with Fontan circulation for either restoration of Fontan conduit patency in three patients and fenestration closure in four). Fourteen BeGraft aortic stents were implanted in 12 patients with dysfunctional RVOT. Eleven patients with complex CHD had miscellaneous indications for stent implantation: superior vena cava stenosis in 3 patients, rehabilitation of percutaneous Potts shunt in two patients, exclusion of a porto-caval fistula in one patient, relief of pulmonary arteries stenosis in 3 patients and percutaneous PA debanding in two patients with ccTGA. All the stents were implanted successfully. Median stent diameter was 16 mm (range 7–24 mm). Major complications were the following: one aortic dissection, 2 stent balloon rupture, 1 patient experienced a cerebral embolization without neurological consequences and 1 patient had a femoral artery occlusion requiring vascular surgery.

Conclusion/Perspectives

BeGraft stent can be used safely and effectively in a wide spectrum of congenital heart diseases. Whether these good results will be stable in the long term follow up still needs to be investigated given its recent introduction into clinical practice.