The preliminary European multi-centre experience with G-Branch Endograft

Summary: Background: To evaluate the short-term outcomes of a novel, customized multibranched G-Branch endograft for the treatment of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) and juxta/pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (J/PAAA). Patients and methods: Between July 2023 and May 2025, 50 patients (mean age 72 years; 45 men) were treated with implantation of a customized G-Branch endograft (Lifetech Scientific, Shenzhen, China) at four European regional vascular centres. The mean aneurysm diameter was 65.7 mm (range, 55–90 mm). Depending on the size and extent of the aortic pathology, 19 patients had J/PAAA and 31 had TAAA. Three patients had concomitant common iliac artery aneurysms, and one patient had a concomitant arch aneurysm. All patients underwent either an elective one-stage repair (30 patients, 60%) or a staged repair (20 patients, 40%) according to the local protocol of each centre. Multicentre outcome data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. Perioperative results were assessed before discharge and during follow-ups at 1, 6, and 12 months. Results: Technical success was achieved in 96% (48/50) of patients. In-hospital mortality was 4% (2/50). Early perioperative complications occurred in six patients (11%), with no spinal cord ischemia. Over a mean follow-up of 7 months (range, 1–23 months), two patient (4%) required an unplanned late reintervention with branch extension or relining due to a type Ic and IIIb endoleaks, respectively. Of the 198 target vessels, all remained patent, yielding an overall freedom from branch instability of 99%. No patients died due to aneurysm- or procedure-related causes; one patient died 8 months postoperatively due to a major stroke. All remaining 47 patients were doing well at the last follow-up. Conclusions: Our preliminary experience with the G-Branch endograft appears safe and yields high technical success with encouraging short-term outcomes for the endovascular repair of J/PAAA and TAAA. Continued patient surveillance and extended follow-up are essential to confirm these results.