Endovascular Technique for Arterial Shunting to Prevent Intraoperative Ischemia

ObjectivesThe use of an intraoperative shunt is an established technique used to reduce the ischemic time after acute arterial obstruction or in the prevention of hypoperfusion due to complex open vascular or endovascular operative procedures. To date, described methods of temporary extremity blood perfusion have required open surgical techniques.MethodsAn endovascular shunt (ES) was formed by connecting two introducer sheaths to each other, one positioned proximal and one distal to an arterial obstruction. The ES method was used in patients considered to be at high risk for prolonged lower limb ischemia in conjunction with a vascular procedure and where shunt creation by open surgical technique was not considered to be a practical alternative. The flow capacity of the ES was defined in a desktop model.ResultsThe ES method was used clinically in 15 vascular interventions including eight complex endovascular aortic procedures, three open aortic operations, and four procedures for acute limb ischemia. The shunts were functional in all patients and there were no shunt occlusions. Postoperatively, there were no evident clinical reperfusion injuries. Flow analysis revealed that the ES had a flow capacity of 73% flow capacity compared to a Pruitt-Inahara shunt.ConclusionA new method of temporary blood shunting in connection to vascular procedures has been demonstrated.