Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Using Nellix™ EndoVascular Aneurysm Sealing

Abstract

Since the dawn of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), starting from its initial report in 1991, there has been a significant evolution in stent graft design and delivery systems. Complications, mostly endoleaks, and re-intervention rates after EVAR remain amongst the most challenging aspects in comparison with traditional open repair. The use of a sac-anchoring endograft changes the approach of aneurysm exclusion. The Nellix™ EndoVascular Aneurysm Sealing system (Endologix Inc., Irvine, CA) consists of balloon expandable stents surrounded by endobags that are filled with a polymer thereby sealing the aneurysm. By sealing the aneurysm sac instead of exclusion with only proximal and distal fixation, the risk of stent migration and endoleaks is theoretically diminished. Current investigational use is aimed to confirm clinical success, decreased complication, and secondary intervention rates compared to conventional endovascular repair.