What is the BeFlared stent graft?
The first such device in the world, BeFlared is a bridging covered stent – a special type of stent that ensures connection and blood flow from the stent graft in the aorta to the target vessel.
It is constructed in such a way that it combines an element that matches the fenestrated stent grafts, i.e. tailor-made vessel prostheses, with openings made especially to house target arteries (e.g. the renal artery).
Fenestrated stent grafts are used in patients with complex anatomy and the absence of the appropriate neck of the aneurysm, where traditional treatment methods using typical infrarenal stent grafts cannot be applied.
BeFlared is uniquely shaped: its renal part is narrower, while the aortic part is wider, which ensures a better fit and minimizes the risk of leaks. Additional radiopaque markers allow for positioning the stent graft precisely in the vessel during the procedure.
Why is that important?
- Eighty percent of aortic aneurysms develop in the abdomen.
- Aneurysms may lead to vessel rupture, which comes with a high risk of death.
- Modern intravascular methods such as stent grafting have revolutionized the treatment of this condition.
- Aneurysms in the kidney area are especially challenging to treat, and require advanced solutions.
Using the BeFlared stent graft marks another step in the development of vascular surgery, which shortens the duration of the procedure and improves treatment outcomes for patients.
Who carried out the procedure
The procedure was performed by the team of the department lead by Professor Zbigniew Gałązka, which included the following members:
- Małgorzata Szostek-Szubert, MD, PhD (team leader), Michał Proczka, MD, PhD, Dr. Daria Bednarczyk
- anesthesiology team led by Dr. Anna Kosińska, 2nd anesthesiologist: Dr. Wiktoria Flaumenhaf, anesthesiology nurse: Szymon Tomczak, MA
- radiology team: technician Jolanta Kubicka, MA, nurse Marta Kazak, MA
- scrub nurses: Kinga Marciniec, MA, and Julia Górska, MA