The British Society of Endovascular Therapy ConformabLe EndoVascular Aneurysm Repair Registry

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a 'bulge' caused by weakness of the wall of the aorta (main blood vessel) in the section that travels down through the abdomen. An AAA can grow to a large size over time and it may burst (rupture), causing life-threatening internal bleeding. The standard method to prevent the AAA from bursting is to re-line the aorta with an artificial piece of rigid tubing called a stent that has been covered with material. This is inserted through the blood vessels from the artery in the groin to stop the aneurysm from expanding and restore normal diameter of the aorta. This is commonly known as a 'keyhole'or minimally invasive approach called endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

There have been many advances in stent-graft technology to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the EVAR procedure. A new design of an existing stent-graft that is currently being used in patients in many hospitals is the GORE® EXCLUDER® Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis with ACTIVE CONTROL (also known as EXCC Device). This new device allows the operator to shape the upper end of the device so that it may be placed into the aorta more accurately, conforming to the shape of the aorta, potentially improving the fixation and long-term sealing of the aneurysm, which may translate to a reduction in the need for further procedures.

This study is a prospective, multi-centre observational cohort registry of patients undergoing routine clinical treatment of AAA by the EXCC device. Recruitment will take place in 13 experienced UK centres with extensive EVAR experience. Up to 150 participants will be recruited in 30 months and followed-up to 1 year (participants will not undergo any procedure that is not part of their routine clinical care). Clinical data and device specific outcomes, including complications and re-interventions will be prospectively collected. In addition, the BSET-CLEVAR Registry Core Lab will evaluate both the pre-operative CT scan and the post-operative CT scan (obtained between 4 weeks and 3-months following EVAR), to assess the primary outcome of the study (endograft positioning accuracy and aortic neck coverage expressed as percentage of the total aortic neck assessed). Study outcomes will also include detailed analysis of pathological and anatomical features of the aneurysm and the EXCC device, which will be used for reporting the effectiveness of the graft. A detailed statistical analysis plan will be written prior to the final analysis.

The Study Co-ordinating Centre based at Imperial College London is responsible for the overall coordination of the Study, including monitoring of the overall study progress and review of study data accuracy (which, if necessary, may be checked by auditing the source data).

Inclusion criteria

The patient is / has:

• Age 55 or more at the time of informed consent signature.
• Non-ruptured infra-renal AAA that requires treatment, and in the opinion of the Investigator, whose anatomy is adequate to receive or has already received the GORE® EXCLUDER® Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis with ACTIVE CONTROL System (EXCC device).
• A signed and dated Informed Consent Form signed by the patient either before or within 30 days of EXCC device implantation

Exclusion criteria

The patient is / has:

• Previous infra-renal aortic surgery
• Been treated in another aortic or thoracic medical device study within 1 year of study enrollment.
• Active infection
• Penetrating aortic ulcer or dissection or intramural haematoma in the treated segment
• Any clinically significant medical condition, which in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the study results or reduce life expectancy to <2 years
• In the opinion of the investigator unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements of the study