Endovascular navigation with Fiber Optic RealShape technology
Giuseppe Panuccio, Andres Schanzer, Fiona Rohlffs, Franziska Heidemann, Bart Wessels, Geert Willem H. Schurink, Joost A. van Herwaarden, Tilo Kölbel
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) technology has recently been introduced as an adjunctive guidance technology that allows real-time three-dimensional visualization of dedicated endovascular devices while avoiding radiation exposure. It consists of equipment which sends pulses of light through hair-thin optical fibers that run within a dedicated hydrophilic wire and selective catheters. The purpose of the study was to report the observed benefits and limitations related to the first edition of FORS technology. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively from the first 50 patients undergoing FORS-guided endovascular repair at a single center between February 2020 and February 2021 as part of the global multicenter FORS Learn registry. All consecutive, elective procedures with one or more navigation tasks attempted with FORS were included. Factors related to FORS navigation task success were assessed. The time required for the catheterization of each task as well as the amount of radiation exposure (fluoroscopy time, dose area product, and estimated skin dose) were collected. A per-task analysis was conducted. End points included the success rate in achieving a stable FORS-guided catheterization, catheterization time, and radiation dose during catheterization. RESULTS: ; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: FORS technology was implemented successfully as a new guidance technology in a complex endovascular aortic repair program and was associated with an encouraging success rate and a high potential for radiation reduction.