CERAB Technique for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

According to the Trans-Atlantic Inter-society Consensus (TASC-II), bypass grafting is the treatment of choice for extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) due to the good long-term patency rates. However, surgical reconstruction is associated with peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Kissing stent technique was introduced as an endovascular treatment alternative for bilateral aortoiliac occlusive disease in 1991. Reported technical success rates varied with the use of bare metal stents in extensive AOID. The COBEST trial showed that covered balloon expandable stents (CBES) have a superior primary patency rate and clinical improvement outcome at 24 months when compared with bare metal stents. CBES may immediately reduce the risk of procedural complications such as dissection, perforation, in-stent stenosis, and embolization. In 2013, CERAB technique was introduced to improve endovascular treatment results by a more anatomical and physiological reconstruction, with a subsequent better clinical outcome. The CERAB technique was developed to overcome the anatomical and physiological disadvantages of kissing stents such as flow disturbances leading to turbulence and stasis of blood, which may cause thrombus formation and intimal neohyperplasia. The early results of the CERAB configuration are promising at 1-year follow up in a group of 130 patients with AOID and the 30-day major complication rate was 7.7%. CERAB and Chimney CERAB (C-CERAB) techniques may change the treatment algorithm of AIOD and juxta-renal occlusive disease. It appears to be a safe and feasible alternative with promising results, being a valid alternative for surgery and/or kissing stents.