Work

Preclinical Feasibility of the ELANA End-to-End Anastomotic Technique in a Porcine Pilot Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: End-to-End anastomotic technique. This preclinical study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility, hemostatic performance, and short-term patency of the new approach in a porcine model. Methods: Six pigs underwent implantation of the ELANA End-to-End device in a divided in situ right internal mammary artery (RIMA) via partial sternotomy. The pigs were followed-up for either 35 days (N=3) or 90 (N=3) days. Feasibility was evaluated based on technical success, achievement of hemostasis, and anastomotic construction time. Patency was assessed at the end of follow-up through angiography and histological analysis. Results: The anastomosis was successfully constructed in four of six animals. Among these, hemostasis was achieved in three cases without additional intervention; one required a single hemostatic stitch. The median anastomotic construction time was 18 (15-45) minutes. Technical failure in two animals was due to difficulty maintaining vessel alignment during deployment. All four successfully constructed anastomoses were patent at the end of follow-up (N=2, 35 days; N=2, 90 days), with no evidence of stenosis on angiography or histology. Conclusion: The ELANA End-to-End technique demonstrated promising patency outcomes. However, the current procedure is technically demanding. Design improvements aimed at stabilizing vessel positioning are warranted to enhance feasibility and reduce construction time.

Source: Medical Devices Evidence and Research

DOI: 10.2147/mder.s520029

Authors: Marieke Hoogewerf, Bart Van Putte, David Stecher, Wilhelmina Bergmann, Patrick Klein, Pieter Doevendans