biostudies-literatureCrockett SHRUKBritish Heart FoundationMaurice &amp; Phyllis Paykel TrustJ.P Moulton Charitable Foundatione067605https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10151986biostudies-literatureUnknown13(4)<h4>Introduction</h4>Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) carries a 3%-6.1% stroke risk, including risk of 'silent' cerebral infarction (SCI). Stent-grafts are manufactured in room air and retain air. Instructions for use recommend saline flushing to 'de-air' the system prior to insertion, but substantial amounts of air are released when deploying them, potentially leading to downstream neuronal injury and SCI. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is more dense and more soluble in blood than air, without risk of bubble formation, so could be used in addition to saline to de-air stents. This pilot trial aims to assess the feasibility of a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the neuroprotective benefit against SCI with the use of CO₂-flushed aortic stent-gBMJ openCarbon dioxide flushing versus saline flushing of thoracic aortic stents (INTERCEPTevar): protocol for a multicentre pilot randomised controlled trial.PMC10151986N/AP79851FS/17/24/32596RG2684/19/22Gunning SCrockett SSingh ASallam MBicknell CLyons OHamady MNicholas RGibbs RHanna LModarai BAbisi SGable DfalseCarbon dioxide flushing versus saline flushing of thoracic aortic stents (INTERCEPTevar): protocol for a multicentre pilot randomised controlled trial.<h4>Introduction</h4>Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) carries a 3%-6.1% stroke risk, including risk of 'silent' cerebral infarction (SCI). Stent-grafts are manufactured in room air and retain air. Instructions for use recommend saline flushing to 'de-air' the system prior to insertion, but substantial amounts of air are released when deploying them, potentially leading to downstream neuronal injury and SCI. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is more dense and more soluble in blood than air, without risk of bubble formation, so could be used in addition to saline to de-air stents. This pilot trial aims to assess the feasibility of a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the neuroprotective benefit against SCI with the use of CO₂-flushed aortic stent-g2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Apr2026-05-28T11:50:32.315Z2025-04-07T03:19:02.141ZS-EPMC101519863710570510.1136/bmjopen-2022-067605