Endovascular stent grafting of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms

The treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms using endovascular stents is one of the more recent advances in treatment and is receiving increasing attention as it is a less invasive alternative to open surgical repair. Although the technology is still primitive, significant improvements have lately been made in the design and deployment of the endovascular stent-grafts. Aortic stent-grafts were used initially to exclude abdominal, and later thoracic, aortic true and false aneurysms. These prostheses have been increasingly used to treat aneurysms, dissections, and traumatic ruptures of the descending thoracic aorta with good early and mid-term outcomes. Although the long-term outcome of patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta after stent graft implantation has not been investigated, continued refinement of the endovascular approaches has decreased the need for conventional open thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, especially in patients who are at a high risk for standard surgery because of advanced age or the presence of comorbid diseases. The placement of endoluminal stent-grafts to exclude the dissected or ruptured site of thoracic aortic aneurysms is a technically feasible and relatively safe procedure. With the rapid development of endovascular approaches, the treatment of the descending thoracic aortic aneurysms might alter even more, but an extended follow-up is necessary to determine the longer term outcome. Historical perspectives, advantages, device considerations, complications, and current perspectives of the endovascular stent grafting of the descending thoracic aortic aneurysms are elaborated on.     

Angioskopie

In complex thoracic aortic disease endovascular techniques and the use of hybrid stent grafts enables a combination therapy of the aortic arch and the descending aorta through a median sternotomy. This emphasizes the importance of intraoperative visualization of the descending aorta and its pathologies. Intraoperative angioscopy is a new diagnostic method for the assessment of distal aortic disease and assists in therapeutic decision-making and navigation of endovascular techniques in the descending aorta. This study presents the angioscopic results of 62?patients (mean age 60±12?years, 73% male, 54?aortic dissections, eight aortic aneurysms) during surgery of the thoracic aorta. Visualization of the extent of pathology along the downstream aorta was feasible in all patients. The implantation of a hybrid stent graft prosthesis was assisted by angioscopy in 34?patients and endovascular balloon dilatation of the stent graft was navigated by angioscopy in 11?patients. Angioscopy has become an indispensable tool in the intraoperative treatment of complex thoracic aortic disease in our clinic, particularly in the navigation of endovascular interventions in the distal thoracic aorta through the aortic arch.     

Stent graft treatment for transverse arch and descending thoracic aorta aneurysms

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to review the recent relevant literature on endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurismal disease. RECENT FINDINGS: The introduction of endovascular stent graft technology has ushered in a new era in therapy for diseases of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta. The technical challenges of stent graft deployment in the descending thoracic aorta, such as proximity to the great vessels and arch tortuosity, have been and remain a device engineering focus. More recently, repair of aortic arch aneurysms has been accomplished using both 'hybrid' (open and endovascular) and totally endovascular techniques. SUMMARY: Endovascular stent grafting of aneurismal disease processes of the thoracic aorta is feasible and relatively safe. Exquisite judgment is essential for good results. These results generally rest on a broad knowledge base of thoracic aortic disease processes and experience in both open and endovascular surgery. Careful attention to patient anatomy and device specifications must be maintained. The key to the successful implementation of this technology lies in careful preoperative planning, intraoperative execution with safe device delivery, and prevention of central nervous system injury. Routine follow-up imaging is imperative to better understand the long-term results and indications for these new procedures.     

Engineering Goals for Future Thoracic Endografts—How Can We Make Them More Effective?

Endovascular treatments for catastrophic aortic conditions have gained increasing popularity over the past 20 years. Originally developed for abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR), treatment has been modified for use in thoracic aortic repair (TEVAR). As expanding numbers of patients with increasingly intractable conditions and more hostile anatomies are treated, endovascular stent designs are maturing to be suitable for these more demanding situations. This article discusses the engineering considerations that apply to changing stent graft designs for current and evolving thoracic applications. The biological parameters that differentiate thoracic from abdominal aortic environments are outlined. Factors concerning materials, sealing mechanisms, deployment, stent frame architecture, and migration resistance are described, and eagerly awaited potential future developments are summarized.     

Case Report and Review of Literature: Late Retrograde Type A Aortic Dissection With Rupture after Repair of Type B Aortic Dissection with a GORE TAG Endovascular Prosthesis

Acute aortic dissection is the most common catastrophic condition of the aorta. Treatment options include open surgery and thoracic endovascular aortic reconstruction (TEVAR). We present a late Type A dissection as a complication of the management of descending aortic dissections with TEVAR and a review of the literature. TEVAR of the thoracic aorta is a viable treatment option for the management of complicated descending thoracic aortic dissections. Careful patient selection is necessary as medical therapy successfully treats the majority of uncomplicated Type B dissections. TEVAR should be reserved for patients with complicated Type B dissections or those who fail nonoperative management. Close postoperative monitoring is necessary when TEVAR is performed and should be accompanied by lifelong surveillance. A high level of suspicion is important to identify retrograde Type A dissections in these patients given its rarity and the ambiguity of its clinical presentation.     

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??Abstract??Objective To evaluate the curative effect and safety of endovascular graft exclusion combined with chest tube drainage on thoracic aortic rupture with left hemothorax.Methods From April 2002 to December 2013??61 patients were diagnosed with thoracic aortic rupture incompletely merged with left hemothorax in Shenyang Northern Hospital.Nine patients suffered from massive hemothorax accompanied with serious dyspnea.The stent grafts were implanted through the femoral artery incision and covered the thoracic aortic dissecting or isolated the aneurysms.The aortic angiography was to ensure the curative effect.Observation included the curative effect and mortality. Results The success rate of endovascular graft exclusion was 88.9% (8/9).Nine mainly covered stents and 1 short covered stent were implanted.One patient died of aortic rupture after intraoperative implantation??2 patients had partial closure of the left subclavian artery??and 1 patient had a small amount of residual leakage.One patient died of aortic rupture 36 hours after the operation??and 7 patients discharged.The average time of postoperative follow-up was (69±29)months.One patient appeared to have cerebral hemorrhage with ineffectiveness of the right side of the body and 1 patient died without known causes.The other 5 patients were stable with good postoperative recovery.Conclusion It is both long-term and short-term effective with high success rates and few complications to treat thoracic aortic rupture incompletely merged with left hemothorax or near rupture in dilated aorta diseases by endovascular graft exclusion combined with chest tube drainage.     

Endovascular surgery and pathology of the thoracic aorta

Although abdominal aortic aneurysms are the most common aortic pathology in the general population, the thoracic aorta is also a frequent site of aneurysms, chronic dissections, transections, and other potentially life-threatening pathologies. Not all of these lesions are amenable to endovascular repair; however, early evidence suggests that endovascular intervention in selected patients has a high rate of acute and midterm success. Indeed, the endovascular procedure reduces operating time and the need for blood transfusions and usually results in shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays compared with open surgery. In addition, overall rehabilitation is comparatively brief. Although these results are encouraging, no outcome data from randomized trials exists, and further study of the long-term efficacy and safety of endoluminal grafting is warranted.     

Transluminal endovascular stent grafting of aortic dissections and aneurysms: a concise review of the major trials

Transluminal endovascular repair of the vascular system is rapidly emerging as a leading therapeutic modality for aortic dissections and aneurysms. The use of transluminal endovascular stent grafting has been used to intervene successfully on the aorta and its major branch vessels. There have been several studies examining transluminal endovascular stent grafting of thoracic aortic aneurysms, dissections, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. This paper reviews some of the major trials of transluminal endovascular stent grafting as well as its major limitation, endoleak.     

Successful percutaneous closure of an aortic graft pseudo-aneurysm with a patent foramen ovale occluder device

Endovascular stent grafts, prosthetic grafts placed over expandable stents, are an alternative therapy for the treatment of arterial aneurysms, pseudo-aneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers and coarctations. However, there are limitations to their applicability. This case describes a patient with Takayasu's arteritis, an inflammatory disease of medium- to large-sized vessels, who developed an aneurysm in an open surgically placed aortic graft. The patient had previously undergone two separate surgeries for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms. Due to the potential for reduced morbidity and mortality, endovascular stenting was a rational approach for a focal graft defect. Endovascular stent graft repair could not be performed because the ratio of the required vascular sheath to peripheral vessel size was prohibitive in this patient. Instead, endovascular therapy using an Amplatzer patent foramen ovale occluder device was delivered within the pseudo-aneurysm to seal the connection to the aortic lumen. At 9-month follow up, the patient has done well clinically and has not required any additional procedures.     

Combined surgical and catheter‐based treatment of extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic valve stenosis

An extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a potentially life‐threatening condition and remains a technical challenge to surgeons. Over the past decade, repair of aortic arch aneurysms has been accomplished using both hybrid (open and endovascular) and totally endovascular techniques. Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has changed and extended management options in thoracic aorta disease, including in those patients deemed unfit or unsuitable for open surgery. Accordingly, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly used to treat patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) who are considered at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. In this report, we describe the combined surgical and catheter‐based treatment of an extensive TAA and AS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hybrid TAA repair combined with TAVR. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Treatment of thoracic aortic disease using endovascular stent-grafts: from therapeutic indications to possible complications

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive technique which is increasingly used in different thoracic aortic pathologies such as aortic aneurysm, complicated type B aortic dissection, aortic trauma, intramural hematoma and penetrating aortic ulcer. In this paper we discuss the main indications for endovascular stent-grafts in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease, based on three cases in which this procedure was used for three different conditions: degenerative aneurysm, complicated type B dissection and post-traumatic injury. These case reports add to the evidence that TEVAR is a safe and feasible therapeutic alternative in selected patients with thoracic aortic disease, improving aortic remodeling, with relatively low morbidity and mortality. The main complications and difficulties related to the procedure are also discussed.     

Rate of paraplegia and mortality in elective descending and thoracoabdominal aortic repair in the modern surgical era

BACKGROUND: The risk of paraplegia and hospital death is the major concern in the surgical repair of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies. For specific indications, the evolving technology of endovascular stent grafting is becoming increasingly popular. We reviewed our results for elective surgical repair of various aortic pathologies with respect to this innovative therapeutic background. METHODS: From July 1993 to April 2006, 56 patients (mean age 55 +/- 16 years, range 25 to 80 years, 62.5 % males) underwent elective surgical repair of the descending (n = 37, 66.1 %) and thoracoabdominal aorta (n = 19, 33.9 %), including seven reoperations and five cases of previous endovascular stent grafting. The underlying pathologies were: degenerative aneurysm (n = 21), type B aortic dissection (n = 24), and Marfan's syndrome with a chronic type B dissection and an increase in the diameter of the descending aorta (n = 11), respectively. Most patients were operated using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 5.4 % (n = 3). Two patients died of myocardial infarction, one after coronary stent occlusion. Another patient died due to ventricular disruption at the side of the left ventricular apical vent. The rate of paraplegia was 3.6 % (n = 2) with one case of complete and one of incomplete paraplegia. Survival at five years was 78 %. CONCLUSIONS: If modern surgical principles are used in elective descending and thoracoabdominal aortic repair, surgery can be performed with a low postoperative risk for hospital death or paraplegia. These results should be taken into account when evaluating alternative therapeutic strategies in patients with similar pathologies.     

A hybrid therapy as a third approach for type 1 proximal endoleak of thoracic endovascular aortic replacement: Caroticocarotid bypass and re-redo endovascular therapy

IntroductionIn selected cases with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), thoracic endovascular aortic replacement (TEVAR) is commonly used and shall be proper therapy method. We are presenting a case of TAA previously treated twice by endovascular aortic approaches and complicated by type 1 endoleak.CaseA 67-year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with back pain at rest. He underwent TEVAR five years ago, twice in 6 month. With contrasted computed tomography of chest and abdomen, a new type 1 proximal endoleak was diagnosed, and after routine preoperative follow up, the patient was operated on. At the same session right to left caroticocarotid bypass and re-redo TEVAR were performed. The new endovascular graft was placed as the proximal landing zone to be set between left carotid artery and brachiocephalic truncus. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 without any problems.ConclusionAs new techniques and methods have been developed, mortality rates have decreased to 2–3% but in older and high risk patients, mortality rates still remain high [1]. TEVAR is a safe and effective treatment method in the proper and selected patients with thoracic artery aneurysm [2]. Moreover, TEVAR can also be performed as a part of hybrid procedures for arcus aortic aneurysms [3]. But it should be kept in mind that late secondary intervention rates are higher in TEVAR.     

“杂交”手术治疗弓部主动脉夹层的疗效评价

目的:评价人工血管旁路移植术结合腔内隔绝术的“杂交”手术用于主动脉弓部夹层动脉瘤的治疗效果。方法:对12例破口位于主动脉弓部的主动脉夹层动脉瘤患者进行了人工血管旁路移植术+腔内隔绝术的“杂交”手术治疗。评价该方法围手术期死亡率、并发症以及术后桥血管通畅率,进行了6~48(28±11)个月的随访观察。结果:全组1例死亡,原因为等待二期腔内手术期间发生动脉瘤破裂。1例患者因并发医源性升主动脉夹层而改行全主动脉弓置换+支架植入术,随访中1例患者出现90%人工血管狭窄,1例患者出现轻度I型内漏,经18月观察无明显变化,其余患者生存良好,未出现截瘫及其他严重并发症。结论:本文所指的“杂交”手术治疗主动脉弓部夹层动脉瘤具有良好效果。     

Endovascular repair for retrograde type A intramural hematoma with focal intimal disruption in descending aorta

BackgroundThis study aims to report the experience of a single center using thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) to treat retrograde type A intramural hematoma (IMH) with focal intimal disruption (FID) in descending aorta.MethodsA total of 24 consecutive patients with retrograde type A IMH and complicated with FID in descending aorta underwent TEVAR in our center from 2015 to 2020. Their clinical data, imaging manifestation and follow-up results were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe median age of patients was 57.9 years (range, 42–80 years) and 18 were men (75%). As the preoperative CT angiography showed, the 24 patients developed IMH complicated with different kinds of FIDs in descending aorta [5 had intramural blood pool (IBP), 15 had ulcer-like projection (ULP), 2 had penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), and 5 had localized dissection]. Successful deployment of aortic stent graft was achieved in all patients. There was no endoleak, stent graft migration, spinal cord ischemia, stroke, or 30-day mortality observed after TEVAR. The median duration of follow-up was 30.0 months (range, 3–60 months). As the last follow-up CT angiography showed, most of the patients (23 in 24, 96%) had favorable aortic remodeling. The maximum hematoma thicknesses and maximum diameters of both ascending and descending aorta were significantly decreased. During follow-up, 1 patient developed retrograde type A aortic dissection (RAAD) and underwent open surgery 3 months after TEVAR. 1 patient died of lung cancer 2 years later. There was no aorta-related death observed.ConclusionsTEVAR provides a safe and effective treatment strategy for selected patients with retrograde type A IMH, and FID developed in descending aorta could be the possible treatment target. However, RAAD remains one of the most serious postoperative complications of concern.     

Emergency endovascular interventions for ruptured thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background The purpose of our study was to show the effectiveness of endovascular stent grafts in the treatment of acutely ruptured abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms as an alternative to the conventional surgical approach in an emergency setting. Methods From October 1996 to October 1998 we deployed 9 emergent endovascular stent grafts—6 in the abdominal aorta and 3 in the thoracic aorta. Aortic rupture was confirmed before surgery with spiral-computed tomographic scan. The average interval from onset of symptoms to treatment was 4.5 hours. We used commercially manufactured stent grafts: 4 Corvita (Corvita Inc/Schneider Corp/Boston Scientific Corp, Natick, Mass), 3 Talent (World Medical Inc, Surise, Fla/Medtronic, Sunnyvale, Calif), and 2 Vanguard (Boston Scientific Corp, Natick, Mass). Results Deployment of the stent grafts was successful in all cases. Two patients died in the follow-up period (120 months) from myocardial infarction. No cases were seen of paraplegia or stent migration. However, 2 endoleaks, 1 in-stent stenosis, 1 temporary renal failure, and 1 brief episode of myocardial ischemia occurred. Conclusion Our experiences with emergency endovascular stent grafting show that the procedure is technically feasible, with less morbidity and mortality than conventional open surgery, in selected patients. (Am Heart J 2002;144:544-8.)     

Stanford B型主动脉夹层腔内修复处理研究进展

主动脉夹层(aortic dissection,AD) 是临床一种死亡率极高的心血管危急重症，是由于主动脉中层破裂,血液通过主动脉内膜裂口,进入主动脉壁,造成正常动脉壁的分离形成血管内假腔。根据夹层病变累及范围，可分为Stanford A、B型，病变累及近端主动脉者称为A型 ；病变范围仅涉及左锁骨下动脉开口以远降主动脉称为 B 型。胸主动脉腔内修复术（throacic endovascular aortic repair，TEVAR）作为治疗 Stanford B 型主动脉夹层的重要选择，已得到全世界的认可。胸主动脉腔内修复术（throacic endovascular aortic repair，TEVAR）作为治疗 Stanford B 型主动脉夹层的重要选择，已得到全世界的认可。随着微创治疗方式和器具的创新，越来越多的弓部病变可采用微创腔内治疗，近年来，“烟囱”技术、“开窗”技术、分支支架技术的发展使得TEVAR治疗累及主动脉弓部病变成为可能。本文就几种常用处理弓部病变腔内技术做一综述。     

Rupture aiguë post-traumatique de l’aorte thoracique en double foyer

Purpose

Traumatic thoracic aortic rupture are commonly localised in one site essentially in the aortic isthmus but multiple localisation are not uncommon. The authors reported the case of a young man who had a double localisation of RTA after a violent car accident.

Case report

A 23-year-old man had a violent car crush involving sudden deceleration. He had multiple injuries essentially: a traumatic thoracic injury with acute posttraumatic aortic rupture in double localization, in the isthmus and in the descending thoracic aorta. He underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with the use of stent graft three weeks after his car accident. The endovascular treatment was successful and no case of perigraft leakage has been detected during a meaning follow-up of five months.

Conclusion

The systematic analysis of the whole thoracic aortic vessel is crucial to not misdiagnose eventual multiple aortic rupture.     

Chirurgie der Aorta ascendens und des Aortenbogens

The surgical therapy of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch with its supraarotic branches has been, and still is, one of the major challenges in the therapy of the aorta. There have been major developments in the endovascular therapy field, which can be used as a complementary or even sometimes as an alternative to the standard surgery. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach is a prerequisite for optimal therapy planning for such patients. The risk of operating under circulatory arrest has been markedly reduced due to the continued development of cardiosurgical techniques, especially selective cerebral perfusion and mild hypothermia. Further developments of the therapy of aortic diseases via alternative approaches are expected in the near future. However, the conventional surgical therapy for pathologies in the ascending aorta (with/out the aortic valve) and the aortic arch is still the gold standard.     

Endovascular repair of a tuberculous aortic false aneurysm

INTRODUCTION: Aortic aneurysms are a well known but rare complication of tuberculosis. Their major complication is aneurysmal rupture, unforeseeable and lethal. EXEGESIS: Chest pain and hemoptoic expectoration revealed a false aneurysm of the aortic isthmus in a 48-year-old man. Endovascular repair with a stent graft was urgently undertaken. Tuberculosis was diagnosed 6 weeks thereafter by the growth of gastric juice cultures and medically treated. Most tuberculous aortic aneurysms are false aneurysms, caused by an adjacent tuberculous focus eroding the aortic wall. They present with pain, bleeding or as para-aortic masses. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous false aneurysms of the aorta necessitate an early intervention before they rupture. Surgical treatment remains the preferred option but endovascular repair with a stent graft is a therapeutic alternative, to be considered in high-risk surgical patients.