Der Aortenbogen – was ist bei der endovaskulären Versorgung zu beachten?

Aortic arch pathologies are now treated in highly specialized centers and mainly using an endovascular approach. In the literature open surgical repair still represents the gold standard; however, this only applies to a highly selected patient population. Hence patients considered for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) have more comorbidities and are more often treated in emergency situations. For aortic arch pathologies TEVAR is associated with a technical feasibilty rate of 90??%, a mortality rate of 0–14??% and a morbidity of up to 55??% independent of the aortic landing zone. Due to the close proximity of the supra-aortic arteries and variable etiologies with highly complex morphological configurations, decision-making in favor of aortic repair should be thoroughly considered as the technical approach is challenging but decisive for success. Overall procedural success and long-term results are mainly determined by adequate stent graft deployment in the area of the proximal landing zone. A thrombogenic aortic arch as well as stent graft deployment in landing zone 1 pose a significant risk for neurological morbidities. Landing zones 2–0 require stent graft deployment in the aortic arch subsequently necessitating occlusion of the left subclavian artery and supra-aortic debranching. The so-called chimney techniques and recently developed fenestrated and branched endografts improve the feasibilty of EVAR alone. The use of TEVAR for aortic arch pathologies is a well-established technique even for complex pathologies; however, technical feasibility and success require a highly specialized and experienced team as well as technical equipment in order to handle challenging aortic pathologies.     

Aortic debranching for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repair by stent grafts

Endovascular repair of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm may result in covering the ostia of the left carotid or left subclavian artery for proper proximal landing zones, and the celiac artery or superior mesenteric artery ostia in the abdomen for distal landing zones. To prevent possible complications of occluding the ostia of these vessels, the authors performed an innominate to left common carotid and left subclavian artery bypass as the first procedure in one patient. In the second patient they performed an aortoceliac and aortomesenteric bypass before stent graft placement. The stent graft repair of the descending thoracic aortic aneurysm was performed subsequently in both patients. This aortic debranching provides subsequent proper placement of thoracic stent grafts.     

„Aortenbogen-Debranching“ mit Implantation von Stent-Prothesen

Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic disease requires implantation of stent grafts in the aortic arch to ensure secure anchoring and sealing in more than one third of cases. Occlusion of supra-aortic arteries is thus unavoidable. Debranching refers to the surgical transposition of supra-aortic arteries to safely extend the landing zone for stent grafts. After extending the occluded supra-aortic arteries the following surgical procedures are performed: extrathoracic carotid-subclavian bypass, subclavian-carotid transposition and carotid-carotid-subclavian bypass and intrathoracic double transposition of left subclavian and carotid arteries and complete debranching of all three supra-aortic arteries to the ascending aorta. The most important details of these surgical procedures as well as the special technical aspects of the implantation of stent grafts in the aortic arch in combination with debranching surgery are described. If the ascending aorta is exposed, antegrade implantation of the stent graft can avoid problems associated with the retrograde transfemoral route but this requires custom-made devices.     

Stent strut penetration during thoracic endovascular aortic repair: report of a case

We experienced a serious complication of proximal stent strut penetration (PSSP) during thoracic endovascular aortic repair in a 74-year-old man who underwent two-stage hybrid treatment for a distal arch thoracic aortic aneurysm. First, a debranching right common carotid–left common carotid–left subclavian artery bypass was performed. Second, a TALENT Thoracic Stent Graft (Medtronic, Tokyo, Japan) was inserted at Zone 1 (Ishimaru). At deployment, a proximal bare strut accidentally everted and penetrated the aortic wall vertically. Postoperative computed tomography revealed that one crown of the proximal strut had penetrated the aortic wall vertically and had produced an intramural hematoma around the strut. The patient was observed carefully and discharged from the hospital without any sequelae. Seven months after the procedure, there was no remarkable change and his aneurysm was well excluded. PSSP can cause retrograde type-A aortic dissections. A bare strut tends to cause proximal strut penetration more frequently than a covered strut. More caution should be taken in the deployment of a stent graft with a bare strut.     

Endovascular treatment of arch and proximal thoracic aortic lesions

OBJECTIVE: To analyze at one institution the endovascular treatment for aortic arch and proximal thoracic aortic lesions, categorize open arch reconstruction, and make preliminary recommendations based on pathology (dissection vs aneurysm), and anatomical extent of disease. METHODS: A retrospective review of aortic arch and descending thoracic aortic lesions managed with endovascular treatment between June 2002 and June 2007. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients received endovascular repair for aortic dissection (n = 28) and aneurysm (n = 6). Open supra-aortic transposition or debranching of the great vessels was performed in 14 cases of dissection (50%) and six cases (100%) of aneurysm. In 14 dissections, the entry tear was located in the distal aortic arch, enabling the left subclavian artery to be sealed without reconstruction. The procedures were successful in 33 patients (97.1%); one intraoperative death occurred. Type I endoleaks were found intraoperatively in eight cases. After management with balloon angioplasty and by extending the stent implantation, the endoleaks resolved in four cases and decreased in four cases. One patient with Stanford type A dissection died from an unknown cause 3 months after treatment. The overall survival rate was 94.1% (32/34), and all bypass grafts remained patent during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stent grafting is a safe and effective method for the treatment of aortic arch lesions. Transposition of the supra-aortic great vessels can be effectively combined with endovascular stent grafting to ensure both cerebral blood supply and enough landing area for the stent graft.     

Partial debranching hybrid stent graft for distal aortic arch aneurysms

Purpose

To evaluate the early outcomes of treating distal aortic arch aneurysms (DAAAs) with a partial debranching hybrid stent graft, and to analyze the morphology of distances among the supra-aortic branches.

Methods

We used this stent graft to treat DAAA in 12 patients, by debranching the left common carotid artery (LCCA) and the left subclavian artery (LSA). With computed tomography (CT) data on the collective total 28 thoracic aortic aneurysms, the distances from the LSA to the LCCA and those from the LSA to the brachiocephalic artery (BA) were measured using multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and centerline of flow (CLF) methods.

Results

All procedures were done in two stages and all stent grafts were deployed in zone-1. The devices used were the TALENT in seven patients and the TAG in five patients. There were no operative deaths, paraplegia, or type-1 or -3 endoleaks. One patient suffered minor cerebral infarction. The distance from the LSA to the BA was longer than that from the LSA to the LCCA by10?mm in the CLF method and by 13?mm in the MPR method.

Conclusions

It was possible to achieve a longer proximal landing zone by debranching two supra-aortic branches, the LCCA and the LSA. The partial debranching hybrid stent graft was less invasive and more effective for DAAAs.     

Ankura主动脉覆膜支架行原位开窗重建弓上分支的应用

背景与目的 胸主动脉腔内修复术（TEVAR）已经成为治疗主动脉弓部病变的首选术式。然而,此术式要求支架近端安全锚定区至少为15 mm,对于锚定区不足者,则通常需重建弓部分支血管以确保手术安全。在目前各种重建技术中,原位开窗技术因其较大程度的保留分支血管以及较低的内漏风险而应用最多。因此,本研究探讨Ankura主动脉覆膜支架进行原位开窗重建弓上分支的可行性及效果。方法 回顾性分析2017年3月—2020年12月中国科学院大学宁波华美医院收治的47例近端锚定区不足的主动脉病变患者的临床资料。其中胸主动脉夹层38例,胸主动脉瘤6例,胸主动脉溃疡3例。根据术前CTA影像资料决定患者的开窗数目、开窗支架规格,术中利用穿刺针对Ankura主动脉覆膜支架进行原位开窗重建弓部分支,术后定期行主动脉CTA复查随访。结果 所有患者均获手术成功,共植入Ankura胸主动脉覆膜支架47枚,Gore Viabahn覆膜支架51枚,Cordis Smart裸支架20枚。4例术中转烟囱支架植入,原位开窗成功率91.5%（43/47）,包括左锁骨下动脉（LSA）开窗29例,左颈总动脉（LCCA）开窗+LSA栓塞1例,LSA开窗+左椎动脉烟囱1例,LSA开窗+左LCCA烟囱9例,LCCA+LSA开窗+无名动脉（IA）烟囱1例,LCCA开窗+IA烟囱+LSA栓塞2例。全组患者手术时间160~300 min,平均（200±20）min,术中开窗时间18~45 min,平均（30±8）min;术后内漏（1型）3例,逆撕2例（1例行升主动脉置换后好转,1例死亡）,脑梗死2例,截瘫0例。平均随访时间（28.4±14.7）个月,期间2例内漏在随访中消失,1例内漏未进一步增大予以观察随访中,未见开窗分支血管闭塞。结论 利用穿刺破膜技术对Ankura主动脉覆膜支架进行原位开窗重建分支血管是一种切实可行且有效的治疗方式,近期效果良好。     

Outcome after celiac artery coverage during endovascular thoracic aortic aneurysm repair: preliminary results

BACKGROUND: Endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms has emerged as an alternative to open repair. Coverage of the left subclavian origin has been reported to expand the proximal sealing zone. We report the planned coverage of the celiac artery origin with a thoracic stent graft to achieve an adequate distal sealing zone. METHODS: All patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair are prospectively entered into a computerized database. All patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair with coverage of the celiac artery origin were identified and retrospectively analyzed. End points for evaluation included indications for covering the celiac artery, anatomic features of the distal landing zone, demonstration of collateral circulation between the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery, technical success of the procedure, and presence of clinical ischemic symptoms after the procedure. RESULTS: Between March 2005 and May 2006, 46 patients underwent endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. Seven patients had planned celiac artery coverage with a thoracic stent graft to secure an adequate distal sealing zone. Six patients demonstrated collateral circulation through the gastroduodenal artery between the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries before deployment of the stent graft. One patient had a distal type I endoleak at the conclusion of the procedure related to inadequate sealing at the superior mesenteric artery origin. No type II endoleaks were evident at the final intraoperative angiogram or 30-day computed tomography scan. There were no postoperative deaths, no ischemic abdominal complications, and no clinical spinal cord ischemia. Short-term follow-up (1 to 10 months) has demonstrated no additional endoleaks (type I not fully assessed), no aneurysm growth, and no aneurysm ruptures. CONCLUSION: This limited series supports the suitability, in selected patients, of covering the celiac artery origin for a distal landing zone when the distal sealing zone proximal to the celiac artery is inadequate. We recommend the angiographic evaluation of the collateral circulation between the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries when covering the celiac artery origin is being considered.     

Early and mid-term results of endovascular treatment of thoracic aorta diseases: a single-center experience

We conducted an analysis to assess early and mid-term outcomes of patients after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B thoracic aorta dissection, descending thoracic aneurysm, or traumatic aortic transection. From January 2016 through December 2018, twenty-seven patients (23 male, 4 female, mean age of 57 years) affected by type B dissection (n = 13 [48.2%]), thoracic aneurysm (n = 9 [33.3%]), and post-traumatic aortic isthmus rupture (n = 5 [18.5%]) were treated using TEVAR with and without left subclavian artery revascularization. All procedures were performed in a hybrid operating room using general (n = 12) or regional (n = 15) anesthesia. A combined brachial artery and bilateral femoral artery access was used in all patients. To achieve adequate proximal thoracic aorta landing zone length, coverage of the left subclavian artery with proximal endovascular plug occlusion was performed in 17 patients (62.9%); including 4 patients undergoing carotid–subclavian artery bypass before TEVAR stent-graft deployment. Primary procedural success rate was 96.3%; 1 patient had a Type Ib endoleak that was treated by distal stent graft extension. Four adverse outcomes occurred in the immediate postoperative period, including 2 cases of left upper arm acute ischemia (7.4%), ischemic stroke (3.7%), and asymptomatic iliac artery dissection (3.7%). During a mean follow-up of 18 months, no graft-related deaths or endoleak occurred. One patient developed symptomatic subclavian steal syndrome 1 month after operation and underwent a left carotid–subclavian artery bypass with symptom resolution. One patient died 6 months after TEVAR due to neoplasm. Our experience indicates TEVAR is a safe and less invasive alternative to open surgery for a spectrum of thoracic aorta diseases, especially for urgent conditions and in patients with high-risk surgical comorbidities.     

Should intentional endovascular stent-graft coverage of the left subclavian artery be preceded by prophylactic revascularisation?

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative to conventional open aortic replacement but it requires suitable proximal and distal landing zones for stent-graft anchoring. Many aortic pathologies affect in the immediate proximity of the left subclavian artery (LSA) limiting the proximal landing zone site without proximal vessel coverage. In patients in whom the distance between the LSA and aortic lesion is too short, extension of the landing zone can be obtained by covering the LSA's origin with the endovascular stent graft (ESG). This manoeuvre has the potential for immediate and delayed neurological and vascular symptoms. Some authors, therefore, propose prophylactic revascularisation of the LSA by transposition or bypass, while others suggest prophylactic revascularisation only under certain conditions, and still others see no requirement for prophylactic revascularisation in anticipation of LSA ostium coverage. In this review about LSA revascularisation in TEVAR patients with coverage of the LSA, we searched the electronic databases MEDLINE and EMBASE historically until the end date of May 2010 with the search terms left subclavian artery, covering, endovascular, revascularisation and thoracic aorta. We have gathered the most complete scientific evidence available used to support the various concepts to deal with this issue. After a review of the current available literature, 23 relevant articles were found, where we have identified and analysed three basic treatment concepts for LSA revascularisation in TEVAR patients (prophylactic, conditional prophylactic and no prophylactic LSA revascularisation). The available evidence supports prophylactic revascularisation of the LSA before ESG LSA coverage when preoperative imaging reveals abnormal supra-aortic vascular anatomy or pathology. We further conclude that elective patients undergoing planned coverage of the LSA during TEVAR should receive prophylactic LSA transposition or LSA-to-left-common-carotid-artery (LCCA) bypass surgery to prevent severe neurological complications, such as paraplegia or brain stem infarction.     

A new off-pump hybrid open and endovascular repair to treat ductus Botalli and ascendens aneurysms

To report a combined ascending aorta and aortic arch hybrid repair, we performed off-pump with no aortic graft replacement. A 65-year-old man, developing progressive recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, underwent a computed tomography (CT) angiography detecting nonpatent residual ductus Botalli aneurysm and ascending aorta aneurysm. Due to severe multimorbidities, a less-invasive alternative was elaborated. In a first step, appropriate proximal landing zone for aortic stent grafting was achieved by ascending aorta diameter reduction, with epiaortic wrapping, and debranching the supra-aortic trunks. In the second step, endovascular stent grafts were deployed from proximal ascending aorta to descending aorta, excluding the ductus Botalli aneurysm. Six-month follow-up CT shows ductus Botalli aneurysm exclusion, stable stent graft position, and ascending diameter and patent and stenosis-free supra-aortic grafts. This case supports this alternative treatment to open aortic repair under circulatory arrest and deep hypothermia, especially in those patients considered unfit for such invasive treatment.     

合并严重冠心病的短锚定区主动脉弓降部疾病的腔内修复

目的:探讨合并严重冠心病,已经接受或近期可能接受冠状动脉旁路移植手术须保留左锁骨下动脉,且近端锚定区又不足的主动脉弓降部疾病患者腔内修复治疗的策略及注意事项。方法:回顾性分析2016年4月—2016年7月期间阜外医院血管外科中心收治的9例合并严重冠心病、近端锚定区不足的主动脉弓降部疾病患者资料,其中男7例,女2例,平均年龄60(37~76)岁,均行胸主动脉腔内修复术治疗,均需保留左锁骨下动脉,从而保留作为冠脉前降支桥血管最佳来源的左侧乳内动脉。结果:手术成功率100%,无手术死亡,所有患者左侧乳内动脉均保留成功。术后发生I型内漏1例(1/9),随访3个月后内漏消失;术后4个月因冠状动脉回旋支狭窄行经皮冠状动脉成形术1例(1/9)。所有患者均获得门诊或电话随访,随访时间6(4~7)个月,所有患者临床症状消失或明显减轻,生活质量改善,无随访死亡病例。结论:对于已经接受左侧乳内动脉-冠脉前降支搭桥或即将接受冠脉搭桥手术的主动脉弓降部疾病患者,在实施胸主动脉腔内修复手术时可采取个性化措施保留左锁骨下动脉,进而保留左乳内动脉,必要时可以采用"烟囱"等技术辅助。     

The strategy of thoracic endovascular repair for aortic arch aneurysms

Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has gained wide acceptance because of its minimal invasiveness and effectiveness for thoracic aortic aneurysms. However, the endovascular technique alone is often not applicable to arch aneurysms due to their anatomical complexity, such as aortic curve and presense of neck branches. The development of branched stent graft that allows total endovascular approach has been slow. Therefore open surgical technique is still needed to obtain an adequate landing zone. Prior total arch replacement with elephant trunk and debranching neck vessels including partial debranching such as carotid-carotid crossover bypass, and total debranching from the ascending aorta were able to create a suitable proximal landing zone. Chimney technique using covered stent for the neck vessels is also effective for arch aneurysms. Here, we report the strategies of TEVAR for aortic arch aneurysms.     

When is safe to cover the left subclavian and celiac arteries. Part II: celiac artery

Endovascular repair of thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms became apparent as an alternative to open repair. When the distal landing zone proximal to celiac artery is inadequate, a traditional open surgical approach with thoracoabdominal aortic replacement concomitant with visceral and renal bypasses is necessary. Alternatively, either an abdominal hybrid procedure with debranching of the visceral vessels with subsequent thoracic stent graft placement or complete endovascular aneurysm exclusion with branched stent grafts is required. Extending the distal landing zone might be possible by covering the celiac artery origin. In this article, the authors review the anatomy of the celiac artery (SA) and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and consequences of CA coverage as scenery for a discussion of the ramifications of CA coverage during endovascular thoracic aortic repair (TEVAR). Summarizing the currently available literature, we will demonstrate the feasibility of covering the celiac artery based on a diagnostic algorism.     

Stanford B型主动脉夹层腔内修复术中左锁骨下动脉处理的研究进展

近年来胸主动脉腔内修复术(TEVAR)在Stanford B型主动脉夹层的治疗中取得了显著的疗效。主动脉弓结构复杂、曲度大、弓上分支血管负责脑部和上肢等重要区域的血供,其中左锁骨下动脉包含椎动脉等重要分支,负责左上肢、后脑部等的血供。为了保证足够的锚定区,当近端裂口距左锁骨下动脉开口距离1.5cm时需对左锁骨下动脉做相应处理,现对Stanford B型主动脉夹层腔内修复术中左锁骨下动脉的处理予以综述。     

The Proximal Landing Zone in Endovascular Repair of the Thoracic Aorta

In this study we evaluated the relationship between the site of the proximal landing zone during endovascular repair of thoracic aortic pathology and treatment outcomes. We reviewed all cases of endovascular repair of thoracic aortic lesions at our institution in the past 42 months. Thirty-seven Talent thoracic endografts were used to treat 20 thoracic aneurysms, 8 intramural hematomas, 6 aortic dissections, and 3 post-traumatic aneurysms. The proximal edge of the covered endograft was situated proximal to the left common carotid artery (zone 1) in 3 patients, between the left common carotid and subclavian arteries (zone 2) in 4 patients, <2 cm distal to the left subclavian artery (zone 3) in 9 patients, and >2 cm distal to the left subclavian (zone 4) in 21 patients. Five patients had extraanatomic bypass to revascularize one or more covered aortic branches. For zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 the endoleak rates were 100%, 0%, 11%, and 0%, respectively; the secondary procedure rates were 33%, 0%, 11%, and 5% respectively; and the treatment failure rates were 67%, 0%, 11%, and 0%, respectively (p < 0.05, for endoleak rates, using Fishers exact test to compare zone 1 to zones 2, 3, and 4 individually, and as a group). All three endovascular failures were due to proximal type 1 endoleaks. In conclusion, despite the use of great-vessel ligation and extraanatomic bypass to extend the proximal landing zone into the aortic arch, we have been unable to reliably exclude thoracic aortic pathology through use of endografts when the proximal landing zone is proximal to the left common carotid artery.Presented at the Twenty-eighth Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Chicago, IL, June 7, 2003.Drs. Obrand and Steinmetz are clinical proctors for Medtronic AVE.     

胸主动脉腔内修复术封堵左锁骨下动脉的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨胸主动脉腔内修复术(TEVAR)封堵左锁骨下动脉的安全性和可行性.方法 2007年12月至2008年12月共111例胸主动脉病变患者进入本研究.根据术中封堵左锁骨下动脉的情况分为完伞封堵、封堵<50%、封堵>50%和未封堵组.术前及术后第1、3、5和30天随访测量患者双卜肢的血压差值,同时评估有无脑卒中、偏瘫和截瘫以及左上肢缺血等情况.结果 完全封堵55例(49.6%),封堵<50%18例(16.2%),封堵>50%7例(6.3%),未封堵31例(27.9%).所有患者TEVAR均成功,无脑卒中、截瘫及偏瘫发生.完全封堵组与其余3组相比,双上肢血压差值的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).术后1周内完全封堵组中13例出现与左上肢活动无关的头晕,其中5例伴黑矇;7例出现左上肢间歇性跛行症状.结论 TEVAR中,为延长近端锚定区对左锁骨下动脉的封堵是安全可行的,但在某些情况下应行血管重建,以提供更为持久的修复效果.     

Surgical bypass procedures to facilitate endovascular repair of aortic arch pathology

Thoracic aortic aneurysms and other thoracic aortic lesions may become life-threatening conditions if they remain untreated. Conventional open surgical reconstruction with placement of an interposition graft is regarded as a definitive form of treatment, but is associated with considerable operative morbidity and mortality. Thoracic aortic lesions involving the aortic arch require more complex surgical interventions necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass, and hypothermic circulatory arrest. Outcomes from this form of treatment have a reported early stroke and death rate of up to 25%. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is a less invasive alternative for the treatment of many thoracic aortic lesions. The application of a thoracic endoprosthesis may be limited by the extent of involvement of the proximal thoracic aorta as coverage of arch vessel ostia may be necessary to obtain adequate proximal endograft fixation and aneurysm exclusion. In an effort to overcome proximal landing zone limitations imposed by arch vessel involvement, hybrid surgical-endovascular reconstructive and debranching bypass procedures have been performed to create a proximal landing zone of adequate length. Although these adjunctive techniques incorporate invasive surgical procedures, it is believed that minimizing the procedural invasiveness, by avoiding aortic cross-clamping and/or hypothermic circulatory arrest, morbidity and mortality outcomes can be improved especially in high-risk patients. Several surgical approaches and techniques have been described for various levels of aortic arch involvement with encouraging early and mid-term results, although the long-term durability of these hybrid surgical-endovascular procedures remains to be defined.     

利用左锁骨下动脉开口为锚定区行胸主动脉瘤的腔内治疗

目的 总结利用左锁骨下动脉(LSA)开口为锚定区行腔内治疗胸主动脉瘤的经验和体会.方法 2003年10月至2007年7月共完成覆膜支架腔内隔绝术治疗胸主动脉瘤146例,其中男106例,女40例;年龄29～72岁,平均(53.7±13.8)岁.其中Stanford B型夹层动脉瘤133例,破口位于降主动脉的Stanford A型4例,假性动脉瘤6例,外伤致胸降主动脉破裂3例.锚定区为LSA开口(Z2区)者30例(21%).结果 全组无围术期死亡.无脊髓损伤、支架移位、急性脑缺血、左上肢功能受损等严重并发症.术后平均住院(4.0±1.3)d.术后并发症包括发热35例,Ⅳ型内漏14例,Ⅰ型内漏2例,肾功能衰竭和一过性晕厥各1例.随访1～48个月,期间无严重并发症.结论 覆膜支架腔内隔绝术是一种治疗胸主动脉瘤的有效方法,手术创伤小、术后恢复快,疗效肯定、安全性高.部分病例可以利用LSA开口为锚定区,以扩大腔内治疗的范围,增加手术的安全性.     

Endovascular treatment of the descending thoracic aorta.

OBJECTIVES: to report our initial experience with endovascular stent graft repair of a variety of thoracic aortic pathology. DESIGN: retrospective single center study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: between February 2000 and January 2002, endovascular stent graft repair was performed in 26 patients: traumatic aortic isthmus rupture (n=3), Type B dissection (n=11) and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (n=12). The deployed stent graft systems were AneuRx-Medtronic (n=1), Talent-Medtronic (n=13) and Excluder-Gore (n=12). RESULTS: successful deployment of the stent grafts in the intended position was achieved in all patients. No hospital mortality neither paraplegia were observed. Late, non procedure related, death occurred in four patients (15%). Access artery complications with rupture of the iliac artery occurred in two patients and were managed by iliac-femoral bypass. The left subclavian artery was overstented in seven patients (27%). Only the first patient received a carotido-subclavian bypass. The mean maximal aortic diameter decreased significantly in patients treated for descending thoracic aneurysm. Only one patient had an endoleak type II after 6 months without enlargement of the aneurysm. Complete thrombosis of the thoracic false lumen occurred in all but one patient treated for Type B dissection 6 months postoperatively. Two patients underwent a consecutive stent graft placement, due to a large re-entry tear distal to the first stent graft. CONCLUSIONS: endovascular stent graft repair for Type B dissection, descending thoracic aneurysm and aortic isthmus rupture is a promising less-invasive alternative to surgical repair. Further studies are mandatory to determine its long-term efficacy.