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.     

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.     

Endovascular repair of a ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysm

Endovascular aneurysm repair has considerable potential advantages over the surgical approach as a treatment for thoracic aortic rupture, in part because open surgical repair of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. We describe the successful endovascular deployment of stent-grafts to repair a contained rupture of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm in an 86-year-old man whose comorbidities prohibited surgery. Two months after the procedure, magnetic resonance angiography showed a patent stent-graft, a patent left subclavian artery, and complete exclusion of the aneurysm.     

Open Versus Endovascular or Hybrid Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are multiple underlying etiologies, including genetic abnormalities, that have important implications in their natural history. The variable histologic, anatomic, and clinical presentations necessitate careful consideration of available treatment options. Surgical repair of these aneurysms has been the mainstay of treatment; however, these approaches can carry a relatively high risk of morbidity and mortality. Endovascular approaches have now become first-line therapy for descending thoracic aneurysms, and with advancements in graft technology, endovascular approaches are being increasingly employed for hybrid repairs of the aortic arch and even the ascending aorta. However, to date, clinical outcomes from randomized trials and long-term follow-up are limited. As technology continues to advance, there is the potential for further integration of surgical and endovascular treatments so that patients have the best opportunity for a favorable outcome.     

同期行降主动脉和腹主动脉腔内修复术

目的：讨论病变同时累及降主动脉和腹主动脉的主动脉疾患,同期行胸主动脉和腹主动脉腔内修复术对脊髓缺血的影响.方法：回顾性分析2009年2月至2013年1月间,本中心收住院的病变同时累及降主动脉和腹主动脉的18例患者,其中男性17例,女性1例,年龄50 ～ 78岁,平均（61.13±7.25）岁,其中胸主动脉瘤伴腹主动脉瘤10例,胸主动脉穿通溃疡伴腹主动脉瘤5例,胸主动脉及腹主动脉均为穿通溃疡2例,胸主动脉夹层伴腹主动脉瘤1例,全部采用双侧股动脉切开行主动脉腔内修复术,其中胸主动脉根据病变范围置入1枚或2枚覆膜支架（部分重叠）,腹主动脉置入分体式或一体式支架.结果：术后1例脊髓供血障碍（5.6％）,经脱水及神经营养性治疗后痊愈,随访3～24个月,无支架移位或内漏等并发症发生.结论：应用覆膜支架同时覆盖降主动脉和腹主动脉处理主动脉病变是安全、有效的.个别可引起脊髓缺血,应进行积极预防和及时处理.     

Multiple HIV-related aneurysms: open and endovascular treatment.

PURPOSE: To report successful endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms in 2 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). CASE REPORTS: Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) were found in a 60-year-old woman 1 year after she was diagnosed with HIV. Because of pain and risk of rupture, the AAA was repaired with conventional open techniques in February 1997, while the thoracic aneurysm was excluded in a staged procedure using a homemade endograft delivered through a 10-mm conduit sewn to the aortic tube graft. Two months later, new aneurysms were found in the superficial femoral arteries bilaterally; both were excised and replaced with vein grafts. After 7 years, the patient is well and no longer takes antiretroviral medication. Surveillance imaging shows continued patency of the stent-graft without evidence of leak or migration. In a more contemporary case, a 46-year-old man was found to have 5 focal aneurysms in the aorta; the most proximal descending thoracic aneurysm increased 2 cm in 2 weeks. The two thoracic aneurysms were successfully excluded using 2 Excluder stent-grafts. At 7 months, he was doing well, and the aneurysm had shrunk 11 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular and open treatment of HIV-related aneurysms is possible, with excellent long-term results. Patients with long-life expectancy should be treated according to the same guidelines as patients without HIV.     

Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

The standard technique for the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms is elective open surgical repair with graft interposition. This standard approach, although steadily improving, is associated with high morbidity and substantial mortality rates and implies a major surgical procedure with lateral thoracotomy, use of cardiopulmonary bypass, long operation times and a variety of peri- and postoperative complications. This and the success of the first endoluminal treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms by Parodi et al. prompted the attention to be thrown on the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms with endoluminal stent-grafts in many large centres. The aim of this new minimally invasive technique is to exclude the aneurysm from blood flow and in consequence to avoid pressure stress on the aneurysmatic aortic wall, by avoiding a large open operation with significant perioperative morbidity. The potentially beneficial effect of this new treatment approach was evaluated in the course of this study.     

The chimney graft: a technique for preserving or rescuing aortic branch vessels in stent-graft sealing zones

PURPOSE: To report an alternative to the fenestrated stent-graft for preserving blood flow to side branches in the sealing zones of aortic stent-grafts. TECHNIQUE: A covered stent is deployed parallel to the main aortic stent-graft, protruding somewhat proximally, like a chimney, to preserve flow to a vital side branch covered by the aortic stent-graft. Use of a chimney graft makes it possible to use standard off-the-shelf stent-grafts to instantly treat lesions with inadequate fixation zones, providing an alternative to fenestrated stent-grafts in urgent cases, in aneurysms with challenging neck morphology, and for reconstituting an aortic side branch unintentionally compromised during endovascular repair. This technique has been used successfully in 10 patients, combining chimney grafts in the renal, superior mesenteric, left subclavian, left common carotid, and innominate arteries with stent-grafts in the abdominal (n=6) or thoracic (n=4) aorta. There has been no late chimney graft-related endoleak on imaging studies up to 8 months. CONCLUSION: The use of chimney grafts is feasible in the renal and superior mesenteric arteries, as well as in the supra-aortic branches, to facilitate stent-graft repair of thoracic or abdominal aortic lesions with inadequate fixation zones.     

Endovascular repair of lesions of descending thoracic aorta: aneurysms and dissections

The morbidity and mortality of open repair of descending thoracic aortic lesions remains uncomfortably high. Shortly after the advent of an endovascular approach for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms, attempts have been made to apply similar technologies to the thoracic aorta. Early experiences with endovascular grafts for thoracic aortic aneurysms have met with good to moderate success but have provided a framework for development of improved technologies specifically designed for this anatomic region. Early studies with second generation devices have shown more promise. Aortic dissections, a disease state associated with an exceptionally high morbidity and mortality, represent another condition that is readily treated with an endovascular approach.     

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.     

Endovascular Therapy for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: State of the Art in 2012

Conventional surgery for thoracic aortic pathology involves replacing the affected segment of aorta with an interposition graft and often requires the use of extracorporeal circulatory support with or without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Although operative results have improved consistently over 60 years, patients with extensive aneurysms face a considerable risk with conventional surgery, particularly when burdened with multiple comorbidities. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was first performed in 1994 and has become a well-established alternative therapy for many thoracic aortic pathologies. TEVAR is most frequently performed through a small groin incision to access the common femoral artery. Wires and catheters are used to deliver and deploy the stent graft in the thoracic aorta under fluoroscopic control. Occasionally, TEVAR is performed as part of a complex hybrid procedure including one stage of conventional open surgery that may utilize a thoracic incision and cardiopulmonary bypass support. The less invasive nature of TEVAR offers the potential for lower mortality and peri-procedural morbidity. Although long-term results of TEVAR are still being gathered, mid-term results are excellent and most late vascular complications can be treated with additional transcatheter procedures. Recent development of fenestrated and branched stent grafts is expanding the application of endovascular therapies to complex aortic pathologies involving the thoracoabdominal aorta and aortic arch. Although conventional techniques continue to be the gold standard for treatment of ascending aortic pathology, recent reports have proven TEVAR to be a viable alternative in specific situations. Design improvements continue to expand the indications for TEVAR, and technological advancements in the field of imaging facilitate safer and more accurate planning, delivery, and assessment of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms. Hybrid operating rooms provide the optimal environment with state of the art imaging technology for the cardiovascular team to perform TEVAR or alternative hybrid procedures.     

Endovascular Repair as a Bridge to Surgical Repair of an Aortobronchial Fistula Complicating Chronic Residual Aortic Dissection

Endovascular and open surgical repair have been used in patients with descending thoracic aortic dissection; however, the appropriate treatment is debated. We describe the case of a 60-year-old woman who had a symptomatic, chronic, residual, descending thoracic aortic dissection that was complicated by an aortobronchial fistula. She underwent emergent thoracic endovascular stent-grafting but remained symptomatic. Computed tomographic angiograms showed a contained rupture into the lower lobe of the left lung. The patient underwent definitive surgery to remove the stents, reconstruct the aorta, and resect the nonviable lung tissue. The remainder of her postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged from the hospital 13 days after the 2nd operation. Results of genetic testing confirmed an earlier presumptive diagnosis of Marfan syndrome.In an emergency, the best initial option for patients with a complicated descending thoracic aortic dissection might be thoracic endovascular aortic repair, which could serve as a bridge to definitive open repair.     

管腔内支架人工血管治疗急性胸降主动脉夹层动脉瘤

目的 探讨管腔内支架替代传统手术治疗急性胸降主动脉夹层动脉瘤的可行性及效果.方法 从2003年6月至2005年6月,12例急性胸降主动脉夹层动脉瘤患者接受管腔内支架人工血管治疗.结果 12例患者无死亡.共放支架12支,胸降主动脉受压夹层真腔全部恢复正常管径,无中转手术.术后3个月、1年随访,行CTA检查未发现与支架有关的并发症.结论管腔内支架人工血管治疗急性胸降主动脉夹层动脉瘤是一种有效的治疗方法.     

Etiology, pathogenesis and management of thoracic aortic aneurysm

Given the growing proportion of elderly people in Western societies and the increasing prevalence of chronic hypertension, the management of aneurysmal aortic disease is an ever growing challenge. Although degenerative changes in the aortic wall are common to thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and to various types of dissection in general, TAA can result from specific heritable disorders of connective tissues. Today, increased awareness of vascular diseases and access to tomographic imaging equipment facilitate the diagnosis of TAA, even when asymptomatic. While most TAA cases with ascending aortic involvement are treated with surgical repair (primarily valve-preserving techniques), aneurysms of the distal arch and descending thoracic aorta are amenable to alternatives to classic open repair such as the emerging endovascular treatment techniques. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the etiology, pathophysiology and clinical management of patients with TAA, and discuss the most recent literature on the condition.     

Management of thoracic aortic lesions--the future is endovascular

Open surgical repair of lesions of the descending thoracic aorta, such as aneurysm, dissection and traumatic rupture, has been the "state-of-the-art" treatment for many decades. However, in specialized cardiovascular centers, thoracic endovascular aortic repair and hybrid aortic procedures have been implemented as novel treatment options. The current clinical results show that these procedures can be performed with low morbidity and mortality rates. However, due to a lack of randomized trials, the level of reliability of these new treatment modalities remains a matter of discussion. Clinical decision-making is generally based on the experience of the vascular center as well as on individual factors, such as life expectancy, comorbidity, aneurysm aetiology, aortic diameter and morphology. This article will review and discuss recent publications of open surgical, hybrid thoracic aortic (in case of aortic arch involvement) and endovascular repair in complex pathologies of the descending thoracic aorta.     

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.     

Short term outcome of thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with thoracic aortic diseases

Aim and background

Open surgical repair for thoracic aortic diseases is associated with a high perioperative mortality and morbidity. Most of type B aortic dissections are uncomplicated and are medically treated which carries a high mortality rate. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is the first-line therapy for isolated aneurysms of the descending aorta and complicated type B aortic dissection. The aim of this study is to test the safety of early thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection and patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.

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.     

Expanding false lumen in the abdominal aorta 5 years after endovascular repair of a type B aortic dissection: successful exclusion of 3 distal re-entry sites.

PURPOSE: To report endovascular treatment of an expanding aneurysmal false lumen several years after successful stent-graft deployment in the descending thoracic aorta for type B aortic dissection. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old woman who had a stent-graft placed at the entry site of a type B aortic dissection 5 years prior presented with abdominal discomfort and palpable abdominal mass. Successful remodeling of the thoracic aorta was demonstrated by computed tomography; however, a false lumen aneurysm in the abdominal aorta had expanded from 4.8 to 6.5 cm and caused symptoms. She was successfully treated with 3 additional stent-grafts at 3 re-entry sites. Six months after the procedure, the false lumen aneurysm was completely excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair of the re-entry sites can prevent further expansion of false lumen aneurysm, which occurs in some patients with type B dissection treated with stent-grafts.     

Underlying aortic pathology and clinical health status determine success of endovascular stent-grafting for descending thoracic aortic disease.

Despite advances in medical and surgical treatment, acute as well as chronic diseases of the thoracic aorta are still associated with a high mortality. For the descending thoracic aorta, endovascular stent-graft placement competes with surgical therapy for clinical outcome. From July 1999 till December 2004, a total of 84 patients (64 +/- 14 years) with aortic disease of the descending thoracic aorta were treated. Nine patients had acute (AAD) and 35 chronic aortic dissection (AD), 16 had thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA), 21 had penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU), and 3 patients had traumatic dissection (trans). Initial clinical status was assessed using the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification. Fifty-three patients were in class 2, 16 in class 3, 8 in class 4, and 7 in class 5. Stent-graft placement was performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory with the patient under general anesthesia. Technical success was obtained in 81/84 patients (96%). Within 30 days, seven patients (8%) died, four of them due to aortic rupture. In 14 patients, additional stent-grafts had to be implanted due to type I endovascular leakage (n = 5) or additional entry site adding up to a total of 107 implanted stent-grafts. During a follow-up period of 21 +/- 18 months, 17 additional patients died (22%). In 10 patients, death was disease- or procedure-related (13%). This long-term mortality depended on the underlying disease and was highest in the group with TAA (45%) followed by AAD (38%) and AD (18%). Patients in ASA class 4 and 5 had a significantly worse outcome. No aortic-related death occurred among patients with PAU or traumatic transsections. Overall, there was only one transient neurological deficit. Endovascular stent-graft placement has acceptable results in the treatment of patients with disease of the descending thoracic aorta. The outcome strongly depends on the underlying aortic pathology and the clinical health status of the patients. Randomized trials are necessary in order to establish the exact value of this new therapeutic option.