Repair of Distal Aortic Arch Aneurysms by Left Subclavian Artery Transposition with Stented Elephant Trunk Implantation

Application of the modified stented elephant trunk procedure in type B aortic dissection

Background

Considering the progressive nature of complicated Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD), operation must anticipate the need for later interventions. Recently we have used a modified stent elephant trunk (SET) procedure to treat these patients. And we review the indications, considerations for planning, and operative details for this this modified SET procedure.

Methods

Ten patients (seven males and three females) with complicated TBAD underwent a modified SET procedure in Anzhen Hospital, Beijing in the period between January 2019 and December 2019. The patients, whose ages ranged from 29-52 (42±7.23), suffered complications with hypertension. Under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, all the patients received SET implantation via an incision of the aortic arch. Before the patients were discharged, a computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed to ensure the safety and accuracy of the procedure.

Results

The average surgery time was 4.0-5.5 (4.65±0.47) hours, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 115-163 (138.6±15.64) minutes, aortic cross-clamping time was 32-59 (42±7.72) minutes, and selective cerebral perfusion (SCP) time was 15-32 (21.7±5.56) minutes. The SCP flow and nasopharyngeal temperature were 5-8 (6.8±1.23) mL/kg/min and 23.5-26.8 (25.22±0.96) °C, respectively. During SCP, the blood pressure of the left upper limb was 20-31 (25.5±3.81) mmHg. Aorta cannulation position: vascular graft was anastomosed to the innominate artery (IA) and left subclavian artery (LSA) in seven cases, and with IA, LSA, and the right femoral artery in three cases. Ventilation time was 5-15 (8.8±2.94) h, retention time in ICU was one day, and post-operative hospitalization time was 6-8 (6.9±0.74) days. None of the patients died, or experienced endoleakage or neurological complications.

Conclusions

The application of a modified stented elephant trunk procedure in the treatment of TBAD is safe and efficient.

Repair of Type Ia Endoleaks Involving the Distal Arch Using Left Subclavian Artery-Left Common Carotid Artery Transposition with a Stented Elephant Trunk

BACKGROUND

Type Ia endoleaks are common after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). However, the repair of type Ia endoleaks involving the distal arch is challenging because of the presence of the interventional endografts, potential damage to the aortic arch vessels, and the location and size of the aneurysmal body. We retrospectively reviewed our experience of the surgical treatment of type Ia endoleaks with distal arch involvement using left subclavian artery (LSCA)-left common carotid artery (LCCA) transposition with a stented elephant trunk.

METHODS

Sixteen patients (male = 16; mean age, 47 ± 9 years, range 31-63 years) with type Ia endoleaks involving the distal arch underwent LSCA-LCCA transposition with a stented elephant trunk from July 2010 to July 2018. TEVAR failure occurred in 12 patients, re-TEVAR was performed in two patients, hybrid aortic arch repair in one patient, and the chimney technique in one patient.

RESULTS

There were no in-hospital deaths. Fourteen patients required mechanical ventilation for <24 h and one for <48 h. One patient required reintubation after mechanical ventilation for 19 h and continuous renal replacement therapy because of renal failure. One patient received pericardial drainage, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in one patient. Three patients died during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The LSCA-LCCA transposition with a stented elephant trunk can produce satisfactory results in patients with a type Ia endoleak involving the distal arch. Using this technique, it is possible to exclude the aneurysm sac distal to the LCCA origin and seclude the failed interventional endograft. These encouraging outcomes suggested that this technique could be a suitable surgical treatment for this type of lesion.