Midterm results of endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta

Descending thoracic aortic mural ulceration is associated with postoperative spinal cord ischemia after branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

Paraplegia is one of the most feared complications after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The purpose of this study is to determine whether aortic thrombus characteristics are associated with spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after branched endovascular aneurysm repair (BEVAR).

METHODS

From April 2011 to April 2020, 62 patients underwent elective BEVAR for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and pararenal aortic aneurysms using a low-profile device and had a complete preoperative computed tomography angiography of the aorta from the sinotubular junction to the aortic bifurcation. Aortic thrombus was evaluated for thrombus thickness ≥5 mm, thrombus >2/3 of aortic circumference, and the presence of an ulcer-like thrombus. One point was assigned at each 5 mm axial image if all 3 criteria were met, resulting in a total "shaggy score" for the entire aorta. Data on demographics, procedural details, and outcomes were collected prospectively. All patients underwent a standard spinal cord protection protocol, including routine cerebrospinal fluid drainage. In July 2016, an insulin infusion protocol (IIP) was initiated to maintain postoperative blood glucose levels <120 mg/dL for 48 hours. The primary clinical end point was postoperative SCI.

RESULTS

10 (16%) patients developed postoperative SCI: 6 with transient paraparesis, 2 with persistent paraparesis, and 2 with persistent paraplegia. Patients with SCI were older, had higher shaggy scores, and were less likely to have been on an IIP. There were no significant differences in demographics, aneurysm type, or operative parameters. In a logistic multivariate regression model for SCI, age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.2 [1.1-1.4], P = .02) and shaggy score (OR: 1.2 [1.1-1.4], P = .02) were independently associated with increased risk of SCI, whereas treatment with the IIP was associated with lower risk of SCI (OR: 0.04 [0.006-0.50], P = .05). Of the individual components of the shaggy score, higher descending thoracic aortic ulcer scores were the most strongly associated with postoperative SCI (P = .009).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative characterization of aortic wall thrombus is an important adjunctive tool for individualized clinical decision-making and patient counseling about the risk of SCI after BEVAR.

A novel sax-stent method in treatment of ascending aorta and aortic arch aneurysms evaluated by finite element simulations

OBJECTIVES

A novel stent method to simplify treatment of proximal ascending aorta and aortic arch aneurysms was developed and investigated by finite element analysis. Therapy of ascending aortic and aortic arch aneurysms is difficult and challenging and is associated with various complications.

METHODS

A 55mm wide×120mm long stent was designed without the stent graft and the stent was deployed by an endovascular method in a virtual patient-specific aneurysm model. The stress-strain analysis and deployment characteristics were performed in a finite element analysis using the Abaqus software.

RESULTS

The stent, when embedded in the aortic wall, significantly reduced aortic wall stresses, while preserving the side coronary ostia and side branches in the aortic arch. When tissue growth was modeled computationally over the stent struts the wall stresses in aorta was reduced. This effect became more pronounced when increasing the thickness of the tissue growth. There were no abnormal stresses in the aorta, coronary ostium and at the origin of aortic branches. The stent reduced aneurysm expansion cause by hypertensive condition from 2mm without stenting to 1.3mm after stenting and embedding.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we uncovered a simple treatment method using a bare nitinol stent without stent graft in the treatment of the proximal aorta and aortic arch aneurysms, which could eventually replace the complex treatment methods for this disease.

Thoracic stent graft versus surgery for thoracic aneurysm

BACKGROUND

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an uncommon disease with an incidence of 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. It occurs mainly in older individuals and is evenly distributed among both sexes. There are no signs or symptoms indicative of the presence of the disease. Progressive but unpredictable enlargement of the dilated aorta is the natural course of the disease and can lead to rupture. Open chest surgical repair using prosthetic graft interposition has been a conventional treatment for TAAs. Despite improvements in surgical procedures perioperative complications remain significant. The alternative option of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is considered a less invasive and potentially safer technique, with lower morbidity and mortality compared with conventional treatment. Evidence is needed to support the use of TEVAR for these patients, rather than open surgery. This is an update of the review first published in 2009.

OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to assess the efficacy of TEVAR versus conventional open surgery in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update the Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Specialised Register (last searched January 2016) and CENTRAL (2015, Issue 12).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials in which patients with TAAs were randomly assigned to TEVAR or open surgical repair.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified and evaluated potential trials for eligibility. Excluded studies were further checked by another author. We did not perform any statistical analyses as no randomised controlled trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS

We did not find any published or unpublished randomised controlled trials comparing TEVAR with conventional open surgical repair for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Stent grafting of the thoracic aorta is technically feasible and non-randomised studies suggest reduction of early outcomes such as paraplegia, mortality and hospital stay. High quality randomised controlled trials assessing all clinically relevant outcomes including open-conversion, aneurysm exclusion, endoleaks, and late mortality are needed.

Endovascular Treatment of Degenerative Aneurysms Involving Only the Descending Thoracic Aorta

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for degenerative aneurysm involving only the descending thoracic aorta (DTAA). Methods: An English-language literature review was performed through PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify any study evaluating the outcomes of TEVAR for DTAA. The main endpoints of this analysis were all-cause 30-day and late postoperative mortality. Secondary outcome measures were procedure success, vascular access complications, paraplegia, stroke, early endoleaks during the index hospitalization, aneurysm-related death, reinterventions, and conversion to open repair. To control for the anticipated heterogeneity among small observational studies, absolute values and means were pooled using random effects models; the results are expressed as pooled proportions, means, or risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Eleven studies reporting on 673 patients (mean age 72.6 years, mean aneurysm diameter 62.9 cm) with DTAA were selected for the analysis. Technical success was reported in 91.0% of patients, and vascular access complications requiring repair were encountered in 9.7% of cases. Pooled overall 30-day, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 96.0%, 80.3%, 77.3%, and 74.0%, respectively. Five studies compared the results of TEVAR after elective (n=151) and urgent/emergent procedure (n=77); the latter was a predictor of 30-day mortality (17.1% vs 1.8%, RR 3.83, 95% CI 1.18 to 12.40, p=0.025). Paraplegia occurred in 3.2% of patients and was permanent in 1.4% of patients. The stroke rate was 2.7%. Early type I endoleak was observed in 7.3%, type II endoleak in 2.0%, and type III in 1.2% of patients. The mean follow-up of 9 studies was 22.3 months. At 3 years, freedom from reintervention was 90.3%. Death secondary to aneurysm rupture and/or fistula was reported in 3.2% of patients. Conclusion: Current results indicate that TEVAR for DTAA can be performed with rather high technical success, low postoperative morbidity, and good 3-year survival.

A review of follow-up outcomes after elective endovascular repair of degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms

Long-term outcomes of elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for degenerative thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are not well defined. A review of the literature on the follow-up outcomes of elective TEVAR for degenerative TAA resulted in 22 relevant articles. Two- and five-year freedom from aneurysm-related death varied between 93.0% and 100.0%, and 82.4% to 92.7%, respectively. Two-year and five-year all-cause survival ranged between 68.0% and 97.2% and 47.0% to 78.0%, respectively. Follow-up ranged between 17.3 and 66.0 months. Most common endograft-related complication was endoleak, with reported rate between 1.4% and 14.8% during six months up to five years of follow-up. Endovascular reinterventions were reported in 0.0–32.3%, secondary open surgery was needed in 0.0% to 4.7% during follow-up. Aneurysm-related survival rates after elective TEVAR for degenerative TAA are acceptable. However, reported incidences of endograft-related complications vary considerably in the literature, but the majority can be managed with conservative treatment or additional endovascular procedures.

Thoracic stent graft versus surgery for thoracic aneurysm

BACKGROUND

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an uncommon disease with an incidence of 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. It occurs mainly in older individuals and is evenly distributed among both sexes. There are no signs or symptoms indicative of the presence of the disease. Progressive but unpredictable enlargement of the dilated aorta is the natural course of the disease and can lead to rupture. Open chest surgical repair using prosthetic graft interposition has been a conventional treatment for TAAs. Despite improvements in surgical procedures perioperative complications remain significant. The alternative option of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is considered a less invasive and potentially safer technique, with lower morbidity and mortality compared with conventional treatment. Evidence is needed to support the use of TEVAR for these patients, rather than open surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review is to assess the efficacy of TEVAR versus conventional open surgery in patients with TAAs.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched March 2013) and CENTRAL (2013, Issue 2).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials in which patients with TAAs were randomly assigned to TEVAR or open surgical repair.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified and evaluated potential trials for eligibility. Excluded studies were further checked by another author. We did not perform any statistical analyses as no randomised controlled trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS

We did not find any published or unpublished randomised controlled trials comparing TEVAR with conventional open surgical repair for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Though stent grafting of the thoracic aorta is technically feasible and non-randomised studies suggest reduction of early outcomes such as paraplegia, mortality and hospital stay, high quality randomised controlled trials assessing all clinically relevant outcomes including open-conversion, aneurysm exclusion, endoleaks, and late mortality are needed.

A systematic review of spinal cord injury and cerebrospinal fluid drainage after thoracic aortic endografting

BACKGROUND

The use of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is increasing. Similar to open repair, TEVAR carries a risk of spinal cord ischemia (SCI). We undertook a systematic review to determine whether preoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage reduces SCI.

METHODS

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and conference abstracts were searched using the keywords thoracic endovascular aortic repair, cerebrospinal fluid, spinal cord ischaemia, TEVAR, and aneurysm. Studies reporting SCI rates and CSF drain rates for TEVAR patients were eligible for inclusion. SCI rates across studies were pooled using random-effects modeling. Study quality was evaluated using the Downs and Black score.

RESULTS

Study quality was generally poor to moderate (median Downs and Black score, 9). The systematic review identified 46 eligible studies comprising 4936 patients; overall, SCI affected 3.89% (95% confidence interval, 2.95.05%-4.95%). Series reporting routine prophylactic drain placement or no prophylactic drain placement reported pooled SCI rates of 3.2% and 3.47%, respectively. The pooled SCI rate from 24 series stating that prophylactic drainage was used selectively was 5.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal chord injury is uncommon after TEVAR. The role of prophylactic CSF drainage is difficult to establish from the available literature. High-quality studies are required to determine the role of prophylactic CSF drainage in TEVAR.

Role of multidetector computed tomography in evaluating complications following endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm

Objective:

To study the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in evaluating various complications following endovascular stenting of aortic aneurysms.

Materials and Methods:

Over a period of 2 years (June 2005 to June 2007), 50 patients with aortic aneurysm on computed tomography (CT) angiogram were prospectively studied. Images were acquired on a 64 slice multidetector row CT scanner (GE—LightSpeed VCT) after intravenous administration of nonionic iodinated contrast. Nineteen patients underwent endovascular stent-graft repair based on their medical and surgical risk factors. Stent-graft related complications were recorded by CT angiography and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

Most common complication related to the endovascular stent-graft placement was endoleak (44.4%), followed by puncture site hematoma (27.8%), thrombotic occlusion of a limb of the bifurcated stent graft, kinking of the stent-graft, and difficult catheterization with intimal tear in the common iliac artery were 5.6% each. Poststent diameter of the aneurysm was an important predictor of endoleaks. All the patients with either increase or no change in the aneurysm size had endoleaks.

Conclusion:

MDCT angiography is an important modality in identifying, describing, and following up the various complications following endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms, endoleaks being the most common complication. Decrease in the poststent diameter of the aneurysm suggested a good outcome.

Endovascular repair of nonruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms: systematic review

Thoracic aortic aneurysms represent a major health problem. Untreated thoracic aortic aneurysms may rupture, which has a dismal outcome. The standard treatment for thoracic aneurysms is open surgical repair, but it is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Endovascular repair provides a less invasive and safer alternative. A systematic review was performed of all published literature on the above subject. Our primary objective was to measure 30-day mortality for nonruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms. Studies describing other pathologies, such as aortic dissection, mycotic aneurysms, penetrating ulcers, traumatic transactions, and pseudoaneurysms, and studies from which independent data for thoracic aortic aneurysm could not be separately extracted were excluded. Case series describing less than 10 patients and all case series describing ruptures or concealed ruptures were excluded as well. Twenty-six case series and one comparative study were identified. This formed a cohort of 1,038 patients. Technical success was possible in more than 97% of patients. The 30-day mortality was calculated to be 5.1% even though the group under study was mostly those who were refused surgery by a surgeon or had a higher surgical risk. The incidence of paraplegia and stroke was 3.1% and 4.7%, respectively. Early endoleak was seen in 16.7% of patients, whereas 11.7% of patients developed late endoleak, but most did not require any additional procedure. The rate of reintervention was 14.9%. The 12-month mortality rate was 14.2%. Endovascular repair shows encouraging short-term results. It is associated with significantly less mortality and morbidity, but long-term results need to be further investigated.

Thoracic stent graft versus surgery for thoracic aneurysm

BACKGROUND

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an uncommon disease with an incidence of 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. It occurs mainly in older individuals and is evenly distributed among both sexes. There are no signs or symptoms indicative of the presence of the disease. Progressive but unpredictable enlargement of the dilated aorta is the natural course of the disease and can lead to rupture. Open chest surgical repair using prosthetic graft interposition has been a conventional treatment for TAAs. Despite improvements in surgical procedures perioperative complications remain significant. The alternative option of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is considered a less invasive and potentially safer technique, with lower morbidity and mortality compared with conventional treatment. Evidence is needed to support the use of TEVAR for these patients, rather than open surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review is to assess the efficacy of TEVAR versus conventional open surgery in patients with TAAs.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group searched their Trials Register (last searched 10 October 2008), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database (CENTRAL) (last searched The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials in which patients with TAAs were randomly assigned to TEVAR or open surgical repair.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified and evaluated potential trials for eligibility. Excluded studies were further checked by another author. We did not perform any statistical analyses as no randomised controlled trials were identified.

MAIN RESULTS

We did not find any published or unpublished randomised controlled trials comparing TEVAR with conventional open surgical repair for the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Though stent grafting of the thoracic aorta is technically feasible and non-randomised studies suggest reduction of early outcomes such as paraplegia, mortality and hospital stay, high quality randomised controlled trials assessing all clinically relevant outcomes including open-conversion, aneurysm exclusion, endoleaks, and late mortality are needed.

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.

Degree of fusiform dilatation of the proximal descending aorta in type B acute aortic dissection can predict late aortic events

OBJECTIVE

Predicting the risk factors for late aortic events in patients with type B acute aortic dissection without complications may help to determine a therapeutic strategy for this disorder. We investigated whether late aortic events in type B acute aortic dissection can be predicted accurately by an index that expresses the degree of fusiform dilatation of the proximal descending aorta during the acute phase; this index can be calculated as follows: (maximum diameter of the proximal descending aorta)/(diameter of the distal aortic arch + diameter of the descending aorta at the pulmonary artery level).

METHODS

Patients with type B acute aortic dissection without complications (n = 141) were retrospectively analyzed to determine the predictors of late aortic events; these include aortic dilatation, rupture, refractory pain, organ ischemia, rapid aortic enlargement, and rapid enlargement of ulcer-like projections.

RESULTS

The fusiform index in patients with late aortic events (0.59) was higher than that in patients without late aortic events (0.53, P < .01). Patients with a higher fusiform index exhibited aortic dilatation earlier than those with a lower fusiform index. By multivariate analysis, we conclude that the predominant independent predictors of late aortic events were a maximum aortic diameter of 40 mm or more, a patent false lumen, and a fusiform index of 0.64 or more (hazard ratios, 3.18, 2.64, and 2.73, respectively). The values of actuarial freedom from aortic events for patients with all 3 predictors at 1, 5, and 10 years were 22%, 17%, and 8%, respectively, whereas the values in those without these predictors were 97%, 94%, and 90%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of fusiform dilatation of the proximal descending aorta, a patent false lumen, and a large aortic diameter can be predominant predictors of late aortic events in patients with type B acute aortic dissection. Patients with these predictors should be recommended to undergo early interventions (surgery or stent-graft implantation) or at least be closely followed up during the chronic phase before such events develop.

Continued Aortic Aneurysmal Expansion After Thoracic Endovascular Stent-Grafting

We report the successful open repair of a thoracoabdominal aneurysm that had expanded after previous endovascular stenting. Aortic valve-sparing root replacement was performed as an initial step because the patient had significant aortic valve regurgitation caused by root enlargement. Continued aneurysmal dilatation after stenting of the thoracic aorta can lead to repair failure and therefore underscores the need for careful follow-up of patients after endografting.