Endovascular techniques for arch vessel reconstruction

Laser Fenestration in TEVAR - Perspectives and Future Directions

Endovascular aortic repair has been increasingly utilized to treat a multitude of thoracic aortic pathologies. When placement of a thoracic endograft necessitates coverage of one or more of the great vessels, in situ laser fenestration is a safe and effective option for supra-aortic trunk revascularization. Certain anatomic factors may render laser fenestration more technically challenging, particularly depending on aortic arch type and branch vessel characteristics. Short-term and mid-term outcomes have shown promising results for mortality, stroke, and complication rates. Future developments may extend the utility of this approach and allow it to be applied to a more widespread set of patients with challenging anatomy.

Parallel grafts and physician modified endografts for endovascular repair of the aortic arch

Aortic arch aneurysms are a challenging clinical problem especially in high-risk patients. Open aortic arch replacement, even in the best of centers, carries significant risk of stroke or death in this high-risk population. Many high-risk patients are deemed inoperable and not offered repair. Branched and fenestrated thoracic endografts are currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States but are not yet commercially available. Many elderly and frail patients have significant brachiocephalic occlusive disease or anatomy excluding them for consideration for such clinical trials. These patients also present with acute aortic syndromes requiring urgent or emergent repair and are unable to participate in clinical trials due to the time required to have such devices available. Alternative endovascular therapies, including parallel stent grafts (including Chimneys, Snorkels and Periscopes) and physician modified thoracic endografts, have been used to treat such high-risk patients combined with commercially available thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) devices. This paper aims to review the techniques and current reported outcomes from parallel stent grafts and physician modified devices used to treat high risk patients undergoing repair for aortic arch pathologies.

Computed tomography angiography of hybrid thoracic endovascular aortic repair of the aortic arch

Endovascular repair of the aorta has traditionally been limited to the abdominal aorta and, more recently, the descending thoracic aorta. However, recently hybrid repairs (a combination of open surgical and endovascular repair) have made endovascular repair of the aortic arch possible. Hybrid repair of the aortic arch typically involves an open surgical debranching procedure that allows for revascularization of the aortic arch vessels and subsequent endovascular stent placement. These approaches avoid the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest required for full, open surgical repair of the aortic arch. In hybrid repairs, the stent landing zone determines which branch vessels will be covered and therefore need revascularization. This article will review the preprocedure assessment with computed tomography angiography, techniques for revascularization and postprocedure complications.

Endovascular repair of traumatic aortic injury using a custom fenestrated endograft to preserve the left subclavian artery

PURPOSE

To describe the use of custom fenestrated endografts to preserve left subclavian artery (SCA) flow when requiring coverage during endovascular repair of blunt aortic injury (BAI).

CASE REPORT

A 39-year-old male involved in a motor vehicle accident sustained injuries including intracranial hemorrhage, BAI, and extremity fractures. Immediate neurosurgical intervention was required. Once neurologically stabilized, endovascular repair was performed with a commercially available device modified with a custom fenestration to preserve flow into the left SCA. Serial follow-up CT angiography (CTA) demonstrates satisfactory repair with prograde left SCA flow and no evidence of endoleak.

CONCLUSION

Left SCA coverage is often required for successful endovascular repair of BAI. A subgroup of patients who undergo left SCA coverage will require revascularization. The use of custom fenestrated endografts for preserving left SCA during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for BAI is an innovative and feasible option in patients who require revascularization.