Trends and outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair with open concomitant cervical debranching

Predicting the need for subclavian artery revascularization in thoracic endovascular aortic repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effectiveness of left subclavian artery revascularization compared with non-revascularization in thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and to summarize the current evidence on its indications.

METHODS

A computerized search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, for studies published up to November 2023. Study selection, data abstraction, and quality assessment (using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were independently conducted by two reviewers, with a third author resolving discrepancies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots.

RESULTS

In the 76 included studies, left subclavian artery revascularization was associated with reduced risks of stroke (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.45-0.98; n = 15,331), spinal cord ischemia (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56-0.99; n = 11,995), and arm ischemia (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.59; n = 8438). No significant reduction in paraplegia (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.21-1.47; n = 1802) or mortality (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.53-1.12; n = 11,831) was observed. Moreover, the risk of endoleak was comparable in both groups (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.55-2.84; P = .60; n = 793), whereas the risk of reintervention was significantly higher in the revascularization group (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.03-3.83; P = .04; n = 272). Both groups had similar risks of major (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.19-1.09; P = .08; n = 1113), minor (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.01-3.45; P = .27; n = 183), renal (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.12-3.06; P = .55; n = 310), and pulmonary (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.16-2.15; P = .42; n = 8083) complications. The most frequent indications for left subclavian artery revascularization were primary prevention of spinal cord ischemia, augmentation of the landing zone, and primary stroke prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

Left subclavian artery revascularization in thoracic endovascular aortic repair was associated with reduced neurological complications but was not found to impact mortality. The study highlights important indications for revascularization as well as significant predictors of complications, providing a basis for clinical decision-making and future research.

Aortic Arch Debranching and Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) for Type B Aortic Dissection

BACKGROUND

Since its introduction, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of type B aortic dissections (TBADs). However, the proximal aspect of the aortic pathology treated may infringe on the origin of the left subclavian artery or even more proximally. Hence, to ensure durable outcomes, the origin of these vessels needs to be covered, but an extra-anatomical bypass is required to perfuse vital branches, known as aortic arch debranching. This series aims to describe and delineate the disparities of aortic arch debranching during TEVAR for TBAD.

METHODS

A retrospective review and analysis of a multicenter international database was conducted to identify patients with TBAD treated with TEVAR between 2005 and 2021. Data analyzed included patient demographics, disease characteristics, operative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes with follow-up on mortality and reintervention. All statistical analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS 26. Patient survival was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 58 patients were included in the analysis, of which 27 (46.6%) presented with complicated disease and 31 were uncomplicated, of which 10 (17.2%) were classed as high risk and 21 (36.2%) low risk. Zone 2 was the most common proximal landing zone for the stent graft. Left subclavian artery bypass was performed selectively (26%), with 1 stroke occurring, likely due to embolic reasons. A further 6 underwent more proximal aortic debranching before TEVAR (10%) and was a significant risk factor for mortality and the number of stents deployed. The overall rates of reintervention and mortality were 17.2% (n = 10) and 29.3% (n = 17).

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic arch debranching and TEVAR for TBAD is associated with significant mortality. Future developments to treat aortic arch pathology could incorporate branched graft devices, eliminating the need for debranching, improving stroke rates, and reducing future reinterventions.

Risk of Stroke with Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair of the Aortic Arch

BACKGROUND

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) involving the aortic arch is increasingly being performed and novel endografts have been developed for this procedure, but the association of stroke and relative risk of procedural techniques remains unclear. This study evaluates the procedural risk factors for stroke and mortality with zone 0-2 TEVAR.

METHODS

The Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative registry was queried for patients who underwent TEVAR with proximal landing in zone 0-2 from 2013 to 2022. Emergent and ruptured cases were excluded. Primary exposure variables included proximal seal zone (0-2) and branch vessel revascularization technique: open debranching/bypass, total endovascular incorporation, or combination (at least 1 branch open and 1 branch endovascular). The primary outcome was perioperative inhospital stroke and the secondary outcome was inhospital mortality. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In total, 4,355 cases were analyzed with 350 in zone 0 (8%), 513 in zone 1 (12%), and 3,492 in zone 2 (80%). For zone 0, 1, and 2, the stroke rates were 11.1%, 5.3% and 4.7% (P < 0.0001) and inhospital mortality rates were 6.9%, 5.3% and 3.5% (P = 0.002), respectively. Branch vessel revascularization technique was associated with stroke in zone 0 with a 3-fold higher stroke rate for total endovascular incorporation of branches compared to combination and open techniques (P = 0.002). On multivariable analysis, zone 0 was independently associated with a greater than 2-fold increased odds of stroke compared to zone 2 (95% CI 1.4-3.2, P = 0.0008).

CONCLUSIONS

Stroke rate was 2-3 times higher for zone 0 TEVAR compared to zones 1 and 2. Within zone 0, total endovascular branch incorporation was associated with a 3-fold higher stroke rate than open and combination techniques. Future device design modifications and novel endovascular strategies for stroke prevention are required to make total endovascular repair of the aortic arch an acceptable alternative to combination and open debranching/bypass techniques.

Coil-in-Plug Method for Left Subclavian Artery Embolization in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair with Arch Vessel Debranching

Objectives: Since 2018, we have routinely placed an Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) in the proximal left subclavian artery (LSCA) to prevent embolic events during thoracic endovascular aortic repair with arch vessel debranching (d-TEVAR). Type II endoleaks of LSCA origin were observed in two patients (20%), and the coil-in-plug (CIP) method, i.e., microcatheter insertion through the plug and addition of coil embolization, which has been used since August 2019, was performed. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the CIP method for LSCA embolization. Methods: A total of 26 patients who underwent d-TEVAR for an aortic arch aneurysm between 2018 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Ten patients who underwent d-TEVAR with a simple AVP placement (the control group) and 16 patients who underwent d-TEVAR with the CIP method (the CIP group) were compared. Results: Two patients had type II endoleaks in the control group, whereas none had them in the CIP group. LSCA length was significantly shorter in patients with endoleaks than in those without endoleaks (24.5 vs. 50.3 mm; p<0.01). No perioperative deaths or cerebral infarctions occurred in either group. Conclusions: AVP placement in the LSCA during d-TEVAR effectively prevented perioperative cerebral infarction. d-TEVAR with CIP was especially useful in patients with a short LSCA.

Expert opinion: How to treat type IA endoleakage

Type Ia endoleaks due to failed sealing or loss of landing zone and the adequate management thereof remain crucial for long-term therapeutic success following TEVAR. This expert opinion summarizes our institutional experience with endovascular, open surgical, and hybrid techniques in the context of recent scientific publications. The rapid turnover of technical innovations, but most importantly outcome data demonstrate the requirement for increasingly patient-tailored treatment strategies and the need for specialized aortic centers. The latter should offer a complete range of treatment options, an adequate perioperative management, and the highest level of multidisciplinary expertise.

Technical tips and clinical experience with the Terumo Relay®Branch aortic endovascular graft

Advances in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are enabling the treatment of increasingly proximal pathology. While the practice of vascular surgery has thus far been mostly limited to TEVAR in zone 2 or more distally, there are emerging devices for zone 1 and zone 0 repair that do not require any further arch debranching compared with a zone 2 repair. Moreover, such devices set forth repair options for patients unable to tolerate the insult of open surgery. One zone 0 device under evaluation is the Terumo Relay^®Branch (Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) endovascular graft, which is an off-the-shelf device based on the Relay^®Pro platform (Terumo). This double branch device uniquely features a large gate, facilitating easy cannulation that contains two locking portal stents for the innominate artery (IA) and left common carotid artery (LCCA) branch grafts. Within our institution, we have had excellent technical success with Relay^®Branch (Terumo) device deployments as part of the Early Feasibility Study, and other centers outside of the USA have published results with this device in small patient series. Notably, there is still a concerning stroke rate associated with the Relay^®Branch (Terumo) device, with permanent stroke rates higher than expected but similar to those for open repair. Thus, these interventions must be undertaken with careful patient selection, thorough planning, and with the guidance of a proficient endovascular aortic team. In this article, we will outline the necessary preoperative workup, highlight device features, and detail the operative strategy, with tips for technical success. These guidelines from our experience will help facilitate successful utilization of this device when it becomes widely available in practice.

A review: Single and multi-branch devices for the treatment of aortic arch pathologies with proximal sealing in Ishimaru Zone 0

Recently published experience has shown that endovascular management of the aortic arch, including sealing in the proximal zones, can be a viable option for patients considered unfit for conventional open repair. Endograft designs vary and include single or multibranch devices, with or without the addition of surgical debranching. Initial reports show that both techniques can be performed with high technical success and acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality rates in high volume centers. Single branch devices, available off-the-shelf, may provide a treatment option for emergent presentations where patients cannot wait for the design and manufacture of a customized endograft. Double or triple branched endografts are now increasingly implanted in high-volume aortic centers. The purpose of this review is to describe the single and multibranched endovascular devices currently available for aortic arch repair, their associated published outcomes, and to discuss their relative advantages and disadvantages.

Hybrid Approaches for Aortic Disease – Our Experience

BACKGROUND

Despite significant technological advancements in endovascular aortic repair, the aortic arch remains a challenge due to anatomic complexity including arch angulation and morphology as well as the location of brachiocephalic vessels in relation to landing zones. Total endovascular solutions are in development and being studied, in the meantime, hybrid thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a viable alternative to traditional open total arch replacement.

METHODS

A retrospective case series was performed reviewing outcomes of 71 patients who underwent hybrid TEVAR in the aortic arch over the past 12 years at our facility.

RESULTS

Major morbidity in the first 30 days post procedure was experienced by 3 patients (15.7%) and included one patient with stroke (n = 1), and another who experienced paraplegia and pulmonary complications (n = 1). There was one in-hospital death as a result of respiratory failure in a patient with multiple underlying comorbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on postoperative day 5 resulting in a 30-day mortality of 5.2%. After a mean follow-up of 30 months, the overall mortality remained 5.2%. Major morbidity occurred in one patient who developed retrograde type A dissection. There was no stenosis of bypass grafts identified on follow-up imaging. Endoleak was identified in 2 patients. One patient experienced persistent retrograde perfusion of the false lumen with interval aneurysmal degeneration which was managed with an Amplatz vascular plug at 120 months following the initial hybrid TEVAR (5.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Single-stage hybrid TEVAR in the aortic arch is technically feasible with a good mid-term survival and a long-term freedom from reintervention.

Homemade fenestrated physician-modified stent-grafts for arch aortic degenerative aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate early and medium-term outcomes of single and double fenestrated physician-modified endovascular grafts (PMEGs) for total endovascular degenerative aortic arch aneurysm repair.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data included 52 patients, from August 2013 through January 2021, undergoing home-made fenestrated thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for degenerative aortic aneurysms. In all cases a distal smaller fenestration for the left subclavian artery (LSA) was fashioned and the only one stented. For double-fenestrated endograft a proximal larger fenestration that incorporated both the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery was added.

RESULTS

52 patients with degenerative aortic arch aneurysms were treated. There were 36 men and the mean age was 75 ± 8 years. 31% treated with a single LSA fenestration, while 69% had a double-fenestrated TEVAR. 10% (n=5) were emergent procedures. Technical success was 100%. The median time requirement for stent graft modification was 22 ± 6 minutes. Thirty-day mortality was 2% (n=1). 5 patients (10%) had a cerebrovascular event including 2 transient ischemic attack, one minor stroke with full neurological recovery and 2 with sequelae. 2 patients (4%) experienced perioperative retrograde dissection during follow-up. No patient had a type I, type III or type II endoleak from the LSA. No patient required re-intervention. All supra-aortic trunks were patent. During a mean follow up of 18 ± 11 months, there were no conversion to open surgical repair, aortic rupture or paraplegia.

CONCLUSIONS

Single or double PMEG is a safe and suitable tool for the treatment of high morbidity pathology such as aortic arch degenerative aneurysm repair. This device can be used in elective and emergency patients.

Right-Sided Chylothorax: A Case Report of an Uncommon Manifestation After Cervical Debranching Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

A 70-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a thoracic aortic aneurysm. He underwent elective thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair with left common carotid artery-left subclavian artery bypass via the left supraclavicular approach. During the bypass, the thoracic duct was injured and ligated. On postoperative day 3, the patient complained of dyspnea. Chest radiography revealed a massive right-sided pleural effusion. On postoperative day 5, he was diagnosed with right-sided chylothorax and underwent chest tube insertion. The next day, a left-sided chylothorax was noted, and chest tube drainage was performed. Conservative management, including nil per os and subcutaneous octreotide (300 μg/day) injection, was carried out for 2 weeks; subsequently, the chylothorax improved. This report highlights the diagnostic challenge of right-sided chylothorax after debranching thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair.

A Deep Learning-Based and Fully Automated Pipeline for Thoracic Aorta Geometric Analysis and Planning for Endovascular Repair from Computed Tomography

Feasibility assessment and planning of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) require computed tomography (CT)-based analysis of geometric aortic features to identify adequate landing zones (LZs) for endograft deployment. However, no consensus exists on how to take the necessary measurements from CT image data. We trained and applied a fully automated pipeline embedding a convolutional neural network (CNN), which feeds on 3D CT images to automatically segment the thoracic aorta, detects proximal landing zones (PLZs), and quantifies geometric features that are relevant for TEVAR planning. For 465 CT scans, the thoracic aorta and pulmonary arteries were manually segmented; 395 randomly selected scans with the corresponding ground truth segmentations were used to train a CNN with a 3D U-Net architecture. The remaining 70 scans were used for testing. The trained CNN was embedded within computational geometry processing pipeline which provides aortic metrics of interest for TEVAR planning. The resulting metrics included aortic arch centerline radius of curvature, proximal landing zones (PLZs) maximum diameters, angulation, and tortuosity. These parameters were statistically analyzed to compare standard arches vs. arches with a common origin of the innominate and left carotid artery (CILCA). The trained CNN yielded a mean Dice score of 0.95 and was able to generalize to 9 pathological cases of thoracic aortic aneurysm, providing accurate segmentations. CILCA arches were characterized by significantly greater angulation (p = 0.015) and tortuosity (p = 0.048) in PLZ 3 vs. standard arches. For both arch configurations, comparisons among PLZs revealed statistically significant differences in maximum zone diameters (p < 0.0001), angulation (p < 0.0001), and tortuosity (p < 0.0001). Our tool allows clinicians to obtain objective and repeatable PLZs mapping, and a range of automatically derived complex aortic metrics.