Association between aortic arch angulation and bird-beak configuration after thoracic aortic stent graft repair of type B aortic dissection

A rare case of lethal Najuta endograft collapse

BACKGROUND

The development of fenestrated endograft, Najuta endograft Kawasumi Laboratories, Inc, Tokyo, Japan) in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has enabled the treatment of aortic arch aneurysms approaching zone 0 without the need of supra-aortic vessel branch reconstruction. However, the indications of Najuta remain controversial due to complications such as endograft collapse, which is rare and lethal.

CASE PRESENTATION

We here report a 75-year-old male patient with arch saccular aneurysm. Because of his liver cirrhosis, 2 debranching TEVAR has chosen as a treatment using Najuta. After extrathoracic bypass was performed, a CTAG stent graft was implanted distal to the LSCA in order to deliver Najuta stent graft steadily. Najuta stent graft was successfully positioned in zone 0. However, he was suffered from stent-graft collapse. After additional TEVAR to salvage stent-graft collapse to zone 0, he complicated type A dissection, which was treated by ascending aorta replacement. After salvage operation complicated multiorgan failure and he died.

Stent Graft Collapse after Zone 0 Landing Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

A zone 0 landing thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed on a 69-year-old man with a saccular aortic arch aneurysm. Seven days after the surgery, the patient experienced diminished consciousness and lower limb paralysis. Stent graft collapse was seen on a computed tomography scan. Thereafter, the patient underwent total arch replacement and emergency stent graft removal.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of retrograde type A aortic dissection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with type B aortic dissection

BACKGROUND

Retrograde type A dissection (RTAD) is a devastating complication of thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) with low incidence but high mortality. The objective of this study is to report the incidence, mortality, potential risk factors, clinical manifestation and diagnostic modalities, and medical and surgical treatments.

METHODS

A systematic review and single-arm and two-arm meta-analyses evaluated all published reports of RTAD post-TEVAR through January 2021. All study types were included, except study protocols and animal studies, without time restrictions. Outcomes of interest were procedural data (implanted stent-grafts type, and proximal stent-graft oversizing), the incidence of RTAD, associated mortality rate, clinical manifestations, diagnostic workouts and therapeutic management.

RESULTS

RTAD occurred in 285 out of 10,600 patients: an estimated RTAD incidence of 2.3% (95% CI: 1.9-2.8); incidence of early RTAD was approximately 1.8 times higher than late. Wilcoxon signed-rank testing showed that the proportion of RTAD patients with acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD) was significantly higher than those with chronic TBAD (P = .008). Pooled meta-analysis showed that the incidence of RTAD with proximal bare stent TEVAR was 2.1-fold higher than with non-bare stents: risk ratio was 1.55 (95% CI: 0.87-2.75; P = .13). Single arm meta-analysis estimated a mortality rate of 42.2% (95% CI: 32.5-51.8), with an I2 heterogeneity of 70.11% (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

RTAD is rare after TEVAR but with high mortality, especially in the first month post-TEVAR with acute TBAD patients at greater risk as well as those treated with proximal bare stent endografts.

Patient selection and anatomical considerations for zone 0 endovascular aneurysm arch repair

Endovascular aortic arch repair has been widely used in select patients who are considered high risk for open surgical repair and have suitable anatomy. The anatomical challenges of placement of stent-grafts in the ascending aorta are many, including the curved configuration, short landing zone, proximity to the aortic valve and coronary arteries and need to incorporate the supra-aortic trunks. Stent-graft designs with fenestrations and/or directional branches are applicable to patients who have suitable landing zones in the aorta and supra-aortic trunks, adequate access and absence of significant atheromatous debris. These devices include single and multibranch concepts, which are used in combination or not with cervical debranching procedures. This article summarizes the most commonly used anatomical criterion with currently utilized arch branch stent-grafts.