Combined Staged Procedures for the Treatment of Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms

Results of the North American Complex Abdominal Aortic Debranching (NACAAD) Registry

BACKGROUND

Hybrid debranching repair of pararenal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms was initially designed as a better alternative to standard open repair, addressing the limitations of endovascular repair involving the visceral aorta. We reviewed the collective outcomes of hybrid debranching repairs using extra-anatomic, open surgical debranching of the renal-mesenteric arteries, followed by endovascular aortic stenting.

METHODS

Data from patients who underwent hybrid repair in 14 North American institutions during 10 years were retrospectively reviewed. Society of Vascular Surgery scores were used to assess comorbidity risk. Early and late outcomes, including mortality, morbidity, reintervention, and patency were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 208 patients (118 male; mean age, 71±8 years old) were treated by hybrid repair with extraanatomic reconstruction of 657 renal and mesenteric arteries (mean 3.2 vessels/patient). Mean aneurysm diameter was 6.6±1.3 cm. Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were identified in 163 (78%) patients and pararenal aneurysms in 45 (22%). A single-stage repair was performed in 92 (44%) patients. The iliac arteries were the most common source of inflow (n=132; 63%), and most (n=150; 72%) had 3 or more bypasses. There were 30 (14%) early deaths, ranging widely across sites (0%-21%). A Society of Vascular Surgery comorbidity score >15 was the primary predictor of early mortality (P<0.01), whereas mortality was 3% in a score ≤9. Early complications occurred in 140 (73%) patients and included respiratory complications in 45 patients (22%) and spinal cord ischemia in 22 (11%), of whom 10 (45%) fully recovered. At 5 years, survival was 61±5%, primary graft patency was 90±2%, and secondary patency was 93±2%. The most significant predictor of late mortality was renal insufficiency (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality after hybrid repair and visceral debranching is highly variable by center, but strongly affected by preoperative comorbidities and the centers' experience with the technique. With excellent graft patency at 5 years, the outcomes of hybrid repair done at centers of excellence and in carefully selected patients may be comparable (or better) than traditional open or even totally endovascular approaches. However, in patients already considered as high-risk for surgery, it may not offer better outcomes.

Thoracoabdominal Aortic Disease and Repair: JACC Focus Seminar, Part 3

Thoracoabdominal aortic disease is a rare but life-threatening condition that requires expert multidisciplinary collaborative management. Intervention is indicated in patients with symptomatic aneurysms or when an aneurysm reaches a certain threshold of diameter or rate of expansion. The strategies for spinal cord and end-organ protection have evolved over several decades, resulting in improved outcomes after repair. Open repair, although invasive, provides definitive and durable repair. Endovascular approaches are rapidly evolving, and the results with fenestrated and branched endografts are promising. Both open repair and endovascular repair require highly specialized expertise, and outcomes are best when repair is undertaken in an elective setting by a dedicated team. Patients with degenerative thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and chronic dissections should be followed up closely and referred for elective repair when indicated.

Our experience with 1000 recent thoracoabdominal aneurysm repairs, including endovascular stenting

OBJECTIVE

Managing patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms is demanding yet fascinating, and requires a team effort. This invited talk presents lessons learned as our history with open and endovascular procedures evolved for 2578 descending and thoracoabdominal repairs over the past 20 years.

METHODS

Beginning in 1985 with an analysis of 596 traumatic aortic ruptures and the risk of spinal cord ischemia, the evolution of research and procedures for thoracoabdominal aneurysms progressed. The focus of these studies, medication trials, and procedure adjustments was on lowering the risk of spinal cord ischemia.

RESULTS

Between January 2002 and December 2021, 2578 aneurysm repairs were performed. The respective mortality rates were 6.8% and 4.0% for all patients treated. The permanent spinal cord ischemia rates were 1.3% for open descending thoracic aortas and 4.9% for open thoracoabdominal aneurysms. A detailed analysis of open and thoracoabdominal repairs showed better long-term outcomes with open repairs.

CONCLUSIONS

Through multiple randomized trials and innovations with procedures and techniques, the risk of death and spinal cord ischemia have been reduced. Long-term survival has also been improved. The pursuit of reducing the risks of descending and ascending thoracoabdominal repairs is a fascinating endeavor that has resulted in better patient outcomes. Nevertheless, this is a journey, and there will always be more room to achieve even better results.

Protecting the brain and spinal cord in aortic arch surgery

Protection of the central nervous system-either the brain or the spinal cord-during aortic surgery has been the subject of intense research over the past several decades. While it took some 30 years to prove that some of the techniques first practiced in animals are valuable, surgeons can now take courage from 50 years of research that has resulted in superb outcomes, particularly when compared with historical results. Complex total arch operations and descending aortic operations can now be performed with less than a 2% rate of stroke, spinal cord injury, or death. Thoracoabdominal aortic operations and endovascular procedures have also become considerably safer with excellent results reported. The following review will discuss some of the historical outcomes, innovations, iterations, current techniques, and outcomes.

[Thoracoabdominal aneurysms]

Endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms: what's new? Thoracoabdominal aneurysms (T-AAA) are aortic aneurysms that involve both the thoracic and abdominal segments of the aorta and its associated visceral branches. Although the first successful open repair was reported over 50 years ago, the risks of treatment remain considerable. As the first generations of devices available for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) were relatively simple tubes or bifurcated grafts, initial attempts to extend the benefits of EVAR to patients with T-AAA lead to "hybrid solution". Good results with hybrid repairs have not been universal and the approach does not exploit all of the potential advantages of a "pure" endovascular approach (lesser surgical insult). This unmet need, together with rapid technological advances, has encouraged the development of custom-made endografts with fenestrations and/or branches (F-BEVAR) for extension into the visceral vessel ostia. F-BEVAR requires considerably more complex device design and planning than conventional EVAR. Deployment is more technically demanding and takes longer to complete. Thus, patient, aneurysm anatomy and surgical team selection is paramount. Favorable outcomes have been widely reported following T-AAA repair with F-BEVAR in expert centers; more complex aortic lesions such as T-AAA in the context of chronic dissection or arch aneurysms are thus now also offered endovascular repair with F-BEVAR.

Feasibility Study of a Novel Thoraco-abdominal Aortic Hybrid Device (SPIDER-graft) in a Translational Pig Model

BACKGROUND

The hybrid SPIDER-graft consists of a proximal descending aortic stent graft and a conventional six branched Dacron graft for open abdominal aortic repair. Technical feasibility with regard to avoiding thoracotomy and extracorporeal circulation (ECC) during thoraco-abdominal aortic hybrid repair and peri-procedural safety of this novel device are unknown.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a feasibility and safety study in domestic pigs (75-85 kg). The abdominal aorta including iliac bifurcation, left renal artery, and visceral arteries were exposed via retroperitoneal access. The right iliac branch was first temporarily anastomosed end to side to the distal aorta via partial clamping. During inflow reduction and infra-coeliac cross-clamping, the coeliac trunk (CT) was divided and the proximal stent graft portion of the SPIDER-graft was deployed into the descending aorta via the CT ostium. Retrograde visceral and antegrade aorto-iliac blood flow was maintained via the iliac side branch. The visceral, renal, and iliac arteries were sequentially anastomosed, finally replacing the first iliac end to side anastomosis. Technical success, blood flow, periods of ischaemia, and peri-procedural complications were evaluated after intra-operative completion angiography and post-operative computed tomography angiography.

RESULTS

Six animals underwent successful thoracic stent graft deployment and distal open reconstruction without peri-operative death. The median thoracic graft implantation time was 4.5 min, and the median ischaemia times before reperfusion were 10 min for the CT, 8 min for the superior mesenteric artery, 13 min for the right renal artery, and 22 min for the left renal artery. Angiography demonstrated appropriate graft implantation and blood flow measurements confirmed sufficient blood flow through all side branches.

CONCLUSION

In this translational pig model, thoraco-abdominal hybrid repair using the novel SPIDER-graft was successful in avoiding thoracotomy and ECC. Technical feasibility and safety appear promising, but need to be reassessed in humans.

Debranching aortic surgery

Conventional open surgery still remains as the gold standard of care for aortic arch and thoracoabdominal pathology. In centers of excellence, open repair of the arch has been performed with 5% immediate mortality and a low rate of complications; however overall mortality rates are around 15%, being up to 40% of all patients rejected for treatment due to their age or comorbidities. For thoracoabdominal aortic pathology, data reported from centers of excellence show immediate mortality rates from 5% to 19%, spinal cord ischemia from 2.7% to 13.2%, and renal failure needing dialysis from 4.6% to 5.6%. For these reasons, different alternatives that use endovascular techniques, including debranching procedures, have been developed. The reported results for hybrid debranching procedures are controversial and difficult to interpret because series are retrospective, heterogenic and including a small number of patients. Clearly, an important selection bias exists: debranching procedures are performed in elderly patients with more comorbidities and with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms that have more complex and extensive disease. Considering this fact, debranching procedures still remain a useful alternative: for aortic arch pathology debranching techniques can avoid or reduce the time of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) or cardiac arrest which may be beneficial in high-risk patients that otherwise would be rejected for treatment. And compared to pure endovascular techniques, they can be used in emergency cases with applicability in a wide range of anatomies. For thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, they are mainly useful when other lesser invasive endovascular options are not feasible due to anatomical limitations or when they are not available in cases where delaying the intervention is not an option.

Review of Treatment for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm, and the Modern Experience of Multi-Branched Endograft in Taiwan

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is a complicated aortic disease. Most treatments for other aortic aneurysms have already shifted from conventional open surgery to endovascular operation; but for TAAA, open surgery remains the gold standard treatment. Several alternative treatments such as hybrid operation as well as endovascular techniques are utilized for the treatment of TAAA. Some of the procedures combine off-the-shelf devices such as the chimney procedure. Some other procedures required custom-made specialized stent grafts. A new off-the-shelf multi-branched endograft, T-branch graft, was released in late 2012, though it was not introduced into Taiwan until 2015. Ultimately, also we plan to report the experience of multi-branched endograft in Taiwan.

Thoracoabdominal aortic replacement for Crawford extent II aneurysm after thoracic endovascular aortic repair

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatment of Crawford extent II aneurysms after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) remains challenging, because of the need to remove the failed endograft and the complexity of the aortic reconstruction. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with surgical management of Crawford extent II aneurysms after TEVAR using thoracoabdominal aortic replacement (TAAR).

METHODS

Eleven patients (10 males, 1 female) with Crawford extent II aneurysm after TEVAR were treated with TAAR between August 2012 and May 2015. The indications included: diameter >5.0 cm; persistent pain; size increase >0.5 cm/year; and no suitable landing zone for re-TEVAR. Five patients underwent surgery under deep hypothermic cardiac arrest, two under mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, and four under direct aortic cross-clamping under normothermia. Two patients had Marfan syndrome.

RESULTS

There were no in-hospital deaths. Continuous renal replacement therapy was required in three patients. One patient needed re-intubation, and two patients had prolonged intubation (>72 h). One patient sustained paraplegia after surgery but recovered during follow-up. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage were used in four patients (3 immediately in the operation room, and 1 in the intensive care unit when the patient suffered paraplegia). One patient died during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

TAAR represents a feasible option for the treatment of Crawford extent II aneurysms after TEVAR, with acceptable surgical risks and favorable results.

One-Year Follow-Up After Hybrid Thoracoabdominal Aortic Repair

Background:

Compared to open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair, hybrid repair is thought to be less invasive with better perioperative outcomes. Due to the extent of the operation and long recovery period, studying perioperative results may not be sufficient for evaluation of the true treatment effect. The aim of this study is to evaluate 1-year mortality and morbidity in patients with TAAA undergoing hybrid repair.

Methods:

In a retrospective cohort study, all medical records of patients undergoing hybrid repair for TAAA at the Erasmus University Medical Center between January 2007 and January 2015 were studied. Primary outcome measures were 30-day and 1-year mortality. Secondary outcome measures included major in-hospital postoperative complications.

Results:

A total of 15 patients were included. All-cause mortality was 33% (5 of the 15) at 30 days and 60% (9 of the 15) at 1 year. Aneurysm-related mortality was 33% (5 of the 15) and 53% (8 of the 15) at 30-day and 1-year follow-up, respectively, with colon ischemia being the most common cause of death. Major complication rate was high: myocardial infarction in 2 (13%) cases, acute kidney failure in 5 (33%) cases, bowel ischemia in 3 (20%) cases, and spinal cord ischemia in 1 (7%) case.

Conclusion:

The presumed less invasive nature of hybrid TAAA repair does not seem to result in lower complication rates. The high mortality rate at 30 days continues to rise dramatically thereafter, suggesting that 1-year mortality is a more useful clinical parameter to use in preoperative decision-making for this kind of repair.

Outcomes of surgeon-modified fenestrated-branched endograft repair for acute aortic pathology

OBJECTIVE

Open surgical repair for acute aortic pathologies involving the visceral vessels is associated with morbidity and mortality rates of 40% to 70% and 30% to 60%, respectively. Due to these poor outcomes, the application of fenestrated/branched endovascular aortic repair (F/B-EVAR) has been expanded in this setting; however, durability remains unknown. The purpose of this analysis was to describe outcomes after F/B-EVAR for acute aortic disease.

METHODS

A single center retrospective review of all F/B-EVARs for acute aortic disease was completed. Primary end points included mortality and reintervention-free survival. Secondary end points were patency and freedom from endoleak, as well as change in aneurysm diameter and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Life-tables were used to estimate end points, while mixed statistical models were used to determine aneurysm diameter change.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 67 ± 10 years; 75% male) underwent F/B-EVAR for acute aortic disease, and median follow-up time was 10.3 months (range, 0.5-31.4 months). Indications included thoracoabdominal aneurysm (65%; n = 24), pararenal aneurysm (17%; n = 6), postsurgical anastomotic pseudoaneurysm (8%; n = 3), dissection (5%; n = 2), and penetrating ulcer (5%; n = 2). Mean preoperative aneurysm diameter was 7.3 ± 1.8 cm. All patients were American Society of Anesthesiologists class IV or IV-E, and 38% (n = 14) had history of aortic repair. There were 105 visceral vessels revascularized (celiac, 26; superior mesenteric artery, 29; renal, 50) and 24 (65%) patients underwent three- or four-vessel repair. Technical success was 92% (n = 34), with no intraoperative deaths and one conversion (3%). Median length of stay was 6 days (range, 2-60 days), and postoperative morbidity was 41% (n = 15; spinal cord ischemia, 14% [8% permanent]; pulmonary, 14%; renal, 14%; extremity ischemia, 8%; stroke, 5%; cardiac, 3%; bleeding, 3%) with 30-day mortality of 19% (n = 7; in-hospital, 8%; n = 3). Endoleak was detected at some point in follow-up in 27% (n = 10), and a majority were type II (n = 7). Six (16%) patients underwent reintervention, and no late conversions occurred. Postoperative imaging was available in 27 (73%), and one celiac fenestration lost patency at 12 months. One-year branch vessel patency and freedom from reintervention was 98% ± 6% and 70% ± 9%, respectively. Estimated 1- and 4-year survival were 70% ± 8% and 67% ± 8%, respectively. During follow-up, aortic diameter decreased 0.5 cm (95% confidence interval, 1.1-0.2; P = .1) while estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased by 2 mL/min/1.73 m(2).

CONCLUSIONS

F/B-EVAR can be performed to treat a variety of symptomatic and/or ruptured paravisceral aortic pathologies. Perioperative morbidity and mortality can be significant; however, it is less than literature-based outcomes of open repair. Short-term fenestrated/branched graft patency is excellent, but reintervention is frequent, highlighting the need for diligent follow-up. Patients surviving the initial hospitalization for F/B-EVAR of acute aortic disease can anticipate good long-term survival.

Splenic artery as a conduit to facilitate visceral arterial reconstruction

Splenic-to-superior mesenteric artery transposition was used to treat proximal celiac in-stent occlusion in one patient and to prepare a landing zone for thoracic endograft treatment of a dissection in another. The proximal splenic artery was used as a conduit to facilitate visceral aortic debranching in four patients. Using the splenic artery as a conduit to preserve or restore celiac perfusion without interrupting liver perfusion is feasible.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection

Aortic dissection is the most devastating complication of thoracic aortic disease. In the more than 250 years since thoracic aortic dissection was first described, much has been learned about diseases of the thoracic aorta. In this review, we describe normal thoracic aortic size; risk factors for dissection, including genetic and inflammatory conditions; the underpinnings of genetic diseases associated with aneurysm and dissection, including Marfan syndrome and the role of transforming growth factor beta signaling; data on the role for medical therapies in aneurysmal disease, including beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; prophylactic surgery for aneurysm; surgical techniques for the aortic root; and surgical and endovascular management of aneurysm and dissection for different aortic segments.

Spinal cord injury following thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repairs

Objective

To discuss the currently available approaches to prevent spinal cord injury during thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repairs.

Methods

We carried out a PubMed search up to 2013 using the Medical Subject Headings: “aortic aneurysm/surgery” and “spinal cord ischemia”; “aortic aneurysm, thoracic/surgery” and “spinal cord ischemia”; “aneurysm/surgery” and “spinal cord ischemia/cerebrospinal fluid”; “aortic aneurysm/surgery” and “paraplegia”. All 190 original articles satisfying our inclusion criteria were analyzed for incidence, predictors, and other pertinent variables related to spinal cord injury, and we compared the results in recent publications with those in earlier reports.

Results

The mean age of the 38,491 patients was 65.3 ± 4.9 years. The overall incidence of paraplegia and/or paraparesis was 7.1% ± 6.1% (range 0%–32%). The incidence of spinal cord injury before 2000, from 2001 to 2007, and 2008–2013 was 9.0% ± 6.7%, 7.0% ± 6.1%, and 5.9% ± 5.2%, respectively ( p = 0.019). Various predictors of spinal cord injury were identified, extent of disease being the most common. Modification of surgical techniques, use of adjuncts, and better understanding of spinal cord perfusion physiology were attributed to the decrease in postoperative spinal cord injury in recent years.

Conclusions

Spinal cord injury after thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair poses a real challenge to cardiovascular surgeons. However, with evolving surgical strategies, identification of predictors, and use of various adjuncts over the years, the incidence of spinal cord injury after thoracic/thoracoabdominal aortic repair has declined. Embracing a multimodality approach offers a good insight into combating this grave complication.

Economic Impacts of Treatment for Type II or III Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm in the United States

BACKGROUND

Current treatment for extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) involves high-risk surgical and endovascular repairs, with a hospital mortality exceeding 20%, and a postoperative paraplegia rate beyond 10.5%.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to present an estimation of the economic impacts of surgical and endovascular treatments of types II and III TAAAs in the US as well as the economic consequences of the elimination of spinal cord injury and mortality via an endovascular repair of extensive TAAAs (1).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared the current hospital charges of endovascular and surgical repair of extensive TAAAs, also provided a cost analysis of health care charges resulting from paraplegia in the United States, and determined the prevalence of extensive TAAAs found yearly during autopsies in the U.S. Based on the figures gathered and the frequency of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms per year, we were able to calculate the nationwide inpatient hospital charges, the total average expenses affected by paraplegia during the first 12 months after the repair, the total average expenses after paraplegia for each subsequent year, mortality rate at 30 days and one year, and the number of extensive TAAAs ruptures.

RESULTS

The current nationwide inpatient hospital charges for type II or III TAAA repair cost $12484324 and $37612665 for endovascular repair and surgical repair respectively, and the total average expenses for patients affected by paraplegia during the first 12-month were $4882291 and $23179110 after endovascular repair and surgical repair respectively. The nationwide average expense after 10 years for patients undergoing surgical repair and affected by paraplegia is $33421910 and $6,316,183 for patients undergoing endovascular repair. Moreover, 55 patients with a type II or type III TAAA died after 30 days, and 100 after 1 year. The potential risk of type II or III TAAA ruptures is totally 1637 in a year.

CONCLUSIONS

Major economic impacts of type II or III TAAA repairs in the United States have been identified. An endovascular repair excluding spinal cord injury and mortality with the same average costs as present endovascular treatments makes it possible to save at least $53189742 after one year, 100 lives of operated patients would be saved after one year, and 1637 type II and III TAAA ruptures would be avoided yearly.

Clinical outcomes of hybrid repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) hybrid repair consists of aortic visceral branch rerouting followed by TAAA endograft exclusion. This technique has been shown to represent a technically feasible strategy in selected patients.

METHODS

We analyzed 52 high-risk patients who underwent hybrid TAAA repair between 2001 and 2012 in our centre with a variety of visceral rerouting configurations and of commercially available thoracic endografts. Thirty-seven simultaneous (71.2%) and 15 staged procedures (21.8%) were performed with a four-vessel revascularization in 18 cases (34.6%), a three-vessel revascularization in 11 cases (21.2%) and a two-vessel revascularization in 23 cases (44.2%).

RESULTS

No intraoperative deaths were observed. We recorded a perioperative mortality rate of 13.5% (n=7), including deaths from multiorgan failure (n=2), myocardial infarction (n=2), coagulopathy (n=1), pancreatitis (n=1) and bowel infarction (n=1). Perioperative morbidity rate was 28.8% (n=15), including 2 cases of transient paraparesis and 1 case of permanent paraplegia. Renal failure (n=5), pancreatitis (n=3), respiratory failure (n=3) and dysphagia (n=1) were also observed. At median follow-up of 23.9 months procedure-related mortality rate was 9.6%: two patients died from visceral graft occlusion and three from aortic rupture. There were three endoleaks and one endograft migration, none of which resulted in death. Five patients (9.6%) died as a consequence of unrelated events.

CONCLUSIONS

Typical complications of conventional TAAA open surgery have not been eliminated by hybrid repair, and significant mortality and morbidity rates have been recorded. Fate of visceral bypasses and incidence of endoleak and other endograft-related complications needs to be carefully assessed. Hybrid TAAA repair should currently be limited to high-risk surgical patients with unfit anatomy for endovascular repair.

Combined open and endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A combined open-endovascular technique has emerged as an alternative treatment option for thoracoabdominal pathologies. However, reported experiences from various medical centers have been contradictory and heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to assess the mortality rate and various complication rates associated with this approach.

METHODS

An electronic health database search was performed on all articles published up to March of 2012 describing combined open-endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal pathologies. Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they had ≥10 patients and reported the basic outcome criteria. End points of the meta-analysis were defined as primary technical success, endoprosthesis related complications, 30-day/in-hospital mortality, symptoms of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) and irreversible paraplegia, permanent renal function impairment, and other major complications.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were deemed eligible for this meta-analysis with a total of 528 patients (68.0% male, mean age 70.5 years). The mean follow-up period was 34.2 months. The pooled estimate for primary technical success and visceral graft patency was 95.4% and 96.5% respectively. An endoleak developed in 106 (21.1%) patients in whom both stages had been completed. The pooled rate for symptomatic SCI was 7.0% and for irreversible paraplegia 4.4%. The pooled proportion for permanent renal failure was 7.0% and for mesenteric ischemia 4.5%. Prolonged respiratory support and cardiac complications were observed in a pooled rate of 7.8% and 4.6% respectively. The meta-analysis for 30-day/in-hospital mortality revealed a pooled rate of 14.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the hybrid technique for thoracoabdominal aortic pathology provides a less invasive approach, the technique is still associated with a considerable morbidity and mortality rates. High risk patients unfit to withstand open repair, are equally likely to suffer significant complications with the hybrid procedure. The choice of the optimal treatment strategy for thoracoabdominal pathologies should be carefully made on a patient to patient basis, assessing the clinical fitness and the anatomical suitability of each patient. The hybrid approach should be reserved for high volume centers with accumulated experience and high standards of perioperative management.

Clinical outcomes of single versus staged hybrid repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the outcomes of hybrid repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and performed meta-analyses and meta-regressions to assess whether the number of stages during hybrid repair is associated with mortality.

METHODS

Review methods were according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes of procedural and clinical success were reported descriptively. Meta-analyses, meta-regressions, and logistic regressions were performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) describing the association between the staging of the operation and in-hospital death.

RESULTS

We included 19 studies of 660 patients. Procedures were single-staged in 288 patients and staged in 372. Perioperative mortality ranged from 0% to 44.4%, and spinal cord ischemia ranged from 0% to 15.3%. After a mean follow-up of 26 months (range, 6-88.5 months), the overall mortality was 20.8%. The meta-regression of all studies' summary data (OR, 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-2.16; P = .45; I(2) = 0.42) and a meta-regression where mortality rates in four studies were stratified by operative staging (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.24-1.36; P = .19; I(2) = 0.38) supported a two-stage procedure but failed to reach statistical significance. Logistic regressions of individual patient data from a single center demonstrated evidence that a staged procedure was safer (adjusted OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.00-0.96; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms may reduce early morbidity and mortality even in a group considered high risk for open surgery but still carries risks of perioperative complications. This study suggested advantages to a staged procedure, but statistically significant evidence is lacking. Prospective data are still needed to optimize hybrid repair and best define its role.

Endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA): early experience

BACKGROUND

Repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) represents a considerable technical challenge. Since its first description in 1955, open repair of TAAA has been considered the gold standard of repair. Despite improvements in surgical techniques, spinal cord protection and post-operative critical care support, patients who undergo open repair are faced with a mortality rate of 5-35 %. We report the first Irish experience of endovascular management of TAAAs.

RESULTS

To date five patients have undergone endovascular repair; four had hybrid repair and one a fenestrated graft. The mean age of the patients was 66.8 ± 3.4 and the mean aneurysm diameter was 6.74 ± 0.6 cm. All patients were ASA III. Two-stage hybrid repair was associated with an increased risk of complications, prolonged intensive care unit and overall hospital stay. One patient died in the perioperative period due to rupture of their aneurysm between the two stages of their hybrid repair.

CONCLUSION

The role of endovascular techniques in the treatment of TAAA continues to evolve. Hybrid and complete endovascular repairs do not replace conventional repair, but provide an alternative for high-risk patients who might otherwise be denied treatment.

Treatment of acute visceral aortic pathology with fenestrated/branched endovascular repair in high-surgical-risk patients

OBJECTIVE

The safety and feasibility of fenestrated/branched endovascular repair of acute visceral aortic disease in high-risk patients is unknown. The purpose of this report is to describe our experience with surgeon-modified endovascular aneurysm repair (sm-EVAR) for the urgent or emergent treatment of pathology involving the branched segment of the aorta in patients deemed to have prohibitively high medical and/or anatomic risk for open repair.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on all patients treated with sm-EVAR for acute indications. Planning was based on three-dimensional computed tomographic angiogram reconstructions and graft configurations included various combinations of branch, fenestration, or scallop modifications.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients (mean age [± standard deviation], 68 ± 10 years; 88% male) deemed high risk for open repair underwent urgent or emergent repair using sm-EVAR. Indications included degenerative suprarenal or thoracoabdominal aneurysm (six), presumed or known mycotic aneurysm (four), anastomotic pseudoaneurysm (three), false lumen rupture of type B dissection (two), and penetrating aortic ulceration (one). Nine (56%) had previous aortic surgery and all patients were either American Society of Anesthesiologists class IV (n = 9) or IV-E (n = 7). A total of 40 visceral vessels (celiac, 10; superior mesenteric artery, 10; right renal artery, 10; left renal artery, 10) were revascularized with a combination of fenestrations (33), directional graft branches (six), and graft scallops (one). Technical success was 94% (n = 15/16), with one open conversion. Median contrast use was 126 mL (range, 41-245) and fluoroscopy time was 70 minutes (range, 18-200). Endoleaks were identified intraoperatively in four patients (type II, n = 3; type IV, n = 1), but none have required remediation. Mean length of stay was 12 ± 15 days (median, 5.5; range, 3-59). Single complications occurred in five (31%) patients as follows: brachial sheath hematoma (one), stroke (one), ileus (one), respiratory failure (one), and renal failure (one). An additional patient experienced multiple complications including spinal cord ischemia (one) and multiorgan failure resulting in death (n = 1; in-hospital mortality, 6.3%). The majority of patients were discharged to home (63%; n = 10) or short-term rehabilitation units (25%; n = 4), while one patient required admission to a long-term acute care setting. There were no reinterventions at a median follow-up of 6.2 (range, 1-16.1) months. Postoperative computed tomographic angiogram was available for all patients and demonstrated 100% branch vessel patency, with one type III endoleak pending intervention. There were two late deaths at 1.4 and 13.4 months due to nonaortic-related pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent or emergent treatment of acute pathology involving the visceral aortic segment with fenestrated/branched endograft repair is feasible and safe in selected high-risk patients; however, the durability of these repairs is yet to be determined.

Hybrid procedures for thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies

We report our three-year experience with the visceral hybrid procedure for patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, dissections and Takayasu's arteritis. We also evaluate and discuss the outcomes of hybrid procedures. Hybrid procedures include debranching of the visceral or renal arteries followed by endovascular repair of the disease. The surgical strategy was designed individually to reduce trauma and minimize stent coverage area. A series of 11 patients (9 men, mean age 52 years) were treated between June 2008 and September 2011. The pathologies were aneurysmal disease (thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms) (5, 45.5%), aortic dissection (thoracoabdominal aortic dissection) (4, 36.4%) or true/false aneurysm formation after Takayasu's arteritis (2, 18.2%). Simultaneous approach (9, 81.8%) and staged approach (2, 18.2%) were performed. The mean follow-up was 13.5 months (range 1–36). The technical success was 100%. Stent grafts were implanted in the entire or part of the thoracoabdominal aorta. The overall mortality rate was 9.1% (1/11) with no aneurysm-related death. The permanent paraplegia and bypass graft occlusion rate was 0%. The overall morbidity was 36.4% with two endoleaks (2/11, 18.2%). In conclusion, hybrid procedures can minimize surgical invasiveness in treatments of thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies, and it is a safe method with acceptable morbidity and mortality.

Eight-year follow-up of a high-risk patient treated for Crawford Type II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) with a multistage hybrid open-endovascular repair

The case of a patient with type II TAAA (thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm), who underwent multistage hybrid procedure, is presented. This high-risk patient was excluded as ineligible for conventional open repair. At first, the bypass between both common carotid arteries was inserted. Then, the transperitoneal viscerorenal revascularization was performed to ensure blood perfusion. At the end, the stent graft from the aorta arch to its bifurcation was deployed with endovascular techniques. This stent graft covered left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery, visceral trunk, superior mesenteric artery and both renal arteries. The patient had been observed for eight years with relatively low complication rate. The hybrid open-endovascular repair (HOER) shows promising results in patients at prohibitive risk for classic reconstruction.

Staged hybrid approach using proximal thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair and distal open repair for the treatment of extensive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVE

Repair of patients with extent I and II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, whereas repair of more distal extent III and IV TAAAs has a lower risk of paraplegia and death. Therefore, we describe an approach using thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) as the index operation to convert extent I and II TAAAs to extent III and IV TAAAs amenable to subsequent open aortic repair to minimize patient risk.

METHODS

Between July 2007 and March 2012, 10 staged hybrid operations were performed to treat one extent I and nine extent II TAAAs. Aortic aneurysm pathology included five chronic type B dissections, three acute type B dissections, and two penetrating aortic ulcers. Initially, the proximal descending thoracic aorta was repaired with TEVAR for coverage of the most proximal fenestration or penetrating ulcer, with seven elective and three emergent repairs. Interval open distal aortic replacement was performed in a short-term planned setting or for progressive dilation of the distal aortic segment. In the open repair, the proximal end of the graft was sewn directly to the distal end of the TEVAR and outer wall of the aorta.

RESULTS

Average patient age was 48 years, and 60% were men. Risk factors included hypertension (80%), current tobacco use (50%), and Marfan syndrome (30%). Complications after TEVAR included type IA (n=1) and type II (n=3) endoleaks, pleural effusions (n=3), and acute kidney injury (n=1). Three patients required endovascular reinterventions. In patients with dissection, persistent filling of the false lumen was common and associated with distal thoracic aortic dilation. Complications of open repair included acute kidney injury in two patients, but no cardiac, pulmonary, or neurologic morbidity. Median time between TEVAR and open repair was 14 weeks. Most importantly, no deaths or neurologic deficits occurred after either procedure during a median follow-up of 35 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

A staged hybrid approach to extensive TAAAs combining proximal TEVAR, followed by interval open distal TAAA repair, is safe and appears to be an effective alternative to traditional open repair. This approach may decrease the significant morbidity associated with single-stage open extent I and II TAAA repairs and may be applicable to multiple TAAA etiologies.

Rusults of classical crawford and hybrid operations in thoracic-abdominal aorta aneurysms treatment--comparative assessment

Thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) are still serious medical problem. Classical procedure requires two cavities approach and implantation of vascular prosthetic in the place of aneurysm--Crawford's procedure. Significant progress was made during last years by using endovascular procedures (stentgrafts). Alternative is hybrid procedure--prosthetic appliance of visceral and kidney arteries and then stentgraft implantation in whole thoracic-abdominal aorta. THE AIM OF THE STUDY was comparative analysis of classical and hybrid procedures in thoracic-abdominal aneurysms treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 1989-2011 in Department of Vascular, General and Transplantological Surgery Medical University in Wrocław and Surgical Department of 4th Military Clinical Hospital in Wrocław 53 patients were operated due to thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysms. Classical Crawford's procedure was performed in 41 patients (group I) and hybrid procedure was performed in 12 patients (group II). Additionally 7 patients required aortic arc branches reconstruction due to achieve optimal conditions to stentgraft amplantation. Procedures were performed at one or two stages.

RESULTS

Mortality in patients treated classically (group I) depended on type of aneurysm in Crawford's classification. In type I-II mortality rate was 54% ((7 deaths/12 patients), in type III do V 17% (5 deaths/ 29 patients). In the group after hybrid procedure (group II) mortality rate was 28% (2 deaths/ 7 patients) in type I-II and 20% (1 death/5 patients) in type III to V. Observed serious perioperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Endovascular procedures development enabled introducing of new methods in thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysms treatment (hybrid procedures) and allowed to get better results. 2. Clear advantage of hybrid procedures above classical Crawford's procedure is observed in type I and II of TAAA. 3. Mortality and morbidity rates recommend hybrid procedure in type I and II of TAAA. 4. Surgical results of classical and hybrid procedures in type III-V TAAA treatment are comparative, with indication on classical approach.

Hybrid Open Endovascular Technique for Aortic Thoracoabdominal Pathologies

Background—

Many authors using a hybrid debranching strategy for the treatment of thoracoabdominal pathologies have reported disappointing results and the initial enthusiasm for the technique has given way to criticism and ambiguity. The aim of the present meta-analysis study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the technique in patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms or other aortic pathologies.

Methods and Results—

A multiple electronic search was performed on all articles describing hybrid open endovascular repair. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for technical success, visceral graft patency, spinal cord ischemia symptoms, renal insufficiency, and other complications as well as 30-day/in-hospital mortality.

Nineteen publications with a total of 507 patients were analyzed. The pooled estimates for primary technical success and visceral graft patency were 96.2% (95% CI, 93.5%–98.2%) and 96.5% (95% CI, 95.2%–97.8%) respectively. A pooled rate of 7.5% (95% CI, 5.0%–11.0%) for overall spinal cord ischemia symptoms was observed; whereas for irreversible paraplegia the pooled rate was 4.5% (95% CI, 2.5%–7.0%). The pooled estimate for renal failure was 8.8% (95% CI, 3.9%–15.5%). The pooled 30-day/in-hospital mortality rate was 12.8% (95% CI, 8.6%–17.0%). During the mean follow-up period of 34.5 (95% CI, 31.5–37.5) months, a total of 119 endoleaks were identified in 111 patients (22.7%).

Conclusions—

The repair of thoracoabdominal pathologies by means of hybrid procedures in patients who are poor surgical candidates is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Future studies may substantiate whether the technique is amenable to amelioration and improvement.

Staged total exclusion of the aorta for chronic type B aortic dissection

Hybrid techniques using extra-anatomic bypass of critical aortic branches to enable endovascular treatment of complex aortic pathology have been previously described. A staged endograft repair of a complex, chronic Stanford type B aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration is reported in a 50-year-old man. The aneurysmal portion of the dissection extended from the distal arch to both common iliac arteries and was covered with an endograft from the ascending aorta to both external iliac arteries. Aortic arch branches, visceral, and renal arteries were bypassed using open technique. The patient had no neurologic complications. This case report illustrates the feasibility of the hybrid technique in selected high-risk patients when confronted with complex aortic pathology.

Recent advances in thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair remains a formidable challenge to vascular surgeons. The traditional repair of thoraco-laparotomy with aortic cross-clamping is associated with a high morbidity and mortality despite significant advances in perioperative critical care, anaesthetic and surgical techniques. The advent of the endovascular revolution has shown a marked paradigm in the approach to all aneurysm repairs. As a logical progression from the open repair, the St Mary's visceral hybrid repair combines traditional open techniques (retrograde visceral and renal revascularisation via mid-line laparotomy) with endovascular stent grafting, thereby avoiding the need for thoracotomy and aortic cross-clamping. In specialist centres, the results have been encouraging and easily comparable to the open repair. The technique has been used in several centres around the world and represents a robust, transferrable method of repairing thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms. Stent-grafting technologies have reached a point of sophistication that wholly endovascular methods of repairing thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms are being performed in several centres around the world. Although these stent grafts have to be customised to the individual patient and are only suitable for certain types of aneurysmal anatomies, they represent the future of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. We review the history of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, the exciting advances in their treatment and discuss our approach to the management of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms in the 21st century.