Morales Jose P, Greenberg Roy K, Morales Catherine A, Cury Marcelo, Hernandez Adrian V, Lyden Sean P, Clair Daniel
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
J Vasc Surg. 2008 Jul;48(1):54-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2008.02.028. Epub 2008 May 23.
Little data exist to support the durability of thoracic endovascular repair during prolonged periods of follow-up. This study examines the durability and long-term results with the Zenith TX1 and TX2 thoracic devices (Cook Inc, Bloomington, Ind) in high-risk patients.
Data were collected prospectively from 2001 to 2007 on high-risk patients who presented with thoracic aneurysms, chronic aortic dissection, or fistulas treated with a Zenith thoracic device. Surgical modifications of proximal or distal landing zones were performed when necessary. Computed tomography follow-up scans were performed before discharge, at 1, 6, and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Three-dimensional reconstruction software with central line of flow measurements was used to assess aortic morphologic characteristics. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess survival, freedom from reintervention, predictive factors of poor outcome, and morphologic changes, including aneurysm sac behavior.
A total of 160 patients (44% women; mean age, 70) were treated for 130 thoracic aneurysms, 25 aortic dissections with aneurysm, 2 fistulas, and 3 symptomatic or aortic ruptures, or both. Mean follow-up was 36 months, and aneurysm size was 67 mm. Seventy-five patients (47%) had undergone prior aortic aneurysm repair. Surgical modifications were required to create adequate landing zones in 33% patients, including 28 elephant trunk/arch reconstruction, 22 carotid-subclavian bypasses, and seven visceral vessel bypasses. Iliac conduits were required in 31 patients. Early mortality (<30 days) occurred in 11 patients (6.9%). Overall mortality at 1 year was 16%. Aneurysm sac increase (>5 mm) requiring intervention was observed only in one patient in the settings of component separation and type III endoleak that was treated; the sac is now stable. Twenty-seven endoleaks were detected in 25 patients: 15 primary endoleaks (9.4%) <30 days and 12 secondary endoleaks (7.5%) >30 days. Secondary interventions were required in 42 patients (26%).
Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic pathologies with the Zenith TX1 and TX2 devices is feasible and durable. The mid- to long-term results are encouraging, with acceptable low reintervention rates and with good survival within high-risk patients.
