Double homemade fenestrated stent graft for total endovascular aortic arch repair.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the outcomes of physician-modified double fenestrated stent grafts for total endovascular aortic arch repair: one proximal large fenestration for the brachiocephalic trunk and the left common carotid artery and one distal fenestration for the left subclavian artery (LSA).

METHODS

From January 2017 through February 2018, 17 patients (88.2% elective) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with double homemade fenestrated stent graft for total endovascular aortic arch repair to maintain supra-aortic trunk patency. Indications were degenerative aortic arch aneurysm (n = 7), dissecting aortic arch aneurysms subsequent to surgical treatment of acute type A dissections (n = 6), chronic complicated type B aortic dissection (n = 3), and acute complicated type B aortic dissection (n = 1). Routine postoperative follow-up imaging with computed tomography angiography was performed to assess TEVAR and supra-aortic trunks patency and endoleak.

RESULTS

The median time for stent graft modification was 19 minutes (range, 16-20 minutes). Endovascular exclusion of the aortic arch was achieved in all the cases. One LSA catheterization failed and LSA revascularization was performed by carotid axillary bypass and coverage of the LSA fenestration by additional stent graft placement. Additional planned endovascular procedures were required in three patients: closure of supra-aortic trunks re-entry tears in two cases of dissecting aortic arch aneurysms and one transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe native aortic valve regurgitation. One stroke, with no long-term deficit, was observed. No patients died. All left supra-aortic trunks are patent. No type I endoleak was observed. We only observed one patient with a type II endoleak. During a mean follow up of 7 ± 2 months, there were no conversions to open surgical repair, aortic rupture, paraplegia, or retrograde dissection.

CONCLUSIONS

Double homemade fenestrated TEVAR is both feasible and effective for maintaining the patency of the supra-aortic trunks and allows total endovascular aortic arch repair. Durability concerns will need to be assessed in additional studies with long-term follow-up.