An Unusual Case of Iron-Deficiency Anemia: The Culprit Hides in the Aorta.

In a 72-year-old patient with anemia (Hb 7 g/dl), duodenoscopy exhibited an area of polypous irregular-looking mucosa. Histology revealed duodenal infiltration by epithelioid tumor cells, immunhistochemically positive for endothelial cell markers (CD34, CD31, ERG). Ultrasonography showed thrombotic material in the otherwise unremarkable abdominal aorta with some uptake of contrast bubbles on CEUS. Histological and clinical diagnosis assumed an epithelioid angiosarcoma of the thoraco-abdominal aorta at the level of the visceral and renal arteries with duodenal metastases.To prevent further shedding of tumor cells and aortic rupture, a branched stent-graft was placed into the thoraco-abdominal aorta. Palliative chemotherapy with gemcitabine and docetaxel was started, leading to a partial remission after 6 cycles. Three months later, however, there was a progress of the duodenal masses with new pulmonal and osseous metastases. Thirteen months after the initial diagnosis, death occured due to a hemorrhagic shock caused by a hematothorax.Aortic tumors are exceedingly rare, with only slightly more than 220 cases reported so far. In most cases, diagnosis is made either at autopsy or after an emergency operation for embolic complications like embolic intestinal ischemia. With an overall median survival of 8 months, prognosis is very poor.This case sensitizes for the correct sonographic interpretation of aortic "thrombi" in an otherwise normally appearing aorta, possibly with the aid of CEUS. Besides, it demonstrates the relatively early and uncommon diagnosis of an aortic angiosarcoma by the combination of endoscopy, immunohistochemistry, and ultrasonography.

Worldwide results from the RESTORE II on elective endografting of thoracic aneurysms and dissections.

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety, performance, and efficacy of the RELAY thoracic stent graft (Bolton Medical, Barcelona, Spain) in the treatment of patients who require elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair including aneurysms and dissections. METHODS: The RELAY Endovascular Registry for Thoracic Disease II (RESTORE II) is a multicenter, prospective, international cohort study involving 21 centers in 12 countries worldwide. All consecutively included patients underwent elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair with a RELAY or RELAY NBS stent graft (including off the shelf and custom-made devices) to repair thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections. Demographic, clinical, and aortic parameters were Web-based registers. Safety and efficacy data were collected for a follow-up period of 24 months. RESTORE was a precedent registry involving European sites that used RELAY first-generation devices. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were enrolled in the registry from October 2010 to September 2014 (aneurysm [n = 99]/dissection [n = 74]). Overall technical success of the intervention reached 97.1% irrespective of the etiology and geographic origin of patients. Baseline clinical heterogeneity was observed between devices concerning the etiology of the disease and certain comorbidities and/or risk factor distribution (diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris). An average of 1.36 stent graft components were used per patient, with mean intended treatment length of 197.0 ± 87.7/188.7 ± 103.1 mm and mean access site diameter of 10.3 ± 8.2/9.7 ± 1.7 mm in aneurysms/dissections, respectively. The rate of all-cause 30-day mortality was lower than in the RESTORE registry (4.0% vs 7.2%). Perioperative neurologic complications were infrequent: paraplegia/paraparesis (2.9%) and stroke (0.6%) (vs 2.0% and 1.6% in the RESTORE registry). Freedom from all-cause mortality at 2 years was 93.6%. At the final completion angiography, device-associated complications were detected in 4.6% of the patients (vs 5.3% in the RESTORE) and endoleak rate was 6.4% (type I 5.8% and type II 1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The worldwide results of the RESTORE II registry show the safety and effectiveness of RELAY and RELAY NBS stent grafts for elective endovascular thoracic aortic repair. Compared with the RESTORE registry, the device presents a lower rate of perioperative complications.

Final operative and midterm results of the European experience in the RELAY Endovascular Registry for Thoracic Disease (RESTORE) study.

PURPOSE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is increasingly becoming the standard treatment of many thoracic aortic pathologies. New reliable and accurate stent grafts are emerging to widen the endovascular treatment options. We report the results of RELAY (Bolton Medical, Barcelona, Spain) in the large RELAY Endovascular Registry for Thoracic Disease (RESTORE) European registry. METHODS: RESTORE is a multicenter, prospective European registry involving 22 centers in seven European countries. The RELAY device is composed of a stent graft (self-expanding nitinol stents and a polyester vascular graft) and a delivery device specifically designed for the thoracic aorta. Included were acute and elective patients presenting with a variety of pathologies (aneurysms, dissections, ulcerations, intramural hematomas, pseudoaneurysms) and lesions in different aortic and anatomic locations (ascending, arch, descending and thoracoabdominal). RESULTS: The registry enrolled 304 patients from April 2005 to January 2009. All-cause mortality at 30 days was 7.2%. Freedom from all cause mortality and freedom from device- and procedure-related mortality at 2 years were 78.5% and 95.9%, respectively. An average of 1.26 graft components were used per patient, with a technical success of 97.7% irrespective of the etiology. Early endoleak rate was 4.6%. Perioperatively, stroke and paraplegia were registered in 1.6% and 2.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of RESTORE support the safety of thoracic endovascular aortic repair with the RELAY stent graft, even in acute and complicated situations. The device was highly efficient in angulated aortic anatomies, with acceptable mortality and a low rate of neurologic complications.

Endovascular treatment of patients with types A and B thoracic aortic dissection using Relay thoracic stent-grafts: results from the RESTORE Patient Registry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and performance of Relay stent-grafts in patients with acute or chronic aortic dissections. METHODS: Patients with types A or B aortic dissections suitable for treatment with Relay stent-grafts and followed for 2 years after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) were identified from a company-sponsored registry database established in January 2006. Ninety-one consecutive patients (69 men; mean age 65 years) underwent TEVAR with Relay stent-grafts for dissection. Most patients (76, 84%) had type B dissections; 61 of all patients were classified as chronic and 30 as acute. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 95% (97% in acute, 95% in chronic, and 93% in type B dissections). The type I endoleak rate was 7% (7% in acute and 8% in chronic dissections); all occurred in patients with type B dissections. Paraplegia, paraparesis, and stroke occurred in 4, 1, and 2 patients, respectively; 2 cases of paraplegia occurred in patients with acute type B dissections. Thirty-day mortality was 8% (13% in acute and 5% in chronic dissections); all deaths occurred in patients with type B dissections. The 2-year survival rate was 82% in the overall population and 84% in patients with type B dissections. CONCLUSION: The combination of Relay's features, such as stent conformability, radial force, atraumatic design, and controlled deployment and fixation, may contribute to the safety of the Relay stent-grafts for the treatment of thoracic aortic dissections, including acute and chronic type B dissections.

Randomized comparison of strategies for type B aortic dissection: the INvestigation of STEnt Grafts in Aortic Dissection (INSTEAD) trial.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) represents a novel concept for type B aortic dissection. Although life-saving in acute emergencies, outcomes and survival of TEVAR in stable dissection are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred forty patients in stable clinical condition at least 2 weeks after index dissection were randomly subjected to elective stent-graft placement in addition to optimal medical therapy (n=72) or to optimal medical therapy alone (n=68) with surveillance (arterial pressure according to World Health Organization guidelines < or =120/80 mm Hg). The primary end point was all-cause death at 2 years, whereas aorta-related death, progression (with need for conversion or additional endovascular or open surgery), and aortic remodeling were secondary end points. There was no difference in all-cause deaths, with a 2-year cumulative survival rate of 95.6+/-2.5% with optimal medical therapy versus 88.9+/-3.7% with TEVAR (P=0.15); the trial, however, turned out to be underpowered. Moreover, the aorta-related death rate was not different (P=0.44), and the risk for the combined end point of aorta-related death (rupture) and progression (including conversion or additional endovascular or open surgery) was similar (P=0.65). Three neurological adverse events occurred in the TEVAR group (1 paraplegia, 1 stroke, and 1 transient paraparesis), versus 1 case of paraparesis with medical treatment. Finally, aortic remodeling (with true-lumen recovery and thoracic false-lumen thrombosis) occurred in 91.3% of patients with TEVAR versus 19.4% of those who received medical treatment (P<0.001), which suggests ongoing aortic remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: In the first randomized study on elective stent-graft placement in survivors of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection, TEVAR failed to improve 2-year survival and adverse event rates despite favorable aortic remodeling.

Traumatic transection of the aorta and thoracic spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality in an adult patient.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities (SCIWORA) associated with a traumatic aortic transection. CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old man was transferred for endovascular treatment of a traumatic aortic transection. Primary traumatic paraplegia had been documented at the scene of the accident. No osseous or ligamentous injuries were found in the conventional radiographic images. The transection was treated successfully with an endovascular stent-graft, but the patient remained paraplegic. On the magnetic resonance images 8 days later, discrete trauma of the intraspinal ligament at T1/T2 was seen, without signs of injury to the myelum. The patient made a slow but incomplete recovery after that. CONCLUSION: SCIWORA very rarely affects the thoracic spinal cord in adults; therefore, a vascular injury in relation to the trauma of the aorta is assumed. When spinal cord damage is noted after stent-grafting or open aortic surgery for traumatic transection, SCIWORA should be ruled out by history and neurological examination.

Improved Remodeling With TEVAR and Distal Bare-Metal Stent in Acute Complicated Type B Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The ASSIST (A multicentre Study in Survivors of type B aortic dissection undergoing Stenting) study compared both 1-year outcomes and evolution of true and false lumen (eg, remodeling) in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection subjected to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with distal true lumen scaffolding by self-expanding nitinol open stent in comparison with TEVAR alone. METHODS: The ASSIST study was a multicenter prospective single-arm study comparing clinical and imaging data from 39 consecutive patients (59.4 ± 13 years of age) who received TEVAR and the JOTEC E-XL open stent with data from matched control subjects treated with TEVAR alone based on 1:1 propensity score matching. Clinical data were collected by an independent Contract Research Organization (CRO) and computed tomography images were subjected to blinded core-lab analysis. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline demographics, clinical profiles, morphological data, procedural details, and in-hospital and 1-year outcomes between groups. Differences emerged with regard to evolution of both true lumen distal to stent graft, false lumen over the entire length of dissection, and remodeling (P < .001). At 1 year, TEVAR with the E-XL stent revealed false lumen thrombosis at the level of celiac trunk in 53.8% vs 17.9% with TEVAR alone (P = .004). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated favorable clinical outcomes with the additional E-XL stent. CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR for acute complicated type B aortic dissection proved to be safe and promoted remodeling of the stent grafted thoracic aorta. Additional scaffolding of the true lumen distal to TEVAR with a self-expanding stent supported distal true lumen expansion, false lumen regression, and thrombosis, with evidence of improved distal remodeling at 1 year.

Initial experience with abdominal aneurysm repair using the E-vita abdominal stent-graft: a single-center study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and midterm results of a new stent-graft for infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a non-selected population. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (19 men; mean age 70 years, range 58-87) who presented within an 8-month period with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) suitable for EVAR were treated with the new E-vita abdominal stent-graft. Most of the patients (13, 68%) were ASA grade 3 or higher; the maximum AAA diameter was 57 mm (40-75), and hostile necks were present in a third and tortuous iliac arteries in half. Most of the cases (18, 95%) were elective; 1 was performed for a contained rupture. Seventeen procedures were primary implantations and 2 were secondary repairs of failing endografts. RESULTS: All stent-grafts were implanted at the intended position; no conversions to open surgery were necessary and no type I endoleak was noted. Fifteen bifurcated and 4 straight stent-grafts were implanted; the majority of the vascular accesses (29/35, 83%) were percutaneous. There was no 30-day mortality. In the mean 10-month follow-up (range 4-17), no stent fractures, migrations, or secondary endoleaks were noted. Aneurysm diameter was reduced in 8 (42%) and remained unchanged in 11 (58%) patients. One patient required open surgery at 1 year for thrombotic occlusion of the stent-graft. Two octogenarian patients died during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The E-vita abdominal stent-graft appears safe and effective in this initial midterm clinical experience. This device appears especially suitable to challenging aneurysm anatomy, such as severely angulated necks or tortuous and dilated iliac arteries.

Conventional surgical repair and endovascular treatment of acute traumatic aortic rupture.

OBJECTIVE: Endoluminal aortic stent grafting offers a potentially less invasive alternative to open chest surgery, especially in patients with polytrauma. We compare the results of conventional surgical repair and endovascular treatment of traumatic aortic rupture. METHODS: Retrospectively, 74 patients with acute traumatic aortic rupture were analyzed. Most of the patients had a rupture limited to the isthmus, and severe associated injuries. Thirty-five patients (6 female, 29 male, mean age 36 years) underwent surgical repair. Two patients were operated upon without cardiopulmonary bypass. In 39 patients (5 female, 34 male, mean age 36 years) thoracic endografts were implanted. The delay between trauma and treatment was comparable in the two groups. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 20% (7 of 35 patients) in the surgical group and 7.7% (3 of 39 patients) in the endovascular group. The most common cause of death in the surgical group was brain death in severe traumatic patients. Ten surgical complications occurred in 5 patients: respiratory insufficiency (n=3), pulmonary infection (n=2), recurrent nerve palsy (n=2), repeat thoracotomy (n=2), and compartment syndrome (n=1). No patient in this group had paraplegia. Except for one case, which required conversion to conventional surgery, stent-graft implantation was successful in all cases, without peri-interventional complications or procedure-induced paraplegia. In 9 patients the left subclavian artery was covered with the device. Two patients underwent surgical repair 15 days and 4 months after endografting because of injury of the aortic wall by the stent and development of a spurious aneurysm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of traumatic thoracic aortic rupture, the early outcome of patients treated with endovascular stent grafts appears to be better than that with conventional surgical repair. The new technique allows safe and successful repair of this life-threatening injury in the early phase of trauma management. How far this potential benefit is sustained in the long term remains unclear at present.

Endovascular repair of traumatic thoracic aortic injury: final results from the relay endovascular registry for thoracic disease.

BACKGROUND: In blunt thoracic aortic injury, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) offers a less invasive alternative to open chest surgery. New reliable and accurate stent grafts have widened the endovascular treatment options. We report our experience with the Relay stent graft Bolton Medical, Sunrise, FL; Barcelona, Spain) for treatment of this injury. METHODS: Relay Endovascular Registry for Thoracic Disease (RESTORE) is a multicenter, prospective European registry, which enrolled patients treated with the Relay stent graft for thoracic aortic diseases from April 2005 to January 2009. Regular follow-up examinations were conducted for up to 24 months. This paper analyzes the cohort of patients treated for traumatic aortic injury. RESULTS: Forty adult trauma patients from 12 European centers underwent TEVAR. Mean age was 40 years and 34 patients were male. The proximal landing zone involved aortic arch zones 1 to 2 in 40% and zone 3 in 55% of procedures. Technical success was achieved in all cases. One (2.5%) patient suffered a rupture of the iliac artery. No patient developed procedure-related paraplegia or required conversion to open surgery. Follow-up imaging demonstrated complete exclusion of the traumatic tear and regression of the false aneurysms without endoleak or graft infolding. One late device-related complication was reported; penetration of the distal end of the stent graft treated by stent-graft extension. Thirty-day mortality was 2.5 % (n = 1), and late mortality 2.5% due to a secondary accident. Actuarial 2-year survival was 93.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair with the Relay stent graft is a safe and effective treatment for patients with traumatic aortic injury.

Successful treatment of endoleak Type I with uncovered EX-L stent after thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair.

Treatment of endoleaks after thoracic endovascular repair remains challenging, particularly when the proximal landing zone is small and partly includes the origin of the neck vessels. We report a Type Ia endoleak, occurring after thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair, which was successfully treated with a novel uncovered nitinol stent. With this success, we were able to avoid a conventional surgery to treat the endoleak.

Spinal cord ischemia after thoracic stent-grafting: causes apart from intercostal artery coverage.

BACKGROUND: Examination of a large collective combined with individual case analyses may give new insights into mechanisms and prevention of spinal cord ischemia (SCI) after thoracic endovascular repair. METHODS: In an 11-year period, stent-grafts were implanted in 406 patients for various aortic pathologic conditions. The mean age was 63 years (15-91 years) and 300 (74%) patients were men; 58 patients underwent staged thoracic stent-graft procedures. The length of aorta covered was between 75 and 584 mm (mean, 204 mm). Thoracoabdominal branched or fenestrated stent-grafts were implanted in 11 patients. The left subclavian artery was occluded in 161 patients (39%); this occurred in half of them (n = 78) after protective revascularization. Prophylactic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage was used selectively in 4 cases; no neuromonitoring was used. RESULTS: The incidence of SCI was 2.7% (n = 11); 6 patients (1.5%) had major permanent deficits. Conditions that had a potential influence on SCI were analyzed. Statistical correlation was found for previous conventional or endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (odds ratio [OR], 4.8), coverage of the entire descending thoracic aorta (OR, 3.6), and implantation of thoracoabdominal branched and fenestrated stent-grafts (OR, 9.5). Individual analyses revealed other conditions that might have played a role, such as embolization into the segmental arteries, severe visceral ischemia, profound hemorrhagic shock, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SCI is unexpectedly low despite extensive sacrifice of intercostal arteries. Extended coverage of the thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta seems to have a higher risk, but other factors may contribute to the individual disaster.

Endovascular repair of type B aortic dissection: long-term results of the randomized investigation of stent grafts in aortic dissection trial.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) represents a therapeutic concept for type B aortic dissection. Long-term outcomes and morphology after TEVAR for uncomplicated dissection are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 140 patients with stable type B aortic dissection previously randomized to optimal medical treatment and TEVAR (n=72) versus optimal medical treatment alone (n=68) were analyzed retrospectively for aorta-specific, all-cause outcomes, and disease progression using landmark statistical analysis of years 2 to 5 after index procedure. Cox regression was used to compare outcomes between groups; all analyses are based on intention to treat. The risk of all-cause mortality (11.1% versus 19.3%; P=0.13), aorta-specific mortality (6.9% versus 19.3%; P=0.04), and progression (27.0% versus 46.1%; P=0.04) after 5 years was lower with TEVAR than with optimal medical treatment alone. Landmark analysis suggested a benefit of TEVAR for all end points between 2 and 5 years; for example, for all-cause mortality (0% versus 16.9%; P=0.0003), aorta-specific mortality (0% versus 16.9%; P=0.0005), and for progression (4.1% versus 28.1%; P=0.004); Landmarking at 1 year and 1 month revealed consistent findings. Both improved survival and less progression of disease at 5 years after elective TEVAR were associated with stent graft induced false lumen thrombosis in 90.6% of cases (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of survivors of type B aortic dissection, TEVAR in addition to optimal medical treatment is associated with improved 5-year aorta-specific survival and delayed disease progression. In stable type B dissection with suitable anatomy, preemptive TEVAR should be considered to improve late outcome. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01415804.

Endovascular stent-graft repair of late pseudoaneurysms after surgery for aortic coarctation.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the potential of endovascular stent grafts to treat late aortic pseudoaneurysms after coarctation repair. METHODS: Eight patients (7 male; age 28 to 58, mean 43 years) presented with aortic pseudoaneurysms after primary repair performed at the age of 5 to 27 (mean 12) years; 2 patients had rupture with hemorrhagic shock. The mean interval between the procedures was 31 (19 to 42) years; one patient had 3 previous operations. This subset represents 2.2% of our overall experience in thoracic endovascular repair (n=368). Thoracic endografts were implanted using the transfemoral technique. Custom-made reverse tapered stent grafts were used in 4 cases. The left subclavian artery (LSA) was covered in 5 patients. Protective transposition of the left subclavian artery was performed in 4 patients. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 12.5%; 1 patient died from secondary rupture after emergency repair. Primary complete exclusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 6 patients. Secondary exclusion after implantation of a second stent graft was successful in the second rupture patient. No endoleak was present at discharge. All discharged patients are alive after 8 to 63 (mean 36) months. Follow-up computed tomography or transesophageal echocardiography revealed no secondary endoleaks or late expansion. The pseudoaneurysms had shrunk completely in 3 patients, were reduced in size in 2 patients, and remained unchanged in 2 patients. No late secondary interventions were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Single piece, reversed, tapered stent grafts adapt better to the special anatomy of the hypoplastic aortic arch. Midterm results are excellent; complete shrinkage in 50% is remarkable. However, the long-term behavior of these implants in young patients requires further evaluation and surveillance.

Strategies for subacute/chronic type B aortic dissection: the Investigation Of Stent Grafts in Patients with type B Aortic Dissection (INSTEAD) trial 1-year outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular stent grafting represents a novel concept for type B aortic dissection both in the acute and subacute/chronic setting, with an unknown effect on outcomes. METHODS: In a prospective trial 140 patients with stable type B dissection were randomly subjected to elective stent-graft placement in addition to optimal medical therapy (n = 72) or to optimal medical therapy (n = 68) with surveillance (arterial pressure according to World Health Organization guidelines ≤ 120/80 mm Hg). The primary end point was 1-year all-cause mortality, whereas aorta-related mortality, progression (with need for conversion or additional endovascular or open surgical intervention), and aortic remodeling were secondary end points. RESULTS: There was no difference in all-cause mortality: cumulative survival was 97.0% ± 3.4% with optimal medical therapy versus 91.3% ± 2.1% with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (P = .16). Moreover, aorta-related mortality was not different (P = .42), and the risk for the combined end point of aorta-related death (rupture) and progression (including conversion or additional endovascular or open surgical intervention) was similar (P = .86). Three neurologic adverse events occurred in the thoracic endovascular aortic repair group (1 paraplegia, 1 stroke, and 1 transient paraparesis) versus 1 episode of paraparesis with medical treatment. Finally, aortic remodeling (with true-lumen recovery and thoracic false-lumen thrombosis) occurred in 91.3% with thoracic endovascular aortic repair versus 19.4% with medical treatment (P < .001), which is suggestive of continued remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: In survivors of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection, elective stent-graft placement does not improve 1-year survival and adverse events, despite favorable aortic remodeling.

Type a dissection after implantation of a stent-graft triggered by an intramural hematoma.

PURPOSE: To describe an unusual case of multiple aneurysm disease in a patient who developed stent-graft-associated type A dissection. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old man presented with pericardial tamponade, which was treated with pericardial drainage. A small intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta was found originating from a proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA); he also had an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). After stabilization of the hematoma 7 weeks later, the TAA was repaired with a Relay stent-graft. Type A dissection followed after 3 days and acute rupture of the AAA 6 days later. Emergency surgical repair of both complications achieved successful outcome of an extended 3-stage procedure. CONCLUSION: This case provides insight into the mechanisms that may contribute to stent-graft-associated type A dissection. Probably the previous separation of the aortic wall layers by the intramural hematoma triggered the complication, although the aorta appeared to have stabilized.

Occlusion of the left subclavian artery with stent grafts is safer with protective reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Safe fixation of endovascular stent grafts in thoracic aortic disease often requires covering of the left subclavian artery (LSA) with the stent graft. It is controversial whether this occlusion can be done without additional risk of ischemic complications. METHODS: In 102 patients treated with endovascular stent grafts, the LSA was covered. In a nonrandomized clinical practice, unprotected occlusion of the LSA was performed in 63 patients (61%), whereas 39 patients underwent extrathoracic subclavian to carotid artery revascularization before (n = 28) or concomitantly with (n = 11) the endovascular procedure. RESULTS: Left cerebral ischemia occurred in 11% of the unprotected group and in 5% of the protected group. The difference was not statistically significant. The difference in spinal cord ischemia was insignificant owing to the low incidence in general, but the covered length of the aorta was significantly longer in the protected group. Arm ischemia after unprotected LSA occlusion occurred in 25%. CONCLUSIONS: The interpretation of the results remains speculative because many factors contribute to left cerebral ischemia. However, in terms of overall complications, there is a significant difference in favor of the group protected by revascularization of the LSA either before or simultaneously with stent grafting. Arm ischemia is mostly mild and can be managed secondarily. Subclavian revascularization is associated with relatively low risk and should be considered in advance, at least when extended covering of the thoracic aorta is intended.

Stent-grafting of the thoracic aorta by the cardiothoracic surgeon.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated endovascular stent-grafting as a new technique in aortic surgery. METHODS: One hundred ninety-six stent-grafts were implanted in the thoracic aorta in 172 patients. All procedures but one were performed in the operating room by a team of cardiothoracic surgeons; 112 operations (57%) were emergency procedures. Twenty-four procedures (12%) were reoperations for endoleaks. The left subclavian artery origin was covered in 46 cases and the left common carotid artery in 2 cases. Access was by femoral cut-down in 174 procedures, percutaneous femoral approach in 1, and by conduit to the iliac arteries or infrarenal aorta in 17. Surgical reconstruction of damaged access vessels became necessary in 10 cases. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 9.7% (19 patients). Paraplegia occurred in 1.0% (2 patients). Primary technical success was 85.2%, secondary 91.8%. Six conversions to open repair were necessary, 3 during the procedures and 3 secondarily before discharge. Actuarial survival was 79% at 1 year, 67% at 3 years, and 55% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results are excellent, taking into account the high incidence of emergency procedures and that open surgery is not promising in many patients. The cardiothoracic surgeon can perform the procedure after adequate training in endovascular techniques. Surgical skills are mandatory because of the potential need for extended surgical approach to the access vessels or immediate conversion to open surgery. Therefore, the operating room is the preferred site for this procedure.

Thoracic aorta endografts: variations in practice among medical specialists.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent-graft placement is emerging as a novel treatment option for patients with diseases of the descending thoracic aorta. However, currently no consensus guidelines exist to direct uniformity in stent-graft procedures as well as for pre- and postprocedural patient management, unlike that for the management of other cardiovascular disorder. Accordingly, the aim of the present survey was to assess variations in thoracic aortic stent-graft practice among different subspecialties in Germany. METHODS: An interdisciplinary questionnaire survey was conducted among 206 departments of vascular surgery, radiology, cardiology, and cardiothoracic surgery in Germany that actively performed aortic stent-graft placement. Data on preoperative procedure planning, logistics, practical/technical issues of stent-graft placement, and postoperative patient management were evaluated using a standardized, self-administered questionnaire comprising 29 items. Responses were tabulated for analysis. RESULTS: Of a total of 206 questionnaires, 184 (89.3%) were returned with 71 (38.5%) centers reporting to have performed thoracic aortic stent-graft placement (total number of procedures 2,267) through 1997 and 2003. The average number of stent-graft procedures per year was 7.4 (25-75% percentile, 2.05-10.75) at participating sites, with 49% of the respondents reporting <5 procedures per year. Treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms was the predominant indication for stent-graft placement, followed by type B-dissection. As anticipated, marked variability existed among the different medical specialties performing stent-graft procedures with respect to all aspects of the procedures including indication for treatment, choice of preoperative and intraoperative imaging modalities, technical equipment and perioperative management. The only consistent agreement was on the need for lifelong follow-up after stent-graft placement, with CT being the preferred imaging technique (90% of centers). CONCLUSION: The present survey documents an increasing adoption of endovascular stent-graft placement for patients with diseases of the descending thoracic aorta in Germany. Despite this, there is a lack of consensus among the different medical specialties performing stent-graft placement with respect to indications and technical execution of stent-grafting. Our data supports the need for consensus practice guidelines endorsed by medical professional societies for stent-graft procedure to standardize the growing number of thoracic stent graft procedures.