Mechanical aortic valve may no longer be a contraindication to inner branch aortic arch endografts.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The presence of a mechanical aortic valve has been a contraindication to the use of an arch branch aortic endograft due to the risk of damaging the valve, resulting in acute aortic regurgitation, or a trapped endograft. METHODS: We present a 67-year-old woman, with a background of Marfan's syndrome and a previous Bentall's procedure, who presented with a symptomatic enlarging aortic arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, with a type 1A endoleak. RESULTS: Using an inner branch arch endograft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana), the nose cone of the delivery system was passed laterally through the semi-circular aperture of the mechanical aortic valve to facilitate deployment just distal to the coronary buttons. CONCLUSIONS: With advancement of endovascular technology, techniques and experience, endovascular aortic arch repair in the presence of a mechanical aortic valve is feasible.