Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of fenestrated thoracic endovascular aortic repair (f-TEVAR) using physician-modified stent grafts (PMSGs) in zone 0 and zone 1 for aortic arch diseases.
Methods: f-TEVAR using PMSGs in Z0 and Z1 was performed on ten high-risk patients for open surgery from November 2015 to September 2017. Indications were complicated acute type B dissection (ABAD) with retrograde dissection involving the mid-arch (n = 1), distal arch aneurysms (n = 3), mid-arch aneurysms of the inner arch curvature (n = 3) and penetrating aortic ulcer located in the mid- or proximal arch (n = 3). Pre-, intra- and postoperative clinical data were recorded.
Results: The median patient age was 61 (range 45-81) years, and 9 (90%) patients were men. Ten PMSGs (Medtronic Valiant stent grafts, n = 1; Relay thoracic stent grafts, n = 4; Cook TX2 device, n = 5) were deployed. PMSGs were deployed from Z0 and Z1 in 5 and 5 patients, respectively. Double small fenestrations for the left subclavian artery (LSA) and the left common carotid artery (LCCA), respectively, were created in 3 patients. Triple small fenestrations for the innominate artery (IA), the LCCA and the LSA, respectively, were created in 2 patients. One large fenestration for both the IA and the LCCA combined with one small fenestration for the LSA was created in 3 patients. One large fenestration for the LCCA combined with one small fenestration for the LSA was created in 2 patients. Posterior diameter-reducing ties were added to all the devices except to one Valiant stent graft. All but 2 patients underwent elective procedure. Median duration for stent graft modifications was 105 (range 90-125) min. The technical success rate was 90%. Overall mortality was 10% (1/10). One patient died of sudden cardiac arrest intraoperatively after the deployment of the PMSG and all the supra-aortic branch stents. Mean operative time was 106.0 ± 43.0 min, and fluoroscopy time was 30.6 ± 22.9 min. There were no type I or type III endoleaks, perioperative neurological complications or spinal cord ischemia. Median length of stay was 8 (range 4-35) days. Nine patients survived at mean 13.3 (range 6.0-19.0) months follow-up. Retrograde dissection occurred in one patient of Z0 group 40 days post-f-TEVAR and resolved after open repair. During follow-up, all target vessels remained patent without fenestration-related type I or III endoleaks.
Conclusions: f-TEVAR using PMSGs in Z0 and Z1 for the treatment of aortic arch diseases in high-risk patients is feasible in the hands of experienced operators.
Keywords: Aortic arch disease; Fenestration; Thoracic endovascular aortic repair.