Antegrade Delivery of Stent Grafts to Treat Complex Thoracic Aortic Disease

Background: Thoracic aortic disease involving the aortic arch presents a challenge to cardiovascular surgeons. The purpose of this study was to establish the safety and efficacy of antegrade delivery techniques of aortic stent grafting for the treatment of high-risk, complex thoracic aortic disease.

Methods: From April 2007 to December 2009, 38 patients underwent stent graft repair of complex thoracic aortic diseases not otherwise amenable to standard retrograde delivery. Chart review, query of the Social Security Death Index, and three-dimensional analysis of computed tomography was performed. Indications were elective (n = 17), urgent (n = 11), or emergent (n = 10). Causes included coarctation (n = 1), acute aortic dissection (n = 4), traumatic transection (n = 2), and aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm (n = 31), of which 6 were ruptured. Sites of delivery included axillary (n = 4), ascending aorta (n = 18), and direct aortic placement (frozen elephant trunk, n = 16). Eleven were performed off-pump, 4 were performed on pump with a beating heart, 3 with cardiac arrest, and 20 under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Delivery was facilitated by transesophageal echocardiography alone (n = 14), or with fluoroscopy (n = 24). All devices used were commercially available (TAG, 18; Talent, 1; TX2, 19). Concomitant procedures were performed in 26 patients including 17 ascending repairs, 16 coronary artery bypass graftings, and 4 aortic valve replacements.

Results: Technical success was achieved in 97% (37 of 38 patients). Hospital mortality was 10% (n = 4), and serious complications included stroke (n = 4), paraparesis (transient n = 3, persistent n = 1), renal failure (n = 4), and respiratory failure (n = 12). Mean length of hospital stay was 14.7 days (range, 4 to 36 days), and 6.7 days (range, 1 to 20 days) in the intensive care unit. Overall survival was 74% at median follow-up of 1.2 + or - 0.8 years. Ten endoleaks in 9 patients (8 type II, 2 type I) required 3 late reinterventions.

Conclusions: Antegrade delivery of commercially available stent grafts to treat high-risk, complex thoracic aortic diseases is feasible with a high rate of technical success and good intermediate-term outcomes. Further evaluation of these alternative stent graft delivery techniques is warranted.