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Review
Aortic arch stenting: current strategies, new technologies and future directions
  1. Arjune S Dhanekula1,
  2. Matthew P Sweet2,
  3. Nimesh Desai3,
  4. Christopher R Burke4
  1. 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
  2. 2 Vascular Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
  3. 3 Cardiac Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  4. 4 Cardiac Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Christopher R Burke, Cardiac Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; cburke22{at}uw.edu

Abstract

Operating on the aortic arch is a formidable challenge. Open operations remain the gold standard, but despite improvement in technique and outcomes, they are still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The last 20 years have seen a remarkable reduction in the operative morbidity associated with treatment of the descending thoracic aorta using thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR). To improve outcomes following arch repair, new TEVAR devices, including both single-branched and multibranched designs, have come to clinical trial. This review discusses the modern state of open and hybrid repairs while introducing the reader to technology for endovascular therapy of the aortic arch. We describe important anatomical and operative considerations for the devices. Given these nuances, we believe the future of the aortic arch to be patient-individualised hybrid repairs, involving both open and endovascular options with a multidisciplinary ‘thoracic aorta team’ at the helm.

  • aortic diseases
  • aortic aneurysm
  • endovascular procedures
  • cardiac surgical procedures

https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2020-317732

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @ADhanekulaMD, @chrisryanburke

    • Contributors All authors have contributed equally to the writing and approval of this manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting or dissemination plans of this research.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.