Endovascular repair of intercostal and visceral aortic patch aneurysms following open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Purpose: Reoperative open surgical repair (OSR) of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes of fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F-BEVAR) for the treatment of intercostal or visceral aortic patch aneurysms after OSR of TAAAs.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical data and outcomes of consecutive patients treated at 8 academic centers by F-BEVAR for visceral and intercostal aortic patch aneurysms after OSR of TAAAs (2011-2019). All patients had involvement of at least one target vessel requiring incorporation by a fenestration or directional branch. End points were technical success, 30-day and/in-hospital mortality, major adverse events, patient survival, target vessel patency/instability, and freedom from reintervention.

Results: There were 29 patients with a median age of 70 (interquartile range, 63-74) years. Seven patients (24%) had connective tissue disorders. Technical success was 100%. There were no 30-day/in-hospital mortalities. Major adverse events occurred in 5 patients (17%), including estimated blood loss >1 L in 3 patients (10%), acute kidney injury and respiratory failure in 2 patients (7%) each, and transient paraparesis in 1 patient (3%). Median follow-up was 14 (interquartile range, 7-37) months. At 2 years, primary and secondary patency, freedom from target artery instability, freedom from reintervention, and patient survival were 95%, 100%, 83%, 61%, and 96%, respectively.

Conclusions: F-BEVAR could be considered as an alternative to reoperative OSR in patients with visceral or intercostal aortic patch aneurysms. This series showed no mortality and a low rate of major adverse events, but a significant need for reintervention.