Fenestrated and branched stent-grafting after previous open or endovascular aortic surgery

Aim of the study was to review our experience with fenestrated and branched stent-grafts to treat juxtarenal (JAA) and thoracoabdominal (TAAA) aortic aneurysms after previous open or endovascular aortic surgery.

A prospectively maintained database including all consecutive patients with JAA or TAAA treated with fenestrated/branched stent-grafts after previous open or endovascular aortic surgery within the period March 2002-November 2013 was analyzed. Evaluated outcomes included initial technical success, operative mortality and morbidity and late procedure-related events with regard to survival, target vessel patency, and re-intervention.

A total of 122 patients (110 male, 12 female; mean age mean age 70±9.5 years) were treated. Median time interval from previous aortic surgery to current fenestrated/branched stent-grafting was 80 months (range 3-261 months). Seventy-seven (63.1%) patients had previous open infrarenal aortic surgery, 33 (27%) had previous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), nine (7.4%) had previous open thoracic aortic surgery, and three (2.5%) had previous endovascular thoracic aortic repair (TEVAR). Indication for current treatment was a JAA in 65 (53.3%) patients and a TAAA in 57 (46.7%) patients. Technical success was achieved in 115 (94.3%) patients. Seven patients were considered as technical failure (open conversion; N.=1, target vessel loss; N.=6). Operative target vessel perfusion success rate with endovascular means was 98.5% (391/397). Intraoperative technical difficulties due to pre-existing stent-graft/surgical graft were encountered in 28 (23%) patients (access, N.=12; target vessel catheterisation, N.=16). Thirty-day operative mortality was 4.1% (5/122), with zero mortality in 65 JAA, and 8.8% (5/57) in TAAA, respectively. Cause of death was multiple organ failure (N.=3), acute gastrointestinal bleeding (N.=1), and subdural hematoma (N.=1). Major complications occurred in 20 (16.4%) patients. Median hospital stay was 7 days (range 3-50 days), and mean ICU stay 1.5±3.2 days. Mean follow-up was 22.5±21 months. All-cause late mortality was encountered in 23 patients, including one aneurysm-related mortality. Estimated survival was 91.2±3%, 83.3±4.2% and 81.1±4.6% at one, two and three years, respectively. During follow-up, eight target vessels occluded. Estimated target vessel patency was 97.2±1.1%, and 96.3±1.2% at one and three years, respectively. Reintervention during follow-up was required in 13 (10.6%) cases accounting for an estimated freedom from reintervention of 91.6±3.1%, and 82.1±5.4% at one and three years, respectively.

Fenestrated and branched stent-grafting represents a feasible option for the repair of JAA and TAAA after prior endovascular or open aortic surgery. Despite increased technical difficulties it is associated with high technical success rate and is advantageous in terms of mortality and morbidity compared to redo open aortic surgery.