Midterm Results of 2-Stage Hybrid Arch Repair for Extensive Aortic Arch Aneurysms

This report evaluated the perioperative and midterm results of the 2-stage hybrid arch procedure. This procedure involves total arch replacement with an elephant trunk as the first stage and thoracic endovascular aortic repair as the second stage for patients with extended aortic arch pathology.

Between April 2010 and April 2017, 55 consecutive patients (age, 74.2 ± 6.4 years) with extended aortic arch atherosclerotic pathology involving the aortic arch and descending aorta underwent first-stage total arch replacement with the elephant trunk procedure. The second stage was completed for 53 (96.4%) of the 55 patients. The mean duration between the 2 procedures was 2.4 ± 2.2 months. Postoperative follow-up was completed after a mean of 36.6 ± 24.9 months.

The in-hospital mortality rate for the first stage was 0%. Two patients died during the interval between surgeries. The in-hospital mortality rate for the second stage was 0%. Two (3.6%) of the 55 first-stage patients and none of the 53 second-stage patients experienced a postoperative stroke. No spinal cord dysfunction occurred during the first-stage and second-stage procedures. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 88.2% and 67.0%, respectively. The 5-year thoracic aortic intervention-free rate was 95.5%.

Extended aortic arch aneurysms were repaired using a 2-stage hybrid arch repair. Perioperative mortality and midterm results were acceptable. Use of an elephant trunk provided a secure landing zone for thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair. This 2-stage hybrid procedure is an alternative approach to extended aortic arch pathology.