Durability of open surgical repair of type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm

Perioperative outcomes and late mortality after open type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair are known, yet risk of late graft and subsequent aortic events is infrequently described. Such data are increasingly important as endovascular repair becomes an option and are the subject of this study.

During a 27-year interval, 233 patients underwent open surgical repair of type IV TAAA. Surviving patients were monitored for late aortic or graft-related events. Late aortic events were defined as native aortic disease unrelated to the prior reconstruction leading to death or further intervention. Graft-related complications included anastomotic aneurysm, graft infection, and branch occlusion. Variables were assessed for association with study end points using univariate log-rank methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. Time-to-event analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier techniques.

In-hospital mortality occurred in 7 patients (3%), leaving 226 available for surveillance. Mean age was 72 ± 9 years; 50 patients (21%) had 52 synchronous, noncontiguous aortic aneurysms at time of repair (n = 11 ascending aorta/arch; n = 41 descending thoracic aorta). Mean follow-up was 4.3 ± 3.7 years (median, 3.5 years; interquartile range, 5 years). Aortic events (n = 19 [8%]) included elective aortic repair (n = 15), emergent repair (n = 2), and atheroembolic embolization (n = 2) at a mean of 2.6 ± 2.2 years after type IV TAAA repair. There were 17 patients (8%) who experienced graft-related events (renovisceral occlusion [n = 10; 4% of cohort], anastomotic aneurysm repair [n = 5], graft infection [n = 1], and graft-caval fistula [n = 1]) occurring at 1.7 ± 1.9 years after repair. Variables independently predictive of an aortic event were initial rupture (hazard ratio, 5.6; P = .02) and native aortic expansion during surveillance (hazard ratio, 3.9; P = .04). No independent predictors of graft-related complication were identified. Freedom from an aortic or graft-related event was 93% at 1 year and 66% at 5 years. Freedom from graft or aortic reintervention was 86% at 5 years. Aortic-related mortality in follow-up was 2% and estimated to be 5% at 5 years after type IV TAAA repair. Overall survival was 92% and 66% at 1 year and 5 years, respectively.

After open type IV TAAA repair, late aortic and graft-related events are uncommon. Native aortic disease sequelae and graft complications occur with equal frequency and with similar temporal relation to repair. Need for reintervention is infrequent, and aortic-related mortality is low. These findings verify durability of open type IV TAAA repair and serve as long-term comparative results for endovascular repair.