Hybrid aortic arch and frozen elephant trunk reconstruction: bridging the gap between conventional and total endovascular arch repair

Novel endovascular techniques hope to offer patients aortic arch repair with reduced morbidity compared to conventional arch surgery; however, current endovascular strategies remain challenged by the proximal seal zone, higher stroke rates, long-term durability and select anatomy. Hybrid arch repair offers patients a less invasive alternative that can treat more distal aorta than conventional arch repair yet still be performed via standard sternotomy. Areas covered: This review will discuss the current evidence and future development of hybrid aortic arch and frozen elephant trunk reconstruction. Several approaches to hybrid arch repair are summarized, including the off-label use of thoracic endovascular stent-grafts and commercially manufactured hybrid grafts. Technical considerations and clinical outcomes with each approach will be addressed along with advantages and disadvantages. Expert commentary: Hybrid arch repair will undergo continued refinement as our ability to provide a less-invasive alternative to conventional open arch repair grows. Evolution to allow for improved head vessel branch sizing, improved frozen elephant trunk deployment accuracy, monitoring to prevent paraplegia and utilization of intraoperative image guidance in hybrid operating rooms is necessary. The potential exists for hybrid approaches to arch pathology to completely supplant conventional surgery, while avoiding the potential deleterious complications of total endovascular repair.