Background: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and the validity of the in situ needle fenestration (ISNF) technique during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for patients with aortic arch conditions.
Methods: A total of 115 patients with aortic arch conditions treated with ISNF during TEVAR between January 2018 and December 2021 were incorporated.
Results: The median age of the patients was 62.0 years, and 10.4% (12/115) were female. The median follow-up time was 31.0 months. A total of 175 supra-arch branches were reconstructed. A single branch was fenestrated in 80 patients, while the left subclavian artery (LSA) and left common carotid artery (LCCA) were fenestrated simultaneously in 11 patients, and all supra-arch branches were fenestrated in 24 patients. The rate of technical success was 100%, 30-day mortality was 3.5% (4/115), overall mortality was 8.7% (10/115), and aortic-related mortality was 2.6% (3/115). Aortic-related reintervention was required in 7.8% (9/115) of patients. Among the major postoperative complications, four patients developed retrograde type A dissection requiring emergent open surgery, three patients had cerebrovascular accidents, and one patient had an endoleak. No occlusions or stenoses of the main or branch aortic stents were observed.
Conclusions: The mid-term results of the ISNF technique during TEVAR for aortic arch conditions were within the acceptable range; however, further follow-up results are needed and long-term stability and durability needs to be assessed. Related fenestration devices also require further development.
Keywords: Aortic arch; Aortic dissection; Endovascular grafts; In situ fenestration; Thoracic endovascular aortic repair.
© 2024. The Author(s).